The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-03-11
CHAPTER x.

touched the boundary line OF the norl-
zon, and rose again immediately. Inc
period was now entered when the Gay
lasts twenty four hours.
Next morning there was magnln-
cent halo; the monarch Of day appear
ed surrounded by a luminous circle.
The doctor recommended his sowing
for he had plenty of seed. but he was
surprised to find sorrel growing al
ready between the half-dried stones.
and even pale, sickly heaths trying TO
show their delicate pink blossoms.
At last it began to be really not
weather On the 18th Of June the ther-
mometer stood at 81 degrees above
zero.
BY the middle Of June the sloop had
made good progress. and Hatteras, Al
lamont and the doctor went hunting.
The three hunters, accompanied by
Duke, set out on Monday, the lfth OF
June, at in the morning. each man
armed with a double barreled gum
Ratchet and snow knife. and provisions
for several days.
About noon of the second day they
sighted two ferocious musk-oxen' ana
surrounded them on a plateau
The oxen had begun to shake them
selves impatiently at Duke. trying to
kick him off, when Hatteras started up
right in front of them, shouting and
chasing them back.
This was the signal for Altamont
and the doctor to rush forward and
fire, but at the sight of two assailants,
the terrified animals wheeled around
and attacked Hatteras. He met their
onset with firm, steady foot and fired
straight at their heads. But both his
bullets were powerless. They rushed
upon the unfortunate man like furies.
and threw him on the ground in an in
slant.
HE is a dead mani" exclaimed the
doctor. in despairing accents.
tremendous struggle was going on
in Altamonts breast at the sight of
his PROSTATE foe, and though his first
impulse was to hasten to his help. he
stopped short, battling with himself
and his prejudices. But his hesitation
scarcely lasted half a second, his better
self conquered, and exclaiming, mo. 1t
would be cowardly!" he rushed for
ward with Clawbonny.
Hatteras full we'll understood how
his rival felt but would rather have
died than have begged his interven-
tion. However, he had hardly time to
think about it, before Altamont was at
his SIDE
He could not have held out much
longer, for it was impossible to ward
off the blows of horns and hoofs of
two such powerful antagonists, and In
a few minutes more he must have been
torn to pieces. But suddenly two shots
resounded, and Hatteras felt the balls
Craze his head.
"Courage!" shouted Altamont, fling
ing away his discharged weapon. and
throwing himself right in front Of the
raging animals. One of them, shot to
the heart, fell dead as he reached the
spot, while the other dashed madly on
Hatteras, and was about to gore the
unfortunate captain with his horns.
when Altamont plunged his snow knife
far into the beasts wide open jaws
with one hand, with the other dealt
him such tremendous blow on the
head with his Ratchet, that the skull
was completely split open.
1t was done so quickly that it SEEM
ed like a flash of lightning, and all
was over. The second OK lay dead, and
Clawbonny shouted "Hurrah! hurrah!"
HatteraS was saved.
He owed his life to the man he hated
the most. What a storm of conflicting
passions this must have reused in his
soul! But where was the emotion he
could not master?
However, his action was prompt
whatever his feeling might be. With
out a moments hesitancy, he went up
to his rival, and said in grave voice:
"Altamont, you have saved my life."
You saved mine." replied the Amer
lean.
There was a moments silence, and
then Altamont added:
Were quits. Hatteras."
mo, Altamont." said the captain:
when the doctor dragged you out of
your icy tomb l did not know who you
were; but you saved me at the peril
of your own life. knowing quite well
who l was"
Why. you are a fellow creature at
any rate, and whatever faults an
American may have. he is no coward
mo, indeed" said the doctor. HE Il
a man. every inch a man-like your
self, Hatteras."
And. like me. he shall have part in
the glory that awaits u.s."
The glory Of reaching the north
pole?" asked Altamont.
Yes" replied Hatteras, proudly.
Il guessed right. then" said Alta.
mont.
The American stood still moment
deeply moved. Then he spoke feeling.
ly.
And you have actually dared tt
conceive such project? Oh! it /.
grand; ] tell you it is sublime even t.
think of it,"
But tell me-" said Hatteras, in &
hurried manner; you were not boun(
for the pole. then. yourself?"
Altamont hesitated.
Come, speak out man." urged tn,
doctor.
Well. to tell the truth, was not
and the truth is better than self love
No, had no such grand purpose IL
view. / was trying to clear the north