106 HUNTING WITH THE ESKIMOS 



thunder clap, or the smashing together of great ice 

 floes with a report like heavy cannon. 



In spite of one, depression takes possession of the 

 soul a hopeless kind of unreasoning depression. 

 Intense and severe as the cold may be, any active man 

 can stand it without serious suffering, when a little 

 experience teaches how, for that acts only upon the 

 physical being, and can be guarded against; but the 

 prolonged, sunless night has a dire effect upon the 

 human mind which only exercise and diversion can 

 counteract. 



The day after my return to Annootok was a day 

 of feasting. Nothing ever tasted better than the 

 three good square meals of which I partook. The 

 warm shack and good food represented to me the 

 very height of luxury. The only shadow on my con- 

 tentment was disappointment at failure to get bear 

 on the trip. It was just hard luck in not running 

 upon one, that was all, for we had gone to the best 

 place in the whole country to find them. I resolved 

 that I should try again upon the first opportunity 

 that offered, if my feet were sufficiently; recovered 

 to permit me to do so. 



At first I was forced to remain in bed, but it was 

 only a matter of a few days before I could use my 

 feet again. They were exceedingly painful, and my 

 nose and fingers were also quite troublesome for a 

 little while. The Eskimos were exceedingly kind, 

 and most considerate of my comfort. I kept both 

 feet covered with vaseline, until two of the women 

 came over and put seal fat on them, which eased them 



