A SUMMER ON THE YENESEI 227 



overhead, screaming imprecations upon the violators 

 of their sanctuary. 



On the following morning our provisions were 

 finished, and as our hosts had none to spare, we were 

 obliged to return to Golchika. It was with the greatest 

 regret that we said good-bye to the little choom with its 

 freedom, its friendliness, and its hospitality ; and its 

 inmates shook hands with us over and over as^ain in their 

 hearty native fashion. Before leaving, I bought his cap 

 from Vassilli for the sum of three roubles. It is made of 

 white wolfskin fringed with dog's fur, and is a perfect 

 specimen of Dolgan beadwork. Maria was a notable 

 worker, and each bead is sewn by deer's sinew into its 

 proper place in the ancient pattern that is handed down 

 from mother to daughter in the Dolgan race, and 

 reduplicated again and again in every generation. It 

 is before me as I write, and its faint, musty odour recalls, 

 as nothing else can do, the memory of those two days 

 spent in the little choom out in the tundra, and of its 

 quaint and kindly owners. 



