Tom began his negotiations at once, conversing with the Eskimos in their native tongue, for they could understand no English.
“Ainsworth and I are going up this stream a little way to try the salmon. Want to go along, Paul?” asked Remington.
“No, I’ll get fishing enough later. Guess I’ll stay and look this crowd over.”
“All right. Don’t make eyes at that young Eskimo girl.”
“No fear!”
Skulking about were several big, vicious looking dogs, which reminded Paul of timber wolves he had seen at the Zoo.
“I don’t like the looks of those beasts,” said he. “Are they dangerous?”
“They’re cowards so long as you keeps on your feet an’ has somethin’ handy to beat un with,” reassured Dan. “Your gun’ll do for that. But let un get th’ best o’ you once, an’ they’ll just rip you up like wolves. They is wolves.”
“They look it,” agreed Paul.
The lads wandered about the encampment, examining the kayaks and crude hunting implements and paraphernalia of the Eskimos. Upon approaching the tupeks a stench met their nostrils, which they found came from half putrid seal meat and fish within.