One. He was never idle unless taking wholesome healthful recreation.
Two. He considered the strict performance of duty as a part and parcel of his religion, and its neglect a grievous and cowardly sin.
Three. He was always ahead of the work he had to perform, and therefore always easy in his mind.
Four. He had method and exactness in carrying on his work.
Five. Having done his duty he trusted all else to that kind Providence who guides and rules everything here below.
Yes, the doctor was busy and kept his men busy.
As long as the snow lay on the ground sledging expeditions were made every day, if it did not blow too high, or if the drifting snow was not blinding.
Very pleasant and delightful, sometimes, were those sledging trips, very dangerous at others. The sledges were large and strong; they had been built specially for the purpose, and were furnished, not only with plenty of provisions, but with all that would be necessary in an extended tour of, say, a week, though three days was generally about the limit the doctor gave himself. He was hardy himself, and cared little for fatigue; he was, in fact, an enthusiast, but he hesitated to expose his men too much. Besides, he had sick patients on board, and an accident might happen at any time.
There was plenty of capital sport to be got in these rambles. The animals that had returned to this country, however, were not yet very numerous. Bears there were, but they could certainly as yet have but little to eat. They growled about among the rocks, and wandered by the side of ice-water swollen streams. Probably they caught fish, perhaps they lived on love; but there they were, lean, long, and hungry looking, their great shaggy coats alone preventing them from having the appearance of downright starvation.
But precisely in the ratio of their hunger was their ferocity. The very sight of a man made them howl with anger.