54 SPORT, TRAVEL, AND ADVENTURE 



Eskimos had no mind to do. They were as speed- 

 mad as the most reckless automobile driver ever was, 

 and that six-mile run from the top of the grade to the 

 frozen ocean was the most exciting I have ever ex- 

 perienced or ever again expect to experience. The 

 last half-mile down the south slope of the Crystal Palace 

 Glacier was particularly steep, and the ice like plate 

 glass, with here and there small lumps raised upon it. 

 Sometimes the sledge would be sliding: sideways, strike 

 a lump and turn almost entirely around, jerking the 

 dogs nearly off their feet as the traces tightened, but 

 never slackening its pace. I wore the bottoms nearly 

 off my kamiks by holding my feet on the ice as we 

 sped forward in an endeavour to retard the sledge and 

 prevent it running the dogs down, which constantly 

 seemed unavoidable and imminent. 



Teddylinguah and I reached the frozen ocean at th< 

 foot of the incline considerably in advance of the others 

 and here halted to rest the dogs, which were pantinj 

 and heated with the hard run, and to straighten an< 

 unravel tangled traces. This gave me an opportunity t< 

 watch the others descend. It was a wonderful exhibi- 

 tion of skill on the part of the drivers. I could not 

 understand how they prevented the sledges from turn- 

 ing over. It made my hair fairly stand on end and my 

 heart come into my throat. Down the steep inclin< 

 they dashed, komatiks swinging from side to side, dog* 

 galloping at utmost speed, until all finally joined us ii 

 safety and without further mishap." 



Many tragedies were enacted in Dawson City during 

 the winter following the great rush to the Klondike 

 goldfield. In their haste to get rich the miners ma< 

 no preparation against the coming winter ; consequent!; 



