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Read Ebook: The Last West; and Paolo's Virginia by Warren G B
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Ebook has 195 lines and 10587 words, and 4 pages
They tried the lands where everlasting sunshine Caressed lush fruits and kissed the waves at play; But no place gripped them like this western outpost Where men with large ambitions hewed their way.
It was the challenge to the daring spirit Of vast resources in their native state. It was the lure of gold, romance of action, The chances of success where stakes were great.
Ocstall River--a tributary of the Skeena near its mouth.
Jansen's Curse
Small wonder if Jan's conscience woke And if that moral guardian spoke In accusation strong Against the words he had let fall, Beyond the power of recall, To get revenge for wrong.
Skookum--a Chinook word, meaning strong.
Sourdough--a seasoned prospector.
The Survey Cook
Deep in the Sunset Valley Ill fortune had detained; Bacon and beans were finished; Of flour, none remained.
But now with tents and blankets, Facing the backward track, All hands were feeling cheerful Save the cook--his looks were black.
They'd packed across the mountains Where trails were never known, Through leagues of heavy timber And rock slides overgrown;
The horses of the pack train Had died in dark despair When brought to face the prospect Of using goat trails there;
So man a beast of burden Himself was forced to be; The crew packed grub and blankets And the cook the cutlery,
The dishpans and the kettles, The basins and a pot, A battered old reflector, Cups, bowls and plates, Great Scott!
Cymbals and drums weren't in it When cook did have a spill; The crash of warlike music Echoed from hill to hill
As down his pack came bounding, Spurning the canyon walls, Scattering pots and dishes, Leaping the waterfalls.
The packers looked in terror To see the cook come too As past their dizzy erie The clanging luggage flew;
When anxiously they hailed him, The cook, he only swore: "If I survive this picnic So help me--nevermore."
A Raid on the Seal Rookeries
The tale was told by a hunter bold Of a sealing schooner's crew, Of a midnight raid where the breakers played On reefs that the offing strew.
"In Behring Sea they tell," said he, "How Hansen, in the 'Adele,' Waiting for night, with never a light, Dared the reefs and ocean swell.
"A rascal bold, in misdeeds grown old, He had raided far and wide; But never before in the sealers' lore Had the Pribilof reefs been tried.
"But an Aleut, by his sealskin boot And the grave of his father, swore For a keg of booze and a pair of shoes To sell their secret, and more.
"So Hansen knew to a yard or two Where the hidden ledges ran; And the breakers' roar on the reefs and shore Were guides to the daring man.
"The trailing kelp and a flash might help Where the phosphorus burned bright, For the deed was done past set of sun When the stars were hid from sight.
"Then with muffled oars they reached the shores Near a crowded rookery; Where the voice of seals, in loud appeals, Drowned the moan of wind and sea.
"There were clubbed ten score and some dozens more Of the seals which in panic came Like frightened sheep before the sweep Of the raiders' far-flung chain;
"For they took their stand, where the rocky land Slopes down to the surf-worn beach, To intercept the herd that swept Like a torrent, the sea to reach.
"Their dories lay in a tiny bay On a bit of sandy shore; And they loaded seals by heads or heels Till the boats would hold no more.
"On many a trip to the little ship The skiffs went back and fore, Till she streamed with blood in a crimson flood From the deck to the cabin door.
"The seals were piled in confusion wild On deck, by a seaman there; While the hold was stored and the cabin floored Whenever he'd time to spare,
"For they had to sail before the pale Light came of a breaking day; Lest the sealing guard should follow hard And capture them with their prey."
"In the dawn's pale light that followed the night The sealing guard went round; But the bloody turf, by the edge of the surf, Was the only sign they found;
"For a curtain fell on the Behring swell And hid the schooner's flight; But they lay the blame on Hansen's name For the lawless deeds that night."
Pribilofs--a group of islands in Behring Sea, where the fur seal breeds.
Aleut--a native of the Aleutian Islands.
The Coast of British Columbia
On the far stretching coast of B. C., Where the hills and the seas interlace, Is a cruising ground yet unexcelled, Where the yachtsman can loiter or race.
And for those that of danger a spice Or variety's pleasures would know, There's a limitless sea to the west Where the free ocean breezes do blow.
There are harbours and fiords on a coast That is thousands of miles in extent; And new scenes that its windings unfold Fill those that explore with content.
Vancouver
Vancouver, Vancouver, Vancouver we'll sing all the way. Far away we may roam, but Vancouver's our home We remember, wherever we stray.
Vancouver, Vancouver, In summer time all the day long To sea we will roam, for afloat we're at home So we sway on our halyards with song.
Vancouver, Vancouver, The open gateway of the West. Her harbour's the port where vessels resort Of pleasure or profit in quest.
Vancouver, Vancouver, Her mountains a wonderland hold, Where the Lions on guard, carved in rock grey and hard, Have stood sentry for ages untold.
Vancouver, Vancouver, Of seamen intrepid we'll sing: Vancouver and Cook, great explorers, who took Possession in name of their king.
Victoria, B.C.
Bud of England grafted On a western tree, Favoured by the breezes Of a temperate sea.
Roses in the gardens Greet thy Christmastide, Broom upon the headlands Gilds the ocean side.
Paolo's Virginia
A SPRING PHANTASY
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