After spending a few days here, we struck across
to the main Hoona village on the south side of Icy
Strait, thence by a long cut-off with one short portage
to Chatham Strait, and thence down through Peril
Strait, sailing all night, hoping to catch the mail
steamer at Sitka. We arrived at the head of the strait
about daybreak. The tide was falling, and rushing
down with the swift current as if descending a majestic
cataract was a memorable experience. We reached
Sitka the same night, and there I paid and discharged
my crew, making allowance for a couple of days or so
for the journey back home to Fort Wrangell, while I
boarded the steamer for Portland and thus ended
my explorations for this season.

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