Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1904-11-18

| Sitka, where we anchored until spring.
1t was a hard winter, and l have
| often wondered why we didn't all die.
but all but two pulled through, and
when spring came on, an the captain
hadn't hove to in sight, the first mate
said he was going back with the ship.
They tried to make me go, but I'd
promised the captain I'd stay until
he came back.
Our ship sailed away, ar l stayed
around the town for a while, an then
went on cruise with some hunters
We branched on into the woods.
didn't tell the story Of my captain
and the Injun chief with the gold
beads for good many years. Then
went into the interior to try to
find him. got In with some moose
hunters and Travelled one whole sum-
mer and part of winter and nearly
starved an froze a hundred times,
but not word could / hear of him.
80 / suppose l am doomed to make
my last voyage from this port. When
| meet my captain on that unknown
sea to which we are all steerin', I'll
tell him kept my promise"
When the ex-sailor had finished his
story silence fell on the group. No
one spoke for several minutes.
The youth, known only by the
sobriquet of Crack LASH" sat gazing
abstractedly irto the fire. He had
heard no part of the. story, for his
mind was still on his far-away home,
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 its eyelids than those whose
bodies are freighted with disease or
minds burdened with cares.
Where's Georg5!" asked Gid, as he
toasted steaks.
"Been gore 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 I
to Dawson City. then an insignificant i
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 murmur when he re-
fected that 1t 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
to get to leeward of the
smoke to protect themselves from the
mosquitoes. But little had been said
If their missing companion, Lucky
George. Gid followed his trail through
he snow without difficulty, and gave
t as his opinion that he was going
straight to Dawson City.
Glum Ralston, who had not ex-
PRESSED an opinion on the subject for
ONE time, at last said:
Boys, l heard him say somethin'
ne day bout goin up the Klondyke"
What for?" asked Gid.
"Said a squaw man told him there
vas heaps O. gold along that air
tream."
Glum informed him 1t was one of
he tributaries of the Youkon which I
ad been but very lite explored. Gid ]
emained with his head bowed for a
ew moments. his mind lost in thought 5
t last he said: s
Boys, he's tryin' to give us the {
lip. l am afeard, or run a cold deck I
n u.s." said Gid. I
What If he does! asked Port. @
We don't lose much" =
I'VE might II he struck pay dirt" a
lid Gid. =
Wont we be Just as likely to strike q
~ dirt as George?' q
mo" ;,
''Why?"
Because George is alters in luck. o
very time he draws from the deck ii
8 trump. II q Teller holds .
raight George has flush. I'll gam b
9 my dogs an packs that he makes d
ten strick right now" Of
There was q silence, and the men IL
and smoked and steamed, to drive III
ray the mosquitoes. At last Paul e,
oke the silence by saying: fo
III there is gold on the Klondyke q
us go and find it ourselves" O,
Now yer sAoutin'," cried the pfcs- IA
ctors. why not go to the Klon-
Ike ourselvel?" ia
Truth is. boys" said Glum, I've W,
yer had any very exalted opinion O.