26 CEUISE OP STEAMER CORWIN IN THE AECTIC OCEAN. 



been prepared, the kettle belonging to the party having been borrowed in which to brew the tea. 

 The chiefs hut was crowded with curious people. A small box covered with a piece of checkered 

 cloth served as a table. The tea service consisted of four decorated china cups and saucers which 

 had been brought from some Russian trading post. The tea-drinking lasted fully two hours, the 

 chief drinking one cup after another without ever appearing satisfied. He produced a small pouch 

 in which he kept a few pieces of cube sugar, which was very much prized by him; occasionally he 

 would bite a lump of sugar iuto several pieces and place a piece in each cup with an air of great sat- 

 isfaction. After tea our people made a pot of coffee, which, being something new to the natives, they 

 did not appear to like at first, but having decided that it was made to drink the chief plied himself 

 with cup after cup for two hours. A feast of venison was next prepared, to which all were invited, 

 but only one of the party remained to enjoy it, the others preferring to rest in the clean tent. It was 

 not until -1 o'clock in the morning that any sleep was obtained, but as the weather in the morning 

 was exceedingly stormy, rendering travel not only disagreeable but unsafe, the day was spent in 

 camp. The islanders were very annoying by their curiosity, but it could not be wondered at, since 

 " Joe," the interpreter, declared that many of them had never before seen white men. During the 

 afternoon the island was explored. From the highest point, 1,200 feet above the level of the sea, 

 open water could be seen twenty miles away. The mainland could also be seen at intervals as the 

 weather cleared, about eight miles distant. Late in the afternoon the weather cleared up and the 

 following day proved much pleasanter. Sea fowls and eggs were procured from the young natives 

 for a small present of tobacco. The snow proving too soft for traveling, it was decided to wait until 

 evening before making another start. However, the tent was struck and every thing made ready. 

 Several of the dogs having accompanied a party of seal hunters did not return until late, which 

 caused some delay. Before leaving all were invited by the chief's wife to partake of some fresh 

 fish. They proved to be small cod, and if properly cooked would have been excellent eating. Two 

 letters were left with the chief, one for the Corwiu and one for the Rodgers should either vessel visit 

 the place before the return of the party. The most searching inquiries failed to elicit any informa- 

 tion regarding the object of the search. At 7 p. in. the start for the mainland was finally made, 

 but the sleds being heavily loaded it took some time to get the dogs down to work. For a few 

 miles the traveling was good, but afterwards the ice became rough, and the snow being soft 

 and deep between the hummocks made progress slow and tedious. Two men were obliged to run 

 beside the sled containing the boat, in snow and sludge up to the waist in many places. They 

 were also obliged to assist the driving sled, as the dogs would frequently get stalled. The work 

 seemed quite discouraging, especially since the only prospect was for warmer weather, which 

 would render the snow more impassable each day, and even now it was found necessary to travel 

 mostly by night. About midnight a short halt was made to eat supper and rest the dogs. The 

 air was clear and a splendid view was had of the midnight sun. The snow was becoming very 

 soft, and unless the ice, which in some places was very rough, could be followed, it was feared the 

 sleds and boats would have to be abandoned. At 2.30 a. m. the village called Unatapekan was 

 reached. This is the summer dwelling-place of the people of Koliatchin. During the winter the 

 natives cross to the island, pitch their tents, and hunt seals, but when summer comes they return 

 to the mainland. They leave all their boats at the village of Unatapekan, as they are not used in 

 the winter. A short delay was made here to examine the places. There were a number of boat- 

 frames resting on scaffolds and fishing and hunting implements scattered about, which spoke well 

 for the natives' honesty, since this village is on a sort of highway. The members of the sledge 

 party found these people very honest; every little article left accidentally within their reach was 

 promptly returned. The dogs began to show signs of fatigue and hunger also, but as nothing could 

 be procured at the settlement they could not be fed, and after a short rest they pushed ahead 

 again. Plenty of drift-wood lined the beach, and whenever a halt was made a fire was built to dry 

 clothing and warm the tired and stiffened limbs of the travelers. On account of the bad condition of 

 the ice, it was necessary to make a circuit of 25 miles from the island to the mainland, although the 

 distance is only about 8 miles. The journey was continued until 7 o'clock the next morning, when a 

 camp was made for the day and breakfast eaten with a relish; pemmican and granulated potatoes 

 steamed together, making a very palatable dish. It was at this time a matter of congratulation 

 that there were no natives near, and a quiet day was expected, but in a few minutes four teams 



