48 The Musk-ox 



begin their migration from the woods down to 

 the Arctic Ocean ; and in the early autumn when 

 the caribou are fairly well distributed and are 

 working back toward the wood again. Caribou 

 are absolutely essential to penetration of the 

 Barren Grounds, because from the woods to 

 where musk-oxen are found is a considerable dis- 

 tance, and no possible meat except that supplied 

 by these members of the deer family. Nor is a 

 trip into the Barren Grounds always rewarded 

 with musk-oxen. Many Indian parties have gone 

 in and failed to see even a track, and many others 

 have skirmished along the edge, dreading to 

 plunge into the interior, and hopeful perhaps of 

 a stray ox. The Indians, who do not now hunt 

 musk-oxen as much as formerly owing to the les- 

 sened demand for the pelt, usually go in parties 

 of four to six ; never less than four, because they 

 would be unable to carry a wood supply adequate 

 to getting far enough into the Barren Grounds for 

 reasonable hope of securing the game ; and rarely 

 more than six, because when they have got as far 

 into the country as six sledges of wood will per- 

 mit, they have either got what they want, or 

 they have had enough of freezing and starving 

 to impel a start homeward. Only the hardiest 



