CHAPTER XVII.
_Expeditions on foot--Effects of darkness on dogs and men--The first death--Caught in a trap--The Esquimau camp._ "I don't know how it is, an' I can't tell wot it is, but so it is," remarked Buzzby to Grim, a week after the first night of the theatricals, "that that 'ere actin' has done us all a sight o' good.
Here we are as merry as crickets every one, although we're short o' fresh meat, and symptoms o' scurvy are beginning to show on some of us." "It's the mind havin' occupation, an' bein' prewented from broodin' over its misfortins," replied Grim, with the air of a philosopher.
Grim did not put this remark in turned commas, although he ought to have done so, seeing that it was quoted from a speech made by the captain to Singleton the day before.
"You see," continued Grim, "we've been actin' every night for a week past.

Well, if we hadn't been actin', we should ha' been thinkin' an' sleepin'; too much of which, you see, ain't good for us, Buzzby, and would never pay." Buzzby was not quite sure of this, but contented himself by saying, "Well, mayhap ye're right.

I'm sorry it's to come to an end so soon; but there is no doubt that fresh meat is ondispensable.

An' that reminds me, messmate, that I've not cleaned my musket for two days, an' it wouldn't do to go on a hunt with a foul piece, nohow.

We start at ten o'clock, A.M., don't we ?" Grim admitted that they did--remarking that it might just as well be ten P.M.for all the difference the _sun_ would make in it--and went below with Buzzby.
In the cabin active preparations were making for an extended hunting-expedition, which the empty state of the larder rendered absolutely necessary.