287 



I bad become very cold by this time, it requiring the 

 most active exercise on that flint rock to restore me to 

 any dejjree other than severe suffering. In addition to 

 this, a dense blackness with "ragged rims of thunder 

 brooding low" had now eettled all around me and to such 

 an extent that it became impossible to see even the inner 

 shore line or the edge of the rock upon which I stood. 

 Soon the heavens were rent in twain by a blast of light- 

 ning that seemed to fly like a dazzling shaft of flame 

 from the north. It vvas almost instantly followed by a 

 crash of thunder, ear-splitting as the explosion of a park 

 of artillery. This vv'as the signal for the elemental war, 

 for upon its heels came violent winds that made the 

 forest liowl in some stirring lamentation, while the 

 heavf ns were alive with lurid flashes, accompanied by 

 peal after peal of deafening thunder that found its count- 

 erpart in the roar and rush of the wild waters of the sing- 

 ing river. It was a spectacle to call for the hand of Dante 

 or Milton. 



"Compared to these storms death is bat a qualiM, 

 HeJl somewhat lightsome, the Bermtidas calm; 



Darkness, litrhlVi eldest brother, his birthright 

 Claiiiis o'er the world!" 



"All this clangor and crash was like unto the denizens of 

 a thousand forests that were flying before the roar of a 

 tornado among the trees, every savage beast raising its 

 own savage cry as it went,'' and with &uoh a horrible 

 clamor as to make you shudder at the unknown forces 

 that fracture mountains wild and shake the very earth. 

 Rain was now the next element I had to contend with, 

 and that would soon come inarching along "with beaded 

 btibbles winking at the brim," deluging the land with its 

 copious showers. 



Oh! how I prayed for the dawn that I might make 

 some rash attempt to escape, even if it proved unsuccess- 

 ful; for my pjsition was becoming unbearable amid thp 

 terrible wrath of the elements that so enveloped mf. I 

 struck a match to look again at my watch, and was re- 

 joiced to learn that it was nearly 3 o'clock, and that but 

 a short time would elapse before the welcome gray in the 

 eastern skj^ would appear. This gave me some slight 

 hope, and my courage rose accordingly. Would the 

 sombre clouds break and drench me with their cold 

 Sllowers and chill me to the marrow, or, like the roving 

 wolf, was I to follow its fatal course adown the frantic 

 stream in any maddening attempt I might make for 

 escape by the wild and riotous rivers. My mind was now 

 strung to the utmost tension, ready for any desperate 

 struggle with the coming dawn, yet reason held me in 

 abeyance and whispered "Wait;" and then my compan- 

 ions in camp came in mental review, and prudence again 

 ©tithroned itself. 



In these high latitudes during the summer solstice 

 rAurora begins to brighten the eastern horizon as early as 

 B o'clock, though a few stars, the eternal jewels of the 

 night, may still twinkle. Yet the black pall, which now 

 enveloped everything, would doubtless delay the herald 

 of light. Oh! how I watched over the eastern hills for 

 the first ghmpse of dawn, cold, hungry and exhausted 

 from the night's vigil amid the wild roar of the elements 

 above and the raging river of seething foam below. I, 

 of course, was somewat nervous from intense anxiety, 

 though at no time was I completely demoralized. 



