rivers of steaming water. But when we arrived at the summit of one of the peaks we beheld on the other side a wide green valley hundreds of miles in extent. It looked like a fairyland to us after so many weeks of snow and ice. There were huge trees with queer-shaped leaves and many were in bloom. The air was warm and balmy. Small rivulets of warm water ran down from the steaming mountains where snow-clad peaks stretched high above the clouds. In spite of the enternal Winter that prevailed outside, there seemed to be everlasting Summer in the valley itself. Many of the trees had fruit and nuts that tasted delicious, and deer were feeding here and there. None of the animals in that wonderful land of eternal green seemed to be afraid of man. We patted the various birds while they were sitting in their nests and staring at us with their big, calm eyes.
“‘As it was evident that there was no fear of wild animals or lack of food, we decided to remain. We had plenty of ammunition for hunting, and there was an abundance of delicious fish in the rivers and eggs, fruit and berries would supply the rest of our meals richly. But this was the Summer, when the sun never set nor rose.
“‘We decided to risk it, however, and began to build a small log cabin and gather fuel. We built a stove of rock for cooking our meals. Then provisions of birds, dried fish and venison were accumulated systematically. We were ready with all our preparations before the seasonal sunset, which meant the turning point of our life. Every moment we expected snow and a lowering of the temperature to zero and below.
