164 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 
The women and children did all the domestic part. 
They took down the chooms, and packed them on the 
‘arki-han,’ and the pots and skins they stowed also. 
Meantime the men got barrels, the boat, and the fire- 
wood on to the sleigh. 
These boats (‘ar-noh’ in Samoyed) are very light. 
They have no keel, but usually two bilge keels or runners 
on either side, so that they are pretty steady, and run 
easily over the mudflats. They are nine feet long, with 
a three and a half feet beam. 
You are to understand that the chooms were placed 
on a circular sandy plateau, of which there are many on 
the tundra ; and that such places are always chosen, when 
possible, for the following reasons. There is a good 
view from them, so that the reindeer can be kept much 
in sight; they are dry and healthy ; and from the hard- 
ness of the ground are well adapted to the practice of 
such exercises as I shall describe in their place. 
Now all was ready for the deer. The team of five 
fast and strong bucks which had been staked out by the 
choom all night was harnessed to an adliurs. One such 
team is always kept up in this way in order that the 
whipper-in may have them ready to his hand. 
Mekolka is to take this team and bring the deer up. 
Off he goes at score, followed by some of the dogs. But 
I have never introduced you to the dogs. 
Latori was king of the pack. He was an old white 
dog, with one eye only, and the sweetest disposition you 
