Erwin Of The Artic 19xx.xx.xx Episode 2

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio: "Erwin Of The Arctic 19xx.xx.xx Episode 2"

Release Date: March 19, 2025

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Overview

In the riveting second episode of "Erwin Of The Arctic," host Dave Irwin continues his harrowing journey across the unforgiving Arctic landscape. This installment delves deeper into the cultural tensions between Dave and the indigenous Eskimo herders, particularly focusing on the escalating conflict with the herder Pyrock. As alliances shift and survival becomes increasingly precarious, Dave faces life-threatening decisions that test his resilience and adaptability in one of the world's most challenging environments.

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The Escalating Tensions

The episode opens with Dave Irwin recapping previous adventures, including the dramatic tale of killing Nanook the polar bear and the resultant celebration that inadvertently sowed seeds of discord among the Eskimo community.

Dave Irwin [01:29]: "Remember I told you how we killed Nanook the polar bear? And the celebration that followed? And also the trouble that arose between the chief herder pirate and myself."

Dave and his companion, Rocky, navigate their way back from a strenuous hunt amidst a bitter northwest wind. The dwindling daylight makes the camp hard to locate, symbolizing the growing uncertainty in their expedition.

Dave Irwin [02:12]: "Annie say we gonna move her again next week, Dave."

Rocky hints at impending changes and the discontent brewing within their group, setting the stage for the forthcoming conflict.

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Confrontation with Pyrock

As tensions rise, Dave learns of Pyrock's jealousy and his intentions to undermine Dave's position within the herding group. This culminates in a confrontation scenario where Dave feels compelled to defend his standing.

Rocky [02:35]: "I think Peter gonna be mad, Dave Pyra."

Determined to resolve the simmering issues, Dave decides to challenge Kabluna, Pyrock's ally, to a fight. The confrontation is intense, highlighting the clash of cultures and personal pride.

Dave Irwin [04:19]: "I'll fight him, Rocky. Let him use his knife. I'll fight him the only way I know how to fight."

The altercation ends with Dave striking Kabluna, leading to intervention by Andy Barr, the group's leader, who diffuses the situation but delivers the stern consequence of Dave's actions.

Andy Barr [05:18]: "Dave, but I'm afraid this ends it."

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Exile and Farewell

Andy Barr informs Dave that his actions have irrevocably damaged his standing within the group, forcing him into exile. Dave is tasked with a perilous journey back to Barter Island, a grueling 200-mile trek across treacherous mountains.

Andy Barr [05:24]: "The men have been getting contrary lately, neglecting to hurt. And today Tyrock gave me the word. You got to go, Dave."

As Dave prepares to depart, Rocky bids a heartfelt farewell, underscoring the personal bonds that have formed amidst the harsh Arctic conditions.

Rocky [07:27]: "I. I say goodbye, Dave."

Dave Irwin [07:31]: "Goodbye Rocky."

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The Unexpected Delay

Just as Dave sets out on his exile, an unforeseen threat emerges—a stampede of wolves (referred to as "the hurt") approaches, threatening both Dave and the remaining group. Dave intervenes to protect his comrades, momentarily delaying his departure and adding another layer of danger to his already arduous journey.

Dave Irwin [08:08]: "Look Andy, look. That dark mass is moving this way."

Andy Barr [08:12]: "Gosh, it's the hurt."

This encounter leaves listeners on a cliffhanger, eagerly anticipating whether Dave will complete his trek to Barter Island or succumb to the relentless challenges of the Arctic wilderness.

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Listener Q&A: Insights into Eskimo Culture

Following the intense narrative, the episode transitions to a Q&A segment where Dave Irwin addresses listeners' questions about Eskimo life and culture, providing valuable insights based on his experiences.

1. Harry Patterson of Henry Street, Chicago: "Has the Eskimo his own language?"

   Dave Irwin [08:54]: "Oh, absolutely. We've been trying to give you a taste of it on this program here. It's not a written Language, though it's an almost universal speech among all of them. I spoke the Alaskan Eskimo, but I could make myself understood 2,000 miles to the west on Hudson Bay. It's a little bit different though, in Dalek."

