THE GRAVES OF THE EXPLORERS.
I will briefly bring this record to a conclusion. The map that
accompanies it will give the reader an opportunity to more clearly
understand the nature of the search conducted by Lieutenant Schwatka
over the route of the retreating crews of the 'Erebus' and
'Terror', and by it he can also trace the sledge journey to and
from King William Land as well as the preliminary sledge journeys in
the winter of 1878 and 1879. The location of each spot where skeletons
of the brave fellows were found is marked, and everywhere cenotaphs
were erected to their memory. Owing to the length of time that has
elapsed since this sad event, it was not always possible to tell the
exact number of individuals represented in a pile of bones that we
would gather sometimes from an area of nearly a half mile. The
skeletons were always incomplete. Sometimes nothing but a skull could
be found in the vicinity of a grave, and, again, often the skull would
be missing. At one place we could distinguish four right femurs, and
could therefore be positive that at least four perished here. This was
at the boat place marked on Erebus Bay.
A number of natives whom we interviewed in the Netchillik country
asserted most positively that there were two boat places in Erebus Bay,
about a quarter of a mile apart; and Captain C. F. Hall obtained the
same information while at Shepherd's Bay, in 1869. We therefore made a
most careful search for another, after finding the first wreck of a
boat at that portion of the coast, but without success. It seemed to us
quite important to establish so interesting a fact, but nevertheless
the effort was fruitless. We obtained from the natives wooden
implements which were made from fragments of each boat, but the wood
from one must have been entirely removed previous to our visit. Whether
or not this is the same boat seen by McClintock is a matter that can be
ascertained, for we have brought home the prow containing the
inscription spoken of by him. He, however, saw portions of but two
skeletons, while the collection of bones buried by us here were
distinctly of four persons.
North of Collinsen Inlet we found but one grave--that of Lieutenant
Irving. We, however visited the sites of several cairns, whose
positions are marked upon the map. Although the route to and from Cape
Felix is marked by a single line only, it should be remembered that our
search extended inland so as to make a broad sweep about five miles
from the coast. The point marked as the grave of an officer, between
Franklin Point and Erebus Bay, is one of especial interest. The care
with which the grave had originally been made seems to indicate the
popularity of the individual and that the survivors had not yet
exhausted their strength to such a degree as to be the cause of
neglect. In fact, there were no evidences anywhere that they had ever
neglected showing marked respect to the remains of those of their
comrades who perished by their side; but, on the contrary, it is
probable that all who died on the march were decently interred. A very
significant fact in this connection is recognizable in the appearance
of a grave which had been opened by the Esquimaux near Tallock Point.
It was made of small stones, while larger and more appropriate abounded
in the vicinity, showing the reduced physical condition of the party at
the time. It was, indeed, a most touching indication of their devotion
to each other under these most adverse circumstances that the grave had
been made at all. The graves east of this point presented the same
general appearance. This might be considered as an evidence that the
boat in Erebus Bay had drifted in after the breaking up of the ice
there, while these poor fellows were on their way back to the ships in
search of food now known to have been there. It is not likely that the
sick or dead would have been deserted by their comrades unless in the
direst extremity.
The point marked as the location of the hospital tent is the place
spoken of by Ahlangyah, where so many dead bodies were seen by her
party after they had spent the summer on King William's Land in
consequence of failing to get across Simpson Strait before the ice
broke up. Where she met the starving explorers is also indicated. On
the mainland the place is marked where the old Ookjoolik Esquimau saw
the footprints of the last survivors of the 'Erebus' and
'Terror' in the spring snows of the year 1849. Also, near by is
where he and his friends unwittingly scuttled the Northwest Passage
ship--the Dangerous Rapids near the mouth of Back's River, the home of
the Ooqueesiksillik Esquimaux, and the spot where we loaded our sleds
with provisions on our way home. The route down Back's River, as we
found its course, is put down, while dotted lines show how it is
mapped on the Admiralty charts. It is not discreditable to Back's
survey that an error should be made in tracing the course of the river,
for it is probable that bad weather hid the sun from his observation at
that portion of the river where he could travel very swiftly; while
upon our return trip we were moving along this river by stages of not
more than from five to nine miles a day. Our course up the river could
not have been toward the southwest when we saw the sun rise to the
right of our line of march almost daily. The place where the records
were destroyed may be seen to the west of Point Richardson.
Among the most important relics of the expedition are two medals. The
larger one, found at Lieutenant Irving's grave, is of solid silver; and
the neat, cleanly cut edges which are as sharp to-day as if just from
the die, indicate the value placed upon it and the care taken of it by
its owner. It was buried with his remains at a spot about four miles
below Victory Point, on King William's Land, and evidently remained
undisturbed until the grave was found by Esquimaux who visited the
vicinity some time after McClintock's search, more than twenty years
ago. From its position when found by Lieutenant Schwatka it would
appear that it had been taken out of the grave by the natives and laid
upon one of the stones forming the wall of the tomb while they were
seeking for further plunder, and was subsequently overlooked by them.
The remains which were thus identified were sent to grateful relations
in Scotland, and buried with due honor in a graveyard of Lieutenant
Irving's native town.
The other medal, which was found at Starvation Cove, is of pewter, and
may be described as a token commemorative of the launch of the
steamship 'Great Britain', by Prince Albert, in July, 1843. The
obverse bears a portrait of His Royal Highness, around it inscribed the
words:--
PRINCE ALBERT, BORN AUGUST 26, 1819.
The inscription on the reverse reads as follows:--
THE GREAT BRITAIN.
LENGTH 322 ft; BREADTH 50 ft. 6 in.
DEPTH, 32 ft. 6 in.
WEIGHT OF IRON, 1,500 TONS.
1,000 HORSE POWER.
LAUNCHED, JULY 19,
1843,
by H. R. H. PRINCE ALBERT.
The vessel was built entirely of iron, and was the largest ever
constructed at the time of the launch. On that occasion a great banquet
was given, and one of the guests carried away the medal, which was
destined to be found so many thousand miles away.
Lieutenant Irving's remains were the only ones that could be
sufficiently identified to warrant their removal. Had there been others
we would have brought them away.
It was a beautiful though saddening spectacle that met our eyes at the
only grave upon King William's Land, where the dead had been buried
beneath the surface of the ground. Near Point le Vesconte some
scattered human bones led to the discovery of the tomb of an officer
who had received most careful sepulture at the hands of his surviving
friends. A little hillock of sand and gravel--a most rare occurrence
upon that forbidding island of clay-stones--afforded an opportunity for
Christian-like interment. The dirt had been neatly rounded up, as could
be plainly seen, though it had been torn open and robbed by the
sacrilegious hands of the savages; and everywhere, amid the debris and
mould of the grave, the little wild flowers were thickly spread as if
to hide the desecration of unfriendly hands. The fine texture of the
cloth and linen and several gilt buttons showed the deceased to have
been an officer, but there was nothing to be seen anywhere that would
identify the remains to a stranger. Every stone that marked the outline
of the tomb was closely scrutinized for a name or initials, but nothing
was found. After reinterring the remains, which were gathered together
from an area of a quarter of a mile, and erecting a monument,
Lieutenant Schwatka plucked a handful of flowers, which he made into a
little bouquet, and brought home with him as a memento.
INDEX.
A.
Abbott Lawrence, The
Adelaide, Peninsula
Adlekok
Admiralty, British
Agloocar
Ahlangyah
Akkolear
"Albert, Prince"
Albert H. R. H. Prince
America, United States of
American Geographical Society
Amitigoke
Anderson, Captain
Anookjook
"Ansel Gibbs, The"
Armow
Arctic
Asia, Northern-Eastern
B.
Back's River
Back's Great Fish RiverBack, Lieut.
Baker, Captain
Banks of Newfoundland
Barry, Capt. Thos. F.
