146 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 



obliged to take it at this point because beyond the hill 

 dropped down in such a manner that the sleighs could 

 not have gone. 



We <rot out and walked. A team of reindeer, five 

 abreast, were brought up to the edge of the ravine, till 

 they all stood level, breasting the long driving-pole held 

 across them all. Then the pole was removed, and at a 

 word all five bounded together, cleared the ravine, and 

 though they could not take the wall they landed against 

 the side of it, and scrambled up, dragging after them the 

 swinging sleigh. All the teams crossed in this way. 



Reindeer are enabled to do this by means of the long and 

 sharp ' false hoofs,' which point downwards into the snow. 



We slid down the hill, and crossed lower down. Some- 

 times we sat tight, and flew the ravines. The deer were 

 put into a gallop before they leapt, and then over we 

 went, sleigh and all. 



We found it exceedingly cold, travelling in this way 

 without greatcoats, for a cutting wind blew from the 

 north, and the fog came on. But the Samoyeds very 

 kindly lent us each a ' sowuk,' as they call it. This 

 garment is of course no other than the north Russian 

 'sovik.' It is made of reindeer skin, with the fur 

 outside, and a hood attached. We found them most 

 warm and comfortable, but could only hear badly in them. 



It is not easy just at first to sit on a Samoyed sleigh. 

 There is only one way in which it is really comfortable. 

 You must sit as the Samoyeds do. 



