e traps and a quantity of
the coarser kinds of frozen fish as food for the dogs. It had been
settled that Godfrey and Luka should accompany them. They had
contributed liberally from their store of geese and fish, and added to
the load on the reindeer sledge their kettle, frying-pan, and a parcel
of tea and tobacco. When all was ready the three reindeer were harnessed
to the large sledge, one to each of the three small sledges, and soon
after daybreak on the 5th of November they started, the Ostjaks being
anxious to be off, for the weather again showed signs of breaking, and
it might be another month before the river was permanently frozen for
the winter. Six Ostjaks, including the chief, formed with Godfrey and
Luka the hunting party; the others remained behind to look after the
rest of the reindeer, as it was necessary to keep a space clear from
snow, to enable them to get at the grass. They would, too, continue the
fishing, keeping holes broken in the ice and catching fish by
torch-light. The men walked with the sledges, which only went at a
walking pace.

Across the river the route was easy, the surface of the snow being crisp
and hard, but it was hard work mounting the opposite bank, which was
exceedingly steep. The reindeer pulled well, and at difficult points the
men aided them. A short distance from the bank they crossed the
post-road, and in another half-hour were in the forest.

Godfrey had already been told that they would travel for several days
before they began to hunt, as the villagers with their guns scared the
wild animals from the forests in their neighbourhoods. There was no
difficulty in travelling through the forest, for the pine-trees stood
generally at some distance apart, and there was but little growth of
underwood. All day they kept steadily on. When evening came they cut
some young poles, erected their tent, and lit a fire in the centre. By
this time Godfrey had become accustomed to the smoke, which escaped from
the top of the tent by a hole.

A couple of geese were cut up and broiled over the flame, and some cakes
baked in the frying-pan, their pipes were lighted, and they lay down in
a circle with their feet to the fire. For three more days the journey
was continued. Then, as several tracks had been seen in the snow, they
halted and prepared for the hunt. The method was simple. The men
scattered in several directions, and when they struck upon a recent
track followed it up. Each man took w