2. Teddy Cox of Camden: "How does it sound to count in Eskimo? Are you obliged, Dave?"

   Dave Irwin [09:20]: "Okay, Teddy, here's one to seven. Atala cattle, Rangyu Cinema, Tullima Quinyok."

   Don [09:28]: "Is that as far as they go to seven Eskimo?"

   Dave Irwin [09:31]: "Seems to figure after you get seven caribou or seven seal or maybe seven wives, you've got plenty, they just don't bother going any farther."

3. Mary Harris of Cincinnati: "Are the Eskimo clean people?"

   Dave Irwin [09:49]: "Well, they're as clean as they can be. For example, at night they crawl into sleeping bags made of fur. They get in quite naked without a thing on, like the day they're born. They leave their clothes nearby and in the morning the tickets stick, beat the frost out of the cloud. They have to do this because during the night the perspiration freezes and their clothes become as hard as sheet iron. So if, well, washing your clothes every morning before you put them on gives you a rating as a clean people. Well, the Eskimos are certainly a clean outfit under those conditions."

4. Lester Wallace of Springfield, Ohio: "What was the reason for the Canadian reindeer drive?"

   Dave Irwin [10:32]: "Well, the migration routes of the caribou often change coming down through Canada. And at times the Eskimos waiting for them, when these changes come about, they actually starve because the migration routes have been changed."

5. Arthur Laverne of Omaha, Nebraska: "Where did the Eskimos originally come from?"

   Dave Irwin [10:59]: "Well, the Eskimos originally came, they figure, from Asia. Now, this is a long time ago and nobody's really sure, but I think we can be sure that they truly are a Mongolian people."

6. William Seymour of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: "Generally speaking, are the Eskimos a long-lived people?"

   Dave Irwin [11:21]: "Well, it's a funny thing, but the Eskimo, if you'd ask him how old he is, he say, what does it matter? But I've checked up quite close on some of their ages by asking them questions when white men have gone through long ago. And it seems that an old person, well, he's old at maybe 45 or 50 years."

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Looking Ahead

As the episode wraps up, listeners are left anticipating the next chapter in Dave Irwin's Arctic saga. Will Dave overcome the immediate threat of the stampeding wolves and successfully make his way to Barter Island? The tension mounts, promising another thrilling adventure in the face of nature's relentless challenges.

Don [12:17]: "Listen for another exciting chapter of Dave's story. What happened after the reindeer stampeded? Did Dave finally set out for Barter Island? The next chapter is full of surprises. Don't miss it."

Tune in next time to follow Dave Irwin's daring survival story in the frozen wilderness of the Arctic.

Transcript

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[Don]

And there he goes. One man and a dog sled across.

[Dave Irwin]

The top of the world.

[Don]

A true story of the adventures of heroin of the Arctic. We bring you now Dave Irwin in person. And another exciting chapter of his famous journey across the top of the world. Today, the jealousy of the Eskimo herder Pyrock forces Dave to make an unexpected change in his plans. A change that threatens his very life. And now, Dave Irwin.

[Dave Irwin]

Thanks, Don. All right, folks, you're ready. I'll get right on with the story. Remember I told you how we killed Nanook the polar bear? And the celebration that followed? And also the trouble that arose between the chief herder pirate and myself. You know, unintentionally I had caused Parrot to lose face with the rest of the Eskimos. And he was set on making trouble for me. Anyhow, about the third day of our camp there, Rocky and I were coming back from a hunt. There was a bitter wind out of the northwest, filled the air with fine snow particles. And in the usual dull twilight of noonday, it's kind of hard to make out that camp until we got less than a hundred yards away from it.

[Andy Barr]

And.

[Rocky]

Annie say we gonna move her again next week, Dave.

[Dave Irwin]

That's right, Rocky. We gotta get him over near the Mackenzie Valley way. He wants me to take the deer sled tomorrow and go out looking for moss. You'll come along with me? No.

[Rocky]

Maybe I. I not come, Dave.

[Dave Irwin]

What? But. Well, why not Rocky when he find out?

[Rocky]

I think Peter gonna be mad, Dave Pyra.

[Dave Irwin]

You mean because Andy's sending me out with this sled pilot?

[Rocky]

He thinks Andy's gonna put you in in his place.

