Part 12 (2/2)

”I've got to get over to that trail, that's certain!” he went on, after a disagreeable pause ”Here goes to try the water again,” and with extrean the descent of the cliff, which was soh The botto in water and sand half up to his knees

Because of the widening of the streaan to wade in deeper and deeper, until one-quarter of the width had been passed and he found himself up to his waist He shi+vered with the cold and felt like going back, but a few steps ht him to a sand-bar, where the water scarcely touched his knees

Overjoyed at this, he atte theon more confidently than ever, when of a sudden the bar caed into a pool over his head

The one thing to do noas to swim, and Earl struck out boldly for the shore, still thirty feet away The weight of his heavy clothing was against him, and the current carried hied rocks fearful to behold Had he been of a less rugged teiven him both a chill and a cramp

Five minutes of fearful anxiety passed, and Earl was al his foot down, he struck bottoed him, and he renewed his effort to reach the bank beyond

Yet another pool had to be crossed, and when finally he did pull hi rock he was too exhausted to do aught but lie down on his side and pant for breath

It was here that Randy and his uncle found hiain his feet and continue his search for them They were overjoyed to learn that he had not suffered serious injury They called to Captain Zoss and Dr Barwaithe, ere close by, and soon all were together again

Captain Zoss had an extra shi+rt in his pack, and this Earl borrowed, along with a dry coat belonging to his uncle Both articles of wearing apparel were too large for hi, for his wet ones; and then the delayed journey toward Sheep Caht was gained, it was found that all of the Indians had coht out a co rock A number of others had also arrived, and over a dozen tents had been pitched in addition to those already there According to lot, it was Randy's turn to get aa roaring fire of pine branches and logs, that Earl ht with him a newly patented sheet-iron ca, to be used incoffee, while Randy also offered them fried potatoes and a deliciously cooked fish one of the Indians brought in

Outside of the doctor, as not used to walking over such rough ground, no one felt any ill effects of the day's journey, although all were glad to turn in at the earliest possible ht blister on his heel, and, in order to prevent this giving him serious concern later, he put so

Ere they crawled into the tent, both boys took a look at the great, white mountains, which loomed up before them Here was the entrance to Chilkoot Pass, and there, al the clouds, was the dreaded suher on either side of it Randy drew closer to Earl as he surveyed the awe-inspiring scene

”Earl, we've got an everlasting hard climb before us,” he whispered ”Do you think we'll make it?”

”We must make it, Randy,” was the low and earnest reply ”It won't do to show the white feather now Uncle would never forgive us”

”So up the side of a house,” and Randy shuddered ”If a fellow should fall, he'd break his neck sure”

”I guess you're right, Randy; although it ht on top of it There is a sort of a trail, you know, although it's not much I heard Salht, and that we should start for the Pass about four or five o'clock in the afternoon I wonder what heof it They start toward evening so as to pass the deepest snows on the suht when a crust forms to walk on, for at this season of the year the deep snows are too soft to be trusted when the sun is shi+ning”

”And what happens to a felloonder, if he breaks through the snow?”

”I don't know, I'doain ”We'll know all about it by this tiht”

And then both boys retired, to dream of perilous cliantic crevasses, until both awoke in a fright and covered with cold perspiration

It was not until late that anybody was stirring the next day It was Earl's turn to get breakfast, and he told them if they would wait he would treat them to freshly baked beans and hot bread; and all waited

While Earl was at work, with Randy helping hi thehable Finally Randy made out that they wanted an old silk neckerchief he possessed, and he gave it to Tomablink, the older youth, as as proud of the article as if it had been worth a small fortune

Under the advice of Foster Portney, all took it easy in cale to co as before theh they had climbed over the Pass a nuerous proceeding each new trip was likely to be On this terrible Pass more than one Indian and white ain

At last, at exactly four o'clock in the afternoon, Salmon Head announced his readiness to start As chief of the Indian party, he had looked to it that each carrier's pack was properly adjusted, and now he gave several directions to the whites to the effect that they should keep together as ht of his own people

”Don't think there be an easy this way or that,” he said in broken English ”Indian know best way in the end--you follow hiht, or you lost Stick foot deep dohen clio with hands”

His manner was so earnest, all promised to reathered together, the tents were struck and packed; and the terrifying journey over the dreadful Chilkoot Pass was begun