Sketches From Oldest America 



whose history if it were but known, would fill 

 many an interesting volume. The signs of an 

 advancing civilization are to be noted in the way of 

 small towns and mining camps, extending even as 

 far north as Nome ; then, if the journey is continued 

 through the Behring Straits into the Arctic regions 

 —where in winter, the moon forms its circle in the 

 heavens, while in summer, the sun remains up as if 

 trying to make amends for its long winter's absence 

 — up as far as Point Hope to the village of Tigara, the 

 tourist will find there an interesting and friendly 

 people. His first impression probably is, what a 

 bleak and barren coast! but, should he allow his 

 thoughts to wander back to the remote past, he can 

 imagine how in ages gone by this may have been 

 an Eden with its luxuriant vegetation and a much 

 milder climate. The huge mammoth roamed freely 

 through the forest, along with many other animals 

 that have long since passed into the forgotten his- 

 tory of long ago. Then through the changes of 

 nature the warming ocean currents were shut off, 

 causing this to become the bleak and barren country 

 it is now, enveloped in ice the greater portion of 

 the year. The belt of cold, acting as a barrier, 

 isolates the people from the outside world, and they 



