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[[preprinted]] SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 [[/preprinted]] 15 miles
only one tree for shelter. Put the sleds and a piece of drill around the camp to keep off the wind and snow, Drink tea, one side of the hand burning & the other freezing. Sleep about 10PM. About 4AM Old Ivan; (who killed the Russian bidarshik in 1852, with a knife at Nulato) comes along and shortly afterward we break camp and start for Holtog. A magnificent fair of mock suns lasting nearly all day (six hours) attracted attention. Go down across Little River. [[image - drawing with six suns over mountains]] Have a very pleasant comfortable camp and sleep warm and comfortable with Mike.

[[preprinted]] SUNDAY 25 [[/preprinted]] 12 miles
Morning. Off at six and passing over some high hills get a good glimpse of the Youkon covered with a broad sheet of snowy ice. Arrive at Holtog about four P.M. a very strong wind on the river renders it too bad to venture further. The Youkon is about three miles wide here and with about four to two feet of ice on it, but still open in places. Holtog consists of three houses on the right bank and five on the left bank. The one we went into was the best Indian house I have yet seen. The old woman sold us some grouse and Mike made a splendid stew. All the men away. 

[[preprinted]] MONDAY 26 [[/preprinted]] 22 miles
Make an early start and make good time on the ice which however is very rough and with from 18 to 6 inches of  snow on it. The river at one place is about six miles broad but generally about three miles. The right bank is high and with bold bluffs and rolling hills sparsely wooded, the left low, and thickly wooded with out a hill of any kind in sight. About six P.M. reach Alexofs Barrábora, on the right bank about 15 miles from Nulato. Get some good tea and grub and sleep sound Therm. 32 below zero. House small and very smoky.
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[[preprinted]] TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1866. [[/preprinted]] 15 miles
Morning make an early start for Nulato. Leave about 6 A.M. arrive near the supposed coal vein at noon. Stop and examine it. Coal good but covered with snow and a strong probability that it is only a "pocket" not a true continuous seam. Start on. Therm. 28 below zero. Freeze my cheeks and nose a little as there is some wind in our faces. Start ahead & arrive at the fort at Nulato about an hour ahead of the dogs and bring the news of the quickest trip to Ulukuk & back ever made with loads. Quarters A1. Evening take a good bath and food as I had suspected that I am lousy; from sleeping in the 

[[preprinted]] WEDNESDAY 28 [[/preprinted]]
Indian camps & houses for nearly a month without a bath or change of clothes. We have pushed our dog sleds 120 miles or so in five days with the thermometer always below zero and generally windy weather. Get the bidarshik drunk which is the surest way of getting into his good graces, and turn in. Morning. 18 below zero Get boxes open &c &c. Mike preparing to go down tomorrow for another load. Larriown a rascally Koyoukun indian in in the course of the day. Grouse and reindeer meat. Coffee and Russian bread for our two meals.

[[preprinted]] THURSDAY 29 [[/preprinted]]
Morning. up very early in order to help Mike off. Pickett goes down with him. He gets off about six o'clock with five sleds. Open boxes and begin to get settled. Thermometer 36 below zero. Clear & cold. Partridges and reindeer meat for dinner. Peter, the son of old Ivan whom we met coming up, cooks and takes care of things generally. The quarters are roomy and comfortable, a big Russian oven to keep us warm and a wide shelf for us to sleep on. Ivan in in the course of the day. Evening write to Bean who is sick, read a bad novel by Mrs. Gore and turn in.