Evening star., 1898-08-27

thew Quin few years ago. But when he
returned to England and related his amaz-
Ing experiences even those of his friends
who knew him best, with couple of ex-
reptions. intlmated too plainly that they
regarded the narrative as sort of Baron
Munchausen yarn. He felt deeply this in
sinuation against his veracity, and from
that time he could never be induced to
speak of the matter. In his note book,
however he set down a lengthy and de-
tailed account of what he rightly regarded
as the most unique and thrilling adventure
Of his life. Let these who read form their
own opinion.
In the early spring Of 1SS-. while yet
navigation in that region was imperiled by
floating masses of glacier ice, Quin arrived
at the Alaskan port of Sitka. after rough
Journey by water up the coast from San
Francisco. His object was to collect for
Hamrach & Company cargo of wild ami
mails; for Alaska is the home of the bear
and the wolf, the panther and the wolver-
inc. the moose and the elk. as well as
many others. Finding no suitable opening
at Sitka, Quin took passage almost imme-
Giately on the Bluebird, Il steamer thai
was starting for a far northern point near
the mouth of the Yukon. Ten days later he
was put ashore at the lonely little settle
ment of Raneau, about hundred miles to
the south of Mount St Elias AT hrSt s!gAt
the place took his fancy, and he expected
TO remain here for some time, at least until
the return of the Bluebird.
1t was late in the afternoon when Quin
landed. He stood on the rude quay Drink
ing in the majestic beauty of the scene, i'm
pressed beyond words by the gigantic for
est-clad mountains that seemed about TO
tOpple over on the tiny waterside village,
and yet were themselves as pigmies to the
mighty snow-covered peaks. back from the
coast. that lowered thousands and thou
sands of feet into the clear sky. A the
hl RI slF1rT rp0O a n
and a fleet of native canoes, with long,
beaklike stems and prows. In the fore
ground clustered the massive timber
houses each with a totem-Dole in front of
keted Indians and couple of white trad
ers Were haggling over a bale of skins and
silver bracelets OF native workmanship.
Here and +here Indian women and chit
dren, gaudily decked out in bright ribbons
and calico. displayed for sale various wares
horn spoons, pipes and baskets, berries
of red and blue and miniature canoes pad
dies and totem-poles-
1t was a curious and animated picture,
nor were the elements of discord lacking.
For OF a sudden angry cries, mingled with
loud words that fell from no native tongue,
rose behind one of the nearest houses.
Thinking that his assistance might be need
ed, Quin dashed at once to the spot. He
saw an elderly white man demonstrating
with a group of Indians. One of them a
filthy-loOking savage, who was evidently
maddened by drink, whipped out knife
and lifted it to strike
Barely in time Quin reached the fellow.
He knocked the weapon from his hand and
dealt him a blow between the eyes that
brought him to the ground. The other In
dians, who were more sober. picked up
their stunned comrade and withdrew sui
lenly. The rescued man came forward and
offered Quin a horny fist. He was rather
a striking parsonage. tall and lean, dressed
in furs, and with bearded face that show
ed signs of recent illness.
~uvz1-r
American accent You did me good
turn. That rascal would have knitted me-
sure as shooting. Served me right, though,
for interferin in a native quarrel. 1 reckon
you landed from the Bluebird?'
Yes Quin replied.
Going to put up here?"
For time"
Got any diggings?''
mo; not yet
Then you come right along with me-"
said the American, in a tone that brooked
no contradiction. My name is Crane
Abel Crane My Shanty will hold two and
you can stay as long as you like
The invitation was accepted. and in this
manner Quin formed an acquaintance that
was destined to change all his plans and
lead him into such peril as he had never
dreamed Of Abel Cranes shanty as he
termed it. was a dilapidated little log hut
In the rear of the village; it was scrupu-
Iousiy clean. but its contents We're limited
10 couple OF blankets. bed of dried grass
and a few rude dishes Here Quin brought
his luggage and here. after supper thai
evening. the two men sat and smoked, and
talked by roaring fire. as if they had
known each other for years Quin. whose
unerring instinct told him that his host was
n rough Jewe. with sterling qualities smoke
Freely OF the business that had fetched him
wild animals" Abel Crane said. con-
emptUousl y Well il l liked I could tell
a story He broke off abruptly. Il can
put you on 10 a better game than trannfre,
na odd gTaE
square partner" "
What do you mean?' Quin asked.
Ihe American put his hand in his pockef
and drew out dozen dull yellow objects
as big hazel nuts
Cold" he said curtly
"GOld?' exclaimed Quin
res; solid nuggets And there are thou
sards more where these came from. wait
Ing 70 be picked up. Man. I've seen them"
And these are all you brought away?''
Crane laughed harshIy.
Il can trust you he said 'Ill tell Won
the story. and you'll be the first one to
hear it. It's year now since 1 set off
prospecting by myself. and six months
later l was 400 miles TO the northeast of
Mount St Elias, where no white man had
ever put foot To cut the yarn short /
I0ula HttIe valley surrounded by steep
Guns there was a swift river running
through II. and that was the only way in
O. out spent just two hours in that
Velley-long enough to discover bit of a
stream that flowed over a bed of golden
nuggets Then l had to light out in a
hurry, and mighty glad | was to get safe
away I didn't want to go back | drifted
down TO the Yukon. and finally returned
overland TO Raneau. where / fell ILL., An
IHdlan sQuaw nursed me, and now I'm as
sound ever"
"But why did YOU leave so kastily?' asked
tluin, who was beginning to be deeply in
tereSted.
Crane shivered slightly, and gave the fire
a poke.
You won't believe me-" he replied. but
mere goes 1 was chased out of that valley
by thing that might have been the devil
hiTnselr-a monster like an elephant only
twice as big 1t roared as loud as an
earthquake, and three bullets didn't stop
1t. And run. 1t was all l could do TO
tumble into my boat and push off. / was
the worst scared man you ever saw and
had the shivers for an hour after 7 got
out OF the valley by the lower canon.
The recollection seemed to unnerve him.
with shaking hands he poured draught
from black bottle and put 1t to his lips.
''It can't be true: he was either dr1nI, or
had nightmare" Quin said to himself
can You describe the monster?'' he added
aloud.
Il can see II now." Crane replied. aI
dream OF IL at nights. It was as big as a
house, shaped like an elephant. and had
four tusks instead of two Man. thew
locked as long and sharp as swords, And
the creature was covered uritb lxip1