CHAPTER I. 



ACROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEHRING SEA. 



The Start Head-winds and Gales Arrival at Kodiak Island Aground 

 Arrival at Dutch Harbour St. Lawrence Island Buying Dogs 

 Storms in Behring Strait Arrival at Port Clarence Discontented 

 Crew Arrival at Point Hope Sign on New Sailors. 



ON Sunday morning, May 20, 1906, we awoke early, and, 

 as in the days of childhood when an outing had been planned, 

 we at once made for the window to look at the weather. It 

 was a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly in a clear 

 sky, and a shower during the night had refreshed the trees and 

 flowers outside our windows. Nature apparently had done her 

 best to make our last day in civilization as beautiful as possible ; 

 or was she mocking us, as we were leaving such a country for 

 regions of snow, of ice and wind ? 



The morning was spent in hurried farewell visits to our best 

 friends, and at 3 o'clock we were towed out to sea by a 

 large tug. In the early morning a great number of people 

 came to the quay to see us off, but as the day wore on the 

 crowd changed, and only one man remained from the early 

 morning until our departure our Chinese cook, who was sitting 

 apart far above the rest, waving his handkerchief and yelling 

 at the top of his voice. Poor fellow, he would have liked to 

 join us, but he was afraid of the cold and of going so far away 

 from home. 



A small accident happened when we steamed out of the 

 harbour. The tug unexpectedly swung round and ran us into 

 the quay. The Duchess of Bedford got an awful shaking up, 

 but nothing happened, save the bursting of a jumper-stay, and 

 the damage done was soon repaired. 



The tug left us just outside the harbour and steamed back, 

 dipping her colours and blowing her steam whistle. The 

 racket was well meant. It was " Good-bye ! God-speed to you 

 and a safe return ! " 



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