getting an obstinate Chukch to
comply with one's wishes. In case they undertook to drive us with
their dog-teams, they were never desirous of finding out whether any
stock of provisions was taken along, but warned by our parsimony in
dealing out spirituous liquor, they were unwilling to start until
they had examined the stock of "ram." That drunkenness, not the
satisfying of the taste, was in this case the main object, is shown
by the circumstance that they often fixed, as price for the articles
they saw we were anxious to have, such a quantity of brandy as would
make them completely intoxicated. When on one occasion I appeared
very desirous of purchasing a fire-drill, which was found in a tent
inhabited by a newly-wedded pair, the young and very pretty
housewife undertook the negotiation, and immediately began by
declaring that her husband could not part with the fire-producing
implement unless I gave him the means of getting quite drunk, for
which, according to her statement, which was illustrated by lively
gesticulations representing the different degrees of intoxication,
eight glasses were required. Not until the man had got so many would
he be content, that is, dead drunk. I have myself observed, however,
on several occasions that two small glasses are sufficient to make
them unsteady on the legs. Under the influence of liquor they are
cheerful, merry, and friendly, but troublesome by their excessive
caressing. When in the company of intoxicated natives, one must take
good care that he does not unexpectedly get a kiss from some old
greasy seal-hunter. Even the women readily took a glass, though
evidently less addicted to intoxicants than the men. They however
got their share, as did even the youngest of the children. When, as
happened twice in the course of the winter, an encampment was
fortunate enough to get a large stock of brandy sent it from
Behring's Straits, the intoxication was general, and, as I have
already stated, the bluish-yellow eyes the next day showed that
quarrelsomeness had been called forth even among this peace-loving
people by their dear _akmimil_. During our stay at the villages
nearer Behring's Straits two murders even took place, of which one
at least was committed by an intoxicated man.

However slight the contact the Chukches have with the world that has
reached the standpoint of the brandy industry is, this means of
enjoyment, however, appears to be the object of regular barter. Many
of