Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XV. Through the Lena Delta
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Monument Cape is a barren rocky promontory, the
perpendicular face of which overlooks the dreary wastes of
the delta towards the north-east. It was nearly dusk when
I reached the top, where the awful desolation and silence
was broken only by a howling wind, which chased the
cold Arctic fog over the wild-looking and dreary delta-land.
From the summit, the island Boren-Bjelkoi, the scene of
the heroic sufferings and tragic deaths of Capt. De Long
and his companions, is visible some twelve miles away.
With a mingled feeling of sadness and admiration I
looked at this rough monument of one of the most pathetic
of all the tragedies in the history of Arctic exploration, so
rich in traits of true heroism and devoted courage.
About a mile south of Monument Cape there are a few
yurtas with a couple of Tungus families, amiable and nice
people with whom we exchanged gifts. We photographed
them before we parted, and their cheers reached us far
across the water as we started on our way in the midst
of a blinding snowstorm. After hard rowing for some
three hours we finally reached Orto Stan, the occasional
home of the chief of the western district of the delta.
It was dark when we arrived, but Vinokuroff, the chief,
came down to the shore to meet us. He was dressed in
full uniform, a kind of brown jacket reaching to the knees,
and round his waist a gold-embroidered belt to which was
attached a short sword, the sign of the dignity of “kujas”
or “Prince”, conferred by Catherine II. on the native chiefs
of northern Siberia.
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