Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1902 — ALONG THE YUKON. [ARTICLE]

ALONG THE YUKON.

A Rose Lawn Boy Describes His Experience In the Klondyke. OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS. “Guess I’ll put old Moose Killer on my pack, might see something to shoot at,” said the kid, as he pulled the lashing tight around his pack of blankets, etc. On the Yukon we found a strong wind blowing from up stream. The ice along the edge was bare and smooth and a good part of the time wo were sliding or trying to keep on our feet. Where the ice was level, we would at times slide for a hundred yards with nothing to do but stand erect. Occasionally we would fall, but we made great time. At dusk, about two o’clock we were at the portage where the trail left the Yukon and went twelve miles through the woods, up Garnet creek. We bad no snow shoes and as the snow through the woods was above knee deep we kept strictly to the trail, which was easily followed as long as we could see the blazes on the trees. After dark, before the moon rose, we stumbled along, in a slow hard way. As soon as we took a single step off the trail we were often up to our waists in snow. About sp. m. the moon rose over a mountain peak, showing us the trail fairly well. It was 18 degrees below zero and as we had been traveling since 10 a. m. we were very thirsty, and were very glad when we came to a hot spring to the left of the trail. There are many of these in Interior Alaska. The water is not really hot, but they run even in the coldest weather. Usually the water is fine, and occasionally tastes of sulphur and minerals. About 7 o’clock the candle light streaming from an opened door cheered us with the knowledge that our journey was at an end. Frank Wilson welcomed us and soon we were eating a hearty meal and talking about Christmas eve 6,000 miles away. On Christmas forenoon we talked about home and our trips into the country. At noon we sat down to a well cooked dinner of baked beans, brown bread, dried peaches, potatoes and apple turnovers. After dinner I took a walk, climbing the mountains across the creek, and opposite the cabin. The scene from the summit was grand. The sky was touched here and there by fleecy clouds. The moon shed a light that seemed to be so cold it could be felt. I could see for a long distance up and down creek, which was quite wide and very crooked. On my right, way up stream rose a series of snow capped peaks. Not a sound could be heard. The only sign of lite was an occasional column of{ smoke rising from the trees where l some man was “burning.” The sparkling light of the moon on the snow contrasted strangely with the blackness of the timber in the shadows below, causing it to look like miles down to the creek. I had probably climbed a mile to obtain the summit, which was hard work going down, for long stretches I sat on the snow and slid, catching at bushes when my speed became too great. Such slides are exhilerating but hard on clothes. A Prospector.