Barry's Rock
Bay, Baffin's
Bay, Cockburn
Baffin's Bay
Bay, Chesapeake
Bay, Daly
Bay, Erebus
Bay, Hudson
Bay, Irving
Bay, North
Bay, Pelly
Bay, Repulse
Bay, Shepherds
Bay, Terror
Bay, Wall
Bay, Washington
Bay, Wilmot
Beechy Island
Bellot Strait
Best, Cape
Big Lake, The
Blucher
Boothia, Gulf of
Boothia, Isthmus
"Bradford, The Abbie"
Bristol
Brevoort, Lake
Brevoort, Jas. Carson
British Admiralty
Brooklyn
Brown, Morrison &
Button Island
C.
Camp Daly
Camp, Kinnepatoo, The
Cape Best
Cape Crozier
Cape Felix
Cape Fullerton
Cape Herschel
Cape Jane Franklin
Cape Maria Louisa
Cape Sidney
Channel, Fox
Channel, Wellington
Charles Island
Chesapeake Bay
Castor & Pollux, river
Chesterfield Inlet
"Cockeye"
Cockburn Bay
Collinson Inlet
Connery River
Connery, Thomas B.
Constantinus, Captain
Conwe-churgk
Conweehungh
Cornwallis Island
Coston
Cove, Starvation
Cove, Thunder
"Cow-e-sil-lik, Fish"
Craycroft, Miss
Crozier, Capt. F. M.
Crozier McClintock
"Crozier Record," The
Crozier, Cape
Cumberland
Cumberland Sound
D.
Daly Bay
Daly, Camp
Daly, Judge, C. P.
Daly, Mrs. Maria
Dangerous Rapids, The
Deadmen's Island
Dease and Simpson
Depot Island
Des V----, Chas. F.
Diggers, The
Dillon, John, Captain
"Doctor, The"
Doktook (Doctor)
"Domino"
Duryea, Gen'l Hiram
E.
Ebierbing, Joseph (See "Esquimau Joe")
Eclipse Sound
Eeglee-leock
Ekeeseek
England
Ephemeris
Equeesik
Eothen, The
Erebus, The
Erebus Bay
Eve-too
Eyertoo
Esquimau Joe
Esquimau Sampson
Expedition, Franklin
F.
Felix, Cape
Fisher, Captain
Fisher's Straits
Fitz-James, James, Captain
Fletcher, The
Fox Channel
"Fox," The (see Melms)
Frank
Franklin, Jane, Cape
Franklin, Lady
Franklin
Franklin Expedition
Franklin, Sir John
Franklin Point
"Franklin Records," The
Franklin Relics
Franklin Spoon
Franklin Arctic Search Party
Franklin Stoves
Fullerton, Cape
G.
Garvin, Capt.
Geographical Society
"George and Mary," The
George's Bank
"Gertrude," The
Gilbert, Mr.
Gilder, W. H.
"Gibbs, The Ansel,"
"Glacier," The
Glacier, Grinnell
Glasgow
Gloucester
Gladman Point
Glen Cove
Goldner's Patent
Gore, Graham,
Gore, Commander
Grant Point
Great Fish River
"Great Britain," The
Great Britain
Greenhithe, Kent
Greenland, Dogs
Greenwich
Grinnell Glacier
H.
Hall, Captain C. F.
Hamilton Inlet
Harris's River
Hayes, R. B.
Hayes River
Hayes, Dr. I. I.
Hayes, Captain
Hazard Hills
Henry (see Klutschak)
"Herald, The New York"
Herschel, Cape
Hills, Hazard
Hobson, William R., Lieut.
"Houghton, The A."
Hudson's Bay
Hudson Bay, North
Hudson Bay Company
Hudson Strait
I.
Igloolik
Ikianelikpatolok
Ik-omer
"Independence Day"
Inlet, Chesterfield
Inlet, Collinson
Inlet, Hamilton
Inlet, Sherman
Innokpizookzook
Institute, Smithsonian
Inuit
Inuits
Inuit Camp, The
Invich River
Irving, Lieutenant John
Irving Bay
"Isabella," The
Ishnark
Ishnach
"Ish-n-mat-tah," The
Island, Beechy
Island, Charles
Island, Cornwallis
Island, Depot
Island, Marble
Island, Matty
Island, Montreal
Island, Nottingham
Island, Resolution
Island, Southampton
Islands, Todd
Issebluet
Isthmus, Boothia
Iteguark
Iwillie
Iwillik, Esquimaux
Iwillichs
"Iviek Seleko"
J.
"Jerry"
"Jim"
"Joe, Esquimau" (see Ebierbing),
"Joe," Natchilli
K.
Karleko
Kelly, Captain
Kendall, Cape
Kig-muk-too
Kigynektower
Kigynektuk
Kioddelliks
King William Land
Kinnepatoos
Kinnepatoo Camp, The
Kinnepatoo Village
Klutschak, Henry (see "Henry")
Kodlunars
Koomana
Koo-pah
Koumania
Koumawa's
Kutcheenwark
Kyack (Mrs).
L.
Lake McDougal
Lathe, Charles A.
"Lawrence, The Abbott"
Le Vesconte, Point
Little, Point
Little Rabbit Island
Lorillard
Lorillard River
Lower Savage Island
Lower Savage Islands
Lyon
M.
"Mu-muk-poo-ama-suet-suk-o" (plenty good to see)
Maria Louisa, Cape
Marble Island
Massachusetts
Matty Island
May, H.
McClintock-Crozier
McClintock, Sir Leopold
McDougall, Lake
Mitcolelee
Meadowbank, Mount
Melms, Frank E. (see "Frank")
Melville Sound
Melville Peninsula
Meta Incognita
Middle Savage Island
Mit-colelee
"Molasses"
"Monkey"
Montreal Island
Morrison & Brown
Mount Meadowbank
Mozier, Captain
N.
Nanook
Nantucket
Narleyow
Neepshark
Netchillik
Netchilliks
Netchillik, Arn-ket-ko, The
Netchillik Joe
Netchillik Women
Netchuk
New Bedford
Newfoundland, Banks of
New Jersey
New York
North America
North Bay
North Bluff
North Hudson Bay
North-eastern Asia
North-west Passage
Nottingham Island
Nu-lee-aug-ar
Nu-oo-tar-ro
Nu-tar-ge-ark
O.
Ockarnawole
Ogzenckjenwock
Okbillegeok
Ookjoolik
Ookwolik Esquimaux
Ooquee-sik-sillicks
Ooping
Owanork
Oxeomadiddlee
Oyle Point
O-yook
P.
"Papa,"
"Pandora," The
Parry, Captain
Pevwat
Petrilark
Petty Bay
Picciulok
Peninsula, Adelaide
Peninsula, Melville
Pfeffer River
Point, Franklin
Point, Grant
Point, Gladman
Point Le Vesconte
Point Little
Point, Oyle
Point Richardson
Point, Seaforth
Point, Smith
Point, Tulloch
Point Whale
Point, Victory
Potter, Captain
Pooyetah
"Prince Albert"
Prince Albert, H. R. H.
Provincetown, Mass.
Punnie
Q.
Queennah
Queen Elizabeth
R.
Rabbit Island, Little
Rapids, Dangerous, The
Rae, Dr., his expedition
"Record, Crozier, The"
Reef, Trainor's
Repulse Bay
Resolution Island
Richardson Point
Richardson
River, Back's
River, Back's Great Fish
River, Castor & Pollux
River, Connery
River, Great Fish
River, Harris's
River, Hayes's
River, Lorrillard
River, Pfeffer
River, Wager
Rock, Barry's
"Ross, The A. J."
Ross, Sir James
Rowe's Welcome
Roxy
S.
