FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO ST. LAWRENCE BAY. 91 



the Army Signal Corps, named Nelson, stationed here 

 for the five years of his enlistment to make and record 

 meteorological observations. Desolate and cheerless as 

 the place is, we may yet look back upon it as a kind of 

 earthly paradise. 



Our little family of thirty-two having been together 

 now for some time, I can judge of the harmony exist- 

 ing among them. In the cabin everything goes on 

 smoothly and harmoniously. Cliipp is as unchangea- 

 ble and imperturbable as ever ; he is occupied now in 

 building a cook-house on deck in the place where the 

 old one stood, but not quite so large. We have con- 

 sidered this wise, because we have already had trouble 

 with the draft to the galley ; for it positively refused to 

 burn on the port tack, and besides I want to have the 

 galley where 1 can look at its cleanliness every hour of 

 the day. Our Chinese servants — but I will tell you 

 about them further on. 



Danenhower is the same, and will probably always 

 remain so. He is a hard worker, always writing the log, 

 or figuring over his navigation or provision account. 



Melville is more and more a treasure every day. He 

 is not only without a superior as an engineer, but he is 

 bright and cheerful to an extraordinary extent. He 

 sings well, is always contented, and brightens every- 

 body by his presence alone. He is always self-helpful 

 and reliant, never worries about the future, is ready 

 for any emergency, has a cheerful word for everybody 

 night and morning, and is, in fine, a tower of strength 

 in himself. 



Dr. Ambler seems a kind of Mark Tapley, jolly when 

 he is probably most uncomfortable (for he is inclined to 

 sea-sickness). He does not take very kindly to canned 

 meats, and utterly denies himself the luxury of our 



