Transactions of the Canadian Institute Volume 5 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 Excerpt: ...and other refreshments. Here they make a feast, during which everyone recounts his own exploits and heroic actions. After they amuse themselves with dancing and singing, they return home, where they are entertained with more sumptuous festivities which last for several days. The prisoners are contented with singing mournful airs, in which they implore the compassion of their conquerors. When captives are adopted among them, they fail not to show them that they are no less humane than they are ferocious when they inflict punishment." Mackenzie describes the arms of the Slaves and Dogribs: "Their arms and weapons for hunting are bows and arrows, spears, daggers and pogamagans, or clubs. The bows are about five or six feet in length, and the strings are of sinews or raw skins. The arrows are two feet and a half long, including the barb, which is variously formed of bone, horn, flint, iron or copper, and are winged with three feathers. The pole of the spear is about six feet in length, and pointed, with a barbed bone of ten inches. With this weapon they strike the reindeer in the water. The daggers are flat and sharp pointed, about twelve inches long, and made of horn or bone. The pogamagan is made of the horn of the reindeer, the branches being all cut off except that which forms the extremity. This instrument is about two feet in length, and is employed to dispatch their enemies in battle, and such animals as they catch in snares placed for that purpose." Hearne gives the details of an attack made by his Northern Indians upon a body of Eskimos. The expedition began by leaving the women and children and the baggage behind. "The separation then took place, but hardly were we on the march when they uttered lamentable cries, which were prolong...