Читать книгу Animal Stories from Eskimo Land. Adapted from the Original Eskimo Stories Collected by Dr. Daniel S. Neuman онлайн

11 страница из 23

So they started making another boat, and this time they worked very carefully, for they must not fail a second time. They made the frame out of the lightest driftwood and covered it with white whale skin. First they wet the skin to make it soft, then stretched it over the frame and tied it in place with rawhide. When the skin dried it became tight over the frame and was quite water-proof. Ivango, who was a very strong man, made a paddle for himself from the shoulder-bone of a whale. When they had finished the second boat, it looked fine and they all felt happy again; but it had taken many precious days to make.

When all was ready they got into the boat and raced with the first gull that came along. This time they beat it easily, so they came back to shore to get their provisions and to kill a baby seal to take with them.

The woman, who was waiting to go along too, told them that they must watch for a flock of eider ducks and follow them closely. Pretty soon a flock of eider ducks flew over. The brothers and the woman got quickly into the boat and paddled off as fast as they could. When the birds sank to rest, the men would stop paddling and rest, also, or eat. When the ducks flew, the boat traveled along as swiftly as though it too had wings. When the ducks slept, the men stopped paddling and also slept, while the woman kept watch. When the birds rose again to fly, the woman would awaken the men and take her turn at sleeping.