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Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole ^^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols y signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartas, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent dtre filmte d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est filmd A partir de Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droits, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cassaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 < ■75 V. bj r. Among the Esquimaux OR Adventures under the Arctic Circle BV — 4) -J) < O. - V EDWARD il ELLIS, A. M. AUTHOR .OK t/i Cd O Z "The Campers Out," Etc., Etc. PHILADELPHIA THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 1804 Copyright 1894 cy The Penn Publishing Company y ^ ::: z' f CONTEXTS X XV XV] CHAI'. 1 iWO l.VSSKXdKKs ().\ Tin: "\Ai-riLL-.s" . . . 7 II A Colossal Somkiwatlt .... i,. III Ax Alakming 81TIAT10X 07 IV Adrift ?,H y Ax Icy Colcii 4() VI Missixo 55 Xll A PorxT OF Li(i nf . ... <)4 'III Hope Dkfekrfd .... /J IX A 8taktlix(j Occluhexce ^^.^ ..V T^iLY CeSTOMEK ,w iVELv Times ^^ iu:i)s Kxperiexce ^^.^ HE For, . . . 117 Collision ... XII XIII XIV XV 6 I x: XX XX x: XX XX \ XXV XX x> XX XX.N XXXI c(jnti:nts CHAP. PAGE XIX A WOXDKIJML ExiriHITION 17i XX TiiK IIkrd OF Musk 0\E\ j^q XXI ClOSI: QUARTKIW jf^() Fukd'h TiijN 2nicticahle as is the sclienie, because of the ice which locks up navii^'Jition for months every year, it has had strong and ingeiuous ad- vocates, and consideral)le money lias been spent in the way of investigation. The plan has been abandoned, for the reasons I liave named, and there is no likeliiiood that it will ever be at- tempted. The " Nautilus " had what may be called a roving commission. It is easy to understand that so long as the sliij)s of the Hudson Bay Company have specific duties to perform, and that the single vessel is simply ordered to take supplies to York Factory and bring back her cargo of peltries, little else can be expected from lier. So the staunch " Nautilus " was fitted out, ])laced under the charge of the veteran naviga- tor, Captain McAli)ine, who had commanded more than one Arctic whaler, and sent on her westward voyage. The ultimate destination of the " Nautilus " ' ; (i TWO passi:nc;i:rs on thi: nattji.l.s 11 wjis York FiK'toi'V, llioii^h sill' w;is to touch at several points, after eaUiiii;' at St. John, Xew- toiiiKlland, one ot* whieh was the southern coast of Greenland, where are located the most famous cryolite mines in the world, l)elon«^in«;, like Greenland itself, to the Danish (iovernment. There is little to be told the reader ahout the "Nautilus" itself or ean the he Irth- v^^Qst, but though they followed the direction with their eyes, they were disa2)pointed. " I see nothing," said Rob, *' tliat looks like an iceberg." " And how is it with you, Mr..Warburton ?" a.sked the skijiper, lowering his instrument, and turning toward the younger of the boys, who had ap[)roached, and now stood at his side. " We can make out a small white cloud in the horizon, that's all," said Fred. " It's the cloud I'm referring to, boys ; now take a squint at that same thing through the glass." Fred leveled the instrument and had hardly taken a glance, when he cried : "Oh! it's an icebers; sure enou2:h ! Isn't it ])eautif'ul?" While he was studying it, the captain added : " Turn the ij-lass a little to the left." " There's another !" added the delighted youth. " I guess remarkt we've struck a school of 'em Rob, who was using his eyes as best i> * t 4' •:l < I P -\ If. 1 I! t' ■ I ' ! f t, ^ , ; 18 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX lie could ; " I thought we'd briug up the aver- iiu;e before reachhiijj Greenhmd." " It's a sight worth seeing," eomiueuted Fred, liauding the glass to his friend, whose pleasure was fully as great as his own. Tlie instrument was passed back and forth, and, in the course of a half-hour, the vast masses of ice coukl be plainly discerned with the unaided eye. "That proves they are coining toward us, or w^e are going toward them," said E-ob. "Both," replied Captain McAlpine ; "we shall pass within a mile of the larger one." " Suppose we run into it ?" The old sea-dog smiled grimly, as he replied : " I tried it once, when whaling witli the * ]\Iary Jane.' I don't mean to say I did it on purpose, but tliere Avas no moon that night, and when the iceberg, half as big as a whole town, loomed up in the darkness, we hadn't time to get out of its path. Well, I guess I've said enough," he remarked, abruptly. " Why, you'vo broken off in the most inter- i \ A COLOSSAL SOMEllSAULT 10 ;st estiiig part of the story/' said the deeply in- terested Fred. " Well, that was tlie hist of the * ^lary Jane/ The mate, Jaek Cosgrove, and myself were all that escaped out of a crew of eleven. We man- aged to climb upon a small shelf of ice, just above the water, where we would have perished with cold had not an Esquimau fisherman, named Docak, seen us. We were nearer the mainland than we dared hope, and he came out in his kayak and took us off. He helped us to make our way to Ivigtut, where the cryolite mines are, and thence we got back to England l)y way of Denmark. No," added Captain McAl[)ine, "a prudent navigator won't try to butt an iceberg out of his path ; it don't '' It must be dangerous in these w^aters, espe- ciallv at nii»ht." " There is danger everywhere and at all times in this life," was the truthful remark of the coniniander; *'and vou know that the most constant watchfulness on the part of the great ^^ M ' 20 AMONG THE E3QUI3IAUX II II ill III r I steamers cannot always avert disaster, bnt I have little fear of anything from icebergs." You need to be told little about those moun- tains of ice which sometimes form a procession, vast, towering, and awful, that stream down from the far North and sail in all their sub- lime grandeur steadily southward until they *' go out of commission " forever in the te^oid waters of the tropic regions. It is a strange spectacle to see one of them moving resistlessly against the current, which is sometimes dashed from the corrugated front, as is seen at the bow of a steamboat, but the reason is simple. Nearly seven-eighths of an iceberg is under water, extending so far down that most of the bulk is often within the embrace of the counter current below. This, of course, carries it against the weaker flow, and causes many people to wonder how it can be thus. While the little group stood forward talking of icebergs, they were gradually drawing near the couple that had first caught their attention. w n A COLOSSAL SOMERSAULT 21 By this tiiiK' ii third iiad risen to sight, more to tlie westward, but it was iiiiich smaller than the other two, though more unicpie and beautiful, it looked for all the world like a grand cathe- dral, whose tai)ering spire towered fully two hundred feet in air. It was easy to imagine that some gigantic structure had been sub- merged by a flood, while the steeple still reared its head above the surrounding waters as though defying them to do their worst. The other two bergs were much more enor- mous and of irre«:ular contour. The ima^ina- tive spectator could fancy all kinds of resem- blances, but the " cold fact " remained that they were simply mountains of ice, with no more symmetry of outline than a mass of rock blasted from a quarry, " I have read," said Fred, " that in the ice- berg factories of the north, as they are called, they are sometimes two or three years in form- ing, before they break loose and sweep off into the ocean." " That is true," added Captain McAlpine; "an w ^•fl^il 212 AMONG Tin-: ESQUIMAUX I'i I I i i i i 1 U! il '1 i 1 ! ^ if iceberg is simply a chunk oft* a frozen river, and a pretty good-sized one, it must be admitted. Wiiere the cold is so intense, a river becomes frozen from the surface to the ground. Snow falls, there may be a little rain during the mod- erate season, then snow comes again, and all the time the water beneath is freezing more and more solid. Gravity and the pressure of the inconceivable weight beyond keeps forcing the bulk of ice and snow nearer the ocean, until it l)rojects into the clear sea. By and by it breaks loose, and off it goes." *' But why does it take so long?" *' It is like the glaciers of the Alps. Being solid as a rock while the pressure is gradual as well as resistless, it may move only a few feet in a month or a year ; but all the same the end must come." The captain had grown fond of the boys, and the fact that the father of one of them was a director of the company which employed him naturally led him to seek to please them so far as he could do so consistent with his duty. He A (Y)LOSSAL SOMKIISATLT 0'> (•{iiiscd the course of the " Xaiitihis " to be shit'iL'd, so that tliey aj)i)r(){u*li('(l within a tliird of a iiiih' of tlie nearest iceberg, which then was due ('list. Sail had been slacdcened and the nroiriv'ss of the mass was so slow as to be abnost iMi[)ercep- tible. Tliis gave full time for its aj)[)alling gran(h;nr to grow uj)on the senses of lh(? youths, who stood minute; after minute admirinir tlie overwhehni ng s[)ectael(^, sj)eechless and awed as is one wlio first pauses at the base of Niairara. Naturally the oflicers and crew of tlie " Nau- tilus" gave tlie sight some attention, but it could not impress them as it did those who looked upon it for the first time. The second iceberg was more to the north- ward, and the ship w^as heading directly toward it. It was probably two-thirds the size of the first, and, instead of possessing its rugged regularity of outline, had a curious, one-sided look. " It seems to me,'' remarked Eob, who had been studying it for L'emar iome moments, S a that the w Ih f "*'"?lB^ 21 AMONG THE ESt^UIMAUX I \: ! till ili 1 l!ii 111 f til t !: I, I ! (•(MiU'c of <;i';ivity in that ilillow inusL be ratlicr tirklish." " It miiy be more stable; tlian the bii^- one," said Fred, " for you don't know wliat sba[)e they have under water; a good deal must dei)end on that." Jaek Cosgrove, the sailor, who had joined the little party at the invitation ot* the eaptain, ventured to say : "Sometimes them eraft get to| heavy and take a Hop ; I shouldn't be s'prised if that one done the same." " It must be a curious sight ; I've often won- dered how Jumbo, the great elephant, would have looked turning a somersault. An iceberg performing a handspring would be something of the same order, but a hundred thousand times more extensive. I would give a good deal if one of those bergs should take it into his head to fling a handspring, but I don't suppose — " " Look !" broke in Fred, in sudden excite- ment. ■m A COLOSS.M. SOMKIlSArFT 0-, To the iinbouiidcd lUii'i/x'iiiciit of i*a[)t:iiii, crt'W, and all the s[)tH'lal()rs, the very ihiii^i;- s|)(»k('ii of by Ivol) (Jarrol took placi*. 'Plic v;i.M luilk of towering iee was seen to |)lniii;(' vlown- w:ii-d with a motion, slow at Ih'st, hnt I'apidly inereasiniL!; initil it diveil heneath the wjives likii some enormous mass of nuitler east olV hy a planet in its ili^lit throu,i;"h s[)aee. As it disaj)- peared, two-fold as mneh hulk eame to view, there was a swirl of water, whieh was llunji; hii»h in fountains, and the waves formed hy tlie eom- motion, as they swept across tlie intervening space, caused the "Nautihis" to roek like a cradle. The splash could have been heard miles away, and the iceberi!; seemed to shiver and shake itself, as though it WTre some flurried monster of the deep, before it could regain its full equi- librium. Then, as the spectators looked, behold ! where was one of those mountains of ice they saw what seemed to be another, for its shape, contour, projections, and depressions were so different that no resemblance could be traced. 20 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX "Slie's all right now,'' remarked Jack Cos- gruve, whose emotions were less stirred tlir;?. those of any one else ; " she's good for two or three thousand miles' voyage, onless she should happen to run aground in shoal water." " What then would take 2)lace, Jack ?" asked Fred. " Wal, there would be the mischief to pay gener'ly. Things w^ould go ripping, tearing, and smashing, and the way that berg would behave ^vould be shameful. If anybody was within reach he'd c-et hurt." Rob stepped up to the sailor as if a sudden thought had come to him. Laying his hand on liis arm, he said, in an undertone : " I wonder if the captain won't let us visit that iceberg?" ittf CHAPTER III P'ly AN ALAKMING (SITUATION The boldness of the proposition fairly took away the breath of the honest sailor. He stared at Rob as though doubting whether he had heard aright. He looked at the smiling youth from head to foot, and stared a full minute be- fore he spoke. '' By the horned spoon, you're crazy, younk- er !" "What is there so crazy about such an idea?" asked Fred, as eager to go on the excursion as his friend. Jack removed his tarpaulin and scratched his head in perplexity. He voided a mouthful of tobacco spittle over the taffrail, heaved a pro- digious sigh, and then muttered, as if to him- self: " It's crazy clean through, from top to bottom, 27 I ,;;f ! 1 I I I I i ill I ( f 28 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX sideways, eat-a-coriiered, and every way ; Lut if tlie captain says * yes ' I'll take you." Kob stepped to where the skipper stood, some paces away, and said : " Captain McAlpine, being as this is the first time Fred and I ever had a good look at an ice- berg, we would be much obliged if you will allow Jack to row us out to it. We want to get a better view of it than w^e can from the deck of the ship. Jack is willing, and we will be much obliged for your permission." Fred was listening breathlessly for the reply, which, like Rob, he expected would be a curt refusal. Great, therefore, was the surprise of the two when the good-natured commander said : *' The request doesn't strike me as very sensi- ble, but, if your hea^'ts are set on it, I don't see any objection. Yes, Jack has my permission to take you to tliat mass of ice, provided you don't stay too long." " lie's crazy, too !" was the whispered excla- mation of the sailor, who, nevertheless, was pleased to gratify his young friends. AN ALVllMlXvI SITUATION 29 The preparations were quickly made. Fred had heard that polar bears are occasional ly luund on the icebergs which float southward from the Arctic regions, and he insisted that tliev ouiiht to take their rifles and annnunition along. Hob laughed, but fortunately he fol- lowed his advice, and thus it happened that the couple were as well supplied in that respect as if startiniz; out on a week's hunt in the interior of the country. When Jack was urged to do the same he reso- lutely shook his head, and then turned about and accepted a weapon from the captain, who seemed in the mood for humoring every whim of the youths that afternoon. " Take it along. Jack," he said ; " there may be some tigers, leopards, boa-constrictors, and hyenas prowling about on the ice. They may be on skates, and there is nothins: like l)ein2: l)rejiared for whatever comes. Good luck to you !" Ivob placed himself in the bow of the small boat, and Fred in the stern, wdiile the sailor. ir i i I I i; ;t 30 AMONG THE ESCJUIMAUX sitting down near tlie middle, grasped the oars and rowed witli that h)ng, steady stroke whieh showed his mastery of tlie art. There was little wind stirring, and the waves were so slight that they were easily ridden. The sea was of a deep green color, and when the spray oc^^asionally dashed over the lads it was as cold as ice itself. By this time the iceherg had drifted somewhat to the southward, but its pro- gress was so slow as to suggest that the two currents which swept against it were nearly of the same streno'th. Had it been earlier in the day it would probably have remained visible to the '^ Nautilus" until sunset. Meanwhile, a fourth mass rose to sight in the rim of the eastern horizon, so that there seemed some truth in Kob's suggestion that they had run into a school of them. Thev felt no interest, however, in any except the particular s[)ecimen before them. How it grew upon them as they neared it ! It seemed to spread right and left, and to tower upward tow^ard the sky, until even the reckless ^ AN ALAllMING SITUATIOxV 31 Ivjb wus luLslied into awed silence and sat staring aloft, with feelings beyond expression. It was nuieli the same with Fred, who, sitting at the stern, almost held his breath, while the overwhelming grandeur hushed the words tHMubllng on his lip. The mass of iee was hundreds of feet in width and length, Avhile the highest portion must iiave been, at the least, three hundred feet above the surface of the sea. What, therefore, was the bulk beh)w. Its colossal proportions were bevond imagination. The part within their field of vision was too irregular and shapeless to admit of clear de- scription. If the reader can picture a mass of j'ock and debris blown from the side of a mountain, multinlied a million times, he may t'onu some idea of it. The highest [)ortion was on the opposite side. .Vbout half-way from the sea, facing the little pai'ty, wjis a plateau broad enough to allow a company of soldiers to camp upon it. To tJie lei't of this the ice showed considerable snow in n tr I 4 '!: I I' . S . i ■ ' I l\ P. ii I'! \ {. \ : 'I; 'il'i ^ 1 8 J ^1 ■ 'ir ij Bi .«i ; , - »jf, AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX its coinpositiuii, while, in other places, it was as clear as crystal itself. In still other portions it was dark or almost steel blue, ])robably due to some [)eculiar retraction of light. There wx^e no rippling streams of water along and over its side, for the weather was too cold for the thaw^- ing which would be plentiful when it struck a warmer latitude. But there were caverns, projections, some sharp, but most of them blunt and misshapen, ste|>s, long stretches of vertical wall as smooth as glass, up which the most agile climber could never make his way. Courageous as liob Cctrrol unquestionably w^as, a feeling akin to terror took possession of him wdien they were quite near the iceberg. He turned to suggest to Jack that they had come far enough, when he observed that the sailor had turned the bow of the boat to the right, though he was still rowing moderately. He was the only one that w^as not impressed by the majesty of the scene. Squinting one eye u]) the side of the towering mass, he remarked : I H **■» AN ALARMING SITUATION was as ions it lue to e were ver its tliaw- ruek a some hapen, )otli as could )nably on of . He •fr come sailor right, sed by ye 11] ) ei I; " Tliei e's enough ice tliere to make a chap's etarnal fortune, if he could only liitch on and tow it into London or New Yorkhar))or; hut being as we've sot out to take a view of it, why we'll sareumnavigate the thing, as me cousin rcinaiked when he run around the barn to dodge; the dog that was nipping at his lieels." The voice of the sailor served to break the spell that had held the tongues of the bovs mute until then, and they spoke more cheerily, but unconsciously modulated their voices, as a person will do wdien walking through some great gallery of paintings or the aisles of a vast cathedral. Tliev were so interested, however, in them- selves and their novel experience that neither looked toward the '* Nautilus," wdiich was rap- idly passing from sight, as they were rowed around the iceberg. Had they done so, they would have seen Captain McAlpine making eager signals to them to return, and, perhaps, had they listened, they might have heard his stentorian voice, though the modei'ate wind, f, 1 ; I ii» ! ;l I ' \^ T' t i i Iff iil 9 34 AMONG THE ES(2UIMAUX blowing at riglit angles, was quite unfavorable for hearinu;. Unfortunately not one of the three saw or lieard the uiovenient or words of the skipper, and the little boat glided Jiround the eastern end of the mountainous mass and began slowly creeping along the further side. "Hello!" called out Rob, "there's a good place to land. Jack ; let's go ashore." "Go ashore!" rej)eated the sailor, with a scornful laugh ; " what kind of a going ashore do you call that?" While there was nothing especially desirable in placing foot upon an iceberg, yet, boy-like, the two friends felt that it would be worth something to be able to say on their return home that they had actually stood upon one of them. Inasmuch as the whole tliin«: was a fool's errand in the eves of Jack Cos2:rove, he 1/ CD ' thouirht it was well to ueo'lect nothing', so he shied the boat toward the gently sloping shelf, wdiich came down to the w\ater, and, Avitli a ^ bol's lie lie ;lielf, :li a AN ALARMING SITUATION 35 ■1 couple of powerful sweeps of the oars, sent the how far up the glassy surface, the stoppage heing so gradual as to cause hardly a percep- tible shock. "Out with you, younkers, for the day will soon he gone," he called, waiting for the two to cliinh out before following them. They lost no time in obeying, and he drew the boat so far up that he felt there was no fear of its being washed away during their absence. All took their guns, and, leaving it to the sailor to act as guide, they began picking their way up the incline, which continued for fully a dozen yards from the edge of the water. '' This is easy enough," remarked Hob; " if we only had our skates, we mi<»*ht — confound it !" His feet shot up in the air, and down he came with a bump that shook off his hat, and would have sent him sliding to the boat had he not (lone some lively skirmishing to save himself. Fred laughed, as every boy does under similar circumstances, and he took particular heed to his own footsteps. i f si TT f ! , 'l 1 :■ : I ft ;|i- 1 T f II ' M i' ii^-« 3G AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX Jack had no purpose of venturing farther than to the top of the gentle hielhie, since there was no cause to do so ; but, on reaching the ])oint, he observed that it was easy to climb along a rougher portion to the right, and he led the way, the boys being more than willing to follow him. They continued in this manner until they had gone a considerable distance, and, for the first time, the guide stopped and looked around. As he did so, he uttered an exclamation of amaze- ment : " Where have been my eyes ?" he called out, as if unable to comprehend his oversight. " What's the matter ?'' asked the boys, startled at his emotion, for which they saw no cause. *' There's one of the biggest storms ever heard of in these latitudes, bearing right down on us ; it'll soon be night, and we shall be catched afore we reach the ship, lads ! there isn't a minute to lose ; it's all my fault." He led the way at a reckless pace, the youths AN ALAKMINU SITUATION 37 followini*' as best they c"oukl,stiiinl)liiii>' at times, but beeJing it not us tliey s(*ra!nbb'(l to tbeir feet and burried after their friend, mure fiigbt- ened, if possible, than lie. He could out-travel them, and was iit the bot- tom of the incline first. Before he reached it, he stopped short and uttered a despairing cry : ^' No use, lads ! the boat has been swept away !" Such was the fact. '! ! ri^ > I n r \ ! ti I i U ! CHAPTER IV ADRIFT Jack Cosgrove, of tlie '* Nautilus," was not often agitated by anything in which he became involved. Few of his perilous calling had gone through more thrilling experiences than he, and in them all he had acquired a reputation for coolness that couhl not be surpassed. But one of the few occasions that stirred him to the heart was when hurrying to disembark from the ^^eberg, in the desperate hope of reach- ing the ship beio. ^ ^]\g bursting of tlio gale and the closing of night, he found that the little boat had been swept from its fastenings, and the only means of escape vias cut off. There was more in the incident than occurred to Kob Carrol and Fred Warburton, who has- tened after him. He had been in those latitudes before, and the reader will recall the story Cap- tain McAlpine told to the boys of the time Jack 38 \DUirT 39 wjhs ona of tliicc who cscajKMl from tlie col- lision of tho wliiiling shij) widi an iivhcri;- in tlio «;looni of a chirk iiii;lit. liad it been earlier in the (hiy, and had no storm been impending, he couUl have aiVorded to hnigh at tliis mishap, for at the most, it would liave resulted in a temporary ineonvenienee only. The skij)pcr would have discovered their ])lii;'ht sooner or later, and sent another boat to bring them oil*, but the present case was a hun- dred-fold more serious in every aspect. In the first place, the fierce disturbance of the elements would comj)el Captain McAli)ine to give all attention to the care of his ship. That was of more importance than the little i)arty on the iceberg, who must be left to them- selves for the time, since any effort to reach them would endanger the vessel, the loss of which meant the loss of everything, including the little company that found itself in sudden and dire periL What might take place during the storm and darkness his imagination shuddered to picture. i'.'i^. 'i I IHIHHII ■ I 1 :» I' II II 1 i ■ I ! 1 1 ' 1 ' i! 1 i' !■ i 40 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX Had tlie boat been found whei'C he left it a short time before, desperate rowhig would have carried them to the " Nautilus " in time to escape the full force of the storm. That was im- ])ossible now, and as to the future who could say ? Tlie rowboat, as will be remembered, was sim- ply drawn a short distance up the icy incline, where it ought to have remained until the re- turn of the party. Such would have been the fact under ordinary circumstances, for the mighty bulk of the iceberg prevented it feeling tlie shock of any disturbance that could take place in its majestic sweep through the Arctic Ocean, except from its base striking the bottom of the sea, or a readjustment of its equilibrium, as they had observed in the case of the smaller berg. It might crush the " Great Eastern " if it lay in its path, but that would have been like a wagon passing over an egg-shell. In leaving the boat as related, the stern lay in the water. Even then it would have been secure, but for the agitation caused by the > ^^^/ 2tlG i oin nil, i ItT i if ke "is '^y --^^iV'a en he ,';.^S ADRIFT 41 coming gale. Tliat began swaying tlie rear of tlie craft, whose support was so sniootli tliat it s[)ee(lily worked down the incline and floating into the open water instantly worked off beyond leach. knowins: so little what all this f i> n le hn >VC5 meant and what was before them, were dis- posed to make light of their misfortune. " By the great horned spoon, but that is bad !" exclaimed Jack, i)ointing out on the water, where the boat was seen bobbing on the rising waves, fully a hundred yards away, with the distance rapidly increasing. It seems as if in the few minutes intervening, niii'lit had fully descended. The wind had risen to a gale, and, even at that short distance the little craft was fast growing indistinct in the o'atherino; o-loom. " It isn't very pleasant," replied Eob, " but it might be worse." " I should like to know how it could be worse," said the sailor, turning reprovingly to- ward him ; *^ I wonder if I can do it." ■ 1 f'- I - .■ i f Ht " i I ■ ,1 I, I I '.Ir Hi 4 •' nil 42 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX The last words were uttered to liimself, and lie liastily laid down liis gun on the iee by his side. Then he heo^an takins; off his outer coat. '* What do you mean to do ?" asked the amazed Fred. " I believe I can swim out to the boat and bring it back," was the reply, as he continued preparations. "You musn't think of sucli a thing/* 'iO- tested Rob ; "the water is cold enough to freeze you to death. If you can't reach it, you will Jiave to come back to us, with your clothing frozen stiff, and nothing will save you from perishing." " I'll chance that," said Jack, who, however, continued his preparations more deliberately, and with his eye still on the receding boat. He was about to take the icv plunire, in "O^J the last effort to save himself and friends, when he stopped, and, straightening up, watched the craft for a few seconds. a No," said he, " it can't be done ; the tliin- c*lianii:e in tlie weather, and would make all liaste to return. Inasuiueli as ho had failed to do so, the [KU'ty nuist be left to themselves for the time, while the commander gave his full jit ten lion to the care of the ship — a respoiisi- hility that required his utmost skill, with no sliiiht chance of his failure. The stoi'm or scpiall, or whatever *t might be termed, was one of those sudden changes, some- times seen in the high latitudes, whose coming- is so sudden that there is but the briefest warn- ing ere it bursts in all its fury. By the time our friends reached the spot where they ex[)ected to find their boat it was ;ihui)st as dark as night. This darkness deep- ened so rapidly, after losing sight of the craft, that they were unable to see more than fifty feet in any direction. Fortunately, before leaving the "Nautilus," they had donned their heaviest clothing, so that they were quite well protected under the circumstances. Had thev neii-lected this precaution they must have perished of the extreme cold that followed. 1,1. ti: } i« !l . > ill 1 •;i ' i \vh fl ■ 48 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX Accoiii[)anying the oi)i)re.ssive gloom was a marked falling of the temperature, and a fierce- ness of blast which, so h)iig as they were exposed to it, cut them to the bone. The gale, instead of blowing in their faces, swept along the side of the iceberg. They had but to w^ithdraw, there- fore, only a short distance when they were able to take shelter behind some of the numerous pro- jections, and save themselves from its full force. All at once the air was full of millions of par- ticles Oi snow, which eddied and whirled in such fantastic fashion tnat when they crouched down they were so blinded that they could not see each other's forms, although near enough to clasp hands. This lasted but a few minutes, when it ceased as suddenly as it began. The air was clear, but the gloom w^as profound. They could see noth- ing of the raging ocean, nor of a tall spire-like mass of ice, which towered a hundred feet above their heads, within a few yards of them, and which had attracted their admiration on their first visit. AN I( Y ("OUCH 41) It was blowing groat guns. The sound of the waves, as they broke against the solid abutment of ice, and were dashed into spray and sjnune, was like that of the breakers in ii hurrieane. Liivneeivable as was the bulk of the berg, they plainly felt it yield to the resistless power of the ocean. It ae(piired a shjw sea-saw motion, more alarming than the most violent disturbance they had ever known on the " Nautilus " in a storm. The movement was sh'ght, but too distinct to be mistaken. For some time the three luuklled tosrether, under the protection of the friendly projection, and no one spoke a word. They had hud down their guns, for there was no need of keeping them in their hands. The metal was so in- tensely cold that it could be noted through the protection of their thick mittens, and they needed every atom of vitality in their shivering bodies. They pressed closer together and f)und comfort in the mutual warmth thus secured. The sky was blackness itself. There was no 4 i: - — r^ ' III !W ■'! )l 1 m !1. ' 1 f i IP 1 if . 1 if L ;l i ill '. r>o AMoxG Tiir: i:s(H'iMArx <;liin|)se of moon or filiindly slar. Tli(;y w^re udrit't on an ic'^'bcri:: in darkness and iilooni in tiie midst of a ti'ackU'ss ocean. AVhilhor tlicy were li-oinij:, when tlio leri'irvini»: vova;»;e slionld end, what was to be the issne, only One knew. They eonhl bnt pray and trust and hope and await the end. It is a curious feature of tliis curious lii. nan nature of ours that the most hopeless depression of spirits is frequently followed by a rebound, as the liigliest spirits are quickly succeeded by the deepest dejection. Our make-up is such that nature reacts, and neither state can con- tinue long without change, unless the conditions are exceptional. Were it otherwise, many a strong mind w^ould break down under its weight of trouble. The three had remained crouching together silent and motionless for some minutes, no one venturing to express a hope or opinion, when E,ob Carrol suddenly spoke, in the cheeriest tones. '' I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows.'' If n 1 AN WY COUCH 51 ^y one llien •iest I •I " What's that ?" asked Fred, quick to seize tlie relief of hearing each other's voices. *' Let's start a fire." " A good idee," assented Jack Cosgrove, fall- ing into the odd mood that had taken possession of his companions ; " you gather the fuel and I'll kindle it It happens I haven't such a thing as a match about me, but I'll find a way to start it." " Kob and I have plenty, but, if we hadn't, we could rub some pieces of ice together till the friction started a flame." '' The Esquimaux have another plan," added Rob. " They will trim a piece of ice in the form of a convex lens and concentrate the sun's rays on the object they want to set on fire. Why not try that ?" " I am afraid there isn't enough sunlight to amount to anything," replied Fred, o "aning his head forward and peering through the gloom, as if searching for the orb of day. ^' That isn't the only way of getting up steam," remarked Jack, who, just liLe his honest self, i' 11 4 h an** f \i 111 't -«l AMoxcj Tin: j:s(ii;iMAUX 4 >H i| i'!' I :. !''