192 A YEAR WITH A WHALER 



lie the two islands of Big and Little Diomede. 

 Through the three narrow channels between the 

 capes and the islands, the tide runs with the 

 swiftness of a river's current. 



The Eskimos constantly cross from continent 

 to continent in small boats. In still weather the 

 passage can be made in a light kyack with per- 

 fect safety. The widest of the three channels 

 is that between Big Diomede and East Cape 

 and is, I should say, not more than fifteen miles 

 across. While we were passing through the 

 straits, we saw a party of Eskimos in a skin boat 

 paddling leisurely across from America to Asia. 

 They no doubt had been on a visit to relatives 

 or friends on the neighboring continent. We 

 were told that in winter when the straits are 

 frozen solidly, the Eskimos frequently walk from 

 one continent to the other. 



While we were sailing close to the American 

 shore soon after passing through the straits, the 

 cry of "Walrus, walrus!" from the mast-head 

 sent the crew hurrying to the rail to catch a 

 glimpse of these strange creatures which we had 

 not before encountered. We were passing an 



