The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-19
CHAPTER V.
THROUGH CHILKooT PASS,

THROUGH CHILKOOT PASS,
AS Frank Mausley's words rang
through the tent they were followed by
the awful roar of the descending ava
lanche, and all awoke on the instant
But no one could. do anything to save
himself. They would only cover and
pray to heaven to protect them.
Something struck the side of the tent,
like the plunge of a mountain torrent,
yet it was not that, nor was it the
snow. Tim .McCabe knew its nature
and catching his breath, he called:
It's the wind of the avalanchei That
won't hurt yei''
The wonder was that it did not blow
the canvas like a feather from its path,
but the tent held its position, and the
appalling rush and roar ceased with
more suddenness than it had begun.
The throbbing air became still.
jeff Graham, who had not spoken,
struck a match and holding it above
his head, peered around the interior of
the tent, which he observed had sagged
a good deal from the impact of the
avalanches breath, though the stakes
held their places in the snow. He saw
Frank Mansley standing pale with af-
fright, while Roswell, sitting on the
edge of his couch was equally startled.
Ike Hardman had covered his face with
his blanket, like a child who thus seeks
to escape an impending danger. In
credible as it may seem, Tim McCabe
was filing his pipe in the gloom, pre-
aratory to a smoke.
BE aisy," was his comment as he
struck a match and held it above the
bowl; we're as safe as if in Frisco.
and a little safer, fur it's whin We are
there We are liable to have an airth-
quake tumble the buildings about yer
hid"
Wasn't that an avalanche?" asked
the amazed Frank.
1T was that, but it didn't hit US; if
we had put up the tint little beyant
and further to the right, e'd'Ve been
mashed fat"
He spoke the truth. The enormous
mass of snow, weighing thousands of
tons, had toppled over and slid down
the mountain side with a roar like
Niagara, but stopped short. just be-
fore reaching the tent. Some of the
feathery particles sailed forward and
struck the canvas, the greatest effect
being produced by the wind but the
monster was palsied before he could
reach forward and seize his victims
When the situation became clear,
every one uttered expressions of graft
tude, but the boys were not relieved
of all fear What had taken place might
occur again.
ANOl q III VI IL was 1lIu = T6dSSu
ing reply. I've observed the things
before, and we shan't be bothered agin
tonight. Take me advice and go TO
sleep, which the same is what I shall
do mesilf as soon as 1 finishes me
smoke"
The shock however, had been too
great for all to compose their nerves at
once. Jeff was the first to succumb.
having faith in the assurance of his
friend, and Ike Hardman soon followed
him in the land of dreams. Frank and
Roswell lay for a long time talking in
low tones. but finally drowsiness over
came them, ard with the pungent odor
Of Tins pipe in their nostrils they sank
into slumber, which was not broken I'M
til Jeff called to them that breakfast
was waiting.
The melting snow furnished what
water they needed to drink, and in
which to lave their faces and hands.
Then, before eating, they hurried out
side the tent to survey the snowy
mountain that had come so near swal-
lowing them up. They We're filed with
amazement when they looked upon the
vast pile, amid which were observ ed
many chunks and masses of ice. several
that must have weighed hundreds Of
pounds lying on the snow within q few
yards of the tent. Had one of these
been precipitated against the shelter it