Our First Chmp. 83 



tending nortliwestAvard from Camp 1 to the mouth of Disen- 

 chantment bay bears evidence of being the upheaved side of a 

 fault of quite recent origin. The steep inclination and shattered 

 condition of the rocks along this line are evidenth" due to the 

 crushing which accompanied the displacement. 



In the wild gorge above our first camp, a small glacier was 

 found descending to within 500 feet of the sea-level, and giving 

 rise to a Avild, roaring stream of milky water. Efforts to reach 

 the glacier were frustrated by the density of the dripping vegeta- 

 tion and by the clouds that obscured the mountains. 



A canoe trip was made to a rocky islet between Knight island 

 and the mainland toward the north. The islet, like the rocks 

 in the adjacent mountain range, is composed of sandstone, 

 greatly shattered and seamed, and nearly vertical in attitude. 

 Its surface was densely carpeted with grass and brilliant fiowers. 

 Many sea birds had their homes there. From its summit a fine 

 view Avas obtained of the cloud-capped mountains tOAvard the 

 northeast, of the dark forest covering Knight island, and of the 

 broad plateau toAvard the southeast. Some of the most charm- 

 ing effects in the scenery of the forest-clad and mist-coA^ered shores 

 of Alaska are due to the wreaths of vapor ascending from the 

 deep forests during the interval in Avhich the AA^arm sunlight 

 shines through the clouds ; and on the day of our visit to the 

 islet, the forests, when not concealed by mist, sent up smoke-like 

 A^apor wreaths of many fantastic shapes to mingle with the clouds 

 in Avhich the higher mountains disappeared. 



At Camp 1 the personnel of the party Avas unexpectedly re- 

 duced. Mr. Hosnier Avas ill, and remained Avith me at camp 

 instead of pushing on AAdth Kerr and Christie ; and the Aveather 

 continuing stormy, he concluded to abandon the expedition and 

 return to the mission at Port Mulgrave. Having secured the 

 serAdces of an Indian Avho chanced to pass our camp in his canoe, 

 Mr. Hosmer bade us good-bye, ensconced himself in the frail 

 craft, and started for sunnier lands. It was subsequently learned 

 that he reached Yakutak Avithout mishap, and a fcAV days later 

 sailed for Sitka in a small trading schooner. Our force during 

 the remainder of the season, not including Mr. Hendriksen and 

 the Indians, whose services AA'ere engaged for only a fcAV days, 

 numbered nine men all told. ■ • 



On the evening of June 30 Ave had a bright camp-fire blazing 

 on the beach to AA^elcome the returning party. Near sunset a 



