Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 1.djvu/251

230 as speedily as possible. The angeko, however, left us in a day or two for another place, where he and his wives were afterward found, again starving. News from the ship told me that all were well on board, and that the natives had caught one seal, the captor being Koodloo, who had remained there when Ebierbing went with him on the first trip back to the vessel.

Sterry, of the ship's company, had been some time living at a place in Frobisher Bay, and had, with the natives, caught two walrus. Captain B intended going thither the next month with some men, to see what could be done the coming season in the way of whaling. After this arrival, the usual daily incidents of our life were unvaried for some time. Occasionally seals were obtained, principally by Ugarng and Ebierbing, and then a grand feast of raw food took place. The improvidence and thoughtlessness of the Innuit people are remarkable. If they can live bountifully and joyously to-day, the morrow may take its chance. This was repeatedly shown in the conduct of one and all during my residence with them in the igloos. Not even Ebierbing and Tookoolito were exempt from this failing. They would eat, and let others eat up all they had one day, though they—and, I must add, myself,—starved the next. In addition to this want of due consideration concerning food for their own home, Tookoolito was generous in the extreme, always giving when asked, and trusting to what might happen afterward for replenishing the supply. Ugarng's numerous family, consisting of no less than seven individuals, made incessant demands upon her and Ebierbing, and also upon myself, whenever it could he done by cajolery, or—as I often thought would follow—by intimidation. My own stores I freely gave to an extent that I considered advisable, and no more; but I frequently pointed out to my Esquimaux friends the necessity of husbanding what they obtained by their persevering and arduous labours. It was, however, of no use. Eat, eat, give, give, let go and never mind, seemed the principle that