The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1904-12-30

Breakfast over and they begiA 70
prepare 60 ascend the mountain.
Il had showed considerable duina
the night. but toward morning u
changed 10 a rain and later In the ,ay
a sleet
The ascent became every momWi
more and more dimculL About even
one hundred PAGES they came t
mountain torrents. fed by the glA
ciers. and augmented by recent rain.
falls. which they hal to wade, the
cold water often coming above theft
knees
After struggling up steep ascent
OF twenty .hyc or thirty feet they werq
often forced from sheer exhaustion
TO rest for moment. but when they
stopped ever so short timo the
piercing wind cut them 10 the mar
row. chilled them to tho bone and
ticy were compelled tn continue
their course to keep from chilling 10
death.
Whom evening came they wcro on
the other side OF the mountain In .
valley wet shiycrlng and bcnumbed
with cold. They had no tent nos
shelter, save the lowering heavens
from above. Some dry pine and
scrub oak wood was collected and a
fire klndled. They all gathered about
It to dry their bedraggled garments
and warm their siiyering bodies.
They had just made a 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. lie
wore sealskin cap. which shaded
his face. but not too much for him Ia
be recognized by all the camp.
The captaln!" cried the Motlak
ahtlas.
The hermit" exclaimed Paul.
The prisoner gave uttCrance to .
curse and was bounding away when
a blow from the hcrmits stan sent
him staggering 10 the earth.
Paul Miller started quickly toward
the hermit, saying.
where are you FRONT"
Tho old man gave him a piercing
look and answered:
Il am from everywhere, which
means nowhere. This is precious nns
company you kept" lie clutched
his stout stan as Paul approached
and warned him not to come toe
close. II will strike you as did YOU
companion II you come too near mo.
| ho added. In voice made fcrocloul
by lorg years OF suffering and disap
pointmcnt
Paul halted and gazed at him IN
Rnazemcnt.
Tho old man at last said: II have
beer cheated. deceived. betrayed and
lied TO until have about lost faith
In all men. Can trust you now2"
DO you know those mon7" askcd
Paul. pointing to the MclakahtlAs. I'll
you know them. you must know thoJ
can be trusted"
Eyes, they are brothers, but thoy
have been deceived as often a. L.
one OF the Indians approached TN
hermit and addressed hip o.. I'D
| IutlFt AhIkNts lNt uiu iuuu NuNWtf
cd IN the same language and praspo,
his hand. Though Paul could no
understand a word OF what was said
ko knew from their manner and gcs
lures that II had some relation {,
the man on the ground.
After long conversation with N,
Mctahnhtla the hermit approached
tho Gre. His face was very grave
and his brow lowered when he gazec
upon the prisoner. Tho mlcn Of N,
prisoner had been defiant until h,
met the glance Of the hermit. ther
his conference fell. and his EYE
were upon the ground.
Ned Padgott." said the hermit
you win some day receive the 70
ward you 30 much merit you will dl,
n dogs death yet"
The ruiilan gave a sneerinj
chuokle, but made no answer.
Have you lived long In AlaskaY ?
asked Paul, trying 10 draw the OLE
man into conversation.
"yes."
"How many yearsT
"a great many"