Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-06-08
cHAPTER 4.



ness with EXTREMIST caution.
feeling her way past bay and
promontOry. Around her was
none OF that phosphorescent glow
which lies above the open ocean. even
on the darkest night, for the mountains
ran down to the channel on either side.
In places they overhung. and where
they lay upturned against the dim sky
It could be seen that they were man
led with heavy timber. All day long
lie Nebraska had made her way
rough all endless succession OF straits
az sounds. now squeezing through an
lit SO narrow that the somber spruce
tres seemed 10 be within short
sioes throw. again blowing across
som0pcn reach where the pulse Of tn
horupacific could be felt Out through
the Jennings TO seaward stretched the
Iesues ocean, Oh across uncounted
league, TO SaghaIien and the rim of
Aussia prison yard.
Away near at hand was the deer
Sfeen ofthe Canadian forests. denser.
uaF@er tim a tropic jungle. for this
was the Ind OF plenty waters. The
missiles were carpeted knee deep With
moss wet y saturation. Out OF every
gulch came a brawling stream whip
ped 10 milk white frenzy snow lay
heary upon the higher levels while
now and then from farther inland
leered glacer. like some dead mon
ftt..F 81, Al
peaks. There were VIII .. too. aud
lsning stations. and ia'nes and quar-
Ties. These burst suddenly upon the
view. then slipped past with dreamliSe
swiitness. other ships swung into
sight rushed by and were swallowed
up In the labyrinthine maze astern
lhose passengers OF the Nebraskn
VINO had never before traversed the lin
sue passage" were loud I'm the praises
"l It's picturesqueness. while those 90
"hom the route was familiar seemed
10 nnd an ever fresh fascination I'm it,
shifting scenes
Among the latter was Murray O'Nen
Inc whole north coast from Flattery
10 81 Elias was as well mapped I'm his
nnihd as the face OF an old friend. vet
ne was forever discovering new vistas.
surprising panoramas. amazing varia
IONS or color and Topography Tn.
mysterious riffs and passarevovs tina,
opened and closed as n 10 lure tho sbir,
astray' the trackless confusion Of lslets
the siren song Of the waterfalls the
silent hills and glaciers and snow
soaked forests-all Appealed ~ hin,
strongly for he was at heart draamcr
Yet he did not forget that scenery
such as this. lovely as n Is bv dav
may be dangerous az night for he
knew the weakness OF steel buIIs IN
sop7e sides his experience and business
training had made him sternly pracf
cal and prOsaic. Ships aroused NO
manner Of enthusiasm in him except
a means 20 an end Railroads had no
glamor OF romance In his eyes. for.
having built number OF them. he had
Outlived all poetic notions regarding
the iron horse. and once the rails
were laid be was apt 10 lose interest
I'm them Nevertheless he was almost
poetic In his own quiet way, inter.
weaving practical thoughts with fancl.
ful visions. and he loved his dreams.
He was dreaming now as he leaned
upon the bridge rail- of the Nebraska
peering into the gloom with watchful
eyes. From somewhere 90 port came
the occasional commands Of the Office
on watch. echoed instantly from ths
inky interior OF the wheelhouse. vi
oversize rose the whisper Of rushinl
waters; from undertook csme thu