In this story are related the adventures of two Maine boys who leave their home among the lumbermen, travel to California, there to join their uncle, an experienced miner, and several other men, and start on the long trip to the Klondike by way of Dyea, Chilkoot Pass, and the lakes and streams forming the headwaters of the mighty Yukon River. After many perils the gold district is reached, and here a summer and winter are passed, the former in hunting for the precious metal and the latter in a never ending struggle to sustain life until the advent of spring. In writing the description of this new El Dorado the author has endeavored to be as accurate as possible, and has consulted, for this purpose, the leading authorities on Alaska and its resources, as well as digested the sometimes tedious, but, nevertheless, always interesting, government reports covering this subject. Regarding the personal experiences of his heroes he would add that nearly every incident cited has been taken from life, as narrated by those who joined in the frenzied rush to the new gold fields. EDWARD STRATEMEYER. NEWARK, N. J., April 1, 1899. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. A LETTER FROM THE WEST 1 II. THE BOYS REACH A DECISION 9 III. A FALSE IDENTIFICATION 18 IV. A SERIOUS SET-BACK 27 V. A NIGHT IN NEW YORK 36 VI. PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE 44 VII. BUYING THE OUTFITS 52 VIII. ON THE WAY TO JUNEAU 61 IX. THE FATE OF A STOWAWAY 69 X. UP THE LYNN CANAL 77 XI. THE START FROM DYEA 85 XII. EARL HAS AN ADVENTURE 93 XIII. AT THE SUMMIT OF CHILKOOT PASS 101 XIV. BOAT-BUILDING AT LAKE LINDERMAN 109 XV. ON TO LAKE BENNETT 118 XVI. AN EXCITING NIGHT IN CAMP 127 XVII. A HUNT FOR FOOD 134 XVIII. ON TO THE WHITE HORSE RAPIDS 141 XIX. NEARING THE END OF A LONG JOURNEY 149 XX. THE GOLD FIELDS AT LAST 157 XXI. A DAY IN DAWSON CITY 164 XXII. DIGGING FOR GOLD 172 XXIII. GOOD LUCK AND BAD 180 XXIV. AN UNLOOKED-FOR ARRIVAL 187 XXV. MORE WORK IN THE GULCHES 195 XXVI. SLUICE BOXES AND PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER 203 XXVII. THE END OF THE SUMMER SEASON 211 XXVIII. SNOWED IN 219