The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1905-01-12
T0ILERS OF
THE COLUMBIA
BY PAUL De LANEY.
Author of Lord of the Desert. "
Oregon Sketches. I" and other
Pacific Coast Stories.
BY PAUL De LANEY.
CHAPTER XIV.
"saakala, will you become my wife?"


It was the second morning after the
double funerel The fishermen gener-
ally we're downcast. 1t is true that the
trouble regarding the fisheries had been
settled, but the property rights OF the
northside industry had assumed the
form OF wilderness of legal entangle-
ment.
BY his deathbed confession Seadog
had placed the ownership of the fisher
les largely in Sankala, and the town site
npon which the homes were built prac-
tically belonged to Dan Lapbam. The
Seadogs were expected TO fight for a
share in these and long drawn out
course Of litigatons was expected, with
possibly the closing of the cannery and
the suspension Of fishing until the mat
ter should be settled.
Where men are only adapted TO one
calling they become mere children when
thrown out OF the single rut into which
they have drifted.
Barring the legal complications which
had arisen from Seadog's death, how
ever, the fishermen had cause to rejoice.
The man had always been tyrant. He
had borne down upon them with mer-
iless hand. Under no change of mas
ters could they expect anything but
better conditions.
The men who had been wounded in
the encounter between the two factories
of fishermen were all recovered, the fish
were increasing daily and the shortage
in the run in other waters had raised
the market. To lift the gloom which
hung over the village, only required Q
settlement Of the legal complications
and permission for the men to return
to their work.
Old Bumbo, the lawyer, was the only
stumbling block in the way. He ad
vised that Sankala close down the trapi
and turn every Seadog living out into
the world empty-handed. He would
have had Dan Lapham enforce his titlt
TO the t0wnsite and become landlord
as merciless as those painted in fiction
Bumbo had lived from band to moutl
by petty llgitatlon for years, had en-
dured the insults OF the toilers who haC
no respect for the man who made hi
scanty living by his wits, and between
him and the seadogs there was an antip
athy bitter as q Southern fued. Bumbt
would have revolutionized things in tn,
northside fishing industry.
But Sankala was as broad minded
and magnanimous as she was brave
She sent for CAPTAIN Budlong. Sh,
knew that he would be able to WELD al
influence over the Seadogs. She hat
first laid her plans before Dan Lapham
who approved them in every detail
The two requested conference witt
the Seadogs and asked Captain Budlon
10 join them.
The meeting took place at Bumbo'
office. The lawyer was gruff and vim
dictive. But the young girl spoke s.
kindly and so intelligently that all pres
ent felt disposition to come to terms
az do not believe in going to law
Il can be avoided, said Sankala. "Find
ing myself possessed of the right to 8
much property ia great surprise to me
sometimes feel that ought not t
bother with II, but poor Ringwoid ha
suffered 80 much and worked so lon
to obtain 1t for me that feel that
would be an injustice to his memory no
to assert my rights in measure.
"While 1t would appear from tn
confession of the late Mr.. Seadog tina
the bulk of the property could be wo
out through the courts, | am oppose
TO taking this course. am willing to
division which should be satisfactory t
all persons Interested. Dan-Mr. Lar
ham, expressed himself in the sam
spirit with me-"
"That is correct" said the youn
fisherman.
sold Bumbo was indignant. II
walked the floor like a Gagged anima
He took sankala aside and remonstra
ed, but 1t was all without avail
The Seadogs were completely surprii
cd. After the terrible confession OF Til
elder member Of the family they fe
that all was lost. They expected n
money from the representative of til
outraged Saarela and under Sankala
charitable views of the matter the
Immediately melted into frlendlinei
that was surprising for Seadog. Eve
the Inundated Hazel looked kindly upo
the girl hero Of the late conflict betwee
the fishermen.
The fact that Seadog had made goo
use Of his ill.gotten gains that his maj
ner of handling them had resulted
the best interests Of the rightful heir
led Captain Budlong to suggest that a
equal division be made of the tishin
properties and other interests betwee
the Seadogs and Sankala, and that
like settlement be made with Dan as [
the town site property.
Sankala and Dan consented to thi
without hesitation, and the Seadogs co
sidered 1t settlement much to thei
advantage
1t now only required the formality q
the courts to transfer titles to propert
and leagalize the acts of Sankala an,
Dan, who were under age, consummat
ing the agreement and old Bumboo wa
ordered to prepare the papers,
The Seadogs had returned to thei
home contented. Captain Budlong ha
Joined Sankala and Dan in the parlor {
the village hotel where Sankala ha
been staying since Ringwold's death.
Dan Lapham rose to his feet an
walked to where Sankala was sitting
He looked down into her face and said
"Now, Sankala, that 1t is all over
may hOio III biiS plNsShNS Va SoPNNi
Budlong, ask yon to become my wife?"
"Dan, Dan," replied the girl In
tone of slight reproof, "let us be sens
BILE. / have been talking with Captai
Budlong, about matters, and be is vii
ing TO consider business proposition.
Upon this statement made by Sar
kala, Dan Lapham cast glances at hi
military friend not of as kindly a natur
as of yore.
"You are young, Dan," continue
Sankala. $50 am |. The captain
also young but OF age and has had eN
perience in the world. feel like trus
lug him. Why not you and l secure a
education before either of thinks G
marrying. Captain Budlong can b
made our guardian and will look afte
our interests while We are in schoo
Be sensible, Dan, this is the best course
Sankala's word was law with Da
and Dan was sensible.
Captain Budlong returned with hi
command to state headquarters an,
made a full report. They were dul
commended for their survives and mus
tarad oof