(■!' 1 1 • {: 1 I I ■it ^ ;' I :; :^l 'Ml \ 1 if :iy I ill 1 was striving to dispose of his l)o.ly so as to give each of the boys the greatest possible aniount of warmth ; *' I know a better one." " Let's hear it." " llac3 back and fortli ak)ng the side of tlie berg till we start ilie blood circulating ; nothing like that." " Suppose we should slip, Jack ?" '•Then you'd flop into the sea; it's a good thing to take a bath when your blood is heated too much." " If there was only a footpath where wf uld do that, it would be a good plan," observed liob, " but, as it is, we shall have to huddle together till morning, when I hope Caj^tain McAlpine will send a boat after us.'' The boys noticed that Jack made no reply to this. They expected an encouraging response, but he remained silent, as thousrh he was con- sidering difficulties, dangers, complications, and perils of which they could form no idea. Meanwhile the gale raged with resistless fury. There was no more fall of snow, but the wind AN ICY COUCH 5:] was like a liiirrlcaiie. Tlie most vivid ulvd of ils awful jxjwer was <^aiiu!(l when the friends, far reniin'ed from the water's edge, and at no small elevation above it, felt drops of spray lluiii;' in their faces. The tliunder of the surges, shattered into mist and foam against the adamantine side of the iceberg, was so overpowering that, had not the heads of the three been close, they would not have heard each other's voices. The see- sawing of the colossal mass was more percep- tiljle than ever, and caused them to think, with nnspeakable dread, of the possibility of the berg breaking anart, or overturning like the other, in the effort to preserve its equilibrium. The gale wdiistled around and among the pro- jections of the ice with a WTird, uncanny sound, alike and yet different from that heard when it moans through the network of ropes and rig- ging of a great ship. The question was whether such a vast volume of wind, impinging against the thousands of square feet of ice, would not aifect the course and speed of the mass. If the ■;«,, '' m m T ■,r I ^ i ' 1 i ^ i : ij •1 ; ; 1 1 1 . 1 ■I i i1' ! I # i J !if •;, ^? I 54 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX liurrieaiie drove in the same direction as the controlling cnrrent, it ought to be of much help. If opposed, it might check it ; if quartering, it n:ight make a radical change in its course. All these speculations were in vain, however, and, as has been said, there was nothing to be done, but to wait and trust in the only One who could help them, and who had been so merciful in the past that their faith in His goodness and protecting care could not be shaken. " My lads," said Jack, when the silence which followed their brief conversation had lasted some minutes, " there's only one thing to do, and that's to make ourselves as comfortable as we can where we are." *' Isn't that what we are doing ?" asked Rob. " Of course it is, but I didn't know but what you was trying to conjure up some other j^lan. If so, give it up, say your prayers, and go to bed/' / *!? mmmmm CHAPTER VI MISSIXG It is at such times that a person realizes his liel[)h.'ssiiess and utter de})en(lence on the great Fatlier of all. Too much are we prone to forget such dependence, when all goes well, and too often the prayer for help and guidance is put off until too late. It was a comniendahle trait in all three of the pai'ties whose experience I have set out to tell that they never forgot their duty in this all-important matter. Roh and Fred were full of animal life and sj)irits, and the eldel* espe- cially was inclined, from this very excess of health and strength, to overstep at times the hounds of proj)riety, hut holli rememhered the lessons learned in infancv at the mother's knee, and never failed to commend themselves to their heavenly parent, not only on waking in the glad morning, but on closing their eyes at night. 00 if I' liM'r-i I i It i-'m ^Nii T •if m n' f*^ ii ? I ;1 I, I 'K i h; If: 'h]{ i I ;!• n I in ■1 'I'; if!''' U li.it hij AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX Jai'k Cosgrove had one of those impres- sioii;.i!)lc natures, tinged Avitli innoeent super- stition, whieli is often seen in those of tiis ealling. His faith possessed tlie siniplieity of a ehlhl, and, tliough many of his doings might not S(piare with tliose of a Christian, yet at heart he devoutly helieved in tlie all-proteetin euro of his Maker, and was never ashamed, no matter what liis surrouudlngs, to eall upon llini for help and guidance. And so, as the three pressed closer togetlier, adjusting themselves as best they could to pass the long, dismal hours ere the sun would shine upon them again, tliey were silent, and all, at the same time, communed with God, as fer- vently and trustfully as ever a dvinii Christian did wlien stretched upon his bed of mortal ill- ness. Had they possessed a blanket among them they could have spread it upon the ice, lain down upon it, and, wrapping it as best they could, passed the night with a fair degree of comfort. That, howevei', was out of the ques- MISSING 0/ tioii. They, therefore, seated themselves under the k^e, as may he said of the muss of ice, whieh j)rolected them agiiinst tlie gaU', their hocHes pressed as ch)sely together as well could he, and in this sitting posture pre[)ared to go to slee[), if it should so prove that the hlessing could he won. One can hecome accustomed to almost any- thinii'. An ahrupt clianij-e from the comfortahle cahin of the *' Nautilus " to the hleak situation on the iceherg would have filled them with a dread liardly less trying than death itself; hut they had already heen in the situation long enough to grow u^ed to it. The ponderous swavins: of the frozen structure, the thunderous dash and roar of the waves ag.iin.st its hase, the screamiuii; of the 2;ale and the darkness of the arctic nii»ht; all these wxto sounds ajid sensa- tions which in a certain sense grew lamiliar to tliem aud did not disturh them as the hours passe il. 1 It cannot he said that an icy seat or rest onus 'he most comfortahle support for the • «. . '. •5 :U' T " !«- ' H •) ( M i- >J $' : ! ■ Vv « Mlj '1 'I \ 'I I ^ i'l: ,i i»! 1 l^f 58 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX body, whose warmth is likely to inelt the frozen sui'fticc, but the tliiek clothing of the i)arty did much to avert unpleasant consequences. Had Jack or E-ob or Fred been alone, the penetrat- ing cold most likely would have overcome him, but as has been shown, the mutual warmth rendered their situation less trying than would be supposed. When an hour had passed, with only an occasional word spoken, Jack addressed each of the boys in turn by name. There was no re- sponse, and he spoke in a louder tone with the same result. " They're asleep," he said to himself, " and I'm glad of it, though the sleep that sometimes comes to a chap in these parts at such times is the kind that doesn't know any waking in this world. I've no doubt, howsumever, that they're all right." ■ With a vague uneasiness, natural under the circumstances, he passed his hands over their faces and pinched their arms, as if to assure himself there was no mistake. ■ill MISSING 59 The boys were so muffled up ia their thick coats and sealskin caps that were drawn about their ears, behind which the colhirs of their coats were raised, that only the ends of their noses and a slight portion of their cheeks could be felt. He removed his heavy mitten from one hand, and, reaching under the protecting covering about the cheeks and neck, found a healthy glow which told him all was well, and, for the time at least, he need feel no further anxiety, so far as they were concerned. " AVhich being the case," he added, drawing on his mitten again, and making sure their coverings were atljusted, *' I'll take a little trip mvself into the land of nod." But this trip was easier thought of than made. Ilis rugged body, with its powerful vitality, would have soon succumbed to drowsiness, could his mind have been free of its distressing fear for the two young friends under his charge. But, though he had said little, he knew far more than he dare tell them. He had shown his alarm on discovering the loss of the boat, but 7T 1' GO AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX Mi\ V. ll'l i i 1 I ' 5 tliongli some imputiciit expressions escaped liim, he did not explain what was in liis mind. Ilis belief was that before morning should come the " Nautilus " would be driven so far from her course that she would be nowhere in sight, and, towering as was the iceberg in its height and proportions, it would be invisible from the deck of the ship, or, if visible, could not be identified anions:: the others driftinof through the icy ocean. Well aware, too, he was of the terrific strength of the gale sweeping across the deep, he trembled for the safety of the " Nautilus " and those on board, hardly less than he did for himself and friends. The hurricane was resistless in its power, and would drive the ship whither it chose like a cockle-shell. Icebergs were moving hither and thither through the darkness, less affected by the wind and waves than the vessel, and a collision was among the possibilities, if not the probabilities. Inasmuch as the "Nautilus" was likely to go down under the fury of the elements, or, if she rode through it, was certain to be too far .1111 Missixc; 61 removed to be of lielp to tlie three, the question to consider was what hope of csca2)e remained to the latter. AUhongh vessels penetrate Baflin Bay and far into the Arctic Ocean, they are so few in number that days and weeks may pass without any two of them gainiug sight of each other. A shipwrecked sailor afloat in the South Sea, on a spar, was as likely to be picked up by some trading ship as wTre Jack and his companions, by any of the whalers or ships in that high latitude. And then, supposing they did catch sight of some stray vessel, who of the captain and crew w^ould be looking for living persons on board an iceberg? Why w^ould they give the latter any more attention than the scores of the moun- tainous masses afloat in their path and which it w^as their first care to avoid ? If a ship should pass so near to them that they could make their signals seen there would be hope ; but the chances of anything of that kind were too remote to be regarded. J a ':( il H ft n{ M li •■ 1 I! 3| .it.: G2 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX Such being the outlook, where was there grouiul for ho[)e? They were beyond sight of the Greenland coast, and were doubtless drifting farther away every hour. Nothing in the nature of succor was to be hoped for from land, and the brave-hearted Jack was obliged to say to himself that, so far as human eye could see, there was none from any source. Cold, starva- tion, and death seemed among the certainties near at hand. And having reached this disheartening be- lief, he closed his eyes and joined his young friends in the land of dreams. Having sunk into slumber, the sailor was likely to remain so until morning, unless some unexpected circumstance should break in upon his rest, and it did. It was Rob Carrol, who, probably because of his cramped position, first regained conscious- ness. As his senses gradually came back to him, and the thunder of the surges and the shrieking of the gale broke in upon his brain, he stretched his benumbed limbs and yawned MISSING 63 ill an efTort to make his situation more com- fortable It struck him tliat there liad been a change in their rehitive positions while asleep. Not wishing to awake his companions, he carefully shifted his limbs and body, so as not to distui'b them. While doing so, he extended his hand to touch them. He groped along one figure, which he knew at once was Jack, but he felt no other. With a vague fear he straightened up, leaned over, and hastily extended his arms about him, as far as he could reach. The next moment he roughly shook the shoulder of the sailor, and called out in a husky voice : " Jack ! Jack ! wake up ! Fred is gone !" I \ \ r^r ■*»>■■ f ,! CHAPTER VII A POINT OF LIGHT H % '1 1 '1 ' ■ i i 1 ' j :" ■('■ ! ' U 1': ; ^i ' ■ t ( V i' 1 it , ' !! 1 ■ ii ill! !! 1 1 i 1 ! ! If '!; ! E . ' { ■' til 1 1 I '' ; '|1 1 U ! ,:); :1 !■■ L^l Jack CosorvOVE was awake on tlie instant. Not until lie had groped around in the dark- ness and repeated the name of Fred several times in a loud voice would he believe he was not with them. " Well, by the great horned spoon !" he ex- claimed, "that beats everything. How that chap got away, and why he done it, and where he's gone to gets me." " I wonder if he took his gun,'' added Rob, stooping over and examining the depression in the ice, where the three laid their weapons be- fore composing themselves for sleep ; " yes," he added directly after, " he took his rifle with him." As may be supposed, the two were in a frenzied state of mind, and for several min- utes were at a loss what to do, if, indeed, they could do anything. They knew not where to 64 A POIXT OF LIGHT 05 look for their missing friend, nor could they decide as to what had become of him. One fearful thought was in the minds of lK)tli, but neither gave exi)ression to it; eurh lecoiled with a shudder from doing so. It was that he had wandered off in his sleep and fallen into the sea. Despite their distress and dismay, they noticed several significant facts. The wind that blew like a hurricane when they closed their eyes, liad subsided. When they stood up, so that their heads arose above the projections that had ])rotected them, the breeze was so gentle that it was hard to tell from which direction it came. It would be truth to say there was no wind at all. Further, there was a marked rise in the tem- perature. In fact, the weather was milder than any experienced after leaving St. John, and was remarked by Hob. " You don't often see anvthins; of the kind," ]'r[)iied the sailor; "though I call something of the kind to mind on that voyage in these parts ..: i^' il^ .,r mm .;i 1 M if? "i I .1 \ 1 ' ■'^'' ll i II n 'I ' ^il ■*!!! ] i t '. 1 ^< , '-i "! '1 ■ 1 ■' j 1 , ^^ '' 1' 1 ' f ' ii i ■:■! If 1' .1;! ! J li i! : 00 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX in tlie * jNIiiry Juiie,' which was siiiublicd by the iceberg." But tlieir tlioughts instantly reverted to the missing boy. liob had shouted to him again and again in his loudest tones, had whistled until the echo rang in his own ears, and had listened in vain for the resj^onse. The tunudtuous waves did not subside as rapidly as they arose. They broke against the walls of the iceberg with decreasing power, but with a boom and crash that it would seem threatened to shatter the vast structure into fragments. There were occasional lulls in the overpowering turmoil, which were used both by Rob and Jack in calling to the missing one, but with no result. ** It's no use," remarked the sailor, after they had tired themselves pretty well out ; " wherever he is, he can't hear us." " I w^onder if he will ever be able to hear us," said Rob, in a choking voice, peering around in the gloom, his eyes and ears strained to the highest tension. A POIXT OF LKJIIT "I wish T knew,'* replied Jack, who, tlioii^^h he was as imieli distressed as his eoinpanion, was too though I ful to add to the grief by any words of his own. " I hope the hid is asleep somewhere in these parts, but I don't know nothing more about him than you." '* And I know nothing at all." '* Can you find out what time it is?" That was easily done. Stoo])ing down so as to |)rotect the flame from any chance eddy of wind, Rob igniLcd a match on his clothing and looked at his watch. " We slept longer than I imagined, Jack ; day- break isn't more than three or four hours off." "That's good, but them hours will seem the longest that you ever passed, my hearty." There could be no doubt on that point, as af- fected both. *' Why, Jack," called out Rob. " the stars are ming. " Hadn't you observed that before ? Yes ; there's lots of the twinklers out, and the storm is gone for good." :<1: •r"** mam HI ii :|:! I' '5 ill 1 1 ;;i if il i i t i f 1 i 1! 1 1 i: n.U 1 r ■ 1 1 ! !•■ ( ! 1 -i II !, ' 1 V 1 08 AMONG THE ES(2l IMAUX Evei'\ portion of tlie sky exccj)! the iiorllieni showed the glittering orbs, and, for the nujiiient, lv(jb forgot his grief in the surprise over the marked ehanji^t^ in the weather. " Tliis mihhiess will brinci; another chan? a '4m irir ^^^SMSSflHMMtS^MMft^MWM :S!lB.'B^J- ui mmiliwb hii:ii 70 A310NG THE ESQUIMAUX ii it 11 i;^^ I i if, \ if it 'l! II I- ■^^ As the only means of reaching the ears of the strangers the two began shonting histily, vary- ing the ci'ies as fancy suggested. In addition, Jack fired his ; o'loom like a beacon to the wan- derer. " Yes, they are coming to us," added Hob, forgetting his lost friend in his excitement ; "they will soon bo here. I wonder they don't hail us." " Don't be too sartin, lad," was the answer of the sailor ; 'Mf the boat was going straight from us it would seem for a time as though she was coming this Avay ; I b'lieve she has changed her course without a thou2;ht of us." They were cruel words, but, sad to say, they proved true. The time was not long in coming when all doubt was removed. The star dwin- dled to a smaller point than ever, seemed longer lost to view, until finally it w^as seen no more. " Do you suppose they heard us ?" asked Hob, when it was no longer possible to hope for relief from that source. Is il ■' l» 'ip \'i ■i I ; 8 'I ^li i i > li ; 1 1 i 1 i'i' t ■ !'!! i. p.. 1 is it 1 H:'' 'i'i ii ''^ 1' ' 1 1 ''':• '"'■ ". it ' iu 72 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX '' Of course not ; if tlioy liad they would have behaved like a Christian, and stood by and done what they could." *' Sliips are not numerous in this latitude, and it may be a long time before we see another." "The chances p'int that way, and yet you know there's a good many settlements along the Greenland coast. It isn't exactly the place I'd clloose for a winter residence — especially back in the country — but there are j)lenty who like it." *' In what way can that affect us ?" "There are ships passing back and forth be- tween Denmark and Greenland, anci a number v'yage to the Uuited States, and I'm lioping we may be run across by some of them — Hark !" CHAPTEE VIII HOPE DEFEUKED 1 A HOAESE, tremulous sound came across the ocean. There was no mistaking its character ; it was from the whistle of a steamer, the one whose light led them to hoi)e for a time that their rescue was at hand. It sounded three times, and evidently the blasts were intended as a signal, though, of course, they bore no refer- ence to the two })ersons listening so intently on the iceberg. " That was the last thing I expected to hear in this latitude," remarked Hob, turning to his companion. " I don't know why," replied Jack ; " they have such craft plying along the Greenland coast. What's more, I've heard that same wliistle before and know the boat; it's the * Fox.' " *' Not the * Fox ' I have read about as havin^: 73 .M m m Sr€ !HMMnMi*i 74 AMONG THE ESQUIiMAUX to do with the Franklin expedition j?" said the youth, ill astouiyliiiient. " The identical craft." *' You amaze nie." Those of my readers who are familiar with the history of Arctic exploration will recall this familiar name. It was the steam tug in which sailed the party that succeeded in finding traces of the ill-fated Franklin expedition of near a half century ago. It afterward came into the possession of the company that owns the cryolite mine at Ivigtut, and is now used to carry laborers and supplies from Copenhagen to that place. While at Ivigtut, it is occasionally employed to tow the Greenland shipjs in and out of til e fiord. Ah, if its crew had only heard the shouts and signals of the couple on the iceberg, how blessed it would have been ! But its lights had vanished long ago, and, if its whistle sounded again, it was so far away that it could not reach the listening ears. The restlessness of the friends, to which I have HOPE DEFERRED VO referred, now led them to attempt a search, if it may so be called, for the missing Fred. This of necessity was vague and blind, and was ac- companied with but a grain of hope. Neither had yet refcu^red to the aw^ful dread that was in their thoughts, but weakly trusted they might find the poor fellow somewhere near asleep or senseless from a fall. Morning was still several hours distant, but the clearing of the air enabled them to pick their way with safety, so long as they took heed to their footsteps. " I will go down toward the spot where the boat gave us the slip," said Jack, " and I don't know wdiat you can do, unless you go with me." ** There's no need of that ; of course I can't make my way far, while the night lasts, but I remember that we peneti-ated some wnj beyond this place before camping for the night ; I'll try it." " Keep a sharp lookout, my hearty, or there'll be another lad lost, and then what will become of Jack Cosgrove ?" Ti m i m w^^w ■BSHS! 7G AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX .It i .., ■;' ■ ; i i: i fi 5!^ \ 1 j ■ 1 1; i * If 1 Ml ^' Have no fear of me," replied Hob, setting out on the self-imposed expedition. He paused a few steps away and turned to watch the sailor, who was carefully descending the incline, at the base of which they had landed. " I hope he won't find Fred, or rather that he won't find any signs of his having gone that way," said Hob to himself with a shudder. As the figure of the man slowly receded, it grew more indistinct until it faded from sight in the gloom. Still the youth looked and listened for the words which he dreaded to hear above everything else in the world. Jack Cosgrove received a good scare while engaged on his jierilous task. He was half-way down the incline, making his way with the caution of a timid skater, when, like a flash, his feet flew from under him, and, falling upon his back, he slid rapidly toward the waves at the base of the bers^. But the brave fellow did not lose his coolness or presence of mind. His left hand grasped his r\ HOPE DEFERRED / / rifle, and, throwing out his right, he seized a projection of ice, checking himself within a few feet of the water and near enough for the spray from the fierce waves to be flung over him. " This isn't the time for a bath," he muttered, carefully climbing to his feet and retreating a few paces ; " it would have been a pretty hard swim out there with my heavy clothing, though I think I could manage it." After all, what could he hope to accomplish by this hunt for Fred Warburton ? If he had wandered in that direction and fallen into the sea, he had left no traces that could be dis- covered in the gloom of the night. He could not have gone thither and stayed there that was certain. The sailor having withdrawn beyond the reach of the waves, sat down in as disconsolate a mood as can be imagined. A suspicion that Rob might follow caused him to turn his head and look over his shoulder. " I don't see anything of him, and I guess he'll stay up there ; I hope so, for Jack Cos- :i I v: w wm 78 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX !^i i .' ■' > i t 1 • 1 : i ' i ' m nil Mil '•) I ■■ji I 'ij ' 'ii : 1 ■ 1 I ; -1 i 1 ■ ■■% { ; ■ f N I ; : il ■ :i mmmmma CHAPTEE IX \, t -I \ t II' M I >> I' if J, ■;S i ^1 1, A STARTLIXG OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Co«grove was all excitement on the instant, lie Lad not cx- l)ected any such re[)ly, and lie was eager to learn the cause. As he started forward, he in- stinctively glanced down in quest of evidence tliat Fred had passed there. There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once. "What is it?" he asked, as he reached liis friend. " It may mean nothing, but a little distance beyond wliere we camped the ice is broken and scratched as thouirh some one has been that Avav- 5> " So there lias, we were there yesterday after- noon." " I haven't forgotten that, but these marks 82 B A STARTLING OCCURREXCE 83 o are at a place wliere we haven't been, that is unless it was Fred." " How did you manage to find them in the dark r " I didn't ; I groped over the ice as far as I could, and then sat down and waited for day. I must have slept awhile, but when it w\as growing light I happened to look around, and there, within a few feet of me, on my right hand, I noticed the ice scratched and broken, as thou2:h some one had found it hard work to i^et along. I was about to start right after him, when I thought it best to tarry for you. It is now so much lighter that we shall learn some- thing worth knowing." Even in their excitement they paused a few minutes to gaze out upon the ocean, as it was rapidly illumined by the rising sun. Before long their vision extended for mik's, but the looked-for sight was not there. On every hand, as far as the eye couhl penetrate, was nothing but the heaving expanse of icy water. Whether they were within a comparatively i ' 1 : L 84 AMONU THE ESQUIMAUX 15 \:\ \ i i ■••h , A t 1 1 1 t fi short distance of Greenland or not, tliey were not nigli enough to catch the first glimpse of the coast. Several miles to the eastward towered an ice- berg, apparently as large as the one upon which they were drifting. Its j)innacles, domes, arches, plateaus, spires, and varied forms sparkled and scintillated in the growing sun- light, displaying at times all the colors of the spectrum, and making a picture beautiful be- yond description. To the northward and well down in the horizon, was another berg, smaller than the first, and too far off to attract interest. A still smaller one was visi])le midwav between the two, and a peculiar appearance of the sea in the same direction. Jack said, was caused by a great ice field. Not a ship was to be seen anywhere. Their view to the southward was excluded by the bulk of the iceberg, on which they were floating. ** There's nothing there for us," remarked Rob with a sidi. A STARTLING OCCURRENCE " You're right ; lead the way and let's see what you found." It took them but a few minutes to reueh the phice the hid had in mind, and they had no sooner done so than the sailor was certain an important discovery had been made. Wliere there was so much irrciruhiritv of sha})e as on an iceberg, a clear descri|)tion is im- possible; but, doing the best we can, it may be said that the spot was a liundred feet back from where the three huddled together with an ex- pectation of spending the niglit until morning. It was only a little higher, and was attained by carefully })icking one's way over the jagged ice, which afforded secure footing, now that day had come. Adjoining the place, from which the party diverged to the left, was a lift or shelf on the right, and distant only two or three paces. It was no more than waist high, and, therefore, was readily reached by any one who chose to clamber upon it. It is no easy matter to trace one over the ice, ' fv! 80 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX ;'l ii i J but tlic signs of wliicli Ilul) Lad spoken were too plain to be mistaken. There were seratclies, sneli us would have been made by a | air of si f th loes, a pieee oi tiie edge wa ill brok en ff. an( marks beyond were visible similar to those whieli it would be supposed any one would make in clambering over the flinty surfaee. Jack stood a minute or two studying these signs as eagerly as an American Indian might scrutinize the faint trail of an enemy through the forest. " By the great horned spoon !" he finally ex- claimed ; " but that does look encouraging ; I shouldn't wonder if the chap did make his way alonii' there in the nii^lit, but wliv he done it onlv he can tell, llowsumever, where has he gone . '?" That was the question which Eob Carrol liad asked himself more than once, and was unable to answer. The ice, for a distance of another hundred feet, looked as if it might be scaled, but, just beyond that, towered a perpendicular wall, like the side of a glass mountain. There A ST ART LI XG OCCUR REXCE 87 could be no progrc>:s any farther in that direc- tion, nor, so far as coukl be judged, could any one advance by turning to the right or left. There must be numerous depressions and cav- ities, suflicient to hide a dozen men, and it was in one of these tlie c()U|)ki believed tliev would 1- v find the deatl or senseless body of their friend. ''Jack," said Hob, ''take mv iiun." "What for?" ''I'll push on ahead as fast as I can ; I can't wait, and the wea[)on will only hinder me.'' " I've an idi'e of doinii' s<)niethinijf of the kind mvselt', so we'll have 'em here. I don't think thuv'U wash awav like the boat," he added, as he carefully jdaced them on the shelf, up which they proceeded to climb. But Hoi) was in advance and maintained his place, gainini;- all the time upon his slower com- panion, who allowed him to draw away from him without })rot('st. " There's no need of a chap tiring hinis(^{f to death," concluded Jack, as he fell hi k to a I m ' : i 88 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX ! i 1- 11: injl ;j ; i-'' 1 1 < 1 ■ ■% \ Ji r , If i 5 1 more inoderute pace ; " he's younger nor me, and it won't hurt hiin to get a hump or so." lloh was climhing with considerahle skilL In liis eagerness lie slipped several times, hut man- aged to maintain his footinii; and to advance with a steadiness which caused considerahle admi- ration on the part of his more sluggish com- panion. He used his eyes for all they were worth, and the signs that had roused his hope at first were still seen at intervals, and cheered him with the growing helief that he was on the right track. '* But why don't we hear something of him?" he ahruptly asked himself, stopping short with shuddering dread in his heart ; ** he could not have remained asleep all this time, and, if he has heen hurt so as to make him senseless, more than likely he is dead." The youth was now nearing the ice wall, to wliicli we have referred, and hevond which it looked impossible to go. The furtive glances into the depressions on his right and left showed nothing of his loved friend, and the evidences A STARTLING OCCUPwIlENCE 89 of Lis progress were still in front. The solution of the singuhir mystery must be at hand. Uneonsciously Hob slowed his footste])s, and looked and listened with greater care than be- o fore. " What can it mean ? Where can he have gone ? I see no way by which he could have pushed farther, and yet he is not in sight — " He paused, for he discovered his error. The path, if such it may be termed, which he had been following, turned so sharply to the right that it could not be seen until one was upon it. How far it penetrated in that direction renuiined to be learned. Rob turned about and looked at Jack, who was several rods to the rear, making his way upward with as much deliberation as though he felt no personal interest in the business. ^' I'm going a little farther. Jack, but I think we're close upon him now. Hurry after me!" " Ay, ay," called the sailor, in return ; " when you run afoul of the lad give him my love and tell him I'm comina(c'(l vigor, \ lien his heart ahnoststootl still, jis lie caiiirht a j)C('uliar sound among the masses of iec. *' That's Fred," he concluded; "he's alive, thaidv God !" and then l.e called to his friend : "Fred! Fred, old fellow, where are you? Speak, I heg of you." The words were tremhling on his lips, when what seemed to he a huge pile of snow just in advance, arose from the ice and hegan swing- ing toward him. Paralyzed for the moment hy the amazing sidit, and wondcrinu; whether his senses were not hetraying him, Iloh stood motionless, as if rooted to the spot. But the next minute that same mass of snow assumed more definite shape, and an unmistak- ahle growl issued from somewhere within the in- terior. That was enou<]fh. Koh knew Avhat it was that was sweeping down upon him like a young ava- lanche. He had almost stumhled over a huge polar bear, ravenous and fierce with hunger. AX UCJLY CUSTOM i: 11 9:3 and with a courni^e that nuuh3 hiin afraid of neither man nor l)ea.st. lie must have been half ask^ep wlien roused hy the ap})roaeli and the voi(*(^ of the hid. Opening his great eyes, he saw before liim a fine breakfast in the shape of a i)hun[) hid, and lie proceeded to go for him with a vim and eaii;erness that would not be denied. It was about tliis time that Ivob whirled on his heel and started on the back track, with all the desperate linrry at his command. It will be remembered that he had no gun with him, he and Jack having left the weapons on the ice a considerable distance away. Both were with- out any means of defense, unless the sheath knife which the sailor always carried may be considered a weapon, and the only possible hope for them w^as to secure their rifles before the monster secured them. When the lad's frenzied cry broke upon Jack, he sprang from the seat wdiere he had been resting, and stood staring and wondering what it all could mean. He saw the boy's cap fly '. Ill \ J 'MM lAc^' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k A . ^ 1.0 I.I 1^ 1^ IM 2.0 124 1.8 m m m v: (? m 7 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 73 W£>T MAIN STREET V'SBSTER.N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 l\ iV [v ri>^ \\ 4^ ^ ..lunged into sight, and the sailor grasped the situation. Even then he failed to do the wisest thing. Instead of realizing that but one course could save them, and that was by dashing back to the guns, he hastily drew his knife and awaited the coming of the brute with a view of checking his attack upon the lad. It was more creditable to Jack's chivalry than to his sagacity that he should do this thing. Even Hob, despite his extreme fright, saw the mistake his friend was making, and called to him : " Quick, Jack ! Get the guns and shoot him !" '' I shouldn't wonder now if that was a good idea," reflected the sailor, shoving his knife back, and whirling about to do as urged. The situation was so ci'itical that even liis sluggish blood was stirred, and he never moved so fast as he did for the succeeding seconds. I I AX UGLY CUSTOM I:R 05 Indeed, it was altogotlier too fast, for lie fell headlong with sueh violence that he was par- tially stunned, and hy the time he regained his feet lloh was upon him. Meanwhile the polar bear was making matters livelv. lie was hustling for his l)reakfast, and he kept things on the jump, lie was at homo amid the snow and ice, and, with little oHort, got forward faster than the fugitives possibly could ; he was overhauling Ivoh hand over hand. To continue his flight, even for tiie brief re- maining distance, was to insure his certain death. Hob saw him, and, when the ponderous beast was almost upon him, he made a desperate leaj) from the icy path, landing on his hands and knees sev^eral feet to the left, and instantly scrambling up again. The nuuioeuvre was so unexpected by the pursuer that he passed several paces beyond be- fore he could stop. Turning his head, with his huge jaws so far ai)art that his red tongue and long white teeth showed, he prepared to con- I \- t 9G AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX tiiiuc Ills ]nirsiiit of the lad who had escaped him for the moment by such an exceedingly narrow chance. But it so happened that Jack Cosgrovejust then was also climbing to his feet from his thumping fall, and, being but a short way from the brute, he drew his attention to himself. The bear's a})petite was in that rugged state that he was not particular as to whether his meal was made from a boy or full-grown man, and, since the latter was within most convenient reach, he shifted his design to him. *' By the great horned spoon !" muttered the sailor, quick to see how matters had turned ; " but it's Jack Cosgrove that is to have all this fun to himself, and he's enjoying it." The single recourse still presented itself; nolhino* could be done to check the furious beast until one of the rifles w^as turned against him, but it did seem for a time as if fate itself was fli>;htin2: in favor of the brute. Jack's tumble and flurry had so mixed him up that the rifles were forgotten, until he took n >. AN UGLY CX'STOMEll 1)7 several steps on his flight, wlieii he recalled the fatal oversight, and hastily turned to rectify it ; but the precious moments wasted made it too late. The bear was actually between him and the weapons, and, to attempt to reach them, cx- ce[)t by a roundabout course, was to fling him- self into the embrace of tliose resistless claws. He was too Avise to attempt it. The first thing to do was to get hinself out of reach of the terror that was bearing down upon him with the certainty of death. '' If there was only a tree that I could climb," he reflected, lea})ing, tumbling, and laboring forward as best he could ; " he couldn't nab me, but I don't see any tree, and that chap's hungry enough to eat a stewcd anchor." In the fearful hurry and i)anic some moments passed before Rob Carrol comprehended the abrupt change in the plan of campaign. At the moment he exj>ected to feel the claw of the brute, he l(M)ked back and saw he was pressing Jack hard. Furtliermore, the latter, instead of hurry- ing for the guns, was drawing away from them. 1 1 fert I I i h h'.i 98 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX Tliiit was a bad outlook, but it su<>:ii;GstcJ to tlio vouth that the chance had conic for him to ilo Hoincthinu; effective. lie h)st no time in seizing the clumce. lie turned again in his course, and moved around towai'd the spot wliere tlie weapons liad been k'ft near at liand. Could he have bee]) sure of a few minutes there would have been no trouble in man- aging it, but events were going wil^h such a rush that there was not a spare second at comnnind. The guns being near and lower in elevation than themsehx-s, were in plain sight. Hob saw the barrels and the iron work gleaming in the morning sunlight, so that he ccmld make no mistake in locating them, but his attention was so riveted on the prizes that he paid no heed to his footsteps, or, rather, he paid less heed than Avas necessary. 