OFF TO THE NORTH. 109 



little sum, but would have spared us the mortification 

 of seeing our good United States money discounted 

 by a bankrupt country. 



ON BOARD THE PORTIA. 



By 11 A. M. we were all on board, had good rooms 

 assigned us, made the acquaintance of the officers and 

 a tour of general inspection. The Portia is a fine 

 English steamer of 732 tons, 250 feet long, with ac- 

 commodations for ninety passengers and a large 

 amount of freight. She is well furnished, kept clean 

 and neat, and the state rooms are large and well 

 arranged. We soon learned that we would not get 

 off at 12 M. As a matter of fact we did not sail until 

 6 P. M. At 2 P. M. we had a sumptuous dinner, 

 including the delicacies of the season the sun- 

 browned veteran, Captain Ash, presiding. He, it 

 will be remembered, was ice-pilot on the Bear on 

 the expedition which was sent to Lieut. Greely's res- 

 cue. For a quarter of a century he has skirted the 

 ragged ice-bound coasts of Newfoundland, Labrador 

 and Greenland. 



OFF TO THE NORTH. 



At 6 P. M. the anchor was raised and the Portia 

 floated off like a swan. The weather was warm and 

 sultry, and not a cloud in sight as large as a hand. 



