PREFACE xiii 
I am indebted to Mr. Arthur Montefiore, the Secretary 
of the Jackson- Harmsworth Expedition, for one important 
reference. Travellers owe much to those who, like Mr. 
Montefiore, generously give them the benefit of their 
greater opportunities for literary research. 
It would be ungracious for me to close this preface 
without some reference to the illustrations in this book. 
Mr. J. T. Nettleship’s beautiful work needs no words 
from me. Nor does that of Mr. Charles Whymper, 
unless indeed on this ground, namely, that he has been 
obliged to limit his artistic power to the simple expression 
of facts as they were. Also I am under obligations to 
Mr. Edward Thornton for several careful pen-and-ink 
drawings from my pencilled or coloured sketches. 
About the pictures which have been transferred 
straight from my sketch-book I need only say that 
they are correct in detail, as they were done on the spot. 
For this reason J am sure my critics will forgive an 
amateur for work that is amateurish. 
Often on Kolguev the means of living were found for 
us by one whom it is difficult to thank ; for I refer to old 
Sailor, the spaniel, one of the most faithful and accom- 
plished dogs who ever followed the gun. 
