98 I C E -HOUND OX KOLGUEV 



So we followed carefully along the track which I had 

 taken and landed safely. 



Now as this sort of crossing was often repeated, I need 

 not trouble you with the manner of it again. Sometimes 

 -one could walk straight across the stream. But some- 

 times one had to follow a shallow a long way down, 

 winning an inch or two at a time towards the crossing of 

 the stream. Often these shallows were only narrow 

 ridges with deep water on either side. Often you could 

 only just manage it by feeling with your toes big stones 

 on which you stepped ; and, when they were slippery, 

 down you went — a departure which tends to execrations. 

 Sometimes, much to my disgust, just when I had accom- 

 plished successfully, inch by inch, a long and ticklish 

 journey and was congratulating myself on a good crossing, 

 lo and behold my little highway would suddenly end in 

 a deep and impossible channel. But if all went well, then 

 either Hyland would come across alone, or if it was 

 exceptionally difficult, I would go back and give him a 

 lead. 



While we were sitting down to wring out my things 

 Sailor amused us very much. For the old dog did not 

 at all like this drop into the river off a steep snow-bank, 

 and careered round for a long time in the hope of finding 

 a better place. At last, finding himself perched like a 

 chamois on the top of a steep snow cliff, he gave it up, 

 ran back to our crossing, went bundling somehow into 

 the stream, and came gallantly across. 



