208 THE ARCTIC PRAIRIES 



and there, with my own eyes, I saw on a ridge a mile 

 away four great Caribou standing against the sky. 



We made for a near hill and met Preble returning; 

 he also had seen them. From a higher view-point the 

 4 proved part of a band of 20. 



Then other bands came in view, 16, 61, 3, 200, and 

 so on; each valley had a scattering few, all travelling 

 slowly southward or standing to enjoy the cool breeze 

 that ended the torment of the flies. About 1,000 were 

 in sight. These were my first Caribou, the first fruits 

 of 3,000 miles of travel. 



Weeso got greatly excited; these were the fore- 

 runners of the vast herd. He said, "Plenty Caribou 

 now," and grinned like a happy child. 



I went in one direction, taking only my camera. At 

 least 20 Caribou trotted within 50 feet of me. 



Billy and Weeso took their rifles intent on venison, 

 but the Caribou avoided them, and 6 or 8 shots were 

 heard before they got a young buck. 



All that day I revelled in Caribou, no enormous herds 

 but always a few in sight. 



The next day Weeso and I went to the top ridge 

 eastward. He with rifle, I with camera. He has a 

 vague idea of the camera's use, but told Billy privately 

 that "the rifle was much better for Caribou." He 

 could not understand why I should restrain him from 

 blazing away as long as the ammunition held out. 

 "Didn't we come to shoot?" But he was amenable 

 to discipline, and did as I wished when he under- 

 stood. 



Now on the top of that windy ridge I sat with this 



