286 FARTHES2' NORTH 



" Firmly determined to make these alterations, the 

 very next day we started off. We soon came to a long 

 pool, which it was necessary to ferry over. The kayaks 

 were soon launched and lying side by side on the water, 

 well stiffened, with the snow-shoes under the straps,* a 

 thoroughly steady fleet. Then the sledges, with their 

 loads, were run out to them, one forward, one astern. We 

 had been concerned about the dogs and how we should 

 get them to go with us, but they followed the sledges out 

 on to the kayaks and lay down as if they had done 

 nothing else all their lives. ' Kaifas ' seated himself in 

 the bow of my kayak, and the two others astern. 



"A seal had come up near us while we were occupied 

 with all this, but I thought to wait before shooting it till 

 the kayaks were ready, and thus be certain of getting it 

 before it sank. Of course it did not show itself again. 

 These seals seem to be enchanted, and as if they were 

 only sent to delay us. Twice that day before I had seen 

 them- and watched for them to appear again in vain. I 

 had even achieved missing one — the third time I have 

 missed my mark. It looks bad for the ammunition if I 

 am going on like this, but I have discovered that I aimed 

 too hisfh for these short rano;es, and had shot over them. 

 So then we set off across the blue waves on our first long 



* Certain straps which are fixed on the kayak, just in front of the 

 occupant, and through which the paddle is passed when shooting, etc. 

 The blade thus lying laterally on the water very much increases the 

 steadiness of the occupants. 



