self as
the cause of so many human beings encountering such awful peril. The
rockings of their icy raft were terrible. It was impelled hither and
thither by even huger masses. Now it remained on its first level, then
its surface presented an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, and it
seemed about to turn bottom up. All recommended themselves to God,
and awaited their fate. Suddenly they were rocked more violently than
ever, and were all thrown down by the shock. Then all was still.

The hurricane lulled, the wind shifted. snow began to fall, and the
prodigious plain of loose ice again lay quiescent. The bitter frost
soon cemented its parts once more, and the danger was over. The men
of Nijnei Kolimsk now insisted on an instant return; but Sakalar was
firm, and, though their halt had given them little rest, started as
the sun was seen above the horizon. The road was fearfully bad. All
was rough, disjointed, and almost impassable. But the sledges had
good whalebone keels, and were made with great care to resist such
difficulties. The dogs were kept moving all day, but when night came
they had made but little progress. But they rested in peace. Nature
was calm, and morning found them still asleep. But Sakalar was
indefatigable, and as soon as he had boiled a potful of snow, made
tea, and awoke his people.

They were now about to enter a labyrinth of _toroses_ or icebergs.
There was no plain ground within sight; but no impediment could be
attended to. Bears made these their habitual resorts, while the wolf
skulked every night round the camp, waiting their scanty leavings.
Every eye was stretched in search of game. But the road itself
required intense care, to prevent the sledges overturning. Toward the
afternoon they entered a narrow valley of ice full of drifted snow,
into which the dogs sank, and could scarcely move. At this instant two
enormous white bears presented themselves. The dogs sprang forward;
but the ground was too heavy for them. The hunters, however, were
ready. The bears marched boldly on as if savage from long fasting.
No time was to be lost. Sakalar and Ivan singled out each his animal.
Their heavy ounce balls struck both. The opponent of Sakalar turned
and fled, but that of Ivan advanced furiously toward him. Ivan stood
his ground, axe in hand, and struck the animal a terrible blow on
the muzzle. But as he did so, he stumbled, and the bear was upon him.
Kolina shrieked; Sakalar was away after his prize;