78 THE FOREST LANDS OF NORTHERN RUSSIA. 



coats, they barely contrived to keep off the deadly cold. 

 In searching for drift-wood they endured the sharpest 

 pain, and often braved imminent danger. To add to their 

 troubles, they had much ado to defend themselves against 

 the bears, which made frequent assaults on their hut. 

 However, they contrived to slaughter some of the auda- 

 cious animals, and their fat provided them with oil for 

 their lamps. When the sun disappeared the bears 

 departed, and then the white foxes came in great numbers. 

 They were much more welcome visitors, and being caught 

 in traps, set in the vicinity of the house, supplied the ice- 

 bound voyagers with food and clothing. 



'When the 19th of December arrived, they found some 

 comfort in the reflection that half of the dreary season of 

 darkness had passed away, and that they could now count 

 every day as bringing them nearer to the joyful spring. 

 They suffered much, but endured their sufferings bravely ; 

 and celebrated Twelfth Night with a little sack, two pounds 

 of meat, and some merry games. The gunner drew the 

 prize, and became King of Novaia Zemlaia, " which is at 

 least two hundred miles long, and lyeth between two seas." 



' On the 27th of January every heart rejoiced, for the 

 glowing disc of the sun reappeared above the horizon. But 

 it brought with it their old enemies the bears, against 

 whom they found it necessary to exercise the greatest 

 vigilance. 



1 On the 22nd of February they again saw " much open 

 water in the sea, which in long time they had not seene." 

 During the whole month violent storms broke out, and the 

 snow fell in enormous quantities. 



'On the 12th of March a gale from the north-east 

 brought back the ice, and the open water disappeared ; 

 the ice driving in with much fury and a mighty noise, the 

 pieces crashing against each other, " fearful to hear." Up 

 to the 8th of May the ice was everywhere, and their sad 

 eyes could look forth on no pleasant or hopeful scene. 

 Then it began to break up, and the gaunt, weary explorers 

 prepared to tempt the sea once more. They set to work 



