TROUBLES OF EXPLORER 151 



dogs are incorrigible thieves, and frequently sneak into the tents or, if on 

 board ship, into cabins, in search of plunder. They are generally greeted 

 with a kick, but should it be sufficiently energetic to dislodge the kicker's shoe, 

 the dog at once seizes the delicacy and makes for a quiet spot on the ice where 

 he can devour it at his leisure." 



Desperate courage and the skill of a big-game hunter are required if one 

 journeys in the arctic. When the rations run out, as they did in Dr. Cook's 

 case before his return journey was over, the traveler has to depend on his 

 ability to bring down the animals of the region. 



Some of the experiences of an exploring party under these conditions are 

 thus described : 



"A small opening in the ice pack was discovered a mile or so from the 

 camp, and on the ice around the water three seals were resting, having evi- 

 dently been caught in the ice when it closed. With great care the hunters 

 crept over the ice toward the animals, whose sacrifice meant so much to the 

 castaways. Only two had rifles, the others carrying harpoons they had made 

 from the tent poles, and which were anything but reliable weapons. Steady 

 aim was taken by the two men who had the rifles at the two larger of the 

 seals. Firing together one seal fell dead; the one which was not aimed at 

 plunged into the water, and the other, badly wounded, hobbled to the edge 

 of the ice. In another moment he would have been over and probably sunk to 

 the bottom, had not one of the men flung away his harpoon and, springing 

 forward, managed to seize the hind flippers of the wounded creature. His 

 comrades rushed to his assistance and dragged both him and the seal back 

 from the opening onto the ice, where the latter was quickly despatched. 



"They were harnessing themselves to their victims in order to drag them 

 over to the camp, when a loud snort from the opening caused them to start 

 around just in time to see the third seal disappearing under the water. At 

 once they understood the situation. The opening was the only one for miles, 

 and the seal was compelled to come to the surface there to breathe, as he could 

 not reach the top anywhere else for the ice. It was at once decided to wait 

 for him, but as, if he were shot while in the water, he would inevitably sink 

 to the bottom and be lost to them, they determined to lay a trap for him. 



"The seals already killed were placed in natural attitudes near the water, 

 and the men hastily retired to sheltering hammocks, to wait the return. The 

 men with the rifles were both to fire upon him as soon as he emerged onto the 

 ice, for he was too valuable to be lost. They had not waited very long before 



