Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 1.djvu/209

188 obliged to be very careful, and especially of my nose. An instance had already occurred—a few days previous—of one of the ship's crew getting his nose frost-bitten, without discovering the serious fact until pointed out to him, and thus just saving it in time. Accordingly, I had to protect mine by as much covering as I could; but, as I then said, deliver me from any more of "Job's comforters"—boils—especially if there be any signs of them approaching that bridge below my eyes, which, from late experience, might indeed be termed "the bridge of sighs!" On the visit just mentioned, I met a sister of Ebierbing, and also another woman, just taking up their quarters in the same place. In fact, it was a matter of mutual accommodation, for the purpose of creating more warmth within, and economizing light and fuel. They arrived, bringing their worldly goods, while I was talking to Tookoolito, and at once the new comers proceeded to place their lamp on the opposite side to that of the mistress of the igloo. They first filled it abundantly with seal-blubber, then putting in large wicks of moss, soon brought forth a long, even train of light and a glorious heat. The new-comers, it appeared, had managed to procure some of the precious seal-blubber so much needed. At Ugarng's igloo, which I visited the same day, I there encountered several women and children congregated together. I was welcomed at once by Nikujar, "Polly," the first or family wife of Ugarng, and by Punnie, his third wife—No. 2 wife, Kunniu, being absent, though her lamp was bright and in full trim. Little Kookooyer (the child of Blind George) was also there, and, with her fat cheeks, laughing eyes, and pleasant voice, greeted me as I entered. "Polly," in speaking to me, could only raise her voice to a whisper, for she was suffering from a pulmonic disease, and almost unable to utter a word without pain.

While waiting at this igloo, in came Puto and her child—Puto finding it necessary to re-arrange the pack at her back prior to a final start for the upper village. Her infant was given to little Kookooyer to hold; but, as it was rather noisy, I