The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-08-02
BY LAURENCE j. YATES.

came back from Dawson in the sum-
I7er Of 1906. after several years spent
IN seeking his fortune in the north
ern gold-fields. We took the privi-
lege OF relatives TO ask personal
questions; and, naturally. about the
first was in regard TO the amount
of the famous Xlondike's yellow gold
he had brought home with him. But
he was so plainly reluctant TO reply
that we agreed 10 drop the subject
If he could tell us some entertaining
stories OF his adventures in the north
land. He was glad of a. chance 10
get off so easily, and he said that he
had had one experience which he
thought might be of interest TO us.
only one" somebody cried, land
six years in the Klondike!"
only one" he echoed, smiling,
"and that one was sufficient-for
me-" He paused just a moment,
while a serious expression settled
upon his weather-beaten face, then
continued:
1T happened last January, just af-
ter / had decided 10 come home by
the first steamer down the Yukon in
the spring. We had not yet had the
seasons usual intense cold. The riv-
er remained open in many Of its swift
reaches; in others the ice ran down
and jammed upon the fields below,
and whenever possible the traders
were taking advantage of this abnor-
nal state of affairs TO transport heavy
freight by the bateau instead of the
sledge.
Thus, when my partner, Jim Bur-
ton, big, silent Yankee from Maine,
and | had occasion to go down to
Eagle City TO complete the transfer
Of some mining property TO a man at
that place, We found an opportunity
to take passage for a portion Of the
distance with two half-breed voy-
ageurs, Louis Labarge and Felix Cam
pau, who had a commission to at
tempt TO run bateau-load of provi-
sions down TO camp of wood-cutters
at work in the vicinity Of Fort Gu
dahy.
II think that IL was on the third
OF the month that we started from
Dawson. The mercury was dropping
rapidly, the ice-mush in the open cur
rent was thickening; but all went
smoothly for many miles. We did
not row; we let the bateau drift with
the ice-filled water, merely taking
pains TO guide the rather clumsy
craft, with oars fitted to each end,
wherever the current ian swifest
Though we expected at every turn
OF the river to come upon an ice
jam, which would make us drag the
cargo and bateau round on the two
sledges the river-men had brought
for the purpose, it was not until
we were within three miles OF the
narrows at Cliff Greek that we found
the main channel obstructed to any
great extent. Here masses of great
heaped-up blocks of ice began to
reach out from each shore, and grad
ually confne the current to much
narrower limits. A mile farther down,
these unbroken ice-walls, from fifteen
to twenty feet in height, pinched to-
gether until only a slender lane of
racing water showed between.
1T was evident that an immense
jam had formed here some days be-
fore, and the press of accumulated
water becoming tremendous, a weak
spot in the center had finally given
away. We congratulated ourselves
that the break had occurred, and
without suspecting the least danger,
allowed the bateau to float on down
the quickening current between the
closing walls. 1t never entered our
heads that the swiftly running water
could do otherwise than shortly sweep
US clear of the broken jam. The ice
walls on each side were grounded on
the river-bed; the whole current OF
the river was rushing down this open
lane, and we reasoned that it must
come out TO the width OF its normal
channel again not SO very far below.
There were not enough cakes OF
heavy fee in the water to offer any
menace TO the well-built bateau.
AS the Jagged walls of ice con-
verged together, the imprisoned cur
rent raced on faster and faster.
was not long before the gray-green
water was running like a mill-race.
We realized now that the river had
Us within its relentless power; ii
could do with US as IL willed.
The little, old, frost-pinched voy-
sgeur, Felix Campau, standing at the
rear of the bateau, laughed a cracked
and mirthless laugh, and said, L
wish IL ice-jam all way TO wood
cutters camp. We go there vera
quick then. Phish! This water, IL
run fast like the caribou
But did not agree with Felix In
hoping that the jam should be far ex-
tended. There was a bend in this
ice-canon three hundred yards ahead,
and as we shot on down toward IL I
became possessed with a feeling that
We were rushing headlong into an
unseen and deadly peril
And this feeling clung. Soon I
fancied that | heard low, grinding.