Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-12-06


had to avoid: they crossed slippery
slopes where the storm had barred the
hard crust and which their feet re-
fused to grip In such places they
had to creep on hands and knees, call
ing to one another for guidance. They
were numbed. blinded, chOked by the
rage Of the blizzard: their faces grew
stiff and their lungs froze. At times
they fell and were skidded along
ahead of the blasts. This forced them
to crawl back again. for they dared
not lose their course.
Much has been written concerning
the red mans physical powers Of en-
durance. but as a rule no Indian Is
the equal Of his white brother, due as
much perhaps to lack Of mental force
as to generations Of insufficient cloth
ing and inanition, so 1t was not sur
prising that rs the long afternoon
dragged to close the Aleut guide be-
gan to weaken.
Darkness found them staggering on,
supporting him wherever possible. At
length he became unable to guide them
farther, aud Bait. who had once made
the trip. took his place. while the 9TH
ers dragged the poor creature along at
the cost of their precious strength.
They had long since lost all track Of
time and place. trusting blindly to a
downward course. The hurricane
still harried them with unabated fury.
when all at once they came to another
bluff where the ground fell away
abruptly. Without waiting to investi-
gate whether the slope terminated in
drift or a precipace. they flung them
selves over Down they .loundered,
the two half sensible men tangled To-
cether rs If in n race for total oblivion,
only to plunge through thicket OF
willow tops that whipped and stung
them. On they went. now vastly heart
ened. over another ridge. down an
other declivity. and then into grove
Of spruce timber. where the air sud
denly stilled. and only the treetops told
of the rushing wind above.
1t was we'll nigh an hour before Bait
and Emerson succeeded In starting
fire, for 1t was desperate work cropping
for dry branches. and they themselves
were on the verge Of collapse before
the timid blaze finally showed the
two more unfortunate ones huddled TO-
gether.
Cherry had given Emerson a flask
of liquor before starting. and this he
now divided between Fraser and the
guide, having wisely refused II TO
them until shelter vas secured. Then
he melted snow in Balt's tin cup and
poured pints of hot water into the pair
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. 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 a week. eh?"
"She won't stop coming back"
"Whatp Emerson felt himself sick
ening.
NO: she won't call here till next
month. and then II it's storming she'll
90 on to the westward and land on her
way back"
How long will that bet'
Maybe seven or eight weeks"
In his weakened condition the young
man groped 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 un
furled those tioating 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 deep sleep. anG
1t was late in the day when lie awoke.
every muscle aching. every joint stiff.
every step attended with pain. He
found his companions up and alread!
breakfasted, Big George none the worse
for his ordeal, willie Fraser, bandaSed
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.
81 mean that that storm delayed Us
Just long enough to ruin US"
"Why-er-let's walt 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 rs il lie were 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 a mail boat, amt she
Then why don't she stop here coming
back? Answer me-"
The rotund man shrugged bis FAT
shoulders. "She's got to call at Uyak
bay going east"
Emerson looked up quickly. Where
Is Uyak bay"
"Over on Kadiak island"
when is the boat due at UyakT
Emerson asked.
Most any time inside Of a week"
"How far is that from here"
1T amt so far-only about nfty
miles" Then, catching the light thai