348 THE HUDSON BAY ESKIMO. 



a quautity of dry brush aud placed it as lie had seen the wolves arrange 

 it. He then sprang over it and a huge blaze gave evidence of the 

 power within him. He was so astonished that he resolved to camp 

 there. He melted some snow and drank the water and retired to rest, 

 without having looked at the sled. The next morning he started early 

 aud nuide his camp before sunset, as he was very tired. He gathered 

 some brush and made the fire by jumping over the pile ol fuel. His 

 supper was only some melted snow which he drank and retired. In the 

 morning he started to continue his journey homeward and still had not 

 seen the sled which he was dr;igging. As he was ready to start he 

 was so coniident of his ability to create lire that he threw away his 

 flint and steel. He traveled all day until toward sunset he was so 

 fatigued that he concluded to make his camp for the night. He was so 

 elated with his newly acquired faculty of making fire that he eagerly 

 gathered a great quantity of dried twigs and branches, until a large 

 heap was before him. He jumped over it, and turned round to see 

 the flames creep up and watch the sparks fly. There was not a sign of 

 a blaze or a spark to meet his gaze. He again jumped over it, and 

 again, until he was so exhausted that he could not clear the top of 

 the pile, and at last he knocked the top of it over, as his failing 

 strength did not enable him to avoid it. The only thing left for him 

 to do was to return for his flint and steel, which he had so exultingly 

 thrown aside. The animal berated himself soundly for having done 

 such a silly trick. Not having seen the sled he was surprised to find 

 how quickly he regained the site of the camp of the previous night. 

 Having recovered his flint and steel he returned, and soon had a fire 

 started ; but it was now near daylight. He resolved to start on his 

 journey as soon as he had some water melted for a drink. He began 

 to think how quickly he had made the trip for his flint and steel, 

 and concluded that the great length of the sled had been purposely 

 made to cause him unnecessary fatigue, as it could not be so very 

 heavy, or else that he must be extraordinarily strong. He determined 

 to examine it, and did so. He could not see the farther end of the 

 load. He flattered himself that he was so very strong, and concluded 

 to continue his journey. He attempted to start the sled, aud found 

 he could not move it in the least. He upbraided himself for permitting 

 his curiosity to get the better of his sense. He removed a portion of 

 dry meat aud a bundle of fat, and made them into a load to carry on 

 his back. He placed the remainder on a stage, and was about ready 

 to start homeward to his wife aud children, whom he believed must be 

 by this time nearly dead from starvation. 



He put the pack of meat on his back and set out. That evening he 

 arrived at his home, and as soon as his wife heard him her heart was 

 glad. He entered and informed the family that he had brought home 

 a quantity of meat and fat, and had procured so much as to be unable 

 to carry it all at once. His wife begged him to fetch her a piece of 



