The Wilderness Castaways
by Dillon Wallace · English · Gutenberg #42382 · 322,480 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: The Wilderness Castaways
Author: Dillon Wallace
Illustrator: Hy S. Watson
Release date: March 21, 2013 [eBook #42382]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42382
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WILDERNESS CASTAWAYS ***
THE WILDERNESS CASTAWAYS
[Illustration: He waited, his axe grasped in both hands
[_Page 272_]]
THE WILDERNESS CASTAWAYS
BY DILLON WALLACE
AUTHOR OF
“THE LURE OF THE LABRADOR WILD,” “THE LONG
LABRADOR TRAIL,” “BEYOND THE
MEXICAN SIERRAS,” ETC
ILLUSTRATED BY
HENRY S. WATSON
CHICAGO
A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1936
COPYRIGHT A. C. MCCLURG & CO.
1913
Copyrighted in Great Britain
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I GETTING ACQUAINTED 1
II THE FIRST BEAR 23
III A HUSKY CAMP 34
IV THE WILDERNESS PRIMEVAL 49
V WRECKED 64
VI THE CASTAWAYS ABANDONED 86
VII ADRIFT ON AN ICE PAN 95
VIII FACING STARVATION 111
IX THE WATERS CLEAR 124
X A NARROW ESCAPE 140
XI A DEATH STRUGGLE 151
XII FACTOR MACTAVISH OF FORT RELIANCE 163
XIII WINTER SHELTER AND HARD WORK 184
XIV A LONELY CHRISTMAS 194
XV THE TRAPPER FROM INDIAN LAKE 209
XVI RELEASED FROM BONDAGE 219
XVII THE SNOWSHOE JOURNEY TO INDIAN LAKE 231
XVIII STALKED BY WOLVES 252
XIX ON THE FUR TRAILS 270
XX WINNIPEG AT LAST 285
XXI BAD NEWS AND GOOD 295
XXII HOW PAUL AND DAN MADE GOOD 306
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
He waited, his axe grasped in both hands _Frontispiece_
“Keep un nerve,” soothed Dan 84
Dan struck up a tune 116
Fired several more shots after the retreating birds 136
He could feel its sharp claws tearing his flesh 162
The Eskimos were watching them curiously from the beach 174
“You’re a big coward” 180
The boys were startled. They had heard no one approach 208
The three put their heads together 286
THE WILDERNESS CASTAWAYS
CHAPTER I
GETTING ACQUAINTED
“Dan Rudd,” roared Captain Zachariah Bluntt, “if I has to tell you
again to keep that mouth organ below decks, I’ll wring your neck! Yes,
wring your neck! By the imps of the sea, I will!”
“Aye, aye, sir,” answered Dan Rudd, a robust, sunny-faced sailor lad
of sixteen, quickly slipping the offending harmonica, upon which he
had been playing a lively air, into his pocket.
Captain Bluntt, impatiently pacing the deck, was plainly in ill humor.
His great red beard, standing out like a lion’s mane, bristled
ominously, and his shaggy eyebrows were drawn down in an unpleasant
scowl.
It was two o’clock on a mid-July afternoon, the last case of
provisions had been lowered into the hold, the last lighter-load of
coal stowed into the bunkers, steam was up, and the staunch little
Newfoundland steamer _North Star_, riding at anchor in Sydney harbor,
had been ready to sail for three hours, and for three hours Captain
Bluntt had been impatiently awaiting orders to get under way.
Two clean-cut, smooth-shaven, alert young men of thirty or thereabouts
were standing at the port rail aft. Their sun-tanned faces marked them
as men accustomed to out-of-door life, and their sinewy, muscular
frames and keen but good-humored eyes proclaimed health and genial
dispositions. They were intently, and with visible impatience,
watching a wharf from which a boat was putting off. As the little
craft shot out into the open one of them raised a pair of binoculars
to his eyes, studied it for a moment, and announced:
“There he is at last! Here, take a look through the glass, Ainsworth,”
and he passed the binoculars to his friend.
“Yes, that’s he,” said Ainsworth, after a moment’s observation, “and,
Remington, he’s sitting back smoking a cigarette as unconcernedly as
if he hadn’t kept us waiting half a day for him.”
“I’ll tell the skipper, and ease his mind,” suggested Remington, and
striding forward he called out cheerily:
“All right, Captain Bluntt, Master Densmore is coming. You may put out
as soon as you please when he’s aboard.”
“Very vexing! Very vexing, Mr. Remington!” exclaimed Captain Bluntt.
“Fair wind, fair tide, and losing advantage of it, sir! All right,
sir, all right. We’ll weigh anchor at once, sir.”
In a moment sailors were working at the windlass, anchor chains were
clanking, and the men singing in rhythmic unison as they swung up and
down at the crank handles. Then the engines began to pulsate.
The _North Star_ had been chartered by the two young men--George
Remington and Henry Ainsworth--for a summer’s voyage to Hudson Bay.
Both were enthusiastic sportsmen, and Remington, who had once before
visited the region, had promised Ainsworth some exciting polar bear
and walrus hunting, as well as excellent sport fishing the coastal
streams for salmon and trout.
Paul Densmore, the only son of John Densmore, a multimillionaire ship
owner and a friend of Remington’s, had been invited by Remington to
accompany them as his guest. When Remington and Ainsworth went aboard
the _North Star_ upon the morning our story begins, Paul had remained
ashore in Sydney to make some purchases in the town, promising to
follow them within the hour. Captain Bluntt had been instructed to
make ready for departure accordingly. But Paul had failed to keep his
promise, and with hours of idle waiting for the appearance of the
delinquent youth Captain Bluntt had worked himself into the high state
of ill humor in which we find him.
“The Captain was just at the point of blowing up,” laughed Remington
when he rejoined Ainsworth, “but he’ll be all right presently. He’s a
very impatient old fellow.”
“He’s had good reason to be impatient,” said Ainsworth. “I can safely
prophesy more breakers ahead. Judging from the little I’ve seen of
that boy, Remington, you’ll be heartily sorry you brought him before
we get back to New York.”
“I’m heartily sorry already,” admitted Remington, “but I couldn’t help
it. Densmore is one of the best fellows in the world. He pulled me out
of a tight place once when I was caught in the market, and when he
asked me the other day if it would be an imposition upon friendship if
he asked me to invite Paul, there was nothing to do but invite the
youngster to come.”
“Oh, don’t think for a moment I’m finding fault with you, old man,”
Ainsworth hastened to explain. “I see your position, and I’d have done
the same under the circumstances, but it’s a pity nevertheless that we
have to put up with him.”
“Yes, it is a pity,” agreed Remington. “That boy has no sense of
responsibility. Never keeps an appointment or a promise.
I never saw any one quite so lacking in consideration of
others--selfish--selfish--that’s the word.”
“Why did his father ever let him grow into such a cad, anyway? What he
needs is a good sound thrashing every day for a month. That would cure
him.”
“Fact is, I don’t think Densmore ever knew much about him until
recently. Too many irons in the fire to give much thought to his
family. This steamship company’s his pet scheme just now, but he’s the
head of half a dozen other big things, and even when he’s home his
mind is all taken up with business. He left the boy’s training to the
mother, and it’s the old story of an only child. She’s coddled and
indulged and pampered him till she’s spoiled him. He failed in the
final tests at school this year--he attends a select boys’ school
uptown somewhere--and the head master wrote Densmore that there was no
use sending him back unless he took more interest in the work, adding
something to the effect that he seemed strangely void of ambition,
never obeyed rules unless convenient, and was a disturbing element in
the school. I think that brought Densmore to his senses about his
son’s condition.”
“And he shoved the boy off on us for the summer,” said Ainsworth
ill-naturedly.
“Oh, no, not for the purpose of getting rid of him,” Remington
hastened to explain. “Densmore’s all right. He wouldn’t intentionally
cause us inconvenience. He had two reasons for asking me to bring him.
He learned Paul was addicted to cigarettes, and he wanted to get him
away somewhere where cigarettes aren’t to be had. He thought, too,
that good, wholesome exercise in the open, and a complete change of
environment, might give him a new view of life and awaken his
ambition. The boy’s mother has never permitted him to take part in
what she calls rough games--baseball, football and real boys’
sports--and she’d never let him go camping with other fellows, though
he’s begged to go. Afraid he’d get hurt. It took a lot of argument on
Densmore’s part to get her permission to let him come with us.”
“One of those young hopefuls, isn’t he, that thinks his father is rich
and there’s no use of his ever doing anything but spend money?”
suggested Ainsworth. “From the little I’ve seen of him, he’ll spend
it, all right, too.”
At that moment the boat hove alongside, and a tall, sallow-faced lad,
perhaps seventeen years of age, a cigarette hanging at the corner of
his mouth, tossed a bill to the boatman, languidly rose to his feet,
caught the rope ladder lying over the ship’s side, and with difficulty
climbed to the deck.
“Glad to see you, Paul,” greeted Remington. “We were getting a bit
worried about you. You’re late.”
“Oh, I didn’t think there was any rush,” said Paul indifferently.
“Stopped for luncheon at the hotel. Horrible stuff they serve there.
It really isn’t fit to eat.”
“I’m afraid your appetite isn’t very good, Paul,” suggested Remington.
“Wait till you get your lungs full of salt air, and rough it a bit;
you’ll think anything is good then.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Paul remarked indifferently, as he lounged back
upon a chair, drew a fresh cigarette from a silver case, lighted it,
flicked some ashes from his white flannel trousers and casually
surveyed the deck. “What a rum old ship this is!” he continued. “I
thought we were going to have a comfortable yacht.”
“The _North Star_ isn’t much to look at,” admitted Remington, “but
she’s the best sort of a ship for our trip. No ordinary yacht would
do. We’re going to rough it good and plenty, you know.”
“That so? What kind of roughing it?”
“Hunting, fishing, camping, and that sort of thing. I hope we’ll have
some good bear hunting before we get back.”
“Bear hunting!” Paul was interested at once. “What kind of bears shall
we run across? Grizzlies?”
“No,” laughed Remington, “Polar bears.”
“Polar bear hunting! Cricky, but that’ll be great!” Paul sat up
excitedly. “Where’re we going, Mr. Remington? I didn’t pay much
attention to what Father said about it. I thought it was just an
ordinary yachting trip.”
“You didn’t seem to have much interest in it, coming over on the
train,” said Remington, and as he explained the region, the
prospective hunting and fishing, and the adventure, Paul forgot his
cigarette.
“That’s just the kind of trip I’ve wanted to take all my life,” he
exclaimed. “May I shoot too?”
“Yes, I’ve a rifle and a shotgun among my things for you.”
“May I see them? I’ve always been just crazy for a gun!”
“Wait a moment.”
Remington went below and presently returned with a modern high-power
rifle and a beautiful double-barreled shotgun. Paul’s eyes sparkled
with delight and he listened with close attention while Remington
explained their manipulation, with due caution as to their handling.
Then he exclaimed:
“Good old Dad! He is a good scout to let me come with you! Ever so
many thanks, Mr. Remington. Where are the cartridges?”
“They’re with mine. I’ll get them for you when you need them. You may
as well take the guns down to your stateroom, though, when you go.”
“I guess I’ll go now, and unpack my things.”
“Very well. The steward will show you your room. You’ll find
everything there. Abner,” turning to a bareheaded young sailor clad in
blue flannel shirt, with sleeves rolled up, and trousers tucked into
the tops of high sealskin boots, who was standing near the
companionway, “this is Master Densmore. Will you show him to his room?
Abner is the steward, Paul.”
“Yes, sir; this way, sir,” answered Abner, respectfully.
“He seems interested,” remarked Ainsworth when Paul had gone below.
“I’m inclined to think he’s a pretty good fellow at heart after all.
Just spoiled.”
“That’s so,” agreed Remington.
A moment later Paul reappeared from the companionway, and asked:
“Where are my trunks, Mr. Remington? The steward took me to a room he
insists is mine, but my trunks aren’t there; just some canvas bags.
Guess he’s trying to put me in the wrong room.”
“I left your trunks ashore, Paul.”
“Ashore! Why, all my things are in them! I can’t go without them! I’ve
no clothes with me!”
“The canvas bags contain all the clothes you’ll need. Look through
them and see what you think of the outfit. Your father selected them.”
“But my cigarettes! I packed them in one of the trunks!”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to do without them. You’ll find you can shoot
straighter if you don’t smoke. Cigarettes knock a fellow’s nerves all
out, you know.”
“This is rum!” exclaimed the angry lad. “No cigarettes! Well, I’ll go
down and see the stuff.”
“You’d better put on one of the warm suits you’ll find in your bags,
Paul,” suggested Remington. “We’re getting out to sea, and it’ll be
chilly on deck.”
Paul vouchsafed no reply, but he profited by the advice, and donned a
complete new outfit of clothing suited to his surroundings.
“Look like a dago laborer, don’t I?” he asked Remington, whom he met
at his stateroom door half an hour later.
“You look comfortably dressed,” was the reply. “You see I’ve adopted
similar clothes.”
“You do look funny,” laughed Paul, “and that’s the way I feel. Mother
_would_ have a fit if she saw me now,” glancing down at his flannel
shirt and heavy trousers and shoes. “Mr. Remington,” he continued,
hesitatingly, “I--I want to apologize for what I said about the trunks
and cigarettes. I can get on without cigarettes if they’d spoil my
shooting.”
“That’s all right, Paul. They certainly would spoil your shooting.”
Captain Bluntt was in excellent humor when he took his place at the
head of the supper table.
“So you’re the young rascal,” he said to Paul, “who kept us waiting at
Sydney.”
“Oh, I guess there wasn’t any great rush,” answered Paul, somewhat
nettled. “We’re on a pleasure trip, and not trying to break a
record.”
Captain Bluntt looked at him curiously for a moment under his shaggy
eyebrows.
“Not much of a sailor, I guess, youngster. Well, you’ll learn
something before you gets home. Got a wonderful lot to learn, too.”
Paul flushed angrily, and retorted impudently and boastfully:
“Oh, I don’t know. This isn’t my first yachting trip. I know a thing
or two about sailing. Captains of yachts don’t usually tell the guests
what they’re to do.”
“Yacht, eh?” And Captain Bluntt laughed good-naturedly. “Well, well,
don’t get grumpy. No offence meant. No doubt you’re a great sailor;
you look it. Yes, you look it!” Turning from Paul as from a child
whose presence he had quite forgotten, he remarked:
“She’s off in fine style, Mr. Remington, fine style! And we’ll make a
rare fine run, sir, if the weather holds. Yes, sir, if the weather
holds!”
“Is there much ice reported off the Labrador coast?”
“We’ll meet some ice, sir; bay ice. No trouble with that, sir. Plenty
of bergs! Wonderful crop of bergs, sir!”
They had finished eating, and Captain Bluntt was striking a match to
light one of Remington’s cigars which he had accepted, when strains of
music floated down to them. He paused with lighted match in mid air,
an ear cocked to one side, his red beard bristling.
“By the imps of the sea!” he blurted. “There’s that Dan Rudd with his
mouth organ, and I _told_ him to keep un below! The rascal! Wring his
neck! Yes, sir, I’ll wring his neck!” and he sprang up as though bent
upon carrying his threat into immediate execution.
“I rather like it,” remarked Ainsworth. “May he play for us, Captain?”
“If you likes un, sir, if you likes un. But I don’t call un playin’,
sir; I calls un just pipin’ a racket!”
“We would like to hear him,” said Remington. “Suppose we go above.”
On deck they found Dan working away with all his will at his
harmonica, keeping time with one foot, while a sailor danced a
breakdown, and other sailors clapped their hands and encouraged the
dancer with:
“Go at un, Bill! Go at un, b’y! You’re a spry un, Bill!”
Then Dan glimpsed Captain Bluntt, slipped the harmonica into his
pocket, and the dancing ceased.
“Oh, don’t stop playing--don’t mind us,” encouraged Remington. “We
came to listen.”
“The skipper don’t like music, sir,” said Dan, looking regretfully
after Captain Bluntt, who was disappearing in the chart house, leaving
a cloud of smoke from his fragrant cigar in his wake.
“Captain Bluntt said you might play if you wished, so please do not
stop.”
A little encouragement induced the dancer to resume his breakdown, and
presently the fun was in full swing again. Another sailor took a turn,
and then Dan suggested:
“Now Jack Griggs sing us ‘Th’ Minnie Dart.’”
“An’ you plays th’ tune,” assented Jack.
Dan struck up a lively tune and Jack began to bellow the song, which
began:
“Th’ Minnie Dart were as fine a craft
As ever sailed th’ sea;
She were eighty ton, an’ a fore an’ aft,
An’ as smart as she could be,”
and closed with a weird description of the going down of the Minnie
Dart with all her crew.
The music at an end, Remington and Ainsworth lounged aft to smoke and
chat, while they enjoyed a perfect evening. A full moon had risen,
transforming the gentle swell of the sea into molten silver, and to
the right, in hazy distance, lay in faint outline the Newfoundland
coast.
Paul strolled forward and soon became interested in watching the
compass and the man at the wheel.
“What course are you sailing?” he asked.
The man made no reply.
“Let me try it. I can handle the wheel all right,” he continued,
attempting to take the spokes.
At that moment Captain Bluntt observed him.
“By the imps of the sea!” he roared, striding forward and grasping
Paul’s arm with a steel-like grip that made the youth wince as he
vainly struggled to free himself. “Keep away from that wheelhouse or
I’ll heave you overboard. By the imps of the sea I will! Heave you
overboard! Heave you overboard!”
“I guess I can go where I want to,” answered Paul impudently, but none
the less frightened.
Without releasing his grasp, or deigning to reply, the Captain half
led, half dragged, Paul to Remington.
“This youngster must keep aft of the wheelhouse, sir! He was talking
to the steersman, sir! Talking to him! I’ll not permit it, sir!”
“I’m sorry,” apologized Remington. “I’m sure he didn’t understand that
he was doing wrong, and he won’t do it again.”
Captain Bluntt, mollified but still ruffled, returned to his duties,
and Paul, almost in tears, lounged alone, amidships, sulking.
Dan had witnessed the disciplining of Paul, and in the hope of
smoothing matters presently wandered over to the lad, who was still
sulking and nursing his injured dignity.
“Th’ skipper’s wonderful gruff sometimes,” ventured Dan, “but he don’t
mean nothin’. ’Tis sort o’ his way.”
“Mr. Remington hired this old tub, and I’m his guest, and I guess I
can go where I want to on it.”
“’Tis an able craft, an’ no old tub,” resented Dan. “Th’ skipper is
master at sea. ’Tis a rule of the sea.”
“He isn’t my master.”
“No, not that way. He’s just master o’ th’ ship. Your folks is payin’
th’ owners for th’ voyage, an’ they is payin’ th’ skipper t’ run th’
ship safe, an’ he has t’ make rules t’ run un safe or we’d be foulin’
reefs or gettin’ off our course.”
Paul deigned no reply, and after an awkward pause Dan inquired:
“What’s your name?”
“Paul Densmore.”
“Mine’s Dan Rudd. Dan’s short for Dan’l. It’s after Dan’l that was
in th’ lion’s den, Dad says. Yours is from th’ Bible, too. I reckon
you was named after th’ apostle Paul.”
“No, after my grandfather.”
“’Tis th’ same name, anyway. Dad reads out o’ th’ Bible nights when
he’s home. We live in Ragged Cove, but Dad’s fishin’ down on th’
Labrador now with th’ _Ready Hand_.”
“The ‘_Ready Hand_?’ What’s that?”
“She’s a spry little schooner. Dad’s part owner. I been down with her
twice.”
Dan told of fishing adventures on the Labrador. Paul described his
home in New York, the great buildings, the subway and elevated
railroads, the great transatlantic steamships--a thousand wonders in
which Dan was intensely interested.
In the recital Paul soon forgot his injured dignity. He was glad of
the companionship of a boy of his own age. No one, indeed, could long
resist Dan’s good nature, and when the sailor lad finally said it was
time to “turn in,” and they parted for the night, each was pleased
with his new acquaintance--an acquaintanceship that was to ripen into
life-long friendship. They little guessed that they were destined to
be companions in many adventures, to share many hardships, to face
dangers and even death together.
The _North Star_ rounded Cape Charles the following evening, passed
into the open Atlantic, and turned her prow northward. Innumerable
icebergs, many of fantastic form and stupendous proportions, were
visible from the deck, their blue-green pinnacles reflecting the rays
of the setting sun in a glory of prismatic colors. On their port lay
the low, storm-scoured rocks of Labrador’s dreary coast, its broken
line marked by many stranded icebergs. Now and again a distant whale
spouted great columns of water. The white sail of a fishing schooner,
laboring northward, was visible upon the horizon. The scene, grim,
rugged, but beautiful, appealed to Paul’s imagination as the most
wonderful and entrancing he had ever beheld.
That night Paul was suddenly awakened from sound slumber by a
tremendous shock. He sprang from his berth with the thought that the
ship had struck a reef or iceberg and might be sinking. Terrified, he
rushed to the companionway, where he was nearly thrown off his feet by
another shock. At length he reached the deck. Spread everywhere around
the ship he could see, in the shimmering moonlight, nothing but ice.
From the crow’s nest, on the mizzenmast, came the call of the ice
pilot: “Port! Starboard! Port! Starboard!”
The lad’s terror increased as he witnessed the changed condition of
the sea. It seemed to him that the great mass of heavy ice which
closed upon the ship on every side must inevitably crush the little
vessel and send her to the bottom. As he ran forward, another and
heavier shock than any that had preceded sent him sprawling upon the
deck.
CHAPTER II
THE FIRST BEAR
Paul had scarcely regained his feet when the gruff voice of Captain
Bluntt exclaimed:
“Well! Well, lad! And what brings you out o’ your snug berth at this
time o’ night?”
“What’s--what’s happened? Are we wrecked?” asked the frightened Paul.
“Wrecked? No, no, lad! Just a bit of ice--just a bit of ice. ’Tis all
right, b’y. Go below and sleep. ’Tis wonderful raw above decks for
them thin clothes you’re wearin’.”
Paul, dressed only in pajamas, his feet bare, was indeed shivering.
Much relieved, he turned down the companionway, glad to tuck himself
in his warm berth, presently to fall asleep to the distant, monotonous
call of the ice pilot, “Port! Starboard! Port! Starboard!” and in
spite of repeated shocks, as the vessel charged the ice, alternately
backing and forging ahead at full speed in her attack upon the pack.
The ice was left behind them during the night, and when morning dawned
a stiff northeast breeze, cold and damp, had sprung up, and a sea was
rising. The ship began to roll disagreeably, and at midday Remington
encountered Paul, deathly pale, unsteadily groping his way to his
stateroom.
“What’s the matter, Paul?” he asked.
“I--I feel sick,” Paul answered.
The call had come for dinner, but Paul was not interested, and retired
to his berth. The fog mist thickened, and all that afternoon and night
the fog horn sounded at regular intervals, a warning to fishing craft
of the vessel’s proximity.
For three days Paul, in the throes of seasickness, was unable to leave
his berth, but on the morning of the fourth day he reappeared on deck,
where his friends greeted him with good-natured jokes.
They were entering Hudson Straits. On their port, near at hand, lay
the rocky, verdureless Button Islands, and far to the southward rose
the rugged, barren peaks of the Torngaek Mountains in northeastern
Labrador. To the northward in hazy outline Resolution Island marked
the southern extremity of Baffin Land.
