The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-11-09
CHAPTER xxv-centInueo

Oh" was all she replied: but I
could have sworn there was q tote OF
disappointment In her voice.
But my woman, my mate" kept
ringing In my head for the rest OF
the day and for many days. Yet never
did II ring more loudly than that
night, as | watched her draw back
the blanket OF moss from the Goals.
blow up the fire. and cook the evening
meal. II must have been latent saw.
agery stirring In me. for the old
words, so bound up with the roots OF
the race. to grip me and thrill me.
And grip and thrill they did, till |
fell asleep, murmuring them TO myself
over and over again.
It was q dark and evii-appearing
thing. that hut. not At for aught better
than swine In a civilized land; but for
us. who had known the misery OF the
open boat. It was a snug little habita.
ton. Following the housewarming,
which was accomplished by means OF
seal-oil and a wick made from cotton
cslking. came the hunting for our win.
ter's meat and the building OF the
second hut. II was q simple affair.
now, to go forth In the morning and
return BY noon with Q boatload Of
seals. And then. while I worked at
building the hut. Maud tried out the
oil from the blubber and kept q slow
fre under the frames Of meat. had
heard OF Jerking beef on the plains.
and ou seal meat. cut In thin strips
and hung In the smoke. cured excel.
lently.
The second hut wal easier to erect,
for ] built Il against the first. and only
three walls were required. But It was
work. hard work. all OF II. Maud and
! worked from dawn till dark, to the
limit OF u strength, &C that when
night came we crawled stifly 10 bed
and slept the animal.like sleep OF ex.
haustion. And yet Maud declared that
she had never felt better or stronger
In her life. ! knew this was true Of
myself. but hers was such a lily
strength that | feared she would break
down. Often and often. her last re-
serve force gone, ] have see her
stretched fat on her back on the sand
in the way she had OF resting and re-
cuperatins. And then she would be
up on her feet and toiling hard as
ever. Where she obtained this
strength was the marvel to me.
Think Of the long rest this winter"
was her reply to my remonstrances.
why well be clAmorous for some
thing to do"
We held . housewarming In my hut
the night It was rooted
II was Q pleasant evening indeed.
and We voted that a. a social function
on Endeavor island II had not yet
been eclipsed. Our minds were at
ease. Not only had We resigned our
selves to the bitter winter. but we
were prepared for II. The seals could
depart on their mysterious journey
into the south at any time. now. for
all we cared: and the storms held no
terror for 10. Not only were we sure
Of being dry and warm and sheltered
from the wind, but We had the softest
huu nOst luAuIlOub HihttTtbbS5 tuht
could be made from moss. This had
been Maud's idea. and she had herself
,ealously gathered all the moss. This
was TO be my first night on the mat.
tress, and ! knew | should sleep the
rweeter because she had made Il.
As she rose TO go che turned to
me with the whimsical way she had.
and said:
Something Ia going to happens
happening. for that matter. ! feel II.
Something 10 coming here. to W. II Ia
coming now. don't know what. but
II 10 coming"
Good OF bad? ?" l asked.
She shook her head. Il don't know.
but It IL there. somewhere"
She pointed In tho direction Of the
Sea and wind.
IT'S n lee Shore" I laughed. and
] am sure Id rather DO here than ar.
irving. a night like this"
You are not frightened" asked
as I stepped TO open the door for her.
Her eyes looked bravely into mine.
And you feel well? perfectly wellf"
Never better" was her answer.
We talked 9 little longer before
She went.
GOOD night Asnd." ] sAiA.