Saddle Rock Island
Salisbury Islands
"Sam"
Schwatka, Lieut. Fred'k.
Scotland
Seaforth Point
Sebeucktolee
Seenteetuar
Sekoselar
"Selkirshire," The
Shepherd's Bay
Sherman, General
Sherman Inlet
Shok-pe-nark
Sidney, Cape
Simpson, Dease and Strait
Sinclair, Capt.
Sinuksook
Swansea
Smithsonian Institute
Smith Point
Smith Sound
Sound, Cumberland
Sound, Eclipse
Sound, Melville
Southampton Island
South Street
Spoon, Franklin
Starvation Cove
St. John, N. B.
St. Johns, Newfoundland
Strait, Bellot
Strait, Hudson
Strait, Simpson
Strait, Victoria
Straits, Fisher
T.
"Taylor, Alex."
Taft, The Oray
Terror Bay
Terror, The
Terre-ah-ne-ak
Te-Wort
"Thomas Cochrane, The"
Thunder Cove
Tling-yack-quark
Tockoleegeetais
Todd Islands
Toekelegeto
Tooktoocher
Too-goo-lan
Toolooah
Toogoolar
Toolooahelek
Tos-ard-e-roak
Trainor's Reef
Tsedluk
Tulloch Point
U.
United States
V.
Vernoi, George
Victoria Strait
Victoria Point
Village, Esquimau
Village, Kinnepatoo
W.
Wager River
Wall Bay
Washington Bay
Welcome, Rowe's
Wellington Channel
Whale Point
Wheatley, R.
Wilks, H.
Williams, Mr.
Wilmot Bay
Winchester Inlet
APPENDIX.
INUIT PHILOLOGY.
Perhaps no branch of Arctic research is of more interest to the scholar
than the language of the people who inhabit that region. A careful
comparison of the dialect of the different tribes is of great value in
ascertaining their history, the origin of the race and the gradual
extension of their journeyings to the remotest point from their native
land yet reached by them. It is generally admitted that the North
American Esquimaux are of Mongolian extraction; that at some period the
passage of Behring Strait was affected and the immigrants gradually
extended their migration to the eastward and finally occupied
Greenland, where the mighty ocean headed them off and brought their
wanderings in that direction to an abrupt termination. During what
period of the world's history the exodus from Asia occurred is not
known. There are those who believe it to have taken place when what is
now known as Behring Strait was an isthmus, the shallowness of the
water throughout that channel indicating the physical change to have
been of comparitively recent date. This opinion was upheld by Lutke in
his "Voyage Autour du Monde," vol. 2, page 209, and Whymper, in his
work upon Alaska, page 94, alludes to the shallowness of Behring Strait
and also of the sea so named, as permitting the whalers to ride at
anchor in their deepest parts. Peschel in "Races of Man", page 401,
prefers to believe that the transfer was made while Behring Strait
still held its present character.
There are not wanting authorities who seek to show that the entire
Western Continent was thus peopled by immigration from Asia, and
similarity of feature with the Mongolian is traced even to the most
southern tribes of South America. The close connection between the
"medicine men" of the Indians, the arng-ke-kos of the Esquimaux, and
the shamans of Siberia and Brazil, are also quoted to show the
probability of one origin. It is, however, in the language of the
hyperborean races of America and Asia that the strongest proofs of a
like origin is found. The Tshuktshi of Northern Asia, the Esquimaux of
America, and the Namollo, all bear a very close relationship,
especially in linguistic characteristics.
In common with all the aboriginal languages of America, the Esquimaux
language is agglutinative, though, for the accommodation of the white
strangers who visit their shores, they separate the words and use them
in a single and simple form. In its purity it employs suffixes only for
the definition and meaning, though complex sentences are often formed
of a single word--that is, it is a polysynthetic in character. No
philologist familiar with the whole territory has ever made a
comparison of the dialects of the polar tribes, probably because no
philologist is familiar with all the dialects spoken there. Everything
therefore that would tend to throw any light upon the subject or to
place before the scholar material by which to prosecute such
philological studies must be regarded as of importance.
The long residence of the Danes in Greenland and their intermarrying
with the native Esquimaux, has led to a more thorough acquaintance with
the language of the aborigines of that continent, than any other
portion of the polar regions. In fact, as long ago as 1804 a complete
dictionary of the Greenland tongue was published by Otho Fabricius, the
translation being in the Danish language. With the exception of a few
fragmentary vocabularies, this is the only work upon which the
traveller or the student of the languages of the Polar regions can
depend.
Mr. Ivan Petroff, the Alaskan traveller, has taken some pains to
compile a vocabulary of the various dialects of the Pacific races with
whom he has sojourned, which, when published, will form another link in
the chain by which the scholar may trace the spread of the Asiatic
tribes along the northern seaboard of America. With the publication of
the subjoined vocabulary, in continuation of the philology of the
central or Iwillik tribes, the chain may be considered complete.
With these people many of the familiar sounds of the civilized
languages are found, as, for instance, the child's first words,
an-an-na (mother), ah-dad-ah (father), ah-mam-mah (the mother's breast),
ah-pa-pah (little piece of meat, either raw or cooked). Then there
is the very natural expression for pain or sickness--ah-ah. Many
words seem to indicate the meaning by imitating the action or sound
to be described, as the motion of the kittewake when it swoops down
toward you with its petulant cry, is well described by the word
e-sow'-ook-suck'-too and the vibratory motion of a swinging pendulum
by ow-look-a-tak'-took.
The superlative degree is expressed by the suffix adelo--as amasuet
(plenty) and amasuadelo (an immense number); also tapsummary (long ago)
and tapsumaneadelo (a very long time ago). Examples could be
multiplied, but are not necessary. The suffix aloo has somewhat of a
similar meaning, or as "Esquimau Joe" translated, it signifies "a big
thing;" thus, ivick (walrus), ivicaloo (a big walrus); shoongowyer
(beads), shoongowyaloo (big beads), etc. Persons are named usually
after some animate or inanimate object, and in repeating to you their
own or some one else's name they usually affix the word aloo, as
ishuark is a black salmon and also a man's name, but in mentioning the
name they always say Ishuark-aloo, though such ceremony is not indulged
in on ordinary occasions.
Igeark-too signifies spectacles, and because Lieutenant Schwatka always
wore eye-glasses he was known to the natives as Igeark-too-aloo. His
companion, the 'Herald' correspondent, was known by a less
dignified appellation. A similarity between his name, as they
pronounced it, and the English word "mosquito,"--or, as they called it
"missergeeter"--led them to distinguish him by the Innuit name for
that little pest, keektoeyak-aloo--as "Joe" would translate it "a big
mosquito." They make no distinction in gender, often the same name
being applied to men and women. There were a man and a woman at Depot
Island each named Shiksik (ground squirrel), and you had to distinguish
which one you intended when you spoke of either.
They seldom take the trouble to make explanations, and a singular
mistake occurred once at Depot Island in that way. On one of the small
islands, near the mainland and Hudson Bay, Lieutenant Schwatka saw, in
the fall of 1878, a very fine looking dog, called E-luck-e-nuk, and
asked its owner's name. He was informed that it belonged to Shiksik,
and, as the old woman of that name was in the camp and he knew of none
other, he offered to buy it from her for his dog team. She consented to
the proposed transfer very readily, and said it was a very fine dog
indeed, she had no doubt it would give entire satisfaction. Some time
during the winter, after the hunters had all returned from the reindeer
country, a little old man offered to sell Lieutenant Schwatka a very
fine large dog for one pound of powder and a box of caps, and, when
requested to produce his dog, brought in E-luck-e-nuk. The Lieutenant
recognized the animal at once by a broken ear and a loose-jointed tail,
and, smiling graciously, told the would-be dog seller that the dog
already belonged to him by purchase from Shiksik for a similar price,
to her in hand paid about six weeks prior to the present occasion. The
old man did not seem to understand the matter very clearly and went out
for an interpreter, whom he found in "Esquimau Joe." The latter then
stated that the dog in question belonged to the person then present,
and when Lieutenant Schwatka indignantly asserted that every one in
camp declared the dog belonged to Shiksik at the time of purchase, Joe
remarked, "At's all right; he name Shiksik, too." As an example of the
simplicity of the Innuit character, it should be remarked that when the
purchase was originally made, all the people looked complacently and
admiringly on without a word of explanation, though they well knew the
mistake, merely remarking the unexampled generosity of Igeark-too-aloo.
