stefansson-wrangel-09-31-112v

182 THE ADVENTURE OF WRANGEL ISLAND

to me is the weather, nice gentle winds with an uncom
mon amount of sunshine for this time of year and not
an ice cake in sight. We see an occasional seal some dis-
tance out, but if they were killed it is doubtful if we could
get them (for they would doubtless sink). We have a
dory, but the surf is unceasing, so it is difficult to launch
it. I had a shot at a large walrus, but missed. ... We
have an Eskimo woman with us who is sewing clothing,
and she is doing very nicely. We are now busy stacking
firewood and getting quarters ready for the winter.

“September 17: ... Crawford took a long walk in-
land. Maurer and I went about three miles to the west-
ward and found great quantities of driftwood. This is a
good place for fuel. A large number of things I ordered
in Seattle did not arrive and a box of prunes opened
to-day were found to be maggoty. Rather a poor thing
to do to a party going north.

“September 18: A beautiful day. Maurer, Galle and
I cut and stacked wood all day in preparation for hauling
on the arrival of snow. Saw a seal and dozens of seagulls
and terns. . . . No ice in sight. A great number of white
owls about, a few ravens, but we have not seen a sign of
ptarmigan.

“September 19: Everybody busy. Galle making a

tool chest, Maurer putting supplies in shape, Crawford
getting out meteorological instruments and myself repair-
ing sledge and dog harness.” “Everybody busy” fol-
lowed by such details as these is a typical entry in
Knight’s diary and we shall not repeat them. All hands
seem to have worked amiably and energetically in getting
things ready for winter.

“September 20: Busy digging out the side of a cut
bank for space to pitch our winter quarters. We can

182 THE ADVENTURE OF WRANGEL ISLAND

to me is the weather, nice gentle winds with an uncom
mon amount of sunshine for this time of year and not
an ice cake in sight. We see an occasional seal some dis-
tance out, but if they were killed it is doubtful if we could
get them (for they would doubtless sink). We have a
dory, but the surf is unceasing, so it is difficult to launch
it. I had a shot at a large walrus, but missed. ... We
have an Eskimo woman with us who is sewing clothing,
and she is doing very nicely. We are now busy stacking
firewood and getting quarters ready for the winter.

“September 17: ... Crawford took a long walk in-
land. Maurer and I went about three miles to the west-
ward and found great quantities of driftwood. This is a
good place for fuel. A large number of things I ordered
in Seattle did not arrive and a box of prunes opened
to-day were found to be maggoty. Rather a poor thing
to do to a party going north.

“September 18: A beautiful day. Maurer, Galle and
I cut and stacked wood all day in preparation for hauling
on the arrival of snow. Saw a seal and dozens of seagulls
and terns. . . . No ice in sight. A great number of white
owls about, a few ravens, but we have not seen a sign of
ptarmigan.

“September 19: Everybody busy. Galle making a

tool chest, Maurer putting supplies in shape, Crawford
getting out meteorological instruments and myself repair-
ing sledge and dog harness.” “Everybody busy” fol-
lowed by such details as these is a typical entry in
Knight’s diary and we shall not repeat them. All hands
seem to have worked amiably and energetically in getting
things ready for winter.

“September 20: Busy digging out the side of a cut
bank for space to pitch our winter quarters. We can