The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-07-14

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of much account there. We're two TO
one, anyhow, and If we overhaul the
rascal we shall find some way to get
square with him"
"The sooner we start the better,
then" decided Tom. "Come on let's be
of. ard see about ii at once"
1t cid not take the two friends long TO
male their simple preparations. The
moaly remaining in the captains safe
was equally divided between them and
worn IN belts. Tickets to Seattle were
procured, and the following day, after
q hearty farewell TO the big-hearted
skipper, the two young men started on
their adventurous trip.
AT Seattle there was no steamer ready
TO sail for Dyea and they decided to
continue TO Victoria, where they
learned they would arrive in time to
purchase their outfit and catch the
steamer Islander. which sailed on the
18th of the month, and was due in Dyea
five days later
At Victoria they found the streets
throrged with men, each with an earn
est look on his face as he hustled
about. They were from all walks in life.
but all animated by the same purpose.
Some were buying horses. others learn
! ing to secure packs with the famous
diamond hitch" which alone will an
'wer the purpose. Others were purchas-
| ing heavy woolens. belts TO wear about
the waist, with flaps that buttoned down
over the compartments
Exposed for sale on every hand were
bucksl<in bags to hold gold, heavy iron
,hoG shoes. moccasius of moose hide.
with socks as thick as a mans hand and
Preaching TO the knee. mittcns. hats.
,uats flour, bacon. saddles. coffee, sacks
and everything was for the Klondike!
Men talked and thought of nothing
after reaching Skaguay, but no one
seemed TO mention the Dalton trail.
fact which both Tom and his friend
marked with satisfaction.
The purchase Of an outfit would have
been a serious stumbling block but for
the advice of the storekeepers. who
| however, were not only very honest,
but very well posted as to the require
meuts Of miner. Toms knowledge
of horses came in very handily, and he
soon found six good animals which
promised to serve his purpose, To get
these and the other purchases on board
the steamer in time kept both men very
! busy. but IL was safely accomplished
at last. and they saw Victoria fade
away astern as the stout steamer made
her way up the inland channel two
laws later
The voyage of nearly 1000 miles was
made without accident, but our friends
were anything but comfortable. The
steamer was packed with miners and
the hold was I Ill of horses the latter
being cramped for space owing to the
great number shipped. They required
great care, but although many died
on the trip Tom succeeded in preserv.
ing those he had bought as they were
vastly superior to most of their com.
rGIions.
An hour or two was spent AT Juneau.
whore the steamer stopped. but the
! rain was falling in steady Grizzle,
which made the steamers deck pref
cradle to sightseeing. In fact, for the
! previous two days she seemed to have
/ entered land Of perpetual fog and
| rain.
At the entrance Of tie Lynn canal the
| captain was obliged to anchor on ac-
count Of the fog, and the passengers
took advantage Of the delay to arrange
| Tor the landing Of their goods, for the
transportation company took 10 re-
sponsibility more than TO deliver them
| at the rail. This was soon done. aud a
vote Of thanks passed the captain for
lis courtesy on the voyage. Then some
one started a song. and all joined with
| will till the air rang with tho uu-
usual noise.
Suddenly the fog lifted from the
| frowuiug hills, the anchor was weighed
and the arronauts saw a number Of
vessels ahead Of them. while just be-
youd was faint streak of white
! sparkling in the fitful sunshine across
Il little valley at the edge Of bay on
! the right hand. with the steep hills ris-
ing on either side, their tops lost in the
canopy Of clouds,
Beyond the lire Of white were green
trees, and far away stretched level
valley, winding among the hills and
! growing blue aud faint in the distance.
THAT is Skaguay bay" said the cap
tain to the eager questioners. "aud you
can see the White pass way off there in
the distance"
y shout went up at the welcome
news, and then as the steamer moved
slowly into the little bay the white
streak resolved itself into tents
stretched across level plain for "A
space Of half mile and fronting the
water,
As the anchor chain went rafting
through the hawse pipes the steamer
was surrounded by a fleet of rowboats
and Siwash canoes, trying to pick up
passengers. On the beach could be seen
the large scows used for unloading the
horses, and the passengers were eager
to go ashore. This could not be done,