The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1905-06-02
The k|0ndyke Gold Mystery.
By JOHN K. MUSICk,
Author of "Mysterious Mr.. Howard" "Ths
Dark Stranger" "Chnriie AIlendaIe's
Double" Etc.
Copyright, 1897, by ROBERT BONNER Soma.
All rtEatS reserved
CHAPTER xl.-(continued.)

Paul asked his companion.
1T is not stone, Crack lash"
NO, can see it move"
THAT is why | know that it is al
animated object"
Perhaps it is a horse"
The old man shook his head, say
ing:
NO horse could climb these sleeps.
Then it may be polar bear
More likely that than a horse, anc
yet | think it 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 spot some
| what screened by rocks. Next day
| they resumed their weary march
through the most desolatc country
he skies became overcast, and the
| snow began to fall in great white
flakes, 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 par
tlal shelter
We 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?"
II don't know"
1t was painful subject to discuss
Their chances of ever reaching a civ
lilZed 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.
About the middle of the afternoon
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 trail made in
the snow by some animal, and Paul
answered:
Yes; what made it-a bear?"
The thought of a supper on either
was repulsive, and the two trudged
on in silence. A mile farther they
saw white dog with black spots on
the side Of his head drinking at one
OF the lakes. Paul reached for his
rifle. but the captain said:
mo, don't shoot him; he NAV proye
our friend"
Paul began to call and whistle to
the dog. using terms like the Esuui-
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 collar about his neck :"
said Paul
Il say. captain. if we release him he
will go back to his master, will he
not?"
Certainly"
Then We may make q courier of
him. Let us write a message, tie it
to his collar and send him away"
AN excellent idea"
Paul had small strip of seal skin.
and under the embankment he dug
out a bit Of red chalk, or ochre, usully
called keel. and, dressing one end to
pencil point, wrote:
I'VE are in the forest, out of food
and starving. Follow ON the trail at
once and find u.s.
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 marshy ground covered
with thicket of bushes. Here they
built small fire and made 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.
ut is our only chance for life"
Again the captain nodded. Paul
gave him an inquiring glance, and the
captain made a 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
up and return to the camp, when the
crashing Of the bushes not far off
again aroused his hopes.
Suddenly a dark object doomed up
through the night. He only caught
a glimpse of it, and before he could
raise his rihe to his shoulder it was
gone.
Wet to the waist, tired out and de-
spairing. he sank down upon a stone
to rest. A dense fog had settled over
the low ground, and Paul felt damp
and chilly. He was stunned and CON
fnooH 1,o1f