82 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 
Well, in this event we would, I thought, walk south 
from Scharok, and keep on walking right round until, 
if we had found no natives, we should arrive at last 
back at our Gusina camp. 
But, of course, there was a good deal to be done 
before we could start. Every little detail had to be 
carefully thought out; nothing left behind which we 
might want, but nothing taken that was not absolutely 
necessary. For everything had to be carried on our 
backs. 
Meantime it was pleasant enough in camp. With 
a light breeze that varied from N. to NE., a barometer 
that stood steady at 30 in., and a sun which at mid-day 
showed 62° F., the day was as beautiful as well could be. 
We were well occupied with egg-blowing and bird- 
skinning, so we did not leave camp except to climb 
the bank and look out over the sea. 
Close as the ice was packed, there were yet a few 
bits of open water on the shallow, just large enough 
for a paddling-place for a few birds. 
I liked to stand on our little cliff and keep an eye on 
the life of these ice-girt pools. 
They were always great playing-grounds for the 
long-tailed ducks, and I find this about them in my 
diary :-— 
‘farelda has at times a remarkably human cry. It 
is funny when one looks down on him from the cliff, to 
see him steering his way with rapid feet among the 
