Yukon Queen, The by Gilbert Morris

Author:Gilbert Morris
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781441270429
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2005-11-01T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Trek Over Chilkoot Pass

“I’m sick of this mudhole!” Cass snapped, throwing his fork down on the table. He had been sullen and morose for two weeks and now glared defiantly at his companions. “We didn’t come here to sit around like a bunch of mummies!”

Serena had gone to the stove to get another round of coffee. Startled by Cass’s outburst, she turned to answer him patiently. “I know waiting is hard, Cass—but we don’t have much choice.” Picking up the blackened coffeepot, she came to fill the cups, saying, “Skagway is pretty bad—but we can stick it out.”

“I won’t do it!” Cass shook his head stubbornly. His face was drawn and there was a rebellious glint in his eyes. “I’m getting out of here, and I want all of you to go with me.”

Aaron shoved his chair back from the rickety table, took a long pull at the strong black coffee, then asked, “I suppose you’re still thinking of the Chilkoot Pass?”

“Yes!”

Jubal was worried. He had seen this coming and had talked it over with Serena. Now, one glance at the stubborn set of Cass’s face and he spoke urgently. “Cass, we see men coming back every day after trying to tackle that treacherous pass. It’s so bad that some of them take one look and give up.”

“They don’t want to get to Dawson as bad as I do.” Cass took a deep breath and gazed around the table, gauging the temper of the three. He had been more affected by the delay than any of the others because the hunger for success ran stronger in him than it did in any of them. For Aaron, the quest for gold was an adventure. For Jubal, it was an opportunity to have a long vacation before returning to college. As for Serena, she was so happy to be out of the convent that she’d be content to sit in Skagway all winter. Cass stood up and looked down at the others, his mind made up. “I’m going to try the Chilkoot. If you three want to wait here until spring, that’s all right with me!”

Serena had been observing Cass over the weeks and recognized that he was serious. Instantly she cast an appealing look at Jubal, saying, “We’ve got to stay together!”

Jubal would have done anything for Serena, so he nodded at once. “Well, it’ll be a break in the boredom.” Turning to Aaron, he smiled and said, “You’ve got to come along, Aaron.”

The monotony and crowded conditions in Skagway had begun to grind Aaron down, and he sighed heavily. “I guess I’d better go along—just to keep you three from getting lost!”

Cass was elated at their decision. “Let’s pull out this morning—I’ll start breaking down the tents!”

A frenzy of activity seized the little group, and for the next three hours, they threw themselves into breaking camp. Asa Tyler came by as they were leaving, his eyes growing grim when Cass excitedly told him the plan. “Wal, you got your minds made up,” he said finally.

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