winter quarters. The nights are fast growing longer. The snow may
be upon us any day now. I don't know of a better place to settle
than the village where we spent last winter. The igloos are all
built there ready to use again. What do you say? Shall we go back
there?"

"Yes, let us go back," they all said.


II.

The very next day they started. The boats were heavily loaded
with dried fish, there were great piles of new skins heaped in
the woman boats, and every kyak towed a seal.

For days they traveled along the coast, stopping only for rest
and food. The twins and Koko sat in the bottom of the boat with
the dogs, and listened to the regular dip of the paddles, to the
cries of the sea birds as they flew away toward the south, and to
the chatter of the women. These were almost the only sounds they
heard, for the silence of the Great White World was all about
them. They talked together in low voices and planned all the
things they would do when the long night was really upon them
once more.

When at last they came in sight of the Big Rock, they felt as if
they had reached home after a very long journey.

Koko stood up in the boat and pointed to it. "See," he cried,
"there's the Big Rock where we found the bear!"