(1890) To Win Or To Die By George Manville Fenn

TO WIN OR TO DIE A TALE OF THE KLONDIKE GOLD CRAZE

BY

G.

MANVILLE FENN

AUTHOR OF " THE ADVENTURES OF DON LAVINGTON,'* " IN HONOUR'S CAUSE," "CORMORANT CRAG," ETC., ETC.

ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL HARDY

LONDON S.

PARTRIDGE

W. 8

&

9,

& CO

PATERNOSTER ROW

re

m he!

*r^

«

w E3 t-

O CO

Wv

o o

*$ *&

U

P

^

TO WIN OR TO DIE

CONTENTS. CHAP. I.

II.

III.

IV.

V. VI.

VII. VIII.

IX.

X. XI. XII. XIII.

XIV.

PAGE

A BREAK-DOWN FALLEN AMONG THIEVES IN THE DARK NATURE'S MISTAKE

41

HAND

48

IN

XVI. XVII. XVIII.

XIX.

19

32

HAND

A STRANGE MADNESS

6O

FEVERED DREAMS

68

.

THE FIGHT FOR LIFE UNDER PRESSURE A HUMAN FOSSIL A COWARD BLOW WHOLESALE ROBBERY MAKING THE BEST OF IT FROM THE FRYING-PAN INTO THE WET

74

.

FIRE* XV.

II

.

100

.

ill

«...

123 131

139

"THOSE BORN TO BE HANGED" A PLUNGE INTO HOT QUARTERS A TRIAL FOR LIFE HANGING BY A THREAD

153

TO SAVE A SNARLING CUR

195

7

.

160 175

184

CONTENTS.

8 CHAP.

PAGE

XX. NORTON'S IDEA OF XXI. XXII. XXIII.

A GOOD SPOT

TREGELLY SEEKS HIS SONS A NIGHT ALARM

.

.... .

.

NIGHT ALARM

XXV. DAL'S

WELCOME BACK

.

.

.

250

.

.

.

260

A GOLD TRAP THE STARTING OF A BODYGUARD A STRANGE DISCOVERY

268

ONE GETS

XXVI. TREGELLY'S IDEA OF

XXIX.

.

HIS DESERTS

XXX. A STAGGERING BLOW

XXXIII.

XXXIV.

XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVII. XXXVIII.

XXXIX. XL. XLI.

279 288

.

.

.

.

.

.

296

.

.

.

304

WARNING 312 THE ENEMY IN THE DARK 320 A DEATH SHRIEK -333 THE STRIKING OF ANOTHER MATCH 34I THE HELP THAT CAME LATE 349 BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH -355 WHEN SLEEP IS MASTER 366 THE RED GLOW 370 THE LAST BIVOUAC 379 THE SOLID REALITY 387 SHOWING HOW GOOD CAME OUT OF

XXXI. SCRUFF GIVES XXXII.

220

236

XXIV. ABEL'S

XXVIII.

214

BEGGING YOUR BREAD IN GOLDEN DAYS

XXVII.

206

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.... .... .... .

7

EVIL

.

.

402

1

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE

"a

burly figure had come into sight, and stood SCANNING THE RETREATING PAIR " frontispiece big,

.

.

...

83

he began at once, driving the pick into the compressed snow"

io3

"...

i43

"DALLAS WORKED ON, HOUR AFTER HOUR". ((

.

" going down the rapids '

"'want to

?

'

he shouted

see some of the gold?

well, there you

are!'"

165

"the two young men stood

and silent, expectant of the fateful words which might bring their rigid

careers to a close"

1 87

" dallas thrust the door to and stared at the object before them "

"taking

his

empty sledge, dallas started"

" he soon reduced the heavy block "

.

.

.

229 25

307

.

"it was as if the dog understood his words, for he dropped on all fours and uttered a deep-toned BAY "

327

"THE SLEDGE GREW MORE DIFFICULT TO DRAW".

.

381

AND THERE, IN THE FULL HE COULD BE SEEN POINTING "

397

" ABEL HAD RISEN TO HIS KNEES LIGHT OF THE FIRE,

.

;

.

9

TO WIN OR TO CHAPTER

DIE.

I.

A BREAK-DOWN. "

T T'S

a

lie

!

I

don't and

The speaker then he shouted, "

I

won't believe

it."

half whispered that, and

Do

you hear?"

There was a pause, and then from the face of a huge white snow-cliff there came back the word " hear." " Well done, echo!" cried the speaker. " Echo," came back. " Thankye; that's quite cheering; anything's better than that horrible silence. What do they

say

?

When

of talking to

a

himself

man it's

gets

the

in

a sign

that

habit

he

is

A man

mad ? Once more, would go mad in this awful

solitude if he didn't

hear some one speaking.

Snow, snow, snow,

going

II

it's

a

lie

!

TO WIN OR TO

12

and rock and mountain Pull

up,

donkey

!

DIE.

and ugh

;

jackass

!

idiot

!

how

cold

or

you'll

!

!

freeze to death."

The speaker was harnessed by

a looped rope

to a small, well-packed sledge, after the fashion

who tracks about but how different here no verdant flowing mead of one

along the

No

!

sunny

or hanging

wood, but winter, stern winter

and the heavy sledge, the rope,

at

now

in

answer

sticking

in

tripping

its

gliding

owner

river,

wildest,

to the tugging

amongst the

fast

down

;

summer

its

heaped-up stones frozen together

now suddenly

Thames

in

a mass,

sharp slopes and

up, so that again

and again,

he had

during an awful day's tramp,

fallen

But only to struggle up, shake the

heavily.

snow from his fur-lined coat, and continue his journey onward towards the golden land where the nuggets lay in wondrous profusion waiting the

bold

almost

adventurers

fabulous

riches

coming that

—heaped

had

lain

up,

undis-

covered since the beginning of the world.

He, the

toiler,

were

carefully

spare

clothes,

bag of fur, had

dragging that sledge,

packed blankets,

his

gun,

stores,

in

which

ammunition,

and sleeping-

started at daylight that

morning

A BREAKDOWN. from the

last

13

outpost of civilisation

able shanty at the top of the

—

a

miser-

tremendous pass

men

he had surmounted with the help of the

who occupied guides

the shanty and called themselves

and then,

;

and trusting

after repacking his sledge

landmarks ahead and a pocket compass, he had boldly set off, ready the

to

to dare every peril, for

well armed,

strong,

he was young, sanguine,

and nerved by hope and

the determination to succeed.

was

1 1

mountains,

and

its

brave

then

beyond,

valley

with

a

only

to

struggle

down

leave

into

the

over the the

river

winter behind

pain and misery, and meet the wel-

come of the summer sunshine and the gold. That morning it was winter indeed but the adventurer's heart was warm, and the way ;

mountains was

through

the

exertion

sent the

veins

he glowed as the rugged miles were

till

plain,

while the

blood tingling through his

mastered.

Then

there was the halt and a seat on the

sledge for a hasty meal upon the tough provisions

;

but

how

Then forward

delicious every mouthful was!

again, refreshed for the journey

onward, to some snugly sheltered spot where

TO WIN OR TO

14

he could camp

and sleep

for the night

fur bag, regardless of

of

DIE. his

in

any number of degrees

frost.

But as the afternoon wore

seemed

He

grow more heavy, the way wilder

to

and more

and the stoppages frequent.

stern,

unpacked and rested and refreshed him-

Then he grew cheery once

self.

sledge

the

on,

" Lightens

the

me

and

load

more.

too," he said

with a laugh, as he thrust his head through

tugged

the loop and

not seem lighter.

did

sledge

but

;

it

grew more heavy,

It

and the obstacles were But he knew he

the

at

terrible to

was

in

the

surmount. right

track

through the pathless waste of heaped-up snow.

There

was

no

mistaking

with the rocks piled up

on either

go wrong. All he had and he plodded on. "

Never mind

surmounted,"

are so

many

his

last,

as

and

Titanic

walls

he could not

that

do was

to persevere,

only yards instead of

he

muttered.

"

They

yards nearer the winning post."

unwonted

mentally

to

if it's

miles

At

like

He knew

side.

that awful gorge,

he fought exertions bodily,

his

way

beginning

he broke out

on, to

with tell

talking

A BREAK-DOWN.

15

wildly to fight back the horrible sensation of

and was brought

depression,

the sledge having

to a standstill,

jammed between two

of ice-covered rock

;

and he stood

for

blocks

some

minutes gazing round hopelessly at the

dimming in

fast

had looked picturesque the morning, but appeared awful now. " I ought to have had a companion," he scene, which

muttered, "

He

stood

look black felt

for

that

it

still,

had only been a dog." staring at the precipices on

whose chasms were beginning to then at his jammed-in sledge and

either side,

he

if

;

;

he must drag

it

out and go on again,

night was coming on, and he

could not

camp where he was. Then as he was wearily and slowly stooping down to drag the sledge back, he made a sudden bound as if electrified, tried to run, tripped,

For

and

all

a terrible

at

fell

heavily.

once there was a roar

rushing sound,

the echoes of the

mountains seemed to have been his hair

began to

tion gathered

bristle,

Away up

let loose,

and

while a cold perspira-

on his face as he listened to the

sounds dying away "

like thunder,

in

rumbling whispers.

to the right,"

he said

to himself

TO WIN OR TO

16

DIE.

as he gazed in that direction, realising that

it

Thuubands of tuns had gone down somewhere out of sight but he was safe, and giving the sledge a jerk, he set wab a

biiuwfcill.

;

it

free,

for

guided

another

it

over the snow, and prepared

start.

But that avalanche had somewhat unnerved him, for he had been looking out for a place to

camp, and

coming

now seemed madness

it

to think of

to a halt there.

" Must find a safer place," he thought; and

now

dangers began to

fresh

selves.

tains

?

Would

mounCertainly there must be bears and there be wolves in these

;

dragging off one of his big took

suggest them-

out

replacing

and examined it

revolver,

his

He

in its leather holster.

too, at his rifle in its

gloves,

fur

he

before

glanced,

woollen case, bound on

the top of the loaded sledge. "

Bah

!

muttered.

how cowardly one " Of course, there

troubles to face. is.

Now,

will

I'm fagged

—

be

that's

then, old fellow, gee up!

in the first sheltered

find

can turn

one soon.

and a good

nook

I

Then supper

night's

rest.

all

!

"

those

what I'll

he

it

camp

see; I'm sure to in the

Sleep

?

I

warm bag could

lie

A BREAK-DOWN. down and

17

sleep here in the snow.

That's the way.

I

Pull

up

wonder how much gold

!

I

could drag on a sledge like this?"

For quite another hour he

toiled on,

and

perhaps got over a quarter of a mile, always gazing anxiously ahead for a suitable shelter, but looking in vain.

Then he

utterly

broke down, catching his

which the darkness hid from his fast-dimming eyes and with a sob foot against a block

;

of misery as he his

at

face,

one

to

saved himself from striking

the expense of a heavy wrench

wrist,

he lay perfectly

feeling a

still,

strange drowsy sensation creeping over him. " for

This

will

not do," he cried aloud in alarm,

he knew that giving way to such a feeling

in the

snow meant resigning himself

and he painfully rose

to his

to death

;

knees, and then

remained, staring wildly before him, wondering

whether he was already dreaming. far

away, flashing and quivering in reflections

from the precipice wall on his a light which kept rising and

No fire.

as

For not

left,

there

was

falling.

dream, but the reflected light of a camp Others, bound

himself,

must

upon the same mission be close at hand and ;

TO WIN OR TO

18

now

staggering

gloved hdiidb loud echoing

The joy,

next

to

to

his

his

feet,

and the horrible

he

placed

heart beat high with

perils

of frost and dark-

ness in that unsheltered place faded

nothingness, for his

hail

his

and gave forth a

lips

"Ahoy!" moment his

DIE.

away

into

was answered from

close at hand.

"

Ahoy

"

Help!

Who

!

"

is it ? "

came echoing back.

shouted the adventurer; and then

he sank upon

his sledge with heart throbbing

and a strange giddiness attacking him.

"

CHAPTER

II.

FALLEN AMONG THIEVES.

H the

ULLO, there!" cried a rough voice. " Why don't you come on ? " and

next minute a couple of figures seemed

to start out of the darkness.

Can you lend me a "I'm fagged out " hand ? "Lend you a hand? Yes," said another "Where's your mate?" voice. " I'm alone."

"Alone? "

No, and

you help

"Got

me a

give

it

pal with

you?"

sledge has stuck

as far as your fire

sled,

Where's the I

No my

line

a hyste.

hev you? ?

Lay

That's your

?

All right,

hold,

Will

fast.

Leggy,

sort.

mate while

Come

on."

seemed like a dream, and as if all the peril and horror had passed away, as the two men dragged the sledge along and the It

19

TO WIN OR TO

2o

DIE.

adventurer staggered on beside them, halted

the ruddy light of a great

in

The

rock.

and

crackled

fire,

lit

stupendous wall of glistening

at the foot of a

ice-covered

they

till

pine-boughs

of

fire

and

up

the

face

of a third man, a big red-bearded fellow,

who

flashed,

lit

was kneeling down tending the embers and watching

camp

a

from

slung

kettle

three

the contents of which were beginning

sticks,

to steam.

"

Here we

"

rescue party.

The

It's

empty,

have

isn't

The

big

it

as

Beardy, if

Number

four's

aren't,

you'll

it

red-bearded teeth

man showed some in

a

nodded,

grin,

and pushed a blazing brand under the "Sit down, youngster," said the

Maybe "

I

you'll

shall

" Right

:

up your room."

prominent yellow

"

from

if

as the other said

Because

it ?

to give

the speaker,

at

hand behind him

his

right,

all

gent on his travels."

:

man scowled

but dropped

instinct,

"

Comp'ny

kneeling

and then put

Beardy," said one of the

are,

jyne us

at

supper

first

kettle.

speaker.

" ?

be very glad."

you

are,

and welcome!

brought anything with you,

I

suppose

'Aven't " ?

FALLEN AMONG THIEVES. " Yes,

"

I

21

have some cake and bacon."

Well done, young un.

Get

it

the red-bearded man, and, recovered

warm

out," said

somewhat

young adventurer began to unlash the load upon the sledge, the two men who had come to his aid eagerly joining in, their eyes glistening as they examined by

his

reception, the

the various objects that were set free. M

"

said Going yonder after the yaller stuff? the owner of the red beard, as they squatted

round the

fire.

" Yes."

"And

all

alone,

too?"

The traveller nodded, and held his halfnumbed hands in the warm glow, as he furtively glanced round at his companions, whose aspect

was by no means reassuring. " Well,"

continued

the

last

speaker,

"

I

dunno what Yankee Leggat thinks, and I dunno what Joey Bredge has got to say, but

w hat

says

I

is

what's about as

can do.

this. silly

You're a-going to do a thing as a

young man

)>

"Why?" "Why?"

said the

man

fiercely;

"because

you're going to try and do what no chap can

"

TO WIN OR TO

22

do

all

You've got a good

alone.

money,

s'pose

I

DIE. kit

and some

but you don't think you're

;

going to get to the gold

Of course I do." The man showed

stuff,

do you

" ?

"

yellow teeth

his

an

in

unpleasant grin> and winked at his companions.

"And

eh? 'Tain't to be done, lad. You'll be stuck up before you yet half way there by Injuns, or some o' they Yankee alone,

all

shacks yonder, stripped

and

o'

everything you've

Joey ? The man addressed nodded and grunted.

got,

"

What

Leggy "

set adrift,

should you

hay while the sun shines," said

his

" He's tumbled into a bit

us.

We

our party's

made

don't

luck,

up,

want him, seeing but

be hard on a lad as is a what he's got to go through." to

" That's so," put in the

Joey.

o'

he knows what he's about hell just stop

along with as

do,

?

Make if

say he ought to

"

the other.

and

eh,

"You

hadn't been

can't

tucked you up

it,

don't

want

bit hign'rant o'

man mate.

addressed as

Why,

if it

us you'd ha' been a hicicle

for

afore morning,

do

we

if

the bears and wolves hadn't

warm

inside.

You've got

to

FALLEN AMONG THIEVES. take a good the tins

The a

Now, Beardy, bring

offer.

done by

that soup's

;

traveller

made no

more over the

little

23

time."

thib

reply,

out

but leaned

wishing that he had

fire,

braved the dangers of the bitter

frost

and snow,

and feeling that he had been too ready to break

down

at the first

new companions the

the more he saw of his

hQ

less

By

and he was not long

liked them,

making up this

mind what

his

For

encounter with trouble.

time three big

to do.

tin cups,

which

fitted

one into the other, had been produced, and from the steaming contents of the "

We

" so

have and "

us'll

filled twice.

let

squire have

No,

quietly

thank

and

kettle.

have to do with one

it

filled

company," said the cook,

didn't expect

two of

in

You and

my "

me'll join, Joey,

was the will

I

your good nature farther. up, but the fire has

and

tin."

you,"

firmly.

tin,

set

me

I

reply,

made

not intrude

was a

bit

right again,

on

done

and

I'm quite ready to take the risks of the journey alone." "

Oh,

"

I'll

for

that's

it,

is it ? "

get you to

an hour to eat

said the

man

gruffly.

me rest here by the fire my bit of bread and meat,

let

TO WIN OR TO

24

and then as

camp near you and go on again

I'll

came.

I

I

manage,

shall

"Are we going to the red-bearded man

No

"

as

" !

came

"You

mates?"

this,

cried

fiercely.

answer,

in

daresay."

I

stand

by a preconcerted

if

DIE.

as

all

sprang up

signal.

misunderstand me, gentlemen," said

the adventurer quietly, though his heart beat

with

fast

the knowledge

that the suspicions

which had haunted him were

much

obliged

to save

you

Hear

"

your kindness, and

for

trouble, that

that,

We

lads?

for the likes of him.

goes

"

correct.

is

I

am

I

want

all."

aren't

good enough

All right, then,

off

he

j»

"

Our company aren't good enough, eh ? Then off you goes." "Very well," said the young man, rising quickly; "but there I

will

go

at once,

is

and

no need I

for a quarrel.

thank you

for

what

you have done." " But

we

haven't done yet," cried the

addressed as Leggy.

"

Now,

man

boys."

There was a sudden rush, and in an instant the young fellow was seized and thrown upon his

face

;

then,

in

spite

of

his

desperate

"

!

FALLEN AMONG THIEVES. he was

struggles,

turned

over,

25

weapon

his

and everything of value dragged from

seized,

his pockets.

"

Quiet!" snarled the leader

"or

soon quiet you/

ril

You dogs

"

You

!

scoundrels

my

"Louder,

some over yonder

have

Now

then,

Set

cap

his

my

bubbling rage,

and

resistance,

breath

"

It'll

fit

That's right.

young man, in felt the madness the

uselessness

" !

spite of his

of

further

wasting

of

to begin

with the rope.

fast

it

Hands it,

just

and gloves.

there

off

!

roared

"

scoundrel, taking aim at him. for

Haul me, and

Canady.

so he sprang to his sledge,

;

lashing

in

police:

whippersnapper, off you go

the

free,

Call

louder.

lad,

off that fur coat, lads. I'll

Help

!

!

Thieves

there's

in the attack,

"

the

Now

chief

then, run

and get yourself warm before we begin

to shoot." "

I'm

going,"

must fasten up

"You

ain't

panted

my

" but

I

traps.

We

traps.

cried the

man.

your

so cut at once,"

life,

victim,

'

got no "

the

They're

ourn,"

give you a chance for

36

"

What

!

TO WIN OR TO

DIE.

Send me away

like

this?" cried

li

young man, aghast. It's murder me have my blankets, man." the

"

Run

"

Let

!

shouted the scoundrel, and he shook

!

his pistol. "

"

You coward Run " was

"

cried the victim.

!

roared again.

!

Feeling that the gang into whose hands he

had

fallen

probably meant to hide their crime

by silencing him for ever, the victim turned and ran for his life, and as he ran he felt a sharp pang in the arm.

A

heavy

flight,

fall

and as

checked the victim's panic

he lay panting and wet with

the perspiration which had started from every pore, he realised that one of the

taken

effect,

throbbed

as

ploughing his if

left

had

bullets

arm,

which

being seared with a red hot

iron.

But the bodily agony was as nothing

Death

the mental anguish which he suffered.

was before him

if

he lay there

painless,

insidious form,

death

all

in

its

— death

no doubt

;

to

but

in

a

still,

horror to one so young and

strong.

He knew

that he

must

rise

and keep moving

FALLEN AMONG THIEVES. if

27

he wished to prolong his existence, and he

rose

his

to

now

raging

feet,

the

against

cowardly gang, and more against himself.

"I was a

"Why

didn't

heaven

He

fight

I

What

!

and a coward," he groaned.

fool

shall

I

my

for

do

Great

life?

" ?

moment, meaning to turn back and make an attack upon his enemies. But, unarmed as he was, he knew it was paused

for a

and

madness,

darkness in

he tramped

on

through

hope of finding

the faint

the help,

but with his heart sinking as he grasped the fact

that fate or the

management of the gang

had driven him onward farther into the

defile,

and away from the aid he might have found if

made

he had

his

way back

to his morning's

starting-place.

Fully

satisfied

that

portion, he struggled

exhausted

;

death

would be

on aimlessly

till

his

utterly

and then he paused, breathless,

to

go over once more the scene by the glowing fire, and ask himself whether he had not been to blame for displaying his distrust after the

way

in

which he had been rescued.

could only

come back

— that he had

fallen

to his old

among

But he

way of thinking

thieves of the worst

TO WIN OR TO

28

and that he owed

type,

way

but

all

of pursuit,

he folded

hand and tightly

it

prompt

was

back through the dark-

still.

There were no signs

taking out

so, it

somewhat, he stood

his breath

listening as he gazed ;

his life to the

which he had escaped.

in

Recovering ness

DIE.

his

a bandage,

into

handkerchief,

and with one

his teeth

contrived to bind and

round

wound

his

tie

so as to stop the

bleeding, which was beginning to cause a strange

sensation of faintness.

He

had been hot with exertion when he but now the feeling of exhilaration

stopped,

by

caused the

heat.

his

A

escape

deadly

died out as rapidly as chill

seemed crushing.

body, for his position

was

horrible

beyond

attacked mind and

bearing,

and

for

It

the

moment he was ready to throw himself down in his despair. The intense cold would, he knew, soon bring on a sensation of drowsiness, which

would pain

result in sleep,

— nothing but

be no awakening

Then

;

from which there would

and then

the coward feeling was driven back in

a brave effort

The

rest

and there would be no

—a

last

struggle for

life.

cold was intense, the darkness thicker

FALLEN AMONG THIEVES. than

ever,

been clobing faintly

the

for

marked sky was

ravine

the

narrow

only a

till

111

of

sides

29

strip

had of

while at every

visible,

few steps taken slowly the poor fellow stumbled over some inequality and nearly

fell.

At times he struck himself heavily, but he was beyond feeling pain, and in his desperation these hindrances

spurs

as

he was on the way

fresh effort, for

At any minute he

to

to safety.

that he might catch sight

felt

camp fire of and he knew that some

gleam of

of another

merely

acted

light,

the

some other adventurer, of those on the way to the great Eldorado must

men who would

be

help

and even protect a

fellow-creature in his dire state of peril.

But he knew that energy could not ing weaker,

last,

intense

this

that he

feeling

of

was rapidly grow-

and that ere many minutes had

more stumble and fall, power to rise again would

elapsed he would once

and

this

time the

have passed away.

Was

it

too

late

to

and make an appeal himself at

and

life

last.

return for

his

to

his

life ?

enemies

he asked

They might show him mercy,

was so sweet.

But as these thoughts flickered through his

TO WIN OR TO

30

brain in

DIE.

half delirium fast deadening his

the

power of thinking coherently, he once more saw the scene by the fire, and the faces of the three scoundrels

stood out clearly

that

that

relentless

of the

eye,

look,

like

bestial

fall

his

into the

end.

hands of God than men

he groaned, and setting

them,"

glare

which told him that an appeal

would but hasten " Better

cruel

with

his teeth

hard he tottered on a few yards farther, with the

snow growing

less deep,

the ground

more

stony.

Then

came sooner than he expected,

the end

for his feet

caught against something stretched

across

way, and he

his

fell

heavily, uttering

a cry of horror as he struggled to his knees.

For

it

was no block of

torn from

some

he grasped the

stone,

no tree-trunk

shelf in the precipice above fact in

;

an instant that he had

tripped over a sledge similar to his own, to

fall

headlong upon the ghastly evidence of what

was

to

be

his

own

fate

;

for stiff

the shallow snow, his fingers had

body of some unfortunate as,

and cold

come upon

treasure-seeker,

in

the

and

half wild with horror, he forced himself to

search with his hands to discover whether some

FALLEN AMONG THIEVES. spark of find that

down to

it

was must have

faithful

with his muzzle

stiff

"God

and help

breast was

dog in

that

dream

" ?

;

warmth still

for

had nestled

his master's

neck

stark.

me!" groaned

clasping his hands and letting

on the dead

calmly

laid

lives.

The man's

effort.

and the

closely

to

exhaustion, clasping his companion

might save both their

ever,

was

it

breast to give and receive the

Vain

was

whoever

in his

his

that

might yet be burning,

life

31

the adventurer,

them

"is this the ending of

fall

my

softly

golden

CHAPTER IN

HE

horrible

III

THE DARK. of impending

chill

death,

the bright light of reason, and the in-

tense

desire to

roused the half-stunned

live,

adventurer to action.

Die

?

Like that

offered to

was

It

him

No

?

!

— when salvation

was

way.

in this

horrible, but

was

it

for

life.

There,

powdered with snow, was the unfortunate's sledge, and in an instant he was tearing at the rope which bound its load by him,

close

slightly

to the framework.

He for first

as

could hardly believe the rope

thing he

possibly one

fell

set

which

much exhausted ;

good

fortune,

from the packages the

free

was a

the

fur-lined

dead man

coat,

was

too

this

was

to assume.

Suffering keenly

put on at once

his

from

the

cold,

and then, continuing the search, 32

IN

to find that a rifle

was

it

THE DARK.

balanced by

bide,

there were blankets

33

was bound along one

Then

on the other.

tools

and stores

similar, as far as

he could judge, to those with which his

own

sledge had been laden.

The warmth

^afforded

by the thick garment

and the exertion increased the continue

of return-

For he was no longer

ing energy. to

thrill

his journey.

helpless

could be no act

It

of injustice to the dead to take possession of

means of saving his own life and now all thought of giving up without making a desperate struggle was completely gone. the

;

Soon

after a fresh thrill of returning

energy

swept through him, and, turning quickly back

where the dead were

to

moments

hesitating for a few

determination

dog

aside,

He

increasing, felt

he

he knelt there, before, with his

softly thrust the

about the dead man's waist.

shuddered as his hands came

with the

icy

feeling

of cold, but

in contact it

was

for

and a feeling of joy shot through him,

life,

for

and

lying,

it

was as he had hoped.

In a few minutes

he had unfastened a buckle, turned the body over slightly,

and

that

which he sought

obtain yielded to the steady pull he gave.

to

TO WIN OR TO

34

He

had drawn

bringing with

it

free

dead man's

the

to

cartridges.

new

give

taking out the pistol, he it

was loaded

and that the lock worked

to

in

him as

waist.

Then,

in

it

the dark,

every chamber,

easily

The pistol replaced in man remained thinking, seeming

felt

to

life

he buckled the belt about his

to find that

belt,

hib revolver in its little holster

and the pouchful of

That seemed

DIE.

and

well.

the belt, the young

with

all

energy

his

have returned.

What was he

to

do next

?

There was food of some kind on the sledge, There were blankets, and and he must eat. with them and the sledge for shelter he must rest

and

sleep.

There was the dead man and

his

faithful

dog, but their near presence brought no feeling

He

of horror.

by

the

felt

that he could kneel

poor fellow and

offer

down

up a prayer

in

His mercies, and then lie down to sleep perfect trust of awakening at daybreak,

for

he was no longer suffering from exhaustion,

for

and hardly "

But

felt

the cold.

not yet

—not

yet,"

he muttered, and

a faint sound broke the silence as he stood

THE DARK.

IN

35

there, his teeth grinding softly together, while

next

his

words,

direction

"

cowardly

Three

now

half aloud,

the

told

had taken.

dogs

!

he

"

exclaimed.

and him unarmed.

to one,

—not

A

thoughts

his

The

"

uttered

But not

now."

hands

brief search brought his

in

contact

with a canvas satchel-bag, in which were ship's

and one of these he took.

biscuits,

would

It

suffice.

Breaking off at

it

and beginning

to

eat,

he set

once on the back track to execute his

daring project, one which

made him glow

to

his finger-tips.

" Better

go on," he said with a mocking

" Yes,

laugh.

They're cowards

but not yet.

such scoundrels always are ness will magnify the "

Bah

talking

!

not going mad.

them

taste

given

He

me

number of the myself again

can't

something

the darkattack. ;

but

go on without of

what

they

I'm

letting

have

>»

tramped

journey seemed

now

I

to

—-and

on

but

slowly,

less difficult,

return

and he wondered

that he should feel so fresh

with a spreading warmth.

the

It

and glowing

was

as dark as

TO WIN OR TO

36

ever, but

DIE.

he had no fear of not finding his

way; and sooner than he expected, and just as he was finishing the last scrap of hard biscuit,

he caught sight of the

the

from which he had been driven.

fire

The

of

sight

his limbs,

and

would keep on shot,

the

his plan

and

fire,

there was the risk of being

his sleeping

which they had evidently made up well

down

felt

sure

that

at

the

would spring up and run he meant to fire at each scare

within

well

till

enemies thrown up by

before settling themselves

He

He

was soon made.

and then creep closer

heard,

of

sent fresh vigour through

it

till

faint light

them,

much mercy

for

he

as he

felt

would

for the night.

report

first

they

for their lives, if

and

he had time, and

disposed to show as to a

pack of savage

wolves.

But matters were not he had calculated. with the

fire

He

to fall out exactly as

tramped

steadily

growing brighter, and

took out the revolver to examine

once more, as he walked on

it

at last

on,

he

by touch

more

swiftly

now, meaning to go forward a hundred yards or

so and then proceed more cautiously,

as to

make

sure the

enemy was

asleep.

so

THE DARK.

IN

37

All at once he stopped short, startled.

The enemy wdb

not ableep, for he saw

dark shadow pass before the glowing

The

moments, but not minute

of

attack

It ;

rang out on

cry for help

the

light.

for

a few

was merely

but the next

planning was cast to

all

for there

short

in hesitation.

plan

his

alter

to

stopped

adventurer

<±

night

the winds, air

a

wild

—such an appeal as he had himself

uttered so short a time before.

The

cry was repeated, sending

a

thrill

excitement through the listener, and telling

own

To

tale.

the hearer

he had been

if

told that

of its

was as plain as the gang of ruffians it

had waylaid another unfortunate, who was about

own

to share his

He

fate.

rushed forward at once, and as he ran

and stumbled he could see that a desperate struggle

was going

on,

figures

tention passing in front of

through the

fire,

and scattered

in

the

full

light,

fierce con-

and once trampling

whose embers were kicked all

Suddenly two

in

directions.

figures

leaving

stepped

aside

into

two others wrestling

together; and this was the opportunity needed.

Their

first

victim could see

plainly that

the

TO WIN OR TO

38

DIE.

former were enemies, and stopping short when away,

twenty yards

about

he

Both

fired.

turned to gaze in the direction from which the flash and report had come.

They were

time

in

see

to

another

flash.

Another report raised the echoes, and they turned and

Then

fled.

the struggle ceased, and the adven-

saw another

turer

figure disappearing into the

darkness after his two companions.

As he dashed up

time to seize the victim,

in

among

helplessly, trampling

the

aside,

as

hands

willing

and lowered

owner began fire,

fellow rushed

who

em-

which

fallen

but

him

dragged

him down, before

their

about and scatter the

kick

to

staggered

the burning

among which he would have

bers, for

young

off the

which hissed and smoked and steamed,

snow was heaped

to hide the pair

over,

and raised a

veil

from their enemies while the

bright light was dying out.

