"The
Esquimaux have little stone stoves in which they burn oil, and their
huts are quite warm inside."

In a few minutes the captives had a chance to test this statement. They
were unbound and carried from the sled to one of the larger huts. As is
usual in the far northern regions, each hut was made of blocks of ice
laid one on the other, forming a semicircular house, with a round dome.

The door or entrance was so small that the only way to get in was to
crawl. There was no door to keep the cold out, but the passage was made
a winding one, or there were two huts, one built over the other, so that
the openings did not come opposite, and this served to keep out the
wind.

Arriving at the doorway, the Esquimaux set their prisoners down in front
of the house, and signed to them to crawl in. The professor went first,
followed by Andy and Washington. Inside they found the place to be warm
from the flame of a crude stove. This consisted of a hollowed out stone,
filled with seal oil, the wick being made of moss. The stove, or lamp,
for it served both purposes, smoked very much.

There were several natives squatting down inside the hut, but they did
not seem surprised when the three prisoners entered. Others of the
Esquimaux crowded into the ice house, until it was uncomfortably filled.
Then a native who seemed to be a leader began a long talk to the others.

Judging from his gestures he was telling about the fight at the airship
and the capture of the captives. At times he would be interrupted by
those who wanted to question him.

At length the recital was done. All the Esquimaux, save about half a
dozen, crawled out of the hut. One of those who remained placed an
earthen pot over the flame of the stove, and soon a delicious smell
filled the air. Evidently something good was being cooked.

"It's chicken pot-pie," said Washington. "How I does love chicken!"

Presently one of the natives removed the pot from the stove and set it
in front of the captives. The contents were steaming hot, and seemed to
be some sort of meat stew, made with chunks of flesh, gravy and moss.

"How are we going to eat, without knives, forks or spoons?" asked Andy.

He soon found out. The natives who had remained in the hut drew up to
the pot. They dipped their bare hands in, drew out pieces of meat and
wads of the moss, and ate without ceremony.

"Fingers were made before forks," quoted the professor. "We'll have to
eat as the old cave-dwel