WEATHER-BOUND 69 



snow was so thick that we could scarcely see the 

 tent. 



Our original intention of starting again as soon as 

 the sledges were ready was abandoned. We did not 

 lose very much by this; on the contrary, we gained on 

 the whole. The dogs — the most important factor of all 

 — had a thorough rest, and were well fed. They had 

 undergone a remarkable change since our arrival at the 

 Butcher's Shop; they now wandered about, fat, sleek, 

 and contented, and their former voracity had completely 

 disappeared. As regards ourselves, a day or two longer 

 made no difference; our most important article of diet, 

 the pemmican, was practically left untouched, as for the 

 time being dog had completely. taken its place. There 

 was thus no great sign of depression to be noticed when 

 we came back into the tent after finishing our work, 

 and had to while away the time. As I went in, I could 

 descry Wisting a little way off kneeling on the ground, 

 and engaged in the manufacture of cutlets. The dogs 

 stood in a ring round him, and looked on with interest. 

 The north-east wind whistled and howled, the air was 

 thick with driving snow, and Wisting was not to be 

 envied. But he managed his work well, and we got 

 our dinner as usual. During the evening the wind 

 moderated a little, and went more to the east; we went 

 to sleep with the best hopes for the following day. 



Saturday, November 25, came ; it was a grand day in 

 many respects. I had already seen proofs on several 



