AT FLAXMAN ISLAND IN SUMMER 



285 



.the natives are all living in tents, their children are running 

 about half naked, the grown-up people feast and dance every 

 night, and even the dogs feel the presence of spring, are 

 running over the country, hunting mice and lemming, and 

 becoming fat, strong, and lively. 



A loud effervescent noise from the mainland is ample proof 

 that the waters of the 

 Koogcora have burst 

 the layer of ice 

 which has hitherto 

 obstructed their 

 course, though the 

 water flowing over 

 the sea ice is suffi- 

 cient proof of the fact. 

 And on the moun- 

 tains to the south 

 dark spots, rapidly 

 acquiring a greenish 

 tint, show that there 

 also the snow is dis- 

 appearing fast, that 

 the bondage of win- 

 ter is broken, that 

 willow-brush and 

 grass will again be able to live, giving food to the thousands 

 of ptarmigan who live a high and easy life during the summer 

 as a recompense for the want they have suffered during the 

 winter. 



Dr. Howe went up to the native camp on the west side 

 of the river, as the cariboo had come back again and almost 

 all the natives had left us. He returned after a few days' 

 absence, reporting that the country was "lousy with cariboo," 

 that the natives had abundance of meat, but that they would 

 soon have to bring it down to the island, as the snow had 

 almost everywhere disappeared from the ground, so that 

 sledging was almost impossible, while over the sound, between 

 the island and the mainland, sledging could only be done with 

 great care, as large holes were eaten in the ice. 



All hands are busy in our camp breaking up the vessel, sodding 



DOGS TRYING TO FIND A DRY PLACE TO 

 SLEEP IN. 



