The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-10-18

We had secured two famous teams each OF
fourteen big wolfsh 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 use the coast line on our home trip. We reduced
our load to the utmost depending barter for our
needs. Pete and Jack took the lead Austin and
the second sled.
bitter cold had succeeded the purga and the
hard trail 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 Vivniksk,
sixty miles distant, the shores of Baron
Korf Bay Over each of the dugouts suspend
ed frozen dog, impaled under the chin the
sharp end of pole, sacrifice to the Fish God, to
insure good salmon run for the next season.
Next day we reached the first Yourtes OF the
wandering reindeer Koryaks.
Along the seaward mountains beyond COM
menced against the monotonous toilsome winter
routine of northern prospectors. But in the here
prevailing sandstone formations lost even all
traces of the yellow metal. After three laborious
months entirely barren of results far as gold
was 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 our way back south trying lower water
and beach for minerals. Hope awakened
us in the morning; disappointment bedded us at
night Having learned our lesson now pay the
cost. Nevertheless, a happy, vagabondish
crew, caring little and knowing less how the world
may plod
The Lure of the Lone Trail seldom pays its sol
ders of fortune In cold cash. But there other
glorious compensations. In the glowing health of
outdoor life, traihardened and the savage strength
of brute in every thew, have felt the throbbng
pulse of life primeval and lain close to the loving
heart Of mother, the earth
Thus we kept on. and bright Sunday morn
ing In April our ice-worn Nartas drew up with
flourish in front of ST. Andrews little church at
Ola, just as Father Juvenal dismissing his fold
We encountered perfect storm of anectionate,
but terrific welcome kisses which we lodged as
best We could.
The rest of shedding time put in prospecting
the upper Karuga which yielded few colors. From
its headwaters we scaled in May the Yaga-Baba
Pass, $500 feet high and in the far distance
the Sea OF Okhotsk, ageam in the vernal sunshine.
But the yellow stones" of native rumor proved
slight sulphureus deposits of ancient crater.
After the spring breakup we sailed southwark as
far as possible with Koryak fishing expedition,
examining the shore sands unearthing nothing,
however, except little souvenir amber
In July, when old friends, the annual steam
er "PrimoTsk' hove in sight we camped already
the beach at Ola, waiting for deliverance Caress-
ing the rife had given him Pete, faithful to the
end, sat sadly beside us, oath to go. But
Austins mouth organ is singing softly. We know
the tune and We know its words:
Thank God! when I'm skinned to a finish,
I'll pike to the Yukon again;
I'll fight. ana you bet it's sham fight;
It's hell, but I've been there before;
And it's better than this, by damsite-
So nee for the Yukon once more!"