Here and there, spread over the sea, were small vagrant ice pans,
messengers from the far Arctic, which gave evidence of the high
latitude the ship had attained.
Now and again seals showed their heads above the water for a moment,
quickly to disappear again. Sea gulls, their white wings gleaming in
the sunlight, circled about, but nowhere was a sail or any indication
of human life visible upon the wide horizon.
It was a new world to Paul, and different from anything he had ever
imagined. The utter absence of vessels, the apparently uninhabited and
uninhabitable land, the awful primitive grandeur of it all gave him a
vague, indescribable sense of fear--such a feeling as one ascending
for the first time in a balloon must experience upon peering over the
rim of the basket at the receding earth. This sensation quickly gave
place to one of exultation--the exultation of a wild animal loosed in
its native haunts after long confinement. Paul became possessed of a
desire to shout. His blood tingled through his veins. He drank the
pure atmosphere in great draughts, and it stimulated him like wine. He
felt almost that he could do anything--fly if he wished.
This was the first awakening in Paul of the primitive instinct which
every human has inherited from prehistoric ancestors--an inborn love
of the glorious freedom of the great wide wilderness where individual
man stands supreme in his own right and where he may roam at will
without restraint; where he feels that he is a person and not an atom;
where he may meet nature face to face, and fearlessly match his human
skill against her forces.
Too often this instinct to retreat for a time to the wild places of
the earth, to stand with bared head under the open sky, to breathe
great lungfuls of pure atmosphere undefiled by the smoke of chimneys,
to make the acquaintance of rocks and trees, of mountains and sea--to
renew one’s faith in God--is smothered by the luxuries and pamperings
of civilization. So it had been with Paul.
Standing on the deck of the _North Star_ that bright July morning, in
the midst of nature’s most rugged abode, that primordial instinct
slumbering in his breast had then its first awakening. He seemed to
expand. He felt himself grow. He longed to set foot upon those
mysterious shores--to wrest from them their secrets. Presently he was
to do so. Perhaps, had he known how close to the condition of his
prehistoric ancestors he was to drift, he would have shrunk from his
destiny. It is well for our peace of mind that an all-wise God hides
from us today the happenings of tomorrow.
At length the _North Star_ passed out into the wider waters of Ungava
Bay, and directly after dinner Remington suggested:
“Suppose you bring your rifle, Paul, and I’ll get a box of cartridges.
We’ll try it out and see how you can shoot.”
Paul had been looking forward to this opportunity, and a moment later
he appeared with the rifle.
“Now draw a bead on that bit of ice out there,” said his instructor,
“and we’ll see how you hold. Run your left hand farther forward on the
stock--can’t hold steady with it away back like that--a little farther
out--that’s better. Now you can stand straight and not have to bend
backward like a woman does when she tries to shoot. Do you get the
ice? Look through the notch on the rear sight, and bring the bead on
the front sight in contact with the bottom of your object. Got it? Try
it again. Now we’ll load. Now try it.”
Paul, a loaded rifle in his hands for the first time, took aim, and
pulled the trigger. The shot went wild.
“You closed your eyes at the last moment, and wobbled the gun,” said
Remington.
“Guess I did,” admitted Paul. “I was afraid to be so near the
explosion.”
“Well, throw in another cartridge. That’s right. Throw the lever
forward; now back. Be careful! It leaves it cocked, you see. Always
remember, when you’re not going to shoot again immediately, to put the
hammer down, and never carry a cocked gun. That’s a bad habit some
sportsmen have, but a man that isn’t quick enough to cock his gun
after he sees his game should practice until he can do it, and never
go out with his gun until he can. With a rifle it’s never well to
carry a cartridge in the chamber. You can throw one in as quickly as
you need it. Now try again.”
Bang! The shot struck just beneath the bit of ice.
“Bully! Bully!” exclaimed Remington and Ainsworth together.
Paul flushed with pleasure and excitement. With the next shot he took
more careful aim, and simultaneously with the crack of the rifle bits
of splintered ice flew from the floating cake. This was indeed a good
shot, for by this time the vessel had left the ice well behind.
“How was that?” asked Paul, with conscious pride.
“Good work!” Remington encouraged.
Several more practice shots were fired with varying success, the rifle
cleaned, and Remington and Ainsworth went below to overhaul their
fishing outfit.
Paul, with just pride in his initial achievement with the rifle,
strolled forward to exhibit his gun to Dan, who was splicing a rope
near the foremast, and had been an interested spectator of the target
practice.
“Hello, Dan,” he greeted.
“Hello, Paul. Been ailin’?”
“Ailing! I was awfully sick for two days.”
“We were havin’ a bit of nasty sea. ’Tis bad for the seasickness.”
“You bet it got me, all right. Would you like to see my rifle?”
“Yes, I were wantin’ t’ see un.” Dan took the rifle, looked it over,
threw it up to his shoulder and sighted it, like one accustomed to the
use of firearms.
“She’s a wonderful fine gun!” he exclaimed. “A rare fine gun! An’
she’s pretty, too. I never seen such a fine gun--and such a pretty
un.”
“Can you shoot?”
“I does some shootin’. I hunts with Dad in winter. He traps furs in
winter, and he’s took me with him two winters.”
“Did you ever shoot anything?”
“Oh, yes; lots of partridges and rabbits. Last fall I kills a deer and
gets a crack at a bear, but misses; and last winter I shoots two
foxes.”
“You must be a dandy hunter. I’ve never hunted any yet, but I expect
to. Never went before where there was anything to hunt. This is my
first gun. I’ve got a shotgun too.”
“That’s the gun for partridges, unless you shoots their heads off with
the rifle. Mostly I shoots their heads off with a rifle, but sometimes
I misses. Mine’s a 44--Dad’s old one. He got a new 30-30 and gave me
his old one.”
“I’d like to see it. You got it with you?”
“Yes, it’s down in the fo’c’sl.”
“Here! Bring your gun, youngster! Bring your gun! Here’s a shot for
you!” called Captain Bluntt. “Here now!”
Paul ran forward.
“Where? What is it?” he asked excitedly.
“There, on that pan! That yellow spot. See un? See un? That’s a water
bear, and he’s asleep. Get ready now and shoot un!”
Paul’s excitement was intense. He nervously slipped some cartridges in
the magazine and raised the rifle to his shoulder.
“Set up your sights, lad! Set up your sights! And cock your piece!
Cock your piece! You can’t shoot till she’s cocked. Dan, look sharp
now, an’ tell the gentlemen there’s a bear sighted! Now, youngster!
Now! Don’t hurry. Take your time. Why you’re shakin’! Steady down!
Steady down! That’s right. Careful!”
With tremendous effort Paul steadied his nerves, and bang! The yellow
spot rose. Sure enough, it _was_ a bear, and it began to bite at its
side.
“You hit un! You hit un, lad! Fine! Fine! Give un another!”
Paul fired again, but his nerves had got the better of him, and the
shot went wide, as did several other shots. Captain Bluntt rang the
engines to “stop,” as Remington and Ainsworth, rifles in hand, reached
the deck. The bear had slipped off the ice pan and taken to the water;
at which Remington called--
“Launch the power boat!”
In a jiffy Captain Bluntt had men at the ropes.
“Come, Paul, we’re going after him,” said Remington.
“Take the tiller, Dan! Take the tiller of that boat!” commanded the
Captain.
In less time than it requires to relate, the boat was off and in
pursuit, Dan steering with skill, Remington, Ainsworth, and Paul ready
with their rifles.
CHAPTER III
A HUSKY CAMP
The boat gained upon the bear rapidly, and had nearly overtaken it
when suddenly it turned to the left, interposing a small pan of ice
between it and its pursuers, effectually hiding it from their view.
Dan made a short cut around the opposite side of the pan, and as the
boat shot out behind the ice its bow nearly struck the bear. The
pursuers were no less surprised than the pursued, and as the boat
darted past, the bear made a vicious lunge with its powerful paw,
caught it amidships and nearly capsized it.
Dan made a graceful swing, and brought the hunters almost too close to
the animal to permit the use of guns. It charged them again, but Dan,
on the lookout for this maneuver, neatly avoided it.
“Now, Paul,” advised Remington, “shoot!”
The bear was less than twenty feet from the boat, but Paul was still
in so high a state of excitement that he missed two shots, and it was
only at the third attempt that he struck the animal in the head, and
it collapsed.
“It’s a stunning big fellow!” Remington declared, while he slipped a
rope over the animal’s neck to tow it to the ship.
“That was a splendid shot from the ship--I doubt if I could have made
it,” said Ainsworth. “And you’ve got the first game of the trip,
Paul.”
“’Twere a rare fine shot,” put in Dan. “I were standin’ by, an’ I’ve
missed many a better.”
When the bear was at length hoisted on deck it proved indeed to be a
monster polar bear, and Captain Bluntt declared it one of the largest
he had ever seen.
Paul’s pleasure was beyond bounds. His face, which was already losing
its sallow, yellow appearance, glowed with delight. He was in a fair
way to have his head turned by the unstinted praise of his companions.
The fine smoking roast which came on the supper table that evening
certainly had an appetizing appearance, but when Paul received a
helping he fancied he detected a fishy odor, and when he tasted the
meat he made a wry face and exclaimed:
“Ugh! Why, it’s strong with fish!”
“A bit fishy in flavor, lad. A bit fishy,” agreed Captain Bluntt. “But
a man o’ the sea _and_ a sportsman shouldn’t mind that.”
“Well I don’t like it,” asserted Paul, “but I killed it and I’m going
to eat some of it anyway.”
“That’s the right spirit,” said Remington, “but I think I’ll pass it
by. I never could bring myself to eat polar bear or seal. Perhaps
because I never had to.”
“I can’t say that I care for it,” admitted Ainsworth.
“’Tis fine meat, I thinks,” declared Captain Bluntt, helping himself
liberally. “I finds it fine. Bear’s meat is rare strong meat.”
“I don’t think I can go it,” said Paul, who had tried another
mouthful. “It’s strong, all right--too strong of fish for me.”
“I weren’t meanin’ that kind o’ strong. No, no! ’Tis good, wholesome,
strengthenin’ meat. ’Tis not so high flavored of fish, either, as old
swile, an’ swile is good.”
“Swile? What’s that?” asked Paul.
“Seal, lad, seal. We calls un swile in Newfoundland and down on the
Labrador. Swile an’ ice bears live on fish, lad, and ’tis but natural
they should carry a bit of the flavor of fish. That rascal the cook
should have given un an extra parboil.”
“I didn’t suppose any one but Eskimos ate seal.”
“Only Eskimos eat seal! No, no, lad! We all eats un an’ likes un. Old
seal is a bit high flavored, but white coats I finds as sweet an’ fine
as mutton or fowl.”
“What are white coats?”
“Never heard of white coats? Well! Well! You sure _has_ some things to
learn of the North. White coats is young seals--very young uns.”
“I never heard them called that.” Paul felt some resentment at the
implication that he was not well informed.
The sun went down that night in a blaze of wondrous glory. No human
artist would dare be so prodigal with his colors or resort to such
marvelous blendings of shades as the Almighty Artist paints into His
sunsets upon the sky of the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. The sunset
on this occasion was unusually gorgeous. Brilliant reds shaded up into
opalescent purples, deep orange into lighter yellow, reaching to the
very dome of heaven. The water reflected the red, and the _North Star_
seemed steaming through a mighty heaving, throbbing sea of blood. It
was as though the earth’s very heart had been laid bare.
For a long time it lasted. Paul and his friends stood enthralled. It
made them breathe deeply. They felt that they were in the presence of
some mighty power, that very near them was the Master Himself, He who
guides the world in its eternal journey, and holds in their places the
innumerable millions of stars and untold other worlds that reach out
into infinite space.
“Isn’t this wonderful--wonderful!” exclaimed Paul, at the end of a
period of breathless awe.
“I never saw anything to compare with it!” declared Ainsworth. “It’s
beyond the dreams of my wildest imagination!”
“It’s nowhere but in the North that such sunsets are ever seen,” said
Remington.
“Fine sunset, sir. Fine sunset,” remarked Captain Bluntt, as he passed
them on his way to the chart house.
“It promises a good day tomorrow, doesn’t it?” asked Remington
“Not so sure of that, sir. Not so sure of that.”
Captain Bluntt’s pessimistic prophecy of the morrow’s weather was well
founded. When day broke the sea was enveloped in a blanket of
fog--thick, stifling, impenetrable. The rigging dripped moisture, the
decks were wet and slippery, the atmosphere was heavy, clammy,
difficult to breathe.
For two days the fog lay over the sea like a pall. The _North Star_,
her engines working at slow speed, felt her way cautiously, for she
was in uncharted waters. The tremendous tides of Ungava Bay render
navigation here dangerous, even under the most favorable conditions,
and Captain Bluntt was not the man to take undue risks, though he was
a fearless seaman, and in his time had done many dashing and daring
deeds, when circumstances had demanded.
Following the fog came several hours of cold dismal rain, accompanied
by sleet. Then the clouds broke, and as though some fairy hand had
brushed them away, the sky cleared and the sun shone warm and
beautiful to cheer the depressed world.
“And there lies Cape Wolstenholm, sir,” said Captain Bluntt, pointing
toward a low-lying coast off their port bow. “We’ll soon be in Hudson
Bay now, sir, and what’s your pleasure?”
“While the fine weather holds I think we’d better do some fishing,”
answered Remington. “Besides, I think we all want to get ashore to
stretch our legs.”
“As you say--as you say, sir! But we’ll have to locate some huskies,
sir, and get a native pilot.”
Upon rounding Cape Wolstenholm, which occupies the northwestern
extremity of the Labrador peninsula, the ship swung in close to the
coast, and, proceeding with great care, the leadsman calling his
fathoms, felt its way between several small islands, until, the
following morning, a safe anchorage was found outside a large island
near the head of Mosquito Bay.
“We’ll be sure to find huskies up this bay, sir,” assured Captain
Bluntt. “We can’t risk the ship any farther, sir. It won’t do, sir.
But it’s a short run for the power boat to the head of that bay, and
unless I’m mistaken there’ll be plenty of huskies there, sir. Yes,
sir, plenty of ’em. I’ll send Tom Hand. Tom Hand speaks their lingo.
Tom! Tom Hand!” he called.
“Aye, aye, sir.”
“Go ashore, Tom. We wants a husky pilot; a good one. A good husky,
now! Dan! Here, you rascal! Go ashore with Tom, and help him look
after things!”
“Come, fellows, we’ll go along,” suggested Remington to Ainsworth and
Paul. “We’ll not be in the way, will we, Captain.”
“No, no! Go ashore if you likes. Better take some grub with you. Dan,
tell the cook to put up some grub! Look sharp, now!”
Presently they were off, pointing toward the head of the inner bay.
Paul took three or four shots at harbor seals which raised their heads
now and again above the water, but always missed them.
“’Tis wonderful hard t’ hit un from a boat,” said Tom.
Soon they discovered a column of smoke rising from the north shore.
“There un is! Turn she int’ th’ smoke, Dan,” directed Tom. “Th’
huskies is camped in there. Th’ smoke is a signal t’ call us t’ un.
They’s seen us.”
Dan swung the boat in, and upon rounding a point and entering a cove
two skin tents or wigwams were discovered, and several people gathered
upon the shore as if expecting them.
“There’s th’ huskies, an’ their families; leastways they has two
tupeks,” commented Tom.
“Tupeks?” asked Paul.
“Aye--skin tents. In summer they lives in skin tents, an’ in winter in
snow igloos.”
“They seem to be all men and boys,” said Paul.
“No, they’s women too, but husky women wears trousers. You’ll see th’
difference when we comes closter.”
“Well, they are a rocky looking crowd!” exclaimed Paul.
There were two men, three women and four children, one a half-grown
girl. All wore skin garments and were bareheaded, their long black
hair, coarse and straight, reaching to the shoulders. One of the women
carried an infant in her hood, and its round, bright eyes peered
wonderingly over the mother’s shoulders at the intruders.
“Oksunae,” greeted Tom upon stepping ashore.
“Oksunae,” answered the Eskimos, who came forward laughing to shake
hands with their visitors, their round, greasy faces beaming good
nature and welcome.
Tom began his negotiations at once, conversing with the Eskimos in
their native tongue, for they could understand no English.
“Ainsworth and I are going up this stream a little way to try the
salmon. Want to go along, Paul?” asked Remington.
“No, I’ll get fishing enough later. Guess I’ll stay and look this
crowd over.”
“All right. Don’t make eyes at that young Eskimo girl.”
“No fear!”
Skulking about were several big, vicious looking dogs, which reminded
Paul of timber wolves he had seen at the Zoo.
“I don’t like the looks of those beasts,” said he. “Are they
dangerous?”
“They’re cowards so long as you keeps on your feet an’ has somethin’
handy to beat un with,” reassured Dan. “Your gun’ll do for that. But
let un get th’ best o’ you once, an’ they’ll just rip you up like
wolves. They is wolves.”
“They look it,” agreed Paul.
The lads wandered about the encampment, examining the kayaks and crude
hunting implements and paraphernalia of the Eskimos. Upon approaching
the tupeks a stench met their nostrils, which they found came from
half putrid seal meat and fish within.
“They eats wonderful bad meat,” remarked Dan.
“Why, they don’t eat that stuff!” exclaimed Paul.
“Yes they does,” said Dan.
“What pigs they must be!”
“No, ’tis just th’ way they always been used to doin’. They has
wonderful hard times t’ get things t’ eat sometimes.”
At the end of an hour Remington and Ainsworth returned.
“Not a strike,” said Remington, “though I’m certain there are plenty
of salmon in the stream. We’re a little far north for them to take the
fly. But Ainsworth got our dinner. That’s something.”
“Ran into a bunch of ptarmigans,” said Ainsworth, holding up a half
dozen birds.
“How are you making out with the huskies, Tom?” asked Remington of
Tom, who had joined them.
“Kuglutuk, th’ old un, sir, will go with us. He’s ready to start any
time, sir. We has t’ land him at Cape Smith or Cape Wolstenholm, sir,
when we comes back.”
“All right, Tom. Can’t we get brush enough around here to broil these
grouse and make some coffee? I’m famished.”
“Yes, sir. Dan, get th’ axe, b’y, an’ put on a fire, whilst I dresses
th’ birds.”
When Tom drew the birds, to Paul’s amazement the Eskimos gathered up
the entrails, placed them on the end of a stick, broiled them slightly
over the fire Dan had lighted, and ate them as they might a delicacy.
“Well, I never!” exclaimed Paul. “I’d starve before I’d do that!”
“Maybe,” said Tom, “but I’m thinkin’ you’d eat un an’ like un if you
was hungry enough. They’s no tellin’ what a man’ll eat. Th’ huskies
eats un because they likes un, an’ entrails ain’t so bad, an’ you gets
used t’ un, though I’m hopin’ you’ll never have t’ eat un, lad.”
“I never would,” positively asserted Paul. “I’d die first.”
Luncheon eaten, they bade adieu to the Eskimos, shaking hands again
all around. Kuglutuk, his kayak in tow, took his place in the power
boat, “Oksunae” was shouted by those afloat and those on land, and
the little settlement was quickly lost sight of around the point at
the entrance of the cove.
On board the _North Star_ again, a conference was held as to the most
probable point at which salmon and trout could be found, Tom acting as
interpreter. It was at length decided, upon Kuglutuk’s recommendation,
to visit the rivers flowing into Richmond Gulf, which, considerably
farther south, offered greater promise that salmon would take the fly,
though Kuglutuk assured them that both varieties of fish abounded in
all the streams of the coast.
Three days later found the _North Star_ in the latitude of Richmond
Gulf, and with much careful maneuvering under the guidance of
Kuglutuk, and with frequent heaving of the lead, a safe anchorage was
found in Nastapoka Sound, behind the islands which shut out the wider
sea beyond.
The entrance to Richmond Gulf is an exceedingly narrow, treacherous
channel, through which Kuglutuk declared no vessel so large as the
_North Star_ could pass in safety. Through this channel he said the
rising and ebbing tide poured with so terrific a rush of the waters
that dangerous whirlpools were formed, which rendered its safe passage
for kayaks and small craft impossible save at the time of the turning
of the tide.
It was late afternoon when the ship made her anchorage, and it was
decided to prepare for the passage of the dangerous strait in the
power boat when the tide should reach flood at ten o’clock the next
morning.
Kuglutuk, Tom Hand and Dan Rudd were to accompany the three sportsmen,
and it was planned that the party should carry a full camping
equipment, and remain at the head of Richmond Gulf one week.
The weather was propitious--mild, clear, delightful. This was to be
Paul’s first experience in camp. Before him lay a rugged, unpeopled,
unknown wilderness. He was to enter it and be a part of it. The
romance of it thrilled him, and he lay awake that night a long while,
feasting anticipation and imagination, too restless to sleep.
CHAPTER IV
THE WILDERNESS PRIMEVAL
The passage of the channel leading into Richmond Gulf was accomplished
without adventure, and within the gulf the power boat took a
northeasterly direction, passing several small islands. Many wild
ducks, gulls and other water fowl and birds flew about the islands,
hovered over the water or rested upon the waves.
Presently Kuglutuk turned the boat into the mouth of a river, and
ascending the stream for a little distance, against a strong current,
made a landing near the foot of a rushing, tumultuous rapid.
“Tom,” declared Remington, when they were ashore, “I’m as hungry as
seven bears. Fry some bacon and make some coffee, won’t you, before
you pitch the tents?”
“Aye, aye, sir. We’ll put on a fire an’ have un ready in a jiffy. Dan,
b’y, bring up the things from the boat.”
“Come fellows, we’ll get our rods up while Tom’s getting dinner,”
suggested Remington. “I’m aching to try my luck.”
“Which of these rods shall I use?” asked Paul. “I never used a rod in
my life, and I guess you’ll have to show me.”
“Try this one,” selecting a good weight steel fly rod. “That’s got
strength, and if you strike a big one you’re not so likely to break it
as that lighter one. You’ll be able to handle the lighter one after
some practice.”
In the meantime Tom cut a pole about eight feet in length, sharpened
the butt, which he jabbed firmly into the earth, inclined it at an
angle over a fire which Kuglutuk had kindled with moss and dead
sticks, and in such a position that the upper end of the stick came
directly over the blaze. On this he hung a kettle of water. Then he
sliced bacon. In ten minutes the water had boiled, coffee was made,
the kettle removed from the stick, placed close to the fire on the
ground, and the bacon sizzling in the pan.
“Oh, cracky!” said Paul, sniffing the air, “that’s the best thing I
ever smelled.”
“Doesn’t it smell bully!” exclaimed Remington. “I thought I’d have
time to make a cast or two before Tom was ready for us, but he’s been
too quick for me.”
“Now,” said Remington, when they were through eating, “we’ll see if
there are any hungry fish in that pool.”
Paul looked on while the older sportsmen made one or two casts. Then
he attempted it, at first very clumsily, but gradually improving. He
was not very enthusiastic, however.
“I don’t see any fun in this,” he said finally.
“Keep at it, and you’ll learn,” encouraged Remington.
At that moment “whiz-z-z” and Ainsworth’s reel fairly hummed, with
forty yards of line run out before he could check it--a flash of
spray--a great silver bar in the air! The leap was full two feet!
