ROBERT E. PEARY, INDOMITABLE POLAR EXPLORER 133 



is the term used in the Arctic regions to denote the local method of 

 storing food or possessions. A space is hollowed out in the ground, 

 which, even in the summer time, is frozen hard a few feet below the 

 surface. The articles to be stored having been placed in the space, 

 it is covered over with stones, and the "cache" is completed. 

 Throughout the winter the contents become frozen into a solid mass, 

 which, protected by the stones or other covering, does not thaw out 

 during the short summer, and so remains in a good state of preserva- 

 tion for an almost indefinite period. 



Occasionally the "cache" fails to preserve the articles of food 

 entirely in that state which by the European is termed "fresh" ; but 

 as they rarely have recourse to "cached" provisions, it does not 

 matter very much. The Eskimo, who constantly preserves his win- 

 ter supplies in this manner, has, happily for himself, easier notions 

 about the state and quality of his food. This was brought home 

 to the party very forcibly. They had visited several "caches," and 

 obtained enough seal-skin for their purpose, and, having enjoyed 

 some refreshment, were considering their return. The Eskimo, 

 Ikwa, then told them that, as all the flesh at the camp was recently 

 killed, he and his family did not like it. There was, he said, a fine 

 seal cached in the neighborhood, which would form a delicious store 

 for him and his family, and if the leader allowed him to move it to 

 the boat, and convey it to the encampment, he would be prepared 

 to yield some of it to the members of the party for their own special 

 enjoyment. The seal was a beauty, he said, and just in the very 

 pink of condition. The necessary permission having been given, 

 Ikwa hurried away for his treasure. 



Shortly after, the members of the party noticed a strange pene- 

 trating odor in the air which they at first attributed to the flayed 

 walrus. It steadily increased, until they were unable to tolerate it, 

 and started out to seek the cause. As they emerged from under the 

 shelter of the jutting rock where they had been resting, they des- 

 cried the little Eskimo staggering towards them under the burdeni 



