164 THE CHILDREN OF THE COLD. 



of water with which to prepare sup- 

 per. 



If the boys had not been successful in 

 finding water, the girls would be obliged 

 to collect a lot of ice or snow and melt 

 it in stone kettles over the igloo lamps, 

 and at least an hour would be wasted 

 before their hot supper would be ready 

 and that is quite a serious affair, as in 

 that terribly cold country people want 

 their supper just as soon as it can be 

 made. Besides this, a great deal of oil 

 would have to be used in melting the ice 

 and snow, and oil is very precious. 



In digging the ice-well the boys are 

 careful to keep the hole the same diame- 

 ter away down to the water, especially 

 when they come near the bottom, for if 

 there are any fish in the lake or river 

 they will try to catch them through this 



