WHEN THE ESKIMOS LEFT US 271 



sledges in the distance approaching from the south- 

 ward. Hurrying back to camp I put over a kettle 

 of corn-meal, and when the travelers, who proved to 

 be Eiseeyou and Oxpuddyshou, arrived, had a good 

 hot meal ready to welcome them. They brought the 

 good news that in a day or two several others were to 

 leave Nockme for the northward, prepared to enter 

 upon the musk-ox hunt in Ellesmere Land. After 

 the two men had rested a few hours we loaded our 

 sledges and hurried on to Annootok in advance of the 

 others that all might be in readiness for a prompt start 

 across Smith Sound. 



Two days later Annoploblakto arrived, announcing 

 that the main body of Eskimos might be expected 

 shortly, and when they arrived a day later, all was in 

 readiness for the expedition. Several besides those 

 whom I had engaged to form my party came, and it 

 was a great spectacle to see them on the eve of our 

 going, wrapped in deerskins and sleeping on their 

 sledges in the open Eiseeyou, the two Oxpuddy- 

 shous, Tukshu, Etukishuk, Ahwelah, Sipsu, Tungwe, 

 Annoploblakto, Pierwater and Ouckmerdinguah 

 were all here. 



