X.] 
MENKA’S VISIT. 
495 
now appeared that we were honoured with a visit from the 
representative of the Kussian empire, Wassili Menka, the 
starost among the reindeer-Chukches. He was a little dark 
man, with a pretty worn appearance, clad in a white variegated 
'‘pesk” of reindeer skin, under which a blue flannel shirt was 
visible. In order immediately on his arrival to inspire us with 
respect, and perhaps also in order not to expose his precious 
WASSILI MENKA. 
Starost among the Reindeer Chukches. 
(After a photograph by L. Palander.) 
life to the false Ran’s treachery, he came to the vessel over the 
yet not quite trustworthy ice, riding in a sledge that was drawn 
not by dogs but by his men. On his arrival he immediately 
showed us credentials of his rank, and various evidences of the 
payment of tribute (or market tolls), consisting of some few red 
and some white fox-skins, reckoning the former at 1 rouble 80 
copecks, the latter at 40 copecks each. 
