THE LAST CRUISE OF THE MIRAXDA. 



95 



a somewhat more probable supposition the Eskimos did not 

 want us to get any deer, and had brought us to an unlikely 

 spot a ground that had recently been hunted over. The 

 reindeer are very necessary to the Eskimos, not only for food, 

 but also for their skins, which are utilized for various pur- 

 poses ; small wonder, then, if they are not anxious to assist 



NO DEER IN SIGHT. 



strangers in capturing these valuable animals. Had we had 

 time to strike our tents and move inland, I have no doubt 

 we should have found fine sport. Clark, indeed, reported that 

 he had seen deer on several occasions about the camp when 

 the rest of us were far away ; but Clark was not fond of soli- 

 tude, and was apt to solace himself by fishing out of the 



