Hunting Mnsk-Ox with the Dog Ribs 



wood was not dry, and the quantity so 

 small that it required constant attention. 



We were destined to spend the next 

 day in the blankets, with the clouds of 

 powdery snow settling down through the 

 smoke-hole of our lodge upon us. We had 

 had but two meals a day since leaving the 

 Coppermine, and when lying storm-bound 

 we ate but one. When travelling, al- 

 though we were voraciously hungry before 

 nightfall, it was thirst which troubled us 

 the most, as we were running most of the 

 time. 



Early on the nineteenth day we sighted 

 musk-ox while yet a long distance from 

 them. While ascending a steep hill I was 

 delayed by my sled sinking in the soft 

 snow until the great awkward balls into 

 which the skins were frozen, projecting 

 at the sides, made the load drag heavily. 

 When I reached the top the others were 

 a quarter of a mile in advance, and instead 

 of waiting for me to come up, they had 

 released their dogs, and were likely to kill 

 every musk-ox before I could reach them. 

 Johnnie, remembering the havoc which 

 my Winchester was liable to make in his 

 fur returns, thought best to " suspend the 

 rules " of the hunting-code, and let me 

 buy of them if I wanted any musk-ox. 



321 



