DOMESTIC ATED REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 53 



their way back to the herd without further attention. They made these 

 trips on an average about every third day until the middle of April, and 

 in that time had hauled enough wood for present needs, besides a num- 

 ber of logs for building purposes. 



In hauling wood the herders walked near the first deer, the others 

 being tied to the sled in front and in single hie, trudging along with 

 their loads. The teams were changed about sometimes, four being sent, 

 but there was no occasion to force the work or overload the deer, and 

 they were given oidy such loads as they could walk along with com- 

 fortably. 



They took to the work as naturally as a duck does to water, and not 

 a single instance of balking occurred. They pulled as steadily, and 

 much resembled an ox in their movements. If for any cause a halt was 

 made, on starting up again each herder went to his sled, pulling it a 

 little to one side, when the deer at once set himself in the traces, and on 

 he went. 



This experiment was one of the most satisfactory of any trials during 

 the year, and one that the natives looked upon with wonder. They 

 would watch and walk beside them as they trudged along, and doubt- 

 less many of them thought, if they only had a house like the white men, 

 with a stove in it, and deer to haul their wood what comforts they could 

 enjoy. 



AFFAIRS AT THE STATION. 



The reindeer station was selected and formally established by your- 

 self on Juue 29, 1892, at 10 o'clock a. in., sun time, by raising the stars and 

 stripes and tiring a salute with rifles as the flag gracefully tilled to the 

 breeze. 



A few feet from the southeastern corner of the house, known as the 

 headquarters building, as it now stands, was an empty pork barrel, 

 minus head and bottom, and through this protruded a log that had 

 been picked up on the beach and buried in the ground about 2 feet. 

 This log was about 15 feet long, and on the top was originally nailed 

 the empty pork barrel, but it had become loosened and fallen to the 

 ground. It was erected some five or six years before by some men 

 belonging to theU. S. revenue steamer Bear, Capt. M. A. Healy, com- 

 manding, for the purpose of making an object that could be seen from 

 the entrance to the harbor, about 12 miles distant, to designate the 

 spot where whaling vessels could procure an abundance of fresh water. 



The stores and supplies for the use of the station, brought from San 

 Francisco, were landed on the beach at 2 o'clock p. m. of the same day, a 

 tent being erected in which they were stored, and one also for the 

 accommodation of myself and assistant until other quarters could be 

 provided. In consequence of the arrival of the lumber intended for 

 the building being delayed, we were obliged to occupy the tent for 

 i nearly three weeks. 



