The dark Arctic Winter. 191 



interrupted by snow-storms of frequent occurrence, beginning in 

 August. Ice began to form along the river banks in early Sep- 

 tember, and by the end of October a snowy mantle covered the 

 country, and all the streams were fast locked in ice. The log 

 cabin and all observatories were ready for occupation by October 

 1. The days rapidly shortened as the season progressed, and on 

 November 16 the sun in his course southward disappeared be- 

 neath the horizon. During the shortest days lamps were extin- 

 guished at 11 a m and lighted at 1 p m. By 2 p m observations 

 upon the stars were perfectly practicable. This state of affairs 

 prevailed until Ja'iiuary 26, on which date the sun reappeared. 

 As the first few feeble rays of the luminary struggled through 

 the frost-laden windows the spirits of the men brightened, and, 

 rushing forth from the cabin, they capered about like mad men 

 in an excess of joy. 



Many Indians visited our camp during the winter months, 

 the best season for travel. In this region of soft snow the kind 

 of sled used on the coast is unsuitable, and is rej^laced by a to- 

 boggan seven feet long and two feet wide, with a large roll in 

 front to fend off the snow. The dogs, usually four in number, 

 are hitched tandem and so close together as to necessitates cut- 

 ting off their tails. No sled dog in the PorcujDine river country 

 possesses this ornamental appendage, for it is amputated early 

 in youth. 



Among the coast tribes all the dogs possess large bushy tails, 

 which serve the admirable purpose of keeping their noses warm 

 in the cold winter nights. No sled trips, with the single excep- 

 tion of one to Rampart House late in December, were made at 

 this time. There Avas no particular necessity for them, and no 

 member of the party possessed sufficient enthusiasm to under- 

 take a journey for the pleasure to be derived from it. 



As stated before, scarcely a day passed that some Indian did 

 not make camp Colonna his abiding place until kicked out. We 

 found the natives inveterate beggars. There was some excuse 

 for this, as early in January the stock of provisions at Rampart 

 house became exhausted. The natives with characteristic im- 

 providence had neglected in summer to lay up food for the' win- 

 ter, and the new year found starvation staring them in the face. 

 Several hunting parties had gone out, to return empty-handed 

 and to report that the deer had migrated southward. Many In- 

 dians were reduced to the necessity of subsisting upon moose- 



