Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-30

ingly God-forsaken island! A stlnglns
main in his right knee aroused him
still further. His fiuttering lids open
ed to the glare of snow, and he feebly
thrust out his numbed hand, encoun-
tering the shaggy coat Of his howine
dog The animal ceased his cries, and
with a glad yelp began licking MS
masters hands and face.
Norris moved painfully and gradu-
ally sat up. Remembrance OF every
thing came over him with a rush. he
groaned aloud.
"Jerry. old boy" ne said harshly. Il
was a fool to have come to this cursed
island. They trapped me-trapped me
like q wild beast. They SAID
there was very little snow all the
wear round, a fine place for hunting
strayed seals, and plenty of game TO
be picked up for food. That was In
September, Jerry, boy, and here 1t Is
MAY. You know, old fellow, what q
freezing winter we have had and what
small success in seal hunting; but
June will soon be here, and they prom
ised they would return for me In
June
The injured man raised himself, des-
perately trying to use his nurt leg.
With a groan he fell upon all-fours'
and after a moments rest began
crawling back toward his cabin some
distance away, supporting the full
bucket by slipping the bale over his
head.
The one-roomed cabin being reach
ed. the exhausted man threw himself
upon his couch.
Must have been lying there some
time after falling" he thought aloud.
I've wrenched my knee badly" He
pplled his rough medicine chest to-
ward him and feebly attempted to doc
tor the sprained knee. Then, COM
pletely exhausted, he fell asleep. his
faithful dog by his side.
It was far into the morning of the
next day that John Norris awoke. His
injured knee was throbbing painfully,
his throat felt dry, and his lips burn
ed feverishly. Outside, Jerry was
barking furiously. John knew from
experience that he was hunting a fox
or ptarmigan, but the man felt no
excitement nor desire to join In the
hunt. The lonely months had taught
him to talk aloud to himself, or Jerry,
as to another human being. Now his
eyes glittered feverishly.
"Ole Olson and Tim Brown" he
cried fiercely, IF I mad you here, /
would crack your two thick skulls to-
gether till you yelled for mercy! Curse
your Curse you! Why did you tell
me all those lies about this devilish
place? Mild climate, little snow, many
strayed seals, an ideal spot for
hunter anxious to do well and be able
to marry the woman he lowest" His
voice broke, trailing off into groans OF
anguish, as the hurt knee twinged.
why, there's no worse snow-cov-
cred island in all the Aleutians than
this one," he muttered, none more
dreary in midwinter; but I've weather.
ed the worst. The schooner Is coming
in June. and this Robinson Crusoe ex-
istence will be over. Then, no! for
Annie and home. The island Unga will
be like heaven and Annie with her
soft gentle ways, will be an angel OF
comfort and sympathy"
10 with
and lay silent. Somewhere without,
Jerry was still yelping and worrying
the trapped animal. A sudden fierce
revolt seized John. Why had he had
this misfortune so close upon the re-
turn Of the schooner? Another month
at furtherest would have seen him
safe at Unga Provisions were getting
low. He must portion them out more
carefully.
"Sic 'em! Sic 'em!" he yelled fierce
ly, and throwing himself from his
couch, he seized his gun and crawled
to the cabin door. oh, If he could but
aid in bringing down fresh meat! 1t
might mean life prolonged a little
longer against probable postponement
Of the schooner's return. But Jerry
come whining back. disappointment
written in dropped ears and tail, and
crouched on the threshold. Silently
the man crept back to his couch.
Day followed day, and June arrived.
John had ascertained that although
the snow had been severe. the ice had
not closed up all around the island,
and from day to day he watched for
the schooner. With his meager reme-
dies and the necessity of waiting upon
himself, the injured knee had failed to
heal properly and had grown stiff.
One day as he watched at his cabin
door, he saw the masts Of a schooner
rise above the ice, and crippled though
he was, he sprang up with a joyful
cry that echoed weirdly in the snow
wrapped silences.
Thank God, they are coming at last!
They've kept their promise! God for
give me my bitter curses!"
Suddenly he paused in his half-in-
coherent mutterings-paused and rub
bed his eyes wildly, then looked again.
1t could not be possible? Yes, the
masts were slowly disappearing in
stead of coming nearer!
Stop" he shrieked wildly, and
started running, falling. rising. crawl
ing. down toward the shore. At every
rise he saw the masts farther away.
The last time he arose upon tortured
knee, the schooner had slipped COM
pletely from sight. One minute he
cursed these friends and their false
promises, the next the steamer, the
Ice, the snow. the island; and in the
same breath prayed to God for par
don.
Let me have no regrets!" he moan
ed.
Once more he arose and searched
the icebound horizon. but no schooner
met his gaze. With a bitter moan he
sank down. Then a strange thing hap
pened. He thought he stood upon the
schooner's deck, and there before him
stood Annie, the Aleut half-breed. BY