1 le was within fifty feet, and was counting upon the quickness with which he would end the sport of the brute when he discovered that he was on the brink of an irregular depression in the ice. He tried desperately to check himself or turn aside, but it w^as beyond his ability and over he went. I I CHAPTER XI LIVELY TIMES Rob's fall wiis not far, and his heavy clothing saved him from the brnises that otherwise might have disabled him. lie stared about him and saw that he had fallen into a rough depression of the ice from six to eight feet in depth, and of about the same diameter. '* Here's a go," he reflected ; '* I wonder whether the bear will follow me here, but he's giving his full attention to poor Jack, and won't hunt for me until he is through with him." It was characteristic of the lad that, knowing the imminent peril of his friend, he should feel more anxious about him than himself All thought of the missing Fred was shut out for the moment. The first thing for Rob to do was to get out of the hole into which he had fallen. He did not wait, but, throwing off his outer coat, flung 99 100 AMONG THE E8(2UIMAUX it upon the edge of the depression, and then, leaping upward, caiiglit the margin with his mittened hands. As I stated at the beginning, lie was a fine athlete, but the task was almost impossible. The purchase was so slight that when he put forth his strength and attempted to draw himself upward, hio mittens slipped, as though they were oiled. Then he snatched off the mittens, tlirew them upon his coat, and again made the attempt; he failed as before. " I've got to stay here while the bear kills poor Jack," was his despairing thought ; " I can do nothing, when, if I were up there, I could lay hold of one of the guns and save him." The reflection was so bitter that he could not rest. Walking rapidly around the depression, he jumped upward at every step or two and re- peated the effort. Faihire followed failure, and he was once more in despair. Again he made the attempt, and his hand struck a knob-like projection, which afforded just the purchase wanted. Grasping it with all 4 h I, LIVIXY TIMES 101 liis niiglit, lie quickly drew himself upward, and was ouce more ou what might be considered the surface proper of the iceberg. At the moment of climbin"; into siiiht he heard the report of a gun. " Ah, Jack has managed to reach his rifle, and has given the brute a shot — no, he hasn't, either !" To his unbounded amazement, he saw the sailor fleeing and dodging for life, with the bear still at his heels. But he had no gun in his hand, and, casting his eye below him, Rob ob- served both weapons lying where they were placed by the owners a short time before. Who had fired that gun whose report he just heard ? It was an absorbing question, indeed, but there was no time just then to give it a thought. Kob was much nearer the rifles than either Jack or the bear, and he now hastened thither, taking care that his last mishap was not repeated. From what has been told it will be under- stood that Jack Cosgrove found no time for the ii' i ij., ; II I 102 AMONG Tin: KSQUIMATX grass to grow under his feet. lie had pulled hiiiiselt' through many a narrow peril, but lie was sure he was never (piite so hard ])ressed as now. lie tried dodiiiiui: and sudden turns in tlie line of his llii»lit, and doubtless saved him- self more than onee by sueh means; but the diseouraging faet was ever with him that his relentless enemy eould travel tenfold faster and better than he over the iee, and sooner or later was certain to run hini down unless turned aside by some one else. Jack naturally wondered what had become of Rob, who was so active only a short time before. His furtive glances showed him nothing of his friend, but he had no chance to speculate, nor did he call upon him for help, as the lad had appealed to him but a short time before. The sorely pressed fugitive drew his knife to be prepared for the final struggle that was at hand. He had met polar bears before, and he knew what such a conflict meant. He was wise enough, too, not to postpone the struggle until his own strength was exhausted *' LIVi:i.Y TIMi:S 10;] i bv riiniiinii'. lie wliirlcd jihoiit, wlicn tlio ])riite \v;i.s no UKjre than ton Ic'ct distant, and graspin<; his knitV* l)y tlic tip of ihu blade, (h'ovc it witli all the virions f'nry at his command straiglit at the head of the bear. The saih)r Avas an adept at tliis s[)eeies of tlirowinij:, and had often i»'iven exhibitions of Ids skill on shipboard. It was not to be expected that he conld kill snch a gigantic aninnd by Hinging his sheath knife at him, bnt it s[)ed so true and with such power, that, striking his neck, it inflicted a deep wound, sinking so deep, indeed, that it remained in the wound. At this juncture the rifle, whose report l\ob heard, was fired. The sailor supposed, as a matter of course, that Rob discharged it, for there could be no doubt the bear was the target. The bullet struck him near the junction of the left leg, and there could be no mistake about his being hit hard. He uttered a peculiar whining moan, stopped for the moment, and then resumed his pursuit with such a marked limp that his progress \vas j)erceptibly decreased. ' ^1 m 9 It !i 1 I I ;f X ./ I: I? ■f 1 1 ■ II . ' ( ':ti -' i' 1 \i 'i '■ ¥' iii t f '■ 1 t 1 1 1m f M , i ¥ i, i ■ It ? ■ ■ 1^ L. 104 AMONG Tin: i:s(ir[MArx Seeing liis own advjiiitMge, fJack was wise oiioiigh to use it. In liis dcsportitloii lie had deprived himself of his only wea[)()n, an. Tiiis suited Koh, for there was no call for liiiu to continue his pursuit, y'r.va the hear was ap- j)roaching " head on." 'J'lie youth sto|)pe(l as soon as he saw liie chart^e, and prepared to close matters. The 0[)ening could not have heen ])eiier, and, dropping one ritle at his feet, Hob steadied him- self and took careful aim at the beast, lie j>ointed the gun not at his head, but at a point just below, hoping to reach his heart. He saw the snowy coat stained crimson from the wound made by Jack's knife, and he limped heavily. ** Look out you don't hit me !" called the panting sailor, whose grim humor showed itself at the most inopportune times. Get out of the way, then !" called Ilob, in II turn a y« u're riirht in front of me, )> Jack dodged to one side, being at the moment '\i" V V ■ ! 100 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX y ' 1 '. '■ f ' ' ilL,, about midway l>etwcen liis friend and |mi'sucr, and less than twenty feet from either. The next instant the lad pulled trigger. But the bear did not stop, and showed no evidence of having been so much as harmed. *' You missed him, you lubber ! Let me have the other gun, and show you how to bring down game." There was no time for any such proceeding, and, dropping the discharged weapon, Kob in- stantly stooped and caught up the second. Just then another gun sounded from a point higher up the berg, and the huge brute stopped. lie seemed dazed, and, half-rearing on his haunches, picked at the wound, as though he fancied a splinter was there, which he could draw from his flesh. " He's going to attack us with the knife !'* called Jack, wdio saw that the danger was over ; *' and I shouldn't wonder if he knows how to do it better than you can manage your gun." " Keep out of the way, Jack, and I'll finish him." tr, n a •O V OR n C H H X c H Ni nl9fi'' i 'if' ill 1.. ?■ ' LIVELY TIMES 107 • id Rob had brought the second weapon to a level, and the opening was, if possible, more favorable than before. Again he pulled trigger, and this shot did the business. The monster, one of the largest and fiercest of his species, went down in a hel2)less mass, and expired before their eyes. " Hello, you cha])s would be in a pretty scrape if it wasn't for me !" Jack and Rob turned toward the jioint whence the voice came and saw Fred Warburton hastening toward them with his smoking rifle in hand. 1! h n 1.1 111 I 'I I ■ r:i i - ,: CHAPTER XII FRED S EXPERIENCE Both Jack Cosgrove and Rob Carrol could have shouted with joy at the sight of the miss- ing boy, and the sound of his voice. More than once, during tlie stirring minutes that they were trying to save themselves from tlie irrestraina- ble bear, they thought * )f the shot that was fired by neither of tliem, and which, therefore, they naturally attributed to their friend. The second shot left no doubt of its source, and here now was the youth hurrying down from some point near where the brute had come, laughing like his own natural self. It need not be said that his hand was shaken heartily by the sailor and his companion, and that he was overwhelmed with questions as to his sinsjular action. The story of Fred was curious, and yet it had been partially discounted by his chum. 108 FREDS EXPFIIIENCE 109 It was not to be sui)posetl that lie would leave the comparative comfort he enjoyed when hud- dk'd close to his friends without good cause, and in that case he would have notified them of his intention, to save them from alarm. The experience of the day disturbed him, and caused him to dream dreams of the most vivid nature. Several times, during the preced- ing years, he had walked in his sleej). and his departure from the camp, as they called it, was as unknown to himself as to his friends. It was evident that he managed the business with great skill, since neither of the others was disturbed. He picked up his gun and went off in the direction followed by Kob, clambering farther up the side of the iceberg than was sup- j)osed possible. ** I think," said Fred, " that I can read the cause for what I did while unconscious. You remember we had much to say about the ' Nautilus ' beino; driven out of sioht bv the gale, and I recall that, before going to sleep, I wondered whether we could not climb to a i'.i M nil 1 h ',1 no AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX H Ul r\'l II ^ i'l ^ [tU: liigher portion of the berg and signal to them. '' 1 suppose that was what set my mind and muscles to "work when unconscious, and im- pelled me to try what I never would have tried with mv full senses about me. '* When I came to myself I was in a cavity in the ice, where the protection agaii^st the gale was much better than our camp. It was a regular bowl or hollow, which w^ould have been just the place for us three. But daylight had come, the weather was so moderate that I did not suffer from cold, and there was nothing, therefore, to be feai'ed from that cause. "As you may suppose, it took me sometime before I could recall myself, but I was not long in suspecting the truth. I was so comfortable in the position involuntarily assumed that I lay still while pondering matters. When ready, I wr.s on the point of rising, when I heard a slight noise on the ice above me. " ' That's Jack or Eob,' I thought ; * they are looking for me, and I will give them a scare.' FRED S EXrKUIKNCE 111 " I lay still, expecting one of you to pass so close that you would discover nie, bat though I could follow the movement by sound, and though the object passed close to mc it was not (juite close enough to be seen, I rose softly to my feet and peered over the edge of the cavity in which I was restino*. " Well, Hob was startled when he stumbled over that polar beur, but he was no more frightened than I, when I discovered that in- stead of it being one of you, it was that frightful brute which had swung by within a few feet of wh'U'e I lav. " You can see the curious shajie of matters. The bear had come from some point beyond where I lay, and, making his way down the ice, had now placed himself between me and you. The only means of my reaching you was by passing close to him. That meant a light to the death. " I noticed his tremendous size, and from what I have heard they are among the most dangerous beasts in the world — " iUi I ! \ 1 III 'II i- > ! 112 AMONG THE ES^iUlMAUX \0 i'- * Jl I '> 1 ill ', : ,■''• ■■ . 1 ' ■ ' 1 1? miLl' " You're right there, my hearty," interrupted Jack ; ** if there was ever any douht in my mind, which there wasn't, it was settled by that little scrimmao;e awhile ai>o." " I had my gun, and, at first, was half-disj)osed to take a shot, but the chance was a poor one, for he was walking straight away, and it was impossible to do more than sound him. That would render liim furious and cause him to attack me. Our rifles were not repeating ones, and before I could get another charge ready, he would be upon me, and it might be that several well-aimed shots would be necessary to finish him." " You had good sense," said Rob ; " he would have made mince-meat of you in a fight." " You must remember that while I could see the bear from where I peered over the edge of the ice, I could not catch the first sight of you. The brute seemed to be following some sort of a path, while the masses of ice w^ere so piled upon both sides and beyond him that all farther view was shut off. ** While I was watching the enormous white FREDS KXPFKIKXCE 113 n i see of ou. )f a )011 liew lite body swinging along, it stopped, and then to my dismay, lie tiirnud about and started back. " * He's coming tor me !' was my conclusion, *and now there will be a row sure.' " I braced myself to receive him, but, inas- much as he had not yet seen me, and, inasmuch as he had once passed my shelter, without dis- covering me, there \vas hope that he would do the same again. So * Brer rabbit, he lay low/ and I listened for him to go by. As soon as he was at a safe distance, I intended to climb out and hurry to you. We three ought to be enough for him, and I had no fear but that you might manage him between you w^ithout my help.'^ ** That was my opinion at that time," added Fred, with a twinkle of his eye, " but it isn't now. While I was crouching there I heard you calling me. You can understand why I didn't answer. I preferred to remain mum so long as lid comin you g toward me. j> (< We did a lot of shouting last night " said Rob. 8 114 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX ''\ '!< t ¥■ \ i " That's the first I knew of it. But the min- utes passed willioiit llie Ix'ar being heard. I listened as intently as I knew how, but no sound reaelied me. " ' I wonder if he intends to promenade baek and forth,' was my thought, as I ventured to peep out onee more, with great eaution ; 'this is getting interesting.' " Well, I was surprised when I saw him. lie was less than a dozen yards off, and lying dow^i, ■with his head still turned awav from me. His action was just as if he had learned that his breakfast was going to come up that path, and he intended to w'ait until it walked into his arms." *'And that is pretty nearly what I did," said Ivob, witli a smiling glance at the carcass. " His head being still away I dared not fire, nor would it have done for me to call to you or answer your signals. It was plain to me that he had no suspicion that the choicest kind of meal was right near him, and it w^ouldn't have been Avise for me to apprise him of the fact ; it might have made things unpleasant all around. if'! FREDS EXIMUIIEXCE 115 " You ncetln't be told what followed. I •\vatelied him a few iniiiutes, during Avhieh ho was as motionless as the ieeberg itself, and then I settled down to await developments. *' While seated, of eourse I saw nothing of him, and the first notiee I reeeived of what was going on was when I heard Rob shouting. I sprang out of uiy shelter, and, as you will re- member, saved you both from being devoured by the monster. Isn't he, or, rather, Avasn't he a big fellow ?" added Fred, step})ing over to the enormous careass and touehing it with his foot. " He's the biggest I've ever seen," assented Jack, *' and I'm thankful that ^ve got off as well as we did. It's no use of denyuig that your shots helped us through." " Possibly, but it was Kob after all who wound up the business," Fred hastened to say, lest he might be thought of wishing to take undue credit to himself. " There's worse eating, too, than bear meat." It was Jack who made this remark, and the others caught its significance. They were thus 1 \l^ ]■ t [ ll(i AMOXO THE ESQUIMAUX provided with the means of living for a long time on the iceberg, and niiglit hope for some means of resene in the conrse of a week or two. Rob was abont to make some characteristic reply, when the sailor pointed out to sea. " Do you obsarve that ?" he asked. *' It's just what I was afeared of, and I don't like it at all." I r f ): ( vm h\ (. CHAPTER XIII THE FOG It will be recalled that wlicii Jack and Hob awoke, during the [)reeediiig night, they noticed a marked change in the temperature, and the sailor prophesied an unwelcome change in the weather. Following the direction pointed by him, his friends saw what he meant. The rise had caused one of those fogs that have been fatal so often to ships off the banks of New- foundland, and which frequently wrap the southern coast of Greenland in a mist as im- penetrable as that which overshadows at times the British metropolis. " You see," added Jack, " it might be that some whaler or other vessel is cruising in these latitudes, and will come close enough for us to observe 'em and they us, provided the sun wus shining, but, the way matters are turning out, 117 i :;:jf. ■ n-^ 1 I [%!<<. lUi WV 'i '■\\ 118 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX they might pass within a biscuit's toss 'out either of* us knowing it." '' Well," was the philosophical comment of Fred, *' we have so much to be thankful for that I can't complain over a small matter like that." " It may be a bigger matter than you think, but I'm as thankful as you, all the same." " Gracious !" exclaimed Hob, with a sigh ; " I'm hungry." u T1 There's your supper." Both boys, however, shook their heads, and Rob re2)lied : " I'm not hungry enough to eat raw bear's meat." " It's a thousand times better than starving to death." As the sailor spoke, he walked to the carcass and w^ithdrew his knife from the wound. " You'll come to it bime-by ; I've seed tlie time when I was ready to chaw up a pair of leather breeches, but that isn't half as bad as being in an open boat under tlie equator, with not a drop of water for three days.'* Tin: FOG 119 :'l litlier nt of r tluit til at." tliiiik, sigh ; Is, and bear's dug to carcass ted the )air of I bad as •, with s't " We can never suffer from tliat cause so lonii- as tliis iceheri»' holds (it. How is it with you, Fred ? Arc you ready for bear steak ?" *' I wouhl be too ghid to dine on it, if there was some means of cooking it, Init that is out of the question. I tV.ink I'll wait awhile." *' ril keep you company," remarked Jack, who felt no such repugnance against the i)rimi- tive meal, but was wdllin<>: to defer the feast out ►f 01 re M>' ard for them, The party watched the fog settling over the sea, until, as the sailor had tohl them it would do, it shut out all vision beyond a hundred feet or less. a 1 would o'ive a irood deal to know one thins:," said Fred, after several minutes' silence 'O' as he seated himself, " and that is just where we are >9 (I (t (( (( I can tell vou," said Hob. Wl I ere >" On an icebera: in the (ireenland Rca. yy I am not so sure of that, mv heartv," put in Jack u there's no doubt, of course, that ¥\ i' i '( I . ' i . U' -^ 120 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX we're ou tlie berg, ])iit I wouldn't bet that we're drifting through the Greeidaud Sea." *' Why, tlie * Nautilus' was so far north when we left it, and this iceberg was moving so slowdy that we couhln't have gone as far as all that." Jack saw that his meaning was not under- stood. " What I was getting at is this : Of course, when them bergs slip off into the ocean, most of them start southward for a more congen'l clime, but all of 'em don't do it by any means. There is a current off the western coast of Green- land which runs toward the North Pole, and we may be in that." " But this extends so far tlown that it must strike the other current, which flows in the op- posite direction." " That may and may not be, and it may be, too, that if it does, the upj er current is the str()n2:er. I've been callini>: to mind the bearing' of the ship and berg, and I've an idee we're go- ing northward. Bime-by the berg may change its mind and flop about and start for New York — ■, \ THE FOG 121 or South America, but I dou't believe it's doing so now." This was important information, provided it was true, and there Avas good reason to believe that Jack Cosgrove knew far better than they Avhat he was talking about. *' Then if we keep on we'll strike the North Pole," remarked Rob, gravely. " Yes, if we keep on, but we're pretty su^e to stop or cliange our course before we get l)eyond Davis Strait or Christianshaab or Ivisrnut. Anyway, this old berg will keep at it till she fetches up iu southern waters." The words of Jack had opened a new and interesting field for discussion. Its ending had not been thought of by the boys in their calcu- lations ; and, despite their faith in their more experienced companion, they believed he was mistaken. They had never heard of anything of the kind he had mentioned, and it did not seem reasonable that such a vast mass, after heading southward, should change its direction. Even though it was drifting north when first in! 1^:1 rt 122 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX ', 1(1 1 .•?i W> I seen, it iniist linve started still farther north in order to reach the latitude where first ob- served. By this time all hope of being rescued by the " Nautilus," had been given up, unless some happy accident should lead it to come upon the iceberg. The party, therefore, began consider- ing other means of escape from their unpleasant quarters. As is well known, there are a number of Danish settlements scattered along the west coast of Greenland, the bleak, desolate eastern shoi'e being inhabited only by wandering Esqui- maux. It might be that the berg would sweep along within sight of land, and the friends would be able to attract the attention of some of the native fishing boats, or possibly larger craft. It was r. remote hojic, indeed, but it was all they saw before them. At any rate, the ])olar bear had provided them with the means of postponing starvation to an indefinite period, for there was enous-h meat in his carcass to afford nourishment for many days to come. Hi THE FOG 1 'J:] " I wonder wlictlior there are more ])olnr bears on tliis craft?" remarked Hob, risiiiii' to liis feet and looking around as if he half expected to discover another of the monsters making for them. "Little danger of that," replied Jack, "and it's so miglity seldom that any of 'em are fools enoii2fh to allow themselves to be carried off like this one did that I never dreamed of anv- thing of the kind. It does happen now and then, but not often, though you may read of such things." "I suppose he would have stayed here until he starved to death," was the inquiring remark of Fred. " He might and he might not ; when he had 2:ot it throuirli his skull that there Avas notliinsr to eat on the berg he would have plunged into the .lea and started for land, provided it was in sight, and he Avould have readied it, too. When he landed he would have been hungry enough to attack the first saw-mill he came to, and I wouldn't like to be the first chap he met." 124 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX m it.. ) I m. : 'if " I don't see liow lie jould have been fiercer tliiin ho was." " lie meant business from the first ; and, if he liad cauglit sight of you when you lay asleep in that cavity in the ice he would have swal- lowed you before you could wake." " Well, he didn't do it," replied Fred, with a half-shudder and laugh, " so what's the good of thinking about it? Rob, it strikes me," he added, with a quizzical look at the boy, " that raw bear's meat might not be so bad after all." " Of course it isn't !" Jack was quick to say, springing to his feet and stepping forward, knife in hand. It was evident from the manner in which he conducted the business that he had done it be- fore. He extracted a goodly-sized piece from near the shoulder, and dressed it as w^ell as he could with the only means at command. Hob had hit upon what might be called a compromise. When one of the three slices, into which the portion w^as divided, Avas handed to him, he struck match after match from the THE FOG 12r) fiercer and, if ' asleep ) swal- witli a ;ood of le," he , " that ;er all." to say, 1, knife rubber safe he carried, and hold the tiny flame against different portions of the meat. Anything like booking was out of the (pies- tion, but he succeeded in scorchins; it sli<>htlv, and giving it a partial appearance of having seen the fire. " There !" he exclaimed, in triumph, noiding it aloft ; " it's done to a turn, that is the first turn. It's cooked, but it's a little rare, I'll ad- mit." Meanwhile, Fred imitated him, using almost all the matches he possessed. (ich he it be- from as he idled a slices, landed m the 1 ' CHAPTER XIV A COLLISION \:\t' Jack scorned everything of the kind, and he ate his piece with as much gusto as if it had passed through the hands of a professional cook. The hoys managed to dispose of con- siderable, so that it may he said the little party made a fair meal from the supply so unexpectedly provided them. The primitive meal finished, the threo friends remained seated and discussed the future, which was now the all-important question before them. " How long is this fog likely to last ?" asked Fred. *' No one can answer that," replied Jack ; *' a brisk wind may drive it away, a rain would soon finish it, or it may go before colder weather, or it may last several days." " Meanwhile we can do nothing but drift." That's about all we can do any way," w^as 126 a Tl P<. I V I' A COLLISION 127 (lio tnitliful remark of the saiLn*; "we'll make the bear last as long as wa eau." "I think he Avill last a good while," observed U:)b, with a half-disgnsted look at the carcass ; " it will do when there's nothing else to be had, hut I never can fancy it without cooking." At that moment they received a startling shock. A peculiar shiver or jar passed throngh the iceberg, as though from a prodigious blow liiat was felt through every part — an impossible occurrence. " What can that mean ?" asked the lads, in consternation. " By the great horned spoon !" was the reply of the frightened Jack ; " I hope we won't feel it ao'ain. )> " But what is it ?" "The berg scraped the bottom of the sea just then. There it 2;oes aij-ain !" A shock, fully as violent as before, went through and through the vast mass of ice. It lasted onlv a second or two, but the sensations of the party were like those of the housekeeper ? 1 i f Hi 1 I. l||ir m i!;n 128 AMONG TIIK ES(2i:iMAi;X ( I i ! kit 1 1 I : ' ! I ' Avlio wnkos in the niglit, to feel his dwelling swiiying iiiuler the gnisj) of the earthquake. None neeiU'd to be told of the })ossible conse- quences of drifting into shalh)\v water. If the base of the icebero- extcndinc: far down into the depths of the ocean, shouhl strike some project- ing mountain peak of the deep, or a plateau, the berg was liable to overtui'u, with an appalling rush, beyond the ])ower of mind to conceive. In such an event there was no more chance of the party saving themselves than there would be in the crater of a bursting volcano. Well might they look blankly in each other's faces, for they were helpless within the grasp of a power that was absolutely resistless. They sat silent and waiting, but, as minute after minute passed, without the shock being repeated, hope retui-ned, and they ventured to speak in undertones, as though fearful that the sound of their voices would precipitate the calamity. ** That satisfies me I was right," said Jack, compressing his iips and shaking his head. A roM.isiox 120 ?r's ick, *' 111 wliMl rosj)oct?" asked Fred. " We're drifting toward the North Pole, and we are not far from the Greenland coast.*' " J^iit are there not shallow ])laces in the ocean, hnndreds of miles from land, where such a great iceberg as this might touch bottom ?" " Yes, but there are not many in this part of the world. The thing may swing out of this current, or get into another which will start it southward, but I don't believe it has done it yet." " Sailing on an iceberg is worse than I imag- ined," was the comment of Hob ; " I'm more anxious than ever to leave this ; it isn't often that a passenger feels like complaining of the bi2:ness of the craft that bears him over the deej), but that's the trouble in this case." " If the capsize does come," said Jack, " it will be the end of us ; we would be buried hundreds of fathoms under the ice." " There can be no doubt of that, but I say, Jack, isn't there something off yonder ? I 9 'I^mr i! t I . !