The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-11-16

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 KAN
chatka to the north, thence to circle seaward and
to use the coast line on home trip. We reduced
our 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 good salmon run for the next season.
Next day 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 as gold
was concerned We dipped into the valley OF the
Alutora. ultimate northern border OF Kamchatka
where the country of the Tchuktches begius We
followed this river to Its mouth and thence slowly
worked our 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 are 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 are other
glorious compensations. In the glowing health of
outdoor life. traihardened and the savage strength
OF brute in every thew. have felt the throbbing
pulse of life primeyal 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 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 anectionate,
but terrific welcome kisses which we lodged as
best we could
The rest of shedding time We put In prospecting
the upper Karuga which yielded a few coors From
its headwaters scaled In May the Yaga Baba
Pass, $500 feet high. and saw in the far distance
the Sea OF Okhotsk, agleam in the vernal sunshine.
But the "yellow stones" OF native rumor proved
slight sulphurous deposits OF an ancient crater
After the spring breakup wc sailed southward as
far as possible with Koryak fishing expedition.
examining the shore sands unearthng nothing
however except little souvenir amber.
In July. when our old friends, the annual steam
er "Primorsk" hove in sight camped already on
the beach at Ola waiting for deiverance. Caress
Ing the rife we had given him. Pete. faithful to the
end. sat sadly beside us. loath to us go. But
Austins 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;
I'll fight. and you bet it's sham nght
It's hell, but I've been there before
And it's better than this. by a damsite-
So me for the Yukon once more"