412 HUNTING WITH THE ESKIMOS 



siderable time, when it was decided to run down to 

 Cape Alexander and try our luck there. 



We had not covered half the distance to the pro- 

 posed hunting-grounds, when suddenly a strong wind 

 sprang up from the southward, and it was found nec- 

 essary to turn back to Etah. The wind increased 

 so rapidly that in less than an hour a tempest was 

 raging and we were running before it with bare mast. 

 These sudden, unexpected gales are so frequent in 

 the region that one never can be certain, even in the 

 most promising weather, of escaping them. Our 

 trip was a rough one, and all hands were very glad 

 when finally a safe landing was made at Etah after 

 shipping one sea that half filled the boat. Shortly 

 after our arrival rain set in, very quickly turning to 

 snow, which came down heavily for several hours. 

 The earth, however, was so warm the snow melted 

 almost as fast as it fell. As suddenly as the storm 

 came, it ceased, and the weather cleared bright and 

 fine. 



With the return of propitious weather we lost no 

 time in getting away to renew the hunt, for the peo- 

 ple still needed a good deal of meat to tide them over 

 the season of paucity, and as was our custom, made 

 at once for the little island to gain a lookout. 



In all the broad expanse of water surrounding us 

 nothing was to be seen save a few square-flipper seals. 

 This is the largest of the seals inhabiting these waters, 

 and its skin is especially prized by the Eskimos be- 

 cause of the many uses to which it may be put. It 

 is a very shy seal, and exceedingly difficult to ap- 



