The Grit-advocate., 1903-02-20

Breakfast over and they began to
prepare to ascend the mountain.
1t had showed considerable during
the night, but toward morning it
changed to a rain and later in the day
a sleet.
The ascent became every moment
more and more difficult. About every
one hundred PAGES they came to
mountain torrents, fed by the gla-
ciers, and augmented by recent rain
falls, which they had to wade. the
cold water often coming above their
knees.
After struggling up a steep ascent
OF twenty-five or thirty feet they were
often forced from sheer exhaustion
to rest for a moment. but when they
stopped ever SO short a time the
piercing wind cut them to the mar
row. chilled them to the bone and
they were compelled to continue
their course to keep from chilling to
death.
When evening came they we're on
the other side of the mountain in a
valley wet, shivering and benumbed
with cold. They had no tent nor
shelter, save the lowering heavens
from above. Some dry pine and
scrub oak wood was collected and O
fire kindled. They all gathered about
it to dry their bedraggled garments
and warm their shivering bodies.
They had just made supper on
dried salmon, moose meat and hard
tack, when they were startled to see
an old man with long white hair and
beard standing on a slight elevation
not far away. gazing at them. He
wore a seal-skin cap, which shaded
his face, but not too much for him to
be recognized by all the camp.
THE captain!" cried the Metlak-
ahtlas.
The hermit" exclaimed Paul.
The prisoner gave utterance to a
curse and was bounding away when
a blow from the hermit's staff sent
him staggering to the earth.
Paul Miller started quickly toward
the hermit, saying:
Where are you from?"
The old man gave him a piercing
look and answered:
Il am from everywhere, which
means nowhere. This is precious fine
company you kcep!" He clutched
his stout staff as Paul approached
and warned him not to come too
close. ~ will strike you as l did your
companion if you come too near me-"
he added, in voice made ferocious
by long years of suffering and disap-
pointment.
Paul halted and gazed at him in
amazement
The old man at last said: 81 have
been cheated, deceived. betrayed and
lied to until have about lost faith
in all men. Can l trust you now?"
| "Do you know those men?" asked
Paul, pointing to the Melakahtlas. IF
you know them, you must know they
can be trusted"
Yes, they are brothers, but they
have been deceived as often as L.
One of the Indians approached the
hermit and addressed him in his
native tongue. The old man answer.
eu III lHe Same language anu SraSpeQ
his hand. Though Paul could not
understand word of what was said,
Ike knew from their manner and ges.
lures that it had some relation to
the man on the ground.
After a long conversation with the
Metlakahtla the hermit approached
the fire. His face was very grave,
and his brow lowered when he gazed
upon the prisoner. The mien of the
prisoner had been defiant until he
met the glance of the hermit, then
his countenance fell. and his eyes
were upon the ground.
Ned Padgett," said the hermit,
you will some day receive the re-
ward you SO much merit; you will die
dogs death yet"
The rufiian gave sneering
chuckle, but made no answer.
Have you lived long in Alaska ?"
asked Paul, trying to draw the old
man into conversation.
"Yes."
"How many years."