The Glenwood post., 1924-03-13
MUST earn RANK
How Man Graduates From "Che-
cnaco" to "Sourdough."
IndisputabIs Law Of the Yukon 10
That He Has to See Ice In
River Como and Go.

Until a man has lived long enough
in the Yukon valley to see the ice
come and go he Is a "Chechaco" (che-
chaw-ker), after which he is Sour
dough-" Such is the unwritten, but
indisputable law of the frozen North.
Those who had already passed
through the mill Of experience selected
the Indian word "Chechaco"
nifying extreme youthfulness in mat
ters not particularly relating to age
as the fit and proper appellation for
all the uninitiated; assuming them
selves the title "Sourdough," because
nothing but that article can be de-
pended on to leaven bread in coun-
try where the grip of winter is so
strong.
A "Chechaco" who has determined
to become "Sourdough" watches
with interest the endless string OF
ice foes drifting down the mighty
stream in the fall. By and
by each little bay is frozen solid;
the river itself becomes q flexible,
moving mass of piled-up Ice. The big
white thing heaves lazily as 1t passes
by, anon numbering against the Ice
ledge, or receding, exposing black
streak Of swirling water e..
The heavy grinding roar goes on con-
tinuously, an incalculable weight
heaving against the immovable rocks
until at last it shivers, and with
a noise like the screeching of innu-
merable ungreased cart wheels,
slowly, very slowly, 1t comes to
standstin. The vanquished Yukon set
ties down for her long winters slum-
ber.
The "Chechaco" has learned his first
lesson; he patiently awaits the last.
When the days lengthen out he
watches the snow depart from the hills
with wonder It slips away with alarm
ing rapidity and the little creeks foam
and grumble because the freshet Is
heavy.
Rumor reports that the river Is
breaking up and he hastens thither to
complete his education.
The Yukon begins breaking up at Its
source. The warmer water Of the melt
ing SHOW pours into 1t through innu-
merable channels, dissolving and wear
ing off the under side Of the thick Ice.
Presently the swelling body Of water
can no longer be confined beneath Its
icy trammels; the ice is rent asunder
and heaved up. 1t Is carried down
stream until sharp bend Is reached,
where 1t packs, forming often dam
some 80 feet in height, flooding, In
cidentally, the surrounding country
The ice below the dam is soon broken
I'D by the weight of water falling on
it. but the pack remains intact, CO.
lossal berg imbedded deeply In the
channel bottom. 1t is often several
hundred feet thick and stretches from
shore to shore, forming miniature Nj
agara.
At last the jam breaks and the
huge foes go dancing down the swirl
ing torrent In elephantine gambols,
anon uprearing themselves high In the
air, sometimes leaping quite clear of
the water. No man can hear
another's voice in the thunderous din;
vet above all rings the bell-like note
of the foes as they collide, sound
ing like the musical clink Of wine
glass. few minutes later the great
stream has resumed its peaceful ap-
pearance of last summer. Tiny wave
lets sparkle in the sunshine. eddies
whirl round in their accustomed
places, and none could guess that but
short time before 1t was the scene
of grand natural convulsion.
The "Chechaco" turns away with
heart too full for words. He has won
the proud distinction Of Sour
dough."-Percy Dent In Chambers
Journal