b. I-.'..- : " /..."..;..: :;. ......: : ... J 



VIII 



HOME LIFE IN THE IGLOOS 



TWO days were devoted to rest and prepara- 

 tion for a bear hunt, which it was planned 

 should be in the vicinity of Cape Russell. 

 Wearied and jaded, I scarcely took time to eat be- 

 fore rolling into my blankets, but after twelve hours 

 of dreamless slumber arose thoroughly refreshed, 

 and ready for a long walk on the ice foot, where I 

 could enjoy to the utmost a magnificent display of 

 northern lights. While the aurora lasted a bril- 

 liant mass of changing color or flashing searchlights 

 the ice foot and surroundings were well illumined; 

 but quite suddenly it ceased when I was a long way 

 from the shack, and my return walk through intense 

 darkness was one to be remembered. Nothing could 

 be distinguished half a dozen feet away, and for a 

 considerable distance I crawled upon hands and 

 knees to guard against falling into holes and fissures. 

 When the morning of our start arrived it was fine 

 and clear. The stars sparkled big and bright in the 

 cold blue depths of the heavens, the wind was light, 

 and it was altogether an ideal morning for travel- 

 ing. A hurried breakfast disposed of, komatiks 



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