We reached Wrangle May 3d. 
The Lotus came in the same day, and proved a great 
disappointment. She was dirty and cramped, not even a par¬ 
tition separating cabin from engine-room. In fact the vessel 
was a clear case of misrepresentation, the owner having writ¬ 
ten Mathewson that he would provide, among other things, 
separate bunks, let alone partition off a cabin, and the like. 
We sent her back, and wired to Ketchikan for the Taku — 
Captain Carl Lancaster, instead. 
The Taku * arrived on the 6th, and, after the Lotus, 
proved a most agreeable surprise. Her dimensions were 
forty-five feet over all and ten feet beam. She carried a 
twenty-horse-power motor, and was divided into engine-room 
and galley, combination dining-room with Pullman berths, 
as well as having a small pilot house. In addition, the boat 
had a little compartment with bath-tub, while acetylene light 
served as luminant. 
Our crew consisted of Captain and Engineer. Mr. Math¬ 
ewson having engaged an Indian named Barney, who knew 
the islands we were to visit, at Wrangle, and we being some¬ 
what crowded already, we decided to dispense with a cook, 
my valet assuming such duties. 
"'Note.—There are at this time two good boats available, the Taku and the Pacif c, 
the former at $15 per day and $2.50 per diem running time ; the latter at $25 per day 
The Pacific is the larger boat. Boats are being brought out every year, and doubtless 
there are still larger and better boats to choose from to-day, especially in the Seattle 
market. 
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