146 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 
obliged to take it at this point because beyond the hill 
dropped down in such a manner that the sleighs could 
not have gone. 
We got out and walked. A team of reindeer, five 
abreast, were brought up to the edge of the ravine, till 
they all stood level, breasting the long driving-pole held 
across them all. Then the pole was removed, and ata 
word all five bounded together, cleared the ravine, and 
though they could not take the wall they landed against 
the side of it, and scrambled up, dragging after them the 
swinging sleigh. All the teams crossed in this way. 
Reindeer are enabled to do this by means of the long and’ 
sharp ‘false hoofs,’ which point downwards into the snow. 
We slid down the hill, and crossed lower down. Some- 
times we sat tight, and flew the ravines. The deer were 
put into a gallop before they leapt, and then over we 
went, sleigh and all. 
We found it exceedingly cold, travelling in this way 
without greatcoats, for a cutting wind blew from the 
north, and the fog came on. But the Samoyeds very 
kindly lent us each a ‘sowuk,’ as they call it. This 
garment is of course no other than the north Russian 
‘sovik.’ It is made of reindeer skin, with the fur 
outside, and a hood attached. We found them most 
warm and comfortable, but could only hear badly in them. 
It is not easy just at first to sit on a Samoyed sleigh. 
There is only one way in which it is really comfortable. 
You must sit as the Samoyeds do. 
