OFF TO ELLESMERE LAND 275 



Then we came upon rough rafted ice, and ice axes 

 were brought into use to open a road. Dogs and 

 komatiks became scattered in what seemed to me a 

 hopeless effort to find a passage. But no situation 

 is so hopeless and no physical obstacle so great that 

 the resourceful Eskimo cannot overcome it. 



Now and again, when the way was blocked, they 

 climbed ice pinnacles to look ahead for possible 

 routes, then returned to the task of cutting away ob- 

 structions, hauling, lifting, pulling at the traces to 

 aid the willing dogs. It is little short of super- 

 human the energy of these men. Six hours of toil 

 and we found ourselves again on smooth ice. It was 

 new ice, formed within the previous fortnight, and 

 as polished and perfect as a field of glass. The dogs 

 appreciated it as well as ourselves and forged ahead 

 at a rapid pace. 



Many seals were seen on this fresh-made ice, and 

 Eiseeyou desired that I take charge of his team while 

 he stalked some of them. Seals are extremely shy 

 and great caution must be practiced in approaching 

 them. The Eskimos use a blind in the form of a 

 miniature sledge, about eighteen inches in length by 

 six inches in width, with bearskin tacked on the run- 

 ners. Fore and aft are two upright crotched sticks, 

 upon which the rifle rests and to which it is lashed. 

 On the front of the little sledge a cross-bar sustains 

 two long perpendicular sticks, over which a piece of 

 white cloth is stretched, or, when that is not obtain- 

 able, hareskin is substituted. Through a hole in this 

 cloth screen the rifle muzzle protrudes. 



