Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 1.djvu/217

196 availed. Gradually she declined; and, though we administered to her such food as was necessary (all the Innuit people, at this period, being near a state of starvation, owing to a very bad season for seal-hunting again), her death rapidly approached. On December 30th, I find the following in my journal concerning her:— "Invited Tookoolito to go with me and make a call upon sick Nukertou. We found her as yesterday. I had a talk with her, Tookoolito acting as interpreter. What a scene for my memory! There sat Kokerzhun before her fire-lamp, drinking in every word, as Tookoolito interpreted to sick Nukertou what I had requested to be said. Tookoolito went on talking to Nukertou all that I had taught her of God, Christ, heaven, the good, &c., and there she stood, weeping over the form of her whom we all love as a sister—noble Nukertou. "After this interesting interview Tookoolito and Kokerzhun proceeded to the vessel, while I went to the former's igloo, and obtained my spirits of camphor for the purpose of laving the temples of Nukertou. Here I remained, chafing the hot, tattooed brow of this afflicted but resigned Esquimaux—here I remained alone with this dear one, whose spirit may soon be in the presence of God and angels. Oh that she may go to that happy land where all is rejoicing, and the song is, 'Glory to God in the highest!'" The day but one afterward I paid my usual visit to Nukertou, and found that Shimerarchu was building a new igloo for her. Upon inquiry, I found that it was to be her living tomb! I was thunder-struck. A living tomb! And so, Tookoolito said, according to custom, it must be; and so it was. On the 4th of January, 1861, Nukertou was removed to the new igloo. She was carried thither upon reindeer skins by four women, who took her in through an opening left for the purpose at the back, not by the usual entrance. Snow blocks were then procured, and the aperture well closed, while a woman stood by and gave instruction what to do. An