It was just after the return of the auk and other spring birds which meant so much to the Eskimo that Eskimo Town was visited by two white men. They came upon small ponies and were a great curiosity to the simple Snow People.
They were the agents of several large cities to the south, both in Canada and the States. They were in search of wild animals and birds for the zoos of these cities and they needed the services of some clever Eskimo hunter to help them in capturing the birds and animals they wanted. At the settlement to the south Eiseeyou had been recommended to them by the missionaries and government teachers. Would he go with them on a cruise to the north and help them in securing the animals?
They offered him as wages a sum of money which would be half enough to take Oumauk to see the great doctor. They would be gone only two months.
Eiseeyou consulted with his good kooner and they agreed that it was a great chance. The good God had sent the white men in order that they might have the money. Little Oumauk should not always stay in the long dark night.
So Eiseeyou arranged that some of the other men would take charge of his family during the northern migration to Eskimo Village, in order that he might go with the white men.
He said goodbye to his family and to little Oumauk, whom he told that he would soon bring the sun back to him. Then he set off with the strangers with a lighter heart than he had known for months.
Eiseeyou was much surprised on arriving at the small seaport which the strangers made their head quarters to find that they had a large steam launch fifty or sixty feet in length, named The Spray all fitted up in a manner that looked luxuriant to the simple Eskimo. They at once started northward and finally stopped among the islands adjacent to the site of Eskimo Village, where Eiseeyou was much at home. They secured during the first week eider duck, Brant geese, gulls of several species, and auks, all of which Eiseeyou helped them to net. Then they turned their attention to seals. Soon they had a fine assortment of pups and yearlings, and several pairs of two year olds.
They also secured two walrus calves and two litters of foxes, the burrows of which Eiseeyou had located.