e set off into the blackness of
the never ending forest. As we marched out of the city hundreds of the
natives who had somehow gotten wind of this movement were also scurrying
here and there in order to follow the retreating column. Others who were
going to remain and face the entrance of the Bolos were equally
delighted in hiding and disposing of their valuables and making away
with the abandoned rations and supplies.

Hour after hour we floundered and struggled through the snow and bitter
cold. The artillery and horses ahead of us had cut the trail into a
network of holes, slides and dangerous pitfalls rendering our footing so
uncertain and treacherous that the wonder is that we ever succeeded in
regaining the river trail alive. Time after time that night one could
hear some poor unfortunate with his heavy pack on his back fall with a
sickening thud upon the packed trail, in many cases being so stunned and
exhausted that it was only by violent shaking and often by striking some
of the others in the face that they could be sufficiently aroused and
forced to continue the march.

At this time we were all wearing the Shackleton boot, a boot designed by
Sir Ernest Shackleton of Antarctic fame, and who was one of the advisory
staff in Archangel. This boot, which was warm and comfortable for one
remaining stationary as when on sentry duty, was very impracticable and
well nigh useless for marching, as the soles were of leather with the
smooth side outermost, which added further to the difficulties of that
awful night. Some of the men unable to longer continue the march cast
away their boots and kept going in their stocking feet; soon others were
following the example, with the result that on the following day many
were suffering from severely frostbitten feet.

The following morning, just as the dull daylight was beginning to appear
through the snow-covered branches overhead, and when we were about
fifteen versts well away from Shenkursk, the roar of cannon commenced
far behind us. The enemy had not as yet discovered that we had abandoned
Shenkursk and he was beginning bright and early the siege of Shenkursk.
Though we were well out of range of his guns the boom of the artillery
acted as an added incentive to each tired and weary soldier and with
anxious eyes searching the impenetrable forests we quickened our step.

At 9:00 a. m. we arrived at Yemska Gora on the main road from Shenkursk,
where an hour's halt was made. All