The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-03-21
Ama9nifceut specimen Of aNia Qodwas disclosed

! dogs formed his team. and a retinue of
/ sQuaws and several warriors attended
! him.
You ready. Mis'r Mac" he inter-
rogated. Right" | answered. At a
wood the white dogs started forward.
Il guess we can do that too said
, Mac" and he touched up or train
with the long whip. The trail vas dam
gerOus in the extreme and crossed many
deep Chasms and treacherous crevasses,
and the white, blistered ice OF the Klon-
| dixie soon faded from our view as we
loft it in northerly direction. Appar-
entity the Indians treasure was not on
the MAN river. and yet l could see no
promising gully in our course. We were
running directly into a mountain pass.
around which enormous glaciers lowered
from many peaks.
Finally the klOndike channel appeared,
and I guessed that King" James. with
Indian astutencss, had taken short"
cut over the mountains so as to avoid
the main rivers winding track.
Suddenly he drew UP in the bed Of a
deep ravine which traced directly from
an overhanGing glacier. \ colder look
ing spot could not be imagined.
You dig here. Mis'r Mac said he.
aliChting and indicating a space on the
ice much blown anu SnclNed. ! on get
much gold> Too much gold
Without further speech King" James
sought his perch amid the furs. The at
tendants cracked their whips. and the
sleigh departed at great speed.
watched il careerinC dangerously, as il
disappeared from view.
Suppose We get the tent fixed. boys"
] said. We'll feel better after a bit"
We quickly obtained timber from the
scraggy brushwoOd that fringed the
creek, and in a short space our home
was erected and the stove glowing
Chcerily therein.
burning over the edge Of the stream.
and slowly We excavated the frozen
gravel When We had penetrated to
about five feet, keeping the solid ice as
our guide, We came to bedrock. Here
the mass of ice which covered the chan
mel was contracted away from the bed
OF the stream - such an extent that
there was ample room to stand upright
under the crystal roof. In the heart OF
the dense translucent canopy small
stream of water gurgled. We stood I'M
derneath the actual content of the gully
and the water still flowing,
Mac and Stewart were highly delight
ed with the strange cavern. and when
scrambled out they insisted on remain
ing to explore the channel" 1t was
about o'clock. and darkness was clos
ing rapidly.
We'll do no more tonight boys" Il
said. as, went out. I'VE can start a
drive bmorrow."
was thinking of the best method Of
thoroughly proving our find when
heard the thud. thud OF picks in the
depths below.
Suddenly the sounds ceased and after
short interval a stentorian SHOUT rum
bled in my ears, followed by much eN-
cited conversation.
With alacrity l sought the mouth of
the shaft and wriggled into the cave. 4
strange sight met my gaze. 4 lighted
stump of a candle was stuck on the
black doorway and illumined the crystal
vault So that it sparkled and cleaned
with hundred varying hues. Mac and
Stewart sat on the ground beside the
flame. examining infinitely several rusty
looking pebbles which were heaped near
at hand
What do you MAX o. that?" asked
Mac. shortly, handing me one of the
specimens.
Ave told him it's ironstone." grum-
bled Stewart, but he aye thinks he kens
best"
Immediately 1 felt the weight of the !
StohS hie" tHdt James nau |
not misled us. / had seen similar coat |
ings on the specimens obtained from
Gold Bottom Creek
My fingers were too chilled to apply |
the crucial test Hold it in the flame, |
Mac" I instructed. giving him back |
the stone. He did so. Then he uttered |
a cry of surprise and delight, for the |
red covering had faded from the stone /
as fine dust. and a magnificent speci- !
men Of alluvial gold was disclosed to
view.
Each of the pebbles" obtained was
submitted to similar. process. and all
passed from the fire yellow and glowing
AS 1 said before, King James is a
real decent Injun gentleman" spoke I'D
Mac with emphasis, as We clambered |
Into the open air.
(THE END)
tCopyrisht BY the Associated Lterary Pr,.)