362 CONQUERING THE ARCTIC ICE 



Oojooaktok knew what he was about when he came and asked 

 for permission to travel with me, for a herd of reindeer were 

 expected at Icy Cape, and some young men were wanted as 

 apprentices. He reasoned that Mr. Evans, the assistant 

 superintendent of the reindeer herds of Alaska, would thus 

 have the opportunity of seeing him before any of the other 

 young men who stayed at Icy Cape. He wanted to go with 

 me until we reached the herds, then he would go back with 

 them. Oojooaktok was in love with a nice young girl, who in 

 her turn liked another man better, but he knew that she would 

 take him if he, and not the other man, became a herdsman. 

 It is the old story which repeats itself all over the world : the 

 man who wants to win a girl, even though some one else may 

 hold her heart ; and many times during our life together he 

 would tell me about the girl, her many good points, the 

 beautiful clothes she could make, and the dishes she could 

 prepare. Yes, Oojooaktok was in love, very much in love. 



