CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIK G7 



rountry of an entirely different character. Indeed, this sudden ti-ausforniation of scene is one 

 of the most peculiar and striking features of tlie Noiitak River region. 



As we entereil upi.m tliis last section I cannot convey an idea of the picture which met our 

 view. Behintl us the dark wall of mountains thrtjugh which we had just passed towered 

 upward until their summits were lost in the clouds, and seemed like an impassable barrier, 

 shutting us off from the outside world. Before us lay the level plains of the interior, stretcli- 

 ing away in the distance, unrelieved by a single object upon which the eye could rest with any 

 feeling of pleasure. 



The gale, which had continued during the day, developi^d into a fierce Arctic blast that 

 fairly benumbed us with cold, and in view of our miserably wet condition our p(jsition was 

 anything but enviable. The lack of wood or fuel of any kind added nothing to our comfort, 

 and for the first time I felt completely disheartened. Upon examining the river above I found, 

 to my dismay, that it again branched out into a number of channels, none of which had suffi- 

 cient water apparently to tioat tJie canoe, an emergency which in the present state of mind I 

 was ill prepared to encounter. Having satisHed myself with the examination, I returned to the 

 camp, hoping tliat the morrow might bring renewed courage. 



The canoe was now found to be leaking badly, and a search revealed a very serious cut 

 over the keelson, which, after two hours' labor, wo succeeded in repairing substantially. It 

 was now manifestly impossible to proceed further unless the canoe could be lightened, and 

 with this end in view I determined to cache everything which could be spared from our already 

 slender outfit, taking with us only the barest necessities sufficient for a period of three weeks. 

 Having divided our stock of provisions, we left the greater portion of the flour, bacon, coffee, 

 and surplus ammunition, all of which were lashed ma. rubfier blanket ;ind secured on a plat- 

 form made by Ijending together a number of sti-oug willow bushes. The provision taken with 

 us was not sufficient to meet our wants, but with the addition of the game which we nught 

 obtain it would be possible to eke out an existence for a few weeks' time. After having 

 marked the spot and taken the proper bearings, we proceeded on our way without any misha]) 

 worthy of note. 



The Noatak was now considerably divided, and we exiierienced the same difficulty in find- 

 ing a definite channel that caused so much trouT)le at an earlier jjeriod. About five miles 

 al)0ve the camp we were greatly relieved to find that all converged to a single channel, and 

 entered ujion our work with renewed interest. The landscape was one of the bleakest imagin- 

 able; not a sign of life was anywhere visible, and the cold, piercing blasts which swept across 

 the tundra caused us to realize keenly the solitude of our position and only increased our desire 

 to see the end of the journey. 



During the night the Noiitak rose fully two feet, and the off'ect was at once noticeable in 

 'the increased strength of current as we resumed our way next morning. The region through 

 which we passed was sinular in every respect to that of the day previous, concerning which 

 there was absolutely nothing worthy of mention. 



The cold winds which swept over moors were dispiriting in the extreme, and it was not in 

 a cheerful state of mind that we dragged the canoe along the rocky baidvs of the river. 



The utmost economy of j)rovision was now absolutely necessary, and tlie limited allowance 

 per day was beginning to make inroads upon our sti'ength. I succeeded in shooting a few cur- 

 lew, which Nelson incorporated into a kind of soup, almost as thin as tlie celebrated '" Shadow" 

 brand, but if not very sustaining, at least it served to fill the existing void. 



The next morning opened cold and overcast, and it was with reluctance that we left the 

 shelter of the tent and faced the cutting blast. At the usual hour, however, we were in readi- 

 . ness to move. About four miles above the camp we gained a someAvhat smoother j^ortion of 

 the river, and resumed our plact's in the canoe jireparatory to using the paddles. Meanwhile 

 a fresh Vjreeze sprang up, and, as usual, we made sail in order to lighten our labor. Proceed- 

 ing in this nuiuner for a mile or more we reached a rapid portion of the river, which I deter- 

 mined, if possible, to sail througli, hojjing to save the cold bath which would otherwise be 

 involved, for the tracking line could not be used in passing it. By dint of hard work we had 

 gotten about half way through when the bidarka fouled with a sunken rock. Before the 



