The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-02-14
CHAPTER Y.


marked distinctive cycles like the sew
en- ages of a man, and, though perhaps
they are too subtle to be perceived at
the time, yet, having swung past the
ahadowy nilestones, the epochs dis
close themselves.
Such a 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
ashore Judge Stillman and his follow
Ing. 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 he
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, ehY'
Another newcomer attracted even
more notice than the limb of the law;
a gigantic, well groomed man, with
keen. close set eyes and that indetn-
able easy movement and polished bear
ing that come from confidence, health
and travel. Unlike the others, he 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 & Strive, where they found
the white haired junior partner.
mighty glad to meet you, Mr.. Nc
Namara," said Strive. Your name Is
a household word in my part of the
country. My people were mixed up In
Dakota politics somewhat, so I've al
ways had a great admiration for you
and I'm glad you've come to Alaska.
This is a big country, and we need
big men,"
"Did you have any trouble" Dun
ham inquired when the three had adj
iourned to a private room.
"Trouble," said Strive ruefully.
swell. l wonder If did. Miss Ches-
ter brought me your instructions o. X.
and l got busy right off. But tell me
this-how did you get the girl to act
as messenger?
sThere was no one else to send" 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 rust stran-
ger for fear he might get curious and
examine the papers. That would have
meant'- He moved his hand elo-
Quently.
STRIVE nodded. II see. Does she
know what was in the documentsT
DECIDEDLY not. Women and busl.
ness don't mix. 1 hope you didn't tell
her anything"
"No: I haven't had chance. she
seemed to take dislike to me fo'
aome reason. I haven't seen her since
the day after she got here"
"The Judge told her it had something
10 do with preparing the way Tor DIS
court" said Durham, "and that II the
napers were not delivered before ne
arrived 1t might cause lot OF trouble
litigation. riots, bloodshed and all
that. He filed her up on generalities
iii the girl was frightened to death
and thought the safety Of her uncle ana
the whole country depended ON her"
"Well," continued Strive. "its dead
oasv to hire men to jump claims, and
ft.s dead easy to buy their rights after
ward. particularly when they know
thew haven't got any. But what course
do you follow when owners go cunning
for your"
Mcnamara laughed.
'TWho did thatT
"a benev oent, silver haired old TEX
an pirate by the name OF Dexuy. Hes
one-half owner in the Midas and the
other half mountain lion, as peaceaDie'
you'd imagine, as benediction, pul
with the temperament of Geronimo
I sent Galloway out to relocate the
claim. and he got his notices up In the
night when they were asleep, but at
n. m. he came flying back to my room
and nearly hammered the door down.
I've seen fright in varied forms ana
phases. but he had them all, with some
added starters.
"rHide me out, quickT he painted.
"rWhat's upT asked.
"Tve stirred up breakfast or griz-
nv bear, smallpox and sudden DEATH
and It don't set well on my stummick'
Let me In
az had to keep him hidden three days,
for this gentle hammered old cannibai
wnamed the streets with cannon III
his nand, breathing nre ana pesulence,"
anybody else act upT queried Dun
ham.
mo; all the rest are Swedes, and
they haven't got the nerve to fight.
They couldn't lick a spoon II they
tried. These other men are different