' They fell back on
their natural stoicism and uncomplainingly watched the rule of
their white sisters from their cabins.
Then another exodus came over the mountains from the prolific
Southland.
This time it was of women that became mighty in the land. Their
word was law; their law was steel. They frowned upon the Indian
wives, while the other women became mild and walked humbly. There
were cowards who became ashamed of their ancient covenants with
the daughters of the soil, who looked with a new distaste upon
their dark-skinned children; but there were also others--men--who
remained true and proud of their aboriginal vows. When it became
the fashion to divorce the native wives. Cal Galbraith retained
his manhood, and in so doing felt the heavy hand of the women who
had come last, knew least, but who ruled the land.
One day, the Upper Country, which lies far above Circle City, was
pronounced rich. Dog-teams carried the news to Salt Water; golden
argosies freighted the lure across the North Pacific; wires and
cables sang with the tidings; and the world heard for the first
time of the Klondike River and the Yukon Country. Cal Galbraith
had lived the years quietly.
Pages:
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152