252 NEW LAND. 



Later in the day we saw two browsing reindeer away on the 

 plain, but how we were to come within range of them in such flat 

 country, without cover of any kind, we knew not. The only 

 depressions in the ground were the river-beds, which were shallow, 

 and at this time of the year almost filled with snow. 



All the same we decided to try our luck. I stayed where I was. 

 until I saw Schei disappear with both the teams into the bed of 

 a river farther south, and then I walked straight up to the reindeer, 

 which began to move slowly away. I saw they were manoeuvring 

 to get on to my lee-side, and so wind me; and I, of course, 

 manoeuvred to frustrate them, while at the same time I continued 

 to approach nearer. They were not exactly frightened, but 

 exceedingly inquisitive. 



When I saw they would come no nearer I hazarded a shot. 

 The range was long, and I missed. A second shot, and I hit the 

 animal, but had to give it another, and this kept it lying where it 

 was. I ran up to it with all speed. It was a cow reindeer with 

 a last year's calf. The last two times I had taken a full sight 

 and aimed at the higher parts of the animal, but the shots had 

 struck both the fore-legs. Meanwhile the calf ran round us in 

 a zig-zag, though always at a good distance away. 



Just as I was standing wondering what I should do about it an 

 old acquaintance appeared in sight, away on the plain. It was 

 ' Svartflekken,' the rascal, who had heard the shots, broken his 

 trace, and now came tearing along till he was almost flat to the 

 ground. It is all up now, I thought to myself, ' Svartflekken ' and 

 the calf will both be off together, and there will be no seeing him 

 again for the next three days. 



When the calf caught sight of the dog it made straight for 

 him. But no sooner did ' Svartflekken ' see the lanky, long-legged 

 apparition rushing towards him than he was seized with panic. 

 He stopped short, and up flew a spray of snow ; then wheeled 

 round and dashed back at the same mad pace. 



I brought down my gun and laughed till I ached. ' Svartflekken' 

 frightened of a year-old slip of a reindeer- calf ! And in all con- 

 science too ! He never stopped till he was safe among his friends 

 in the midst of the team ! It was not till then that he summoned 



