The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-10-12

We had secured two famous teams, each Of
fourteen big wolfish dogs.
We intended to follow the foothills into the In
terror up to the Alutora river that borders Kam-
chatka to the north, thence to circle seaward and
to the coast line on our home trip. We reduced
load to the utmost depending on barter for our
needs. Pete and Jack took the lead, Austin and
the second sled.
bitter cold had succeeded the purga and the
hard snow trail was in splendid condition
In full career we swept across the frozen Karuga,
raced through the dog bedlam of Kitshiginsk and
arrived at night in the Koryak village of Vvniksk.
some sixty miles distant the shores OF Baron
Korf Bay. Over each of the dugouts was suspend
ed frozen dog, impaled under the chin on the
sharp end Of pole sacrifice to the Fish God, to
insure a good salmon for the next season.
Next day we reached the first Yourtes OF the
wandering reindeer Koryaks
Along the seaward mountains beyond we COM
menced against the monotonous toisome winter
routine of northern prospectors. But in the here
prevailing sandstone formations we lost even all
traces of the yellow metal. After three laborious
months entirely barren of results as far gold
concerned We dipped into the valley Of the
Alutora ultimate northern border of Kamchatka,
where the country of the Tchuktches begins. We
followed this river to its mouth and thence slowly
worked way back south trying lower water
courses and beach for minerals. Hope awakened
us in the morning; disappointment bedded US at
night Having learned our lesson we now pay the
cost Nevertheless, we happy, vagabondish
crew. caring little and knowing less, how the world
may plod.
The Lure of the Lone Trail seldom pays its sol.
diers of fortune in cold cash. But there are other
glorious compensations. In the glowing health Of
outdoor lfe trailhardened and the savage strength
of brute in every thew We have felt the throbbing
pulse of life primeval and lain close to the loving
heart of mother, the earth.
Thus we kept on, and one bright Sunday morn.
ing in April our ice-worn Nartas drew up with a
flourish In front of st. Andrews little church at
Ola just as Father Juvenal was dismissing his fold
We encountered a perfect storm OF affectionate,
but terrific welcome kisses which we lodged as
best could.
The rest Of shedding time put in prospecting
the upper Karuga which yielded few colors. From
It's headwaters scaled in May the Yaga.Baba
Pass, $500 feet high and saw in the far distance
the Sea of Okhotsk, ageam in the vernal sunshine,
But the yellow stones" of native rumor proved
slight sulphurous deposits of an ancient crater.
far as possible with Koryak fishing expedition.
examining the shore sands unearthing nothing,
however except little souvenir amber.
In July, when our old friends, the annual steam
er "Prmorsk' hove in sight we camped already on
the beach at Ola, waiting for deiverance. Caress-
ing the rife bad given him. Pete. faithful to the
end, sat sadly beside us, oath to see us CO. But
Austins mouth organ is singing softly. We know
the tune and know its words
Thank God when I'm skinned to a finish.
I'll pike to the Yukon again.
I'll fight and you bet it's no sham fight;
It's hell but I've been there before;
And it's better than this, by damsite-
So me for the Yukon once more!"