About the men from the firth visiting the people at the open sea-shore

Three brothers, born and raised as firth-dwellers, ventured to Kangek to hunt auks but faced mocking locals unfamiliar with their skill. Despite deceit about landing in dangerous surf, the two eldest brothers demonstrated daring and agility, earning admiration and invitations. They humbly credited their younger brother, who stayed behind, for even greater bravery. After a successful auk hunt, they returned home, having gained respect and experience.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Conflict with Nature: The brothers confront the formidable surf, demonstrating their courage and skill in navigating natural challenges.

Cunning and Deception: The local inhabitants initially deceive the brothers about the landing conditions, intending to mock them.

Trials and Tribulations: The brothers face and overcome the difficult task of landing through the heavy surf, earning respect from the locals.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

There once lived three brothers at the head of a firth not far from Nook (Goothaab). They were born firth-people, and never thought of approaching the outer sea-coast. But on learning that great flocks of auks were to be met with at Kangek, at the mouth of the firth, they agreed to make a trip thither. When they were ready for their departure, however, the youngest changed his mind and would not be of the party; so the other two went off by themselves. Arrived at Kangek, they first intended to land at the outermost point, not being aware of the heavy surf setting in upon it. When the men of the place saw them in their trouble, they said to each other, “It is plain the firth-people yonder know nothing about surf; now we will have some fun with them.”

► Continue reading…

Meantime the visitors had put back, and were looking for a place nearer the habitations, where the landing was easier; but the men called out to them, “We never land anywhere but at the point yonder: it is rather an awkward thing, and cannot be done without letting the surf roll over you; however, that is the way to do it.” The two poor fellows retired abashed; and paddling back to the great breakers outside the cape, they almost doubted their words. However, as the men on shore continued encouraging them, the eldest brother first paddled back, and when at the right distance from shore, he suffered himself to be carried right in upon the rocks by a monstrous wave, while he quickly made fast his oar by his kayak-strings. At the moment the wave broke over him, he had loosened his jacket from the kayak, and took a leap, jumping on shore, where he waited the next roller, which brought in his kayak, which he grasped hold of, at the right moment hauling it up. Not a word was uttered by any of the mockers, who stood in great consternation on seeing this daring act, which no one among them would have been able to accomplish. While the poor visitor was drawing up his kayak the other prepared to land in the same way, and he achieved it with even greater agility and swiftness than the brother. After this the men on shore took a sudden fancy to them, and vied with each other in inviting them to their houses. The elder, who had by this time found out their former intention of mocking them, replied, “Poor worthless fellows like us are little fit to come here; but our younger brother would just be the man for you. However, he had no fancy for coming. In summer, when the mighty glaciers are throwing off the icebergs into the firth, and when the spotted seals appear, we always want to get at them, but we dare not venture out on account of the dreadful surf from the glacier. We only stand watching our brother, when he, heedless of the danger, crosses the firth; so you see that we are not at all the right ones to call in here.” Still not a word escaped the others. After having put their kayaks and implements ashore, they entered the houses, and were regaled with auks, which they liked very much. However, they preferred the entrails to the flesh itself, thinking them more like the entrails of gulls, which were their usual food. The day after they went with the men auk-catching, and having loaded their kayaks, they again turned homewards.

Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page

Augpilagtok

Augpilagtok, a hunter in Greenland, faced harsh winters and hunger while searching for seal-hunting grounds. After surviving on his dog and finding sustenance among friendly settlers, he and his son relocated for safety. Encounters with rival hunters led to conflict, but Augpilagtok’s son grew skilled and defended himself. Using cunning and mystical abilities, they overcame hostility and eventually returned south, ensuring their survival through resilience and strategy.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Conflict with Nature: Augpilagtok’s journey is marked by his struggle against the harsh Arctic environment, including severe winters, scarce resources, and treacherous ice conditions.

Trials and Tribulations: Facing starvation and numerous challenges, Augpilagtok endures a series of hardships, showcasing his perseverance through grueling physical and emotional tests.

Cunning and Deception: Throughout his encounters with rival hunters and hostile situations, Augpilagtok employs wit and strategic thinking, utilizing both cunning and mystical abilities to navigate and overcome challenges.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Augpilagtok, who was living in the southern part of the country, chanced to hear that Kangek (pron. Kanghek — at the firth of Godthaab) was an excellent place for seal-hunting. He accordingly started for it; but the autumn set in, and the ground was hard with frost before he arrived; so on coming across an old deserted house at Ikarisat, not far from Kangek, he decided to stop there, and set about preparing an abode for the winter. At first he had fair hunting; so much was he able to store up, that it might have been thought the seals came to his house of their own accord. Heavy northern gales were blowing, and the fall of snow was so great that he was forced to take his store of seals into the house, and live entirely upon them.