After a tiresome watch, which seemed houi's, the gray 

 dawn began to streak the eastern belt of the horizon, and 

 then it gradually commenced to lighten the silent earth 

 and creep along, as I thought, at a snail's pace. The sum- 

 mits of the hills appeared in sombre shade, with here and 

 there clusters of pine and balsam looming up in the air, 

 as it were, and framed like pictures in fading mist, A 

 burden of baden damp, with all the warmth, the glories 

 of color, and lovely bits of landscape disencharmed by 

 the imiversal pall. No sunlight, like angel spears, flashed 

 along the heavens or over the earth. The tumultuous 

 gods with their roar of thunder, their vivid lightning and 

 their crape-like clouds sweeping like spectral armies, were 

 in absolute control. It was a dawn of grief so human in 

 its sadness, so melancholy in its aspect, and yet so fraught 

 with hoi^e, that I dared not anticipate any realization fz-om 

 it other than of success, and with that feeling patiently 

 awaited the first glimpse of coveted morn. At last the 

 triumph of day ia fully assm-ed, and I now see outlined 

 my painfid surroundings. All this time the reverbera- 

 tions of thunder and the glare of lightning continued, yet 

 the threatened rain had not fallen. With serious intent 

 I take in every foot of shore line, looking like the drown- 

 ing man for even a straw to cling to. As I view the huge 

 bulwarks of stone at the head of the pool, against which 

 the water is dashing with desperate violence, my eye is 

 gladdened with, the sight of a small sapling, one end of 

 which is rapidly vibrating on the surface edge of one of 

 the huge blocks of nature's masonry. Like lightning it 

 flashed upon me that if this were secured it would pave 

 my way to freedom. It was hope's precious pearl, and, 

 though it was about 30ft. away, I immediately commenced 

 solving the problem as to its possession. As T was well 

 up in natatorial skill, I was confident that, with a dive 

 from the rock and a few bold strokes the prize would be 

 in hand. The great danger was cramp from the icy 

 water, and probably the resistance of the current, which, 

 however, was not so strong but that it could be overcome 

 by unusual strength. The well-worn axiom that '-he who 

 hesitates is lost" came ju3t then upon me with full force, 

 and determined me to make the attempt, let the result be 

 what it would. 



"Better to sink beneath the shock. 

 Than moulder piecemeal on the root." 

 I at once unrobed in the frigid air that almost numbed 

 me, and rxuickly taking position on the edge of the rock, 

 made a desperate dive, which alone must have co\ ered 

 fully 20ft,, and on rising to the surface chilled to the 

 very marrow, made a few bold strokes and gained the 

 rock completely exhausted and exceedingly cold. It 

 took hut a moment to dislodge the quivering sapling, 

 which was about 20ft, in length, and then placing it at 

 right angles with the current, set it afloat with a direct- 

 ing_ aim that would surely bring it abreast my prison 

 rock. However, I did not wait for it to reach the posi- 

 tion desired, fearing that some untoward turn of the 

 current might drift it into the rapids below, so I again 

 sprang into the water, and having the current with me, 

 soon overtook the slender spruce and had it abreast the 

 rock, which I quickly mounted, with my teeth chatter- 

 ing and my limbs shaking as if in palsy. A rub or two 

 of the dripping water fi-om my trembling body and I 

 began with unsteady hands to complete my toilet. I 



assure you I was somewhat akin to a small iceberg when 

 I started to robe myself, but the task once completed and 

 an actual dance or two upon the rock with rapid heating 

 of arms around my body, I was soon in a fervent glow, 

 and felt recuperated to a degree that not only surprised 

 but comforted me. I now took the sapling, which ap- 

 peared to be perfectly sound, and which had doubtless 

 found its way into the stream from the heavy wind of 

 the prevailing storm, and placing it in position against 

 the shore rock, had an inclined bridge which readily 

 opened the way to freedom. After throwing my rod 

 upon the bank, 1 took hold of the infant tree, a pearly 

 path to me, and with apparent ease reached the shore 

 with a breast so overflowing with joy at my timely 

 escape that language would feebly express it. I fully 

 realized how exquisite is pleasure after pain. 



"That's my joy 

 Not to have seen before; for natiu-e now 

 Oomes all at once, confounding my delight." 

 Looking around for my landing net and rod, I was 

 agreeably surprised to find that the banqueting wolf had 

 left untouched four of my magnificent trout. These I 

 strung upon the crotched branch of a maple, and then 

 securing my tackle, startpd on my tortuous tramp for the 

 trail and camp. Little did I heed the warring elements 

 now that 1 was free and could with King Lear exclaim: 

 "Blow winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! 

 Your cataracts and hurricanes spout 

 Till you have drenched our steeples." 

 Once over the steep rocky ledges I struck directly for 

 the well-worn path, which I soon reached, and then I had 

 about three-quarters of a mile of easy walking, which I 

 was sure to make before the threatened rain began to fall. 

 As I progressed with a happy heart, I could see in the far 

 west the dark clouds pouring dowm their floods, which 

 were gradually approaching, and would, I opined, soon 

 be upon me. The deep-toned thunder had now subsided 

 into a mere mutter, while the electrical flashes were 

 scarcely visible upon the inky clouds. Jove had about 

 expended his ammunition, satisfied to conclude his grand 

 battle with pacifying showers to the parched earth. I 

 hurried along with flying footsteps, and ere long had the 

 satisfaction of seeing the silent tents under which reposed 

 in restful slumber my warm-heai'ted companions, who 

 were doubtlessly worn out with their night's anxious 

 search. It was really an impressive sight in the gray of 

 that dark and quiet morning, with the white surges of the 

 cataract in their front leaping and then driving along the 

 grassy edges of the roaring stream, with the foliaged 

 trees swaying and moaning to the relentless storm. 

