Gilpin observer., 1903-03-12
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CHAPTER xI.-(Continued.)
What do you think it is, captain?"
Paul asked his companion.
1T Is not stone,' Crack-lash."
mo, can see 1t move"
THAT is why know that 1t is an
animated object"
Perhaps it is horse"
The old man shook his head, say
ing:
mo horse could climb these steps,"
Then it may be polar bear"
More likely that than a horse, and
yet think 1t is neither, as a polar
bear is white, and this object has
some black spots on it."
They journeyed on until nightfall.
and went into camp in a spot some
they resumed their weary march
through the most desolate country.
The skies became overcast, and the
snow began to fall in great white
fakes, which rapidly covered the
ground.
When night came they halted under
the shelter of some rocks and thick,
bushy top spruce pine. A blanket was
stretched over them, forming a par
tial shelter.
I'VE are almost out of food" the
captain said as they ate small por-
ton of the dried moose meat.
How are we to replenish our
stock?"
X don't know"
II was a painful subject to discuss.
Their chances of ever reaching a CIV
flized camp were gloomy indeed.
Pauls fortitude was tried to its ut
most when. weak and faint, he was
continually spurred on by the remem-
brance that Laura was in the wilds of
Alaska
The snow ceased falling, ana the two
men trudged on, sinking into the
white covering almost to their knees.
Suddenly the hermit stopped and
said:
do you see that?"
He was pointing to a trail made In
the snow by some animal, and Paul
answered:
Yes; what made it-a bear?"
No: 1t is either dog or wolf"
The thought of supper on either
was repulsive. and the two trudged
on in silence. A mile farther they
saw a white dog with black spots on
the side of his head drinking at one
OF the lakes. Paul reached for his
rife. but the captain said:
mo. don't shoot him; he may prove
our friend"
Paul began to call and whistle to
the dog. using terms like the Esqui-
maux. The animal gave them a look
OF surprise. and then bounded toward
them, yelping In his joy at meeting a
human companion.
He has a collar about his neck"
said Paul.
Il say, captain, II we release him he
will go back to his master, will he
uot?"
Certainly"
Then We may make a courier of
him. Let us write a message. tie it
to his collar and send him away"
AN excellent idea"
Paul had a small strip OF seal skin,
and under the embankment he dug
called keel. and. dressing one end to
q pencil point, wrote:
We are in the forest, out OF food
and starving. Follow on the trail at
once and find us.
PAUL MILLER AND COMPANION"
When this had been fastened about
the dogs neck. he was released and
sent bounding away through the for
est.
When the dog courier had been dis
patched with his message, the two
men trudged on a mile or two farther
and halted. Evening was approach.
ing. and they were on the banks Of
. lake in a marshy ground covered
with a thicket OF bushes. Here they
built a small fire and made a supper
on part OF their slender stock of
food.
Suddenly they were startled by a
crashing In the bushes. accompanied
by snort half of terror and half of
defiance. Paul seized his rifle and
both leaped to their feet.
"A moose"
The captain nodded.
1T Is our only chance for life."
Again the captain nodded. Paul
gave him an inquiring glance. and the
captain made sweeping motion with
his left hand at the same time dis
appearing on the right.
Slowly and carefully through the
melting snow and tangled thickets
Paul CROPPED his way. holding his rife
in one hand and parting the bushes
with the other. Hour after hour he
trudged on. pausing occasionally to
listen. At last he was about to give
np and return to the camp. when the
crashing OF the bushes not far of