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THE KLONDIKE: 
 
 — OR 
 
 THE EXPERIENCE OF A WINTER 
 IN THE KLONDIKE. 
 
 A PLAY 
 
 BY 
 
 W. H. MITCHKUU. 
 
 JANUARY, IHSH 
 

 w^^ 
 
 1767 
 
 
 Entered accordiiiK to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year 1806, by W. S. 
 Mitchell, in the Department of Acrriculturo. 
 
 Characters ; 
 
 -Mr. Suinmerville, a iijei'chant. 
 Mrs. Siiiiiiiu'rvillo, the nuTchnnt's wife. 
 Matt Norton, young man. 
 Jack Kennedy, yoitng man. 
 Sail), a darkie. 
 Pat, an Irishman. 
 Jennie Summerville, a young Ijuly. 
 Maud Norton, a young lady. 
 Miss Cartel", a young huly. 
 Mr. Gotitiill, a tall gentleman. 
 Mr. Paragraph, a miuerologist. 
 Harry, a Iwy. 
 Joe, a l)oy. 
 
L767 
 
 r 1808, by W. 8. 
 
 i 
 
 The Klondike: On, thk Expehience of a Winter 
 
 IN THE KloNIHKE. 
 
 A(rr I. 
 
 Roam in n men'hanVH honne in Netr York, appi'opriately funiitthed. The 
 merchant atul hin wife in earneHt ronrermition : nhe neafed at the table, 
 fie pacing the floor. 
 
 Merchant — Yt»«, my dear, that in all veiy well, he's a nice ynnng man, 
 »i8 you say ; but he h^isn't a clollai- in the world hut the miserable pay he 
 gets at his desk. There used to be a chance for a young man to accumu- 
 late pi-operty, and rise and beconje wealthy, but those times are all past. 
 The young men now-a-days become engaged to the young lailies and Keep 
 them waiting until they get better flxwl, and the residt is the country is 
 full of old maids and old luicheloi-s, and then if one of them ever does 
 happen to make a raise, h«' l(K»ks forHomcthing young and tender, and the 
 olclei- ones are h'ft. 
 
 Meii;hant's Wife— Now see here that is all nonsense. How much diil 
 you have when we were married ? An oUl hoi-se and cart delivering nai)ei'8 
 around town ; but I loved y«»u and took yr)u as you was, and we havn't 
 HtJirvtnl. 
 
 Merchant— No ! But that was iu the days of forty-nine, and you know 
 1 left you alone two years and came back with half a million in gold. But 
 thei-e IS no such chances as that now. 
 
 M. W. — No, there is not such fabulously rich g«>ld fields in>w, but Matt 
 is a smaH f<>llow aiul the avenues of distinction ai-e as wide open now as 
 when loseph became governor of Egypt. 
 
 M.— Yes, yes, yes, but there is plenty stuff fnv govenioi-s now. Well, 
 to make a Umg matter short, I^Avill nevei- consent for .lennie to marry a 
 poor man. You see I cant help him. Since these haifl times th(>i'(» have 
 l)een so many failures that I find my fortune dwindling, so that if some- 
 thing don't turn up I will have hai-d keeping my head alM)ve water vj'ry 
 long, and thei-e is Colonel Gotitall who has an innnens(> fortune and who 
 is remly to marry Jennie tt)-morrow. 
 
 M. W. — Now my dear John, dont you know if you j>ei-sist in separat- 
 ing them two, who love each other so, that you will break cmr poor 
 Jennie's heart. 
 
 {Enter Matt, who has orer-heard ttonic of the conrernation). 
 
 Matt (Excitedly) — And cUmt you think that I have a heart? (putting his 
 hand on his brejist). I have a heart jus big, honest, and true as i^ver beat 
 in the bosom of a man, and an arm as strong as evei- built up a home or 
 defended one, and a brain that don't make many mistake's. Oh, you newl 
 not fejir for your daughter. 
 
 M. — Yes, my lM)y, you ave all right, but you can't keep her in the 
 |M>sition she has been accustomed to. 
 
 Matt — I (;an give her plenty to eat and wivir, and treat her with love 
 and kindness. And what is fashion ? What does a true woman c<t.<-<' for 
 ftushion and frills, fine dri'ss and paint? You talk of that villain Goiitall 
 whom Jennie fairly hates. Hr)W did he get his wealth? by robbery and 
 deceit (holding up his hands), and I swear by all that's holy, that that 
 blackleg, cut-tliroat, and gambler will have to walk over my deml body 
 before he shall have her. (K.rit Mr. atid Mrs. Sunierrille and Matt). 
 Enter Matt and Jack in nnwerHctiun. 
 
 Matt— Yes, old lM)y, it is pretty tough, w»> are a pair of dashed pau- 
 pers in the eyes of our would be fatnei"-in-laws, and the chances look very 
 slim to make a fortune in a few yeai-s like there usihI to be when they were 
 young, and they wont have any nu'rcy on a fellow. 
 
Jai^k — Wf>U, Hir, thci'e arc rliuii('(>H nowthi'y Hiiy Miat lM>Ht<HatiytiiinK in 
 thf> (lays of ('Uliforiiia. 
 
 Matt (Jiiinning up)-^Yciu (Uin't ntiy so ! VVht'iv ? 
 
 Jiwk — In the Kloiulike. Have'nt you hraitl of thi^ Klondike? 
 
 Matt — No I No I In what ouartt'i- t)f thi'^ glolM> ih it, nny 'i 
 
 Jack — Oh, soint^wheit" in ttie northei-n |mrt of British Colunii>ia or 
 Ahunka, or st>niewhere near the North Pole. 
 
 Matt — Well, say, what do you think alMiut it, do you think its true ? 
 
 Jack — O yes, thei-e have been some well known pai'ties come hack to 
 Seattle, Washington, with hundi*eds of pounds of gold. 
 
 Matt — Well, how can we get there, will you come with me 'i I'm off. 
 (Jumps up and walks excidedly around). 
 
 Jack — Yes, I'm in for anything, hut it is a big trndertakin^' There is 
 nine months winter and very, very cold, and we havet<) take in all our 
 supplies. 
 
 Matt— Well that's all right, but how do they get thei-e? 
 
 Jack — Over the Canmlian Pacific to Vancouver, and thence north by 
 bfMit, and across the coast range by some of the pa.sses with pack train to 
 the interior. Thew's whew all the hardshi|>s are, getting in frcmi the 
 coiist. High rocky mountain piiMses, rushing rivei-s, and (uingerous can- 
 yons to pass. 
 
 Matt — Well, that's no matter, we can gt) where imyone else can. But, 
 1 say, we will have to get up a party. We nuist have some «)ne to go with 
 us who undei-stai ds mining. I can dig it out if they show me how and 
 where to dig. 
 
 Jack — Well, I'll tell you. We will employ a mineralogist, and thei-e 
 is Pat Riley on my father's place, who is a goinl, honest, tnie fellow, and 
 also an old trusted darky who is a gocMl cook. (We will have to do our 
 own c<K>king you know). I know thoHc two will g<», and we will get a 
 guide l)ook and instructions and supplies in Vancouver. 
 
 Matt — Good ! All settled then, we'll get off a« soon as |M>ssible. (AVif 
 the two yentleinen). 
 
 Enter two yunny Uidlen, Jennie and Mand. 
 
 Jeiuiie — Well Maud, your bi-other is going away. My dear Matt is 
 
 ffoing away into a horrible country to dig gold, and he may n«>ver come 
 >ack, there are great dangei-s. It is just pa's stiff-necketlness that is mak- 
 ing him go. I don't want him to go. I would do anything rather than 
 see him go away into that horrible phu-c. Who is going with him I 
 w«mder? 
 
 Maud — O, Jack Kenne<ly, you know him, that book-keeper at Mai'sh 
 
 Ac (.'«). 's, who is after that proud stuck-up thing of a Miss C'arfer, who wont 
 have him until he gets ri(;h. 
 
 Jennie- Well, I'm sure I wouhl like to see myself go and risk my life 
 for a girl like that. Perhaps if he makes a fortune h<> wont look at her 
 when he conies back, and it would serve lu>r right. 
 
 Maud — Perhaps he wont, but he is madly in love with lu'r now. 
 
 Jennie — Well, that is not my style. If a man is g<MMl enough for me 
 when he is rich, he is good enough when he is poor. Iain willing to share 
 his lot under any condition. 
 
