306 THE CONQUEST OF THE NORTH POLE 



After travelling some miles, the sledge was stopped by 

 a shallow canon when abreast of Musk-ox Valley. Here 

 Peary left the sledge and dogs and examined the valley, 

 but could find no trace of musk-oxen. After making 

 an attempt to pass down the canon, and failing, they 

 climbed out of it and made across country. A few miles 

 beyond the valley, Peary shot a hare. Previous to this 

 they were having recourse to the dog-food, but they 

 now cooked and ate the entire hare. It was the first full 

 meal they had had in thirty-five days. 



Next morning they started for a valley between Musk- 

 ox Valley and Navy Cliff. At the entrance of this valley 

 traces of musk-oxen were found, and ultimately they were 

 tracked to near the crest of some mountains. When about 

 200 yards from the oxen, Peary and Henson lay down 

 behind a large boulder to regain their breath. It was 

 almost a matter of life or death with them, and they 

 quivered with excitement. At last they made a rush for 

 the oxen, and fortunately, instead of running away, the 

 oxen formed in line with lowered heads. In a few minutes 

 several were shot, and the remainder took to flight. So 

 hungry were the men that as they skinned the animals 

 they ate the meat raw and thought it delicious. 



After resting, they took up the trail of the remaining 

 oxen. Having followed them for twenty hours, Peary's 

 chagrin may be imagined when the oxen were ulti- 

 mately found near the camp he had left. Being now 

 thoroughly tired, they decided to take a few hours 1 sleep 

 before attacking them, but when they awoke the oxen 

 had gone. The trail was again taken up, but after a 

 chase of several miles a snowstorm came on, and com- 

 pletely obliterated all tracks. 



They now returned to the sledge, and using the musk- 

 oxen skins, they formed a kind of tent into which they 

 crawled, and were soon asleep. 



