the three miles which separated the
cape from Fort Providence. Duke was springing about them. The coast
inclined to the east, and the lofty summits of Victoria Bay tended to
grow lower toward the north. This made them believe that New America
was perhaps only an island; but they did not have then to concern
themselves with its shape. The hunters took the route by the sea and
went forward rapidly. There was no sign of life, no trace of any
building; they were walking over a virgin soil. They thus made about
fifteen miles in the first three hours, eating without stopping to
rest; but they seemed likely to find no sport. They saw very few
traces of hare, fox, or wolf. Still, a few snow-birds flew here and
there, announcing the return of spring and the arctic animals. The
three companions had been compelled to go inland to get around some
deep ravines and some pointed rocks which ran down from Bell Mountain;
but after a few delays they succeeded in regaining the shore; the ice
had not yet separated. Far from it. The sea remained fast; still a few
traces of seals announced the beginning of their visit, and that they
were already come to breathe at the surface of the ice-field. It was
evident from the large marks, the fresh breaking of the ice, that many
had very recently been on the land. These animals are very anxious for
the rays of the sun, and they like to bask on the shore in the sun's
heat. The doctor called his companions' attention to these facts.

[Illustration]

"Let us notice this place," he said. "It is very possible that in
summer we shall find hundreds of seals here; they can be approached
and caught without difficulty, if they are unfamiliar with men. But we
must take care not to frighten them, or they will disappear as if by
magic and never return; in that way, careless hunters, instead of
killing them one by one, have often attacked them in a crowd, with
noisy cries, and have thereby driven them away."

"Are they only killed for their skin and oil?" asked Bell.

"By Europeans, yes, but the Esquimaux eat them; they live on them, and
pieces of seal's flesh, which they mix with blood and fat, are not at
all unappetizing. After all, it depends on the way it's treated, and I
shall give you some delicate cutlets if you don't mind their dark
color."

"We shall see you at work," answered Bell; "I'll gladly eat it,
Doctor."

"My good Bell, as much as you please. But, however much you eat, you
will never equa