CHAP. vii. LASSOING REINDEER. 65 



of lassoing, and drove with the Samoyedes in our sledges to 

 the place selected for the purpose. As soon as we left the 

 road our horses stuck fast with the snow up to their traces, 

 and we were soon glad to give up our almost ineffectual 

 struggle to get along on foot, and seat ourselves on one of 

 the reindeer sledges which soon brought us to the spot. It 

 was admirably chosen — a large open space — perhaps half 

 a mile across, sufficiently hollow to give it the effect of a 

 natural aaiphitheatre surrounded by forest. In the centre 

 was a slight elevation, where three or four sledges were 

 stationed, commanding a fine view of the herd of reindeer 

 gathered round. A little below us in the hollow were about 

 a score of sledges with the women and the baggage. 



The Samoyedes proved themselves expert in throwing the 

 lasso. In the left hand they held a small coil of rope, in 

 the right hand the larger half. The lasso was thrown with 

 an underhand fling, and generally successfully over the horns 

 of the animal at the first attempt. The left hand was then 

 pressed close to the side so as to bring the shock of the 

 sudden pulling up of the reindeer at full speed against the 

 thigh. When a reindeer found itself caught, it generally 

 made desperate efforts to escape, but was usually on its 

 haunches gasping for breath in a few seconds. The Samoyede 

 then hauled in the rope, oi-, if it was nearly out at full length, 

 another Samoyede came up and began to haul it in nearer 

 to the animal. When he was close to it he took hold of the 

 horns, and with a side twist, brought the reindeer down on to 

 the snow. The Russian to whom the fifty reindeer belonged 

 then approached, and taking a thong of three-plait matting 



F 



