V THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TRIP 77 



From Southampton to Western Alaska is a far cry, and a 

 glance at the map suffices to give a fair idea of the distance 

 to be travelled. But nothing short of the actual experience 

 of passing over the route can convey to the mind of the 

 hitherto uninitiated the immense variety of country and 

 scenery through which one has to pass, and the vastness of 

 the territory which is reached at last. The comforts of 

 travelling in these days of Pullman cars and fast trains afford 

 ample leisure, but perhaps too much of the kaleidoscope effect 

 for real observation of the country en route. 



Racing along by day and night across America, the 

 traveller views an endless panorama of great cities, vast 

 prairies, and the lofty Rocky Mountains, past which he flies 

 with a speed which would have surprised the hardy old 

 frontier-men of a generation ago, whom it cost many weary 

 days to cross the' lands which the Great Northern FHer now 

 traverses with its freight of passengers from St. Paul to 

 Seattle in less than three days' journey. 



For the benefit of those intending to make a shooting 

 trip in Alaska, it may be here stated that as the present Game 

 Law is subject to probable alterations, and as permits to kill 

 a certain limited number of big game are neces'sary, it is 

 wise to travel via Washington, and there to visit the office of 

 the Minister of Agriculture, whence the permits are issued. 

 On the occasion of a recent visit there I found myself treated 

 with the greatest courtesy by all the officials. Permits were 

 granted us as requested, maps of Alaska presented by the 

 authorities of the Geographical Survey Department, and a 

 large amount of useful information on scientific and sporting 

 subjects kindly furnished by Dr. Merriam, the talented chief 

 of the Biological Survey Department. The prompt and 

 willingly given assistance which we received in each depart- 



