January 23, 1911

The Coppermine Eskimo, who carry less than any other Eskimo I know, always carry the table and other wooden furniture that goes with the lamp, besides the lamp itself and the cooking pot.  They carry no tent in winter, but the Indians frequently also travel without the lodge, making “open camps” in the wood.  When tents are carried, the advantage in weight is with the Indians, for the lodge weighs no more than the modern tents of the Western Eskimo and the Eskimo carry the willow framework in addition, bulky and a little heavy.  Pitching camp seems to take about the same time with the lodge and the beehive tent.  But when the tent is once pitched there is no comparison in comfort.  In fact, the word “comfort” is out of place in describing a lodge camp, at least in cold weather.  “Cheerful” is about the only term of precise that ever partly fits – the huge blazing fire is cheerful.