Chapter I: Preface

This little book is my second Brain-child. The first, entitled "A Woman Who Went to Alaska," has been so cordially received by the reading public that I have been induced to send another in its footsteps. It is with great pleasure and perfect confidence that I do this.

To my Alaskan readers it is unnecessary to state that these little tales are deduced from every day life, as they are easily recognizable. To those not yet favored by a residence in this Northland I would say that I have written each tale with a well defined purpose. With truthfulness could each one have been more vividly, yes startlingly, told; but I have no wish to unduly disturb my readers. It has been my aim, however, to picture not only character, but also the vast and wonderful gold producing region, so plainly that even the young may better know Alaska, and learn somewhat from glimpses of the trials, privations and successes of its early pioneers.

To these last Trail-blazers no "_Chee-chako_" can ever do justice. Their courage, bravery, patience under difficulties, and stoicism under severe trial can never be properly appreciated except by their fellow sufferers.

My readers will find in the book much of the folklore and a touch of the mysticism so common to all people of the northland.

Counting myself one of the least among them I have been a witness to their struggles and triumphs, and for this reason I do most heartily dedicate this little book to the memory of each horny-handed pack-laden miner "musher" who has ever lifted a finger to assist, encourage, or strengthen the author of The Trail of a Sourdough.

The name of these helpers is Legion. That their cabins may be warm and roomy, winter dumps high and numerous, sluice boxes filled with nuggets, and lives long and happy is the earnest wish of

MAY KELLOGG SULLIVAN

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

_I The Miner's Reasons_ 11

_II Under the Tundra_ 22

_III The Hidden Ledge_ 44

_IV A New Klondyke_ 81

_V Estella the Eskimo_ 106

_VI Why Midas Failed_ 132

_VII The Old Stone House_ 172

_VIII A Miner's Own Story_ 192

_IX Eyllen's Water Witch_ 214

_ILLUSTRATIONS_

_Page._

_The Heart of Alaska in Winter_ _frontispiece_

_A Huskie_ 21

_Dressed in his fresh miner's rig_ 25

_A welcome shelter_ 43

_The scene on shore was a repetition of
that on the neighboring beach at
Skagway_ 51

_A Messenger of cheer_ 80

_Panning out_ 105

_Upon his mother's back, beneath her
parkie_ 115

_The little one clinging tightly to her hand
she approached the door_ 121

_The pretty woman was a full-blooded
Eskimo_ _to face page_ 138

_Poling up the river_ 171

_When Old Tillie was Young_ 181

_She scanned the horizon_ _to face page_ 216

_"Holy Mother Mary! I believe it's gold"_ 223

_Father Peter_ 229

_The Lord of the Northland_ 258

_The cover design is a picture of Cape Nome, Alaska._

The Trail of a Sourdough