The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1910-11-04

until the adventurer began to rally.
but the Aleut was too far gone, and
an hour before the laggard dawn came
he died.
The day was well spent when they
struggled into Katmai and plodded up
to a half rotted log store. A globular
quarter breed Russian trader took them
in and administered to their most cry
ing needs.
AS soon as Emerson was able to
talk he inquired concerning the mail
boat.
''She called here three days ago,
bound west" said the trader.
That's all right She'll be back in
about week. eh?'
''She won't stop coming back"
what" Emerson felt himself sick
ening.
mo; she won't call here till next
month. and then if it's storming she'll
go ON to the westward and land on her
way back"
HOW IOuS Will tudL Ue!
Maybe seven or eight weeks"
In his weakened condition the young
man CROPPED for the counter to support
himself. So the storms delay at the
foot Of the pass had undone him!
Fate, in the guise of winter, had I'M
furled those floating snow banners
from the mountain peaks to thwart
him once more!
Out of consideration for his compan-
ions Emerson did not acquaint them
with the evil tidings until the next
morning; moreover, he was swallowed
up in black despair and had no heart
left in him for any further exertiOn.
He had allowed the Russian to show
him to bed. upon which he flung him.
self, half dressed, while the others fol-
lowed suit.
Emerson fell into a deep sleep. and
it was late in the day when he awoke
every muscle aching. every joint stiff.
every step attended with pain. He
found his companions up and already
breakfasted. Big George none the worse
for his ordeal, while Fraser. bandaged
and smarting. was his old shrewd self.
Have you heard about the mail
boat:" asked Emerson.
mo"
We've missed her."
What d'you mean" demanded Big
George blankly.
Il mean that that storm delayed us
just long enough to ruin u.s."
'Why-er-let's wait till the next
trip" offered the fisherman.
Emerson shook his head. "She may
not be back here for eight weeks. No.
We're done for"
Bait was like big boy in distress.
His face wrinkled as if he We're about
to burst into loud lamentations. Then
thought seized him.
where in blazes is this steamer"
he cried.
"Out to the westward somewhere"
"Well. she's mail boat. amt she?
Then why don't she stop here coming
back? Answer me-"
The rotund man shrugged his fat
shoulders. She's got to call at Uyak
bay going east"
Emerson looked up quickly. ''Where
is Uyak bay?"
lover on Kadiak island"
when is the boat due at Uyak?"
Emerson asked.
Most any time inside Of a week."
How far Is that from here?'
ut amt so far-ouly about fifty
miles," Then. catching the light that
famed into the miners eyes. Petellin
FASTENED to observe: But you can't
get there. It's across the straits-Shel-
ikof straits"
What Of that! We can hire sail.
boat and"-
II amt got any sailboat. I lost my
sloop last year hunting sea otter"
I'VE can hire a small boat of some
sort. can't we, and get the natives to
put US across? There must be plenty
Of boats here"
Nothing but skin boats, kyaks and
bidarkas. you know. Anyhow. you
couldn't cross at this time Of year
| it's too stormy. These straits is the
worst piece Of water on the coast
| No: you'll have to wait"
Emerson stared hopelessly at the
fire.
| Continued Oh Pager.