► Continue reading…

At last, however, they were finished. The weather was getting calmer, but the sea was still covered with ice. In these circumstances he made himself a small harpoon for hunting on the ice, but first went out to reconnoitre, and find out the breathing-holes of the seals. The first day he roamed all around the bay Ameralik without finding one opening in the ice. The next he tried Kapisilik, but also in vain. The third day, having had the same bad luck at Kangersunek, and having nothing to eat, he set to whetting his knife in the evening. He had a dog with drooping ears, and his knife was intended for this poor animal. He killed it, and cut a piece from the loin, which he ate raw, skin and all, only scraping off the hairs; and when the rest had been boiled he again ate with a hearty appetite. The following day he remained in the house. On the next he climbed the highest mountains to survey the neighbourhood, and discovered an opening in the ice, not far from his dwelling-place, but it was then too late to start. The following morning he set off, carrying his kayak on his head as far as the water’s edge. Having rowed for some time along the margin of the ice, he unexpectedly detected a number of huts; and the beach was also red with blood from sea-animals which had been killed. He pulled away; and on arriving had a friendly welcome from the inmates, who asked him to their huts. This place was that Kangek which, for want of better knowledge of the locality, he had not been able to reach before the winter overtook him. In ascending the beach he saw the frozen entrails of some auks thrown out upon the dunghill, and not till he had swallowed some of these could they get him to go inside, where he soon got a proper meal, and had his kayak filled with stores for his departure. A short time after this he removed with all his household to Kangek. Every day he alternately went out seal-hunting and spearing birds; and during this period his little son was provided with a kayak of his own. When auk-hunting his father told him, “When thou goest out for auks and I am not with thee, thou needest not look so much for my kayak, but be watchful of the others; there are those among them whom it would be no joke to disturb while they are busy at their hunt.” One day, however, when they had gone out together after birds, Augpilagtok had got to a little distance from his son. Suddenly he heard angry voices, and turning round saw the small kayak surrounded by the other men. Augpilagtok, who at once suspected something wrong, quickly produced his amulet from out the edging of his jacket, and hiding it inside his mouth rowed on as fast as possible. Having reached them he tossed up the amulet, saying, “Whomsoever!” at which one was instantly overturned, then a second, then a third, and so on, till all were drowned excepting himself and his son, who returned home together. Not feeling secure in this place any longer, they removed farther north to Antangmik in the spring. During their stay there the father recommended the son to exert himself to grow a match for his enemies, from whom they might expect an assault some day or other. The son soon became a first-rate kayaker, and chased the sea-animals at the remotest places. On his excursions he was often accompanied by the middlemost of several brothers living at the same settlement. One day when he thought himself quite alone, he was surprised to hear a sound like that of an approaching kayak, and turning round he saw with some amazement his usual companion deliberately aiming at him with his harpoon. He narrowly escaped by overturning his kayak; and when he rose again the other said it was only in fun, although it had been an attempt on his life in good earnest. At home he told his father of this occurrence, but he advised him to take no notice of it, lest he should stir up more foes for himself. The next day the same thing happened, and he barely escaped. The third time he resolved to revenge himself, and killed his antagonist. After the deed he returned home, having first put the seal on his kayak, but turned tail foremost. By this sign his father at once knew what had happened; but the brothers of the deceased, who were standing outside the house-door, thought he had placed it the wrong way to ease the kayak while rowing against the wind. Augpilagtok’s son on landing said, “I have put it thus because it was the next one after a man; he thrice attempted my life, and was in the act of killing me; if ye are longing for him ye may go and look for him.” At this news they all began to cry, and entered the house, to observe the usual mourning ceremonies. After this the youth became cautious, and never started except when the weather was too bad for the others to venture out. Once in the spring he was invited with his father to visit the brothers. Augpilagtok said to his son, “We may as well make a bold entrance, and I will go first, and take a good leap across the doorway, right to the entrance of the room.” They thus entered, and saw all the brothers stretched out at full length on the ledge, only their feet visible on its outer edge (a sign of wrath). They were treated to some frozen liver in an oblong dish; but when they had got only half through with it, the frozen roof fell in and covered the dish with turf-dust. The eldest brother now said, “When the roof falls down like this, it only can be by sorcery. The Southlanders are rather deep, and know a thing or two; we had better leave them alone.” Augpilagtok now said to his son, “Slip off thy clothes;” and taking a knife cut up his belly. But when the entrails began to fall out, he merely drew his hand across the cut, and instantly it healed. Some time after they once more repaired to the south.

The strong man on the island of K’erka

The legendary kayaker of K’erka was unmatched in skill and resilience. Facing a storm near Tulugartalik, he discovered his adversary practicing a satirical song against him and memorized it to secure victory in a spring singing duel. Later, ambushed by southern enemies, he outwitted them by hiding in an iceberg cave, spearing most attackers, and sparing two to warn others of his might.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The protagonist outwits his adversaries by memorizing a satirical song intended to mock him, enabling him to secure victory in a singing duel.

Conflict with Authority: The kayaker faces challenges from adversaries and enemies, reflecting a struggle against opposing forces.

Trials and Tribulations: The protagonist endures a fierce storm and confronts multiple attackers, showcasing his resilience and ability to overcome significant challenges.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

A little north of Pamiut (Frederikshaab) there is an island called K’erka. In olden times there lived on this islet a man who had no equal in kayaking. His paddle was so thick that he had to cut it narrower where it was to be grasped. He was alone in this place. Once in the winter time, when he was far out on the open sea, he was suddenly caught in a furious gale from the north. He tried hard to make the land, but the coast had altogether vanished in the tempest. At length, however, he knew by the great breakers that he must be right off Tulugartalik (close to the large glacier); and having passed those isles, land soon appeared ahead, and he observed a light from a window on shore.

► Continue reading…

Landing his kayak, he went up towards the house, and stopped short on hearing some one singing within. After listening for a while, he found that he had unawares landed on Ukevik, the homestead of his adversary, who happened to be practising a nith-song (satirical song), with which to abuse him when they met in the spring. He took great care to impress the exact words on his memory, and then went silently down to his kayak, leaving the place in the dark; and having again crossed the heavy surf about Tulugartalik, he reached his own home. The following spring, his adversary came from Ukevik to have a singing match with him; but as he had well remembered, and knew all the taunts and spiteful things beforehand, he soon gained an easy victory over him. The lonely resident of K’erka also had some enemies among the southern people. During the summer, when he was one day out at sea kayaking in fine calm weather, he noticed some kayakers coming from the south, and from their numbers guessed they were his enemies coming to attack him. On this surmise he fled towards the shore, with the rest in full pursuit after him; but reaching a large iceberg, he happened to observe a great cave on the opposite side of it, and quickly glided in, kayak and all. The prow turned outwards; and, holding his lance ready lifted, he lay in wait for his enemies. When the first man came up in front of the cave, he speared him, at once drawing his lance back; the second of them met the same fate; and all the others fared alike, excepting two, whom he left alive that they might inform their countrymen of what had happened. All those Southlanders had intended to kill their foe, but happened to be killed themselves instead.

The old southlander

In South Greenland, an old man avenges his son’s murder by crafting weapons and killing the culprit. Despite threats of retaliation from the culprit’s brothers, he outsmarts and intimidates them with his expertise, magical prowess, and sheer will. His fierce determination deters further attacks. In his later years, he demonstrates unmatched skill, living peacefully until his natural death, a testament to his resilience and cunning.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Revenge and Justice: The protagonist seeks to avenge his son’s murder by confronting and killing the perpetrator, embodying the pursuit of retribution and the restoration of personal justice.

Cunning and Deception: The old man employs his skills and intelligence to outsmart his adversaries, particularly when he intimidates the culprit’s brothers, showcasing the use of wit to achieve his goals.

