This state of affairs continued for several days, until a party of men, more resolute than the rest, pushed their way to the front, made a rush for the barrier, and overcame the resistance.
The waiting crowds promptly pushed aside the barricade, and began to file through the narrow pass; but so eager was each man to be first into the land of gold that the travellers pushed each other aside, knocked their fellows down, and trampled them under foot till the pass looked like a battlefield.
It is strange how men lose all sense of humanity when they are thirsting for gold. The stories of jealousy, hatred, robbery, and murder which have followed the rush for riches into the Klondike are a repetition of the lawless doings of '49 in California.
The question of providing food for these eager hordes has been considered by the President and his Cabinet during the past week.
It has been decided to send two detachments of troops to Alaska, to preserve order and carry supplies to those who are in need of them.
As it will be necessary to send the supplies before Congress can meet and make an appropriation for it, General Alger, the Secretary of War, has agreed to purchase the provisions at his own expense, and trust to Congress to pay him back.
A report is current in London that a great honor has been conferred on Sir Julian Pauncefote, the English Ambassador at Washington.
The term for which he was appointed ends next year, in 1898, but it is said that in consideration of the good service he has done, Lord Salisbury has obtained permission of the Queen to keep Sir Julian in office for another year.