The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-30

gaining force, it went silently on its way
to the sea. In two days the river was
clear. except for large blocks which float
ed down like small icebergs.
THIRTY LIVES IN DANGER.
Directly in front Of the village lay
the river steamer Chitco, owned by Angus
Mcintosh, formerly president of the mer-
chants National Bank of Seattle. We
expected to sec her crushed in the ice.
but instead a hole was knocked in her
hull and she struck bottom. Big chunks
of ice lodged around her, forming a bull
wark, and she was saved without human
Intervention.
zone steamer with thirty aboard was
carried down stream. They said good
by to their friends on Shore expecting
to die. Strange as it may seem, the ice
separated, and they were not injured in
the slightest.
Mr.. Collins and myself took the
steamer Monarch at Rampant, May e.
and arrived at Dawson June l, ahead of
other steamers. We had 70 dodge ice
cakes many times. The steamer Ride
out raced us to Dawson. and sometimes
she would crawl up almost even. Then
they would let down the chains and
amid great excitement We would go ahead
once more.
Il asked the old-timers what they
meant by telling US 'chichokaS (newcom-
ersj about the wonderful sight when the
ice went down to the sea, and they re-
piled: Every time we say anything
about what will happen it turns out the
other way.
Social life in Rampant was rather re-
stricted but there are many nice people
there and we have pleasant parties Of
which dancing was the feature. Our or
chestra consisted of a VIOLIN mandolin,
guitar and flute. The music was really
excellent, although the selections may
have been yea. ar more behind those
herd in New York
AT Rampant aud IN the mines are
many yt urg men from he East, the num-
ber of representatives from Harvard
Yale, Princeton, Michigan and Cornell be-
ing noticeable.
ON returning to civilization, as they
say, you find yourself out of tune with
the ordinary course of life. This is be
cause the sun regulates the habits of peo-
pie at Rampant. We went to bed about
2 o'clock in the morning and never got
up before $50 or 10 in the morning In
the winter it is dark so much of the time
that you have to figure to take advantage
OF the light In the summer il is light
most all the time, and the nights are
simply beautiful, clear and peaceful. with
the sky sparkling with myriads of stars.
LIFE RULED BY THE Sun.
THE ground is frozen the entire year
and this makes it difficult to get good
water. Wells are out of the question,
as they become nothing more than sink
holes. In the summer the water in the
Yukon is muddy, but we use it by filter
Ing. In the winter We cut holes through
the ice in the middle of the river, which
is mile wide, and draw up water. 1t
is clear and pure.
Dog teams are used to haul the water.
l used tH put on my 'muckaIuchs' (sort
of moccssins with long legs and pilot
the dog team out and back from the wa
ter hole. 1t was splendid exercise and
helped keep one in good health. We also
cut ice and stored it away for use in
summer. Large cakes, perfectly clear
can be cut near the shore. Just before
We came away we put in a cold storage
plant in connection with our stores.
With this addition meat can be kept at
any time of the year.
1T is no trouble to get caribou meat
from the Indians. but the white hunters
have no luck The Indians hunt like
silent avengers, often remaining on the
trail of a band OF caribou for a week be-
fore a chance for a killing comes.
Zone hunting band brought in forty
seven carcasses last winter. This may