The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-05-05
The k|Ondyke Gold Mystery.
By JOHN K. MUSlCK,
Author of "Mystsrious Mr.. Howard" "Ths
Dark Stranger "Charlie AIlendaIe's
Double" Etc.
Copyright, 1897, BY ROBERT BoNNEa's soxs.
Al rights reserved
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.'

CHAPTER VII.-(continued.) =.
''Have you Travelled far?" asked
Clarence.
'Shipmate, this old hulk is about
on her last cruise" said feeble,
husky voice.
1T is Ralston-Glum Ralston!"
roared Gid. where We been, Glum?
Tell me where We been!"
II am sick-starving-dyin the
ex-sailor moaned.
Clarence hurried him to his house,
where a warm supper was hastily pre-
pared for him.
"Have you seen Paul Miller or
heard from him since you came upon
us in the pass?" was one of the first
questions propounded by Clarence.
"Yes," he answered. Last l saw O.
him he was on an iceberg sailin' out
t. sea, and his onl.- fellow-passenger
was polar bear"
1t will be essential at this point to
return to Paul Miller, whom we left
on an iceberg floating out to sea. The
swelling flood and tossing cakes of
ice between the drifting foe and
shore made it utterly impossible for
him to reach land. The sharp growl
of the monster above indicated that
crisis was coming, which would de-
termine the rights of ownership to
the mountain of ice.
Through all his misfortunes Paul
had managed tc retain his presence
of mind and his rifle. He executed
skillful flank movement, and, scaling
a shelf, was several feet above the
bear and not over twenty PAGES away,
prepared for an assault. With nerves
as steady as if engaging in the most
ordinary sport, he leveled his rifle at
the side of the monsters head. When
sure Of his aim he pulled the trigger.
There followed a sharp report and
the bear dropped on his launches, his
nose in the air.
Paul cooked his rifle and fired a
second shot at the beasts head. 1t
fell on the ice and after few spas
modic kicks lay still. He sent a
third into the back of its head, but
it was wholly unnecessary. for the
other bullets had done the work.
With his knife he removed the skin
from the animal, and, climbing as
high as he dared. hung it upon one
of those spires of ice, in the hope
some sealing schooner or whaling ship
might see it and send boat to his
relief. When night came he lay down
on the snow and ice, and, notwith-
standing his perilous situation,
actually slept.
He was awakened soon after dawn
by the sound of voices near.
What say ye nou?" one seemed to
say to another.
II say nowt," was the answer. IF
he be there find him."
'Sure, man, We Gamma say as bear
will peel his own skin from his back"
"Weel. there's stiffener," return
ed another voice.
Paul rose and mechanically laid his
hand on the rifle at his side. Only
q few hours before he was wishing
he had not shot the bear, and that it
had destroyed him instead of he
shooting it, but now that his life
might probably be in danger, it grew
suddenly very sweet.
HA raised his head a trifle higher
and listened intently at the voices.
Push alongside and let lad go
ashore" said another voice.
Then he plainly heard the splashng
Of paddles in the water. He crept
along on hand and knees, holding his
| r{A tn nd
volver in the other.
Then he raised his head just little
and saw large canoe in which were
half score of dark-skinned Indians
Surprise and curiosity Overcame any
fear he might entertain of his visitors,
and he arose and gaZed about on the
sea and shore. The glance filled him
with wonder and surprise. The shore
was lined with green trees, and afar
high its peak pierced the light blue
clouds.
> He saw chimneys to houses from
which the pale blue smoke was issu-
ing, mingling with the atmosphere. 1t
was a brisk little village with men,
women and children in it, but what
brought peace to his troubled mind and
relieved all fear was the little white
church, with its spire. on the hillside
"There he is! There he isl" cried a
young man In the canoe, pointing at
Paul. "Ho, my brother. you ride on a
strange boat"
"Who are your" asked Paul.
."The Metlakahtla," was the answer.
He tried to think where he had
heard the name before, but was unable
to recollect It. He was asked to come
down to their canoe. They tossed a
rope to him. which he made fast to
one of the great cakes of ice, and slid
down to the boat. The tall chief stood
up to catch him, and as he dropped
into his arms said:
"My brother. you are safe. You
have had a very dangerous ride"
"It is not so weel, that boot We ride
Ind