THE LENA DELTA. 765 



door, Alexey said, " Captain, we got two reindeer ; " 

 and in he came bearing a hind quarter of meat. Sleep 

 was at once forgotten. Fire was made, and cooking 

 begun in both huts, and we consumed about one and 

 one half pounds cooked meat each, finishing all that 

 Alexey brought, except two tongues, before we cried 

 enough. 



Alexey went toward these seeming huts, and found 

 they were in fact huts, but very old. While walking 

 around and beyond them he saw deer traces so fresh as 

 to make him think the animals were close at hand. He 

 was in doubt as to incurring a scolding from me if he 

 stayed away, or to take the chances of getting meat. 

 He decided he would try for meat, and went on. Soon 

 after a snow-squall he saw deer horns moving, and by 

 strategy unsurpassed, crept upon a herd of fourteen, 

 and at twenty-five yards' distance dropped two. The 

 remainder at once left. Tickled to death, he cut off a 

 hind leg, and cut out both tongues, and staggered in 

 cold and wet. Well done, Alexey ! The darkest hour 

 is just before the dawn. 



Sejrfember 22d, Thursday. — The hut remained warm 

 until toward daylight, when it began to grow chilly. 

 Called all hands at 5.30, and had a pemmican breakfast, 

 and at 6.45 sent out Nindemann, Alexey, and five men 

 to bring in our two deer. This, of course, changes my 

 plans. We can now remain here a day or two to let 

 our sick people catch up, and while living upon deer 

 meat on hand can search for more to cook and carry 

 with us. The two remaining days' pemmican is shut 

 up tight during our use of other food. Looking around 

 our hut we can see traces of Russians or other civilized 

 beings. A rude checker-board, w r ooden forks, pieces of 

 pencil, etc., and other evidences of the use of tools by 



