SECOND EXPEDITION TO THE ICE-CAP 



decided to set up tents as way stations where pro- 

 visions and blankets would be deposited and where 

 we would plan to sleep. To rid ourselves of the 

 insects, especially the black flies and sand flies, 

 and also to reduce the amount of bedding required, 

 we did our trekking mainly at night and slept in 

 the day time. When the sun was shining on the 

 tent the interior would get quite hot, but this could 

 be avoided by putting a blanket over the canvas 

 on the sunny side. 



With the three younger Eskimos Church and 

 myself packed regularly. Our plan had been to 

 take Kallquist along on the main expedition for 

 extended balloon work, but on the evening of the 

 28th he met with an accident which upset our plan. 

 While preparing malted milk over the primus 

 lamp he upset it on his foot, the scalding fluid 

 going into the back of his kamik. He was unable 

 to get the kamik off before a blister nearly two 

 inches in diameter had formed on his heel. Oscan- 

 yan, who was with him at the time, treated the 

 place with mentholatum and later Herz gave the 

 foot daily treatments. This mishap effectively 

 prevented walking, but in hopes of his rapid re- 

 covery we delayed the definite departure of the 

 expedition, meanwhile proceeding with our pack- 

 ing. 



155 



