I04 THE PETCHORA IN FLOOD 



hours previously the red-throated pipits had swarmed, 

 but we found it utterly deserted. The flock was evi- 

 dently resting after a long stage of migration, and had 

 now resumed its northward progress. 



The next day a visit to the same spot brought the 

 same result ; not a red-throated pipit was to be seen 

 upon it. On the ist of June I saw a common scoter 

 for the first time, flying down the Petchora close past 

 Sideroff's steamer. I was on deck at the time, one of a 

 crowd waiting to witness the ceremony of sprinkling the 

 vessel with holy water ere it set out on its summer 

 voyage. The ship had arrived the evening before from 

 its winter quarters in the bay behind Habariki. The 

 ceremony was effective. Flags were flying, cannons 

 firing, guests assembled ; a breakfast was prepared, then 

 came the procession of robed priests, candles burning 

 and censers swinging; prayers were chanted, the crucifix 

 was kissed, and then the sprinkling began. Everybody 

 and everything was sprinkled with holy water from a 

 rod, apparently made of fine gilt wire. The paddle- 

 boxes were sprinkled, the deck was sprinkled fore and 

 aft, the cabins were sprinkled, the sailors were sprinkled ; 

 the captain and the engineer each received a whisk from 

 the brush, which made them wince, for at that moment a 

 detachment of ice, probably from the Ussa, was passing 

 down the river, chilling the water not a little. Then all 

 was over except the breakfast, when a practical joke was 

 played upon the guests. A course of bear-flesh was 

 served up incognito, so deliciously cooked that all ate of 

 it with gusto, suspecting nothing. Our amiable friend, 

 the wife of the public prosecutor, alone suspected, but 

 wisely kept her counsel. 



After our dissipation we spent the evening packing 

 skins, and retired to our hammocks about midnight ; but 



