390 EFFECTS OF COLD. 



when unbuttoned, almost instantly became as stiff as coats of 

 mail; and our large dragoon-like gloves, also wet through 

 and through, if withdrawn from the hand a minute or two, 

 as hard as iron gauntlets. 



Bitterly the poor fellow complained more so than I 

 remember either before or since ; but the evil was unavoid- 

 able, for to prevent breaking the Skidor we were necessitated 

 to proceed at a snail's pace. Had that misfortune happened, 

 it would have put us to some inconvenience, for the snow 

 being two feet or more in depth, it would not have been 

 possible, to finish the journey on foot, and we must, in 

 consequence, have passed the night in the forest as best 

 we could. 



At length a beaten track, leading to the Clara, was gained, 

 when all difficulties ceased. As the ground henceforward 

 was falling, we were enabled greatly to increase our speed, 

 and the blood was soon brought into proper circulation ; 

 but it was past midnight, nevertheless, before we reached 

 the village that was to afford us temporary shelter. 



On the morrow, at five o'clock, we were again on foot, 

 and not very greatly refreshed either ; for what with satis- 

 fying the cravings of hunger, drying clothes, and putting 

 the guns in order on the preceding night, it was near two 

 o'clock before we turned into bed, and consequently we had 

 only enjoyed two to three hours' repose. 



Had we now acted according to rule, we should either have 

 gone in pursuit of, or have ringed, the bears started on the 

 preceding afternoon. But the peasants being assembled, 

 agreeably to the orders of M. Falk, we were obliged to 

 leave the beasts to themselves for the present. 



The men were therefore marched some five to six miles 