Family Dynamics: The narrative centers around the relationship between the father and his son, highlighting the lengths to which a parent will go to avenge and honor their child, reflecting deep familial bonds and the consequences of disrupting them.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

In days of yore there was an old man who lived down south with his only son, a very dexterous and able sportsman, in the country near Agdluitsok (South Greenland). When this son was able to supply their wants, the father left everything to his care, and for his part lived only to eat and sleep. One day the son did not return as usual in the evening. It was the season for the large hooded seals (bladder-nose Cystophora cristata), and the father thought he was lost. In sight of his abode was a plain with many tents, the inhabitants of which consisted partly of a number of brothers, among whom there was one of great fame.

► Continue reading…

There also was a cousin of the old man living there; and whilst the latter was bewailing and mourning the loss of his son, this cousin came to see him, and informed him that his son had been put to death, and that the middlemost among the brothers was the transgressor. The old man was greatly enraged at this intelligence. That same spring he secured a large piece of driftwood, which he cut up and wrought out of it various heavy tools, such as a harpoon and a lance. He also provided himself with a new bladder. From that time he resumed all his former habits — going out kayaking, always hoping to find an opportunity to avenge his son. One morning early, he went off to one of the hunting-grounds farthest out at sea. After a while he came back inside the reefs, and on approaching the shore encountered a kayaker towing a seal and making for the land. This was the murderer of his son. Keeping right in the sunlight, he looked carefully about to see if they were alone; and having first made sure of his man, who did not detect him, being blinded by the sun, he suddenly rushed in upon him, and, lifting his weapon, gave him the death-stroke. He towed him towards land; but on seeing an iceberg driven up on the rocks by the tide, he made him fast to this; and leaving him there, pursued his way landwards to let his brothers know what had happened. They were all at home, and his cousin was among them. They were sitting in the open air outside their tents, when they suddenly beheld him paddling in with unwonted speed. He stopped short, and called aloud to those on shore, “Since your brother wanted to get rid of his life, I have done away with it.” He then turned quickly away, and made for his own abode. They all stood gazing wonderingly at him while he was making such way through the rushing waters, all foaming about him. Then the brothers began to cry, and prepared to fetch home their dead. They found him awfully massacred. But the old man again ceased kayaking and hunting from the time he had killed the murderer. Whilst he still had his tent pitched alongside of his winter-house, his cousin one day came to tell him that the brothers had been calling several relatives together with a view to attacking him in company. When he heard this, he employed himself in making a great supply of arrows, but otherwise remained quietly at his place, not leaving home at all. One day he espied the long-expected kayakers crossing the bay to attack him in his loneliness. He went to fetch his bow; and, dividing his arrows into three portions, he brought each portion down to a different little point on the beach. Having thus prepared for them, he stood awaiting his enemies with no other arms than his bow. One of the men was just making ready to jump ashore when the old man, perceiving it in time, came running on to the nearest point, and pulling out one of his arrows, aimed at him, whereat the other retreated. Another now tried to land on the second cape, but the old man as quickly reached it, and had his bow ready bent for him. At the third point they fared no better; and becoming awed by his great expertness, they soon retreated. Subsequently he was again informed of an intended attack, and that they were coming in still greater number; but he said, “They may come whenever they please; this time I am not even going to use any weapons; I only intend to show my face.” His tent, they say, lay just above the water-mark. The tide happened to be full; and there he sat within singing a magic song to have his face enlarged; and as he sang, it grew in size, but he went on until it fairly resembled the full moon. He then went out into the front part of the tent, hiding himself among the skin-curtains. At this time one of the men had just got out of his kayak, and prepared to enter; but turning round, he started at seeing the terrible face which the old man poked out towards him through the entrance. “A face! a face!” was all he could utter in his terror; and almost capsizing his kayak, he put about, and quickly rowed away. Another was now ready to enter, but met the same face; and merely by showing his face, he succeeded in keeping them all off, and was attacked no more. When they were all gone, he sang a counteracting lay to get his face to its proper shape again. Next spring, he heard that his enemies, in company with some others, were chasing spotted seals. He now made himself a couple of very large bladder-arrows; and one fine day kayaked away to have a look at them. Before long he heard them shouting; and catching sight of them, he rowed right in amidst them. The foremost of them had just flung his arrow at a seal, but on thus suddenly beholding the old man with his tremendous arrow, both he and his companions were startled; and whilst they all sat staring at him, the wounded seal dived up in front of the old man’s kayak. He darted on to pierce it with his two big arrows; and tearing out the first one, he threw it contemptuously to the owner. With one hand he lifted the seal upon the kayak behind him, and left his enemies in utter amazement. They never afterwards ventured to attack one who, notwithstanding his great age, had such strength and vigour left. The old man at length died in peace without being killed or even wounded.

Inugtujusok

In a remote village, a young man falls in love with a widow’s daughter, but their happiness is marred by a murderous shaman, Inugtujusok. After the shaman kills the young man, his brothers vow revenge. Over time, they cunningly lure Inugtujusok and kill him. His vengeful son confronts them but, warned of the cycle of vengeance, chooses peace instead, ending the feud.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Revenge and Justice: The brothers seek to avenge their youngest sibling’s murder by the shaman Inugtujusok, ultimately confronting and killing him.

Cunning and Deception: The brothers employ clever strategies to lure Inugtujusok into a trap, demonstrating the use of wit to achieve their goal.

Conflict with Authority: The brothers challenge the oppressive and murderous shaman, representing a struggle against a tyrannical figure.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Several brothers lived in a large house with five windows. About the time when the youngest of them had grown to manhood, a widow with one beautiful daughter was living at a place not far off. The brothers were very kindly disposed towards the widow, and when the youngest had made the daughter his sweetheart they grew still more intimate, and the brothers never failed to bring her part of their hunt. Every night the bridegroom used to cross the country to see his bride, but unhappily there lived in that neighbourhood a wicked angakok, a man-slayer, named Inugtujusok. He had made himself a hiding-place by digging out a cave in the snow like those formerly used for fox-trapping.

