's to be done? luckily we are well to leeward, and it has
neither sighted nor scented us."

Meetuck replied by gestures and words to the effect that West and
O'Riley should remain with the dogs, and keep them quiet, under the
shelter of a hummock, while he and Fred should go after the reindeer.
Accordingly, away they went making a pretty long detour in order to gain
the shore, and come upon it under the shelter of the grounded floes,
behind which they might approach without being seen. In hurrying along
the coast they observed the footprints of a musk ox, and also of several
Arctic hares and foxes, which delighted them much, for hitherto they had
seen none of those animals, and were beginning to be fearful lest they
should not visit that part of the coast at all. Of course Fred knew not
what sort of animals had made the tracks in question, but he was an
adept at guessing, and the satisfied looks of his companion gave him
reason to believe that he was correct in his surmises.

In half an hour they came within range, and Fred, after debating with
himself for some time as to the propriety of taking the first shot,
triumphed over himself, and, stepping back a pace, motioned to the
Esquimaux to fire. But Meetuck was an innate gentleman, and modestly
declined, so Fred advanced, took a good aim, and fired.

The deer bounded away, but stumbled as it went, showing that it was
wounded.

"Ha! ha! Meetuck," exclaimed Fred, as he recharged in tremendous
excitement (taking twice as long to load in consequence), "I've improved
a little you see in my shoot--, o' bother this--ramrod!--tut! tut!
there, that's it."

Bang went Meetuck's musket at that moment, and the deer tumbled over
upon the snow.

"Well done, old fellow!" cried Fred, springing forward. At the same
instant a white hare darted across his path, at which he fired, without
even putting the gun to his shoulder, and knocked it over, to his own
intense amazement.

The three shots were the signal for the men to come up with the sledge,
which they did at full gallop, O'Riley driving, and flourishing the long
whip about in a way that soon entangled it hopelessly with the dogs'
traces.

"Ah, then, ye've done it this time, ye have, sure enough! Musha! what a
purty crature it is. Now, isn't it, West? Stop, then, won't ye (to the
restive dogs), ye've broke my heart entirely, and the whip's tied up
into iver so many knots. Arrah, Meetuck! ye may drive yer coach yerse