Splash! It doubled, demanded more line, fought as only a salmon can
fight, the supple steel rod bent and curved, but the angler, his face
tense with excitement, held his advantage.
“Good! Bully!” shouted Remington with each play. “Look out! That’s the
way! Easy! That’s it!”
Again and again the fish fought for the head of the rapid, but at
length, conquered, it was drawn in, and with Remington’s assistance
landed--a fine big salmon.
“That was great!” exclaimed Paul. “Guess there is some fun in it after
all.”
“Fun! Just strike one, and you’ll say it’s the best ever!” Ainsworth
was justly proud.
A few minutes later, “Whiz-z-z” again, and “Whiz-z-z!” Two silver
flashes! Two fountains of spray! Two mighty splashes! Paul and
Remington had each hooked a salmon at nearly the same instant! And
then there was fun! Ainsworth could hardly contain himself as he
watched the play, shouting directions and cautions to one and the
other. There was danger of getting their lines tangled when both fish
darted up stream at once, or made dives for the bank at the same time,
in efforts to free themselves. Finally Paul’s fish rushed in upon him,
gained slack line, shook loose the hook and was free.
Paul could have cried with disappointment and vexation.
“Just my luck!” he exclaimed, as he saw Remington land a fine salmon.
“Oh, no, don’t get discouraged. You did mighty well for the first
time,” encouraged Remington.
“I notice you landed yours, all right,” said Paul pettishly.
“But I may lose the next one. The uncertainty of whether you’ll land
them or not after you’ve hooked them is half the fun.”
“I can’t see that----”
“Whiz-z-z”--away went his line again before he could finish. For half
an hour, directed by Remington, he played the fish, and was at length
rewarded with as fine a salmon as Ainsworth’s--considerably larger
than Remington’s.
“What fun! Oh, but it’s great!” he exclaimed as, all a-tremble with
excitement, he examined his catch.
“They’re here all right, and they’re taking flies. We’ve got all the
fish Tom can take care of today, and we’ve had a week’s fun in two
hours. What do you fellows say to climbing that barren hill?”
suggested Remington. “I’m anxious to see what the country is like
behind those cliffs.”
Paul was loath to go. The sport had set his blood a-tingling with
excitement and he would much have preferred to remain behind and fish,
but Ainsworth agreed with Remington, and his sense of courtesy to his
host bade him join them.
“We’ll stretch our lines to dry before we go, Paul. Never put your
line up wet or it will rot, and some day you’ll lose a fine fish,”
advised Remington, who had noticed Paul lean his rod against a tree.
Their lines stretched, they wandered up the defile down which the
river plunged in its mad impatience to reach the sea. Here they were
in a dark forest of stunted spruce, but very quickly, as they began
the ascent of the hill, trees gave way to straggling brush, and brush
at length to bare rocks.
“There’s a view for you,” said Remington when the summit was reached.
“Magnificent!” exclaimed Ainsworth.
“Pretty rough country.”
“But grand! Stupendously grand!”
To the west, a shimmering vista, lay Hudson Bay; to the east, to the
north, to the south, stretched a tumbled, boundless mass of rocky
ridges, interspersed with starved forests of spruce. Here and there a
lake sparkled in the distance. Below them the river, a twisting,
winding thread of silver, coursed down to the sea.
The sensations that had come to Paul in Hudson Strait when he first
beheld the distant wilderness and the sailless sea, thrilled him
again--first fear and shrinking, then an inward, inexplicable sense of
power and freedom.
“And no one lives there,” he said, more to himself than to his
companions.
“No one but Indians,” said Remington. “Eskimos on the coast. They all
live as close to nature as man can live, and they fight that
wilderness pretty constantly for existence. It’s a land of the
survival of the fittest.”
Later, on other occasions during their stay in Richmond Gulf, Paul
visited the barren hill. He would steal away alone, and for an hour
at a time sit upon its rocky summit, and revel in the rugged beauties
of the landscape. Here he felt a something well up within him, a
desire to _do_ something--an indescribable longing he could not
define.
The lure and the power of the wilderness were exerting their
influence. This was the world just as God had made it, untouched by
the hand of man. Rugged mountains, patches of green forests, sparkling
lakes, the distant sea, the blue sky, and silence. There were no brick
walls to limit the vision, no tall chimneys belching out smudges of
black smoke to defile the atmosphere, no rushing crowd to distract.
Nowhere does one get so close to God as in the wilderness. The
wilderness is the temple of pure thoughts, of high ambitions. Here
man’s soul expands as nowhere else on earth.
When the three returned to camp they found the tents set up and
everything snug and in order. A fragrant and cozy seat of spruce
boughs had been arranged by Dan and Kuglutuk before a roaring log
fire, and, by no means the least attractive of the preparations, a
delicious supper of salmon awaited them, which they attacked with a
will, for the exercise had given them an unusual appetite.
“I never ate such fish before,” Paul declared, between mouthfuls.
When supper was finished the two men lighted cigars, and chatted,
while Paul reclined upon the boughs and gazed into the blaze.
Presently Tom and Dan joined them, and Dan, producing his harmonica,
began to play a soft, low air, while Tom cut some tobacco from a plug,
rolled it between the palms of his hands, stuffed it into a pipe,
lighted it with a brand from the fire and handing the plug to Kuglutuk
who followed his example, contentedly settled back to smoke and enjoy
the warmth, for the evening was chilly.
“Them was fine salmon you gets this evenin’,” Tom remarked.
“Yes,” said Remington, “fine ones, and I hope we’ll have more
tomorrow.”
“Dandies!” broke in Paul, “and dandy fun landing them!”
“Yes, ’tis rare sport landin’ un. And does you like troutin’?”
“Yes, to be sure. We expected to get trout here,” answered Remington.
“Th’ husky’s tellin’ me they’s plenty to be had a bit up the streams,
sir, and big uns--wonderful big uns, by his tell, sir.”
“We’ll have to try them tomorrow.”
“Where did you learn to speak Eskimo, Tom?” asked Ainsworth.
“Where’d I learn un, sir? I never learned un. I allus knew un. I were
born, sir, on the Labrador. My mother were a woman of Zoar, sir, an’ a
half-breed. They talks mostly husky thereabouts. The first words she
ever says to me, sir, was husky, an’ when I were a wee lad she talks
all her baby talk to me in husky.”
“But your father was a white man?”
“Oh, aye, sir, he were from Conception Bay. He were down on the
Labrador fishin’, an’ he meets my mother, an’ likes she, an’ th’
missionary marries un. Then he stays at Zoar an’ traps in winter, an’
there I were born, sir.”
“Are your parents still living, then?”
“Oh, no, sir. They both dies when I were a bit of a lad, sir--seven
year old or thereabouts. ’Twere in winter, an’ my father is out to his
traps. My mother expects him home in th’ evenin’, an’ when it gets
dark an’ he never comes she’s much worried, for he’s always before
comin’ when he’s promisin’, sir. He were a wonderful true man t’ keep
his word, sir, even t’ wallopin’ me when I does things he’s denied me
to do, an’ is deservin’ th’ wallopin’.
“Well, as th’ evenin’ gets on an’ he’s not comin’, my mother cries a
bit an’ says somethin’s been befallin’ he, sir, out in the bush, an’
when she rouses me from sleep before the break of day th’ next
mornin’, she’s in a wonderful bad state worryin’. She tells me she’s
goin’ t’ look for he, an’ I’m t’ watch th’ baby.
“She goes, sir, an’ she don’t come back that day or that night or th’
next day. Snow comes fallin’ thick an’ th’ weather grows dreadful
nasty. Th’ baby cries most o’ th’ time, an’ I carries un some. I knows
th’ baby’s hungry, but I has no way t’ feed un. After awhile it stops
cryin’ when I lays un on th’ bed.
“That were a wonderful cold night, sir. When mornin’ comes th’ baby’s
still quiet, an’ I says to myself, ‘I’ll let un sleep.’
“Th’ bread’s all gone, an’ I only has a bit of salt fish t’ eat, an’
th’ fire I puts on in th’ stove burns slow. But th’ snow’s stopped in
th’ night.
“Th’ baby don’t cry no more, but I does, for I don’t know why my
father an’ mother don’t come, an’ I’m cryin’ when I hears dogs
outside. I wipes away th’ tears quick, for I’m wantin’ no one t’ catch
me cryin’.
“Then in comes th’ Moravian missionary from Nain, a wonderful kind
man. He asks where my mother is. I tells he how my mother goes away to
look for my father an’ never comes back, an’ th’ hard time I has. That
th’ baby were hungry, but she’s sleepin’ now.
“He goes an’ looks at un, an’ then very quiet he covers un over with
th’ blanket, an’ puttin’ his hand on my head an’ lookin’ in my eyes,
he says: ‘Is you brave, lad? We all has troubles, lad, an’ you must
be brave to meet yours.’
“Then he calls old Muklutuk, his driver, to bring in some grub. They
puts on a good fire, an’ gives me a plenty t’ eat, an’ goes away
sayin’ they’ll be back by night.
“When they comes back the missionary holds me up to him, and he says,
very kind: ‘Lad, I’m goin’ to take you to a new home, for your father
and mother has been called away to heaven by th’ Lord. He’ll be
needin’ ’em there, an’ they can’t come back t’ you, but th’ Lord wants
me t’ take you with me.’
“I were wonderful lonesome when he says that, at not seein’ mother an’
father again, but I holds back th’ tears, for mother has often been
tellin’ me that some day th’ Lord might be callin’ she or father away
t’ live in heaven, an’ not t’ cry or feel bad about un, for ’t would
be right, as everything th’ Lord done were right.
“Well, th’ missionary takes me on his komatik t’ th’ station where he
lives, an’ th’ women there cries over me an’ makes a wonderful lot o’
me, an’ every one there is wonderful kind.”
“What had happened to your father and mother?” asked Ainsworth, after
a pause.
“I were comin’ t’ that. He’d been meetin’ with an accident, his gun
goin’ off an’ shootin’ his foot off. She finds him in th’ snow, an’
tries t’ carry him home, but ’t were too much for she, an’ when it
comes on t’ snow again she sticks to him, an’ they both freezes t’
death. Leastwise that’s what th’ missionary thinks, for he finds un
froze stone dead. Mother has her arms around father, holdin’ he close
to her bosom, as though tryin’ to keep he warm.
“So you sees, sir, how I come t’ speak th’ Eskimo lingo. My mother
were a half-breed of th’ Labrador.”
“The baby?” asked Paul, much moved by the story. “What became of
that?”
“The baby were dead for a long while ere th’ missionary comes.”
Tom rose and threw some fresh wood on the fire, cut some fresh tobacco
from his plug, refilled his pipe, and sat down again.
“But you live in Newfoundland now, Tom?” Remington asked.
“Oh, aye, sir. My father’s brother comes down t’ the Labrador fishing
the next summer, and takes me home with he. I’d like wonderful well
for you t’ meet my woman, and my little lad and lass, sir. There’s no
likelier lad and lass on the coast, sir. They’re wonderful likely,
sir.”
Dan resumed his soft music on the harmonica. Twilight gave way to
darkness. Beyond the campfire’s circle of light the forest lay black.
Below them the rapid roared. In the North the aurora flashed up its
gorgeous glory.
“Well,” said Remington at length, rising, “I reckon it’s time to turn
in for we want to be out early and make the most of our time.”
His warm sleeping bag seemed very cozy to Paul when he crawled into
it, this first night he had ever spent in camp, the perfume of his
spruce bough bed very sweet, and quickly he fell into deep and restful
slumber, to be suddenly awakened by the sharp report of a rifle.
CHAPTER V
WRECKED
It was broad daylight. Remington and Ainsworth were gone. Bang! Bang!
Bang! The shots came in quick succession, and not far above the camp.
Paul was frightened for a moment, then highly excited. He disentangled
himself from his sleeping bag, sprang to the front of the tent and
shouted to Tom, who was unconcernedly cooking breakfast:
“What is it? What’s up?”
“Bears.”
He drew on his clothes as quickly as possible, grabbed his rifle and
ran in the direction of the shooting. A little way up the ravine he
came upon Remington, Ainsworth, Dan and Kuglutuk, surveying the
carcasses of two polar bears.
“Hello, Paul, you’re a little late for the fun,” greeted Remington.
“Got two,” said Ainsworth.
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“No time for that. Dan was poking around up here and saw them coming,
and we had to hustle as it was.”
“It would only have taken a minute to call me.”
“Yes, but that would have been a minute too long, if they had happened
to get a sniff of camp, and only for the north breeze they would have
anyway, and been off before Dan saw them.”
“Did they put up any fight?”
“Didn’t have a chance. We got them quick. Close shot and no trick at
all. Nothing like your shot.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t up earlier. What were they doing on land? I
thought they kept to the ice.”
“No, we’re liable to see them anywhere on these shores. Guess they
were going down to catch a salmon breakfast in our pool at the foot of
the rapid.”
They saw no more bears while encamped on Richmond Gulf, though they
caught plenty of salmon and trout, and now and again took excursions
back into the hills and along the streams where ptarmigans were found,
or took advantage of excellent duck and goose shooting on near-by
lakes. Mallards and black ducks were plentiful, great flocks of wavies
flew overhead and the Canada gray goose was fairly numerous.
The sport was so good, in fact, that the week which they had
originally planned to remain ashore lengthened into two, and it was a
fortnight after their arrival when reluctantly they broke camp one
morning and returned to the _North Star_, carrying with them enough
salmon and trout to supply both cabin and forecastle for several days.
“Glad to see you! Glad to see you!” greeted Captain Bluntt as they
drew alongside the ship. “Good sport? Have a good time?”
“Bully!” answered Remington. “Never better. Salmon and trout hungry
for flies, and we got two bears in the bargain.”
“Good! Good, sir! And how did you find it, youngster?”
“Fine and dandy,” answered Paul. “Best time I ever had in my life.”
“Good! Good! Glad you’re aboard, Mr. Remington--glad you’re aboard.
Barometer falling rapidly--outlook for bad weather--northeast blow,
I’m thinkin’. Bad anchorage here. We’ll make for open sea. Get right
away. Growing a bit nervous about it, sir--just a bit nervous.”
“All right, Captain,” said Remington. “We’re ready to go.”
Anchor was weighed, and slowly the _North Star_ felt her way out of
the uncertain waters toward the wide bosom of Hudson Bay.
“Now,” asked Captain Bluntt, when they had gained “elbow room,” as he
expressed it, “what’s your pleasure, sir?”
“Well,” said Remington, “we want to have a little walrus hunting, we’d
like to pick up another bear or two, and I’m mighty anxious to get a
crack at caribou before we leave the country. Kuglutuk says, though,
that all the caribou on this side are far inland on the highlands, and
out of reach. I’ve been thinking that we might cross to the other side
somewhat south of Chesterfield Inlet, and perhaps find caribou there,
then cruise back along the islands looking for bear, and stop up
toward Mosquito Bay a few days for our walrus hunt before we strike
for home. Kuglutuk says the Eskimos up there will help us.”
“Good plan! Good plan, sir! But we must try to be through the straits
by middle of September. Taking chances, sir--taking chances with ice
if we’re any later, sir.”
“All right, Captain. That’ll give us over three weeks. We won’t spend
much time with walrus, but we’d like to get two or three heads for
trophies.”
The blow that was predicted came. It began with driving rain and
sleet, which swept the sea in blinding sheets, and a rising northeast
wind pounded Hudson Bay into a fury of wild white-crested waves that
tossed and buffeted the _North Star_. But Captain Bluntt was an able
master. He kept well offshore, faced the storm, and lay to, using only
enough power to permit him to hold his position, and making no attempt
to proceed upon the voyage.
Thus a week was consumed, and September was near at hand, when at
length the clouds wearied of their task, and the sun again shone out
of a clear sky through a glorious, transparent atmosphere.
But the northeast gale had reaped a harvest of ice from the Arctic
waters, sweeping it down into Hudson Bay, where the packs broke into
fragments, and vagrant pans were distributed far and wide, steadily
working their way southward. This was not bay ice such as had been
encountered off the eastern coast of Labrador, but the adamantine
product of the Arctic. There was little difficulty, however, in
avoiding the larger and widely distributed pans, and the smaller
fragments bobbing here and there in the swell were quite harmless to
the strongly built little steamship.
“Looks bad for the straits, sir, bad,” remarked Captain Bluntt,
descending from the barrel in the foremast. “I’m thinkin’ th’ straits
has plenty of ice now, plenty, sir. Bad place to meet ice, sir! Bad
place! But if the weather holds calm for a week most of it’ll work
out.”
“Are we likely to have trouble getting through the straits, Captain?”
“No! No! We’ll get through all right, sir, we’ll get through, with no
more nor’easters or northers. A bit of a westerly breeze would clean
the straits, sir, sweep the ice right out. Yes, sir, sweep it out!”
They turned northward, cruised close in along the Ottawa Islands,
where Remington shot another bear, and then turned westward, where at
length anchorage was made at 60° north latitude opposite Egg River and
nearly a mile from its mouth.
“Not safe to run too close in,” explained Captain Bluntt. “Never like
to anchor too close inshore when I’ve no cover, sir. Not safe, not
safe. Always afraid of the rocks, sir, if a squall should strike me.”
“This is near enough,” said Remington. “It’s a short pull to the river
mouth.”
“Now what’s the plan, sir? Going ashore to hunt caribou, you say?
Well, you may find them in there around the lakes, sir. Must be lakes
back there. Yes, sir, and caribou.”
“That’s the way we figure it. This is Sunday. Tomorrow morning as
soon as we can see, Ainsworth and I will start, and take Kuglutuk with
us, and I’d like to have Tom if you can spare him, Captain.”
“Spare him? Yes! Yes! To be sure I can spare him.”
“We’re not going to take Paul, for we’ll have some hard tramping to
do, and I’m afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep the pace.”
“No, no, don’t take him. Too soft; couldn’t stand it. ’Twould kill him
in a day. Yes, sir, in a day.”
“We’ll take one light shelter tent, a blanket each, a couple of axes,
and besides our rifles only four days’ provisions. We can carry them
easily, and we’ll be back to the place where the boat leaves us on
Thursday afternoon, no later than two o’clock. So a boat may come over
for us then, and will surely find us waiting.”
“All right, sir, all right. But suppose you gets your deer the first
day? What then, sir?”
“Why then we’ll come down to the shore and shoot. If you hear us
shooting, why, send for us.”
“Very good, sir, very good. All very good.”
“I suppose Paul will set up a kick against our leaving him, but it’s
out of the question to take him. Can’t you let Dan and him have a
small boat to go ashore every day and hunt ptarmigans, or fish in the
river? Dan is perfectly reliable, isn’t he?”
“Yes, yes, sir. Dan reliable? True and sure, sir. Good as a man. Good
head, sir. Good head. Only a lad, sir, but good as a man. Be a skipper
himself, sir, some day. Yes, yes; Dan can take the youngster over.”
Paul, who had been standing aft, examining the coast through
binoculars, came forward at this juncture to join Remington and
Captain Bluntt.
“Pretty rough looking country over there,” said he. “What have you
planned to do? Are we going to hunt caribou?”
“Yes, Ainsworth and I have planned to go ashore tomorrow and hike back
into the hills for three or four days, to see if we can’t run on some
caribou. I’m afraid, though, you are not hardened up enough for it
yet. We’ve got to travel fast and there’ll be no sleeping bags.
You’ll stay here and Dan will take you ashore to hunt and fish, and
you can amuse yourself that way until we get back on Thursday.”
“Oh, now, that’s pretty tough! I’m sure I can walk as fast as you
can.”
“And carry a back load of stuff?”
“Of course I never tried that, and I don’t see why I should. There are
men enough to do the work.”
“The more men there are the less ground can be covered, and this is a
hunting trip where we’ve got to do fast work, and every one must do a
man’s work. No, Paul, it’s too hard for you. You and Dan can have a
good time here till we come back.”
“There won’t be anything to do here but hang around the old ship. I
think you might let me go with you fellows.”
“As I said, you won’t have to hang around the ship. You and Dan go
ashore. Take one of the tents if you’d like, and camp over there. Dan
knows how to handle things. He’ll give you a good time.”
“Well, I suppose if you don’t want me I can’t go, but I think it’s a
pretty rough deal just the same,” and he went off sulking.
Paul had not yet learned that he could not have or do anything his
fancy craved. But he held his host in high esteem. He was thoroughly
grateful for the opportunity to take part in the expedition, and at
the end of half an hour, when he had had time to consider his actions,
he became quite ashamed of his childishness and his lack of courtesy
to his host, and, naturally of a frank and open disposition, he
approached Remington, put out his hand and said:
“Mr. Remington, I want to apologize for the way I acted and what I
said awhile ago. I’m sorry for it. You’ve given me the greatest time
of my life and I appreciate it.”
“That’s all right, Paul,” and Remington shook his hand warmly. “It’s
given me a lot of pleasure to have you along. I knew you’d look at
this thing right. I’d like to take you with us, but you can see it
would be too hard work for you. You haven’t been at the game long
enough yet.”
“I guess that’s right.”
Remington and Ainsworth did not appear at breakfast in the morning,
and when Paul took his seat he asked:
“Where are the others, Captain?”
“Gone. Gone these two hours. Away up country by this time. For my part
I can’t see the fun in it. No, by the imps of the sea! Cruising over
rocks and mountains just for deer. Just for deer! Fun, though, maybe,
for them that likes it. Yes, maybe ’tis. Give me th’ sea, an’ a good
deck under my feet. Good enough for me! Yes, good enough for me, or
any sensible man.”
“Mr. Remington said Dan could go ashore with me and camp.”
“Yes, yes, of course. Dan knows. I told him. Ready any time. Told him
to get ready. Hope you’ll have a good time.”
“We’ll have a good time all right.”
“Comin’ back tonight? Going to camp? Oh, yes, you said you would
camp.”
“Yes, we’ll camp. No need of coming back till Thursday. The other
fellows won’t be back till then.”
“Very well, very well; stay till Thursday. Two o’clock. Remember be
aboard at two sharp. Got to get away, get through the straits. No
being late, now! Remember Sydney! Felt like wringing your neck that
day. I did, by the imps of the sea. Heave you overboard or wring your
neck if you’re late!”
Paul glanced up at Captain Bluntt and discovered a good-humored
twinkle in the Captain’s eye, though there was no doubt that he was
quite in earnest as to the admonition to return on time.
“All right, Captain; we’ll be on time,” Paul laughed.
“That’s right. That’s right. Always be on time. When you says you’ll
do a thing, do it.”
But Paul had not yet learned his lesson.
Dan stowed sufficient provisions in a light punt to meet the needs of
a few days’ camping excursion, a light axe, a small sheet-iron tent
stove--for Dan was uncertain of finding sufficient wood for an open
camp-fire to keep them comfortable during the cold evenings
evenings--a small tent, a tarpaulin, cooking utensils and two
sleeping bags. Each carried his rifle--Dan’s a light 44-40
carbine--and Paul did not forget his favorite steel fly rod.
“Two o’clock Thursday. No later! No later than two, now!” Captain
Bluntt admonished as they drew away from the ship.
The mile to the mouth of Egg River was a short pull for Dan, and he
found that with a little maneuvering he was able to work the boat a
considerable distance up the river itself, to the first clump of
straggling spruce trees.
Here it was decided to make camp, and while Dan pitched the tent and
put things in order Paul wandered up the stream and soon had a fine
trout on his hook.
