Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-03

count OF five immense rocks which guard
the passage of the river and threaten de-
struction to all. Six miles away is the
Rink rapids. and after that comes prac-
tically smooth sailing to Dawson.
1t was an insane freak that caused us to
stop at Selkirk. intending to go 100 miles
uo the Pelly, where l was assured gold
reached here October %, and though the
river was full of floating Ice at the time, It
was not until the night of November II
time we decided, and wisely, that we could
not reach the point Of the PelIy desired
and would go to Dawson. 1t was thought
best TO make the attempt before January,
ana L accordingly set about building q
cabin: An organization known as the
Canadian Yukon Company moved four
miles up the Pelly, and for company's sake
we went along. 1 built us a little cabin, the
first home We ever owned. and we are as
comfortable as the proverbial bugs. 1t was
on the morning of November 16 that Marie
came near being frozen to death. We had
decided to move our tent and effects to the
proposed home. and accordingly left the
old camp about noon with a sled loaded to
the guards. We had too much on and
our progress was slow. and when 1t was
nearly dark We were still t~hree-quarters OF
a mile from the new home. One of the
Yukon company men came along, and very
kindly offered to take Marie's place at the
sled. She was cold and ran ahead to a big
fire left by the Yukon company men at the
place where the cabins were to be built.
Just as she was within fifteen yards Of the
fire and making the last step from the river
to the bank leading VI to the little plateau,
the ice sank just enough to let on about
an inch of water. Thinking nothing OF this,
she rushed to the fire, but had hardly
reached there when the toes of her right
foot Strengthened out like so many pieces
Of beard. After a time I came up to with
In hearing distance and her screams for
me brought me quickly to the spot. I
rubbed her foot with snow and then, like a
chump. held it to the fire. In a little while
the Frenchman who was helping me came
up. and as soon as he learned the trouble
said, Walk" And walk she did. I un-
loaded the sled as quickly as possible. and
then started after her on a dead run. I
did not catch up until she was within half
a mile of the old camp. She does not know
miles so quickly. Great 'blisters came. and
for days and days she suffered fearfully.
Then the foot turned black, and I was
much alarmed. In a month she was able to
later began to exercise II. Now she is
walking all right. though It is still tender
and swells slightly IL exercised too much.
II was an experience of a lifetime, and only
careful attention brought her Trough. We
learned afterwards that the thermometer
was IL deg. below that day. During all Of
November we had very cold weather-aver-
aging during the last ten days of that
month 40 deg. Once II went to Sc and for
six days it was above 50. But, for all that,
IL you have on thick wooden clothing you
do not feel the cold. There is not a par
ticle of wind during these cold snaps. and
that is what counts. Exercise care in
walking-I mean by that do not step in any
water-wear mits at all times and also ga
face protection and there is not the slight
est danger.
We will start for Dawson. IL nothing hap
pens in the meantime, about January 70,
and expect to make the 300 miles in fifteen
days and possibly less. Talking of Dawson
brings me to what I meant to nave said
long ago. l expect. naturally. to get a
claim of some sort. . II will take
at Dawson. with proper clothing and a
years supply of provisions. There is
no fear tina any OF you would suffer from
the cold. / have been overworked since
coming to Frisco, but am now enjoying, 1
night say, beastly health.