Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-10-23
CHAPTER TX,

Paul's Departure From Metlakahtla.
Paul Milfers discovery that the
white man prospecting on the island
the hermit, and beyond doubt one of
the four who had robbed him, for
moment deprived him OF speech. He
had his own reasons for not wishing
TO be recognized by the man who had
robbed him and attempted his life. He
TO have him held a prisoner. He be-
lieved the man could unfold the whole
story of the robbery and mystery of
the hermit and determined to make
him do so before leaving the island.
After a rev moments the babel of
voices without ceased. and the crowd
gathered near the house began to dis
perse. The thought then occurred to
his mind that the prisoner, having
been arrested for trespassing, might
be released on his solemn promise
never to return. With this new dan
ger in his mind he started toward the
door, when he was met by Father Dun
can.
What have they done with the pris-
oner?" he asked anxiously.
He has been sent to the prison to
be detained for a while until certain
mysteries with which he is connected
are cleared up" said the old man.
Father Duncan, do you think the
fellow is secure? Do you think there
is no danger of his escape?"
None whatever. My Indians are
very watchful and careful. They will
obey me to the letter"
Then let us sit here and compare
notes for few moments"
He seated himself by the old mis-.
sionary and told him of his rescue by
the mysterious old man of the noun,
tains whom he had called the hermit
Then he told of the capture of the her
nit, and concluded with:
This man was one of the three who
seized the good old man and took him
away from the cavern"
The interest of good Father Duncan
increased, and he shook his head, say
ing:
This is certainly very. very
strange"
There is a mystery in it all which
! am unable to solve. cannot com
prehend who this strange hermit car
be, unless he is the captain to whom
you refer"
1T looks very much as if the unfor
"a hal D.
whose mysterious disappearance has
occasioned so much distress"
Paul remembered the story which
the ex-sailor, Glum Ralston, had told
HIM Of his captain, and also recalled
tc his recollection the mysterious wal
rus hide.
His anxiety to escape from the
island and return to the Klondyke
where his friends were, was more
than over-balanced by desire tc
learn something of the motives o.
the trespasser.
"Mr. Duncan, will your friends see
that he does not escaped"
There is little danger of his doint
So" Father Duncan answered. MI
friends are kind and Christian men
yet they have by no means lost theil
native watchfulness."
Paul had ample proof, in time. o
the danger of over-confidence. Tht
third night after his visit to the jai
he was awakened by a loud noise IL
the direction OF the little wharf
There came the report of gun
something rarely heard at Metlakah
tia, and he leaped from his bed bur
riedly dressed and ran out upon thu
street At last he met Father Dun
Can, whom he found as calm and firm
as usual.
What has happened. Father Dun
CAM" he asked.
ALAS! my son, You were all to-
good a prophet The prisoner ha
escaped. The wicked are ever Gun
ming and watchful, and Satan sleep
not"
Paul gave utterance to a groan
sank upon a large stone at the side o
the road and bowed his head in hi
hands. One more hope. and, in fact
aoout the last hope he had, was gone
Paul remained two weeks longe
with the Metlakahtlas, and then dc
cided to leave his dusky friends an
start for the Klondyke.
Father Duncan selected four stou
young Indians to accompany hin
The Indians were well supplied wit