170 ™^ I^E^ MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
consisting mainly of a large stone slab at the top of the 
chimney, which could be closed at will during the summer, 
when only rain fell, and the fire below was not needed. 
The ruined fireplace, therefore, was far from being an 
uncomfortable shelter from the storm, and, had not their 
hearts been heavy with disappointment and apprehension, 
the three women — if we count little Flossie as such — 
would have really enjoyed the fun. 
How the wind did roar about the rugged old chimney ! 
It bellowed down the flue in trumpet tones, and died away 
in doleful murmurs around the few gnarled and tempest- 
beaten trees that told of the little settlement once making 
its home there. 
" Here comes uncle," exclaimed Floss ; " I'm so glad ! " 
The rest of the men took shelter as best they might, 
under canvas, and in the lee of rocks and ruined w^alls. 
"Well, well," said Lieutenant Dick, whose spirits had 
risen under the excitement of the storm and the work of 
getting the baggage under cover, " this isn't so bad, 
after all ! " 
He stooped, slightly, under the cross-bar where a man- 
tel had once been, and stood vipright with the others. 
" Oh, Richard, do you suppose we shall ever find them ! " 
" Find them ? — of course we shall ! They can't have 
gone far, and my men say the tracks hereabouts were 
made by Indians, who were probably canoeing down the 
Yukon. There are half a dozen villages on the banks, 
and nothing could be more natural." 
