ALASKA, THE GREAT ICE LAND. 171 



appearance presented by Mount St. Elias ; or cover 

 Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain, 

 with ice, and place it on the top of Mont Blanc, like 

 Ossa upon Pelion, and the total height thus attained 

 would fall short of the actual height of the summit of 

 St. Elias above the ocean at its foot. 



After dropping anchor opposite the Yakatat village, 

 we waited in vain for any sign of life. The entire 

 tribe had seen the warship coming and had fled. They 

 had had previous experience of her when she had 

 come to demand the surrender of two Indians who had 

 taken refuge here after having murdered some white 

 men. After a great deal of patient waiting, however, 

 an old blind medicine man as we judged by his long 

 uncut hair, made his appearance ; and by means of 

 our boy interpreter, it was explained to him that we 

 wished to hire the services of half-a-dozen strong 

 Indians and two of their largest canoes. 



To make a long matter short, it is sufficient to say 

 that after a great expenditure of time, three Indians 

 were induced to accompany us, but no canoes could 

 be had, although the Pinta waited here with us for 

 five whole days. Before the expiration of that time 

 the tribe had gained confidence in our pacific inten- 

 tions, and the empty houses became as if by magic 

 repeopled with a score of swarthy families, and we 

 were able to negotiate with the chief in person, and to 

 exchange our " trading material," which we had 

 brought in place of money, for Indian native curiosi- 

 ties of various kinds, after an immense amount of hag- 



