Behind them limped a sick man or two, a soldier from the barracks, and in the rear a fellow who had drifted in the week before with scurvy.

It was a pitiful review that lined up to greet the tide of tenderfeet crowding towards their El Dorado, and unusual also, for as yet the sight of new faces was strange in the North.
The deserted aspect of the town puzzled the captain of the steamer, and upon landing he made his way at once to John Gale's store, where he learned from the trader of the strike and of the stampede that had resulted.

Before the recital was finished a man approached and spoke excitedly.
"Captain, my ticket reads to Dawson, but I'm getting off here.

Won't you have my outfit put ashore ?" He was followed by a group of fellow-passengers who made a similar request.
"This place is good enough for me," one of them said.
"Me, too," another volunteered.

"This strike is new, and we've hit her just in time." Outside a dozen men had crowded "No Creek" Lee against the wall of the store and were clamoring to hear about his find.