The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-18

them quite waterproof. The winter "resi-
dences,n where they reside during the severe
winter season, are built under ground, that are
entered from the summer huts through q tunnel
burrowed into the ground TO the length OF 6t-
teen or twenty feet These houses, and also the
tunnels, are supported from the heavy weight
Of snow by the immense rib bones of the whale.
To enter one of these underground habitations
it is necessary to travel the length of the tunnel
upon the hands and knees. The culinary ope-
rations are performed over fire made of oil or
blubber, and warmth is received from the same
source.
The women have exclusive charge of the
house, perform the butchering, and preside with
great dignity over their domestic duties. They
are very masculine in appearance, and can
hardly be distinguished from the men. In fact,
about the only distinguishable feature they have
is slight tat tooing upon the chin, and the dress,
which is somewhat Turkish in STYLE should
make an exception to Mrs Knockem, to whomwe
were introduced with much formality by her
liege lord, Being com plimented upon her good
looks, Knockem assured us that she was the
''best looking gal in the CITY," Wherever we
have been the Indians have expressed the
greatest friendship to us as Americans. They
treasure with the greatest pride the smallest gift
from an American, and will do anything in their
power TO promote the welfare or comfort of the
7'Merican men," They look upon the Americans
as their friends, and do not scruple to show their
preferences.
In Russian America, as in Siberia, the same
feeling exists, and we have everywhere received
from the Indians the most profound respect and
friendship which could be extended in their
humble manner The offer of a piece of seal
meat, which you would not feed to dog, has as
much significance of friendship from these SIM
pie people as a banquet given by the Court of st.
James.
Reindeer and bear exist in paying quantities;
many of the former are domesticated, and are
used for drawing sledges; they are used in pre-
ference to dogs owing to the mountainous char
acter of the country; we saw herds of them
grazing upon the mountains, which belonged to
a tribe OF Indians living some miles west OF u.s.
They brought us supply of venison, upon
which we regaled ourselves for several days. The
meat is much richer and more nutritious than the
venison of the United States, though not as pala-
table.
The character of the country at this point is
certainly wild one. On entering the harbor
one is struck with the grandeur ard maynif-
cence OF the large mountains of solid rock which
tower from 1000 to 5000 feet above the level of
the sea. Upon these mountains are peaks or
columns juttng up, which give them the appear
ance of ruins OF an old CASTLE nothing but the
pillars remaining. As we approach they appear
more numerous, and in the twilight look like a
body of soldiers.
The range OF mountains extends along the
sides of the bay into the interior, but partakes
OF a different formation from the range upon the
| sea. Directly opposite our anchorage they rise
| to the height OF three thousand feet and seem
to consist entirely of small pieces OF rock about
the size McAdam used for pavements. Snow
had fallen here, and was marked upon the
mountains about 1900 feet 1rom the base.
| On the 9th the thermometer marked freezing
for the first time. Ice formed upon the brook
where we were obtaining our supply of fresh
water. In the interior the valleys are broad
and well supplied with fresh water and game.
On the 10Th, the wind being favorable, we took
! leave of our Asiatic Indian friends. They re
manned on board as long as possible, and
| seemed to regret our departure very much
| Knockem promised to accompany us to Caliior
mia next year; thought the sun would hurt hi;
head. OveTioyed with anticipations for the
future, KnOckem lett us in high glee, merrily
humming verse of sally come up"