The San Francisco call., 1898-04-09

LiebeS whaling station, of our situation and ask him to help us if he possibly could. Stephen Cottle, our second mate, and the fourth and fifth mates of the Freeman volunteered. They had to go on foot. They made for the main land and then for the station. They travelled over sixty-five miles, the trip being made in three nights and two days. MT. Brewer received the officers in a most kindly manner, and went to work right away to engage all the dog teams and sleds he could find around Point Barrow and Cape Smith. He dispatched Alfred Hopson, his as- sistant, with the teams to the Belve- dere, arriving there October '. He had instructed MT. Hopson to say that all of us were welcome at his station, and he was willing to divide the last crust with us. MT. Brewer has, by his kind ness, saved the lives of over 300 men. He has over 100 natives engaged to work for him. He gave them rifles and cartridges and instructed them to brin in all the game they could find, but that they must at any rate get enough meat to support themselves.
 MT. Hopson had six teams with him and started back to the station, taking forty men and some provisions. Some of the men were so sick and feeble they had to ride back the entire distance, the trip being made in four days time. Mr. Hopson started back for the Belve- dere on October 13, making the trip in twenty-two hours. Mir. Brewer sent by him complete inventory of the provis- ions at the station and also the reports from the four ships that were in the ice to the eastward, together with the list of provisions each of these ships had on hand. An inventory of the pro- visions on the Belvedere was taken and we found that there was not enough on board to keep the entire crew, pro- viding we did not get out until spring.
 MT. Hopson started back the same day he arrived, taking with him this time sixty-four men and sufficient pro- visions to last few days. Captain Willard had fitted the Orca men with all the blankets and clothing possible, as they had to leave the vessel hur- riedly. The Freeman men had had ing and blankets they could carry. I was successful in getting dog team and left the ship October 15 to go to the station. I made the trip in three days.
 Captain Willard was successful in se- curing a good dog team and he came to Point Barrow with Captains Sherman and Humphreys to discuss the situation with MT. Brewer and the officers of the ships.
 At this meeting the inventories were all completed and the entire amount of provisions on hand from all sources as- certained. It was decided that by care full use an allowance of two scant meals per day could be made for the men of the eight ships, which would last up to the first day of July. but the. allowance must be scant one.
 It was also decided at this meeting to call for a volunteer to go south not only to carry news, but also to ask help at the earliest possible op- portunity.
 I volunteered to make the trip and others were willing to go with me, but after considering the situation carefully we came to the conclusion that, providing I failed, one dead man would be enough.
 Captains Willard, Sherman and Humphreys and MT. Bowers were giving me all the encouragement they could, both by word and deed Mr. Brewer purchased the dogs. The Indians would gladly have given dog for sack of flour, but not an ounce of provisions could be spared. The dogs were pur- chased with trade and cost us over one hundred dollars each. A sled was made for me, harness made for the dogs, the native women made skin clothing and sleeping bags for myself and the two Indian runners. These runners would not accompany me any further than Point Hope. A mast and sau were also