[Don]

I see.

[Dave Irwin]

Well, you needn't worry about that. I don't want his place. I'm only a passenger with this herd anyhow. So we get farther inland.

[Rocky]

Last week when you carry pack faster than pilot, that put put shame on him. His woman tell him to fight you, Dave. No, no Kablo. White man can be stronger than Eskimo Inuit.

[Dave Irwin]

I see. So that's what's eating Far, is It. Well, maybe we better find out who's the stronger and get this whole thing over with.

[Rocky]

Look, he come now with.

[Dave Irwin]

With other herders. Yeah, they're coming out to meet us, looks like. Well, what's on your mind? Par Keena Ilwick Kabluna white man. He bite pyrak now. Kabluna put shame on any. We put shame on Kabuna. Why can't they wait until this thing when we get back to camp? Rocky, they.

[Rocky]

They don't want to let you come back to camp, Dave. Without you.

[Dave Irwin]

You fight Kabluta ticket tax. Well, all right, Far. I've been on this hunt for the past six hours, but if it's got to be a fight, we might as well have it out. Namakto fire fight with steel knife. Steel knife? Maybe Kabluna afraid to fight in. You iterate. Steel knife make Kabluna's blood cold. Not exactly fond of steel knives, but better not, Dave.

[Rocky]

He can use knives better than Nanuk can use claws.

[Dave Irwin]

I'll fight him, Rocky. Let him use his knife. I'll fight him the only way I know how to fight. Where's my fist? All right, I'm gonna let you have it. Well, I hit that Eskimo on the jaw with all the strength in me, and he went down and out. But Andy Barr came along just then, and I guess it was a pretty good thing he did. He took me into his hut, and I'll always remember that scene. Sea oil lamp flickering on the snow bench outside. The lonely whine of the wind reminding us that we were eight humans alone in that forgotten waste. The mercy of something stronger than our own little fears or hates. An old man bar just staring at me with sort of a look on his wrinkled face.

[Andy Barr]

Davis hoping he could smooth things over. Dave. But I'm afraid this ends it.

[Dave Irwin]

Sorry it happened, Andy.

[Andy Barr]

The men have been getting contrary lately, neglecting to hurt. And today Tyrock gave me the word. You got to go, Dave.

[Dave Irwin]

Go?

[Andy Barr]

Yes. If you don't, they'll put you under the ice, assure the shooting. Then they'll haul out more than likely. And leave me alone with 2000 head of deer.

[Dave Irwin]

Ah, I see. But I had the Zakamandi. If I hadn't, if he'd. Well, he'd put that knife in me, you know.

[Andy Barr]

But I get to get those deer through. Dave. There's hundreds of huskies and their families inland that are starving. It's your life again, Dan.

[Dave Irwin]

Okay, I'll go. Andy. I gotcha. Van Mukit.

[Rocky]

Gina.

[Andy Barr]

Okablona, Puna. Unac, you tell Pidoc. Aye.

[Rocky]

Tina Cabrona eat Nuklok.

[Dave Irwin]

What's that? They want me to go. All right.

[Andy Barr]

They'll give you all the victuals they can spare. But it's along my son about 200 mile back to Fort Yukon across the mountains.

[Dave Irwin]

I'll follow the trail back towards Barter Island.

[Andy Barr]

There might be reindeer carcass along the trail. If the wolves have left any. It's like the place is doing this. Cuz it likely means that.

[Dave Irwin]

Well that I know I'd rather die by myself. I've got to Andy.

[Andy Barr]

If you get through, it may be better for you than trying that vile scheme. You had to go it alone after you left the herd you to die. Ch.

[Dave Irwin]

Maybe I haven't given up that scheme either. When do I start?

[Andy Barr]

You better get your pack ready now. A tell Pyrot. You're leaping.

[Dave Irwin]

So about two hours later I was bundled up in my warmest caribou skins and mukluks and ready to start out. I decided on Barter island because Tom Gordon and old Whaler lived there when he happened to be home. But I knew I faced a long hard journey. The wind had died down and the herders were standing in a silent group in front of their long hut. When I came out, Rocky stepped over and held out his hand.

[Rocky]

I. I say goodbye, Dave.

[Dave Irwin]

Goodbye Rocky.

