FROM CANDLE TO FORT GIBBON 407 



ones from Dawson and Fairbanks, into which the cargo is 

 reshipped for further transportation. 



Captain Clifton, who had charge of the telegraph line from 

 Delta River to Kaltag, a distance of more than seven hundred 

 miles, had invited me to stay with him during my halt at Fort 

 Gibbon. After shaving and dressing as well as I could, I went 

 out to find him, and, after inquiring for him at his office without 

 success, I went into the street to look for a man who answered 

 to the description the men at the office had given me. I met 

 one, and upon inquiry found out that he was in fact the man 

 I was looking for. 



He was very kind and courteous, introduced me at once to 

 the other members of the small group of ladies and officers he 

 was walking with, and repeated the invitation which he had 

 already telegraphed to me. Of course I accepted with thanks, 

 and stayed with him and Mrs. Clifton for about ten days, days 

 which will always remain in my memory as some of the 

 pleasantest I ever spent. And not only Captain Clifton, but 

 also Mr. Miiller, the N.A.C. agent, Mr. Corbisher, the mail 

 service superintendent, Mr. Vachan, and the officers at the 

 fort, showed me great kindness. 



Mr. Adarns had enough of "mushing" when we reached 

 Fort Gibbon, and wanted to take the horse sledge, which runs 

 down to the Hotsprings with the mail once a week, in connec- 

 tion with the stage to Valdez. Mr. Adams left for the Hot- 

 springs with the first stage, but I stayed on for another week, 

 as I wished to enjoy my period of rest and ease, the first I had 

 had since the beginning of the expedition. But even I could 

 not prolong this pleasant time for more than one week, and on 

 February 22 I left on the horse sledge for the Hotsprings. 



