166 TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 



quarters, they were regarded as sacred, and not to be 

 slain. 



Along the shore we saw a number of gulls, terns, 

 and smaller birds, such as phalaropes, small ringed 

 plover, and several forms of waders. And of these I 

 was enabled to make a small collection, having had 

 the forethought to bring ashore the small 4io-bore 

 collector's gun. 



Presently Agnes, who will always spend her time 

 climbing to the highest point she can reach, shouted 

 and beckoned me to come to her on the top of a small 

 hill where she stood, and on arrival there she showed 

 me a rare and wondrous find. Here the long grass 

 ceased to grow, but in its place were masses of wild 

 strawberries, positively acres and acres of them, larger 

 round than a shilling piece, and all of them of the 

 most splendid flavour. How and when this luscious 

 fruit first happened to take root upon this barren spot 

 it is impossible to tell, but here the strawberries grew, 

 and probably still continue to grow, in such profusion 

 as we had never seen, not even in the most highly 

 cultivated English garden. Needless to remark that 

 all hands set to eating as many of the fine berries as 

 they could, afterwards filling handkerchiefs with 

 quantities to take back to the ship. Nor indeed was 

 this the last visit paid to our new-found garden, as 

 various members of the crew made daily expeditions 

 to the spot, armed with barrels, returning- each time 

 with the boat laden, and looking somewhat like a 

 loaded waggon en route to Covent Garden in the 

 strawberry season. 



