Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-08-15
CHAPTER Y.

en- ages of man, and, though perhaps
they are toe subtle to be perceived at
the time, yet, having swung past the
shadowy milestones, the epochs dis
close themselves.
Such period in the progress Of the
far northwest was the 18th day of
July, although to those concerned in
the building of this new empire the
day appealed only as the date Of the
coming of the law. All Nome gath
cred on the sands as lighters brought
sshore Judge StilIman and bis follow
sng 1t was held fitting that the Sen
ator should be the ship to safeguard
the dignity of the first court and to
introduce justice into this land Of the
wild.
The interest awakened by his honor
was augmented by the fact that be
was met on the beach by charming
girl, who flung herself upon him with
evident delight.
That's his niece" said some one.
she came up on the first boat. Names
Chester. Swell locker, eh?"
Another newcomer attracted even
more notice than the limb of the law;
d gigantic, well groomed man, with
keen, close set eyes and that indefin-
able easy movement and polished bear
ing that come from confidence, health
and travel Unlike the others, be did
not daily on the beach or display much
interest in his. surroundings. but with
purposeful frown strobe through the
press up into the heart of the city.
His companion was Strives partner,
Durham, a middle aged, pompous man.
They went directly to the offices of
Durham & Struve, where they found
the white haired junior partner.
Mighty glad to meet you, Mr.. Nc
Namara,u said Strive. "Your name is
a household word in my part of the
country. Ny people were mixed up in
Dakota politics somewhat, so I've al
ways had a great admiration for you,
and Pm glad you've come to Alaska
This is big country, and we need
big men,"
aDid you have any trouble7" Dun
ham inquired when the three had adj
journed to a private room.
trouble" said Strive ruefully.
"WeH, / wonder if did. Miss Ches-
ter brought me your instructions o. x.
and / got busy right off. But tell me
this-how did you get the girl to act
as messenger"
..There was no one else to send,7 an
swered Mcnamara. "Dunham intend
ed sailing on the first boat, but he was
detained in Washington with me, and
the judge had to wait for us at Seat
tie. we were afraid to trust stran-
ger for fear he might get curious and
examine the papers. That would have
meant He moved his hand elo-
quently.
strive nodded. 81 see. Does she
know what was in the documentsf'
DECIDEDLY not. Women and bust
ness don't mix. hope you didn't tell
her anything"
No: / haven't had chance. She
seemed to take a dislike to me for
some reason. I haven't seen her since
the day after she got here"
'sThe judge told her it had something
to do with preparing the way for his
court" said Durham, "and that if the
papers were not delivered before he
arrived it might cause a lot of trouble
litigation, riots, bloodshed and all
that. He filed her up on generalities
till the girl was frightened to death
and thought the safety of her uncle and
the whole country depended on her."
well" continued Strive, "it's dead
easy to hire men to jump claims, and
it's dead easy to buy their rights after
ward, particularly when they know
they haven't got any. But what course
do you follow when owners go cunning
for your"
Mcnamara laughed.
..Who did that?'
"a benevolent, silver haired old Tex
an pirate by the name of Dextry. He's
one-half owner in the Midas and the
other half mountain lion, as peaceable,
you'd imagine, as a benediction, but
with the temperament of a Geronimo.
/ sent Galloway out to relocate the
claim, and he got his notices up in the
night Nueu tuey WtlS dSlScp3 Jul a. y
a. m. he came flying back to my room
and nearly hammered the door down.
I'VE seen fright in varied forms and
phases, but he had them all, with some
added starters.
Hide me out, quickv he painted.
What's upY asked.
I'VE stirred up a breakfast Of griz-
Fly bear, smallpox and sudden death,
and it don't set well on my stummick.
Let me in.'
Il had to keep him hidden three days,
for this gentle hammered old cannibal
roamed the streets with cannon In
his hand, breathing fire and pestilence."
anybody else act upfv queried Dun.
ham.
mo; all the rest are swedes, and
they haven't got the nerve to fight.
they couldn't lick spoon II they