The enemy

next act was to find out whether the

were

adventurer

yet

advanced

the darkness, but Satisfied

in

that

all

the

The

vicinity.

for

some distance

was

still.

he could not be seen

,

into

the

THE DARK.

IN

young man went on

wab evident

but

it

had

done

some

that

the

distance

little

sudden

;

attack

and the party had

work,

its

for

39

fled

for their lives.

The

"

selves

question

they recover them-

and come back?" he muttered.

we must be on our

Two

Two

guard.

in the right

!

"Well,

the right

in

Those are

wrong.

the

three in

against

odds.

will

is,

Suppose

is

it

fair

only

one."

He

hurried back towards the scene of the

encounter,

guided

by

embers lying here and

the

faintly

glowing

and the dark,

there,

wood smoke which was borne towards him by the light icy wind which came down

blinding

the defile.

"Suppose they have killed him!" "Who are you? But whoever you are," came in a hoarse whisper, "if it hadn't been for

you those

"

Thank

ruffians

heaven,

would have then,

settled

was

I

Can you help me trample out the this

"

time.

rest

or

fire?"

we

" Hadn't

help

in

me."

me

drag

There

is

better

my

escape

?

You might

sled into a place of safety."

no place of safety near," was the

TO WIN OR TO

4©

reply; " and

We

death. "

don't

I

enough

cold

us to

to freeze

had better stay here."

But we dare not

see us, and "

it's

DIE.

light a fire

come and think

pick us

the

;

they would

off."

cowardly hounds

dare to come back." " But they might, and

I

will

dare not risk

it."

Are you hurt?" " Not seriously, but wrenched and strained in the struggle. Can you understand what I say ? I don't know my own voice." "

" Yes,

"

I

No;

can hear you. I

What

is it

—a cold

trying

heard your shots.

my

voice.

strangle

to

random, and then I

?

was right enough an hour ago.

That red-bearded dog caught me by the

He was

"

me.

I

throat.

fired

at

my senses were going, but He has quite taken away

Where

is

your hand, sir?"

"Here; what do you want?" " Just to make mine speak to it in a friendly God bless yuu, sir! you've saved my grip. life.

I

more now." There we have no

can't say

" Don't.

us now."

:

light to betray

"

CHAPTER

IV.

nature's mistake.

B

UT

we better go on ? No: warmth is everything hadn't

u

The ground is hot where the we'll camp there till morning. a

We'll

sledge.

was, and

fire I

here.

saw you had

drag that to one side for

shelter."

"And

there

is theirs,

"Mine!" was inveigled

me

too,"

the reply.

into

was "

said huskily.

The

staying with

scoundrels

and

them,

I

had a narrow escape."

"Hah! their

to

light

Just as they served me.

saw

and came up, and they professed

be friends.

I

didn't like the look of them,

but one can't pick

and a good

I

fire

one's

company out

here,

was very tempting."

"Hist!"

The warning was

followed by the 41

clicking

.

TO WIN OR TO

42

of pistol locks, after which

DIE.

the pair

listened

home minuter.

patiently for

" Nothing.

Here,

let's

get the two sledges

One

one on either side of the hot ground. be

will

to

a

over

fire

the

shelter, if

other a

come back

scoundrels

the

breastwork

Besides, the breastwork will keep in the heat.

We

bound

are

to protect ourselves."

" All right,"

was the

reply, in

an answering

whisper, and the pair dragged the two sledges

and then, allowing

into position,

dank

for the

odour of the quenched wood, found that they

had provided themselves with a snugly warm shelter,

adding to their comfort by means of

blankets and a waterproof sheet, which

they

spread beneath them.

This took time, for every now and then they paused to listen or

danger

in search of

make

but

;

a reconnaissance

was done,

at last all

and the question was who should keep the first

watch.

"Ill do couldn't

that,"

right up.

the

last

to

sleep

if

down

lie

throat gives

said

me

Ill

ought to say.

so

much

take the

Why,

I

pain.

first

can't

"I

comer. tried

I

It feels

watch

—

even see

;

my

swollen

listen,

one

my hand."

"

NATURE'S MISTAKE. " It

is

terribly

dark here

perpendicularly on either side.

gone through

sleep after

all

I've

nerves are

all

on the

i

i

jar.

was

in this gulch,"

The mountains

"

the whispered reply.

43

I'll

But

I

run up couldn't

My

to night.

watch with you."

Listen."

Watch with our

" Well, listen, then.

Can you hear me when "

Oh, yes."

"

But they

"So much

will

not

I

back, I'm sure."

the better for them

treacherous

miserable,

that

the

meet

their reward.

?

whisper

come

ears.

;

but

hope

I

hounds

will

So they attacked you

just

"

same way ? Not till I told them I would not stay and I was sorry afterwards, feeling that perhaps I had insulted them by my suspicions. Of in the ( i

;

know their character then." Well, we know it now. It is a No. specimen, I suppose, of the scum we shall course,

I

did not

< f

find yonder."

" "

am afraid so." You are going after I

"Who

would be here

" Exactly.

be worth

the

I

gold, of course if

?

he were not?"

hope the game

candle.

"

is

going to

Suppose we two

stick

TO WIN OR TO

44

You

together.

sake of

my

" Oh, " It

nodding off

promise you

was a

startler.

I

the

first

to sleep for the "

sledge and stores

I'll

me

won't try to choke

me

time you see

DIE.

?

that."

was dog

tired."

"Eh?" "

was dog

I

and dropping

tired,

the

off in

warmth of the fire into a golden dream of being where the nuggets were piled up all around me; and I was just going to pick up

when

one,

coiled

itself

snake darted

great

a

my

throat.

was a

real

round

awake, to find

it

Then

don't

you

talk

so

was in

ruffian."

That was the one the others

But

I

snake

devil

the shape of that red-bearded "

me and

at

much

:

called Beardy.

your voice

is

growing worse." " Can't

help

it,

Oh, no.

fellow.

I

must

talk.

the

glow

A

good

Feel the cold?"

I'm so excited. "

old

I'm quite

warm

with

which comes up through the

sheet.

idea, that was, of bringing

on your sledge."

" Yes, but

it's

an experience ness.

The

heavy.

this

is,

it I

say,

though, what

here in the pitchy dark-

Ah! Lookout!" pistols

clicked

again,

for

from some-

NATURE'S MISTAKE. where close

at

hand there was a

45 faint rustling

followed by a heavy thud, as

sound,

one had stumbled and

The

bOrne

snow.

fallen in the

pair listened breathlessly

if

the black

in

darkness, straining their eyes in the direction

from whence the sound had come perfectly

They

minute

again

listened

was

after

minute,

throbbing sound which

dull

through them

heavy beating of

Then

all

still.

and there was a vibrated

but

;

their

;

but

own

it

was only the

hearts.

they both started violently, for there

was another hissed as

if

dull

heavy thud, and some one

drawing

in his

breath to suppress

the strong desire to utter a cry of pain. It

was horrible

in that intense

blackness to

crouch there with pistols held ready directed

towards the spot where whoever fallen,

for there could

There had been the where they

knelt,

At

was had

be no doubt whatever.

fall,

not

many

yards from

and they listened vainly

the rustling that must to get

it

fur

accompany the attempt

up again. last

the

temptation to resisted.

faint fire

rustling

came,

and the

was almost too strong

But they mastered

it,

to

be

and waited,

TO WIN OR TO

46

DIE.

both determined and strung up with the desire to

mete out punishment

creants

who sought

for

to the

their

cowardly mis-

own

gain

to

destroy their fellow-creatures. " Don't

you are sure it is they/' "It is each of the two young men thought. fire

till

impossible to take aim in this darkness."

And

they waited

till

the rustling

ended

in

a sort of whisper.

Once more all was silent, and the suspense grew maddening, as they waited minutes which seemed like hours. But the enemy was evidently astir, for there was another whisper, and another— strange warning secretive whispers one

—and

a sigh as of

in pain.

At

this

one of the

listeners thrust out a hand,

and the other joined told of mutual trust

by each other

in

an earnest grip, which

and determination

to stand

making them feel emergency had made them,

to the death,

that the terrible

not acquaintances

of

an

hour's

staunch friends, both strong and

length, tried.

but

Then

they loosened the warm, manly grip, and were

ready for the worst.

For there was no longer any doubt

:

the

NATURE'S MISTAKE.

enemy was

close at hand, waiting the

The

deadly rush.

for the

whether they should thought

the

of

moment

only question was at

once

but

to

fire

hitting,

— not

with

teach

the

how thoroughly they were on

scoundrels

and

alert,

47

them

the hope of driving

in

the into

taking to flight once more.

But they doubted.

had time it

now

but

once,

this

to

recover

A

miscreants had

from their panic, would

?

Thud

in front,

thud!

the

that

answer again !

few shots had done

and then a

far

heavier

They could not hold out The enemy was creeping

one behind them.

much

longer.

towards them.

At

this

moment

crack, a hissing roar,

the

and a

defenders of the tiny

down behind But

this

tremendous

a

terrific

fort

concussion,

being struck

their little breastwork.

enemy The ever- gathering snow from

onslaught was not from the

they awaited. far

there was

above, loosened by the hot current of air

ascending

from the

fire,

had come down

one awful charge, and the

was buried

in

tons of snow.

marauders'

in

camp

an instant beneath thousands of

CHAPTER HAND

THERE was

IN

V.

HAND.

the sense of a terrible weight

pressing the sufferers down, with their against the soft load

chests

sledge in front

and

;

utterly stunned, they lay

for a time motionless,

Then striving

began

one to

bound upon the

and almost to

breathless.

struggle

violently,

draw himself back, and

tremendous

succeeding,

effort

to

after

find

a

that

beneath him the snow was loose, there being a narrow space sledge,

and

that

short he could

He

by the side of the though his breath came

along

still

breathe.

had hardly grasped

movement on

this fact

misfortune,

down

beside

the

his right told of a similar action

going on, and he began to help in

when

who him,

directly

panting 48

his

after

companion crouched

heavily,

in

the

HAND

IN HAND.

narrow space, which their

made

ever, " "

how-

had,

efforts

wider.

Horrible

An

49

!

panted

"

second

the

at

Surely this does not

avalanche.

last.

mean

death."

There

was

no

and

reply,

the

in

darkness a hand was stretched

awful

out and

an

arm grasped. "

Why

you say something ?" whispered

don't

the speaker hoarsely. "

What

"

But

our

way

can is

it

out.

I

No, no

;

Let

of rock.

God

?

only knows."

snow We must burrow Wait a moment. This way is

only

towards the open "

man

say,

valley.'

Beyond you

this.

me

the wall

is

try."

For the next ten minutes there was the sound of one struggling to get through the

and

snow,

then

panting of a

ended with

it

man

lying

the

hoarse

exhausted with

his

efforts.

"

Let

me come and

smothered accents. "It is of no use. first,

but

hard like

farther ice.

on

try

now," came

The snow was it

is

pressed

Try your way."

in

loose at

together

TO WIN OR TO

50

The

DIE.

and tearing commenced now

scuffling

to the right.

Yes

"

Ah up

;

quite loose now, and

it's

no good

!

as far as "

the solid rock running

is

can reach."

I

can hardly breathe.

I

every moment. "

here

;

No;

it

is

down.

falls

growing hotter

It is

)1

cooler here.

can reach right

I

up and stand against the rock."

The

speaker's

crept

peril

companion

over the snow

the

in

to

his

terrible

side

rose to his feet, to find the air purer like

a drowning

man who had

moment above

for the

and,

raised his head

water, he drank in deep

draughts of the cold, sweet

"Hah!"

;

and

he gasped

at

air.

last

hoarsely, after

reaching up as high as he could, "the rock has saved us

for

the

moment.

away from it like the roof "Yes; if we had been a few

slopes

from Let's

The snow of a shed." feet farther

we should have been crushed try and tear a way along by

it

to death.

the foot

of the rock."

They

tried

hard

in turn

exhausted and lay panting

till ;

they were utterly

but the only result

was that the loose snow beneath them became

;

HAND

IN HAND.

No, not

trampled down.

51

only

the

result

they increased the space within what was fast

becoming a snow cavern, one of whose walls

was the

rocky side of the ravine.

solid

"Are we

to die like this?"

" Is this to be the

hopes

?

we do?

Oh, heaven

The

coming

on

us

and

all,

it

fast.

help

our golden

all

What

!

shall

growing hotter; we have

air is

exhausted

nearly

end of

can't,

I

suffocation

is

won't die yet.

I

"

Help help help Those three last words came !

!

!

I

cried the other; yourself.

The

can breathe freely

still."

are

killing

a hoarse

sounded smothered and strange.

faint wail that

"Hush!"

in

You

"be a man. air

not

is

worse.

There was a horrible pause, and then, pitiful

am

tones: "I

fighting

feeling of cowardice, but

Not twenty

to die so soon.

world and

How

all

it is

its

down

and the bright

?

Are you not

" ?

"Yes," came

we must not breathe yet

— so hard

hopeful promise before one.

can you keep like that

afraid to die

this fearful

so hard

yet,

in

in

a low, sad whisper; "but

die like

this.

Tell

me you

" ?

4

can

"

TO WIN OR TO

52

"Yes," came "

Then

track

there

may be dug a Hah I -Yes?"

Do

are

on the

we

a time, and

after

say."

I

it.

you think those wretches have been fall

?

as well

were

they

If

We

dare not think

caught by the i i

come

still."

out."

!

"

am

I

hope.

is

others will

;

the husky, grating tones;

in

and better now

" better

DIE.

near

have

must

they

been."

and we heard them."

" Yes,

"No,

no,

v

sighed

other; "those were

the

patches of snow falling that

There was over a soft

silence

then,

whisper was

we

heard."

save

heard,

that

twice

and then a

low, deep sigh. "

I

say."

"Yes?" "

I

feel sure that

air

must come

can breathe quite easily

to us.

I

still."

"Yes."

"Then we must

try

and bear

I'm going to believe that Shall

we

position

try to sleep, "

?

it

for a time.

we may be dug

out.

and forget our horrible

HAND my

" Impossible,

You

IN HAND,

53

For

lad.

me,

that

is.

try."

"No; you yes,

But,

must be

why

are

can

I

right.

breathe better

coming

air

don't you speak

"

I

"

You must

cannot

from up above.

?

Say something, man."

—you

shall

oh, help

help

!

help

!

" !

don't cry out in that horrible

"Yes; go

out,

Well,

so as to keep from

and one shook the other

sobbed

There

.

talk."

"Man, man! ;

still

sleep.

in

thinking of our being

way "

couldn't

I

on.

I

fiercely,

am

till

he

a coward;

but the thought came upon me, and seemed to crush

me."

"

What

"

No, no," groaned the other

thought

voice; "that

Once more

we

That we must

?

in

die his

" ?

husky

are buried alive."

there

was

silence,

during which

the elder and firmer grasped the hand of his

brother pered,

in

"it

" Yes,

adversity. is

horrible

to

think

our manhood's sake keep up, not

children,

to

be

he whis-

yes,"

of;

lad.

frightened

of

but for

We being

are in

the dark." "

No

;

you are

" Here,

help

right."

me sweep away

the

snow

TO WIN OR TO

54

from

under

No,

us.

We

waterproof sheet. I

can

DIE.

Here

no.

can drag

it

the

is

out

—

yes,

Let's drag out those

feel the sledges.

blankets." "

No,

no, don't stir

you

;

may

bring

down

snow roof upon our heads. I mean, yes. I'll try and help you. They worked busily for a few minutes, and then knelt together upon what felt like a soft the

»j

couch. tt

There's food, and the snow for water

would be long before we should are you so

and then

silen-t

try

to

daylight comes.

"The

now

;

it

Why

starve.

Come, we must rest, our way out when the

?

cut

yy

daylight!"

the

said

with

other,

a

mocking laugh.

we may see a dim dawn which way to tunnel."

" us

"

Yes

;

Ah, of course!

show

"

"

Could you sleep now

u

No, no

;

to

we must

" ?

or

talk,

I

shall

go off

my head. That brute hurt me so, it has made me rather strange. Yes, I must talk. I say You saved my God bless you, old fellow :

!

life

from those

wretches,

and

now

you're

HAND keeping is all

"

IN HAND.

me from going mad.

I

55

say

The

air

am

not

Tell

me

!

right."

Yes

can breathe freely, and

I

;

I

cold." n

I

am

hot.

say,

I

how you came

talk.

let's

be here."

to

"Afterwards; the words would not come

You "Yes; it

now.

me how you

tell

will

true. if

And

keep off the horrors;

now

a romance, and yet

it

is,

coming out here.

it's

like

does not seem to be

it

and

happened

it

were only yesterday.

it

of

came."

I

I

just as

never thought

was going

to

be a

soldier."

He

spoke

hurried,

excited way, and

him draw

his breath sharply

a

in

the listener heard

through his teeth from time to time, as

if

he

shivered from nervous dread. a

I

best. *'

I

was not

fit

See what a coward

I

am."

thought you brave." "

"

What

"

For the way

!

in

which you have fought

and mastered the natural dread "

my

Fate knows

for a soldier.

Oh, no

;

it

;

seems nonsense

troubles at a time like this."

but go on." to talk about

"

TO WIN OR TO

56 a It

Go

not.

is

on,

DIE.

you can without

if

hurting yourself more." "

go on because

I'll

give

will

It

me

it

will hurt

something

me

more.

else to think of.

Can you understand my croaking whisper ? " Oh, yes." a An uncle

of mine

brought

me

up

after

and mother died."

father "

Indeed?" " Dear old took

my

my

old

fellow

people's

cousin, always

He

!

place

seemed

and ;

like

and

my

aunt

quite

boy,

their

brother."

The listener made a quick movement. " " What is it ? Hear anything ? " No; go on." " They were such happy times. never knew what trouble was, till one day poor uncle was brought home on a gate. H is I

horse had thrown him."

There was a pause, and then the speaker continued in an almost inaudible whisper "

He

The

.

was dead." listener uttered a strange ejaculation.

" Yes,

it

was

horrible, wasn't

it ?

And

there

was worse to come. It nearly killed poor dear old aunt, and when she recovered a bit it was

— HAND

IN HAND.

57

news from the lawyers. I don't somequite understand how it was even now but all thing about a great commercial smash uncle's money was gone, and aunt was left to hear the

— —

penniless." "

heavens

Great

!

came

"

a

in

strange

whisper.

"You may

had been accustomed

to

every luxury, and

we boys had had everything we was a knockdown Who was poor old Dal

word "

!

it

She

Bless her!

well say that.

poor old Dal."

for ? "

My

wished.

said the listener,

almost inaudibly. " Cousin Dallas

— Dallas

Adams.

He

the poor chap would have gone mad. just getting ready for

a

bit

— Wray

Never mind/ he

'

show

that we've got

said,

what It

'

it is

want/

after

Never

'

said,

'

now's the time

some

stuff in

we

are to

us.

Bel/

the dear old mother must never to

was

I'm Bel, you know; Abel

a couple of strong fellows like

for

But

he pulled himself together, and

mind, Bel/ he said

he

Cambridge.

thought

I

know

"

was the other's turn to draw

in his

breath

with a low hissing sound, and the narrator's voice

sounded

still

more husky and

strange,

"

TO WIN OR TO

58

as

he were touched by the sympathy of his

if

companion, as he went on "

DIE.

:

said nothing to Dal, but

I

how easy

about

it

was

thought a deal

I

for fellows like us to get suitable

But

work.

if

I

said nothing,

some

nights trying to hit on

—

came ah " No, no ii

!

It

!

But what

I

and paying

lay

plan,

awake

till

was only

— what

I

who

?

moved.'*

you doing

are

at

the idea

snow coming down

that the

is

how hard

but

to talk,

Why,

?

you've turned over on your face."

"Yes, yes

;

" I'm trying

to rest a bit."

you with

all

this

rigmarole about

a poor, unfortunate beggar." "

on

"

No, no

— go

!

cried

Go

"

the other fiercely.

on."

The narrator paused for a few moments. " Thank you, old fellow " he whispered softly, and he to

felt for

press

pleasant

it

and grasped the

hard.

"

I

to find a bit

listener's

hand,

misjudged you.

It's

of sympathy like

how fellows in and wounded men after battles, I've

often

read

together and get to

makes one

feel

the world, after

be

all.

I

shipwrecks, are

like brothers,

how much good

this.

drawn and it

there

expect you and

is I

in

will

HAND manage

to

more.

—

like I

sleep once like iC

59

keep alive for a few days, old chap,

and then we to die

IN HAND.

have

shall

men.

for

make up our minds

won't be so cowardly any

I

feel stronger,

and

to

all

and

we'll

till

make

we do go

to

the best of

it,

men." Yes, yes, yes

!

Go

on

—go on

1"

CHAPTER

VI.

A STRANGE MADNESS.

T

was some

time, though, before the narra-

was continued, and then

tive

was with

it

this preface.

" Don't laugh at me, old chap.

of

as a girl. "

I

say,

as

at

you!

you speak

if

lot

of the

man

in

that

That

for

"

alive

has

it

all

way

shall

I

choked

and then the it

horrible

this

been

too

much

me,"

Go

on

—go on."

" Yes, yes,

but

—

so dark."

fellow

out of me,

excitement, and on the top of

burying

it's

hysterical

"

break down altogether. a

weak and

say, I'm jolly glad

I

Laugh

< <

made me

has

all this

The shock

I

I

will.

didn't say a

he should think

it

I

told

you the idea came,

my

word

to

mad

and as

;

cousin for fear to hinting at

such a thing to the dear old aunt, 60

I

felt

that

'

'

A STRANGE MADNESS. would half

it

her.

kill

" Well,

went straight

I

till

was gone.

I

to the

We

Uncle Morgan,

that's

made up my mind

I

knuw

that she bhuuld nut

61

Hard Nut

*

always called him

the nut that couldn't be cracked

—the roughest,

gruffest old fellow that ever breathed,

me

looked so hard and sour at hadn't gone, and

I *

was

silent.

'

that

I

and he wished

Well,' he said,

suppose you two boys mean to think about

I

something besides

You've got "

"

Hah *

" !

cricket

and

now.

football

work!'"

to work, sir,

sighed the listener.

Yes, uncle,'

I

said,

and

'

want

I

to begin

at once.'

"

'

Humph

! '

he

said.

'

Well,

me ? me a cheque '

But what do you want with "

'

want you

I

write

to

right.

that's

for a

hundred pounds/ "'Oh,' he in

said, in

the harsh, sneering

which he always spoke to us boys

didn't

it

Oh,' he said, five

for

he

approve of us being educated so long.

He began work early, and made '

;

way

'

do you

?

quite a fortune.

Hadn't

I

better

make

all

out.

?

"'No,'

I

One hundred

said. will

'I've

do

thought

exactly.'

it

'

'

TO WIN OR TO

62

"

'

What

?

for

'

DIE.

he said with a snap.

'

"' I'm off to Klondike/ ((

(

" '

Off to Jericho No,

he snarled.

' !

make a

Klondike, to

to

fortune for

the poor old aunt/ "

Humph

'

'

No,

'

make

with you to "

uncle,'

and

f

is

'one

said;

I

fool's

"

1*11 '

take

risks

all

Yes, one

and

But

a job like that.

I

enough

I'm nobody,

go.'

enough,

fool's

?

with his mother,

will stop

suppose, and try to keep her.

and

Dallas going

the second fool in the pair

Dal

for that job. I

he grunted,

!

sir,'

he

said,

for

'

don't believe there

is

any gold there/ " "

"

not

'

(

'

Oh,

yes, there

What

He

till

said.

I

?

does Dallas say

Nothing.

know

is, sir,'

doesn't know, and he will

aunt gets

my

letter,

and she

tells

him/ "

(

As

if

the poor old

to buffer without "

'

But

I

woman

you going

can't stop

hadn't enough

off, sir/

and

live

he

said.

upon her now,

uncle/ "

'

Of

course you can't,

sir.

But what about

the soldiering, and the scarlet and gold lace "

'

Good bye

to

it

all, sir,'

I

?

said with a gulp,

'

'

A STRANGE MADNESS. for

was an awful knockdown

it

of a chap

like

the fine feathers

to a

and spurs and the

"'Humph!' he am going to give

rest of

it.

grunted, 'and you think

I

lend you a hundred pounds

go on such a wild goose chase " I hope so, uncle/ I said.

to

coxcomb

who had reckoned on

was,

I

63

?

'

"

Hope

'

the sir

away, then

unsatisfactory if

;

;

and

fill

if

you

stuff,

yourself with

you want to go gold digging, shoulder

your swag and shovel, pick and

tramp

and

cradle,

there.'

"'How?'

getting

said,

I

for the old

riled,

nut seemed harder than ever.

'

hardly

tramp over three

and when

I

tramp

can't

I

across three thousand miles of ocean.

land,

No,

like.

thousand

I

could

miles

did reach the Pacific,

could, there's the long sea journey

of if

I

from Van-

couver up to Alaska, and another tramp there.

No,

uncle,'

gone I

into

might,

I

it

said, all

will

it

'

it

isn't

carefully,

take

fifty

to

and cut pounds

carriage to get to Klondike.' " Fifty Why, you said '

!

growled. other

fifty

'

a

it

I've

as fine as

for outfit

and

hundred,'

he

coming down.*- Want the play billiards and poker ?

That's to

be done.

"

TO WIN OR TO

64 "

'

No,

don't,'

I

as he did

I

'

,

I

with poor old aunt.

speaking as sharply

said,

want that

pounds

fifty

can't

I

DIE.

to leave

and won't go and

leave her penniless.' "

Ah

"

sighed the listener

!

" Well, wouldn't

Go

— almost

groaned.

you have done the same

" ?

—

go on." " There isn't much more to tell. I'm pretty What do you think the old close to the end. "Yes,

boy said

yes.

on

" ?

—

know I know," came back in a whisper. "That you don't," cried the narrator, who, "

I

spite of their horrible

in

into a ringing laugh.

and came

me on

at

me

as

if

position,

"He

burst

just said

he were going

out

'Bah!'

to bundle

out of the door, for he clapped his hands

my

shoulders and shook

he banged

me down

one of those

to

old,

me

fiercely.

a chair,

into

Then

and went

round-fronted secretary

desks, rolled up the top with a rush, took a

cheque-book out of a

little

drawer, dashed off

a cheque, signed and blotted

my

into " it

*

and thrust

it,

it

hand.

There,

it's

open/ he

said.

*

You

can get

cashed at the bank, and send your aunt the

fifty

as soon as you're gone.

Be

off at once,

A STRANGE MADNESS. and don't say a word to a

me back "

U(

Here

soul.

it

(

Now, swear you won't

"

'

I

give you

That'll

be off

give

back to him. a soul

tell

you that money, nor that you are going "

;

that cheque/

gave

I

65

my word he

do,'

It's

a

a couple of sacks

'

Catch hold, and

You

mind.

full

off'

of honour, uncle.'

said.

loan,

lent

I

bring back

me

of nuggets, and pay

igain.'

"

"

'

(

I

will, uncle,'

If

you

1

live!

course you'll done. " "

I

said,

'

if

live/

he said, staring at me.

(

Of

I'm seventy, and not near

live.

Be

You're not a score.

And

I

off.'

came away and never But you sent the fifty pounds I

said a word." to

your poor

old aunt ?" "

Why, of course I did but I shall never pay old Hard Nut with the Sweet Kernel his money back. God bless him, though, and I hope he'll know the reason why before he ;

'

'

dies." (<

God

bless

him

!

yes,"

a deep, low voice that

and as

if

to speak.

said the listener, in

sounded very strange,

the speaker could hardly trust himself

"

TO WIN OR TO

66

Then they effort "

lay together in the darkness

for a

silence

and said

There,

DIE.

time,

till

Abel Wray made an husky voice:

in his harsh,

that's

Makes

all.

and

a fellow feel

soft.

Think it's midnight yet ?" " No, no," was whispered. " I'll strike a match and see." a

We

No.

breathe,

ago "

or

I

have

should

struck

one long

))

Of

Sleepy

course.

I

never thought of

it

once.

" ?

" No." "

Then

fair

Tell

play.

me

your

story

now."

There is no need. But tell me this am I awake? Have you told me all this, or have " I dreamed it ? " I've told you it all, of course." "Am I sane, or wandering in my head? It I must be mad." can't be true. u Then I am, too. Bah as Uncle Morgan said. Come, play fair tell me how you came "

;

!

;

here

?

"The same way gold."

as

you

did,

and to get

"

A STRANGE MADNESS. " Well, so like.

will

I

"

I

story

tell is

There, just as you

supposed.

I

not press you to

you there

We

mine.

is

67

me."

tell

For your

no need.

thought as brothers with

we made

same plan we travelled with the same means we supplied the dear old aunt and mother from the same true-hearted source. Bel, old lad, don't you know me? It is I, Dal, and we meet like one brain

;

the

;

;

!

this t(

Great heaven!" gasped Abel,

husky whisper. Impossible

!

Yes, that

hot and strange at

mad.

" It

It is all

last,

turned his brain.

has is it

and

in his low,

;

the air

this

is

turning

has driven

a wandering dream."

*-_

me

CHAPTER

VII.

FEVERED DREAMS.

T

no wandering dream,

is

Bel.

I

tell

seem to have been inspired to do exactly the same as you did, and I went to Uncle Morgan, who treated me just as he you

I

treated you." " Yes,

Wray,

a dream

in his

"No,

harsh whisper.

was because you had been

It It

changed I

head," said Abel

"it

Uncle was never so strange

before. first.

my

old fellow," cried Dallas;

no,

true.

all

—off

is

I

Your

wonderful.

did not

know

it,

and

to to

voice

in the

is

is

me him so

darkness

never saw your face." "

say

Yes it

— delirious,"

is

croaked

Abel.

"

They

so before death."

"Nonsense, nonsense, lad! I came back just in time to save you, and now we have been saved,

too,

from a horrible death. 68

After

FEVERED DREAMS. a

bit

we

bee

to

way

shall

out to

be stronger, and shall be able

way

which

life

begin

tu

we have soon as we

Cheer up

again.

we can show them

have not come out

at

home

that

How

are you

vain.

in

;

and work together,

are free we'll join hands

so that

low rumbling utterance was the reply,

and Dallas leaned towards him, feeling

"Don't you hear me?" he Dear

Dal

old

now," came

No, no

I

" All right,

—

It

not.

"Yeb, "

it

to

it is all

true."

"

croaked Abel.

uncle,"

Ha, ha, ha

!

and

me.

old fellow.

thought you so

I

Eh

But you're

?

in.

say!"

I

What?"

Don't say a word to dear old Dal.

I've

shuffled

show them when " Bel,

I

out of the

come

Let

let

them

trouble.

I'll

him stop and take care of aunt, and think

Not

takes to scrape together

was a dreadful take yes,

dreaming of him

to begin

you that

tell

hard and brutal

Why

low muttering.

an hour longer than

enough.

"

?

in a ;

cried.

startled.

"

don't you answer

"

we

r

A

"

our

tunnelling

through the worst, and as

got

now

69

back."

old fellow," cried Dallas,

seizing his

TO WIN OR TO

10

"what

hand,

cousin's

DIE.

Don't talk

it?

is

in

that wild way." " That's right, uncle," croaked Abel.

two used

laugh about you and

to

So you

Hard Nut. white kernel

down

lie

fellow,

swear

say,

I

word

one word," cried the poor

I

don't

want

to see

the gold

I'll

pay

him roughing

the gold

Ah,

the rich red gold.

