160 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



ahead to trace the deer, but the)' were unsuccessful, although 

 they saw a herd of seven or eight. They Mere again sent 

 off, accompanied by Collins, and the remainder of the 

 party camped. De Long decided that if game were not 

 obtained he would send a small party forward to bring 

 relief. Next day, however, he pushed on again, although 

 no game had yet been obtained. On this march they 

 came to two huts, and De Long decided to halt here. 

 It was his intention to send the doctor and Nindemann 

 on next day for relief. Alexey, however, who had been 

 sent to examine some hut-like objects, found deer-tracks, 

 and as they seemed fresh, he followed them, and- was 

 successful in killing two deer. He cut off' a hind-quarter 

 of meat and set off for the hut. When he arrived, the 

 remainder of the party had retired for the night, but when 

 the announcement was made that deer had been obtained 

 sleep was forgotten. Cooking soon began in both huts, 

 and the whole of the meat was consumed, with the 

 exception of two tongues, before they felt satisfied. 



De Long now decided to remain at the huts and rest 

 another day and live on the deer. It was not, however, 

 till two days had passed that a fresh start was made. A 

 record of the movements of the party was left in one of 

 the huts. De Long also left his Winchester rifle. 



On the 24th September they passed a wretched night. 

 Beds were made of a few logs, and wrapped in their 

 blankets the party tried to sleep, but could not, and in the 

 morning they were all cold and stiff. On the 25th the 

 remainder of the deer-meat was eaten for dinner. At 

 night two other huts were reached, and here they halted. 

 Next day they had only food for three more meals. They 

 had also one dog. 



On the 27th September another deer was shot, and the 

 danger of starvation was again averted. The hungry men 

 at once commenced eating fried deer-meat, and took about 



