Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-04-20
CHAPTER III,


me- Keeping close together so that
We could not become separated.
insisted that it was impossible
Tor me to tell in which direction to
lead them to saftey and therefore |
not capable of taking the lead. But
they importuned, and ! finally yield
ed, II they would promise TO relieve
me of all blame if the move was not
successful.
Previous to starting ! tried to get
the dogs to start out without lead
ing them, thinking perhaps through
their instinct they might lead us to
the trail; but they would not go
even when / scolded them; and they
seemed to be as much bewildered
as myself. 1t was getting dark when
the procession started single file,
indian fashion, wallowing through
the snow which varied from one to
three feet in depth.
l was in the lead with the dog
team following close 10 my heels,
breaking trail for the rest. Even
though my lot was the hardest work
someone kept constantly hallowing
at me not to go as fast for they
could not keep up. The little girl
was the most comfortable of all, for
she was carried on her uncle's bask,
pappoose fashion.
We proceeded thus for an hour
or more, finally coming to a place
where the canyon seemed quiet mar
row and also a place l knew we new
er passed through while coming to
and from the summit. Here we halt
ed and climed to the top of huge
rock which was located near us. to
get as much of an observation as the
storm would allow between blasts
Having come into this canyon the
storm was not so severe as it pre-
viOusly had been, and could see by
the unfamiliar objects which could
be occassioally discerened that we
had wandered into the wrong pass,
which was not very encouraging
news to convey to my followers.
Darkness was fast deepening and
it would be impossible to retrace
our steps and face the gale which
was liable to increase at any moment.
consulting any or the others, that
near the rock where the snow had
driftcd was the place to excavate
ourselves home for the night, for
If we were to go farther a suitable
place might not be found.
appointed myself foreman and
set them at work doing just what
they were prone not to do only
an hour or so before. 1t was a la
borious task and to make it hun
dred times worse we had no tools
with which to work. except a large
knife and gee pole We had taken
from the sled.
The snow was packed so hard by
the wind that to make any progress
at all required much effort and a
great deal of patience. When
think OF it now ! cannot see how we
did as we'll as we did. Like any kind
of work. some were better adapted to
do certain parts than others. For
instance, to dig with the knife and
pole required those with plenty of
| iy, hn W
did not have. So placed those who
were strongest on the inside work.
myself taking turns with them. BY
doing this someone was ut work at
the excavating all the time. All
worked willingly for time, or un-
til the novelty of the proceedings
wore off. Then three OF the crew
said they were cold and tired out
and could not work any longer, max
ing it manifest by setting down to
: rest. knew if they remained in
that position any length of time
they never would do anything again,
for they would fall into that ever
lasting sleep from which there is
no awakening. With some force and
a warning that a snowy grave await
ed them before morning if they did
not get to work and keep at it, l
managed to keep them moving al
most against their will. The pro-
gress was slow and tedious with the
crude implements We were using,
As fast as the snow was dug from
the inside ! had the men stand IN
line and pass or scrape it along from
one to another with their feet, till 1t
was moved out of our way. One or
two complained that that way or
! getting the snow out YVES too hard
work for them, and to please them
l asked il they could suggest an
easier means of getting rid OF it, but
, | .o,,1J mt think nj AnV l