, 1884-08-12
ALASKA'S FEATURES.
Some Things About the Country Not
Generally Known
Mountain, Woodland and Water
PeculIarities OF the Climate
The Aieutian Isinnd--
Annual Seal Catch.

indianapolis Journal
II was in early Nay when. one calm
morning. with thc sky only hidden by a
light fog-cloud here aud there. we steamed
slowly through a pass in the Aleutiau
islands TO the harbor Of Jnalaska.
On either hand, across the islands in
great ellis arc rocky precipices, with An
occasional silvery thrtad of water falling
into the sea down their rugged faces. The
snow stll lay in great masses Oh
the higher slopes and about the
SUBMITS OF The island mountains
On the lower slopes, bare rocks. alternated
with russell. colored slopes, showed where
a month later would bloom myriads of
handsome flowers and u rink growth
Of grass would spring up. Not
a tree or bush showed itself, and
the only relief to the harsh. re
polling character Of the scene was in the
CLASSY sea, on whose bosom tlOatcd thou
sands upon thousands of water fowls.
Scattered hero and there. or gathered In
chattcriug groups, they splashcd and
plumed themselves. enjoying 10 the full
The rare and welcome sunlight. Coasting
along the cliffs in Struggling lines flew
great northern gulls, and al intervals tiny
d~oye-colored petrol fitted by on airy wing
like "A graceful butterfly. In a few hours
We steamed slowly into the harbor Of Una
lAehus III Nl lniAlH VI AAA HhiAN AAllA1f anu
passing q number Of Islanders cod-iishing
In the sealskin kynks. we were o on
shore, eagerly examining everything to be
seen IN this odd little town, which seems
TO a newcomer 10 belong to a new world.
The Alcutian Islands extend from the
Alaska coast westward Ia u long line Of
1000 miles or more, and divide The waters
Of Relring sea from those OF The north Pa
cifc; at the same iimo their point Of de
p.1turc from the coast might readily be
used Us a division line between two widely
different climates and consequent differ
cnce In animal and plant life Of the two
regions even extending 10 ne aboriginal
occupants.
Along the coust Of The territory south OF
these islands nfe iunumemblo small isl
ands, which. with ,hc rising shores OF the
mainland, are covered with a ems growth
Of spruce. pines and ccdars.
The warm. damp mir of the japanese
mIlf-siIcam here makes itself first felt ON
the American shore and the magnificent
forests 80 well known rs found In Ore.
gon and Washington territory are rivaled
by their northern continuation along the
southern coHst Of Alaska.
This part OF the coast Is very mountain
Gus. and The numerous deep fjords cut,
back into the shore arc frequently crowned
1T ~ AHNAAA AZ ~ AA'NN AhAhA ~
comparison with soino Of which the gla
cicrs OF the Alps urc but pismies. The
sCeneiy among the islands there is OF the
nrandost kind. and ut certain seasons,
when fine weather prevails, q voyage on
the steamer through them affords
"a view of some Of The most impressive
scenery of mountain. woodland and wa
ter 10 he found in- Amcrica-ull from the
steamers deck. The natives along this
c. asst arc noted for their strange and pic
turcsque costumes. and add greatly to the
pleasures Of a voyage to This easily
reached yet almost unknown land North
Of the Aleutian islands lie the stormy wa
tiers OF Bchiing sea. giving access through
the straits 10 that portion Of the Arctic
ocean wherein the Jeanncttc met her un
fortunate fate.
Around the reefs and rocks islets form
ing the ouiwork of the great chain Of the
Alputian islands, on the southern side.
congrcgate the sea otter, which latter
yields one Of the most costly furs known.
and in consequence the animal Is perse-
~veringly hunted by both the native and
white hunters.
just north OF the islands. in the waters
Of Bchring sea. are the small islands where
the fur-scal gathers 10 breed each summer.
and whence comes the main supply OF the
seal-skins so highly priced by the fair
danes Of more southern lands.
In early June, when the writer passed
these islands. n dense fog covered the sea,
and leyond a narrow circle about the
vessel everything was hidden in a blank
wall OF vapor. Our proximity to the
islands was easily perceived, however. by
the number Of guillemois and other sea
fowl which circled about us or swan in
the water with the seals and sea lions
which constantly played about US, now
appearing and o disappearing about
the ioggy limit to our vision IN
the most uuoanny way. like hob
COLLINS Of the sea. For IN three
months each summer these seal islands arc
hidden In a dense fog. us II under the spell
Of some Prospero. and ii Is only at inter
walls during this time that the curtain rises
and allows The sun 10 pour It's rays down
upon HE rocky shores for a few hours.
During the time that the fog walls in
these lands the annual catch Of fur seals
is made. and about 100. 600 OF the animals
arc driven 10 bands back tr,m the shore
aud Knocked ON the head with clubs. md
their skins removed and slltcd by the
Esqu mlu Inhabitants of the islands. III.
recied by Americans, the latter being
treasury officials and officers Of the Seal
ing company, which has the islands leased
from the government.