136 ROBERT E. PEARY, INDOMITABLE POLAR EXPLORER 



cording to those who have been amongst them, they manage to do 

 merrily and well. 



During the visits paid to the different encampments by Lieu- 

 tenant Peary and his wife, about a score of dogs were obtained, a 

 number which would be sufficient to carry out the work of the en- 

 suing spring. They were usually obtained in exchange for needles 

 and knives, but the purpose for which they were needed always) 

 formed a subject of wonder to the unambitious "huskies." 



By the time that a return was made to the house Redcliff, as 

 the explorers named it -the season was well advanced towards win- 

 ter. The roof and sides were covered with walrus hide, and moss, 

 gathered in the early autumn, was stuffed into any crevice through 

 which the cold wind might find a way. The drifting snow soon piled 

 up round the walls and over the roof, and the extra covering added 

 to the warmth and comfort of those within. Fur clothing was now 

 worn generally, and the little party, keeping in good health and 

 spirits, managed to pass the gloomy period of winter with little to 

 mar their contentment. 



Christmas they celebrated in proper form by having a sumptu- 

 ous dinner, the menu of which, preserved by Mrs. Peary, is worthy 

 of being quoted, as showing what can be done in a place where 

 shops are unknown and darkness reigns at midday. The feast con- 

 sisted of salmon, rabbit pie and green peas, venison with cranberry 

 sauce, corn and tomatoes, plum-pudding and brandy sauce, apricot 

 pie, pears, sweets, nuts, raisins and coffee: a very creditable repast 

 to be put on the table of an Arctic residence. 



When every one had satisfied the demands of appetite, the table 

 was cleared, and then respread for the benefit of the "huskies," who 

 were brought in to gain their first experience of Christmas fare. A 

 somewhat different assortment was prepared for the visitors, the 

 dishes consisting of milk punch, venison stew, cranberry tart, bis- 

 cuits, sweets, raisins and coffee. This was certainly a variation to 

 their ordinary food of seal or walrus flesh and water, and they 



