138 Arrival at Depot Island. [January, isos. 



needle-lines in the distance. The dogs were now urged to their 

 utmost speed, but the storm-clouds shut in upon them before Hall 

 could take a compass-bearing which might have saved some hours of 

 wandering. Traveling then became exceedingly difficult, until, accord- 

 ing to Eskimo usage in such cases, a woman was selected as the guide. 

 One of Ou-e-ki's wives well executed this task, although for a time mis- 

 led by a light on Ar-goo-moo-too-UJc's sled which was seeking to regain 

 it« track. This light was from a piece of moss at the bottom of a dish 

 containing a little oil ; at first she believed it to be on the ships. Re- 

 gaining their course, the party soon saw a signal swinging high on the 

 mast of the Monticello, its crew having heard the cries of the dog- 

 drivers and dogs for half a mile back. 



Hall had closely shaved his hair and beard for this journey, 

 yet devoutly wishing when he cut them that the ice could have been 

 kept off, that they might have been saved to warm him. He was 

 distinguishable from the rest of the snow- covered party by his voice 

 only ; but was soon recognized by Captain Chapel, and welcomed to 

 his old quarters on the ship. After partaking of the first hospitalities 

 of the Monticello, and seeing that his party were properly cared for, 

 he turned into his bunk, expecting a full season of rest. But the 

 change from the igloo was too sudden ; he slept none during the night. 

 After his next meal he could not help entering in his journal that he 

 " liked civilization food" as well as any man, and it was only through 

 his determination to fathom the myster}^ relative to the lost expedition 

 that he could possildy submit to live the life of the Eskimos as he had 

 done and as he must still do. He cono-ratulated himself that he had 



o 



not forgotten how to use his plate, knife, and fork after 135 days' disuse 

 of said aiticles. 



