358 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 



to fall. The wind to-day boxed the compass, setting- at 

 mid-day N., and finally again at NW. — our best wind. 

 I wish I could give you a phonograph reproduction of all 

 that was said to-day. From early morning till mid-day 

 there was a continuous conversation shouted between the 

 two boats. I knew there was not the smallest use in 

 talking ; I never argued with these people. I said my 

 say and settled down to my writing. This was the sort 

 of thing :- 



Alexander [from the poop of our boat). Much is 

 wrong. Nicholas' lamp keeps going out. 



Alexis {from the poop of his). The weather will be 

 terrible. Much fog'. I do not go to-day. 



Alexander. But I am weary. I want to see my 

 wife. But this KoWiev is a bad island. I come no 

 more. My son comes. 



Alexis. There will be a o-reat storm. The wind is 

 NE., and my karbass likes it NW. I do not go. 

 What does the Englishman say? 



Alexander. He says he thinks at sea no fog". The 

 wind and the sun oo tooether. When the wind north- 

 west then we must go quickly. 



Alexis. Does he say that ? 



Alexander. How ? I cannot hear. 



Alexis. Does — he — say — that ? ! ! 



Alexander. Say what ? 



So then they would have it all over again till they 

 were out of breath, when Alexis would descend to his 



