310 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



first Musk-ox. After a short but exciting chase, during 

 which the ox retreated higher up the hill, he was brought 

 down by a well-directed shot fired by Mr. White, the boat- 

 swain of the Proteus, who, being provided with an ice-gaff 

 (a pole about ten feet long, with a sharp iron point and 

 hook attached), was in better condition to climb the steep 

 cliffs tlian the other members of the liunting-i)arty. The 

 prize proved to be a large old bull, and we estimated his 

 gross weight at a little over six hundred pounds, thottgh he 

 I)robably did not dress more than four hundred, owing 

 to the heavy head, skin, and other offal. 



While we were carrying the meat on board the vessel, 

 Lieutenant Lockwood, with two other members of the 

 expeditionary force, chased ten more Musk-oxen to the 

 summit of a large hill on the south side of Mount Carmel, 

 where they came to bay and were disj)atched in short order. 

 This was a favorable beginning, assuring us a fresh-meat sup- 

 ply for some time to come, and augured well for the future. 



The Musk-oxen, when scenting danger, always retreat to 

 some elevation near by, and upon the approach of the 

 enemy they form in a perfect line, their heads toward their 

 foe; or, if attacked at more than one point, they form a cir- 

 cle, their glaring, blood-shot eyes restlessly watching the 

 attack; and I think it would go hard with the man or beast 

 who, under such circumstances, might come within reach of 

 their broad horns or hard hoofs. 



I had several opportunities of observing these maneuvers 

 during my trip with Lieutenant Greely into the interior of 

 Grinnell Land, in the summer of 1882, On this trip we 

 saw hundreds of these animals quietly grazing in the val- 

 leys along Lake Hazen, and there is no doubt in my mind 

 but that they remain there all through the year, as their 

 food can be found there in abundance. We passed close 

 to some herds, which, on these level grounds, on sight- 

 ing us, would form in line with the promptness and pre- 

 cision of trained cavalry, and slowly wheel as we passed, 

 their heads always fronting us, until we had passed to a 

 safe distance. 



