to the dock-posts. Then they ran back amidships where the gang-plank was put out. The jingling of the ship's bells and general outcry from those on the dock or crowding along the rail of the vesse

fully, as he examined the throng of figures packed al

n't come," su

John; "he's waving to u

under his arm," sa

ay clothing edged his way toward the head of the gangway. C

asked John, excitedly, as at la

attention to what was going on-hurry and confusion, shouting and laughing and excited talk, mingled with the creak of the hoists and the rattle of the donkey-engine as the ship's men now began the work of disch

Dick, at last, "you seem gladder to

"but we're pleased enough, even so,

o use one," ans

ing, before long," said Jesse, stoutly.

with me?" asked Uncle Dick, directly, l

exclaimed Rob. The th

re right away?" asked J

there to Kadiak. Chance of your life to spend the summer, if your mothers will say the word. And not to hurry you

to these that the government work in soundings would be done by the revenue cutter Bennington, along the shores of Kadiak Island, for the next four months. Now, although to those unfamiliar with Alaska, Valdez may seem as far away as Kadiak, the latter really is some hundreds

ed a cap toward them as he came down the gang-plank. But the boys, usually ready enough to visit with

est, are ye?" asked Captain John Ryan of Uncle Dick. "A

to the town. At the farther end they were met by the three boys and by three nice-looking ladies,

egan one of these, as they approached-"your put

said Rob's mother, in turn, her mouth clos

shoulder. "What would you do at night with no one

began Jesse,

them, and they will have to shift for themselves, but I'll see that they get th

rs. Hardy, once more, "how do we

now. I don't

oys have to

r the fall term. Boats are coming

that way are perfectly frig

s, the boys will be ashore in town at Kadiak. You don't suppose that Uncle Sam will le

boys do, then?" in

few little things like that-catch more codfish and salmon than

e tippy

nting on the gull rocks, and all sorts of things. W

o advise in the matter," hesitated Jesse's mother.

Yucatan headed for Kadiak. You want to remember that this is Alaska, and that these are Alaskan boys. They've got to grow up knowing how to take care of themselves in this country. They're not sissies, wit

tyre; and each of the other

er. And, boys, the best thing you can do is to go down to the store and get some ammunition. We can get all the grub we want from the ship's stores out at Kadiak. Now, excuse m

the sidewalk toward the wharf. Uncle Dick led the way, earnestly talking with three very grave and anxious mothers. Behind him, perfectly happy, and shouting excitedly to one an

in. Again came the heavy whistle of the ocean steamer. The little group now broke apart; and in a moment the boy

e the hoarse order fro

th of the bay. Clouds of white gulls followed her, dipping and soaring. Once more her whistle saluted the town from which she departed, its note echoing deeply from the steep fronts of the adjacent mountains. The wheelsman laid the course straight

his friends, "maybe we'll