Year: 1879

brother-in-law. similar fate overtaking his
Since this domestic tragedy occurred the people of
the fort have heard no moro threats from up the
coast. and peace. gentle peace. prevails. The sur
yiyng relatives of the chief assocatng the valiant
mans death with his proprietorship of two barrels
OF whiskey wisely came to the conclusion that the
whiskey was the of the violent taking of. SO
they knocked in the heads of the barrels and let the
evil spirit rum This precaution probably prevented
the defamation of the tribe.


A VOLCANIC COUNTRY.


The country surrounding the post is wholly
volcanic. Every emnence in sight is the cone of
extinct volcano. The rocks lava which, in cool
ing has split up into rude coluinnar structure and
show in some places tho evidences of pressure in
the shape of curings the surface and other dis
rortions The exposed surfaces and those of frac-
exhibit alike the honeycombing caused during
COOLING The sand of the beach is composed of
pulyerzed lava and this material enters largely
he sand foun of the coast from Ounalaska north
ward. Quite close to the settlement thero is crater
which now forms the basin OF pretty lake. I
have received specimens of lava from different
points inland ana along the shore. which will go to
my geological collection. Immense quantities of
driftwood may be seen along the shore of Nortons
Bay and on the island beaches. This wood comes
chiefly from the Yukon River, which emptes into
the Behring Sea by several mouths. AS the Yukon
drains great timber country. and is navigsble for
over 1,800 miles from its mouth, the quantity
of drift brought down and carried into
the bays and sounds to the northward and
eastward is immense. The natives haul out the
larger pieces and pile them up out of reach of the
tide until they dry sufficiently for fuel. Such piles
can be at intervals of few hundred yards all
around this great bay.


The surface soil everything tho lava formation is
uIAa
lands elsewhere, except in the beauty and variety
Of the vegetation that clothes the whole country.
There are no trees, but the low shrubs, grasses,
towering plants and are very ine especially
the latter. which vary more in color than have
seen in any other place.


A HUNTING PARTY.


Up the sound which divides st. Michael's Island
from the mainland the shores are chiefly salt
marsh tracts. dotted with ponds. which are the
breeding places Of wild ducks and geese snipe and
other water birds. To get something for the larder
by way Of change from the canned meat party Of
us started up the "Crooked Canal" as it is called in
the steam cutter We carried tent and provisions
for two days. besides our guns and ammunition.
blankets. &C. Our luck among the wild fowl proved
Indifferent. the birds being scared Off by the steam
escape from cutter. We secured, however.
about fifteen ducks and some thirty snipe. An Indian
hunter acted guide and pilot, but the in
poor health and did not prove equal to any Of us
whites in endurance Of fatigue. We camped for the
night the marsh edge and under heavy rainfall.
which soaked the ground and made us about us un-
comfortable lot Of sportsmen ever huddled
together under canvas Next morning the weather
continued bad. and the Indian being used up with
an attack OF ague we started back to the ship. In
crossing the bar in face of heavy tho cutter
took water rapidly that near being
md had tho chi
most fatiguing struggle for life. We had all re-
moved outer clothing and boots preparatory for
O swim, and when we got on board the Jeannette,
worn out. hungry and wet. you the
cabin fire and hot breakfast were thoroughly
joyed by the party. must say that to the pluck
and skill Of Mr.. Melville. the chief engineer who
had charge Of the running Of the cutters engine,
and to Mr. Dunbar, the ice pilot who steered u.s. are
due the safety of the whole party. Our signals of
distress misunderstood on the chip, and it
not until we were within hundred yards Of her.
with cutter half full of water and her boiler fire
extingushed. that boat lowered to rescue us.
The party thus imperilled consisted OF Mr.. Melville,
Mr.. Dunbar. DR.. Amber, myself and our Indian
hunter To show the quickness of perception of the
natives on shore may mention that while we were
struggling with the sea. and working to keep the
boat ahoat the natives recognized position and
at once reported 1t at the fort. The ship mile
nearer to us than the native village. yet on
board seemed to understand tho meaning Of tho
jacket hoisted on boathook which DIR. Amber was
waving for nearly hour before any stir was made
to lower boat.


SALMON AND RUSSIAN BATHS.


Our shallow bay has afforded us q fair supply of
excellent fish. including some superb salmon We
have net set. and daily get good number of
founders and other small fish, besides occasional
beauty with delicate pink flesh None but those
who have not tasted these dercacies for month or
so can appreciate the flavor OF broiled founder or
salmon. pointed by appetite and washed down with
big cups Of tea. I suppose epicure would prefer
more refined arrangement Of eatables aud
drinkables but on this cruise such exact
ing persons would be miserable. We eat and
drink things they como, being thankful the while
for such small favors the Lord sends in the way
of a change of dishes. After our adventure in the
steam cutter enjoyed the luxury Of genuine
Russian bath at the fort. Tho bathhouse is long
structure fitted with two chambers. the outer and
inner. In tho latter is . stove-ike fireplace with
receptacle for hot stones. which are placed thero
after being raised to red heat. Then the smoke
hole is closed. the skin-linod door made fast and
some water is thrown tho hot stones. Phewi
what temperature is raised. The blood almost
boils in the veins. and gasps for
BREATH but tho pores are open and the peculiar pro-
cess Of tho Russian bath is gone through by tho
bather until human nature stand no moro.
Then. sousing himself well in water. no rushes out
into the antechamber. or outer room, where he is
rubbed down. cooled OF and allowed to dress. The
pleasant feeling experienced after bathing is GER
tainly purchased by much broiling and stewing but
the beneficial cfectson the system when tho bath is
cautiously used. very marked. Lot me not for
get the cigar and glass Of Russian tea after bathing.
These absolutely necessary to true enjoyment.
Although the bathhousc at st. Nicholas is not the
most inviting looking place in the world 1t
its purpose admirably. showing that tho value Of
things must not be judged by appearances.


THE SUPPLY scHooNER's ARRIVAL.


On tho 18th our long expected supply schooner,
the Fanny A. Hyde. Of san francisco, laden with
Goals and extra stores. was sighted of Stuart's