INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 57 



Bals returned early, but I sat up until about 10 p. m., engaged in 

 writing letters to the dear ones at home. 



Friday, Novemher 13. — About 9 o'clock this morning I got the 

 stove, shells, and cartridges that we wanted. At 11.30 we were all 

 gathered again in our camp. The two men there were well, and so 

 were the deer. A quick luncheon was taken, and half an hour later 

 the sleds were packed, deer harnessed, and oft' we went in a southerly 

 direction along St. Michael Canal. In all we traveled about 15 miles 

 during the afternoon, and to-night we are more cozHy fixed than 

 usual. Our tent is placed in a bunch of bushes near a little creek. 

 We have a nice stove in it, and can now keep both the food and our- 

 selves warm and comfortable wliile eating. Another tlnng which 

 gives us great comfort is the fact that we are now so far away from 

 human habitation that we are not apt to be bothered by dogs any 

 more. The snow is deeper south of St. Michael, making the uneven 

 tundra better adapted for travelmg. 



Saturday, Novemher 14- — God in His mercy has given us another 

 most glorious day. The sun has been as bright as it is possible 

 for it to be so far north at this time of the year. We left camp 

 at the hour of 8 this morning and traveled in a southerly direction 

 all day until 3.45 p. m., when we again made camp, this time 

 at a point exactly opposite Cape Romanoft" and about midway 

 between said cape to the right and the mountain range on the left. 

 Our tent, like last night, is placed among some small willows in a 

 little creek. The distance from our last camp I judge to be about 

 20 or 21 miles. The snow is deeper for almost every mile we travel 

 southward. Still, as yet there has not been enough to liinder our 

 progress. An easterly wind has blown all day, and to-night it is 

 very cold, but we are comfortable in our tent with the stove. A sad 

 accident happened to-day when coming down some steep lulls. 

 The sleds rolled over and our stovepipes were knocked apart, and 

 it was nearly impossible for us to repair the damage with the means 

 at our disposal. Supper is over and the dishes are washed, so we 

 are ready to retii'e about 8 o'clock. 



Sunday, November 15. — Another most beautiful day. When the 

 herald of the day majestically appeared on the mountain tops in 

 the southeast we had already breakfasted, loaded our sleds, and the 

 caravan was slowly but surely advancing over the desert of snow. 

 The same southerly course has been kept to-day, and this evening 

 we are about 20 or 22 miles nearer our destination. True, we can 

 not compete with the Overland Flyer, nor any other flyer, but we 

 are moving steadily onward. Toward evening a strong northerly 

 wind started to blow, stirring up the snow considerably. As our 

 company was not in sight of any place suitable for camping, we had 

 to move onward for about thii-ty-five or forty minutes, until finally 



