The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1916-06-10
CHAPTER xxv-continued.

CHAPTER xxv-continued.
oh was all she replied; but
could have sworn there was a note 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 It ring moro loudly than that
night. as l 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 rue.
And grip and thrill they did, till I
fell asleep, murmuring them to myself
over and over again.
It was a dark and evil-appearing
thing that hut, not fit for aught better
than swine in civilized land but for
US, who had known the misery of the
open boat, il was snug little habita-
ton. Following the housewarming.
which was accomplished by means OF
sealoil and wick made from cotton
calking. came the hunting for our win.
ter's meat and the building or the
second hut. It was simple affair.
now, to go forth in the morning and
return by noon with boatload of
seals. And then. while | worked at
building the hut, Maud tried out the
oil from the blubber and kept slow
fire under the frames of meat. had
heard of jerking beef on the plains,
and our seal meat, cut in thin strips
and hung in the smoke. cured excel
lently.
The second hut was easier to erect.
for built it against the first. and only
three walls were required. But it was
work, hard work, all of it. Maud and
! worked from dawn till dark, to the
limit of our strength. so that when
night came we crawled stifly to 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 lily
strength that feared she would break
down. Often and often. her last re-
serve force, gone, have seen her
stretched fiat on her back on the sand
in the way she had of resting and re-
cuperating. 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 we'll be clamorous for some
thing to do"
We held housewarming in my hut
the night 1t was rooted
1t was a pleasant evening indeed.
and we voted that as social function
on Endeavor island 1t had not vet
been eclipsed. Our minds we're at
ease. Not only had we resigned our
selves to the bitter winter, but we
were prepared for 1t. 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 us. Not only were we sure
OF being dry and warm and sheltered
from the wind, but we had the softcst
and most luxurious mattresses that
could be made from moss. This had
been Maud's idea, and she had herself
jealousy gathered all the moss. This
was to be my first night on the mat
tress, and I knew ! should sleep the
sweeter because she had made 1t.
AS she rose to go she turned to
me with the whimsical way she had,
and said:
Something is going to happen-is
happening, for that matter. feel 1t.
Something is coming here. to us. 1t Is
coming now. don't know what. but
It is coming"
Good or bad 2" asked.
She shook her head. Il don't know.
but 1t is there, somewhere"
She pointed in the direction of the
sea and wind.
TITS a lee Shore" laughed, "and
am sure Id rather be here than ar
irving, a night like this"
"You are not frightened7" l, asked
a. 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 . iittls loassr bsfsrs
ahe went
-Good night NsaA." 4 ~.