 Maud — I agi-ee with you Jennie, but I have not met the man that I 
 would share anything with yet, but I feel ba<l alMiut my brother going into 
 that outlandish place. 
 
 Mr. GotiwU Hlijin info the rinnn and Htandn behind a screen. 
 
 Jeniiii^ — Well Maud, I'm the (;ause of his going, and I'm going, Uw, 
 will you (tome? There will be hardships to endurts all do not make a for- 
 tiuu' who go to the mines. They will be scarce of money as they have 
 barely enough to take them there with a b'w month's supplies. They may 
 not be successful : provisions will run out : « old de;ully winter will set in. 
 I tell you 1 am going too. 
 
 Maud — Weil, how in the world can we go, or what goiKl can we do? 
 
 Jennie — I have a phm. It would be useless of pa or me to offer Matt 
 
anything in 
 
 ko? 
 
 !()lmnlMa or 
 
 \i Its true? 
 >iiu> Iwick to 
 
 L' y I'm nt!. 
 
 J. There ih 
 > ill hII our 
 
 M* north by 
 ick train to 
 I fi'oni the 
 feroiiH can- 
 can. But, 
 to go with 
 e how and 
 
 , and thei-e 
 
 fellow, and 
 
 to do our 
 
 will get a 
 
 hie. (Krit 
 
 ar Matt is 
 
 ver come 
 
 at in mak- 
 
 ther than 
 
 th him I 
 
 at Marsh 
 who wont 
 
 ( my life 
 >ok at her 
 
 )W. 
 
 sfh for me 
 to Hhare 
 
 an that I 
 oing into 
 
 u. 
 
 )ing, too, 
 ike a for- 
 hey have 
 hey may 
 ill set in. 
 
 kve do ? 
 fer Matt 
 
 plenty of money for the trip, h(> would not take it. lint \m will let me have 
 any (jiiaiit ity of money to visit my friends in San Francisco. You come 
 with me, wc will visit our frii'iids. then, instead of k<*>»K home, we will 
 dress in men's clothes, tak(> a steamer, go right up th<> Yukon Kiver, and 
 lie there as stMui us tliem. Wc will he nicking up items for to write a 
 iNtok. I always wanted to do somi>t!iing like that. They won't know us, 
 so we can buy supplies for tlu'in if they are suifering. 
 
 MhuiI— Hut perha|ts there will be none for sah'. 
 
 .Ienni<' — O yes, thi're is, there are st<ires tlier«'. 
 
 Maiul — Well .Icnnie I'm with you, h<' has Im'cii a dear bnither to me. 
 and the oiilv fi'ieiid I have in th(> world. I will help you l<Mik after him, 
 so go<Ml iiigiil, I will see vou to-morrow. 
 
 .l.-iuiie -(io(»d night Maud, we will get reiuly as soon as |M)ssible. 
 /i.r/7 Miiu'l. h^nttr Mr. (io/ihifl. Jvnniv utarts irith a litflt' nrreain. 
 
 Mr. (!. -(i>M»d evening, Miss Sumerville, you are iiod«iubt surprisc<l to 
 see me. Your father granted ni" Jiii interview with you, and told me 
 where to find you, and I take this o|>portuiiity t«>try and come to an un- 
 dei-standing with you. You know liow madly I love y«>u. you have heaitl 
 ai! thai Ix'fore. I feel that lifi'wiii b- unendurable without you. Tiie sun 
 will not shiii" for in;'; tM- Mow«'i-s will not bloom for mi'; the binls will 
 not sing i:>r me. I will b > living, yet de id ; joy and ghulness, ambition, 
 and pleasure in the society of my fciIow beings will be all gone ! gone ! g<»ne ! 
 Only say you will Iw miii", <»nly say you will try and l<»ve ine and give, me 
 some little hope, and I lay my heart and inv fortune at your feet. 
 
 •leiuiie (Disiltinfully)— Your heart and your fortune! Your heart, 
 iiidei 1 I You \v <i have deceived uid (lisgraced dozens «»f iM)or helplesH 
 girls ! Your i'oi-tuui> that >ou got by swindling and gambling ! (). I know 
 youi- history; I know it well. Good night, sir. th(> interview that my 
 ifither granted you with me is ended. 
 
 Mr. (t. — Tli'.-rc, well it is no use pleading with Ix'r, I will have t<» try 
 another plan. I am onto their little schein(>. (An liishnian sticks his 
 head in at the door and says, I'm onto yours). I will go to thc> Khtndike 
 too, ami, by all tiie fiends of darkness, I swear that you will be mine or 
 Matt Norton will never return alive. Yes, I'm off for the Klondike, too. 
 (walks out). (Irislunan walks in, liouiis'.dngasiiilliah, and says) Yes, I'll go 
 to<» ! (A darkie rushes in and says) Yes, VU go too ! I'm off for the Klon- 
 dike myself, (('urtain drops. The Irishman and darkie making feints and 
 flourishes towards the retreating Mr. G.) 
 
 Atrr N. 
 
 .1 r(»(nn nnm/ily furnijiheit in a fann huu,ni', the Iritt/uiuin jMi<'k'hi{/ trunkn 
 (tml Ikkxu's, and talking io himnc'f. 
 
 Pat — Well indade it's myself that's packed up to go to many's a (juai-e 
 place, but the p.-i(-king up for the north pole to dig g(»old staggers me 
 beyjint comparison. 1 woiMh'i- fwhat all we want. Mi. Matt said t<» put 
 in everything we may iiee<l (putting in clothing and furs). W^ell faith they 
 say it's a cookl countluy, and we need tools (puting in a pick and sluivel). 
 
 h'nfer iSnin, ihe darkie. 
 
 Sam — Hello here! You Irish blunderhead, what are you doing, puting 
 in hai-dware with cl(»thes':' 
 
 Pat — Yes, you black thuiuh'rbolt, dcn't you think we will iH'cd tools to 
 dig the goold wid. 
 
 Sam— Yes, but Mr. Matt says we can get all that kind of thing in Van- 
 couver. 
 
 Pat Well you see they are making such a rush that tln'y may be just 
 o:it of some things. 
 
6 
 
 FflMl 
 
 Enter Matt ami Jack. 
 Matt— Hf'Ilo, hoys, how art* yoii ({ctthiK along— m'tting (hiiiKH invirly 
 
 ^at 
 
 *at — Y«'H, wr'rc all rnuly, rxj-cpting n pair of scah's. 
 
 .lark — A j>aii' i»f Hcalcs ! What in the worhl arc yon K<>hiK to (1«> with 
 scah'H ? 
 
 F*at — Wliy, wolgli the goold t<) he sure. How are we goiiiK to divide 
 lip witln)Ut seaicH ? 
 
 Ham — You'll have to get, the McalcH ofT your eyes {HM-haps to see any. 
 
 Matt — O, we'll see some if digging will Hnd it. 
 
 Jaek— Well, he rejuly for this afternoon train. (Matt and .Jack walks 
 out). 
 
 Pat — Did you hear all tliat Mr. Gotitall said the other night? 
 
 .Sam - No, only overhear him say th.it Matt Norton would not return 
 alive. 
 
 Pat- Wei! h'.'dml, and we'll see ahout that. (.Scene changes. Matt 
 and .la.'k seated at a tahle. Knt(>r a tail gentleman). 
 
 Mr. Paragraph — Have I the plcjisurc of addressing Mr. Norton and 
 Mr. KemHHly? 
 
 Matt — \ es sir, that is our names, he scjited. (Bringing a chair). 
 
 Mr. P. -My name, gentl'-UK n, is Mi*. Paragraph ol" ^>all Fransisco, 
 thoroughly vei-sed in the alluvial deposits, and all tiic inetho Is of mining 
 on the Pacific' coast. .Seeing yinir add. in the paper, I thought 1 would 
 run in .ind s«'e if I could strike upahargaiii to go with you to the Klondike. 
 
 Matt— Yes, we want a practical nmn - we dont know much ahout it 
 <nirs<«lves. 
 
 .lack — What arrangements are you willing tf) make — what pay <lo y(>a 
 want? 
 
 Mr. P. — O, I'm not particular ahout pay. .lust an even whacv of <mr 
 findings, you paying all expenses for the u-ip. 
 
