The Indianapolis journal., 1903-06-21


TO enjoy positively the flick OF deaths
pinion as he speeds closely by is not al
ways a sign of courage; although generally
the possessOrs OF such nerves are reckoned
among the daring children OF clay. The
most AFFECT craven may own them as well
as the bravest, and enjoy the moment even
more acutely by reason of his overmaster-
ing terror. While the brave men and wom-
en- can chain their emotions and watch the
approaching shadow with guarded IL thrill
ing Joy. the weaklings become maniacs, and
fling away their chances in their sudden
frenzy. The hero stands expectant, quivers
as the dark feather brushes him, yet con-
trolls his desire. The emotional yields to
his delirium and is lost.
My friend Graham Travers was a man
who courted danger eagerly as the most
ardent lover could mistress. Born in New
Zealand and trained to follow the prudent
profession of the law. his wild nature as
serted itself early and drove him from his
quiet birthplace and peaceful craft to seek
adventures wherever such could be found.
AS a solicitor he was not a success, but as
a pioneer and explorer he very soon made
q reputation.
On the gold fields of Westralia he was
widely known and respected by his compan-
ions for his fearless pluck and intuitive
skill Reckless Graham Travers was his
title, and when some extraordinary feat
had been accomplished 1t was at once con-
cluded that Graham must have been the
hero Other men might fail and succumb,
but Graham always turned up trumps. He
was always cool and nearly always lucky.
Five feet ten inches in height, with a
wiry agile figure, dark hair. keen blue
eyes and complexion which hot suns and
icy blasts had rendered indescribable, he
made friends wherever he went, more with
men than with women. Yet the women
would have liked him also fully as well.
if he had courted them half as much as he
did his own sex.
In Westralia, where he had made MS
first pile his marvellous instinct for locality
appeared almost supernatural Once, after
a banquet at Coolgardie, where he mad
dined we'll, if not over wisely. some of his
chums thought to play joke on him and
test this gift.
At the close of the feast they placed the
inanimate Graham in the bottom or the
wagonette, where he lay supine on his
back. Their intention was to drive toward
the desert in the opposite direction to where
they should have gone, and find out If he
could tell where he was when he woke.
But they had not preceded a mile desert
wards before Graham opened one eye,
caught sight of a star and growled out:
Where ye drivin' to, ye blame fools? It's
the other way to Kalgoorlie." Then ne fell
asleep again
II was while exploring L, New Guinea
that he received a copy of the illustrated
London News, in which a writer described
xxyhf mi p
ting the severity of the climate, wrote that
he saw no particular hardship to a Briton
or a native Of any temperate zone. "of
course" the writer added, lit would be ut
ferly impossible for any one injured to trop-
Il zeal countries to go straight from such a
place as New Guinea to Alaska and expect
to survive.
The writer of this article had uncon-
sciously used the exact bait to hook such a
man as Graham Travers. Impossible was
a word not In his vocabulary. and he took
the words as direct challenge.
He left New Guinea at once, and dashed
over to America by way of San Francisco.
Reaching there, he found such a rush that
there was no hope of a sea passage for
months. Then he resolved TO go overland.
At Vancouver he procured sledges. porta-
BILE canoe, provisions. dogs and Indians. and
was off to the Arctic regions during the
worst season. and by what was considered
an impracticable route. He surmounted the
fearsorne difficulties, went over great noun
fains. and had perils and adventures enough
tn All a big book He was showed up for
over two years on the fringe of Mackenzie
bay. near where Franklin's party was sup
posed to have been lost, and. although
hitherto unused to Arctic travel, he dis
nlaved his wonderful intuition and acumen
An keeping his party and himself alive ana
In good health.
Two of his Indian guides. however.
against his advice. left him while he was
snow-bound and attempted to penetrate the
Yukon valley. They were never hearo
about after their departure.
Ar last he likewise made the venture, and
brought his party, dogs and traps safeiy 10
Klondike Here he examined the fields, re-
porting rather unfavorably about them, and
reached London the third winter after ne
had Quilted New Guinea. He arrived well.
with the exception OF an ahscess In the
rich. ear which. however, was quickly
cured. Then, as the war had commenced
in South Africa, he went off as a volunteer
TO act as private and scout
In Africa he unfortunately, or fortunate
lv contracted enteric fever near Johannes
burg while with Robertss Horse, and Tor
the time missed any of the fighting. From
the hospital he returned TO Australia to re-
cruit. and when better rejoined his COM
pany, eager to distinguish himself.
Lord Roberts. and afterward Lord kitcn-
ener recognized his abilities. his rise
was nearly as startlingly rapl: as that OF
the soldiers of Napoleons army One letter
announced that he had won his stripes, the
next that he had been made color sergeant.
After these each mail brought news OF a
promotion, until he had secured company
of his own and the title OF Captain Travers.
A long pause followed, for he had been
sent 10 an out-of-the-way district, where
malls were uncertain. and hard work, scan-
ty fare and constant hunting after rugi-
tive enemy was the unvarying routine.
Then the welcome peace was proclaimed
and I met my friend once again, home on
sick leave He was then living at pri-
vate hotel In Clifton. and over cigar at
my club told me few OF his adventures.
These may be related afterward, but am
,o,,v ~o{n- f.i what this man of MANY