Fishing was good, many delightful tramps were taken over the rolling
hills, and only too quickly Thursday rolled around.
“What’s the hour?” inquired Dan as they finished their dinner.
Paul looked at his watch.
“Half past twelve.”
“We’ll have to be gettin’ back t’ th’ ship.”
“All right. Pack things up. While you’re doing it, guess I’ll have
one more try at the fish.”
“Now don’t be goin’ too far,” cautioned Dan, who had learned Paul’s
failing. “Th’ skipper’s wonderful keen on bein’ on time.”
“Oh, I won’t go far.”
Half an hour later, when Dan had the camp things stowed neatly in the
boat, and all was ready for departure, he called:
“Hello-o, Paul!”
No answer.
He followed up the river bank, calling again and again, but had gone
nearly a mile before he received an answering “Hello!”
Paul had a big trout hooked, and was playing him.
“Great sport. Didn’t get a strike till I hit this pool just now and
this is the second, already.”
“’T is time t’ be off,” said Dan, “and late.”
“Oh, there’s no such rush as that. I want to take some trout back with
me.”
“Th’ skipper’s wonderful keen on bein’ on time.”
“Oh, he didn’t mean _just_ two o’clock, but around that time.
Besides, they weren’t going after the other fellows till two.”
“’T was two o’clock.”
Dan was patient for fifteen minutes longer, while Paul fished.
“We can’t tarry, Paul. We _must_ be goin’.”
“Now don’t nag.”
“’T is no naggin’. Th’ skipper’ll be wonderful angry.”
“Oh, I don’t think he’ll mind if we’re not there exactly at two.”
It was half past two when Dan finally said:
“An’ now we’re goin’,” with a tone of finality that angered Paul.
“Oh, are we?” Paul was unhooking a trout.
“Th’ sky looks nasty to me, an’ th’ wind’s breezin’ up, an’ there’s a
fog settlin’ below.”
“I don’t see any fog, and the sky looks all right to me.”
“Comin’?”
“No.”
“But you is.”
“You ain’t my master. I guess I’ll do as I please.”
“You is _comin’_.”
Dan had stepped close to Paul, who was preparing to make another cast.
“When I get ready.”
“You is comin’ _now_,” and Dan took Paul forcibly by the arm.
“Let go of me!”
“You is comin’,” and he tightened his grip.
“Take that!” Paul slapped Dan square in the face with open palm.
Then a whirlwind seemed to strike Paul, and before he knew what had
taken place he found himself on the ground, and Dan on top of him.
“Is you comin’?”
“Yes! Let me up!” Paul was half crying with anger.
“You’ll be sorry for this!” he exclaimed when he was free, but he
followed Dan sulkily down to the boat.
Dan was right. A fog was settling below. Even then it was pushing its
way up the river, and before they reached the open sea it had
swallowed up the river bank, which had become quite invisible beyond
the river’s mouth. The boys could scarcely see two boat’s lengths
ahead. The murky cloud enveloped sea, land, everything. Ice pans
seemed much more numerous than when they went ashore. Now and again a
pan would loom up in the fog, ominously near, rising and sinking with
the swell. It was uncanny, and Paul became frightened. Dan pulled
steadily at the oars for some time. At length he paused.
“We should have been comin’ on she,” said he. “I’m fearin’ we’re a bit
too far t’ th’ s’uthard.”
He shifted his course somewhat. A moment later a huge bulk of ice
appeared directly in front of them. Dan swerved the boat to port, but
he was too late, and almost before they realized their danger the pan
struck them with the rising swell, and nearly capsized the boat. Water
at once poured in through a great rent in the starboard bow, and
immediately it became apparent they were sinking.
Like a flash, painter in hand, Dan sprang upon the ice pan.
“Jump! Quick!” he shouted to Paul, who, without knowing how he did
it, sprang to the pan, slipped, gained his feet, and was safe upon the
ice.
“Take this! Hold on tight!” commanded Dan, passing the painter to
Paul. Working like mad, while Paul steadied the boat, Dan transferred
their belongings from boat to pan, save one sleeping bag and one oar,
which were washed away in spite of him. The boat lightened of its
burdens, he baled the water out, and drew its bow around to the ice.
“Now pull!” He had grabbed the bow of the boat. “Pull! Pull!” he
encouraged, and their united strength drew the boat upon the pan.
Paul had not, until then, had an opportunity to appreciate their
position. Now he looked about him, and with one glance took in the
critical situation in which they were placed. The pan of ice was
not over sixty feet in diameter, waves were breaking over its
edges, they were out of reach of land, the boat was quite
useless. Then came a flash of the imagination--lost in the dark
water--struggling--drowning. All this he saw in an instant. Panic
seized him--a wild, awful fear of impending death--and he screamed:
“Help! Help! Save us! Save us! We’re lost! Help! Help! Help!”
“That’s right,” said Dan, “holler. If the ship ain’t too far off
they’ll hear,” and he joined his voice to Paul’s. But no answering
call came out of the fog. At length Dan said:
“Tide’s risin’, wind’s n’uthard, an’ our drift’s strong t’ th’
s’uthard. They ain’t hearin’. Get your rifle, an’ I finds cartridges.
We’ll be shootin’ signals.”
The outfit hastily thrown in a heap was pulled over by Dan. Paul was
too excited and nervous to remember in which of his two bags the
ammunition was packed, and Dan could not find the cartridges for his
own carbine. Finally, after unpacking both bags, Dan discovered not
only Paul’s cartridges but his own, which Paul had inadvertently
thrown in one of his bags the previous day.
Paul’s rifle was quickly loaded, Dan fired, and they listened
intently. No response came, and he fired again and again, until
presently the welcome sound of a distant rifle shot came faintly out
of the fog. Their hopes rose, but the distant shots in response to
their own grew fainter and fainter, and at length could no longer be
heard.
Dan finally laid down the rifle, with the remark:
“They ain’t no use shootin’ any more. Th’ wind’s comin’ down from th’
ship, an’ if we can’t hear they, sure no one will be hearin’ us. Th’
skipper’s not knowin’ we been wrecked, an’ he’ll not be sendin’ a
boat. He’ll be thinkin’ we’ll pull for th’ ship with the shootin’ t’
guide us. ’T ain’t no use.”
Paul’s hope of rescue, which had become a certainty when he heard the
shots, now gave place to despair, and he threw himself upon the ice,
moaning:
“We’re lost! Oh, we’re lost! We’re lost!”
“Keep un nerve,” soothed Dan. “They ain’t no knowin’ what’ll happen.
Dad tells un, ‘When you gets in a bad place, Dan, keep un nerve. More
folks,’ says he, ‘dies from losin’ they nerve than dies from most
anything else. Whilst they’s life they’s a chanst,’ says he.”
[Illustration: “Keep un nerve,” soothed Dan]
Finally Dan’s philosophy quieted Paul to some extent. Black darkness
settled upon the sea. The fog, if possible, grew denser. It obscured
the stars--everything, even the lapping waves which were steadily but
surely eating away the edges of the ice pan.
CHAPTER VI
THE CASTAWAYS ABANDONED
“Glad to see you! Glad to see you! What luck?” greeted Captain Bluntt
as the boat with the returned caribou hunters pulled alongside the
_North Star_, shortly after two o’clock.
“Hello, Captain!” Remington and Ainsworth called out in unison. “Got
three,” said Remington in response to the Captain’s question. “What do
you think of those heads?” straightening up three pairs of antlers for
inspection.
“Fine! Fine! Where’d you get ’em? Have to go far? Get ’em far up
country?”
“No, tramped over a lot of country but never got a shot till this
morning, half a mile in,” explained Remington, mounting the ladder to
the deck. “Came on a bunch of four just above here, and got three of
them.”
“Good! Good! And you brought all the meat! Great treat! Caribou
meat’s fine venison.”
“Yes, we had plenty of time to pack it down before the boat came.
Where’s Paul?”
“Ashore. Went ashore with Dan Rudd the day you leaves. Told ’em to be
back at two o’clock today. Two o’clock. No later! The rascals! It’s
two-thirty an’ a fog’s settlin’! The rascals!”
“Why what can be keeping them? I hope they won’t get caught ashore in
the fog.”
“Went up the river. Must have camped along the river. Didn’t you see
’em? Couldn’t have missed ’em if you came down the river.”
“We didn’t come down the river. We made a circuit and came down from
the north. But that fog is settling fast! It looks bad!”
“Looks bad! Looks bad!” agreed Captain Bluntt. “Nasty weather ahead.
Ice working up too. Lot of ice worked up from the north since you
left. Want to get out of here. Told those rascals to be prompt. Never
can depend on youngsters. Can’t depend on ’em.”
“They won’t miss the ship in the fog, will they, Captain?”
“No, no, they won’t miss us. Dan’ll find us. Yes, Dan’ll find us.
Shoot to signal us. Can’t miss us.”
Before three o’clock the fog had settled into a heavy black pall, so
intense that, standing at the companionway aft, Remington could
scarcely make out the foremast. A strong breeze had also sprung up
from the north, portending increased drift of ice southward.
“I wonder if Paul will ever learn to keep his appointments and be on
time,” Remington remarked to Ainsworth.
“He seems to have no sense of responsibility,” said Ainsworth.
“I wish he were aboard. I’m worried at this delay. I hope nothing has
happened to the boys.”
“Oh, I think there’s no cause to worry. Dan will take care that
nothing goes wrong. Paul wasn’t ready to return when he was told, and
thought an hour or two wouldn’t matter. It’s characteristic of him.
They’ll be along pretty soon.”
Captain Bluntt was growing impatient and ill-humored. He had ordered
steam up, and prepared for instant departure to the open sea the
moment Paul and Dan came aboard. They were now an hour past due, an
unheard of delinquency on Dan’s part.
“By the imps of the sea! I’ll wring those youngsters’ necks when I
gets hold of ’em!” he exclaimed. “By the imps of the sea I will!”
“Could anything have happened to them?” asked Remington anxiously.
“No, just taking their time. Just taking their time, th’ rascals! Dan
Rudd can take care of himself. Take care of the other youngster too.
Yes, yes, they’re all right. Dan Rudd’ll see to that!”
Nevertheless Remington’s anxiety grew, and at the end of another half
hour, when he approached Captain Bluntt again, he found the Captain’s
face serious.
“Can’t fathom this! Can’t fathom it!” the Captain exclaimed. “Dan Rudd
always sharp to the minute before! Never behind! Thought first the
other youngster delayed him. Couldn’t delay him like this. Dan Rudd
wouldn’t let him, with a fog settlin’, an’ a norther threatenin’. No,
sir! No! Somethin’ ’s wrong. Somethin’ ’s gone wrong.”
“Do you think----”
“Listen! What’s that?” Captain Bluntt held up his hand.
Faintly they heard a rifle shot in the fog, and in a moment another,
fainter and hardly distinguishable.
“Tom Hand! Jake Griggs! Here, you fellows! Man a boat! Be smart now!”
With quick, gruff commands Captain Bluntt had a boat in the water,
with four seamen at the oars and another at the tiller, as quickly as
man could do it.
“Pull for your lives now! Pull for your lives! Save those lads! Pull,
pull, you men!”
“Get your gun, sir! Get your gun, and shoot signals!” he commanded
Remington, and in a moment Remington had his rifle on deck, shooting
at regular intervals.
Two or three shots were heard far away, and very faint, and then came
silence. Remington, Ainsworth and Captain Bluntt, in a state of
intense suspense, listened between the shots that Remington fired, and
waited.
An hour passed, and another hour before they heard the clank of
oarlocks, and presently the boat loomed up in the fog and gathering
dusk.
“Did you find them? Did you find them, Tom Hand?” shouted Captain
Bluntt.
“No, sir, they’s no findin’ un,” reported Tom. “They’s lost, sir. We
picks up an oar an’ a sleepin’ bag, but we’s not seein’ th’ boat,
sir.”
“Lost! Lost!” exclaimed Remington in consternation.
Captain Bluntt stood speechless and overcome. When Tom Hand reached
deck, with the sleeping bag and oar, he examined the things
critically, and asked:
“Where did you find these? Where’d you find ’em?”
“Full two miles t’ th’ s’uthard, sir. We hears shots an’ pulls for un,
and then th’ shots stop. We keep pullin’ t’ the’ s’uthard till we most
loses th’ sound o’ your shootin’, an’ here we picks up th’ oar, an’ a
bit farther th’ sleepin’ bag. We hollers an’ hollers, but gets no
answer, an’ we pulls around through th’ fog, but finds no more, an’ we
comes back. ’Twere growin’ dusk, sir, an’ no use lookin’ farther sir.”
“No, ’twere no use lookin’ further. No use.” Turning to Remington,
“They’s lost, sir. They’s lost,” and Captain Bluntt blew his nose on
his handkerchief and gave an order to Tom Hand in as gruff a voice as
he could assume, that he might hide his emotion.
“My God! Is it possible!” said Remington, quite stunned.
“This is awful! Awful!” Ainsworth exclaimed.
“I can never go back home without Paul--never! Never! How could I face
his father?” Remington half moaned.
Ainsworth could offer no consolation. There was nothing to be done. No
tragedy ever came more unexpectedly, and the young men were made sick
with the realization of it.
“There’s nasty weather comin’, an’ we’ll move out into the open and
lay to for th’ fog to clear,” explained Captain Bluntt a little
later, to the two sportsmen whom he found sitting dejectedly in the
cabin. “Barometer falling. Blow comin’. Hard blow comin’, I fears.
Cruise to th’ s’uthard when fog clears and look for wrecked boat. No
use though. No use!”
That night they drew out into deep water, and the next day lay to in
the fog. Then the gradually rising wind increased in velocity, the fog
was blown away, and a terrific northeast gale broke upon them. For two
days and two nights it swept Hudson Bay with its fury, and when it
ceased a jam of Arctic ice blocked the western coast of the bay,
rendering any search for the wreckage of the boat quite useless.
A conference was held, and upon Captain Bluntt’s advice Remington,
against his desires, however, finally agreed to turn homeward.
The passage of Ungava Bay and Hudson Straits, now blocked with a
shifting ice pack, was accomplished without accident, and once in the
open Atlantic the _North Star_ steamed for St. Johns, putting in at a
Newfoundland outport, en route, to permit Remington to cable Mr.
Densmore in New York, to meet him at Sydney to receive bad news. This
he did that the shock of Paul’s supposed death might not come to the
parents too suddenly.
The two young sportsmen proceeded at once by train from St. Johns to
Port a Basque, and when their steamer from that place reached Sydney,
they found Mr. Densmore awaiting their arrival at the dock.
They boarded the train, and in a stateroom in the parlor car Remington
gave the grief-stricken father a detailed account of what had
occurred.
“It is a terrible blow to me, and his mother will be prostrated,” said
Mr. Densmore. “But, Remington,” placing his hand on the young man’s
shoulder, “rest assured I am satisfied everything possible was done to
save my boy. You were guilty of no negligence, and I shall always have
a kindly remembrance of the interest you took in Paul’s welfare.”
CHAPTER VII
ADRIFT ON AN ICE PAN
A steady and gradually strengthening breeze was blowing from the
North. The boys, wet to the skin, huddled close together on the center
of the drifting ice pan and in the lee of the boat. Presently Paul,
less inured to cold and exposure than Dan, began to shiver, and Dan
suggested:
“Get in your sleepin’ bag. ’Tis rare cold, an’ you shakes like un had
th’ ague.”
“No, I’d be afraid to lie down,” objected Paul, “but maybe we could
wrap a pair of the blankets around us. There are three pairs in my
bag.”
“Now maybe we could be doin’ that,” said Dan. “I’ll get un.”
He felt in the dark among the things which had been piled together,
and presently drew the inner pair of blankets from the bag. This they
wrapped around their shoulders, drawing it close about them, with a
camp bag for their seat and the boat at their back.
“Is there no help for us--no hope that the ship’s boat will pick us up
in the morning?” asked Paul.
“I’m not sayin’ that,” comforted Dan. “Th’ ship’ll sure cruise t’ th’
s’uthard with daylight, an’ if th’ fog clears she’ll be findin’ us,
an’ th’ ice holds together.”
“Do you think the ice will hold together until morning?”
“I’m hopin’ so. An’ with light I’ll be tryin’ my hand at fixin’ th’
boat, an’ I’m thinkin’ we may fix un.”
They were quiet for a long while, when Dan asked, softly:
“Sleepin’?”
“No.”
“Cold?”
“Freezing.”
“Snuggle closter.”
Paul drew very close to Dan, who drew the blanket tighter.
“Warmer?”
“Yes, that’s better.”
“Ain’t so scairt?”
“No--I don’t know--I’m getting used to it, I guess.”
“Yes, we’ll be gettin’ used to un before day, an’ then we’ll be doin’
somethin’. Dad says always keep un nerve an’ be plucky, an’ th’ worst
fixes can be got out of someway.”
“This is a pretty bad fix, though. Guess your dad was never in a fix
like this.”
“Oh, yes, he were. Dad were on th’ old _Narwhal_ when she were nipped,
an’ twelve of her crew were lost. He were adrift on th’ ice for a week
before he were picked up. An’ he’s been on four vessels as were
wrecked. Dad’s been in some wonderful bad places, but he always gets
out of un for he always keeps his nerve--an’ when they ain’t nothin’
he can do for hisself, he prays. Dad’s a wonderful religious man.”
“Can you pray?”
“Oh, yes; I been prayin’ quiet to myself, settin’ here. Can you?”
“I know the Lord’s Prayer. Mother taught me to say it when I was
little.”
“Say un to yourself. ’Twill do good.”
Another long silence, and Dan asked:
“Been prayin’?”
“It won’t do any good; I’m sure it won’t. I said it once but it don’t
seem to belong to this fix.”
“’Twill help us if we prays the best we can. Dad says: ‘Do everything
you sets your hand to the best un knows how; if ’tis workin’, work the
best un can; if ’tis prayin’, pray the best un can.’”
“Oh, Dan, if I’d only stopped fishing when you called me! If I’d only
gone back to the ship then, we’d have been all right! Oh, why didn’t I
go! Why didn’t I go!”
“Maybe the Lord were plannin’ to have us go adrift, and He were
keepin’ you fishin’. Dad says sometimes th’ Lord does such things to
try folks out an’ see what they’ll be doin’ for theirselves.”
“No, Dan, it was my fault. Oh, why didn’t I go when you called me! Now
we’ll both be drowned, and it’s all my fault.”
“Don’t be feelin’ so bad about un, Paul,” Dan soothed. “While they’s
life they’s a chanst. Dad’s always sayin’ that, an’ he says, ‘If you
ever gets in a tight fix, lad, do all you can to get out of un, an’
when they ain’t nothin’ more _you_ can do, an’ you’re sartin’ they
ain’t, then pray to th’ Lord, an’ leave un to He. But,’ says Dad,
‘don’t waste no time prayin’ an’ askin’ th’ Lord’s help when they’s
anythin’ you can do yourself. He won’t pull you out of no scrape when
you ain’t doin’ th’ things He’s laid out for you to do first.’”
“But what can we do?”
“Nothin’ but pray now. We hollered an’ fired th’ guns. I been tryin’
to think of everythin’, an’ they ain’t nothin’ else I can think of
till ’tis light enough to see, an’ then maybe we’ll be findin’ a way
to fix th’ boat; an’ maybe if we prays th’ Lord’ll show us a way to do
un.”
The lads again lapsed into silence, to be broken finally by Paul.
“Dan?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it most morning?”
“’Tis a long while till mornin’ yet. I’m thinkin’ ’tis about two
bells.”
“One o’clock?”
“Yes. I’ll strike a match, an’ you looks at your watch.”
The flash of the match disclosed the hour as ten minutes past twelve.
“Time goes wonderful slow.”
“Yes. I thought it was almost morning.”
“Were you sleepin’?”
“No.”
Another silence, and Dan remarked:
“You got a wonderful lot o’ ca’tridges in your bag. What you bringin’
so many for?”
“They’re what Mr. Remington gave me.”
“Wonderful lot of un. More ’n you’ll need in a year.”
They settled down again, and when Dan looked up a faint light was
showing through the fog blanket. He stirred and Paul awoke.
“We been sleepin’, Paul, an’ day’ll soon be breakin’.”
“Where are we?” asked Paul, rubbing his eyes.
“Cruisin’ to th’ s’uthard on a bit of ice in Hudson Bay,” answered
Dan, adding facetiously: “We ain’t got no log, an’ I’ve lost th’
reckonin’.”
“Oh!” exclaimed Paul, sitting up and looking around him. “I remember
now! I was dreaming of home, and when I woke up I thought we were in
camp. My, but I’m stiff and cold.”
“’Tis a kind of camp, but not a shore camp.”
As daylight grew the outlook appeared more dismal than ever. The fog
if possible was more dense than the evening before, and while the boys
slept a corner of the pan had broken off.
“Do you think we can mend the boat?” asked Paul.
“’Tis too dark yet,” answered Dan, “but we’ll be tryin’ soon as we can
see.”
“I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten a thing since twelve o’clock yesterday.”
“So is I hungry, an’ we’ll be eatin’ while we can’t do nothin’ else.”
An investigation of the provision box disclosed a can of corned beef,
three cans of baked beans, a small piece of bacon, a dozen ship’s
biscuits, a few pounds of flour and some tea, left over from their
fishing trip.
“We’ll open one of the cans of beans, and each have a biscuit,”
suggested Dan, “but they ain’t nothin’ to drink.”
“That’s so; we can’t make tea without a fire.”
“No, an’ the water’s salt.”
“We’re up against it good and hard. Now you speak of water, I’m
famishing for a drink,” said Paul as he ate.
“Th’ ice is sweet, an’ after you eats I’ll chip a cupful of un, an’ if
you holds un under your jacket she’ll melt.”
“I never would have thought of that. These beans are mighty good.
Let’s have another can. I’m not half satisfied.”
“No, we got to be careful of un. They’s no tellin’ how long ’t will be
before we gets picked up, an’ we got to be careful of the grub.”
“I’m fearfully hungry, but I guess you’re right.”
“Yes, I knows I is. Dad’s often sayin’ to me, ‘Dan, if you ever gets
in a tight place, an’ not much grub in sight, be wonderful careful of
what you has, and make un last.’”
It was full light now. Dan chipped some ice with the axe, filled a
cup, and Paul held it carefully beneath his jacket.
An examination of the boat was not reassuring. The forward planks on
the port side were stove far in, and an attempt to repair the damage,
even temporarily, appeared at first a hopeless task.
“I’m not seein’ just how to mend un,” remarked Dan, contemplating the
damaged planks, “but Dad, he says to me, ‘Always try. Do un best. What
looks like a hard job is very like to be an easy one in the end.’ He
says to me, ‘Do all un can, anyhow, howsoever hard the job looks. The
Lord may have you marked up to live to sixty or seventy year,’ says
he, ‘and to die in bed, but if you gets in a tight place, and they’s
somethin’ you might be doin’ to get out of un if you tries, and you
lets un go without tryin’ because you’re not seein’ how to do un at
first, the Lord’ll be sayin’ to the recordin’ angel, just change that
feller’s markin’, and put he down to die now, and make un drownin’.
Dad says the Lord’ll just be thinkin’ ’tain’t no use keepin’ a feller
around the world what don’t care enough about livin’ to do what he can
to save hisself, but leaves it all to the Lord to do.’”
