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Simpson, or even for Seattle, one thousand miles distant on the 

 ocean, to sell his skins. An Indian whom I know, went in his canoe 

 last year to Seattle and there sold his hear skins, some forty odd, and 

 returned with $1,400 in cash. Of the Indian character I will speak 

 further on. 



Next in value to the fur trade of Alaska stands the salmon industry 

 which has been developed to an astonishing degree during the last 

 decade. 



The annual pack now is about 700,000 cases nearly $3,000,000 in 

 value. Nearly the half of the output comes from the Karluk River on 

 Kadiak island. This stream is not over fifty feet wide and not long, 

 yet a dozen canneries draw their supply therefrom. Some years the run 

 of salmon is much greater than usual. During the past season salmon 

 were very plentiful. About the beginning of June they commence 

 coming in from the ocean to ascend the streams for spawning. As the 

 summer advances their number increases ; up every river and stream, 

 rivulet and rill, instinct drives them to fulfil their mission. Many suc- 

 ceed, but hundreds of thousands, nay millions, perish miserably at the 

 mouths of torrential streams or cascades, attracted thither by the fresh 

 water. They are pursued and attacked by the dog-fish, a species of 

 shark, and one often sees salmon swimming about with pieces bitten 

 out of their sides ; and again towards fall thousands are found blind, 

 hopelessly swimming about the mouth of their gaol. It is a pitiful sight. 

 Their race is run. High tide piles them on the beach to rot. For 

 miles the air becomes offensive beyond endurance, and more than once 

 was I obliged to change our proposed anchorage on account of the 

 shoals of dead salmon. In south-eastern Alaska all salmon are packed 

 by Chinese who are imported for the season from Portland or San 

 Francisco. 



Next to the salmon the codfish stands foremost in quantity as well 

 as in commercial importance. However, as the demand is limited, the 

 development of the cod-fisheries is very limited, the annual catch being 

 only about $40,000. The fish next in importance is the halibut, which 

 is found in great numbers in favoured localities in south-eastern Alaska. 

 It and the salmon form the great staple for consumption by the natives. 