Under such adverse circumstances does the barterer ply his traffic with
the Esquimaux.
It is exceedingly difficult to secure a good interpreter among these
people. Even "Esquimau Joe," who travelled so long with Captain Hall,
and lived so many years in the United States and England, had but an
imperfect knowledge of the English language, though he had been
conversant with it almost from infancy. There was, however, at Depot
Island, a Kinnepatoo Innuit, who came there from Fort York in the fall
of 1878, who spoke the English language like a native--that is to say,
like an uneducated native. He would prove almost invaluable as an
interpreter for any expedition that expected to come much in contact
with the Esquimaux, as all their dialects were understood by him. His
father had spoken English and was Dr. Rae's interpreter upon many of
his Arctic journeys. This young man had also accompanied that veteran
explorer upon his voyage up the Quoich River, and from Repulse Bay to
Boothia, at the time he ascertained the fate of the Franklin
expedition. In translating from the English to the Innuit language he
usually employed the Kennepatoo, his native dialect, which at first was
quite confusing, the accentuation of the words being so peculiar to one
familiar with the Iwillik tongue only. From him much information
concerning the language was derived, and through him one who would give
careful consideration could secure much valuable matter, especially
concerning the structure of the language.
In one instance, at least, the Innuit language has an advantage
over the French. They have a word for "home." You ask an Innuit,
Na-moon'? or Na-moon,-oct-pick (Where are you going?) and he may
reply, Oo-op-tee'-nar (Home--that is, to my igloo, or my tent, as
the case may be). There is an expression that sounds familiar to ears
accustomed to the English tongue, but which has another meaning in
their language--Ah-me or ar-my'. This is not an exclamation of regret,
but simply means, "I do not know."
In the higher latitudes sounds are conveyed to a long distance, owing
partially to the peculiar properties of the atmosphere, the comparative
evenness of the surface and to the absence of other confusing sounds,
for under other conditions they would not be transmitted to any unusual
distance. It used to be the custom in the early summer of 1880 for
those who had been hunting upon the mainland to come to a point on the
shore nearest the Depot Island and to call for the boat to be sent to
ferry them over. This nearest point was by triangulation two miles and
a half distant. When, however, the distance would be too great for
conversation, or the wind would be in the wrong direction, a few
signals were used that could be distinguished a great way off. The
signal to "come here" is given by standing with your face toward the
party with whom you desire to communicate and then raising your right
arm to the right and moving it up and down like a pump handle. The
effect can be increased by holding a gun or your hat or anything that
can be seen at a greater distance in the moving hand. The signal "yes"
is made by turning your side to the party and bowing your body forward
several times, forming a right angle at the waist.
The Esquimaux language, though comprising but few words, is one that is
difficult for foreigners to acquire and equally difficult to write,
owing to the existence of sounds that are not heard in any of the
civilized tongues and not represented by any combination of the letters
of the English alphabet. Though somewhat gutural it is not unmusical,
and for the sake of euphony final consonants are often omitted in
conversation. As for instance, the Inuit name for Repulse Bay, Iwillik,
is more frequently called, "Iwillie," a really musical sound. And so
with all such terminations. It is not difficult for a stranger to
acquire a sufficient knowledge of the language to enable him to
converse with the natives who inhabit the coasts and are in the habit
of meeting the whalers who frequent the nothern waters in the pursuit
of their avocation. There is a kind of pigeon English in use in these
regions that enables the strangers to communicate with the natives and
make themselves understood, though they would understand but little of
a conversation between two natives. As an illustration, the word
"notimer" means "where," and "ki-yete" is used for any form of the verb
"to come;" therefore "notimer ki-yete" would be understood by them to
mean "Where do you come from?" Now one native addressing another would
not use that form at all, but would say "Nuke-pe-wickt," which bears no
resemblance to the words used in the whalers' language. Also, take the
same word "notimer" and follow it with "owego," which is used for any
form of the verb to go, and you have "Notimer owego," "Where are you
going?" The native, however, would say "Namoon-ock-pict," or perhaps
"Nelle-ock-pin" (which way are you going?). Still they would readily
understand the expression familiar to the whalers and traders, as the
words are really Esquimaux words, but used in a free, broad sense; as,
for instance, the reader would understand a foreigner who used the word
"speak" instead of the other words expressing the same thought, as
"tell," "ask," "talk," &c. "Speak Charles come here" would convey
intelligence to your mind and be understood as well, though not so
readily until accustomed to it, as "Tell Charles to come here."
There are also words that neither belong to the Esquimaux nor any other
language, but are very valuable and expressive. "Sel-low" has been used
for so long a time to express the idea "sit down," and the application
of the latter term is so broad, that "sel-low" has been incorporated
into the language and was understood even by the natives of the
interior whom we met on our sledge journey and who had more of them
never before seen a white man. As, for example, you would ask, "Emik
sellow cattar?" (Is there any water in the pail?) and be thoroughly
understood, though a native would say, "Cattar, emik ta-hong-elar?"
Another useful word adopted from the unknown is "seliko," which means
to kill, shoot, break, bend, scratch, destroy or any kindred thought.
"Took too, seliko, ichbin?" (Did you kill any reindeer?) The old
fashion way of putting it is, "Took too par?" But that would only be
understood by the natives.
Our interpreter, Ebierbing (Esquimau Joe), says that the language has
undergone considerable change since the advent of white men, and even
since his early boyhood, and sometimes would tell me of meeting
strangers, who came into camp, from the interior who spoke "old
fashion," as he called it. This, he said, was especially the case with
the inhabitants of Southampton Island, called by the natives "Sedluk."
Though situated directly in the line of travel of the whalers in Hudson
Bay, all of whom pass directly along its rocky coast, it is an almost
unknown territory. It is known to be inhabited, but its people are
seldom seen. The head of the island is far from Iwillik, and the frozen
straits that separate the two countries would afford an admirable route
of communication. The island is said to be well stocked with game and
the inhabitants are comparatively comfortable. While our party was in
Hudson Bay a whaler was wrecked on the western coast of Southampton,
north of cape Kendall, and the crew easily secured a reindeer the day
they landed. They remained there but two days and then sought the other
shore of Rowe's Welcome, so as to be in the course of the other whalers
then in the bay in order that they might be picked up by them. They
said, however, that if compelled to remain on the island they had no
doubt of their ability to secure plenty of game to maintain them, or at
least to keep off scurvy. Last year the captain of the wrecked vessel
visited the island of the scene of the wreck in order to save as much
as possible from destruction. He went in a whale boat with a crew of
Iwillik Esquimaux, and while there met with a party of the natives. I
subsequently had a talk with the captain's Iwillik crew and inquired
about the people of Sedluk. They told me that their language was
"old-fashioned" and that their arms and implements were mostly of the
obsolete pattern of the Stone Age.