[Rocky]

I always remember you. You saved my life that time, Dave. But I. I am Inuit. I. I must stay with my people.

[Dave Irwin]

Sure, that's right Rocky. You couldn't help it. Anyhow. One can travel faster than two.

[Andy Barr]

You hit straight for the short aid. Then for all of it best you might get some seal through the ice.

[Dave Irwin]

I may meet up with some auras too. Andy. I'll be all right.

[Andy Barr]

That's a place to sail. Stamp dogs. You go see if they're frightened or Maru.

[Rocky]

I hear words many times. I. I go see.

[Dave Irwin]

Look Andy, look. That dark mass is moving this way.

[Andy Barr]

Gosh, it's the hurt.

[Rocky]

And they're stampeding tight.

[Dave Irwin]

Arc.

[Andy Barr]

Get your men out. Get that pipe off your backstabe. He needs you here. Okay.

[Dave Irwin]

And I help. I've got my rifle here too. Okay.

[Don]

And thus for the time being at least, Dave's exile from Andy Bar's outfit and his mush back to Barter island was unexpectedly delayed. And now Dave, for our question. Harry Patterson of Henry Street, Chicago asks, has the Eskimo his own language?

[Dave Irwin]

Oh, absolutely. We've been trying to give you a taste of it on this program here. It's not a written Language, though it's an almost universal speech among all of them. I spoke, spoke the Alaskan Eskimo, but I could make myself understood 2,000 miles to the west on Hudson Bay. It's a little bit different though, in Dalek.

[Don]

Well, that is interesting. Teddy Cox of Camden asks, how does it sound to count in Eskimo? Are you obliged, Dave?

[Dave Irwin]

Okay, Teddy, here's one to seven. Atala cattle, Rangyu Cinema, Tullima Quinyok.

[Don]

Is that as far as they go to seven Eskimo?

[Dave Irwin]

Seems to figure after you get seven caribou or seven seal or maybe seven wives, you've got plenty, they just don't.

[Don]

Bother going any farther. Well, that's a good sound philosophy. And now question number three. Mary Harris of Cincinnati wants to know, are the Eskimo clean people?

[Dave Irwin]

Well, they're as clean as they can be. For example, at night they crawl into sleeping bags made of fur. They get in quite naked without a thing on, like the day they're born. They leave their clothes nearby and in the morning the tickets stick, beat the frost out of the cloud. They have to do this because during the night the perspiration freezes and their clothes become as hard as sheet iron. So if, well, washing your clothes every morning before you put them on gives you a rating as a clean people. Well, the Eskimos are certainly a clean.

[Don]

Outfit under those conditions. They certainly are clean. Now, Lester Wallace of Springfield, Ohio wants to know what was the reason for the Canadian reindeer drive.

[Dave Irwin]

Well, the migration routes of the caribou often change coming down through Canada. And at times the Eskimos waiting for them, when these changes come about, they actually starve because the migration routes have been changed.

[Don]

Well, I'm sure that's a question that a great many people wanted answered. And now we come to the next question. Arthur laverne of Omaha, Nebraska asks where did the Eskimos originally come from?

[Dave Irwin]

Well, the Eskimos originally came, they figure, from Asia. Now, this is a long time ago and nobody's really sure, but I think we can be sure that they truly are a Mongolian people.

[Don]

Here's one from William Seymour of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Generally speaking, are the Eskimos a long live people?

[Dave Irwin]

Well, it's a funny thing, but the Eskimo, if you'd ask him how old he is, he say, what does it matter? But I've checked up quite close on some of their ages by asking them questions when white men have gone through long ago. And it seems that an old person, well, he's old at maybe 45 or 50 years.

[Don]

Well, that was very interesting, and thanks a lot, Dave. And I'm afraid that's all the time we have for questions today. If anyone else has questions, they'd like to ask. Mail your inquiries to this station in care of Irwin of the Arctic. Listen for another exciting chapter of Dave's story. What happened after the reindeer stampeded? Did Dave finally set out for Barter Island? The next chapter is full of surprises. Don't miss it. Another episode in the daring personal record of Irwin of the Arctic.

[Dave Irwin]

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