CHAPTER IX. 



SUNSET. — WINTER WORK. — MY DOG-TEAMS.— " MY BROTHER JOHN'S GLACIER." 



— HUNTING. — PEAT BEDS. — ESQUIMAU GRAVES. — PUTREFACTION AT LOW 

 TEMPERATURES. — SONNTAG CLIMBS THE GLACIER. — HANS AND PETER. — 

 MY ESQUIMAU PEOPLE. — THE ESQUIMAU DOG. —SURVEYING THE GLACIER. 



— THE SAILING-MASTER. — HIS BIRTHDAY DINNER. 



My diary thus records the advent of winter : — 



October lGth. 



The fair-haired god of light reposes beneath the 

 Southern Cross. His pathway is no longer above the 

 silent hills; but his golden locks stream over the 

 mountains, and day lingers as a lover departing from 

 the abode of his mistress. The cold-faced regent of 

 the darkness treads her majestic circle through the 

 solemn night ; and the soft-eyed stars pale at her ap- 

 proach. Her silver tresses sweep the sea, and the 

 wild waves are stilled like a laughing face touched 

 by the hand of death. 



Although winter and darkness are slowly settling 

 over us, yet we have still nine hours of twilight daily, 

 wherein to perform our out-door duties. I have com- 

 pleted my arrangements for the health and comfort of 

 my little household, and have perfected my system of 

 domestic discipline and economy, and I feel sure that 

 the wheels of the little world which revolves around 

 this ice-locked schooner will now move on smoothly. 

 This done, I am at liberty to seek greater freedom of 

 action than I have hitherto enjoyed. I have desired tu 



