Among these people one family is no better off than another. All share
the spoils in common. If one village is well provided for, and a neighboring
village happens to be without food, bythe laws of hospitality the unfortunate
ones must be taken in and fed as long as they choose to stay, be it weeks or
days. Then, too, the dogs must be well taken care of, and it often hap-
pens that they get without food and must go hunting even in severe winter
weather.

The women among these people have a hard life. The men say it is right
to whip the women, as it makes them good, and when one of these strong Es-
quimaux strikes his wife it is no love tap, but a blowto staggeraman. Usually
the men have two wives. There are no wedding ceremonies, the marriage be-
tween parties being arranged while the parties are children. The father of a
boy selects a little girl to be his daughter-in-law, and buys her from her father
for something—a snow-knife, a sléd, or a dog. When the little girl is grown up
she goes to live with her husband. When going on a journey the women and
children must walk if the load is too heavy. If the dogs become tired, the
women must be put in harness and help them, while the men ride on the sled.
Among the Esquimaux a good wife is one who sleeps but little after a hard
day’s march, and who attends constantly to the wants of her husband. She
must look carefully over the clothing, and see that it is dry and properly mend-
‘ed. If at home, her whole time must be given to makingclothing, cooking, and
other household tasks. She is never idle. When other tasks are Aone she
busies herself chewing skins for clothing to make them pliable.

These people do not have any laws or officers, yet good order prevails
among them and quarrels are rare. When a difficulty arises they settle the
dispute, usually by gathering some of the old men together, who talk the matter
over until an agreement is reached. The women are not allowed to be present
at such times. Yet in spite of these hard conditions they are cheerful, good-
natured, and seem to enjoy life in that dreary region. They will not steal among
themselves, but it is no shame to rob a white man. They have, how-
ever, a wholesome fear of punishment, and can be restrained in that way.