1 68 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 



that their calves had remained behind on the bank 

 turned, and came pounding back, swimming and dashing 

 across the shallows, and taking no more notice of the 

 dogs than if they had been stones. So they rejoined the 

 calves, and then both crossed together. The little 

 things swam admirably, carrying their heads well laid 

 back, just as their parents did. 



It had been a most picturesque and charming sight. 

 I sat and sketched it while the Samoveds, in default of 



A HALT 



other occupation, squatted down close to me, rather too 

 close to be quite pleasant, and looked on. 



Of course at this place was the regular ford, but the 

 water was unusually high. It was quite impossible for 

 us to cross straight over; so now Ni-arr- way's part came 

 in, and a very proud dog he was. He had to find out 

 for us a passage by the shallows. For, as Hyland and 

 myself had by this time every reason to know, in these 

 rivers a passage may often be found, though you take 

 long about it. You may have to grope halfway across, 

 and then perhaps a quarter of a mile or so right up the 



