that their joints, especially knee joints, are strong and have never
been weakened by injury, synovitis or other disease. It is also very
important to consider their temperaments. Men should be of cheerful,
hopeful dispositions and willing workers. Those of sullen, morose
natures, although they may be good workers, are very apt, as soon as the
novelty of the country wears off, to become dissatisfied, pessimistic
and melancholy.

CHAPTER IV.

OUTFIT FOR MINERS.

In giving any advice for outfits for miners, I should first state that
it is a great mistake to purchase anything whatever before arriving at
Juneau, Alaska. This has been a supply point for that region for upwards
of ten years, and store-keepers and supply companies carry in stock
exactly what is necessary for the miners. You will find that their
prices are reasonable, considering the difference in cost of
transportation at any point you might decide to purchase from in the
United States; in fact it is the saving of money to buy in Juneau.

In the matter of clothing, of course, it must be left to the individual
taste and means of the purchaser, but the miners usually adopt the
native costume of the region. The boots are generally made by the coast
Indians and are of different varieties. The water boot is made of seal
and walrus. It is important to take a pair of rubber boots along.
Additional boots can be purchased at Dawson City. The native boots cost
from two to five dollars a pair. Trousers are generally made from
Siberian fawn skins and the skin of the marmot or the ground squirrel.
The outer garments are generally made of the marmot skin. The people at
Dawson City who are not engaged in mining, such as store-keepers,
clerks, etc., generally wear these garments. Good warm flannels are
important. Everything in the way of underwear is made of flannel, such
as shirts. The cost of flannel shirts at Dawson City is $5. Rubber
boots at Dawson City are $10 to $12.00 a pair. Blankets and robes are
used for bedding, and should be purchased at Juneau. Wolf skins make the
best robes. Good ones cost $100 apiece, but cheaper ones can be obtained
from the bear, mink, and red fox and Arctic Hare. Warm socks are made
from the skin of the Arctic Hare.

If you have any delay at Juneau, you will, probably, be asked to take
trips to the Giant Glaciers, but my advice is to stay in Juneau until
the steamer is ready to start for Dyea. You will need all the rest you
can