CRUISE AMONG RAID A AND T LIN GIT VILLAGES. 163 



away 011 the mainland to the east we could see the sun glistening 

 on the myriad ice-bound peaks of the coast mountains, while about 

 us in every direction were the forest-covered tops of half-submerged 

 mountain peaks which make up this sea of islands. The afternoon 

 was one long to be remembered. Tents, blankets, and clothing were 

 put out to dry, while we rambled through the forest, following paths 

 made by deer and bear down to the springs near our camp. The 

 forests were a revelation — bathed in an almost eternal mist which 



IIaida Woman of Masset Weaving a Basket. 



has been tempered by the mild Japan ocean currents, they are in- 

 describably green. Giant cedars, firs, spruce, and hemlock fairly 

 crowd eacii other and leave but scant room for the ferns and under- 

 brush which cover every inch of ground. Then there is a rugged- 

 ness about the shores of the islands; here absolutely barren, there 

 piled high with drift, often to a height of sixty feet or more, which 

 speaks eloquently for the mighty forces of Nature wliicli never tire. 

 We left Cape NorthumT)prland at three o'clock on the morning 

 of July 6th, just as the sun was beginning to throw a ruddy glow 

 over the ice-bound peaks on the mainland. By eleven o'clock we 