■ ; m I ' J II III: I r 1:50 AM()X(i Tin: IvSQl'lMAUX can't mnko it out, ])iit it seoins to mo that it is more than the i'no." While the three were talking, Fred AVar- biirton was seated so as to iaee the open sea, the others being turned sideways and giving no liecd to that point of the compass. It will he remembered that at this time thev 'were inclosed in the all-])ervading fog, which l)revented them seeing as far as the length of the mountain of ice on which they were seated. Turning toward the water and peering outward, they saw the cause of the boy's question. The vapor itself appeared to be assuming shape, vague, indistii.. 'vudefined, and ahnost in- visible, but nevertheless perceptible to all. The sailor was the first to see what it meant. Leaping to his feet he emitted his favorite ex- clamation : " By the great horned spoon ! it's another 1 >erg ! With aw4ul slowness and certainty the mass of fog disclosed more and more distinctly the misty contour that had caught the eye of Fred <- 'S 'i > A COLLISION i:u W;irl)iirton. At (irst it was like a pile of denser foil", rollinn; aloni;' the surface of the sea, but the oiitrmes beeaine more ilistinrt each inonient, until the form of an iceberg wafj clearly marked in the wet atmosphere. Tlic new one was much smaller than that upon which they were afloat, hut it was of vast proportions for all that, enough to crush the largest shii) that ever floated, as though it were but a toy in its i)ath. But the fearful fact about its appearance was that the two bergs wTre approaching each other, under the influence of adverse currents! A collision w^as inevitable, and the boys con- templated it with hardly less dismay than they did the overturning of the larger one a short time before. " This is no place for us !" called out Jack, the moment after his exckunation ; " let's get out !'' He started up the path from which the polar bear had come, with his young friends at liis heels. They did not stop until they could go no lis If! ' ■ m^ 1 '>/> AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX ■. I' • fartlior, wlien tliey turned about and shudder- ingly awaited the catastrophe that was at hand. Their withdrawal from the edge of the ice- berg to a point some distance away dimmed their vision, but tlie smaller berg Avas easily dis- tinguished through the obscurity. The two continued to approach with a slow- ness that could hardly have caused a shock in a couple of ships, but where the two masses were so enormous the momentum was beyond calculation. The friii-litful crisis was not without its 2:rim humor. The boys braced themselves against the expected crash as if in a railway train with a collision at hand. They lost sight of the fact that no force in nature could produce any such sudden jarring and jolting as they appre- hended. The two bergs seemed to be lying side by side, within a few inches really, but without actually touching. " Why don't they strike ?" asked Hob, in an awed whisj)er. A COLLISION 133 " There it comes !" exclaimed Fred ; " hold fast !" The smaller berg was seen to sway and bow, as if that, too, had swejit against the bottom of the sea, and it was shaken through every part. But amazing fact to the lads! they felt only the slightest possible tremor pass through the support upon which they had steadied themselves against the ex})ected shock. The smaller berg acted like some monster tliat has received a mortal hurt. It seemed to be striving to disentangle itself from the fatal em- brace of its conqueror, but was unable to do so. Nearly conical in shape, a peak rose moi'c than a hundred feet in air, ending in a tapering l)oint almost as delicate as a church spire. The crash of the immense bodies caused the breaking off of this icy monument a cou[)le of rods from the top, and the mass, v/eighing many tons toppled over and fell u[)on the larger berg with a violence that shattered it into thousands of fragments, bits of which were carried to the i ii |;^75^-lf I I |r f ,i 134 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX i if I II! I feet of the awed i)aity. Then, as if the smaller one saw that it was idle to resist longer, it began inovinii with the larirer, which forced it alone; its own course as a tug pushes a floating chip in front of it. The danger was over, if, indeed, there had been any danger. It was a minute or two before the boys comprehended it all, but when Rob did, he sprang to his feet and swung his cap over his head. " Hurrah for our side ! We beat 'em hands down !" "I fancy it is quite safe to count on our keep- ing the right of way," added Fred, whose men- tal relief at the outcome was as great as his companion's. *' I thought we would be tumbled about when the two came together, as if we were in an overturr^ed wagon, but I can under- stand now how that could never be." "But wait till we butt against an iceberg bigger than ours," said Hob, with a shake of his head. Ave ei- liis i CHAPTER XV THE 80U\D OF A VOICE For liours the foo* showed no sii^ns of Uftiiio;. The tliree remained seated near the eareass of the pohir hoar, diseiissing the one qnestion tliat had ah'eady heen disenssed so long, until there really seemed nothing left to say. Not Ions: after the eollision l)et\veen the ice- hergs a singular thing took place. It was evi- dent that the two were acted u[)on each l)y a diverse current, hut the ])re|)onderating bulk of the greater was not disturbed by the smaller. The latter, however, as if anxious to break away from its master, began slowly grinding along the face, until, after awhile, it swung clear and gi'adually drifted out of sight in the misty va])or. *^ (She will know l)etter than to tackle one bigger than herself," was the remark of Hob Carrol, *' which reminds me that if there should 1 o Jt) *'V H : i ^juivEraunuc! tjiB«i.-it«--x« 1 ' III ■4 130 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX '!i liap[)eii to be a bigger iceberg than this floating around loose we sha'n't be in any danger." '' And why Jiot ?" '' Because being so big it will be under the influence of the same current as this and going in the same direction, so there won't be much chance of our ( < suing together." " Unless the bi^_, ae should overtake us," sug- gested Fred. *' Even then it would find it hard to run over us, so there isn't much to be feared from that ; what I do dread is that we shall strike some shallow place in the sea that will make this thing turn a somersault." " It would be a terrible thing," said Fred, unable to drive it from his thoughts. " Is it possible for the berg to strike some- thing like that and stick fast, without shifting its centre of gravity?" The question was addressed to Jack Cosgrove, but he did not attempt to answer until the last clause was explained to him. "Oh! yes; that has been seen many times. THE SOUND OF A VOICE 137 A berg ^vill groiiiul itself just like a boat, and stay for davs and weeks until a storm breaks it up, or it shakes itself loose. I don't believe if we do strike bottom again that there's much danger of capsizing." " Why didn't you tell us that before ?" asked Hob, reprovingly ; " we might have been saved all this worry." *' It's only guesswork, any way, so you may as well keep on worrying, for, somehow or other, you seem to enjoy it." '' I think there is a thinning of the fog," re- marked Fred, some time later. " A little, but not much ; it's growing colder, too ; we'll run into keen weather afore reaching the Pole." *^ I shouldn't wonder if it came pretty soon. Hello !" added Rob, looking at his watch ; " it is past noon." " Do you want your dinner ?" asked Jack, with a grin. Both lads gave an expression of disgust, the elder replying : 1 "' ■■ r ? I- ii if I! P m ( 1, ;■ ii'l: If I '4 El S: ■ji . •Ii V]S AMOXG THE ESQUniAUX ^' I can stand it for twenty-four hours before hankering for anotlier slice of bear steak, and I sliouhln't l)e surprised if Fred feels the same way." " You are correct, my friend." " Ah, you chaps can get used to anything!" was the self-complacent remark of the sailor, as he assumed a comfortable attitude on the ice. While the bovs talked thus, Jack was care- fully noting the weather. He saw with pleas- ure that the fog was steadily clearing, and that, before night, the atmosjdiere was likely to be wholly clear again. That fact might avail them nothing, but it was a thousand-fold better than the mist, in which they might drift within a hundred feet of friends without either party suspecting it. From what has been told, it will be under- stood that no one of the three built any hope of a rescue by the *' Nautilus." The violent gale had driven her miles away, and a search on her part for this particular iceberg would be like I THE SOUXD OF A VOICE 1 :3l) the liiint of one exploring party for another that liatl been hjst vears before. But it was not to be supposed that Caj)tain MeAlpine wouhl quietly dismiss all eare eon- cerning the lads from his mind. One of them was a son of a leading direetor of the Hudson Bay Company, and the other was a f-»vorite of the son aud his father. For the skipper to retui'U to London at the end of several months witli the re})ort thiit he had left them on an ieeberg in the Greenland Sea would be likely to subjeet him to unpleasant consequenees. The most natural course of the captain, as it seemed to the sailor, after making the best search he could, was to put into some of tl le towns alonjj: the coast, and organize several pa: •ties to go out in search of them. " He is no fool," thought Jack, as he turned the subject over in his mind without speaking, "and he must have took the bearings of the ship and the berg as I did. He won't be able to keep track of us, but he will know better than to sail exactly in the wrong direction, as ? l' I , I A :• ) 140 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX I ! ,,,.'1 .^, ^ !r: , • \.r 1^ ■ ,1 ' ii' ' ' *' Ji • !■! «■ \ i §1 '■ '; 1 i'' f : ' ■ .' !■ li ' ! ' ■: ;l i i ! ! «■ i '( ; ■' ] .'•' ! ti V' ' 4 ' ' t ■] \ ,' ' ] ^' 1 1 i ■. * 1 ' li; ' ji > , j iJ^' 1 I''--' i :|' : ^ 1 f 11 J ! P i' ■ ' ■^ i ' ■ ' f !' |j ' , ! f i: !i ''■ 1 ^ -1} ' ^ ■ ' ■'i S: i.* 1 :i;l ■K ';*^^ ■ '^1 1 -:■•,• p 1 ; 1 ' ;, ■ ' ; 1 1 ■' i .' , .; . ■ 4 L '■■•} ■•'?■ i i ''1 li : 1 I ill.' 1 lli'ij : 1 HyLi 1 lltl most other folks would do. Yos," lie remarked to his friends, as he looked off over the sea, *' the weather is clearing and the fog will be nil gone before night." Tiiis was gratifying information, though neither youth could tell precisely why it should give them special ground for hope. You will understand one of the trials of the boys when adrift on the iceberg. The latter was moving slowl} , and, though in a direction differ- ent from the surface curicnt, yet it was barely l)erce2)tible. No other objects were in sight than the berg itself, which gave the impression to the passengers that it was motionless on the vasty deep. You know how much harder it is to wait in a train at a station than it is in one in motion. If they could have realized that the berg was actually moving, no matter in what direction, the relief would have been great. As it was, they felt as though they Avere simj)ly waiting, waiting for they knew not wdiat. The afternoon was more than two-thirds gone when the last vestige of the fog vanished. The THE SOUND or A VOICE Ml Ine he sun slione out, and, looking off to son, tlio power of the eye itself was the only limit to the vision. Without explaining the meaning of his action, Jack Cosgrove made his way down tlie path to the place where they had spent most of the preceding night, and climhing upon a slight deviation, stood for a full minute looking fixedly off over the sea. He shaded his eyes carefully with his hand, and stood as motionless as a stone statue. " Pie either sees or expects to see something," said Rob, who, like his companion, was watch- ing him with much interest. " He is so accustomed to the ocean that his eves are better than ours," said Fred. "I can't make out anvthiuc;." Suddenly Jack struck his thigh with his right hand and wheeled about, showing a face aglow with feeling. " By the great horned spoon, I knowed it." *' What have you discovered, Jack ?" " You chaps just come this way," he said, ':) li! 142 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX I 1 a t'l. tt i crooking his 8tub])y forefinger toward them, "and ])ut your.self ahjngside of me and take the sharp- est squint you can right over yonder." Doing as directed, tliey finally agreed, after some hard looking, that they saw what seemed to be a long, low, white cloud in the horizon. ** That's Greenland," was the astonishing re- jdy ; " I don't know what part, but it's solid airtli with snow on it." This was interesting, indeed, though it was still difiicult to understand what special hope the fact held out to them. It seemed to grow slightly more distinct as the afternoon advanced. Since it was hardly to be supposed that the iceberg was approaching hind, this was undoubtedly caused by the con- tour of the coast. When night began closing in the party fired their guns repeatedly, thinking possibly the re- joorts might attract notice from some of the natives fishing in the vicinity. The chance, however, was so exceedingly slight that they made preparations for spending the night as be- as to Lllg be- TIIE SOUND OF A VOICE 113 fore — tliat is, liuddlod together jigainst the pro- jeetiiig ice. There was harilly a breath of nir stirring, though the temperature eontinued fall- lUg. ''I hear it!" exchiinied Fred, starting to his feet, within five minutes after seating themselves as described. " What's that?" asked the amazed Rob ; *'are you crazy ?" "Listen!" They did so. Tliere was no mistake about it. They caught tlie sound of a vigorously moved paddle, and, had any doubt remained, it Avas dissipated by the loud call in a i)eculiar voice, and with an odd accent : " Holloa ! holloa ! holloa !" If 1 ^ii i .1 ill* ii 1 I* 31 .. '! " I " I M I 'i ^ K CHAPTER XVI LA> D HO ! The boys coiiM liartlly credit tlieir senses. Just as they liad settled themselves to spend another long, dismal night on the iceberg, the sound of a paddle broke upon tlieir ears, fol- lowed, the next moment, by a hail in unmis- takable English. " It's Captain McAlpine or one of the men !" exclaimed Hob, breaking into such a headlong rush down the incline that it threatened to pre- cipitate him into the sea before he could check himself. Fred was at his heels, and Jack tumbled against him. He knew that that voice was no Caucasian's. Despite the English word, he rec- ognized it as belonging to a native Esquimau. " We're coming !" called back Jack, in turn ; *'just hold on a few minutes and we'll be there — by the great horned sj)oon !'* 144 ' < LA.XD IIO ! 145 uo c- ;re He bumped flat on liis back, and sliot down the incline so fast tliat lie knocked the heels from under Fred, and the two, impinging against llob, prostrated him also, the three shooting for- ward like so many sleighs going down a tobog- <::an slide. " Never mind, lads ; we'll stop when we strike water," called the sailor, so })lease(l that he recked little of the eonsecpKMices. All the same, however, each exerted himself desperately to stop, and, barely succeeded in doing so, on the very edi^e of the incline. Then they perceived one of the long, narrow native boats, known as a kayak, drawn up alongside the v/harf, as it may be called, with the Esquimau in the act of stepping out. He contemplated the sight in silent wonder- ment, for, it is safe to say, he had never been approached in that fashion before. Jack was the first to recover the perpen- dicular, and he impulsively reached out his mittened hand to the native, who was clad in furs, w^ith a short jacket and a hood, which 10 U; ^i «;!iit' IJ I }> Tiwr W 146 '<()' u AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX covered all his head, excejiting the front of his face. " How do you do, my hearty ? I never was so glad to see any one in my life as 1 am to see you. >> "Glad to meet you," replied the Esquimau, somewhat abashed by the effusive greeting ; " wliere you come from?" '* From the iceberg," and then reflecting that this good friend was entitled to a full explana- tion, the sailor added : " We visited this berg, yesterday, from the ship " Nautilus ;" our boat was carried away before we knew it, and the gale drove the ship so far out of her course that we haven't seen a thing of her since. How came you to know we were here?" "Pleard gun go off — didn't know where it be — hear it again — then know it here — then come to you." " Were you ashore?" Started out to fish — you go ashore with (( C!< me r V" l l i%i l>W iliiilM WI it lieu ritll LAND HO I T 147 <( You can just bet wc will ; your kayak IS strong enough to take us all, isn't it?" "If sit still — make no juuip," was the reply of the native, who was j)lainly ])lease(l at the part of the good Samaritan lie was i)lay- ing. a n^l These are my friends, Hob Carrol and Fied Warburton," said Jack, introducing the lads, each of whom shook the hand of the native, whom they felt like endjracing in a transport of pleasure. Since the native had come out for the pur- pose of taking them off, there was no delay in embarking. The long boat, which the Esqui- mau handled with such skill, was taxed to cany the unusual hmd, and Jack suggested that he sliouhl wait till the bovs were taken ashore, when the native could return fo him, but their friend said that was unnecessary, and, inasmuch as the land was fullv three miles distant,' the task won Id 1 lave bee n a severe one Tl le sea. was not ugly, and the Esquimau assured them there would be no trouble in landinc: them ■' M si } ;ii V d -i in T Si :::rri33aaaaii£r;;:: a 148 AMO^'G THE ESQUIMAUX : ', mm t ,1 i-i >: .!r t safely, if tlicy '" dressed " carefully and guarded against aiiv sudden shiftinj;- of T)0.sition. All understood the situation too well to make any mistake in this respect, and, in a few min- utes, everything was in readiness. The native sat in the middle of the boat and swayed his long paddle with a dexterity that aroused the admiration of his passengers. It yvaa not the kind of paddling to which Jack Cosgrove was accustomed, though he could have |>icked it up with readiness, and he was just the one to a})- preciate work of that kind. Kob was nearest the prow, and, as the craft whirled about and headed toward land, he caiight a show^er of spray wiiich was dashed over his clothing and in his face. That, how- ever, meant nothing, and he gave no heed to it. I in mediately the craft was skhnming over the waves at a s|>eed of fnlly five knots. The occasion was hardly one for conversation, and Rob cautiously moved sidewavs and turned his head, so as to w-atch the advance. The weather, as will be remembered, was perfectly n LAND HO! f 149 ■* ). [be lied tiy clear; the stars were sliiiiing and he could see for a considerable wav over the water. It was trying to tlie nerves of so brave a lad as he to observe a huge wave rushing like a courser straight toward them and looking as if nothing could save the boat from swamping ; but, under the consummate handling of its owner, it arose to meet the wall of water and rode it easily. Then, as it plunged into the trough on the other side, it seemed as if about to dive into the deptlis of the sea, but immedi- ately arose again with inimitable grace and readiness. Then, perhaps, would follow a short distance of comparatively smooth water, quickly suc- ceeded by the plunging and rising as before. All at once the surface became smooth. Be- fore Kob could o;uess its meanino; somethiiiii; grated against the front of the kayak and slid along the side, followed by another and another. Tlie native slowed his paddling and pushed on with extreme care. He had entered a field of floating ice, through i'l 1^ I ! S1' !■ tjge M : loO AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX N- W 't ■II l-i wliicli it was necessary to force his way with all caution. Tiiis was proven by the many turns he made, and it was then that his skill showed in a more striking light than before. lie sat facing the prow and was obliged to look over the head of Rob and along each side of him. His quick eye took in the size and contour of the drift ice, and, hardly checking his own progress, he shot to the right, then to the left, turning so quickly that the bodies of his passengers swayed under the sudden impulse, but ail the time he continued his advance, apparently with undiminished speed. Meanwhile Jack Cosgrove, from his seat at the rear, was looking still farther ahead in the effort to gain sight of the welcome land, which never was so dear to him as when on the ice- berg. Once he fancied he caught the twinkle of a light so low down that it w^as on shore, but it vanished quickly and he believed he was mis- taken. It was not long, however, before his penetrat- ins: vision discovered that for which he was i.i ) ;ii; LAXD no I ? 151 at lie icli ice- kle lUt liis- -at- ras yearning. The unmistakal)lo outline of the coast arose to view, rising gradually from the edge of the water until lost in the gloom beyond. It was white with snow, as a matter of course, the depth probably being several feet. The sight of any considerable })ortion of Greenland free of its snowy mantle would be a sight, in- deed. The floatino' ice continued all the wav to land, and the closer the latter was a}»pr()ached the more difficult became the progress. Ihit the native was equal to the task. He had been through it too often to hesitate more than a few seconds when some larger obstacle than usual interposed across his path. It was very near land that the greatest peril of all was en- countered. The kayak glided over a cake of ice, the Esquimau believing it would pass readily underneath the craft and out beyond the stern, but its buoyancy was greater than he supposed, and it swayed the boat with such force that it came within a hair of capsizing. " All right!" he called, cheerily, righting the :5 }■! V' f ■'■■r 152 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX ill . .1 :,1 V«i ^i' I i> ! lit craft with several quick, powerful strokes of his paddle. Then he shot betv;eeu two other enor- mous cakes, wedged his way through a narrow l)assage, and the prow crunched into the snow that came down to the water's edge. " Here we are, and thank the Lord !" called out Rob, leaping with a single bound ui)on the solid earth ; '* I feel like giving three cheers, for if ever Providence favored a lot of scamps, we are the ones." Fred followed as the kayak turned sideways, so as to permit all to step out, but Jack paused, opposite the native, and peered into his face. Something in the Esquimau's voice struck him as familiar. " What's your name ?" he asked, still scrutin- izing him as closely as he could in the gloom. *' Docak," was the reply. k I n 11- CHAPTER XVil DOCAK AND HIS HOME H\ "By the great homed spoon, I suspected it ! Docak, I'm mighty glad to see you; I'm Jack Cosgrove, and put it there !" The native was not so demonstrative as his English friend, but he certainlv was as deliulited and surprised to meet liini in this extraordinary manner as was the sailor to meet him. They shook hands heartily, and Docak in- dulged in his peculiar laugh, which was accom- panied by little, if any noise, but was indicative of genuine pleasure. The reader will recall that this was the second time Docak had rescued Jack Cosgrove, the other instance having occurred a number of years before, when Captain Mc Alpine's ship was destroyed by collision with an iceberg. " You're my guardian angel !" was the excla- mation of the happy sailor ; " I might have 153 i; ]> 4 i 1 m I \ I I! ' 3- 1 f MP ij H( i I^Hj f lis * In 1 Mt^B t It ' 1 i ; \ 154 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX known that if anybody was to save us you was the chap to do it. Come up here, boys, and shake hands with Docak ag'in, for he's one of the best fellows living." E,ob and Fred were only too glad to do as invited, and cordial relations were at once estab- lished. " Is your home where it was when I was here last?" Jack asked. " Yes, off dere," replied Docak, turning about and pointing inland ; " not far — soon get dere." Jack gave a low whistle expressive of aston- ishment. " Now, lads," he said, addressing the youths, " I rather think you'll own that Jack Cosgrove knows a thing or two about icebergs." " I think Fred and I have also learned some- thing, but what are you driving at?" " We're well up toward Davis Strait, and there's more than a hundred miles of Greenland coast to the south of us. That old berg has struck a bee line for the North Pole, but it won't reach there, eh, Docak ?" \ :: .!i DOCAK AND HIS HOME 155 Is " No ; soon turn around — iio back." ** Now, isn't that one of the stranirest thing's you ever heard of, lads? Tlie phiee where the * Mary Jane ' went down, afore that beri;-, three years ago, was mighty nigh the very spot where Docak found us. I remember he brought us ashore in his kayak — '* " Dis same boat," interruj)ted the native with a grin, perceptible in the twilight. "There you are, and, if he keeps on, ]'ll begin to think that one of you chaps is Captain McAlpine himself, and the other Bill Hardin, who was saved with us." " It is a most remarkable coincidence," said Fred, and Kob added that he had never read or heard anything like it. But it occurred to Docak that he was not act- ing the part of hospitable host, by keeping his friends standing on the edge of the sea, while the reminiscences went on. He stooped and drew his boat far up the bank. The tide was at its height, so there was no fear of its playing the trick our friends had suffered. Then lie .■ ?! > loG AMONG THE ESQUIMUAX 1 1 ]: i \i^.' i >r ii ■ i ,!' ! 1^ '■ 'If:' I: 1 1 !!l I turned aljuiit and started inland, the others following in Indian file. lie was treading a [)ath, a foot or more deep in ihe snow, and worn iis hard as a rock. The ascent was gentle, and a hundred yards from the shore he arrived at the entrance to his home, where a surprise awaited the hoys. When seen for the first time the hut of the Escpiiinaux suggest the sod houses common on the Western plains of our country, except that the homes of the far North are entered by means of a burrow. Where such frightful cold reigns for months every year the first consideration with the native is to secure protection against it ; everything is sacrificed to that. The walls are of alternate layers of stone and sod, and are about three feet in thickness. The highest clear space within is from four to five feet. The building contains an entry-way, a kitchen, and a living room. The entry is four or five yards in length, two feet or less wide, and no more than a yard in height. It will thus be seen that even a small boy svould have DOCAK AND HIS HOME i; >/ to stoop to pass tliroiii^li it, Avliile tlic in- terior of the hut itself will not allow a full- grown Escjuiniau to stand erect. To this fact may be attributed in some degree the stoop shoulders so common amonir the men. Half-way between the beginning of the entry and the main rooms was an oj)ening leading to the kitchen. This was small, shaped like a bee- hive, and with a hole at the apex for the escape of the smoke. The floor was bare ground, the hearth consisting of a number of stones placed close together, on which the iron kettles sat, while the fire of driftwood burned beneath. The heio-ht of the kitchen is less than that of the main room, so that only the women can stand erect in the highest portion. When the weather is very severe the cooking is done in the main room, by means of the big oil-lamp, while the thick walls and the heavy furs of the inmates enable them to laugh at the ras^ins: blizzard outside. It was along such a passage as the one de- scribed that Docak led the way, followed by ', I t F 1.38 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX ^1 \l$ I . i 4! Jack Cosgrove, Rob, and Fred, each trailing his lillc, and lia[)py beyond measure that everything with them had turned out so well. Tiie main room into which tlie little party en- tered was about four yards square. It had a board floor and a ceiling — luxuries not generally found in the native homes except in the settle- ments. The walls were furred off and ceiled, and the s[)aces closely stuffed with moss. The wall on the right of the main room had a single window with twelve panes of glass. Tlie main room was the most interesting part of the structure. Along the front of the window ran a wooden bench, near the end of which, toward the entrance, stood a Danish stove. lu the corner beyond the other end of the bench was a table. To the left of that was the lamp- stand, directly opposite to which on the other side of the room was a second and shorter bench. The whole left-hand side of the room, as vou entered, consisted of a platform, about six feet long. It was elevated a foot above the floor, the DOCAK AND HIS HOME l.V.) side next to the wmII l)eino' a few iiielies lii^lier. At night it was covered with feather beds, whieh are rolled baek diiriii;^ the day, so tliat the front may be used for other pur})()ses. The hi nip used in the Esquimau houses is sim[)ly a large, green stone, with a hollow scoopetl in the to[). This contains seal oil, a piece of moss serving ms a wick. It may he well to tell you something in this place about the dress of the Escjuimaux, refer- ring now to those who live near the settlements, most of whom jire of mixed blood. In the in- terior, and, along the east coast of Greenland, are met the wild natives, who are muffled in the thickest furs, and bear little resemblance to the class to which Docak and his acquaintances be- longed. These men wore jackets, trousers, moccasins, and generally undershirts, drawers, and socks. The rule is for them to go bareheaded, though a hat or cap is frequently seen. The clothing, except the moccasins, is made from woolen or cotton stuff, bought of the Danish Governor. i J w m^ Ji 'H III > it' |1 f If, 1,4 ■ h ■ , 1 ,1 II ■']■ mn m ! I:Hfr..l l!!l! I'h' = !« 11 ''Hi 160 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX The jacket is of giiigliam, with sleeves and a liood that can be drawn over the head, and fitted in place by drawing and tying a string that passes under the chin. When venturing out in his kayak, or in severe weather, Docak, like most of his friends, wore a jacket and hood combined. This was of sealskin, \vith the leather side out. The trousers are constructed of the same material with the hair out. Some- times they are lined with sealskin, with the hair in. The moccasins are well-sha})ed sealskin boots, reaching nearly to the knees. When the socks are not woolen, the hair is turned toward the skin. The mittens are of seal leather, with no hair on either side, and are much inferior to many of our own country, for purposes of warmth and comfort. The Esquimau women are shorter of stature than the men, and walk with short, mincing- steps, showing a stoop similar to their husbands. Thev have small hands and feet, with faces that any one would pronounce good looking. DOCAK AND HIS HOME 161 They comb tlieir hair to an apex, which, if the woman is married, is tied w^ith a bhie ribbon ; if a widow, with bhiek ; and if a maiden, witli green. The females generally wear collars of ijeilds, with lace-work patterns and vivid colors. The waist is generally of woolen stuff, and here the same fondness for bri^-ht colors displavs itself. It has no buttons, and is donned and doffed by passing over the head, and is fastened at the waist with a belt. Then come a pair of short trousers of sealskin, which are tastefully orna- mented. Bek)w^ these are tlie lonii:-le2:2;ed mocca- sins, also ornamented by the deft handiwork of the native owners. The dress of the children is the same as the parents. i:i • ffi •H .f re 'g '^'• 11 ■ V (I CIIAFTETl XVIII I'W A x\E\V EXPEDITION DocAK liad no children, the singk? son born to liiui ten yeai's before liaving died in infancy. His wife was about his age, and had noticeably li^'hter skin and brioht brown eves. It was evident that she liad more white blood in her veins than her husband, who was of mixed breed. Docak did not knock before entering. ILs wife Avas trimming the lamp at the moment, and looked around to see whom he had brought with liim. She must have felt surprised, but, if so, she concealed all evidence of it. She smiled in lier pleasant way, showing her fine white teeth, and said in a low, soft voice, " Con-ji-meet," Avhich is the native word for welcome. Her first curiosity was concerning the boys, with whom she shook hands, but, wdien she turned to the grinning Jack, she made no effort 1G2 < ■ ! I'! M A NEW expi:dition 163 til lin Hi, 'S. he to hide her astonishment, for he had addressed her by name. " Crestana, I guess you liaven't forgot Jack Cosgrove?" " Oh ! oh ! oh ! dat vou — much elad ! much glad !" she said, laughing more heartily than her husband had done. KShe was very vivacious, and, though she could not speak the English tongue as well as he, she made it up by her earnestness. "So glad — much glad — whale kill vessel ag'in ? Docak bring no ice? Where capen ? How you be ? Crestana glad to see you — yes, heap much glad." "By the great horned spoon," said Jack, holding the small hand of Crestana in his liearty grasp, and looking around at the others with one of his broadest grins ; " the women are the same the world over; they can talk faster than a Greenland harry cane, and wlien they're glad they're ghxd all over, and clean through. Docak, you're a purty good chap, but you aint half good enough for such a wife as Crestana, i ^ mm M l\ \i 1G4 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX li Hi; h \ i! . and that reminds me we're as liiingry as git out." The wife evidently thought the sailor was a funny fellow, for she broke into merry laughter again, and, disengaging her hand, hurried into the kitchen, where she had been busying her- self with her husband's supper. The visitors, knowing how heartily welcome they were, seated themselves on the benches, doffed their heavv outer clothinoj, and made themselves as much at home as if in the cabin of the *' Nautilus." They leaned their rifles in the corner near the table, alongside of the long nuizzle-loader and several spears belonging to Docak. A large supply of dry driftwood was piled near the window, and from this the native kej^t such a glow in the stove that the whole interior was filled with grateful warmth. In the course of a few moments Crestana bus- tled in, her pretty teeth showing between her lips as she chatted with Jack and her husband. She drew the table out near the middle of the I '■.! ! Ipt ior p- \\vv lul. tlie A NEW EXPEDITION 105 room, and cjuick!