I remember when I was young and
first left home, how badly I wanted to go back," he said,
reminiscently. "That was a long while ago and there's no one for me to
go home to now--they're all dead--all dead--and it's too late."
He was silent for a little in meditation, and seemed to have quite
forgotten Bob. Then suddenly bringing himself from the past to the
present again, he continued:
"Yes, yes, you want to go home, and I'm going to start you on Monday
morning. I'll give you a packet of very important letters that you
will deliver to Mr. Forbes, the factor at Fort Pelican, and I shall
hold you responsible for their safe delivery. Akonuk and Matuk will go
with you as far as Kangeva, where they will try to get two other
Eskimos with a good team of dogs to take you on to Rigolet. But it may
be they'll have to go farther, to find drivers that know the way, and
that will delay you some. You'll have time to reach Rigolet, however,
before the break-up if you push on. The Eskimos will lose some time
visiting with their friends when they meet them on the way, and I've
allowed for that. Now, be ready to start on Monday. The clerks will
fix you up with what supplies you will need for the journey."
"Yes, sir. I'll be ready, an' thank you, sir.
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