"you'll

:

Dal, uncle?

old

for

shall out there for

I

never

I'll

grasping his cousin's hand hard

you again. as

I

to sleep again without saying a

do something

it

you the

call

but there's the sweet

;

and

inside,

you.

first for

are

We

"

—

yes,

for

that's cool

and nice." For in his horror and alarm Dallas had laid a hand upon his cousin's temples, to find them burning gentle

:

but the poor fellow yielded to the

pressure,

and

slowly

the rough couch

they

he lay muttering

for

but starting at

his

injured

throat

intervals

to

troubled

him with a choking sensation,

his

to

had made, and there

a time,

cough, as

subsided on

if

till

ravings grew less frequent, and he sank

into a

deep

" This

"Had

I

is

sleep.

worse than all!" groaned Dallas.

not enough to bear?

His head

is

FEVERED DREAMS. as

if it

injury I

were on

fever from his

Fever

fire.

dud the bhock of

all

71

he has gone through.

thought he was talking wildly towards the

last."

As he spoke he was

conscious of a sharp

throbbing pang in his shoulder, and he laid a hand upon the place that he had forgotten

now he woke

while

would be best

it

for his cousin, the effort

came back

sensation

when he

to the fact that

think what

tried to

was

that

painful,

to

do

and the

must be a

this

all

;

feverish dream.

He

It

and

brow were burning hot, and he knew so much so he was growing confused

that

that

he rose

to

and

took

step

clapped his hands to his face.

his

;

a

his

knees,

or

two,

for his senses left

and

then

black of

a

then to

him

to

stand

for a

thing

strange

his

feet,

wondering,

moment befell

or two,

him,

seemed to have fallen in eyes, and he was lost, utterly

veil

his

and he had not the or what

least idea

A front lost,

where he was

had been taking place during the past

twenty four hours.

He the

stretched

compressed

out

his

snow,

hands and touched

which was

dripping

TO WIN OR TO

72

moisture

with for

;

but that gave him

mind seemed

hib

and with a horrible forward darkness,

to

try

DIE.

to be

clue,

blank,

perfect

d.

feeling of despair he leaned

from the

and escape

when

no

black

burning brow came

his

in

contact with the icy wall of his prison, and

was

like

an

it

electric shock.

His position came back

in

a

was forgotten, and he sank upon to feel for his cousin,

Self

flash.

his

horror-stricken

knees

now by

the great dread that the poor fellow might die

with him by his side quite unable to help.

He

forgot that but a short

time back he

was advocating a brave meeting of

their fate.

For since he had awakened to the fact that his boyhood's companion was with him, hope had arisen, and with it the determination to wait patiently till morning and then fight their way back to the light. Now all seemed over. Abel was terribly injured, fever had supervened, and he would die

who would Abel

might

for

freely live,

want of help

have given

was

utterly

;

while he, life

that

helpless,

and

his

there was that terrible sensation of being lost

coming on again.

He

pressed his head against the snow, but

FEVERED DREAMS. was

there

no invigorating sense of revival

again— nothing but a

Then he was that

73

curious, worrying feeling.

conscious for a few

moments

Abel was muttering loudly, but the injury

to his shoulder

and

the

was graver than he had imagined,

feverish

wound were

symptoms which

increasing,

so

that

follow

before

a

long

he too had sunk into a nightmare-like sleep, conscious of nothing but the strange, bewildering brain

images ;

which

haunted his distempered

and these were divided between

vain efforts to flee from

and

to

some

drag the heavily

his

terrible danger,

laden

hand-sledge

between two ice-covered rocks too close together to allow

it

to pass.

CHAPTER THE

YES! darkness,

Adams

FIGHT

Yes!

FOR

What

is

LIFE.

it?"

Somebody had spoken in the black but it was some minutes before Dallas

could realise the fact that the

came from

his

own

Then he heard a where

VIII.

close

words

lips.

faint

by, and

whisper from some-

he was

this

time wide

awake, and knew that he was answering that whisper.

Where am I ? What place The question had come to him "

and

for

is

this?"

in his sleep,

a few moments, so familiar were the

sounds, he

that

felt

he must have the tubes of

a phonograph to his ears, and he listening to the thin, weird, wiry tones of his cousin's voice.

Then,

like

a

knew not only

flash,

that

all

came back, and he

he had been

asleep,

but

everything that had happened some time before. 74

THE FIGHT FOR " Bel,

old

LIFE.

75

and he

he said huskily,

lad,"

winced with pain as he tried to stretch out his hand.

left

" "

Ah

came again

!

"

That you, Dal "Yes,

Then it "No, no "

the

whisper.

faint

" ?

How

yes.

in

isn't all

now?"

are you

a delirious dream

" ?

we have been brought together

;

almost miraculously."

Thank God

"

" I

thought

I

"

came

feebly.

my

head.

Have

too.

My

wound

!

" ?

"Yes, and

made me

God

had been off

I

been asleep

— thank

asleep

fell

I

feverish,

and we must have been

lying here ever so long in the dark."

"Your wound, Dal?" "

Yes;

I

had almost forgotten

it

in

what we

had to go through, but one of the scoundrels me.

shot

seems

It

is

?

"

came

in

think they were buried alive

an eager whisper.

Who can say, old that. How do you "

help M

my arm

set fast."

"Ah! Do you too

only a scratch, but

me

fellow feel ?

" ?

Tie up your wound

" ?

?

But never mind

Think you can

"

TO WIN OR TO

J6

"

No,

Help me

no.

DIE.

and dig our way

try

out."

"

think

I

my

it's

that

so.

My

throat that

head

feels

bad

is

all

a

bit light,

but

swollen up so

can only whisper."

I

"

Never mind your throat so long as you can use your arms " Think we can dig our way out ? " )>

Dallas uttered a

"Why

not?" he

and shovel on

"Ah,

We

"

yes,

we

and on mine

we were done

too."

and

the

in

want of food

the melted

;

to

is

our finding our way to daylight again

Our

position,"

"

whisper.

we

dig out

Where

Abel,

said

are

;

and once we can

;

determine which way to dig, what a

scare

But we can breathe

for.

give us drink

continued

last night,"

"

encouragingly,

will

a pick

is

sledge."

shall not suffer for

snow

"There

said.

were out of heart

Dallas,

thought

my

laugh.

little

we

prevent

?

in

his

faint

to put

the

snow

" ?

Dallas was silent for a few moments.

"Yes," he said difficulty,

But

for

at

we must

never mind that

last;

not for

"that fill

the

up

will

this

present.

be a place.

We

THE FIGHT FOR

LIFE.

77

must eat and drink now, for we Pressed snow

our strength.

all

Ah, here

ice.

is

the sledge

My

head

we

are going to dig our

is

too thick to

tell

is

shall

almost like

— mine

or yours.

which.

way

want

out,

Bel, lad, if it

takes

us a month." "

Yes," came rather mere strongly

next minute Dallas

Adams was

;

and the

feeling about

the sledge for the tin which held the traveller's food.

was hard work fumbling there

It

for

of the

parts

were

sledge

wedged down by snow

in the dark,

pressed

and

was nearly as hard as ice but others were looser, and by degrees he managed to get part of the tin free, when he started, for something touched that

;

his arm.

-Can "

How

know. "

I

help you,

me

you made

Feel strong think

I

Dal?"

so

;

jump, lad!

I

don't

enough?"

but

I

want

to

work.

It's

horrible lying there fancying the top of this

hole

is

going to crumble down every time you

move some of the snow." " Lay hold here, then, and this tin out."

let's try

and drag

TO WIN OR TO

78

They took hold of cramped

and tugged,

tin

as

their

and tugged

allow,

the

feeling

well

as

it

would

position

DIE.

bend and

case

grow more and more out of shape but ;

it

would

not come. "

No

good/' said Dallas.

the tin with "

But

it's

my

"

cut through

I'll

knife."

Let's have one

looser now.

more

try."

"Very

well.

— Got

hold?

— Now

then, both

together."

They gave

a sudden jerk, and

fell

backward

with the once square tin case upon them, lying still

and

and crushing noise as pressed

was a dull creaking the snow was being

horrified, for there

down

to

made, and then

if

up the vacancy

fill

crick

>

crack,

was the sound of breaking, sledge gave

sharply;

;

there

as portions of the

his

cousin's

hand

to

hard, fully expecting that their last

had come

had

way from the weight above.

Abel caught it

th.ey

but after

squeeze

moments

a minute's agony the

sounds ceased, and the prisoners breathed more freely.

"

It's all right,

Bel," said Dallas

sound rather creepy."

;

" but

it

did

Hah

"

!

THE FIGHT FOR

LIFE.

ejaculated Abel.

"

"

" Yes, so did to think at a

old fellow

I,

time like

Now

ourselves.

then,

only frighten

see

let's

a mistake

it's

We

this.

"

thought

I

but

;

79

what we've

Jl

got. "

See

?

"

said

Abel

"Yes, with the right,

don't

I

tell

make

you

'Then

suppose

of our fingers.

tips

rats

;

It's all

and mice and rabbits

a fuss about being in burrows."

" They're used to 4

bitterly.

let's

we're not." it,

lad.

I

gold here,

shouldn't

Why,

about being buried.

;

to

getting

we

;

Dal

used

get

we were

of a biscuit-tin

it,

instead

make a just

it's

say,

fuss

what we

should like." w I suppose so," replied Abel. "It's

what we

by-and-by.

shall

This

a

is

have to do, perhaps, sort of lesson,

and

it

make the rest easy." " If we get out. We shall get out buun. "Get out? Pibh The sun and the rain will thaw us out if we The lid's off the Hullo don't dig a way. will

jj

!

!

tin,

and the

snow. while

I

them in the work and eat,

biscuits are half of

Set Never mind. pick up all I can

to

find.

I'm hungry.

8o

TO WIN OR TO

Peck away,

lad,

DIE.

and think you're a

eating your winter btore.

think one could be so

who would

bay,

I

squirrel

warm and snug surrounded

"

by snow ? Abel made no

reply,

but tried to

eat, as

he

heard the cracking and crunching going on at his side.

was hard work, though, and

It

he went on slowly, for the

swallow

to

effort

was accompanied by a good deal of

pain,

and

he ceased long before Dallas'gave up.

How

" in

are you getting

on?" the

latter said

an encouraging tone. " Badly." lt

Yes, they are dry

By Jove

this.

"What ((

I

is

" !

forgot about your throat.

Dallas

and

said

But

the

I

It

hurts

" ?

can manage."

no more, but thought a great

after placing the tin aside

to the sledge to try at

we get our make up for

till

it?"

Horribly.

deal;

but wait

We'll have a banquet to

gold.

"

;

he turned

whether he could not get

shovel bound

to

the package was pressed

it

all

somewhere,

for

on one side by

the snow.

After a long

search

he found one

corner

THE FIGHT FOR

LIFE.

81

of the blade, and drawing his big sharp knife,

he

work chipping and digging with the

bet to

he dragged out the

"Now," he and

said,

The

turn.

have

I

an hour

with the result that in about

point,

not

tool.

"

we

thing

seen

can get to work turn

is,

the

where slightest

to begin, for

glimmer of

nght." "

No

"

Say pretty deep.

try "

we must be

;

buried very deep."

Which way

shall

we

M ?

Up

by the rock, and slope upward where

the air seems to come/' " That's right.

cartloads

plan

I

thought.

And,

room for a couple of of snow or more about us here, and

look here,

my

Just what

is

there's

Bel,

this

:

one

will

dig upward, and of

snow will fall down of its own weight. As it comes down the other must keep filling that biscuit-tin and carrying it to the far end course the

yonder and emptying "

And

it."

bury the sledge and the food."

"No: we

can get a great deal disposed of

we come

—

Look here We have plenty of room feel here. Well, that means up where we are. before

to that.

I

mean,

to stand

that

we

TO WIN OR TO

82

can raise the to

down, that

lie

" Yes,

I

So long

floor.

we

is all

suppose

" After a while

DIE.

we have room

as

want,"

so."

we must

get out

all

we want and take it with us in the make higher and higher as we go."

the food

tunnel

we

"Yes, that sounds reasonable," said Abel "

thoughtfully.

We

down and trampling "

And,

I

shall

chamber about us

hard beneath our

it

believe,

as

be drawing the snow feet."

making a bigger we work up towards the be

light."

"

Keeping

close to the face of the rock, too,"

said Abel, " will ensure our having one

of our sloping tunnel

cave

safe.

side

That can never

in."

"Well done, engineer !" cried Dallas laugh" Here were we thinking last night ingly. Why, the very remembrance of the of dying. way in which animals burrow has quite cheered

me

up

)>

That and the thought that we may have to mine underground for our gold," replied Abel. "

" Shall "

No

to clear

I

;

begin

? r

you're

weak

yet,

and

away my workings."

it

will

be easier

V. r.

a

„^

j>

*<*

THE FIGHT FOR

LIFE.

8$

Without another word the young man

way

his

the

to the

with

rock

perfectly

the

their

shovel,

hule, tapped

little

and then

stood

still.

"What "

end of

felt

is

it?

"asked Abel.

was trying to make out where the air comes from, and I think I have hit it. I shall try and slope up here." I

Striking out with the shovel and trying to cut a square passage for his ascent,

he worked

snow yielding to his efforts much more freely than he had anticipated and as he worked Abel tried hard to keep up with him, filling the tin, bearing it to the other end beyond the sledges, and piling up the snow, trampling down the loads as away

for the next hour, the

;

he went on.

Twice [over he offered place but Dallas worked ;

to take

on,

his cousin's

hour

after hour,

both were compelled to give up from utter

till

exhaustion, and they lay

down now

in

their

greatly narrowed cave to eat.

This

latter

had

its

simultaneously they

How

usual result, and almost

fell

asleep.

long they had been plunged

slumber, naturally, they could not

in

deep Night

tell.

6

TO WIN OR TO

86

DIE.

and day were the same to them said,

from the hunger they

been hibernating for

felt

and as Dallas

;

they might have

a week,

in a torpid state for

aught they knew.

They

ate

heartily

throat being far less

of

the

painful,

Abels and once more biscuits,

the dull sound of the shovel began in a hollow,

muffled way.

A

couple of hours must have passed, at the

end of which time so much snow had accumulated at the foot of the sloping shaft that Dallas

was compelled

to

descend and help

his fellow-

prisoner. "

out

This

will

"

not do," he said.

We

must get

some more provisions before we bury

the

sledges entirely." "

There

is

enough

biscuit to

for a couple of days,"

keep us alive "

Abel.

replied

Let

us chance getting out, and not stop to encumber ourselves with more provisions."

"It

risky,

is

nearer the

air.

but

I

Go up

fancy that

and

I

am

try yourself."

Abel went up the sloping tunnel with ease, of the

ice,

Dallas

and

having

to the top

clipped

after breathing

minutes the younger

getting

hard

man came down.

steps

out

for a

few

THE FIGHT FOR You must be

"

LIFE.

87

getting nearer the top.

I

can

'

breathe quite freely there. "

Yes, and the snow

"

Chance

"

Abel eagerly. can manage so

it

down anywhere.

It

snow away.

may

put

gets trampled with

my

much more

I

the

get

will

I

not so hard."

and go on digging/* said

then,

it,

is

easily if

I

coming and going."

more and

Dallas crept up to his task once

away,

toiled

another meal and again

Twice over by

the

impossible in a

idea

all

must be

nearing

However, the plan arranged proved

liberty.

in

slept.

they

that

feeling

made

they worked on, cheered

still

;

both

out,

was repeated, and

this

of time was lost

worn

utterly

till,

entirety, the rock bulging out

its

way which drove the miner

hour after hour grew of cutting

less,

till

with his spade,

it

But the snow

of his sap.

alter the direction

all

and the

softer,

difficulty

at once, as Dallas struck

went through

and a rush of cool

to entirely

air

came

into a cavity,

into the sloping

tunnel. "

Heavenly

freely

now.

!

"

"

cried I'll

the

slip

worker,

down,

breathing

Bel.

You

must come up and have a mouthful of this."

TO WIN OR TO

88

He

DIE.

descended to the bottom, and Abel took

the bpade and went to his place. "

The

shovel goes through quite easily here,"

he said excitedly. " Yes, "

and what v

Can you see "

No

in the

;

all is

beyond

daylight

shouted Dallas.

" ?

must be a hole

It

must get

comes quite pure and life

? "

black as ink.

We

snow.

is

into

fresh,

it,

and

for the air

that

means

and hope."

In his excitement he

out

struck

shovel twice, and had drawn

it

with

back

the

to strike

again,

when

he

himself borne sidewise and carried along,

felt

snow

with the

The higher,

there was a dull heavy crack, and

rising

up and covering

his face.

next minute, as he vainly strove to get the

movement

ceased,

and

he

felt

himself locked in the embrace of the snow, while his breathing stopped.

Only crystal

for

a moment,

before the hardening

which surrounded

away, and a rush of pure

and seemed

Then

to bring

the sliding

back

his air

head dropped swept over him

life.

movement

entirely ceased,

and he wildly shouted his cousin's name. His voice echoed from somewhere above,

THE FIGHT FOR telling fret;

him

that,

down

LIFE.

89

though a prisoner, he was

to the bhoulders,

though

hib anrib

were pinned. But there was no other reply to the

call,

and

he turned sick and faint with the knowledge

must be once more buried deep,

that Dallas

and

far

below.

Around

all

was black darkness, and

in his

agony another desperate effort was made but the snow had moulded itself around him nearly ;

to the neck,

and he could not

stir

a limb.

CHAPTER

IX.

UNDER PRESSURE.

HE

of delirium which once more

fit

Wray was

tacked Abel

much

as

it

darkened his

long hours

awoke

at

of that

him

showing

sun

tremendous

a

of

yards

fifty

away

valley towered

the

with

last

merciful, inas-

night,

level

position

his

through the

intellect

terrible

waste

at-

of

and

he

of

the

rays

a hollow

in

snow,

whil

of

the

rocky

up many hundred

feet

above

the

sides

his head.

But

it

was

and

daylight,

instead

of

the

ravine seeming a place of horror and darkness, the snow-covered mountains flashed gloriously in

the

bright

brought with

it

whose

warm glow

hope and determination,

in

of the terrible sense of imprisonment,

spite

and

sunshine,

the

bonds.

inability

The

move from

to

the

icy

great suffering was not bodily, 90

UNDER PRESSURE. and

mental,

but

recurring

stantly

with Dallas

But

for

selfish,

question

huw was

was,

was

sunshine

it

was shut

again,

in

but

hope.

with

laden

he had

be toiling hard to tunnel a way out, Yes, there was that terrible "

back

it

he might of

con-

the

and provisions with him, and he would

tools

kept

the

?

the

Dallas

not

91

keep him

to lend

But Abel

if."

was quite possible

it

be getting a

still

air to

How

for

;

if-

sufficient

when

the

him help

first

?

it,

distance.

It

cliff

to

it

some that

buried, the fresh collapse,

away and borne having taken him the above

snow had

him with

supply

alive.

There was the face of the vast fifty yards away, and it was close up they had been

that

fallen

was probable, then, that Dallas

would not be now very

far

below the glittering

surface of the snow.

How

to get at

Abel's If

he

first

could

him

?

thought was to free one arm.

do

that

he might possibly be

able to get at his knife, dragging

sheath at

his

waist.

Then

be comparatively easy, for

it

from the

work would he could dig away the

"

TO WIN OR TO

92

DIE.

the partly consolidated snow in which he was cased,

and throw

He

set

effect,

for

from him.

struggling

to,

seemed

it

working with help

it

him

to

that

he was only

his will, his muscles refusing to

and by degrees the

;

without

but

hard,

full

truth

dawned

upon him, that the absence of pain was due

body was quite benumbed, and a horrible sensation of fear came over him, with the belief that all beneath the snow to the fact that his

must be

frozen,

and that he could do absolutely

nothing to save his

Even

as

life.

he thought

this

benumbed

the

sensation seemed to be rising slowly towards his brain.

" In a short time aloud,

((

thinking

and poor Dal I

Is there

icy prison

?

wrenched

could, first on

but

it

with

will

no way

his

be

left there,

one

side,

its

to escape

buried,

him

from

to

this

far as

he

and then on the other

stupendous walls

horrible with

left

head round as

was always the same its

be over," he groaned

have escaped and have

his fate.

He

all will

— the

;

narrow valley

no longer black and

unseen horrors

in the

ness of the night, but a wondrous

way

dark to

a

UNDER PRESSURE. city

93

of towers and palaces gorgeous to behold.

His eyes ached with the flashing beauties of the scene.

It

was not the golden Klondike but a

land

whose

of his

dreams,

turrets

and spires and minarets were jewelled

with diamonds,

shadows amethyst

he was

till

self

and emeralds

rubies,

were of sapphire ;

of silver,

blue

whose

;

darker

or

and whose rays flashed and mingled fain to close his eyes

and ask him-

whether what he saw was part of some

dazzling dream.

He

looked again,

to

see

that

was no

it

but a scene of beauty growing more

vision,

and more intense as the sun rose higher.

The

darkness had fled to display these wonders

;

chasm or gully that was not enlightened everywhere save within the sufferer's darkened soul. There all was the there

was

not

a

—

blackness of despair.

But black despair cannot stay the it

breast

of youth.

for

Hope began

long

in

to chase

away, and inanimate though the body was,

the brain

grew more

active, offering suggestion

after suggestion as to

how he might

The sun was growing minute,

and

the

hotter

reflections

from

escape.

minute the

by pure

TO WIN OR TO

94

white

ice

effects

were becoming

almost

painful.

Just where the

DIE.

Already,

too,

its

visible.

warm

rays

played on

the

edge of a gap whose lower portions were of an exquisite turquoise blue, tiny crystal-like drops were forming, and as Abel VVray gazed at

them with straining eyes he saw two run which kept gradually

together into one, creasing in size

adhesion to

last,

till

it

and

grew too heavy

it fell

in-

for its

out of sight.

Only a drop of water, but it was the end of May the snows would be melting, and before long millions of such drops would have ;

formed and run together coursing

rivulets

along

to

make snow

the

trickling

these

;

grow into rushing torrents, and the snow would fall away, and he would be would

soon

free. '•

What madness

thaw rapidly

till

"

!

the sun

he groaned. is

off,

((

It

and then freeze

once more, and perhaps another avalanche come.

Yes,

I

shall

find

He in

my

will

be thawed out some day,

and some one may come along

and

will

in the future

bones."

shuddered, for

it

was getting black with-

once more, and a delirious feeling of horror

UNDER PRESSURE. began

to

95

master him, bringing with

it

thoughts

of what might come.

Bears would be torpid lairs

but wolves

;

He had

felt

to

as

if

set his

in their

snow-covered

!

he could shriek aloud, and he teeth hard as his eyes rolled

round and up and down the gorge of some wandering

him out

at once,

pack

and

in

that

in

search

would scent

imagination he went

through the brain-paralysing horror of seeing

them approach, with eyes,

their red, hungry, glaring

their foam-slavered

lips

and glistening

teeth.

There they were, five, seven, nine of them, gliding over the snow a hundred yards away, their shadows cast by the sun upon the dazzling white surface, and he uttered a hoarse cry and his in

head sank sideways as he closed his eyes the reaction.

No

wolves, only the few magnified shapes

of a covey of snow grouse, the ryper of the

Scandinavian land, which, after running for a while, rose

and passed over him with whirring

wings, seeking the lower part of the valley,

where the snow was swept away. Abel drew a long, deep breath, and then

96

TO WIN OR TO

set his teeth

once more as he upbraided him-

DIE.

self for his cowardice.

—

For was he not on the highway the main track to the golden land and was it not a ;

certainty

would pass that way What was that ?

The

?

prisoner listened, with every nerve on

the strain, and

So

long other adventurers

before

that

it

was repeated.

great was the tension, that as soon as

the sound

came

for the

second time the listener

uttered a wild shriek of joy.

He

cry.

his icy

had struggled

bonds

awakened

to

go

to

the

fact

and he had dared time

Dallas

come and delight

was

to

to

alive

free him.

It

was hardly a

to free himself

from

his cousin's help,

that

he was helpless,

despair,

and

The

and

when

toiling

all

hard

the to

sensation of joy and

was almost maddening, and he

listened

again.

—

There it was a dull, low, indescribable sound which appealed to him all through, for

more with his chest than with his It was a kind of a jar which came through the snow, communicated from particle to particle, telegraphed to him by the worker he

felt

it

UNDER PRESSURE. below, and well,

told that Dallas

it

and striving hard to get

How

long would

through

Not

?

it

97

was strong and

free.

way

take him to dig his

he could not be so

long, for

deep down now.

He

counting every stroke of the

waited,

and a

shovel,

fresh joy thrilled

for those light jars sent fresh

the listener,

hope

in

waves,

him as they did that though he was so benumbed, his body must be full of sensation. It could not be deadened by the cold. telling

"Bah!

must naturally be a coward

I

heart," the poor fellow said to himself.

" Dai's

I think of helping him he who takes that role"

worth a dozen of me.

Pooh

But

always

it is

!

his

thought

—

at

?

mind went back again to the one How long would it take Dallas to

way out in spite of his wound ? Not very long— the strokes of the shovel came

dig his so

But what an escape

so regularly. "

Not

prisoner.

free

yet,

" That's

though,"

for both

muttered

work away,

right,

!

the

Dal.

Your muscles were always stronger than mine. Get out and the prize

could hear

reach the gold yet, and win

we'll

we came

me

if

I

for.

—

shouted

wonder whether he

I

" !

TO WIN OR TO

98

He bowed

head as

his

far as

touching the snow with his " Dal,

ahoy

moments ahoy-y-y "

ahoy

!

he could,

the

nearly-

lips.

he shouted

"

came

after "

!

DIE.

answer,

;

and a few u

Ahoy

from the icy rocks up the valley.

!

Only the echoes," muttered Abel, as the

sounds died away.

Then he and

loud

started,

clear,

li

for the hail

Ahoy

!

Ahoy

came

again,

— ahoy-y-y

" !

and then once more the echoes. But the

was from down the narrow

hail

and these echoes were from above.

valley,

Help coming!" cried Abel wildly. "Ahoy, there! Help!" He wrenched his head round to utter the cry, and was conscious of a heavy pang in his (<

Hurrah!

injured time, "

But what of that

throat.

when

Ahoy

!

No

" !

deceiving echo, for

"Where

addition came,

Abel's

are

lips

parted to reply,

but a

chill

of

more,

bitter groan.

There they were

The

in

too.

and he uttered a

it.

?

yer?" and that

despair shot through every nerve once

of

such a

the cry was answered by another

ahoy

was echoed

at

—there

could be no doubt

three cowardly, treacherous ruffians

UNDER PRESSURE.

99

had escaped, and he was calling them to his

Nut

help.

four hundred yardb

be seen

plainly to

in

down

the valley,

the broad sunshine,

all

three of them, two dragging a heavily laden

the

sledge,

big-bearded

the

other,

short distance in front, his

"

hands

to his

mouth

Where away,

O

"Will they see like this

?

now.

don't

dig

still

they're

work."

a

the act of putting

to shout again

:

?"

me

with just

Yes, they are certain

must come by here.

:

in

ruffian,

my

head out

to,

for they

Oh, Dal, Dal, old man, For heaven's sake, keep

coming

to

finish

their

horrid

CHAPTER HUMAN

A

*'\70U

be blowed "

voice. I

don

t

know

" !

X.

FOSSIL. bluff cheery

a

cried

Eckers be jiggered

!

Think

the difference between a hecker

an' a nail ?"

a No." "

as

I

Don't

I ?

I

heered some one holloa, and

don't believe in ghosts,

Ahoy

must be here.

!

say some one

I

where are you, mate

The speaker turned from his two who were dragging the sledge up

" ?

companions, the slope of

the snow-fall, and then smote one thigh heavily

with the palm of his great hand. " I'm blest " he shouted, as he ran a few !

steps and dropped on one knee by Abel's head. "

No, no

;

don't give in now,

my

up, and we'll soon have you out

Here,

out

with

shovels

and

lad.

Hold

o' this

pickle.

pecks,

lads.

Here's a director of the frozen meat company IOO

<

HUMAN

A caught

own

in his

FOSSIL.

Specimen

trap.

mutton froze hard and

stralian

Here, mate, take a sup

o'

The speaker unscrewed flask,

101

and held

Horse-

O

alive

all

this."

the top of a large

to Abel's

it

o'

lips,

a

trickling

few drops between them as the head

fell

back

and the poor fellow nearly swooned away.

Never mind its being I'd put some snow in it, but you've strong. had enough of that. Coming round, you are. "

That's your

What's

been

it

" Yes, yes,"

sort.

—a

heavy 'lanche

gasped Abel

;

" ?

" but never

mind

me."

What

(

!

Want

to

be cut out carefully as

— fly-in-amber sort of a no — my cousin! Buried

a curiosity "

No,

"

fellow

?

alive,

man.

Hark you can hear him digging underground." The great sturdy fellow, who bore some !

resemblance to ruddy-haired Beardy, sufficient in the distance

and under the circumstances of

excitement to warrant Abel's

his

misappre-

snow prisoner for a few he believed him to be insane.

hension, stared at the

moments "

said

as

if

He's off his in

'ead,

mates, with fright," he

a low voice to his

were freeing the shovels

;

companions,

who

but Abel heard him. 7

TO WIN OR TO

io2

" I

No, no," he cried

am saying. The great,

"

'•

know what

I

frank-looking fellow laid his ear

and leaped up again.

He's right," he roared excitedly.

some one below

my

wildly.

Libten."

to the snow, "

DIE.

lad

—how

" There's

many were with

you,

" ?

Only

my cousin

but don't talk

—we were buried

— dig, dig

"Yes, both of you, man,

cried the big

together-

" !

into

slip

Just here,"

it.

" while

I

there,"

cried

get the pick and

fetch this one out." "

No,

cally.

not

no,

"

Dig

yonder,

there

Abel

by

franti-

the

rock

wall."

" " "

What, right over yonder ? Sound's here." Go and listen there," cried Abel. " Can you hold out ?

"Yes, yes; hours now. for heaven's sake,

One rocky

of the wall,

quick

Save

my cousin;

" !

men had gone quickly to the knelt down and listened, and

shouted back. " He's right," cried this latter.

"You

can

hear some one moleing away quite plain." " Dig, dig! " shouted Abel,

and two of the

ttttttfttt

/

;

rtttffl

i

*

-

//.•

7 s:*mt'U$t~~*

miiiiiiimiM

>

a

•&&*

•

T /"TfJS

"*

w.

,

tJ

oED §M

r

^

T-j Ti

-.

^f

"

A HUMAN newcomers began the party

a

FOSSIL.

at once, while the leader

went to

of

sledge and dragged

their

from where

pick

miner's

sharp-pointed

105

it

was lashed on. "

No, no," cried Abel imploringly, as the

man returned "You keep

to

side

his

my

quiet,

" save him."

;

I'm a-going to

lad.

save you. " But I can breathe/' cried Abel.

So can

"

Two

he couldn't go on working.

he, or

heavy chaps

tramping over

sixteen stone to tread

more

o'

Tore

this

it

hard.

begin

I

be

to

my

want

Don't

head.

his

enough

quite

is

Have

a drop

?

my mouth

"

No, no!

"

put some life into you, Good job too when you looked as if you was going

burning

It is

:

just

Now

bye-bye for good.

to

be skeart.

used to

it

know how

I

to

half

a

without taking the skin

you

then, don't

to use a pick

the Corn'll tin mines.

in

anywhere

hit

still."

;

I

you been

could

shadow round you off.

I'll

soon have

out."

He

began

compressed

at once, driving the pick into the

snow

but after the

first

half-

dozen strokes, seeing how the fragments

flew,

;

TO'

106

he took off laid

WIN OR TO

broad-brimmed

his

Then commencing

walked

he

as

shine,

a

as

glittered

screen.

chips

the the

in

backward,

and

hat

felt

made

again he

showers which

in

fly

head

Abel's

against

it

DIE.

sun-

cutting

a

narrow trench with the sharp-pointed implement, taking the prisoner's head as a centre

and keeping about

thirty

on round and round

so

inches distant, and

channel

the

till

was as deep as the arm of the

cut

he

and

pick,

quite clear. i i

Feel bad?" he said

pausing for a few

moments.

