The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-09-17
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By REX BEACH.
Author of The Spoilers" and {
The Barrier" 81;
|! Copyright 1909. by Harper q Brothers .
CHAPTER IL.
Copyright 1909. by Harper q Brother.
[CoNT1NUED.l'

certainly some considerable
lady," answered the crook.
"Yes, but who is she? What does
this mean?" Emerson pointed to the
provisions and fittings about them.
''What is she doing here aloneT'
maybe you'd better ask her your
SELF" said Fraser.
For the first time in their brief &C.
quaintance Emerson detected a strange
note in the rogue's voice.
The Indian girl summoned them, and
they followed her through the long
passageway into the other house,
where, to their utter establishment,
they seemed to step out Of the frontier
and into the heart of civilization. They
found a tiny dining room perfectly ap-
pointed, in the center of which, Won
der of wonders, was a round table
cleaning like deep mahogany pool.
upon the surface of which floated
gauzy hand worked napery, glinting
silver and sparkling crystal, the dark
polish of the wood rejecting the light
from shaded candles It held a deli
cately figured service of blue and gold,
while the selection Of thin stemmed
glasses all in rows indicated the char
acter of the entertainment that await
ed them. The mems eyes were too
busy with the unaccustomed sight to
note details carefully, but they felt soft
carpet beneath their feet and observed
that the walls were smooth and har-
moniously papered.
"This is m-marvelous," murmured
Emerson. I'm afraid we're not In
keeping"
Indeed you are," said the girl, land
I am delighted to have somebody to
talk to. It's very lonesome here"
'This Is certainly swell tepee," Fra
ser remarked. "How did you do it?''
II brought my things with me from
Nome"
"Nome!' calculated Emerson quickly.
YES"
why, I've been in Nome ever since
the camp was discovered. It's strange
we never met"
II didn't stay there very long; went
back to Dawson"
..
a vague challenge, but he could not
be sure, for she seated him and then
gave some instructions to the Aleut
girl. Boyd, becoming absorbed in his
own thoughts, grew more silent as the
signs Of refinement and civilization
about him revived memories long
stifled This was not the effect for
which the girl had striven. Her
younger guests taciturnity, which grew
as the dinner progressed, piqued her,
50 at the first opportunity she bent her
efforts toward rallying him. He an
swered politely. but she was powerless
to shake Off his mood.
At last he spoke:
Fl "You said those watchmen have in
structions not to harbor travellers.
Why is that2"
sit Is the policy of the companies.
They are afraid somebody will discov-
er gold around here. You see. this is
the greatest salmon river in the world.
The rum is tremendous and seems to
be unfailing; hence the cannery people
II don't quite underestimate
ut, is simple enough. Kalvik is so
isolated and the fishing season is so
short that the companies have to send
their crews in from the States and
take them out again every summer.
Now, If gold were discovered here
abouts the fishermen would all quit
and follow the strike which would
mean the ruin of the years catch and
the. loss of many hundreds Of thou
sands of dollars. Why, this village
would become city in no time If such
4 thing were to happen. The whole
region would I'll up with miners, and
not only would labor conditions be en-.
tirely upset for years. but the eyes of
! the world, being turned this way. 9th.
er people might 60 into the fishing
business and create competition
. which would both influence prices and
deplete the supply Of fish In the Kali.
4 vik river. So, you see, there are many
reasons why this region is forbidden
to miners. You couldn't buy a pound
Of. food nor. get nights lodging here
for kings ransom. The watchmen's
Jobs depend upon their unbroken bond
Of inhospitality, and the Indians dare
not sell you anything, not even dog
Ash, under penalty Of starvation, fol
they are dependent upon the compa,
u MES stores" r...
s.a# 80 that IL why you have establish
ed trading post OF your own r -; i.
aOh. dear, no. This isn't q store
4 This food Is for my men," @szz&
Your menY 81. ..% %5 s=t
eyes. i have crew out In the hills
on III grub stake. This Is our cache
Wh1e they prospect for gold ! stand
!. Ruard over the provisions" & 4.
Fraser chuckled softly. Then you
4 4 are bucking the salmon trust7"
After q fashion. yes. / knew THU
ss ountry had never been gone over, 81
s3I staked six men, chartered schoon
4 5er and came down here from Nome II
B the early spring We stood on The
/. watchman, and when the supply ships