300 HUNTING WITH THE ESKIMOS 



manner. Three of the dogs joined in the mad, reck- 

 less chase, but to my consternation the remainder of 

 the pack turned down into the valley, and presently, 

 powerless to prevent, I saw them tearing like hungry 

 wolves at my hard-earned trophies, which had rolled 

 to the rocks below. 



There was nothing to do but follow Eiseeyou at 

 the best speed I dared. Finally I overtook him, with 

 the six musk-oxen again held at bay by the three 

 faithful dogs. Eiseeyou, who had considerately 

 withheld his fire, at once surrendered the rifle to 

 me and as rapidly as possible I dispatched the re- 

 maining animals. One of them required three shots 

 to drop him. 



In this connection I may say that wounded musk- 

 oxen display absolutely no signs of pain. I noted 

 this remarkable fact on several occasions when I 

 placed a ball near the front shoulder, and no indica^ 

 tion was given by the animal that it was hurt until 

 several minutes later it fell dead. 



These last animals lodged where they fell and we 

 set about skinning them immediately. Presently the 

 Eskimos that had followed the smaller herd joined 

 us. Among the six trophies secured on the hill were 

 two fine bulls, remarkable specimens. But after a 

 consultation among the men Eiseeyou informed me 

 that we had made our killing in so inaccessible a posi- 

 tion that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to 

 get them out. 



This was a keen disappointment and I insisted that 

 in some way we must save the skins at least. Finally 



