The Elbert County tribune., 1911-10-13

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 KAN
chatka to the north thence to circle seaward and
to the coast line home trip. We reduced
our load to the utmost depending on barter for our
the second sled.
A 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 bedam of Kitshiginsk and
arrived at night in the Koryak village OF vivniksk
sixty miles distant the shores of Baron
Korff Bay over each of the dugouts was suspend
ed frozen dog, impaled under the chin on the
sharp end of a pole, sacrifice the Fish God. to
insure good salmon run for the next season.
Next day 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 We lost even all
traces of the yellow metal. After three laborious
months, entirely barren of results far gold
concerned We dipped into the valley of the
Aluora 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
and beach for minerals. Hope awakened
in the morning; disappointment bedded at
night. Having learned our lesson We now pay the
cost Nevertheless, happy, vagabondish
crew, caring little and knowing less. how the world
may pod.
The Lure of the Lone Trail seldom pays It's sol
diers of fortune In cold cash. But there other
glorious mpensations In the glowing health OF
outdoor life trail-hardened and the savage strength
of brute In every thew, have felt the throbbing
pulse of life primeval and lain close to the loving
heart of our mother, the earth.
Thus we kept on, and one bright Sunday morn
Ing in April our ice-worn Nartas drew up with
flourish In front of st. Andrews little church at
OLA lust as Father Juvenal dismissing his fold.
We encountered perfect storm of afectionate.
but terrific welcome kisses which lodged as
best could.
The rest of shedding time put in prospecting
the upper Karuga which yielded few coors. From
its headwaters we scaled in May the Yaga Baba
Pass 5000 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 sulphurous deposits of ancient crater.
After the spring breakup we sailed southwark as
far as possible with a Koryak fishing expedition.
examining the shore sands, unearthing nothing.
however except little souvenir amber
In July when old friends the annual steam
er 'Primorsk" hove In sight camped already on
the beach at Ola waiting for deliverance Caress-
ing the rife had given him. Pete. faithful to the
end. sat sadly beside us. loath to CO. But
Austn's mouth organ is singing softly. We know
the tune and know its words:
Thank God when I'm skinned to finish.
I'll pike to the Yukon again:
s-..os Pil 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 morel"