THELONGNIGHT 165 



Our table conversation was mainly with regard to 

 our work. We would discuss the details of the last 

 sledge trip, or talk over the plans for the next one. 

 There was always something going on, and the minds of 

 the men were so occupied that they did not have time 

 to yield themselves to the traditional, maddening winter 

 melancholy of the Arctic. Moreover, men of sanguine 

 temperament had been selected, and much material 

 in the rough had been carried along in order to keep 

 everybody busy working it into shape for use. 



On Sunday mornings I breakfasted in my cabin, thus 

 leaving the men to themselves. On these occasions 

 conversation was less technical and ranged from books 

 to table manners, and sometimes Bartlett seized the 

 opportunity to give his companions half-serious, half- 

 humorous advice on the matter of table conduct, telling 

 them that the time would come when they must return 

 to civilization, and that they must not allow themselves 

 to get into careless habits. Thus the academic and 

 the practical elements of the party met on even 

 ground. 



I have never adopted rigorous rules for the members 

 of my expeditions, because it is not necessary. There 

 were regular hours for meals in the mess rooms. It 

 was understood that lights should be out at midnight, 

 but if any man wanted a light later, he could have it. 

 These were our rules. 



The Eskimos were allowed to eat when they pleased. 

 They might sit up late at night, if they chose, but their 

 work of making sledges and fur clothing had to pro- 

 ceed just the same the next day. There was only 

 one rigid rule for them: that no loud noises, such as 



