The tundra in summer--Crossing the swift Paran River--Literally billions of mosquitos--Unique measures of protection against these pests--Mad race down the Uchingay River on a raft--Lighting a fire with a pistol--Narrow escape from drowning--Fronyo proves to be a man of mettle--Pak is caught stealing from slim supply of provisions and receives chastisement--Subsisting on wild onions and half-ripe berries--Help at last 255 XVI. A TEN-THOUSAND-MILE RACE Persistent rumors of gold in the Tchuktche peninsula--Count Unarliarsky--I am called to Vladivostok to fit out an expedition--Our vessel arrives off Indian Point--Charging through the ice-floes--A meeting with Eskimos--Our prospecting proves fruitless--We meet the rival expedition in Plover Bay--Their chagrin--The end 292 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Washington B. Vanderlip _Frontispiece_ Map showing the territory covered by Mr. Vanderlip in his search for a Siberian Klondike 5 Korean Miners 15 Market-place, Korsakovsk, Saghalien Island 25 Russian Murderers in Angle of Prison-House, Korsakovsk, Saghalien Island 37 Main Street of Petropaulovsk, Kamchatka 45 A River of Dead Salmon--August 53 The Salmon Catch 57 Ghijiga 65 Russian Church, Ghijiga 71 House in Ghijiga occupied by Mr. Vanderlip and his Party 75 House of Theodosia Chrisoffsky, Christowic 81 Start from Ghijiga, Summer-time. Theodosia Chrisoffsky and Family--Fourteen Children 87 Village of Christowic, Okhotsk Sea 93 Mr. Vanderlip on "Bill" 99 The Pride of the Family 105 Mr. Vanderlip crossing Turumcha River 111 Sledge-dogs, showing Harness and Method of Hitching 119 Mr. Vanderlip's Dog-sled loaded 125 Ghijiga River in Winter 129 Deer crossing River 141 Reindeer 145 Theodosia Chrisoffsky, Guide 151 Mr. Vanderlip and Reindeer Team. 157 Native Winter Camp 163 Mr. Vanderlip on March with Deer Outfit 173 Reindeer 183 Herd of Reindeer 189 Reindeer, Herders in background 195 Reindeer--Summer 201