After delays, changes and transfers made necessary by the uncertainties of Labrador travel, they came at last to Hamilton Inlet, and the little steamer approached the trading post at Rigolet.
"Reminds me of Hamilton Harbor, Bermuda," observed Shelby, shivering as he drew his furs round him.
"Oh, how can you!" exclaimed Blair; "that heavenly Paradise of a place,—and this!"
"But you'd rather be here?" and Crane shook a warning fist at him.
"Yes,—oh, yes! This is the life!" and if Blair wasn't quite sincere he gave a fair imitation of telling the truth.
"Will you look at the dogs!" cried Crane. "I didn't know there were so many in the world!"
The big Eskimo dogs were prowling about, growling a little, and appearing anything but friendly. Not even to sunny-faced and kindly-voiced Peter Boots did they respond, but snarled and pawed the ground until Joshua advised Crane to let them alone.
"They're mighty good things to keep away from," the guide informed, and his advice was taken.
"I'm glad we have a trusty canoe instead of those villainous looking creatures," Blair admitted, and when, later on, they heard tales of the brutality and treachery of the pack dogs, the others agreed.
At Rigolet final arrangements were decided on and last purchases made for the dash into the wilds.