148 Chapter V. 



was to take a magnetic observation ; but had to promise 

 not to move till he got the order. 



On the way along the shore we passed one great flock 

 of geese after another ; they stretched their necks and 

 waddled aside a little, until we were quite near, and only 

 then took flight ; but we had no time to waste on such 



O 



small game. A little further on we caught sight of one 

 or two reindeer we had not noticed before. We could 

 easily have stalked them, but were afraid of getting to 

 windward of the others, which were farther south. At 

 last we got to leeward of these latter also, but they were 

 grazing on flat ground, and it was anything but easy 

 to stalk them not a hillock, not a stone to hide behind. 

 The only thing was to form a long line, advance as best 

 we could, and, if possible, outflank them. In the mean- 

 time we had caught sight of another herd of reindeer 

 farther to the north, but suddenly, to our astonishment, 

 saw them tear off across the plain eastward, in all 

 probability startled by the mate, who had not been able 

 to keep quiet any longer. 



A little to the north of the reindeer nearest us there 

 was a hollow, opening from the shore, from which it 

 seemed that it might be possible to get a shot at them. 

 I went back to try this, whilst the others kept their 

 places in the line. As I went down again towards the 

 shore I had the sea before me, quiet and beautiful. The 

 sun had gone down behind it not long before, and the 

 sky was glowing in the clear, . light night. I had to 



