The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-12-28
FIGHTING THE COLD DEATH
BY REX e. BEACH
Copyright 1906, by Joseph B. Bowles)
CA STORY OF ALASkA)

= Joseph B. Bowles.)
At daylight, when went to seek him,
Orloff had fed down the river with the
fastest dogs, and to this day I've never
seen his face, though tbs often I've
felt his hate.
Hes grown into the strongest mis-
sionary on the coast, and he never let's
a chance go by to harry me or the
girl.
He knows we've come, as the blood
token of the guide showed. He wants
my life, and there's great trouble
comm up. I'm hopin yen soon get
your sight, for by now there's runner
20 miles into the hills with the news
that we're blind in the church at To-
giak He'll kill the fastest team in
Nushagak in the comm, and God help
us if we're here"
For three days the wind tore from
off the sea, into the open blight at
whose head lay Togiak. On the third
day, with Arctic yagary, the wind
gasped reluctantly and scurried over
the range.
On the bright surface of the hill
side sled bearing muf1ed figure ap-
peared silhouetted against the glisten
of the crust. It's team, maddened by
the village scent, poured down the in
cline toward the river bank and the
guide swung onto the runners behind.
In whirl of soft snow they drove
down to the treachery of the ice.
The ice slackened, sagged and dis
appeared in surge of congealing wa
| terS
Orloff, for it was the priest, leaped
from the sinking sled, but hindered
by his fur swaddhag crashed through
and lunged heavily in his struggles to
mount the edge of the film. He pitched
oddly about, and for the first time the
watchers from the mission saw his
eyes were bound tightly with band
ages, which he strove to loosen.
"My God! He's snow blind!" cried
George, and in moment he appeared
among the frantic mob fringing the
shore.
Orloff shouted affrigktedly in his
blindness, but the hooking voice of
Big George answered him and he cow
cred at the malevolence in the words.
Here am, Orloff. It's help We
want, is it? I'll shoot the man that
tries to reach We. Ha, ha! You're
freezin' Ell? George will tGlk to keep
We awake. A dirty trick of the river
to cheat me so. I've fattened for
years on the hope of stampin' your life
out and now it's robbed me. But I'll
stick till ye're safe in hell"
The man cried piteously, turning
his bleared eyes toward the sound
Shoot, why don't you, and end It'll
Can't you see we're freezing?" Hu
stood up in his stiffened clothes, shiv.
ering palsiedly
"The truest thing We ever said,"
cried George, and he swung his colts
into view It'll favor you and I'll
keep my VOW" He raised the gun.
George! George!" Captain had
stumbled down among them and
plucked at his arm, peering dimly into
his distorted face. Great God, are
you a murderer? They'll be dead be-
fore we can save them"
"Save 'em?" said George, while rea.
son fought with his mania. Whose
goin to save 'em? He needs KILN.
I'm hungry for his life'
He's man, George. They're both
human, and they're dying in sight of
us. Give him chance. Fight like
| man."
AS he spoke the fury fell away from
the whaler and he became the alert,
strong man of the frontier, knowing
the quick danger and meeting it.
He beloved at the natives and they
fed backward before his voice, storm.
ing the chache where lay the big skin
canoes. They slid one down and seiz-
ing paddles crushed the ice around it
till it fioated, then supported by the
prov, George stamped the ice into
fragments ahead, and they forced their
way slowly along the channel he made
Soaked to the arm pits he smashed
a trail through which they reached the
hummock where the others lay, too
listless for action.
At the shore they bore the priest to
their shelter. They hacked off his
brittle clothes and supported him to
the bed. AS he walked his feet clat-
tered on the board floor like the sound
of wooden shoes. They were white and
solid, as were his hands
Hes badly frozen" whispered Cap:
tain, "can we save him?" They rub
bed and thawed for hours, but the
sluggish blood refused to flow into the
! extremities.
Through all the Russian was silent,
gazing strangely at George. Then he
| spoke:
George Brace, I've harmed you bit.
terly these many years, and you're a
good man to help me so. It's no use
We have both fought the Cold Death
and know when to quit. l came here
to kill you, but you will go out across
the mountains free while I'll be dead
Good-by!"
Good hell! We're sendin' for
doctor. Well save chunk of We yet,
old man.
Two hours later DR.. Forrest spoke
gravely. 'We have operated. He will
recover
ITS sad day. moSrned George.
IT, MS