Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-31

"He says the grub is gone and
they're all starving" translated Buck
hurst. lit seems there amt any deer
on the hills now. and the seals are gone
too. Now they're killing dogs, but that
can't last long"
Serves 'em right!' grumbled the
other as he strained Mt the heavy pro-
vision box They'd ought to work
summers and lay up a grubstake.
Spose now they want to eat ours. that
we've hauled 800 miles. Well. we'll
fool EN-, eh?'
AS Buckhurst prepared the welcome
meal within willing hands brought
wooden bowls Of water from the dis
tant hole. while old women. weak with
hunger. mutcly laid before him offer.
/ings Of dried chips. grass and drift
wood for the fire.
Round the messy walls crouched hol-
low eyed. patient squaws. sheltering
wretched children. who gazed hungrily
at the prodigal display before them'
strange dishes of the white man,
Unmindful Of the hungry sounds.
Buckhurst busted himself ut the stove
while Thomas curiously examined the
surroundings.
"Say, chief. how much you sell EN-"
said he, indicating handsome white
fox skin hanging on the low ridge pole.
Instantly three of the listening women
slipped out, returning at once with 9TH
err skins, which they shyly handed to
the white men.
mo sell 'em. money" answered the
old man as spokesman. Grub. ats all.
Kow-Kow peluk! You plenty grub.
Squaws hungry. By and by babies die.
No sell 'em, money. Grub. ats ALL"
"No. We amt got any more grub
than we want. I'll give you S. apiece.
though See?" And. holding up five
fingers, the white man made his mean
ing clear, meanwhile producing from
his poke" some bright new copper
pennies.
After renewed entreaties for food
rather than money, to which the other
turned deaf ear the shining yellow
coins were accepted.
"Ain't that easy?' Thomas croaked.
with wink to his partner. That's
not the first time I've worked OF new
penny on an Eskimo for five dollar
gold piece"
AS they voraciously fell to and clean
ed up dish after dish d lonely little
brown faced girl sided cautiously for
ward and, standing unobserved behind
them. eagerly watched the unfamiliar
proceedings.
Buckhurst had placed half eaten
bread crust on the box edge, where it
lay UNDECIDED us he held stearhing
plate of beans beneath his chin and
dextrously shoveled them into his cav
ernous mouth.
A small dark hand stole out from the
ragged parka and toward the crust.
then slowly dropped. Hunger spoke
again, and the slender fingers curled
over the morsel.
Instantly Buckhurst tipped his knife
end for end and. grasping the blade.
brought the steel handle swiftly down
upon the child's exposed knuckles with
cruel crack that sent the little one
soDDinE to the shelter of her mothers
arms.
"Tll teach you to steal" he snarled.
Thomas, with food distended cheeks
exploded into wet and noisy laughter
sprinkling his travelling mate with
masticated crumbs and a mist of cot.
fee, while low murmurs circled the
room.
His mirth was cut short by gust OF
cold air as the tiny door swung back
20 admit STOPPING figure which
Strengthened up, showing the tall form
and clean shaver features Of white
man.
How are you, gentlemen? Laughter
sounds good after a month on the trail
saw from the sled outside that there
were strangers stopping here. All
right, Matkar' he called through the