TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 15 



could wish. Clean bedding, knick-knacks for the 

 cabins, a few cushions, and books, made for Sybaritic 

 comfort. 



Food of all sorts, tinned and otherwise, we pur- 

 chased in the Victoria stores, and the majority served 

 us well. One or two of the Chinese seemed inclined 

 to trade on the " take the cash and let the credit go " 

 principle, but a little adroitness put matters to rights. 

 The tents for the trip were made to our order in 

 Chinatown, and when completed weighed a little over 

 seven pounds each. They were A-shape, about six 

 feet high at the ridge-pole, and although very thin, 

 withstood any amount of rain. 



Camp equipment on an Alaskan trip is a matter 

 for very careful consideration, and luxuries such as 

 beds, chairs, and a plenitude of cooking utensils, 

 which seem so necessary in a country of camel trans- 

 port, have to be rigidly ignored. There are no pack 

 ponies to be had, and if there were, it would be im- 

 possible to take them on occasions aboard bidarkas, 

 or get them through the primeval forest after moose. 

 With hunters and packers demanding such exorbi- 

 tant sums for their services, camp attendants have to 

 be few in number, and the sportsman himself finds 

 it needful very often to shoulder a none too flimsy 

 pack. 



Having passed in review the many sleeping-bags 

 now on the market, we decided on the Norwegian 

 variety, made of reindeer skin, and they proved won- 

 derful assets, being so warm, light, and durable. 

 Waterproof bags were provided for carrying our 



