82 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 



Well, in this event we would, I thought, walk south 

 from Scharok, and keep on walking right round until, 

 if we had found no natives, we should arrive at last 

 back at our Gusina camp. 



But, of course, there was a good deal to be done 

 before we could start. Every little detail had to be 

 carefully thought out ; nothing left behind which we 

 might want, but nothing taken that was not absolutely 

 necessary. For everything had to be carried on our 

 backs. 



Meantime it was pleasant enough in camp. With 

 a light breeze that varied from N. to NE., a barometer 

 that stood steady at 30 in., and a sun which at mid-day 

 showed 62 F., the day was as beautiful as well could be. 



We were well occupied with egg-blowing and bird- 

 skinning, so we did not leave camp except to climb 

 the bank and look out over the sea. 



Close as the ice was packed, there were yet a few 

 bits of open water on the shallow, just large enough 

 for a paddling-place for a few birds. 



I liked to stand on our little cliff and keep an eye on 

 the life of these ice-girt pools. 



They were always great playing-grounds for the 

 long-tailed ducks, and I find this about them in my 

 diary : — 



' Hare Ida has at times a remarkably human cry. It 

 is funny when one looks down on him from the cliff, to 

 see him steering his way with rapid feet among the 