Though living so near together there had been no communication between
the nations; and only once before, about three years previous to my
visit to Hudson Bay, when a whale had gone ashore on Sedluk, an Iwillik
native on board the vessel that killed the whale went with the crew to
claim the carcases and brought news of the foreign country and its
people. I was told that the language of these people of Sedluk was
similar to that spoken by the fathers and grandfathers of the Iwillik
tribe. They had evidently the same origin, and while one became
improved by intercourse with foreign nations and adopted words from
foreign tongues, the other remained as it was in the past, unimproved
by interchange of ideas. I have never seen anything like a full
glossary of the Esquimaux language, and believe that at this time, when
Arctic affairs are attracting so much attention everywhere, a list of
the most important words used in communicating with the natives, and
the method of uniting them, would prove quite interesting. My
experience was that though we at first found it difficult to talk with
the interior tribes they soon caught the idea and conversation became
easy. Innukpizookzook, an Ooqueesiksillik woman who with her husband
joined our party on Hayes River, learned the method of communication in
two weeks, so that it was as easy to hold conversation with her as with
any of those who came with us from Hudson Bay and had been accustomed
to the peculiar language since their birth. In fact, as a general
thing, we found the women much brighter than the men, not only in
acquiring language but in understanding the descriptions of wonderful
things in the white men's country.
It used to be an endless source of amusement to the men, women, and
children in the Arctic regions to look at the pictures in the
illustrated books and journals. Colored maps were also very attractive
to them, and the large type in advertisements apparently afforded them
great pleasure. They were not at particular to hold the pictures right
side up; side-wise or upside down seemed quite as satisfactory. Though
admiring pictures exceedingly, I did not find them very proficient
draughtsmen, and yet nothing seemed to give them more pleasure than to
draw with a lead pencil on the margin of every book they could get hold
of, and my Nautical Almanac and "Bowditch's Epitome" are profusely
illustrated by them. Their favorite subjects were men and women and
other animals, always drawn in profile and with half the usual number
of feet and legs visible.
GLOSSARY.
The following glossary comprises all the words in general use in
conversation between the natives and traders in Hudson Bay and
Cumberland Sound, and a thorough knowledge of it would enable the
student to make himself understood throughout the entire Arctic, with
the assistance of a few signs which would naturally suggest themselves
at the proper time:
A.
Arrow--Kok'-yoke.
Arm--Tel'-oo.
Another--I-pung'-er.
All night--Kuee-en'-nah.
Angry--Mar-me-an'-nah.
All--Ter-mok-er-mingk.
Autumn--Oo-ke-uk'-shark.
Afraid--Kay-pe-en'-nah.
A little while ago, to-day--Wateh-eur'.
Ask--O-kow-te-vah'-vor.
Antlers--Nug'-le-you.
Axe--Oo'-lee-mar.
Aurora Borealis--Ok-sel-e-ak-took, ok-shan'-ak-took.
Air--Ar-ne-yung'-ne-uk.
After, or last--O-puk'-too.
After (to carry)--Ok-la-loo'-goo.
After (to bring)--I'-vah.
Always--E-luk-o-she'-ar.
Alone--In-nu-tu-a-rk'.
A game (like gambling)--Nu-glu-tar.
A herd--Ah-mik-kok'-too.
Act of medicine men--Suk-ki'-u.
Apples (dried)--Poo-wow'-yak.
Ankle--Sing-yeung'-mik.
Arm--Ok-sek'-too.
B.
Bear--Nan'-nook.
Bear (cub)--Ar-took'-tar.
Bullet--Kok'-yoke.
Bow--Pet-e'-chee.
Bird--Tig'-me-ak.
Boots--Kum'-ming.
Blood--Owg.
Black--Muk'-tuk.
Belch--Neep'-shark.
Brother--An'-ing-er.
Bones--Sow'-ner.
Bag--Ik-pe-air'-re-oo.
Book--Muk-pet-toe'-up.
Belt--Tep'-shee.
Blubber--E-din-yer'.
Bashful--Kung-we-shook'-pook.
Blue--Too-mook'-took.
Breastbone--Sok'-e-djuck.
Backbone--Kee-mik'-look.
Belly--Nong'-ik.
Brain--Kok'-i-tuk.
Beard--Oo'-mik.
Beads--Shoong-ow'-yah.
Blanket--Kep'-ig.
Break--Sel'-li-ko.
Bark--Oo-we-uk'-too.
Boil--Kul-ak'-pook.
Bite--Kee'-wah, O-kum-wik'-poo.
Breathe--Ar-nuk-ter-re'-uk.
Build snow house--Ig-loo-le'-yook.
Burn--Oon-ok'-took.
Big river--Koog-ooark'.
Brass headband--Kar'-roong.
Butcher knife--Pee'-low.
Before (or first)--Kee'-sah-met, Oo-tung-ne-ak'-pung-ar.
Bring (verb)--Tik-e-u-dje'-yoo.
Body--Kot'-e-jeuk.
Black moss--Kee-now'-yak.
Big lake--Tussig-see'-ark.
Berries (like red raspberries)--Ok'-pict.
Berries (small black)--Par-wong.
Berries (large yellow)--Kob'-luk.
Bill (of bird)--See'-goo.
Button--See'-ah-cote.
Buttonhole--See-ok-wahk'-pe-ok.
Blubber--Oke-zook.
Blubber (oil tried out)--Tung'-yah.
Bitch--Ahg'-neuck.
Ball of foot--Man-nook'-kok.
Bend (verb)--Ne-yook'-te-pook.
Break (verb)--E-ling-nuk'-poo, Nok'-ok-poe, Noo-week'-pook, Kow'-poo.
Beat (as a drum, verb)--Moo'-mik-took.
Beat (snow off of clothing, verb)--Tee-look'-took-took.
Beat (with club, verb)--Ah-now-look-took.
Boots (deerskin)--Ne'-u, Mit-ko'-lee-lee.
C.
Caps--See'-ah-dout.
Cheek--Oo-loo'-ak.
Codfish--Oo'-wat.
Come here--Ki-yeet', ki-low', ki-ler-root'.
Clothing--An'-no-wark.
Clear weather--Nip-tark'-too.
Cold--Ik'-kee.
Cup--E-mu'-sik.
Cairn--In-nook'-sook.
Clam--Oo-wil'-loo.
Child--Noo-ter-ark'.
Cloud--Nu'-yer.
Chief--Ish-u-mat'-tar.
Cook--Coo-lip-sip'-too.
Canoe--Ky'-ak.
Coat (inside)--Ar-tee'-gee.
Coat (outside)--Koo'-lee-tar.
Cloth--Kob-loo-nark'-tee.
Child, or little one--Mik'-ke
(abbreviation of mik-e-took-e-loo, little).
Cask--Kah-tow-yer.
Cry (verb)--Kee-yie'-yook.
Cap, or hood--Nah'-shuk.
Carry (verb)--Ok-lah-loo'-goo.
Chew (verb)--Tum-wah'-wah.
Cut (verb)--Pe-luk'-took.
Cross-eyed--Nak-oon-i'-yook.
Copper--Kod-noo'-yer.
Calf (of leg)--Nuk-i-shoong'-nuk.
Crawl (verb)--Parm'-nook-took.
Cough (verb)--Coo-ik-suk'-took.
Come (verb)--Tee-kee-shark'-took-too.
Commence (verb)--Ah-too-ik-now'-ook-took.
D.
Dog--Ki'-mak, King'-me.
Doe (old)--No-kal'-lee.
Doe (young)--Nu-ki'-etoo.
Day, or to-day--O-gloo'-me.
Day after to-morrow--Oo-al-e-an'-nee.
Day before yesterday--Ik-puk-shar'-nee.
Duck--Me'-ah-tuk.
Dangerous--Nang-e-yang-nak'-took.
Dog harness--Ar'-no.
Dead--Tuk'-ah-wuk.
Dark--Tark, ta-ko'-nee.
Down--Tow'-nau-ee.
Dawn--Kow-luk'-poo.
Door--Mat'-dor, par, koo-tuk.
Daughter--Pun'-ne.
Dress--Au-a-wark'-took.
