Part 49 (2/2)
”Hours don't count up here,” said our captain. ”It is broad daylight.
Besides, it is the 4th of July. I think we should accept the invitation.”
We did accept it, in the same spirit in which it was given, and it was one of the most profitable of evenings. We found a home of comfort and refinement in the farthest outpost of civilization in the North Pacific.
The hours were spent pleasantly with good music, singing, and reading; and delicate refreshments were served.
The sun shone upon my friend's scandalized face as we returned to our steamer. It was nearly five o'clock.
”I know it was innocent enough,” said she, ”but think how it _sounds_!--a dance, with only three white women present--not to mention 'Nelly'!--a midnight supper, and then an invitation to 'finish the evening'! It sounds like one of Edith Wharton's novels.”
”It's Alaska,” said the captain. ”You want local color--and you're getting it. But let me tell you that you have never been safer in your life than you have been to-night.”
”Safe!” echoed she. ”I'm not talking about the safety of it. It's the _form_ of it.”
”Form doesn't count, as yet, in the Aleutians,” said the captain.
”'There's never a law of G.o.d or man runs north of _fifty-three_!'”
”There's surely never a _social_ law runs north of it,” was the scornful reply.
The next morning we went to the great warehouses of the company, to look at old Russian samovars. Captain Gray personally escorted us through their dim, cobwebby, high-raftered s.p.a.ces. There was one long counter covered with samovars, and we began eagerly to examine and price them.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Copyright by E. A. Hegg, Juneau Courtesy of Webster & Stevens, Seattle
DOG-TEAM EXPRESS, NOME]
The cheapest was twenty-five dollars; and the most expensive, more than a hundred.
”But they are all sold,” added Captain Gray, gloomily.
”All sold!” we exclaimed, in a breath. ”What--_all_? Every one?”
”Yes; every one,” he answered mournfully.
”Why, how very odd,” said I, ”for them all to be sold, and all to be left here.”
”Yes,” said he, sighing. ”The captain of a government cutter bought them for his friends in Boston. He has gone on up into Behring Sea, and will call for them on his return.”
Far be it from me to try to buy anything that is not for sale. I thanked him politely for showing them to us; and we went on to another part of the warehouse.
We found nothing else that was already ”sold.” We bought several holy-lamps, baskets, and other things.
”I'm sorry about the samovars,” said I, as I paid Captain Gray.
”So am I,” said he. Then he sighed. ”There's one, now,” said he, after a moment, thoughtfully. ”I might--Wait a moment.”
<script>