Something struck the side of the tent, like the plunge5 of a mountain torrent6, yet it was not that, nor was it the snow. Tim McCabe knew its nature, and catching7 his breath, he called:
"It's the wind of the avalanche! That won't hurt ye!"
The wonder was that it did not blow the canvas like a feather from its path; but the tent held its position, and the appalling8 rush and roar ceased with more suddenness than it had begun. The throbbing9 air became still.
Jeff Graham, who had not spoken, struck a match, and holding it above his head, peered around the interior of the tent, which he observed had sagged11 a good deal from the impact of the avalanche's breath, though the stakes held their places in the snow. He saw Frank Mansley standing12 pale with affright, while Roswell, sitting on the edge of his couch, was equally startled. Ike Hardman had covered his face with his blanket, like a child, who thus seeks to escape an impending13 danger. Incredible as it may seem, Tim McCabe was filling his pipe in the gloom, preparatory to a smoke.
"Be aisy," was his comment, as he struck a match and held it above the bowl; "we're as safe as if in 'Frisco, and a little safer, for it's whin ye are there ye are liable to have an airthquake tumble the buildings about yer hid."
"Wasn't that an avalanche?" asked the amazed Frank.
"It was that, but it didn't hit us. If we had put up the tint14 a little beyant and further to the right, we'd've been mashed15 flat."
He spoke10 the truth. The enormous mass of snow, weighing thousands of tons, had toppled over and slid down the mountain-side with a roar like Niagara, but stopped short, just before reaching the tent. Some of the feathery particles sailed forward and struck the canvas, the greatest effect being produced by the wind, but the monster was palsied before he could reach forward and seize his victims.
When the situation became clear, every one uttered expressions of gratitude16, but the boys were not relieved of all fear. What had taken place might occur again.
"Not a bit of it," was Tim's reassuring17 reply. "I've obsarved the things before, and we shan't be bothered agin to-night. Take me advice and go to sleep, which the same is what I shall do mesilf as soon as I finishes me smoke."
The shock, however, had been too great for all to compose their nerves at once. Jeff was the first to succumb18, having faith in the assurance of his friend, and Ike Hardman soon followed him in the land of dreams. Frank and Roswell lay for a long time talking in low tones, but finally drowsiness19 overcame them, and with the pungent20 odor of Tim's pipe in their nostrils21 they sank into slumber22, which was not broken until Jeff called to them that breakfast was waiting.
The melted snow furnished what water they needed to drink and in which to lave their faces and hands. Then, before eating, they hurried outside the tent to survey the snowy mountain that had come so near swallowing them up. They were filled with amazement23 when they looked upon the vast pile, amid which were observed many chunks24 and masses of ice, several that must have weighed hundreds of pounds, lying on the snow within a few yards of the tent. Had one of these been precipitated25 against the shelter, it would have crushed the inmates26, like the charge from the most enormous of our seacoast guns. It was a providential escape, indeed, for our friends, and it was no wonder that they continued to discuss it and to express their gratitude to Heaven, that had mercifully shielded them while they slept.
Standing at Sheep Camp, they saw the summit towering thirty-five hundred feet in front, though Chilkoot Pass, which they were to follow, is five hundred feet lower. The task of climbing to the summit of this pass is of the most trying nature conceivable, and many gold-seekers have turned back in despair. Terrific weather is often encountered, and men have been held in camp for weeks, during which the crest27 of the mountains was hidden by clouds and tempests, and the whirling snow and sleet28 were so blinding that they hardly ventured to peep out from their tent. The weather was such as has baffled the most intrepid29 of explorers for centuries in their search for the North Pole.
Our friends were unusually fortunate in being favored with good weather, there being hardly any wind stirring, while, more wonderful than all, the sun shone from an unclouded sky, in a section where the clear days average less than seventy degrees in the course of the entire year.
No one who has ever climbed Chilkoot Pass will forget it. Some, alas30! who have made the attempt never succeeded in reaching the other side, but perished in the frightful31 region; while many more have become disheartened by the perils32 and difficulties and turned back when on the threshold of the modern El Dorado. At the foot of the pass our friends met two men, bending low with the packs strapped34 to their shoulders, and plodding35 wearily southward. Tim called to them to know what the trouble was, and received a glum36 answer, accompanied by an oath that they had had enough of such a country, and if they ever lived to reach New York, they would shoot any man who pronounced the word "Klondike" in their presence.
It is a curious fact regarding this famous pass that the snow with which it is choked is what makes it possible for travel. The snow sometimes lies to the depth of fifty or sixty feet, and from February, through May, and often June, its smooth surface allows one to walk over it without trouble. Should it be fine and yielding, the snow-shoes come into play, but when the crust is hard, no better support could be asked. The trouble lies in the steep incline, which becomes more decided37 the higher one climbs.
Underneath38 this enormous mass rush violent torrents39 of water, which, hollowing out passages for themselves, leave the snow white arches far above, over which one walks upon a natural bridge. Later in the season, when the effects of the warm weather are felt, these arches begin to tumble in, and the incautious traveller who misses his footing and drops into one of the huge crevices40 is lost.