Drown--Ki-yar'-wuk.
Drink--E'-mik-took.
Dream--See-muk'-took-pook.
Do you like?--U-mar'-ke-let-it-la?
Dripping water--Ko-duk'-too, Kush-e-koo'-ne.
Do (verb)--I-u-met'-u.
Dried Salmon--Pe-ip'-se.
Deerskin drawers--E'-loo-par.
Deerskin trousers--See'-lah-par.
Dive (verb)--Me'-pook.
Dislike (verb)--Pe-u-wing-nah-lah'-yar.
E.
Ear--See'-a-tee.
Eyes--E'-yah.
Ermine--Ter'-re-ak.
Elbow--E-quee'-sik.
East--Tar'-wan-ne.
Early-Oo'-blah.
Every day--Kow'-ter-man.
End for end--Ig-loo'-an-ar.
Entrails--Ein'-er-loo.
Egg--Mun'-nik.
Eat--Ner-ee-uk'-took-too.
Empty--E-mah'-ik-took.
Everything or every one--Soo-too-in'-nuk.
Every night--Ood'-nook-ter-mock'-er-mingk.
Eye tooth--Too-loo'-ah-el'-lek.
Enough--Te-ter'-par.
F.
Fox--Ter-re-ar-ne'-ak.
Fire--Ik'-o-mar.
Fish--Ik'-kal-uk.
Fur--Mit'-kote.
Foot--Is'-se-kut.
Face-Kee'-nark.
Finger ring--Mik-e-le-rar'-oot.
Female--Nee-we-ak-sak.
Far--Oon-wes'-ik-poo.
Farewell--Tare-wow'-e-tee.
Finished--In-nuk'-par.
File--Ag'-e-yuk.
Flipper--Tel'-ar-rook.
Faster--Ok-shoot'.
Fork--Kok-e-jerk.
Fringe--Ne'-ge-ver.
Feather--Soo'-look.
Fingers--Arg'-ite.
Finger (index)--Tee'-kee-ur.
Finger (second)--Kig-yuck'-tluk.
Finger (third)--Mik-ke-lak.
Finger (little)--Ik-ik-ote.
Full--Put-tah'-took.
Fly--E-sow-ook-suk'-too.
Fight--Neng-nik-par'.
Feel--Tep-sik-ak'-took.
Freeze--Keegk-e-yook'.
Forget--Poo-yuk'-too.
Find (verb)--Nin-e-va'-ha.
Finish (verb)--In-nuk'-par, Koo-lee-war'.
Fall (verb, neuter)--E-yook-ar'-took.
Fall (verb, a person)--Pard'-la-took.
Float (verb)--Pook-tah-lak'-too.
Fetch (verb)--I-ik-sek'-took.
Finger-nail--Kook'-ee.
Fore arm--Ah'-goot.
Follow (verb)--Toob-yok'-she-yook.
Fish (verb)--On-le-ak'-took.
Feed dogs (verb)--Kig-me-ar'-re-ook.
Fold (verb)--Pir'-re-pook.
Forehead--Kow'-roong.
Frozen (or frost)--Quark.
G.
Gun--Suk-goo'-te-gook.
Goose--Ne-uk'-a-luk.
Gloves--Po'-ah-lo.
Good--Mah-muk'-poo.
Glad--Kuyan'-a-mik.
Gone--Peter-hong'-a-too.
Go--Owd-luk'-poo.
Give me--Pel'-e-tay.
Grave--E-le'-wah.
Green--Too-me-ook'-took.
Gun cover--Powk.
Give (verb)--Na-look'-ze-yook.
Ground squirrel--Shik'-sik.
Gravel--Too-wah'-pook.
Get (verb)--Shoo-mig'-le-wik.
H.
Here--Una, Muk'-kwar.
Hole--Kid'-el-look.
Handkerchief--Tuk-ke-o'-tee.
Halo--Ka-tow'-yar.
Hiccough (verb)--Neer-e-soo-ock'-took.
Home--Oo-op'-te-nar.
Hot--Oo-oo'-nah Hard (verb)--Se-se-o-ad'-elo
Hunt (verb) reindeer--Ah-wak'-took.
Hunt (verb) musk ox--Oo-ming-muk'-poo.
Howl (verb)--Mee'-ook-took.
Hang (verb)--Ne-wing-i'-yook.
Hurry--Too-wow'-ik-took, Shoo-kul'-ly.
Help--E-see-uk'-par.
Herring (peculiar to King William Land and vicinity)--Cow-e-sil'-lik.
Here (or there)--Tap'-shoo-mar.
Hammer (of gun)--Ting-me-ok'-tar.
Heel--King'-mik.
Hand--Puk'-beeg.
Hair--New'-yark.
Hand--Ar'-gut.
Husband--Wing'-ah.
Hard bread--She'-bah.
How far?--Karn'-noo-oon-wes'-ok-ik-te'-vah.
Half--E-lar'-ko.
Hate--Took-pah'.
He--Una.
How many--Kap-shay'-ne.
Hard--See'-see-yoke.
Hand me--Ki-jook.
Hill--King-yar'-ko.
Hungry--Kahk-too.
Hear or understand--Too-shark'-po.
Handle--E'-poo-ah.
How--Kon'-no.
Heart--Oo'-mut.
I.
Ice--Se'-ko.
Iron--Sev'-wick.
I, me, mine, etc.--Oo-wung'-ar.
Ice chisel--Too'-woke.
Instep--Ah-look.
It is better, OR, is it better--Pe-e-uke'.
Island--Kig-yeuck'-tuck.
Island (small)--Kig-yuk-tow'-ar.
Inside--E-loo-en'-ne.
Intestines--Ein'-er-loo.
Indian--Ik'-kil-lin.
J.
Jack knife--O-koo-dock'-too.
Jump (verb)--Ob-look'-took.
Jump--Ob-look'-took.
Just right--Nah-muck-too.
K.
Kettle--Oo-quee'-zeek.
Kidney--Tock'-too.
Kill--To-ko-pah'-hah.
Knee--Nub-loo'-te.
Knuckles--Nub-we'-yan.
Kiss (rub noses)--Coon'-e-glew.
Kittewake--E-muk-koo-tar'-yer.
Kill (verb, reindeer)--Took'-too-par.
Kill (verb, bear)--Nan-noo'-me-owd.
Keep (verb)-Pah'-pah-took.
L.
Little river--Koog-ah-lar'.
Lose (verb)--I-see'-u-wuck.
Lower jawbone--Ah-gleer'-roke.
Like (verb)--Pe-u-we'-we-yook.
Lungs--Poo'-wite.
Long ago--Tap-shoo-man'-ne.
Lead--Ok'-ke-gook.
Lip (upper)--Kok-tu'-we-ak.
Lip (lower)--Kok'-slu.
Leg--Ne'-yoo.
Loon--Kok'-saw.
Look--Tuk'-ko.
Large--An'-no-yoke.
Love--Kou-yah-e'-vah-vick.
Liver--Ting'-you.
Lake--Tus-sig.
Light--Ood'-luk, oo'-blook.
Laugh--Ig-luk'-too.
Lift--Kee'-wik-took.
Leak--Arng-mi-yook.
M.
Musk-ox--Oo'-ming-munk.
Midnight--Oo'-din-wark.
Moon--Tuk'-luk.
Man--Ang'-oot Mouth--Kang'-yook.
Medicine man--Arng'-ek-ko.
Male--Nu-kup'-e-ak.
Much--Am-a-suet'.
Meat--Neer'-kee.
Meat cooked--Oo-yook'.
My son--Ear'-ken-ear-ar.
Marrow--Pat'-ak.
Musquito--Keek-toe'-yak.
Make--Mix-uk'-too.
Moss (running)--Ik-shoot-ik.
