Gold-Seeking on the Dalton Trail

urry, Mr. Bradford was unable to complete

in the distance. Helen, too, was quite awed by the solemnity of the occasion, but was comfort

ilege of youth to see only bright skies ahead, and to leave responsibility to wiser brains. Neither Davi

dining-car, with its white spread and dainty dishes, and calmly make

hollow roar of a bridge, then presently the deadened sound of the firm ground again; and they know they are passing through a village when they recognize the clattering echoes from freight-cars on a siding. And now the electric lights of a large

hio, Indiana, and Illinois, made a flying change of cars at Chicago, passed through Wisconsin in a night, and found themselves at St. Paul on the

t, and North Dakota with its pra

hundred dollars apiece. Stuffed but very lifelike foxes looked craftily out from every corner, and gorgeous birds[9] of various species were perched all abou

ks of the Rocky Mountains, while in Washington they passed alternately through fertile tr

the edge of a precipice from which they could see the winding valley far below and the snow-crowned peaks beyond. The change from the sandy barrens to the deep snows and rich forests of the mountains was as refreshing as it was sudden. Darkness was falling over the landscape wh

in their boyhood days, and many years had passed since they had seen each other. The boys were then introduced, and he greeted them cordially. He insisted that they should

riage stopped before a pleasant house, surrounded by a wide lawn with shrubs and shade trees, some of which w

st lay the city, and beyond it sparkled the waters of Puget Sound. Beyond the Sound towered a range of majestic snowy peaks which, they afterward learned, were the Olympic Mountains. Tu

country through which they were to travel. He was a jolly, red-faced man, and the boys were sorry he was not going to accompany them. He declared,

le-car, which soon carried them down a hill so steep that it was only with great difficulty that the passengers, especially those unaccustomed to the performan

crowded into the outfitting establishments. Many of them were picturesque in yellow Mackinaw coats, broad-brimmed felt hats, and knee boots. They came from every State in the un

ready-made stock. Roly was just too small for the smallest suit in the store, but the proprietor promised to make him a suit of the right material and have it ready in two days. Stout canvas coats and blue overalls were then selected, and underwear both heavy and light. Blue flannel shirts, rubber gloves for the work

s, and very thick blankets and down quilts were substituted for sleeping-b

tting to fit over their hats, toilet articles, a sewing kit, and dark glasses to protect the eyes from the glare of th

in the purchase of the hardware. At Mrs. Kingsley's suggestion, with Flora for a guide, they took

. Mr. Bradford had completed his purchases,

snow-shoes made in Michigan. Mr. Kingsley slyly remarked that he would like to be present when they first tried to use them, but when Mr. Bradford observed that he had already been invited, the

d. The latter thought at once of the bear-skin which he had already resolved to bring back to Flora, to whom he had taken[14] a great fancy. W

this gun to one of you boys. Now, Dave

asked for a camera and received it. Ought he to have all the good things? Thanks

and to prove his sincerity he immediately turned the gun over to that delighted youth, who was no less pleased than Mr. Bra

aid he, smiling, "I'm very glad to give you

but he thanked his father again and again and

eman replied that he should personally instruct[15] them in the use of the weapons, and take care that they were comp

frying-pan, and aluminum kettles and cups, very light in weight, and made to nest one within another, thus taking up the smallest possible space. The plates, forks,

mitted those articles, but thought it best to provide an axe for himself and hatchets for the boys, s

down to the wharves, where countless great sea-gulls flew to and fro, dipping occasionally to pick up stray bits of food. Here they were just in time to witness the arrival of the ocean steamer[16] "Walla Walla," from San Francisco, with

e provisions had been sent down to the "Farallon,"-the steamer which was to carry the little party northward. Being desired by the boys to make known what

s, to which Mr. Bradford replied that such was the case on the Chilkoot and White Pass trails from Dyea and Skagway, but he understood that so few miner

its such as apples, peaches,[17] apricots, plums, and prunes; evaporated vegetables, including potatoes, onions, cabbages, and soup vegetables; raisi

ly, and were surprised that so many fruits and vegetables, and even b