^^ brought in some fish, "done to a turn." Slie furnished C()fl('C,too, and the tliree guests who partook of her hospitality insist to this day that never in the wide workl will they ever taste sueh fragrant coffee and such deli- cately-flavored fish as they feasted upon that night in Docak's hut. But we must not forget that they had the best sauce ever known — hun- The meal was enlivened by lively conver- sation, in which Jack managed to tell the story of the mishap that had befallen himself and companions. She showed less interest in the boys than in the sailor, though, as may be sup- posed, Rob and Fred were charmed with her simplicity and good-nature. She placed spoons, knives and forks, cups, saucers, and plates before them, and there was a neatness about herself and the room which added doubly to its attractive- ness, and did much to enlighten the youths about these people, whom they supposed to be barely half civilized. When the meal was finished, and the wife M , !i i' • I I ! ' I B I f ,« 1 IGG AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX occupied herself in clearing away things, Docak brought out a cou2)le of pipes, filled with to- bacco, and offered one each to Rob and Fred. They, declining with thanks, he did the same to Jack, who accepted one, and a minute later tlie two were puffing away like a couple of veteran devotees of the weed. The boys felt some curiosity to learn how it was that Docak, whose manner of living proved that he knew tlie ways of the more civilized people among the settlements, made his home in this lonely place, far removed from all neigh- bors. Tliey could not learn everything that evening but they ascertained it afterward. Docak had lived awhile in Invernik, and then took up his residence at Ivigtut, where he lived until four or five years before Kob and Fred met him. It was in the latter place he married Crestana, and it was there that his only child died. The loss of the little one made him morose for awhile, and he got into a difficulty with one of his people, in which, in the eyes of the law, *"^l m Id )se Ine LW, r A Ni:\V EXPEDITION k; )/ Docak was wholly to blame. lie was punished, and, ill resenlnient, he withdrew to a i)laee on the west coast, about sixty miles north of the famous ervoliLe mines. There he lived, alone wilh his wife, as serenely contented as he could be anywhere. He made occasional visits to Ivigtut, to Invernik, Julianshaab, and other settlements, but it was only for the purpose of getting ammunition and other supplies which could be obtained in no other way. DoCcik was not only a skilled fisherman, but, what is rare among his class of people, he was a great hunter. He was sometimes absent for days at a time in the interior, traveling many miles on snow-shoes, forcing his way over the icy mountains and braving the Arctic blasts that had driven back many a hardy European from his search for the North Pole. While he was absent his wife went about her duties with calm contentment, where a more sensitive person would have gone out of her mind from very loneliness and desolation. Our friends having effected their escape from ' , if! :. 1 s i I III 168 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX the iceberg, it was time to decide what next sliould be done. The most obviims course was to go to Ivigtut, wlu^re they couhl obtain the means of returning to England, most likely by way of Denmark, and possibly might hear something of the " Nautilus," if she had survived the gale which caused her to part company with Jack and the bovs. The kayak was strong enough to carry them, and Docak could make tiie voyage in a couple of days. This Kob and Fred supposed would be the plan adopted, but the native put another idea into their heads which caused in a twinkling a radical change of programme, and brought an experience to the two of which neither dreamed. While Docak and Jack sat beside each other on the longer bench, smoking and talking, the native frequently cast admiring glances at the riiies Icanins* a<]i:ainst the wall in the corner. Finally he rose, and, walking over, examined the three weapons, taking up each in turn and hold- :i 1 le \e r. lie ll- A NEW KXPKDITIOX 1()U iiig it so the light from the lamp fell upon it. lie was most struck with Rob's, which had more ornamentation than the others. It was a mod- ern loader, but not a repealer. " lie berry good," he remarked, setting it down again in the corner and resuming iiis place on the bench beside his friend ; " why you not go huntiuijf with me 'fore <20 to Ivii'tut?" Jack saw the eyes of the boys sparkle at the suggestion. AVhy not, indeed, go on a hunting excursion into the interior before they returned to the settlement? Wiiat was to prevent? It would take but a few days, and there is royal game to be found in Greenland. Docak explained that this was the time of the year wlien he was accustomed to indulge in a lono; hunt. Twelve months before he had brought down some animals rarely ever encoun- tered in that portion of the country, and he Avas hopeful of doing the same again, when he could have his friends to help. So the matter needed only to be broached to be settled. The whole i)arty would go on a -;■ I *M ^ H I ■ ^r 170 AMONCJ THE ESQUIMAUX II li:ii liiiiit, and tlicy would start tlie following iiiorn- ini^', retiiniing whenever they deemed best, and then making their way to Ivigiut at a leisurely rate, set about their return home, if that should be deemed the best course. The warmth and smoke in the room led the boys to decide to step outside a brief while, to inhale the crisp air, and, inviting Fred to follow^ Hob sprang up and hurried in a stooping posture through the long entry-way. Fred stopped a minute in the road to peep through the opening into the kitchen, where the thrifty housewife was busv. She smiled pleasantly at him, and he might have lingered had he not heard the voice of his friend. " Hurry out, Fred ! Here's the most wonder- ful sight you ever saw\ Quick, or you will lose it!" Fred lost no time in rushing after Kob, whose excitement was fully justified. ,■1 '•■•■■li': 1 CHAPTER XIX A WONDERFUL KXilllilTION fiQ Unto no one, excepting him who journe^-s far into the Northland, is given it to view such an amazing picture as was now s[)rea(l out before the enrai)turecl gaze of Hob Cariol and Fred AVarburton. In Northern Siberi.i, the Scandi- navian Peninsuhi, the upper ])ortion of the American Continent, and the Arctic Sea, the traveler learns in all its wonderful fullness of glory the meaning of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. The boys had had partial glimpses of the scene on their voyage through the Greenland Sea, and there were flickerings of light which caught their eye on the trip from the iceberg to the mainland, and the short walk to Docak's hut, but it was during their short stay in the rude dwelling that the mysterious scene-shifters 171 .ir^ rPP'' > .^ 172 AMOXCi THE ESi^UIMAUX ! !: . i of tlie skies iinfukled their ningnificeiit panortiina ill all its overwhelming grandeur. E-adiating from a huge nucleus, which seemed to he the North Pole itself, shot the streamers of light, so vast in extent that their extremities struck the zenith, withdrawing with lightning- like quickness, and succeeded by others with the same celerity and displaying all the vivid hues of the rainbow. At times these dartinus resembled immense spears, and then they changed to bands of light, turning again into ribbons which shivered and hovered in the sky, with bewildering variation, turning and doubling upon themselves, sj^read- ing apart like an immense fan, and then trem- bling on the very verge of the horizon, as if about to vanish in the darkness of night. * At the moment the spectators held their breath, fearing that the celestial display w^as ended ; the streamers, s])ears, bands of violet, indigo, blue, orange, red, green, and yellowy with the innumerable shades, combinations, and mingling of colors, shot out and spread over ■ U ^Tn M** A WONDKRIUL KXlIIlilTION 173 the sky like the myriad rays of tlic setting sun. This continued for several niiiuitcs, marked by irregular degrees of intensity, so impressive in its splendor that neitlier lad spoke, for he could make no comment upon the exliihition, the like of which is seen nowhere else in nature. But once both gave a sigh of amazed delight when a ribbon, combining several vivid colors, quivered, danced, and streamed far beyond the zenith, with a wary ap})earance that suggested that some giant, standing u[)on the extreme northern point of the earth, had suddenly un- rolled this marvelous ribbon and was waving it in the eyes of an awestruck wTjrld. One of the most striking features of those mysterious electrical phenomena known as the Northern Lights is the absolute silence which accompanies them. The genius of man can never approach in the smallest degree the beau- ties of the picture ^vithout some noise, but here nature performs her most wonderful feat in utter stillness. The panorama may unfold, roll ; .! I [' li jjjnigMaa trtaimiouM: 174 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX ■(; I 'I J J together, spread apart again with dazzling bril- liancy and snddenness, but the strained ear catches no sound, unless dissociated altogether from the phenomenon itself, such as the soft sighing of the Arctic wind over the wastes of snow, or through the grove of solemn pines. There were moments when the effulgence spread over the earth, like the rays of the mid- night sun, and the lads, standing in front of the primitive dwelling of the Esquimau, resembled a couple of figures stamped in ink in the radi- ant field. For nearly an hour the rapt spectators stood near the entrance to the native dwelling, insen- sil)le to the extreme cold, and too profoundly impressed to speak or stir; but the heavens had given too great a wealth of splendor, brilliancy, color, and celestial scene-shifting to continue it Ions'. The subtle exchange of electrical condi- tions must have reached somethinii; like an ec^uipoise, and the overwhelming beauty and grandeur exhausted itself. The ribbons and streamers that had been n A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION 175 darting to and beyond the zenith, sliortened their lightning excursions into space, leaping forth at lonuer intervals and to a decreasinir distance, until they ceased altogether, displaying a few flickerini>'s in the ]i*)rizon, as thou<>h eairer to bound forth again, but restrained by a superior hand with the command, " Enough for this time." Fred drew a deep sigh. "I never dreamed that anywhere in the ft. world one could see such a sight as that." " It is worth a vovao-e from home a hundred times over, and I don't regret our stay on the iceberg, for we would have been denied it other- wise. ?> " If there are any ]^eople living near the North Pole, it must be like dwell inir in another w^orld. I don't see how thev stnnd it, J) (( I believe thiit the Northern Lii;hts have their oriirin l)etween here and the Pol* aid Fred n thouirh I am not sure of that, ») " The magnetic pole, which must be the source of the display, is south of the earth's })ole, and A WOXDKRFUL KXIIIRIXrON 4 / s!.5y >- \l itO |)W SVC Ills latitude. Gracious! but it has Lecunie cold," added Ivob, with a shiver. '' It isn't any eohler tlian it has been all the evening, but we forgot about it while the exhibi- tion was ij-oinii* on." The boys turned about, and, dueking tlieir heads, made their way along the long entry, quickly debouching into the warmth and glow of the living room, where Docak and the sailor, having laid away their pi])es, were talking like a cou^de of old friends who had not seen each other for years and were exchanging experi- ences. Crestana had finished her work in the kitchen and joined them. She was sitting on the shorter bench, and, like a thrifty housewife, was eniraged in repairing some of her husband's arments, with bi;hborhood of the Arctic circle, though he is occasionally met in Green- land. The fact that the animal has no muzzle has led some naturalists to separate him from the ox species and give him the name of Ovibos. He is smaller in size than his domestic brother, very low on his legs, and covered with a wealth of wool and dark brown hair, which, during the cold weather, almost touches the ground. A whitish spot on the back is called the saddle, though it is not to be supposed that it is ever intended for that purpose. One of the most striking features of the musk ox is his horns, which sometimes weigh 180 ( III of ir the A ever the THE IIEllD OF MUSK OXEN fifty or sixty pouiuls. They are llatteucd at tlie base, the flat sides turned outward, and form a sort of shield or protection for the face. At certain seasons he is one of the most odoriferous animals in creation. Durino- the spring the musky odor is so strong that it can he detected on the first knife thrust into his body. At other seasons it is hardly perce})tible, and the eating is excellent. Although his legs are so short he can travel swiftly, and shows a facility in clindjhig moun- tains that no one would suspect on looking at the animal the first time. It suiriiests the chamois in this respect. lie feeds on lichens during a part of the year, and on grass and moss during the rest. Some distance back of the native Esquimau's hut, the land inclined upward, becoming (piite rough and mountainous not far from the coast. It was among these wild hilly regions that a herd of musk oxen, numbering eleven, WT^re browsins: one afternoon, with no thou«;ht of dis- turbance from man or beast. Perha2)s the last 'i i ,1 i' it : i I'll tiiHr ! 4 1S2 o AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX » 1 ! i sliould be excepted, for the oxen are accustomed to herd together for the purpose of mutual i>i'o- tection agahist the ravening wolves who wouhl make short work of one or two of them, when detached from the main herd. But it is not to be supposed that the thought of bipedal foes entered their thick skulls, for the Esquimau is not a hunter as a rule, and confines liis operations to fishing in the waters near his home. The lierd referred to had gradually worked tlieir w^ay u})ward among the mountains, until they reached a plateau, several acres in extent. Tiiere a peculiar swirling gale had, at some time or other, swxpt most of the space quite clear of snow, and left bare the stubby grass and moss, which, at certain seasons, formed the only sustenance of the animals. It was a lucky find for the oxen, for in the far North, with its ice and snow, it is an eternal battle between the wild animals and starvation, the victory not infrequently being with the lat- ter. It was rare that the oxen found food so I the tlie 'ual lion, llat- so . THE HEPwD OF MUSK OXEX 183 plentiful, and tlic}^ were certain to remain iliero, if perniittecl, until hardly a spear was left for those who might come after tliein. The largest ox of tiie party was grazing along the upper cd^^a of the j)lateau, some rods re- moved from the others. Ih; liad struck a spot where tlie grass and moss were more a])undant, and he was putting in his hest work. Suddenly he cauglit a suspicious sound. Throwing np his head, with the food drii)ping from the motionless jaws, he stared in the direc- tion whence it came, possibly with the fear of wolves. Instead of seeing one of the latter he descried an object fully as terrifying in the shape of a young man, clad in thick clothing from head to foot, and w^ith a rifle in his hanih Tl le name of this young man was Fred Warburton, and he had reached this advantageous spot after long and careful climbing from the plain below. lie was studying the creatures closely, now that he had succeec led in iraininii' a nearer vicnv, for, on the way thither, Docak had told him nuich con- \ t; ' !'i V^ J'li H ) % \yk^ ass 1 I i . I .^i1! 184 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX cernlng tlioin, juul tlioy luid ])PC()mo ol)jcets of i^rcjit iiitorost. Fred was alone, and had spent several min- ntes in snrveyitig the brutes bi3fore he coughed with tlie purpose of attracting attention for a few seconds. Then, slipinng his mitten from his right liand, the lad brought his riilo to his shoul- der and sii»]ited at the animal. He liad forgotten to in(|uire at what part to aim, but it seemed to liim tliat the head was the most vulnerable, and he directed his weapon at a point midway between the eyes and near the ceutr(> of the foreliead. At the very instant of pressing the trigger the ox sliglitly lowered his iiead, and, instead of boring its way througli the skull, the bullet inipigned agaiust the horny mass above, and glanced off without causing injury. Fred was startled when he observed the fail- ure, for his friends were too far away to give him suj)port, and it was necessnry to place an- other cartridge in the chamber of his weapon before it could be used. He proceeded to do so. mn ■ 1 THE IIEUD OF MUSK OXEN 18- le without stirring a* foot, mikI v/itli a cooliiess wliicli no veteran hunter ever exeelled. But if Fred stood still the nuisk ox was very far from ihjing so. One ghuiee only at the youth wms enough, when, with a snort, he whirled about, galloped a few paees, and then wheeled with marked quiekness, and faeed the young hunter jigain. While engaged in this performanee his snort- ings drew the atterttion of his eom|)anions, who, throwing uj) their heads, galloped to him, and the whole eleven S})eedily stood side by side, facing the point whence the attack had come. They were of formidable a[)pearance, indeed, for, with lowered liead>5, they })awed u\) the earth and began cautiously advancing u[)on the boy, who had his cartridge in place and was ready for another shot. But instead of one musk ox he was confronted bv eleven ! "My gracious!'* he said to himself; "this is a larger contract than I thought of. If they will only come at me one at a time I wouldn't mind. I wonder where the other folks are?" I "J I -' ' r IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) h /, y ^ mL/. 1.0 I.I 11.25 ^1^ 1^ 2.2 2.0 18 M. ill 1.6 v <^ /^ ^r 1% ''■*> ■^ar .->. ^ ''■> Photograpliic Sciences Corporation €S \ \\ V 6^ k '<<*/^ ?^ WE?ir MAIN STREET Vv£v$TER,N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 ^ '9> <^ fA BBS 18G AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX 1 i lie glanced riglit and left, bnt nothing was to be sr'cn of Ivob or Jaek or Doeak. It looked as if a line! of retreat should be provided, and he ventured a glance to the reai*. He saw a mass of rocks within a hundred yards, against which a good deal of snow had l)een driven, and he concluded that that was the only availal)h^ refuge, with no certainty that it would prove ii refuge at all. ** JJeing as I shall have to fetch u[) there to save mvself, and beiu": that those beasts can travel fa.-ter than J, it wouldn't be a bad idea to begin edging that way now/' He would have been glad to whirl about and dash ofV, reserving his shot until he reached the rocks, but for his belief that such an attempt would be fatal to himself. Nothini:- encourai>es man or animal so much as the siu:ht of a llvini»: foe, and he was sure that he would instantly have the whole lierd at his heels, and they would overhaul him too before he could attjnii his shelter. It was a test of his nerves, indeed. There I ,.^ lie llv liu THE HERD OF MUSK OX EX 1S7 were eleven iniisk oxen, lieads loweivd, cv cs Stan 11 li", wi th 1 ()\v, iniittrrin«r Ih'11 OWS, 1 )a\vinir uiul flin<^iiig tlie dirt behind tlieni, wlilie llicy continued udvaneing u[M)n the niotionh'ss hid, ^v ho. 1 lavinir but one s hot ininie( hatrl V at com- mand, sought to deei(h' where it eouUl be sent so us to do the most go(j(L The leUow at whieh he ilred was tlie largest of the herd, and it was plain to see that he was commander-in-chief. Ufton receiving the shot on his h(jrns he had summoned his IbUowcrs about him, and no doubt told them of the out- rage and whispered in their ears the single word enireance. It naturally struck Fred that the siniile shot should be directed at the leader, for jxissibiy, if he fell, the others w(Add be thrown into a ])anic and scatter. At any rate, it was the only hoi)e, and, without waiting a tenth pai't of the time it has taken us to tell it, he biought his rifle to a level and aimed at the big fellow. The distance was so short that there was no excuse for repeating his blunder, or, rather, I ■M 1, 1 >i ii t iri '■i \ P: ii 188 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX accideiiu lie siohfed the best lie knew liow, and, while the fellow was still pasving and ad- vancing, let fly, hitting him fairly between the eyes. The lad paused just long enough to learn that his shot was effective, when he whirled on his heel, without waiting for more, and ran as he never ran before. CIIAPTi:U XXI CLOSi: (iUAllTKKS At tliis nioniont, wlicii it woiiM be tlioniilit tliat the iiK'ideiit was at its most thrilliiiL;" crisis, it a^siinuMl a ludicrous j)liasc, at which auy spectator luust have hiu*^he(l heartily. Fred, as I have said, uiach' tor the protectiui; rocks, with all the energy of which he was calla- ble. On the way thither he dropi)ed one mit- ten, then his gun flew from his grasp, and a chill passed through his frame, at the conscious- ness that he had lost his only means of defense ; but he dared not cu *ck himself long enough to pick it up, for in fancy he heard the whole ten thundering after him and almost upon his heels. The distance to travel was short, but it seemed twice its real extent, and he feared he would never reach it. He was runnini^ for life, however, and he got over the ground faster 189 ^^ SB! ■ ' fh ' 1 1 ■ ' t (■ : ! 1 ■ , t lUO AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX tlian would be supposed. Panting and half- exhausted, he arrived at last, and darted breath- lessly behind the ruiii»ed mass of boulders. His heart almost gave way when he found it what he feared ; a simple pile of stones, partly covered with snow, but [)resenting nothing that could be used for ])rotection. The only portion was the top, but that was two high for him to climb the perpendicular sides. It was at this moment he cast a terrified glance behind him, and uttered the single ex- clamation : " Well, if that doesn't beat all creation !" AVhat did he see ? The whole ten musk oxen scampering in the opi^osite direction, at)parently in as great a panic as himself. The truth of it is the musk ox is one of the most cowardly animals in existence. All the pawing of dirt, the bellowing, and threatening advance upon an enemy is simply " bluff." At the first real danger he takes himself off like the veritable booby that he is. CLOSE QUAUTiCRS 101 le e loc le A s soon as Fred oou 1(1 1 rocovor Mis winu no I li broke into lauiilitcr at llie thoiiiiht (►f his cjiiise- 1 es.s scare He miiriit as well have stood hi; ground and Ih'ed into them at his h-isure. "I'm <:lad Rob diihi't see me," h(^ reflected as he came from behind the rock and set out to re- gain his lost weapon nnd mitten; "he would have had it on me bad — " A shiver ran tlirou«»'h him, for he surelv heard somethiiiir like a chuckle that had a fumiliar SOUIK- 1. He looked around, but could discover no cause for it. " Xo ; it wouldn't have done for liim or Jack to have had a glimpse of me running away from the oxen that were going just as hard from nie- >) (( Hello, Fred, Avhere's your gun ?" It Avas Kob Carrol and no one else, wl 10 stepped into sight from the other side of the rocks and came toward him, shaking so nuich with mirth that he could hardly walk. " What's the matter with you ?" demanded . (• I' ill I.J 1 I '1 . If . il 3 Ji / ! ■' AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX Frod, savni:;('ly; "you socm to find cause for LiUirlitor wlu're no one ( Ise can." "O FrhI ! if you only could luive scon your- self tearing for the nxdcs, your gun fiying one way, your mitten another, your eyes bulging out, and you too seared to look behind at the animals that were u-oiui!" still faster rijiht from you, why you would have tumbled down and called it the funniest si<>ht in the world." "If I had seen you with your lite in danger I wouldn't have stopped to laugh, but would have gone to your help." " So would I have gone to yours, but the trouble was your neck wasn't in danger, though I guess you thought it was." " Why didn't you fire into the herd?" "What for? They were too far off to take the chances of bringing them down, and you had killed the leader." " Why, then, didn't you yell to me to stop my running?" "I tried to, but couhbi't for laughing; then, too, Fred, it wasn't long before you found it out CLosi: (irAiJTi:i;s 103 kc lou [Op m, )Ut yourself. If, wlicii we i^ot lioiue, you want to enter tlie i-aees as a sprinter, 1 will baek you a<::aiiist the field. I tell vou, old fellow, you surpassed yourself." By this time the younuer lad had rallied, and saw ti.at his exhihition of ill-temper only made him ridiculous. He turned toward his eom- panion with a smile, and asked, in liis quaint way (t What'll you take, lloh, not to mention tliis to Jack or any of the rest of our friends? >» " I'll try not to do so, hut, if it should liappeu to drop from me some time, don't get mad and tear your hair." (< >> Neyer mind," said Fred,signifieantly; *' this hunt isn't finished yet, and I may get a chance to turn tlie laugh on you. " If you do, then I'll make the bargain." " Perhaps you will, but that will be as I feel about it. Ijut, I say, did you eyer know of any su ch cowa rdl d y animals as tne musk ox th dv If they had gone for me, where would I have been ? yy 13 ff 1111 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX 1 1 1 1 ftj V I; 1 i ; I" " I doubt wlietlior tlioy could have cnuglit you, l)ut tliey are stupid cowards, avIio don't know their own streujith." " I wonder whether tliey always act this way." " j\[ost of the tiuie, hut not alwavs. I heard Docak telling ffack how he once put two bullets into a bull, which kept on for him like a steam engine. He flung himself behind a lot of rocks, just as you did, when the beast was right n])on liim. lie struck the stones with such force that lie shattered his horns and was thrown back on the u;round like a ball. Bcifore he could rise liis wounds overcame him, and he gave it up, but it was a narrow escape for the Esquimau." " It might have been the same with me," added Fred, who could not recall, without a shudder, those few seconds when he fiiced the leader w^ith his herd rans-ed alonsjsidc of him ; "but all's well that ends well. Where are Jack and Docak ?" As if in answer to the question the reports of the guns broke upon their ears at that nio- CLOSi: (iTAIlTKUS 195 ?» ?» )orts mo- ment.and thov saw the two liunters stand in 5: on tlie lower t'«li;e of tlie platenn, firini; into the terrified aninuds that were ahnost n[)()n them. Instead of turning to run, as Fred liad done, immediately after firing, they quietly held their jilaces and began coolly reloading their pieces. There was good ground for their self-confi- dence. Their shots were so well aimed that tw^o of the oxen tumbled to the ground, while the others, whirlinsj asjain, came thunderini>; in the direction of the rocks, near wdiich the lads were watching them. ** That sight is enough to scare any one," re- marked Fred. ^* If you want to turn and run again," said Rob, '' I'll pick up your gun and both of your mittens, if you droji them." " Don't fret yourself; if I can beat you when you had that polar bear at yjur heels no beast could overtake me." *' The difference between that and this w^as that the brute w\as at my heels, while your pur- suers were running the other way. However, lOG AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX i ''it ■ S lis we'll drop the matter, old fellow, since I liave had all the f'lin I want out of it. It may be upon me next time." *' I hope it will, and, if so, I won't forget it; but, Kob, this begins to look serious." Although the youths were in plain view, the musk oxen continued their flight straight toward them. Unless they changed very quickly or the lads got out of the way a collision was certain. " You may stay here if you think it smart/* said Fred, a second later, *' but I don't." Despite the exhibition he had made of him- self a few minutes before lie moved briskly toAvard the rocks, behind which he whisked like one who had no time to waste. To show him how causeless was his alarm, Kob raised his gun, and, taking a quick aim at the foremost, let flv. "That'll settle them!" he called out; "see how quickly they will turn tail." But they did not adopt this course as promptly as Rob expected. He had struck one of them, but without inflicting much hurt. There is a >> CLOSi: (iUAUTKllS rJ7 latent courage in every beast, wliifli, under cer- tain stress, can be aroused to activity, and this shot had done it. Rob stood his ground for an instant or two. Then he awoke to the fact that his shot was nut going to turn a single one of the eight musk oxen from his course. Thcv tiamdered toward him like so many furies, nvd w«"re almost iny upon him before he realized that he had already waited too long. !J1 iBi I ir uS^i ii 'HI, at I see >tiy ?m, lis a CHAPTER XXII FllED S TUKX I At the moment Rob Carrol wheeled to run the foremost of the musk oxen was upon him. This animal was the largest of the herd, after the fall of the leader, whose 2)hice he had un- doubtedly taken by the unanimous wish of the survivors. Perhaps he was eager to prove to his com- panions liis worthiness to fdl the shoes of the late lamented commander, for, altliough one of tlie most dreaded of enemies stood directly in his path, and had just emptied his gun at him, he charged upon him like a cyclone. Meanwhile, Fred Warburton, having darted behind the rocks, lost no time in slipping an- other cartridi»'e in his 2:un. He would have assumed any risk before iiermitting luu-m to come to his friend, but, somehow or other, lie 198 • 111 1-3 X P5 » V> ■^M. \m the of Ins lie •ted un- iave to lie r. n 93 VI ii '* t?i^ ftfrnmn FRED S TURX 199 yearned for tlie chance of saving liini from just such a disaster as was now upon him. Had Rob started a moment sooner he wouhl have escaped, but in his desperate haste he fell headlong, and the ox bounded directly over his bodv, fortunatelv, without touching him. The other animals were unequal to the drauglit upon their courage, and divergtMl sliarj)ly, some to the right and the rest to the left, circling back over the plateau on whose margin Jack ( .'osgrove and Docak were waiting until they came within certain range. " Fred, fire quick ! my gun's unloaded !" called Rob from where he lav on the e^round ; *' don't wait a secon.d or it'll be too late !" Fred did fire, sending the bullet with such accuracy that it wound up the business. Pre- cisely the same catastrophe, described by the Esquimau to the sailor took place. The ox, coming with such desperate speed, was carried forward bv its own terrific momentum. It may be said that he was dead before he could fall ; he certainly was unconscious of what he was hill . I '' hi AMONG Tin: KSQUIMAl'X 1 II 1 ,. I ri li doing, for he crashed aguiiist the rocks, as if driven from an enormous catapult and then col- hij)sed, in a senseless heap, ^vith his fiat horns smashed and hroken to fragments. Fred Warhurton saw that his " turn " had arrived, and he made the most of it. Kob had been merciless to him, and he was now ready to })ay him off in his own coin. " I wouh^n't lie down there, Kob," he said, gravely, *' for the ground must be cold." " It does seem rather chilly — that's a fact," rei)lied his friend, who, knowing what was com- ina:, ?lowlv climbed to his feet; " I didn't think of that when I lav down." " What made you lie down at all ?" ** You see I noticed that the creature didn't mean to turn about and travel the other way as vours did; there was tlie difference. Then I knew, too, that he must be tired from running so hard, and it struck me as a kind thing to do to serve as a rug or carpet for him." *' You did so, and no mistake. If I'm not in error," continued Fred, with a quizzical expres- n FRED S TUKX 201 sion, " I heard you call out a minute ago some- thing about my hurrying up and firing so as to save vour life." *' I say anythinii: like that! What i>ut such an idea in your head? It must have hi'en the echo of your voice, when you were running" away from the ox that was runninir awiiy from you." And Rob assumed an expression of innocent sur])rise that would have convinced any one else than Fred of his mistake. *' It is singular, but no doubt I am in error," said he, resignedly. *' It nmst have been some one else that sprawled on the ground, and begged me to shoot quick or he was a goner ; it must have been another yauntino- youni:^ num, who looked up so pityingly, and was too scared to try to get on his feet until I shot the ox for him, just as I did the polar bear, Avhen another minute would have finished him ; but I'd like to see that other fellow," added Fred, looking around, as if in quest of him. " I'll help you search," said Rob, in the same serious manner ; " and as soon as I run across ; ; S V '■ Vil I m u ^ rsiRB / f I ' I .'