hould receive serious damage from the ice floes or bergs with which we were almost sure to come in contact, it would be well if we were accompanied by a sister

eir hands into their pockets, or drew on gloves while they stamped their feet upon deck to keep themselves warm in the open air. Soon to our right lay a great semi-circular field of ice, in places pi

ded many times that distance. Sometimes they were small and looked harmless enough; but many were large, massive, and full of death-dealing power if urged against the sides of a ship by the wind or struck accidentally. Carefully we picked our way along, watched as we were by every soul ab

l to their own; then as she passed the danger point and swung safely through the ice bergs and

bow was taking soundings with lead and line, calling out every few seconds. "No bottom! No bottom!" and then hauling in the lead again as the ship crept

mns by the assembled passengers. Now in the early evening, while I sat with a few friends in the dining salon rehearsing hymns for the coming service, suddenly the ship's bell rang out upon the still night air. Instantly there came a jar, a quiver, and all rushed out upon deck to see wh

selections, "Rock of Ages" and "Throw Out the Life-line" among others. The preacher offered prayer, read Scripture promises, and spoke feelingly for twenty minutes. He

slowly about, thick fog settled over us, the ship's whis

sang it. Sweet and firm was the voice of the English girl now, and when, with uplifted arm and softly s

n, our lives would have been in jeopardy indeed. In that case the massive ice cakes would have been blo

their rations. At eight in the morning the anchor with its rattling chain was dropped and we lay in an open spot. An hour later there was no perceptible motion of the ship

the ice-fields; but the fog hung grey and persistent over our heads and we could do nothing but wait. Another concert was given by the musicians, and as the steamer lay gen

a Higher Power, and it would be all right in any case. My choice was, of course, from the human standpoint, for life, happiness and success in the pursuit of gold; but this with me was not an obstinate nor rebellious sentiment. Should all these good things be denied me, I could say, it is well. I felt satisfied that the way for my going to Alaska had been wonderfull

ned face was her daughter who had been lunching in the dining salon. An iceberg of immense proportions and greater height than usual had struck the ship with a crash, coming up suddenly and most unexpectedly from underneath the fog bank so that the watchful pilot was taken unawares. T

ugh considerably dented by the ice, were still, thanks to a kind Pr

or their tickets and assurances that they would arrive early at Nome; and they agreed that there was no more danger in ste

his way to Nome without further delay?" asked a friend of me whil

many signers, or those who are willing to sign it, and

oard this steamer, and has he done anything to cause them to lose faith in his ability to pilot

s, cert

remain anchored here so long as he sees fit to order it. Yo

ith others, I know not; but the petition was dropped, and the c

d lifted, and the clearer atmosphere made it possible to see for many miles over the berg-strewn waters. Men were walking restlessly about on deck trying to keep their impatience down and their hands and feet warm. They feared that other

en hundred meals daily, he feared a shortage of supplies if the ship was delayed many days longer. Ten sacks of flour, and fifteen hu

ered from so many dangers, and at leading the way for others to follow. No one could pa

in the ice fields. When congratulated by the passengers upon his skill, for by this time they had entirely forgotten their disconten

ips lay at anchor before us, but we were immediately followed by many large steamers bringing thousands of people to Nome. The weather was splendid. Many of the passengers were in such haste to reach shore than they left without breakfast; but we wai

ts, "jumpers," or whatever happened to be at hand; and all rushing pell-mell in the direction of the lighter, by means of which they hoped to land on the golden beach of Nome. Baggage there was in stacks. There were boxes, grips, trunks, army sacks; e

e rope ladder was thrown over the side of the ship with its lower end da

and peanuts. The fat widow of the company tied her bonnet more tightly under her chin, clutched

me one to her, fearing she mi

ke your time!" c

sank in a limp heap upon an army sack marked with big black letters, and said gaspingly: "This is terrible!" Others followed her example. Some protested they would rather stay on the ship or go back to San Francisco than scramble down that "beastly rope ladder" swaying as it did back and forth with every motion of the ship to which it was attached. For myself, I had never posed as especially courageous, and wondered how I should

ce; baggage and freight along the sides, and passengers in the middle, sitting wherever they could find a box o

nless it has improved more in the last ten months than I think it has. It was a tough place enough last summer, and that's no josh

ts, buildings of every description from a board shack to a hotel or large store, and it seemed good in their eyes-very good. For some unseen reason, as the barge, following as it did at the end of the long line from the tug, rode first upon the top of a big breaker and then below in the trough,

or I die!" g

ve air ships to fly in," muttered a little man as he lay on his back among a

raceful motion, only to reach out beyond it, and then, as the waters underneath receded, dropping h

as the tug could take us, then the line was cut, a rope was thrown us from shor

until all stood upon the beach; a few, to be sure, with wet feet, damp clothing and soggy tempers if some vicious, big brea