Moss (spongy)--Mun'-ne.
Mix (verb)-Kar'-te-took.
Milk--Ah-mar'-mik-took.
Milkbag--E-we-eng'-ik.
Match--Ik-keen'.
N.
Never--I-pung'-ar.
Now--Man'-na.
Nail--Kee'-kee-uk.
Navel--Col-es'-ik.
Nostrils--Shook'-loot.
Night--Oo'-din-nook.
Needle--Mit'-cone.
Nose--Tling'-yak.
Neck--Koon-wes'-ok.
Near--Kon-e-took'-ah-loo.
No--Nok'-er, nok-i'.
Noon--Kig-yuk-kah'-poo-kik-ah.
Naked--Ar-noo-wi-lee-ak'-took.
Nest--Oo'-blood.
Narrow--Ah-me'-too.
O.
Old--Oh'-to-kok.
Outside--See-lah-tau'-ne.
Oar--E-poot.
Old man--Ik-tu'-ar.
Old woman--Ah'-de-nok.
Over there--Ti'-mar.
Out doors--See'-lar-me.
Observation of sun--Suk-a-nuk'-ah-yook.
P.
Pencil--Titch'-e-row.
Pemmican--Poo'-din-ik.
Pant (verb)--Arng-ni-u-ak'-took.
Pup--King-me-ak'-yook.
Pour (verb)--Koo'-we-yook.
Promise--Pee-da-go-war'-ne.
Place anything in its sheath--E-lee-wah'.
Put down (verb)--E-leeg'-yoke.
Place (verb)--Im'-in-ar.
Play (verb)--Kik'-it-toon.
Powder--Ok'-de-ur.
Pretty--Mah-muk'-poo.
Promise--Pe-dah-go-wah'-nah.
Paper--Al-le-lay'-yook.
Ptarmigan--Ok-ke-ge'-ah.
Pan--Ah-wap'-se-lah.
Pail--Kat'-tar.
Pin--Too-be-tow'-yer.
Q.
Quickly--Shoo-kul'-ly.
R.
Round--Pang'-ar, Arng-mar-look'-too.
Reside (verb)--Noo-mig'-e.
Row (verb)--E'-poo-too.
Runners of sled--See'-woong-nar, We-ung'-nuk.
Roll (a bundle)-E-moo'-war.
Rest (verb)--Noo-kung-ah'-took.
Rot (verb)--Shoo-yook'-too, E-vood'-nok.
Reindeer--Took'-too.
Reindeer (big buck)--Pang'-neuck
Reindeer (young buck)--Nu-kar-tu'-ar.
Reindeer (fawn)--No'-kark.
Ramrod--Kok'-dook-sook.
Red--Owg.
River--Koog.
Rabbit--Oo-kae'-ut.
Rock--We-ar'-zook.
Rain--Mok'-uk-too.
Raven--Too-loo'-ah.
Rapids--E-tem-nark'-zeack.
Ribs--Too-lee-med'-jit.
Run--Ood-luk-too.
Ride--Ik-e-mi'-yuk.
Resemble--Ar-djing'-er.
Remember--Kow-ye-mu'-wuk-er.
S.
Sledge--Kom'-mo-tee.
Seal--Net'-chuk.
Seal (large)--Ook'-jook.
Seal (bladder nose)--Nets-che'-wuk.
Seal (fresh water) Kosh-e-geer'.
Seal (jumping)--Ki-o-lik.
Snow--Ap'-poo.
Stockings (long)--Ah-luk'-tay.
Stockings (short)--E-king'-oo-ark, e-nook-too.
Sun--Suk'-e-nuk.
Star--Oo-bloo'-bleak.
Skin--Am'-ingk.
Swan--Coke'-jeuk.
Sea or salt--Tar'-re-o.
Salmon--Ek'-er-loo.
Salmon (black)--Ish'-u-ark.
Stone--We'-ark.
Snow knife--Pan-an'-yoke.
Small--Mik-e-took'-e-loo.
Some--Tah-man'-ar-loo.
Swim (verb)--Poo'-e-mik-took, Na-'look-took.
Sink (verb)--Kee'-we-wook.
Smile (verb)--Koong'-ik-kook.
Spit (verb)--Oo-e-ak'-took.
Stare (verb)--E e-e'-yook.
Shake (verb)--Oo-look'-took.
Stretch (verb)--Tesh-ik-ko'-me-yook.
Slats of sled--Nup'-poon Screw--Kee-gee-ar'-lee.
Snow drift or bank--O-que'-che-mik.
Squid (whale food)--Ig-le'-yahk.
Spyglass--King'-noot.
Strong smell--Tee-pi'-e-took.
Shin--Kuh'-nok.
Shoulder--Ke-es'-ik.
Swap (verb)--Ok-ke-la'-yook.
Sharpen--Kee-nuk'-took, Air-e-yook'-took.
Sing (men)--Pe'-se-uk.
Sing (women)-Im'-nyick-took.
Sweat--Ar-mi-yok'-took.
Sneeze--Tug-e-yook'-took.
Squint--Kahn-ing-noo'-yook.
Scare--Kock-se-tek'-poong-ar, Ik'-see-book.
Starve--Pik'-lik-took, Pig-le-rark'-pook.
See anything coming far off--Og-le-luk'-pook.
Spinal cord--Kitch-e'-ruk.
Seal spear--Oo-nar'.
Sealskin slippers--Pee'-nee-rok.
Sealskin boots (short)--E'-keek-kuk.
Sorry--Ah-kow'-mit-u.
Stomach--Neer-u'-ker.
Shot (discharge of a gun)--Suk-ko'-eet.
Sealskin--Kis'-ingk.
Saw--Oo'-loot'.
Spotted--Oo-kee-leur-yere', Ar-glark'-took.
Svuare--Se-nar'.
Soft--Ah-kut-too-ah'-loo.
Strong--Shung-e'-yook.
Snake--Ne-meur'-e-ak.
Scratch another thing (verb)--Ah-guk'-took.
Stumble (verb)--Pard'-look-took.
Snore (verb)--Kom-noo'-we-ook.
Swear (verb)--O-kah-look'-took.
Suck (verb)--Tum-woi'-yook.
Swallow (verb)--E'-wah.
So--Ti'-ma-nar.
Summer--Ow'-yer.
Shirt--Ar-tee'-gee.
Spring--Oo-ping'-yark.
Same--Ti'-ma-toe.
Sister--Nur-year'-ger.
Scraper--Suk'-koo.
Snow stick--An-owt'-er.
Snow-block--Ow'-ik.
Spectacles--Ig-eark'-too.
Spoon--Al'-lute.
Sinew--Oo-lee-ute'-ik.
Sick--Ah'-ah, Ar-ne-ok'-took.
Scissors--Kib-e-ow'-te.
Smoke--E'-shik.
Stranger--Ahd'-lah.
Sunrise--Suk-ah-ne-uk'-poke.
Sunset--Ne-pe'-woke.
Sit down--Ing-e'-tete.
Stand up--Nik-e'-we-tete.
Steam--Poo'-yook-took.
Sand--See'-ah-wark.
Snowing--Con'-nuk-too.
Snow shovel--Po-ald'-er-it.
Speak--O-kok'-po.
Sleep--Sin'-nik-poo.
Ship--Oo'-me-ak.
Smoke (verb)--Pay-u'-let-tee.
Scratch--Koo'-muk-took.
See--Tak'-ko-wuk.
Smell--Tee'-pee.
Steal--Tig'-lee-poo.
Show--Tuk-o-shu-ma'-uk-too.
Sweetheart--E-veuck'-seuck.
T.
To-morrow--Cow'-pert, Ok'-ar-go.
Two or three days ago--Ik'-puk-shar'-nee.
Tallow--Tood'-noo.
Teeth--Ke'-u-tee.
