370 FOUR YEARS IN THE WHITE NORTH 



Though our drive down the valley to the terrace above 

 headquarters was in the worst weather we experienced 

 on the trail, we did not mind it. We were veterans of 

 the trail now, and weather did not seriously aflPect us. 



We almost tumbled down the slope to the house. Our 

 dogs seemed more eager to get back than we were, and 

 stopped for nothing. The whole village turned out to 

 meet us, and it was not long until all my companions 

 Mac, Tank, Hal, Jot, and Allen, and all the Eskimos, 

 had greeted me and welcomed me home. I had come 

 to the end of the trail. 



The trip had been eminently successful. We had ac- 

 complished nearly all we had set out to do. In addition 

 to my notes, I brought back with me valuable collections. 

 None of us had suffered any serious hardships, we had 

 lost very few of our dogs, and we had come safe and 

 sound home. 



To old Esayoo I am glad to give the lion's share of 

 the credit. Throughout the trip he had been cheerful, 

 helpful, interested; his good sense and judgment had 

 kept us out of trouble. He had been throughout the 

 journey, no matter what the circumstances, a kind, 

 pleasant companion. He is a thorough gentleman, a 

 boon companion of the trail. To E-took-a-shoo I wish 

 to give due credit, too. His unfailing good humor, his 

 rare hunting ability, and his excellent driving, all had 

 contributed immeasurably to our success. 



I wish to close my modest chronicle with this tribute 

 to them, my good companions, true fellows of the trail, 

 gentlemen unafraid. 



