Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1910-09-01
CHAPTER X.


Next morning there was a magnih-
cent halo; the monarch of day appear
cd surrounded by a luminous circle.
The doctor recommended his sowing.
for he had plenty of seed. but no was
surprised to ind sorrel growing al
ready between the half-dried stones.
and even pale. sickly heaths trying to
show their delicate pink blossoms
At last 1t began to be really hot
weather. On the 18th Of June the Their
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 18th of
June. at in the morning. each man
armed with a double barreled gun.
Ratchet and snow knife. and provisions
for several days.
About noon of the second day they
sighted two ferocious musk oxen, and
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 assatlants,
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
90 III yt,ria
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 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. II
would be cowardlyl" 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-
ton. However. he had hardly time &c
think about It. before Altamont was al
his side.
He could not have held out much
longer, for II was impossible to ware
of the blows of horns and hoofs o.
two such powerful antagonists, and II
4 few minutes more he must have beer
torn to pieces. But suddenly two shot'
resounded. and Hatteras felt the ball'
Craze his head.
49, I'd 20 M
ing away his discharged weapon, ant
throwing himself right In front OF tn
raging animals. One OF them. shot u
the heart. fell dead as he reached tn
spot. while the other dashed madly OF
Hatteras, and WAS about to gore tn
unfortunate captain with his horns
when Altamont plunged his snow knit
FAR into the beasts wide open jaw
with ono hand. with the other deal
him such a tremendous blow on tn
head with his Ratchet. that the sku
was completely split open.
It was done so quickly that 1t seem
ed like a flash Of lightning. and a
WAS over. The second OK lay dead, an
Clnwbonny shouted "Hurrahl hurrahl
Hatteras was saved.
He owed his life to the man he hate
the most. What a storm OF conf1ictin
passions this must have reused In n
souli But where was the emotion
could not master7
However, his action was promp
whatever his feeling might be. With
out a moments hesitancy. he went
IN his rival, and said In a grave voice
"Altamont, you have saved my lifel
.rYou saved mine," replied the Amei
Scan.
There was a moments silence, ar
then Altamont added:
Were quits. Hatteras."
mo. Altamont," said the captain
when the doctor dragged you out
vour icy tomb did not know who yc
were: but you saved me at the pei
NJ your own life, knowing quite We
who was"
"Why. you are 4 fellow creature
.nv rate. and whatever faults
American may have. he Is no coward
mo. indeed" said the doctor. HE
n man, every inch a man-like you
self, Hatteras."
And, like me. he shall have part
the glory that awaits U.S."
"The glory of reaching the nor
pole?" asked Altamont
yes" replied Hatteras, proudly.
.I guessed right, them" said Alt
mont
The American stood still momei
deeply moved. Then he spoke feelin
iy.
"And you have actually dared
conceive such a project? OH 1t
grand: 1 tell you 1t is sublime even
think of It'll"
But tell me-" said Hatteras. in
hurried manner; you were not bou