"No,

no>"

getting on

"

I

"

Now

are

they

?

—what

be out

11

How

a

" Better'n me.

mate

u

Ahel.

cried

If

we

don't look sharp your

you say he was

did

—cousin

?•

first."

hope

so," sighed Abel.

then, shut your eyes,

my

son," cried

t

"I'm going to cut from you now. Lean your head away as much as you can.

the miner.

I've cut the tire

head's

and

the nave;

felloes of the

now

;

your

I'm going to cut the

spokes." Click, click, clicks

wheel

went the

pick.

HUMAN

A "

"

Don't you

FOSSIL.

my

flinch,

107

man.

son/' cried the

won't hit you/'

I

Abel had winced the

bright

steel

over,

had

whizzed

by

much

he

hat,

made by

for

him

but he grew more confi-

;

dent now, and, as

progress

times

tool

dangerously close

sheltering

several

as he could for the

watched

the

his rescuer,

who

wonderful

end

at the

minutes had deeply cut two more

of a few

channels

fashion

the

after

of

the

spokes

running from the centre to the periphery of the imaginary wheel.

After

this,

a few well-directed blows brought

out the intervening

snow

and

in great pieces,

upon these being cleared out another clever blow broke the gathered snow right up the

young man's

left

to

arm, leaving seven or

eight inches below the shoulder clear. "

That's

your

miner cheerily, the to

pick

flying

chatting the

away,

while.

making a

a dynamite cartridge,

That would have sent it

son,"

t(

cried

the

but keeping

The

best

way

have got you out would have been with

a tamping iron, in

my

sort,

nice hole, dropping

and popping

this stuff flying,

might have blowed you

all

to bits,

it

off.

only

which

TO WIN OR TO

108

wouldn't have

been

mates

I

you

are

gettin'

the on,

?

Work

He's

away,

enough, Bob."

'live

then.

Look

did think of spoking you

beginning to think at

is

"

" All right. "

This

pleasant.

How

way.

safest

DIE.

you

it'll

all

here,

my

son,

round, but I'm

be better to keep on

and then take you out of your

this side,

mould sidewise

There won't be so much

like.

cutting to do, and you'll have one side clear

sooner.

"

What do you

want you

I

to

say

" ?

go and help your com-

panions," replied Abel faintly. "

the

Then I'm sorry I can't oblige you," cried man cheerily. " Look at that now This !

had time to get very hard. After a few thawings and freezings it would

fresh stuff hasn't

be

like clear solid ice.

there's

your

another.

ribs.

I

Soon

It's

pretty firm, but

let

daylight

want to get that

clear first so as

down by hand and arm

you can hold the hat to shade

your face."

And

all

the time he

chatted away, coolly

enough, the pick was wielded so dexterously, every blow being given

to

such purpose, that

he cut out large pieces of the compressed snow

HUMAN

A

FOSSIL.

ioq

and hooked them out of the rapidly growing hole.

was the work of a man who had

It

toiled

down

for

years amongst the granite deep

the

bowels of the earth, and experience had

in

taught him the value of striking so as to save labour

and

one,

same the task was a long grew more difficult the deeper down

but

;

it

the

all

he went. " 'Bliged to

he said

now.

;

I

make the

" but

say,

you hold up

;

I

my

sha'n't

son,"

be long

Are

how deep down do you go ?

you a six-footer "

hole bigger,

" ?

No, I'm only about

five feet eight,"

said

Abel, whose face looked terribly pained and

drawn.

"Aren't you "

I

now?"

the

man

coolly.

should ha' thought by the look of your head

and chest that you were job with me. measure. it?

said

I'm over six foot

Been a longer three, and good

There, now that arm's

Can you

Abel shook "

There

is

"

Might

ha'

the cold.

taller.

lift

his

it

clear,

aren't

out?"

head sadly.

no use

in it,"

knowed

it.

he said Bit

faintly.

numb

like with

But you keep a good heart, and

I'll

TO WIN OR TO

no have you

out.

fear of caving

m

There's one arm

and the

rest'll

only a

It's

on

ub.

clear,

DIE.

bit o'

work, and no

Just child's play like.

and a

bit

of your side,

soon follow."

The man paused

in the act

of getting the

the top off the spirit-flask, and shouted to his

companions,

"Hoi!

me

My

help

here.

Here, quick,

lads,

and

one's going out."

For a ghastly look crossed Abel's

face,

his

eyes grew fixed, as they half closed, and his

head

fell

over on one

side.

CHAPTER XL A

HE to

COWARD BLOW.

two men who had been fighting hard reach

Dallas,

the

sound of whose

seemed nearer than ever, rushed to companion, who had begun chafing the

strokes their

buried man's face and temples, with the result

Abel raised

that

head again and looked

his

wildly round. "

I

thought

he was a

"Go

whispered the big fellow. your chap;

I'll

manage

on back to

excited by their

rushed back again, and their companion

moistened Abel's

The man began wonderful

every

lips.

to

rapidity,

work

his pick again with

enlarging

now and then giving

the

hole,

companions were tearing out the in

and

a furtive glance at

the prisoner and another in the direction his

sons,"

here."

The two men, who were task,

my

goner,

where

icy snow.

— TO WIN OR TO

112

The

DIE.

great drops stood on the big Cornish-

man's face as he toiled away, enlarging the hole

down

beside Abel Wray, and

he kept up a cheery

rattle

useful a tool a pick was,

the time

all

of talk about

and how the

—and whom he — ought to have

how

lad

he

was helping

kept on calling

a

brought one

my

the

son

"

same kind

for the gold

working

to

of

come

;

but the look in his big grey eyes looked darker

and more sombre as he saw a grey aspect darkening the countenance of the prisoner the air he had seen before in the faces of

whom

he had helped to rescue

roof in one of the " He'll I

don't

home

men

after a fall of

mines.

be a goner before

get him out

I

if

mind," he said to himself, and the

pick rattled, and the

icy

struck here and there,

snow

flashed as he

only ceasing

now and

then to stoop and throw out some big lump

which he had detached. " Better

laugh, " up. to

fun

if all

thib,

this

Fancy, you the

ton.

my

was

know

bon,"

he Said with a

powdered gold a hundredweight

rich ore to be

—

Rather different to our quartz

rock at home, with just a sprinkle of don't pay the labour.

tin that

A COWARD BLOW.

"Hah!" stood in

he cried at

the

well-like

threw down his pick

last,

113

from where he

had

shaft he

and

cut,

on the snow.

Now

"

you ought to come."

He

rose,

took hold of Abel as he spoke,

were

and found that his calculations

right,

draw him forward from out of the snowy mould and the next minute in which he was belted the poor fellow lay insensible upon the snow, for

very

effort

little

was

required

to

;

with his rescuer kneeling by him, once more trickling spirit ((

between the blue 1

Can't

swallow,'

up the

he screwed

muttered flask,

and

lips.

man, and

the set

to

work

rubbing his patient vigorously, regardless of

what was going on beneath the rocky till

wall,

there was a loud cheer, and his two com-

panions came

towards him, each holding by

and shaking hands heartily with Dallas Adams.

For they had mined down to where they could meet him as he toiled upward to escape and ;

the

first

words of Dallas, when he was drawn

out hot and exhausted, were a question about his cousin.

The the

pair

set

at

liberty

joined

in

now

in

endeavour to resuscitate the poor fellow

TO WIN OR TO

ii4

Their sledge was un-

on the snow.

lying

packed,

double blankets

sufferer

lifted

applied the

upon

the

to

down, and the

laid

them,

and

limbs,

of seeing

satisfaction

DIE.

friction

at

had

they

last

him

liberally

unclose

Then

eyes, to stare blindly for a time.

his

con-

sciousness returned, there was a look of joy flashing out, "

and he uttered the words hoarsely

Saved!"

Dal!

" Yes, yes,

all

right, old lad,

How

true fellows here.

"Arms, hands, and bing horribly.

The "

:

I

thanks to these

are you

" ?

legs burning

and throb-

can hardly bear the

pain.'*

big Cornishman laughed.

Only the hot-ache,

" That's a splendid

my son,"

he said merrily.

You're not

sign.

frost-

bitten."

"

God

cried

"

I

bless

you

for

all

you have done,"

Abel, catching at the big fellow's hand.

couldn't hold out

"Of

any longer."

course you couldn't.

Why, your

pluck

was splendid."

"Thank saved

my

"Yah! don't

him, Dal," cried Abel.

"He

has

life."

Fudge!

Gammon!

want no thanking.

Stuff!

You two

lads

We would

A COWARD BLOW.

We

have done the same. preached

Tummy

at.

do you say to a and a "

Same

you

as

don't want to be

my

BrufiC

what

son,

setting the billy to boil,

fire,

bit o' brax'uss

115

" ?

do,

Cup

laddie.

tea'll

o'

be about the right thing for these two."

There was plenty of scrub pine swept down

by

and soon

and

sticking

Axes were got

to work,

the

out here and there. after the

hand,

at

snowfall,

two

were seated,

sufferers

covered with fur lined coats, and revelling the glow of the

over which a big

fire,

was steaming, while

their

new

busy bringing out cake, bread, from their store

The a black

big,

in the partly

tin

were

friends

tea,

in

and bacon

unpacked sledge.

bearded Cornishman had started

pipe,

plenished the

and while fire

his

companions

and prepared

for the

re-

meal,

he sat on a doubled-up piece of tarpaulin,

and wiped,

dried,

and axes ready

and polished for

picks, shovels,

Every now

repacking.

and then he paused to smile a innocent-looking

smile

been rescued, just as

if

at

the

big,

happy,

two who had

he thoroughly enjoyed

what had been done, and then, suddenly dropping the axe he was finishing, caught up a

little

TO WIN OR TO

n6

measure of dry boils

!

lifted

" it

tossed off,

tea,

and

and shouting,

into the

it

set

it

freshly polished tools

Soon

after,

DIE.

tin

aside,

" There, she

over the

and then

fire,

laid the

on the sledge.

refreshed by the tins of hot tea,

the rescued pair were able to give an account

of their adventures, the newcomers listening eagerly and making their comments. "

"

Ho!"

expected

I

rough to

said the big Cornishman, frowning.

we

but

'uns,

be so bad as "

should come across didn't think

I

that.

No," said one of

it

some

was going

Scared, mates?" his

companions

;

" not

yet.

"

Nor yet me," said the other. " Nor me neither," said the big fellow. " If it's going to be peace and work, man and man, but if it's war over the so much the better gold, we shall have to fight. What's mine and it'll go awkward for is mine, or ourn ;

;

them as meddles with me. I'm a nastytempered dog if any one tries to take my bone away; aren't I, my sons?" The two men addressed bent their heads back and burst into a roar of laughter. "

Hark

at

him," said the

man spoken

to

A COWARD BLOW. as

Tommy.

"

pilchard

soft-roed

lads.

that's

;

Eh, Dick Humphreys?"

is.

"Yes;

my

Don't you believe him,

He's a great big

what he

117

big gal,"

like a great

assented the

other. "

said the

my

know,

don't

he

am I?"

Oh,

sons.

tapping

continued,

"then

knuckles,

three blacks

we're sitting

is

"You

big fellow.

But

I

the

snow

though,"

say,

with

his

aught we know

for

buried alive just

them under where

" ?

" I'm afraid so." " 'Fraid

What

?

are

" It is a horrible

you

'fraid

on

" ?

death," said Abel, with a

shudder. " Well, yes,

man

I

suppose "

thoughtfully.

digging to find 'em, a

We

are

it is,"

said the Cornish-

we ought oughtn't we?" I

not sure

say,

to get

they are there," said

Dallas. 11

Of

course

"and

miner, see,

your

I

mate

you are

continued

not,"

don't believe they are.

here

took

us

for

'em.

the

You I

made a mistake and buried you two instead of them. If they are down Natur'

believe

below

I

haven't heard no signs of them, and

TO WIN OR TO

n8

Why,

must be dead.

they

a couple of years to clear

and we mightn't

find

Our

sledges

?

would take us

it

this stuff

all

'em then.

what about your tackle "

DIE.

away,

say, though,

I

" ?

They're buried deep down

here." "

We

You two

shall

have to

get

them

then.

out,

won't be able to get along without

your traps."

Soon after an inspection of the position was made one of the men descended into the hole they had dug close up to the rock wall, and he returned to give his opinion that by devoting a day to the task the shaft ;

could be so enlarged that they could drive a

branch down straight to the spot, and save the stores

and

tools,

even

if

they could not

get the sledges out whole.

took two days, though, during which no

It

comers

appeared,

the

of

the

snowfall having stopped further progress.

At

fresh

report

the end of the above time, pretty well everything was saved by

the

and

who

his

companions,

help

of the miner

gallantly

stood by

them. ((

Oh, we've got plenty of time," said

their

;

A COWARD BLOW. leader, "

and

to be played,

if

these sort

it

strikes

would be stronger Don't

along of us.

that

you two gents

you made a you don't care

if if

how

do you say to trying

games are going

o'

me

119

it

This was gladly acceded

day a move was made as

worked to,

sort o' co.

What

to.

for a bit

and on the

" ?

third

where

far as the spot

the grim discovery had been made.

Here the party halted, and the corpse of the unfortunate was reverently covered by a cairn of stones, along with his faithful dog after ;

which a discussion arose as to what should be done with

and

poor fellow's implements

the

stores.

" Pity

men.

"

to leave

Only

'em here," said one of the

Hadn't we better share

spoil.

'em out." "

Perhaps so," said

"

Dallas.

You

three

can.

"Oh, but "

there's five

on

us,

sir."

No, only three."

"What

do you

say,

Bob?"

said

the

first

speaker. "

with

I

says bring the us.

If we're

what's there

;

if

poor chap's sled along

hard pushed

we're not

we

we can use

shan't want

8

it

TO WIN OR TO

120

and

— well,

don't kind

I

any one

like

Same

time,

feel as if

o'

should

I

nubble iny things like

tu

says

I

DIE.

it

is

that.

no use to leave 'em

to spoil."

The

next morning, with the young

worse

the

for

onward, and

their

adventure,

for a couple

men

they started

of days made pretty

good way, leaving the snow behind

downward

progress,

stopped by the

till all

change

been prepared before

little

their

in

was which they had

further advance for

The watershed

starting.

had been crossed, and they had reached the head waters of one of the

Yukon River

vast fl

tributaries

of the

of the three thousand miles

ow.

The narrow fir

had

reached

was a

spot

they

lake,

surrounded at the upper end by

woods.

The

rest

long,

of the route was to be

by water, and here a

suitable

had

raft

to

be made. "

Fine chance for a chap to

building/' said Big Bob. I

believe

"

Dallas

;

up boat-

What do you say?

we should make more money over

the job than by going to dig " Let's

set

try

the

it

out."

gold-digging

and with a cheer the men

first,"

set to

said

work

the trees

at

the

A COWARD BLOW.

121

axes

ringing and

pine-chips flying

bright

the

111

trunk after trunk

till

the

selected,

fell

with a crash, to be

down

lopped and trimmed and dragged

to the

edge ready for rough notching out to

water's

form the framework of such a easily bear the adventurers, stores,

sunshine

down

would

as

raft

their sledges

and

the lake and through the torrents

and rapids of the river

and turbulent

in its wild

course.

The

form a shelter to the

triangle to for

lit

drawn up together

sledges were

cooking,

wind

the

for

sharply from the mountains. lay with the sledges, for the

had stripped

to

their

fire

a

they had

came

down

and

pistols

Rifles

party of five

little

work, so

in

that,

save for

the axes they used, they were unarmed.

But no thought of danger occurred to any one present tion for

till

that

;

was postponed

they had finished the

a twenty-mile

sail

down

raft

to

in

imagina-

and embarked

where the

river,

which entered as a shallow mountain torrent, rushed out,

northward

would need

wonderfully

augmented, to tear

a series

rapids,

in all

the

of wild

strength and

the travellers to navigate

them

which

courage of

in safety.

TO WIN OR TO

122

A

DIE.

hearty laugh was ringing out, for the big

Cornishman had rather boastingly announced that

he

could carry one of the fallen

easily to the lake, put

and gone head tree,

first

it

trees

to the proof, slipped,

into the water after

the

when a sharp crack rang out from near

at hand.

Abel uttered a loud to his head,

and

fell

cry,

clapped his hands

backward.

For a moment or two the men stood paralysed, gazing at the fallen youth.

as if

Then

Dallas looked sharply round, caught sight

of

a thin film of smoke curling up from the edge

of the

forest,

and with a cry of rage ran

toward the sledges, thrusting the handle of his axe through

his belt,

from where

it

spot

lay,

whence the

caught up his revolver

and dashed towards the

firing

must have come.

CHAPTER

XII.

WHOLESALE ROBBERY.

EEP together — keep together! " shouted heeded,

the

big

Cornishman

and

he

followed

seizing the

;

no

but

one

example

their

of

weapon he could reach and

first

following.

The ness

was

pursuit follow

to

in

which formed the

for

it

them down as dense

thicket

branches

amongst the dense pines forest,

so,

:

their

they

of

struggled

fallen

after a

way back

trees

through

and

few rallying to

open

the

the

tangled

cries,

they

space

by

and resting

head upon his hand.

"Wounded!" panted 41

themselves

placing

the lake, to find Abel sitting up his

seemed mad-

mercy of an enemy who could bring

at the

made

short,

Yes

injured

no!

man

I

Dallas.

can't tell!

huskily. 123

Look!"

said the

TO WIN OR TO

i2 4

A

DIE.

few minutes' examination showed

narrow had been struck

the

his

of

side

escape, a bullet having

the

poor

head,

fellow's

Half an inch lower

just abrading the scalp.

must have meant death. " Injuns," said the Cornishman u

how

laconically.

No, no," cried Dallas, with a

fierce look

round; "it must be our enemies." "

Not

they,

my

under the snow, It's

he

then, can

said,

" Yes, I

am

you

;

they're

may

asleep

fast

your oath.

take

by the way they hid themselves.

Injuns,

Now,

lad

you keep watch

—sentry

go?"

addressing Abel.

was only a graze from the

it

bullet;

better now."

Then you take a loaded rifle and keep watch while we go on knocking the raft together." "Yes," cried Dallas, " the sooner we get away from here the better." "

All set to

work with

raft-making. clever

and a

feverish energy at the

Enough wood was

and by

notching together, the use of spikes, further

strengthening

framework rapidly progressed, being

cut,

to

launch,

load

up,

with their

and

rope,

the

intention

set

evening, so as to get to a safer spot.

off that

WHOLESALE ROBBERY.

125

Abel carefully kept his watch, scanning the

was no and the men worked away,

dark edge of the forest further interruption,

;

but

there

with only a brief pause for refreshment.

Then

the sun dipped below the pines, and

approached Dallas

as darkness

on

let his

axe

rest

young pine he had been trimming,

the

and turned to his companions, with a look of despair in his eyes. " Yes, " said the

we

cut out

night,

my

"

What's

more

son.

We

thought. to

Cornishman good-humouredly, stuff than

a

It's

shall

we can

bigger

finish to-

job

than

I

have to knock off now.

be done about the fire?"

was risky work, but the watch was well kept while water was boiled and bacon fried. It

Then

a

darkness over It

it

meal was made,

hasty fell

the

fire

was quenched by throwing

a bucket or two of water.

was hard enough

to

do

the ground was clear about

on every rocky to

be

and as the

hill,

bitterly cold.

one

of

boughs hung down

for

though

snow

them,

lay

and the night promised But the exposure to an

enemy would have been selecting

this,

the

too great

huge

to the

;

spruces

ground

so

after

whose

for a shelter,

TO WIN OR TO

i»6

and dragging the sledges

DIE.

close

in,

the question

arube uf continuing the watch. "

Tchah

dark as pitch," said the

Its as

!

Nobody

Cornishman.

"

enemy

think

we're

come.

We

Let the

could see.

They won't

watching.

must chance

Wrap up

it.

and have a good night's

well,

rest."

This advice was taken, and soon

after

all

were sleeping the sleep of exhaustion, and

awoke

at daylight without a fresh alarm.

The

previous day's

and the

was

still

toil

so

over the

much

to

raft

do

went on, but there

cussions

were

they

the hours glided by

"

still

Who

long?"

smiling;

at

it

the

lower that

late in the afternoon,

till

could have thought said

No

expect

that

and con-

currents

fierce

to

so

the task was not done.

Dallas at

have everything "

craft

where the rapids began,

part of the lake

and

way of bracing

in the

and strengthening the rough might withstand the

were resumed,

tactics

one,

would take so

"You

see,

we

to cut."

my

"but

last.

it

I

son,"

bet

said their big friend,

we

shouldn't have got

the job done for us in double the time." " It

would be madness

to start to-night."

WHOLESALE ROBBERY. " Stark.

and then

dark,

some poles a

of

bit

may

Couldn't

for

for

Let's

pitch.

cut

punting and a mast to make

we like, and then I think we we have got our job well done, and

up

loading

in

the

little

the

starting

n

morning

"Yes," said Abel, worse

like

before

if

sail

say that

ready

up

loaded

get

be

it'll

127

mishap

for his last

make a good

who seemed

job of the

;

"

it

was better

to

raft."

And that we've done," said the Cornishman. The poles were cut, trimmed, and laid upon "

the deck, which had been finished after launching all

;

and now, as they examined

were

satisfied that

it

work,

their

could not have been

done better

in the time,

clear water,

swinging by a rope secured

pine-stump,

all

felt

seemed

for the

to

it

be that

whole of

it

it

would

sledges and

the party, their pity

that

for as

lay in

easily

stores

;

the to a

bear

and the

could not be used

their journey.

"Who

knows? Perhaps it may." There was an hour's daylight yet, and this was utilised down on the sandy shore of the stream which ran into the lake hard by. It

was the

first

trial,

and no

little

interest

TO WIN OR TO

128

was

pannikin

water,

man waded

as every

felt

DIE.

hand,

in

aside

and then get a

down

as they could.

into the icy cold

scoop the sand

to

from

tinful

deep

as

This was washed and watched beneath the the

water, again,

only

till

was

this

thrown

stones

a

little

and

out,

sand

washed and

remained,

carefully examined.

"Gold!"

and

Dallas excitedly;

cried

this

was eagerly responded to by the others, for in every pan there was some of the precious metal, but such tiny grains that

would be useless

that a halt

was decided

it

there.

''Farther on," said Dallas excitedly; "this is

only the edge of the golden land, but here

is

proof that we are going right." "

Yes," said the big Cornishman

don't rest

from a

till

we can

shovel

more

the

fire

silence they sought tree,

like gravel

to their search,

and

was quenched, and

the

shelter

of the

in

great

placed their arms ready, rolled themselves

in their blankets, It

up

I

pit."

Darkness put an end once

it

" but

;

seemed

when one

as

if

of the

and were soon asleep.

down Morning!"

they had only just

men

shouted, "

lain

"

WHOLESALE ROBBERY. Hooray " Who's going "

"

dip in the lake

the

cried

!

big

to face the cold,

129

Cornishman.

and have a

?

Every one but Abel, who hung back. ((

Don't you

feel

enough

well

to

come?"

said Dallas anxiously.

"Yes, but some one ought and "

to light the fire

set the billy to boil/'

Here

Hi

!

All of you," yelled the big

!

Cornishman, who had gone on. All ran at the alarm, "

The

Quick

"

" !

and then stood aghast.

rope must have come undone," cried

Dallas.

" Don't look like

it,

my

son.

It's

left

part

of itself behind."

—

"Broken snapped?" " Sawed through with

cried Abel.

a knife," said one of

the men.

Come

"Injuns. didn't

use

their

Cornishman

in

the night;

lucky they

knives to us/' growled

fiercely, as

the

he looked searchingly

round.

"Look,"

cried Dallas, excited; "these are

not Indian traces"; and he pointed

down

at

the sandy shore. " Indian

?

No,"

cried Abel, going

down on

t

TO WIN OR TO

3o

his

knees

with nails

down But

;

" the

"

;

DIE.

marks of navigators'

boots,

and he looked wildly across and

the lake.

the

had gone.

raft,

their

two days'

hard work,

CHAPTER

XIII.

MAKING THE BEST OF

OU'RE

Cornishman and

pipe " I'm

much

thing, but

it

after

examining

as

lighting his

the

ground.

this

kind

of

Here's

all

and here's a they were made

lot

hand

of a

quite

look

that

son," said the

at

looks plain enough.

our footmarks

more

coolly,

carefully

not

my

quite right,

IT.

fresh, if

last

night."

"Last night?"

cried Dallas.

((

Ay, that they do."

"

But those may be ours."

"

Nay

that,"

;

not one of us has

cried

Cornishman,

the

the stem of his pipe.

of

my

at

that

own, but one,

marks, and,

got a hoof like

and

too,

hullo

!

with

" I've got a tidy

pigeon-toed.

aren't

I

pointing

that.

what's

water?" 131

that

one

Look

Yonder's our lying in

the

TO WIN OR TO

132

The

DIE.

others gazed in the indicated direction,

and Dallas leaped into the shallow water, stoop

down and

pick out a knife.

"Some one must have dropped

this,"

he

cried.

" Unless one of us has lost his," said

"Any

big fellow.

to

the

one own it?"

There was a chorus of negatives. "Well, I'm sorry," cried the Cornishman. a

Poor chap

he has

How

!

his

lost

savage

Look

toothpick.

continued grimly, "if you take care

o'

it

all

this bit of steel.

the chap as lost

it,

and

be to find

he'll

here,"

he

don't mind,

I'll

We

may meet

should like to give

1

him back."

"Oh,"

cried Dallas passionately,

"how

can

you laugh and make a joke of such a misfortune as this ?"

" What's the good

son?"

said the

o'

crying about

Who

says light a have a good breakfast ?" " Breakfast " cried Abel !

must go " to

in pursuit at once.

And grab

leave our ?

Why,

traps

fire

" nonsense

;

my

"There's worse

man, smiling.

disasters at sea.

it,

!

and

We

))

for

dear boy,

some one

we

couldn't

through the forest empty-handed."

else

get

i

MAKING THE BEST OF " No,"

133

gazing along the bank

Abel,

said

IT.

of the lake disconsolately. " He's right, Bel/' said Dallas, after

and looking down the

his eyes

"

lake.

shading

They've

got right away."

Hang

(

'em,

smiling merrily.

<(

say,

I

Cornishman,

the

said

yes,"

I

wish

we

hadn't

much pains with that there we'd known we'd ha' saved all those spikes we put in it."

taken quite so If

raft.

six-inch

"The

scoundrels,

cried

beyond bearing."

" It's

Dallas.

whoever they are!"

my

son," said their

new

friend good-humouredly,

" because we've

got

"

Nay, not bear

to

it.

quite,

Cheer

Might

up.

have

been

You see, it was a fresh lot come along while we were asleep and out of sight. Hullo!' says one of 'em, 'now I do call this kind some un's made us a raft all ready worse.

*

;

for taking to the water.

and they "

I

corned."

if

you come to

that,

so do

But there, we've got our

they haven't taken

make

along, mates,'

wish I'd heard them," cried Dallas.

" Well, sons.

all

Come

another."

all

I,

tackle,

the wood, so

my and

we must

;

TO WIN OR TO

134

two more days/'

"Yes, and waste Abel

DIE.

angrily.

" Well, we're

none of us old

Cornishman good-humou redly suppose

those

have got

all

" But

" o'

in

and

I

yonder and

my

let

we

rashers.

son," cried his

light

ease

It'll I

that there raft

we

one of the men.

Tell

three

feel better.

I

will

whoever they were

you what

:

yonder among the trees and

"

before

companion

can see that you two are chock

swear words.

while

don't

I

so annoying to think that

is

is,

it

"and

who have gone

steal the raft/' said

So

;

yet," said the

the gold."

it

lay snoring

"

cried

the

your

say, what's

fire

full

you two go let

'em

off,

and cook the

minds,

and

you'll

about the value of

" ?

wouldn't have taken twenty pounds for

my share of "Humph! musingly.

it,"

cried

Abel.

Twenty/' said the Cornishman

"Well, seeing

twenty pound.

There's

it's

five

here,

say

we'll

of us, and that

makes a hundred. All right, my sons we shall come upon those chaps one of these days, and they'll have to pay us about a pound and a harf o' gold for our work and ;

;

MAKING THE BEST OF if

they

Now

don't

then,

there's

gentlemen,

We

then work.

going

shall

fire

be a

IT.

to

Abel "

in a

Only

fight.

more handy

bit

Wish we'd had a What for ? " cried

!

be a

— breakfast—and

making another. " Paint

135

in

bit o' paint."

and

Dallas

breath. to

have touched

up,

it

and made

it

look pretty for 'em." "

Never mind

teeth.

" We'll

them when we

"So we

will,

!

said

"

make

it

Dallas,

look

to

through his pretty

for

find them."

my

son," cried the Cornish-

man, and as he gathered chips and branches together

he

kept

on indulging

in

hearty

a

laugh at the prospect of the encounter as the

man's

two young adventurers glanced tremendous

thoughts

about

arms,

what

they

would

;

and

at the

had

sundry

happen

to

the

thieves.

The Cornishman was

right

;

they were

more handy Over making the Second

much

raft,

and

worked so hard that by the end of the following day a new and stronger one was made and loaded ready for the next morning's

But

this

time a watch

start.

was kept, one of

the party sitting on board until half the night Q

TO WIN OR TO

136

DIE.

had passed, when he was relieved by another;

and as the sun

ro^e, breakfast

was over, and

they cast off the rope from the pine-stump

which had formed the mooring-post.

The morning was

glorious,

and the sun

lit

up the snow-covered mountains, making the scene

of a veritable land

that

of gold.

A

was blowing in their favour, clumsy craft was wafted down

light breeze, too,

so that their

here and there assumed the

the lake, which

aspect of a wide river of the bluest and purest water, the keen, elastic air sending a thrill of

health

seemed perils

and

through

strength

as if the tales they

were

they

them,

it

had heard of the

encounter were

to

and

merely

bugbears, for nothing could have been pleasanter

than their passage. " Let's see/' said Dallas,

map and

vided with

plan;

who was well pro" when we get to

the bottom of this lake there are

and rapids "

So

" Well,

the

to pass along."

we so

faster.

some narrows

heard,"

much I

the

the

better.

Cornishman.

We

suppose they're not I

" Pretty well,"

said

say, can

was the

shall

Falls

you gents swim

reply.

"

Can you

go of " ?

" ?

MAKING THE BEST OF The

big

scratched

fellow

IT.

"

You

ask

"

No,

I

"

Not a

If

out.

it is,

stroke,

"

I

it

my son.

don't s'pose

Then we

"Well,

two mates," he If

my

it'll

we

get capsized

be deeper than

mates'll lend

I

me

that.

a hand."

mustn't capsize," said Abel.

would be as well

and sugar and

not," said

one

"on account of the

of the other party drily, flour

said.

being six foot three and a half and

dessay

I

sniile.

asked you," said Dallas.

shall trust to

walk

my

head and

his

bcrcwed up his face into a queer

137

tea.

always said you

I

ought to swim, Bob, old man." "

So you

with

a

did,

mate," said

"And

chuckle.

warm enough

as

big fellow,

the

soon as

I'm going to learn."

That night they reached the through

ravine,

body of water seemed with

a

roar,

the

in,

which

forming great

the

be emptying

to

aspect

of the

foot

lake where the rocky walls closed

a narrow

gets

it

of the

place

itself

being

dangerous enough to

make

the shore at the

likely landing-place

camp

first

the party pole to

and

for the night.

The evening was time they had their

well fire

upon them by the alight,

and

after

a

TO WIN OR TO

138

DIE.

hearty meal their couch of pine-boughs proved very welcome.

