APPENDIX II 445 



The next to the last boat brought it : the one that took off the crew. It was 

 very rough and they could not land our freight, so carried it on to Point 

 Barrow. They sent a whaleboat some miles west, to an opening into the 

 lagoon, and got our party, taking thirteen hours to get them on board. I 

 was left alone, for Mikkelsen was at Herschel Island. He returned about 

 a week later, and we talked things over and he decided to return to civiliza- 

 tion, leaving me to the expedition. We received about 20 Ibs. of tea 

 from whalers, but the rest is at Point Barrow, as well as the sugar and 

 boat drill. We have only 25 Ibs. of sugar left, but I hope to get the sugar and 

 calico and some fine dogs, by sending a native after them, if I can get any 

 one to go. I cannot afford to waste the time, for every moment must 

 be utilized if I wish to finish my programme. 



Just now Mikkelsen is away, looking fora native to go out with him to the 

 Yukon River. He started with a native, about noon, two weeks ago, to sail 

 and row thirty odd miles, to a natives' camp, east on the coast. He took 

 no tent and very little food. I feel sure he did not make it the first day, 

 and it blew fifty miles an hour the second day, with snow. Winter has set 

 in, and yesterday young ice covered our lagoon. Unless he struck the 

 natives' camp, he is having a rough time. 



Yesterday three families came back from hunting, all hungry ; few 

 cariboo. I have a boy of about sixteen working for me. He has learned 

 the alphabet and can count and spell words up to ten, in two lessons. 

 Mikkelsen hired a native family from Herschel Island to come up and work 

 for us. He should have started a month ago in his whaleboat, but has not 

 showed up yet, and I am giving up hope. If they turn up I'll have them 

 live in one end of the house and I in the other all one room, but nobody 

 minds that here. If they do not come, Sachawachick and family will move 

 in. He is a fine man, and has done everything for us he could. They'll 

 keep house, while I travel with the boy. 



Be sure to get the provisions I listed here next summer. I shall be hungry 

 if they do not come. Besides, several families are depending upon me for 

 assistance, and I can't see them hungry. In addition to what I ordered I 

 shall have to ask for more. Our boats are unfit for work along the coast, 

 too heavy to row (two men), and they sail only with the wind ; too heavy 

 also to haul out upon the beach. Now I must be able to make fast time 

 along the coast, next summer, as I have lost part of this summer, and shall 

 not be able to do much the third, on account of packing up for return. I 

 have ordered (subject to your approval) a cruising canoe from Victor 

 Montague, of Traverse City, cost about 1 150, I think. [The order came 

 too late for a boat to be sent.] 



On looking over my outfit I find some of my drawing instruments are not 

 suitable for the work here, and some were spoiled when abandoning the 

 schooner. Therefore I have ordered from Chicago paper, drawing-boards, 

 scales for a large map, etc. Please honour this, as I can't do my work 

 without it. Paper was damaged in abandoning the ship, drawing-boards 

 were used by cook for bread-boards, etc. I shall work on a much larger 

 scale than I intended, and have to use better instruments. 



