y saw the sea in front of them, a cluster of
ten Samoyede yourts and a herd of reindeer feeding on the slope behind
them. A number of women and children and five or six old men came out to
look at them as they approached.

"Sit down and let us talk," the leader said as they reached the village,
and set the example by seating himself by a large fire. Godfrey and Luka
at once did the same.

"The Ostjak and his friend have come very far," he said.

"A long distance," Luka replied. "We have travelled many days and are
going to the Petchora."

"Have you reindeer? Did you walk all the way?"

"No, we have no reindeer; we came in a boat. You will find it along the
shore."

"How far?"

"About an hour's walk I should say."

The Samoyede gave an order, and two of the men at once left the circle,
got into a canoe, and paddled away.

"The strangers will stay here for a day or two. We have plenty of milk
and fish."

Luka nodded. "We are in no hurry to go on. We have plenty of time to
reach the Petchora before the winter sets in."

The Samoyede spoke to one of the women, and she set to work to clear out
one of the tents. The chief got up and walked away, and the conference
was evidently over. Three hours later they saw the canoe reappear at the
mouth of the river with the boat towing behind it. The Samoyedes
gathered on the shore to examine it, evidently surprised at its form and
size, which differed entirely from their own, which were little craft
capable of holding two at most. They tasted the water at the bottom of
the boat and found it to be fresh. The stove for cooking spoke for
itself, and as there was firewood, meat, flour, and some rough furs,
there seemed all that was necessary for a journey. When they returned
the chief asked Luka:

"Is that Ostjak canoe?"

"Yes; but it is built much larger than our canoes generally are, as it
was for long journey."

Presently the women brought a large bowl of reindeer milk and some fried
fish. As they were eating, four of the men who were standing behind
suddenly threw themselves upon Godfrey and Luka, while the others closed
in, and in a minute they were securely bound hand and foot. Godfrey made
no struggle, for he felt that it would be useless and might result in
his being shot or stabbed. The hatchets and knives were taken from their
belts, and they were then carried to the tent and thrown down. Jack had
fought fiercely, biting several of the natives, until he was str