58 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



a little creek was reached in Avliich some willows grew. It was 

 certainly not a favorable camping place, because not a stick of dry- 

 wood could be found any^vhere; but fortunately we carried some 

 sticks of dry wood on our sleds by wliicli to start the fu-e, and then 

 we dry the willows about as fast as they burn. In thought of 

 to-morrow, we have tried to dry some sticks in advance, but it seems 

 almost hopeless. iStill we are happ}^, and thankful for the shelter the 

 tents afford us. After havmg walked a whole day over the uneven 

 tundra, in 8 or 10 inches of snow, it seems like a paradise in the tent 

 Hu! how the wmd is howling outside to-night, and how it tears and 

 tugs at the place of our habitation. Soon, however, we will all 

 be in our bags and then the wind will bother us very little. ^Ir. 

 Bals has alread}^ turned in, and is snoring away as if he were going to 

 Kuskokwim in a single night. 



Monday, November i^.- -The day has not been so full of favors 

 as the sixteenths have generally been to me. Somehow tilings have 

 been a little contrary to-day; but we can not alwa^'s sail in fair 

 winds. Due to the fact of our less suitable camp of last night, we 

 fuiished our duties late. During a stormy night, with floppmg of 

 the tent and rattling of the stove pipes, etc., the night's rest was 

 greatly disturbed. 



At 4 a. m. I was up to see what kind of weather it was, but it being 

 very dark and cloud}^, I again crept into my sack and slept soundly 

 until 7 o'clock, and no one else woke before being called. Having 

 to contend with poor wood, it took a long time to get breakfast 

 ready, so before we got away from camp it was about 9 o'clock. 

 The wind was raging and the snow flpng so that ^^'e could see 

 but a short distance ahead. Our course has been a little to the 

 east of south, along the foot of the mountains to the left, while the 

 Yukon flats, we know, are to the right. Were it not for the hills, 

 it would be impossible to travel at all on a day of tliis kind. Several 

 times had we to stop and cut our way through brush in small creeks 

 which were of necessity to be crossed. No one had a desire to stop 

 for lunch to-day. All were anxiously struggling along, expecting 

 to arrive soon at a river valley, where, according to information, a 

 good camping place was to be had. About 4 p. m. we arrived 

 at the expected place, hungry and tked from the day's druggies. 

 Truly this is a good place. We had plenty of wood and water and 

 good shelter from the raging wind. Indeed it is so comfortable here 

 that I much fear we shall not be able to get away to-morrow. 

 The wind has been a little south of east and continues the same 

 to-night. Nunapikloak (plenty crooked) is the name of the river 

 on which we are camped to-night, and only about 10 miles away 

 from where we were last night. 



Tuesday, November 17. — Another day which has not been what 



