TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 97 



these trying conditions awoke to find the Lily engaged 

 in tacking against a head wind. This again in rough 

 waters is neither pleasant nor a speedy means of pro- 

 gress, and as Agnes graphically described it, the 

 whole business reminded her of a mouse which runs 

 around a washing tub, taking endless trouble in 

 travelling a long way to reach the point from which 

 it first started. 



It is a long lane, however, which has no turning, 

 and rarer still is a wind in the Bering Sea which 

 does not quickly shift. Thus, as once more the wind 

 veered round and blew steadily off shore, we soon 

 found our good ship tearing along through the waters 

 helped by a spanking breeze. Close hauled, under 

 every stitch of canvas which the skipper dared set 

 up, the Lily displayed her finest sailing powers. 

 Heeling over with our starboard gunwale half under 

 water she went ploughing through the waves, sending 

 showers of spray from beneath her bows as we leapt 

 buoyantly over the deep, smashing and driving her 

 sharp prow into those foaming crests as if rejoicing 

 in taking revenge upon the wicked waters which had 

 buffeted her for long weary hours whilst she lay help- 

 less on their bosom. 



Swiftly we sped along the shores of Unimak Island, 

 a barren, desolate coast, but the island is interesting 

 to sportsmen, for it is the most western point of 

 Alaska upon which both bears and caribou are found. 

 According to the natives these latter animals repeat- 

 edly swim from the mainland to the island, a distant 

 of some two or three miles across Falk's Pass or 



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