The Alaska sourdough., 1911-10-10

cealed it in the brush, not caring to disclose their strike to the other In dians. Returning that night they wrap ped the float in and old sack and threw it into the bottom of their canoe, where it remained for a long time with other ballast unnotived. subsequent as say of this float showed values of $120O.
 Ralph and his uncle, however, were not in the possession of secret iii their strike, for each of the other In dians, as they drank from the stream found pieces of float. Each thinking himself to be the only discoverer, put pieces of the rock in his pocket.
 So it was that four persons simulta- neously discovered the indications which ultimately led to the discovery of this wonderful ledge.
 One of these men went immediatly with his specimen to Superintendent Bell, of the canenry, who, of course, immediately recognized the value of the prospect, and knew that the float must have come from fabulously pro- ductive ledge. Bell had a prospector by the name of Campbell somewhere in the mountains, working on grub stake. But where, he did not know. Trusting to the ingenuity of the Indi- ho hn in of bell, with instructions to take him 10 the spot where the float was found.
 With the Indian in the mountains, en- deavoring to locate Campbell, we will take up another thread of the story.
 The other Indian took his find to Sitka, where he showed it to a mer- chant, whose knowledge of values in rock was somewhat limited. He con- sidered the float of no value, and the Indian relying on his judgment, aacept- his decision and pursued the matter no further
 Without hurrying his movements in the least, Ralph returned to Sitka with his precious bundle, and resumed work Tn deGroff $ store. His uncle had gone to Icy Straits to settle with the can nery for the season Is fishing, and he awaited his return
 Ralph kept the story of his find to himself and carefully kept the precious float concealed
 After the fishing was settled for, Newell returned to Sitka; and in con sultation with his nephew, it was de cided to tell deGroff of their find and have him locate and stake the ledge. Again the Indian ethics stood in the way of speedy action in that Young's delicacy in the matter prevented him from approaching his employer, so, as go-between, he told his story to John E. Gamble, teacher at the mission, asking him to see the judge. In no way betraying the young man s cof- dence, one evening, just as the judge was preparing to board the steamer with his family for trip to the States, MT. Gamble showed him the rock and told him what the Indians proposed to do. There was little time to act, as the steamer was about ready to sail but arrangements were presented and made as follows:
 Young and his uncle desired the judge to locate and file on the claims and take a half-interest in what was found. Not long since similar float had been found in about the same place, the ledge discovered and opened up; but it pinched out, showing valua- tions of short duration DeGroff look ed upon this as similar proposition: but finally decided to furnish Gamble a boat, provisions and other necessar- ies for prospecting expedition to the vicinity of the find, agreeing that if the prospect matrialized, each would take quarter interest in the property, the Indians retaining the other half.
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