41 Lure O Gold 1904

XIX
THE STEAM COLLIER
r
THE forehold of the Modesto was not large,
as she
was built at the time when it was considered best to
stow aft as much of a steamer s cargo as possible, that
the propeller might be left deep under water. The
passengers and crew attacked the work with surprising
vigor, considering their worn condition. Here, as in
the after hold, I kept vigilant
of the passengers while doing in providing fuel.
watch of the movement
as much work as I could
The eagerness of the searchers for the gold, built
upon an ever-increasing cupidity, had become some
thing feverish. The side of the forehold had been
cased to protect some special freight that had been
taken up to Nome in that part of the ship.
This casing
was composed of surfaced pine boards, six inches wide
and one inch thick.
The boards were simply nailed
to a temporary wooden framework, and this lining
structure afforded but slight resistance to the attacks