BEYOND THE ARCTIC CIRCLE 259 



rumps to the north, weathering the storm. They did not 

 see us, but the dogs had discovered them and set up a 

 yelping which the musk-oxen heard, and, turning instant- 

 ly, started off on a run. They separated, some going 

 straight ahead, and others turning sharp to the south over 

 a ridge. 



Seco went on ahead, but I turned southward and went 

 over the ridge. Luck favored me, for as I reached the 

 top I saw the musk-oxen had turned again, and that two 

 of them were running due west and one southwest, while 

 two others were going to the eastward, with some of the 

 dogs in full chase. I went straight on, keeping just under 

 the top of the ridge, and when the two musk-oxen came 

 opposite me it was within about 100 yards. I fired twice, 

 scoring each time. One dropped, and the other, I noted, 

 was staggering as I threw another shell into my rifle and 

 started after the third, that was a good bit to the south. 

 About two more miles of running took me within fair range, 

 and one shot brought him to a dead stop, where he stood 

 until I had approached to within seventy-five yards and 

 put another ball behind his shoulder that brought him 

 down. All three were bulls two of them the largest I 

 had seen, and the third but very little smaller and I de- 

 lighted in the comforting realization that come what might 

 thereafter, at least I had my three heads, and my trip to 

 the Barrens was successful. 



I was determined the dogs should not get a chance at 

 the throats of these musk-oxen, so I set to work at once 

 cutting off the heads, leaving the removal of the robes to 

 the Indians. 



It was a difficult job in that terrific cold and storm, and 

 even with my gloves on work was possible for only a few 

 moments at a time, when it was necessary to slap both 

 hands vigorously to keep them from freezing. As it was 



