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were "in rather poor shape but will do my best to get them in good condition when
we reach the island. The season is getting late and a good many things must be
done before the freezeup, so we are anxious to get started with our work.”

On September 15th Knight wrote notes that "We sighted (today) a high sandspit
with a great deal of wood on it and landed our outfit in a heavy surf. Everything
was landed by 10:30 P.M. Started unloading at 7:00 P.M." September 16th: "After
unloading we slept on the ship but the wind arose from the south and we were
called at 3 A.M. We had time to get our personal stuff ashore and the Silver
Wave departed with three whistles and a great deal of flag dipping, and left us to
our own resources. We have a good outfit and the fox tracks look promising, so we
should have a successful winter. The surprising thing to me is the weather, nice
gentle winds with an uncommon amount of sunshine for this time of year, and not an
ice cake in sight. "We see an occasional seal some distance out but if they were
killed it is doubtful if we could get them ... I had a shot a a large
walrus but missed."

Chapter VII

When the Silver Wave sailed away "with much flag dipping," a silence fell upon Wrangell Island that remained unbroken for two years. she
carried Captain Hamar brought out with him only the briefest letters either to me or to friends and families. It
had been to each of the four an exciting adventure since they left Seattle and
especially so between Nome and Wrangell. Apart from personal greetings my only
report from them was a letter from Crawford which I quote in full:

"Sept. 15th, 1921, 5:30 P.M.
Off Wrangell Island.

"Dear Mr. Stefansson:

"Commencing this letter 1/2 mi. offshore. Left Nome Sept. 9th.
Called East Cape, Siberia, to purchase skin boat. Sighted island noon yesterday.
Resembles in outline & color country round Lewiston, Idaho. Large flat spaces near
coast but seems to be mostly hilly. Snow on highest of hills looks like this
year's. Have as yet seen not a single ice cake.

The Difficulties of 1922.