Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-03-30

learned that he could fall with hun
dredweight on his back and survive
but he was confident that II be fel
with that additional afty pounds across
the back Of bis neck 1t would breat
4 clean. Each trail through tht
swamp was quickly churned bottom
less by the thousands Of packers. who
were compelled continually to make
new trails. It was while pioneering
such a new trail that he solved the
problem of the extra fifty.
The soft slush surface gave way un
der him. he foundered and pitched
forward on bis face. The fifty pounds
crushed bis face into the mud and
went clear without swapping his neck
With the remaining hundred pounds
on bis back be arose on hands and
knees. But he got no farther. One
arm sank to the shoulder. pilowinG
bis cheek In the slush. As he drew
this arm clear the other sank to the
shoulder. In this position 1t was TN
possible to slip the straps. and the hun
dredweigbt on bis back would not lei
him rise.
On hands and knees. sinking arst
one arm and then the other. ne made
an effort to crawl to where the small
sack Of -four had fallen. But he ex'
hausted himself without advancing.
and so churned and broke the grass
surface that tiny pool Of water began
to form In perilous proximity to bis
mouth and nose.
He tried to throw himself on his back
with the pack underneath, but this re-
suited In sinking both arms to the
shoulders and gave him forctaste OF
drowning. Then he began to call for
help. After time he heard the sound
Of feet sucking through the mud as
some one advanced from behind.
Lend hand. friend" be said.
throw out life line or something"
It was woman's voice that answer
ed, and he recognized It
III you'll unbuckle the straps l can
get up."
The hundred pounds rolled into the
mud with soggy noise, and he slowly
gained his feet
"A pretty predicament" Miss Gastell
laughed at sight OF his mud covered
face.
mot at alI." he replied ahily. my
favorite physical exercise stunt"
He wiped his face. flinging the slush
from his hand with snappy Jerk
"Oh." she cried In recognition, '1t's
Mr.-ah-Mr. Smoke Bellew."
II thank you gravely for your timely
rescue and for that name" be answer.
ed. Il have been doubly baptized
Henceforth ! shall insist always On be
ing called Smoke Bellew."
The arctic cume down apace. Snow
that had come to stay lay six inches on
the ground, and the ice was forming In
quiet ponds despite the fierce gales
that blew. 1t was In the late after
noon during lulu In such gaze that
Kit and John Bellew helped the
cousins load the boat and watched II
disappear down the lake In q snow
squall.
"And now a nights sleep and IN ear
ly start In the morning." said John
Bellew. III we aren't storm bound at
the summit we'll make Dyea tomorrow
night, and II We have luck In catching
a steamer well be- In San Francisco In
week"
Their camp for that last night at
Linderman was melancholy remnant
Everything OF use, including the tent.
had been taken by the cousins.
Only once during supper did Kit
speak. "Avuncular." he said. after
this | wish you'd call me Smoke I've
made some smoke ON this trail. have
notY'
A few minutes later he wandered
away in the direction Of the village or
tents that sheltered the gold rushers
who were still packing or building
their boats. He was gone several
hours. and when he returned and slip
ped into his blankets John Bellew was
asleep.
In the darkness OF gale driven
morning Kit crawled out built fire
In his stocking feet, by which be thaw'
ed out his frozen shoes. then boiled
coffee and fried bacon. II was chilly.
miserable meal As soon as II was
finished they strapped their blankets.
AS John Bellew turned to lead the way
toward the Chilkoot trail Kit held out
his hand.
"Goodby. avuncular," he said
John Bellew looked at him and
swore In his surprise.
But what are you going to dor
Kit waved his hand In general di'
recti0n nOrthward over the storm lash
ed lake. whats the use OF turning
back after getting this farr he asked.
Besides. I've got my taste OF meat,
and like It I'm going on
You're broke" protested John Bel
lew. "You have no outfit"
i've got n job. Behold your nephew.
Christopher Smoke Bellew! He's got
Job. He's u gentlemans man He's
got a job at $3.50 per month aud grub
He's going down to Dawson with
couple OF dudes and another gentle
mans mun--camp cook. boatman ana
general all around hustler. Goodbyr
But John Bellew was dazed ana
could only mutter. u don't under
stand"
"They say the bald face grizzlies are
thick In the Yukon basin." Kit ex
planned. well. I've got only one suit
Of underclothes, and I'm going after
the bear meat. that's air.
CHAPTER ~.
Tho Now Gentleman's Man.