Chapter I: Preface

"TO ALASKA FOR GOLD" forms the third volume of the "Bound to Succeed" Series. Like the preceding tales, this story is complete in itself.

The rush to the far-away territory of Alaska, when gold in large quantities was discovered upon Klondike Creek, was somewhat similar to the rush to California in years gone by. The gold fever spread to even the remotest of our hamlets, and men, young and old, poured forth, ready to endure every hardship if only the much-coveted prize might be secured. That many succeeded and that many more failed is now a matter of history, although of recent date.

In this story are related the adventures of two Maine boys who leave their home among the lumbermen, travel to California, there to join their uncle, an experienced miner, and several other men, and start on the long trip to the Klondike by way of Dyea, Chilkoot Pass, and the lakes and streams forming the headwaters of the mighty Yukon River. After many perils the gold district is reached, and here a summer and winter are passed, the former in hunting for the precious metal and the latter in a never ending struggle to sustain life until the advent of spring.

In writing the description of this new El Dorado the author has endeavored to be as accurate as possible, and has consulted, for this purpose, the leading authorities on Alaska and its resources, as well as digested the sometimes tedious, but, nevertheless, always interesting, government reports covering this subject. Regarding the personal experiences of his heroes he would add that nearly every incident cited has been taken from life, as narrated by those who joined in the frenzied rush to the new gold fields.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

NEWARK, N. J.,
April 1, 1899.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. A LETTER FROM THE WEST 1

II. THE BOYS REACH A DECISION 9

III. A FALSE IDENTIFICATION 18

IV. A SERIOUS SET-BACK 27

V. A NIGHT IN NEW YORK 36

VI. PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE 44

VII. BUYING THE OUTFITS 52

VIII. ON THE WAY TO JUNEAU 61

IX. THE FATE OF A STOWAWAY 69

X. UP THE LYNN CANAL 77

XI. THE START FROM DYEA 85

XII. EARL HAS AN ADVENTURE 93

XIII. AT THE SUMMIT OF CHILKOOT PASS 101

XIV. BOAT-BUILDING AT LAKE LINDERMAN 109

XV. ON TO LAKE BENNETT 118

XVI. AN EXCITING NIGHT IN CAMP 127

XVII. A HUNT FOR FOOD 134

XVIII. ON TO THE WHITE HORSE RAPIDS 141

XIX. NEARING THE END OF A LONG JOURNEY 149

XX. THE GOLD FIELDS AT LAST 157

XXI. A DAY IN DAWSON CITY 164

XXII. DIGGING FOR GOLD 172

XXIII. GOOD LUCK AND BAD 180

XXIV. AN UNLOOKED-FOR ARRIVAL 187

XXV. MORE WORK IN THE GULCHES 195

XXVI. SLUICE BOXES AND PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER 203

XXVII. THE END OF THE SUMMER SEASON 211

XXVIII. SNOWED IN 219

XXIX. WAITING AND WATCHING FOR SPRING 227

XXX. LAST WASHINGS FOR GOLD 235

XXXI. DOWN THE YUKON AND HOME 243

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

"'Uncle Foster! Earl! look at this'" _Frontispiece_

PAGE

"With a final kick the stowaway was run off the gang-plank" 72

"The water was boiling on every side" 125

"'I would like to see the prisoner, please'" 196

TO ALASKA FOR GOLD.