BACK TO SCHAROK 311 



Poor Hyland, who was out, had a second performance 

 on his return all to himself. I am afraid he took it 

 much more good-naturedly than I. 



Later on came little Wanka to my tent, bringing the 

 first written invitation I had received on Kolouev. It 

 was evidently Mekolka's effort, and it ran thus : 



'Ivan zalaht choomoo,' which composition meant, 'Ivan 

 (Uano) desires your company in his choom.' 



Hyland and I went. It was a tea-party. They 

 put me in the place of honour on Uano's right hand. 

 We had real tea in real tea-cups, sugar, mouldy white 

 bread, little rings of bread containing carraway seed (the 

 Russians call them kallatch) and vodki. It was a great 

 time for them ; though the vodki caused a good many sad 

 things to happen that evening. But I noticed Mekolka 

 was not there. I myself had taken one glass just to try 

 the vodki, and please these poor people, and Hyland 

 told me afterwards that Verrmyah had said I was just 

 like Mekolka — for Mekolka would never have more than 

 one glass. This we found to be true, and it was very 

 remarkable in a semi-savage. But then Mekolka was 

 quite a remarkable chap. 



Truth to tell, this vodki was so abominable that had 

 either Hyland or myself been fonder of spirits than we 

 were, I think it would have choked us off. But Hyland 

 was one of the most temperate men I have ever met. 

 He often sighed for a gallon of beer, poor fellow! but 

 sigh you might in Kolguev. 



