Part 1 (1/2)
The Pony Rider Boys in Alaska
by Frank Gee Patchin
CHAPTER I
THROUGH ENCHANTING WATERS
”Captain, who are the four silentover the rail on the other side of the boat?” asked Tad Butler ”I have been wondering about them almost ever since we left Vancouver They don't seeh so in conize them I am sure they aren't bad characters”
Captain Petersen, commander of the stea its way through the ever-changing northern waters, stroked his grizzled beard reflectively
”Bad characters, eh?” he twinkled ”Well, no, I shouldn't say as they were They're fair-weather lads I'll vouch for theuess I'm about the only person on board that knoho they are”
Tad waited expectantly until the skipper ca
”They are the Gold Diggers of Taku Pass, lad”
”The Gold Diggers of Taku Pass?” repeated Tad Butler ”I don't think I ever heard that name before Where is this pass, sir?”
The skipper shook his head
”No one knows,” he said
”That is strange,” wondered Butler ”Does no one knohere they dig for gold?”
”No They don't even know the reply
Tad fixed the weather-beaten face of the skipper with a questioning gaze
”I don't think I understand, sir”
”I'll tell you what I know about it some other ti one I've been sailing up and down these waters, fair weather and foul, for a good s in er outfit is theexaets into a ht I wish I had et to the ard of you if you hope to enjoy peace of mind afterwards,” concluded the skipper with eold?” interjected Stacy Brown, more commonly known to his companions as Chunky, the fat boy
Stacy, with Ned Rector and Walter Perkins, had been lounging against the starboard rail of the ”Corsair,” observing Tad and the Captain as they talked A few paces forward sat Professor Zepplin, their traveling companion, wholly absorbed in a scientific discussion with an engineer as on his way to an Alaskan mine, of which the latter was to assu about the decks of the ”Corsair” There were seasoned miners with bearded faces; sharp-eyed, sharp-featured men with shi+fty eyes; pale-faced prospectors on their way to the land of pro to Alaska to look into this or that claim with a view to investe list of tourists bound up the coast on a merry holiday The former, in most instances, were quiet, reserved men, the latter talkative and boisterous
”The Captain was speaking of the lure that gold holds for the human race,” replied Tad Butler in answer to Stacy Brown's question ”I guess the Captain is right, too”
”Be warned in tiold to become lured by it,” retorted the fat boy ”I should like to see enough to excitelured that way Would you, Walt?”
Walter Perkins shook his head and set over your natural laziness--before you can hope to,” chuckled Ned ”I doubt if you would know a lure if you met one on Main Street in Chillicothe”