OFF TO ELLESMERE LAND 281 



the interim. Thus during the long night, when bliz- 

 zards and gales were so prevalent, it was necessary to 

 take advantage of every hour of moonlight or twi- 

 light, in lulls between the storms. 



Oxpuddyshou and Etukishuk went ahead to sur- 

 vey the ice barricades. They climbed a high iceberg, 

 from which a good view of our surroundings could 

 be had, and returned with. a most discouraging re- 

 port. Personally I could see little hope of finding 

 an opening through which to push our sledges. 



This second march on Smith Sound was of eleven 

 hours' duration, and with piercing wind and driving 

 snow I suffered great discomfort. But a comfort- 

 able camp was the reward, tea and bacon for all hands 

 warmed our blood and brought cheer and content, and 

 our sleeping-bags were snug and cozy. 



A few hours' rest, a breakfast of seal liver and 

 seal flippers very strong and fishy in flavor and 

 we were again ready to attack the problem of over- 

 coming the ice barrier. Etukishuk, who was one of 

 Cook's Eskimos and had also been on the Polar Sea 

 with Peary, and Annoploblakto, who had been with 

 the latter on one of his "Farthest North" expedi- 

 tions, both asserted that they had never in their lives 

 encountered anything more difficult. 



We found but six miles through which we had to 

 chop our way, but those six miles consumed thirteen 

 hours of continuous effort. Snow-shoes could not 

 be used in this rough stretch, though the snow was 

 very deep in places, and now and again I sank to 

 my waist. 