Encouraged by this philosophy of his father’s, Dan worked with a will,
and at the end of an hour succeeded in forcing the stove-in planking
back into place.
In the meantime Paul’s ice had melted, and, refreshed by a half cup of
slightly brackish water, he turned his attention to Dan’s success with
the boat.
“Won’t that go all right without leaking much?” he asked.
“No, ’twill leak like a sieve,” answered Dan, surveying the boat. “I
were seein’ that much to do from the first, but I weren’t seein’ how
to make the planks hold where I put un, or how to make un tight, and
I’m not seein’ ’t yet. Now if we had some bits of board and some
nails, I’m thinkin’ we might make un tight.”
“There’s the grub box. Couldn’t we knock that to pieces, and use the
boards and nails in it?”
“The grub box! Well there! And I never were thinkin’ of un!”
Dan soon had the box in pieces and the nails removed.
“I’m wonderful slow to think of things sometimes,” remarked he as he
worked. “Now why weren’t I thinkin’ of this box first off?”
Cleats were fashioned by Dan from the pieces of box, with the axe as
his one working tool, and he was finally ready to nail them in
position, where they would hold the broken planks in place. Nails were
few, and it was necessary that great economy be practiced in their use
and that each be driven where it would do the most good.
The swell was increasing, the north wind was rising, and with every
hour the position of the boys was becoming more dangerous. The first
cleat had scarcely been nailed down when a wave broke over the pan,
washing its whole surface, not deep enough to carry the things away,
but suggesting the possibility that another one might presently do so.
Dan had fortunately put his cleats in the boat as he made them, or
the wave would certainly have carried off the light pieces of wood.
“Paul, you be loadin’ the things in the boat,” said Dan, “while I does
th’ mendin’. Th’ next swell breakin’ over th’ pan may carry th’ bags
overboard. Load th’ light bags first.”
Paul obeyed, and when the next wave, a little heavier than the first,
broke over the pan the outfit was out of its reach.
It was well past noon when the last cleat was placed, and Dan began to
caulk with strips torn from a shirt, using as his tool a wedge made
from a piece of the box.
The caulking was not yet half done when the boys were startled by a
loud report, like that of a gun.
“There she goes!” exclaimed Dan. “I were lookin’ for un! Th’ pan’s
busted!”
And sure enough, fully a third of their pan had broken loose from the
main body of ice which held them.
Heavier swells, now and again moving the boat slightly, swept the pan.
Dan worked desperately at his caulking; Paul, sitting in the boat
clinging to his seat, was expecting every moment to be washed from the
ice. As he looked out into the fog and beheld the growing anger of the
sea his apprehension grew. He realized fully their imminent peril, and
he began to doubt the ability of the frail boat, even had it been free
from damage, to weather the high piling waves.
All at once he thought he saw something in the distance, a faint
splotch in the fog, and he called out:
“Dan! Dan! See there! What is that?”
Dan raised his eyes from his work and looked.
“Land! ’Tis th’ land!” he exclaimed. “’Tis th’ land and we’ll soon be
ashore.”
The tide was carrying them in, and more and more distinct a rocky
outline of coast loomed up. Dan did not stop his repairs, however, and
presently the task of caulking was finished.
“There,” said he, “she’s caulked, an’ she’ll do to take us ashore.”
“Can’t we float her now and land?” asked Paul, in feverish
excitement.
“That’s a p’int of land,” said Dan, “We’re driftin’ in around un, and
I’m thinkin’ th’ tide’ll carry us to the lee, an’ we’ll have less sea
to launch in, if we waits a bit.”
“Oh, but I want to get ashore!” exclaimed Paul. “Couldn’t we launch
off here?”
“We might and we mightn’t,” answered Dan cautiously. “We can’t move
th’ boat without unloadin’ she. If we launches on the lee, th’ ice’ll
be likely to ram in, an’ smash un ag’in, before we gets free, an’ if
we tries to launch on ary other side th’ waves’ll be smashin’ un
ag’in’ th’ ice before we gets th’ outfit aboard. And anyway, if we
unloads th’ outfit on th’ ice th’ sea’s like to work un overboard
before we gets th’ boat launched. I’m thinkin’ we’d better tarry a
bit.”
Dan’s surmise proved correct. The ice slowly swept past the point,
and, carried upon the bosom of a rising tide, they gradually passed
into a bay, and calmer water.
“Now,” announced Dan, who had been watching his opportunity, “we’ll
try un.”
The things were taken out of the boat, the boat pushed off and
alongside the pan and easily reloaded in the now gentle swell, and the
boys with their outfit aboard shoved out into the bay.
The one remaining oar Dan took astern, dropped it between two pegs
placed there for the purpose, and working the oar adeptly back and
forth both propelled and steered the boat shoreward. The damaged bow
was found to be so well repaired that it leaked very little, and in a
few minutes a safe landing was made upon a sloping, gravelly bit of
beach.
For several minutes the boys stood silent, looking toward the
fog-enshrouded sea from which they had just been delivered. Dan at
length broke silence:
“Thank the Lord, we’re safe ashore,” said he reverently.
“Yes, it’s almost too good to believe.” Tears of joy stood in Paul’s
eyes as he spoke. “When the ship finds us and picks us up, Dan, I’m
going to tell Captain Bluntt that it was all my fault we didn’t go
aboard when he told us to, and I’m going to tell everybody how you
saved our lives by mending the boat. We never could have got off the
ice if you hadn’t mended the boat.”
“’Twere nothin’ to mend th’ boat,” deprecated Dan.
“Oh, yes, it was,” insisted Paul. “There aren’t many could have done
it, and when the ship picks us up I’ll tell them all about it.”
But they were not to see the _North Star_ again, and they were not to
be picked up. They were destined to face the rigors of a sub-Arctic
winter in the unknown wilderness upon whose shores they had drifted.
CHAPTER VIII
FACING STARVATION
Paul and Dan surveyed their surroundings. So far as they could
discover, in the dense fog, which enshrouded land as well as sea, they
were stranded upon a desolate, verdureless coast. Behind them rose a
ledge of storm-scoured rocks which reached out into the sea in a
rugged cliff to the eastward, and formed the point they had rounded to
enter the bight. And out on the rocky point they could hear the
breakers in dismal, rhythmic succession, pounding upon the rocks.
The sounding breakers made Paul shudder as he realized how narrowly he
and Dan had escaped a fate of which he scarcely dared think. He was
profoundly thankful for their deliverance, and rugged as their coast
was he had no thought of complaint against the fate that had placed
him upon it.
Nowhere was there a tree or even a bush to be seen. Even the moss
that here and there found lodgment in crevasses of the rocks seemed to
struggle for an uncertain existence. Some driftwood, however, strewn
along the beach, offered fuel for their tent stove.
“’Tis a wonderful bleak place,” said Dan, “but I’m thinkin’ ’tis
better inside, with timber growin’ an’ maybe a river comin’ in, t’
bring this drift down.”
“But it’s too late to go up there tonight,” protested Paul, dreading
to venture upon the fog-covered water again, even in the boat.
“Aye, ’tis too late to go t’night. ’Tis already growin’ dusk, an’ I’m
not thinkin’ t’ cruise around in th’ fog, on land or on water. ’Twould
be temptin’ th’ Lord t’ send us adrift ag’in, after settin’ us safe
ashore.”
“We’re both wet to the skin, and I’m freezing. Can’t we make a fire?”
suggested Paul, his teeth chattering.
“We’ll be settin’ up th’ tent in th’ lee o’ this rock. ’Tis lucky we
has th’ jointed tent poles, with nary a tree about.”
“Can’t I help?” asked Paul, as Dan jointed the poles and unrolled the
tent.
“You might be carryin’ up th’ outfit, an’ we gets th’ tent up, we’ll
put un inside. ’Twill warm you up t’ be carryin’ un.”
In fifteen minutes the tent was up, the tent stove in place, and Dan
was cutting driftwood for a fire while Paul stowed away their
belongings, and in another fifteen minutes a fire was roaring in the
stove.
“Oh, but this is cozy,” exclaimed Paul, reclining close to the stove,
“and now I’m ravenously hungry again.”
“’Tis wonderful cozy in th’ tent,” agreed Dan. “I’ll take th’ kettle
an’ look for water, an’ when I comes back we’ll boil th’ kettle an’
have a snack.”
Almost immediately Dan was back with his kettle of water.
“They’s a spring just up here, an’ we’re lucky t’ have un so clost,”
he remarked, setting the kettle on the stove. “I’m thinkin’ we’re in
for a blow, an’ we’ll not be gettin’ away from here till she’s over.”
“Don’t you think the ship will come tomorrow if the fog clears?” asked
Paul anxiously.
“No,” replied Dan discouragingly, searching for the bacon. “Let’s put
on a light; they’s some candles left.” He found the candles, lighted
one, and discovered the bacon. “I’m not expectin’ th’ ship in th’ blow
that’s comin’. ’Tis a dangerous coast,” he continued, as he sliced the
bacon, “an’ th’ skipper’ll be takin’ no chances cruisin’ inshore in a
gale.”
“Well, we’re safe enough, and the tent is as cozy a place as I ever
struck,” said Paul, now thoroughly warm, and basking in the stove’s
genial heat, his wet clothes sending forth a cloud of steam.
“’Twill be fine so long as th’ grub lasts. But they’s no tellin’ how
long we’ll be held up, an’ they ain’t much grub. But maybe we can kill
somethin.’ I’ll take a look at th’ country, an’ th’ fog clears
tomorrow.”
“I should think we’d find plenty of game. We’ve seen ducks and
ptarmigans everywhere we’ve been. Oh,” sniffing, “but that bacon
smells dandy.”
“Yes, I’m thinkin’ we’ll find ducks an’ pa’tridges, but they’s no
knowin’, an’ we’ll be wonderful careful o’ th’ grub we’s got till we
finds out. Dad says always be careful of what you has till you sees
more comin’.”
The kettle had boiled and Dan threw some tea into it and set it on the
ground close to the stove, then he put half of the bacon he had fried
on Paul’s aluminum plate, the other half on his own plate, carefully
dividing the bacon grease between them, gave Paul two ship’s biscuits,
took two for himself, and filled their aluminum cups with tea.
“Now we can fall to,” he said. “They’s plenty o’ tea, but we can’t be
eatin’ more’n this much grub to onct, an’ we’ll not be havin’ more’n
one biscuit apiece at a meal after this. I’m givin’ us two now for we
been a rare long time without eatin’.”
“It looks like a mighty little, with my appetite, but I guess you’re
right about it,” admitted Paul.
“Hear that!”
“What?”
“Th’ wind. I knew she’d be comin’ up. Th’ fog’ll be blowin’ away by
midnight.”
“That’ll be good.”
“If she don’t blow too strong an’ too long.”
“But this bacon grease is great!” exclaimed Paul, taking a spoonful of
the warm grease. “Funny I like it, though. When I’m home I can’t bear
to eat fat.”
“Grease is fine grub for cruisin’, an’ when th’ weather’s cold. When
Dad an’ me goes trappin’ winters we just takes fat pork an’ flour an’
tea an’ molasses.”
“It does make a difference, I guess. I was just thinking that I’d
never in my life eaten anything so good as this bacon and hardtack. If
I was home I wouldn’t look at them. I’ll never find fault again if my
meat’s a little too rare or too done, or not just what I happen to
like best.”
“Dad says anythin’s good when a feller’s hungry.”
It was a meager supper, indeed. A bit of bacon, two ship’s biscuits
and tea could hardly satisfy the appetite of a boy who had eaten but
once in thirty hours, and then but lightly.
“I’m hungrier than ever!” declared Paul, when he had eaten the last
morsel of his portion.
“So am I. ’Tweren’t much,” admitted Dan, as he drew his harmonica
from his pocket, wiped it on his coat sleeve, and struck up a tune.
[Illustration: Dan struck up a tune]
But with relaxation from the long hours of anxiety and exposure which
had preceded Dan soon found himself too drowsy to play. Paul was
nodding in a brave attempt to keep awake. Dan put the harmonica aside,
they made their bed and were soon in heavy slumber, not to awaken
until broad daylight.
The wind had risen to almost the force of a hurricane, and upon
looking out of the tent they beheld the waters of Hudson Bay beaten
into a wild fury. Mighty foam-crested waves were rolling in upon the
rocky point below, breaking with a continuous thunderous roar. The fog
had passed, and black, broken clouds scudded the sky.
“She’s wonderful mad because she didn’t get us,” remarked Dan.
“My! But weren’t we lucky to drift in last night!” said Paul,
shuddering at the scene.
“’Tweren’t luck,” corrected Dan. “Th’ Lord were sendin’ us in ahead o’
th’ blow. Dad says ’tain’t luck, but th’ Lord, as helps folks out o’
bad places.”
After an unsatisfactory breakfast of beans, Dan shouldered his rifle,
cautioned Paul not to go out of sight of the tent, and started out to
explore and hunt. Late in the afternoon he returned with a big gray
goose and a rabbit. Paul, who was in the tent, sprang up when Dan
pulled back the flap and looked in.
“Oh, but I’m glad to see you, Dan!” he exclaimed. “I never was so dead
lonesome in my life!”
“’Tis a bit lonesome bidin’ alone in camp,” admitted Dan, “but see now
what I’m gettin’,” and he dropped his game at Paul’s feet.
“A goose and a rabbit! Oh, Dan, what luck! Now we can have a feast,
and I’m so hungry I can hardly move.”
“An’ I’m wonderful hungry, too, with th’ long tramp. Now I’ll be
dressin’ th’ goose, an’ you puts a kettle o’ water on an’ cuts some
wood.”
Paul went at his task with a vim. He wielded the light camp axe very
clumsily, for he had never used an axe before; it was, in fact, his
first attempt at manual labor. He had, however, a good supply of wood
piled up by the time the goose was dressed and in the kettle, and he
and Dan sat down to enjoy the appetizing odor of cooking fowl while
they chatted.
“Do you know, Dan, we’re having such a dandy time here, I’ll feel
almost sorry when the ship comes. This tent is so cozy,” he declared.
“’Tis cozy an’ fine, but I’m thinkin’ we’ll be wantin’ t’ see th’ ship
bad enough before we sees her.”
“But she’ll be along tomorrow, won’t she?”
“No, nor th’ next day neither. I were lookin’ t’ th’ n’uthard from th’
rise back here, an’ I sees a wonderful drift o’ ice workin’ up, an’ if
th’ blow holds tomorrow, as ’tis sure to hold, there’ll be a pack o’
ice up from th’ n’uthard that the ship’ll never be gettin’ through.”
“What! You don’t mean the ship won’t come at all?”
“I’m not sayin’ that for sure, but it’s how ’tis lookin’ t’ me now.”
“Oh, but Dan, that can’t be! What will we do if we’re not picked up?”
“I’ve been thinkin’ un over, an’ figurin’ un out. Tom were sayin’
they’s tradin’ posts t’ th’ s’uthard, an’ I been figurin’ we’ll have
t’ make for un. We’ll have t’ hunt for our grub, but onct we gets t’
th’ posts we’ll be safe.”
“Do you really think we’ll have to do that, and stay here all winter?
It would just kill my mother, for she won’t know where I am.”
“I’m just sayin’ what’s like t’ happen, but ’tain’t no way sure. A bit
inside I finds a river runnin’ in th’ head o’ this bight, an’ plenty
o’ timber. ’Twere near th’ river I kills th’ goose. ’Tain’t such a
wonderful bad country.”
This was a possibility that had not occurred to Paul. He had harbored
no doubt that the _North Star_ would presently cruise southward along
the coast, pick them up, and he would go home in comfort. The bare
possibility that they might not be rescued was a shock. All pleasures,
all comforts, all hardships and privations are measured by contrast.
The tent had seemed very cozy, for unconsciously Paul had compared its
warmth and security with the hardships he had experienced on the ice
pan. Now the possibility that he might have to spend the winter in a
tent in this northern wilderness led him to compare such a condition
with the luxurious comforts of his home in New York, and the
comparison made him shrink from the hardships that he instinctively
attached to tent life in winter in a sub-Arctic wilderness. With the
comparison, also, came an overwhelming desire to see his father and
mother again.
“Dan, it would kill me to have to spend the winter here. Oh, that
would be awful.”
“Not so bad if we finds grub. Th’ grub’s what’s troublin’ me. An’
we’ll be needin’ more clothes when th’ cold weather comes. But we’ll
not let un worry us till we has to. Dad says it never does no good t’
worry, for worryin’ don’t help things, an’ it puts a feller in a fix
so he ain’t much good t’ help hisself.”
“But I can’t help worrying.”
“Maybe they ain’t nothin’ t’ worry about. Dad says most all th’
things folks worries about is things they’s afeared will happen, but
never does happen. Let’s ferget t’ worry now, an’ get at that goose.
She must be done, an’ I’m wonderful hungry.”
The present rose paramount. The boiling goose was done, and soon drove
from their minds all thought of the future. The water in which it was
boiled, well seasoned with salt, made excellent broth, and with no
bread or vegetable--for Dan would not draw upon the few biscuits
remaining--the two boys, with ravenous and long unsatisfied appetites,
ate the whole bird for their dinner.
Full stomachs put them in a pleasanter frame of mind, the tent again
assumed a cozy atmosphere, and Paul declared he was having the
“bulliest time” of his life.
During the two days and nights that followed there was no abatement in
the wind. Dan spent the daylight hours hunting, while Paul remained in
the vicinity of camp, making frequent tours to the summit of the rocky
hill behind the tent, where he had a wide view of Hudson Bay. With
sinking heart he looked out of the tent one morning to find the bight
jammed with ice, and upon climbing the hill as usual beheld a solid
mass of ice reaching westward from the shore as far as he could see.
At length the wind somewhat diminished in force, though it was not
until the fourth morning after their arrival that they arose to find
the sun shining brilliantly from a clear sky, and dead calm
prevailing. Several inches of snow had fallen during the night and the
air was sharp with frost. Their world seemed cold and cheerless
indeed.
Dan’s hunting expeditions had resulted in nothing, after the first
day. Once he had started a flock of ptarmigans, but in windy weather
ptarmigans are very wild, and this flock flew so far that he was
unable to discover them again after they had alighted.
This failure to secure game had forced them to cut down their daily
ration to a point that left their appetites far from satisfied. Even
then they were alarmed to find that, practicing the utmost economy,
but one day’s scant provisions remained, when at length the weather
cleared.
CHAPTER IX
THE WATERS CLEAR
Paul went to the spring for water, while Dan kindled the fire. Paul
was learning now to do his share of the camp work. He had become
fairly adept in the use of the axe, and to pass the hours while Dan
was absent on hunting expeditions, he had collected sufficient wood to
last them for several days, and had cut the greater part of it into
proper lengths for the stove.
When he returned with the kettle of water and placed it on the stove
to heat for tea, he sat down in silent dejection. Starvation seemed
very near. He was always hungry now--ravenously, fearfully hungry--and
he could see no relief. Both he and Dan were visibly thinner than when
they left the ship, and Paul was worried beyond expression.
Dan, squatting before the stove, his knees drawn up to his chin and
his arms locked around them, gazing intently at nothing, appeared not
to notice Paul as he entered. He was evidently in deep thought, and
Paul watched him anxiously, for he had learned that when Dan assumed
this position he was making plans for the future.
Paul had grown to place great confidence in Dan and his plans. In fact
he had come to look upon Dan as quite a wonderful person as well as
true friend.
Never once had Dan admitted that he was greatly worried at the turn
things had taken. On the contrary, while he had owned that their
position was serious, he had always ended by assuring Paul that there
was some way to overcome any difficulty which they might meet, and
that they could find a way to do it, no matter how obscure the way
might appear, if they but applied themselves earnestly to the task of
searching it out.
Presently the kettle boiled, and as Dan arose to make the tea he
remarked:
“They’s no knowin’ how fur ’tis t’ th’ nearest post, an’ I’m not
knowin’ yet what’s best t’ do. Th’ river’s too big t’ ford, an’ if we
goes afoot we’ll have t’ raft un, for with ice in th’ bight we can’t
launch th’ boat.
“If we walks we can’t pack th’ tent or much of th’ outfit, you never
done no packin’, an’ I’d have t’ carry most of what we’d be takin’.
If’t were far, with other rivers we’d be like t’ meet an’ have t’
raft, th’ cold weather’d be on before we’d be gettin’ anywheres, an’
with no tent the things I’d carry wouldn’t be enough t’ do both of us.
“Th’ wind’s veered clean around from th’ nor’east t’ th’ s’uthard, an’
I’m thinkin’ she’ll veer t’ th’ west’ard in a day or so, an’ if she
freshens up from th’ west’ard she’ll clear th’ ice out. Then we could
be usin’ th’ boat, an’ cruise t’ th’ s’uthard till we finds th’ post
or th’ ship picks us up. ’Tis too early for winter t’ be settin’ in t’
stay, an’ we’ll sure be findin’ ducks along th’ coast.”
“But we haven’t anything to eat. We’ll starve before that time.”
“I’m wonderful troubled about un,” admitted Dan. “They’s no danger of
th’ tent blowin’ away, an’, with th’ ice on th’ coast, no chanst of
th’ ship comin’, so I’m thinkin’ ’tis best for us both t’ go huntin’.
They ain’t no use you stayin’ in camp. I’ll be showin’ you how to make
rabbit snares while I hunts. With a bit of snow on th’ ground, an’ no
wind, they’s more chanst of findin’ game.”
This was very agreeable to Paul. It would take him from the
monotonous, lonely hours in camp, and he was eager to get away--to do
something.
Their last half can of beans was divided between them for breakfast,
and this disposed of, they prepared for a day’s hunt.
“Better take your shotgun instead of your rifle,” suggested Dan. “I’ll
be takin’ my rifle, but ’tis easier t’ get birds on th’ wing with a
shotgun. I been missin’ un most every day with th’ rifle.”
“You weren’t afraid to ask me for the shotgun, were you, Dan?”
“She’s so pretty I weren’t knowin’ as you’d like t’ lend un, an’ I
takes my rifle hopin’ t’ get a long shot at a goose, or maybe a bear
or deer. Don’t forget th’ shells for un.”
“Why, Dan, you could have had the shotgun. Just take any of my things
when you need them.”
Dan carried the axe as well as his rifle, and set a good pace up the
shore of the bight. Presently turning around a bluff they saw the
forest reaching down to the ice-choked bight.
“’Tis there th’ river comes in,” remarked Dan.
“Don’t walk so fast, Dan. I’m most winded.”
“I weren’t walkin’ fast,” said Dan, slackening his pace, “but you
ain’t been walkin’ none lately, an’ ’tis a bit hard until you gets
used t’ un.”
Presently they reached the spruce forest and the river, and a little
way up the timbered valley through which the river flowed found rabbit
tracks in every direction in the light snow.
“They’s plenty of un here,” remarked Dan. “Now here’s a run--that’s a
trail they takes reg’lar back and forth. We’ll be settin’ a snare in
un.”
Dan cut a spruce sapling and laid it across, and supported a foot
above, the run by brush growth on either side, first trimming the
branches off the side of the sapling placed downward, that they might
not obstruct the run. He then placed an upright stick on either side
of the run and about five inches from it, leaving an opening about ten
inches wide between the sticks, with the run passing through the
center. Then he blocked the space along the sapling on each side of
this opening with brush, remarking:
“That’s t’ keep th’ rabbits from leavin’ th’ run.”
