The cheapest was twenty-five dollars; and the most expensive, more than a hundred.
"But they are all sold," added Captain Gray, gloomily.
"All sold!" we exclaimed, in a breath. "What—all? Every one?"
"Yes; every one," he answered mournfully.
"Why, how very odd," said I, "for them all to be sold, and all to be left here."
"Yes," said he, sighing. "The captain of a government cutter bought them for his friends in Boston. He has gone on up into Behring Sea, and will call for them on his return."
Far be it from me to try to buy anything that is not for sale. I thanked him politely for showing them to us; and we went on to another part of the warehouse.
We found nothing else that was already "sold." We bought several holy-lamps, baskets, and other things.
"I'm sorry about the samovars," said I, as I paid Captain Gray.