of fish drawn in one cast of a
seine: and then, wrapped in their thick clothes and every one's feet
to the fire, the whole party soon slept. Ivan and Kolina, however,
held whispered converse together for a little while, but fatigue soon
overcame even them.

The next day they advanced still farther toward the pole, and on the
evening of the third camped within a few yards of the great Frozen
Sea. There it lay before them, scarcely distinguishable from the land.
As they looked upon it from a lofty eminence, it was hard to believe
that that was a sea before them. There was snow on the sea and snow on
the land: there were mountains on both, and huge drifts, and here and
there vast _polinas_--a space of soft, watery ice, which resembled the
lakes of Siberia. All was bitter, cold, sterile, bleak, and chilling
to the eye, which vainly sought a relief. The prospect of a journey
over this desolate plain, intersected in every direction by ridges
of mountain icebergs, full of crevices, with soft salt ice here and
there, was dolorous indeed; and yet the heart of Ivan quaked not. He
had now what he sought in view; he knew there was land beyond, and
riches, and fame.

A rude tent, with snow piled round the edge to keep it firm, was
erected. It needed to be strongly pitched, for in these regions the
blast is more quick and sudden than in any place perhaps in the known
world, pouring down along the fields of ice with terrible force direct
from the unknown caverns of the northern pole. Within the tent, which
was of double reindeer-skin, a fire was lit; while behind a huge rock,
and under cover of the sledges, lay the dogs. As usual, after a hearty
meal, and hot tea--drunk perfectly scalding--the party retired to
rest. About midnight all were awoke by a sense of oppression and
stifling heat. Sakalar rose, and by the light of the remaining
embers scrambled to the door. It was choked up by snow. The hunter
immediately began to shovel it from the narrow hole through which they
entered or left the hut, and then groped his way out. The snow was
falling so thick and fast that the traveling yourte was completely
buried, and the wind being--directly opposite to the door, the snow
had drifted round and concealed the aperture.

The dogs now began to howl fearfully. This was too serious a warning
to be disdained. They smelt the savage bear of the icy seas, which in
turn had been attracted to them by its sense of smelling. Scarcely
had the sagac