► Continue reading…

Close by the way on which the young man used to pass on going to his girl, Inugtujusok slyly made his cave, and went to hide himself there in order to waylay or murder him. One evening the young woman accompanied her lover home; when all of a sudden they caught sight of Inugtujusok emerging from the cave. On seeing him armed with a lance, they both took flight, and he pursued them closely, crying out to the girl, “Help me to tire him out; if thou canst not I will kill you both.” The girl pitied her lover, but being obliged to help the dreadful angakok she pretended to be pursuing him, and before long he was overtaken and killed. She returned home, and mentioned naught about the matter to her mother. The following morning, however, the brothers all came up to her house, calling out, “Where is our brother?” No reply was made. Again they cried, “Where is our brother?” but again no answer came. At last they tore a hole in the window, and constantly repeating their question, went on to break down the roof. Nor until the mother said, “They have begun to unroof our house, do give them an answer,” did she exclaim, “Yesterday, on his return from our house, I accompanied him on the way, and saw him killed by Inugtujusok;” and then she burst into tears. The brothers likewise returned in tears, and filled with hatred towards Inugtujusok. Well knowing that he was a great angakok, they durst not attack him at once, but gradually prepared themselves to defy him. At this time they heard that Inugtujusok intended to leave for the north for fear of his enemies. Inugtujusok travelled all the summer, and did not settle down till late in the autumn, in the far north. There he got a son, whom he brought up with great care; saying, “That since they had many enemies he ought not to grow up a good-for-nothing.” When he was full-grown he was so clever and dexterous that he could catch the very tikagugdlik (beaked whale, Balaenoptera rostrata) with nothing but the ordinary kayak tools. When he had attained to his perfection, and could not be conquered by mere human beings, they remained no longer where they were, but travelled back to the south. The brothers had not meanwhile left their abode; but hearing that their enemy was drawing nigh they went on to meet him half-way. One had furnished himself with a girdle of whalebone three fingers wide; he had first made it out of the skin of a thong-seal, and tried to burst it open by pressing back his breath, but this was not nearly strong enough; and then he proceeded to make the one of whalebone, as much tougher. This man was thought the hardiest and strongest of all the brothers. While they had gone to lie in wait for him on the islands outside the country, Inugtujusok and his son happened to set off in their boat, but on seeing their enemies they would not go back there, but went to the place where the brothers had formerly lived. Having passed the night, they loaded their boat in order to proceed on their journey. In the meantime the brothers had also loaded their boat, ready to pursue them as fast as possible. Discovering their intention, lnugtujusok did not proceed, but returned to his former quarters; and the brothers said, “Let us rather remain where we are, that we may not frighten them away.” Winter had now set in, and a little daughter belonging to one of the brothers was taken very ill. They now advised “Let us call in the angakok Inugtujusok that be may come and try his art upon her; and when he has done we will of course put him to death.” An old bachelor who lived in the house with them was now sent off on this errand; and when he had brought his message to Inugtujusok, the angakok answered, “Well, let it be so.” His son was away at the time; but he was beginning to think that in the course of time their feelings had probably softened, and their thoughts of revenge been given up. He was himself beginning to grow old, and he accompanied the bachelor back. On entering, the brothers cried, “Poor thing, thou art getting rather aged!” “I am so,” he answered; and this was all he spoke. They treated him to a good meal, and in the evening the invocation commenced; and soon they agreed that the little girl improved at once. The brothers thanked him, saying, “Thou mayst sleep without fear, and go back tomorrow.” When he awoke and found himself all alone he suspected evil, and started up. On raising his head in stepping over the door-sill of the outer entrance, he encountered a man standing close by, who accosted him, saying, “It is very fine weather, but it is only daybreak, and rather dark yet.” On hearing these words he trembled. After speaking, the man, though not he with the strong girdle, struck him on the head, and almost stunned him, upon which the others rushed in upon him, beating him so that his head was bruised, and the brain gushed forth. The next morning the son of Inugtujusok came on, ready for them. He was taking such strokes with his oars that the prow of his kayak rose right out of the water, and he exclaimed, “I suppose ye have done for him!” They made answer from land, “If thou venturest to approach this place we shall send thee straight after him.” At these words he rushed on in a great passion; but they stood ready to receive and shake him off. Finding it quite impossible to get on shore he at length gave it up, and wheeled round, crying, “Tomorrow ye shall be my spoil!” The old bachelor, however, warned him, saying, “Thou hadst better give it up, and leave thy father alone. He was only paid back according to his deserts, being himself a man-slayer.” And the son of Inugtujusok responded, “Let it be as thou proposest; perhaps I shall only get new foes if I carry out my thoughts of vengeance. People seeming to have no relatives, when they get enemies generally have some relations (viz., avengers) turning up.” And report says that in this manner they were reconciled.

Pisagsak and the Kivigtok

Pisagsak, while kayaking, discovers a hidden world where he befriends an old kivigtok and learns survival skills. They abduct women for companionship, with one growing fond of them. Facing an assault, the old man cunningly defeats invaders by sabotaging their ladder. Later, Pisagsak longs for home, leaving with the kivigtok’s warning against future attacks. Reuniting with family, Pisagsak never ventures far again.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Hidden or Forbidden Realms: Pisagsak discovers a concealed world inhabited by the kivigtok, an outcast living apart from society.

Supernatural Beings: The tale involves the kivigtok, individuals who have abandoned their communities, often believed to possess supernatural qualities.

Cunning and Deception: The old kivigtok uses clever tactics to abduct a woman and later to defend against invaders, showcasing themes of trickery and strategy.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

This tale, having only been received from one narrator, appears too doubtful to be included among those that treat on the ancient Kavdlunait.

Pisagsak one day went out kayaking in order to try his new bird-javelin, and in the excitement of the sport was carried far away from his homestead. At length he arrived at the foot of a steep mountain-wall, from the top of which a long ladder was suspended; and having reached the top with great trouble, he surveyed a little plain spreading below him on the other side, covered with cotton-grass, the down of which was carried along by the wind. On the further side the plain was bordered by another mountain-wall. He climbed this likewise, and far below, on the other side, he now beheld a little house. He stole along to it and peeped in at the window, but only saw one old kivigtok sitting at his work. When he was about to withdraw as noiselessly as he had come, the old man accosted him, saying, “Of course I have seen thee, so please to come inside.”

