filled by dried intestines tightly stretched. In every hovel
a stone lamp filled with seal oil burned night and day, furnishing
light, warmth, and the heat for melting ice into drinking water,
boiling tea, drying wet mittens, and doing the family cooking.

Cabot and White were immensely interested in watching the construction
of these primitive Labrador homes. They were also amazed at the
readiness with which the natives made themselves snugly safe and
comfortable, in a place where they had despaired of keeping alive.
Besides watching the Eskimo prepare for the winter and picking up many
words of their language, Cabot took daily lessons in snowshoeing and
the management of dog teams, in both of which arts White was already an
adept.

According to contract, both lads had been provided with complete
outfits for Arctic travel, including fur clothing, boots, and sleeping
bags. A sledge with a fine team of dogs had also been placed at their
disposal, and an intelligent young Eskimo, who could speak some
English, was ready to guide them on their southward journey. He was
introduced to his future travelling companions as Ildlat-Netschillik,
whereupon Cabot remarked:

"That is an elegant name for special occasions, such as might occur
once or twice in a lifetime, but seems to me something less ornamental,
like 'Jim,' for instance, would be better for everyday use. I wonder
if he would mind being called Jim?"

On being asked this question the young Eskimo, grinning broadly, said:

"A' yite. Yim plenty goot," and afterwards he always answered promptly
and cheerfully to the name of "Yim."

[Illustration: "Yim."]

At length snow fell for several days almost without intermission. Then
a fierce wind took it in hand, kneading it, packing it, and stuffing it
into every crack and cranny of the landscape until hollows were filled,
ridges were nicely rounded, and rocks had disappeared. In the
meantime, strong white bridges had been thrown across lake and stream,
and the great Labrador highway for winter travel was formally opened to
the public.

November was well advanced, and our lads had been prisoners in Locked
Harbour for more than two months when this way of escape was opened to
them. It had been decided that they should take a single large sledge,
having broad runners, and a double team of dogs--ten in all. On this,
therefore, was finally lashed a great load of provisions, frozen walrus
meat for dog food, sleepi