 .Jack — Very well, that is satisfactory, we will be remly t<» go this after 
 noon. 
 
 Mr. P. — Very well, any time with me. (Matt and .J;ick walk (»ut). 
 
 Mr. P. (talking to Ijimself) — Well, they dont know me, my disguis" is 
 comi>l('te. N«>w I will he i-ight along with them and know all their plans. 
 The ifirls will Ik' up there and I will have the whole gang under my thumh. 
 (l)arKii' sticks his head in and iinilteis, yes, and I'll have you undd- my 
 hrogans). (t'urtain drojjs). 
 
 SccncvhttiKji'H. A [Mtrloitr. Jack In vtnnci-Hation irif/i Mi,s:i Carter. 
 
 .lack — And you can't come down to the depot to see nw olf ? 
 
 Miss Carter — N(», I'm sorry, hut I am not feeling well this afternoon, 
 and do not fei'l disposed to go out, hut I wish you success with all my 
 heart. 
 
 .lack— But wont you give me ycnir promise —wont you say you will he 
 mine, and it will make ail the hai'dshi|)s, they say that is in store for us, 
 mere play. It will make al! the l.-ihoi- light. It will make the darkness 
 and cold of the north brighter and waruHT than th'- .sunny s(aith. 
 
 Miss C. — I have promised ycnj all that I ever will. I v/ill be yours 
 when you make a fortune, and not until then. 
 
 .lack — Well, good bye ! good bye ! (Kmhraces her and goes). 
 tSVc/if rhanf/cs. All liandu at the railini}/ .•itafion. The d'trkic ami Irlnh- 
 
 nian hufti/ lookiitf/ after hayyaya. 'I'hc train conit'H pafiiny up, all 
 
 hanilH Mil/ (joofi l>i/c, the part// for tlic Klomliki' yet aboard, flic train. 
 
 niorrn oJj\ tliosv left Ix'himt arc ulieddiny ti'iirn an the platform. 
 
 Curtain fa! In. 
 
IIKM IH'HI'ly 
 
 t<» (li» with 
 
 : to <livi(l«> 
 
 Hcc any. 
 
 'ack walks 
 
 ,? 
 
 not return 
 
 u:«'s. Mutt 
 
 ^u-ton and 
 
 lair). 
 
 Fransisco, 
 of mining 
 hi i wouUl 
 Klondike, 
 h ahout it 
 
 my do ycju 
 
 at.v of oiu- 
 
 this afttu- 
 
 k out), 
 disf^uis" is 
 hcii' plans, 
 ny tliund). 
 undt r my 
 
 Carter. 
 
 t 
 
 afternoon, 
 itli all my 
 
 k'ou will h(> 
 
 ore for us, 
 
 ' dai'kness 
 
 h. 
 
 I lie youi-s 
 
 I). 
 
 XI ud Irlnh- 
 
 tm up, all 
 
 , the train 
 
 platform. 
 
 AIT ill. 
 
 StrainhiHil tvJairf af I '«/«*•(»» *•#•/•. StraiiilnHit Htnialhifi (tt iv/tarf, Nniakinff 
 frani the Hntakeslark. ./ark aiat Matt, Sam ami I'at ami the Mineralu- 
 {jIhI standi ny in a (jrinipe irif/i iiinhrrllan tip. 
 
 iVIatt— Well, what do ycai tliink of Vaneouv<'r, Pat? 
 
 !*at — Hi'dad and I think it's a go«>d place for ducks and gei«8e. Shure 
 I think the iiaple are glowing weh fate. 
 
 Hani — Why, dem peopI«' here are gr«)wing nio than weh feet, 1 saw 
 souH' ladies on the street to-day with feathei-s all over them, so I just 
 thought it was on a(;eoiint ot the wet climate. 
 
 l*at — You hiaek ape, yt)U don't mean to say that the hulies hadfeathei-s 
 all over them. 
 
 S:un — Well n-no, not to say just all ov<'r them, hut all that I could see. 
 Their hea<l and neck, an-; n-an I sup|Mis;' otlu'r places. 
 
 Matt npeakiii;i t'> Jack. 
 
 Matt Well, there does not seem to he nntch of a rush. 
 
 .lack — No, not nov/, then* has h *en a gotnl many gone. You see it is 
 getting late now to get in over tlu' pass ♦liis year, hut if we d'» get in, we 
 can have a good winter's work, and ' ■ Mr'pared for next stunmer. 
 
 Matt- 'ihey say that provisions liahle to h;' scarce in there this 
 
 wintei'. 
 
 .]>u-k — We aiv pretty well fixed Tor supplies if we can only get it in 
 thei(>. 
 
 Mr. P. — 1 am sorry that wr' <. not a little earlier on the ground. We 
 will have s(>rious difSiculti' s in getting ov;rian<l from the coast to the 
 Kiont'ik", but my great experience on i.';" Pacific coast, and knowledge of 
 all phases of mouniain Hie, will en.»ble us to take lulvantage of every 
 opportunity, lait we will h" late getthig in, late getting in. (Pat shakes 
 his fist at him an<l says) 
 
 !*at — And you ;tre liable t<» be late getting out, late getting out, you 
 nnu'therin spalp: en. (All get on lM»aitl the steanier, ami she j)u!ls otf). 
 Sieiie r/iangen. A ('<nnp in the «;toj/' an Ihe ('hillrouf I'ari, Home jHwk 
 
 animalH standimj annual, a trnt iijt, a hiij eamp Jire biasing, Pat 
 
 shorelliiiff Hnoir, (tnd Ihe darkieeo'thimj, sereral dishes siftiitf/ around, 
 
 and a lot of ha<f<jajje that has been niilwaled from the mules, the diirkie 
 
 multerinff and ruhhimj his ei/es, 
 
 Sam — When we arrive at that ar Klondike, if we ever do arrive, dls 
 chille is goin to hire another cook, this is mor'n I bargain fo. I'm goin' ter 
 dig gole. 
 
 Matt — (), have patience old fellow, you will soon get used to it. (Pat 
 comes up and s!«ts a dish of water on the fire, which falls over and spills, 
 and knocks S.-im's frying pan over. Sam holds up lH)th hands). 
 
 Pat — O, have patieiice, you black blatherface, your troubles haven't 
 begim yet. 
 
 Mr. P. — We will not have so nnich snow at our n'.^xt camp. These 
 mountain passes have such an elevation that the snow acciumdateb much 
 earlier than it does at a lower altitude. To-morrow we will he out of the 
 sn«)w, and perhai)s all the icst of the way in. The gii»atest difflciUty will 
 be in building a boat and navigating it down the lakes and rivers. 
 
 Pat — There's the sticker now, building a lM)at. I'll bet my inthrest in 
 the Kl-mdike, against your cordeioy buttons, that not one of you could 
 tlhrive a nail in his mother-in-law's <*oI1in, nuich less Inuld a iMiat. (Walk- 
 ing up to Matt says)— can you dhrive a nail ? 
 
 Matt- I never drove many. 
 
 Pat (to Jack)- C-'an you saw a board off':' 
 
 .lack— Well, I'm afr.iid not vc-y sti-aight. 
 
 Pat (to the darkle) — What can you do? 
 
 Sam — I can cork up the cracks. 
 
 Pat— What with ? 
 
 Sam — With this ei-e slap jack (holding one up). 
 
fr- 
 
 Pal (to flu* iuin«'ral<»Kis()— Ami, iMr. Zoulufririil, lJ<'aiaI(»gi«-.'iI, Wolf- 
 nlogical, can you pull a tooOi, do you tliiiik ? 
 
 Mr. P. — Wlmt in the world has pulling a tooth to d<» with building a 
 lK>at ? 
 
 Pat — VV'ell, it has as nuu-h to <hi with building a lM)at as you <-an have, 
 I sec 1 will havf to build it myself. I have built hog trouglis in oul<l O r- 
 land, and water troughs, and t'»'«'<l troughs, but I nc'vcr built a \nnit trough 
 yet. How far is it to the lake!-' When will we get t<» the lake? 
 
 Matt, — To-morrow, I believe. We have brought along all the necessary 
 tools, andwill try our hand at boat building for a few days. 
 