► Continue reading…

Pisagsak now entered; and the old man, all shaky and shivering, in a peevish voice continued, “I would like thee for my companion; thou hadst better stop with me;” and so saying he went out, and soon after returned with some dried meat and tallow. Pisagsak now satisfied his hunger; his host then went out, and took some boiled reindeer out of a large pot, which pleased him even more. At night Pisagsak could hardly sleep for fear of his aged housemate. When he awoke in the morning the old man had gone off, but on looking round he perceived a great number of boots dangling on the cross-bar beneath the roof. He took them, overhauled them, and put them up to dry, and then proceeded to do the cooking. In the evening he heard a noise, and soon saw the old man coming along with two large bucks. He now said to him, “Here is some work for thee to put thy hand to; come away and skin them at once.” Pisagsak remained with him, and took charge of the household work; he learned to snare partridges and shoot reindeer, and after some time grew very dexterous as a sportsman. One evening the old kivigtok went on, saying, “Tomorrow is the day when the women of the Kavdlunait use to come here to fetch water. I daresay there will be some young girls among them: we will go and have a look at them.” The following morning they started, and arrived at a place from whence they could see a great many houses, beyond which a spring was visible; and they went to hide themselves behind some large stones. About sunrise the first girl came, filled her pail, and retired. Others followed, some of whom were handsome, others were old and slow. A young and very beautiful woman now approached, and had just put down her pail, and commenced pouring in water, when Pisagsak noticed that the old man was getting very excited, and trembled all over. The next moment, however, he sprang on the young girl and carried her away, having first stuffed her mouth to keep her from calling out; and Pisagsak of course followed them. Having reached their house, they took away her boots to prevent her from running away, and only went out to hunt by turns, in order to keep watch on her. However, the girl at length got reconciled to her fate, and gave up all idea of flight; and they could now venture to leave the house together. On their return they always found the work of the house ready done, and their clothes and boots mended. Another day Pisagsak again accompanied the old man to the spring to look at the girls. This time the old man ordered Pisagsak to catch a nice one; but he lingered and waited till an old woman, wrinkled all over, made her appearance; then he rushed on and took hold of her, and brought her home; and when the old woman had passed one day with them, she came to like them, and did not care to go back. Now they had two women in the house, and they did exceedingly well. One day the kivigtok said to Pisagsak, “Tomorrow the Kavdlunait will be making an assault on us from the sea-side; let us go and look out for them.” The next morning they went away to the top of the high cliff, where the ladder was made fast, and they saw several boats approaching the coast. The old man now spoke: “Now they begin to land; but when they have all got on shore and try to climb the ladder, I will loosen it on the top, and then thou wilt see a sight.” Pisagsak now stood in great expectation; and presently they had all got on the ladder; but not until the first of them appeared wielding his lance above the summit of the steep mountain-side did the kivigtok loosen the cords from the stone. A tremendous cry now followed, and the Kavdlunait were all swallowed up by the sea. Not one escaped. After this catastrophe the others for some time lived on in their usual way, but the old woman at length took ill, and died from sheer old age; and after that Pisagsak began to long for his own home. When he told his master, he did not object, but remarked, “Tell the Kavdlunait yonder that they had better not attack me; if they do, I shall certainly destroy them.” Pisagsak now returned to his relatives, who had totally given him up, and he likewise brought them the message of the kivigtok, and never afterwards left home.

Kasiagsak, the great liar

Kasiagsak, an unlucky and deceitful seal hunter, repeatedly tricks his wife and community with fabricated tales of success, stealing seals, and staging false adventures. Despite temporary rewards, his lies unravel, bringing shame and scorn upon him. In his final deceit, promising a whale carcass, his companions lose patience, ending his life. This tale underscores themes of dishonesty, community trust, and consequences of deceit.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: Kasiagsak’s repeated fabrications and trickery, such as stealing seals and staging false adventures, highlight the use of deceit to achieve personal gain.

Moral Lessons: The narrative underscores the consequences of dishonesty within a community, illustrating how deceit leads to shame, loss of trust, and ultimately, dire repercussions.

Community and Isolation: Kasiagsak’s actions alienate him from his peers, emphasizing the importance of trust and integrity in maintaining communal bonds and the isolation that results from betrayal.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Kasiagsak, who was living with a group of skilful seal-hunters, always returned in the evening without a catch of his own. When he was out, his wife, named Kitlagsuak, was always restless and fidgety, running out and in looking out for him, in the hope that he might be bringing home something; but he generally returned empty-handed. One day, being out in his kayak, he observed a black spot on a piece of ice, and it soon turned to be a little seal. His first intention was to harpoon it, but he changed his mind, and broke out, saying, “Poor little thing! it is almost a pity. Perhaps it has already been wounded by somebody else; perhaps it will slide down in the water when I approach it, and then I need only take hold of it with my hands.”

► Continue reading…

So saying he gave a shout, at which the seal was not slow to get down. Presently it appeared close before the point of his kayak; but he called out still louder than before, and the seal went on diving up and down quite close to him. At length he made up his mind to chase and harpoon it; but somehow it always rose at a greater distance, and was soon entirely lost to him. Kasiagsak now put back, merely observing, “Ye silly thing! ye are not easy to get at; but just wait till next time.”

Another day he went seaward in bright, fine weather. Looking towards land he got sight of the other kayakers, and observed that one of them had just harpooned a seal, and that the others were all hurrying on to his assistance. As to himself, he never stirred, but remained quite unconcerned in his former place. He also noticed that the one who had caught the seal tugged it to the shore, and made it fast to a rock on the beach, intending to return in pursuit of others. He instantly put further out to sea; but when he had got quite out of sight he returned to the beach by a roundabout way, and made straight for the other man’s seal, and carried it off. The towing-line was all around ornamented with walrus-teeth, and he was greatly delighted at the prospect of getting home with this prize. Meanwhile his wife had been wandering about in expectation of him, and looking out for the returning kayakers. She at length cried out, “There is a kayak!” — at which more people came running out; and shading her eyes with her hand, she continued, “It looks like Kasiagsak, and he moves his arms like one tugging something along with him. Well, I suppose it will now be my turn to give you a share, and ye shall all get a nice piece of blubber.” As soon as he landed she hastened to ask him, “Where didst thou get that beautiful tugging-line?” He answered, “This morning at setting out I thought it might come in handy, as I was bent on having a catch, and so I brought it out with me; I have kept it in store this long time.” “Hast thou, indeed?” she rejoined, and then began the flensing and carving business. She put the head, the back, and the skin aside; all the rest, as well as the blubber, she intended to make a grand feast upon. The other kayakers successively returned, and she took care to inform each of them separately that a seal was already brought home; and when some of the women came back from a ramble on the beach, she repeated the whole thing over to them. But while they were sitting down to supper in the evening, a boy entered, saying, “I have been sent to ask for the towing-line; as to the seal, that is no matter.” Turning to Kasiagsak, his wife now put in, “Didst thou tell me an untruth?” He only answered, “To be sure I did;” whereto his wife remarked, “What a shame it is that Kasiagsak behaves thus!” but he only made a wry face, saying, “Bah!” which made her quite frightened; and when they lay down to rest he went on pinching her and whistling until they both fell asleep.

