BACK TO SCHAROK 



315 



I said little to him at first, for I intended that he 

 should have the idea that we were entirely independent 

 of him. Poor old Uano was wofully disappointed. He 

 had evidently set his heart on showing us off. But 

 caution is wise until one 

 knows one's oround. And 

 it seemed to me that, as 

 it might possibly come to 

 a question of compelling 

 him to take us back, it 

 was better to keep the 

 hio-h hand till I knew 

 my man. So I said, 

 ' How d'ye do ?' as though 

 we often met. Then I introduced Hyland. Hyland's 

 fine big figure and fresh English face evidently took 

 his fancy very much. 



But I immediately set to work to move our belongings 

 down to the site of our old camp. 



Before going I asked but one question, ' How long- 

 do you remain on Kolguev ? ' 



And Alexander Samarokoff answered, 'One month.' 



