MUSK-OXEN 
position that never was ruffled. In the field 
the previous spring he had accompanied the 
expedition beyond the "Big Lead" to 84° 29', 
and with the strength of his broad shoulders 
he had pickaxed the way. 
On account of his calm, quiet manner I had 
hesitated to form an opinion of him at first, 
but you can rest assured this was a "Tender- 
foot" who made good. 
During this time I left the ship on short 
hunting trips, but I was never away from the 
ship for more than ten or twelve hours. 
On July 1 quite a lead was opened in the 
channel south from Cape Sheridan to Cape 
Rawson. The ice was slowly moving south- 
ward, and the prospects for freeing the Roose- 
velt and getting her started on her homeward 
way were commencing to brighten. The fol- 
lowing day a new lead opened much nearer 
shore, and on July 3 the Esquimos, who had 
been out hunting, returned from Black CliiF 
Bay, without game, but with the good news 
that as far south as Dumb Bell Bay there 
stretched a lead of open water. July 4, a new 
lead opened very close to the Roosevelt, The 
158 
