ut what the high fences are for. Hang their flax
up to dry. The twenty-fourth verst into Leunovo is a hard drag. Quarters
are soon found. People sullen. Forester, Polish man who lives in house
apart at north end of village, tells me there are many Bolsheviki
sympathizers in the town. Also that Ostrov and Kuzomen are affected
similarly. This place will have to be garrisoned by American soldiers to
protect our rear from treachery.

TO GBACH--NINTH DAY, DECEMBER 26TH

Delay in starting due to necessity for telephoning to Pinega in regard
to rations and sleighs. Some error in calculations. They had sleighs
waiting us at Gbach this morning instead of tomorrow morning. Snow
falling as we start on the river road at 8:25. We find it glada (level)
nearly all the way but drifty and hard walking. Nevertheless we arrive
at end of our twenty-one verst march at 1:25. Met by friendly villagers
and well quartered. These people need phone and a guard the same as at
Verkne Palenga. Find that people here view the villages of Ostrov and
Kuzomen with distrust. Kulikoff, a prominent leader in the Bolo Northern
army, hails from one of these villages. Spent an hour with the village
schoolmaster. Had a big audience of men and boys. Sgt. Young and
interpreter came through from Pinega to untangle the sleigh situation.
We find that it is again all set here for an early start with one
hundred sleighs. A spoiled can of M. & V. makes headquarters party
desperately sick.

TO PINEGA--TENTH DAY, DECEMBER 27TH

Hard to get up this morning. Horses and sleighs came early as promised.
Put one man and his barrack bag and equipment into each sleigh and in
many sleighs added a light piece of freight to lighten our regular
convoy sleds. Got away at 9:00 a. m. Nice day for driving. The Russian
sleigh runs smoothly and takes the bumps gracefully. It is the first
time these solders have ridden in sleighs. Urgency impels us. Light ball
snow falls. Much hay cut along this valley. We meet the genial Red Cross
man who passes out cigarettes and good cheer to all the men.

Arrive at Soyla at noon. Some mistake made. The hundred horses left
yesterday and the headman goes out to get them again for us to go on
this evening. Seventeen sleighs got away at 3:00 p. m. Twenty-five more
at 7:00 p. m. At 9:30 we got away with the remainder of company. Have a
good sleigh and can sleep. Here is Yural and I must awake and telephone
to Pinega to see how situation stands. Loafer