Another day, rowing about in his kayak, he happened to observe a black spot away on a flake of ice. On nearing it he made it out to be only a stone. He glanced round towards the other kayakers, and then suddenly feigned to be rowing hard up to a seal, at the same time lifting the harpoon ready to lance it; but presently went to hide himself behind a projecting point of the ice, from which he managed to climb it and roll the stone into the sea with a splash, making it all froth and foam. Meanwhile he got into his kayak again, making a great roar in order to call the others to his assistance. When they came up to him they observed that he had no bladder, and he said, “A walrus has just gone down with my bladder; do help me to catch sight of him; meantime I will turn back and tell that I have lanced a walrus.” He hurried landwards, and his wife, who happened to be on the look-out, again shouted, “A kayaker!” He called out that he had made a lucky hit. “I almost do believe it is Kasiagsak; do ye hear him in there?” Meantime he had approached the shore, and said, “In chasing a walrus I lost my bladder; I only came home to tell you this.” His wife now came running into the house, but being in such a hurry she broke the handle of her knife. However, she did not mind this, but merely said, “Now I can get a handle of walrus-tooth for my knife, and a new hook for my kettle.” In the evening Kasiagsak had chosen a seat on the hindermost part of the ledge, so that only his heels were to be seen. The other kayakers stayed out rather long; but the last of them on entering brought a harpoon-line and a bladder along with him, and turning to Kasiagsak observed, “I think it is thine; it must have been tied round some stone and have slipped off; here it is.” His wife exclaimed, “Hast thou been telling us new lies?” at which he only answered her, “Why, yes; I wanted to play you a trick, you see.”

Another day, when he was kayaking along the coast, he remarked some loose pieces of ice away on a sandy beach at some distance; he rowed up to them and went ashore. Two women, gathering berries, watched his doings all along. They saw him fill his kayak with bits of broken ice; and this done, he waded down into the water till it reached his very neck, and then turned back and got upon the beach, where he set to hammering his kayak all over with stones; and having finally stuffed his coat with ice, he turned towards home. At some distance he commenced shrieking aloud and crying, “Ah me! a big iceberg went calving (bursting and capsizing) right across my kayak, and came down on the top of me;” and his wife repeated his ejaculations, adding, “I must go and see about some dry clothes for him.” At last they got him up on shore, and large bits of ice came tumbling out of his clothes, while he went on lamenting and groaning as if with pain, saying, “I had a very narrow escape.” His wife repeated the tale of his misfortunes to every kayaker on his return home; but at last it so happened that the two women who had seen him likewise returned, and they at once exclaimed, “Is not that he whom we saw down below the sand-cliffs, stuffing his clothes with ice.” On this, the wife cried out, “Dear me! has Kasiagsak again been lying to us?” Subsequently Kasiagsak went to pay a visit to his father-in-law. On entering the house he exclaimed, “Why, what’s the matter with you that your lamps are not burning, and ye are boiling dog’s flesh?” “Alas!” answered the master, pointing to his little son, “he was hungry, poor fellow! and having nothing else to eat we killed the dog.” Kasiagsak boastingly answered him, “Yesterday we had a hard job at home. One of the women and I had our hands full with the great heaps of seals and walruses that have been caught. I have got both my storehouses choke-full with them; my arms are quite sore with the work.” The father-in-law now rejoined, “Who would ever have thought that the poor little orphan boy Kasiagsak should turn out such a rich man!” and so saying, he began crying with emotion; and Kasiagsak feigned crying likewise. On parting from them the following day, he proposed that his little brother-in-law should accompany him in order to bring back some victuals, adding, “I will see thee home again;” and his father said, “Well, dostn’t thou hear what thy brother-in-law is saying? thou hadst better go.” On reaching home, Kasiagsak took hold of a string and brought it into the house, where he busied himself in making a trap, and taking some scraps of frizzled blubber from his wife’s lamp, he thrust them out as baits for the ravens. Suddenly be gave a pull at the string, crying out, “Two! — alas! one made its escape;” and then be ran out and brought back a raven, which his wife skinned and boiled. But his brother-in-law had to look to the other people for some food; and at his departure the next day, he likewise received all his presents from them, and not from Kasiagsak.

Another day, he set off in his kayak to visit some people at a neighbouring station. Having entered one of the houses, be soon noticed that some of the inmates were mourning the loss of some one deceased. He questioned the others, and on hearing that they had lost a little daughter named Nepisanguak, he hastened in a loud voice to state, “We have just got a little daughter at home, whom we have called Nepisanguak;” on which the mourning parents and relations exclaimed, “Thanks be to thee that ye have called her by that name;” and then they wept, and Kasiagsak also made believe to be weeping; but he peeped through his fingers all the while. Later in the day they treated him richly with plenty of good things to eat. Kasiagsak went on saying, “Our little daughter cannot speak plainly as yet; she only cries ‘apangaja!’” but the others said, “She surely means ‘sapangaja’”(sapangat, beads); “we will give thee some for her;” and at his departure he was loaded with gifts — such as beads, a plate, and some seal-paws. Just as be was going to start, one of the men cried out to him, “I would fain buy a kayak, and I can pay it back with a good pot; make it known to the people in thy place.” But Kasiagsak said, “Give it to me; I have got a new kayak, but it is a little too narrow for my size.” At length be started along with his presents, and the pot stuck upon the front part of his kayak. At home be said, “Such a dreadful accident! a boat must surely have been lost; all these things I bring you here, I have found tossed about on the ice;” and his wife hastened into the house to give her cracked old pot a smash, and threw away the shoulder-blades that till now had served her instead of plates, and ornamented her coat with beads, and proudly walked to and fro to make the pearls rattle. The next day a great many kayakers were announced. Kasiagsak instantly kept as far back on the ledge as possible. As soon as the kayakers put in to shore, they called out, “Tell Kasiagsak to come down and fetch off some victuals we have brought for their little daughter;” but all the reply was, “Why, they have got no daughter at all.” Another of the men now put in, “Go and ask Kasiagsak for the new kayak I bought of him;” but the answer was, “He certainly has no new kayak.” At this information they quickly got up to the house, which they entered, taking their several gifts back, and last of all cutting the flaps ornamented with beads away from the wife’s jacket. When the strangers were gone she said as before, “Kasiagsak has indeed been telling a lie again.” His last invention was this: he one day found a small bit of whale-skin floating on the top of the water, and bringing it home he said, “I have found the carcass of a whale; follow me and I will show you it:” and the boat was got out, and they started. After a good while they asked him, “Whereabout is it?” but he merely answered them, “Away yonder;” and then a little bit further, “we shall soon get at it.” But when they had gone a long way from home without seeing anything like a floating whale, they got tired of Kasiagsak, and put a stop to all his fibs by killing him then and there.

