Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-07-10
n-oBd. hard and tired, but In splendid

learned LudL ne NNu'N ' -
d-edweight on his back and survive,
hpt he was confident that II he ien
wl,b that additional fifty pounds across
tbe back of his neck it would break
II clean. Each trail through the
swamp was quickly churned bottom
loss by the thousands of packers. VINO
we're compelled continually to make
new trails. 1t was while pioneering
sucb a new trail that be solved the
problem of the extra fifty.
The soft slusb surface gave way uh,
der him. He noundered and pitched
forward on his face. The fifty pounds
crushed bis face into the mud ana
went clear without swapping bis neck
With the remaining hundred pounds
on bis back be arose on hands ana
knees. But be got 20 farther. One
arm sank to the shoulder, pllIowing
his cheek in the slush. As be drew
this arm clear the other sank to the
shoulder. In this position it was I'm
possible to slip the straps, and the hun
dredwelght on bis back would not let
him rise.
On hands and knees, sinking first
one arm and then the other, be made
an effort to crawl to where the small
sack Of Gour had fallen. But he ex'
hausted himself without advancing,
and 50 churned and broke the grass
surface that tiny pool Of water began
to form in periIous 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 foretaste Of
drowning. Then be began to call fol
help. After a time he heard the sound
Of feet sucking through the mud rs
some one advanced from behind
Lend q hand, friend" be said
Throw out a life line or something
1t was a woman's voice that answer
ed, and be recognized it,
If you'll unbuckle the straps car
get up"
The hundred pounds rolled into tht
mud with soggy noise, and be slOwl!
gained his feet
"a pretty predicament," Miss Gastel
laughed at sight Of his mud covered
face.
Not at ALL he replied arily. M.
favorite physical exercise stunt"
lie wiped bis face, finging the susl
from his hand with a snappy jerk.
oh she cried in recognition, ut
Mr-ah-Mr Smoke Belew."
u thank you grayely for your umel
rescue and for that name" he answer
ed, 81 have been doubly baptlzet
Henceforth shall insist always on b,
Ing called Smoke Belew.'
The arctic came down apace. SNOW
that bad come 10 stay lay six inches oI
the ground, and the Ice was forming 4
| quiet ponds despite the derce gale
that blew. 1t was in the late after
noon during a lull In such a gale thl
Kit and John Bellew helped th
cousins load the boat aud watched
disappear down the lake in a sno,
sQuall
And now nights sleep md an eal
ly start iu the morning. said Jon
Beilew. II we aren't storm bound a
the summit wen make Dyea tomorrUy
night and il we have luck in catchin
a steamer we1l be In san Francisco {
a week"
Their camp for that last night a
Lindermau was a melancholy remnant
Everything OF use, including the tent
had been taken by the cousins
Only once during supper did III
/ speak. "AvuHcular," be said, "afte
this I wish you'd call me Smoke. w,
made some smoke on this trail, have
! uo,g
A few minutes later be wandered
away in the direction Of the village oI
tents that sheltered the gold rusber.
who were sull packing or building
their boats lie was gone severa
1ours, aud when be returned and sllp
| ped into his blankets John Bellew wa,
asleep,
In the darkness OF a gale driven
morning Kit crawled out built a fire
IN bis stocking feet, by which be thay.
ed ont his frozen shoes, then boiled
coffee aud fried bacon. It was a chilly.
miserable meal As soon as It was
uaished they strapped their blankets.
AS John Beilew turned to lead the way
toWa'd the Chiikoot trail Kit held out
his hand
Noodoy aynncular" he said
John Bellew looked az him and
swore In his surprise.
But what are yol going to doy
Nit waved his band In a general "A.
'esuon northward over the storm lash.
ed Rae What's the use Of turning
'4IE after Settng this farT he asked
BESIDES, I've got my taste OF meat
aaa Ike tt I'm going on"
You're broke" protested John Rel.
lew you have no outHt"
I'VE gotta iob Behold your nephew,
Christopher Smoke BeIIew! Hes cor a
lob Hes sauteman's man. Has
-.' O. job at $3.50 per month and -rnb
aes sons down to Dawson with n
couple % dudes and another rrptIa,
..'"' man-cnmp cook. boatman and
general all around hustler Goodhym
'nt John Belew was dazed and
.oN'd only uu,,er 90 dor't rn5er,