s no difference to an Inupash, he is one of the most
attentive listeners, no matter how many times he may have heard the
same tale before. The repetition has the advantage of fixing the story
in the minds of the people, enabling them to retain and pass down their
traditions from one generation to another for an immensely long period
of time. Outside of their traditions, their stories deal largely with
the supernatural in the form of ghosts and fairies. Occasionally, one
may hear a fable that apparently has a moral attached. The following
are a few of the stories that mothers interest their children with, and
that are eagerly listened to by the older ones also:--

ALLUGU[=A]

Little Allugu[=a] had been born blind. It had worried his father and
mother greatly, for they knew when he grew to manhood he would not be
able to hunt and support himself. They hoped as he grew older he might
yet receive his eyesight, although both eyes were white and sightless.
At last when he became seven or eight years of age his parents gave up
all hope.

The summer season was approaching, a time when all the villagers would
be going on their annual trips, some to the north in quest of deer,
while others would go to the east, down the Kotzebue Sound, where they
would meet natives of other tribes, and do their trading. All would
leave the village; the place would be entirely abandoned. Little
Allugu[=a]'s father and mother, in talking the matter over with some of
the neighbors, came to the conclusion that the child was hopelessly
blind and would never be able to support himself. It was therefore
decided to leave him behind. The parents placed him in their iglo,
laying heavy whale jaws over the window and blocking up the entrance,
thus leaving no way of escape. They then left him without food,
expecting him to starve to death during their absence.

The little fellow sat on the floor, with his head bowed on his breast,
feeling very bad at the fate which awaited him. He was growing very
hungry and had apparently no means of relief. Everything was dark to
him. His hunger grew still worse, with a terrible gnawing sensation in
his stomach. If he could only get something to eat! and his thirst was
terrible! He was beside himself with despair; if death would only come,
what a relief it would be. It seemed a terribly long time that he sat
there in the darkness with his head bowed on his breast.

At last he heard a noise; what could it mean? He kne