BACK TO SCHAROK 207 
sionally, when a deer is very sluggish, it is prodded 
with the button (‘toorr-mahl’), but usually a touch is 
enough. Also a wild cry resembling ‘Hooah’ helps to 
urge them on, and sometimes a hissing sound, such as 
elderly ladies in a basket-trap address to the pony. If 
an extreme of speed is required then the driver raises 
both arms, a signal the deer know well. 
This generally puts them to a gallop. Are they to go 
to the left—then the rein is simply pulled; if to the right, 
DIAGRAM OF SLEIGH 
1, Sid-der-nla-dit-sa. 4. Han lata, 7. Han gaz. 
2. Hannin, 5. Poy-nid-du-dn-durr. 8. Sit’n-di-ek-nya. 
3. Tchdy-dtrr. 6. Hanwano. g. Ni-arrt. 
the rein is drawn sharply across Niasminta’s quarters, 
and the whole team turns that way. 
It is easy enough to do all this; but one thing I could 
not learn. It is—how to make the reindeer slacken 
speed. I never could understand the Samoyeds’ own 
explanation; I never could determine how they did it 
themselves. So any reader who has learnt this secret 
(and doubtless many have who have travelled with the 
Lapps) can do me a kind turn by making the point clear. 
