REINDEER HUNT. 



221 



bounded off toward the battle-ground, followed by all the other 

 dogs. This was annoying, as it threatened to put an end to any 

 more firing at the game ; and if they would have heeded us, we 

 should have instantly recalled them. But it was now useless. 

 The dogs were in full chase, and fears were entertained that if 

 they got too far away, some, if not all of them, would be lost. At 

 length we saw Barbekark pursuing — not in the deer tracks, cir- 

 cuitous, flexuous, mazy in course, but — in a direct line, thus evin- 

 cing a sagacity most remarkable. The other dogs, not taking the 

 same course, soon fell behind. 



On and on went Barbekark, straight for a spot which brought 

 him close upon the deer. The latter immediately changed their 

 course, and so did Barbekark, hot in pursuit after them. Thus it 

 continued for near two hours ; first this way, then that ; now in 

 a circle, then zigzag ; now direct, then at right angles, among the 

 numerous islands at the head of the bay. 



For a while nothing more was thought of the affair, save an ex- 

 pression of regret that the dogs would not be able to find their 

 way home, so far had they been led by the enticing game. 



A little before twelve, midday, Barbekark was seen coming 

 back, and presently he came on board, with blood around his 

 mouth and over his body. No importance was attached to this 

 beyond supposing that he had come into collision with the deer ; 

 but as for killing one, the thought was not entertained for a mo- 

 ment. Those who had often wintered in the arctic regions said 

 they had never known a dog to be of any use in hunting clown 

 deer, and therefore we concluded that our game was gone. But 

 there was something in the conduct of Barbekark that induced a 

 few of the men to think it possible he had been successful. He 

 was fidgety, and restlessly bent upon drawing attention to the 

 quarter where he had been chasing. 



He kept whining, and going first to one and then another, as if 

 asking them to do something he wanted. The captain even no- 

 ticed him jumping about, and playing unusual pranks; running 

 toward the gangway steps, then back again. This he did several 

 times, but still no one gave him more than a passing notice. He 

 went to Keeney and tried to enlist his attention, which at last he 

 did so far as to make him come down to me (I was writing in my 

 cabin at the time) and mention it ; but I gave no heed, being so 

 much occupied with my work. Perhaps, had Barbekark found 

 me, I should have comprehended his actions. As it was, he failed 