 Sam (throwing his plates around on the snow) — Well, here you fellows, 
 come to yotn- chuck, coffee and cake. (( 'urtain falls). 
 Srciw, (I trihl (•(ninfn/ nf rork <im/ forest at l/ir rut/ of a hike, a ramp fire 
 
 ami tent, Matt miHitKj hoards fiMjrt/irr, I'al sairinf/ tit a toy, Sam 
 
 jislihaj, Mr, f. strolUny aboal amoitij tin rorks, some pa<'k animals 
 
 stamliiaj aroand, parks (mil b(uj{f(aje li/ita/ around, 
 
 Pat— Bedad this is lovely since we got down out of the snow. Hluu-*' 
 we will soon have a beautiful lM)at built, and then it will only be a pleasur(> 
 trij) we'll be having all the i-est of the way. 
 
 .lack — We will have lots of rough v.;iter and rapids to run. (Pat s<'e8 
 a moose at the edge of the lake, and points it out to tlii' rest). 
 
 Pat — Fwhat in the world koind of an animal is that. Why it's an 
 antideluvian wild a.ss. Where's the gun ! wliere's the gun I (grabs up the 
 gun, .slams it ari)und, and lets it oif acuidently in the direction of Mr. P., 
 the iaillet goes thi'ough his Imt and he come running up excitedly showing 
 the hole). 
 
 Mr. P.- My f.i,oodness ! look what y<tu have done, what do you mean? 
 You ni'arly shot me. 
 
 Pat — Oh, and it's small lo.ss it w«)uhl bv. (.lack takes the gun, takes 
 aim at the moose, an<l it fails. Sam comes up with his fishing i-od and a 
 sti'ing of tiout). 
 
 San> -Well, we'll have moose meat and tiout now, that (Iocs not hutk 
 nuich like starving in this country. (( 'urLaiii f.ills). 
 See)ir, a plarer mine, sluice ho.res, rorker ami fan.':, i'unniny ivafer, rorks 
 
 and gr'ref on the side of a rreek, noise of rnnninfj n-atrr, !lte tr,':it,'e 
 
 <jr<ni/) sfandinf/ aron nd ttdkintj, .unne s/ioretiny {/rarel (nil of a /lo'c 
 
 into (I .slnire ho.r, one rorhin(j a ijo'd niix/iinfj rradte. 
 
 Matt — Well, acconling to the v.ay this is turning out, we got here in 
 time to secure a jtrettygood piece of groimd after ail, and if we gi>t through 
 this winter we can m.ike oui wad hci-e nexl sunnncr all right. 
 
 .lack — I tell you it looks pretty slim for food lieie this wintei'. Tiiey 
 say l!iat th<y have (piit selling goods down a! Danson, and all the grub is 
 in the hands of a «'onntiittee. 
 
 Ml". P. -Well, we'll ni.ike out some way. oui- own supplies wont l.ist 
 long thought. It's a pity we couM not have brought along all we started 
 with. (The Irishman sees .someone coining and tin y all look). 
 
 Matt Oh, it's them two boys, mere lads. Th'.y say they sung i heii 
 way from Han F'nincisco, and ac writing a book, tn- i>i:-king up items to 
 write one. 
 
 .lack — Poor little fellows, I'm afiaid they wont sing their way hack 
 again. The have'nt a thing with them, only m()ney, i)ut money wont buy 
 food in Dawson this wilder. (Boys walk in). 
 
 .lack liello, boys, good morning. 
 
 Boy Harry (lood morning gentlemen, you seem to have a good deal 
 of work done here. Is your mine a pjiying one ;' 
 
 Matt Well, we hardly know yet, it is turning out pretty fair. Are 
 you lK»ys hioking for a mine ? 
 
 Boy .loe No sii-. we c«»ultl no! work one if we had it. We are just 
 knocking around, picking up items foi a bttok, a::d cheering tlie miners 
 with songs soin<'tini"s. 
 
 Mutt--Yoii .sang your way from San Frain isi o, did you not? 
 
•gicul, W(»ll"- 
 
 h building a 
 
 N)U cnw have, 
 s ill oiild Oir- 
 i lM>iit trougii 
 
 tlic lU'ccsHaiy 
 
 > you tVllowH, 
 
 , (t vaiitj) Jii-v 
 f (I liHj, Stnti 
 (f'k (I ni mills 
 
 now. Hluu'c 
 be a |)]fa.sui-(> 
 
 n. (I*at>s<'(>s 
 
 Why it's an 
 grabs uf) tbc 
 •nof Mr. I'., 
 'dly showing 
 
 > you mean ? 
 
 ic giui, lakes 
 ig rod and a 
 
 iocs not look 
 
 icater, rorks 
 '/•, ^/ii' /.■•/.. o,V- 
 nif of It fio'c 
 
 I' got here in 
 'gi't through 
 
 intci". Tlity 
 
 I the grub is 
 
 ics wont lasi 
 
 II w«' started 
 
 y sung ihcii 
 U)i items 1o 
 
 'ir way hack 
 I'y wont buy 
 
 ' a good (U>al 
 
 y fair. Ai-e 
 
 A'e ai'c just 
 tile miners 
 
 (t? 
 
 9 
 
 Harry — No, we paid oui* way, but we sang a good deal for the passen- 
 geiw on the boat. 
 
 Jack— How do you think you ai-e going to make it this winter ? You 
 can't buy supplies. Have you any with you ? 
 
 Joe — O no, but we will make out some way. The ravens fed Elijah 
 you know. 
 
 Pat — Shui-e the only way the ravens will help us will be for us to eat 
 the I'avens. 
 
 Sam — That would be all right if we could only get plenty of them. 
 
 Hany — Have you not got supplies enough for the winter? 
 
 Matt — O no, not nearly eno\ign, we had to leave part of our supplies 
 behind. 
 
 Hairy — Tliat is too bml. Well, we must move on. 
 
 Jack — Sing us a song befoi* you go, wont you. 
 
 Hairy — We will try. (The two boys sing an appropriate song). 
 
 Pat — Huirah I that almost brought the wather to my eyes. (Boys go 
 away). 
 
 Matt — Well, if I haven't heard them boys sing before, I have heard 
 some voices terribly like them. 
 
 Jack — Yes, me t<K), their step and every motion seems familiar. 
 
 Matt — O, pei'haps we heai-d them sing on the stage or sti-eet some- 
 whei-e. Them kind of lads are I'unnin^ around everywhere. 
 
 Jack — They'll have a hai-d n>w of it this winter I'm afraid. Well, we 
 had lietter quit for to-day. (All go home to their cabins). 
 
 Scene, Matt and Jack in a cabin. 
 
 Matt — Say .Tack, we had better cache our stuff. Things are beginning 
 to look pretty bine around. Thei-e have been some raids made on caches, 
 and men who ai'e out of supplies ai-e getting des|>ei'ate. 
 
 Jack — Yes, we must cache our stuff rij^ht awav. Jack Kemp wants 
 one to go with him to watch his cache to-night. Things are coming to a 
 hard ptiss, the police say, when men outside Dawson have to look out for 
 their own stufr. So it's their lives oi- (»ui-8. 
 Scene changes. A hole hi a bank on the hillside, with logs in front aiul 
 
 fasteningn. The pliwe in dark. Jack mul Kemp a little tlistanceaway, 
 
 watching with guns. A lone figure comes creeping up to the ctwhe, 
 
 aiul begins to unfasten the door. 
 
 Kemp — Hist ! keep (}uiet. 
 
 Jack — Don't shoot I Oi-der him off. Oh, don't shoot I (Kemp steps 
 out and says) 
 
 Kemp — What do you want ! (Tin' miner pulls a pistol and fii-es, but 
 does no harm. Kemp Hi-es at the same time, and the man thi-ows up his 
 hands and falls. Jack and Kemp rush up to him and find he is dead). 
 
 Kemp — I luid to do it, Jack. It is pretty hai-d. (They dig a hole close 
 by, roll the body in, and cover him up). 
 
 Jack — He is quite a young man too. Pretty t<»ugh, though. Some 
 iMior mother or sister will look in vain for his rctuin. Poor fellow I 
 Scene changes. Tlw tiro hoifs in ii ciihin. 
 
 Harry— Well, they dcmt seem to know us at all. They are very short 
 of food. They'll die before spring sure. We can't buy anything 'n Daw- 
 son for love or immey, but we c:in boawl there as long Jis the general 
 supply holds out. 
 