He now produced a hank of heavy, smooth twine, cut off a piece and on
one end of it made a slip-noose that would work easily. The other end
he tied securely to the sapling directly over the run, first spreading
the noose wide, until the bottom swung about three inches from the
ground, the sides touched the upright sticks on either side, and the
top hung just below the sapling. Small twigs, so placed as not to
obstruct the opening in the noose, were stuck in the ground at the
bottom and on the sides to keep it in position.
“’Tis poor string for snarin’,” he said, contemplating his work, “but
’tis all I has, an’ ’twill have to do. Wire’s better’n string. Rabbits
eats string off if ’tain’t set just right t’ choke ’em so’s they
can’t.”
“Will that catch rabbits?” Paul asked incredulously.
“Yes, that’ll catch un. You see, they comes along th’ run, an’ when
they tries t’ jump through th’ noose she just slips up around their
necks and chokes un. Now you can be settin’ snares, an’ I looks for
pa’tridges.”
“Where’ll I set ’em? Anywhere around?”
“Anywheres you finds runs. Work up through th’ timber an’ don’t lose
sight o’ th’ river. Mark th’ places where you sets un by blazin’ a
tree clost by un, like this,” and as high as he could conveniently
reach with the axe, Dan chipped a piece of bark as big as his hand
from either side of a tree, where the white bared wood could be
readily seen by one following up or down the river.
“I’ll take th’ shotgun an’ leave my rifle with you. ’Twill be easier
t’ get pa’tridges with th’ shotgun, an’ I sees any.”
“Will you come back here for me?”
“Yes, I’ll be lookin’ you up,” and Dan strode away.
Setting snares was a novel occupation for Paul, and he found the work
intensely interesting. Upon every new run that he discovered he
duplicated as exactly and as carefully as possible the snare that Dan
had set, and then blazed a tree to mark its position.
He was thinking now constantly of good things to eat, and feasts that
he would have when he reached home. This kept his mind occupied with
pleasant thoughts while his hands were at work.
Several hours had passed, several snares had been set, and he was
still busily engaged when Dan, right at his elbow, said:
“Feelin’ hungry?”
“Oh!” and Paul jumped. “Dan, I didn’t see you. You frightened me.”
Dan laughed.
“See what I’m gettin’,” and he held up seven fat ptarmigans.
“Oh, Dan, but that’s fine!” exclaimed Paul, handling the birds
caressingly.
“Let’s put on a fire an’ have a snack,” said Dan. “Seems like I can’t
walk no farther till I eats.”
Dan collected some small dry twigs and a handful of the dry moss which
in northern forests collects beneath the limbs of spruce trees. With
his foot he scraped the snow from a small area, baring the ground. In
the center of this he placed the moss, arranged the sticks about it
with much care, struck a match to the moss, and in an incredibly short
time had a cheery fire blazing.
“Break some boughs for a seat, Paul, while I plucks th’ pa’tridges,”
he suggested.
Two of the birds were quickly plucked and drawn, Dan placing the
entrails carefully aside on clean snow. Then he cut two dead sticks a
couple of feet in length, sharpened them at each end, impaled a
ptarmigan on each, and stuck the other sharpened end of the sticks in
the ground in such position that the birds were near enough to the
fire to broil without burning.
“’Tis wonderful extravagant for each of us t’ be eatin’ a whole
pa’tridge,” said he, as he sat down upon the seat of boughs Paul had
provided, “but we ain’t been eatin’ much lately, an’ I finds myself
gettin’ weak, an’ I’m thinkin’ we’ll be hungry yet after we eats un,
for one pa’tridge with nothin’ t’ go with un ain’t much.”
“I feel as though I could eat both of them myself. I wonder if I’ll
ever get enough to eat again,” said Paul. “I’ve been planning the
things I’m going to eat when I get home.”
While Dan turned the birds now and again they planned feasts and
talked of good things they had eaten and longed to eat again, until
Dan finally announced:
“Well, they’s done.”
“It was just enough to make me hungrier,” declared Paul when the last
morsel had been eaten, even to the tender bones, and thoroughly
enjoyed, though they had no salt for seasoning.
Dan reached over for the entrails, wound one upon the end of each
stick, and, handing Paul one of the sticks, began to broil his own
over the coals.
“What you going to do with them?” asked Paul.
“Eat ’em,” announced Dan. “You remember th’ way th’ huskies done? I’m
thinkin’ if they’s good for huskies they’s good for us.”
“I don’t know,” said Paul, hesitating. Then like one plunging into a
cold bath he followed Dan’s example, remarking, as he watched the
swelling, sputtering things: “It’s funny the way people change. When I
saw the Eskimos eat them I thought it was a terrible thing to do, but
it doesn’t seem so bad now.”
“Dad says folks can eat most anything if they’s hungry enough.”
“I guess he’s right.”
“They’re not so bad,” said Dan, tasting an end of his.
“They’re really pretty good,” asserted Paul, gingerly taking a
mouthful.
“I was thinkin’ we better not waste un. We’ll have t’ save th’ little
grub we has in th’ tent for a time when we’ll need un more, an’ be
livin’ now on what we kills.”
It was a day of good fortune. On their return to camp they made a wide
detour, exploring a section that Dan had not yet visited, and
suddenly, while skirting a marsh in the center of which was a pond,
Dan grabbed Paul by the arm.
“Geese!” he exclaimed.
The pond was discovered to be a widening of a brook, flowing to the
southward to join their river.
“Now we’ll crawl up along th’ willow brush, an’ don’t be shootin’ till
I says to,” directed Dan. “When I says ‘shoot,’ take th’ nighest one
with one barrel an’ th’ next nighest with t’ other barrel, an’ be
steady, fer ’t means grub. I’ll give ’em bullets with th’ rifle.”
Cautiously and silently they crawled foot by foot along the lee of the
willow bushes that lined the brook. Once Paul inadvertently broke a
twig and an old gander held up his head in alarm. They threw
themselves flat and lay like logs in the snow until the gander
assuming that he was mistaken in his premonition of danger, resumed
feeding. It was a moment of intense excitement for the young hunters.
“Now,” whispered Dan, when they had at length come abreast of the
geese, “an’ be careful.”
Slowly they brought their guns to their shoulders, still lying flat on
the ground, and fired.
Instantly there was a great commotion among the geese, which, instead
of rising and flying away, half ran on the surface of the water,
flapping their wings to help them in their retreat.
The guns rang out again. Before Paul, in his excitement, could reload,
the game was quite out of range of his shotgun, but Dan with his rifle
fired several more shots after the retreating birds.
Five geese lay upon the water when the fusillade was over, and the
boys hugged each other in an ecstasy of delight.
“How’ll we get them? They’re away out in deep water,” asked Paul.
“I’ll get un,” said Dan, beginning to undress, “I’ll go in for un.”
“Let me do it, Dan,” suggested Paul. “You do all the hard and
disagreeable work.”
“Oh, I don’t mind goin’ in. ’Tain’t so cold,” declared Dan, who was
now stripped, and plunged fearlessly into the icy water.
[Illustration: Fired several more shots after the retreating birds]
It was but a moment’s work to secure the geese, and Dan, standing
barefooted in the snow, donned his clothes as quickly as possible,
declaring the moment he was dressed that he “felt fine and warm.”
“What luck!” exclaimed Paul, lifting goose after goose to test its
weight. “We’ve got enough to last us a whole week.”
“’Tis not luck,” remonstrated Dan, who never admitted that anything
came by mere luck. “Th’ Lord were skimpin’ our grub so’s we’d be
careful of what we gets when we gets un, an’ then He sends along th’
pa’tridges an’ geese. Dad says ’tis th’ Lord’s way, when a feller’s
doin’ all he kin for hisself.”
“Anyhow we got the geese.”
The boys were in position to live very well now. They had no bread,
for scarcely enough flour remained for one meal, and this little flour
and a small bit of bacon were all that was left, save tea and salt, of
the provisions they had brought from the ship.
The morning after the goose hunt two rabbits were found in Paul’s
snares and he was greatly elated at his success, and on the same day
several ptarmigans and a black duck were killed by Dan, materially
increasing their stock of provisions.
Then came a night of rain, and another morning found the land washed
clear of snow. The sky had cleared, and a strong, steady breeze sprang
up from the westward, as Dan had prophesied it would. Gradually under
this influence the ice pack began to loosen and move seaward.
The boys returned early from their hunting trips on succeeding days
that Dan might devote the afternoons to repairs on the boat, that it
might be made as seaworthy as possible. The repairs completed, he
fitted a mast forward, and with the light tarpaulin improvised a sail.
He also provided a long stiff oar, which he fashioned with the axe,
explaining to Paul that it was to be used in the stern to propel and
steer the boat at times when the wind failed them, just as he had used
the small oar when they went ashore from the ice pan.
Gradually Paul had learned to cook their simple meals of game. He
assumed this responsibility, provided fuel and attended to the
general camp duties, not only that Dan might be free during daylight
hours to devote his undivided attention to preparations for departure,
but because he wished to feel that he, too, was doing his full share
of the work.
The weather had settled. By day the sun shone brilliantly, by night
the stars and aurora lighted the heavens. The ice continued to move.
The bight was soon quite free from it, and at length the sea itself
was so little obstructed that one day Dan announced it quite safe to
begin their voyage of exploration to the southward.
Preparations for departure had curtailed their hunting hours, but
nevertheless they had four full days’ provisions when they broke camp
and set sail in their frail craft. The wind was fair, and it was a
beautiful, perfect morning. Their hearts were full of hope and
expectancy, though they knew much less of the surrounding sea and
dismal coast than did Henry Hudson, the great explorer, when he was
set adrift upon the same waters by a mutinous crew nearly three
hundred years before.
CHAPTER X
A NARROW ESCAPE
“Hurrah!” shouted Paul, as Dan trimmed the sail and it filled with
wind. “Hurrah! We’re off!”
“I’m hopin’ th’ wind’ll breeze up a bit; an’ she does, we’ll be makin’
fine time,” remarked Dan, pointing the boat for the open sea. “She’s a
rare good sailin’ craft.”
“Let me take the tiller, Dan. I can handle it, and I want to do
something. You manage the sail.”
“An’ you wants,” said Dan, surrendering the tiller and settling
comfortably amidships. “Head her just outside that p’int o’ land,” he
directed.
“Isn’t it fine to be moving!” exclaimed Paul. “But the old camping
place grew to seem homelike to me. Wasn’t it cozy when we first landed
there from the ice, after we got our tent up and a fire started?”
“Yes, ’twere wonderful snug an’ fine, but I finds it a rare sight
better afloat, an’ s’uthard bound.”
“Do you know, Dan, it gives me a sort of scarey feeling to think we’re
out here alone in this little boat when there’s not another boat in
sight, and likely there isn’t another within hundreds of miles of us,
unless it’s the _North Star_; and we know that no one lives on the
land. It’s a queer sort of feeling--nothing but a great big wilderness
everywhere, and just us in it. But I’m glad to be here. I wonder what
there is below that point and over the hill?”
“’Tis a wonderful bleak country, I’m thinkin’, an’ I’m wishin’ we were
knowin’ where th’ fur traders is, an’ where we’re goin’.” Dan produced
his harmonica as he spoke, drew it across his sleeve, and putting it
to his lips blew a chord or two.
“It’s because we don’t know, I guess, and the uncertainty about it,
that makes it interesting to me. I feel like an explorer. It’s simply
great to sail along and wonder all the time what we’ll see next, and
no way of finding out till we get there. That makes it exciting and
romantic.”
“I don’t know as ’tis very exciting,” said Dan, removing the harmonica
from his lips, “but ’tis a wonderful sight better ’n stayin’ around
camp, with winter nigh, an’ ’t would be better yet if th’ ship came
cruisin’ along t’ pick us up--which she won’t, as th’ ice sure drove
she out.”
With this, and as if to dismiss the subject, he struck up one of his
favorite tunes, playing softly, and ceasing only long enough to say to
Paul: “A bit t’ port. That’s it, steady.”
The morning air was crisp and frosty. The sun illumined the eastern
heavens in a blaze of wondrous colors, and presently raised his face
above the glistening sea. Even the bleak coast, austere and rugged,
possessed a unique grandeur and compelling beauty. The wind sprang up
with the rising sun, and the little boat bowled along at a good speed,
upon a gentle swell. Now and again Dan would trim the sail, and give
an instruction to Paul, “Port lee a bit,” or “Starb’rd a bit,” and
return to his music.
Paul was thinking of home, of his mother and father, and his
homecoming--some time. He had no doubt that he and Dan would extricate
themselves from the wilderness, for he had grown to have unbounded
faith in Dan’s resourcefulness and ingenuity. He wondered what his
parents would say, when Mr. Remington returned without him, if Dan’s
assurance that the ship could never have remained in the face of the
ice were correct.
While he realized and regretted the anxiety his absence would cause
his parents, it did not occur to him that any one would believe that
he and Dan were drowned. He believed that his father would send a
vessel for them when the ice passed out of Hudson Bay the following
summer, and that in the meantime he and Dan would be quite comfortable
at some trading post which they should presently find.
He was thrilled with the delights of adventure, now that any real
danger seemed past, and he made for himself pleasant pictures of his
return to school and the rôle of hero he would fill in the eyes of the
other fellows.
Presently Dan ceased playing, and they chatted intermittently. Once a
great sea creature raised its back directly in front of them.
“What’s that?” asked Paul.
“A white whale,” answered Dan, as the thing sank, to appear again much
farther out to sea.
At another time they passed several seals, and Paul wished to shoot at
them, but Dan advised:
“’Tis rare hard t’ hit un, an’ if you did hit one an’ kill un, she’d
sink before we could get un. An’ we’ll be needin’ all th’ cartridges,”
so Paul did not shoot.
The sun was close to the western horizon when, ravenously hungry, for
they had eaten nothing since breakfast, they ran into a little cove,
unloaded their belongings, hauled the boat to a safe position, and
made camp. They had kept steadily going all day, for Dan had been
unwilling to lose advantage of the fair wind, and had they gone ashore
to cook dinner it would have consumed at least an hour of valuable
time.
“Th’ days is growin’ wonderful short,” said Dan, “an’ we’ll have t’ be
usin’ all of the daylight when th’ wind’s fair an’ good. ’Twill save
grub, too, if we eats only twice a day.”
During the four succeeding days they made indifferent progress. The
weather was glorious, but the wind for hours at a stretch died to a
dead calm, the sail hung slack, and to keep in motion they were
compelled to work at their stern oar, and progress by this means was
slow and tedious.
They were very sparing of their provisions. A couple of geese were
killed and added to their store, but nothing else. Then came another
day with a good breeze, but when they went into camp that night they
had only a gull to divide between them for supper. It was an
unpromising shore for game, and Dan expressed himself of the belief
that it would be quite fruitless to hunt.
“If we sees any place tomorrow that looks like a river, or a likely
place for huntin’, we’ll land an’ try un,” he commented as, very
hungry, they settled for the night.
There was not a scrap to eat for breakfast. Paul declared he could eat
his shoes, and Dan facetiously advised that he fill up on water, the
one thing that was abundant. They set sail as the first light of dawn
appeared in the east. Paul shivered in the frosty atmosphere, and both
of the young voyagers sat despondently quiet, until the sun pushed his
big glowing face above the eastern waters, and seemed to laugh at
them.
“Dad says, ‘Keep a stiff upper lip, do th’ best un can, an’ she’ll
work out all right,’” encouraged Dan, at length, breaking the silence.
“They ain’t nothin’ we can do but keep goin’ an’ watch out for game.
Th’ Lord’s been watchin’ out for us right along, an’ He’s got His eye
on us now, I’m thinkin’. We ain’t been lookin’ much for grub. We been
thinkin’ too much about gettin’ on. An’ we looks out, we’ll be gettin’
grub before night. They’s been chances t’ kill grub every day, but we
been goin’ right on an’ not takin’ un.”
“We’ll have to get something pretty soon or we’ll starve to death,”
said Paul. “I wonder how long people can live without eating?”
“I’m not knowin’ just how long. Dad’s been a week more ’n once
without eatin’, an’ he says ’t were just makin’ he a bit weak, but not
hurtin’ he none.”
“I’m sure I never could stand it for a week.”
“Oh, yes, un could. Dad says ’t is bad when folks gives up, an’ thinks
they’s goin’ t’ die after fastin’ for a bit.”
“But we can’t live unless we eat,” insisted Paul.
“No, but we can go a wonderful time without eatin’ before we dies, if
we only thinks we can.”
The wind was rising. White caps were appearing upon the surface of the
sea, and presently the boat began now and again to ship water.
“We’ll have t’ make shore th’ first promisin’ place,” suggested Dan.
“We’re sure in for a blow. There’s a p’int ahead, and we’ll make for
th’ lee of un.”
The wind was in the northeast, and it drove the little craft before it
at a terrific rate. In an incredibly short time it had developed into
a tempest. The angry waters piled about them and tossed the boat
about upon the wave crests like a leaf. While Paul held the rudder Dan
lowered the sail, and they ran before the gale with bared mast. Dan
resumed the rudder and Paul baled out the water, working as he had
never worked before.
“We’ll never make it, Dan!” he shouted at length. “We’ll swamp, sure!”
“Oh, yes; we’re gainin’ on un,” encouraged Dan. “We’ll make un.”
Dan’s face, however, was tense, and it was plain that he was not so
confident as his words seemed to indicate.
They had almost passed the point when a great wave broke over them,
nearly swamping the boat, and leaving it half full of water, but they
made the point, and passed into less tempestuous waters before another
wave caught them.
Even here the sea was as rough as the little boat could weather, for
the shore was not so well protected as it had seemed, and it was lined
with jagged rocks, making a landing impossible, for to have attempted
it would have resulted in the boat’s smashing to pieces and perhaps
their being carried away before they could reach safety.
Dan watched for an opening, as they paralleled the shore a safe
distance from it, and at length discovered a bit of gravelly beach
reaching down between high boulders.
It was a difficult landing to make, but it was their only hope, and he
headed directly for the opening.
“Get t’ th’ bow an’ jump th’ minute we strikes!” he shouted to Paul,
and Paul obeyed.
For an instant it seemed that in spite of Dan’s best effort they must
strike upon the rocks, the next instant the danger was past, the boat
drove hard upon the gravel, and both boys sprang ashore for their
lives, to escape a breaker which swept over the boat.
One on either side they grasped the bow, and as another wave came
rolling in, pulled with all their might. Thus, aided by the force of
the water, the boat was drawn sufficiently high to permit them to
unload, bale out the water, and haul the boat to safety.
“We made un all right,” remarked Dan, when everything was beyond
danger.
“Yes,” said Paul, “but it was a narrow escape.”
“’T were that,” admitted Dan. “’T were wonderful close we was t’ bein’
swamped.”
The boys themselves and all their things were drenching wet. Not a
stick of driftwood was to be found. The wind was bitterly cold. They
had eaten nothing since the previous evening, and then only the
unsatisfying gull, and the barren coast was destitute of game. But
they had escaped death, and were thankful for their deliverance.
CHAPTER XI
A DEATH STRUGGLE
“We’d better open th’ outfit up, an’ let th’ wind be dryin’ un while
we hunts grub,” suggested Dan, as he unfolded a blanket and proceeded
to spread it upon the ground, after they had made a brief survey of
their immediate surroundings.
“I’m so dead hungry and empty I can hardly move,” said Paul, sitting
impotently on a rock. “I feel weak, too. The scare, and pulling on the
boat, just about knocked the ginger out of me.”
“We’ll be findin’ timber clost by, an’ they’s a good chanst t’ kill
some grub before night. ’T ain’t noon yet. We’ll start soon’s we get
th’ things spread, an’ I’m thinkin’ we’ll be good an’ snug by night,”
encouraged Dan.
“It’s all my fault that we ever got into this scrape, Dan,” Paul
remarked dejectedly, as he arose to assist in unpacking the wet
things. “If I’d listened to you, and done as I promised, we’d have
been safe on the ship now, instead of starving to death out here.”
“They’s no tellin’,” Dan consoled. “I’m thinkin’ ’twould have been the
same anyhow. Maybe ’twas meant we be goin’ adrift. Leastways ’tain’t
no use botherin’ about un now. Dad say what’s done is done, an’
’tain’t no use botherin’ our heads about a thing after she’s done an’
past. What’s past might as well be forgot. Dad says ’tain’t what was,
but what is, as counts. He says: ‘If you weren’t doin’ things right
yesterday, ’tain’t goin’ t’ help none t’ bother about un t’day, but
just do th’ things you has to do t’day right, an’ do un th’ best un
can, an’ what you weren’t doin’ right yesterday won’t count ag’in
you.’”
“Maybe you’re right, Dan, and I may as well quit worrying about it.
One thing’s certain. When I promise to do anything at a certain time
again, I’m going to do it. And I’m going to do the best I can now, and
stop complaining. I wish I could do things as well as you do. You know
how to do everything.”
“They’s a wonderful lot o’ things I’m not knowin’ how t’ do. I’m
knowin’ how t’ sail a boat an’ do things around camp, because I always
had t’ do un. ’Twon’t be long till you knows how t’ do un too, an’
then you’ll know a lot more ’n I do. Where you lives you had t’ learn
t’ do other kinds o’ things, an’ them things you knows how t’ do I
don’t know nothin’ about. Dad says learnin’ t’ do things is like
plants growin’. ‘If you plants a turnip seed t’day,’ says he, ‘you
can’t pull a turnip from un th’ same day. Th’ turnip’s got t’ have
time t’ grow after th’ seed’s planted, an’ you can’t learn t’ do
things what’s worth knowin’ how t’ do,’ says he, ‘in one day. You got
t’ keep learnin’ a little about un every day till you learns how t’ do
un.’ You learn about doin’ things in camp wonderful quick, Paul.”
“Thank you, Dan. You always encourage me. I’d have given up long ago
if it hadn’t been for you.”
“Oh, no, you wouldn’t. You’d have been findin’ out how t’ do things.
You got a rare lot o’ pluck.”
By this time the things were spread where wind and sun could dry them,
with boulders placed upon them as a precaution against the wind
carrying them away.
“Now,” said Dan, shouldering his rifle, “we’ll be goin’. ’Twill be
best t’ bring your shotgun an’ plenty o’ shells, an’ I’m thinkin’
we’ll find grub, an’ be feelin’ better when we makes camp this
evenin’.”
Three quarters of a mile inland lay a ridge of low, barren hills. Dan,
in the lead, directed their course toward it, and set a good pace,
with Paul, who was learning the trick of walking over rough, untrailed
country with less effort than formerly, close at his heels.
Paul bore small resemblance now to the sallow, listless youth who in
July climbed the ladder to the deck of the _North Star_, lying in
Sydney harbor. His face was brown and ruddy, his eyes bright, his
limbs lithe, his step springy, and he had grown eager and alert. Both
he and Dan were, however, now conscious of a growing weakness, the
natural result of insufficient food for several days, and particularly
due to their unbroken fast of several hours.
At the foot of the ridge they encountered a growth of straggling
spruce brush. Above the brush, near the summit, the hills were of a
reddish hue, in marked contrast to the surrounding gray. This red
coloring, they presently discovered upon ascending the ridge, was
given the hills by masses of red berries, half the size of ordinary
cranberries but resembling them in flavor and appearance.
