Part 7 (1/2)
”Wednesday, at twelve o'clock sharp What are the names? We don't want any mix-up in this rush”
The nae paid over, and with their tickets in their pockets the three struggled to get out of the crohich was growingbill-board on which was posted a large circular headed in big black letters:--
THE GOLD FIELDS OF ALASKA!
_Direct Route via Juneau and Over Chilkoot Pass!
Now is the Tih to set almost any one crazy,” said Earl, as he read it over ”Well, I hope we strike a bonanza”
”The reports are very encouraging,” replied Foster Portney, who, in spite of his usual cool headedness had the gold fever nearly as badly as any one in San Francisco ”You see,” he went on, ”the sooner we get there the better: for on't haveand terribly cold winter sets in”
Earl had iht must be divided between the three, but soon learned that six hundred pounds was the limit for each person
”We'll never carry that et all that stuff over the pass you et Indians to pack it over They'll charge twenty or thirty cents a pound, but it's the best that can be done So teams, but my experience has been that Indians are the most reliable”
Dinner was now had, and then the three proceeded to the outfitting store Foster Portney had previously mentioned On the way their uncle asked the boys what they had in their trunks, that nothing not neededclothing, and both Earl and Randy thought their uncle would never get done adding to the pile First came a dozen suits of flannel underwear, and with theht ones Then cae pockets, two pairs of strong shoes and a pair of arctics, and two pairs of walrus-hide boots--heavy, it is true, but strong as iron Finally cauard which could be pulled down to the neck, leaving only two holes for the eyes
”I reckon you've got handkerchiefs and such extras,” said Mr Portney
”So now all you want, so far as wearing is concerned, is a few pairs of seneral outfitter was also able to supply these, and he suggested they take along about ten yards of !” cried Randy ”What for?”
”During the short suly thick in Alaska,”
said his uncle; andlate, and Foster Portney said they had best wait until the following , and other necessities ”I'll ht,” he added
They returned to the Palace Hotel, where Randy and Earl found Fred Dobson awaiting the of the squire's son ”Is half of Bascoout to San Francisco?”
”What do you mean?” questioned Earl, with a puzzled look
”Why, I was down at the railroad station about an hour ago, and I saw a train coo with Tom Roland and Jasper Guardley on board”
CHAPTER VII
BUYING THE OUTFITS
”You saw Tom Roland and Jasper Guardley?” burst from the lips of the Portney brothers simultaneously
”Yes,” replied Fred Dobson ”I couldn't believe ht I ran up to speak to Roland”