-398 THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. 



While on his way down the Lena in his schooner, Harber, 

 without knowing it at the time, passed, in the night, the 

 steamer Constantine, aboard of which were Melville, Nin- 

 dermann, Noros, Berry, and Jackson, who had started for 

 home. Ensign Hunt and Mr. Bartlett remained at Yakutsk, 

 both of them having volunteered to assist Harber. The 

 northern search party started from Yakutsk for the Delta 

 near the close of June. 



The homeward journey of the returning explorers was, 

 says Melville, one fair voyage filled with friendly God 

 speeds from all quarters. At St. Petersburg they were 

 received by the Emperor of Russia. On arriving at Berlin, 

 Nindermann took time to visit his birthplace, on the Isle of 

 Rugen, in the Baltic Sea, off the northern coast of Prussia. 

 He was met outside his native village by a bevy of rustic 

 maidens with flowers and wreaths, and had a joyful recep- 

 tion. The whole place was in holiday attire during his two 

 days' stay. 



The Cuiiard steamer Parthia, from Liverpool, brought the 

 party over the last section of their long journey ; and they 

 arrived at New York, Melville's native city, September 13th, 

 just one year from the day when the three boats carrying 

 the Jeannette castaways were separated off the Siberian 

 coast. When they left the steamer's deck, it was to meet 

 " the warmest, the simplest, the grandest reception ever wit- 

 nessed in New York Bay." They were taken to the city on 

 the steam yacht, Ocean Gem, and disembarked amid a 

 great display of enthusiasm from the assembled multitude. 

 Melville was welcomed to the city by Lieutenant Jacques, 

 in behalf of the Secretary of the Navy and the Commander 

 of the Port. Subsequently he received distinguished honors 

 from the officials and citizens of New York, Philadelphia, 

 and other places, in all of which Nindermann and Noros 

 shared. 



