256 
IN FORBIDDEN SEAS 
prise and energy on their part, as the waters round 
their island simply teemed with fish, halibut and cod 
especially. All that was necessary was to go out 
into rather deeper water in the winter and spring 
months. I indicated the localities to him, and, 
presenting him with two or three dozen cod-fish and 
a few stores, bade him good-bye. We then got under 
way and left. Since then I believe cod-fishing has 
been one of the principal occupations of his settlers. 
In 1896 I was in the same spot on a similar 
errand on exactly the same days of the month— 
namely, June 25 and 26—when all traces of the 
yurt had disappeared ; there was much snow, and 
the place looked as deserted and barren as ever. 
Three boats went to the small stream which flows 
into the bay, to fetch water. With the party went 
three of my hunters, intending to go into the hills 
shooting, and taking with them my dog, a cocker 
spaniel. They walked along the beach towards the 
spot where the yurt originally stood, which was 
about half a mile from where they landed, and came 
to a halt a couple of hundred yards or so beyond, 
where the land sloped upwards to a high bluff 
forming part of the lower slope of the mountains 
farther inland. The dog kept close to them all the 
time. 
Thinking I might get some ptarmigan, I took my 
gun and rowed myself on shore, landing near where 
the yurt had been. After hauling my boat up I 
turned round, and saw my dog rushing frantically 
towards me. She kept right on, taking no notice 
of me as she passed, although I called and whistled 
to her. With her tail between her legs, her eyes 
bulging out, her head turning from side to side, as 
