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Rapid Travelling on a Dog Sledge

arose to prevent it; and thus a second next morning-the third of our journight came upon us while still upon the ney-it was found impossible to go on. frozen sea. A storm was also gathering, It was blowing a strong gale, and conand its darkness, with the howling wind, tinued so all day, with snow falling in which had by this time changed, was blinding showers. We were therefore foreboding. We were likewise much obliged to keep inside our shelter, wrapped worried with the day's labors, and it was some time after our sledge journey had ended for the day before a suitable spot was found and our second igloo erected. up in furs.

At about 4 P. M. Ebierbing ventured outside to see how matters looked, but he soon returned with the astounding intelligence that the ice was breaking up, and yet find a track amidst the hummocks that water was appearing not more than around, was no easy task; each of us by ten rods south of us! I also looked out, turns took the lead, and in this manner and, to my utter dismay, discovered that we proceeded on our way; but it was evia crack or opening extended east and dent we had hardly strength enough left west to the land, distant about three to persevere in reaching our journey's miles! The gale had evidently set the end that night. By 2 P. M. we were so sea in heavy motion somewhere, and its exhausted, that I deemed it expedient to convulsive throbs were at work under- make a halt, and use a little more of our neath the ice both close to and around us. slender stock of provisions, which, owing to our unexpected detention on the way, Seriously alarmed, we consulted as to had become very low. Each of us, what was best to be done-whether at therefore, had only a slice of raw salt. once to hasten shoreward, or remain where pork and a quarter of a biscuit. This we were and take our chance. On shore, trifling refreshment, however, renewed nothing but rugged precipices and steep our failing energies, and again we pushed mountains presented themselves; on the forward, hauling, scrambling, tumbling ice, we were in danger of our foundation and struggling almost for our lives. Dangerous Situation. giving way-that is, of being broken up- In the Jaws of Starvation. or else being driven out to sea. At length Just in time, my exhausted men were we decided to remain while the wind blew cheered by the sight of a distant igloo, from its present quarter. In the evening and made renewed efforts to reach it, the gale abated, and by IO P. M. it was which we fortunately succeeded in doing. calm, but the heavy sea kept the ice Here we obtained rest and refreshment, creaking, screaming and thundering, as but our hardships were by no means at it actually danced to and fro. It was to an end. To such an extremity were we me a new and fearful exhibition. When reduced, that I was fain to eat heartily of I retired to bed, I laid down with strange raw frozen whale-hide. At last we were thoughts in my mind, but with a con- in a sad condition from actual want of viction that the same protecting Hand food, and determined at once to send to would watch over me there as else- the ship for the needful supplies. The where. weather having slightly moderated, they The night passed away without any started; but I had become so weak that I alarm, and in the morning Koodloo made could scarcely proceed. In this dilemma, an opening with a snow-knife through two of the Innuits went forward on snowthe dome of the igloo for peering out at the weather. He reported all clear and safe, and after a hot breakfast, we repacked the sledge and started once more, though under great difficulty and which he had taken on the way. hazard. shoes, while I returned to the igloo.

Again, for three days semi-starvation. was my lot, till one of the Innuits returned from the ship with supplies, and a seal 1 My young readers will be interested in Our progress was but slow, being re- a description of the "kayak," or canoe, in tarded by innumerable snow drifts and which the Esquimau harpoons the seal. fissures in the ice. To guard against and It is shaped like a weaver's shuttleextricate ourselves from these dangers, pointed at each end-and built on a framework of whalebone or wood, covered | are fastened the spears, knives, etc.; in completely over, with the exception of front also is the stand for the line, nicely the hole in which the Esquimau seats coiled up, and behind is the inflated himself, with seal-skin, with the hair off, seal-skin, which is used in the manner and carefully prepared for that purpose. described.

The hunter takes his seat in this fragile No water can enter the canoe, and as canoe, clad in a water-proof jacket made the man paddles along, his face to the of seal-skin, or of the whale's intestines, point to which he is going, propelling buttons this jacket down so that no water and steadying the boat with alternate