662 THE FRIENDLY ARCTIC 



explain it in this book, as is shown by the fact that Masik was on 

 his way in a rowboat within six hours after I arrived at Kellett, 

 although the first hour had been occupied by him in cooking me a 

 supper. He had a clumsy boat to row and he had not slept for at 

 least fifteen hours; still he expected to make the whole forty miles 

 before sleeping, and did so — I learned later that he had a head 

 wind part of the way. I saw at once that Masik was of that 

 admirable type who never conjure up imaginary difficulties and 

 who go about any important thing with directness and despatch. 

 He returned, after a nap and a bit of rest, with the news that the 

 Herman had not arrived although the Eskimos expected Captain 

 Pedersen, according to the arrangement of the previous year. 



There was hope, then, for the season was not yet late. But the 

 prospects grew less each day. In the neighborhood of Banks Island 

 there was no ice so far as we could see from the highest hills, 

 but apparently there must be ice to the south, for nothing but 

 the most difficult conditions would keep away a skillful ice navi- 

 gator like Pedersen with such a competent ship as the old whaler 

 Herman. 



