Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-09-11
st,,ry a silence fell on the group.

MIND was Stlu on ms ldi-dWdy uolne,
where dwelt mother and the fair
being who had promised to be his
wife, for whom he had braved the
dangers of the wilderness.
At early morn the little camp on
the Yukon was astir. Paul was the
last to awake. Youth Is healthful
and innocent, so sleep fingers longer
about it's eyelids than those whose
bodies are freighted with disease or
minds burdened with cares.
where's George?' asked Gid, as he
toasted steaks.
Been gone these two hours" Big
Port answered.
"Alone?
Eyes"
That's strange"
Breakfast was disposed of, the dogs
fed and harnessed and the party pre-
pared for their journey up the river
to Dawson City, then an Insignificant
village. and yet lucky George had not
returned
As the sun rose higher the mud and
snow made travel more uncomfortable,
yet Paul trudged on. uncomplainingly.
He could bear any. burden or hard
ship without a murmur when he re-
fected that it was for Laura. Her
presence gave strength to his arm
and keenness to his eye, squirting him
on to efforts more than superhuman.
When they halted at noon they were
compelled to get to leeward of the
smoke to protect themselves from the
mosquitoes. But little had been said
of their missing companion, Lucky
George. Gid followed his trail through
the snow without difficulty, and gave
it as his opinion that he was going
straight to Dawson City.
Glum Ralston, who had not ex-
pressed an opinion on the subject for
some time, at last said:
Boys, | heard him say somethin'
one day bout goin' up the Klondyke.
What for?" asked Gid.
"Said a squaw man told him there
was heaps o gold along that air
stream"
Glum informed him it was one of
the tributaries of the Youkon which
had been but very litt-o explored. Gid
remained with his head bowed for a
few moments, his mind lost in thought.
At last he said
Boys, he's tryin' to give MS the
slip, | am afeard, or run cold deck
on u.s." said Gid.
What if he does! asked Port.
I'VE don't lose much.''
I'VE might if he struck pay dirt +"
said Gid.
Wont we be just as likely to strike
pay dirt as George?"
No"
"Why?"
Because George is alters In luck
Every time he draws from the deck
it's a trump. II Teller holds a
straight George has flush. I'll gam
BILE my dogs an packs that he makes
a ten strick right now"
There was a silence, and the men
sat and smoked and steamed. to drive
away the mosquitoes. At last Paul
broke the silence by saying:
IF there is gold on the Klondyke
let us so and find it ourselves"
Now yer shoutin'," cried the pros
pectors. why not go to the Klon-
dyke ourselve1?"
Truth is, boys" said Glum, I've
never had any very exalted opinion O.
Lucky Georges honesty. If he makes
N h;.y StriGa vya CON ~ courca nor,a
in for claim. but he'll strike out
the best an work on the others with
out us a-knowin' It,"
They decided to set out at once for
the Klondyke. 1t was journey at
tended from beginning to end with
great danger and hardship. Glum
Ralston was the only member of their
party who had been on the stream,
and he acted as guide.
Again night came on, and they went
into camp and prepared their sup
pers. Paul was a little disheartened
on this night. Continual disappoint-
ment had made him heart-sick. Ris-
ing to relieve his cramped limbs. he
turned his back toward the fire and
gazed across the wood-covered hill
into the darkness beyond. To his sur
prise he discovered a glow on the
woods far in the distance. For a
moment he gazed upon it in doubt,
and then, touching Gid Myers. who
sat near, on the arm, he whispered:
Look off there. Gid, In the direc-
ton | am pointing. Don't you see
anything suspicious?" Gid Myers did
as directed. and said:
yes. thar's somethin' unnatural,
Crack Lash"
What is it?"
'Wel., I'd say 1t was tn glow from
camp fire like our own"
Gid, suppose we go and recon-
noitre. We may make some discov.
cry"
Keep your eyes peeled. boys" eau
toned Big Port. 1T may be mighty
sight more risky'n We think"
"Oh, let us alone for that; wen let
no red niger o the north woods get
the drop on u.s."
Through the dense wood, across ra-
vines, srowdrifts and muddy streams
the two pressed on over hill and dale,
until, after three hours painful toll,
they came upon bend in the stream
called the Klondykp, where, on pass
ing around spur of the cliff, all OF a
sudden the full glare of torches and
fire light fell upon them. 1t was a
strange and unexpected sight that met
their view. A great fire was blazing.
to which was added the light Of pine
knot torches stuck in the ground.
Two men were at work with picks,
shovels and pans. Late as 1t was,
dark as it was and tired and hungry
as they were, they toiled on and on.
"Crack aSh Cid paSnad In n