Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1910-08-05
CHAPTER x.

IOuCleQ In6 AlAlS Va NAAO
Eon, and rose again Immediately Inc
period was now entered when the Gay
lasts twenty-four hours.
Next morning there was q 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 ne was
surprised to find sorrel growing al
ready between the half-dried stones
and even pale, sickly heaths trying 10
show their delicate pink blossoms
At last 1t began to be really hot
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 l1tn OF
June at in the morning, each man
armed with a uble-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 a 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 despatring accents
A tremendous struggle was going on
in Altamont's 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 q second, his better
self conquered, and exclaiming, mo, 1t
would be cowardly!" he rushed for
ward with Clawbonny.
Hatteras full well understood how
his rival felt, but would rather have
died than have begged his interview
ton However he had hardly time to
think about 1t, before Altamont was at
his side.
He could not have held out much
longer, for 1t was impossible to ward
off the blows of horns and hoofs OF
two such powerful antagonists, and In
4 few minutes more he must have been
torn to pieces. But suddenly two shots
resounded, and Hatteras felt the balls
Craze his head.
"Couragel" shouted Altamont, fling
ing away his discharged weapon, anC
throwing himself right in front of the
raging animals. One of them, shot t
the heart, fell dead as he reached th'
SPOT. while the other dashed madly or
Hatteras, and was about to gore thu
unfortunate captain with his horns
when Altamont plunged his snow knit
far into the beasts wide open jaw
with one hand, with the other deal
him such a tremendous blow on tn
head with his Ratchet, that the skull
was completely split open.
1t was done so quickly that 1t seem
ed like a flash of lightning, and al
was over. The second OK lay dead, an
Clawbonny shouted "Hurrahl hurrah!
Hatteras was saved
He owed his life to the man he hate
the most What storm of conhictin
passions this must have reused in hi
sOull But where was the emotion h
could not master2
However, his action was promp
whatever his feeling might be. With
out a moments hesitancy, he went u
to his rival, and said in a grave voice
"Altamont, you have saved my life!
You saved mine," replied the Amer
lean.
There was a moments silence, an
then Altamont added:
Were quits, Hatteras"
mo, 9Altamont," said the captain
when the doctor dragged you cut {
your icy tomb did not know who yo
were; but you saved me at the per
of your own life, knowing quite we
who l was"
why, you are fellow creature I
any rate, and whatever faults g
American may have. he is no coward
mo, indeed" said the doctor HE
man, every inch a man-like you
self, Hatteras."
the glory that awaits U.S."
1.-THE glory Of reaching the nor
pole?" asked Altamont.
YES" replied Hatteras, proudly.
'T guessed right, them" said Alt
mont
The American stood still momeI
deeply moved. Then he spoke feelin
ly.
And you have actually dared
conceive such a project? Oil It
grand; / tell you 1t Is sublime even
think of It'll"
but tell me-" said Hatteras, in
hurried manner; you were not bou
for the pole, then, yourself2"
Altamont hesitated.
Come. speak out, man." urged I
doctor.
well. to tell the truth. was n
and the truth is better than self-lo
No, had no such grand purpose
view was trying to clear the mort
west passage, and that was ALL"
"Altamont," said Hatteras, hold
out his hand; "be our companion
glory. come with us and find the MOI
pole"
The two men clasped hands in
..aruo hearty CRASH and the bond