 J ae— I'll tell you what we can do. There is some fellows aci-oss the hill 
 here who have a big cache with ph'iity of suj>plies to do them all winter. 
 I don't believe in stealing, but we will have to do this. Let us go some 
 night and carry off some of their stuff, and put it in Matt and Jack s cache, 
 and then we can go into Dawson and make the best of it. 
 
 Hairy — That is a good idea. Them fellows are all strong, tough 
 minei's and can go down the river. I hear they are sending lots of men 
 down the Yukcm to where there is plenty of supplies. 
 
 Joe — Go<kI 1 we'll go to-mori-ow night then. 
 
 Scene changes. Matt and Jack in their cabin. 
 
10 
 
 Matt — Them hoys over the hill there are all sic-k imi fine, and he wantK 
 
 me to go and help him wiit<-h their enche to-night. 
 
 Jack — Very well, but for g(KKlm«8s sake don't sh<M)t anyone if y«)U can 
 
 help it. Tliat poor ft'llow's dead face last night will haunt me the ivst of 
 
 my life. 
 
 SreHf chttngcs. A vavhv on (t ItillHtde, Matf ami a miner initrhiny icith 
 yurm. Two jitfures come creeping up to the cache and tuyin 
 tit In'eak the faKteninyn. Matt rait<es hin ijn ii, then puts it doien and 
 saf/K, I can't shoot. I wont shoot them. I'll starve first. The miner 
 raises hix gun and Hni/ft I'll have to. M(dt riftex up, recoijnixeH the two 
 Itoyn, (frtd>s the mitwr^H gun and ptdln it down naifing e.eeitedly, hold, 
 
 hold, it's th«'m two lioys. 
 
 Miner— Well, we cant bh.nie the [mmm- little fellows. Lt-t them take 
 
 it and we will follow them and see when* they put it, and to-mori-ow, 
 
 1)erhiips, all hands will chip in and help them out, for I don't think th«'y 
 lave a week's supply. (The boys pile out a lot of bags and Inixes and stai-t 
 off with some «)f them. Matt and (he miner follcw, and to their gi-eat 
 amazement, they take it and put it into Matt and .Jack's cache). 
 
 Matt— Why, see, tlwy are going straight to our cache. 
 
 Miner (foUowii.g up) — Yes, so they ai-e, what in the world does it 
 m^an ? 
 
 Matt — Well, if tuat dont heat anything ever ! saw yet, they nnist be 
 om- guardian angels. ('Ilie boys cany all the stuff and place it in th<' 
 cache, and (hen go t«> their own cabin). 
 Scene. Itotjs in their own eal>iu. Lights a candle. Mr. I*, iji .seated on a 
 
 stool in another di-sguine. 
 
 Ml', t*.— Hello, boys, glad to see you, what have you been doing to- 
 night, out so late. 
 
 Han-y — Who are you, sir? What are you doing here ? 
 
 Mr. P. — Oh, I'm one of the Hoi-setlv crew, run in to he<ar vou sing a 
 little. 
 
 .loe — Well, we art' not singing to-night, sir, pleas.' tjike a walk. 
 
 Mr. P. (shuts the door and lM)lts it)— O n«) ! () no ! not so f.-ust, I'm here 
 to stay. Now see here girls (the boys both give a scream), I'm onto your 
 little ganu', you have supplied those felloA-s (piitc enough now, please 
 allow mc to supply you the rest of the winter, or one of you at h'ast. I 
 have a cabin and abundance of supplies about five uules fi-oni hei'e (speak- 
 to Harry). I will t^ike you to winter with me, free, and you I will leave 
 hear (speaking to .lo*'). and aftei- you have fouu<l out wlio I am, perhaps it 
 will Im' all right. 
 
 Harry— Never! (drawing a pistol he fires but does not hit him, he 
 clinches with b<»th bovs, has .bx* tied in a jillie. and is struggling with 
 Harry. There is a loud snuushing at the iloor, it gives w.iy, and Pat and 
 Sam rush in. Sam drags him i-ound the room by thi' two ^ect, w'oile Pat 
 is Ir'ating him with his shillalah. ('urtain falls.) 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 A ennrd at Pawfuni prejutring to go doicn th:' }'ukint, irhere there i.s plenti/ 
 of snffplieti. A group q// to one ttidc ronrer,sing. Matt, Jack, Pat. 
 Sam, and the tu'o lnn/.s. 
 
 Matt — Well, ?ny la<ls, we have got to make a start. 
 better. It is getting colder evei y day, and as tlie ice 
 now, we had nctter be off. 
 
 .Jack — It's three hundred and cigldy miles to N'ukoii, and we may 
 never r''ach thei-e. It's a terrible undertaking this tine ol' the year. 
 
 Matt— Theie has be«'n sevei-al hundreds started already, in bo;»ts. 
 before the rivej- fro;',e up, but they will soon get frozen in and liav«- t(» 
 build (olMtggaiis. 
 
 and the soou'-r the 
 is sti-ong enough 
 
and hf waut« 
 
 me if you can 
 lit" the ivst nl' 
 
 (itching icifh 
 p and l»yin 
 : it doiru ami 
 T/ie miner 
 inini'H the hro 
 'citedhf, hold, 
 
 •t thtin Uiki' 
 I to-iiioi'i-ow, 
 't tliink they 
 »xt's and .start. 
 (» their gi-eat 
 le). 
 
 ,v«)r!<l (h)es it 
 
 they nnist he 
 lace it in the 
 
 iJt Heated on a 
 
 ien doing to- 
 
 'ar yon sing a 
 
 walk. 
 
 f.-ust, I'm here 
 in onto your 
 n«)\v, please 
 >u at least. I 
 I here (speak- 
 1 I will leave 
 in, perhaps it 
 
 hit him, he 
 
 ■ugvc'.ing with 
 
 an<l i^it .ind 
 
 «t. while l»at 
 
 Itere in plcnttf 
 ft. Jack, Pat. 
 
 le sooner th<' 
 roiig enou}{h 
 
 iiid we may 
 ic year, 
 ly, in hoats, 
 and have to 
 
 11 
 
 Jack- Well, we will have to go as all hands can't live here until spring. 
 Tlieni two hoys want to go with us, hut we had hetter make some pi'o- 
 vision for tliem and leave ihem In^hind, they could never stand the trij). 
 
 Matt— O, I have talked to tliein alM>ut it, and they wont hear of stay- 
 ing behind, tlu'y are piucivy little feHov/s. The connuittee will give them 
 their allowanee for the trip and a tolM>ggan, and they vow they will go. 
 
 Jack— I wonder where Mi-. Paragiaph is, 1 haven't seen him for some 
 time. Perhaps he is going to stay behind to J)eat us out of that ground 
 hefoi-e we can get hack next spring. He's a sneak, that fellow. 
 
 Matt — That is so, and it wont do to leavt> him heit* alone. 8up}M)se 
 you stay .-in<l look after our mine until spring. Since the iMjys are going 
 tlH're will he pleiitv of supplies to ket^p y(ni until that time. 
 
 Jack — Well, it's a whack, I'll <lo it. 
 
 Matt (shouting to the rest of the jwirty) — Come, let us pack up, and 
 get out of this as scxm as possible. (All load up the tolMiggans and make 
 a start. Jack bidding them good bye). 
 
 Jack (shaking Matt by the hand) — CJood-bye, g<M)d-bye, old lK»y. May 
 (rod be witli you on this trip. \Vv may never meet again. (Bending over, 
 he says lowly to Matt). If anything happens, if we staivt* hei'e liefore 
 spring, and you get out, tell iiiy moLher, .she's all the friend I have, and 
 you mighttell that other Mis.s, but she doiit care, that I died trying, trying. 
 
 Matt — And if you get out, which is more probable, tell my sister Maud 
 and my sweet little Jennie, all about how it happened. I wius trying all 
 for their comfort. (The lM)ys, who have iK'en standing to one side, rubb* 
 ing their eyes, come forwaitl). 
 
 HaiTy — (iood-bye. Jack, God be with you. 
 
 Jack — Ciood-byc, Jack (crying and sobbing, takes out a letter and 
 handing it to Jack says) keep this until next spring, ami if we are not 
 heard from by the lii-st .steamer up tin* river, «)peii it and inform my friends 
 what has become of nie. GoiHl-bye, again, go<xl-bye (sobbing). (They all 
 say good-bye, and iiiov«> away, hauling the toboggan. Tlie cmwd on the 
 bank cheering after them. Th<' boys lingi-r a little b:4)ind, Joe crying). 
 
