DOMESTTC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 37 



crevices of the rocks. As marmot fur is highly prized for parkas, the 

 convicts set themselves to procuring it for a living. 



In 1869 Captain Evans, of the United States revenue cutter Lincoln, 

 making an inspection of the southern coast of Alaska, called at the 

 island. He was accompanied by Mr. Vincent Collyer, secretary of the 

 Board of Indian Commissioners. Not knowing the character of the 

 settlement, and moved by their stories of privation and destitution, a 

 large supply of provisions and goods were landed for their relief. The 

 sugar was at once brewed into beer (quass) and the whole community 

 reveled in drunkenness as long as the supplies lasted. From the visit 

 of the ship they learned that they were no longer under Russia, and 

 were free to go or come. Stimulated by the memory of the good things 

 left by the ship, they determined to abandon their island prison and 

 make a desperate venture for liberty. Packing the whole population 

 into two skin-covered bidarkas, they safely made the island of Kadiak, 

 80 miles distant. 



June 6, at 6 a. ra., we passed 4 miles north of Castle Rock. We are 

 now at the eastern entrance of the Shumagin Archipelago. To the 

 south of us were the Big and Little Koninski, Simeonoff, and many 

 smaller islands; to the north of us, Point Kupreanoff, with the rock- 

 bound coast, snow-covered, glacial-swept mountains and ravines of the 

 peninsula. Directly in front were the islands of Nagai, Andronica, 

 Korovin, Popoff, and Unga, with innumerable islets and rocks. About 

 9 o'clock we entered Gorman Straits, passing between Korovsin and 

 Andronica islands, on the former of which is a small Russian settle- 

 ment of two families, with four or five houses and a small Greek chapel. 

 We are now in the neighborhood of the point where, on August 30, 

 1741, Bering landed to bury Shoomagin, one of his seamen. As the 

 natives destroyed the cross that marked the grave as soon as the Rus- 

 sians left the beach, all trace of the exact spot has been lost. From 

 the account of the expedition it was probably either on Popoff or Nagai 

 islands. 



Leaving Pirate Cove, with its sheltered cod fishery, to the right of us, 

 we pass down the east coast of Popoff Island, round the head, and make 

 direct for Delaroff Harbor, where we make anchor at 11.45 a. m., abreast 

 of the village of Unga. Taking an early lunch, I went ashore and 

 found Mr. O. R. Kinney, the teacher, on the beach waiting for me. 

 Under his guidance we visited the schoolhouse, which has been enlarged 

 and repainted since I left there a year ago. From the schoolhouse we 

 visited the "Martha Ellen Stevens" cottage, where he resides, and 

 while there discussed school matters. 



The entrance to the harbor is most picturesque. At the southern 

 side a large opening or cave extends through a rocky headland, giving 

 the appearance of an immeuse elephant, the cave or open space sep- 

 arating the elephant's trunk from his fore legs. The southern point 

 of the island is a precipitous rock, making a high cape, with a large 



