430 HUNTING WITH THE ESKIMOS 



sharp lookout, she had passed us unobserved. For a 

 time I could not realize that the Roosevelt had really 

 come, and that I was to return home. 



Commander Peary was very kind. When we had 

 dropped anchor in the harbor, he invited me into the 

 cabin for a good drink of brandy, and expressed his 

 pleasure at my success in the musk-ox hunt, and his 

 interest in my winter experience. 



Three days the Roosevelt remained at Etah. 

 Under Mr. Peary's orders the little shack, which had 

 been my home when here, was torn down, and the 

 provisions that remained were apportioned among 

 the Eskimos that had been with him in the North. 

 Several of these Eskimos remained on the ship, to be 

 left at points on Whale Sound and farther down the 

 coast. 



Late on the afternoon of the third day after her 

 arrival, the Roosevelt turned her prow southward. 

 As she steamed slowly away from Etah we blew a 

 long blast of the whistle in parting salute to the Eski- 

 mos, who had gathered upon two high rocks to wave 

 us farewell. I watched them fade away until they 

 were swallowed up in the dim outlines of distant shore. 

 As they passed from view a feeling of inexplicable 

 sadness fell upon me. These savage, unkempt peo- 

 ple had become my friends. For a year I had shared 

 their hospitality and their fortunes in the desolate 

 land which they inhabit. Together we had met and 

 overcome many dangers, endured many hardships, 

 and we had nursed and helped each other in sickness. 

 When men share experiences like these they are 