Tongue--Oo'-guark.
Tent--Tu'-pik Thunder--Kod'-ah-look.
Thunderstorm--Sel'-ah-look.
Trousers--Kok-ah-leeng'.
There--Ta'-boir.
Thanks--Quee-en'-nah-coo'-nee.
These people--Ta'-ma-quar.
Those people--Tuk'-o-quar.
Then--Oo-bah'.
Thread--Eve'-er-loo.
Tusk--Too'-rok.
Tenderloin--Oo-lee-oo-she'-ne.
Tail--Pam'-e-oong'-gar.
There (in the distance)--Tite'-quar.
Track--Too'-me.
Tired--Too-ki'-yoo.
Thumb--Koo-bloo'.
Thick weather--Tock-se-uk'-too.
Thirsty--E-me-rook'-too.
Thick--Eb-zhoo'-zhook.
Thin--Sah'-took.
Tatoo--Tood-ne'-uk.
Think--Ish-u-mi'-yuk.
Tell--Kow'-you-yor.
Trace--Ok-zu-nar'.
That will do--Ti'-mar-nar.
Think--Ere-kert-sert'-ro.
Take--Pe-e-ock-i'-re.
Tear (verb)--Al'-ik-pook.
Trigger--No-kok-tah.
Toe (big)--Po'-to-wok.
Toe (first)--Tee'-kee-ur.
Toe (middle)--Kig-yuck'-tluck.
Toe (third)--Mik'-e-lak.
Toe (little)--Ik'-ik-ote.
Thread (verb)--Noo-wing-yok'-par.
Thigh--Kok-too'-ok.
Throat--Too-koo-ed'-jik.
This person--Tab'-shoor mar.
Throw (verb)--Me-loo-e-ak'-took.
U.
Ugly--Pe'-ne-took.
Understand or hear--Too-shack'-poo.
Up or north--Tap-an'-ny.
Upset (verb)--Koo'-e-yook.
Upset a kyack and inmates--Poo'-she-pook.
Undress--We-ze-tk'ook.
V.
Vibrate (verb)-Ow'-look-a-tak'-took.
W.
Will you?--E'-ben-loo.
Why?--Shu.
What?--Shu'-ar.
Who, which, what?--Kee'-nar.
What is the matter?--Kon-ah-we'-pin.
Wolverine--Cow'-bik.
Weak--Shung-e'-took.
Whistle--Oo-we-nyack'-too.
Wake up (verb)--Too-puk'-poo.
Work (verb)--Sen-uk'-suk-too.
Walrus--I'-vick.
Water--E'-mik.
Wood--Ke'-yook.
Woman--Ah'-de-nok.
Woman's boat--Oo'-mi-eu.
Whale--Ok'-bik.
White man--Kob-lu-nar.
Wife--Nu-le-ang'-er.
Whalebone--Shoo'-kok.
Walrus hide--Kow.
White gull--Now'-yer.
Wind--An'-no-way.
White--Kowd'-look, Kok'-uk-too
When--Kong'-er.
Wait--Watch'-ow.
Where--No-ti'-mer.
What is--Kish-oo'.
Winter--Oke'-e-yook.
Window--E'-o-lar.
Warm--O'-ko.
Wolf--Ar-mow.
Whip--Ip-pe-row'-ter.
What--Shoo'-ar.
Wing--E'-sar'-ro.
Wide--Se-lik'-too.
Wrist--Nub-gwok.
Walk--Pe-shook'-too.
Write--Titch-e-ruk'-kut.
Whisper--E-shib-zhook'-took.
Wake up--Too-pook'-poo.
Want--Tah-oom-ar-wung'-ar.
Work--Sen-uk-euck'-too.
Wink--Kob-loo-shook'-too.
West--Tar'-wan-ne.
Y.
Yesterday--Ip-puk'-shur.
Young man--Nu-ku-pe-air-we'-nee.
Young woman--Nu-le-uk-sar-we'-nee.
Yes--Ar'-me-lar. You--Ich'-bin.
You and I--Oo-bah-gook'.
Year--Ok-ar-ny.
Yawn (verb)--I-ter'-uk-poo.
Yell (verb)--Ko-ko-ok'-took.
PHRASES.
Go ahead--At-tee'.
What is the name of--I-ting'-er.
What are you making?--Shu-lah-vik'.
Who is it?-Kee-now'-yer.
Where are you going?-Nah-moon-okt'-pict.
Where do you come from?--Nuk ke-pe'-wict.
I have found it--Nin-e-vah'-hah.
Is it good?--Pe-e-uke'.
I don't know--Am-e-a'-soot.
Shut the door--Oo'-me-yook.
Open the door--Mock'-tere-yook.
Do just as you please--Is-you-muk-e-yang'-ne.
I guess--Shu'-a-me.
Give me a light--Ik-ke-de-lung'-ar.
Give me a drink--Im'-ing-ar
Give me a smoke--Pay-u'-let-e-de-lung'-ar.
I don't know anything about it--Kow-you-mum-e-mum'-me.
Where does it come from?--Nuk-ke-nu'-nar?
Come in--Ki-low'-it. Right here--Muk'-ko-war.
Who is it?--Kee-now-yer.
I am not sure--Shu'-ah-me.
Is the meat done?--Oo-par'?
Too much--Pee-lo-ak'-poke.
Too little--Mik-ke-loo-ak-poke.
Which way?--Nel-le-ung'-nook?
A poor thing--Nug-a-leen'-ik.
NUMERALS.
1 (One)--An-tow' zig.
2 (Two)--Mok'-o, Mud'-el-roc.
3 (Three)--Ping'-ah-su-eet.
4 (Four)--See'-tah-mut.
5 (Five)--Ted'-el-e-mut.
6 (Six)--Ok'-bin-uk.
7 (Seven)--Ok'-bin-uk-mok'-o-nik.
8 (Eight)--Ok'-bin-uk-mok'-a-sun-ik.
9 (Nine)--Ok'-bin-uk-see'-tah-mut.
10 (Ten)--Ko'-ling.
20 (Twenty)--Mok'-ko-ling.
They have little idea of numbers beyond the number of their fingers,
and such as they can borrow by calling attention to their neighbors'
fingers. Any sum that calls for more than that is to them amasuet
(many) or amasuadelo (a great many).
NO IDEA OF LENGTH OF YEARS.
It is not at all singular, then, that they have no idea of their ages
when they get beyond the number of years that the mother can keep upon
one of the wooden or ivory buttons that hold her belt in place. It is
impossible, therefore, to tell whether they are a long-lived race.
There are many among them who bear the marks of advanced age, but such
may have resulted more from hardships and exposure than from the
accumulation of years. There is a gray-haired old dame with the Iwillik
tribe at Depot Island who was a grown woman at the time of Sir William
Edward Parry's visit there in 1821, and remembers the circumstances
with all the distinctness that marks the early reminiscences of the old
in every country. There was another woman there apparently as old, but
there was no early event by which her age could be traced except that
she told 'The Herald' correspondent that she remembered having
seen Parry on board of a ship in Baffin's Bay when she was a little
girl.
[Transcriber's Notes:
Some words which appear to be typos are printed
thus in the original book. Some of these possible misprints are:
Chap. II "Boxy" ("Roxy")
Chap. IV case (ease)
Chap. XIII scarely (scarcely)
Chap. XIV trival (trivial)
Chap. XVII Collinsen Inlet (Collinson)
Index:
River, Lorrillard (Lorillard)
Selkirshire (Selkirkshire)
more than 10 of the Inuit names
Appendix:
comparitively (comparatively)
gutural (guttural)
nothern (northern)
carcases (carcass)
Glossary:
svuare (square)
The phonetic transcriptions of many Inuktitut names and terms are
inconsistent throughout the original text and have not been changed.]