Part 19 (1/1)

As Rob had said, Uncle dick took time here to do a little of his correspondence He sent out a e by wire once more to the families of his coo north to Valdez with the boys thehich would make it impossible for him to accompany them to their homes

One letter he wrote to the company which had sent him as its representative into this northern country, in the following terms:

”GENTLEMEN,--I have arrived at the head of the rails on the Yukon to-day, co the round from Edmonton to White Horse safely within the three ated the transportation possibilities in much of this upper country It is possible that a railroad north froht for a time prove profitable I do not ricultural possibilities of that upper country A few rain can be raised in many of the valleys of that upper country The seasons are, however, so short, and the difficulties of permanent settlement so many, that while in my estimation the railroad would be a benefit for a time to a few individuals, it would not be a profitable permanent enterprise far to the northward of its present terard the Peace River valley as about its perh many traders and boomers may dispute that

”As to the feasibility of a railway line connecting the Yukon to the Mackenzie, I can see no reason whatever for contee across the sue we found some squared ti a sort of tra since abandoned by the Hudson's Bay Company, which once purposed it I cannot say whether or not they intended to use steam transport Since then the country has wholly lapsed into its original wild and bleak character It is, in my opinion, and will and should remain, a wilderness Its resources would not in any wise support any considerable transportation enterprise permanently

”The companions ith me on this trip report well and sound, and I commend them for the manner in which they withstood the hardshi+ps, at times very considerable

”My subsequent and more complete report will be made at the offices of the Company at a later date

”Respectfully submitted

”RICHARD MCINTYRE”

The second letter was addressed to theadventurers, and in this Uncle dick wrote in rather less formal fashi+on:

”DEAR SISTER,--Here we are at the railroad, and within a couple of hours will be steaway All safe and sound Never saw boys eat the way these do, and cannot say whether or not ill have enoughmuch has happened since we left, as the cow-puncher said when he killed the ranch-er in the owner's absence We have made our trip around in two or three days'

less ti back over it, I cannot say just how it all happened We certainly have been busy traveling In ninety days ill have finished what is estimated to be 5,280 miles, under all sorts of transport--steaood old North Ager and better than when I took the brother after this

”How did the youngsters behave? Well, I'll tell you when I see you They were fine, and that's all about it They send their love, and so do I, and some or all of us will see you with the first boat north froood sketch ht

”Do I renew my promise never to take them on another trip?

Of course I ree to keep it, now that these chaps are such good travelers? I don't know Well, suppose we talk that over e ain?

”From your affectionate brother ”dick”

THE END