d the vessel with a general outcry of welcome.

"In she comes," said Rob; and now, with two more long, hoarse roars from
her giant whistle, the _Yucatan_ slowly forged ahead, and within half an
hour majestically swept up to her moorings at the front of Valdez dock.

II

AFLOAT ON THE PACIFIC

As the deck-hands cast ashore the light lines attached to the
cable-loops, our young friends were among the first to lay hold and aid
in dragging ashore the heavy cables which made fast the steamer 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 vessel made everything a
scene of confusion. Greetings were passed from ship to shore and back
again. Friends now would meet, cargo would be discharged; touch with the
outer world once more would be had.

"But I don't see Uncle Dick anywhere," said John, ruefully, as he
examined the throng of figures packed along the rail waiting for the
gangway to be made fast.

"Maybe he didn't come," suggested Jesse.

"There he is!" shouted John; "he's waving to us, over there 'midships."

"He's got something under his arm," said Rob, judicially.

A tall, brown-faced man with a wide, white hat and loose gray clothing
edged his way toward the head of the gangway. Catching sight of the
boys, he called out a hearty greeting.

"Have you got it, Uncle Dick?" asked John, excitedly, as at last the
latter reached the dock.

Uncle Dick's answer was to pass to his nephew a certain long package,
which proved to be a fine rifle in a leather case. For the moment all
three boys were so much engaged in examining this that they paid little
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
discharging the cargo of the _Yucatan_. It must be remembered that in
Alaska few things are manufactured, and everything must be shipped in,
fifteen hundred miles or more, from San Francisco, Seattle, and other
points.

"Well, young gentlemen," said Uncle Dick, at last, "you seem gladder to
see that gun than you are to see me."

"No, we're not, sir," rejoined Rob; "but we're pleased enough, even so,
because now each of us has a rifle."

"And no place to use one," answered Uncle Dick.

"Well, we may be able to go ins