OFF FOR THE POLE 
It is amusing to hear Kudlooktoo in the 
most charming manner give Charley a cussing 
that from any one else would cause Charley to 
break his head open. 
For the last week I have been busy, with 
''Matt! The Commander wants you," "Matt 
do this," and "Matt do that," and with going 
ashore and trading for skins, dogs, lines, and 
other things ; and also walrus-hunting. I have 
been up to my neck in work, and have had 
small opportunity to keep my diary up to date. 
We have all put on heavy clothing; not the 
regular fur clothes for the winter, but our 
thickest civilized clothing, that we would wear 
in midwinter in the States, In the middle of 
the day, if the sun shines, the heat is felt ; but 
if foggy or cloudy, the heavy clothing is com- 
fortable. 
All of the Esquimos want to come aboard 
and stay aboard. Some we want and will take 
along, but there are others we will not have or 
take along on a bet, and the pleasant duty of 
telhng them so and putting them ashore falls 
to me. It is not a pleasant job to disappoint 
these people, but they would be a burden to us 
and in our way. Besides, we have left them a 
23 