 Joe — O, 1 love him ! I love him ! Voor Jack, he looks s«» lonely thei'e 
 staying behind. I wonder what the end of it all will be. VVhat will Jju-k 
 think of me when he finds it all (>ut. 
 
 Harry— Cheer up, cheer up, and bopi' for the best. (Moves out of sight). 
 Scene chantfi'N. Tlie jxu'tij and a nninher of itt/icrN trarcllint/ <dona the 
 
 rirer, all nu'aj>ped in furs, hanlinij their tolxtygans. Krerything 
 
 eorercd leifh Hnon\ They halt to take thvir tn'eidh. Matt lum taken 
 
 sick, and a nam is hafilinfj him (tn a toboi/yan. 
 
 Miner - Well, we hav(> been a week on the roa<l, 
 The grub is getting pretty low. and it is so cold. 
 
 I'at — Poor Matt, I wondei- liow he fej>ls to-day. 
 and asks him how he feels). 
 
 Matt (in a weak voice) — O, I'm hetter to-day. I was only played out, 
 that is all. I fee! rest<'d now. 
 
 Pat. (jMit ting back tile cover) —He has been suiiving himself to give 
 them boys plenty, that is fwhat is the matter with him. A more gener«)us 
 hearted mail than him never walked upon earth or ice. 
 
 Miner Well, let us move on, it is lo(»king like a storm. (They all 
 move on). 
 Si'ene chnnffes. The eieer skirted with sntne corereil trees. The nund is 
 
 hloiciuii iinil if is luffinninf/ to snoir. There is a snailf open channel 
 
 in the ice, anil the man hanlituj Mall turns tothe left to aroid it. The 
 
 ire breaks, ami the loltuj/ifaii fulls into the icaler. Matt slii)/)in(f off aiul 
 
 diyanitearitiij under the ice. Thr men fnill fhilithotj(/an into safely. 
 
 All IS co'tfusion, everyhody rush inr/ arou ml. The Itoy Harry yndts a 
 
 roj'e from a fotmi/yan, tii's if rimnd his waisl, slanifs to the men to lay 
 
 a pole across the open channel heUnc, hands the end of the rope to I'at, 
 
 <in;l dins i.ifo the Irile where Malt lunl disitpiwareil. The nten put a 
 
 pole wifli ropes across I he channel below. All is suMpense anil con- 
 
 we must be half way. 
 (Lifts up a fur robe. 
 
12 
 
 fusion fm' a minute, /hen Harry appearn holding Matt round the 
 waist, the men draic them up. Matt uncotiscious, and Han^ trys to 
 stand up but fulls faint i ng on the ice. 
 
 Miner— Quick, men, pull them to the bank, gfet wotxl ami make a fire 
 
 or they will perish in ten minutes. (All hands rush to the shore, shovel 
 
 away the snow, get biiish and wood and make a fli'e in a hxiiry, draw the 
 
 drowned ones aloiigside, and pi-oceed to sti-ip them of their wet clothing 
 
 and put on diy. Every cme brings something to wi*ap them in, and holds 
 
 fui-s to the fli-e to warm. Joe is anxious to attend to Harry himself, but 
 
 Sam insists in helping him. In the midst of tlie work, Sam rushes out, 
 
 holds up one hana, and exclaims) Mv Gixl, it's a woman ! (Curt^iin falls). 
 
 Scene. The party hurrying along the ice in a blinding snoiv stonn. Pat 
 
 hauling Harry arul a miner hauling Matt. The miner gets behind 
 
 the rest, stops, thumps his ho tuts and mutters, my God, I'll pt'rish, all 
 
 have rushed on out of sight to save themselves. The miner starts 
 
 again but cannot haul the toboggan. Lifts up the cover, atul tells Matt 
 
 that he will have to lea re him. 
 
 Miner — Matt, Matt, I will have to leave you, I am pei-ishing. I can't 
 haul you, and they have all left me. Eveiy one for himself now. (Runs 
 shivering away. The wind is blowing and snow falling. Matt calls after 
 him), don't leave me ! don't leave n«» 1 (ci'awls out of his wraps, staggers 
 forwai-d a couple of steps, holds up his hands and cries) God of mercy, save 
 save nie ! (falls down, ci-awls shivering hjick into his wraps, and covers 
 himself up. The Aurora Boi-elas is shining dimly in the sky. There ap- 
 
 Seai-s overhead, a little to one side of Matt, a host of little angels with 
 uttering wings. A card swings down on which is written in bright 
 letters, I will guai-d thee with mme eye, with a lai-ge eye in the center. 
 A moose comes walking on to the ice, strolls up to the toboggan, siuells it, 
 t'.irows up its head, trotts off a few paces, whirls around, looks back at the 
 tol)oggai. and gives a snort. Matt l(M>ks out and nmtters, what is that, 
 sees the moose, digs out a rifle and fir<*s. The mcNise falls, and the card 
 disappears. Matt ci-awls over to the moose, nearly perished, feels how 
 warm it is, gets out his knife, opens the moose, takes out its l)owels, sticks 
 his head up and excljiims, O, how warm it is ! crawls back to the toboggan, 
 gets some wi-aps and ivturns to the moosct puts them in, and crawls after 
 them. Curtain falls). 
 Scene, A rat)ip further 'hum the river. Pat and, Joe in conversation. 
 
 Joe — That man luis not come up with Matt. O, I hope nothing has 
 happene<l to them. St*e, here he comes now, but, my God 1 he has not got 
 the taboggan. What hsm happened ? (The man comes staggering in 
 exhausted). 
 
 Pat— What hiive you done with Matt? you spalpeen. 
 
 Miner — I was playtnl out and hjid to leave nim, or we would have 
 both perished. 
 
 Joe — O, what shall we do? what shall we do ? 
 
 Pat — Well, there is «>nly one thing to do, I will go back, 'i'here is a 
 little grub on Matt's tolMtggan, and I will hide some out hei-e. The rest of 
 you had better go on, don't wait hciv, as the supplies are a go(Ml deal mor>;, 
 than half gone. 
 
 J(»e — Veiy well, Pat, I know you will do all you can to save Matt. 
 (Pat takes Sam to one side and talks to him). 
 
 Pat — Now, Sam, I'm goivig back t<» look for Matt. You go on and look 
 after them l)oys, espt'cially the sick one. 
 
 Sam — You bet, I'll UK»k after the sick one. I tell you, Pat, it's a 
 woman, and I think the other is Um. 
 
 Pat — You don't say so. How do you know ? 
 
 Sam — Well, you set*, I helpwl to change the clothes when they got in 
 the rivei'. 
 
 Pat — And fwhat did you see? 
 
 Sam— O, I saw enough. 
 
 Pat — And why did'nt ytaicall me? 
 
att rmtnd the 
 Harry trys to 
 
 id make a fire 
 shore, shovel 
 iiTy, draw the 
 r wet clothing 
 1 in, and holds 
 •y himself, but 
 m rushes out, 
 Curtjiin falls). 
 w stonn. Pat 
 ir gets behind 
 , I'll pt'rish, all 
 ; miner starts 
 and tells Matt 
 
 shing. I can't 
 
 f now. (Runs 
 
 rf att calls after 
 
 i^i-aps, staggers 
 
 of mercy, save 
 
 3S, and covers 
 
 ty. There ap- 
 
 le angels with 
 
 tten in bright 
 
 in the center. 
 
 ;gan, smells it, 
 
 )ks back at the 
 
 , what is that, 
 
 and the card 
 
 led, ftH>ls how 
 
 l>owels, sticks 
 
 the tolK)ggan, 
 
 d crawls after 
 
 \.omjersaiion. 
 
 nothing has 
 |hc has not got 
 staggering in 
 
 would have 
 
 Ik. 'i'heri> is a 
 The rest t»f 
 0od deal mor 
 
 save Matt. 
 
 h> on and look 
 
 Ui, Pat, it's a 
 
 I'U they got in 
 
 13 
 
 Sam — Call you I What would I want of you ? 
 