■ J 't u 1 } !*| 202 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX liiin I'll introduce you two. You'll be congenial to each other. Until then suppose we let the matter rest." '* I won't promise that," returned Fred, fol- lowini; up his advantage; " it dej)ends on whether certain other matters are referi'ed to." Rob now lau<']ied outrii»lit and offered his hand, which his friend readily took. The words were uttered hurriedly, for it was hardly the time or place for conversation. The 130[)ping of rifles w^as renewed from another part of the plateau, and several other musk oxen had tumbled to the ground. A half-dozen sur- vivors manasred to i>;et it throuo:h their heads that they had enemies on botli sides, and, seeing an opening, they plunged through it and w^ere seen no more. The boys devoted some minutes to inspecting the two animals that had fallen by the rifle of Fred Warbnrton. They were a couple of the largest specimens of their kind, but the descrip- tion already given renders anything like a repe- tition unnecessary. we ^f iNa w r ; ! >, FRED S TURN 20:] Altliougli it was the favorable season of the year, tlic youths detected a slight musky odor exhaling froui the bodies, which w;is any thing but pleasant. Docak and Jack w^ere observed approaching across the plateau. Both were in high spirits over the success that had marked this essav in liunting the nuisk ox, and the lilsqnimau assured them that des[)ite the odor to which they ob- jected, he would furnish them with one of the best suppers they had ever eaten. The lads, how- ever, could not feel quite assured on that point. It may as well be stated in this [dace that the spot where the animals were shot w^as about thirty miles inland from the home of Doeak, and a great many leagues south of LFpernavik, the most northernmost settlement on the Green- land coast. It is beyond this quaint Arctic town, in the neighborhood of Melville Bay, that the musk ox has his true Jiahliat. There, al- though the animals are diminishing in munber, he may be found by any one who chooses to hunt for him. I' . : a ^ s Ml m. ■■■■,;.. 204 AMONG THE ESQUIiMAUX I • I ' The fact that Docak had met them so far south was extraordniary, and, up to the previous year, he had never known of such a thing, nor did he believe there were any besides tliis par- ticular herd within hundreds of miles of the s[)ot, nor that they were likely ever to be seen there aiiain. It took our friends two days and a part of a night to reach this portion of the Arctic high- lands. They had looked for foxes, reindeer, ptarmigan, hares, and other game on the way, but failed to run across any game until they came upon the musk oxen. Had not the Esqui- mau been thoughtful enough to bring a lunch of cold fish, they WM)uld have suffered from hunger. As it was, all felt the need of food, and the prospect of a dinner upon the game at their feet was inviting, indeed. The Esquimau would not have bothered with the cooking had he been alone, but, out of deference to his friends, he prepared to make a meal accordina; to their tastes. Inasmuch as so much game had been bagged, h if a FRED S TURN 20; they could afford to be clioioe. Tlioy cut tlio tongues from the animals, t()i;etlior with some slices from tlie tenderest [)orti()n of their bodies, and had sufficient to satisfy all their appetites and leave somethin<]j over. No better place for cam[>ing was likely to be found than these hills, but a shelter was desir- able, and Docak set out to lead the wav further arnona; them. His manner showed that he was familiar ^vith the section, for he did not go far before he came upon the very ])laee for which Fred Warburton h)n2;ed when makiu": his des- perate flight from the bull that he supposed was at his heels. It was a cavern among the rocks, as extensive as his own living room at home, and approached by an entrance, which if not so extended as his ow^i entry, was of still less dimensions, causing them to stoop and creep for part of the way. " Me be here 'fore," said he ; " like de place ?" " I should say we did," replied the pleased Kob, echoing the sentiments of his friends; "but we shall need some fuel to cook the food II nvi m 1^'^ 20G AMONCl THE ESQUIMAUX il 1 . Hi t i ^ H^U and keep warm, and wood isn't very abundant in this part of the world." " We git w^ood," was the rather vague reply, whose meaning was not understood until they had penetrated into the eavern, which was lightened by a crevice on one side of the en- trance. This permitted enough daylight to enter to reveal the interior quite j^hunly- It took the boys a few minutes to accustom their eyes to the gloom, but when tliey did so they were no less ^leased than surprised at what they saw. CIIAPTEPv XXIII IX THE CAVKRX That which tlie astonishinl visitors looked upon was a pile of wood at one side (jf the eav- ern big enough to build a roaring fire that would last for hours. Tiiis })laee uuist have formed the headcpiarters of Doeak when indulg- inu: in the occasional hunts that are anvthinu; but poj>ular among the coast natives. The Esquimau did not carry lucifer matches with him, but, on the other hand, he was not forced to use the primitive means common among savages. lie possessed a flint and tinder such as our forefathers used and are still popu- lar in some parts of the world. But Rob and Fred did not exhaust their supply of matches in trying to scorch the bear steak on the iceberg, and when everything was ready to start the blaze they did so with little trouble. The smoke bothered them at first, but 207 L^ M: I n kr 208 AMON(; THE ESQUIMAUX Jl! t ■ 5 it gradiijilly wouiul its way tliroiigh tlie opening, so that breathing beeanie quite comfortable. Docak cooked the tongues with a skill born of long experience. There was just the faintest trace of musk, but not enough to interfere with the vigorous appetites, which could afford to disregard trifles. The meal proved to be what he had promised — one of the most grateful they had ever eaten. There was a good deal left after the supj ^r was finished, and this was laid aside for future contingencies, since the experience of their apjiroach to this spot taught them to be pre- 2)ared for an extended deprivation of food. In- deed, the native Esquimau sometimes goes for days, apparently w^ith no craving in that direc- tion, though it must be there all the same. When he finally secures nourishment, he stuffs prodigiously — so much so indeed that a civil- ized person would die of gluttony. He calmly waits, however, until able to hold a little more, when he resumes cramming the food down his throat, keeping it u}^ until at last he is satisfied. .S*jN,«»*.. t I IN THE CAVEKN 209 Then he sleeps, hour jiftcr liour, aiuljou wakiuu;, is ready to resume his tVii;'hti'nl gormandiziiii;'. i>V the time the meal was liiiislied the hiiiir Aretie niiiht be^aii eh)sin"; in. Lookiui:: throuiih the ereviee on the side, and tiie entrance, they saw tliat the day was fast fading. The air was as elear as eiystal and very eokl. The hoys )iad no extra garments to bring with them, hut iJoeak, desi)ite his eumbrous suit, carried tiie fur of a pohir bear that lie had shot a eoupk' of years before. This was not only warm, but had the advantages over many pelts of being vermin proof. When traveling over the snow Docak had a way of using this extra garment, like a shawl, so that his arms were free. It w^as now spread upon the solid rock, and, though it was not ex- tensive enough to wrap about the forms of the four, it furnished a couch for all, as they lay with their bodies near together, and it was most welcome indeed. It might seem that our friends ran an im|>ru- dent risk in venturing this far from the coast 11 h AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX ^v'jtliout snow-shoes ; for, in the event of a thaw, the work of traveling the thirty miles would tax their enduranee to the utmost. The snow was several feet dee[) on a level, and was di'ifted in places as high as a house. Who could make his way through instead of over this ? iiut all misLiiviniis on that score were ended by Docak telling his friends there would be no thaw for days, weeks, and, perha[)S, not for months. It w^as more likely to be the other way. The surface, as I have intimated, was as easily walked upon as the floor of a house. So long as it remained thus there was no need of snow- shoes or anything like artificial help. The fn-e made it so cheerful and the warmth was so })leasant that it was decided to keep it going for an hour or two, and then let it die out after they fell asleep. There would be consider- able fuel left for morning, and the blaze was not really necessary, unless the weather should take one of those appalling plunges during which a red-hot stove seems to lose ail povrer. ^^ law, tux was iftecl • nded )e 110 t for other easily long sUOW- Lvmtli '.'cp it te out jider- L\s not take 111 ell a IX THE CAVERX 211 As was Docak's custom, when stavins; iu au inclosed place like tliis, he sauiiterod out doors hofore lying down to slumber, in order to take a look at the weather and the surroundiriiis. The life of the Esnulmaux makes them won- derfully skillful readers of Im[)ending chan ii'es ble t or temperature, higii.^ wiiicn are iiivisi others are as intelligible to them as the pages of a printed book to us. The native remained absent a considerable while, until his friends began speculating as to tlie cause. " Maybe he has caught sight of another of those musk oxen, and wants to bring him down," su":«:ested Rob. " There is no call to do that when so many of them lie on the frozen 2;round, where they will keep for months unless the wolves find them." " They'll be pretty certain to do that," con- tinued Hob ; "but then he may have caught siglit of a bull, and both may want to try a race by starting in opposite directions and see- inji which can travel first around the world." HP I I iii; ' I* li I 212 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX 1*11 f "That would be a sight worth seeing," Fred hastened to say, *' unless he fell down and bawled for some one to come to his help, after filing his gun and missing the game by about a rod." tTack Cosgrove looked wonderingly at his young friends, puzzled to know what this curi- ous talk meant. To him there was no sense in it. E-ob and Fred thought they had ventured as far upon forbidden ground as was prudent, so they veered off. While they were talking Docak reappeared. Ilis feet were heard on tiie crust of the snow for several seconds before he was visible, for there was no call to guard against noise. As he straightened up in the cavern he stood a moment without speaking Then, stepping to the wood, he threw a number of sticks on the blaze, causing an illumination that made the in- terior as lio'ht as day. Jack was better acquainted with the native's moods than the boys could be expected to be, and the first sight of the honest fellow's counte- IN THE CAVERN 213 ^.d. 12: to the le in- live's be, Liite- nance by the added light tohl him he was trou- bled over something. Evidently he had made .some unpleasant discovery. " He'll let me know what it is," concluded the sailor, deeming it best not to question him ; ** I can't imagine what would nuike him feel so uneasy, but he's got something on his mind — that's sartin." Docak W'as on the point of speaking more than once, but some impulse led him to close his li[)S at the moment the all-important matter was about to become know^n. He probably would have kept it to himself altogether had not a question of Kob given him an opportunity too inviting to be resisted. *' Which course will we take to-morrow, Do- cak ?" "Dat way — we trabel fast as can, too." The astonishment of the three may be under- stood when they saw him point directly toward his own home — that is, in the direction of the seacoast, and over the course they had just com- pleted. Mlf'r = 1- ■![ |il ^ H 214 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX i- , «.; i; I ,;l 1 Tlieir purpose when tlioy set out was to pene- trate at least double the Jistanee in the interior, and now he declared for a withdrawal. Not only that, but the manner of the native j)roved that lie considered the crisis imminent, and that no time was to be lost in carrying out his unexpected decision. Jack knew him so well that he was right in deciding that his hesitancy of manner was caused by his doubt whether he should insist upon his friends starting at once, or allow them to defer it until morning. "What's the trouble, Docak ?" asked the sailor, now that the subject was broached ; " I never saw you look so scared — " At that moment the dismal cry of a wolf reached their ears, quickly followed by others. The gaunt creatures that seem born ravenously hungry, and always remain so, had scented the rich feast that awaited them on the plateau, and were hurrying thither from all directions. Soon nothing would be left but the bones of the game brought down by the rifles of the hunters. the "I I^^ TITE CAVKRX ', ^ 1 ») Kol. .■„,<] Frcl „,.,(,„,,„ eo„,,,„,,,, „ ^^J^T JincI a fi stand off ;ill t\ at least. aek armed, <^'''vern, and eonid 'c wolves in Greenland f <>'■ a time (( Xo, it isn't that, >) if Jie doesn't choc mnttered tli se to tell Isha'n't 10 sailor; "hut coax Jiim, jy ■Iff I' 9 ■ fU ; It I CHAPTEE XXIV UNWELCOME CALLERS ! -I Within the following fifteen minutes it seemed as if a thonsand wolves had arrived on the plateau, and were fighting, feasting, snarling, and rending the bodies of the musk ^.len to fragments. They w^ere far enough removed from the eavern for the inmates to hear eaeh other readily, while discussing the curious occurrence. The boys could not contein])late a visit from the ravenino; beasts with the indifference of their companions. To them it seemed that the brutes would be rendered ten-told fiercer by their taste of blood, and would not stop until tliev had devoured them. " Do you think they will visit us ?" asked Hob of Docak. The latter was standing in the middle of the 216 UNWELCOME CALLERS 21 cavern, in the attitude of listening. He nuikk'd his liejul, and rej)lied : "Yes — eat ox — den come here." " If that is so 1 ihiidv we ought to jirepare for tliein," suggested Fred, who shared tlie nervous- ness of his friend. " How can we ])repare more than we're prepared now?" asked Jack; "they've got to come in that opening one at a time, and it will be fun for us to set back here and pick 'em off." " Provided thev don't crowd in so fast that we can't do it. »> a With four sfuns, I reckon we oui>hter take care of ourselves h ?> ii Here fire, too," remarked the Esquim au, jerking his head in the direction of the flames. " Ah, I forgot that," said Kob, with a sigh of relief, recallins: the dread which all animals have of fire. Indeed, he felt certain at the mo- ment that the burning wood would prove fur more effective than their weapons in keeping off the wolves. n ! a ,< il :'i 218 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX i' Ji m i ■I . : i % I' ( 1 :l I i 1 1 i ;ili M It would l)c supposed tliat tlie ])odies on tlie plntcMu w('i'(3 enongli to \<.vv[) tlie l)i'utes occupied for 51 loni;- time, jind to aflbrd tlieui a meal suffi- cient to satisfy them for the niirlit; but who ever saw a wolf when not ravenously hungry? Tiiey Jiowled, and snarled, and fought, and pressed arouml the carcasses in such numbers that, when only the bones remained, it may be said that their appetites were but fairly whetted, and they were more eager than ever after addi- tional l)rey. Fully a score, in their keenness of scent, had been quick to strike the trail of the surviving musk oxen that had fled from the hot fire of the hunters. The scent was the more easily followed since a couple of the animals had been wounded, and there can be little doubt that all fell before the ferocity of their assailants, though the musk ox makes a brave fight ere he suc- cumbs to those cowardly creatures. Darting hither and yon, with their pointed snouts skiumiing over the ground, it was not long before several struck the footprints of the ^a.i^« m ^ I UN w i:lc'om i: callers 219 iugh Isac- litecl not the party tliat had taken refuge in tlie eavern. A dozen or, perha[)S, a score woiihl not have dared attack them had they not heen inlhmied by the taste of food ah'eady secure(L As it was, tliey were aroused to that [)oint that they were ready to assail any foe that couhl help to satisfy their voracity. *^ Here they come !" exclaimed Kob Carrol, springing to his feet, with rifle ready. " Yes — (ley come — dat so." While the native was speaking he stood mo- tionless, but with inimitable dexterity brought liis gun to a level, and, apparently \vithout any aim at all, let drive into the pack crowding toward the entrance to the cavern. No aim was necessary, for the wolves pressed so close that no one person could fail to bring down one at least of them. Amid the snarlin«: and orrowlins: ran"; out a single sharp yelp, which proved that some mem- ber of the pack was " hit hard." Wliether struck mortally or not made no difference, for the moment blood appeared upon him his com- 5< ' ^1: ill \ ■; 220 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX -.1 ii rades fell upon him with unsjieakahle ferocity and tore him limb from limb. The shot had the effect, too, of driving them away from the entrance for a brief while, but they s[)eedily returned, crowding so far forward tliat their eyes, lank jaws, and noses showed plainly in the reflection of the firelight. It was evident that the shot of the Esquimau produced no permanent effect iij)on them. It may have been, indeed, that they wished for a second that it might afford them the pretext for feasting uj>on another of their fellow-citizens. But the fire was burning brightly, and they dreaded that. So long as it was going and the hunters kept close to the flame, they were safe against the fangs of the wolves. "That's too good a chance to be lost," re- marked Kob, discharging his rifle among the animals. Fred w^as but a moment behind him, so that two, if not more, of the brutes were slain and afforded an appetizer for the rest. Docak had lost no time in ramming another charge into 1 UN w i: LcoM i: c\ l l i : us 221 i his gun, while Jack Cosgrove hehl his firo, ;is if cx[)ceting some emergency, when a quick shot was likely to be necessary. "It don't strike me as a good thing for ;ill our guns to be empty at the same time," w;is his sensiljle remark, "so s'pose we take turns in bani»;inur into 'em." '* Dat right — dat good," commented the Esquimau, and the boys promised to follow the suii:2;estion. The scene at this time was strikiniij. Lookinjx toward the entrance to the cavern, nothing could be observed but the fronts of the fierce animals, all fighting desperately to get at the opening, all eager beyond expression to reach the serene hunters within, but restrained by the glowing fii'e beyond, to which they dared not go. Quick to note their dread of this element, the boys became more composed, though both could not help thinking how it would be if there were no fire. The fuel if judiciously used was suffi- cient to last until daylight, by which time the courage of the brutes would ooze away to I S! ( 9')0 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX :tl'i(|:i that extent that they would be likely to with- cinnv. l>iit the party could not .s[)eii(l all their time in the cavern, and, if attacked on the open plain, it would reipiii'c the hardest kind of lighting to beat oir t!ieir assailants. " l>ut what is the use of speculating about the future?" Hob asked himself, as, seeing that it was his turn, he drove another bullet among the brutes, doubling u[) one like a jack-knife, while his comrades i)roceeded to ** undouble " him in the usual stvlc *'Suj)[)ose," .• Docak looked at his friend and grinned at lam- as |may left, ;ul|> lick d at UN\Vi:i,(«).HI-: CALLERS 223 tills graphic illustration of the voracity of the lupus specie's. However, it was quite clear that our friends were wastinu: a <»:ood deal ot'ainniuuition, which might be needed hetbrc their return. So they seated themselves on the floor of the cavern near the fire, that was ke[>t going with moderate vigor, and exchanging a few words now and then as the turmoil [)ermitted, they sent a shot into the pack, when some of the foremost ventnred to thrust their snouts too far into the cavern. *' If they only had sense enough to combine into one rusli," said Fred, '' thev could wi ipe us out in a twinklini^. ?) '' That's just what they \vould do if it, wasn't for the fire," was the reply of his friend ; " but it does seem to me that they must get tired after aw hih >> (( I can't detect any signs of it yet. Let me try something." Catching a brand from the fire, Hob whirled it about his head nntil it was fanned into a roar- AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX ing blaze, wlieu he liurled it right among the howling horde. The scampering that followed was laughable. In a second or two not a wolf was visible, and only the smoking torch lay on the ground wdiere it had fallen just outside the entrance. It was expected they would soon return, and some of them did sneak back within a short dis- tance, but the smoldering brand was a terror to them so long as it held any life, and they waited until it was utterly extinguished before ventur- ing closer. Meanwhile, Docak show^ed such disquiet and concern over something else that Jack Cosgrove, well knowing it must be serious, determined to force him to an explanation, for he had i*aeked liis brain in vain to think what grisly dread was looming in front of them. ,? ! J^L the S-,* I > »*. -• ' and here , and t dis- I'or to i^aited nitur- (t and throve, led to lacked id was CHAPTER XXV THE COMIXG SHADOW DocAK, the Esquimau, had no wish to affect any mystery as to the cause of his misgiv- iiis:. He had not mentioned it of his own accord, because he was debating in his mind wliich of two courses to adopt: to remain h^nii-er in the cavern or to set out at once for CD his home on the coast. It may be said that ex- cept for the appearance of the wolves lie woukl have insisted that the start should be nuide without delay, and pushed with the utmost viijfor until tlieir destination was reached. But this was not to be thought of under the circumstances. To venture outside the cavern was to invite an instant attack by the brutes who were in that state that they possessed a darins; foreiij;n to their nature. Docak explained thac an alarming change of weather was at hand. He knew the sions so I -1 r> 'fi tI iKi If 1'^ - il't' ill 1 ;t| f'ui li <\ 15 225 !! ' ! .f :-;■ m\4i ;i!- AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX well tliat there was no mistake on his part. As lie had promised, it was not in the nature of a tliaw or rising temperature, but may be ex- plained by that expressive word with whieh the reader is familiar — blizzard. Whoever has o'onc throuirh one of those friichtful visitations will never for2;et it. That one of a few years ago was so general through- out our country that the memory must remain through life with us. But a blizzard in the Arctic reirions is a ter- ror, indeed. It meant in the present instance a snowstorm that might last for days, a hurricane of wind, and a tem])erature of such fearful cold that would consume almost like fire. With several feet of snow on the surface of that wdiich now covered the ground, and too fine to bear the weight of the lightest animal, with the air white with billions of particles, eddying, Avhirliiiir, and ilvino; hiih(^r and thither, so that one could not see a stcj) in advance — with the ii:;de careerins: like a demon across the snowv wastes — the strongest hunter might well shrink ii.i »i;i '«» ;^r * iii *— w i w i ii . ftwrnrx-' * a ane old c of fine with llrat the 10 wv vink THE COMING SHADOW 227 from attempting a journey one-tenth of that which lay between tliem and tlie coast. Wlien Jack su^'jjrested that Docak miirht be mistaken, he shook his head so decisively that it sent a chill thronii'h the boys, who were watching his dusky countenance and listening to his words. Such a man 8[)oke that whereof he knew. He would hold out hope, if he had justification for doing so, but he saw none. That the blizzard was at hand, that it was al- ready careerinii; frojn the far Xorth and must speedily arriye, was as good as demonstrated. The only chance that Docak saw was that it might prove of shorter duration than he feared. If it should last no more than twelve or possibly twenty-f )ur hours, they might struggle through it, without serious consequences, but if beyond that (as he was almost certain it would be), there was little hope. However, since the}- must stay where they were until the following morning, prej)arations were made for spending the night, which, it will be borne in mind, was by no means as long as I M w^. III l!::il U il : ;ii;: 1 , 1 ' 1 228 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX many wliicli they have at certain seasons in the high hititucles. It was decided that Kob shoukl sit up until midnight and then awake Fred, wlio, after standing guard for several hours, woukl arouse Jack to take c) *;rgc until daylight. Inasmuch as this was the -quimau's own proposition, which, as will be perceived, relieved him of duty for any part of the night, the others under- stood its sio'iiificance. He was reservins: himself for the time when there was likelv to be more urgent need of his services. No comment was made on the fact, and the simple preparations wore quickly finished. Do- cak added a caution to his friends that they should be as sparing as possible in the use of the fuel. They had already consumed a moiety of it, and the approach of the blizzard would render it valuable beyond estimate. Enough only to hold the wolves at a safe distance was to be burned. Thus it came about that an hour later Rob Carrol was the only one a\yake in the cavern. mm m THE COMIXG SHADOW 220 ley of lety )uUl o IS to ern. The others were huddled together on the bear skin, quietly sleeping, while he ke[)t off drowsi- ness by pacing slowly back and forth over the brief space within. " It's getting colder," he said to himself more than once ; " I liad a hope that Docak might be wrong, but he isn't ; we shall catch it within a few hours. This is a bad i^lace to be snowed up." He glanced continually toward the entrance, for he could not forget the wolves which were the indirect cause of their coming peril. They seemed, in spite of the disgusted remarks of Jack, to have become satisfied that nothing w\as to be gained by hovering about the refuge. So many of their comrades had fallen, and the fire burned so persistently, that the others must have felt a certain degree of discouragement. Now and then a howl echoed among the deso- late hills, with a strange power, and was imme- diately answered by scores from as many different points, but there was no such eager crowding as marked the first appearance of the brutes. Rob ,1 r 'IsW I % f V si i I f T. 1 ' i ! '•1 ( , !l ! i! 230 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX glanced repeiitedly at the opening without see- ins: one of thoni. J>iit the vouth was too wise to he cau<2fht off his guard, lie allowed the fire to smolder until the figures of liis friends were oidy harely visible in the gloom, and his own form became shadowy, as it slowly moved back and forth over the floor of the cavern, with his rifle ready for instant use. He heard a soft tip tipping on the snow, and there was no mistakino; its meaninsf. "Tiiey're there," he said, peering outward in the gloom and listening intently, " and are as watchful for a chunce as ever." Turning toward the crevice which admitted light, and was too straight to allow the smallest wolf to pass through, he caught the glow of a pair of eyes. They were motionless, and the wolf evidently was studying the interior with a view of learn- ing the prospect for an excursion within. The temptation to fire was strong, hut the eyes noiselessly vanished before the gun could he broucrht to a level. THE COMIXG SHADOW 231 : a Rob stood intently listening. lie lieard the stealthy footsteps pass along the side of the cav- ern toward the front, and he moved in that direction, but })laced himself at one side, so as to be out of sight of any one looking directly into the mouth, lie had not long to wait, when the same keenness of ear told him that the brute was cautiously entering. The iivc was smolder- ing lower than ever, the brand at the entrance had died out long before, and no one could be seen on guard. The brute must have made up his mind that he had "struck it rich." In his selfishness he did not summon his friends to the feast, but resolved to devour the four persons all by himself, and that, too, after having had his full share of the musk ox and his fallen friends ! There was just enough light in the cavern for Hob to note everything. Being at one side of the entrance, he could not be detected by the sneaking brute, which also was invisible to him. He must come further forward before they could discern each other. The wolf, one of the largest of his sjiecies, .1 -If K m ,! ^ i! (' :;: t h ^^' I ':.■: I'll r I fii ■i I. via m w 232 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX m^ ;'i ,: ' 1 1 1 i ' '* stood just outside with his ears pricked, his head raised, aud his eyes roaming over the inte- rior. Everything looked promising, but he had learned to be suspicious of those bipeds, whose hands were always against them. He stood in this attitude for several minutes, as stationary as if carved in stone. Then he lifted one of his fore-feet, held it suspended, as though he were pointing game, and then ad- vanced a cou[>ie of steps. This brought him far enough into the cavern for the lad to see the end of his nose, but the beast still failed to de- tect that shadow at one side of the entrance that was caliidy awaiting the critical moment. But he saw the dimly outlined forms near the smoldering fire, and licked his chops in antici- pation. Nothing could be more favorable for the grandest feast of his life. At that moment a howl rent the air at no great distance. It must liave startled this prowler, and told him that, if he delayed his meal any longer, he must share it with an un- limited number. THE COMING SHADONV He started on a silent walk, stiaioht for the forms, heedless of the figure that had i)ohited the rifle at him, while he was vet out of sight. All was like the tomh until the gun was fired. Then since the muzzle almost touched the brute, why— enough has been said. UINI H Jit i; I It 1 y 1 'll < 1 r m 1 i ■ 1 1 1 i il- '. lil' ; J ■ , i ' i I ■rln^l' CIIAPTEU XXVI WALLED IX By daybreak, when all the i)ar(y were awake, the blizzard foretold by the native had luUy arrived. It was a terror, iiuh^ed. The cold was fright- ful, and the air outside was white with snow, which was driven horizontally by the hurricane, as thou:lit be less terrific at so slight a distance was incredible, but the Esquimau was positive that it would have been far better had they set out early in the evening. By rapid traveling they might have covered the greater part of the distance before morning, and could have fought the few remainins; miles in the teeth of the cale. But it was equally useless to discuss what WALLFD IN O'^, :)7 aiice few niii^lit have boon. Thov woro imprisonod in tlie cavorn, tliirty milos from siiooor and with no possibility that any friends won hi ever take the ti'oul>le to search for their Ixxlios. All tluT could do was to rely upon Heaven and their own exertions. Without any explanation as to his intentions, and leaving his gun behind him, the native 2^1ungcd through the opening and disappeared in the blizzard outside. Born and reared in Greenland, amid Arctic snows and appalling tempests, the hardy Es- quimau was far better fitted to undergo such trials of endurance than could be any native of a temperate clime. ** Where do you suppose he lias gone ?" asked Rob, won deri ugly. *'I don't know," replied Jack; ** but if he croes far he'll never come back as-ain." " It doesn't seem to me," said Fred, coming to tlie question of the present for the first time, " that the outlook is as bad as he would make us believe.'* I I i 1 1 f I ! y n 1 , s i 1 i: i.; f i it 1 ', i !!! 