which had
accompanied the _Lena_ and _Vega_ went up the Yenissei River with
cargoes, and returned safely to Norway. The _Vega_ and _Lena_
proceeded, and after some delays the North-East Cape (Cape Chalyaskin)
was reached for the first time. Flags were hoisted and salutes fired to
emphasise the fact, and they were acknowledged by an immense bear that
came out upon the ice to welcome the ships. Hence fogs and occasional
ice-floes hindered the navigation. Many very interesting scientific
searches were made, and after the 23rd of August the sea was smooth and
free from ice up to the delta of the Lena River. Here the vessels
parted company on the 27th-28th of August, the _Lena_ to go up the
river, while the _Vega_ proceeded alone to the Siberian Islands.

Many interesting remains of the mammoth animals were discovered in these
islands, and the supply of ivory must be very valuable to the seekers.
The ice was too rotten to permit of landing, and the boats could not
pass in, so Nordenskiold reluctantly relinquished his intention to
explore those almost unknown islands, and the animal remains which
abound there.

The _Vega_ continued her uninterrupted course eastward till the ist of
September. Then snow fell, and the Bear Islands were covered with the
white garment. The navigation became difficult; the coast was
cautiously skirted till, as September wore on, the nights became too
dark for sailing, and the _Vega_ was obliged to come to an anchor every
evening.

On these occasions the natives came and made friends with the voyagers,
and subsequently these Tchuktches welcomed the foreigners. The
description given of the natives and their dwellings is curious. They
live in large tents, which enclose sleeping-places or a kind of inner
chambers, heated and lighted by an oil lamp. In these inner rooms the
native women sit, with very little clothing on. In summer a fire is
kept burning in the centre of the hut, and the smoke goes up through a
hole in the roof. In winter there is no fire, and presumably the hut is
closed against the outer air. The Greenlanders and Tchuktches use
similar household articles: they trade for needles, knives and tools,
linen shirts, etcetera, and especially brandy. Everyone smokes tobacco
when he or she can obtain it. When it cannot be had, some herbs are
chewed and smoked, after being dried behind the ears. Men and women
seldom wear head coverings; they have tunics and trousers of reinde