Gold-Seeking on the Dalton Trail

to the end of the lower wharf, though the water

on the beach. A few minutes later the Bradfords had jumped ashore, and the crew had piled their sleds, provisions, and belongings of all kinds in a promiscuous heap on the wharf. They were the only passengers to disembark there, for the Dalton trail was little used. The "Farallon" presently drew in her lines

2

Mr. Bradford, as he warmly grasped his brother'

. That's right. They'll enjoy the life, and it'll do them good. Why, I hardly knew David here, he's grown so tall! We'll soon have some tan on that

and had no fears that such a course of training would b

rs well, Roly, and the litt

" sai

urning to Mr. Bradford. "I have just heard that she

rd. "It may happen, but such

o be done,[30] "let us throw off our coats and carry these goods to a place of safety. The tide has turned and will soon cover the end of this wharf.

his hundred-pound load, he started up the incline to the cannery. Mr. Bradford now followed him, David swinging up the second bag to his father's shoulder. David took a single bag, finding that he could not manage two, and Roly s

e goods taken over to my camping-place on the west shore of the harbor. Suppose you boys stand guard while your

he direction of the Indian village, which lay not far from the cannery t

which lost no time in running up to the pile of provisions as soon as they scented the meat. David promptly sent a snowball at the largest cur with such good effect that he beat a hast

y seemed to take no offence at the treatment of the dogs, much to the relief of

of the older men, addressing

to show that

go?" asked

e bound had any name, but he remembered how his unc

y Hollow there," and he pointed

3

said

go t

ed canoe which now made its appearance from the direction of the village. One of the nati

ized the craft. "Chief's cano

nd stern, was presently brought alongside the wharf, the end of which was already submerged

"off with your coats again, and w

and renewed his plea, but the white man shook his head and said, "Plent

ee men and the boys, it was down nearly to the water's edge. There was no wind,

3

be clear of the dogs. They're a great nuisance wherever there's an Indian settlement. I

e to camp?"

replied his uncle. "You can see my t

t the small stones near the beach, the Indian jumped out regardless of the water, and carried Uncle Will and then the boys ashore on his back. Uncle Will went at once to his tent, and soon reappeared wearing long rubber boots. Mr. Bradford passed the goods out from the canoe, U

radford, "do you know h

3

I guess we can manage it after a few trial

"You can study on that awhi

ess you want to," put in his brother. "My Indian has his o

sed, and they set about it at once, while their father c

-proof by having a floor of canvas continuous with the walls, and an entrance which could be tightly closed by a puckering string; and, secondly

the stony ground, and the guy-ropes were tied around a prostrate tree-trunk on each side, these side logs being about five inches in diameter and fifteen feet long. There was a straight and[35] s

led it to get some idea of its size. They found that it was much smaller than their uncle's te

, "nor such heavy side logs either. Suppose you cut a lot of sp

ound it a slow and laborious task, too, when he attempted to cut down two larger trees for the side or anchor poles, and was finally obliged to return to the camp for an axe,-a tool which Mr. Bradford let him have with some misgivings

3

re plump than an Indian's usually are, shuffled along toward them on snow-shoes,

lkat Injun. Go with Mr. B'adfo

this was the Indian his uncle had mention

d. They succeeded in untangling the tent-ropes, and after a few mistakes and frequent examinations of the larger tent, their own little dwelling was set up ne

same cheery tone. There was no mistaking the meaning of that, and the little party speedily gathered around the fire, where Uncle Wil

3

ened a box of hard-tack. David meanwhile made himself useful by filling the cups with coffee, and passing the sugar and condensed

ready, "I haven't been so hungry since I was a boy in the A

had drawn up before the fire, and p

o. I see I shall have to fry another mess of bacon. Never mind, though! That means just so much less to carry on the trail." And

tly lighted his pipe with a glowing ember, then turned to the others, who had comfortably seated themselves a