Page:Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice.djvu/168

158 chance to stretch my legs, and what more remains to be done, can be finished in the morning.”

Mr. Damon declared that he did not relish a tramp over the ice and snow, and would stay in the warm cabin, but Tom and Ned, with Abe and Mr. Parker started off. The scientist pointed out what he claimed were evidences of the impending movement of the ice, while Abe explained to the lads how the Alaskan Indians of that neighborhood hunted and fished, and how they made huts of blocks of ice.

“We are nearing th’ Arctic circle,” the old miner said, “and we'll soon be among th’ most savage of the Eskimo tribes.”

“Is there any hunting around here?” asked Ned.

“Yes, plenty of musk ox,” answered Abe.

“I wish I’d brought my gun along and could see one of the big beasts now,” went on Ned. He looked anxiously around, but no game was in sight. After a little farther tramp over the icy expanse they all declared that they had seen enough of the dreary landscape, and voted to return to the ship.

As they neared their craft Tom saw several large, shaggy black objects standing in a line on the path the adventurers had come over a little