238 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX " Wliy not ?" ** We liJive enough foot! to last a week or two, or even longer, and the blizzard certainly won't keep il up that long." "Yen can't be sartin about that," said Jack ; "it may last for several weeks, but s'i)Ose it's on]y for tliree or four days, there are two big things that we must face." " What are they ?" " What to do after it stops ; tlie snow w^ill be several feet deep on top of that which is now on the ground ; it will be too fine and soft to bear our weight, and can be traveled over orly with snow- shoes wliicli we haven't o'ot. IIow then are we going to fight our way thirty miles through it?" " It will be a hard job, but no greater than that wliicli many explorers have undergone. With Docak as our guide, I think we can pull throuii'h." *' But what is the other matter you refer to?'' asked Hob. ''This wood w^ill soon go, and then how are we going to keep from freezing to death ?" WALLED IN 239 ''Tf we will huddle together as closely ns we CAUi with the bear-skin wrapped about us 1 tliink we can stand it." " I like the way you cliaps talk," said the sailor, admiringly, *'and if we have to go down we'll do so with colors flying. It's the down- heartedjiess of Docak that knocks me askew ; if he would show a braver front 1 wouhl feel better." ''Possibly he is more hopeful than he pre- tends." " No, he isn't that sort of chap ; he knows better than we just wluit all this means. Whew!" The exclamation w^ns caused by a sudden out- burst that sent the smnv whirling through the opening and the crevice, from wliich the ])ear- 8kin dro[)pe(l, as if struck a Mow fi-om the otlier side. Jack ran forward, picked it ui), and tlirust it back, hardly able to breathe from the fury of the gale in his face. The snow shot through the opening, too, scattering the brands of lire in every direction. m -! iV '; .1^ '-:'. ; 240 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX Had the slielter been anytliing else excepting tlie solid rock that it was, it must have been swept like chaff from its foundations. Tlie explosion, as it may be called, lasted but a minute or so. The boys luistily gathered up the scattered brands and fiin^ina' them to2:ether they were fanned by the tempest into a vigorous flame, whose warmtli, sliglit as it was, was grateful beyond measure to the tliree gathered around it. " Doeak is wrons: in re^rettino' that we did not start last night," said Jack Cosgrove ; "that style of storm is raging at this moment over hundreds of miles, and it would have made short work of us." " What about the ^ Nautilus,' if she is in it?" " She can manage it if she has plenty of sea room, l)ut I hope she is far enough off to dodge this blizzard. She ouglit to be at any rate." The irale did the nartv an unexpected favor. It was a substantial one, too, which they appre- ,i({i^«M>4Mll .>'\.W>y\-!«.'*w'''i*:-"«">« WALLED IN 241 sea ' to any livor. cialed. It drove the snow ao-ainst the trouble- some crevice with such fury that it quickly formed a solid bank, extending far above it. This ended the drifting of the particles inside and protected them from the cutting wind. At the same time it did something of the same nature with the entrance, where it soon became banked to that extent that little blew within, and the gale hardly disturbed them. Seeing what had taken jdace, Jack withdrew the bearskin from where it had been stuffed into the opening and spread it in the farthermost corner of the cavern. "Come, my hearties," said be, cheerfully, *' we've 2:ot nothin«; to do but to make ourselves comfortable. We won't burn any more wood till Docak comes back." They huddled together, and, though the cold nuide their teeth chatter and their bodies shiver, they found considerable relief and were willing to hope on. They could feel no anxiety about the absent native. It was certain he would not go far IG m4 >! ai i Tif nt u\ s> il: '■'■'iX • .i5'ii 242 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX enough from the cavern to endanger his safety or to imjieril his return. Some defniite object must have led him forth. " I wonder if it is for food," suggested Fj'ed. *' No ; for there's no possibility that the Avolves left anything," replied Hob; ''and then, too, Ave have enouodi to last a oood while." At that moment there was a flurry at the entrance and the Esquimau, resembling a snow man, stooped and pushed his Avay in. Enterino', he fluns; a half-dozen small sticks upon the tiny pile at the side of the cavern. He had gone forth in quest of fuel and was able to secure only that miserable supply, really not worth takino; into account. CHAPTEE XXVII " COME OX !" The Esquimau's depression continued. After flinging down the few bits of wood he looked across the cavern to where the friends were hud- dled together, but did not speak. Then he glanced at the crevice, now so completely blocked with snow that they were protected against any more drifting in upon them. The three respected his silence, and lield their peace. He stood a minute or two, looking gloomily into the fire, which he replenished, partly from the scant supply he had brought. While it was gaining strength he drew his knife, deftly cut a number of pieces from the frozen body of the wolf, and proceeded to cook them over the blaze. Had he been alone he would have devoured them raw, but he knew the sentiments of his companions. " Well, Docak," said Jack, feeling that the 243 1 i ■:' f If i l\ 'X'.' i ' ' hi 1' ;: I ,tlii! jV i lit ^ I ( ii; 244 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX silence ought not to continue, " it looks as if we are in for a long stay. We shall have enough to keep us alive a good while, and, when you're ready, you can come and snuggle down beside us. j> "Not now," he replied, continuing his culi- nary work, with what seemed a wasteful disre- gard of fuel until he was through. When nothing more remained worth attention he held up a piece, considerably scorched, and, looking at the others, asked : " Eat now ?" " No ; we'll wait till morning," replied Kob, speaking for the rest. " All right." But he was not disposed to wait if they were. He made quite a meal, with as much evident enjoyment as if it had been upon the choicest part of the musk ox. He took care, however, to leave a good supply against the "rainy day" that he felt no doubt would come to them all. The dismal day wore sloAvly away, and with a feeling of unutteiable loneliness they saw the " COME ON !" 245 f we aigh Hi're ide culi- lisre- ntion , and, Eob, were, ident oicest er, to day " all. with Iw the second night of their enforced stay in tlie cnv- ern close around them. The cold seemed to intensify with the approach of darkness, and the supply of wood had grown so slight that the warmth was barely perceptible. The blizzard raged with unabnted fury. The gale shrieked around the rocks, the blinding snow whirled and eddied until it seemed that it must bury them out of sight, and the outlook was woeful enough to chill tlie bravest heart. The three in the corner adhered to their resolu- tion not to eat any of the food prepared before the morrow. Thev miiiht need it then to aid their systems in withstanding the terrific strain, but, as in the case of the bear on the iceberg, it must be the last resort. The Esquimau declined their invitation to join them in the corner. lie was thickly clad, and was so accustomed to the ri2:ors of the Arc- tic winter that he needed no such help. He seated himself near by, and talked a little, until, at a late hour, troubled sleep settled over all. A gleam of hope came with the break of day. I i i :iiil :'fl i i : i r',1 ■ l!' til 24G AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX ■ Ji ,'^! l?h i <:■ !:i| Hht Docak was the first to awake, and, without dis- turbing the others, he forced his way through tlie entrance and took a survey of the weather and his surroundings. The blizzard was over. The fall of snow had ceased, little wind was stirring, but the cold was terrible. Toughened as he w^as, he shrank when first exposed to it. The party had been walled in so tightly that the warmth of their bodies was of more help than would be suspected. Quick to note the change in the weather the native studied tlie sky with its numerous signs in the effort to learn what was likely to come in the near future. Great as was his skill at this it was now taxed to the utmost. The sun was not visible, and the difficulty became the greater ; but he tarried until he had perfected his theory. The discoura^'insf feature which the native saw about the matter w^as that the blizzard had ceased for a time only. He believed it w^ould soon resume its fury, fully as great, if not greater than before, and it might continue for days and the "come on !" LM' possibly weeks. If, wlion tliat time .slioulJ come, it foniul tliein in tlio cavern tliev were doomed beyond the 2)owcr of mortal man to save themselves. But the prospect was equally hopeless, if the lull lasted only a few hours, for, when it should break forth again it would overtake them in the open plain (provided they made the start he had in mind), where no screen against its re- sistless power could be secured. It should be understood that Docak',^ solicitude was on account of his friends. Had he been alone he would not have liesitated to set out for the coast, and with every reason, too, to believe he could make it, even, if the battle of the ele- ments were renewed when but a small part of the wav thither. But he had three others in charge, and it was hard to decide whether to urge them to make the attempt now or wait awhile, in the hope that he could settle with certainty the extent of the cessation of the blizzard. The additional snow was between two and ii n I'M •yi] M 1 'S I i!* i (! • J \4 < If r'ljM I n; . it I i.!l;:n ' 1 r !l: 248 AMOXa THK KSQUIMAL'X three feet deep, where it liad not been drifted by the gale. AVith the help of snow-shoes it woukl have been an easy matter to skun over it, but there were no snow-shoes to be had, as has been shown, the new fall w^as of such fine char- acter that they would sink its full depth when essaying to walk upon it. When he turned about and re-entered the cavern his friends were astir. Their appetites had assumed that edge that they eagerly at- tacked some of the meat prepared the night before. The few embers had been stirred into a sickly blaze, but not another stick remained. The warmth was only perceptible when the chilled hands were held almost against it. The Esquimau smiled grimly Avlien he saw what they were doing, but with the reticence that had marked his course since refuge was taken in the cavern, he held his peace. Jack greeted him pleasantly, and he nodded in return, and then again passed outside. The sailor and lads had peeped after him, and discovered that the fall of snow was over, and " COME ON !" L^ll) tlie wind was not Llowins;. This 2:avo thorn considerable hope, inasuuich as they were un- able to read its full nieanini;' like the native. " It's easy enough to see what he has on his mind," remarked Jack. "What is it?" queried Kob. " He is considering whether we shall make a start now for the coast or wait awhih^ lon2;er." '* What's the use of waiting," asked Rob, " wdien it can't be any better and may grow worse? Tlie snow that has fallen will stay where it is for months, so we can gain nothing there. I'm in favor of starting for home while it is yet morning." " That's the way it strikes me, but he'll make up his mind, and whatever he says we'll do. He isn't in the mood to take any advice from us ; I never seed him so glum before." *' We're quite w^ll protected," added Fred, wdio was eager to be off if that should be the decision ; " we have the thickest kind of cloth- ing, heavy shoes, and warm undergarments. Then we mustn't forget that when w^e start through the snow the labor will help to warm r '! " -I i 1 1 I m ■■ 5f '^ : I ill!' 'm < .» ! It V .<■ ■ ■ 2oO AMONG Tin: KSC^UIMACX 'ii '.t i \ • ■i ! ^i''1 US. Fact is, I doii't uiulcrsUiiid why Docak liesitaU's." The Esqiiiiiiaii used less time tliau they su[)- posed in reaching his couchisiou. But, with a view of giving hiui a hint of their wishes. Jack and the boys prepared themselves as if it had been settled that they should venture at ouec upon the perilous attempt. They carefully adjusted their clothing, tying the lower parts of their trousers about their ankles, so as to keep out the snow, buttoned their heavy coats to their chins, pulled up the collars more care- fully, and fixed their caj^s in place, though all this had been done to a certain extent before. When nothing remained they ranged them- selves in a row beside the entrance and awaited the appearance of their guide. He came in the course of a few minutes. He started slightly when he read the meaning of it all. " AVe're ready," said Jack, with a smile. ** All right — we go — foller me — come on !" and he led the way out, and they turned their backs on the cavern forever. m ;i r\ CIIArTEPv XXVIII A IIOPELKSS TASK 'ii'i I i. ! .Ill litcd He i>> A FEARFUL task Confronted the little party. Thirty miles of snow, several feet deep, lay between them and their only haven of refnge, and they were without sled or snow-shoe. If they succeeded in their prodigious task, it nuist be done by sheer strength and the power of continued desperation. But, with compressed lips and the resolution to do or die, they bent to the work without faltering. The Esquimau naturally took the lead to l)reak the w^ay so far as he could ; Jack Cos- grove came next, then Hob Carrol, while Fred Warburton brought up the rear. The first move that the native made proved he w^as a veteran. He plunged in, following the decline down to the plateau, which was the scene of their adventures two days before. He 251 ,ii 'f'l ■;'/ ii ll-' 'i ' m 252 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX ! 1 I I; II Avalked like one avIio liml only an ordinary tramp before him. In truth, he could have gone faster and done better, but he accommo- dated himself to his friends, to whom the labor was new and trying to a degree. None spoke for a long time. It requires stren2;tli to do even so slight a thinoi: as that, and no one had an ounce to spare. The ques- tion that was uppermost in the minds of tlie three was whether they would be able to hold out to the end. *' I don't see why we can't," reflected Fred, who, being at the rear, had an easier task than any of the others ; " it would be well enough if we had snow-shoes, but neither Jack nor Rob nor I can use them, and we would flounder around a good deal w^orse than we are doing now and likely enough wouldn't get ahead at all." The meditations of Eob Carrol were of a similar strain. *' I've seen better fun than this, but it beats staying in the cavern and freezing to death on it^mfSffKam*»iimmrimmifi^fini\i^ i£K»J>l«W^*W''' »4M«^.»--^''»^fM°t'< ^] A HOPELESS TASK 253 ':l:fi J !.r mary have mmo- labor quires 1 that, ques- 3f tlie ) hold Fred, than agh if Rob under I doing ?ad at of a beats Ith on wolf steak. I believe I'm strons; enouo-h to see the business through ; I hope Fred won't give out, for he isn't as strong as Jack and I. 1 be- lieve Docak enjoys it. Gracious ! if I ever live to get out of this outlandish country, I'll never set foot in it arain. I haven't lost anv North Pole, and those that think they have can do their own hunling for it.'* The sun still remained obscured, and the wonder of the three w^as how their guide kept his beariniis, after debouchins; from the hii»:li- lands and entering upon the broad, undulating j)lain which stretched away to Davis Strait and Baffin's Bay. There was no misgiving, how- ever, in that respect. Docak could not go astray, or, at least, if there was any likelihood of his doing so, not one of his friends was able to help him. As the boys had anticipated, the labor of walk- ing in this difficult fashion soon generated a warmth in their bodies that was a vast comfort, after sitting benumbed and shivering so long in the cavern. Despite the extreme cold they felt lii •^''4'M i 1 ^I'll 2o4 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX "« : i '? •■:,! Ii!^i u\ n „i ■<' no (ILscomfoi't, for the air was quite dry, and less ti'yiiig, therefore, than a damp atmosphere wouhl liave been, even though twenty-five degrees hiij;her. But it is in sucli an Aretic climate that one can have his limhs or a portion of his body hopelessly frozen without suspecting it. All were so effectually protected that only a small jiortion of their faces, their eyes, and tips of their noses were exposed. The bearskin, which has been referred to as belonging to Docak, was carried by him after his usual manner. He would have offered it to liis friends in turn, had lie not known that it would soon have become a burden which he could carry better than they. Jack, who trod close on the heels of the Es- quimau, was admiring the sturdy manner in wdiich he plowed through the snow, his labor being much greater than any one of those who followed him, when the native turned his head and scanned his face with curious intensity. Pausing for the moment in his labor, he leaned mmmm ---!----*|.| A HOPELESS TASK 23o bEs- r in labor who head sity. aned to one side, and did the same to tlie others. His act was all the more siniinlar since he did not speak. The lads smiled under their licad- eoverings, hut their faces were so wrapped up that the relaxation of the featuj'cs could not be perceived. " I wonder why he did that," thought all three. "The chap has been acting curious ever since this tronble began," continued the sailor, *'and I wouldn't b? 'sprised if he's just a little off." " Can it be," asked Rob, following np a whimsical idea, " that he fears we aren't our- selves ? lie has started out to take us to the seacoast, and doesn't mean that anybody else shall rope himself in on him. I guess he's satis- fied, though we're so covered up that our nearest friends wouldn't know us." For fully an hour the party toiled on, and all, with the exception of the leader, began to feel the effects of the severe exertion. Still, no one protested or asked for rest ; each determined iVi V,' I !'■ 256 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX flM^'- 1 ( 'ii\ < iiH I il to keep it up, if possible, until the leader cliose to halt. Bat Docak did not forget them. At the end of the time named he turned about, and, with something of his old pleasantry, said : '^ Much tired — wait while — den go on." Each of the boys longed to ask him what he thought of the prospect of getting through, but forebore, recalling his moodiness, which might be still upon him despite his present manner. *' I think we're doing quite well, Docak," said Jack ; *' it's a little hard, but we can take a breathing spell now and then, and keep at it till we strike your home." Had the Esquimau made any response to this half-inquiring remark the sailor would have followed it up, but he did not. On the con- trary, he was busy studying the sky and the surrounding landscape, doubtless with a view of determining what weather changes im- pended. The others did the same, but though Jack had learned a srood deal of the science at sea he lack he A HOPELESS TASK 257 was now at a loss. The dull, leaden sky, so ob- scured that it was impossible to tell in what })art of the heavens the sun was, told him nothing beyond the fact that more snow was likely to fall before many hours. As the best thing that could be done, the friends studied the actions of the Esquimau. The result of his survey was not satisfactory — that was clear. lie shook his head and mut- tered something in his own language, which had anything but a pleasant effect on the others. The scene was one of utter loneliness and desolation. North, east, south, and west stretched the snowy plain, unrelieved by tree, house, or sign of a living creature. Far up in the sky sounded the honk of some wild fowl, and, look- ing al(>i't, a line of black specks could he seen, sailing swiftly southward through space, as if to escaj)e the Arctic cold that would soon smother everything in its icy embrace. The rest was barely ten minutes, when Docak, looking at his companions, a " Be rested ? We go on ?' 17 ay in this kind of business." The Esquimau bent to his work, as if striving for a wnger. lie had a way not only of step- ping down in the soft snow, but of shoving it partly aside from his path. It would have been the severest kind of labor for any else, and it is hard to understand how he mann2:ed it so well. It was a great help to the one immediately be- hind him. Jack would have been glad to lighten the task for the boys, but that was out of his power, and he wasted no strength in the attempt. The jiarty was becoming accustomed to the work. That the guide was aware of this was proven when he kept at it fully twice as long as before. They were going slowly — very slowly — but there was comfort in the consciousness that every step taken was toward safety, and the IttWaWiMBttea^ get ■tasaaiubL^^iM A HOPELESS TASK 259 task before tliem was lessened, even to that small extent. At the moment the boys were beginning to think it about time another halt was caHed, Docak stopped in his former abrupt way, and,' leaning to one side, peered into each face in' turn. Something in Fred's appearance caught his attention, and, with an exclamation, he sprang out of the path, and hurried back to where the lad stood, wondering what was the matter with the fellow. ^mrn u>^ m : !■! ■'l i I % i ff tTT' CHAPTER XXIX TEN MILES it * : ! > ! ;i DocAK, when flurried, generally forgot his broken English, and spoke in his own tongue. Before Fred could divine his intention he had slipped off one of his mittens, grasped a hand- ful of snow, and throwing one arm about the boy's neck, began rubbing his nose as though he meant to rub it out of existence. The watchful native was on the watch for the first siscn of freezins; in the case of his com- jianions, and, discovering that the youngest member was becoming a victim without himself or friends suspecting it, he resorted to heroic measures, with no unnecessary delay. Fred understood what it all meant, and, like the sensible boy he was, submitted with good grace, though the vigorous handling to wliicli that organ was subjected made it hard for him to keep from protesting. Not only that, but, 2G0 e' f I ' TEN MILES 201 t his ngue. ; had land- it the loiigh 31' the coin- mgest niself lieroic like o'ood ^vhich ir him L hut, when the Esquimau, pausing to inspect his work, said : "All right," Fred thanked him. Jack and Roh, who looked grinningly on, while the perforjuance lasted, now asked Docak whether they were in need of a similar manipu- lation. He took another look at the faces, and gave Rob's a slight rubbing, but said nothing more was needed. It was a piece of thoughtfulness on the part of the native, for which he deserved to receive gratitude. But for him Fred Warburton, and probably the others, would have suffered in- juries from which they never could have re- covered. Having rested but a brief while, Docak moved on, and the dismal procession wound its way slowly through the snow, which clogged their feet and obstructed their path to that extent that more than once the hardy guide had to come to a full halt that he might decide in what way to flank the obstacle. The blizzard had played fantastic tricks with 1 ? ■I m ta i iM : i;i 1 I HI fiM 2G2 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX , I- ;}: I i 1'-^ 1 1' tlie snow. In many places it was drifted to a depth of six or eight feet, through which, as may he supposed, it was the severest lahor to force a l)ath. In otliers, again, it had swe])t the crust entirely clear of the new layer, so that they walked as easily as when making their way from the coast. Unfortunately, these hare places, as they may he called, were not only few and far apart, hut of such slight extent that their aid counted for little. There is nothing more cheering than the cer- tainty that we are approaching our goal, even though the rate of progress is more tardy than we wish. As the afternoon drew to a close Fred was positive they had made fully twenty miles. Koh believed it was more, but, to be on the safe side, fell in with his friend's figures. When Jack was appealed to he declined to hazard a guess, saying he preferred to wait till the halt for the night, when he would leave it to Docak. '* He'll tell you within a quarter of a mile," added the sailor, *' and he won't make a mis- take. I can let you know one thing, howsum- iiitSKMA' ''^'ff't^ MWM»M«J|M die;' niis- >um- TEX MILES 203 ever, my licurtios, and tluit is tliat you'll liiid it a good deal less than you think." *' I don't know about that," said Rob ; " Fred and I have calculated the matter pretty closely." "You may think so, but you liaven't. We have worked hard enough to tramp a hundred miles, but we haven't been able to use it in the best way." Another fact, which might mean a good deal or little, was that a marked moderation in the temperature took place in tlie course of the afternoon. What this portended was left to the Esquimau to determine. Toiling through the snow was not favorable to conversation, and it was dropped. With only short halts the party pushed on- ward, until night began settling over the dreary landscape. They would have kept on had not the darkness been impenetrable. The sun had not shown itself during the day, and the ob- scurity was so dense that not a solitary star twinkled overhead. " Besides," as the boys concluded, " the rest < il '1 'V ■IE ' ' ',:l ; 1 204 AM()X(; THE ESQUIMAUX of the (listanco is so brief tlial we can afford to leave it until morning, by which time we will be fully rested. Inasmueh as it is necessary to ])ass a night on the road, one s})ot is as good as another." Camping at such times is sim})le. They were in the middle of a snowy waste, without tree or rock to shelter. Starting a fire, of course, was out of the question. A slight wind was blow- ing, and though less rigorous than that of the preceding night, it was necessary to jirotect themselves from its force while they Avere idle. For a few minutes Docak acted like a man seized Avith convulsions or the St. Vitus' dance. He lea^ied about, kicked, and swung his arms, the snow flying in a storm from him, until, at the end of a few minutes, he had scooped out a bowl-like space, large enough to hold the party. In doing this he cleared the way down to the low^r crust only, which was strong enough to bear their weight. To have dug to the ground w^ould have been too laborious, and no special advantage was to be gained by doing so. 'm TKX MILFS 2(1') Tlii.s C()in[)lete(l, he eareriiUy spread liIs ])L'ar- skiii on the luird siirtaee, and the lour seated themselves baek to buck. They had cami)ed for the niiiht. The discomforts of this primitive method were less than would be supposed. There is warmth in snow, as you are well aware, cold being a negative existence, and, so long as they were below the surface, they could not be reached by the wind that swept across the dismal waste. Then, too, the cliange in the tem})erature was in the right direction as affecting their comfort, so there was little fear of sufferinii; before mornin<»;. When they were adjusted for the night, Hob asked the question of Docak which had been in his mind for hours : " How far have we got toward home ?'* Fred was confident the answer would be twenty miles ; while Rob was quite hopeful it would be more. Judge, therefore, their con- sternation when the reply struck their ears : " Purty near ten mile — not quite — purty near. >j ' Wi ' n ih, r Ji i ^'h iM ■ ' ki^ I '* '; * A m ill ! I rif 1 I 4 1 < ' 1 ; *'i If ! ; I i; i I ■ui i IN t4 l{ 1 1 ! '■< I'' :1: ' il ''I ■ Mi pn 2GG AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX The hopes of the boys sank to zero. Jack, knowing tliey had placed their estimate too high, still believed it greater than was the fact. Ten miles ! Barely a third of the distance between the cavern and the first place that could ojRer refuge. They had used a day in advancing thus far. At that rate two more days, and jiossibly nights, remained ere the terrible task would be ended. Tliev had eaten the last mouthful before start- ing, leaving behind some food which they might have brought, but which was not deemed neces- sary. It was not the prospect of hunger that ap- palled them. In such a severe climate they could go a couple of days without food, and not suffer greatly, though the draught upon their strength would be trying to the last degree. The great question w^as whether the task they had essayed was a possible one. Kecalling the terrific exertions of the day, their exhaustion, and the repeated rests that were necessary, they might w^ell doubt their ability, though it need ii mn-.-jii)]j. i %u i . r'H^i TEN MILES 2G7 Llicy the :ion, Dhey leed not be said there was no thought of giving up so Ions; as life and strength hekl out. "Ten miles," repeated Fred Warburton ; "are the Esquimau miles the same as our English, or aren't they double tlieir length?" " I don't know about that," said Kob ; " they must get their ideas from the Danes, who have a system of measurement different from ours, but it don't matter in this instance." '' Why not ?" " When we set out, and after reaching the hills, Uocak told us we were thirty miles from home ; he tells us now that we ai'e ten miles less." "Not quite ten mile — purty near," inter- rupted the native. " Well, calling it ten miles, we have come about one-third of the way to the coast. No matter what system of measurement is followed we can't figure out that we have gone further than that." " And not quite that far," suggested Jack, who was not less disappointed than they, but was quicker to rally. fi- . ]l ■M (I )! 1 , i ■ ■ J * i: :(;'i 1 , If p- i II I : ; '. t 208 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX " It isn't the thing calculated to make a chap feel good to learn a thing like that," he added ; " hut all we've got to do is to huckle down to it and we'll get there one of these days, with fair sailing and no more squalls.'* " It is those squalls or hlizzards. Jack, that are the real dan^rer before us." It was Rob who made this remark, and his friends knew he spoke the truth. i - ; chap Ided ; I to it li fair , that 1 his CHAPTER XXX THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort he- cause of the cold, gradually sank into uncon- sciousness. Just before slumber weiglied down their eye- lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain. All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels. Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make. Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammu- nition ; they could fight as well there as in any other place. Docak showed no trepidation of voice and manner, and his coolness had a good effect upon 2G!j mm i,|l 1 rt 1i c. 1-J: ii'v! bll 'i f n \\ !l 1 1 ( ■J ■ hi H,. 5f '.■I . I ! ^ 3^( HiHii ; 1 1^? : 270 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX the otliers. They were sure that, if there was aiiv cause for ahirm, he would feel it. Tliis coufidence proved well placed ; for that single cry was all that reached their ears. They slej)t, and were not molested. But sometime durins; the nis-ht the fine snow began sifting downward, falling so gently that even the Esquimau was not diisturbed. Through tlie long gloomy hours it silently descended, un- til when the dayliij-ht stole over the desolate plain, fully six inches had been added to the mass that covered the earth Ion a; before. Sitting nearly upright and back to back, the pressure upon the sleepers was so slight and gradual that no discomfort resulted. All w^ere so worn out that their slumber wns j^rofound, doubtless lasting as long as it would have done had no such snowfall taken place. It was Jack Cosgrove who first opened his eyes, and his amazement may be imagined when he was their laps buried out of sight, only the outlines of their limbs showing, while head and shoulders were weighted down with the feathery mass. Is ;i»a«s»'«iSiWi.'i« sMKri»«ra.-w«. tnw* .-*. THE LAST PAUSE 271 was , the and were •iind, Idone ^yes, was ?s of Iders " By the great liorned spoon !" lie called, shakhig himself free and rising to his feet, with such a flurry that the others were aroused ; " wake up, for we're all snowed under, and, if we wait a few minutes longer, we'll be buried clean out of si^ht." "What's the matter?" called Pvob, being tho next to climb to his feet : '' has the snow tundjled O'J in on us ? "Yes; and more of it is tumbling every minute." Doeak was astonished that he had not been the first to awake, for his mind was ])urdened with anxiety for the rest. He for2:ot that, inas- much as his labors had been far greater than theirs, his weariness of body was in more need of rest. " What time be it ?" he asked of the bovs. who carried watches. The answer showed that day had dawned moi*e than two hours before. He sii»:hed at the knowledge of the prwious time wasted. Harder work than ever wjvs U^fore them, and when night ■' m till m .