46 TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 



As the month of April was now well advanced, and 

 the snow was fast disappearing from the low grounds, 

 we were anxious to get on the hunting ground as 

 soon as possible. Therefore, early next morning, as 

 Captain Clemsen pronounced the wind favourable, 

 we bid farewell to the kindly residents in Kodiak, 

 who had displayed to us every hospitality within their 

 power during our short stay in the settlement. The 

 morning was bright and clear, with that peculiar 

 crispness, and bracing feeling, in the air which in 

 arctic regions impart to men a wondrous sensation 

 of rejuvenescent energy. A fair breeze was blowing 

 when once we were free from the harbour's shelter, 

 and as the white wings on reading this part Agnes 

 ejaculated, " You know they were as black as ink, 

 really!" of the Lily were unfurled, and as we went 

 gliding out between the picturesque islands of Kodiak 

 and its neighbour, Wood Island, on to the broad 

 bosom of the Pacific, the gods and the face of nature 

 alike seemed propitious for the commencement of our 

 trip. 



During our stay in Kodiak we had wisely procured 

 complete outfits of fur costumes similar to those worn 

 by the native Aleuts and Eskimos. The most useful 

 of these garments is one known locally by the name 

 of a parka, and consists of a whole skin coat with 

 a hood to it and no opening down the front, the coats 

 being pulled over the head like a jersey. The skins 

 used in the making of them are usually those of the 

 caribou, or marmot, and the fur is worn on the out- 

 side. Some of them are highly decorated ingeniously 



