338 THE BED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
that they had actually reached an altitude of ten thou- 
sand feet above the level of the sea. He consulted seri- 
ously with his brother and Solomon as to the propriety 
and feasibility of leaving the women while the rest should 
go on, accomplish the necessary prospecting, and return 
to them, — the whole expedition then to proceed directly 
toward the coast. 
Richard agreed that this would eventually be a wise 
method of procedure, and two days later a comfortable 
little brush camp was built in accordance with this plan. 
Joe and Jim were left with Mrs. Button, Chloe, Flossie, 
Nat, and Ted. The other six pushed on toward the 
granite peak, which now towered into the clouds directly 
before them. At the end of the third day they returned, 
their pockets bulging with ore. Robert told the story of 
their visit to the great object of the whole trip, as follows. 
