Part 14 (1/2)

”A grand scene, but one not particularly suited to o on”

”Yes; the sooner we git out o' this yere Pass, the better I will be pleased,” added the captain ”I've had enough clirunt and strode off, and the others followed

”That is, I believe, the old fields,” reood bit of rough country to traverse and rapids in the rivers to shoot, but nothing quite so bad as that”

The ice fields froradually doard to a basin some distance below, called Crater Lake This little lake was frozen solid from top to bottom and covered with snow It was hemmed in on three sides by tall , where an ice-bound stream led the way over rocks and tiny cliffs to Lake Linder the latter lake, they passed several large posts set up close to the trail, which was now once more clearly defined

”Those are surveyors' posts,” said Foster Portney, in reply to a question from Earl ”We have just passed from United States into British territory”

”This, then, is the Northwest Territory,” said Earl

”Yes, ilvie to Belle Isle, is in that territory”

As they descended to the lower level of the Pass, the solid ice gave way to rotten ice and slush, in which they frequently sank to their ankles

Here the stream broadened out into several ponds, and finally ended in a wide,the edge of thisfor dinner, for the night had passed and the forenoon had been consu on, and they followed

It was dark again when they came up at last with their pack-carriers encamped under some timber, which stood on a little bluff not over two hundred feet fro fire, and this was a welcoht, for itout the cooking utensils and the doctor's stove; and while they were preparing other things, the Indians brought several fish froet our fill of fish before long,” remarked Earl

”Don't you want any now?” smiled his uncle

”Want any, Uncle Foster? Indeed I do! Why, I'ry I could almost eat horse meat!” was Earl's earnest reply; and he bustled around with the cups and plates, that they ht not be delayed as soon as the coffee, biscuits, and fish were done

The Indians reeneral reckoning-up took place, and the pack-carriers were paid off in gold and silver, not caring to take the paper money which was offered

All had done very well, and Foster Portney, Captain Zoss, and Dr

Barwaithe did not dispute the ah As soon as they were paid off, the Indians packed up their own articles, but a handful in number, and hurried away in the direction whence they had coht back to Dyea?” exclaimed Randy, in amazement

”Yes, my lad,” was Captain Zoss's answer ”Salmon Head calculates to pilot another lot o' miners over as soon as possible It's his hayin'

time, ye see, an' he intends ter uess he's not going to let his legs get stiff,” he cried ”I' What's to do to-day?”

”We'll locate soet our traps into shape, and then rest There is no use in killing ourselves all at once We've got a o up into the ti if anything turns up,” said Randy

”Certainly; shoot all the game you can, boys We'll want it to help eke out our stores”

There were numerous odds and ends to do about the camp, and it was not until after dinner that they started into the ti It was now that the boys'

knowledge of tiood stead; and it took but a short while to pick out a tree which was close-grained and coht their axes with them, and had the tree down in short order Then they lopped off the branches and cut off the top, and left it in the sun to dry out astools

This accoun and the other with his pistol, to stir up whatever e of the cliff to where it sloped down to the lake shore