of two privates who are not fit to march further.
Five horses are unfit to go. Billeting party leaves about 8:00 a. m. The
convoy starts at 8:40. Along the river's edge we move. A big
twelve-verst horseshoe takes us till noon. Men suffer from cold but do
not complain. We put up in village. People are friendly. Officers are
quartered with a good-natured peasant. Call up Pinega on long distance
phone. We are needed badly. Officer will try to get sleighs to come to
meet us forty versts out of Pinega. Maj. Williams, Red Cross, came in to
see us after we had gone to bed, on his way to Pinega.

To VERKHNE PALENGA--SEVENTH DAY, DECEMBER 24TH

At breakfast telegram came from Pinega promising one hundred horses and
Red Cross Christmas dinners. Get away at 7:50 a. m. The lane is full of
snow but the winding road through the pines is a wonderfully fine road.
For thirteen versts there is hardly a drift. The hills are very
moderate. Wood haulers are dotting the river. Stores are evidently
collecting for scow transport in the summer. No, do not take to the ice.
Keep on to the left, along the river. This hill is not so bad. We lost
our point on a tortuous road, but find that we have avoided a ravine.
The fourteenth verst takes us across the river--follow the telephone
wires there. Come back, you point, and take the road to the left that
climbs that steep bluff yonder. What a sight from the top! The whole
convoy lies extended from advance guard on the hill to rear guard on the
river.

Up and down our winding pine-flanked road takes us. It is hard going but
the goal is only a few versts away. Now we are in sight of the village
and see many little fields. Oh boy! see that ravine. This town is in two
parts. Hospitable is the true word. Men turn out and cut notches in the
ice to help the ponies draw the sleds up the hill. It is some show.
Several of the ponies are barely able to make the grade. The big man of
the village is Cukov. We stay in his home--fine home. Headman Zelenian
comes to see us. Opened our Red Cross Christmas stockings and doughboys
share their meagre sweets with Russki children.

To LEUNOVO--EIGHTH DAY, DECEMBER 25TH

Up at 6:00 for a Merry Christmas march. Away at 8:05. Good road for
thirteen versts, to Uzinga. Here we stop and call for the headman who
gets his men to help us down the hill to the river. Not cold. Holes in
the river for washing clothes. Officer reported seeing women actually
washing clothes. Found o