CHAPTER XXV. 



MR. NEWCOMB'S NARRATIVE. 



(CONTINUED). 



NEXT morning our camp presented the appearance of a 

 family who had broken up housekeeping in a hurry, 

 as in fact we had. But excellent spirits prevailed. One of 

 the sailors handed some stuffed decoys of mine to the cook 

 for the captain's party. He commenced plucking the feath- 

 ers hefore finding out the joke. 



Our life for the next week was spent in getting ready for 

 our retreat. Much of the time was spent in sewing, and 

 some droll looking but very sensible costumes were com- 

 pleted. Our tents were numbered, and over the door of ours 

 was the word ' Welcome.' The boats and provision sleds 

 were named. The first cutter was named the Jeannette, and 

 bore a beautiful silk ensign. The second cutter, Mr. Chipp's 

 boat, was named Hiram ; and Mr. Danenhower's boat was 

 named Rosy. Our sleds were named Sylvie, Etta L., Lizzie, 

 and Maud. One other bore the motto, ' In hoc signo vinces.' 



In consequence of the stronger light during the day, it 

 was decided to march nights and sleep daytime. This was 

 accordingly done and proved a good thing ; and many a 

 comfortable sleep I enjoyed after a hard night's work, either 

 dragging with the men, or afterward with pick and shovel 

 building roads. 



The ice during the first of our tramp was very bad, often 

 one or two miles being all we could make in a night's work, 

 and during the first week we drifted back twenty-four miles. 

 From this time until I reached the Tunguse settlement I 

 hardly knew what dry feet were, and often was wet through, 

 clothing, sleeping gear and all. During the march over 



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