"Sounds ominous, Dal,"

we

shall get safely

We

"

about to

it

through

;

we ought

A

bit

shoulder?

reply,

Abel did not

the

listen to the

roar.

down

again,

was quite

slightest

The

himself that

satisfy

to

fire

was not the

being attacked.

and

keep awake, though, long.

getting up

till

wearied

Dallas was asleep,

fire,

the raft was safe, he lay

there

your

one of the party to watch the

deep humming

watch

utterly

for,

raft,

expiring embers of the

to

And

sometimes.

"

leaving only

after

Don't think

How's your head?"

out with poling the

For

"

be hardened enough

to

achey

There was no

rapids'

"I hope

morning."

in the

must," was the reply.

do anything now. "

said Abel.

only

out,

meaning though

danger of their

way an

enemy

could have approached was by water, and

it

was with a calm, restful sense of satisfaction that the young man stretched himself out on the soft boughs as he said to himself, " There isn't

a boat on

the

lake,

and

any party two days to make a

it

would take

raft."

CHAPTER

XIV.

rROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE WET

W the

E

could

have

not

better

FIRE.

weather,

they finished

Bel," said Dallas, as

next morning's breakfast.

"

Summer

is

coming."

snowy summer," was the reply; " but never mind the cold let's try wherever we halt to see if there is any gold those "Rather

a

:

;

fellows are getting out their tins."

A on

few minutes later the

shore,

cast loose a

all

were gold-washing

Cornish

their

having

friend

and given every person

shovel,

a charge of sand and stones from one of the

taking his shovelfuls from places a

shallows,

dozen yards or so apart.

Then

the

sunshine, with

specks of

began

washing the

colour,

same as

the

results

the

—a

bright

few tiny

men termed

glittering scales of gold-dust. 139

in

their

TO WIN OR TO

i4o " That's

your

gentlemen, " cried

sort,

Cornishman, washing out

away

contents

the

DIE.

his pan, after tossing

" plenty

;

of gold, and

you worked hard you might get about

enough

done better there

at

worth

pounds'

of gold

hundred and

you spend a

if

half

on.

a hundred

can get

if

Why, we could ha' home, down in Wales. You

starve

to

the

fifty

in

labour."

"Yes; but even

shows that we

dust

this

are getting into the gold region," said Dallas. " That's

and right

"

get

let's

come

along

there.

I

s'pose

we're

going

?

We

must be,"

maps

the

Eh so

We

?

said

"

Dallas.

I

have

and we passed the

well,

"

watershed

Not

so

son,

"

studied

"

my

right,

much

haven't passed

no watershed.

as a tent."

Dallas had to explain that they had crossed the mountains which shed the water

m

different

directions.

"Oh,

that's

it,

is

it,

you meant something "

So he

When we

my son?

I

built up."

did," said Abel, smiling, "

were

on

thought

the

other

by nature.

side

of the

FROM THE FRYING-PAN INTO THE mountains

streams

the

FIRE.

141

towards

ran

the

south."

"That's

Now

it

right, master/'

you see the direction

water runs

map

in

which the

Here

towards the north.

is

in

Yukon

River, running

right across from east to west,

and these lakes

the

form

the great

is

the

rivers

little

must run

which

into

the Yukon."

"And

gold river,

that's the great

"Yes; but we

find

shall

my

sons."

what we want

the rivers and creeks that run

down from

in

the

mountains to form the Yukon."

"That's these

to

all

right,

waters

my

son; so

we must come

if

we keep

to the

right

place at last." "

I

"

So do

hope

so." I,

my

son;

so,

as they said at the

and

let's

They stepped on to the raft, cast off rope, and each man picked up one of

the

'Merican railway stations, get as far

twelve-foot

down

'

to-day as

pine-sapling

All aboard,

we can/"

poles

vided for their navigation

they had pro-

down

which they had been warned

the

the rapids, of

at starting

;

and

the big Cornishman planted himself in front.

TO WIN OR TO

142

"

Anybody

else like to

DIE.

come here ?" he

said.

There was a chorus of " No's," and he nodded and smiled. " Thought I was best here to fend the raft rocks

off the

going

we're

say,

when she begins have

to

it

race.

to

lower

I

down.

Hear it?" All nodded assent. " If

we

capsized,

are

the big fellow drily,

swim up

to

me and

What do you

say,

"

my

sons," continued

one of you had better

me

take little

un

?

on "

his

back.

he added to

" It'll be your turn to help me." Abel. " I'll stand by you," cried Abel " never ;

fear."

"

I

know

that,

begins to show

Looks as we must

if

now

it'll

risk

my

lad.

I

say, the stream

as the place gets narrower.

be nearly closed

it.

in.

Well,

There's no walking as

I

see on either side." u

Ahoy

!

came from the right bank, where the lake was fast becoming a river. "Ahoy to you, and good morning, whoever you are," cried the Cornishman.

Some uttered

"

unintelligible

them being

words followed, he who plainly

to

be seen now

'$

ftp

,V"*-

v ^%***' M^»

«"*

T

? k

35

FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE on a ledge some

But

of the water.

145

above the surface

feet

fifty

FIRE.

were easy

his bigns

to

be

understood.

Wants us to give him " Can we stop ? "

"

"

Oh, yes, and

it

class passenger. I

room

All right

can touch bottom.

;

civil," said

one

for

'Bout seven foot."

urged across the flowing water side

far

first-

lend a hand here.

were thrust down, and the

Poles

on the

said Dallas.

lift,"

would only be

" Just

the Cornishman.

a

till

was reached, and

was

raft

the eddy

then, with

coming out of a narrow gap in the rocks a few hundred yards lower, the raft was easily thrust into a little cove below the

the fierce roar

man on "

the shelf.

Going down the rapids

u

We " Why

my

are,

lad,"

?

"

cried

he shouted. their

captain.

"

?

*'

I

I

Will you give a poor fellow a

can't get

any farther

for

down

?

the rocks."

"

Far as the gold country?"

"

Oh, no:

I

lift

don't ask that.

Only

to

where

can tramp again."

"Well, we've just room said

the Cornishman.

for a

"Much

little

un,

luggage?"

»»

TO WIN OR TO

146

"

Only

"

Jump

then,"

said

" P'raps,

grim smile.

come

was the

this pack," in,

DIE. reply.

leader, with

the

a

though, you'd better

lower."

The man nodded,

slung his pack over his

shoulder, and then, turning, began to descend

almost perpendicular face

the

of the rocks,

twice over narrowly escaping a bad

he reached the

at last

foot,

But

fall.

waded out a

little,

and then stepped on board, "

Thankye,"

Christians.

I've

couldn't get

any

been

now

alive

"you

good been here a fortnight, and

he

said;

farther. if

shouldn't

I

got

hadn't

I

are

a

have

fish

or

gold region

all

two.

"You

are tramping to the

alone, then "

" ?

Yes, and I've nearly tramped

all

the

way

from Chicago."

The Cornishman "

I

got a

lift

turned and stared.

sometimes on the

freight trains, though,

when

I

cattle

and

could creep on

unseen." u

The

then?" "

I

gold has a magnetic attraction for you,

said Abel.

suppose

so,

but

it's

my

last

chance.

This

FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE is

a solitary way, though, isn't

seen a soul.

I

bdw your

FIRE.

I've hardly

it ?

though, last night,

fire,

M

across yonder.

Did you see anybody go by on a

i(

or four days ago "

did.

I

147

? "

three

raft

cried Dallas eagerly.

Party of three, and hailed them."

1(

What were

"

Roughs

they like?" cried Abel.

shacks

;

One

loafers.

;

of them

had a big red beard." Dallas started, and glanced at Abel.

"A

brute!" cried the stranger

asked them to give starve

to

them

here

that

me

as

lift,

had

heard

it

"

I

was going

I

they didn't, and

if

I

a

fiercely.

I

warned

wanted through

a

strong

party

rapids.

'All right, stranger/ he said, pushing

to

the craft a

little

your knife

to

I've lost mine.'

a

nearer.

trim

this

craft

'

'

Catch,'

I

the

Mind lending me

rough

pole

with

?

"

was Abel now who glanced

It

"

take

said,

pitching

at Dallas.

mine,

in

its

sheath."

"Well?"

said the Cornishman, fumbling in

his belt.

" Well,"

continued the man, with a sombre

look in his eyes, " he caught

it,

and began

to

TO WIN OR TO

148

smooth

DIE.

away begged and prayed of them to

his pole, letting the raft

and though

I

drift

;

stop for me, they only laughed, and into

right

et

death to me,

the as

It

was

followed,

shouting

was

starving,

and

and

them

telling

them

begging

to

knife back

aboard

but they only laughed, and told

if

they wouldn't take

go and hang myself.

as fast as

it's

they couldn't stop the they'd throw

I

"

No.

The

followed on

that

and though raft

there,

I

opening I

could

I

knew

thought

knife."

? "

said the Cornishman.

but you can't hear yourself speak

;

the

;

roar

echoes

so

from

the

rocks.

next minute they'd been swept by

so near

I

and there

me me

was there just before them, and

I

shouted

there,

me my

did they

narrow

so

speak to them close to

And

I

could, right along to the

I

yonder where

"

But

I

throw

me my to

or

life

climbed along that shelf

I

and

;

her

thought then," continued

I

"and

the stranger,

current.

let

could almost have I

stood,

me

jumped on board;

holding on and reaching

them tear down They'd took through the rushing water. fright, dropped their poles, and were down out

so

that

I

could

see

FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE on

knees

their

holding

FIRE.

149

the

raft

with

on,

twisting slowly round."

" Capsized " "

"

I

Drowned

with

cried Abel.

jump

drowned,

and then

it,

and

try

without

my

in

for

stranger.

they went into a sort

till

rainbow over

a

ready to

that

"

"

watched them

get

"

?

cried Dallas.

could not see/' continued the

I

of fog felt

"

?

swim,

to

knife

I

or

I

felt

born to

be

was over."

all

Not drowned, then ? " No, my son them ;

never

hanged'll

said Dallas.

as

is

be drowned, " said the big "

Cornishman grimly. you d better take

Look ye

here, old chap,

this toothpick

that the boss of that party

it's

;

who

the one

stole our raft

lost."

"

Ah

raft ?

"

" !

cried the stranger

" they stole

;

your

"

They

things

did,

aren't

my at

son,

mitting murder

down

seems

it

square,

all

fellows are ready to

and

to stealing

a

me

these

here

— from

com-

fur

do anything

to

knife.

Why,

they've even cheated death, or else they'd be lying comfortably buried in the snow."

"

Ha

!

"

ejaculated

Dallas,

as

he

stood

TO WIN OR TO

i$o

grasping

and

pole,

his

DIE.

the

raft

began

to

glide along. " Yes,

is

it

Cornishman

'

"

;

Hah

but

my

' !

son,"

wonder

shouldn't

I

the

said if

we

the

some day bearing fruit at I say, though, end of a hempen stalk.

my

son,

came across a is

tree

the river below there so dangerous

you say?"

as

(t

Yes;

it

is

a horrible

as far as

fall,

I

could

see." "

Then

u

And

"

You're ready to risk

" I'd

in

hadn't you better stop ashore

starve ?" said the

risk

it,

man

?

bitterly.

then ?" said Dallas.

anything rather than stop alone

horrible solitude,"

this

"

said

the

stranger

excitedly.

"All

right,

then,

my

Set your pack

pole.

come

There's a spare

son.

down

;

take hold, and

on."

The

stranger did as he was told, and took

the place pointed out. 4t

If

it's

as noisy as he says," continued the

Cornishman, " it'll

all

there'll

be signs.

be no shouting orders

So what you see me do

you've got to follow.

Spit in your hands,

of you, and hold tight with your

feet.

all

Stick

FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE to

and

it,

we'll

We

get through.

FIRE. 151

must

;

there's

no other way."

No

one spoke

in reply,

but their companion's

cheery

way of meeting

a

of confidence through the party, as they

thrill

stood on the

the perils ahead sent

triangular

noting that the

raft,

was gradually growing

current

swifter as the

rocky walls on either side closed in from being

hundreds of yards apart

to as

was

a curious

and

and as the pace

horrible, but grand,

increased,

feet,

more and more.

the distance lessening rapidly It

many

sensation of intoxicating

excitement attacked the party, whose senses

seemed

be quickened so that they could note

to

the wondrous colours of the rocks,

the vivid

green of the ferns and herbs which clustered in

the

and

rifts

and

cracks,

glorious

the

clearness of the water.

So excited was the great of the look

raft

at

that he raised his

companions,

his

walls of rock if to

Up glide,

crush to

all

now

but

seemed

as

head

pole, turned to

and

then

moment by moment

onward, while

as

fellow at the

to close in

pointed

the great

upon them

flat.

their progress

they

had been a

approached

the

swift

narrow

TO WIN OR TO

152

much more

opening, which seemed not

wide enough to

them undulate and proceed by the

last,

Then

DIE.

began

pass, the raft

let

than to

leaps, each longer than

while the water rippled over the side. at

all

once the front portion

of the elongated triangle

—rose

as

—the apex

if

at a leap,

dipped again, and they were off with a

terrific

rush in a narrow channel of rock, up whose sides

water

the

Wave

turmoil.

rose

as

if

rose above

to

escape

the

wave, struggling

was the roar of many waters growing more deafening, and the raft to get

onward

there

;

was tossed about

like

a straw,

its

occupants

being forced to kneel and try to fend her off

from the horror, at a

And

sides.

now,

to

add

to

the

and confusion, they plunged

turmoil,

tremendous speed into a bank of churned

up mist, dense as the darkest cloud, rushing onward in bounds and leaps which made the raft quiver,

till all

at

once Dallas,

who was near

their captain, Suddenly caught bight of a

of rocks apparently rising out of the

mabb

channel

right in their way.

The

next

moment

there was a

terrific

shock,

a rush of water, black darkness, and everything

seemed

to be at

an end.

CHAPTER

XV.

"THOSE BORN TO BE HANGED."

HE

preparations for fending the raft uff

the rocks that might be in their way,

or keeping

from the wall-like sides which

it

overhung them, were absurd

for as they

;

were

swept into the furious rapid, and whirled and

man instinctively dropped down and cling for dear life

tossed about, each his pole to crouch to

the

rough pieces of timber they had so

laboriously

notched,

and

nailed,

bound

together.

The erratic,

barrier

course

river

zigzagging through

was extremely

the

riven,

which formed the ancient

foot of the lake

swept

of the

;

to right, the

dam

rocky at

the

and one minute they were next to

left,

while at every

angle there was a whirlpool which threatened to suck

them down.

Noise, darkness, the wild turmoil of tumbling iS3

IO

TO WIN OR TO

154

waters,

blinding

and

mist,

strangled and confused the

they clung to the

and

choking

spray,

crew, so that

little

feeling that

was over,

all

were about to be plunged deep

that they

down

raft,

DIE.

into the

bowels of the earth.

was conscious of wedging

toes

his

two of the timbers, clinging with

Dallas

between

his left hand,

and reaching over the bound-down sledges grasp Abel's

and then

;

all

for a length of time that It

seemed

hand,

;

blank

he could not calculate.

might have been a minute

been an hour

to be

to

—

might have

it

but he held on to his cousin's

which clutched

his

in

return

in

what

seemed to be a deathgrip, till all at once they were shot out into the bright sunshine, and were gliding at a tremendous rate down a water-slide, with the water hissing

and surging

about them where they knelt.

As soon

as

he could sweep the blindin

spray from his eyes,

wonder, to find that

upon the

raft,

either side

opened

out,

Dallas looked round all

in

companions were

his

and that the rocky walls on

were receding

fast

while the rapid

as

the

river

down which they

plunged seemed quite clear of rocks. The deafening noise was dying out

too,

and

:

"

THOSE BORN TO BE HANGED."

Dallas looked

as

gap

distant

back at the

wondered

had been shot, he

should have held together with that they should

still

growing

fast

the rock through

in

which they the

that its

raft

freight,

and

be there.

His brain seemed

still

to

be buzzing with

when he was conscious

the confusion,

155

some

of

one beside him giving himself a shake a great water-dog and shouting n

What

cheer, there

strained

the

?

was no reply — every one looking and oppressed then, without a word, ;

little

party began to shake hands warmly,

and the big Cornishman shook " It

a

was a rum un

rum un

we do like,

Are

yet.

"

any of you

There

:

Not dead

!

like

!

Well,

" !

his head.

he exclaimed

we're

all

alive

if ;

was

it

O, and

if

may all do as you go back home some other

get any gold, you

but

I

shall

way.

The was

straightforward naive

said

way

in

which

this

seemed so absurd on the face of

it

that the cousins could not refrain from smiling

but the sight of a great mass of rock ahead dividing the swift stream into two, and toward

which the

raft

seemed

to

be rushing

fast,

made

;

TO WIN OR TO

156 all

DIE.

turn to seize their poles and fend

off

it

from

a certainty of wreck.

However, the poles were all probably being whirled round and round one of the pools and

they had passed, like scraps of straw,

the shattering of the raft seemed a certainty

but their big companion was a Seating himself upon as

it

man

the edge

of resource.

of the

raft

glided evenly along, he waited with legs

extended touched

the coming

for

the

and

rock,

eased their craft

His

contact.

vigorous

a

feet

thrust

the brave fellow's sturdy

off,

limbs acting like strong buffers, so that there was

only a violent jerk, the raft swung round, and

they went gliding on again.

The

was swift, but clear now from further obstacles, and hope grew strong.

"I men.

on

current

say, u

I

We

call

it

shall

grand!"

cried

soon get there

one of the if

we keep

like this."

" Yes, but the sooner

and jumps ashore, the

some

one of us takes a rope better.

We

must cut

fresh poles."

This was done

at the first opportunity,

Abel

leaping on to the rocky bank with a rope, as

they glided by a spot where the forest of pines

"THOSE BORN TO BE HANGED."

157

them and then, seizing his opportunity, he gave the rope a turn round a small tree. There was a jerk, and the hemp but it held, and the raft threatened to part swung round and becam e stationary as the rope was made fast. The first proceeding was to wring out their came down

close to

;

;

garments, and the next to examine the sledges,

which had been so well made

up that they had not stores

stirred

when loaded but some of the

fast ;

were damaged with water.

" Can't help

it,"

"

said Dallas cheerily.

Our

lives are saved."

Something was done towards

warm

their drying

by

came down brightly, though the aspect round was growing almost as wintry as the country they had passed through higher up beyond the lake and as the

sunshine, for this

;

they gazed at the mountains, which they

felt

somewhere near the part for which they were aiming, it seemed as if they would, after must

all,

lie

be arriving too soon

The their

raft

way

for successful

proved useful north

by

for

river

work.

some days on

and

lake,

their

journey being through a labyrinth of waterways,

where again and again they made

halts

in

TO WIN OR TO

158 likely

places

to

try

for

DIE. object

the

of

their

searc;h.

But the

was invariably the same

result

found gold, but never in

they

;

sufficient quantity to

warrant a stay.

"Wouldn't pay

for

bread and onions,

sons/' said the Cornishman,

on farther and farther

and they pushed northern

soli-

lighter,

and

into the

growing

tudes, with their loads

my

a feeling of longing to reach the golden land

where they knew something and

settlements

stores

in

way of

the

and

existed,

where

people could at once take up claims and begin

For a comparison of notes proved that they were all rapidly coming to the end of their

work.

means.

The the

subject of the passage of the raft

cataract

had

been

times

several

down over

discussed during their halts, and the possibility

of their enemies having escaped.

man and

his

The

Cornish-

companions, including the

man

they had succoured, declared as one that the

marauding "

And

fellow, "

on the

trio

must have perished.

so should we, if

my

sons," said the big

we had gone down

first raft."

that water-slide

"THOSE BORN TO BE HANGED." "

do not see

I

"we made

said Dallas;

it,"

159

both." "

Yes

;

but the

first

the second was

tices,

was when we were

'pren-

when we had served our

time.

The speaker laughed as

happened,

it

it

some newly

;

was on the second day

he pointed with something

that to

as he said this

cut

and after

triumph

like

and trimmed young pieces

of pine trunk notched in a peculiar way, cast

up among some rocks

the shores

oti

of the

lake they were crossing.

little

"

That's the end of 'em,

"

Oh, no

;

my

sons,"

he

said.

any one may have cut down those

trees." "

For

gether,

sartain, for

sticking

in.

my

there's

Good

son

;

one

but

of

nail,

too

I

nailed 'em to-

my ;

spikes

see

how

still it's

twisted and bent."

This seemed unanswerable, but neither Abel nor Dallas was convinced. "

They may have swum

to his cousin, as they lay

ashore," Abel said

down

to sleep that

night. "

Yes,"

said

Dallas,

"and

I

shall

hold to

Bob's proverb about those born to be hanged."

CHAPTER

XVI.

A PLUNGE INTO HOT QUARTERS.

O

this

as

is

he and Abel

and

nothing

shanties,

else,

for

and

of tents,

be

could

it

Dallas,

worn out

sat,

gazing at a confusion

disconsolate,

sheds,

the golden city/' said

called

on the hither side of a tumbled

together waste of snow and ice spreading to right

dream "

I

and

left.

" Is

a

all

it

swindle or

a

" ?

hope

it's

a dream," replied his cousin,

limping a step or two, and then seating himself

on the sledge which, footsore and weary, he had been dragging for the last few days after they had finally abandoned their it's

a dream, and that

The

big

we

raft.

"

I

soon wake

shall

Cornishman took

his

hope "

short

pipe

out of his mouth, blew a big cloud, looked at his

companions,

in their blankets,

who were and then 160

asleep

rolled

at the cousins.

up

A PLUNGE INTO HOT QUARTERS. "

and we've got here

" Yes,"

Dallas

said

sons,"

at last."

bitterly

" we've

;

got

and what next?"

here,

Make

"

my

Oh, we're wide awake enough,

said, "

he

161

our

Yankees

as the

piles,

call

my

it,

lads."

"Where?" better

"Why, we had

Abel

cried

have stayed and washed gold-dust out

of the sand up one of those streams." "

Oh, you mustn't judge of a place

sight

;

seems o'

but to

I

must say

it

first

People

aren't pretty.

chuck everything they don't want out

doors, like the fisher folk

Cornwall.

But

no sea

come up and

to

down

worse here,

it's

at

home

in

for they've got

wash the rubbish

away. "

the

"Well, give

begins to thaw a late this year,

a

seeing

few

but

my

a chance,

it

"

big fellow cheerily.

in

"

Nor yet a river," said Dallas. Yukon to be a grand flowing

A

it'll

stream." son," said the

me

till it

it's

very

break up and clear

itself

Says

hours.

expected

river can't flow

Chap

bit.

I

tells

it's

a

sight

worth

J)

" But

we

did not

Abel peevishly.

"

come

to see sights," said

Where's that other man

" ?

TO WIN OR TO

162

"

Told me to

Gone.

was very grateful

tell

you both that he you had given

for the help

and that now he's

him,

DIE.

going

to

for

shift

himself." "

The way

of

world

the

!

"

said

Dallas

dismally. "

Oh,

enough.

Said

if

my

know,

don't

I

son.

He's right

he had the luck to find a good

claim up one of the creeks he should

peg out

five

more alongside of it and come and look us up, and made me promise I'd do the same to him. " What do you think of that ? " Nothing," said Dallas.

" I'm too tired out

anything but eating and sleeping,

to think of

and there seems to be no chance of finding a place to do either." "

No,

my

son

;

it's

a case of help yourself.

been having a look round, and the only

I've

thing

I

can find anybody wants

to

sell

is

whisky."

"Yes, went

that

Ah,

they had at the store

I

-yonder, where those

biscuit tin sides

howling dogs are "

all

That's the place with the iron roof

to.

and the

was

I

w and the

tied up."

went there/' said the Cornishman,

Yankee chap

it

belongs to called

it

A PLUNGE INTO HOT QUARTERS. But

his hotel.

go back

to

163

what we are

to

do next, rny bun.

We

go up

to

little

about,

and peg out claims as soon as we

good

one of the

Now,

signs.

who

our chap

inubtn't stay here, but

streams they're talking

I've

knife,

separate here and

go

different ways.

one

find

say

come

we'll

to you,

and

If

we

if

you

What do you

with us.

you'll share

like

that we'd better

his

good place

find

been thinking,

lost

find a

to

r

" Tired

company

our

of

?

"

asked

Abel

bitterly.

The "

big fellow turned to him and smiled.

Look

here,

my

of yours hurts you

You a o'

fire

take

my

for a

foot

more than you owned

advice

;

after

we've got a

bit

and made our camp and cooked our

supper, you

bathe

son," he said, " that

it

well,

make a

If

I

o'

of bit

water hot and

and don't you use that foot much

had been

bye days ago.

my

No,

day or two.

of you.

tin

to.

I

sons, I'm not tired

should ha' said good-

I'm sorry for us to break up

our party, but I've been thinking that what I

proposed was the best plan, even

if it

does

sound rough." " Yes,

I

suppose

it is,"

said Dallas, speaking

TO WIN OR TO

x64

more manly way.

in a

"

I

DIE.

beg your pardon.

So does my cousin here. We're fagged out, and this does seem such a damper. I wish we were back somewhere in the pine woods." " Tchah I don't want no pardons begged, my son. I know. When I saw this lovely spot first I felt as if I could sit down and swear but what good would that ha' done ? !

;

It'll

be

Now

all right.

seems

it

be more comfort'ble

shall

if

bit o'

fire,

me

we go

yonder away from the hotels and our

to

that

we

just

over

places,

make

get a pannikin of tea, and then

two of us'll stop and look

after the traps in case

any one should come and want

to

borrow things

and we not know where they're gone.

T'others

had better have a look round and drop in here and there at these places where the men won't do to be proud out

meet.

It

want

to see

"

Eh

?"

some cried

here.

of the gold."

a big,

hearty voice,

man who was pacing stopped short and " Want to see some of the at them. Well, there you are

He breast,

where

I

and a looked gold

?

" !

unfastened a strap that went across his

and drew a heavy leather satchel from it

hung

like

a cartouche-box on his back.

*

.

w<«

,*%v** <9,

a

i *

JLjfc

M

i

ism.

A PLUNGE INTO HOT QUARTERS. "

Catch hold," he cried.

167

some of

" That's

the stuff."

The

awake looked at the stranger sharply, and the Cornishman opened the bag, to lay bare scales, grains, and water-worn and three

rubbed scraps of rich yellow gold, of which

at the sight

new-comers drew

the

their breath

hard.

"Did you "

Not

That

get this

here,

my

here?"

lad,

but at

and two more

lot

cried Dallas.

like

Upper Creek.

it.

You'd better if

you want

tell

you that

go on there as soon as you can

up claims

to take

but

I

must

the best are gone already."

all

"Which " if

;

"

the

way?"

show you when

I'll

you

is

Where

like.

Camping

just

cried Abel.

go back to-morrow,

I

you be

shall

over

there,"

" ?

said

Dallas,

pointing. " All right.

Come on

to-night.

and "

we'll I

I'm going to sleep at the hotel

by-and-by and see me,

have a chat."

say,

my

son," said their big companion,

putting his hand in the bag, half letting

the

filling

it,

and

gold run back again, before be-

ginning to fasten the

flap.

TO WIN OR TO

168

My

" i

c

"

son

Why,

!

DIE.

you're a Cornishman."

That's so."

West countryman out here. But come on and have I'm from Devonport. Glad

to see a

What were you

a chat by-and-by. say, "

though

" ?

Seeing what a

gold like that

The it

son,

man

safe for a

it

of rough pups there

set

my

are about here, is

going to

was going

I

to say,

to carry about a lot of

" ?

stranger took back his bag and slung

over his shoulder again, as he looked from

one to the other, half closed his eyes, and nodded. " Yes,

and

no,

my

You're right

lads.

have got some rough pups about here who'd put a of what

I've

We've got "No, I speak "

in

You

bullet into a

got

man

we

chaps

for a quarter

But they

there.

;

daren't.

neither law nor police, you see." don't

see,"

said

Dallas.

"You

riddles."

don't see,

my

lad,

because you're a

Johnny Newcome. I'll tell you. We've got some of the most blackguardly scum that could be took off the top of the big town sinkmen who've come to rob and gamble holes

—

;

A PLUNGE INTO HOT QUARTERS. but we've got,

plenty

too,

169

of sturdy fellows

who mean work and who trust men who'll help each other at

like yourselves,

one another

and

a pinch;

of lawyer

put

—

Judge Lynch has and he stands no

call

appearance,

He's

nonsense.

heard that there's a sort

they

fellow

an

in

I've

all

on the side of the honest

workers, and one of them has only to denounce a at

man

as a thief for the Vigilants to nail

Then

once.

shrift,

and

a

there's

there's

short

a short

trial,

one rogue the

him

less

in

the

world."

"You mean

if

proved

he's

to

be a

thief,

or

red handed." " That's

friends

it,

my

Come

meet.

to

There, I've got some

lads.

and

on

see

me

to night."

The speaker nodded and went off " Well,

I

at a

cheerily to

swinging

have

wouldn't

all

three,

gait.

minded

shaking

hands with that chap," said the big Cornishman. "

The more

of that sort there

is

out here the

better."

" Yes/' cried Dallas

;

" his

words were quite

cheering." "

So was

the sight of that

little

leather sack

TO WIN OR TO

170

of

my

his,

Wray ?

Do

sons.

your foot good,

Mr.

"

" Yes,

forgot

I

u

eagerly.

Here,

about

all

when

said Abel,

it,"

make our

let's

This was done, and the bubble,

DIE.

billy

fire."

soon began to

the tea was thrown in and declared

to be delicious, in spite of a

sequent upon getting wet

mouldy in

taste con-

travels

its

and

being dried again. " Better

if

we

hadn't

spoiled," said Dallas, as

along with a very " It don't

Cornishman.

fat

had

he munched his biscuit

rusty scrap of fried bacon.

want any sugar,

my

son," said the

" I've just stirred a teaspoonful

of that chap's gold-dust into it

our sugar

all

it,

and

it

has given

a wonderful flavour/' " Yes," said Abel,

seems

to

" the sight of that gold

have quite changed everything."

The meal was

finished, with the

refreshed and in the best of

whole party

spirits.

Then

the

sledges were drawn together, a few small pine saplings

bound on

to

make

a roof, over which

a couple of waterproof sheets were drawn, and there was a rough tent for a temporary home.

By

that time

it

was evening, and lanterns

were being hung out here and

there,

lamps

lit

A PLUNGE INTO HOT QUARTERS. in

and the place began

the shanties,

more

German

to look

In two tents there was the sound

lively.

of music

171

—a

fiddle

badly played

a

one,

in

concertina in the other

;

but the result

whenever they were in hearing the great shaggy sledge dogs, of which there were scores about, set up a dismal barking was not

cheerful,

for

and howling.

The Cornishman's two

friends

elected to keep the camp, at a

had cheerfully

word from

their

big companion, and the other three started to

have a look the hotel

at the place

upon

As soon

them

my

me,

that's

They've sworn

amongst

Now

it,

then,

me

I'm

at

whisky

if

trust

about.

won't

they

I

let

go 'em.

can't find

I

a reasonable price, and buy

lads got

Yes, a

little left,"

"

Then

you'd ;

"

Tregelly,

can't

I

going to

about to see

"

same way

but

that

and I'm not

Have you

the

;

there's

to

something to eat it.

sons

away,

winked.

Bob

can trust

where

two

and

laughed I

at

acquaintance.

they were a few yards

as

can trust you, and

and

new

their

Cornishman

the

and end by calling

any money

" ?

replied both.

better

biscuit

ware a pound or so

and bacon and meal, 11

I

TO WIN OR TO

172

should say.

I'll

meet you yonder

an hour, and

in

DIE.

we'll

at the hotel

pick up what

about the whereabouts of the stuff; shan't

want

to stay here long,

I

we can but we Will

expect.

do?"

that

"Yes,

an hour," said Dallas, and they

in

separated.

There was not much

to

take

young

the

men's attention, but they heard a couple of

men

say that the ice was giving, and another

was

telling a

the hotel

group of a man having come

to

who had done wonders up some

creek he and his mates had tried.

