BACK TO SCHAROK 315 
I said little to him at first, for I intended that he 
should have the idea that we were entirely independent 
of him. Poor old Uano was wofully disappointed. He 
had evidently set his heart on showing us off. But 
caution is wise until one 
knows one’s ground. And 
it seemed to me that, as 
it might possibly come to 
a question of compelling 
him to take us back, it 
was better to keep the 
high hand till I knew 
my man. So I said, 
‘How d’ye do?’ as though 
we often met. Then I introduced Hyland. Hyland's 
fine big figure and fresh English face evidently took 
his fancy very much. 
But I immediately set to work to move our belongings 
down to the site of our old camp. 
Before going I asked but one question, ‘How long 
do you remain on Kolguev ?’ 
And Alexander Samarokoff answered, ‘One month.’ 
