DOMESTICATED REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 119 



schools would be the best and quickest means of Christianizing and civilizing 

 them. 



When Mrs. Lopp and I visited your station last August and viewed the acres of 

 horns, we could hardly believe our eyes. It seemed as if we had suddenly stepped 

 into the fairy land of Santa Clans, although, when seen in the distance, the deer 

 resembled a herd of cattle quietly grazing on a gentle hill slope in the States. 



Again, when I visited you in April last, and rode out to the herd behind two fleet- 

 footed deer, saw the fawns gamboling over the snow, and the big herd feeding 

 in almost the same place where we had 6een them in August, witnessed four deer 

 drawing lour sleds loaded with driftwood, which would have required twenty dogs, 

 I realized more fully than ever before how completely and admirably the domesti- 

 cated deer arc adapted to the wants of the inhabitants of these frozen waste lands. 



The exhilarating excitement which I experienced in taking my first ride behind 

 reindeer is a pleasure which I shall always remember with pride. 



On our recent missionary trip. Mrs. Lopp and I had a good opportunity to study 

 the habits and adaptability of the Eskimo dog. We traveled from here to Point 

 Hope, more than 300 miles, in twenty-three days, sixteen days of actual traveling. 

 The other seven days we were laid up on account of bad weather or to rest our dogs. 



With deer I think we could have reached Point Hope in half the time, especially 

 had herds of deer been available at two or three settlements along the route, so that 

 we could have changed our team occasionally. At times we were compelled to haul 

 dog food 100 miles, while with deer they could have picked their food, as there is au 

 abundance of moss all the way. 



It may be of iuterest to note that while on this midwinter journey we were 

 clothed in deerskins, carried a deerskin tent (seven winter shins sewed together) 

 and sleeping bag of the same, and escaped without a frostbite, although there were 

 days when the thermometer registered 33° below zero, and we camped out when it 

 was as low as 22° below. 



We explained Dr. Jackson's and Capt. Healy's philanthropic scheme to natives of 

 twenty-two settlements, and they were all delighted with the idea. Some looked 

 as though they thought it too good to be true, but their doubts soon vanished when 

 I told how nice they were doing at your place. They would often say, " Hurry up," 

 " Bring the deer next year," " Plenty moss," etc. 



The farther north we went the more poorly clad we found the people. Most of 

 their artigers were made of squirrel or rabbit skins. At Point Hope only a few wore 

 clothing made of Siberian (summer) deerskins. Most of them were clothed in wild 

 (winter) deerskins, which, on account of their weight and long hair, are only 

 adapted to tents and sleeping blankets. 



Our chiefs here at the cape, who visited the station last winter and saw the herd, 

 seem very highly pleased, and are anxious to invest in small herds of their own. 



In conclusion, let me congratulate you in bringing the herd safely through the 

 first winter, thus forever closing the mouths of those who have prophesied failure. 



With many thanks for your kindness during the winter, and for the trouble you 

 have taken to eulist in the cause our people who have visited the station I am, 

 very truly yours, 



W. T. Lopp. 



Mixer W. Bruce, 



Superintendent Teller Reindeer Station, 



Fort Clarence, Alaska. 



