The Grit-advocate., 1903-04-17
CHAPTER XIX.
Conclusion.

The reunion of the sea captain and
the faithful sailor was mild compared
to 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 Cne, 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
q voice very much like Glum Ralston's s
roar:
"Ain't 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 hubbub 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 go"
The man whom we have known as
the hermit captain said:
My friends, this is the happiest day
| ever knew. But one person more is
necessary to make the reunion COM
plete, and my cup of happiness run
over. | want to ask some questions,
and then make some explanations
First, is your name Paul Miller?"
Yes, 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 Berlng 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 sealing schooner call
ed tae Eleanor"
"Jack-Jack! Have you been with
him all these months and not know
this?"
Glum Ralston leapcd to his feet with
startled yell and cried:
"Crack-lash. A Miller-son Of my
captain! Why, by the name of Nep-
tune, didn't ye tell me ye had some
other name'n Crack-lash?"
Paul was dumbfounded. He had
heard hint that the hermit was his
father. but the old man had so stub
Dornly denied it that he had conchld-
| ed it must be false
why did you deny was your son
me?" Paul asked.
My boy. knew it 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 | wouldn't tell where I'd
cached a fortune in gold l 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
'Woll. cap'n, you played your part
very fire, an now that we have out.
witted EN-, an all goin' home soon
can you find the place where the gold
is cached?"
IF | had a certain walrus hide
could. 1t is the one my son took from
the cave"
II gave it to you, Glum''
Ard I've got it safe at camp"
In the midst OF their rejoicing
Paul did not forget the poor wretch
who was lying N the cavern mangled
and torn by the dog. Clarence and
two Indians went and brought Morris