Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-30
CHAPTER XXvI.-PRIvATIONs IN THE POLAR
NIGHT.

CHAPTER xxvI-PRIvATIoNs IN THE POLAR
NIGHT
When Yermac had eaten enough of his
deer-he had offered some Of the choicest
pieces to Yegor and his companions. but
had received a refusal similar to that he had
made them-he utilized the remainder for
his traps. Thanks to this bait of alluring
odor, he succeeded in capturing three fine
gluttons, the flesh of which he carried away.
The precious fur of these animals was
carefully put aside. Yermac, with his pro-
iect of fight wished to create for himself
resources for his journey; besides, the fur
of the glutton commands very high price
among the natives OF the north of Siberia.
The Yakoutes did not return quickly with
their nartas loaded with food, and the fugi-
tives began to lack provisions. In their
turn, they felt the rough attacks of hunger.
Then, touching combats of generosity arose
among them. NJ. Lafleur pretended that
the cold produced in him an effect contrary
to that which it usually produces and ap-
peased his hunger. He insisted that Mad
eye and Yegor should take the largest
shares. Ladislas devised means to make
his adopted sister believe he had eaten too
much and, with genuine self-denial, obliged
her to eat the food of which he deprived
himself
Yermac, much surprised to see the fugi-
tives so soon reduced to the eXtremities
from which he had just been relieved stud
led with curiosity the suffering expression
Of their countenances. The more they weak
ened-while he was regaining strength and
courage-the more things became equal be-
tween him and them His satisfaction would
have been perfect, if he had not shared the
fears OF his companions in regard to the two
guides.
The fugitives sought to explain the delay
of the Yakoutes, and economical their food.
Yermac was disturbed by the prolonged alb
sence of Chort. He regretted having said
too much to Tekels comrade concerning the
people he served.
Perhaps, afraid of compromising them
selves, the guides would not return. In that
case, Yermac regarded his fight as impos
s1ble. But would not the continuation OF
the fugitives' journey also be rendered i'm
possible? What could they do without then
sledges, without their dogs, and without
provisions upon the deserted shores of the
Arctic Ocean? They would be forced tc
avOW themselves vanquished, incapable OF
pushing their attempt to the end, and would
be but too happy to be able to return to Yak
outsk under the protection Of the chief OF
police.
The fugitives were soon re7uced to dis
putting their rations with }T.o and the two
Siberian dogs which Ycgor hal kept These
animals, deprived Of nour-sA nolt, uttered
lugu5rious compl aints. The Siberian dogs
are accustomed to howl for-- tines a day
but Yegor's dogs EoTv how, IL day anc
all night
Tie situaeion Of the ezi,..5 rev painful
in the extreme: aGI, GI2ci to this, the
biting cold oe;'.9'oaa! tl2,a Il, sorts of SUI
fer,n1
One morning, little Ladislqs complained
that his feet were excessively cold. M
Lafeur took off his shoes and uttered cry
Oh seeing that the child's stockings, frozen
to his feet, adhered to them. 1t was neces
sary to use caution in misunderstanding hin
of the icy coverings. Happily, the feet
although stiff, were yet unframed. NJ.
Lafeur re-established the circulation OF
the blood by rubbing them vigorously with
brandy.
The difficulties Of life were also augment
ed by reason of the cold. They were forced
to cut the meat with hatchets. If they
touched an iron utensl, without taking the
precaution to cover the hand, the contact OF
the iron with the skin produced the effect Oh
a burn. If Yegor, on consulting his little
compass, neglected to hold his breath, the
glass Immediately vanished beneath coat
ing of ice. Out-of-doors, their eyelids were
covered with an icy crust Yegor's watch
would no longer go, although he took great
care to carry it always upon him and to put
it at night under his coverings
Although the fugitives were clad in fan
mel undershirts, drawers and stockings OF
wool, flannel shirts, knit jackets, coats OF
heavy felt-cloth, and seal-skin pantaloons-
indispensable objects that Yegor had had
the foresight to purchase at the bazar OF
Yakoutsk-and although they slept with
their clothes on and covered with furs, fire
quently the cold, hunger's auxiliary, pre-.
vented them from sleeping.