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

plan Of tying them all up as soon as we
went into camp and found IL much more
satisfactory. Many dog drivers take the
dogs into the tent Or cabin at night, out
ours were very well contented with a
nice bed Of evergreen boughs. and stood
the long journey as well as could be
desired, without being housed.
After ten days at Rampant City, spent
IN visiting Seattle friends about town and
in the gulches. and in completing our
travelling arrangements, We again started
on December IT, two Of Us, with an Indian
guide. who was TO accompany US TO Fort
Yukon. The guide. Peter, was young
man, and recently married. and his wife
evidently objected TO his going, as he
would probably be absent about month.
Work and game both were scarce and ne
evidently was compelled 10 take the trip
10 earn money for provisions for the win
ter. There was quite an affecting scene
when she babe him farewell with her arms
about his neck and her head upon his
shoulder, with the tears streaming down
he cheeks
We made the acquaintance of quite 4
number of the Indians living in the neigh
borhood Of Woodwork and Munook and
found among them many Intelligent ard
trustworthy men. They have been in con-
tact with the whites SO long. being en-
pioyed extensively on the river steamers,
glIsh and all wear the white mans cloth
ing. They are almost compelled 10 do this
as the supply OF furs and skins IS about
exhausted along the Yukon. Many OF
them have learned OF the white man how
10 be tricky in business. and have to be
watched but none Of them VIII steal
From Rampant TO Fort Hamlin little
transpired TO relieve the nonotony OF
working along through deep snow. Two
10 five inches OF snow would fall each day,
celebrating all but the trace OF the trail
made by freighters between Rampant and
For. Iamlin. eighty miles. We now had
two sleds, one with eight dogs and the
other with six. and the guide would go
ahead. making path for the dogs to
follow.
Camping I'm the Arctic.
Al night wa frequently camped on the
river. as there was little danger OF wind.
putting up the tent between the two sleds.
70 which the guy ropes were fastened. As
soon rs we stopped for the night one
would unhitch the dogs and proceed to
care for them, another would set up the
tent. putting IN a generous earpeting OF
boughs, then set up the stove on two
short pieces OF log, and proceed to get
supper. The third got the boughs and
chopped the wood This work. as we'll as
breaking camp in the morning, took
great deal OF time. especially when all the
work had to be done In snow TWO or three
feet deep. The regular routine was about
"a follows: Up At 4 a. m: breakfast al
st $50 p. III. 20 !, p. m. depending upon
finding a suitable camping place: supper
about $50 p. m: bed at II p. m. OF the
twenty-four hours about eleven were
spent In camp work, eight in travel ard
five 81 sleep.
II was shortly before reaching Fort
Uanlin that We saw the shortest day OF
thu year. The sun had not been visible
for ten days and did no: appear until ten
days later. On December q it was light
from SIS 70 3:15. or seven hours TIE
next dav was cloudy and snowy and Il
hardly seemed to be daylight until Just
at noon. when the clouds broke away
about the southern horizon ard showed
the sky. which was evidently lighted I'D
by the sun for just a few moments. Then
the clouds settled down f. began 20 snow
again and seemed 10 be getting dark. The
moon did good service whenever In po-
ELTON 10 do so. being apparently almost as
radiant by day as at night.
Christmas day was spent at Fort Ham
lin, where We were agreeab.y surprised
by an invitation 20 dine with Mr.. and Mrs.
Fawcett. he being brother OF the gold
commissioner at Dawson. The pleasant
hour spent with these friends IS one thing
connected with our trip that VIII never be
forgotten. It's associations carried us in
our fancy 10 homes far distant, where the
happiness Of the Christmas time was
cEouoed or account OF the absence or
some ore II the frozen north
About seventy-f5ya miles above For-
Hamlin the tran left the Yukon. taking
what Is known "a the Beaver creek cut
of. over a saries OF thirty or more marsh
lakes. These are said 20 be the summer
feeding grounds % millions OF Wild geese
In winter the moose find some vegetation
under the snow or some 81 these marshes
For rire days out OF Fort Haml!n very
httle evidence or travel WAS found but
wnen three DAYS below Fort Yukon We
met party OF six men with FIVE sleds
and later the same day two men with q