The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-29

so they are tail and straight Birch and
cottonwood are also found in some places.
On our long winter journey there were
very few nights that We were Unable 10
find dead spruce. making the best kind
OF fuel. It Is seldom that trees more than
foot or fifteen inches in diameter ara
seen in travelling along the Yukon, but at
the Arctic mill, on the klondike, ] saw
one log nearly two feet through.
Potatoes and other vegetables OF fine
size and excellent quality have been
grown at various places on the Yukon.
AT the mission OF the Holy Cross, about
3.5 miles from the mouth OF the river. we
secured a mess OF fine potatoes, a solid
head OF cabbage about ten inches in diam
eter and two turnips, each about eight
inches through 1t is evident that as lit
tie IL known of the agricultural POSSIBLE
tiles as OF the mineral possibilities OF this
! vast country.
As one would naturally suppose, cabin
building IS an important operat ton where
mercury freezes solid. and only a spirit
thermometer is of use IN indicating the
temperature. The cabin should be bufis
OF dry logs, with a layer OF moss between
the logs and thick layer OF moss over
the roof poles covered by eight to twelve
Inches OF soil. Yet / saw cabins that had
been built OF green logs that were COM
Portable even in extremely cold weather,
Notwithstanding the walls were frescoed
with coat OF frost all day long. Owing
10 scarcity Of window glass the prevailing
style OF window is a piece of -four sack
Ing tackled over the window hole. Ex-
eepting that this lets in some cold air. Il
IL as satisfactory as u window made OF
single panes OF glass. which soon get COW
cred with frost and ice to several inches
In thickness.
At one place on the river was amused
10 sec the precaution taken by .cheecha-
Goes. newcomers. who had banked earth
up the sides OF their cabins and, with a
generous supply on the roof too. the
structure had much the appearance of a
''dugout."
out over the Ice.
After about two months in winter quar-
tiers. Judge Wood ana myself completed
our arrangements for a trip out over the
Ice. had already taken an experimental
tip. having been 10 Rampant City and
back with dog trains. had never been
accustomed 10 rough.ng It and hardly knew
whether Il would be safe for me 10 under
take i.+i9 mile tramp over the Zee with
the hardships attendant 10 winter travel
Ca November -. tae second day after
thanksgiving day, We left the steamers
Win sixteen dogs ard three s,eds heavily
New York city. who Intended 10 make the
entire journey with Us. Being the first
winter IN Alaska fo- ali Of u.s. ard rot
wishing 10 run any risks We took many
precautions which we afterward found 70
DO unnecessary. Especially was this the
case regarding clothing. bedding nd tent.
starting with fur robe and two pair OF
Blankets I disposed OF the blankets ana
got along very comfortably with the robe
A few nights. when Il was very cold.
E"'led up IN the robe with FUR coat
trousers. cap. uittens ard socks on, We
did not keep IRE during the night We
started Win 4 tent made CT canvas. Sut
disposed ot that and used one made OF
ordinary drilling. All along The route we
were reducing the weigh. CT our ou;a,
selling or throwing away everything tina.
was not absolutely necessary Frequently
soma article would disappear, usually
'hose that wsTe most useful. and We had
the consolation Of knowing that there was
that mach ie-s 10 haul
Fer = few days after starting. consider
able trouble was ocoasioned by some Of
the dogs that had recently been purchased
from natives and ala rot take kindly TO ,hs
ways CO the whits man. On several occa-
sions We ware delayed by some dog getting
loose IN ths night and starting CUT for
home. But after gstting well started wa
begun 20 appreciate our steeGs and devoted
sErsb GSA! OF tiiIe ana f9Sor TO their
care. On the first par; OF the Journey the
dog feed consisted of ore pound of bacon
ana the same q rise or Hour for each dog
thoroughly cooked into a ruush This was
ted al night. IN. native dogs being aceus-
toned 70 only enc feed a day. The cook
irg was usually 6aae. in a boiler made
for the purpose. cut OF doors. while supper
was e=iuS prepared in the tent. TIE dogs
we're always much interested in ;ha mo-
sd
close 10 Ire FIRE 50 as 10 Ia ready when
tns cooking was finished. Two rival bosses
seemed 20 enjoy sitting, one at each side
os re heller, ana growing and showing
their teeth az each other. A gensral rroe
light. especially at feeding time. was OF
common occurrence. and. a. result. fire.
auenuy some dog in the teams would be
i@Frs Tor severa, DAYS. As soon as we
we're able to set chains We adopted The