■p ]''■ i f ( t . ( 272 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX came again they miglit count themselves fortu- nate if one-half the remaining distance was accomplished. Kising to their feet, with their heads above the surface, they found the snow falling so fast that they could not see fifty feet in any direc- tion. *' IIow can Docak keep his hcariugs ?" asked Koh, in a low voice, of the others, when the native, walking a few feet, paused and looked earnestly about him. " It doesn't seem to me that it is any harder for him to do so than it w^as yesterday when there was no snow falling." *' There is a bis; difference. We couldn't have done any better in the one case than the other, but he could see the sky. He knew where the sun was, though we did not; and there must have been somethin2i: in the looks of the laud- scape to help, but there is none of that now." " I can give you the right answer to Fred's question," said Jack, in the same guarded undertone. .aitey.^A'iia»«g«BaMffla«saBmB^ Tin: LAST PAUSE 273 fortu- e WMs above 30 fast dircc- asked n the ooked larder when liave other, :; the iiiiist hiiid- iv." ^ re( I s " What is it ?" *' When you ask wlietlier Docak can keep tlie p'ints of the compass in his mind, and make sure that he is heading straight for home, the real answer is — he can't." Tiiere couhl be no denying that the sailor spoke the truth. The native, like the Indians further south, may have possessed a subtle skill in the res[)ect named beyond the comprehen- sion of his more civilized neighbors, but, in all cases, there is a limit to such abilitv. Where there is nothini>; to afford ii'uide or clue no livins: man can walk in a straifrht line — hour after hour, or hold his way undeviatingly toward a fixed 2^oint of the compass. But, admitting this unquestioned truth, noth- ins; w^as more self-evident than that it was sure death to stay where they were ; tJie one and only thing left to them Avas to push on while the opportunity was theirs. Tlie Esquimau w^as a man of deeds rather than w'ords. lie showed no disposition to dis- cuss tlie situation, and, beyond a few insignifi- 18 ] : i'l ii; 280 AMONTJ THE ESQUIMAUX y I yanked DocmIc to Ills fcot, aniit the native, instead of movini; ol!', stood Avitli his head hent and his ears bared in the attitnde of intense attention. Tliev indi!;ed tliat he was strivinijj to catch a sound of the ocean. ]>nt he was not. Truth to tell, Docak had detected another sound of a totally diiferent chanicter, hut far more impoi'tant than the hollow roar of the far- away Arctic ISea. I J (4iAPTi:u xxxir a Tin: WILD Mi:\ or (;ui:i:xLAxn A siiAi:i» bark broke the stillness, ;i |Hruliar cry followed, and the ;i, out iVoiii the swirl and iliirry of the edd vlni; snow, eanie a s(rin<'- of Ks(jninian doi;-s, Thei-o were six con[)le.s fas- tened to a rude sh^-h, and at the side of the frisky animals sknrried one of the wild men of Greenland on snow-shoes, and with a whip in liand having a short stoek and a very hju'*- lash. Directly beliind liiin followed two similar teams, and then a fourth cnieroed witli seven spans of dogs. There was a driver to eacli, and the sleighs were loaded with ])elts intended for the nearest settlement. Not one of the Esqui- maux was riding, though it was their eustom to do so for a goodly portion of the way. This singular collection of men and animals were approaching in a line that would have 287 ii r 288 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX carried tlieiii right over tlie amazed party that were about to start on their hopeless attempt to reach the sea coast, had they not veered to one side. AVhen the foremost driver discerned the four figures tlirough the snow he emitted a sharp cry, not dissimilar to that of his own dogs, and the obedient animals halted. The others did the same, and in a few minutes the four teams, with their drivers, were ranged about the others. These individuals were genuine Esquimaux, the real wild men of Greenland. Their homes were far in the interior, and only at rare inter- vals did they venture forth with their dogs and sleighs to tlie coast settlements, where thev were welcome, for they never failed to bring a good supply of peltries with them, for which they found ready barter among the agents of the Danish government. There was no mixed blood among these Esqui- maux. They were copper-colored, short, of stocky build, and with more muscular devclop- ;| TllK WILD MKX OF GRKKXLAXI) 2m ty that nipt to to one le four sliarp s, and ^s did teams, t the naux, lonies inter- s and were good they f the 5qui- , of !lop- nieiit in the lower limbs than is seen amoiiir the coast natives. The latter, giving most of their time to fishing and the use of the paddle, linve powerful arms and shoulders, but as a rule are weak iu the le^-s. Tliey were warmly clad iu furs, their heads being covered with hoods similar to that worn by Docak, but there was nothing in the nature of the dress ornamentation which he dis- plnyed. None of the party (?ould Sj)eak English, but that made no difference, since Docak understood their curious gibberish. An animated conver- sation began at once between him and the four, who gathered about liim while Jack and the boys stood silently listening and looking upon the singular scene. What the guide said was in the nature of '' business." They had talked but a short while when one of the wild men went to his sleioh and brought forth a big piece of cooked reindeer meat, evidently a part of their own liberal supply of provisions, and offered it to Jack. The latter 10 290 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX fl i accepted with tlKinks, shown more phiiiily hy manner than his words. And didn't those three feUows have a feast, with Docak himself as a participant? You need to be tokl no more on tliat point. The guide, after the brisk interview, ex- phuned the meaning of the conversation to his friends. The Esquimaux were on their way to Ivigtut, some forty miles in a soutlnvest direction. They had come a long w^ay from the interior, having been three days on the road, and it was their intention to push matters so vigorously that they would reach the famous mining town that night. But, best of all, they agreed to carry the three whites as passengers. They could be Htowed in the sleighs among the peltries, as the drivers were accustomed to do at times, though they were capable of keeping pace with the dogs hour after hour without fatigue. They w^ould do so now^ on their snow-shoes, and the three could ride all the wtiy to Ivigtut. THE WILD MEX OF GREEXLAXD 201 lie It meant the rescue and salvation of the party, who were in the uttermost depths of (k^spair hut a few minutes hefore, and tears of tliankfuhiess came to tlie eyes of all three. '' We haven't much money with us," said Roh, addressing Docak, ''hut we will pay them as wxll as we can wlien we reaeli Ivi<»-tut " *' Don't want mueh," replied tlie 7 I blizzard nnd snow storm tliat Imd coine so near destroying oui- friends (juieivly made itself ap- parent, and raised their hopes to the highest point. The fall of snow decreased until at the end of half an hour not an eddying flake was in the air. The sun, after struggling awhile, n^anaged to show itself, and the ghire of the excessively white surface fairly blinded the ])assengei's lor a time. They noticed, however, that the depth of the last fall contiimed to grow less, until to their unbounded amazement and relief it disaj)- peared altogether. They struck the hard sur- face, which was like a smooth floor, and capable of bearing ten times the weight of the sleiiihs without yielding. This proved that the blizzard was of less ex- tent than supposed. The wild men more than likely were beyond its reach, while Docak and his companions were caught in its very centre. Its fury extended southward but a short wav, and the party had now crossed the line. The country before them was like that over which It ! M}^ ' i\ V. 2U8 AMONG THE KSt^UIMAUX Jack and tlic boys set out to prosecute their liuut for game. Tlic travelers were like athletes, who, cincrg- ini>; from a struo'a-le with the an<>rv waters, lliul themselves on solid laud, free to run and leai)to their heart's content. They had shaken oil* the incnbus, and now sped forward with renewed speed and ease. The small feet of the dogs sli[)ped occasionally, but they readily secured enough grip, and the sleighs, hardly scratching the frozen surface, required but a fractional part of their stren2;th. Several uttered their odd barks of pleasure, at finding their labor so sud- denly turned into what might be called a frolic. But the wild men were a source of never- ending W'Onder to the whites. They sped for- ward through the soft snow, with no more ap- parent effort than the skilled skater puts forth, and when they struck the smooth surface, they became more like skaters than snow^-shoe trav- elers. They cracked their whips about the ears of the dogs, called sharply, and made them yelp (logs Tin: WILD Mi:x of ciiii:i:xhAxn from tlic stinging l)itos of tlio wliips liamllcd with a dexterity that wonKl have llieked oil' a lly from the front dog's ears, had there been one there. (If we were not o[)[)Osed to all forms of slang, we would be tempted to say just here that there are no flies on the Es(juimaux canines.) The brutes were (juiek to respond, and gid- loped swiftly with their drivers skimming by their side, holding them to the task by their continued orders and cracking (jf whips. They gave no more attention to the passengers than if they wei'e not present. The latter were delighted, for there was every reason why they should be. Their lindjs still ached from the severe exertion through which they had gone, and the sensation of being wrapped about with furs and fixed in a comfort- able seat was pleasant of itself Then to know that they were speeding toward safety — what more could be asked ? The sleigh containins: Jack Cosc-rove was in the advance ; Hob came next, then Fred, while ri! :;o() AMONtJ Tin: KSQriMAUX t,t ■• : ( the Olio loaded only with peltries held its plnec at the re{>r. AVlien the smooth surfiice was reaehod, they drew (piite near eaeli other, the friends liiidiiig themselves almost side by side. '* This is wdiat I call ginooine j)leasure," said the sailor, tnrning his head and addressing the boys. " Yes, I'm enjoying it," replied Rob. *' So am I," added Fred; "it makes up for what we suffered." " We'll skim along in this style all day as if we was on the sea in a dead calm ; nothing like a capsize — " At that very moment, the sailor's sleigh went over. its phi CO iiiuliijo^ e," said iiiig the "p for s if we like a 1 went J CHAPTER XXXTII CONCLUSIOX No OXE can question that many animals have the i)roi)ensity to fun and frolic. It niav he ahsent in some, hut it certainly is not lacking- in the canine species. It didn't take three teams of dogs long to discover that their passengers helonged to the most verdant specimens of their kind, and when the hrutes struck the smooth surface, where traveling was hut a pastime, they decided to have some sport at their expense. At the moment Jack Cosgrove was uttering liis words to his young friends, he failed to no- tice a small hillock just ahead and at one side of the course they were following. But the leading dogs saw it, and, veering off, they made straight for it with increased speed, heedless of the shouts and cracking of the driver's whip. Before he could restrain them, the sleiiih col- 301 302 AMOXG THE ESQUIMAUX ;!■ lideJ witli tlie obstruction, overturned in a twiiikliiiii; luid Jack found, as he after described it, that his nose was pk^wing through the snow with tlie whole plaguey load on toj) of him. He was dra2:2:ed a hundred feet before extri- eating himself, and before the driver could check the animals, who looked so meek and sorrowful that he visited them with slight punishment. Matters, however, were soon righted and the journey resumed, amid the laughter of the boys in which the sailor heartily joined. AVithin the next hour Rob's sleigh went over and he had an almost similar experience. But he was expecting something of the kind, and prepared for it, so that he emerged from under- neath before beins; draij-s-ed far. Fred got it, too, despite the apparent efforts of the drivers to restrain the dogs. By the time matters were once more riirhted and under way, the suspicion was confirmed among the ])assengers that the wild men were in the plot raid enjoyed the ludicrous turn of affairs as n ^r-/^ COXCLUSIOX 30:) (1 in a ascribed gli the tO]) of e ex tri- ll clieck rrowful sliinent. nd the le boys tit over . But 1^1, and uiidor- eflfjrts >y the under ig the le plot irs as niucli as did the brutes themselves. But Jaek and the lads were tiie last to eoniplain, and wwe vi.utQ willing thtii such good allies should have a little sport at their ex2)ense. It was noticeable that after all had been capsized, nothing of the kind took place again. At noon an !;our's halt was made. The Es- quimaux produced their cooked venison and all ate. The snow, although it seems to add to one's thirst, when first used, served excellently in the })lace of water. As Avell as thev could bv siirns, the iiassenuers offered to Avalk and allow tlie Esrpiimaux to ride. Where the surface was so favorable this would have imposed no hard work, but the natives refused, even declinino; to ride alternatelv in tlie rear sleio-h. The doit's were tired enouiih to iiive no troubh; durino' the noon halt. 'J'hcv sat around on their Inuinches and eaiierlv devoured the ])its of i-aw meat tossed to them. When one or two showed a disposition to stir up matters, an angry waiii- ing and snap of the whij) from one of the drivers •ii ■nwnMH I fi I 1 -■' ,i! ;1 U4 ! % r \f: Ill li 111 5. ; t Si \ :j04 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX brought liiiu to his senses, and he deferred the unuisenient to a more convenient season. The Esquimaux chatted vohibly among them- selves, and, altliough our friends could not catch the meaning of anything said, they were sure they had made good progress toward Ivigtut, Avhich, barring accident, would be reached by nightfall. The journey was pressed with the same vigor through the afternoon, the men seeming as tire- less as the dogs, who trotted along as they might have done over the bare ground without any load impeding their movements. The sun was still above the horizon when the party reached the crest of the mountains near the coast, and saw before them, nestling at the curve of a fiord, a collection of low, weather- beaten houses, dis[)c.'sed •doiig the slope of the hills, with a wharf at the water's edge, on which lay a large number of blocks of the peculiar white ore known as crvolite. " Vee-tut, vee-tut !" exclaimed one of the drivers, addressing the passengers with great COXCLU.SIOX 305 ed the tliem- t CUtC'll •e sure vigtut, ed by ) vigor s tire- mi gilt t any 311 the 5 near It the ither- )f the ivhich cub'ar r t\ le great animation. This was the nearest lie was able to eonie to pronouncing the name '' Ivigtut." Yes, this was tlie mining town famous the world over as containing the only cryolite mines so far discovered on the dobe. Ivigtut is in latitude sixty-one degrees and twelve minutes north, its climate being severe at certain seasons, but C(jniparatively moderate during summer. Then there are one hundred and thirty picked men from Copenhagen en- gaged in the quarries, the number being a little more than oue-half as great in winter. Only one or two Esquimaux are to be found about the place, and the only family that of the sui)er- intendent, who has his wife and her maid with him. The principal work of the employees is in quarrying the cryolite and piling it on the wharf, ready for shipment both to the Old and New World. And now how many of my readers can tell me what cryolite is? Hhall I explain? Do you know that most of the sal-soda, the 20 i f ; ssa. I ■ ! 30G AMOXG THE ESQUI^IAUX if :' ; i iii ■1 !^1 : i! *!' fth 1 1 llfli ■ (■ !! ■i, bicarbonate of soda, tlie ahiin, and the caiiPtiC soda used in vour liomes is dii"; out of a moun- tain in Greenland ? In IcSOC), a German named Gieseeke, believing that valuable minerals miiilit be found in Green- o land, a[)[)lied to the Danish Government for l)ermission to prosj)eet the mountains. He did so, all the Avay from Cape Farewell, living with the Danish governors or among the Esquimaux, as circumstances required, until he reached Arsuk Fiord. At this place he heard of a deposit of ice that never melted and which was on the edge of the fiord. It was powdered, was used by the natives in tanning skins, and acted on a greasy hide like soap. The prospector gathered a number of specimens and started with them for Ger- many, fo^; the substance was entirely new and required analysis. On the homeward voyage the Danish ship was captured by a British mtui-of-war and the specimens of cryolite went to an English insti- tution, where thev were analyzed for the first \ \ I COXCLUSION 307 time. It was interesting of itself, but pro- nounced comparatively worthless. It remained for a distinguished chemist named Thomson to discover that sal-soda and bicarbon- ate of soda can be made cheaply from the sub- stance. It is free from all imj)urities, and steps were taken to develop the quany. The first attempt was in 1852, but regular work did not begin until six years later, and more years liassed before any money was made out of the mine. Up to 18G4 the entire product of the quarry went to Europe. In that year the American firm known as the Pennsylvania Salt Manu- facturing Company, of Natrona and Philadel- lohia, began to import it. The ships used are made as strongly as possible, for they have to force tlicir way through fields of floating ice, craunch into liuge blocks, and keep a sharp lookout for icebergs. Small quantities of cryolite have been found in the Ural Mountains and a trace was dis- covered at Pike's Peak, in our own country, ;1 h I w tt- \ m 308 AMONG THE ESC^UIMAUX i i ■:. 1 , Ml • I l*. .It i 4 some years ago, l)ut it did not pan out. A genuine cryolite Uiine witliin easy reach would prove a bonanza to the discoverer. Cryolite in appearance resenihles white quartz or ice, with a mixture of snow in it. Although generally white, it is not always so. It is some- times a light brown or a dark color, due either to vegetable matter that has soaked into it or the presence of iron. What I have related and considerably more, our friends learned during their stay at Ivig- tut. Finding themselves at the end of their jour- ney, the three climbed out of the sleighs, their limbs considerably cramped from their long- constrained posture. They shook hands with the Esquimaux, who understood that form of salutation, and who grinned tlie delight they could not form the words to sjieak. To one of them Jack presented his gun and Fred gave his to another. This quite over- whelmed them, but the whites divided nearly all the money they had among them between :t. A would quartz :liougIi ; sonie- eitlier it or more, , Ivig- V jour- 1, their loug- 3 with rm of : they in and over- iiearly )tweeu COXCLUSIOX ;I(M) the otlier two. The wihl men were paid triple wliat they expected for the inestimable serviee rendered the party, who regretted tliat they could not do a good deal more for them. They parted on the edge of the town, and, just as night began settling over Ivigtut, the three came down the slope and showed them- selves among the employees, where their appear- ance attracted considerable cui-iosity. Eob's first inquiry was fur the superintendent of the mines. He was directed to a one-story house painted blue, near the rear of which rose a staff from which the flag of Denmark floated. At the eastern end of the settlement was a somewhat similar house painted black, where the comptroller, or representative of the kinene(l. lie was driven far away from the ieeherg, as you know, and had searehed for it in vain. At a loss what to do, he put into Ivigtut to eonsult with me." By this time the exeitemcnt was ahout over, and all seated themselves as the servant eame in and lighted the lam[)s. Mr. Sehmidt eon- tin ued : "The oceurrence was so extraordinarv that I was at a loss how to advise him, and liis i)urp()se in coming here this evening was that we miglit discuss the question and deeide it." *' You see," observed the captain (and he thereby verified the words of Jaek Cosgrove, uttered several da vs before) , " I observed that that iceberg wasn't sailing straight for the Equator, and I got the idea that it was to be looked for further up north, though as likely as not it would change its course and head south again. ,1!' !1 316 AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX IrU i ■ ■■ t i: f Tlie only thing for me was to try to get anotlier ship or two to jine me in a search for you. I was going to find out w^hether that coukl be done, but now there isn't any need of it." " Thank Heaven, no !" fervently responded Rol) Carrol ; *' we have had a close call, and the only regret Ave shall feel in leaving Green- land is that it will take us away from our friends." " It is I who feel that, but it is one of the sure penalties of our existence. Supper, I see, is ready; will you kindly walk out wnth me?" he asked, rising to his feet, and leading the way. And perha[)S it is as well that we should say good-bye to the party, now that they are seated around the board with keen appetites, clieerful conversation, and happy hearts ; for of the visit made to the cryolite mines the next day, the sailins; of the "Nautilus" two davs later, the vov- aii'e throu2:h Hudson Bay to York Fjictorv, the visit there, the safe return to England, and the settling down of Rob Carrol and Fred War- COXCLUSIOX 317 anotlier S'OU. I )iild be »> ponded all, and Green- )m our burton to the sol)er busino^^s of life — wliv nil these may be covered in a paragraph, and so we say, ^' Good-bye." > of the , I see, 1 me? 9" ng the lid say seated iieerful le visit IV, the le vov- rv, tl»e nd the War- THE END -trrr- - . T-jr-nn-nw i, i— Vt 1 ■» ' li: The Young Boatman IITI*' :!^ iOAmAN 7^^ Bv Horatio AL(;i:k, Jr. 369 I'agcs lllLi.^ti-atcd Cloth, $1.25 This is ail intcresiin,-^'- stciryofa l)oy who is obhired to support himself and his mother by rouiiii;- i)assengcrs across the Kennebec River. To aild ^_ to his trials, his intemperate step- li:SM?s^^'=^^ fhther, after serving a term of im- prisonment, returns home and endeavors to c()mi)el the boy to pay over his sm ill earnings to him. This the boy, who was approi)riately nicknamed Grit, refuses to do, and after a struggle the stepfather retires from the conflict and returns to his thieving hai)its. Shortly after Grit discovers a conspiracy to ro!) liie bank and promptly communicates his knowledge to the president, who succeeds in frustrating the plans of the robbers and secures their arrest. Grit's cheerful manner and kindly good nature, coupled with the most sterling honesty, cause him to be held in high esteem by all who know him. His manly courage and self-reliance are often sorely tested, but his indomitable i)luck transmutes calamity into suc- cess. The book is full of incident and adventure of just the right sort to hold the attention of any bright boy. Sold by all booksellers, or sent, i)repaid, upon receipt of price. The Penn Publishing Company 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia i i The Moncasket Mystery AND How Tom Hardy Solved It h- t iS i ^ I ^if Bv Sidney Marlow 375 pages Illustrated Cloth, $1.25 The tone of this book is earnestly and emphatically moral, and the au- thor understands that nothing makes morality so attractive to youth as to find it coupled with ingenuity, energy, and pluck. There is no " cant " and no " can't " about Tom Hardy, the decidedly vigorous hero of this story. He is a safe and worthy companion of any boy or girl, and it is pre- dicted that he will not only win a warm place for him- self in the hearts of all who make his acquaintance, but that he will gallantly retain it long after the covers shall liave closed upon this chronicle of his efforts and adven- tures. He is an admirable boy, yet the author, in defi- ance of the usual method in modern juvenile fiction, has refused to sacrifice all of the other characters to the sin- gle hero. Even those whose parts are but the slightest have been so attractively presented that the reader feels that if the events had chanced to require it each one of them would have become a hero. Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. The Penn Publishing Company 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia asing a Yacht By Jamics Otis Author of " The Bratranza Diamond," " Toby Tyler," etc. 350 pages Illustrated Cloth, $1.25 Two boys have engai^^ed to run a steam yacht for the double puipose of pleasure and profit, and after care- fully fitting her up they launch her, only to find the next nujrning that she is gone— stolen— as they later discover, i)y two other boys who had been refused a half-interest HI her. The rightful cnvners start in hot i)ursuit, and in an attempt to recapture the .steamer are themsLlves made prisoners. It is the intention of the thieves to iiold the owners prisoners until the lluds(jn River is reached and then juit them ashore, but their plans nns- carry owing to the intervention of two rather rough citizens who find their way aboard the yacht and maUe them.selves generally at home. Fortunately one of the owners manages to effect his escape, and gaining the a.ssistance of the authorities the little vessel is .speedily restored to them. The story is full of adventure, and the heroes are both bright and manly fellows, who make the l)est of their temporary hardshii)s. The story will be found to enlist the interest at the outset, and to hold it until the last page is turned. Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon rcceij)! of price. The Penn Publishing Company 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia I I The Braganza Diamond By Jamks Otis Autlior of " Chasinj5 a Yacht," " Toby Tyler," etc. 383 par' s Illustrated Clotii, >SI.25 Loni^ before the opening events of this story the fragments of this cele- brated gem are sui)posed to have been taken from a wreck by an old sea captain, and secreted by him on a lonely island in Roanoke Sound. This aged captain, now (juite feeble, sends for his niece and her daughter. They invite two bright boys to accompany them, and engaging a steam launch the four, in company with the owner — a trusty sailor— .set out ftjr the lonely island. Arriving there they are distressed at fmding the captain already dead. To adil to their dis- comfort they also discover that the former owners of the diamond hdve api)eared upon the scene. The little party is forcibly made prisoner, and their captors demand that they forthwith produce the precious Jitone. This, of course, they are unable to do, but discovering among the old captain's effects a curious cryptogram, they are led to hope that its solution may reveal the secret hiding place of the diamond, and thus restore to them their freedom. This theory eventually proves correct, but not until after the party has endured many hardships, and passed through many exciting experiences. Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. The Penn Publishing Company 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia i\ The Odds Against Him, or Carl Crawford's Experience Hy Horatio AlgkrJr. 350 pages Illustrated Cloth, $1.25 The hero of this story had to leave home on aecouiit of the ill-treatment he reeeived from his stepmother, who had a son ot her own about the same age. Dr. Crawford, a man of con- siderable wealth, but of weak, vacil- lating mind, loved his son, but was afraid to show his true feelings in the presence of his wife. After leaving home and meeting with a number of adverse expc'r^- ences, Carl eventually obtained employment in a fac- tory. He soon gained the confidence of his employer and after frustrating an attempt of the book-keeper to rob the safe, he was appointed as a traveler, and, visit- ing Chicago, he discovered that his stepmother had an- other husband living. Her success in getting a will made in her own favor, an attempt on the life of her hus- band, etc., are all defeated, and Carl came out victorious in the end. The book is full of bright, cheerful, and amusing inci- dents, showing that a boy of good, honest, sterling, in- dustrious habits can always secure friends, and succeed in earning a good living. Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. The Penn Publishing Company 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia . 4 ■I si i ! The Story of the Iliad FOR BOYS AND GIRLS By Dr. Edward Brooks, A. M. 370 pages Profusely Illustrated Cloth Biiulinij;-, $1.25 White and Silver Edition, $1.50 Tiiis is a story of absorbing; interest both to younj^ and old. It relates in a simple prose narrative the leading incidents of one of the greatest literary works of the world — the Iliad of Homer. Many of its names are household words among educated people, and its in "dents are a constant source of allusion and illus- traticju among the best speakers and writers. No one with any claim to Lterary culture can afford to be igno- rant of them. The object of the work is two-fold — first, to present to young people an interesting story which will be read with pleasure and at the same time cultivate a taste for good literature ; second, to give a popular knowledge of this famous work of Homer and thus afford a sort of stepping-stone to one of the grandest poetical structures of all time. It is thus a book for the home circle, and should be in every household in the land. It is recommended espe- cially for School Libraries and young folks' Reading Circles, and also to schools as a Supplementary Reader. Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. The Penn Publishing Company 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia : 1* in iry lipt iia The Story of the Odyssey FOR liOVS AND GIRLS By Dr. lunvARi) Brooks, A. M. 370 pages I'rufuscly Illustrated Cloth Hindino-, $1.25 White and Silver lulition, $1.50 The (Jdyssey of Homer combines the romance of travel with that of domestic life, and it differs from the Iliad, which is a tale of the camp and battle-field. Although the ancient author concentrates the attention on a single character — Tlysses — he re- fers to several beautiful women, including some of the goddesses. After the siege of Troy, Ulysses startetl on a voyage of discovery and adventure in unknown lands, which, although descrii)ed with poetic exaggeration, "has been a rich mine of wealth for poets and romancers, painters and sculptors, from the date of the age which wc call Homer's down to our own." In this wonderful poem lie the germs of thou.sands of volumes which fill our modern libraries. Without some knowledge of it, readers will miss the point of many things in modern art and literature. Ulysses was brave and valiant as a soldier, and was dis- tinguished for his wisdom and shrewdness which enabled him to extricate liimself from the difliculties which to others would seem insurmountable. • Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. The Penn Publishing Company 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia J1:- ; I '■'■ i! ti Harry Ambler, and How He Saved the Homestead By Sidney Marlow 350 Pages Illustrated Cloth, $1.25 This is a narrative of a bright, ac- tive, and courageous l)oy, suddenly thrown upon his own resources and subjected to the malicious plots of a powerful enemy. The effectual and J yet not unnatural manner in which the hero turns his enemy's weapons to his own defence, con- stitutes, perhaps, the chief charm of the book. The story abounds in humorous and exciting situations, yet it is in no objectionable way sensational. There is nothing in it that will tend to create or encourage a taste for mere reckless adventure. The author has given more attention to the delineation of his characters than is usual in juvenile literature, thus making the story pleasant reading, even for those who have passed the outer line of boyhood. He believes in a " moral," but not in those bits of ab- stract virtue which arc so frequently forced into juvenile stories, only to be " skipped " by the youthful reader. He would create a personal sympathy with the best ef- forts of fallible boys and girls, rather than an admiration for the mere name of virtue. Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. The Penn Publishing Company 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia The Campers Out OR The Right Path and the Wrong I. By Edward S. Ellis, A. M. 363 pages Illustrated Si? S "•' h ,-* ■*-^SS' ■• Cloth, $1.25 This is (jiie of the most interesting^ works of an author whose |)r()(luctions are widely read and deservedly jxjpu- lar on both sides of the Atlantic. Mr. h:ilis has in [)errection the faculty of making his stories not only entertain- ing in the highest degree hut instructive and elevating. A leading journal truthfully stated that no mother ne-ed hesitate to place any story of which Mr. Ellis is tlu au- thor in the hands of her boy, for he is sure t(j be in- structed as well as entertained. "The Campers Out" is bright, breezy, and full of ad- venture of just the right sort to hold the attention of any young mind. It is clean, pure, and elevating, and the stirring incidents with which it is filled convey one of the most forceful of morals. It traces the " right path " and the "wrong path" of several boys with such strik- ing power that old and youn£- will be alike impressed by the faithful portrayal of cli.;;r:,ctcr, and be interested from beginning to end by the succession of exciting in- cidents. Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price The Penn Publishing: Company 1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia