ARCTIC FRIENDS AND ENEMIES 



during all this time given any of them a bite of food or 

 submitted to a single one of their demands in any way, 

 for I knew perfectly well that should I show any indica- 

 tion of weakening, they would take advantage of it. Should 



IN THE FROZEN NORTH 



I give them an ounce they would want a pound, and once 

 they secured a part, they would have all; and should they 

 succeed in getting possession of my property they would 

 then murder me as a precaution against any possible 

 trouble. My only safety was in maintaining a fearless and 

 independent attitude, and in avoiding everything that 

 would give any chance for trouble. 



One morning, while I was making coffee for my break- 

 fast, an Indian, a powerful looking fellow, and the one 

 who had been the most persistent and troublesome, came 

 up and asked me for the balance of the package of coffee, 

 all the coffee I possessed. On my refusal, he remarked: 

 " Mica delate cultus," meaning that I was everything that 

 was low and bad. For the first time my temper got the 

 best of my judgment and I made for him with a club. He 

 was too quick for me, however, and beat a rapid retreat. 

 The following night I remained awake, for the redskins 

 had kept to themselves all day, and I felt sure, after what 

 had happened that morning, that they were only waiting 



3i7 



