The Land of the Musk-Ox 



back to the wind, and threw the water. Some of 

 it froze in the air, most of it froze on the logs. The 

 simple plan of the trapper to incase the cabin with 

 ice was easily divined. All day the men worked, 

 ceasing only when the cabin resembled a glistening 

 mound. It had not a sharp corner nor a crevice. 

 Inside it was warm and snug, and as light as when 

 the chinks were open. 



A slight moderation of the weather brought the 

 snow. Such snow ! A blinding white flutter of great 

 flakes, as large as feathers! All day they rustled 

 softly; all night they swirled, sweeping, seeping, 

 brushing against the cabin. &quot; Ho ! Ho ! &quot; roared 

 Rea. &quot; Tis good; let her snow, an the reindeer 

 will migrate. We ll have fresh meat.&quot; The sun 

 shone again, but not brightly. A nipping wind cut 

 down out of the frigid north and crusted the snow. 

 The third night following the storm, when the 

 hunters lay snug under their blankets, a commotion 

 outside aroused them. 



&quot; Indians,&quot; said Rea, u come north for reindeer.&quot; 

 Half the night, shouting and yelling, barking of 

 dogs, hauling of sleds and cracking of dried-skin 

 tepees murdered sleep for those in the cabin. In the 

 morning the level plain and edge of the forest held 

 an Indian village. Caribou hides, strung on forked 

 poles, constituted tent-like habitations with no dis- 



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