Page:The white czar; a story of a polar bear (IA whiteczarstoryof00hawk).pdf/130

 down from the nests and also the large, rich eggs. It was surprising how plenty the nests and eggs were. One could hardly move without stepping on the nests. The ducks flew up in scores.

Finally, when all the bags had been filled with either eggs or down, and the men had shot several dozen ducks for their larder, to vary their fish diet, the hunting party returned to Eskimo Village. Whitie again swam the distance to the mainland, although Oumauk wanted him taken into the boat.

Another still more wonderful day was when Eiseeyou took Oumauk to some more distant islands to see the seal rookeries. These were their summer breeding places, called hauling grounds.

This time they went in Eiseeyou's kayak and Oumauk was stowed away under the deck of the canoe, his head merely peeping out under his father's arm.

It was a beautiful trip. The sea was like glass. The late May sunshine thrilled them like old wine, and both father and son were very glad.

Arrived at the breeding grounds which