142 RECENT HUNTING TRIPS. 



islands which protect it from the storms of the 

 Pacific Ocean, are so narrow that one almost 

 always se^ms to be steaming up a narrow river 

 rather than to be navigating salt water. 



All the islands and the entire length of the 

 •coastline of the mainland are covered with 

 mountains whose lower slopes are thickly 

 wooded to the water's edge. But behind these 

 soft, rounded verdure-clad hills rise great bare 

 rocky peaks, amongst whose lofty crests l)lue- 

 green glaciers and pure white fields of virgin 

 snow defy eternalh^ the fiercest rays of the 

 summer's sun. I have heard much of the 

 beauty and grandeur of the coast scenery of 

 Norway, and its glories may eqiial those of the 

 Pacific coast but can hardly surpass them. 



After Skagway has been reached the wonder- 

 ful scenery of the AVhite Pass has still to be 

 seen. The journey through the grand wild 

 mountain-crowned gorges of this fine pass, once 

 so arduous, is now made in a comfortable 

 railway carriage, and from the terminus of the 

 railway at the town of Whitehorse, which is 

 picturesquely situated at the foot of the 