"Our after,

without making any purchases, from the

inability to find

back just "

Dallas; and soon

Bel," said

friend,

at

What

a

what they wanted, they

strolled

dark towards the hotel. hole

!

"

said

Abel,

as

they ap-

proached the place, to find from the the noise, and clattering that a tent

lights,

of drinking-vessels,

which had been stretched over a

wooden frame was crowded, and a couple of

men

in shirt-sleeves

out

from a side

were busily going

shed

of

corrugated

and

in

iron,

attending on the assembled guests. "

Evening, gentlemen," said the elder

of

A PLUNGE INTO HOT QUARTERS,

173

Go

right

" You'll find

the two.

up the middle

,

there's

room more

inside.

seats there."

was a shout of excitement, and the young men looked at one another. Just then there

" It's

all

right,

gents/* said the man,

who

"

We're having a There's a man from Upper Creek big night. I could show you with a fine sample of gold Happy to bank for you too if you if you like. strike it rich, and supply you with stores and good advice. Any one will speak up for me." was evidently the landlord.

"

But surely that means a row," said Dallas, a roar of voices

as

came from the canvas

building.

"No;

that's

about a robbery on the track.

Three men came the

lads

killed.

and

in to-day,

and they're

how they were attacked and half The Vigilants are strong here to-night,

there'll

caught.

We

be business don't stand

if

fellows

we go in, Bel ? " whispered "Yes; we needn't stay long," was I want to talk to that man with the "

"

the

are

any nonsense here."

" Shall

"

telling

Dallas.

the reply. gold."

This way, gentlemen," said the bar-keeper.

You follow me." The pair followed

the

man

into the long low

;

TO WIN OR TO

174

along each side of which were

place,

tables

DIE. trestle

crowded with men drinking and smoking,

the tobacco fumes nearly

filling

the place like a

fog.

There was a gangway down the

and

centre,

they followed their guide nearly to the end,

when both

started violently at the sight of a

group of three men seated

at a table

beneath

whose reflector threw a bright light down on the biggest of the party, who was on his legs, waving his pipe as he talked loudly. " You're making a mistake, mates," he said. " It's just as I telled you, and if it hadn't been for the pluck of my pals here we should have been dead as well as robbed. But you mark my words they'll make for here, and if they do ah, what did I say ? Look, mates, look the

largest

swinging

lamp,

;

—

;

this here's the

very pair."

There was a wild shout of rage, man in the place seemed to leap to and

before,

attack

utterly

by the

stunned

as every his feet

sudden

and denunciation, either of the new-

comers defence,

could

they

their knees.

find

words

were seized

to

utter

and

in

their

dragged

to

CHAPTER

XVII.

A TRIAL FOR LIFE.

T'S

false

at last, as "

"or

"

Quiet

!

A

cowardly

he

tried to

!

" Yes, a lie "

"

cried Dallas

!

shake himself

free.

cried one of his captors fiercely,

trouble!"

you'll git into

voice.

lie

—a

lie

" !

cried Abel, finding his

Don't choke me,

Give a man

sir.

fair play."

"

Oh,

yes,

you

have

shall

fair play,"

said

another sternly.

"Those men attacked and us both yonder in the snowy "

Well

I

!

He

!

"

roared

looking round

scoundrel, present.

ham

"

tried to

murder

pass."

the

red-bearded

protestingly

at

all

But there, I've done."

dropped heavily back

in

his

and

seat,

held up his hands to his two companions. " That's a queer

young

way

of defending yourself,

fellow," said a stern, square-looking i75

man,

TO WIN OR TO

176

who spoke

roughly, but in a

DIE.

way that suggested

education.

"Yes,

but

Hands

"

firmly.

the

it's

off,

Dallas

cried

truth,"

We

gentlemen.

shall

not try to run away." "

Now, then

these

:

three

gentlemen

say

they have been robbed on the road." " liar

And

I

and a

say thief

is

it

—a

That man

false.

is

a

would-be murderer."

"Well," cried the red bearded man again.

"Did you "

mates?"

ever,

No," cried one of the others.

"Why,

he

talks like a play actor." "

Look

excitedly,

gentlemen," cried the third

here,

and he

rose,

planted a foot on the

bench, and bared his bound up that

tall

calf here.

shot

un's

I'm

as

as

went

leg,

" here's

my

through

lame as a broken-kneed

un."

A

murmur

place,

of

sympathy ran through

and Dallas spoke

out

again

as

the

Abel

looked quietly round at the grim faces lowering

through the smoke. "

Look

here,

gentlemen,

I

can prove

my

words," cried Dallas. "

Very

well,

then,"

said

the dark, square-

A TRIAL FOR

LIFE.

177

"prove them; you

looking man,

not

shall

be condemned unheard/'

A

and the

other's judicial tone,

Lynch

man at the name of Judge

ran through the young

chill

rose

But he spoke out

to his mind.

firmly.

"A me is

is

who

friend

has jou r neyed here

with

— Ah,

here

meet me here

to

one gentleman

to night.

who knows

and he made

"

us

;

a step towards their bluff acquaintance of that

who had

evening,

risen from his seat farther

"Speak

and was looking frowningly on.

in,

a word for us, "

Well,

my

sir."

lad,

was the

night,"

never saw you

I

reply.

"

I

till

to-

have a chat

did

with this man, gentlemen, and his mate there,

and

I

found them well-spoken young fellows

as ever "

I

met."

saw them

But you never

before,"

said

said

the

the dark man. " Well,

I

must

tell

the

truth,"

goldfinder. "

Of

"

No," said the man sadly,

but "

course."

fair play,

They

"

I

never did

gentlemen, please."

shall

have

fair

play enough," said

TO WIN OR TO

178

man.

dark

the

prisoners,

who

"

Bah

"

?

"

No, no

a

;

gentlemen/' cried Red-

lie,

;

it

ambush

in

friend,

)J

il

mate, so that

took us

your

travelled with us."

beard mockingly

my

about

gasped Abel.

!

Another

!

What

he

this

is

" Prisoners friend

"

DIE.

they were alone, and shot

was two

like,

to

and by

two

but they

;

They

surprise.

hadn't got no friend with em,"

"Yes, they had," cried a loud voice which dominated

the

" they

me my

a

had

little

un,

roar ;

of anger which arose

;

—

was along with 'em only sons, but big enough for you I

to see."

all

There was a laugh by the dark man's " Silence,

at this, but

it

was

silenced

voice.

gentlemen, please," he

no laughter where

two men's

said, "

and

are

at

Dallas again, but

he

lives

stake."

A

chill

ran through

forced a smile at his cousin, as

he did not think, " "

Look

if

to

be

all

to say,

what

right now."

here," cried the Cornishman, drawing

himself up to his as

It will

if

address

full

height,

and looking round

every one present

youngsters said what was quite right.

;

" these

They've

A TRIAL FOR LIFE.

me and two more

been along with

we dug 'em "

ever since

out of the snow."

That's right, as far as

acquaintance with the gold

know," said their

I

" there

;

was a party

when I came upon them to-night" and murmur arose.

of five

;

a fresh " It's his

179

mates/'

right,

all

two companions

Redbeard

said

" there's a

;

but don't you be skeared

;

gang of

to

'em,

these gents'll see

justice done."

" Well,

my

a gang,

mind being

don't

I

you

but

call it

come out of a I'll

who

tin-mine, says

crack him like

There was a cries

I

man "Now,

dark

men

I

roar

if

;

he'd

robbed him, in

a door."

of laughter

here,

and

un!"

But

the

little

sternly called for silence once more. sir,

what do you say

to this?"

he

Redbeard sharply.

said to

"What

I

larrikins tried to rob " !

That big chap say these two young

said before, boss.

wasn't with 'em then.

his leg

red as

would a walnut

"Well done,

of

looks as

I

was ganger,

I

here, boss, over a dozen

chap,

if this

"

sons," said the Cornishman.

worked on the railway once, and or, as

one of

called

I

and do

for us.

Look

at

TO WIN OR TO

180

"

Robbed

Did

now

they,

tried

yer?

for

do look a pair

Well, they

!

do

to

uns,

don't

they,

my

three

looks

good

and innercent

of bad

these

and

yer

DIE.

sons

bad as

?

and

milky." a "

Hear him

Talking

suffering

!

"

like

growled that,

with

from a wound

and he pointed

to his

Redbeard

my

like

fiercely.

poor

this,

companion's

mate

pardners," leg.

"

Get out!" roared the Cornishman scorn" put fully that sore prop away you're talking to men, not a set of bairns. Think ;

;

going

be

gammoned by

a

bit of

There was another loud murmur of

excite-

they're

play acting?

ment,

the

crowding

to

"

occupants

up

closer,

of the canvas evidently

building

thoroughly

enjoying the genuine drama being enacted in

and eager to see the denouement, only proved to be a fight between the

their presence,

even

if it

two giants taking now the leading

The man

with the red beard

felt

parts.

that matters

were growing

critical

public opinion

was veering round

the prisoners

and resting one hand upon

hip,

;

for the

accusers, while in

favour of his

and flourishing his pipe with the other,

A TRIAL FOR

LIFE.

he took a step forward, his eyes

181

full

of menace,

and faced the Cornishman.

"Look ye

here, old un,"

he growled, " I'm

man, as has

a plain, straightforward, honest

come up here

to try

and get a few scraps

o'

red gold."

Same here, my lad." And I want to know whether you mean all " that 'ere nasty, or whether you mean it nice ? " 44

"Just

you

as

like,

my

"You've my two young

son,"

cried

the

company

Cornishman.

told

here that

friends tried to rob

and

settle

as big a

you.

lie

I

tell

the

the

company

that

it's

was ever spoke."

as

"Well!" growled the man

again,

looked round at his companions

;

and he "

" of all

"Yes," said the Cornishman, "an out-and-

same cards as you, and show judge here and all of you the mark of your bullets in one of my young friends' shoulder, and on the other's skull. out

lie

But

I

;

and

could play the

I

don't."

" Yes,

you do," said the dark man.

" Let's

see them." "

Hear, hear

came

in chorus.

!

Bravo, judge

!

Right, right

" !

TO WIN OR TO

182

"

Very good, gentlemen,"

DIE. said the Cornish-

"You show

man, turning calmly to Dallas. first."

" It is nearly

"

healed up now," said Dallas.

Hor, hor, hor

!

"

the red beard, "hear

man

laughed the

with'

him!"

Dallas gave him a fierce glance, and as his captors

him

set

he hastily

free

slipped

off

jacket and vest, before tearing open his shirt

and laying bare bullet

an

had ploughed

ugly

red

his shoulder

where a

scar ;

and a murmur

once more arose. a

That

will

do," said the dark

Now

"

man.

the other." a

"

I

The

have

nothing

my cap, my head."

bullet struck

along the side of

Come dark man "

i i

show,"

to

close

under

said

Abel.

and just glanced

the

lamp,"

eye,"

said

said

the

sternly.

Better

mind your

Redbeard

warningly.

The dark man gave him a sharp look, and then bade Abel kneel down and bend his head sideways.

As he

did so a whitish

line

a few inches

long was visible where the hair had been taken

A TRIAL FOR and

off,

LIFE.

183

was a fresh

at the sight of this there

murmur. " That's

good proof

men/' said the dark "

he continued, in

man

both cases, gentle"

firmly.

Now,

what more have you

sir,"

to say

support of your evidence?" "

to

in

This

know

here,"

whether

first

"

Redbeard.

cried

this

bully

want

I

countryman

here means what

he said nasty, or whether

he means

"

it

nice

?

" Hear, hear !"' shouted a voice behind.

" Just

the

said

which you please,

Cornishman

;

my

fine

fellow,"

"you can take

it

hot

with sugar, or cold with a red-hot cinder in it,

if

"

you

like."

Then maybe

I'll

take

it

hot,"

cried

Red-

beard, fiercely.

He

spoke with one hand behind him, and

quick as thought he brought swing, but a

man

it

round with a

near him struck

it

up.

;

CHAPTER

XVIII.

HANGING BY A THREAD.

TOP

a

to

quite

that!" shouted the judge, springing his

feet.

The Cornishman

stood

unmoved.

There was

silence

and the dark

directly,

man went on. "Gentlemen," he cried, "we have made this a court of justice, and you chose me the other day, being an English barrister,

" Yes,

to act as judge."

came in a fierce shout, which crushed down some murmurs of opposition. " Go on, judge go on yes,"

—

"

I

we a "

gentlemen,

will,

another

>>

man

to take

till

my

you bring forward place.

Once more,

are here on British ground."

No,

no,"

came

from

the

minority

American." " British,

gentlemen

;

184

and

as

subjects

of

.

HANGING BY A THREAD. her Majesty

Empress-Queen we

the

by law and order.

our

no

crimes

we

while

society,

little

stand

>)

"Hear, hear!" was shouted. " We will have no rowdyism, against

185

toil

for

our gold." "

Hear, hear

"

We

already

can

bring

them with the

place his

hut

or

tent,

ourselves

that

winnings and

his

in

so

here,

to

landlord,

or leave

knowing

that

them

they

are

and we are agreed that the man who

;

robs

have

man

every

safe

!

bound on our home-made laws

carry

in

"

one of us of his gold

same

his crime, the

as

shall

suffer

for

he had committed

if

a murder." " That's

right,

judge

—

that's

right

"

was

I

have

!

roared "

Very

well, then," said the judge.

one word

to

say to those

their voices several times tell

them

that

our ideas of their sledges " Likely

" !

if

fair

"

who have

to-night.

raised

Let

me

they are not satisfied with play,

they had better pack

and go right away."

man at we have

shouted a

what about our claims

the back

;

staked out

"and " ?

TO WIN OR TO

186

"

Let them be valued

and

a-side,

DIE.

by

give the casting vote

I'll

if it's

a

We'll club together and buy, you shall

tie.

have good honest value

go

farther

afield.

and then you can

There's plenty for every-

body, and the country's open.

agree to that and elect

to stay,

with us and keep the law. says

go

he'll

None

"

you must side

Now

who

then,

?

of

Murrican

you up.

you don't

If

"

us,

" You're

drawl. is

of six

jury

a

or

jedge,"

came and

right,

Canady

in

slow

a

whether

land,

we

all

this

back

yj

There was a deafening shout at this, and as soon as silence came again the dark man said

firmly,

"

Now, gentlemen,

business on hand.

the

Yukon

to

settle

We're not going

to

the

make

gold region a close borough."

" That's right, jedge," said an American.

Every honest man is welcome here, but we want it known that for the rowdy thief and law-breaker there will be a short shrift and the rope." "

There was another the

man

right,

roar,

and as

it

subsided

with the red beard shouted, " That's

pardners,

right

as

right

;

and

what

?f\

it

-*

&

K

w

rtn

" "S^ ^^ "f w 11

IS

J*"

t

,4

H rf"*

#."!%

HANGING BY A THREAD. me and my mates here want tried

to

shoot

three

o'

the

Now

them

from

protection

us

There

and

us

they are,

gang, and you've got 'em

fast.

what do you say?"

expectant of the

wild

testation

stood rigid and

silent,

words which might

fateful

bring their careers to

a

They knew

close.

mercy and loud prowould be of no avail, but would be appeals

for

looked upon as arrant cowardice

moments went a

and

justice

is

robbed

as

down.

The two young men

that

189

strange

cruelty of

on,

and as the

heavy and leaden winged, of

against

the

raised a sense of anger,

and

feeling fate

;

rebellion

stubborn determination began to grow. It

was

too

horrible

upon,

dwell

to

prospect of the most ignominious death

adverse judgment based

on

the

this

vote of

crowd of rugged, determined men fighting

own

an

:

a for

and the protection of the gold they were dragging from where it had their

safety

lain since the creation it

seemed

to

be their

of the world fate,

growing feeling was the same

and

in

;

but

still

both the

—a sense of rage

and hatred against the remorseless scoundrels who, to make their own position safe 12

in

the

;

TO WIN OR TO

19°

DIE.

gold region, were ready to sacrifice the lives

of their victims. " If

them

we

they

alone,"

cowards

The dogs

!

"with

felt,

them

against

fight

to

be face to face with

could only

for

chance

the

our lives

!

Th

" !

Their musings were brought to an end by the voice of the head man of the trio, who

upon the whispering together of the judge and several of the men who had closed broke

in

round " what's

"

have

to

fair play, "

pardners,"

he

cried

;

youVe said? Are are we to go where

all

or

it ?

bit,

fair

Don't be

Americans

Well,

be after

to

it

we to have we can get "Wait a shall

"

him.

sir,

friends

play; never fear."

in

at

and you and your

a hurry/' shouted one of the

"J edge don't want

the back.

hang the wrong men.' "

No,

"we there

sir,"

said the dark gold-seeker sternly;

don't want to is

hang the wrung men, and

a growing opinion here that you and

your companions

have

not

made

out

your

charge." "

What

!" roared

man gave

his

Redbeard, as the Cornish-

young

companions

a

nod

HANGING BY A THREAD. "not made out our case? Well,

I

am

"You

that,

mates?

"

blessed

charge

Hear

191

!

them

and

robbery

with

attempted murder."

"Yes; didn't my mate show you his leg?" cried Redbeard indignantly. " Oh, yes and the prisoners, who defend ;

themselves

by charging

you with attacking

them, reply by displaying their wounds." "

Well,

wouldn't

you

shoot

if

you was

So where s your justice?" " I will show you that I want to give you " There is enough fair play," said the judge. in this case to mean the sternest sentence, attacked?

and

will

it

be awarded to the guilty parties."

There was

a

murmur

and the judge said

sternly,

three men, and separate

them

apart, so that

of approval

the

at this,

" Separate those

prisoners

;

keep

they cannot communicate

with one another."

There was a quick movement, and a couple of armed men placed themselves right and left of Dallas and Abel. "Hullo!" said the Cornishman, "am I a prisoner, too? All right; I'm in good company »»

TO WIN OR TO

192

But

was a

there

DIE.

resistance

little

on the

part of the accusing party. " "

Look

here,"

want

I

"The friends if a "

to

know what

fiercely,

means."

this

rope and the tree for you and your

you

" Stand

fire, sir,"

cried the

judge

sternly.

»

But


growled Redbeard

where you

the judge.

cried

are,"

Six of you take those other two outside,

quite apart, and mind, you are answerable to

your sheriff for bringing them back."

Redbeard growled as he stood beneath the great lamp, the two

others which

had been

burning having been turned out so that a better

view could be had from behind of each stage of the proceedings. "

Look

here," cried

companions were led prisoners

to

prisoners.

fiercely, as his

why

the

aren't Is

this

fair

" they

are

the

?

" ?

said I

"

out,

be sent out too

play, pardners " Yes,"

Redbeard

the

judge

;

only want your witnesses to be

out of court."

There was a dead silence while the two men were led away, and a ray of hope began to shed light through the darkness of despair

in

HANGING BY A THREAD. young men's

the

strange

a

this

judge

amateur

as they read in all

brains,

on

desire

do

to

193

the

part

of

between

justice

their

the

parties.

They glanced round through gloomy

the

them on

smoke of

place, to see fierce eyes fixed sides, while in front there

all

judge and

the

his supporters,

and

upon

was the

their red-bearded,

savage-looking accuser beneath the lamp, which

shone

above them i i

Is

in

a dense cloud.

dream?"

a

it

and then he

said

Dallas to

started, for the

himself;

judge said sharply

man before him Now, sir, you and your two

to the

"

The smoke now hung

upon him.

full

:

come here

friends

have

to dig gold."

''That's right, captain." i

i

Wher.

Wash "

That

IJ

will do.

Bring

in the

next witness."

There was a suppressed buzz of excitement, while Redbeard stood glaring beneath the lamp, and the next "

Now,

sir,

judge,

" but

oath.

It

is

man was

led

in.

you are not sworn," said the consider that

you are on your

a matter perhaps of

life

or death.

TO WIN OR TO

194

DIE.

Answer my questions. You and your " came here to find o-old ? "

That's

"

Where

"

Me

"

That

so,

jedge."

come from

did you

and

friends

my

mates

?

Noo

" ?

York."

Silence!" cried the judge.

will do.

The next man. Keep those two well apart." The third man was led in, and the same questions asked him, when to the second he * (

responded sharply

:

" Chicago."

There was a roar up

hand.

his

while fell,

I

deliver

fair

judgment" u

hearing, and

Crash

The

I

I

men

and a deep

;

please, silence

glared meaningly one

have given

this a perfectly

"

say

/

shivering of a lamp-glass, a burst of

flame like a flash of lightning, as

was dashed from where a few

judge held

gentlemen,

" Silence,

while the three

at the other.

at this, but the

moments

it

hung

;

the lamp

and then

for

intense darkness, while there

was a sudden roar and rush

for the entrance.

CHAPTER

XIX.

TO SAVE A SNARLING CUR.

HE

struggle was short, for the sides of

canvas

the

were

building

as the flames ran swiftly

frail

and

;

up one side and the

burning rags of the canvas roof began to

upon

against like

so

opposite

the

much

but

the

one

We

"

I

And

halfair.

which followed was enough

had escaped.

are the other prisoners?"

are

here

— my

Abel, for they had "

and the panting,

within?" panted the judge;

left

to indicate that all

"

wave rushed which gave way a

gained the cool fresh night

silence

"Where

side,

paper,

stifled sufferers

"Any

crowd,

struggling

the

fall

the

cousin

and

made no attempt

witnesses

?

"

cried

I,"

cried

to escape.

the judge.

have the scoundrel who dashed down the

lamp." "

We have the other two here," replied 195

voices.

TO WIN OR TO

196 "

Then, gentlemen,"

we had

think

open

attempt

me

I

say

that

as

I

the

an

Come and

?

you.

got

I've

the

but he's as strong as a horse.

have held him

couldn't

"

trial in

to

murder

some of

here,

man down,

big

have another

wholesale

at

judge,

the

said

What do you

air.

help

better

DIE.

if

I

hadn't thrown

a biscuit bag over his head."

was

It

a few

light for

minutes while the

canvas roof of the saloon burned

woodwork was

rapidly tor a

down and trampled

out to save the so-called hotel, again, with a pungent

Two men had

formed

could be just

as

it

all

made

was dark

arising.

which

into the circle

whose

round the judge,

figure

out as he kneeled between

man he had down

the shoulders of the

Dallas

smoke

were dragged

but as the

;

;

and

and Abel stood close by, fascinated were, and feeling a thrill of horror as ,

they thought of their enemies' impending " It's

horrible,

hate the brute,

Dal," whispered Abel.

but

I

don't

want

fate.

"

I

see

him

a'

man

beast

will

to

hanged." "

Then you'd

who heard

the

better

remark,

be

off,"

" for

said

the

swing before many minutes are passed."

TO SAVE A SNARLING CUR.

197

"I don't see why you two young felloes " He Was caycf should care," said another.

enough

to get

you hanged."

Have you made him?" said the judge "

his

wrists

fast

behind

out of the darkness.

"

Yes; all right." "Let him get up, then.

Here, landlord

a lantern here."

squire

"Haven't

you had

light

enough, judge?

What about my saloon?" " All right, old fellow," said a voice.

hold plenty of our gold to

pay

;

"You

club together

we'll

for a better one."

"Thank

Hi!

gentlemen.

ye,

bring

a

lantern."

same moment the prisoner rose to his feet, and the sack over his head was drawn off. " I say, you know, I've come quietly," he At

the

cried pistols

a

in

down.

young chaps "

hoarse voice.

You

haven't

like that,

Bob Tregelly

?

"

"

Here, put those served

have you

my

two

" ?

cried Dallas

and Abel

in

a breath.

"What's

left

of him,

my

sons.

They've

'most smothered me." "

Hallo!" said the judge at the same moment.

TO WIN OR TO

198

u

I

DIE.

took you in the dark for that red-bearded

fellow." "

was going

I

my

bag over "

Here,

him when you pulled

for

that

head," growled the Cornishman.

who

has got that fellow

?

"

roared

the judge.

"We've

got his

darkness, and two

mates,"

came out

men were dragged

of the

forward,

struggling hard to get free. "

game do you

Here, what

call this ? "

snarled

one of them, as soon as he could speak.

"Yes," said the other.

"

You

fools

:

you've

got the wrong men." "

I'm

blessed

!

Ha,

ha,

ha

!

"

roared

the

big Cornishman. "

You've never

let

those other two escape,

have you?" roared the judge angrily. " Well,

you've

let

the big un go, judge,

and caught me," said the Cornishman merrily. "

But

now

3

I

say,

my

son, who's the guilty party

"

;

Not much doubt about that. There, my they've lads, it's of no use to go after them done us this time, and got away but I think we may keep the ropes ready for them when they come again." "

;

;

TO SAVE A SNARLING CUR. " Hear, hear

"

199

was roared, and an ovation

!

followed fur the tnu

who had been

suspected,

man present seeming as if he could make enough of them, till they managed

every not

away

to slip " all

to their tent.

think a quiet pipe

I

business,"

that

o

life,

my

sons.

I

me good "

Tregelly.

said

done about enough

do

11

We've

Rum

one day.

for

after

sort

be glad to get steadily

shall

work as soon as we know where to begin." The canvas was fastened down soon after, and the occupants of the rough tent prepared to

for a

time

good in

night's

coming

rest

to the

but

;

cousins,

had been too much jarred

for

it

was a long

whose nerves them to follow

the example of their three companions.

they lay listening to the principal

many sounds

among which was

fighting of the sledge dogs

seemed

to Dallas that

hard waterproof sheet

about,

the barking and

but at last they

;

dropped into a troubled slumber, one it

And

in

which

he was lying upon his in

a

nightmare-like

dream, watching his enemy, the red-bearded

man, who was crawling on hands and knees

to

the rough tent, with a knife between his teeth,

and trying

to force his

way under

the end of

TO WIN OR TO

2oo

DIE.

one of the sledges to get to him and pin him to the earth.

There he was, coming nearer and right

into

while his hot

the tent place now,

breath fanned the

dreamer's his

ing

strike.

a

spot

vital

to

and

cheek,

hands were resting upon for

nearer,

chest as

his

if feel-

With a

tre-

mendous effort, Dallas sprang up and struck at him, when there was a loud snarling yelp, and Abel cried

in alarm,

"

What

is

it,

Dal

" ?

Dog," said Tregelly, " smelling after grub. The poor brutes seem half starved. Hasn't "

taken

a

bit

Good-night,

of either

out

my

sons

I

;

has

of you,

he

was dreaming

?

I'd

upon heaps of gold."

hit

Dallas sank back with a sigh of

dropped off into a morning,

till

terrific

restful sleep,

and

which lasted

when they were aroused by a

sound of cracking as of

with a

relief,

peculiar

roar,

rifles,

mingled

and a strange rushing

sound.

"What the

first

" Like u I'm

is

it?" cried Abel,

to spring

enough,

who was one

of

up; "an earthquake?"

my

son,"

said

ready for anything here.

the mountains playing at skittles."

Tregelly.

Sounds

like

TO SAVE A SNARLING CUR. " She's "

By ((

going

jingo

at last," cried a voice outside.

the

ice

Then we

will

It's

Come and

look."

breaking up,"

cried

fine.

it's

'

201

Dallas

excitedly. "

"though that

go and look," said Tregelly,

chap wasn't speaking to us."

And, no dressing being necessary, out, to find that

pletely changed,

the

Yukon was com-

being

ice

hurried

motion,

in

all

grinding, and crushing, and with

splitting up,

being forced up one over the other

blocks till

the fettered

all

they toppled

down

with a roar, to help in

breaking up those around.

The

evening

previous

possible

would have been

regiment to cross the river

a

for

it

by climbing over and among the great blocks which were still frozen together, but now it would have been certain death active

man

for

to attempt the first fifty yards.

Every one was out

in

the

bright

morning watching the breaking up the

first

of the

they

last

night's

"

but

Good job

;

sunny

and among

encountered were the judge,

the gold finder, heartily,

the most

episode,

both

made no for

of

and

whom

their friend

shook hands

allusion to the

trial.

every one," said the judge;

TO WIN OR TO

202

"we

We

shall

soon be having boats up after

be clear here

bhall

DIE.

"

So soon?"

"

Oh, yes/' replied

in

a couple of days.''

said Dallas.

let

and

lifts

runs under the

the ice break up

;

ice,

and once

is

it

reaches the sea,

it

loose up above,

is

it

always grinding smaller,

it

" There's

his informant.

a tremendous body of water it

this.

it,

and makes motion

set in

till,

long before

has become powder, and

then water again." "

say,"

I

one's legs,

the

cried

miner,

" there's

some

dog out yonder. He's nipped by the and it's about all over with him, I should

say.

" Here, stop

What

!

are you going to do

" ?

cried the judge.

But Dallas did not hear him. one of the

first

He

had been

to see the perilous position of

hound some twenty yards from the shore, where it was struggling

a

wolfish-looking

great

vainly,

prisoned as

yelp every

now and

at the spectators "

The

lad's

it

was,

then,

uttering

a

faint

and gazing piteously

on the bank.

mad," cried the judge, going

closer to the ice.

But,

mad

or no, Dallas had, in his ignorance

TO SAVE A SNARLING CUR. danger of the

great

of the

.

boldly leaped on the

moving

from block to block

till

203

down,

run

act,

and stepped

ice,

he reached the dog,

which began to whine and bark loudly,

made

it

as

frantic efforts to free its hindquarters.

In another minute

it

would have been drawn for the coming of the

down farther, but young man, who, heedless gliding motion of the

of the rocking

ice,

and

strode the narrow

opening between the two masses which held the dog, stooping

down

at the

same moment,

and seizing the poor brute by the rough hair about

neck.

its

For a few moments and a roar

of

his effort

voices

seemed

reached him,

vain,

the

as

him to come back. Then the two pieces swayed slightly, and gradually drew apart, and the dog was at spectators shouted to

but apparently with one leg

liberty,

for

it

effort

lay to

howling dismally after an

down,

limp back to the land.

There was a great strap round this

was joined

to

another

shoulders, and, seizing this,

poor animal on

him

crushed,

as he

began

its

side

its

just

neck, and

behind

its

Dallas flung the

and dragged

to step cautiously

it

after

back from

TO WIN OR TO

204

block to block,

now

DIE.

sinking down,

now

rising,

and now narrowly escaping being caught between the moving pieces

;

but he

kept on,

conscious, though, that the bank

upward

;

breaking

seemed rising while the crushing and roar of the ice

prevented him from hearing the

words of advice shouted by

He

could not hear, but he could see Bel,

who was to

his friends.

forcing his

way through

keep alongside, ready

he came within reach,

was from him

if

the crowd

him when ever he did, and it to

help

that he afterwards learned that

the advice shouted was to

let

the

dog take

his

chance.

Twice over the set of the ice was off the shore, and matters looked bad for the young adventurer, but he stuck to the dog, and, just

when

the chance of reaching the shore seemed

most hopeless, a couple of large flat floes rose up, and, making a dash, Dallas went boldly across them, reaching others that did not yield

so much, and the

cheer which he

next minute there was a

could

hear,

for

the shore with the dog, which his

face

and

whined,

through the crowd.

he reached

looked up

and then

limped

in

off

TO SAVE A SNARLING CUR. " Life

seems cheap your way, "

said the judge.

do that

don't

my fine

Five minutes ago

have given a grain of gold sort

205

fellow/

1

wouldn't

I

for yours.

We

of thing out here for the

sake of a vicious, thieving dog." "

not

could

I

by and see the poor

stand

brute die," said Dallas quietly. "

So

w

seems," said the judge.

it

Well,

I

young fellows on your Those scoundrels have got escape last night. away and if they turn up again, lawyer though congratulate you two

;

I

am,

I

should advise you both to shoot on If

sight.

you are brought

you

promise

I

will

bring

before it

in

me,

I'll

justifiable

homicide."

A

couple

Tregelly and

from

((

to

If

later

his

they

had parted

companions, with

a

shake of the hand and a promise to

hearty

keep

of hours

their

we

agreement about the gold.

discover a good place.'*

13

CHAPTER XX Norton's idea of a good spot.

