IN. THE ICE 



119 



the Pacific coast of Alaska. The highest 'berg 

 I saw on the voyage was not more than forty 

 feet high. It was composed of floe ice which had 

 been forced upward by the pressure of the pack. 



The crow's nest was now rigged and placed in 

 position on the cross-trees abaft the foremast, 

 between the topsail and the fore-top-gallant -sail 

 yard^ It was a square box of heavy white can- 

 vas nailed upon a wooden framework. When a 

 man stood in it the canvas sides reached to his 

 breast and were a protection against the bitter 

 winds. From early morning until dark an of- 

 ficer and a boat-steerer occupied the crow's nest 

 and kept a constant lookout for whales. 



As soon as we struck the ice the captain's slop- 

 chest was broken open and skin clothes were 

 dealt out to the men. Accoutred for cold 

 weather, I wore woolen underwear and yarn 

 socks next my flesh; an outer shirt of squirrel 

 skin with hood or parka ; pants and vest of hair 

 seal of the color and sheen of newly minted sil- 

 ver ; a coat of dogskin that reached almost to my 

 knees; a dogskin cap; deerskin socks with the 

 hair inside over my yarn socks ; walrus-hide boots 



