The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-03
0. H. Berry & Co.
Main and 10th SITS.

found II so dreadful after all. We watt
ed at Skaguav until January 18th. getting
our oxen shod and everything In readl-
ness hen we moved our outfit six miles
up the Skaguay river to the mouth OF the
canyon. Here we campcd and began
moving our oJtht in small loads To
cache in the pines about i've miles further
m. IL took us seven days OF hard labor,
but We found It very exciting. Inc
Skaguay river runs very rapidly through
this canyon. which Is thickly strewn with
boulders. many Of them as large as
house. on course when the river froze
the surface was left about as even as
storm-tossed sea Then the river fell, and
the ice began 10 cave IN. leaving nu-
merous holes. down IN the depths or
which the water roars and tumbles.
There are scores Of places where SIP
would mean the certainty Of being car
ried over into one OF those holes ana
whirled quickly out Of sight under the
ice.
"The canyon Is very narrow from where
we first camped all the way 10 the sum
NIT, and where the way winds around
and between those holes there Is DIM
Guilty in one sled or animal passing anoth-
or Goodness knows what trouble there
viii be when the rush is fully on month
hence. You see "A blockade Is caused by
either OF the two things. too great num-
her going M with loads, trying 10 get
past others running down light or some
one party having trouble. Inc others
cannot get by. so all have TO walt. Thank
Heaven. we are out Of II In good season.
en- advance of the rush. We are among
the first TO arrive at this point. one OF
the most unpleasant features below OUT
present camp has been the constant uah-
ger of ice giving away under one. huse
shelf Of ice gave way one morning Just
ahead OF us. and dropped six pack horses
into the icy water. Fortunately the
river was shallow at this place, ana the
animals were saved with great difhculty'
We had no accidents. except with one
load. The fee cracked under the
head steer I'm narrow place. lie
tumped and saved himself. and all but
the rear portion of the load. which snip
ped into a deep hole. 1 caught sight oil
il as II was being drawn under In me
whirling water. The eoent snow storms
have doubtless improved the canyon De-
low.
DOXOLOGY CONQUERS.
owe have To wea, ice creepers to keep
from slipping. SIS we handle our loads.
The steers are acting splendldly re
Gently 2 dog team undertook TO dispute
tho road with us. We had the right OF
way as we were loaded. but the dog
driver cursed our steers and 'slcked MS
dogs at old DoXology, the leading on
which I was driving. Old DoX just low
cred his head and charged. The air was
filled with tossed dogs for moment ana
then the way was cleared. Having an
our goods cached five miles from our hrst
camp. we broke camp. and came on e1-
pecting to reach this spot the same day
So that we should only have 10 make
two camps between Skaguay and the lakes'
Three men joined us TO help In return
for the help our oxen gave them' we
were caught in a powerful sno" storm
ard had to make camp at the first avail
able place. which was about three miles
below here. We were cold, wet, hun
cry and bedraggled that night We came
on Lere next day. and are now hauling
our stun from the cache 10 the summit
two and a half miles above.
when all our goods are at the sum
nit we shall take no more 5V-pound
loads. but shall put on ton 10 the OK
and make a rush for the first timber on
the other side. which is twenty miles or.
That done. we shall consider half our
tourney to the Yukon accomplished. Some
days ike to-day II Is impossible TO APP
proach the summit. owing TO the storm
raging there We may be delayed TOT
some time. should period OF very stormy
weather set in. but We have cattle feed
To last fifty days. and we are contented
In the knowledge that the hardest part
OF our Journey over the pass ~ done.
We are well, and my appetite Is enor-
nous Have been anxiously looking for
letters from you. but none have arrived as
vet. Nv lantern is going down, so must
stOp 80