 Nothing living was astir. Yes, there is the leap of a 

 spangled trout in the eddy of the falls, and still another 

 by yonder bush that laps the swift flowing waters. Here 

 comes in view the freebooter of the fields, a sparrow-hawk 

 with his feathers ruffled to the swift breeze, scouring 

 along the rugged shore in search of some affrighted game, 

 and as if in defiance of the storm, a solitary woodpecker 

 is beating a tattoo from some hollow tree near by, while 

 "The loon's weird laughter far away." 



comes plaintively upon the ear. There stands the giant 

 rock breaking the foam of the falls, where but "yester 

 morn" I lured several of the speckled fontmalis to the 

 banquet of the flies. Just beyond, on the rocky shore, a 

 tiny wild flower or two is struggling into beautiful life 

 from a granite crevice, and as if awakening rmder the 

 first caress of day, some delicate mosses, bathed in 

 gemmy dew, are rejoicing in the companionship of these 

 crimson-hued buds; while the grasses which sparkle in 

 beads of moisture run riot in the virgin forest so solemn 

 in mantle of green. 



So enthused was I with the magnificent beauty of this 

 picturesque panorama, particularly with the swirl and 

 foam of the rapid river, as I overlooked it from the emi- 

 nence I had reached, that I stopped to drink my full of 

 the entrancing landscape which the wild stream, in its 

 solid walls and serrated shores of aspiring pines and 

 hemlocks, presented. 



But a few moments ago, while on my prison rock, 

 its inspiring grandeur was so inappreciable to me that I 

 could see nothing but hazard of life in its charming 

 rapids, its foaming cascades, its leaping cataracts or its 

 dimpled pools. Now beauties the most fascinating and 

 romantic were peeping out and confronting me from 

 every side. It is really the conditions under which you 

 view nature that gives it true value, for it can only be 

 fully enjoyed with a happy heart. 



Having satisfied, for the novice, my love of matchless 

 nature, I took up my tramp and entered camp as a trou- 

 badom-, singing "When Johnnie Comes Marching Home," 

 The wild wind took up the cheerf iff refrain and wafted it 

 to the ears of the sound slumberers, who awoke and lis- 

 tened to the familiar voice in ectasy of joy, for a moment 

 or two, and then "Old Ironsides," as' "our boys" called 

 him, sang out in stentorian voice: "I'll be blanked if he 

 hasn't turned up." 



And then from the tents came pouring anglers and In- 

 dians, who immediately surrounded me with wondering 

 eyes and gaping mouths, as if I were from the pearly 

 gates of that kingdom where sceptered angels sat as 

 princes. After a few minutes of speechless surprise their 

 tongues flew into active play, and then all talked at once, 

 creating a perfect babel of sounds. Tom, the nimrod of 

 the party and my canoe companion, feeling that the 

 happy event demanded some kind of celebration, brought 

 out his double-barreled shotgun and let a few charges 

 reverberate with a Fourth of July hurrah, while the cook, 

 an Afriqite, also enthused, gathered up the frying pan 

 and toasting fork and beat a reveille that went gleefully 

 along with the whistling winds of the forest and the 

 mtisic of the roaring waterfall. I really felt as if I had 

 achieved some heroic feat and was receiving the plaudits 

 of an admiring audience, when in fact I had only escaped 

 from a very foolish venture which freely exemplified the 

 necessary warning of the old adage, "Look before you 

 leap." 



"Now, boys," said I, after I had fully recovered from 

 the royal welcome, "give me something to eat and drink, 

 for I am as hungry as a famished wolf and as dry as if I 

 had crossed a burning desert; and then I will relate the 

 night's peril I have passed." 



Of course the preparation for the feast was at once 

 made. The hastily prepared meal was soon spread upon 

 the table. After I had satisfied, in a measm-e, the pangs 

 I of my rapacious maw, I commenced the recital of that 

 perilous night with every eye riveted upon me and every 



ear an attentive listener. When I had reached the adven^ 

 ture with the prowling wolf, Joe, the half-breed, who was 

 waiting upon the table, interrupted me by saying: 



"No wolf— Indian dog." 



"Very like a wolf?" 



"Yes. Half wolf, half dog.'* 



"All the same, wolf or dog, he is blotted out, and will 

 no more purloin the angler's hard-earned trophies from 

 the crj'stal pools." 



The interruption concluded, I continued till I had re- 

 lated my dive and swim for the coveted sapling, when 

 Tom declared, "INobody taut an insane man would ever 

 have attempted such a foolish feat in such an icy stream, 

 and you are only here to relate it from the fact that your 

 natal star was a lucky one," 



The narrative being concluded with my timely escape, 

 I turned to "old Ironsides" and requested an account of 

 the night search they had made for me. 



He stated by way of preface, that they did not grow 

 uneasy at my absence till near bed time, for frequently 

 when a distant trip from camp is made it is sometimes 

 quite late before the party returns. Waiting patiently, 

 he continued, till 9 o'clock, and I not then appearing, the 

 entire camp started out with pine torches on the search. 

