If only I could reach the post and ask about the ship! If
only I might fly out over the water without waiting for these
leisurely paddles! And now, from being in an agony of fear for
their lives, my strong desire was to take them by their collars and
knock their heads together hard. This was not practicable in the
canoe, however, and I was fain to control myself as best I might.
Once I said to George, "Do hurry a little," and for two minutes he
paddled strenuously; but soon it was again the merry chat and the
leisurely dip, dip of the paddles. I think they were laughing at
me a little and had also in their minds the fun it would be to see
me bring out my precious tea again for lunch.
Suddenly we descried a white speck on a point some distance away,
and drawing nearer saw people moving about. Then we discovered
that a boat was out at some nets, and on reaching it found an
Eskimo fisherman and his son taking in the catch. He smiled
broadly as he came to the end of his boat to shake hands with us,
and my heart sank dully, for his face and manner plainly indicated
that he had been expecting us. This could only be explained by the
fact that the ship had been to the post bringing with her the news
of my attempted crossing.
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