r with his three younger brothers
and an invalid sister, who all lived in the same
tent-chamber. Immediately after our arrival one of the
brothers began to get the dog-harness and sleigh ready for
the following day's journey, while the rest of us went
into the interior of the tent, where the invalid sister
lay with her clothes off, but wrapt in reindeer skins. She
took charge of two train-oil lumps over which hung two
cooking vessels, one formerly a preserve tin, and the
other a bucket of tinned iron. One of the brothers came in
with a tray, on which was placed a piece of seal blubber,
together with frozen vegetables, principally willow
leaves. The blubber was cut into small square pieces about
the size of the thumb, after which one of the brothers
gave the sister a large portion both of the blubber and
vegetables. The food was thus served out to the others.
Every piece of blubber was carefully imbedded in vegetable
before it was eaten. When the vegetables were finished
there was still some blubber, which was given to the dogs
that lay in the outer tent. After this the boiled
spare-rib of a seal were partaken of, and finally a sort
of soup, probably made from seal's blood. The sister had a
first and special helping of these dishes. I also got an
offer of every dish, and it did not appear to cause any
offence that I did not accept the offer. After the close
of the meal the cooking vessels were set down, the "pesks"
taken off, and some reindeer skins taken down from the
roof and spread out. The older brothers lighted their
pipes, and the younger lay down to sleep. I was shown to
one of the side places in the tent, evidently Notti's own.
One of the lamps was extinguished, after which all slept.
During the night the girl complained several times, when
one of the brothers always rose and attended to her. At
six in the morning I wakened the party and reminded them
of our journey. All rose immediately. Dressing proceeded
slowly, because much attention was given to the foot
covering. No food was produced, but all appeared quite
pleased when I gave them of my stock, which consisted of
bread and some preserved beef-steaks. Immediately after
breakfast four dogs were harnessed to the sleigh, with
which Notti and I continued our journey to Najtskaj, I
riding and he ru