THE DANGERS OF THE SEA 393 



At length the wind sufficiently moderated for us to 

 resume our journey. Pennipar and Awhella each 

 wished to put a kayak in the boat, but there was not 

 room for the two kayaks and I declined to permit 

 it. The two men at once grew so sulky and disagree- 

 able that I felt compelled to leave them behind to 

 work their way to Annootok, or back to Etah, as best 

 they could. 



We were less than half way to Annootok when the 

 wind died out completely and all hands had to take 

 the oars. I never saw men work harder, but in spite 

 of their efforts it seemed as though we hardly moved. 

 The Eskimos were game, however, and never let up 

 on their oars for a moment, even when much loose ice 

 was encountered, through which our way was made 

 with increased difficulty, and rowing was unusually 

 hard, the oars constantly striking ice. Our arrival 

 at Annootok created much excitement and our wel- 

 come was noisy and boisterous. The people, consist- 

 ing chiefly of women and children, were overjoyed to 

 see us. 



I was very tired and hungry, and looked forward 

 to a good rest before starting back. But one can 

 never count upon anything in the Arctic. I pitched 

 my tent quickly, put over a large pot of little auks to 

 boil, and made tea for the men who had worked so 

 hard, and myself. Then I lay down for the longed- 

 for rest, but had not fallen asleep when Kulutinguah 

 came hurriedly in to say that a light breeze had 

 sprung up from the northward, that large sheets of 

 ice could be seen driving rapidly down from the 



