brdluka] WKITF.ICS TRIP ON YUKON 41 



Pass a large camp — a Finn married to a squaw, and three or four 

 Indian families — all snug in a clearing of the fresh-looking woods 

 on the bank of the river. 



Bend after bend in the stream, and boat has to follow them all, 

 and more, for the current and deeper water are now near this bank 

 and again at the opposite bank. 



The water in many places is undermining the bank, exposing 

 frozen strata of silt. The top often falls in without breaking, with 

 trees and all, and it then looks like heavy, ragged mats hanging over 

 the bank, with green trees or bushes dipping into the water, and per- 

 haps a clump of wild roses projecting from the sward. There are 

 many low bushes of wild roses in this country, pink and red kinds, 

 now blooming. Also many small bushes of wild berries — cranberries 

 (low and high), raspberries, dewberries or blueberries. 



Meat is imported even to here from Seattle, and carried far down 

 the Yukon. When received they place it in a "cellar" or hole dug 

 down to the frozen ground and place the meat there — a natural and 

 thoroughly efficient refrigerator. 



Past Old Minto, a little Indian village, a few little log houses in 

 a row facing the river, with a wheel fish trap in front (pi. 1, a). 

 Later a few Indian houses and a " road house " with a store at Tolo- 

 vana. Most Indians there (and elsewhere here) died Of the " flu " 

 in 1918, the bodies being left and later buried by the Government. 

 A few isolated little Indian camps. 



The boat ties to trees along the banks. No docks or anything of 

 that nature. Not many mosquitoes yet, more horseflies, which, how- 

 ever, do not bother man very much. 



After reaching Hot Springs (right bank), there is seen a long 

 range of more or less forested, fairly steep-sloped hills along the 

 right bank, coming right down to the water's edge for miles, with 

 bush and forested flats opposite. At the end of one of the ravines 

 with a little stream, right on the bank, remnants of a little glacier 

 melting very slowly in the sun. Strange contrast, ice and green 

 touching. Boat making good time along the hills. 



June 18. Hardly any sleep. Sun set after 10 and rose about 2.30, 

 with no more than dusk between. Then heat in the cabin, and above 

 all the noises. The boat stuck live hours on a bar and there were all 

 sorts of jerks and shudders and calls. 



Flats again on both sides, but hills beyond, with just one little 

 spot of snow. Will be warm day again. 



ANCIENT MAN 



Prospects of old remains of man all along the river are slight if 

 any. Old silt flats have doubtless been mostly washed away (as now) 

 and rebuilt. Only on the older parts, now often far from water, 

 88253°— 30 i 



