CAST AWAY ON THE ICE It was one of Bobby's characteristics never to acknowledge himself defeated in anything he undertook to do, so long as there seemed a possibility of accomplishing the thing in hand.

He had set out to find a suitable drift and to build a snow house.

He was confident such a drift was to be found not far from the _komatik_ where he had left Jimmy, for in passing to Itigailit Island and back with loads of seals earlier in the day he had observed some good hard drifts which he believed to be in this locality, though he was aware that in the blinding snow he may have stopped the dogs a little on one side or the other of them.

So he felt assured that he and Jimmy had overlooked them in their previous search, and this time he was determined to find them.
This it was, then--this dislike to feel himself beaten--rather than dire necessity, that had sent him on the final search.

And, too, the man who lives constantly in the wilderness never endures unnecessary hardships.
He makes himself as comfortable as the conditions under which he lives will permit, and provides himself as many conveniences and comforts as possible under the circumstances in which he finds himself, without burdening himself with needless luxuries.
Bobby had hinted to Jimmy that they might protect themselves under the snow, after the manner of the dogs.