I
Little Ahmow was an Eskimo boy. He lived with his parents on the bleak northern shore of Hudson Bay.
During the long Arctic winter these Eskimos kill the walrus which live at the edge of the ice. In the short summer they hunt them on the islands near the shore.
The walrus meat is cut into strips and sewed up in bags made of the walrus skin. This is to keep the dogs from stealing and eating it.
The walrus oil is put into casks to be used in the dark winter months for heat and light.
Ahmow’s father killed many walrus every summer and stored the meat and oil on the islands. Then in the winter he rode over on the ice to get it.
One cold winter day, when Ahmow was ten years old, his father said, “To-morrow I shall go to the island for oil.”
“We need meat, too,” said his wife, “and food for the dogs.”
“May I go with you, father?” said Ahmow. “I will help you all I can.”