1916] TO KING CHRISTIAN ISLAND 225 



crossing, I could establish quarters at Cape Sabine and 

 there await the relief-ship, which was expected in 

 August. 



March 20th, the advent of spring at home, was a 

 howler — blowing, snowing, drifting, and seven below. 

 Our Esldmo women took a last look at our boots and 

 mittens, examined each carefully for rips, and softened 

 the soles and padded in dry grass. 



The storm continued on the 21st, with no prospect 

 of ceasing. The barometer mounted to the extraordi- 

 nary height of 30.83. 



On the morrow I jump out of bed to the tune of 

 rushing winds and driving snow. "Don't you think for 

 a minute you are going to hold us up," I mutter to 

 myself as I yank on my kamiks. Strange how conver- 

 sational a man gets to be with the elements of the 

 North! He treats them as living personalities; he 

 abuses, curses, and fights them to the limit. When 

 drifting snows bury dog and sledge and trail ; when faces 

 and fingers are black with frost and lips cracked and 

 bleeding; when the numbed hands refuse to work; when 

 thin ice and open leads offer no escape; when the wind 

 suddenly whips around and cuts off the path which 

 leads toward home; when dogs drop with weariness in 

 harness and follow with eyes which haunt for days the 

 retreating forms of their masters; when blackness blots 

 the stars and grips the earth, and fuel is low; when 

 rocks leap and bound from the cliffs above, grazing 

 tupiks, men, dogs, and sledges — what better proof that 

 this is the chosen home of Torngak, the evil spirit .^^ 

 Animism is real and is easily understood. When amid 

 the shriek of winds the Eskimo hears strange voices in 

 the blackness of the Arctic night, and sees strange forms, 



