Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-10-09

Il know him, Clarence; know
him! saw him in Fresno in con-
sultation with Theodore Lakeland.
They have planned the murder of
| poor Paul"
| With a fierce oath the prisoner
leaped at his fair accuser, but the
strong young husband seized him by
the throat and hurled him to the OPP
posite side of the room.
Two men, worn, tired and haggard,
surrounded by mountains of ice and
great sleeping glaciers, had halted in
a valley where a few stunted pines
reared their heads above the eternal
| snow.
| let us rest, Crack-lash," said the
older of the two travellers. II give
in, shipmate. Your winds better'n
mine, for you see my old hulk is git
tin waterlogged o. late years, an
can't make as good Roadway as it
| used to. you know"
The travellers were Paul Miller and
his quondam sailor companion, Glum
Ralston.
Paul Miller gathered some dry
! pines and made a fire on the messy
banks Of a stream which ran close
under the cliff. The dry wood spark
led and snapped, and the blaze threw
out rudy light. The pot boiled and
he put on beans to cook with a little
meat, and soon had an excellent sup
per.
"Ah, mate, that is good" said the
ex-sailor, as he tasted the coffee.
We're running rather short of feed,
though, and If we don't come upon a
moose or reindeer soon I'm afraid
wen suffer-"
Never fear, Glum, some kind of
game will come our way"
Wrapped in his blanket, he sat at
the root of tree still talking to Paul,
who was half asleep, when they were
startled by snort. In an instant
both laid their hands on their rifles.
A pair of fiery eyes cleaned at them
and Paul, whose vision was keener
than his older companion, saw
small animal about four and half
feet in height, which in the dim, I'M
certain light appeared to be con-
meeting link between the OK and
sheep.
Glum Ralston lifted his gun to his
face and fired. There instantly fol-
lowed believing roar and rush
of feet. The fire was scattered in
every direction and the old sailor,
who was rising to his feet, was struck
blow which sent him sprawling on
the ground.
Paul dropped his gun, and snatch
ing a pistol. fred a shot into the
thick hide of the furious beast, just
behind the shoulder blade. 1t made
one spasmodic leap forward and fell
dead, the bullet having penetrated it's
heart.
The old sailor was staggering to
his feet, shaking himself to see If he
had any broken bones.
Are you hurt? Are you hurt?"
cried Paul, anxiously.
"N-no, l think not. 1t vas fall
broadside though, and how the horns
missed ripping me from stem to stern
is a mystery"
Paul threw on some fresh sticks of
pine and the fire blazed up, revealing
the beast he had slain lying but few
PAGES away. Its long brown and
black hair gave 1t the appearance of
of bear. The old sailor walked up to
it and said, philosophically:
"Its flesh is good for food, and will
keep us alive a good long time"
Two days after they had killed the
musk-ox they came again upon a dim
trail, and again began to take heart
The trail led them through an I'M
known pass toward the seashore.
"Cracklash, they're go.n' seward"
said the ex-sailor 81 ian smell salt
water already, and l feel better for
it."
Three days later, as they were
climbing over a hilltop, they saw two
men several hundred rods in advance
and gave chase.
They were within long rifle range
when the two fugitives discovered
them and began to run.
The two men darted into a ravine
and they saw them no more Glum
Ralston was of the opinion the men
they chased were two seal hunters,
who had wandered into the woods in
search of moose or deer.
They continued toward the coast,
following a faint trail. At last they
came upon one Of those bays that ex-
tend inland, and saw great, floating
icebergs glistening in the light of the
sun. Suddenly the old man stopped
and pointing to some tracks in the
| snow cried:
Look, Crack.lash. There's big
game"
What do you make II ont to be,
Glum?" Paul asked.
"Nothin' more nor less than polar
| bear"
Paul had heard much Of thrse fierce
! beasts, but never seen onE. The
near proximity of this one reused his
] sporting blood, and in an excited man
Eer he asked:
Cant we find him? ne seems TO
be monster. Glum. and must have
shot at him."
Paul hurried in the trail OF the
bear, and dreamed not of danger.
! Suddenly there came from beneath
his feet a loud cracking sound like
the report of a battery OF artillery
fired in unison, and the great ice foe
on which he stood began to tremble
| and rock.
Dumb with amazemeut he stood and
trembled with some unknown dread.
1t was several seconds before Paul
comprehended his danger, and then
it was too late. The ice foe with it's
glittering spires had parted from the