ACROSS MELTING ICE TO SUMMER VALLEY 



another, and a moment later I myself was down on the battle- 

 ground. Ajako, his face yet aglow with excitement, stood by 

 the killed bull, whose dreadful and sudden attack so nearly had 

 cost him his life. 



The four remaining bulls ran in close formation up a hill, 

 where they passed close by our tethered dogs. These rose up 

 and commenced an infuriated barking, whereafter the bulls, 

 obviously bewildered by the many wolves, once more changed 

 their direction towards the river to the south-west. 



One duffer, who could not keep up with the others, sepa- 

 rated from the herd and galloped towards the lake where we had 

 camped during the spring. After a hot chase, it was overtaken 

 here and stopped by two dogs which had torn themselves loose. 

 Whilst they held it Bosun arrived and shot it down. 



The remaining three gained their freedom for the time being, 

 but although we were sure that it was only a matter of time 

 when we should find them again, we nevertheless repented too 

 late our stone-throwing ; for it would surely have been better 

 for the transport to have the animals collected in one place. 

 For the moment we had to be contented with the humour of 

 having photographed them at a distance of a few metres, and 

 then in spite of our need for meat, to lose them ! It is the first 

 time during my many musk-ox hunts that I have seen an 

 attacked herd which has not stopped and formed square after a 

 short run, to meet their inevitable death. 



The two musk-oxen were skinned ; and we all ate fat mar- 

 row-bones until we were in that peaceful mood which follows on 

 a good meal. We could not deny that our joy was mixed with 

 bitterness, for three big, lovely animals had temporarily escaped 

 out of the flock which we had reckoned on with such surety as a 

 foundation for a couple of restful days in the beautiful and 

 summerlike McMillan Valley. 



We were all agreed that something must be done ; both we 

 and the dogs needed a rest before we had to wade on across the 

 broad Sherard Osborne Fjord. In the meantime we had al- 

 ready had a turn of over thirty hours under very severe condi- 



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