The girl who was stolen by an inlander

A brother and sister, deeply bonded, journeyed to a salmon-fishing river where the sister was abducted by an inorusek, a giant-like figure. Taken to his inland home, she endured harrowing attempts to subdue her spirit, including threats and horrifying warnings from a skeletal figure. Feigning compliance, she eventually escaped, reuniting with her family. Fleeing to a distant island, they vowed never to return to the mainland.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Mythical Creatures: The story features the inorusek, a larger-than-life being central to the plot.

Cunning and Deception: The girl’s eventual escape is facilitated by her cleverness and ability to feign compliance, demonstrating the use of wit to outsmart her captor and regain freedom.

Family Dynamics: The deep bond between the brother and sister is evident at the story’s outset, emphasizing themes of familial love, loyalty, and the lengths to which family members will go to protect and reunite with one another.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

This tale appearing somewhat obscure and fragmentary, has been added here only on account of its probable relation to nos. 28 and 30. The details in the different manuscripts of these three stories appear to be more or less confounded and intermixed.

A brother and a sister once lived together, and were very much attached to each other. The sister, who was very desirous of going off for the salmon-fishing, asked her brother to take her up to a salmon river. Not being able to deny her, he put the boat into the sea and went with her to the fishing-place; but when they had landed and discharged the boat, putting all their things on the beach, she climbed a little way up the rocks, and went across a smooth level to the brook. All at once she saw an inorusek (fabulous giant inlander) close beside her. Stupefied with terror, she tried to escape; but he caught hold of her and carried her further and further inland. The others plainly heard her shrieks for help, and hurried off to rescue her; but she was already gone, and her cries soon died away among the mountains. In the meantime the inorusek carried her up through the highlands till they stopped at a place with some huts. He intended to marry her, but first brought her to the house of a neighbour, where he put her down on the ledge and seated himself in front of her.

► Continue reading…

She cried incessantly, but whenever she tried to run away, he took hold of her like a little child and put her down again. While she was thus sitting, an old woman peeped across the screen of the ledge, asking her, “What wouldst thou like to eat? dost thou like talu?” and the unhappy girl thought to herself, “I wonder what talu is like!” She soon heard the old woman step down to fetch something, and though still weeping, she peeped through her fingers, and perceived it to be the fat of a deer’s heart they were giving her. However, she would not take it, and the old woman again retired. Then she again asked her, “Wouldst thou like some ernowt?” and the girl still crying, answered, “What may it be like?” This time she saw the old hag produce some common tallow, saying, “Now do eat that and be quiet;” but she would not take that either. Being very disheartened, she continued to weep; and the old woman now menaced her, and threatened to take away her boots, at which she cried still more. Then she heard a rattling noise, and peeping through her fingers, she saw a strange figure, all bones and joints, creeping along the ledge towards her. This creature warned her, saying, “Leave off crying, lest they should treat thee as they did me. I was once like thee; I was stolen and brought to this place, and because I would not leave off crying, they took away my boots and gave me others filled with reptiles, spiders, and vermin. They fastened them on my legs, and when they were taken off, the flesh was all gone.” When the skeleton had done speaking, she cried all the more. The old hag now in an outburst of ill temper and vexation approached; and she saw her holding a pair of boots, in which she observed something crawling about; but the giant took hold of them and flung them away into the corner of the room, and then at length she was able to leave off crying. Her husband, however, kept a close watch upon her, and led her by the hand whenever she wished to go out. One day she said to him, “Don’t go on watching me so; I have no intention of leaving thee now; I like thee very much, and thou mayst safely leave me and go out deer-hunting as usual.” After that she feigned to go behind the house; but she started from her hiding-place and ran up and down hill, and continued running towards the coast until she reached the tent of her parents, where she burst right through the door-curtain, not giving herself time to draw it before entering. She hastened to say, “Let us be off at once and remove to some other place; the inlanders are sure to come and seek me here.” They at once left the mainland to settle down on one of the farthest-off islets; and after that time they never again ventured to pitch their tents on the continent.

The Kivigtok

A man’s second son became a kivigtok, fleeing society to live in isolation. Despite two summers of searching, his family finally found his cave, filled with meat and skins. The son promised to return home but deceived them, disappearing with the remaining supplies. Later, he taunted them from an unreachable cliff, leaving his family no choice but to abandon their efforts to retrieve him.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Community and Isolation: The protagonist’s deliberate separation from his family and society highlights the tension between communal bonds and the choice of isolation.

Cunning and Deception: The kivigtok’s deceitful promise to return home, followed by his subsequent disappearance, underscores themes of trickery and betrayal.

Family Dynamics: The persistent efforts of the family to retrieve their lost member, juxtaposed with his rejection and taunting, reflect complex familial relationships and the challenges therein.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

There was once a man who had several sons; of these, the second son turned kivigtok (viz., fled the society of mankind). This happened in the winter-time; but next summer the father, as well as his other sons, went away from home in order to search for the fugitive. In this manner summer went by and winter came round, but still they had not found him. When summer was again approaching, they made all preparations for another search, this time to other places, along another firth. Late in autumn they at length chanced to find out his solitary abode, in an out-of-the-way place, after having traversed the country in every direction for ever so long.

