BACK TO SCHAROK 



297 



sionally, when a deer is very sluggish, it is prodded 

 with the button (' toorr-mahl '), but usually a touch is 

 enough. Also a wild cry resembling 'Hooah' helps to 

 urge them on, and sometimes a hissing sound, such as 

 elderly ladies in a basket-trap address to the pony. If 

 an extreme of speed is required then the driver raises 

 both arms, a signal the deer know well. 



This generally puts them to a gallop. Are they to go 

 to the left — then the rein is simply pulled ; if to the right, 



1. Sid-der-nla-dit-sa. 



2. Hannin. 



3. Tchoy-durr. 



DIAGRAM OF SLEIGH 



4. Han lata. 



5. Poy-nld-du-on-durr. 



6. Hanvvano. 



7. Han gaz. 



8. Sit'n-dl-ek-nya. 



9. Ni-arrt. 



the rein is drawn sharply across Niasminta's quarters, 

 and the whole team turns that way. 



It is easy enough to do all this ; but one thing I could 

 not learn. It is — how to make the reindeer slacken 

 speed. I never could understand the Samoyeds' own 

 explanation ; I never could determine how they did it 

 themselves. So any reader who has learnt this secret 

 (and doubtless many have w r ho have travelled with the 

 Lapps) can do me a kind turn by making the point clear. 



