THE CHILKOOT PASS. 127 
Soon after leaving this spot, the little flotilla entered 
the narrow portion of their course, known as Dayay 
Inlet. Again Florence's girlish adjectives of admiration 
were called into play by the dark masses of foliage cloth- 
ing the steep hills on each side of the stream, and the 
frequent cataracts that dashed down from the far-off 
heights. 
The end of open navigation was reached at last, but 
the banks were too soft at this point to admit of a camp. 
The swift Dayay River was therefore followed up for a 
mile, and here the really wild life commenced. Tents 
were pitched and fires lighted at once . Solomon slouched 
off with his rifle, and presently returned with a couple of 
rabbits, which he threw down for his contribution to the 
evening meal. 
After supper, the whites gathered about the fire in front 
of the largest tent, which was devoted to the ladies, and 
told stories. How dim and weird the twisted shapes of 
the trees in the dusky northern twilight ! How ceaseless 
and cold the rush of the white, icy river ! The Indians at 
once organized themselves into gambling parties, and 
added their doleful wails to the hooting of an owl some- 
where in the forest. 
" Hark ! " said Solomon, suddenly, letting his hand 
drop instinctively upon his rifle, then continuing the 
story he had just been telling, but plainly with every 
sense on the alert. 
Flossie looked up inquiringly, but, guided by an 
