358 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 
to fall. The wind to-day boxed the compass, setting at 
mid-day N., and finally again at NW.—our best wind. 
I wish I could give you a phonograph reproduction of all 
that was said to-day. From early morning till mid-day 
there was a continuous conversation shouted between the 
two boats. I knew there was not the smallest use in 
talking; I never argued with these people. I said my 
say and settled down to my writing. This was the sort 
of thing :— 
ALEXANDER (from the poop of our boat). Much is 
wrong. Nicholas’. lamp keeps going out. 
AvExis (from the poop of his). The weather will be 
terrible. Much fog. I do not go to-day. 
ALEXANDER. But I am weary. I want to see my 
wife. But this Kolguev is a bad island. I come no 
more. My son comes. 
Avexis. There will be a great storm. The wind is 
NE., and my karbass likes it NW. I do not go. 
What does the Englishman say ? 
ALEXANDER. He says he thinks at sea no fog. The 
wind and the sun go together. When the wind north- 
west then we must go quickly. 
Atexis. Does he say that ? 
ALEXANDER. How? I cannot hear. 
Aexis. Does—he—say—that ?!! 
ALEXANDER. Say what? 
So then they would have it all over again till they 
were out of breath, when Alexis would descend to his 
