The heavy ice between Kay and King points formed
large pools of water and we struggled with the large sleds all day,
sometimes up to our waists in water." One wonders how these men stood
it. The Commissioner was right when he indicated that service in the
north required men of robust health and hopeful temperament. Inspector
A. M. Jarvis says the sailors regard Herschell Island as a "blowhole."
The wind blows one way or the other constantly, and he quotes the
captains as saying that "a nor'-easter never dies in debt to a
sou'-wester." But Jarvis introduces a fine human touch when he says of
the inhabitants, "They are quite religious, holding services on Sunday
and doing no work on that day. They neither beg nor steal, and slander
is unknown amongst them. They are as near 'God's chosen people' as any I
have ever seen. After my experience of this world I could almost wish
that I had been born an Esquimaux. They are very fond of their children
and take the greatest care of them. The children never require to be
chastised and are very obedient. One never sees any quarrelling or
bickering amongst them. They show the true sport in their games of
football and baseball. The other day I noticed a crowd of little tots,
in their skin clothes, playing on the snow for several hours as though
they were in a bed of roses." This is a delightful picture and in rather
painful contrast to our more artificial life, so that one can understand
Jarvis' wish.

These policemen had a fine regard to the human side of the world's work,
and often indicate their keen desire for the things that they deem in
the highest moral interest of their districts. In the year we have been
discussing, Inspector Horrigan went from Dawson to the Upper Pelly River
to look into the matter of a supposed murder and to bring about a
reconciliation between two groups of Indians that had fallen out about
something. He found that the Blind Creek Indians were in the wrong and
effected a better understanding all around. Of the Indians on the Upper
Pelly, he writes in his report, "The Pelly Indians are sober, honest and
provident. Morally their standard is very high. It seems too bad that so
far no provision has been made for a school for the children, as they
are a very bright, clever-looking crowd. I see a great field here for
good, active Christian work." This is finely spoken--a good admonition
both to Church and State--but incidentally also a rebuke to certain
phases of