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2 rise rounded ice-swept hills with mountains beyond them folding in in in beautiful braids all densely forested. We are
so near the show that with the mates glasses I can readily make out some of the species of trees. The forest? is in the main
illegible at all different from those of the Alaska Coast Now the Cape Light house is out of sight we are fairly in the strait,
Vancouver Island on our left in fine clear view with forests densely packed in every hollow over every hill mtn How beautiful
it is How deep shadowy its Canons, how eloquently it tells the story of its sculpture during the age of ice. How perfectly
virgin it is. Ships loaded with N illegible Coal Puget Sound Coal lumber, a half dozen of them are about us beating their
way down the strait here there a illegible boat to represent Civilization but not one scare? on the virgin shore nor the smoke
of a hut or camp. I have just been speaking with a man who has spent a good deal of time on the island He says that so unpenetrable
is the underbrush his party could seldom make more than two miles a day though assisted by eight Indians. Only the shores
are known. Now the wind is beginning to freshen? 4 all the sick have got well are out in full force gazing at the harbor
with the excitement one always feels after a voyage whether the future offers much brightness or no. The new Capt of the California
is said to be good careful, the pilot p illegible ser I know well, so that we will feel at home during the rest of our trip
as we have thus far, as for the main objects all Nature is unchangeable loves us all grants gracious welcome to every honest
illegible I hope you do not feel that I am away at all any real separation is not possible. I have been alone, as far as the
isolation that distance makes, so much of my lifetime that separation seems more natural than absolute contact which seems
too good indulgent to be true. Her Majesty ironclad Triumph is lying close along-side. How huge she seems illegible strong
defiant with a background 6 Louie keep a good heart do the bits of work I requested you to do the days in Alaska will
go away fast enough I will be with you again as If I had been gone but one day. Ever your affectionate husband John Muir.
in margin: in circle: 4 00939