The wind swept the ridge with terrific fury, and was very cold, but
they fell upon their knees, uncomfortable as it was, and partially
satisfied their hunger with the fruit.
“They ain’t so bad,” remarked Dan, “but they’s so sour I’m thinkin’ we
better not eat too many t’ onct.”
“They are pretty sour,” admitted Paul, reluctantly rising to follow
Dan, “but they taste mighty good.”
“If we don’t kill nothin’ we can eat more of un when we comes back.
But I’m thinkin’ we’ll find pa’tridges along here, feedin’ on un.
Pa’tridges is wonderful fond o’ berries, an’ they’ll not be missin’ a
feedin’ ground like this. Th’ kind that takes t’ th’ hills is bigger’n
better’n them that sticks t’ th’ willers. They both turns white in
winter, an’ they’s both better ’n th’ spruce pa’tridges that sticks t’
th’ spruce timber.”
“Maybe you better take the shotgun, Dan. You can shoot quicker than I
can, and if we see any partridges we’ve just got to get them.”
“You shoots fine, but I knows better how t’ look for th’ pa’tridges,
an’ I’ll take un. With th’ wind they’s like t’ be wonderful wild.”
Dan passed his light rifle over to Paul, and with Paul’s shotgun
proceeded to the top of the ridge, keeping a careful lookout, as he
walked, while Paul followed a little distance in the rear. On the
summit Dan halted until Paul joined him.
“’Tis fine,” said Dan; “look now.”
Below them lay a wooded valley, the green spruce trees splotched with
golden yellow patches, where groves of tamaracks had taken on their
autumnal coloring. To the westward a small lake shimmered in the
sunlight, and leading to the southward from it could be traced the
winding course of a creek which was presently lost among barren hills
beyond.
“Isn’t it fine!” exclaimed Paul.
“An’ ’tis like t’ be a game country.”
“Oh, I hope so!”
“Now I’ll be leadin’ ag’in, an’ you follows a bit behind.”
A little way down the slope Dan stopped again, and when Paul overtook
him, pointed to the berries at his feet.
“See th’ signs? They’s been feedin’ right here. Just over there they
been wallerin’ in th’ sand.”
He went forward again noiselessly, carefully scanning the receding
slope ahead. Presently he began a more cautious advance, halting now
and again and then advancing.
All at once, quick as a flash he threw the gun to his shoulder and
fired--bang! bang!--both barrels almost as one. Quickly he dropped two
fresh shells in the gun, and running forward fired both barrels again.
As he did so a great flock of ptarmigans, with a noise like the wind,
rose and flew far away, apparently alighting at the edge of the timber
below them.
Paul hurried down to Dan, who was gathering up the fruits of his hunt.
There were eleven fat birds, now nearly white, in their winter dress.
Paul, in happy thankfulness, could scarcely control his emotion.
“It seems almost too good to be true, Dan!” he said finally.
“I finds un fine too,” admitted Dan. “They was wonderful tame for a
windy day, an’ just runs instead of flyin’ after I fires th’ first
shots. That gives me time t’ load an’ shoot ag’in.”
“But how did you get so many with just four shots? Oh, Dan, I believe
it’s just as you always say; it was Providence sent us here and let
you get so many.”
“’Twere that. On th’ ground I lines ’em up, an’ knocks over two or
three to a shot, except th’ last shots, when they flies away, I only
gets one on th’ wing. ’Tis hard t’ get more ’n one when they’s flyin’.
Th’ Lord just kept ’em on th’ ground!”
“And now we can eat again!” exclaimed Paul.
“Yes, an’ th’ finest kind o’ eatin’ too. I’ll be lookin’ for th’
flock, where they flies to, an’ try for another shot, while you
plucks two, an’ cooks un,” suggested Dan, and when they reached the
edge of the timber he directed:
“Go straight in here till you comes t’ th’ creek, an’ put on your fire
there, an’ I’ll be findin’ you.”
Entering the timber, Paul found himself sheltered from the wind, in
pleasant contrast to the open hills. Scarcely two hundred yards from
where he parted from Dan he came upon the creek. Though he had no axe
he made his fire without difficulty, profiting by the wood lore
learned from Dan. He had also learned the knack of plucking birds
quickly, and in a little while had the two ptarmigans, impaled upon
sticks, broiling before the blaze, while he basked in the warmth, and
filled in his time plucking the remaining birds.
Dan had not yet put in his appearance when Paul decided that the
ptarmigans were quite done. He removed them from the fire, and with a
strong exercise of self-restraint waited for Dan to join him in the
repast. Presently, however, hunger got the better of him.
“There isn’t any use waiting for Dan,” he finally said to himself. “I
simply can’t stand it another minute,” and he ate one of the birds
with a relish beyond anything, he thought, that he had ever before
experienced. The temptation to eat the other was very strong but he
turned his back upon it, and, lying down, was presently dozing.
How long he had been asleep he did not know, but at length he opened
his eyes, suddenly wide awake, with a consciousness that something was
watching him. The fire had died to smouldering coals, and he was cold,
but fear of the watcher impelled him to remain motionless and still,
while he peered into the shadow of the timber.
Presently he discovered in a clump of bushes on the opposite side of
the creek a pair of glowing amber-green eyes. They were malicious,
piercing eyes, and Paul’s heart stood still for a moment. Then he
remembered what Dan had often told him: “They ain’t nothin’ in this
country t’ be scared of unless you comes on a big pack o’ wolves, an’
they’s mostly cowards,” and his courage returned.
Very cautiously he reached for Dan’s rifle, and with exceeding care
sighted it upon a spot just between the glistening eyes. Then
steadying his nerves, and holding his breath for an instant, he fired.
Simultaneously with the explosion something sprang into the air and
then fell back upon the ground. Whatever the thing was, he had hit it.
Highly excited, he dropped the rifle, and regardless of the icy waters
forded the creek, dashed up the opposite bank, and without doubt that
the animal was quite dead, ran directly in, incautiously, toward the
clump of bushes where it had fallen.
Suddenly, when less than ten feet from the bushes, a great snarling,
malevolent cat-like beast appeared at the edge of the cover, directly
before him.
Paul stopped, stupefied at the unexpected appearance. The animal
crouched for a spring. It was too late to retreat. Paul’s heart stood
still. A cold chill ran up his spine. He had left his rifle at the
fire, and was quite defenseless, save for the hunting knife at his
belt. He grabbed the knife, and as the beast leaped toward him
instinctively threw up his arms to guard his face.
Its fore paws landed squarely upon his shoulders. With one hand he
grasped its throat, and with a tremendous, unnatural strength pushed
it from him, while with the other hand he slashed blindly with his
knife at its body. He could feel its sharp claws tearing his flesh.
Then the earth began to reel, darkness came, and he fell unconscious.
[Illustration: He could feel its sharp claws tearing his flesh]
CHAPTER XII
FACTOR MACTAVISH OF FORT RELIANCE
When Paul opened his eyes he felt very damp and uncomfortable. As his
vision cleared he beheld Dan standing over him with his hat full of
water, which Dan was undoubtedly about to dash into his face.
“Don’t Dan! Don’t throw that on me!” he plead weakly. “What you
wetting me down that way for?”
“You comin’ to all right?” asked Dan. “You fainted, an’ I were sousin’
you t’ bring you to. I’m thinkin’ I better souse you this un. ’T will
do no harm.”
“Oh, Dan----”
But Paul’s protest came too late, and he received the contents of the
hat full in his face.
“There,” said Dan with satisfaction, “I’m thinkin’ that’ll be enough,
an’ bring you to, all right. How you feelin’?”
“All right now.” His voice was stronger, but still weak. “That thing
’most killed me, didn’t it?”
“You’re a long way from dyin’ yet, but you were havin’ a rare fine
fight with th’ varmint, an’ when you kills un you faints. Feelin’
stronger? I’m thinkin’ a bit more water’ll be helpin’ you, now.”
“No! No, Dan!” plead Paul, trying to rise, but still too weak. “Don’t
throw any more water on me. I’m soaked and freezing with it now.”
“Well, maybe you’re havin’ enough,” said Dan, uncertainly. “Dad says
th’ best thing t’ bring a feller around when he gets done up is plenty
o’ water.”
“What kind of an animal was that? When it came leaping at me I thought
my time had come.”
“’Twere a lynx, an’ a wonderful big un, too, an’ nice an’ fat. He’ll
make fine eatin’. How’d he come t’ fight? I never heard o’ one
fightin’ before. They always runs.”
“Why, I shot him, and thought I’d killed him, and when I came over
without the rifle he jumped on me.”
Dan examined the bloody carcass of the great lynx lying by Paul’s
side.
“There’s where your bullet comes,” said he, pointing at a furrow along
the top of the head. “’T were breakin’ th’ skin an’ stunnin’ he. He
just comes to, like you’re doin’ now, when you gets over, an’ bein’
sort o’ cornered he jumps on you. That’s th’ way of all beasts.
Anything’ll turn on a feller when ’tis cornered.”
“I thought I was a goner, and I don’t understand how I ever killed it.
Do I seem to be hurt much? I feel sore all over.”
“Not so bad. Scratched a bit, but ’t ain’t no account. You sticks your
knife in his heart. Feelin’ like gettin’ up now?”
“I’ll try.”
With Dan’s assistance Paul rose to his feet, but he felt very weak,
and uncertain on his legs.
“I never can walk back to the boat, Dan.”
“We’ll not be goin’ back t’ th’ boat this evenin’. There, keep a good
holt of me, an’ we’ll cross th’ creek an’ put a fire on. You’re
shiverin’ with th’ cold.”
Dan piloted the tottering Paul to a comfortable place beside the
embers of Paul’s former fire, relighted the fire and presently had a
cheerful blaze. Then he broke some spruce boughs for a couch, and when
Paul said he was quite comfortable and feeling “bully good again,
except for the sore spots,” Dan spread out before him a porcupine, a
big Arctic hare and five more ptarmigans.
“That’s what I were gettin’ on th’ hunt,” he announced proudly. “Now
what you thinkin’ o’ un?”
“Dan, that’s just fine. Why, we can live like kings now. I suppose
that’s a porcupine, isn’t it? And of course it’s good to
eat--everything seems to be good to eat in this country.”
“Yes, they’s rare fine eatin’. I likes un as well as deer’s meat. Now
I’ll have a snack an’ then pack th’ tent an’ beddin’ in here. I feels
wonderful gaunt.”
“Dan, you’re a wonder! Here you’ve been tramping after game all this
time, and stopping to help me, without a thing to eat since
yesterday.”
“If a feller gets game he’s got t’ keep after un when he sees un,”
commented Dan, between mouthfuls of the now cold ptarmigan Paul had
cooked for him. “An’ ’tis tastin’ wonderful fine, now I gets un. We’ll
be havin’ a good feed when I gets back, an’ we’ll find th’ tent rare
snug in this timber, free from th’ gale. She’s blowin’ wonderful stiff
outside.”
“I’m strong enough now, I guess, to go along and help carry the
things. I don’t want you to do it alone, Dan. You do all the hard
things,” and Paul attempted to rise.
“You’ll be stayin’ where you is,” objected Dan, forcing Paul back upon
his couch. “’Tis but a light load for me. I’m used t’ packin’, an’
I’ll not be long.”
“I do feel pretty weak,” admitted Paul, settling on his couch again.
When Dan returned an hour later the sun had set. He brought with him
the tent, blankets, cooking utensils and stove, but declared they were
not heavy. He declined Paul’s assistance in pitching the tent, and
working with the skill of a woodsman soon had all in readiness for
the night, a fire in the stove, and three ptarmigans stewing in the
kettle.
“They’s a wonderful rough sea runnin’,” he remarked when he finally
sat down. “I’m thinkin’ we’ll not be gettin’ out o’ here for two days
yet. Th’ wind’s shifted t’ th’ west’ard an’ she’s blowin’ a gale, an’
she’s kickin’ up a sea as won’t settle in a day after th’ blow stops.”
Dan’s weather prophecy proved quite correct, and three days passed
before they were permitted by weather and sea to break camp and resume
their journey. Paul’s wounds were not serious, though the deep
scratches he had received were painful and troublesome. However, he
was able while they remained ashore to attend to camp duties, while
Dan hunted.
Under Dan’s direction he roasted the four quarters of lynx and the
porcupine, together with another porcupine Dan had secured, as a
reserve supply of food. The porcupines were placed upon the coals and
the quills and hair thoroughly singed off, after which they were
scraped. This done, a big log fire was built. On either side and
slightly in front of the fire a stake was driven, and a pole extending
from stake to stake was tied in position. From the pole, and directly
before the fire, the porcupines and quarters of lynx were so
suspended, each at the end of a string, that they hung just high
enough to clear the ground. By occasionally twirling the string upon
which each was hung, every portion of the roasting meat was exposed to
the heat and thoroughly cooked.
Paul found Dan’s estimate of porcupine not at all overdrawn. He
declared it not unlike, and even superior to, roasted young pig; and
the lynx he insisted was equal to the finest veal.
Dan’s hunting during this period brought them, besides the second
porcupine, forty more ptarmigans and three snowshoe rabbits. Thus when
they broke camp they were not only well fed but were well supplied
with provisions for several days.
It was early dawn of a keen, cold morning when they turned toward the
boat with the outfit on their backs. The frost crackled under foot,
and when the sun broke out, as they were crossing the berry-covered
ridge, it set the frost-covered earth sparkling and scintillating,
transforming it into a fairy world strewn with diamonds.
From the hilltop they could see the sea stretching far away to the
eastward in a silvery, shimmering sheen.
“Isn’t it immense!” exclaimed Paul, as they sat beside their packs for
a brief rest. “I’ve learned to love the sea, in spite of the rough way
it’s knocked us about, and I’ll be mighty glad to be afloat again.”
“’Tis wonderful fine,” admitted Dan, rising to lead the way down.
A gentle swell was running, and with a good sailing breeze from the
northwest they made excellent progress. To their astonishment,
however, they discovered early in the afternoon a long coast line,
just discernible, directly east of them.
“Now this must be a bay we’re runnin’ into,” suggested Dan when this
new coast was discovered, “and I’m thinkin’ ’t will be best to cross
un, for if we runs t’ th’ head of un we’ll be losin’ a rare lot o’
time.”
Accordingly they took an easterly course, and with sunset made a
comfortable landing and cheerful camp, where driftwood in plenty was
to be found for their stove. It was a cozy, snug camp, and a savory
supper of hot broth and boiled birds, added to the satisfaction of
having accomplished a good day’s voyage to the southward, made them
very jolly and happy.
When they had eaten Dan produced his harmonica and blew a few notes.
Suddenly he ceased the music and listened intently, then springing to
his feet left the tent. Paul, aware that something of importance had
happened, was close at his heels. Outside Dan listened again, keeping
silence for several minutes. Then he asked excitedly:
“Does you hear un? Does you hear un?”
“Yes, what is it?” asked Paul, also excited. “Wolves?”
“Dogs! ’Tis husky dogs! They’s huskies clost by t’ th’ east’ard, an’
them’s their dogs howlin’! Hear un!”
They were silent again for a moment, to be certain that there was no
mistake, and as the distant “How-oo, how-oo, how-oo” came up from the
eastward, Paul shouted:
“Hurrah! Hurrah!” and then threw his cap in the air in an ecstasy of
delight.
“They’s down t’ th’ east’ard, an’ we’ll sure see un tomorrow,” said
Dan. “When I first hears un in th’ tent, I were thinkin’ ’t were
wolves howlin’, they howls so like wolves. But ’t ain’t wolves, ’tis
sure husky dogs.”
“And tomorrow we’ll meet people again, even if they are huskies, and
our troubles will be ended! Oh, Dan, I’m so thankful I can hardly
contain myself!”
They sat and talked about home and the hope of the morrow until late,
and even when they did lie down excitement and anticipation kept them
still talking and awake until at last they fell into restless sleep.
Long before daybreak Dan arose very quietly for a look at the weather
and to light the fire, but quiet as he was Paul heard him. “Is it time
to get up, Dan?” he asked.
“’T will soon be time,” answered Dan. “I wakes an’ gets up, for we’re
wantin’ t’ be early, sure, so’s t’ be fair ready t’ start soon’s we
can see.”
“I can hardly wait to get away!” exclaimed Paul.
Breakfast was eaten in darkness, and the boat loaded and ready for the
start before the first hint of dawn appeared in the east. In spite of
their impatience Dan deemed it unwise, however, to venture upon the
unknown waters until it was sufficiently light to avoid submerged
reefs and treacherous bars, and for nearly an hour they were compelled
to walk up and down the shore to keep warm, for the morning was
stinging cold. At length Dan announced:
“We may’s well be goin’ now. ’T is fair light.”
They hugged the shore closely, turning the boat into every cove and
bight, that there might be no possibility of missing the Eskimos for
whom they were looking.
“There!” said Dan at length. “There they is!”
Deep down in a cove, in a shelter of a towering ledge of rocks, stood
a skin tupek of the Eskimos. Two men and some women and children, who
had discovered the approaching boat even before Dan had discovered
them, were watching them curiously from the beach.
The welcome was most hospitable, as the welcome of Eskimos always is,
everyone shaking hands with Paul and Dan, laughing and greeting them
with “Oksunae.”
Presently they learned that one of the men could speak broken English,
and Dan related to him, making him understand with some difficulty,
their adventures.
“Kablunok soon,” said he, “close.”
“No understand. What’s ‘kablunok’?” Dan asked.
“Kablunok, white man. Very close.”
“Where is un?”
“Post; there,” pointing south. “Very close. Mr. MacTavish.”
The Eskimos indicated a direction apparently inland from their
position.
“No water?” asked Dan. “We walk?”
[Illustration: The Eskimos were watching them curiously from the
beach]
“No; water plenty. Big point,” explained the Eskimo, drawing on the
sand two parallel lines, rounded together at one end. “Land,” he
explained. “We here,” indicating a point on one side of it, “post
here,” indicating another point almost directly opposite. “Umiak,
boat, sail round.”
This made the situation clear to Dan. The Eskimo encampment was on one
side of a long, narrow peninsula, while on the opposite side of the
peninsula was located a trading post, and by sailing around the
extreme point of the peninsula they would presently reach the post.
The lads were anxious to proceed at once, but the Eskimos insisted
upon their drinking some hot tea which one of the women had prepared.
They then said adieu to their friends, and with light hearts and high
expectations resumed their journey, which they felt was now, with all
its hardships and uncertainties, soon to end.
Early in the forenoon the sun disappeared behind thickening gray
clouds, and before midday, when they rounded the point, an early
storm was threatening. But the young wanderers gave small thought to
this, for presently they were to reach the post, where they would be
secure from wintry blast and driving snow. In their impatience the
time passed tediously, and dusk was settling when at last Dan
exclaimed:
“There she is! There’s th’ post!”
Lying back from the shore were the low white buildings of Fort
Reliance, a famous post of the Hudson Bay Company. Smoke was rising
from its chimneys, and as they looked lights began to flicker in the
windows. Behind the post rose rugged, barren hills of storm-scoured
rocks. On a flat bit of ground to the westward of the buildings Indian
campfires lighted the thickening gloom, and in dark silhouette Indian
tepees stood out against the sky line. But despite its austere setting
and bleak surroundings, old Fort Reliance appealed to the two
expectant, weather-beaten youths as the most attractive haven on
earth.
It was quite dark when the bow of their boat finally grated upon the
gravelly beach below the post. The landing was deserted, save by
skulking, sinister-looking wolf dogs which prowled about, snarling at
one another, ever ready to attack the unwary man or beast that fell in
their way.
The first flakes of the coming snowstorm were falling as the boys
sprang ashore and made fast their boat. This secured, they followed a
well-beaten path to the door of a long, low building whose cheerfully
lighted windows bespoke warmth and comfort within. On the threshold
they hesitated for a moment, then Dan knocked boldly upon the door.
“Come in,” a voice called.
Paul took the lead, and entering they found themselves in a large
square room, lighted by kerosene lamps and heated by a big wood stove
which crackled a cheery welcome. Next the walls were several desks,
two of them occupied by young men busily engaged with their pens.
“Why, hello,” said the one near the door. “I thought it was one of the
men. Are you up from York factory?”
“No,” answered Paul, “we came from the north. We got lost in the fog,
and our ship got away without us.” With this introduction he told the
story briefly of their experiences. “And,” continued he, “we want to
put up here until a ship comes for us. I suppose that won’t be until
next summer, but my father will send it then, and he’ll pay your
bill.”
“You’ll have to talk with Mr. MacTavish, the master of the post, about
that. He’ll be in soon. Sit down.”
Presently the door opened, and a tall, broad-shouldered, powerful man,
with full gray beard and shrewd eyes, entered. The young man stepped
smartly forward.
“These young fellows went adrift from their ship somewhere to the
northward, sir,” said he. “They’ve worked their way down here in a
small boat, and they want to be put up for the winter.”
Paul and Dan had respectfully risen to their feet. Mr. MacTavish’s
appearance as he surveyed them was anything but reassuring. There was
a certain hard look about his eyes and mouth that was repelling. His
attitude was not cordial, even before he spoke.
“Do you want to buy provisions?”
“No,” answered Paul, “we want to put up here for the winter.”
“This isn’t a hotel; it’s a Hudson Bay trading post. If you want to
pitch your tent, one of the men will point you out a good place, and
you can buy provisions at the shop.”
“But,” said Paul, his heart sinking, “we haven’t any money,” and he
proceeded again to relate with detail the story of their adventures.
“My father is rich,” he added, “and he’ll pay all our expenses when
the ship comes for us. You must have heard of him. He is John
Densmore, president of the Atlantic and Pacific Steamship Company, and
the head of a lot of other big companies.”
“I tell you this isn’t a hotel, young man, and even if your father is
all you say, it’s no recommendation to me. I don’t like you Americans.
But to be plain, I don’t believe your yarn. I know your type. You’ve
deserted from a whaler, and you probably stole the boat you have. I
can harbor neither thieves nor deserters,” and he turned toward one of
the desks in dismissal of them.
For a moment Paul was quite stupefied with the affront. Then his pride
and a sense of deep injustice roused his antagonism, and, stepping
before the bulky figure of Factor MacTavish, he exclaimed:
“Do you mean to call us deserters and thieves? You’re the head of this
place and you can do as you want to about giving us a place to stay,
but you can’t call us thieves and deserters. I want you to understand
I’m a gentleman, and I won’t be spoken to in this way by one like
you.”
With this outbreak Paul’s lips began to tremble, and he was at the
point of tears. Factor MacTavish was taken wholly by surprise. He was
accustomed to browbeat and insult the natives and people under him,
and none ever ventured a retort. Here was a different type of person.
He had expected a cringing appeal to follow his cruel charge. But
instead this youth, placing honor and good name above any
consideration of personal comfort and safety, boldly defied him. Here
certainly was a youth of spirit and of courage, and he admired the
characteristics. The big man looked down at Paul in silent, amused
astonishment. This attitude angered Paul almost beyond restraint. His
eyes flashed, he doubled his fists, and swallowing his emotion,
blurted out:
“I feel like striking you! You’re a big coward to speak to two boys
that way!”
[Illustration: “You are a big coward”]
Dan had until now kept silent. Paul’s speech quite dumbfounded him for
a moment, but quickly aware that his friend was thoroughly in earnest
in the threat, and fearing that he would actually attack the big man,
he grabbed Paul’s arm and drew him back.
