Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25

IN the Summer Of 1880 I set out from
Fort Wrangel in canoe to continue
the exploration Of the icy region OF
Southeastern Alaska. begun in the Fan
OF 1879.
After the necessary provisions, blankets, etc.
had been collected and slowed away and my
Indian crew were in their places ready 20
start, my companion, the Rev s. H Young. Tor
whom we were waiting, at last came aboard
followed by q little black dog that Immediately
made himself at home by curling up In mol
low among the baggage.
LIS master assured me that he would be no
trouble at all, that he was perfect wonder
Of q dog, could endure cold and hunger like
bear. swim like a seal, possessed, in fact, an
the canine virtues.
He was short-Iegged and bumchy-bodied. and
his hair though smooth, was long and silky
and slightly waved, 50 that when the wind was
ut his hack 1t ruined making him look shaggy.
He was named Sttckeen, after the tribe Of
Stickeen Indians with whom he had once lived.
On our trip he proved himself queer char
acter-odd, secretive. independent keeping
invincibly quiet
AS we sailed week after week through the
intricate channels and inlets among the in
Vulnerable islands and mountains Of the coast
he spent most Of the dull days in sluggish ease,
motionleSs, and apparently Is unobServing rs
IL in deep sleep.
None Of US was able to make out what
Stickeen was really good for. He seemed to
meet danger and hardShips without anything
like reason, insisted on having his own way,
never obeyed an order, and the hunter could
never set him on anything or make him fetch
the birds he shot.
His equanimity was so steady it seemed due
to want Of feeling; ordinary storms were pleas
ures to him. and as for mere rain, he fiourished
in it like vegetable.
No superannuated mastin or bulldog grown
old in office surpassed this fluffy midget In
stole dignity He sometimes reminded me OF
q small, squat, unsuitable desert cactus FOR
he never displayed single trace OF the merry,
tricky, selfish fun Of the terriers and collies
that we all know. nor of their touching affec-
ton and devotion.
Like children, most small dogs beg to be
loved and allowed to love- but Stickeen seemed
= very Diogenes, asking only to be let alone: a
true child OF the wilderness. holding the even
tenor Of his hidden life with the silence and
serenity Of nature.
HIS strength of character lay In his eyes.
They looked as old as the hills, and IS
young and as wild never tired Of looking
into them. 1t was like looking into land
Scape but they were small and rather deep set,
and had no explaining lines around them to
give out particulars
A day came, however, when Stickeens phlegm
broke, his equanimity vanished 1t was q day
made memorable by that and other facts.
awoke early called not only by q glacier
which had been on my mind all night, but by
. grand hoodStorm
I had intended making q cup of coffee and
getting something like q breakfast before
starting to explore the glacier. but when I
heard the storm and looked out made haste
to join it. Omitting breakfast. put piece Of
bread in my pocket and hurried away.
Young and the Indians aSleeD. and
30, hoped, was Stickeen, but had not gone
q dozen rods before he left his bed in the tent
and came boring through the blast after me.
That man should welcome storms for their
exhtlarating music and, motion and go forth
DO see God making landscapesais reasonable
enough. but what fascination could there be in
such tremendous weather for . dog? easT s