T

was a

long,

weary tramp up by the higher

waters of the huge its

Yukon River towards

sources in the neighbourhood of the Pelly

Lakes, where sharp rapids and torrents were

succeeded by small, shallow lakes ever they to work, it,

the

gold

and, as granite

in

their guide

and sand

exceedingly

and wher-

and pan were

shovel

halted,

;

Norton termed tasted,

and

quantities

was

were

small

set

found. " It's so

"

and

I

'most

what you might

don't say but

rich spot at

advice you'll

any time

come

;

but

straight

where a few of us are regularly into the wilds.

an

Indian

Norton

everywhere," said

has been

me

down.

my to It's

don't suppose even

there

206

find a

you take

on with

settled I

chaps went up."

if

;

before

;

but

we

NORTON'S IDEA OF A GOOD SPOT. "

But there are Indians about,

207

suppose?"

I

said Abel. "

Mebbe, but

The end

I

haven't seen any."

of their journey was reached at

last,

high up the creek they had followed, and, save here and there in sheltered

gone;

the

brief

rifts,

summer was

snow was

the at

and

hand,

clothing the stones with flowers and verdure that

were most refreshing after the wintry rigours through

which they had forced their way.

Nice and free and open, eh ?" said Norton,

"

smiling.

"

I

may

show you

as well

comrades up here, and then

Til

to

the

help you pick

out a decent claim, and you can set to work.

There's only about a dozen of us here yet,

and so you won't be mobbed." "

Very

well," said Dallas

;

"but

we'll try in

open space where the trees are so young."

that

Norton nodded, and, armed with a shovel and pan, the young men stepped to a spot about

feet

fifty

stream, cleared

young

the

down soil

"

;

from the edge of the rushing

away the green growth among

pines,

his shovel

and

Dallas

tried

to

drive

through the loose, gravelly

but the tool did not penetrate four inches.

Why,

it's

stone underneath."

TO WIN OR TO

208 il

Norton, smiling.

said

Ice,"

had time

thaw down

tu

Dallas

filled

to a shallow

bent down,

yet

far

some of the gravelly

off

DIE.

top,

" It

hasn't

but you skin

;

and

try it"

the pan, and they went together place by the side of the creek,

and,

with

pan just beneath

the

the surface, agitated and stirred

it,

the water

washing away the thick muddy portion nothing was

left

till

but sand and stones.

These latter were picked out and thrown away more washing followed, more little stones were thrown out, and at last there was ;

nothing but a deposit of sand at the bottom, in

which gleamed brightly some specks and

scales of bright yellow gold.

Norton finished

way

farther

his pipe,

up the stream,

and then to

led the

stop at last by

a rough pinewood shed thatched with boughs. " This

is

my mansion,"

he

said.

"

Leave the

sledges here, and we'll go and see the rest."

The in a

stream turned and twisted about here

wonderful way, doubling back upon

itself,

and spreading about over a space of three or four miles along the winding valley where

the tiny mining settlement had been pitched

only

some

six or

seven huts

among

the dwarfed

NORTON'S IDEA OF A GOOD SPOT. pine-trees in fallen

trees

the places being

all,

209

marked by

and stumps protruding from

the

ground.

They were

young

of stout

and

made on

all

same

with

support a dense

to

rafters

pine-trees

the

ridge

centre of the roof for the

pole

thatching of

and mostly with a hole

boughs,

pattern,

in

the

smoke of the

fire

left

burned within to escape.

The two

strangers were received in a friendly

enough way, the rough about

settlers chatting freely

new-comers'

the

showing

prospects,

specimens of the gold they had found, and

making suggestions about the likeliest spot for marking out a claim along the bank. The result was that before the day ended, acting a good deal under Norton's advice, the young men had marked out a double claim and

where

settled

their hut should

be

set up,

so as to form a fresh addition to the camp. "

You ought

" There's this

gold

district

for

can you strike

thought

I

do well here/' said Norton.

to

worth certain it

rich

money

in

but the question

is,

millions ;

or

could do better

only

of

poor

somewhere

should go, but I'm going to try

it

?

If

I

else

I

fairly here."

TO WIN OR TO

2io " We'll

do the same," said Dallas; and, the

weather being

down

and the air exhilarating to work cutting pegs for

brilliant

to a degree, they set

driving

DIE.

make out

to

Norton

their claim,

reminding them that they would have certain

make afterwards

applications to

to the govern-

ment agency, and then began

down

cut

to

small trees for building their shanty.

To

surprise

their

and

delight,

four of the

neighbours came, axe-armed, to help, so that

was made comparatively easy. At the end of a week a rough, strong, habitable home was made, door, window, included, two of their shutter and bars the

task

come provided with a

helpers having 4

for

bigger

the

cutting

pine-trunks

pit

up

rough boards, which were to be paid of the

gold

first

saw into

for out

young men

winnings the

made.

Within debt,

for,

promised

and

the

enough

another their

to

banks gold

of the

to

the

reality

they

intense

well, the shaft

minute they could

But

week

set

were out of

delight, the claim

they had little

them

commenced

river

yielding

working

every

see.

did

not

come up

to

the

NORTON'S IDEA OF dazzling

dream

cither in

their

hard

case

from the

it

and

labour

were stored up

—

in the

bank

Abel's

bed,

The

store

but

then

had

to

it

in

;

but

and they

gold, it

they

was only by

small quantities,

which

leathern bag and placed

being a hole formed under

covered

pieces of plank,

211

men

or that of the

soil

in a

this

SPOT.

which they had indulged,

in

There was the

encountered.

won

GOOD

?A

first

with

a

few short

and then with dry

earth.

increased as the time went

decreased

on,

when an expedition

be made to the settlement below to

more provisions, the country around supplying them with plenty of fuel and clear drinking water, but little else. Now and then there was the rumour of a moose being seen, and a party would turn out and shoot there was feasting while it lasted it, when fetch

;

but these days were few. Occasionally, too, either Dallas or Abel would

round with his gun and get a few ptar-

stroll

migan or willow grouse. a

of

brace

shot

;

wild

On

lucky days, too,

ducks would

fall

to

their

but these excursions were rare, for there

—

was the one great thirst to satisfy that for and for the most part their existence the gold ;

TO WIN OR TO

212

during

hard

the

summer was

brief

digging

toil,

DIE.

and

up by

filled

cradling

the

bearing gravel, while they lived upon bacon, beans, and ill-made

gold-

coarse

cakey bread,

tor-

mented horribly the while by the mosquitoes, which increased by myriads in the sunny time.

Then came little

" this

"

We

longer,"

said

No," replied Abel

horribly

to

not be able to

shall

much

began

pests

insect

days when the wretched

the

short,

;

grow work

rarer.

as late as

Dallas. " the

days are getting

and the nights

terribly

long.

The dark winter will be upon us directly, and we seem to get no farther." u We may turn up trumps at any moment, old fellow," said Dallas cheerily. " Yes, "

"

we may,"

Don't

take

Here we

day we

it

said

Abel gloomily.

like

that,"

cried

Dallas.

are in the gold region, and every

find

nuggets."

"Weighing two

or three grains apiece."

" Exactly

at

;

but

any moment we might

at a turn of the shovel lay

them bare weighing

ounces or even pounds." " Pigs "

Bah

might !

fly,"

said Abel.

Where's your pluck

?

Work

away."

NORTON'S IDEA OF A GOOD SPOT. "

Oh,

yes,

with

the dreary

help

feeling

a

depressed.

bit

and

sent

mates

his

" but

Abel;

said

coming un one

winter

we never

very glad Tregelly

work,"

I'll

213

I'm

say,

I

message

a

can't

to

come and

to

old join

us." "

Well,

would have turned out

it

who was

crusty," said Dallas,

the

into

ping from time to tiny speck

"

We

this,"

"

Bah

events, visitors,

time to

never

we

be

Don't

!

make

some

our fortunes at

and !

a

in

fear of

Here, quick

Run to

At

hurry.

No

are in safety.

Abel sprang

all

dangerous

—the hut

your

" !

the

shore,

by the arm, and they ran and

out

pick

stop-

said.

man

rifle,

away and

his

of gold.

shall

he

over

stood

stream, rocking

in the

ankle

shovelling gravel

Abel

while

cradle,

rather

to

be

for their

seized-

weapons

shelter.

None

too soon, for

a big burly figure had

from among the pines, stopped

come

into sight

short,

and brought down

his

rifle,

as he stood

shading his eyes and scanning the retreating pair.

"

CHAPTER

XXI.

TREGELLY SEEKS HIS SONS. u

HOY,

What

there!

out in

O!"

cheer,

a big bluff voice

rang

familiar

to

both. "

Oh,

say,

I

what curs we are

!

"

cried Dallas.

" It's old Tregelly."

him know we were scared." Vain advice. The big Cornishman shouldered his rifle, bent forward, and dragged a sledge into sight, broke into a trot, and they met "

Yes

don't let

;

half-way. " Hullo,

my

Did you take me

sons!

for

an

Injun?" cried Tregelly.

We

took

ruffian,"

said

"

you

for

Dallas

that

red-bearded

big,

huskily,

as

he shook

hands. " Thankye, I

don't

you

?

like

—how

my the

son

;

on'y don't do

compliment.

are you

?

214

it

again.

But how are

;

(

TREGELLY SEEKS HIS SONS. "

We

Oh, middling.

were just

215

thinking

about you."

Were

4

my

you,

sons?"

Cornishman, smiling "That's

all

Well,

right.

you, and here you are

"But how

big

the

over his broad

I

face.

was thinking about

and wondering whether

you,

cried

I

should

find

go."

first

us?"

cried Dallas,

Yukon Town

a fortni't ago,

did you find

shaking hands warmly.

after

"Went back

to

and the chap there were

still

up here,

now and then

to

at the hotel told

for

buy

me you

one of you came down

stores."

"

Did you see the judge

"

Oh,

yes, he's there

" ?

still."

"Made his pile?" " No o— o Done pretty tidy, I believe." " And what about Redbeard and Company? !

"

Heard anything of that firm ? " Yes heard that they'd ;

my

somebody, fellow

done for

hon.

been

There'd

been

seen a

up the country, and

by

pour

some

They got the credit of it dog a bad name and you know

gold carried off but give a the

rest.

now."

I

should say they're

all

dead by

""

TO WIN OR TO

216

a

DIE.

But why didn't you send

for us

? "

said

Abel.

Why

"

you send

didn't

"Well," said Dallas

for

me

drily,

?

"

was out of

it

good fellowship. We were afraid it would be more than you could bear to get so rich. But where are your comrades

Gone home,"

"

young men took

" Don't ask questions 11

Well, yes,

my

mean,

to

" !

But you've found a

"

?

Tregelly, in a tone of

said

voice that the two

"

sons

lot ;

?" said Dallas.

we managed

to scrape

good deal together, some here and some there, for we changed about and travelled over

a

a good deal of ground."

And you have sent it home ? "Nay y y I've got it here on the sledge." " Oh " said Abel, looking at the shabby kit "

—

!

!

their visitor

had

left

close to the door of the

hut.

" I've got a bit in a costs

all

for a

me

?" i

but,

you can scrape together

ever I've been up, as

bag;

;

my mates poor

little

so

I

thought

see,

it

to live wher-

I'd look

had gone, so as lonely chap.

you

to

you two

be company

Will you have

»

TREGELLY SEEKS HIS SONS. "

"

Of course." Any chance

of picking up a decent claim

"

here ((

217

?

Plenty, such as

we

have," replied Dallas.

"You'll be able to do as well as we've done,

and the others about here." "

That means the lumps of gold are not too "

big to "

lift ?

That's

ing

that

it,"

" I've

said Dallas

been think-

we were here next summer, we

if

ought to get a

of ants and train them to

lot

carry the grains for us." "

Ah,

see,

I

made

almost have

home, eh

my

sons.

much by stopping

as

?

don't

come here

you

croaking," cried Dallas.

"

enough

Can if

"

to

begin

Abel here can do

for a dozen." "

cried

that,

my

he

mustn't do

gold

?

we can

" Oh,

Tregelly. son.

only find

it

good, then i i

you

If

to

yet.

you

There's plenty of it.

I

saw a chap

with a gashly lump as big as a baby's We'll do

at

"

" Here,

that

one might

say,

I

fist.

So you haven't done much

" ?

we had we should have come.

j

sent

word

for

TO WIN OR TO

218 "

my

And

DIE.

should have sent or come for you,

I

Look

sons.

we'd better make a

here,

and explore higher up towards the

change,

mountains." "

Too

"

Oh, yes

We

late this year," said Dallas decisively.

mustn't

Means

get

—you

too

sons.

from the supplies.

far

know what

my

season,

too late this

;

and

famine

!

that

sort o' thing."

we know," " We'll do it when

" Yes,

again,"

continued

got to do

we

as

can

is

Abel

bitterly.

the days begin to lengthen Tregelly.

make

to

during

in the spring,

and

stop here.

it

If

said

if

winter,

it's

aren't,

What

we've

big a heap

as

the

"

wash

here

it

out

good enough, then

go and

find a better

place." "

Yes, that's right," said Dallas.

"

But about

There's nothing to be got here. you brought plenty ?" rations.

" I'll

you

my sons, and take it kindly if you'll let me camp with to-night, so that can leave my swag Much

as ever

with you while

Of course," we can."

" all

Have

I

could

pull,

I

I

hunt out a claim."

cried Dallas

;

" we'll help

you

— TREGELLY SEEKS HIS " There's that pitch " the

Abel

"Of seemed t(

down

219

yonder, Dal," said

one we bcdd looked

course; the place

SONS.

we

likely."

tried,

and which

fairly rich."

That sounds

was more,

it

well,"

said Tregelly.

What

looked so well that the big fellow

decided to stay there at once, and put in his pegs,

the

only drawback

remoteness from

the

seeming

to

be

its

scattered claims of the

others up the creek.

But

this did not trouble the big

in the least.

two

With the help

friends, pines

together,

Cornishman

freely given

by

his

were cut down, a hut knocked

and many days had not elapsed before

he was working away, and looking as much at

home

as

if

he had been there

all

the season,

when they met after working hours that it was much better than anything he and his companions had come across during their declaring

travels.

CHAPTER

XXII.

A NIGHT ALARM.

HERE'S old

a deal

chap,"

they sat together

brooding

trunks,

Dallas one day,

said

in

make-believe, Bel,

in

rough hut of

their

over

the

fire

centre of the floor, the blinding

lit

in

as fir-

the

smoke from

which escaped slowly out of an opening

in

when the fierce wind did not drive it back in company with the fine sharp snow, which was coming down in a regular blizzard.

the roof,

"

Oh,

Abel "

bitterly

Gammon

sorts,

But

yes, a deal,

I

storm

and

if

you have any

" but mine's all dead."

;

!" cried Dallas.

that

"You're out of

makes you disposed

must confess that during the

faith," said

Castle

hall

is

a

to find fault.

this blizzardly

little

These antique structures generally

draughty. are."

"Months and months of wandering, " and misery, and to come to this !

220

slavery

A NIGHT ALARM. " Yes,

you are not

How's the

at

your

My

foot

dear

best,

man.

old

" ?

" Rotting off as a frozen "

221

member

will." "

you want a tonic

Bel,

said

!

Dallas cheerily. "

Think you

awful winter, Dal

"Live!

live

through this

" ?

we

should think

I

young man,

be able to

will

said the

will,"

up and laying

carefully picking

some of the half-burned brands on the centre (( So will you." of the crackling fire. " No, I shall never see home again." <(

you're a lazy beggar, with a natural

Bel,

dislike to cold," so,

" It

said Dallas.

always was

and you always used to have the worst

and turn grumpy when they itched

chilblains,

You

and burned.

don't

make

the. best

of

things, old chap.'* "

No, Dal,

many days "

we

That

" It

is

haven't got your

spirit.

longer will that meal last

depends,

are

gorging

I

frugal,

or

dear

go

on

" ?

on

boy,

How

whether

banqueting

and

u

dreadfully low, isn't

" Well, the supply

is

" it ?

not great, but there

is

a

morsel of bacon and a frozen leg-bone of our 14

—

'

TO WIN OR TO

222

DIE.

share of the moose, whose roasted marrow

be

No

delicious.

the

,

larder

not

is

stocked, but the supply of fuel

well

unlimited,

is

and we have our gigantic bag of gold

bank

will

in the

cellar."

"

Curse the gold

"

No,

you

because,

tramp down

!

not do that,

will

I

"

see,

I

my

dear

boy,

can take out a handful,

to the store,

and come back laden

with corn and wine and delicacies

in the

shape

of bacon and tinned meat. " Dal,

no

of

it's

use

we must

;

up

give

and go back." " I

No, we must

"You making

I

doomed go on ain

'

I'm

doomed!"

this

doomed

" don't

begin

)!

?

Byron !

away

"

that's

in

if

get

say," cried Dallas,

" Quotations

says

I'm

quotations.

"Yes;

couldn't

and even

;

n

could.

" Here,

it

we

said the same,

winter time.

chap

not, old

what the despairing old chap s

comedy,

'

doomed

I'm

and the other fellow

like that

;

it

sounds

like

says,

*

— I'm Don't

swearing when

t.

" Dal," cried

Abel passionately,

"

how can

"

A NIGHT ALARM. you be so

Because

young man

cried

the

cold,

man.

'

such

in

Never say "

cheerily.

my

Allow me,

die

You

"

are

spread

to

lord,

!'

robe gracefully over your noble

purple

this

believe in

I

are

?

a desperate btate "

when we

of folly

full

223

shoulders to keep off the draught.

I

say, Bel,

these blankets are getting jolly black/'

"Thanks, Dal."

"And hang

with your lordship's permission

this piece of tapestry

I

will

over the doorway

enhance the warmth of the glow within.

to

Haven't got

your pocket, have you pegs'll

We

hold

of tenpenny nails

a couple

it

?

Never mind

Whoo

up.

be quite buried

shall

it

!

in

these

;

does

the

in

blow.

snow

by

morning.

"Yes, once more," said Abel gloomily. ((

So much the warmer

the wood.

I

thankful that

would

be

for

it,

Bel,

and save

we ought

to

be

we have such a snug

den.

It

any

be

say, old chap,

death

to

one

to

out

to-night." "

Yes

for that

;

and they would have ceased hunting

golden myth, and be at

rest."

"Well, you are a cheerful chap to-night!

TO WIN OR TO

2a 4 I

say,

—

son/ "

DIE.

wonder what has become of " Tregelly, the Cornishman ?

old

I

Dead

'

My

or broken-hearted over this weary

search.''

"

Dead

Why,

?

that fellow wouldn't

a

die

bit.

Broken-hearted?

His heart's made of

stuff

much

He'll

day a "

too

up some

turn

he has made a big

to tell us

Never.

tough.

find."

He's dead by now."

Don't you prophesy

" Dal," said Abel, as

darkened by

until after the event."

he

exposure,

sat,

and

gaunt of visage, different

totally

from the bright, eager fellow of a few months earlier.

"

Yes?"

"You "

I

will

must,

human grate some more." " If

not go old

The

coals

are nearly out, and

you come back. "

leave

fellow.

you go you

find

will

To

me?"

away and

for

must

I

the

fetch

me dead when

die alone

Horrible

!

" !

Nonsense Old Norton will come in every day and have a look at you if I ask wish he him. He's a good old chap, Bel I had had better luck. I say, though, this is !

;

a rum game.

You and

I

are

now

living

in

A NIGHT ALARM.

225

rough dog-kennel, and bad as our luck

this

has been, the

rate

we have been turning out gold at of, say, five hundred a year. Not

bad that for beginners/'

"And

takes

it

all

we

get to barter for the "

wretched food," groaned Abel.

The

prices

are horrible."

"Well, things are dear, and bad

American friends

our

as

have

double our

to

grow

and

we

shall

rich."

The wind was the

that,

But we only

say.

turn-in

at

lonely

whistling and shrieking about the

cabin,

blanket

tattered

wood doorway was blown

the rough

in,

over

and the

smoke eddied about the corners of the tent as a quantity of snow came through the opening, and made the fire hiss angrily. " It

"and,

Dallas;

tin

Think

you'll

clean and

by

oil

long,

the

old fellow," said

way,

I

had

better

some cartridges. be well enough to-morrow to the guns while I'm down the

of powder

buy a

shaft

me

won't take

and

" ?

"I'll

but

try;

the

shaft

drifted snow."

- If

it

is,

I'll

drift

it

out."

will

be

full

of

— TO WIN OR TO

226 "

What's that

?

Abel,

cried

"

DIE.

a faintly

as

heard howl came frum the distance.

Sounds

"

like

No dog

wolves.

would be

out in a night like this/' "

Think they

" Don't

What

44

"

hope

I

bit

?

so."

do a

to

shooting

little

they come in at the chimney hole.

of a

us

cried Abel, with a horrified look.

Give me a chance

(t

if

know. !

come here and attack

will

"

of sport.

Glad

Supply us with some fresh

meat, too."

"What, "

My

would

eat

dear

wolf?" Bel,

eat anything

I

hungry that

so

get

But they may

now.

I

taste

Wolf's a kind of dog; they eat dog

good.

in

China, and I've heard that the bargees do so

on the Thames." "

What ?

"

" Don't you

remember the chaff

the fellows asking the bargees,

Marlow Bridge There it is again."

pie under "

"Then if

they

walk roof."

up

I'll

come the

'

at

Oxford

Who ate

puppy

"

? '

take the guns out of the cases nearer.

They'll

snow slope

right

be on

able to

to

the

A NIGHT ALARM. But

opened a

plentifully

"

can't eat," said Abel.

I

can,

and

no

is

sat

bread,

set

I'll

you an example.

Sorry

;

and the cook

is

out,

or she

you some grouse."

grill

Abel

Dallas

Strasburg pie or other delicacy

tempt you

should

and

made damper, whose crust was marked with wood ashes.

I

there to

away,

died

and took out a couple of pieces

tin

of roughly u

sounds

the

227

nursing his piece of unappetising

while

Dallas

rapidly

disposed of

his,

the smaller piece.

They had been

silence for

some

time, with Dallas gazing wistfully at his

com-

sitting

in

panion. "

Try and

said.

"I

"

the damper, old fellow," he

eat

You must have Dal.

can't,

there in the hole "

I

"

You must

I

food."

say,

how much

gold

is

" ?

daresay there's five-and-twenty ounces." take

it,

and contrive

to get

away

from here, Dal," said Abel suddenly. ( '

"

And you

" ?

Get back home again.

heart

if

she loses us both."

Tkud /

She'll

break her

TO WIN OR TO

228

DIE.

There was a heavy blow at the rough door, and then another. M Norton come to look us up/' whispered Dallas.

"No;

would

he

whispered back Abel of

storm

the

knock

not

— needlessly,

that,"

like

for the roar

would have made the voices

inaudible outside.

There was another blow on the door as if something had butted against it, and then a scratching on the rough wood.

"A "

Be

bear?" whispered Dallas,

quiet.

Bear's

meat

is

rising softly.

good, but a bear

would not be out on a night

like this."

There was another blow, and then a

piteous,

whining howl.

"A

dog, by Jove!" cried Dallas.

his master " Dal,

it

this storm.

must be

in

trouble in the snow."

would be madness It

"Then

to

go out

in

means death."

Dallas did not reply, but lifted the blanket,

snow dropped, great wooden bar which,

from which a quantity of

and took down the hanging

in

fine

two rough mortices,

formed

its

fastening.

As he drew

the door inward a

little,

there

-

'

t

4i

f*y »?.*

A NIGHT ALARM.

231

was a rush of snow and wind, and the

ashes were wafted

roared as the sparks and

about the place, threatening to

rough bed-places

snow

a great

;

fire

fire

and with the

lump forced

drifting fine

way

its

the two

in

through

the narrow crack, rushing towards the blaze, uttering a dismal howl.

Dallas thrust the door to and stared at the object before them,

one of the great Eskimo

thick coat so matted

dogs, with

its

with

and snow that

ice

hairs

seemed

which rattled as the

off with icicles,

finished

the

and covered

poor brute moved. !

" Hullo, here " cried Dallas.

master

Where's your

" ?

The dog opened

its

"Come

looked at him intelligently, then

mouth and howled. along, then.

Seek, seek."

The young man made open

"

it,

for the

but the dog crept closer

crouched

down,

and

howled

and

find

door as

if

to

to the fire,

more dismally

than before. " Well,

master.

come

Here, here!

The dog lifted fire,

and then

its

him,

Come

then.

Your

along."

head, looked at the glowing

at first

one and then the other,

TO WIN OR TO

232

howled again, and made an but

fell

DIE.

effort to raise itself,

over.

"What's he mean by that, poor brute? He's as weak as a rat. What is it, then, old fellow

?

him.

"

Dallas,

cried

"

Why,

bending down to pat

the poor brute's a

The dog howled once and

fell

"

He

mere skeleton."

more, struggled up,

over sideways. doesn't

as

act

any one was with

if

him," said Abel.

The dog howled and

again,

time managed to

this

quarters,

and drooped

his great

mouth and

made sit

a fresh

up on

effort,

his hind-

opening

his fore-paws,

lolling out the curled-up

tongue. " Starving "

No, no,

—

poor

Bel,

wretch

don't.

It's

"

said

Dallas.

the last

piece of

!

the bread." "

I

eat

can't

poor brute have

it," it.

replied Abel.

" Let the

can't see

suffer like

I

it

that."

He after

broke up the cake and threw piece,

avidity,

till

each

being

snapped

there was no more,

when

it

piece

up

with

the poor

brute whined and licked Bel's hand, and then turned, crawled nearer to the

fire, laid

his great

A NIGHT ALARM. rough head across Dallas's up

at hun, with the ice

his

dense coat melting

" Poor

"

beggar

and

lay blinking

and snow which matted

fast.

said

!

foot,

233

"

Dallas.

He

has

been having a rough time."

The dog whined

softly,

and the unpleasant

odour of burning hair began to as

bushy

his

was swept

tail

the

fill

place

once into the

glowing embers. "

Give him part of the moose bone, Dal/'

said Abel, " If

that

blizzard

this

to

depend on, old

help the dog, but "

Give a

laid

it

up,"

and die with

is,

us.

to struggle here.

No,

glow.

!

we have only

fellow.

want

I

to

must think of you." Abel gloomily, as he

"Give and then let him lie down The golden dream is all the poor brute just managed

his

Look

over now.

I

said

hand on

him what there

"

keeps on

bandaged

foot.

He's dying."

down to sleep in the warm Look how the water runs from his settling

coat."

" Dying,"

said

Abel

positively.

And

the

poor brutes actions seemed to prove that the last

speaker was right,

for

he

lay

whining

"

TO WIN OR TO

234

more and more

DIE.

blinking at

softly,

the

fire

with his eyes half closed, and a shiver kept

on running through him, while once when he he uttered a low moan and

tried to rise

over on to his " Is

side.

he dead, Dal

?

"

said

Abel hoarsely.

His cousin bent over the dog and

hand upon

fell

laid

his

his throat, with the result that there

was a low growling

snarl

and the eyes opened

look up, but only to close again, and the

to

bushy "

said

tale

tapped the floor a few times.

Knows he

"

Dallas.

poor fellow

with friends,

is

" !

But he did not show much

sense in coming to Starvation Hall." " It

was the

fire

" Perhaps,"

said

sort of fancy that

"

What I

Dallas.

But

"

we have met

I

have a

before."

cried Abel, brightening up, "

" !

Did you

do.

notice that the poor

brute limped with one of his hind-legs " Yes, but

not

—

know you

oh,

impossible.

again like that.

one you saved from the

"Yes, such as

I

you

"

don't think " Yes,

that attracted him."

do; but we

it is.

I

A

?

dog would

You mean

the

ice."

shall see

say, though, if

by daylight,

we do

get

home

A NIGHT ALARM. again,

you and

I,

after

235

our experience of this

Arctic place, ought to volunteer for the next

North Pole expedition/' Abel heaved a deep sigh.

Look here, old fellow; you were brightening up, now you are going back again. Let's go to bed and have a good long sleep in the "

warm. "

What

Yes, what about him

"

suppose

I

on a night

dog?"

about the

we

" ?

mustn't turn him out again

like this."

" Impossible." "

But you know what these brutes

are.

He'll

be rousing up and eating our candles and belts

—anything he

can get hold of

we must risk it.'* The door now being

;

but

I

rattled loudly

suppose

by the

tremendous wind, was once more made secure, the blanket replaced, and then, after well

up the

fire

making

with a couple of heavy logs, the

weary pair were about to creep into their skin sleeping bags when they were startled into full wakefulness again, for a fierce gust seemed to

and then, as the wind went roaring away, there was a wild moaning seize

cry,

and shake the

hut,

and a sharp report from close

at

hand.

CHAPTER

XXIII.

BEGGING YOUR BREAD IN GOLDEN DAYS.

T

the

is

Dallas,

dog's

it,

whispered

Bel,"

springing to the

ginning to unfasten his

master,

door and be-

just as the

dog

raised

head and whined dismally.

The disposition was

there to help, and as soon

as he could get the door open, Dallas dashed

out into

the whirling

blinding

eddies

snow, which rushed

about

the

awestricken and panting,

and

hut,

clung

while to

the

in

Abel, post

tried to pierce the black darkness.

"It

is

madness.

It

means death," he groaned

to himself.

Even

staggered back, to the

mind Dallas stand panting and wiping

as the thought crossed his

snow from

his eyes.

Then he dashed

out again, but was beaten

back breathless and exhausted.

Again he

tried, for

Abel had not the heart 236

BEGGING YOUR BREAD IN GOLDEN DAYS.

and a good ten minutes elapsed

to stay him,

—minutes seemed

of anxiety

driven

literally

again,

in

exhausted upon the " "

can't

do

fall

completely

floor.

he said

Bel,"

it,

to

at last feebly.

never thought the wind and snow could

I

be I

I

watcher, which

the

to

before his companion was

hours

like

237

like this.

felt

that

He

I

death to go out there, and

It's

should never get back again."

struggled

made for the the arm and

to

door, but tried

once more and

feet

his

Abel seized him by

shut out the blinding

to

snow, which had given the interior of the hut the appearance of winter,

and

after

a

hard

is

split

struggle the door was closed. " Bel,

right

that biggest tree at the side

down, and half has

heard.

fell

I

this

way," said

"It must have been that

Dallas breathlessly.

we

fallen

over

it

as

I

tried

to

find

the door."

"You

shall not

"I cannot," feel sure

The

now

go again,"

replied

that

said Abel.

Dallas

no one

is

again,

the storm lulled.

while

"but

I

asking for help."

hours passed and the

up again and

sadly;

fire

was made

towards morning

"

TO WIN OR TO

238

The dog

lay perfectly

DIE.

still

;

but he was not

dead when Dallas roused himself up to examine him, for he feebly rapped the floor with his

Abel had sunk

into the sleep of utter weari-

and Dallas

ness,

the

let

opened

fire,

tail.

him

the

lie

as he replenished

door

plunged

softly,

through the snow, and, as well as the dark-

would

ness

was

allow,

satisfied

himself

he

that

right about the riven tree.

a It

was very horrible

to

think,

though,"

he said to himself; " but no one could have

been travelling on such a night."

He fire,

returned

and the

pinch of

tea,

the

to

hut,

was boiling ready

billy

"

for

its

a useless log

his eyes I

and sighed.

am, Dal," he

said.

Are you?"

"Yes, the

the

and the newly made cake baking,

by the time Abel opened

"What

replenished

I

lie

here doing nothing.

How

is

dog?"

" Quite dry

and

fluffy."

"

But he

not

dead?"

"

No

is

him house room ? " " Could we turn him out into the snow ? Dallas began to whistle softly, and turned the cake on the round iron pan which answered ;

but are

we

to give

"

BEGGING YOUR BREAD IN GOLDEN DAYS. for

many

he said

same dog,

"It's the

Bel,"

at last.

Then

it

purposes.

