Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1895 — CURIOUS ISLANDERS. [ARTICLE]

CURIOUS ISLANDERS.

The Cave Dwellers of Bering Straits Are Without Equals. In Bering Straits, thirty miles off Fort Clarence and the shpres of Alaska, there are about two hundred of the most curious islanders that ever were s eu. The island or rock they inhabit is about half a mije wide aud a little more than that distance long, ami the islanders are cave dwellers and live on whale blubber, seal and walrus meat. One abode is built over and under the other nnd to the right and left, giving them.lTVtrahge motley appearance. not unlike the recesses inhabited by b.«ld eagles. There are 'harrow caves excavated into the side of the crumbling volcanic rock, and iu the bottom of each is some short, native grass, forming a bed in which to sleep. At the month of the cave aud just In the interior fires are lighted, and here they warm themselves in the winter. Skins of different kinds are also suspended outside to keep out the snow aud cold. In the summer the hardy natives leave their holes and live In odd houses made of pel s, constructed near at hand on the edge of the cliff. These strange people are usually as strong aud vigorous as can be found anywhere. Moreover, they are entirely contmted and happy. They have no government, no chief, and no need of laws. Living In families and setting forth every day in their kiaks for the whale, pe:U and walrus, they return each night to their caves, or pole tents, caring nothing for the outside world. Odd to relate, however, the prestige of. the native is determined by the clothes he wears. As these consist of skins and constitute the wealth of the islanders, it will be seen that they are not In this respect so much unlike civilized people. But the man with more clothes than anybody else lias no more authority. He Is respected for his sagacity, but that is all.