► Continue reading…

His habitation was a cave or hollow in a rock, the inside being covered with reindeer-skin, and the entrance of which had been carefully closed up. At the time of their arrival the kivigtok was still out hunting; but a little later they saw him advance towards the place from the inland, dragging a whole deer along with him. The brothers were lying in ambush for him; and when he came close to them they seized hold of him. He recognised them at once, and gave a loud cry like that of a reindeer, and said, “Do let me off; I shan’t flee.” The father now asked him to return with them, adding, “This is the second summer in which we have given up our hunt in order to find thee out, and, now we have succeeded, thou really must come home with us;” and he answered, “Yes, that I will.” They remained in the cave during the night, enjoying each other’s company. Next day they had much to do with the things that had to be taken back with them, the store-room, besides his dwelling-place, being filled with dry meat and skins. They tied up bundles to be taken down one by one to the tent of his relatives, which was pitched at some distance near the firth by which they were to travel home. When they were about to set off with the first loads, they wanted him to follow them; he excused himself, however, saying, “When ye go down the last time I shall follow; but I must stay and take care of these things.” They went without him; but on their return the kivigtok had disappeared, and taken the remainder of the provisions with him, and the brothers grew exceedingly vexed with themselves, that they had thus relied on his word, without leaving any one in charge of him. But all too late. Some time afterwards, when they had gone out again to look for him, he terrified them by yelling and howling at them from the summit of a steep and altogether inaccessible rock. How he had got there they could not make out, but finding it impossible to follow him, they were obliged to give him up for lost.

The child-monster

A group of people face a monstrous birth that wreaks havoc, devouring everyone but three children who flee. Facing danger at every refuge, they encounter a giant man who helps them. The sister cleverly manipulates their host into hunting progressively dangerous game, culminating in a deadly confrontation with a mythical bird. After defeating it, she revives her brother, restoring safety, and they return home unharmed.

Source:
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo
by Henry Rink
[William Blackwood and Sons]
Edinburgh and London, 1875

► Themes of the story

Supernatural Beings: The narrative centers around a monstrous child with supernatural attributes, such as large teeth and destructive behavior, highlighting interactions with otherworldly entities.

Cunning and Deception: The sister’s clever manipulation of their giant host into hunting increasingly dangerous game, culminating in the defeat of a mythical bird, showcases the use of wit to achieve goals.

Trials and Tribulations: The siblings face a series of challenges, including fleeing from the monster, seeking refuge, and overcoming various dangers, reflecting the theme of enduring and overcoming hardships.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Arctic Region
  - Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

Amongst a number of people who lived in the same house, one woman was in the act of childbirth, when all of a sudden the midwife attending her cried out in great dismay, “Ah, it is a monster, with great big teeth; it is tearing my arm!” As she spoke, all the inmates fled away to the boat, which was turned keel upwards, and to the top of a great rock; only two boys with their sister could find no room there, and they therefore hurried out to the provision-house. Meantime the monster appeared, dragging along his own mother, her hair all loose and flying about her, and it soon turned upon those on the boat.

► Continue reading…

Not being able itself to climb, it ate away the pillars beneath, so that, when they gave way, all the people came tumbling down, and were devoured. It next came to the rock, and those who had taken refuge on it pushed and knocked against each other for horror, till all but one lost their footing, and came down heads over heels. The monster now ordered the rock to upset, and the very last of them was made away with. When these were all killed, the beast turned against the provision-house, but stopping, entered the main house instead; this process was repeated several times, and it always remained inside a little longer each time. During the last interval the children fled out of sight, and went far into the country, until they came in sight of a house. They went in and told their story and the cause of their flight, and stayed there for the night. Most of the inmates had gone to sleep; the sister, however, did not dare to do so, and kept awake. At midnight she heard some one saying, “They have probably themselves put their housemates to death, though they tell us a different story. The safest thing will be to have them killed in the morning.” At this speech she got greatly alarmed, and when the others had gone off to sleep, she roused her brothers, and once more they fled on and reached another house, where they met the very same fate. But when they made their escape from this place the second night, the sister took one of her brother’s boots and thrust it several times against the house-door, at the same time pronouncing a spell, that the people within might all perish. Pursuing their way, they fell in with a man of extraordinary size, carrying one half of a reindeer on his shoulders. The sister said to the youngest brother, “Go and try to make him understand why we have come here;” and she told him how to put his words. When the boy had finished, the big man took them along with him to his own house, the interior of which was nicely furnished and hung with reindeer-skins all along the walls. There they remained, and made a meal upon some dry meat. This done, the girl said to her brothers, “Reindeer-meat is good eating, no doubt; but what would make it eat still better?” — “Mixing it up with some nice partridges, to be sure.” — “So thou must make haste and go out and get some.” Off they went; a flapping of wings was presently heard, and lots of birds were brought into the house. While they were busy eating them, the sister repeated, “Partridges are very nice, sure enough; but what would make them eat still better?” — “Mixing them up with some nice hares, to be sure!” — &c.; and so they went out and caught a great many hares. The sister once more repeated what she had said, mentioning all kinds of game and fowls, and at last she said, “Young serdlernaks (fabulous birds) are exceedingly nice, but the large ones, — oh, be quick, be quick!” But the huge man said, “I never hunted that fowl without some misgivings; when she is hatching her eggs on the lee side of yonder point, and catches the seals, she is rather dangerous.” Still, they all ran out to have a look at it; but seeing it perched on its rock, and sometimes rising to snatch at them, they were afraid, and again retired; only the younger brother remained, and was torn asunder by it. Then the sister shouted, “It is now time for me to interfere;” upon which they all ran out together; she quickly pulled out her boot, struck at the bird with it, and killed it on the spot. She now cut it up, and found its pouch filled with seal-bones, among which she likewise found those of her brother. When these had all been singled out, she carried them with her. While she was yet on the way, she felt them move; and when they got close to the house she put them down, and the brother quickly revived, seemingly quite unhurt, and they all of them reached home safely.

We find several stories treating of this same subject, generally representing the monster as the revenger of some act of atrocity or misbehaviour and injustice. In one of them the monster at first is an imbecile child, called Tungavik, neglected and ill-treated by its housemates, till all of a sudden, having been mute before, it acquired the faculty of speech, and set to eating its mother’s breast, afterwards devouring both its parents and all its housemates, excepting two orphan children, who had shown kindness towards it.