FLYING CLOUD A Lapland Reindeer

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

FLYING CLOUD A Lapland Reindeer

■ ■ -HKOUGH the gathering gloom Ivan was being drawn on his sledge by Flying Cloud, the fleetest reindeer in the district. Storm clouds were visible on the distant horizon and although the season was early spring it was to be expected that at least one more bitter storm would sweep over the country before the winter was really past. .

ByWeka.

Ivan had left his home village in Kola Bay during the morning with instructions to take a basket of food to hie grandmother, who lived in a village .30 miles to the northward. He had harnessed to hie sledge Flying Cloud, a beautiful creature. His colour, instead of being brown like most reindeer, was a pretty grey, which, combined with his exceptional speed, was the reason for him receiving hie name.

The residents of this district were considered to be wealthy, as they owned large herds of reindeer, which provided them with milk, butter and meat throughout the long cold

winters. Iran's mother Katinka had received a message that her mother had been ill for some time, but as the season had been a very stormy one it had not been possible to send word of her condition earlier. The wolves had been particularly fierce as the winter drew to a close. For anyone to have attempted a long journey over the frozen enow it would have been very foolish and even dangerous, as there was very little chance of evading the wolves -which infested the country. Having reached the home of hie grandmother and delivered the food, Ivan was delighted to find that she wu well enough to leave her bed end that she was making a speedy recovery.

The villagers having subsisted on reindeer meat for many months had sent out a party of men to fish as it had been reported that open water could be seen some distance from the shore.

Knowing what a treat it would be to his own villagers if he could take back some fish, Ivan decided to wait and see if the fiehing party was successful. - --— :

Flying Cloud was greatly admired by the young people of the village, and Ivan was always ready to tell them of the wonderful speed of Lis favourite; on a recent occasion he had been nearly caught by a pack of wolves and had only reached his home after an anxious and exacting race in which Flying Cloud had just been able to hold his own.

Ivan fully realised that he was acting against instructions in not immediately returning, but the thought of taking home some fresh fish was very alluring, and the opportunity to talk about Flying Cloud was too good not to be taken advan-

tage of. In the midst of their discussions a cry rang out that the fishermen were returning and were only a short distance away. Great was the excitement when it was. evident that they were carrying large quantities of fish.

It was the custom of these people to be generous with their neighbours, consequently Ivan's sleclge was soon filled with fish, and with a grateful heart he set out for home. It was almost dark and 30 long miles stretched out ahead of him. He knew that fleet as Flying Cloud had proved himself to be he could not travel that distance under two hours and a half.

Out of the villaglHhey dashed, the people calling out good-byes and cheery farewells.

"On boy," said Ivan to Flying Cloud, ' r you must keep up your reputation and make this journey a record

one." Flying Cloud, the ] persuasive gestures of his master, lengthened his stride, thus increasing his speed to about 15 miles an hour. Although pleased with the rate of speed at which they were travelling Ivan was worried on account of his mother, who would be ver* anxious when he failed to return at the expected time. Moreover, the storm clouds were gathering fast and he knew the blizzard would break upon them long before they could reach shelter. The sagacious animal, sensing the danger of the coming storm, made such progress that within an hour and a half the distance had been covered. Then the storm, with all the fury of an Arctic blizzard, overtook them and they were enveloped in an impenetrable blanket of swirling snow. In a few moments Ivan had completely lost his sense of direction and could only trust to the homing instinct of Flying Cloud. Under such conditions the pace was greatly reduced and he w'as compelled to coneider the advisability of throwing

away ifche fish. He had i just come to that ; decision and was about to pull up when the baying of'the wolves,, that dreaded sound-to the : people of Lapland, was carried to himrovera the storm. Flying Cloud made"' frantic efforts to increase his speed, but nearer,and nearer came? the famished hunters, and it was evident that they were in-hot pursuit.

So large and ferocious were these wolves that Ivan knew his onlychance, of escape lav in the speed of Flying Cloud. Then a brilliant thought occurred to him. He would wait until the wolves were a little closer, and then throw out part of the fish. Nearer they came. Flying C'loud wa.% showing wonderful pace, but the drag of the sledge was too heavy for hiin to hold his lead. Ivan realised that he must act quickly, so lie began to throw out the fish in small quantities. The snarling of the pack told him that they had paused in their mad raoe to devour the food. Over and over again he repeated this manoeuvre. Each time the wolves were delayed a little ground was gained. Then Ivan came to the last fish and still 110 sisrn of the home lights.

The speed of Flying Cloud had increased as the sledge grew lighter, still there was only one hope, that the gallant animal could continue to keep the pace for a little longer. The Advantage, however, was maintained for only a short time, then, alas, Ivan recognised that it was a matter of a few moments before the wolves would overtake tlieni.

Still harnessed to the sledge Flying Cloud could not outrun his relentless enemies. Ivan could think of only one thing. He must cut loose and •rive the brave animal a chance. If he pulled up even for a few seconds ■the wolves would be upon them. Standing on the front of the sledge lie called a warning to Flying Cloud, then. gathering all his strength he leaped forward and landed on the back of his faithful friend. With his left hand he grasped an antler and leaning forward severed the rawhide collar that attached the reindeer to the sledge.

With a great bound Flying Cloud was free and with Ivan still clinging to him the gallant beast was just managing to keep ahead of the wolves. Ivan knew that thev must now be very near to the village, and therefore his hopes rose a little. He could still hear the panting of the wolves that were drawing perilously near. Then out of the darkness 'flashed, lights, and to his anxious hearing came the sound of men's voices. The village at last! Flying Cloud rushed through the gates and Ivan now in safety was soon in the arms of his mother and surrounded by his many anxioue

friends. Meanwhile -at the gate a fierce battle was being fought. The men, armed with exes, were defending the village and eventually the wolves were driven back. In that part of Lapland stories are still told of Flying Cloud's wonderful race for life; he had travelled 30 miles in just over two hours with a loaded eledge for the greater part of the distance, and once again saved Ivan's life.