54 AN ESKIMO VILLAGE 



he dared not risk little Zakki upon it until another 

 three or four days had passed. 



He spent those days in getting ready for the 

 journey. He planed and smoothed the runners of 

 his long sledge, and polished them until they shone ; 

 he bound up the slack joints, he tapered anew the 

 lash of his walrus-hide whip ; he strengthened and 

 patched the dogs' harness ; and, finally, with little 

 Zakki 's comfort in his mind, he made a box big 

 enough for the child to sit in, and lashed a sail to 

 the four corners to keep out the wind. 