 Pat^ — Why, to make siu-e it was a woman. Women are very dacaving, 
 rou can't make them out ut one glimnse. Now then, that explains that 
 •main's a.ssaidt on them in th«Mr cabin. You will have to look out for 
 hem, as I think that fellow is on ahead, he left Dawson before we did. 
 le heaitl their plans, and if he is in the same camp with you all winter 
 ou will have trouble. 
 
 Sam — Trust me, Pat, I'll defend them two plucky Mttle gals, as long 
 iH there is breath in this iMMly, and if that dirty villain mwldles with tlu»m, 
 '11 exhibit his scalp in the streets f»f (^'alifornia. 
 
 Pat — Very good. Good-bye, .Joe, good-bye, Sam. (Goes to the couch 
 f the sick Harry, who is sleeping, lifts the cover, kisses the hand, rubs 
 is eyes and strikes out. (Uirtain falls). 
 vene. The place where Mutt is in the moose, vorcred vith a lot of new 
 
 snow, he is cutting a hole through the ribs of the moose, /mkes out his 
 
 head, looks around, tfie steam is issuing from the hole, hr stands up 
 
 and stretches himself. 
 
 M.itt — Well, I have had a good sleep, this is as good as a feather bed, 
 nd I feel nuieh iH'tter now. I wonder if they have left me, or if they all 
 ei'lsheil, and I am the only survivor after all. Well, I'll have to make 
 he best «>f it. I can eat the moose, and thei-e is a little grub on the sl^'igh, 
 ut I must rt'st a little longer. (Lies down again, and shiits the cover, 
 at comes in sight, walks up, looking around, finds the tolM)ggan, but Matt 
 gon(>, he calls. Oh, Matt, i.ielx>y, wber<' are you. Matt pops his head out 
 hrough the hole in the moose, Pat sees him and rims away). 
 
 Pat — Fwbat koind of an apjjarition is that? 
 
 Matt — Hello, Pat, don't be alarmed, it is I, I'm all right. 
 
 Pat — No, it's not you at all, it's w(»nt and died ye have, and ye're thry- 
 tig to hobgobbl(> me ye are. 
 
 Matt — No, Pat, I'm all right, come on. (Stands up. Pat secures a 
 tick fi-om the toboggan and walks towai-ds him suspiciously). 
 
 Pat— No, you are not all right, don't T see the smoke all ai-ound you. 
 
 Matt — Yes, I anj all right. (Jumps out and grasps Pat bj' the hand, 
 ho takes it, backing away. 
 
 Pat — Yes, I guess it is you, but what, in the name of all the saints, 
 oind «)f a sleeping tlepartment liave you got here. (Mat relates to him 
 is adventuivs). 
 
 Pat— Well, we are all right now. I saved oxit some of the grub below 
 
 'IV, and they have all gone on, having no time to spare. Then' is some 
 
 i'»d» on your toboggan, and we can eat this moose, and get more, and 
 
 itch fish, so we'll build a cabin, and stay here until someone calls 
 
 1 us. Fwhat i\o you say ? 
 
 Matt — It's a bargain, Pat, 1 guess that is the best thing to do. (Curtain 
 lis). 
 
 A(T V. 
 
 •cnc. Fori i'ukon. A gnnip of miners. Sinn and the fuH> boys to one 
 si4te in conrersation. 
 
 Harrj'— Well, Sam, it is getting pri'tty well along towanis spring now, 
 e ice will soon break up, and then we can go back, up. O, I hope we 
 ill find Matt and Pat all right. 
 
 .loe — Yes, ami Jack. 
 
 Sam — Oh, if Matt was alive when Pat g<»t back, I'll bet they would 
 ake out some way. 
 
 Joe— W»'ll, we will soon be going up, and will find out the the worst 
 the iM'st. 
 
 Han-y— Well, Joe, before we start up again, we may t\s well get some 
 
HT' 
 
 14 
 
 proper woman's clothes, and be ourselves again. It has leaked out that 
 we ai'e women, and they all know it. 
 
 Sam — You say you leaked out and they all found out you wei-e women. 
 By jove you was'ut leakiup; when I found out, you was as tight as a drum. 
 (HaiTy laughs and slaps- him). 
 
 Sam — Well, ^o and get on your duds till I see how you look. (Boys 
 i-etire. Sam talkmg to miner, says). 
 
 Sam— Well, you boys know that them two little fellows are not fellows 
 at all, they ai'e young Jiidies, and mighty refined ladies at that. Why, 
 they have lieen writing a lK)ok all winter, and ai-e going to di-ess up proper 
 now for the trip up the river. (The ladies come in). 
 
 Sam (looks at them a minute in surprise, then rushes up and grasps 
 them by both hands — Why, may I be skinned alive, if it is'nt Miss Jennie 
 and Maud. (Jumps around frantically). Why, I never took the hint, never 
 suspected who you was, but you always st^emed mighty familiar. (Waves 
 his nat and shouts, HuiTah I huiTah I The whole ci-owd gives thi-ee cheei-s 
 for the young ladies). 
 
 Sam— Why, let us get up the Yukon a» soon as possible, and this will 
 bring Matt and Jack to life whither they are dead oi* not. (A man sneaks 
 away from the scene, shakes his fist l)ack at them and muttei-s, you'll 
 never go, you'll never go. Curtain fails). 
 
 Scene. ■ A cave in a hillside in tJie woods. Mr. Panigraph pcu'ing back- 
 ward and forward. Misa .Jennie Hittitig on a. couch. 
 
 Mr. P. — Yes, my dear, I have lieen laying my plans for you all winter. 
 You ai'e in my power at List, and as s(M>n as tne river is op^ji, and thct g.-uig 
 have all gone up, we will take a small l)oat hiuI go down. Wt^'ll get 
 married at St. Michaels, and then you will l>e mine. 
 
 Jennie (springing up excitedly) — Never, sir, never, I'll die first ! 
 
 Mr. P. — O no, yov/ll not die, you'll soon get all right. That fellow 
 Matt is dead, there was'nt a ghost of a show for him when he was left 
 behind. (Sam rushes in. Mi-. Paragraph at the far end of the cave, Sam 
 levels a pistol at him). 
 
 Sam — And there isn't a ghost of a show for you when you'll be left 
 l>ehind, for we'll leave you right upon one of those tre<»8. Here, ccime on 
 men, let us do him up right. (A ci-ew of men rush in, have a struggle but 
 secure hiia, drag him out, and prepare to hang hiin up in a tre<>. Miss 
 Jennie pletuling with them to spare him. Sam tells them to take her 
 away. A miner leads hej- away, Th«> rope is put round his neck, he beg- 
 ing for mei'cy. They pull him up. He makes a sign to Sam, who bends 
 and listens). 
 
 Sam — Hold, hold, men, he wants to make a confession. (Sam goes 
 close to him and takes his confession down on papt^r. Mr. P. talks lowly). 
 
 Sam— Is that all now ? 
 
 Mr. P. — Yes, that is all, iU)W I will die easier. 
 
 Sam (to the crowd) — He says he kllUnl Blanche Lamont and Minnie 
 Williams, and Durant is innocent. Pull him up. (They haul hiin up high 
 dry, and go away and leavi^ him. (curtain falls). 
 
 Scene chunyes. All hundn on the wharf fjeftiny aboanl a »tcatnb(Htt. 
 
 Sam — Hun-ah I Jennie, Matt will soon sei> his sweet little Jennie now. 
 Hurrah ! wont tliis 'liven the lH)ys up though. 
 
 Jennie (solemnly) — Yes, if he is alive. 
 
 Sain — Oh, he'll come to life. (All get aboard, the whistle blows, and 
 the boat moves off. Curtain falls). 
 Scene chnnyes. Matt aiul Pat in front of a cabin on the Imnk of the 
 
 Yukon. 
 
 Pat — Be<lad, and we hav'nt done so b<ul after ail. 1 never was fatt<*r 
 or fi^t l>ei.jer in my life, and shure youi'self's after getting so fat that your 
 Jennie wonld'nt know you from a mud hen. 
 
 Matt — Oh. d(m't you fear but she would>kn<iw me. She's not here, but 
 I'll be where she is by next Christmas. 
 
 Pat— And with |)lenty of dust too. We have got nearly n flour snick 
 
»ked out that 
 
 1 were women. 
 ;ht as a drum . 
 
