The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-01-07

here vet. The thermometer only regis
tered % below and most of the time it is
about zero. We were about fifty miles
north of here where it has been as cold
as 40 and few miles north of that it
registered Sand kept from that to 43 for
two weeks; so you can see what we are
to expect when we start out on our regu-
lar trips for the winter. Lakes and rivers
are not frozen over yet and travelling is
very dangerous. 1t is necessary for us
to go round by the shore in order to
keep from going through the ice, and
even then you see one of the boys just
getting out or in. Last night in coming
in, two of the boys went in five times.
As it was near camp we sent them on
ahead and looked after their dogs. We
travelled SO miles yesterday in eleven
hours. The sleighs were not very heavi-
ly loaded so we went right along. The
first twenty-four miles we made in four
hours and a half.
The regular mail starts out tomorrow
for Dawson. don't know when l will
be starting out. We all go together when
we start for good and will be dropped off
about every hundred miles which will
make our run for the winter. We will
only sleep out about two nights on
trip. We have been camping out in the
open air and it is very pleasant as there
is lots of dry wood and nice shelter. |
only have robe and a pair of Hudson
Bay blankets and have not suffered from
the cold yet. keep myself dressed OH
the cold side most Of the time and find
! it just right for running. AS don't cal
culate to do much loafng it is plenty for
the present or till it gets cold. Seventy
five degrees below is the coolest that has
been experienced here, but when it gets
that cold they don't move around. l
had my nose frozen twice on the first
trip; it is rather tender yet. made my
self three pair of mitts and pair of
gloves, and my ,nitts are pronounced by
the bows to be the best of the force.
They are almost too warm for the wealth
er we are having.
have been cookie to-day and have
just got through with my DISTINGUISHING.
My health has been splendid since have
been out here, and eat more than ever.
People are going by here every day from
Dawson and they do not bring very flat
tering reports with them. There is lots
of money but very little food. Wages
are only one dollar an hour and as day.
light is very short they only make four or
five dollars day. l don't care about
Dawson, Hoolitiuqua is good enough
for me. Wy have only few days now
before Christmas and we expect to spend
it on the road. No spread and no dishes
to eat it on. AS am used to all kinds
of living don't mind, but wish myself
at home good many times, but not
on account Of hardships and privations
so much as other things. l must write
to Lulah SO will close this with much
love to you and to all.
Your loving son,
A. D. CAv1LEER.
The following are extracts from let
ter to Miss Lulah Cavileer by the same
mail.
81 have not had time to. do much
writing, have been busy. AS you have
not heard from me for some time you
will be getting anxious al out me. We
are waiting orders here until the lakes
are frozen, as it is dangerous. Quite
number of our boys have gone in, but
they were lucky enough to break into
sha low water. One of our boys fell in
on our first trip, and as he would no
take change Of dry socks that were
offered him, the result is he is on his bed
from frozen foot and hand. We only
had nine miles to go and it took us nine
hours to make three miles. Three hours
of that time was used up in going half a
mile. One mountain was SO steep that
when got to the top could look
straight down into the water. 1t was not
very high but almost straight up and
down. l almost wore out pair of pants
sliding down rocks. had to go and en-
courage our frozen partner. The last
time I went back he had given up all
nope, but hustled him along and helped
him over the last cliff 1t was not very
high but the most dangerous. About
six miles from the place we were making
Tor, we came across camp where man
and woman were stopping waiting for the
lake to freeze over. l left MIN there to
get something to eat, for almost two
days we Lad had nothing to eat and
slept out in the cod without bedding;
while our faces we're roasting our backs
would be freezing. We are going to
move down tine lake about seventeen