At each end of the bed a pillar of snow was
erected to place a lamp upon, and lastly a porch was built before the
door and a piece of clear ice was placed in an aperture cut in the wall
for a window.
The purity of the material of which the house was framed, the elegance of
its construction, and the translucency of its walls which transmitted a
very pleasant light, gave it an appearance far superior to a marble
building and one might survey it with feelings somewhat akin to those
produced by the contemplation of a Grecian temple reared by Phidias; both
are triumphs of art, inimitable in their kinds.
Annexed there is a plan of a complete Esquimaux snow-house and kitchen
and other apartments copied from a sketch made by Augustus with the names
of the different places affixed. The only fireplace is in the kitchen,
the heat of the lamps sufficing to keep the other apartments warm. (Not
included in this ebook.)
REFERENCES TO THE PLAN.
A. Ablokeyt, steps.
B. Pahloeuk, porch.
C. Wadl-leek, passage.
D. Haddnoeweek, for the reception of the sweepings of the house.
E. G. Tokheuook, antechamber, or passage.
F. Annarroeartoweek.
H. Eegah, cooking-house.
I. Eegah-natkah, passage.
K. Keidgewack, for piling wood upon.
L. Keek kloweyt, cooking side.
M. Keek loot, fireplace built of stone.
N. Eegloo, house.
O. Kattack, door.
P. Nattoeuck, clear space in the apartment.
a. d. Eekput, a kind of shelf where the candle stands; and b. c. a pit
where they throw their bones and other offal of their provision.
Q. Eegl-luck, bed-place.
R. Eegleeteoet, bedside or sitting-place.
S. Bed-place, as on the other side.
T. Kie'gn-nok, small pantry.
U. Hoergloack, storehouse for provisions.
...
Several deer were killed near the house and we received some supplies
from Akaitcho. Parties were also employed in bringing in the meat that
was placed en cache in the early part of the winter. More than one half
of these caches however had been destroyed by the wolves and wolverines,
a circumstance which, in conjunction with the empty state of our
storehouse, led us to fear that we should be much straitened for
provisions before the arrival of any considerable number of reindeer in
this neighbourhood.
A good many ptarmigan were seen at this time and the women caught some in
snares, but not in sufficient quantity to make any further alteration in
the rations of deers' meat that were daily issued. They had already been
reduced from eight to the short allowance of five pounds.
