GLIMPSES OF ALASKAN TUNDRA
and go far in their large skin boats which carry sails. While we were here a canoe, met by our search party, arrived from East Cape—a party of Chukchi traders, bringing deerskins from Cape Yakán. They are in every way much better-looking men than the natives of this side, being taller, better-formed, and more cordial in manner. They at once recognized our Third Lieutenant Reynolds, whom they had met at Tapkan. Fog at night; going under sail only.
July 13. Lovely day, nearly cloudless. Average temperature of 50° F. At half-past five in the afternoon we fell in with a trading schooner[1] opposite an Indian village.[2] One of the boats came alongside the Corwin and traded a few articles. Nothing contraband was found, though rifles probably had been sold during the first part of her cruise. These vessels, as well as whalers, carry more or less whiskey and rifles in order to obtain ivory, whalebone, and furs. They go from coast to coast and among islands, and thus pick up valuable cargoes. The natives cannot understand why the Corwin interferes with trade in repeating rifles and whiskey. They consider it all a matter of rivalry and superior strength. No wonder, since
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