78 THE FOREST LANDS OF NORTHERN RUSSIA. 
coats, they barely contrived to keep off the deadly cold. 
In searching for drift-wood they endured the sharpest: 
pain, and often braved imminent danger. To add to their 
troubles, they had much ado to defend themselves against 
the bears, which made frequent assaults on their hut. 
However, they contrived to slaughter some of the auda- 
cious animals, and their fat provided them with oil for 
their lamps. When the sun disappeared the bears 
departed, and then the white foxes came in great numbers. 
They were much more welcome visitors, and being caught 
in traps, set in the vicinity of the house, supplied the ice- 
bound voyagers with food and clothing. 
‘When the 19th of December arrived, they found some 
comfort in the reflection that half of the dreary season of 
darkness had passed away, and that they could now count 
every day as bringing them nearer to the joyful spring. 
They suffered much, but endured their sufferings bravely ; 
ana celebrated Twelfth Night with a little sack, two pounds 
of meat, and some merry games. The gunner drew the 
prize, and became King of Novaia Zemlaia, “ which is at 
least two hundred miles long, and lyeth between two seas.” 
‘On the 27th of January every heart rejoiced, for the 
glowing disc of the sun reappeared above the horizon. But 
it brought with it their old enemies the bears, against 
whom they found it necessary to exercise the greatest 
vigilance. 
‘On the 22nd of February they again saw “much open 
water in the sea, which in long time they had not seene.” 
During the whole month violent storms broke out, and the 
snow fell in enormous quantities. 
‘On the 12th of March a gale from the north-east 
brought back the ice, and the open water disappeared ; 
the ice driving in with much fury and a mighty noise, the 
pieces crashing against each other, “fearful to hear.” Up 
to the 8th of May the ice was everywhere, and their sad 
eyes could look forth on no pleasant or hopeful scene. 
Then it began to break up, and the gaunt, weary explorers 
prepared to tempt the sea once more. They set to work 