 They carefully scoured the woods and the river, when 

 they could approach it, until they went fully a mile be- 

 yond Hamilton's pool, but in searching they never once 

 thought of then going to the big rapids, for that is never 

 invaded by anglers, being too difficult a path for pisca- 

 torial pleasures, and therefore neglected. 



It was long after midnight before they returned, and 

 then it was only to snatch a few hours of needed repose 

 that they might recommence the search in the coming 

 morn with renewed vigor, when they intended to follow 

 the river closely from camp. They had shouted as they 

 hunted, and as a result some of the party had their vocal 

 organs so disorganized that if, like little Tommy Tupper, 

 they had had to sing for their supper, they would doubt- 

 less have retii-ed with unsatisfied stomachs. 



After "Old Ironsides" had finished his brief outline of 

 the search, he solemnly arose from the table that had been 

 cleanly swept of its toothsome food, and beckoning for 

 the little brown jug proposed the health of the angler 

 who never looked before he leaped, but who fearlessly 

 dove and swam in icy currents, that he might retrace 

 the unlocked leap. 



Tumblers containing the necessary fluid were clinked 

 and quickly emptied, and then Tom, amid the rain which 

 was now falling, and which necessitated a retreat to 

 cover, proposed three cheers and a tiger for the fortunate 

 Piscator. These were given with a vim and vigor, and 

 the "Night of Peril on the Nepigon" passed into the 

 reminiscence I have here related. Alex. Starbuck. 

 Cincinnati. 



FATE OF THE FUR SEAL IN AMERICA. 



Read before the Biological Society, of Washington, D, C, Oct. 17, 

 and illustrated by lantern .slides. 



THE present condition of the Alaskan fur seal islands 

 is but another illustration of the fact that the ignor- 

 ance, avarice and stupidity of man have succeeded in 

 reducing an overwhelming abundance of animal life, 

 that by careful and considerate treatment would forever 

 have been a source of immense wealth, to such a condi- 

 tion that it becomes a question of great moment to devise 

 means to prevent its extermination and adopt measures 

 to restore its former abundance. 



In 1867 the United States purchased of Russia for 

 $7,300,000 all of fthe territory known as Russian America 

 and now as Alaska. At the time it was expected that it 

 would prove a paying investment. Great tales were told 

 of the fabulous wealth that was there in the shape of 

 lumber, coal, precious metals, etc., and but little stress 

 was laid upon the fact that fur seals were found in abun- 

 dance upon two small islands, but nowhere else in North 

 America. Now, after the experience of over twenty 

 years, what is the result? Alaska itself pays almost 

 nothing into the national treasury: in fact it takes over 

 $200,000 yearly to support its management, while the 

 two little islands of St. Paril and St. George, with a 

 direct yearly expenditure of less than $20,0^0. have almost 

 returned to the National treasury the lai-ge sum paid for 

 the whole of Alaska. The net income from the seal 

 islands for the past twenty years has been in round num- 

 bers $6,000,000. The net income for the next twenty 

 years, based on the bids of the new company holding the 

 lease, would be over $20,000,000; but the actual amount 

 will be less than a million unless stringent measures 

 are taken to prevent a further decrease of seal life and 

 to provide for better methods of management. 



It will be seen by this that the preservation of seal life 

 on the Pribylov Islands is really dpserving of the utmost 

 consideration and that a proper enforcement of the best 

 means and measures is demanded even from a purely 

 'ousiness point of view. 



Rainy, foggy and cold nasty weather is the rule on the 

 islands, and to this fact is greatly due the residence and 

 abundance of seal life during the summer. Wherever a 

 rocky slope extends into the sea there the seals haul out 

 and form a colony. On St. Paul's there are nine of these 

 places, the smallest having a sea margin of 750ft., while 

 the largest, that at Northeast Point, is 15,850ft. in length. 

 On St. George's there are five with an average sea margin, 

 of only 700ft. The average width is 100ft. The seals on 

 the islands are divided by name into fom- groups, or 

 divisions, which are well known to everybody there. 

 The male seals of seven or eight years old and'upward 

 are known as bulls, and are the only males large and 

 strong enough to maintain a position on the breeding 

 grounds. The female seals are known as cows, while 

 the young seal of the year is called a pup. The male 

 seals one year old and upward are called "holluschickie," 

 or bachelor seals, and it is from the ranks of these that 

 the killable seals are taken. The breeding grounds are 

 known as rookeries. In 1874 Mr. Henry W. Elliott, as 

 the result of two seasons' work, estimated that there were 

 on the rookeries 3,193,000 breeding seals and young. 

 Last year, as a result of another survey of the rookeries 

 on the same basis, it was found that less than 1,000,000 

 breeding seals and young were left. 



About the end of April there appear about the islands 

 a few old bull seals; these gradually increase in numbers 



