The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1906-05-11
A Mining
Camp Verdict
By REXE. BEACH
By REX E. BEACH


children and silent women. From the
cabin a wrinkled old man tottered
speaking cultural words of welcome tC
the newcomers.
Here's a go. pail" said Buckhurst
as he unlashcd the bulging sled. 1T:
all squaws and kids wonder where
the bucks are"
Dunno. and what's more, / dont
care." replied Thomas what / want
IS something to eat and mighty quick
too"
In halting words and eloquent ges
lures the old chief explained that the
men had gone hunting and would not
return for many days.
"He says the grub is gone and
they're all starving"
Serves 'em right" grumbled the
other. as ne strained at the heavy
erub-box. They'd ought 20 work sum
mers and lay mp a grub-stake. SposC
now, they want to eat ours, that we've
hauled 300 miles. Well, we'll foo
emf
As Buckhurst prepared the welcome
meal within. willing hands brought
wooden bowls of water from the dis
tant hole, while old women, weak with
hunger. mutely laid offerings Of dried
chips, grass and drlftwood for the fire
Weeks before hunger had stilled the
childish laughter of the village and
teething babes sucked at rawhidC
thongs, while the elders gnawed on
bits of bone and salmon fins which
promised nOurishment
Thomas. knife In hand, sliced thin
strips of bacon for the pan, while Chief
Joe eagerly gathered the moldy rinds
and apportloned them among the
mothers, who muttered TO the skin
clad infants IN their arms.
Soon a fragrant steam of cooking
food. Of boiling coffee and frying meat
filled the low room. Children cried
softly, while the sQuaws stirred un-
easily and molstencd their lips
Unmlndful of the hungry sounds
Buckhurst and Thomas voraciously fell
to and noisily cleaned up dish after
dish.
The low door swung back 10 admit
STOPPING figure, which Strengthened
up showing the tall form and clean
shaven features of a white man.
How are you, gentlemen? ! judged
from your sled outside that there were
strangers stopping here.
"All right. Matka!" he called through
the door. "Unhook the dogs; Wen lie
over here till tomorrow"
"Yes, captain" came back from out
side.
where ye from?" questioned Buck
hurst.
Just down from Dawson and bound
for the new strike at Faro mountain.
That's where we're goin'.' said
Thomas. "Were from ST. Michaels.
Matka entered at this moment from
his care Of the dogs, and with famished
face stared curiously at the vanishing
food.
Captain cleared his throat uneasily-
1--WE had an accident down the
coast" he began; "Matka upset my
sled in an fee crevice and lost all the
outfit. Fortunately we saved a little
-four and some seal oil that l brought
along for dog feed. We've Travelled
200 miles on that diet, and If it isn't
asking too much, gentlemen, ia like to
buy enough Of your grub to last me
and my boy here TO Faro mountain
I'm simply famishing for something to
eat"
I'VE amt got any more grub than
we want" said Thomas.
Yes" echoed Buckhurst we've
hauled this grub clear from St.
MIchaels. and We want what there is
Of It ourselves"
The hungry newcomer smiled a
frank. ingenious smile, while his voice
took on a gentle tone.
gentlemen. you don't seem to real
ize what It IS TO hit the trail on an
empty stomach haven't eaten for
two days. and this cold bites hard.
Name your price. You can get more
grub at Faro, and"
mo! I don't know what 1t Is to 90
hungry and don't intend TO learn
eitherl" roughly interjected Buckhurst,
emboldened by the others apparent
timidity.
Then he paused abruptly.
A big black six-shOoter had leaped
to the strangers hand and lay care
lessly therein.
with a sharp gasp Of incredulity
Thomas lnstinctively showed HIS hands
roofwards TIL his heels left the floor.
Buckhurst pipe in hand, with gap
ing Jaws. rose stifly, back to the wall
"Fortunately am not a Quick-tem-
pered man." purred he of the dulcet
tones. "or I'd injure you cursl Don't
try any quick movements. This gun
has the easiest trigger I ever saw, and
I was born with the gift Of marksman-
ship.
Face the wall, both Of you" com
manded the stranger. Hands up!
Now. Matka. divide that grub. Half
and half, you savvy7 Two piles, all
same"
with an alacrlty born Of hunger the
guide obeyed.
''Matka, tell the squaws to hitch mp
the strangers dogs; they're going to
leave In a few minutes"
Now get into your clothes" COM
manded Captain.
Its your turn now," growled Buck
hurst "but # | don't get ye some day,
I hope rot"
The sled shot down the bank TO the
dim trail which wound like thread
along the cleaning coast, and without
look behind at the row Of curious
faces they plunged into the silent cold.
Il say again. we must maintain law
and order"
The governor paused and gazed at
the bearded population OF Faro Noun
tain, which had assembled at the
/ Nro-4h,rr eaioor IIn continued.