BACK TO SCHAROK 311 
Poor Hyland, who was out, had a second performance 
on his return all to himself. I am afraid he took it 
much more good-naturedly than I. 
Later on came little Wanka to my tent, bringing the 
first written invitation I had received on Kolguev. It 
was evidently Mekolka’s effort, and it ran thus: 
‘Ivan zalaht choomoo,’ which composition meant, ‘Ivan 
(Uano) desires your company in his choom.’ 
Hyland and I went. It was a tea-party. They 
put me in the place of honour on Uano’s right hand. 
We had real tea in real tea-cups, sugar, mouldy white 
bread, little rings of bread containing carraway seed (the 
Russians call them kallatch) and vodki. It was a great 
time for them ; though the vodki caused a good many sad 
things to happen that evening. But I noticed Mekolka 
was not there. I myself had taken one glass just to try 
the vodki, and please these poor people, and Hyland 
told me afterwards that Verrmyah had said I was just 
like Mekolka—for Mekolka would never have more than 
one glass. This we found to be true, and it was very 
remarkable in a semi-savage. But then Mekolka was 
quite a remarkable chap. 
Truth to tell, this vodki was so abominable that had 
either Hyland or myself been fonder of spirits than we 
were, I think it would have choked us off. But Hyland 
was one of the most temperate men I have ever met. 
He often sighed for a gallon of beer, poor fellow! but 
sigh you might in Kolguev. 
