The Yale expositor., 1911-10-12

We had secured two famous teams, each of
fourteen big woltish dogs
We intended to follow the foothills into the in
terror up to the Autora river that borders KAN
chatka to the north thence to circle seaward and
to use the coast line home trip. We reduced
our load to the utmost depending on barter for
needs Pete and Jack took the lead, Austin and
the second sled.
A bitter cold had succeeded the purga and the
hard trail was in splendid condition.
In full career swept across the frozen Karuga
raced through the dog bedlam of Kitshiginsk and
arrived at night in the Koryak village of Vivniksk
some sixty miles distant on the shores of Baron
Korff 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 reached the first Yourtes OF the
wandering reindeer Koryaks.
Along the seward mountains beyond We 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
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 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 pay the
cost Nevertheless. are a happy, vagabondsh
crew, caring nttle knowing less, now the WOrlu
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 primeval and lain close to the loving
heart of mother, the earth.
Thus we kept on, and one bright Sunday morn
ing in April ice-worn Nartas drew up with
flourish in front of st. Andrews little church at
Ola just as Father Juvena dismissing his fold.
We encountered n perfect storm of afectionate,
but terrific welcome kisses which We lodged as
best could.
The rest of shedding time We put in prospecting
the upper Karuga which yielded few colOrs. From
its headwaters we scaled in May the YagaBaba
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 suphurous deposits of ancient crater.
After the spring breakup we sailed southwark as
far possible with Koryak fishing expedition
examining the shore sands, unearthng nothing
however, except little souvenir amber.
In July, when old friends, the annual steam
err "Primorsk" hove I'm sight camped already on
the beach at Ola, waiting for deliverance. Caress
ing the rifle had given him, Pete, faithful to the
end sat sadly beside us, loath to see us go. But
Austin's 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!"