Henson and Ootah had been my companions at the farthest point on the expedition three years before.

Egingwah and Seegloo had been in Clark's division, which had such a narrow escape at that time, having been obliged for several days to subsist upon their sealskin boots, all their other food being gone.
And the fifth was young Ooqueah, who had never before served in any expedition; but who was, if possible, even more willing and eager than the others to go with me wherever I should elect.

For he was always thinking of the great treasures which I had promised each of the men who should go to the farthest point with me--whale-boat, rifle, shotgun, ammunition, knives, et cetera--wealth beyond the wildest dreams of Eskimos, which should win for him the daughter of old Ikwah of Cape York, on whom he had set his heart.
All these men had a blind confidence that I would somehow get them back to land.

But I recognized fully that all the impetus of the party centered in me.

Whatever pace I set, the others would make good; but if I played out, they would stop like a car with a punctured tire.