Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XVII. Across the Tundra to the Anabar
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the look-out in the future for any such traces. “It will
be a risky undertaking,” explained the chief. “The tundra
is enormous and full of dangers. Wolves may come and
scatter the reindeer during the night, when we should be
left to perish; storms may arise and compel us to stop at
the same spot for several days, or even weeks; the reindeer
may get away, and we be left for ever on the tundra.”
Then followed a long series of stories about natives
overtaken by wolves and storms on the tundra, of narrow
escapes after terrible suffering from hunger and exposure,
of disasters and lost parties, etc. The worst part of the
stormy season, which occurs when the sun disappears, i.e.
in the middle of November, had not yet come, but storms
might overtake us for all that.
I now appealed to the magnanimity of the chief, telling
him that “I was seeking my lost brethren,” and asking
him to share my dangers for such a noble purpose. This
had the desired effect, and he at once gave in, explaining
that he had already heard about our expedition, and
thereupon solemnly promised to do all in his power to
transport our party over the tundra to Anabar. He agreed
to equip a caravan of about 40 reindeer with the necessary
number of sledges, a tent of reindeer-skin, and two loads
of wood, and he also promised that he would himself go
with us and take two of his best men with him. Throughout
the interview the chief’s quiet manners and dignified speech
impressed us all greatly.
After a long and comical palaver with the Yakuts from
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