This
latter, he explained, could be done much better with a mixture of blood
and snow than with any other available material. He furthermore
intimated that he feared they might be overtaken by a blizzard before
morning, in which case they could best defy it in a regularly built
igloo.
All these reasons for delay seemed so good that the others accepted
them, and the work outlined by Yim was immediately begun. In cutting
up the caribou, as in building the snow hut, Cabot, from lack of
experience, could give but slight assistance, and, realising this, he
made a proposal.
"Look here," he said. "The wood we have brought along won't last long
and I want a good fire to-night. I also want to carry some of this
meat to those poor wretches we have just left. We have got more than
we can take with us, anyhow. So I am going back with a leg of venison,
and on my return I'll bring all the wood I can pack."
"But you might lose the way," objected White.
"No one could lose so plain a trail as the one we have just made,"
replied Cabot, scornfully.
"Suppose it should be dark before you got back?"
"There will be three hours of daylight yet, and I won't be gone more
than two at the most. Anyhow, I must get some of this meat to those
starving children."
White's protests were ineffectual before Cabot's strong resolve, and,
as soon as a forequarter of the caribou could be made ready, the latter
get forth on his errand of mercy.
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