The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-05-17

tonished Frank Aldersley by this ques-
ton:
"Have you anything in your berth,
Frank, that you set value on?"
Frank looked puzzled. Nothing
that l set the smallest value on-when
I am out of it," he replied. What
does your question mean?"
1--WE are almost as short of fuel as
we are of provisions Crawford pro-
ceeded. "Your berth will make good
firing. l have directed Bateson to be
here in ten minutes with his ak
Every attentive and considerate on
your part" said Frank. What is to
become of me, if you please, when
Bateson has chopped. my bed into fire.
wood?"
Cant you guess?"'
81 suppose the cold has stupefedl me.
The riddle is beyond my reading. Sup
pose you give me a hint
Certainly. There will be beds to
spare soon-there is to be a change at
last in our wretchedlives here. Do you
see it now?"
out of his berth and waved his fur cap
in triumph.
"See itr' he exclaimed; "of course l
do! The exploring party is to start
at last. Do I go with the expedi-
tion?"
ct is not very long since you were
in the doctors hands, Frank" said
Crawford, kindly, 81 doubt if you are
strong enough yet to make one of the
exploring party
Strong enough or not" returned
Frank, any risk is better than pining
and perishing here. Put me down,
Crawford, among those who volunteer
to co.
Volunteers will not be accepted in
this case" said Crawford. Captain
Helding and Captain Ellsworth see Sc
rious objections, as we are situated, to
that method of proceeding
'Do they mean to keep the appoint
ments in their own hands?" asked
Frank. 81, for one, object to that"
wait a little,'' said Crawford. "You
were playing backgammon the other
day with one of the officers. Does the
board belong to him or to your"
ct belongs to me. I have got it in
my locker here. What do you want
with it?''
II want the dice and the box for
casting lots. The captains have ar
ranged-most wisely, as I think-that
Chance shall decide among us who goes
with the expedition, and who stays be-
hind in the huts. The officers and crew
of the Wanderer will be here in a few
minutes to cast the lots. Neither you
nor any one can object to that way of
settling the question. Officers and men
alike take their chances together No
body can grumble"
Il am quite satisfied" said Frank.
"But know of one man among the Of
icers who is sure to make objections
'Who is the MANI"
"You know him we'll enough, too
The Bear of the Expedition'-Ri
Wardour.'
''Frank Frank you have a bad habit
of letting your tongue run away with
yCu. DOu 4Sp0dC ludC 0luplu ulCh-
name when you talk of my good friend,
Richard Wardour."
Your good friend? Crawford! your
liking for that man amazes me-"
Crawford laid his hand kindly on
Franks shoulder. Of all the officers of
the Sea-Mew, Crayford's favorite was
Frank.
why should it amaze your" he
asked. What opportunities have you
had of judging? You and Wardour
have always belonged to different
ships. I have never seen you in War
dour's society for five minutes togeth-
er. How can you form fair estimate
of his character
81 take the general estimate of his
character Frank answered. "He has
got his nickname because he is the
most unpopular man in his ship. No
body likes him-there must be some
reason for that
There is only one reason for it."
stands Richard Wardour. 1 am not
talking at random. Remember, I sailed
from England with him in the Wan
derer, and I was only transferred to
the Sew-Mew long after we were
locked up in the ice I was Richard
Wardour's companion on board ship
for months, and learned there to do
him justice. Under all his outward
defects. I tell you there beats a great