Native American Legends
Avatarsuak
An Eskimo Legend
It is said that his grandfather, being likewise called Avatarsuak,
was a wise man. It was he who took charge of his younger namesake,
whose own father had been early called away from home. The grandfather
admonished him not to harm the meanest dog, and never to be uncivil
towards old people, not even on being reproved by them. When he
came to possess a kayak of his own he remarked that his grandfather,
when pushing him off the beach, was always heard to pronounce some
strange words, at the same time uncovering his head by pulling the
hood back behind the ears. But though the youth listened carefully,
he could not make out the meaning of the words.
About the time when he first commenced seal-catching his grandfather
died, and being left alone he took up his winter quarters at a place
where the South-landers had to pass by when on their trading excursions
to the European settlement at Pamiut (Fredrikshaab).
At length two "kayakers" on their voyage to this place
passed by his residence, whom he expected for ever so long to see
return, but in vain. At length he learned from the south that both
were missing, and at the same time that he was suspected of having
killed them. Some time after, being in want of a skin for a hunting-bladder,
he went off in search of a firth-seal.
It was fine weather, and so calm that the breathing of the larger
seals was plainly audible. As for the small firth-seals, however,
he saw none, and was getting farther and farther into the bay. Suddenly
something emerged from the water, coming up close behind him, and
beating the top of his kayak, and lo! it was nothing less than a
tupilak (monster made by sorcery).
It accosted him, saying, "How lucky I met thee thus alone,
as I am longing for some entrails!" Stupefied with awe, he
felt the creature creeping up on the top of the kayak behind him,
constantly repeating, "I shall soon make a feast on thy entrails;"
at the same time pressing down the stern of the kayak so deep as
to make the prow rise in the air. Never before had he, who was wont
to carry spotted seals, had such a weight on board.
Feeling his strength giving way, and knowing nothing better, he
tried to capsize his kayak to the left, but was greatly perplexed
to find his oar striking against a hard substance below, though
out in deep water. At this he got up; but in attempting to turn
his kayak to the right, he again hit something hard, on which he
slowly righted himself, and rowed away, at the same time perceiving
that he was regaining his strength. But though he pulled homewards
with all his strength, he found it impossible to make his kayak
go straight. It kept turning round, carrying him towards uninhabited
places.
The tupilak now cried, "Thou hateful creature, I see I have
made a mistake, and climbed up to one of uncommon kind" (viz.,
a man endowed with a certain degree of angakok power); and he noticed
it struggling hard to get down, but without being able to detach
itself. Thus he went on pulling away to the sunny side of the firth.
When they were quite close to the beach, the tupilak said, "I
see I shall not get through with thee, and I think I shall be made
thy prize." Just then the man on looking round discovered a
boat occupied by women, who had been farther up the firth getting
angmagsat. He called out to them, "I have got something on
my kayak that is not a seal; put ashore yonder and come round this
way quickly." When they had done as he told them, he went on
saying, "Don't attack it in front, as it might be dangerous
to you." The foremost among them on seeing the beast fled in
terror.
The "kayaker" again began to lose strength, but at length
his repeated calls caused the women to come back, bringing with
them oars, intending to use them as levers, the beast sticking fast,
as if glued to the kayak. At length it gave way, and a cracking
noise was heard, whereupon he was able to get out and look at the
monster, which proved to be the size of a large firth-seal.
Turning to the oldest of the women he said, "I do not care
to touch it; ye cut it up; I shall repay you hereafter." In
expectation of the reward she at once fell to and cut open the tupilak,
which she found stuffed with all kinds of bones, such as of birds,
walruses, and seals. They had it entirely destroyed by sinking part
of it in the sea, and hiding the rest of it in some old tombs. This
done, he prepared to row home, but first said to the women, "Thanks
to you and your roaming thus about, without which I wonder how I
had fared. I will take care to repay you; I am not likely to forget
you." At home he told his adventure, and all now felt sure
that it must have been the tupilak which had formerly killed the
two traders. After this all travelers were unmolested, and the women
were well paid by Avatarsuak.
Some time now elapsed without anything remarkable happening. Towards
spring, however, he found himself in want of several necessaries,
such as lead, powder, and tobacco, and set out for the European
settlement at Pamiut. Having finished his business there, and rested
during the night, he turned homewards, rather uneasy about a quantity
of drift-ice which had accumulated at the mouth of a firth he had
to cross. Before he reached the spot, the land wind set in, and
came storming down upon him, and the sky looked black and threatening.
Still he tried to cross the firth, winding his way through the
small passages between the broken ice. At length, however, he found
himself almost entirely stopped, and at the same time saw a large
iceberg drifting down upon him. He tried to escape, but presently
heard the roar of its calving (breaking) right alongside him, and
pressing him deep under the waters. However, he rose on the other
side of the broken piece, and again sped along, but on the shady
side of the firth he was once more overturned by a much larger iceberg,
and this time he quite lost his senses. How long he was in this
state of stupor is not known; but on reviving he noticed the strings
of his kayak-jacket rattling about, and smiting his back with the
quick motion, while he was pushed on towards the land beneath the
waves. He had no kayak, but found himself sitting down, the loose
bottom skin of his kayak fastened round him, and having his kayak-stick
for an oar, and with one leg somewhat bent. In front he saw some
one in a large hood rushing on and cleaving the waters for him,
and behind he heard some one talking, but without being able to
make out the words.
These companions proved to be his grandparents protecting their
grandson. When they came nearer to the islets he felt exceedingly
thirsty; and presently discovering an iceberg with a fine spring
flowing from it he wanted to go and quench his thirst; but at that
moment he heard a warning voice behind him saying: "Dear grandson,
do not drink of the fountain designed for those perishing at sea;
if thou drinkest thou wilt never return." At length he was
carried far towards the head of the firth, and saw light from the
windows of a very large house. Presently a woman in a white jacket
came out of the doorway, then another, and at last a man in a reindeer
cloak, followed by others, all being dogs in shape of men, and running
down on the beach to him.
When he entered the house there were people sitting together at
its southern end, keeping watch over a dying brother. Having got
inside he fell down beside the first lamp, but still could hear
one of the men say, "An anghiniartok has come among us;"
at that instant, on being handled by them, and touched upon his
bare skin, he lost all consciousness, but soon after revived, hearing
a sweet tune of a song from his childhood. At the very moment he
revived the sick man breathed his last. The people of the house
put a new skin underneath him, and let him remain perfectly quiet
in his own clothes for five succeeding days, after which he began
to stir about a little, and long to get home, but he had no kayak.
One day, however, a woman went down along the beach to gather the
red sea- weed, and returned saying, "Only fancy! I have found
a complete kayak drifted ashore to us." When they had gathered
on the beach, and duly inspected it, they made it out to be the
kayak of their anghiniartok, in perfect order, and lying just above
high-water mark, and well closed by the half-jacket. On opening
this they also found his goods, not a single implement missing.
The next day he returned; and from that time upwards he became still
more of a wise man, and no witchcraft could ever work upon him.
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