The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-11-08

"Ill put you IN irOns-dl OF you"
up the boat at 6 o'clock last night
That's why l pulled out of Unalaska
ahead of time, to avoid any possible
delay. Now we'll all be held up when
we get to Nome. Great Heavens. Do
you realize what this means-bringing
this hussy abOard?"
His eyes burned, and his voice shook,
while the two partners stared at each
other in dsmay. Too well they knew
the result of smallpox panic aboard
this crowded troop ship. Not only was
every available cabin bullying with pas
sengers, but the lower decks were jam
med with both humanity and live stock
all in the most unsanitary conditions.
The craft, built for 300 passengers, was
carrying triple her capacity. Men and
women were slowed away like cattle.
Order and a half tolerable condition
were maintained only by the efforts of
the passengers themselves, who held to
the thought that Imprisonment and in
convenience would last but few days
longer. They had been aboard three
weeks, and every heart was aflame
with the desire to reach Nome - to
reach it ahead of the pressing horde
behind.
What would be the temper of this
gold frenzied army IL thrown into
quarantine within sight of their goal?
The impatient hundreds would have to
lie packed in their floating prison, sub
hitting to the foul disease. Long they
must lie thus, till q month should have
passed after the disappearance of the
last symptom. If the disease required
sporadically, that might mean endless
weeks Of maddening idleness. 1t might
even be impossible to impose the neces-
sary restraint There would be vio-
lence, perhaps mutiny.
The fear Of the sickness was moth
ing to DeXtry and Glenister, but of
their mine they thought with terror.
What would happen in tlEir absence,
where conditions were as unsettled as
in this new land, where titles were held
only by physical possession of the
premises? During the long winter of
their absence ice had held their treas
ure inviolate, but with the warming
summer the jewel they had fought for
so YEARLY would lie naked and ex-
posed to the first conner. The Midas
lay in the valley of the richest creek,
where men had schemed and fought
and slain for the right to inches. 1t
was the fruit Of cheerless, barren years
Of toll, and If they could not guard it
they knew the result.
The girl interrupted their distressing
reflections.
Don't blame these men, SIR she
begged the captain. Il am the only
one at fault. oh, had to get away!
l have papers here that must be deliv-
cred quickly" She laid hand upon
her bosom. "They couldn't be trusted
to the unsettled mail service. It's al
most life and death. And / assure
you there is no need Of putting me in
quarantine. haven't the smallpox.
l wasn't even exposed to it."
There's nothing else to do" said
Stephens. "I'll isolate you In the deck |
smoking cabin. God knows what these |
madmen on board will do when they |
hear about it, though. They're apt to |
tear you to shreds. They're crazy"
Glenister had been thinking rapidly. |
''If you do that, you'll have mutiny |
in an hour. This isn't the crowd to |
stand that sort of thing"
bah! Let 'em try 1t. I'll put 'em
down." The officers square jaws |
clicked.
Maybe so: but what then? We
reach Nome and the health inspector
hears Of smallpox suspects, then we're