24 



THE JE ANNETTE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



ship, and two native Alaskans, named Anequin and Alexai, 

 were hired to accompany the expedition as dog drivers and 

 hunters. Alexai was a married man, and both could speak 

 a little English. 



" Mrs. Alexai," wrote Mr. Collins, " a chubby-faced, shy, 

 but good-humored looking young female, came on- board 

 to see her husband off on his long cruise. She behaved with 

 great propriety under the circumstances. Alexai behaved 

 also with stolidity tempered by affection for his spouse. 



THE LAST INTERVIEW. 



They sat together, hand in hand, on some bags of potatoes 

 near the cabin-door, and probably exchanged vows of eternal 

 fidelity. I was greatly touched, and got up on the bridge 

 with my sketch-block, on which I outlined their figures. I 

 had to take them as they sat with backs toward me, for Mrs. 

 Alexai was too modest to face the pencil. Before leaving 

 the ship Captain DeLong gave the bereaved one a cup and 

 saucer with gilt letters on it. She seemed overpowered with 



