South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-30
THE LONG TRAIL By Frank H. Shaw g

II was now a year since he had fed from Eng
land. He had embarked as a passenger on the
Suzerain. four-master bound for Japan but
early IN the voyage an accident had deprived
the ship OF several OF her crew she was short
handed and the skipper had been only too
willing to avail himself of Launcester's prof
fered services
He had fallen into line quite naturally. and
had shown himself as handy a sailor as could
be found aboard. When the ship reached her
port-Launcester's movements being wrapped
in uncertainty still-the captain had entreated
him TO take on the position of boatswain dur
ing the voyage to Newcastle, y. s. w and the
fugitive had consented Thence to San Fran
cisco the Suzerain had journeyed, 10 be met at
the Californian port by the news of the discov-
cry OF gold in the Klondyke.
1t was alluring prospect: none might deny
II at Gold" said some men, gold" Guess you
shake It OF the grass up thar" And Laun-
cester had been unable to mold out
Then you reckon there's no chance?"
queried Lancaster of the veteran who had ex-
pressed himself as only too willing to furnish
advice and help. mo chance at ALL" he re-
peated.
IF there had been I'd ha told you. Stree
But thar's only one way to Dawson. and that's
up the Yukon and the Yukon's froze. Look
facts in the face an come an have a drink
Lancaster complied with both suggestions,
but after the rye whskey had found its way
down his throat ~ was still unconvinced
It'll be Bonanza for them that does get
thar" said the miner. They'll be gold TO burn
next Spring. But them that's on the spot II
get il; all the claims wuth cent II be staked
out" Lancaster thought the matter out re-
mem bering many an occasion when what had
seemed hopeless had been performed. To reach
the Klondyke in the face of such opposition as
he likely TO meet thing that appealed
to him with more and more force the longer ne
thought the matter over. He possessed a fair
sum of money. In addition to what he had
taken with him when he first embarked aboard
the Suzerain, he had drawn years wages, and
he anticipated no difficulty in raising a grub
stake.
All the same" ne said thoughtfully. "Tn
have a shot for it." The miner endeavored to
dissuade him in vain. and a month later Laun-
cester landed at ST. Michaers where the ocean
steamer stopped.
Therefore he started, one Of company OF
six-men who had sworn to reach the gold
possible to work UP the river little way they
had driven a heavy boat as far as human
strength could drive it, but the waterly high
way failed them at last, and they took to the
shore. They had brought no dogs; dogs were
unobtainable by all save milionaires, and three
of the six turned their backs to the Pole and
decided to fare them back to st. Mchael's. The
other two, spurred on by Launcester's indoni
tahI oFfa ing
rough sledges; and so they covered distance
Of something like four hundred miles. After
that one OF the survivors gave out; his feet
were worn down to the bone; there was moth
ing to be done save leave him in a camp by the
river and go forward. Two only were left OF
the six who had started and one of the two
was losing heart. But they went on another
hundred miles, and then Svensen, the Swede.
refused TO move.
I'll stay with you and see you through"
said the gentleman; but the Swede would not
hear Of such a sacrifice
"You go on, English he said. 'Il find
Siwash camp somewhere about and hang out
there till the thaw comes But you go on; you're
the man to get through"
Lancaster demurred but the Swede per-
sisted, threatening to return alone the way he
had come unless his companion left him. There
being no alternative Lancaster went on.
The Winter had closed down in deadly earn
est now, and the land land of desolation.
At times he passed grim evidences OF that
stern striving-dead men fallen by the way
side, their bodies clean picked by the wolves,
their consumable stores dragged from the
sledges
There were times when he heard the faint
bowling OF wolves and threw himself on the
defensive, his rife to his shoulder as shadows
leaped from the shadows: there were times
when he battled for his life; but he would
reach the Klondyke. he said, and know that
ordinary obstacles failed TO deter him. He was
proving himself man. But, communing with
his inner self, as he was perforce compelled to
do. there being no human companionship. he
found it in his heart TO repent Of the thing
that he had done.
Il wish-God knows how wish hadn't
killed Carmine" he thought a hundred times
Drawing near to himself and his God up
there, he fOund the values Of life adjusted
Themselves accurately. and. try he might, he
could find no excuse for himself. The death
had been accidental yes but he was guilty in
the sense that but for his own anger Carmine
might still have lived