CAMP BEYOND KORIAK 149 



of unlawful netting at the mouths of the rivers, and 

 general indignation ensued, followed by the despatch 

 of a petition to the head of the district. 



Next morning we struck camp at sunrise, with the 

 prospect of a short march of fifteen versts. The Shir- 

 shind had told us that we should pass along the foot 

 of a lofty range, and that it was possible we might 

 find there "what we wanted," 



As these hills lay on our way to Natchiki and 

 Ganal, we decided to make a halt, and visit those 

 grounds on the following day. The path led through 

 small swamps and dreary woods, similar to those of 

 the previous day. Camp was pitched ten miles be- 

 yond Koriak, in a marshy hjcality, and numerous fires 

 were lit to keep off the swarms of mosquitoes. South 

 of us a steep narrow gully led up to broken crags, and 

 we could just detect through the ^atherino- mist laro-e 

 patches of snow several thousand feet above us. Un- 

 fortunately, clouds became denser in the afternoon, 

 hiding the loftier regions from \-iew. and presentlv a 

 deluge of rain poured down upon us, lasting steadily all 

 night. The whole of the next day was spent drying 

 our belongings with the aid of a couple of stoves, 

 hunting being out of the question. We decided to 

 continue our journey towards Ganal, leaving this 

 doubtful place for our return, and struck camp at 



