102 
EXPLANATION. 
no difficulty, I find, in penetrating this man’s designs. 
He was indeed urged by him to agree that they should 
drive off together to the south and so leave us sledge¬ 
less. Upon Ilans’s refusal, he tried to obtain his rifle; 
but this of course was easily prevented. He consented 
at last to take up the meat, with a view of making 
WALRUS CACHE. 
terms with me and securing probably a companion. 
Baffled in this, as I have mentioned, lie made his escape 
a second time to Etah. There I might be content to 
leave him, an unwelcome guest, and dependent upon 
the Esquimaux. Strong and healthy as he is, our daily 
work goes on better for his absence, and the ship seems 
better when purged by his desertion; but the example 
is disastrous; and, cost what it may, I must have him 
back. 
