Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-01

SOME INTERESTING FACTS.
lseuirnsni stsncYs Explorations Mode Of
IAN Of the saases-Tbe Feed snpBly.
IHerAid.l

reward for their services 10 the ship
wrecked crew Of the ill-isted Rodgers.
this officer found himself, in Jaly,
1883, without means Of returning
south. and forced 70 await the appear
snoe Of the fevenae-cutter Corwin in
uothan inlet. kotzebne sound, on her
homewErd trip. From the lips Of the
grateful nRtives fell wondrous tales Of o
mighty river TO the northward and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS than the Yukon
the mouths Of which were readily re-
coCnized At the extremity Of Botham
inlet. The singular unanimity OF the
descriptions Of this stream given
by the natives. although coming
from Indians living hundreds Of
miles apart, tended 10 strengthen
and confirm the opinion already enter
tanned by Stoney as TO Its size and i'm
portance. Awaiting himself, therefore,
Of such information as seemed 10 him
most worthy Of credence. and accOmpA-
MED by one white man. the interpreter,
and native who claimed TO live several
hundred miles up the reported river, he
proceeded IN the dingy Of the Corwin,
which had been left behind for his use
Nv the commander Of that vessel, 70
obtain such reliable information in re-
gard 70 the same IS the limited period
OF time al his disposal would permit.
ASCENDING THE RIVER.
Song first to a native trading station
Lieutenant Stoney proceeded in the
direction Of the inland river, thinking
Il might he the river described by the
natives. Upon reaching it, however, it
vas found 10 be quite narrow at the
mouth and very shallow, with hardly
any current. The statement Of the
guide was TO the effect that II was only
small river that emphed into the
ocean about one hundred miles 10 the
norihward and westward, and being
satisfied with this, nothing furt her
vas attempted IN tins direction. Stand
Ing along the inlet TO the northward
and eastward, close enough TO the shore
not 70 pass any river or outlet with
out observing II, second river, some
what smaller than the inland river,
vas found that could be assembled in q
native canoe. but with an insufficient
dcpth Of water TO admit Of the Corwin s
cmgy passing up. The small bay like
wise proved too shallow, although the
guide insisted that be always reached
the river ID his canoe through this en-
trance. Continuing on 10 the south
ward. another entrance was reached and
assembled without difficulty. The guide
here wa of no service. and Lieutenant
Stoney was obliged 10 guess has way
on. encounterlDg numerous strong cur
rents from Inc different forks and Ia
eouns. and being forced TO turn back
repeatedly. Lieutenant Stoney writes {:
- ! became much discouraged. The Sec
ord cav ] saw q native with his wife in
canoe, who upon espying US took to the
bush. The guide called 20 him, and
holding UP some tobacco, succeeded IN
getting the man 20 come back. but his
wife was afraid 70 come, having never
seen white man before. ] found the
nan to be very simple. Giving hin a
pencil and paper. ne drew the course
we should take to reach the river; but
his chart was Of no use and only led US
further astray. Becoming more at q
loss, ] landed, and after some difficulty
reached the top Of the hill, 500 feet
high. from which elevation, as far as
the eve could reach. nothing could he
seen except thick growths Of spruce.
birch. and alder trees, with many
lakes and lagoons, and small streams
running in every direction. Some
Of the lakes were Of considerable
size. but ] could see nothing Of the IT,
ported river and began TO doubt its
existence. ! decided, however, 10 de-
vote another day 20 il, and soon after
leaving the aforementioned place met
some natives, one Of whom appeared TO
he an intelligent fellow and said he
knew the way TO the river. Procuring
his services in exchange for q few pounds
OF tobacco and 3 small amount Of am
munition. be took me in an opposite
direction 10 that had been pursuing,
and after two DAYS hard pulling came
70 the looked-for stream. which found
10 surpass my expectations. ] sounded
across. width Of three quarters Of
mile, and found not less than three
fhthoms anywhere thirty feet from
either bank. and five fathoms in mid
stream. The current ran from one 70
one and q half knots in the middle, de-
crensing, as the banks are nesred. to
no current, and in some places, an eddy.
The guide that had procured at HO-
than inlet wanted 20 turn back here,
owing 10 the hard work Of the previous
DAYS. BE had a good ground for com
plant. since we were never less than
fifteen hours in the boat and some DAYS
seventeen hours. having TO pull al the
time.
We continued our course up the
river one day longer. passing two more
villages. Ny time began TO shorten, as
was 70 be away only ten days, and !
had spent nearly six in reaching this
point. ] tried to proceed on another
dav. but the native would 20 no fur
Their. saying that be must go back
10 catch fish and make pre-
pArstions for going home. In return
inc followed, Is ] supposed, the main
stream, getting down ID one day and
reaching Hotham inlet. Here the shall
lowness Of the water convinced me that
had come down one Of the branches in
stead Of the main channel. Skirting along
the coast 20 the southwark and east
ward, and sounding Hothsm inlet as far
IS Salawik lake, discovered q deep
outlet, which has a depth Of three
fathoms."
MODE OF LIFE OF THE NATIVES.
The following observations by Lieu
tenant Stoney Of the natives, their
mode Of life, &C., together with other
matters in this connection, may not
prove uninteresting. He writes
sThese people live in huts made
partly under ground, and subsist prin-
cipaliy upon the meats Of animals, fish,
and game, their vegetable supply being
limited to leaves and roots OF lew
plants and & small supply Of berries.