1915] TO UPERNAVIK AND BACK 13d 



cape was our only recourse. We must go on; there was 

 no food behind. 



We were about to turn back when I suggested to 

 E-took-a-shoo and other Eskimos, who were proceeding 

 northward for meat, that we again examine the ice- 

 foot. We conchided that with a Httle hard work a 

 passage might be accompHshed. Unhitching the 

 dogs, we Hfted each sledge bodily up over and 

 through that chaotic mass of sea ice pressed high 

 against the cliff. Arduous work, but preferable to 

 returning and then ascending to the summit of Cape 

 Parry. 



Once around, a heavy wind and drift drove us into a 

 snow house for shelter. Through the driving snow we 

 could see a black, smoking band of water extending 

 across our path and blocking our way to the westward. 

 "How far north does that thing run.^^" was the all- 

 important question as we drank our black, sweetless tea, 

 and chewed strips of dried narwhal. 



The first man up in the morning reported clear 

 weather and the lead extending only a few miles. The 

 dogs were now ravenous, not having been fed since 

 we left Cape York, 150 miles to the south. Every cor- 

 ner must be cut and every chance taken. E-took-a-shoo 

 and I directed our course straight westward toward the 

 edge of open water; Ak-pood-a-shah-o and Ihrlli hugged 

 the shore for safety. Skirting the edge of open water, 

 we gained the strait between Herbert and Northum- 

 berland Islands, and here became confused in the 

 darkness and the extremely rough ice caused by the 

 swirling tides and currents of this section, which is recog- 

 nized as one of the most dangerous on the coast. While 

 we were endeavoring to effect a passage here, we were 



10 



