Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-17

We can't prove It."
Tom followed him to the Seabird. and
they soon stood in the mates state
room.
'See here!"
The second officer pointed as he spoke
to narrow crack in the partition which
separated it from Toms room 1t need
cd but glance to show that IL had
been recently enlarged.
That's what did the business" he
continued, "and he's off for that gold
mine. He's got big start. and what's
TO prevent his passing himself Off as Mr..
Tom Scott on those people?"
He couldn't do thati' exclaimed
Tom.
"Why not? Was there any descrip-
ton of you in the paper the old man
gave you? How are they to known"
But I've got statement IN my
pocket from Capt. Coffin, telling who we
are, and all about it'll" insisted Tom.
What good is that when the mate is
on the spot, perhaps, with his docu-
ments, and how can you make anyone
believe you are the right chap? Look
here, Scott, there's only one thing to
do. We've got to go after that son of a
sea cook, and take the law in our own
hands. Something will turn up to help
US out. After all, L don't know but that
there Is something in what you say. All
he could tell about Avery was what he
saw on board the vessel. He never
talked any with him, and don't know
anything about his family or business.
Now, dare say the old chap told you
good many things about himself, didn't
hep
"Yes," replied Tom, eagerly, 'he told
me all about his family, and 1 can soon
convince anyone that the mate is lying
II he claims to be me. I've got the cap
tain's statement, you know, sworn to
before justice of the peace, and all wit
messed. The mate will have hard time
to get round that"
"Mebbe So" was the doubtful reply,
"but it's a wild country where we're
going, and don't believe papers will be-
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, and see about it at once"
1t did not take the two friends long to
make their simple preparations. The
money remaining in the captains safe
was equally divided between them and
worn in belts. Tickets to Seattle were
procured, and the following day, after
n hearty farewell to the big-hearted
skipper, the two young men started on
their adventurous trip.
AtSeattle 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
Ave days later.
At Victoria they found the streets
thronged 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" wkioh alone will an
swer 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
buckskin bags TO hold gold, heavy iron
shod shoes, moccasins of moose hide,
with seeks rs thick as mans hand and
reaching to the knee, mittens, hats,
coats, flour, bacon, saddles. coffee. sacks
and everything was for the Klondillei
Men talked and thought of nothing
else. All were interested. Many of
them were to sail on the Islander with
our friends, who were fortunately in
time to secure passage. Some were go
Ing by one route and some by another
after reaching Skaguay, but no one
seemed to mention the Dalton trail, a
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
ments 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 it was safely accomplished
Mt last, and they saw Victoria fade
away astern as the stout steamer made
her way up the inland channel two
days later.
The voyage of nearly 1000 miles was
made without accident, but our friends
were anything but comfortab BILE. The
steamer was packed with miners and
the hold was toll 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
ranions.
An hour or two was spent at Juneau,
where the steamer stopped, but the
rain was falling in a steady drizzle,
which made the steamers deck pref
cradle to sightseeing. In fact, for the
previous two days she seemed to have