d off to a fine point. The labour of using such
a formidable weapon is so great that Esquimaux usually, when
practicable, travel in couples, one sledge behind the other. The dogs
of the last sledge follow mechanically and require no whip, and the
riders change about so as to relieve each other. When travelling, the
whip trails behind, and can be brought with a tremendous crack that
makes the hair fly from the wretch that is struck--and Esquimaux are
splendid _shots_, so to speak. They can hit any part of a dog with
certainty, but usually rest satisfied with simply cracking the whip, a
sound that produces an answering yell of terror whether the lash takes
effect or not.

Our hunters were clothed in their Esquimaux garments, and cut the oddest
imaginable figures. They had a soft, rotund, cuddled-up appearance that
was powerfully suggestive of comfort. The sled carried one day's
provisions, a couple of walrus harpoons, with a sufficient quantity of
rope, four muskets, with the requisite ammunition, an Esquimaux
cooking-lamp, two stout spears, two tarpaulins to spread on the snow,
and four blanket sleeping-bags. These last were six feet long, and just
wide enough for a man to crawl into at night, feet first.

"What a jolly style of travelling, isn't it?" cried Fred, as the dogs
sprang wildly forward, tearing the sledge behind them, Dumps and Poker
leading, and looking as lively as crickets.

"Well now, isn't it true that wits jump?--that's jist what I was sayin'
to meself," remarked O'Riley, grinning from ear to ear as he pulled the
fur hood farther over his head, crossed his arms more firmly on his
breast, and tried to double himself up as he sat there like an overgrown
rat. "I wouldn't exchange it with the Lord Mayor o' London and his
coach an' six--so I wouldn't. Arrah! have a care, Meetuck, ye baste, or
ye'll have us kilt."

This last exclamation was caused by the reckless driver dashing over a
piece of rough ice that nearly capsized the sledge. Meetuck did not
answer, but he looked over his shoulder with a quiet smile on his oily
countenance.

"Ah, then, ye may laugh!" said O'Riley, with a menacing look, "but av ye
break a bone o' me body I'll--"

Down went the dogs into a crack in the ice as he spoke, over went the
sledge, and hurled them all out upon the ice.

"Musha! but ye've done it!"

"Hallo, West, are you hurt?" cried Fred anxiously, as he observed the
sailor fall heavily on the ice.

"Oh n