168 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 
that their calves had remained behind on the bank 
turned, and came pounding back, swimming and dashing 
across the shallows, and taking no more notice of the 
dogs than if they had been stones. So they rejoined the 
calves, and then both crossed together. The little 
things swam admirably, carrying their heads well laid 
back, just as their parents did. 
It had been a most picturesque and charming sight. 
I sat and sketched it while the Samoveds, in default of 
A HALT 
other occupation, squatted down close to me, rather too 
close to be quite pleasant, and looked on. 
Of course at this place was the regular ford, but the 
water was unusually high. It was quite impossible for 
us to cross straight over; so now Ni-arr-way’s part came 
in, and a very proud dog he was. He had to find out 
for us a passage by the shallows. For, as Hyland and 
myself had by this time every reason to know, in these 
rivers a passage may often be found, though you take 
long about it. You may have to grope halfway across, 
and then perhaps a quarter of a mile or so right up the 
