114 BY ESKIMO DOG-SLED 



A mug of hot tea is a wonderful help at a 

 time like that, even though the water bo 

 smoky and clouded with grits ; and we 

 used to fold our hands and &quot; say grace &quot; 

 for those rough meals with real thankful 

 ness. 



The weather was worse than ever, but the 

 men were quite cheerful about it, although 

 they must have known that we had a dangerous 

 task before us. To-day we must cross the 

 summit of the Kiglapeit pass, with a blinding 

 snowstorm beating in our faces. But the 

 Eskimos were in their element, and at times 

 like those I never knew them to be faint 

 hearted. Off we went into the storm, and 

 the sled runners groaned as they ploughed 

 heavily through the soft snow. For ten or 

 twelve miles the way was plain, for our track 

 followed the course of a frozen torrent, between 

 high banks, and the dogs had no difficulty in 

 picking their way ; but when we got on to 

 the lake at the top of the pass the trouble 

 began. The wind was blowing in a circle, and 

 gave us no guidance at all ; and to me it 

 seemed that we were on an open plain of 

 snow, enclosed by whirling walls of white. I 

 could see nothing but the snow slipping past 

 us as the sled drove steadily on. Julius sat 

 with set face, continually crying &quot; Hu-it, 



