Page:Across the sub-Arctics of Canada (1897).djvu/186

 "11. When a walrus is slain, the successful hunter shall be separated from his wife for at least one day."

"12. The borrower of tools shall not be bound to give compensation for damages."

"13. No person shall muckchucto (sew) while any member of the family is ill."

"14. If any man from any cause whatsoever slays his neighbor, the wife and family of the deceased shall become the family of the slayer, and shall be taken care of by him as if they were his own."

One Eskimo legend regarding the origin of the people has already been related. Another of special interest, regarding the occurrence of a flood, runs something like this: A very long time ago there was a great rain, which was so terrible that it flooded the earth and destroyed all people, with the exception of a few Eskimos who constructed a raft by lashing together a number of kyacks and took refuge upon it. Upon this raft they drifted for a long time, until they were much reduced by cold and starvation. Then at length in their distress their angokoke stood up and cast his harpoon and all their ornaments into the flood of waters. This act sufficed to appease the angry spirits, and the flood subsided.

This legend is particularly interesting since it adds one to the large number of similar legends belonging to other savage tribes and nations.

Another romantic Eskimo legend explains the origin of the sun and moon.

As a rule the aged and feeble members of the Eskimo community are treated with respect and kindness, but during times of distress and famine they are often forgotten in the general struggle for existence. For