“Don’t strike un, Paul! Don’t strike un!” Dan exclaimed. “’T will do
no good. He knows what he says ain’t true, an’ we know it ain’t true.
Dad says when a feller knows he’s right, an’ he knows th’ Lord knows
he’s right, it don’t matter what folks says or thinks.”
Factor MacTavish laughed, and in the laugh was a note of good humor.
The defiance of these two lads scarcely reaching to his shoulder
amused him, and he could not but admire the display of courage in the
face of odds.
“Well, you’ve got some spunk, and I like spunk. You may stay over
night. It’s snowing, and you’d better go to the men’s house for
tonight. We always put up travelers one night. James,” to one of the
clerks, “show them the men’s house.”
“We won’t stay a single night unless you take back what you said about
our being thieves and deserters,” broke in Paul, his defiant attitude
unabated. “We’re honest, and we’re not beggars crawling after you.”
“I don’t know whether you’re honest or not, or anything about you. You
may be what you say you are. Now, if you want to accept a night’s
lodging, it’s open to you, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. James, show
these boys to the men’s house.”
“You say you were wrong in calling us thieves?” insisted Paul.
“Perhaps I was. We won’t talk about it now,” and he turned to one of
the desks to put an end to the discussion.
“We’ll take that for an apology,” said Paul, somewhat mollified.
“Thank you.”
James, the clerk, introduced them to the men’s house, and presently
they had their things under cover, secure from the now heavily falling
snow, and ate their supper of cold roast lynx from their own larder,
supplemented by a pot of hot tea generously donated by the half-breed
Indian cook.
CHAPTER XIII
WINTER SHELTER AND HARD WORK
“Paul,” said Dan, after the half-breed cook who brought them the tea
had returned to his preparation of supper, “you’re wonderful brave.
I’m thinkin’ now you would have hit th’ master if I hadn’t been
interferin’.”
“I’m afraid I would, and then he’d have pitched us both out,” admitted
Paul. “It wasn’t because I was brave, though, but I was mad all
through when he called us thieves. Think of it!”
“’T were brave o’ you. I’m thinkin’ you’d fight anything if ’t were
called for. But when we gets on th’ ice pan, first off, I were
misjudgin’ you; you seemed scared and I were thinkin’ you timid.
You’re a rare lot braver ’n me.”
“No, I’m not, Dan.”
“Yes you is. See th’ way you fit th’ lynx, an’ killed un, too. An’
th’ way you stands up t’ that man is sure wonderful.”
“I had to fight the lynx; it made me. And that man’s a big coward.
What do you suppose he’s going to do with us? Turn us out in the snow
to starve or freeze to death? I feel as though I’d like to punch him
now!” And Paul clenched his fists. “Called us thieves! Why, Dan, I
never had any reason to steal, and you wouldn’t take a pin that didn’t
belong to you.”
“Neither of us would steal, an’ I’m thinkin’ he knows un well enough.”
“What shall we do if he turns us out?”
“’Tis hard t’ say. I’m thinkin’ we’ll be goin’ back in th’ bush, an’
stop t’ hunt when we finds a good place.”
The wind had risen to a tempest, and it shrieked and howled around the
building now in a way that made the boys appreciate the snug warmth of
the shelter, and led Dan to remark:
“We needs clothes. We’ll be sure freezin’ t’ death without un, an’ th’
cold weather comin’ on.”
Somewhere outside a bell clanged several strokes. Presently the door
opened, and three men, shaking snow from their caps and stamping it
from their feet, entered.
“’Tis a wild nicht,” said one, a big, grizzly bearded fellow, after
they had formally greeted Paul and Dan. “Ye arrived just in time,
laddies. Are ye up from York Factory?”
“No,” answered Paul, “we came from the north.”
“And how, now, could that be? The ship’s away this lang time.”
Paul explained briefly how they had gone adrift, and their subsequent
adventures, up to the time of meeting Factor MacTavish.
“My name,” he added, “is Paul Densmore, and my friend is Dan Rudd.”
“I’m glad t’ meet ye lads. My name is Tammas Ferguson, and this is
Sam’l Hogart, and this Amos Tupper,” introducing his companions.
During this conversation and ceremony the men were washing and
preparing for supper, and as they sat down Amos invited:
“Set in to the tyble, and ’ave a bite to heat.”
“Thank you, we’ve eaten,” answered Paul.
“Coom, laddies, and have a bite mair,” urged Tammas. “’T will do ye no
harm this cowld nicht.”
Chuck, the half-breed cook, at this juncture placed a plate piled high
with bread upon the table, and this offered a temptation too great to
resist. They were longing for bread above all things in the world, and
with a “Thank you” they took the seats assigned them without further
objection.
“Ye’ll be bidin’ wi’ us the winter, and ye must no be backward,”
encouraged Tammas.
They were not in the least backward. They ate a great deal of Chuck’s
indifferent, soggy bread, sopped in black molasses, and thought it
delicious, and each drank at least three cups of strong tea.
“And did ye see the master?” asked Tammas when supper was over and all
were seated about the hot stove.
“Yes,” answered Paul, “and he told us we could stay only tonight.”
“Did he say that now?”
“’E needs men. ’E’s short’anded, and ’e needs more men,” broke in
Amos. “Tomorrow ’e’ll be hengaging you.”
“There’s no doot o’ that. So don’t worry, lads, aboot the morrow,”
encouraged Tammas.
The men filled their pipes with tobacco cut from black plugs, and
chatted with each other and the boys, whom they drew hospitably into
their group. Dan played several airs upon his harmonica, to their
great delight, and Paul described the wonders of New York, which Amos
always endeavored to discount with descriptions of what he considered
the greater wonders of London.
When bedtime finally came, Tammas stepped out of doors for “a look at
the weather.”
“’Tis an awfu’ nicht,” he announced upon his return. “’Tis fortunate
you lads made post as ye did. Ye’d ha’ perished in the cowld and snow
of this nicht.”
Paul and Dan spread their blankets on the floor, and very thankful
they were for the shelter. Outside the wind howled dismally, and
dashed the snow against the windows.
Morning brought no abatement of the storm. If possible the snow fell
more thickly and the wind blew more fiercely. The office building, ten
yards from the door of the men’s house, could scarcely be made out,
and the boys rejoiced anew at their safety.
Breakfast was eaten by lamplight. Tammas insisted that the lads join
in the meal, and when the bell clanged to call the men to work, he
admonished:
“If the master is hard, and says ye canna’ remain, coom to me at the
smithy. I’ll ne’er be seein’ ye turned out in this awfu’ storm, an’
neither will Sam’l or Amos. If there’s no ither way, we’ll pay for
your keep.”
“Aye, that we will,” assented both Amos and Samuel.
“Thank you,” said Paul. “If you do, my father will pay you back.”
“The master’s apt to be ’ard, but stand up to ’im. ’E likes men with
grit to stand up and face ’im,” advised Amos, as the three went out to
their work.
“Well, those are men with hearts, and true friends, and even if they
are rough looking, they’re gentlemen,” remarked Paul, as the door
closed.
“’T ain’t clothes or money as makes a man,” said Dan. “Dad says ’tis
th’ heart under th’ shirt.”
They dreaded the meeting with David MacTavish, the factor, and for
half an hour they hesitated to face the ordeal.
“But they ain’t no use puttin’ un off,” suggested Dan, finally, after
they had discussed at some length the probable outcome of the coming
interview. “What we has t’ do, we has t’ do, an’ th’ sooner ’tis done
th’ sooner ’tis over. An’ you knows wonderful well, Paul, how t’ talk
t’ he.”
“I’m not afraid of him,” declared Paul, working up his courage. “Let’s
go now and see if he’s in the office.”
Factor MacTavish was in his office, busy with accounts, when they
entered, but for full ten minutes he ignored their presence. Finally
looking up he said, in a much pleasanter tone than that of the
previous evening:
“Come here, boys.”
They stepped up to his desk.
“How did you pass the night?” he asked.
“Very comfortably, thank you,” answered Paul.
“I’ve been thinking about you fellows, and I’ve decided to let you
remain at the post and work for your living. We’re shorthanded, and
it’s mighty lucky for you that we are, for we can’t keep hangers-on
and idlers around here. You--what is your name?”
“Paul Densmore.”
“You go over to the blacksmith’s shop, and help Thomas Ferguson, and
do whatever he wants you to do. And you other fellow, what’s your
name?”
“Dan’l Rudd, sir.”
“You can help Amos Tupper in the cooper shop.”
“Yes, sir.”
“When they haven’t anything for you to do, there’s plenty of wood to
saw and split, and enough to keep you busy. Now get out.”
Then Paul and Dan turned to go.
“Hold on! You’ll stay in the men’s house with the others. Are those
the only clothes you have?”
“All except some underclothes,” answered Paul.
“Well, they’ll not be enough for winter. James,” to the chief clerk,
“have adikeys made for these fellows, and some duffel socks and
deerskin moccasins, and a pair of mittens for each. Now if you fellows
prove yourselves useful you can stay here for the winter, and if you
don’t I’ll kick you both out of the post. You may go.”
It was an effort for Paul to restrain himself from making a defiant
reply, but he realized in time that this might get them into trouble.
He felt incensed that his word had not been taken, when he promised
that his father would pay his own and Dan’s expenses. He was on the
whole very glad, however, that even this arrangement had been made,
for the storm had brought him a realization of the fruitlessness of
any attempt to live in the open with their insufficient equipment,
together with the uncertainty of killing sufficient game to sustain
them.
And so Paul Densmore, the only son of a king of finance, a youth who
would one day be a multi-millionaire in his own right, was glad
enough to earn his living as a common laborer.
CHAPTER XIV
A LONELY CHRISTMAS
Dan had been accustomed to work and exposure all his life, and he
found his new employment, on the whole, not disagreeable. Paul’s
experiences after they had gone adrift had to some extent prepared
him, also, for the tasks he was now called upon to perform, and at the
end of a week he became fairly well reconciled to his position.
Aside from giving them a curt order now and again, Factor MacTavish
rarely spoke to either of them. He invariably treated them as ordinary
menials--as he treated the unskilled half-breed servants--useful
auxiliaries to the post life, just as the dogs were useful
auxiliaries, and save for the fact that he did not kick or beat them,
he gave them little more consideration than he gave the dogs.
In accordance with the factor’s instructions, James Benton, the chief
clerk, or “clark” as he called himself, supplied each of them with
two suits of heavy underwear; a kersey cloth adikey--an Eskimo garment
which was pulled over the head like a shirt and was supplied with a
hood--an outer adikey made like the other but of smooth cotton cloth,
to shed the snow; three pairs of duffel socks made from heavy woolen
cloth; a pair of deerskin moccasins made by an Indian woman; a pair of
moleskin leggings; and warm mittens; and each was given a pair of
bearspaw snowshoes, without which it would have been quite impossible
to have walked in the deep snow.
Each outfit, the clerk informed them, was valued at eighteen dollars,
and each boy was charged with this amount on the company’s books. They
were each to receive their board and three dollars a month wages, the
three dollars not to be paid them in money but to be credited to their
account until the debt of eighteen dollars was balanced.
Though they had arrived in mid-October, and had begun work at once,
Factor MacTavish argued that until they had become accustomed to the
duties required of them they would be of little value, and therefore
decreed that the munificent wage of three dollars a month should not
begin until November. Therefore, they were told, they were virtually
bound to the service of the company, with no freedom to leave the
post, until the following May, when, if no other purchases were made
in the meantime, their debt would be balanced and they would be free
to go where they pleased.
“Now if you want the outfit, and want to stay, you’ll have to agree to
these terms in writing,” said the clerk. “If you don’t sign a written
agreement you’ll have to leave the reservation at once.”
Thus they were forced to become the victims of a system of peonage,
for they had no choice but to sign the agreement.
The lads felt the injustice of this treatment keenly. They were well
aware that the value of their work would be many times greater than
the amount of wages allowed them, but they were wholly at the mercy of
the factor.
“It’s an outrage!” exclaimed Paul when he and Dan were alone. “We
earn a lot more than three dollars a month. Why Father used to allow
me a hundred dollars a month for spending money.”
“Yes,” said Dan, “we earns anyway ten dollars a month. He’s a
wonderful hard man. But we’ll have t’ put up with un, I’m thinkin’.”
“He’s got us here,” complained Paul, “and he knows we can’t get away,
and he’s going to make all he can out of us. The old skinflint!”
“He’s sure a hard un,” admitted Dan, “but we’ll have t’ put up with
un. Dad says that kind o’ man always gets what’s comin’ to un some
time, an’ what’s comin’ to un ain’t what they likes, neither.”
“And he pretends he’s doing us a great favor! The old pirate!”
“They’s no use thinkin’ about un. Dad says when th’ wind’s ag’in ye,
don’t get worked up about un, an’ cross. Take un cheerful, an’ be
happy anyway, an’ she’ll shift around fair after awhile.”
So they gave no hint of discontent, but went cheerfully about the
tasks assigned them, as though they really enjoyed them, though much
of the philosophy of Dan’s “Dad” had to be evoked at times when their
spirits flagged, to drive back rising discontent.
But they had enough to eat, and with their new clothing, supplemented
by the things they already had, they were warmly enough clad, even
when the short days of December came, with biting, bitter cold.
The storm which overtook them on the evening of their arrival at Fort
Reliance, continued intermittently for several days. It was the first
real storm of winter. Steadily the weather grew colder. By
mid-November the bay was frozen solidly as far as eye could reach.
The Indians, save two or three old men and women who did odd chores
around the post, had packed their belongings on toboggans in the first
lull in the storm, two days after the arrival of Paul and Dan, and the
western wilderness had swallowed them in its mysterious depths.
Post life was exceedingly quiet and humdrum, although it possessed
something of spice and novelty for the lads, particularly Paul. The
dogs always interested him when they were harnessed to the sledge by
Jerry, the half-breed Eskimo servant, and he was always glad to be
detailed to accompany Jerry and the team when they were engaged in
hauling firewood from the near-by forest. The impetuosity and dash of
the dogs upon leaving home, and Jerry’s management of them and the
sledge, filled Paul with admiration. But Paul was especially
fascinated by Jerry’s dexterity in handling the long walrus hide whip,
full thirty feet in length. With it Jerry could reach any lagging dog
in the team with unerring aim. He could flick a spot no bigger than a
dime with the tip of the lash, and he could crack the whip at will
with reports like pistol shots.
Under Jerry’s instruction Paul practiced the manipulation of the whip
himself, at every opportunity, and he considered it quite an
accomplishment when he was able to bring the lash forward and lay it
out at full length in front of him. In his early attempts to do this
he generally wrapped it around his legs, and occasionally gave himself
a stinging blow with the tip end in the back of his neck. But with
patient practice he at length found that he could not only strike an
object aimed at with considerable skill, but could crack the whip at
nearly every attempt.
Jerry was always good natured and indulgent. He taught Paul the knack
of managing the dogs and sledge, and at length permitted him to drive
the team upon level, easy stretches of trail. On steep down grades,
however, where the dogs dashed at top speed and the loaded sledge in
its mad rush seemed ever on the point of turning over or smashing
against a stump or rock, he had no desire to try his skill and
strength.
But these excursions with the dogs were practically the only
adventures that came to the boys. Generally they were kept busy at the
woodpile, one at either end of a cross-cut saw, cutting the long wood
into stove lengths, and splitting it into proper size; or, when the
weather was too stormy for out-of-door employment, Paul assisted
Tammas in the blacksmith shop while Dan was kept from idleness by
Amos in the cooperage.
Paul was always glad to be with Tammas, who had in a sense adopted
both lads, and assumed a fatherly interest in their welfare. He was
kindness itself, though he never failed to correct them when he deemed
it necessary. Under his instruction Paul soon learned a great deal
about the handling of tools and the working of iron. The greatest
drudgery, it seemed to the boys, that fell to their lot was the weekly
duty of cleaning the offices and scrubbing the unpainted furniture and
floors to a whiteness satisfactory to the factor.
The day before Christmas dawned bitterly cold. The snow creaked under
foot. Everything was covered with frost rime. The atmospheric moisture
hung suspended in the air in minute frozen particles. When the sun
reluctantly rose, it shone faintly through the gauzy veil of rime, and
gave forth no warmth to the starved and frozen earth.
Paul and Dan were assigned to the woodpile for the day. All forenoon
they sawed and split, working for the most part in silence, for they
were filled with thoughts of other Christmas eves, and the loved ones
at home.
“I wonder if we’ll have to work tomorrow?” asked Paul, when they
returned to the saw after dinner.
“I’m thinkin’ not,” answered Dan. “Amos were sayin’ they keeps
Christmas as a holiday.”
“If we don’t have to, I want to get out in the bush, away from here,
anywhere. I’ll be homesick if I spend Christmas in this place. Can’t
we go for a hunt back in the timber, and have a camp fire and a good
time?”
“’Twould be fine!” agreed Dan. “Now I were thinkin’ of just that
myself. I’m wantin’ t’ get off somewheres wonderful bad. I’ve been a
bit lonesome all day, thinkin’ of home an what they’s doin’ there,
an’ whether they misses me.”
Dan’s voice choked, and for the first time since their acquaintance
began Paul saw tears in his eyes. Dan hastily brushed them away with
his mittened hand, ashamed of giving way to his feelings, and
continued more cheerfully:
“Mother’s like t’ worry a bit, but Dad won’t let she. Dad’ll be
tellin’ she we’re all right. Dad’ll not be fearin’ I can’t take care
of myself.”
“I’ve been thinking about my father and mother too--and what they’re
doing, and whether they miss me much. We always have such a jolly time
on Christmas. Mother gave me this watch last Christmas,” and Paul took
his fine gold watch from his pocket, caressed it and returned it to
its place again. “It’s a nifty one,” he continued. “Father gave me my
pony--the black pony I told you about--‘Pluto’ I call him. But Mother
was always afraid he’d hurt me, and never let me go riding alone. Old
John--he’s the groom--went with me, and he just kept me to a walk.
There wasn’t much fun in that and I soon got tired poking along and
didn’t go out much. When I get home again, though, I’m going to have
fun with Pluto, and Old John can stay at home.”
“Your father must be wonderful rich. I never did be a-horseback, but I
has one o’ the smartest punts in Ragged Cove. Dad made un an’ gives
un t’ me. I’m thinkin’ I likes a punt better ’n a horse.”
And so they talked on as they worked, until darkness came, and they
left the woodpile to fill in the time until the bell called them to
supper, giving Tammas and Amos a hand, Paul in the blacksmith shop,
Dan in the cooperage.
When at length the clanging bell called them from work, and they sat
down to supper, Tammas announced:
“Weel, laddies, ye’ve earned the holiday ye’ll have tomorrow. I’m not
given to praisin’ mair than is a just due, but I may say fairly ye’ve
weel earned the holiday.”
“We’ll have the holiday, then?” asked Paul eagerly. “Can we do as we
want to?”
“Aye, lad, ye may do as ye wishes. There’s t’ be na work on Christmas
day.”
“Dan and I were wondering about it. We’ll go hunting, I guess.”
“We’ll be startin’ with daybreak,” said Dan.
“Ye must na be missin’ the plum duff at dinner, laddies.”
“We want to get away. It is too bad to have to miss plum duff, but I
guess we’ll have to let it slide, unless Chuck saves some for us.”
“Have na fear o’ that. I’ll see he saves ye a full share. Go huntin’
if ye’ve set your hearts on goin’, laddies.”
They were away at daybreak. The air was still and piercing cold,
driving them to a smart trot to keep their blood in circulation. Dan
was an old hand on snowshoes and Paul had already become so adept in
their use that he jogged along and kept the pace set by Dan with
little difficulty.
They took with them their frying pan, their teakettle (a light
aluminum pail) and two cups. Their provisions consisted of a small
piece of fat pork, some bread, tea, salt and a bottle of black
molasses--for here molasses was used to sweeten tea instead of
sugar--which Chuck gave them for their dinner. Each carried a share of
the equipment slung upon his back in one of their camp bags.
Paul took his shotgun, Dan the axe and Paul’s rifle, for the
cartridges for his own rifle were nearly gone. They had no intention
of making an extended hunting trip. Their chief object was a pleasant
bivouac in the forest, where they could enjoy an open fire and freedom
from post restraints.
First they made for the willows that lined the river bank two miles
above the post. Tammas had told them they were certain to find large
flocks of ptarmigans there, feeding upon the tender tops of the
bushes. This proved to be the case, and without difficulty Paul
secured a half dozen of the birds with his shotgun.
Not far beyond they halted among the thick spruce trees, and made a
rousing camp-fire. Then Dan with the axe built a lean-to facing the
fire, while Paul broke spruce boughs with which to thatch it, and for
their seat.
These preparations completed, and the ptarmigans plucked, they lounged
back upon the boughs under the shelter of the lean-to, to chat about
their homes, their plans, and their home-going, until time to cook
dinner.
Two of the ptarmigans were fried with pork, and the bread was toasted,
for variety, and it is safe to say that nowhere in the wide world was
a banquet eaten that Christmas day with keener relish or greater
enjoyment than this simple meal in that far-away spruce-clad
wilderness.
Dinner eaten and dishes washed, Dan piled fresh wood upon the fire,
and the boys spread themselves luxuriously upon the boughs to bask in
the warmth. Paul lay gazing into the blaze, quite lost in thought,
while Dan played his harmonica.
One of Dan’s favorite tunes was “Over the Hills and Far Away.”
Presently he struck up the air, and immediately a melodious tenor
voice, singing to the accompaniment of Dan’s music, began:
“Tom he was a piper’s son,
He learned to play when he was young;
But all the tune that he could play,
Was ‘Over the hills and far away.’”
The boys were startled. They had heard no one approach, and they
sprang to their feet.
Standing by the fire opposite them was a tall, lank man of middle age.
In the hollow of his left arm a rifle rested. He was dressed as a
trapper--a fur cap, buckskin capote, buckskin leggins, and moccasins.
Beside him stood an Indian, similarly dressed and nearly as tall and
lank as himself.
[Illustration: The boys were startled. They had heard no one
approach]
CHAPTER XV
THE TRAPPER FROM INDIAN LAKE
The stranger laughed at the startled boys, who gazed at him and the
Indian in mute surprise. Wrinkles at the corners of his gray-blue eyes
indicated habitual good humor. The eyes themselves seemed always to
smile, even when his lips did not.
“You were having such a good time,” said he, in a rich, well-modulated
voice, “that I disliked to disturb you, but it has been so long since
I saw a white face that I had to do it.”
“We’re mighty glad you did,” answered Paul, who instinctively felt
that in spite of his rough exterior and dress their visitor was well
bred and cultured. “Won’t you sit down?” he continued. “We’re just out
from the post enjoying the holiday.”
“Thank you, we will join you, and perhaps return to the post with you,
if you don’t mind.” He kicked off his snowshoes, stuck them upright
in the snow at the end of the lean-to, the Indian following his
example. Then extending his hand to each of the boys he said, by way
of introduction:
“My name is Charles Amesbury. I’m trapping back in the Indian Lake
country. My friend here is Ahmik, though you will hear them call him
John Buck at the post.”
“My name is Paul Densmore.”
“Mine’s Dan’l Rudd.”
“How do?” said the Indian, following his companion’s example and
shaking hands.
“You seem to be having a cozy time he
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