Amador ledger., 1902-03-07
Prospecting in Alaska.

We waited for Stone day or two at
Hasting creek, and when he came we
concluded in concert to go on pros
pecting trip up Nome river as far as
the divide that separates that stream
from the Kongrock that winds it way
through deep canyons above and sedgy
morasses below. The sea was holding
high carnival, and burst in snowy white
caps everywhere. A steady, ceaseless
mist was falling noiselessly upon the
tent. A rowboat now upon its waves
would have been as log for the play
of the storm gods. We must wait the
calm we knew full we'll would follow.
before we could hope to move. The
next morning the sky was comparative
| ly clear, with the sun pale and dim in
the east, making feeble effort to peep
through the gauzy flm-like drapery
that hung with weird grotesque shape
before it, The ocean was tapping
gently upon the sandy shore, after it's
long debauche, as if childlike lulling
itself into peaceful slumber. The sea-
gull tapped his long greyish white
pinions above the shimmering sea in
ecstasy of delight at the departed
storm. Tearing the tents down in.
haste, and drawing the boat up to the
edge of the water we placed our things
into it. while j. E. Stone acted as nav
igator, with ]. H. Moore as assistant.
This time the boat was easily launched,
and slid out upon the water as easily
as if it had been a lakelet. The oars
splashed in the waves, and the boat
moved DER the placid sea with the
ease and grace of sea bird, and was
soon lost to sight in the distance. At
noon our tents were stretched for the
day and night at the mouth of Nome
river. Opposite from where we were
camped was the U. S. barracks. Apast
our tents Uncle Sans boys in blue
came and went to and from Nome. A
hundred and fifty yards above was the
river ferry. Twenty cents was charged
pedestrians to cross, but the boys in
blue were privileged to go free of
charge. This privilege was granted as
right to run the ferry, as Uncle Sam
had twice built a bridge across the
stream but each time it was taken out
by the ice. just after eating our even
ing meal corporal and another soldier
came staggering up to the tent.
Partner, said the corporal, 'I'n
give you one dollar to put US across the
river" Stone looked straight at the
man and said: "Are you in earnest?'
''Yes SIR" said the corporal, at the
same time holding out silver dollar.
Stone, without word, unlashed the
boat and rowed them across the stream.
They didn't wait for the boat to touch
the shore, but jumped as it was near
ing the edge, and made all haste for
the barracks. Prior to their crossing
the stream the man from the ferry was
shouting to them to come and be taken
across. In few minutes after they
had crossed, the ferryman came to the
tent and the following soliloquy oc-
Cured: whats the matter with the
soldiers that they didn't come up to be
ferried across?" T. s'They- offered me
one dollar" said Stone, ''to take them
across, aud I wasn't id fool enough
not TO accept, '.Did they make any
statement, said the ferryman? "None
whatever" replied Stone 81 see, !"
said the man. "They were off on leave
of absence and five minutes more would
havs landed them in the guard house. -
Such then is the rigor of army
discipline.
The next morning we started on our
trip up Nome river. One man stayed
in the boat to guide it, the others tow
ing by means of long rope. In
tortuous gait we wound up the low fiat
stream that ran sluggish and muddy
through Shiny sides. Patches of snow
lay in secluded places upon the hillside,
and out from the tundra gushed num-
berless trickling streamlets. Night
came slowly on, and we prepared to
camp. Tying our boat up to the shore
we unloaded our things. On looking
round for a good place to camp, no.
where could we find a place that had
the semblance of being dry. Stretch
ing our tents We set up our Yukon
stove and cooked our evening meal.
Stretching our oil blankets on the
ground we lay down upon them with
water trickling through the mossy
tundry beneath. When morning came
clouds hung everywhere in threatening
attitude. Soon again we were towing
the boat, elm bing over brush, jumping
cuts, and pulling like dray horses.
Ahead rose great detached ragged
peaks, snow-capped and dreary in the
distance. We we're now opposite
Buster creek, where we had an option
on claim for two years at 20 per cent.
We got into the boat and pulled for the
opposite shore. We tied up our boat,
took all our things out, and struck
camp upon a sandy place beside the
mouth of the creek. 1t now began to
rain and continued to do so all night
long. The creek had risen and we
were surrounded by water that had
filed a dry slough almost around the
tents. After breakfast we took our
picks, pans, and shovels and started