60 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



been one of the most beautiful days a person could wish to see. It 

 has been clear and cold, but not too cold, just right to make it agree- 

 able to travel. No wind of an}- kind has been felt all day. Again we 

 have suffered for want of snow. The hills are practically bare. 

 About 2 o'clock this afternoon from the top of the mountain we 

 could see the hills 8 miles west of Clear. According to Mr. Bals's 

 statement, we should 3-et be fully 2.5 miles away from the village. 

 I am ver}- tired and sore all over my body this evening, from that con- 

 stant shpping from off every ' ' nigger head ' ' that happens to be in one's 

 way. It is really a wonderful thing that one does not break off arms 

 and legs at the " roll overs " one makes over these stumbhng blocks in 

 the way of every step. 



Friday, November 20. — Before 7 a. m., our little caravan was moving 

 along over hills and valleys, and at 3 p. m. camp was made about 5 

 miles west of Andreafski. When comfortably located for the night, 

 with hand bag and ni}" medicine bag on back, I started for the village 

 to find Spein and Sara, whose herd and families we came purposely to 

 move. Bals had instructions to come after them in the mornmg in 

 company with the other two men. If Spein and Sara had carried out 

 their instructions and gone up the Yukon at freeze up (for us to follow 

 until they were reached), tliis would have been just the proper pro- 

 cedure. However, as soon as we arrived, I was met with the unpleas- 

 ant news that they had not yet left their last summer's camp. The 

 consequence of this simply means several days delay. Now we have 

 to go back up the Andreafski River about 12 miles, and then from 

 there start anew. 



I was very hospitably received by Mr. and Mrs.Petre — the Northern 

 Commercial Company's people — and given a good supper and a warm 

 bed. The day has been most beautiful but quite chilly. 



Saturday, Novemher 21. — After breakfast Mr. Petre accompanied 

 me out in the viUage to see the sick people. One case of severe type 

 was found and several cases with minor ailments, for which medicines 

 and advice were given. At 11 o'clock a. m., Bals, Nallogoroak, and 

 Sara, jr., arrived with the deer. At once we proceeded to take an 

 inventory of our provisions and to lay off stores for the return trip. 

 Three days ago we had the misfortune to break our coffee kettle when 

 roUing about in the hills, so we had to buy a new one, together with 

 some extra strong stovepipes. Because of the little snow the sleds 

 roll over almost ever}^ rock and knoll and we do not know what 

 moment our most essential articles of outfit may get damaged or 

 probably ruined. Purchases made, lunch taken, and provisions 

 stored, the time had already advanced to 1 p. m., when we started in 

 search of the herd and herders camp. The whole day had been dark 

 and snowy, but toward evening it became far worse. It grew so thick 

 in fact, that we could not find the herder camp, although I knew 



