DOWN THE MACKENZIE 



157 



We entered the harbor of San Francisco early on the 27th of 

 October. The morning sun rose from behind the eastern 

 mountains upon a scene of beauty which to our eyes, so long 

 accustomed to snow and ice fields, seemed like a glimpse of 

 heaven. On either side of the narrow entrance the rugged 

 hills rose abruptly from the water's edge where the heavy 

 ground swell broke in long lines of sparkling foam against the 

 dark cliffs. How different the green hillsides, dotted with 

 trees, viewed through the balmy air of a perfect day, from the 

 barren, fog-enveloped, and snow-covered mountains of the 

 Aleutian Islands which we had passed twelve days before! 



We were landed too late in the day for me to transact any 

 business so that I could not leave for the east until the follow- 

 ing Monday, and even then the ferry gates were closing as I 

 rushed through to board the Oakland boat. 



As I neared Iowa City on the 2nd of November, I received a 

 score of congratulatory telegrams from friends and organiza- 

 tions, which somewhat prepared me for the flattering reception 

 by the faculty, students, and citizens, to the number of several 

 hundred, who met me at the railway station. 



