xin ON THE HOMEWARD TRAIL 259 



he vowed never again to bribe an American ship, since it 

 made him too conspicuous. The title of the lengthy article 

 in the New York Press was headed, " Great Race to Alaska : 

 a German Baron against an English Lord for $1000." 



Soon after our arrival the Marshal returned to Saldovia, 

 having failed to find either of the parties he sought, and 

 having suffered a severe buffeting from the sea, which was 

 then very rough, as he had only a small sailing-sloop in 

 which to make his trip. 



It was not long before matters became interesting. On 

 the morning of the second day after our arrival, news flew 

 round the settlement to the effect that two dories were 

 approaching the shore, and it was obvious that they contained 

 a sportsman's outfit, as moose-horns could be seen in the 

 boats. The visitors and inhabitants formed an expectant 

 audience, standing at a short distance from the landing-place. 

 Here was an opportunity for the zealous Marshal, who at 

 once advanced, full of importance, and after briefly questioning 

 a native in one of the boats, and hearing that three moose 

 had been killed, he informed Mr. Niedieck, who then stepped 

 ashore, that he was arrested for breaking the game laws. 

 The latter appeared in no degree concerned at the enormity 

 of his crime, and strolling across to him I tendered him my 

 sympathy as a fellow-sufferer at the hands of his captor. He 

 remarked that probably all that was required was to make 

 him pay $200, which he was quite ready to do and so save 

 the bother of any trial. However, it would have been a pity 

 to disappoint the residents of Saldovia by avoiding what they 

 regarded as an afternoon's amusement. The trial was 

 eventually held at the schoolhouse, which was filled to its 

 utmost extent. It was a trial attended by all the solemnity 

 of those previously described at Kenai. The prosecution 



