Part I of Another Alaska

There was a tall, elaborately carved totem pole at the entrance to each one. The large, cumbersome group of travelers was noticed immediately, and a number of Tlingit natives stopped going about their daily business to see what the unusual visit was about. Choquette wondered if the tribe had seen whites in years. Doroshin openly admired the totem poles as they entered the village.

Georgina stepped forward to interpret, as Choquette's limited grasp of the language was unlikely to suffice. "I am Georgina, of the Raven clan of Chief Shakes. I journeyed here one time, as a little one, with my father."

"I am Chief Kowee, of the Nisga'a Eagles tribe. I remember your visit, though my uncle was still the chief at that time. Why have you come, and who are the white men with you?"

A number of Tlingits had gathered to enjoy the break from the routine of life in the village. "We are journeying up the river, searching for the yellow metal, gold. We hope to find it here, in the streams that join to form the Great River. But we now begin to run out of food. If you will trade food to us, we could offer you something in return."

Chief Kowee seemed pleased with her response. Food was in no short supply, as the fish had been plentiful that year. The last whites that had ventured so far up the river had done so nearly a decade ago, and had brought tremendously useful iron tools to the village. He hoped for more. "We will trade food to you, if you will trade to us tools of the metal, iron." Feeling generous, he added, "I understand that the whites use the yellow gold as an item of trade. We have little need for it, but I do know where it may be found. I will tell you, for some tools."

Delighted, Georgina relayed this to Choquette. The trader hurriedly searched his pack, as did others of the party. Between them, they could offer a number of small knives, a spade and several pry-bars. Kowee was satisfied, and each pack was refilled with fish, as well as berries and greens.

"To the north," the Chief said, "there is a river that joins with the west bank of the Great River. If you follow that river towards its source, you may find what you look for."

Eager as they were, the band didn't rest any longer, but continued on their way. By noon the following day, they were traveling up the tributary. And by afternoon, while the party took a brief rest, Choquette wandered away, restless, down to the banks of the river itself.

Moments later, the party heard the sound of a splash, followed by a raucous cry. Alarmed, Peter Doroshin was the first to arrive on the scene, only to find Buck Choquette whooping and prancing in the shallow river, his trousers rolled up to his knees. Golovin, Georgina and the rest reached the river just behind Doroshin, and a dripping Choquette scrambled towards them. "Look at this! Beau! Parfait! Mon or!" He waved his closed fist at them, and then opened it to reveal a fist-sized quartz stone speckled with flecks of gold. "Look!" he ordered, unable to contain his enthusiasm.

The waters of the river were perfectly clear, and through its ripples they could see innumerable glints and flickers of sunlight reflecting off the precious ore in the streambed. They had found gold!

***July 20, 1861***

Within a few days, their grandest hopes were all confirmed.