 I look. (Boys 
 
 iire not fellows 
 
 that. Why, 
 
 i-ess up proper 
 
 ip and grasps 
 it Miss Jennie 
 he hint, never 
 liar. (Waves 
 a thi-ee cheei-s 
 
 , and this will 
 A. man sneaks 
 juttei-s, you'll 
 
 pacing back- 
 
 ou all wint/er. 
 an<l thc« g.'Uig 
 n. We'll get 
 
 e first 1 
 
 That fellow 
 ni he was left 
 le cave, Sam 
 
 you'll he left 
 
 lei-e, come on 
 
 struggle hnt 
 
 a tre<». Miss 
 
 to take her 
 
 neck, he heg- 
 
 n, who heuas 
 
 (Sam goes 
 t;ilks lowly). 
 
 and Minnie 
 him up high 
 
 itcnmbfHit. 
 .Jennie now. 
 
 ^ hlows, and 
 
 fMmk of the 
 
 V was fatt<U' 
 at that yoin- 
 
 mt here, but 
 
 n flour saok 
 
 15 
 
 (Producing a 
 
 of it now, and if we work till next fall, we'll have a barrel, 
 bag of gold dust). 
 
 Matt — But we can only work it while the snow is melting, and it is 
 more than half out of the hills now. 
 
 Pat — Well, we'll have enough, we've got enough for any man now. 
 
 Matt — It's time they were coining up the river, if they ever got down. 
 
 Pat — O, well, them boats will be up, and we vnW hear from them soon 
 any way. 
 
 Matt (looking down the river) — There is a boat coming now. (Pat 
 runs and looks). 
 
 Pat — Shure enough, and there's* the nigger standing on the bow, look 
 at his black thunder-cloud face. I can see his eyes rolling like two 
 hemispheres. Hunuh ! hurrah ! (They both vun around and shout). 
 
 Pat — But who are the two ladies by his side? By the powers I know 
 them, I do, they both look familiar, why, it's, it's (the boat comes along 
 jiside with all on l)oard.) 
 
 Matt — My God, it's Jennie and Maud. (Grabs a pole, leans it upon the 
 lM)at, climbs up and embraces the girls and shakes them all by both hands. 
 Pat climbs tip and goes throtigh the same performance). 
 
 Pat — Beciad, and it's the biggest and most pleasantest surprise that I 
 ever j'xperienned in me life. Here Matt's been fretting all winter about 
 the boy that saved his life, and shure, it was nobody but his own little 
 Jennie all the time. 
 
 Matt — And just think, I very near shot her the night they were taking 
 grub from the cache to I'eplenish oin-s. (He embraces her again). 
 
 Maud — Have you heard anything fi-oni J^ick ? 
 
 Matt — No, but you will soon be up there now, one day's run will t«ike 
 you up. 
 
 Jennie — You ai-e coming with us of course. 
 
 Matt — Yes, we will go up, but we will have to return, we have dis- 
 covered a Ixmanza here, that we will work this summer. 
 
 Captiiin — (Stepping forward). Well, gentlemen, if you are going up 
 with us, get ready quick, we must move right along, p(a>haps they are 
 stjirving at Dawson now, or ai-e all demi. 
 
 Maud — (Wrings her hands and says) O, dear, I hope not. (Pat and 
 Matt thi"ow on their things and they move on. Curtiiin falls.) 
 Sroie. A crowd on the wharf at Dawson. Jack in the midst. All are 
 hurrtihingand waving their hata. A boat is coming wp tlie river. 
 
 Jack — Yes, theit> aw our folks, I see the darkie's eyes rolling. 
 Miner — (Shaking hands excitedly with Jack). Good ! good 1 I 
 
 see my 
 Oh, I 
 
 brothel- on boartl too. 
 
 Jack — But look, who ar«^ those ladies ? I don't see the l)oys. 
 hope nothing has happened to them. (Boat comes alongside). 
 
 Jack — (Rushing on boaiti). Why, it's Miss Siunmerville and Miss 
 Norton. (Shakes hands.) 
 
 Jack — In the name of wonder, what does all this mean? 
 
 Sam — Well, you see, the trip wsis so hai-d on them, going down, and 
 they wer«( so much exjKJsed, that the poor little fellows passed in their 
 ciu'cks, (solennily) changed their robes for whiter and l)etter ones. (Rubs 
 his ('yes. 
 
 .lack — (Sheds teai-s, and says tremulously). But couldn't you save 
 theuj ? Did you look after them as you promised ? Why did you let them 
 suffer ? I took a great liking tt) them, especially Joe, as he seemed to be 
 willing to do anything in the world for me. Did you leave any mark on 
 their gravtw ? 
 
 Sam — No, they hiul no graves to mark. Would you like to see Joe 
 now ? 
 
 Jack — Yes, alive or even dead, I would love to look upon his tioie, 
 earnest, open countenance once more. 
 
 Sam — (Taking Maud by the hand, leads her shy and blushing, up). 
 Well, here he is. (Ourtain falls). 
 
R? 
 
 ii 
 
 !• ! 
 
 1ft 
 
 ACT VI. 
 
 Scene. A cahin in Dairnun. Mutt <tn<l Jack: 
 
 Matt— Wt'll, the suiiiiikt is getting along. We liad t.» quit working 
 «mi' claim down below for tlu^ want of water. 1 riui it for all it wa.s worth 
 all sinniner through, worked seventy men all the tin.e. 
 
 Jack — Well, I could work the upper claim a while, hut T giiess we've 
 got enough. We had Viettei- go out early, before it gets bad ovei- the 
 pjusses. .. 
 
 Matt — We can go out on a i-ailroad now you know. 
 
 Jack — Yes th.at will be l)etter than the way we came in, but wi' will 
 have the ladies with us you know. 
 
 Matt— How many men did you work this summer? 
 
 Jack — I worked all I could get sometimes, onlv ten and as many Jis 
 fifty. 
 
 Matt — And how nuu-h gold do think you have? 
 
 Jack — I have sent fifteen hundred pounds wj'ight to the Monti-eal 
 Bank. 
 
 Matt — You have beat me by five hundn-d weight, I have sent away 
 just half of a ton. 
 
 Jack — What will we do with the claims? there is lots more in them. 
 
 Matt — Leave them with Pat and Sam, to nmke all they like out of 
 them. 
 
 Jfick — Very well, I'm satisfied. 
 
 Matt — Well, we'll get i-eady, and be oft' to-morrow, 
 Scene. Depot. Cron-d trnitiny for f/ie ti'itin to nhtii. 
 tojjetficr. Jack and Maud arm in (trnt. Sam anil I'at n-alkiiaj about. 
 
 Sain — Well, gentlemen, we will be down about a year from now, with 
 about twice as nuich gold as you've got. 
 
 Pat — Yes, begorrah, and we will. The clainu^. are just merely opened 
 up to W(h*k convainently now, and when we lave, if there's any left, we'll 
 give it to some poor divils loike ourselves to work. 
 
 Sam — [ say, Miss Jennie, what are you going to call your book? 
 
 Jennie — I will call my book the Aurora Uorealis, or. Footsteps in the 
 Snow, a Tale of the Klondike. 
 
 Pat — Good, I want to read it sometime. Well, T supjuwe you folks 
 are all paired off for getting married when you ai-rive in civilization. 
 
 Sani — Who are we going to mai-ry ? Who are you going to marry, Pat ? 
 
 Pat — Yei'self, 1 guess. I dont see any othi'i- chance. Oh, you blessed, 
 black, angelic creature, will you have me. 
 
 Sam — I'm yours. (They lock arms. The others get aboard, the train, 
 and it moves off. The curtain falls, Pat and Sam standing arm in arm). 
 
 (C'lntain falls). 
 Matt and .Jennie 
 
 \'\ 
 
 w 
 
liiit working 
 it was worth 
 
 [ guess we've 
 bad over the 
 
 hut we will 
 
 as many sis 
 
 he Moutreal 
 
 ^'e sent away 
 
 re ill tlu>iu. 
 like out of 
 
 tain falls). 
 / (I nil Jennie 
 (J (ihonf. 
 n now, with 
 
 erely openi'd 
 ny left, we'll 
 
 hook y 
 tsteps in the 
 
 le you folks 
 
 ition. 
 Imarry, Pat? 
 you hlessed, 
 
 (I, the train, 
 n in arm). 
 
 si»i;^?««i^*:tiffe'