Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-10-16

on her last cruise" said a feeble
husky voice.
at is Ralston-Glum Ralston!'
roared Gid. Where We been, Glum
Tell me where We been!"
Il am Observation-Disclosures" the
ex-sailor moaned.
Clarence hurried him to his house,
where warm supper was hastily pre-
pared for him.
Have you seen Paul Miller or
heard from him since you came upon
us in the pass?" was one of the first
questions propounded by Clarence.
YES" he answered. Last l saw O.
him he was on an iceberg sailin' out
t sea. and his onl.- fellow-passenger
was polar bear"
1t will be essential at this point to
return to Paul Miller, whom we left
on an iceberg floating out to sea. The
swelling food and tossing cakes OF
ice between the drifting foe and
shore made 1t utterly impossible for
him to reach land. The sharp growl
of the monster above indicated that a
crisis was coming, which would de-
termine the rights Of ownership to
the mountain of ice.
Through all his misfortunes Paul
had managed to retain his presence
of mind and his rifle. He executed a
skillful flank movement, and, scaling
shelf, was several feet above the
bear and not over twenty PAGES away,
prepared for an assault. With nerves
as steady as il engaging in the most
ordinary sport, he leveled his rifle at
the side of the monsters head. When
sure of his aim he pulled the trigger.
There followed a sharp report and
the bear dropped on his launches, his
nose in the air.
Paul cooked his rife and fired a
second shot at the beasts head. 1t
fell on the ice and after few spas
modic kicks lay still. He sent a
third into the back Of its head, but
it was wholly unnecessary, for the
other bullets had done the work.
With his knife he removed the skin
from the animal. and, climbing as
high as he dared, hung 1t upon one
Of those spires of ice. in the hope
some sealing schooner or whaling ship
might see 1t and send a boat to his
relief. When night came he lay down
on the snow and ice, and. notwith-
standing his perilous situation,
actually slept.
He was awakened soon after dawn
by the sound of voices near.
What say We nou?" one seemed to
say to another.
II say nowt," was the answer. IF
he be there find him."
Sure, man, We Gamma say as bear
will peel his own skin from his back"
'Weel, there's a stiffener," return
ed another voice.
Paul rose and mechanically laid his
hand on the rifle at his side. Only
a few hours before he was wishing
he had not shot the bear, and that it
had destroyed him instead of he
shooting it, but now that his life
iui6uI DlOpdplg bt III II SIC"
suddenly very sweet.
He raised his head a trifie higher
and listened intently at the voices.
Push alongside and let a lad go
ashore" said another voice.
Then he plainly heard the splashing
of paddles in the water. He crept
along on hand and knees, holding his
rife in one hand and a cooked re-
yolyer in the other.
Then he raised his head just little
and saw large canoe in which were
half a score of dark-skinned Indians.
Surprise and curiosity overcame any
fear he might entertain of his visitors,
and he arose and gazed about on the
sea and shore. The glance filled him
with wonder and surprise. The shore
was lined with green trees, and afar
off he saw a mountain towering so
high its peak pierced the light blue
clouds.
He saw chimneys to houses from
which the pale blue smoke was issu-
ing, mingling with the atmosphere. 1t
was a brisk little village with men,
women and children in It, but what
brought peace to his troubled mind and
relieved all fear was the little white
church. with its spire, on the hillside.
There he is! There he Isl" cried a
loung man In the canoe, pointing at
Paul. "Ho, my brother you ride on
strange boat"
who are you?" asked Paul.
"The Metlakahtla," was the answer.
He tried to think where he had
heard the name before. but was unable
to recollect it. He was asked to come
down to their canoe. They tossed a
rope to him, which he made fast to
one of the great cakes of ice. and slid
down to the boat. The tall chief stood
up to catch him, and as he dropped
into his arms said.
my brother, you are safe. You
have had a very dangerous ride"
1T Is not SO weel, that boot we ride
upon" put in another Indian, with a
strong Scotch accent. The men with
the paddles at once propelled the
canoe away from the Ice noe, ana II
glided out into the bay. straight for
the village of Metlakahtla. The island
was given by the United States to a
scanty tribe of British American In
diins whom an old Scotch missionary
had converted from utter savagery
into civilized and God-fearing people.
When the canoe touched the shore
Paul saw an elderly white man in the
throng. He was dressed in the garb
Of civilization. and his long, white hair
and beard gave him a patriarchal APP
pearance. His face was grave and
kind.
my son, kind Providence has won
derfully preserved you. We will go to
church to return thanks for your great
n xr.tl