CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIIQ". 69 



The almost entire absence of life is one of tlie characteristic features of this region. The 

 sense of loneliness which frequently t.Kjk possession of the mind was, indeed, difficult to throw 

 off and its influence was depressing in the extreme. The distance traveled during the day was 

 accomplished by tracking exclusively; the rapid current and rocky channel rendered it inii-os- 

 sil)le to use the pa.ldles; for some distance we were obliged to drag the canoe through by taking 

 to the icy water ourselves. . 



The river now became shallower every mile of its length, and m one instance it became 

 necessary to portage the canoe. About noon. July -28, we passed a large tributary flowing into 

 the main river from east-southeast, which contributed nearly one-half to the total volume ot 



water below. , , 



Late in the afternoon we found on the left bank what appeared to be a grave, and, promptect 

 by curiosity I determine.l to halt and examine it. Upon gaining the spot we discovered that 

 it was a well-disguise<l cache, containing a large quantity of skins, native clothing, boots, and 

 a general assortment of native possessions, together with a sledging outfit. The significance, 

 of these caches now became evident; the extreme difficulty attending the navigati<Mi above this 

 point ma.le it clear that the natives, on returning from the coast, abandoned the river here and 

 completed thnr j.nirney on sledges. This fact was rendered doubly certain by finding several 

 abandoned bidarka frames in the vicinity, and this conclusion seems to be the most reasonable 

 concerning the solution of it. Although it was an arduous undertaking, and one which might 

 involve the destruction of the canoe, I .letermine.l to push ahead and reach some definite source 



if possible. , , • i . 4.1 



The next mornino- broke dark and overcast; a piercing southwest wind swept across the 

 tundra that fairly benumbed us with cold, and it was with great reluctance that we turned out 

 to face it. As we were preparing to start Nelson complained of feeling ill, and, indeed his 

 appearance fully attested the truth of the statement. After questioning I decided it would not 

 b. prudent to subject him to the exposure incident to the work, and determined to remain m 

 ,^amp The icy cold water of the river through which we were frequently obliged to drag he 

 canoe, together with the extreme inclemency of the weather, was sufficient to break tlown the 

 strongest constitution, and the hardy sailor was not the man to give up until physically disabled 

 After making him as comfortable as circumstances permitted, I set out in search ot game, but 

 after a tramp of several hours returne.l without having seen any sign of life. 



Nelson was now suffering ivom a high fever, and his condition alarmed me extremely. 

 Towards evening, however, he improved somewhat and .Icclarcd himself able to move on Ihe 

 following morning I determined to break camp. I did not consider it pru.lent to allow Nelson 

 to track, so put nivself in the harness and we starte.l forward. The morning was dark and 

 gloomy: the cold winds .-ontinued wdb unabated vigor and the prospect was anytlung but 

 reassuring or conducive to bodily cnndnrt. 



The Noiitak was now a mere cbain -f rapids fnllowing in (luick succession, and each seem- 

 iu'^ to surpass its predecessor in file dangers involved. 



' Shortly after starting in the morning. whil(> passing one of these places. I lost my tooting 

 an.l was precipitated into the river. After gaining the bank and fin.ling that the cold bath had 

 not deprived me of speech. I gave vent to my feelings in a manner which could not .e mis- 

 taken but the subiect of my remarks being sonunvhat irrelevant, they may be oni.tti.d here. 



The channel of the river now became ala.rn.ingly studded with dangerous rocks, and m 

 progressing neither the paddles nor tracking line could be used. The cross currents resulting 

 ?.-om this ren.lered the canoe quite unmanageable, and I was frequently obliged to .ump into 

 the river to avoid disaster. Shortly after noon we passed two large tributaries, enternigin lose 

 proximity on the left bank, above which the volume of the already shallow ™ -^-^ ™^^^^^ 

 shed that f urtlier progress was almost impossible. Near the mouth of one of these tiibutaries 

 ;i!e:i' !s an unusually Sangerous rapid, where the sharp angular rocks seemed to threaten us 



"^'^^X'^d 'S!r:Sson-s health was anything but reassuring. 1 insisted on his remain- 

 ing it thrcauoe, and, after the severest exertion, succeeded in dragging it through the rap.d, 



