all circle, and after Saunders had
argued for half an hour as to the advantages of this plan, he followed
their example. The tide rose above their knees, but they had
fortunately on boots, made by the Esquimaux, which were perfectly
waterproof; their feet, therefore, although very cold, were quite dry.
In an hour and three-quarters the ice-belt was again uncovered, and the
half-frozen travellers resumed their march with the utmost energy.
Two hours later and they came to a wide expanse of level ground at the
foot of the high cliffs, where a group of Esquimaux huts, similar to
those they had left, was descried.
"They're all deserted too," remarked Buzzby.
But Buzzby was wrong, for at that moment a very small and particularly
fat little boy in a fox-skin dress appeared at the mouth of one of the
low tunnels that formed the entrance to the nearest hut. This boy
looked exactly like a lady's muff with a hairy head above it and a pair
of feet below. The instant he observed the strangers he threw up his
arms, uttered a shrill cry of amazement, and disappeared in the tunnel.
Next instant a legion of dogs rushed out of the huts, barking furiously,
and on their heels came the entire population, creeping on their hands
and knees out of the tunnel mouths like dark hairy monsters issuing from
their holes. They had spears and knives of ivory with them, but a
glance showed the two parties that they were friends, and in a few
moments Awatok and his comrades were chattering vociferously round the
sailors, and endeavouring by word and sign to make themselves
understood.
The Esquimaux received the three visitors and the rest of the
sledge-party, who came up a few hours later, with the utmost
hospitality. But we have not space to tell of how they dragged them
into their smoky huts of snow, and how they offered them raw seals'
flesh to eat; and how, on the sailors expressing disgust they laughed,
and added moss mixed with oil to their lamps to enable them to cook
their food; and how they managed, by signs and otherwise, to understand
that the strangers had come in search of food, at which they (the
Esquimaux) were not surprised; and how they assured their visitors (also
by means of signs) that they would go a-hunting with them on the
following day, whereat they (the sailors) were delighted, and shook
hands all round. Neither have we space to tell of how the visitors were
obliged to conform to custom, and sleep in the same huts
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