THE LEX A DELTA. 775 



Alexey and Gcirtz to patch up the hut and make canvas 

 door, while the rest were put at work gathering wood 

 for our use and for a signal fire this evening. I intend 

 to light a big fire outside the hut in hopes it may at- 

 tract attention. 



At 5.30 we had supper (eight and one fourth pounds 

 bones for soup, one half pound deer meat), and im- 

 mediately commenced lying down. By eight p. m. I 

 had got everybody turned in, our signal fire burning 

 brightly, our hut closed up, and I went to sleep, worn 

 out. 



September 29 ] th, Thursday. — One hundred and ninth 

 clay. Called the cook at six a. m. Fire had of course 

 to be made, and at seven we sat clown to breakfast ; one 

 half pound meat apiece and tea. 



At eight sent Alexey along the river running to the 

 eastward in quest of game, and at the same time to 

 look for a chance of crossing it, or for a bend in it 

 looking to the southward and westward. The other 

 men were put at work gathering fire-wood. Excep- 

 tions : Nindemann, who was sent along the east river 

 seeking for materials to build a raft ; Gortz. who was 

 put to work erecting a flagstaff for showing a black 

 blanket, and in repairing our hut ; and Boyd and Sam, 

 who acted as our internal police, while the cook got 

 water for dinner purposes. 



When I turned in last night I was in hopes that I 

 should find ice enough here this morning to cross the 

 river on, for though I think we have reached the end 

 of the Delta, I am not sure of it, and I do not like the 

 idea of standing still. No boat, and no materials for 

 building even a crazy raft. Water on both banks, and 

 but few days' provisions. One does not like to feel he 

 is caught in a trap. Poor Ericksen's condition becomes 



