e constantly, and never a cloud came to trouble the sky, never a storm to drive them to take shelter. When they camped it was us

nuous picnic. For a considerable period of time they found themselves in a mesh or network of streams and lakes,

nswered readily enough. From Mr. Anderson he had received a minute report containing every scrap of data

r the same general route. Sooner or later we will cover the same ground which he covered again, and then I expec

d, or practically so, from their minds all worry as to the "Lost Expediti

ng on the bank. Again, a deer, probably a runaway from some Eskimo herd on Summer pasture as Farnum explained, standing in the stream, and starting w

of which there were numbers along the watercourses. But nothing was shot wantonly. Many a time, youthful fingers

tered. And at this the boys marvelled. It was as if they had the world

n you stop moving you must have a fire or you will freeze to death. And it isn't every day that you can travel. For this isn't a land of tame Winter as you boys kn

d Jack. "This is their country,

e hunting is poor and famine stalks through t

ck in Frank. "Why aren't they arou

f god, at least to the Eskimo of all this country north of us. Back along the coast of Alaska, of course, some sort of contact has been made. But these Eskimo never c

I should think that would be the ver

because it is the home of the only game left-the seal. He builds his snow house or igloo and camps near t

le about the Eskimo," said

opper, copper-pointed spears, and woode

usly. "How could an Eskimo kill a g

rs or harpoons have lines attached. And as these harpoons sink into the body of the bear, the lines pull him this way and that as he charges on his

them to live in triba

um n

far, for they are great travelers. But in Wi

ndians?" a

s face

he Indians of the Far North doesn't predispose me in their favor. They are cutthroats, thieves and liars. Usually they hunt somewhat to th

y were pushing. They spoke of the matter to Dick, their canoe mate, at times. Taciturn thoug

r has been in here, reckon. But I'd like to stop at the foot o' some of

o," suggested Frank, with eager intere

not to wa

," said Jack. "I'm sure he'

k showed signs of "color." Even Farnum, his mind concentrated on the task of getting his party along and on the job in hand, showed interest when addressed on the su

, suddenly. "Thar she

ejaculated his par

an, out of which most of the gravel had been washed with the water. They had half expected to

ested Mr. Hampton. "Let us g

and the excitement of the four older men mounted, hectic spots glowing

, standing in his boots almost knee-deep in the water. For several minutes he picked and pried and finally, with a shout

was all

zed, al

ell!" cr

nugget lay on Dick

k. "You certainly look

und here," cried Frank. "M

ig Bob. "I don't know much about the proce

y. "Belongs to you boys wel

up Art. "Might take out

Tom Farnum to the obj

itten with the gold fever now. We've got work

," sai

, but he, too,

e's nothing to prevent you two from staking a

Dick, sturdily. "The young fellers wanted us to

ting they were not entitled to any part

is claim an' file on it. But if we ever come back

pedition," said Jack, turning for confirmatio

d. Farnum put an en

realize we've spent more than two hours here, when we should have stopped only a hal