Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-12-18
CHAPTER XIX.
Conclusion.

The reunion of the sea captain and
tae faithful sailor was mild compared
to a reunion that quickly followed.
Another party was coming across the
ice. The long, Arctic night was spent
and the opening door Of dawn was
filling all the eastern Heavens with
glory, when Paul, Kate, old Ben and
their faithful canine friend sprang
from the ice and hurried up the hill to
the narrow valley, where the camp
was.
Paul led the party. with Kate close
behind. The first object he recogniz-
ed was his faithful old friend, who
had long mourned him as dead-Glum
Ralston. The meeting can be better
imagined than described. He was
told that Laura was inside with Clar-
ence and the long-lost captain, who
was making desperate efforts to eX-
plain something which had befuddled
everybody, and Paul tumbled head
first into the tent, the worst befuddled
of any one, and embraced Laura and
Clarence, and for several moments
the only rational being in the party
was the faithful unknown dog, who
sat on his launches and painted.
1t was fully an hour before every
body inside and everybody outside
were at all themselves. Paul after
ward had dim recollection of hearing
voice very much like Glum Ralston's
roar:
Amt you Kate Willis, my Kate"
and then he heard a voice which
sounded very much like Kate crying:
Amt you Jack Ralston. my sailor
boy?"
Then there was a collision, explo-
sion, and the hub-bub increased.
At last, when all had time to re-
cover. Kate and Jack, as she still call
ed him, entered the tent, she declaring
she would never permit him to leave
her again. Jack explaining that he
was staying in Alaska in compliance
with an order from his captain to the
effect that he was to never leave
until he returned.
And he has returned" said Jack.
He has come back and is here now;
and Kate, am ready to CO."
The man whom we have known as
the hermit captain said: II
My friends, this is the happiest day
ever knew. But one person more is
to make the reunion com
plete, and my cup of happiness run
over. l want to ask some questions,
and then make some explanations.
First, is your name Paul Miller%
Eyes, sir" Paul answered.
Who was your father, and where
is he?"
my father was Captain Joseph Mil
Ter. who was lost before can remem-
Der in Alaska or some of the islands
Of the Boring Sea-"
do you know the name of the ship
he last sailed in, and from what
port?"
Mother told me he sailed from San
Francisco in a sealing schooner call
ed the Eleanor"
"Jack-Jack! Have you been with
him all these months and not know
this?"
Glum Ralston leaped to his feet with
a startled yell and cried:
"Crack-lash! A Miller-son of my
captain! Why. by the name of Nep-
tune, didn't We tell me we had some
other name'n Crack-lash?"
+. Paul was dumbfounded. He had
heard a hint that the hermit was his
father, but the old man had so stub
bornly denied it that he had conclud-
ed it must be false.
why did you deny was your son
when those men threatened to hang
me?" Paul asked.
My boy, knew 1t then as well as
now, but to acknowledge you to be
my son was to be your own doom.
They'd hung ye then for sure, or
tortured us both"
What was they goin' to hang
Crack-lash for?'' asked Jack Ralston.
Because I wouldn't tell where I'd
cached a fortune in gold got from
the Alaskan mines So long as they
didn't know he was my son they could
not force the secret from me that
way"
We'll, cap'n, you played your part
very fine, an now that we have out
witted 'em, an all goin' home soon,
can you find the place where the gold
is cached?"
''If | had a certain walrus hide l
could. II is the one my son took from
the cave"
81 gave it to you, Glum."
And I've got 1t safe at camp"
In the midst of their rejoicing
Paul did not forget the poor wretch
who was lying IN the cavern mangled
and torn by the dog. Clarence and
two Indians went and brought Morris
to the camp. where Kate carefully
dressed his wounds. He was the only
man living save Belcher, who had
robbed Paul, and told them where the
treasure could be found, also making
full confession of his crime, admit
ting that Lakeland had hired them to
detain Paul in Alaska until he. Lack
land, should win certain lady's hand
and heart.
The second day after the startling
incidents narrated above the little
camp was broken, all the dog sleds
secured and porters, packers and
Esquimaux set out for the Klondyke.
Providence favored them, for there
was no snow fall during their march
At the Klondyke Ethel Berry gave
them a reception in her shanty. Her
amazement was unbounded to learn
that Laura was in Alaska, and still,
strangest of all, Paul had found
father who had been dead twenty
years.
Kate went to Dawson City and
established her laundry, though Jack
tried hard to dissuade her. She said