CAMP FIRES IN THE YUKON 51 



But little wonder the Indian tribes do not go to 

 the game ranges across this range of hills, as they 

 say the tundra was made by the spirits of the ani- 

 mals that live in the St. Elias range to keep the 

 hunters away and make the game secure: and we 

 agree with the Indian. Every step we took and 

 every step our horses took, both man and beast sank 

 into the miry mass, making it difficult enough for 

 man but most difficult for the heavily laden pack 

 animals, which frequently were in an almost hopeless 

 state bogged down above the knees. On the way 

 across we found several carcases of horses belonging 

 to some prospectors, which, unable to survive the 

 persistent grip of the mire, had fallen exhausted and 

 perished on the mountain. 



Its continuity seems to be without end, for no 

 sooner have we toiled slowly to the top of one ridge, 

 expecting it to be the last, than another somewhat 

 higher confronts us, to ascend which we travel down 

 the one we have climbed with such effort and then 

 mount the higher ridge ahead. After traveling this 

 way for hours a feeling of resentment creeps over 

 one, until a few more hours fixes the conviction that 

 the land is " accurst." On either side lie the mighty 

 snow peaks, searing the sky, cold, aloof and imper- 

 sonal finalities, while between in unending ridges 

 rolls the colorless tundra; I presume it is really a 

 beautiful picture if one could look upon it without 