As has been said, the steepness increases as one approaches the top, the last five hundred feet being like the roof of a house. Bending forward under their loads, our friends often found their noses within a few inches of the snow, while masses of rock protruding41 in many places added to the difficulties of travel. The combined strength of the party was required to get a single sled to the top. While one was left behind, they joined in pushing and pulling the other, with frequent pauses for rest, until, after hours of the hardest work conceivable, they succeeded in reaching the summit. Then, resting again, they began their descent for the other sled. It was fortunate that the crust of the snow removed the need of using the long snow-shoes, whose make suggests the bats used in playing tennis, for the men were the only ones who knew how to handle the awkward contrivances, which would have proved a sore perplexity for Roswell and Frank.
Under some circumstances it becomes a question which is the harder, to descend1 or ascend42 a steep hill. Despite the utmost care, the whole five stumbled several times. Roswell felt the chills run through him, and he held his breath in dismay when he saw himself sliding toward the edge of a ravine, over which if he fell he would have been dashed to death on the instant. While desperately43 trying to check himself, he shouted for help, but it looked equally fatal for any one to venture near him, since the slope was so abrupt44 that he could not check himself.
Jeff Graham was carrying the coil of rope which he had loosened from the first sled, and, seeing the peril33 of his young friend, he flung the end toward him with the skill of a Mexican or cowboy in throwing the rita, or lasso. The youth was slipping downward on his face, with his terrified countenance45 turned appealingly to his friends, while he tried, by jamming his toes and clutching at the surface, to check himself, and Frank was on the point of going to his help when the end of the rope struck his shoulder and he seized it with both hands. The next minute he was drawn46 back to safety.
"I'm surprised wid ye," remarked Tim McCabe, when the panting youth stood among them again. "I thought ye were too tired to indulge in any such foolin'. Whin ye want to slide down hill, make use of the slid instead of your stummick."
"I don't think I'll want to do any more sliding down hill in this part of the world," replied the frightened, but grateful youth.
Once more they bent47 to their work, and pulling themselves together, succeeded at last in reaching the summit with the second sled, the whole party utterly48 used up. Even Jeff Graham sat down on one of the loads, panting and too tired to speak. When he found voice, he said:
ALL JOINED IN PUSHING AND PULLING ONE SLED.
ALL JOINED IN PUSHING AND PULLING ONE SLED.
"What fools we are! And yet if I went back to 'Frisco, I'd start agin for the Klondike the next day; so I reckon we'll keep on."
No one responded, for they were so wearied that talking itself was labor49.
Looking to the southwest, they could see the blue shimmer50 of the Pacific, where the Gulf51 of Alaska rolls its white surges against the dismal52 shores. Far in the distance a faint line against the sky showed where a steamer was probably ploughing its way to St. Michael's, with hundreds of gold-seekers on board, the van of the army that is pushing toward the Klondike from the West, the South, and the East, until it would seem that even that immense region must overflow53 with the innumerable multitudes, drawn thither54 by the most resistless magnet that can make men brave peril, suffering, and death.
Turning in the opposite direction, they saw the mountain slope melting away in the great valley of the Yukon, with the trail leading through a narrow, rocky gap, and with naked granite55 rocks rising steeply to the partly snow-clad mountains. The party had been fortunate in completing the ascent56 in less than a day, when it often requires twice as long. The first half mile of the descent was steep, when the slope becomes more gradual. The glare of the snow compelled all to use their glasses, and seven miles from the summit they reached the edge of timber, where camp was made.
Freed from all fear of descending avalanches57, with plenty of food and wood for fuel, the exhausted58 gold-hunters lay down on their blankets, resting upon more hemlock59 boughs60, and enjoyed the most refreshing61 sleep since leaving the steamer at Juneau. It was not until considerably62 after daylight that Jeff awoke and started a new fire, with which to prepare their breakfast, and when that was ready the boys were roused from slumber.
They were now within three miles of Lake Lindeman, a body of water five miles in length, and the journey was speedily made. It was on the shore of this lake that the party expected to build a raft or boat with which to make the long, rough voyage to the Yukon, but, to their pleased surprise, they found an old Indian, with a broad scow, anxious to transport them and their luggage to the foot of the lake. He had already secured three men and their outfits63, but was able to carry the new arrivals, and Jeff was not long in making a bargain with him.
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1
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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cower
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| v.畏缩，退缩，抖缩 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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sagged
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| 下垂的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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mashed
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| a.捣烂的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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drowsiness
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| n.睡意；嗜睡 | |
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pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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chunks
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| 厚厚的一块( chunk的名词复数 )； （某物）相当大的数量或部分 | |
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precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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sleet
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| n.雨雪；v.下雨雪，下冰雹 | |
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intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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plodding
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| a.proceeding in a slow or dull way | |
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glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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45
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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50
shimmer
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| v./n.发微光，发闪光；微光 | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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52
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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53
overflow
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| v.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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57
avalanches
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| n.雪崩( avalanche的名词复数 ) | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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hemlock
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| n.毒胡萝卜，铁杉 | |
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boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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outfits
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| n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 ) | |
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