THE RETURN ON FORCED MARCHES 



shrubs — birch and willow — which grow in the 

 vicinity of the ice margin. Their branches rest 

 upon the ground and are spread out in a fan on 

 the side away from the ice-cap. 



Abraham is still unable to secure any game and 

 it is now decided to start back to the base without 

 any further delay. Kerosene, rope, furs, ice axes, 

 ammunition and other equipment which would not 

 be needed until the following year, are deposited 

 under a sloping rock at Camp Cooley and carefully 

 walled in, after which we set out the same afternoon 

 on the back trail. The blistered feet of Peter and 

 Nat are no longer very troublesome, Abraham's 

 legs have had some rest, since he has carried no pack 

 when hunting, but Enok's knee is still in such con- 

 dition that he must start out with a light load. 

 Church is still very tired and I have sprained an 

 ankle which is giving me trouble. We are now 

 regularly rationing the Eskimos, but I find it best 

 to dispense food to them at each meal. The Eski- 

 mos with all their excellent qualities are not a provi- 

 dent people, and it was soon found that whatever 

 food was given out was eaten up at once. 



With some difficulty we are now able to manage 

 our loads without relays, and after the first day 

 Enok's knee is so far improved that he is able 

 to take on a full pack. On August 9th we reached 



85 



