stefansson-wrangel-09-32-037v

278 THE ADVENTURE OF WRANGEL ISLAND

and 400 pounds] and as far as I can see they will soon
be cleaned of meat. So my fondest hope is a bear.
Maurer’s traps no doubt contain a fox or two but I am
unable to tackle it [the walk to examine the traps].”

February 7th: “The woman took a short walk to a few
of the traps but no luck. She and I, but mostly she,
cut a little wood to-day. While so doing I fainted and
was out a few seconds. The woman, I am sure, did not
realize until then that I was really sick and when I came
to she was scared stiff. I got into bed and am all O. K.,
excepting a very slight fever which I now have. My
appetite is still good, thank fortune, and I am continually
loading up with seal blubber. The woman is a great
deal more frightened over my condition than I am, and
I don’t deny that it is a rather mean position in which
she finds herself but she is wonderfully cheerful and is
now busy sharpening the wood saw. She insists on doing
practically everything and I willingly permit her, for
I am not able to do much. The woman cannot read the
thermometer and I do not wish to get out of my sleeping
bag, so the readings will be discontinued for a time.”

February 8th: “In bed all day. Feeling all O. K.
The woman went to some of Maurer’s traps to-day. No
luck, and only saw one fresh fox track. Twelve days
since the fellows left.”

February 9th: “The woman went to the traps again.
No luck. So warm that we have been without fire nearly
all day.”

February 10th: “Feeling poorly to-day. I can see that
I cannot go away from camp and unless a bear walks
in there is small chance of getting one, for the woman
cannot be trusted with my rifle. She is easily excited
and knows nothing about a gun. This is the only rifle