239

the intelligent beast has tracked us

out. "

Been a long time about

"

Dogs

"

Rum way

it."

are very grateful creatures."

and sponge upon two poor fellows

Meal bags awfully low."

half starving.

You must

"

try for

What's the weather

Dark and

"

A

something with the gun.

like this

and a

three feet deep outside the door."

Have you been out?"

"

Yes

;

and found

There must I'm glad

think.

"Yes. got on.

I

It's

"

So

"

How

it

is

it

I

was

have

was

wonder

right

been

about the

lightning,

I

that."

how

old

Tregelly has

very lonely where he

is."

here."

snug the

fire looks,

Dal

" !

said Abel,

pause

"Yes;

How

starlight,

snow on the ground."

"

after a

?

sprinkle ?"

"Yes;

tree.

morning

but clear

cold,

sprinkle of fresh "

come who are

of showing his gratitude to

cheery, isn't it?

Cake smells good.

does the foot feel?" IS

TO WIN OR TO

2 4o

Not so painful But, Dal!" "Well?"

this

i 1

"

I

to

down

to the town."

sleep,

"

Must, old chap."

"

No, no

"

But

stores

night

and you

gone

"Go

morning

thinking last

lay

DIE. after the rest.

after

really

you had

must not go

don't leave me."

;

have company now

you'll

round when

it's

daylight,

—the and

try

you can get from the men round

" It isn't reasonable,

we

short as

" Starving

dog."

what

us."

Every one

is

as

Englishmen are always ready

to

Bel.

are."

share with their brothers in distress." "

are

Yes

but their brothers in distress

;

who

who have enough have too much conscience

strong and well, and

gold to buy food, to rob them."

"

How much

"

I

want

and

to

know.

that's

"Poor I

we hold out?"

don't know," said Dallas, "

you say "

longer can

brute!

meant

I

don't

Stores are getting terribly low,

near enough for me.

to the

and

dog

" ?

We

killing

But what do

must keep him. and eating him."

j)

BEGGING YOUR BREAD IN GOLDEN DAYS. "

you

No,

morning

fellow-creature

a

me

cheered 41

of that

the coining

;

I'm

Dal,

didn't.

distress

in

241

better

this

pour dug

like

seems

have

to

up."

Then,

That's right.

a reward,

as

will

I

and go round cadging."

wait a few days

No — buying. u

The

some

us have

let

"Very

They

sell.

will

only

as a loan/'

then; get what you can as a

well,

Dal."

loan, ((

won't

fellows

All

right

wherever tobacco,

go

I

but

;

We

'

:

man

old

know what

I

;

can

we've

let

will

it

be

you have some anything

scarcely

"

else.' '*

Never mind

try."

;

wood on

Dallas threw a few small pieces of

the

fire

make a

to

rough place, taken less

Not

of.

tea,

with

thereof with sat

looking

light

a very substantial meal

very stodgy hot

with musty meal Dallas, his

and

up the and then the breakfast was parblaze

;

cake,

:

milk-

made

but to the great delight of

companion

in

some show of

misfortune partook appetite,

and then

on without a word while Dallas

took one of their gold-washing pans, poured

TO WIN OR TO

242

DIE.

some meal, took a piece of split firewood, and stirred with one hand while he poured in

hot water in from the billy with the other.

Neither spoke, but their thoughts were

common, and cooled a

as

soon as the hot mash had

the cook turned to the dog.

little,

"Now

then, rough un," he cried, "as

have invited yourself is

The dog opened and beat

made no "

you

bed and breakfast, here

to

your mess, and you'd better eat

wistfully,

in

it

and go."

him

his

eyes,

looked

at

the

floor

again,

but he

effort to rise.

Poor brute

He

!

is

weak, Bel.

Here,

let's

help you."

Passing his arm under the dog's neck, he

him a

raised

little

so

that

he could

place

the shallow tin of steaming food beneath his

muzzle

and a

At

;

but the only result was a low whine,

repetition of the last,

movement of

the

tail.

though, the eyes opened, and the

poor brute

sniffed,

slowly, pausing

and began

now and

beginning again,

till

at

to

eat

very

then to whine before last

the effect of the

hot mess seemed magical, and the latter half

was eaten with licked clean.

avidity, the tin being carefully

BEGGING YOUR BREAD IN GOLDEN DAYS.

A

few minutes

dog was asleep

the

later

243

again, but in a different attitude, fur he had,

few

after a

the

to his

fire

curled himself up as close

efforts,

as he could get without burning,

muzzle covered over by his bushy

" Dallas

tail.

Adams, Esquire, gold medal from

the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to

Bow

Animals.

from Dallas Adams, Esquire,

and loud cheers

from

the

audience

at

the

annual meeting." "

"

And

Oh,

I

deserved," said

well

wish

I

had your

Abel,

smiling.

spirits."

Get your frozen foot well, and then you " Look here, I'll take will," was the reply. a sack and go begging at once, and then come back and get in some wood, for there ((

will

not be time

to

work

the

in

shaft,

only

get out the snow." "

Go

on, then,

and you

will

succeed."

"Doubtful," was the reply.

Soon

after,

Dallas,

with

a sack

across one shoulder like a scarf,

and

over his shoulder, opened the door. up, old

chap!" he

and forcing plunged

his

forward,

out,

and

gun Cheer

his

"

"I shan't be long,"

cried.

way

fastened

he closed the door,

struggled

waist

deep

TO WIN OR TO

S44

DIE.

through the snow which had drifted up against the hut.

Farther on for

moments

a few

beneath the

heavy, and pausing

lay less

it

starlit

to

take

sky,

he

a

made

along the border of the creek

scrub

way

his

carefully

the look-out for pine-stumps, the

the dense

round

look

on

remains of

which

had been cut down

—

the direction of one

by the gold-seekers

in

of the lights dotting the creek here and there, those nearest

a couple of "

being

lanterns,

were burning.

fires

Morning, mate," said a cheery voice, as he

came upon two men from a

pit

busily shovelling

this,

"

I

"

short

some

You've got plenty

"

s'pose

Nearly

snow

beneath a rough shelter of poles,

while a hut was close by.

of

but farther on

?

buried.

I

say,

and bacon.

of meal ?"

we're

Can you

awfully sell

us

i

The two men "We're so said the one like

to say

round

Some

the

leaned on their shovels.

desp'rate low ourselves, mate,"

who had no.

not spoken.

"We

don't

But look here, go and

camp and

see

try

what you can

do.

we

are.

of them's a deal better off than

"

SEGGING YOUR BREAD IN GOLDEN DAYS. Get and

of them.

it

came humbug, Mr. Adams."

in

What do you mean Why, this. When

"

" "

as

course,"

Eh, mate

" ?

a growl; "but no

? it

comes

to eating we,

says in the song, you must play fair and

it

draw

with the rest of us."

lots

Never

"

come back here

can't,

do what we can.

we'll

"Of

you

If

245

fear,"

laugh

in the

said

Dallas merrily, joining

"but we've got the dogs

;

to eat

we can't get any moose. There ought be some tracks seen after this."

first if

to

a

So plaguy

shooting

;

that brute "

Oh,

it

He

some

mate,

hunting and

for

but talk about dogs,

did you hear

howling during the storm

yes,

I

soon

" ?

heard him," said Dallas.

gave

in,

though.

I

believe

him down and didn't What hungry beggars they

of the others hunted

stop to draw are

dark,

lots.

!

Dallas trudged on after claim

on

his

slowly, calling

way down

always with the same result ness, but

claim

creek,

—friendly

but

willing-

want of means.

Then he reached fires

the

at

the spot where one of the

had been burning, but which had died

TO WIN OR TO

246

nothing being

out,

but wood, smoke, and

left

two men were scraping away

while

steam,

DIE.

the snow from a

heap while they waited

a shaft about six

feet

till

deep beneath a roofed

shed was cool enough to descend. "

Morning,

" Nearly

coming "

roof on

our

got

to

fire.

salutation.

Were you

?

to ask for help,

'

made his request. One of the men went pit

his

"

to help

No,

was

mate,"

and he

said Dallas,

edge of the

to the

and descended a roughly made ladder, prior beginning to

fill

a bucket with the gravelly

bottom which had been thawed by the

fire,

ready for his companion to haul up and empty

on the heap ready

for

washing when the spring

time came. " Tell him," he said gruffly. " Well, mate," said the

man

We've got about

like this.

at the top, "

a couple of

of strong shag and a few ounces loan you.

If that's

you

can't get

" All Dallas.

right,

gold

pound

we can

any good, you're welcome;

but grub's awful short. if

o'

it's

Try

further down,

and

what you want, come back."

and thank

« Morning."

you,

mates,"

said

BEGGING YOUR BREAD IN GOLDEN DAYS. "

show you the

say, we'll

I

bare bone

you

if

flour-tub

And

then to

and the

like."

No, no," cried Dallas; "

"

247

himself,

"

believe you."

I

must

I

back on

fall

Tregelly."

He

had the burning wood

make

in his claim, to

and

guide to

big miner was thawing the

where the able,

for

fire

the frozen gravel work

addition

in

shaft

there were faint signs

coming of the short-lived day. "

Morning, Tregelly."

"

What, you, Mr. Adams

my

Come

son.

inside

Glad

!

to see you,

and have a mouthful

of something and a pipe." "

I

don't want to hinder you," said Dallas to

his cheery friend. t(

You

won't

my

hinder me,

letting the fire

have a good burn

for

down

along

cool

to

it

;

last night,

"

I

like

and then

Come

" ?

morning, but very low spirited

with his frost-bitten foot."

Poor lad

The

out,

begin.

I

but how's your cousin

" Better this

u

before

son.

fact

!

is,

It is

we

hard on him."

are terribly short of provi

sions." "

You

are?

Same

here,

my

son; but why

tO WIN OR TO

248

you come down and

didn't

DIE.

tell

me ?

I

haven't

got much, but you're welcome to what spare.

There you are

and

see what

I'll

and

close,

salt solids

the

fire

mahogany ;

but

I

can

two of meal and some

or

tin

can

Bacon's horribly

do.

'Merican hams

call

you have a

let

we can

only two of those

I've

they

down by

sit

;

I

flour"

"If you

can," cried

"it will be

Dallas,

"

blessing to us now, and as soon as ever "

Yes, yes,

all

my

right,

The

:

I

know.

But

"

how's the gold turning out "

son

a

?

somehow

gravel seems fairly rich, but

we shall do no good." That's how it seems with me,"

I'm afraid "

miner.

"One

just gets

and pay one's way

;

enough

said

to live

and one could do

anywhere, without leading such a

life

the

upon that

as this."

Dallas thought of his friend's words as he

tramped back through the snow with uf pruvender on his back, for the

life

his sack

they were

leading was that of the lowest type of labourer, the accommodation miserable, and the climate vile.

" It

sadly

;

will

not do

—

it

but he returned,

will all

not do," he said the same, in better

BEGGING YOUR BREAD IN GOLDEN DAYS. spirits

with the results of his foraging, to find

Abel waiting

for

curled up by the

The and

him anxiously, and the dog

fire

sleeping heavily.

stores obtained

during

the

were

a

certain

days,

worked hard

on their claim, heating till

carefully

next few

intense frost, Dallas

wood

249

it

husbanded, in

spite of

in the shaft

with the abundant

amount of ptavpI was

thawed, and then throwing

it

out

ready for

washing when the next sjmmer came.

CHAPTER

XXIV.

ABELS NIGHT ALARM. T'S no good, "

not

I

can't

Bel/' said Dallas

go begging round again.

the men.

fair to

I

must go down

town and bring back as much

"Very

"

well," said

as

Abel.

"

I

;

It's

to the

can."

When

do you

"

start ? "

one day

To-morrow morning." So soon? Well, if it has

to

be done, the

sooner the better." ((

I

can get back within four or five days,

believe,

and

I'll

ask Tregelly to come

in

I

once

or twice to see you, so that you will not be so lonely."

"You need

not do that, because

be here," said Abel

"Not "

Of

I

shall not

quietly.

be here?"

course not.

I

shall

" Impossible." 250

be with you."

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NIGHT ALARM.

ABEL'S a No,

manage

shall

I

253

some-

to lirnp along

how." " Impossible,

"

You must

you

tell

I

!

cried

"

Dallas.

stay to take care of the claim

;

and

and the dog." Abel was silenced and the next morning, taking his empty sledge, and trusting to obtain then there

is

the gold

;

enough food

the shanties which he would

at

pass on the track, Dallas started.

Abel watched him pass away into the gloom of the dark morning, and then turned and limped

back sadly to where the dog lay dozing by the fire,

apparently

had

bed

Abel's

there was a hole

weak to stir. been drawn aside,

too

still

and

the ground, while upon

in

the upturned barrel which formed their table

stood a

little

scraps,

and

remained

bag half

leather

nuggets Dallas

after

gold

of

had

of scales,

full

— that

taken

sufficiency to purchase stores at the

which out

a

town on

the Yukon. Abel's fire,

first

act

was

to stoop

down, mend the

and pat the dog, which responded by rap-

ping the earth with his

bag was which was

tied up,

tail.

Then

the leather

replaced in the bank hole,

then^filled up, the earth beaten

down

TO WIN OR TO

254

and the sacks and skins which formed the

flat,

bed drawn back

He "

DIE.

stooped

Pah

!

into their places.

down and

Why

your burnt

you

don't

You make

fire ?

patted the dog. lie

farther from the

smell horribly with

the hut

hair."

The dog

opened one

whined,

only

eye,

blinked at him, and went off to sleep again. "

Poor old chap!" mused Abel.

think

I

much

could care so

rough, ugly brute

makes strange

didn't

such a great,

for

you are

as

"I

but

;

adversity

friends."

Abel finished that day wondering how Dallas

was getting

and

on,

trying

to

picture

his

journey through the snow by the side of the stream

ice-bound

grew

;

from his lonely position,

more melancholy and then tried to

rouse himself by being practical and planning.

He made

up

mind

his

to

content himself

one good, hearty meal a day, so as

with

make

the

provisions

out

last

well,

in

to

case

Dallas should not be back to time, and only to

be extravagant with the Lastly,

out,

he went

to find

that

it

to

fuel.

the

was a

door and looked clear,

frosty night,

with the brilliant stars peering down.

NIGHT ALARM.

ABEL'S

He knew be seen

it

was

no

night, for

any direction, and,

in

255

fires

were

after

making

to

snug as he could, he rolled himself in blankets, drew the skin bag up about

as

all

his

him,

and

followed

example, sleeping

dumb

his

companion's

morning, when the logs

till

were just smouldering and had to be coaxed

good warm blaze again. And so the days and nights glided by. He would awake again to find the fire burning low, the dog still sleeping, and the horror of another into a

For

dreary day to pass. better,

his spirits

at last

it

his foot

seemed no

were lower than ever, and

was long past the time when Dallas

should have returned.

How wards

the days passed then he never after-

could quite

recall,

continuous nightmare.

way he kept up the in

for

But

it

in

like

a

a mechanical

with the

fire,

was

wood

piled

one corner by the door getting so low that

he knew he must bestir himself soon, and get to the stack

by the

shaft,

the snow, and bring in

warmth of the All

in

knock and brush

more

to

thaw

off

in the

hut.

a strange, dreamy

watched, cooked

a

large

way he

pot of

sat

skilly,

and

and

TO WIN OR TO

256

DIE.

drowsy dog, which took portion and curled up again, after whining

shared its

with the

it

and licking

softly

One

his

been near,

all

limp to the

to

hand.

seemed over. No one had and he had felt too weak and

night

weary

still

nearest

He

hut

in search

of

human companionship.

his

misery and despair.

he

felt

to

do now but make another good meal

was alone

Dallas must be dead,

and there was nothing

sure,

in

for

him for

himself and the dog, and then sleep. " Sleep/'

he said aloud, "and perhaps wake

no more."

He

ate his hot meal once

more and watched

the dog take his portion before going to the door,

to

feebly and find

look out

depressing darkness

;

all

black,

not even a star to

be

seen.

"Night, night, black night!" he muttered as he carefully fastened up again, pegged the blankets across to keep out the cruel wind,

up the pieces of wood about

carefully

piled

the

as an afterthought carried

fire,

out with

a smile, with a big log that would smoulder far

on

the dog.

into

the

next

day for the

sake

of

"

ABEL'S "

"

For

Poor brute

dead

What

!

it,"

257

he said sadly.

he do when

will

I'm

?

The thought and

not want

shall

I

NIGHT ALARM.

fixed

animal

startled him,

eyes

his

up

curled

and he

down

sat

upon the shaggy, hairy close

to

the

whose

fire,

flames flickered and danced and played about,

making the hair glisten and throwing the dog's shadow back in a curious grotesque way.

Something

like

energy ran

the watcher, and he shuddered and

he must do something to prevent that

be too It

through

in a thrill

felt

—

it

that

would

horrible.

was

in

a nightmare-like state he seemed

coming to the door at last. He could even hear them knocking and shouting, to see people

and

way

at last using hatchets to crash a

To

dog there

in.

For what

?

stronger,

ready to resent their coming, even

to fighting to return,

find the

and driving them away

rifle

brute for what

alive

;

and

but only

or pistol armed, to destroy the it

had done according

to its

nature, to keep itself alive.

And dream,

then,

it

seemed

to Abel, in his

they shudderingly

gathered

waking together 16

— TO WIN OR TO

258

what they saw

grave— the

cast

to

DIE.

ready-dug

the

into

and Dallas had

shaft in which he

so laboriously but hopefully delved, in search

of the magnet which had drawn them there the gold.

He made

a wild

horrible fancy,

and

at

sank upon his bed, "

Would

those at

last

his

drive

to

effort

away the

with a weary sigh

thought being

last

home ever know

:

the whole

"

truth

?

* " It

How

long have

I

#

#

been awake?

"

must have been one long stupor of many,

many

hours, for the

merely a

He

soft

was

fire

was very low, shedding

warm glow through

stupefied,

and

felt

the place.

unable to move,

but the fancy upon which he had fallen asleep

was there he

that the

felt

he had

He

still

left

in a

strange confused way, and

dog was not

in

the spot where

it.

lay with his eyes half closed, conscious

some sound which had awakened him. For there beyond the glowing embers, where all was made indistinct and strange, the dog was hard at work tearing a way out of the The wood snapped and grated as it hut.

now

of

ABEL'S NIGHT ALARM.

was torn away

;

then

there

was

259

silence,

and

he was half disposed as he lay there helpless to think

it

But as

was this

a dream.

all

came

fancy

and

the

noise

began

he caught of &'" sight ~*t> the great dog, strong and sturdy now, crawling once more,

through a hole

what

for

at

last

had made into the hut

it

he could not make out

Why

state.

at

should

have done

it

him when already there

He knew brain

it

was

was touched

reality

by the

:

;

in his feverish

all

this

to get

?

wrong, and that his

but one thing was plain

There was the great

beast, magnified

light of the fire, creeping

he lay paralysed and unable to

forward while stir.

CHAPTER XXV. welcome back.

dal's

ND

yet

was strange,

it

embers

together,

fell

for just then the

a

soft,

lambent,

making the interior and he saw that the dog

bluish flame flickered up,

of the hut still

was

lay it

light,

in

its

then

—

bear,

way through or place

A its

What

old place, fast asleep.

— which

had torn a

wolf

half under

the

wall

of the

itself

up on

? i

bear, for

it

suddenly raised

hind legs, and as he lay stupefied

horror, Still,

rifle

Abel could make out he could not move

its

to

which stood ready loaded

shaggy

with hide.

reach for the in

the corner

close by, but lay half paralysed in the strange

dazed state into which he had

fallen,

object which reared up, looking huge,

a

little,

and seemed

listening.

Just then there was a bright gleam. 260

till

the

moved

WELCOME BACK.

DAL'S

Eyes

Impossible,

teeth?

down, and Abel shook off

But he was tight

and

bag,

was low

his lethargy

he made

as

and an

the skin-lined sleeping-

him so

moment

next

the

that

he

fell

nocturnal

his

sprang forward, coming down heavily

visitant

upon

in

fettered

this

and

back,

cry,

it

spring up and reach a weapon.

to

effort

low, hoarse

a

uttered

for

261

him,

same moment making a

the

at

deadly blow at him.

The

strange

Something

gone.

man's

flagging

and

had come.

it

He

bound him

that

call

all

forth

been

had

energies

who had given up all

to

was the young

of helplessness

feeling

had

;

down as one who had lost

lain

hope,

to life

needed,

but that was but

dream of weakness, the stagnation of his nature, brought on by suffering, loneliness,

the

and despair.

Face

to

fronted by

her

call,

face

cowardly

a

and

now with

it

this

ruffian,

danger,

Nature made

The

was answered. returned,

and

con-

with

strong

another

desire

for

life

hoarse

cry

he flung himself aside, and thus

avoided the blow aimed at him.

The

next

moment he had thrown

himself

TO WIN OR TO

262

DIE.

upon his assailant. In an instant his hands And now a terrible were upon his throat. struggle ensued, in which a strange sense of strength

came back

to

Abel

and he kept

;

his

hold, as, failing to extricate himself, his assailant

by seizing him in the same way, and kept on raising and beating the fettered

retaliated

man's head against the

For

their

in

and twisted fire

till

was a

there

rushing to

bright as his eyes,

his

breath grew shorter,

the brain

of lightning

and then with

blood

of the

he gasped for breath

swimming of

flashes

the

in their fight for

horrible sensation

his eyes, as

terrible

writhed

was conscious of hearing

Then

a loud yelp.

had

they were approaching

mastery, Abel

a

they

struggle

and as they strove on

;

the

floor.

—

lights

danced before

his senses reeling

he

was conscious of a tremendous weight, and then

all

was black

—

all

was

as

silent

the

grave. vj*

" for

Two a

days

few

^^^

^^V

*I*

late," said Dallas, as

moments

to

rest

and

he paused gain

breath, before shooting into collar again,

the

trace

tightened,

his

when

the sledge creaked and

WELCOME BACK.

DAL'S

ground over the blocks of

263

and glided over

ice,

which had checked him for

the

obstruction

the

moment, and the runners of the heavily rushed

loaded frame

down

knocking him off his

nearly

the slope,

The young man

feet.

growled savagely, for the blow was a hard one. " If

you an open

give

you

you could only keep on

Wonder how

foot gained.

he said

course,"

Never mind

not.

will

that

like

old Abel

" but

;

every

;

I'd

is

foot's

a

getting

?" on :

He

shot

hundred yards over the

The young man's leather,

once

collar

and he went on

tightened,

trace

the

into

ice

again. if

I

self

collar

to

now we That

have moved

are I

it.

As

it

much

as is,

there's

pay off one's debts and to keep

economy,

up, with

daresay

had said over and over

"I'd have brought twice

could

enough

freely than he,

harnessed to the loaded sledge.

don't mind," he

I

another

and snow.

worked harder or perspired more "

for

was a band of trace a rope, but no horse ever

his

who was

more, the

not

shall

journey

till

the thaw comes

;

and

going to be so pressed

manage back

to shoot a

from

the

I

moose." settlement

TO WIN OR TO

264

had been a

terrible one, for

more heavily

self

far

this

had necessitated

was

But snow can

one.

cold,

a deep furrow with

the

and he found that bright

and a sleeping-bag, made no bad

man who was

tired

of that,

care it

as

for,

to

for

lair

He

a

took il

himself,

who draws he must

only a donkey

is

blankets,

not hungry.

he said

well

crystals

keep off the wind,

to

and

wise,

sleeping two nights

be warm as well as

banked up

he had loaded him-

than

his

snow instead of

in the

DIE.

If

be

well fed/'

With

his sledge at his

make a

side to

head, tilted on one

sort of canopy,

and a couple

of blankets stretched over, tent fashion, upon

some the

down to his face, was soon warmed by his breath, and

stout

air

sticks

close

thanks to the skin-lined bag he slept soundly each night, and by means of a a

contrived

spirit-lamp

to

little

obtain

pot and

a cup of

hot tea before starting on his journey in the

morning.

But

by the brave

him on with disappointed miles

was the lamp of

it

spirit

his in

overnight,

within him, that

load,

not

life,

so

that

after

covering the

last

heated helped

being eight

he dragged the sledge

up

DAL'S towards

WELCOME BACK.

dawn of the day attack made upon his

hut just

their

265

which succeeded the

at

companion.

By dawn must be understood about

and as he drew near, Dallas could

o'clock,

see a

shafts

hut the

;

and

in

the

their

in

fire

the joy that was

own

within him at

of his expedition,

termination

successful

there,

there was no sign of

but

;

smoke from

or

and another

blazing here,

fire

at different

glow

ten

Dallas laughed. " yet,

The

lazy beggar

and no

fire.

"

!

he

"

said.

Why,

I

Not

stirring

must have been

tugging at this precious load over four hours.

He

ought to have been up and had a good

and the

billy

He's taking

boiling.

?

Poor brute

can have held out

till

!

I

now."

whistle familiar to his cousin. reply,

nearer,

then

gave

vent

to a signal

But there was

and he tugged away

and

the

don't suppose he

As he drew near he gave vent no

out in

Wonder whether

sleep and no mistake.

dogs dead

it

fire,

till

to

a

he

was

cheery

"Ahoy!" There was

still

no response, and he hailed

again, without result.

TO WIN OR TO

266

"Well, he

is

sleeping," said Dallas, and he

away

hailed again as he dragged

"At

he

last!"

DIE.

at the load.

as he reached the door

cried,

and cast off the leathern loop from across "

breast. rolls

and

tongue

Here, Bel, ahoy

coffee

Banquets and tuck out

!

ahoy

!

!

you dog

was going to say

'

!

you

bear," but a horrible

him, and

faint

and staggered back, nearly

Bah

attacked

he turned falling

over

sledge.

coward

!

up,

})

of dread

"

Wake

!

chill

his loaded

Hot

!

Breakfast, bacon, and tinned

!

you lazy beggar

He

ahoy

!

his

"

fool

!

!

and

he

looked sharply

fires

in

the

distance

he

round,

to

see

shaft

but there was no hut

;

"What

within half a mile.

angrily,

cried

nonsense!"

he

"

There can t be anything wrong. Got short of food, and ^one to one of the & muttered.

neighbours."

Nerving But

it

himself, he tried to

was

fast,

open the door.

and, as he could see from

a means contrived by themselves for fastening the door from outside

hunting or shooting,

it

when they went away had not been secured

by one who had left the place. In an instant, realising this, he grew

frantic,

DAL'S

WELCOME

BACK.

267

and without stopping to think more, he ran round

to

the

piece

of

fir

long,

and

side

trunk

ran

moments over

by the

some

back, his

six

poised

all

across, loosening

insert

using

it

it

seven feet for

a

few

as a lever

;

it,

might against

where the bar

so that he

one end of the

now

it

his

the rough fir-wood door, just

to

or

head, and then dashed

battering-ram fashion, with

went

caught up a

shaft,

piece

was able

of timber,

and with one wrench

he forced the door right open.

CHAPTER

XXVI.

tregelly's idea of a gold trap.

ROPPING

the piece of wood, he dashed

into the dark hut, to find that the rush

of

wind from the suddenly opened door had

started the

embers

middle of the floor

in the

dim lambent

flickering in a

flame, just

enough

show him that the barrel table had been knocked over, the boxes used for seats driven to

here and there, the bed occupied by his cousin

and the earth while Abel was lying

dragged away, the boards underneath face

it

torn up,

downward was

all in

he had seen

up

to

the

remains

of

wood.

their store of It

close

lifted,

one comprehensive glance that

this,

and

it

seemed

still

to

be

passing panorama-like across the retina of his eyes,

when

the

dropped upon

faint

his

flame

died out and

he

knees beside the prostrate

man. 26$

TREGELLY'S IDEA OF A GOLD TRAP.

"Oh, done

I

he groaned; "what have

Bel, lad," ?

oughtn't to have

I

God

old man, speak to me.

He

me!

help

!

His hands were

at

cousin's breast

his

open the clothes, and

tear

Bel,

you.

left

"

be dead

can't

269

feel

to

the heart

if

was beating, but for the moment he shrank back

horror,

in

half paralysed with the dread

of learning the truth.

was but momentary, and then he mastered

It

the coward feeling, uttering a gasp of for

there

was a

hand he thrust "Alive!

into the

am

I

faint

expecting

to

throbbing against the

poor fellow's breast.

in time,"

he continued his

he muttered, and

examination blood

feel

relief,

or

the

in

some

dark,

trace

of

a wound. But,

as

far

as

he could make

out,

was nothing of the kind, though he his cousin

laying

the

position, shelf,

must have been attacked

he

struck

sufferer felt

in

for the

one,

saw

a

more

felt ;

there that

so, after

comfortable

matches on the rough that

the

lamp stood

there unused, and the next minute he had a light

and went down upon one knee

his examination.

to continue

TO WIN OR TO

2/0

At

the

first

DIE.

glance he saw that Bel's throat

was discoloured, and there were ample signs of his having been engaged in some terrible struggle, but that

poor fellow was

was

like ice,

was

Dallas's brain

No, not

all.

in

and quite

all

the

;

insensible.

a whirl,

but he was

able to act sensibly under the circumstances.

He

caught up rugs and blankets, and covered

the sufferer warmly.

Then, going

door, he dragged in the sledge,

to the

open

and closed and

secured the entrance after a fashion.

His next

effort

was

to get a

good

fire

to alter the temperature cf the hut; this

was done he went

on the shelf

for

blazing

and when

to the spirit flask kept

emergencies, and trickled a few

drops between the poor fellow's

As he worked

at this

he

tried

lips.

hard to puzzle

out what had happened.

His

first

thoughts had been in the direction

and robbery.

of attack

fastened door. after

It

was not

likely

that

Abel,

being half strangled and hurled down,

could have fastened up the inside in the

But there was the

;

the door again from

he would sooner have

hope of one of

by and rendering

left

it

open

their neighbours passing

help.

And

yet there was

TREGELLY'S IDEA OF A GOLD TRAP.

271

bed dragged away, the board removed,

the

and the earth torn

He

up.

crossed to the place.

There was no doubt about

it

the

;

object

must have been robbery, for the bag of gold was gone. He held his hand to his brow and stared

of the attack

about wildly.

Ah Mad

!

!

by the

A

fresh thought.

It

must have attacked and seized Abel

throat.

lacerated state

—

a

dog

killing

a

way

side,

just

to get through,

just

too,

out, partly

Bel,

if

half

the

cold

the

its

the torn

and

had, after nearly

it

brute's

torn

life,

side.

you could only speak!"

groaned Dallas, as he took up the lamp,

how

poor fellow was,

lamp down again, stooped

and,

felt

setting

to pick

skin rug tossed into the corner by

up a

the head

of the bed.

But as he drew

it

!

big enough for such

beneath the

lad,

across

half dug,

him who had saved the

" Oh,

Hungry

!

That would account for and the terrible struggle.

There was evidence, hut a hole had been through the

The dog

towards him something

dropped on the ground.

Stooping down

to

— ;

TO WIN OR TO

272

see what

he discovered that

was,

it

DIE. it

was

a sharp, thick bowie-knife.

"It

Dallas

cried

He

robbery.

is

;

has been attacked,"

more

once

and

the

restore

himself to trying to

he

sufferer

bathing his

limbs,

chafing his

cold

with

drawing him nearer the

spirits,

devoted

temples fire,

and

at last waiting in despair for the result, while

feeling perfectly unable to

fit

the pieces of the

puzzle so as to get a sclution points.

all •

"Poor

when was

He

I

he said

old Bel!"

always to

seems

it

satisfactory in

get

the

to himself;

worst of

it

" ;

him so he only laughed, and

told

he

but said

1.

was

in

agony

as to

One moment he was the next he gave

for

what he should

do.

going to fetch help

up, dreading to leave his

it

cousin again.

By to

and

degrees, though, the poor fellow began

come

to

as

warmth

the

pervaded

at last, to Dallas's great delight,

his eyes, stared at

him

round wonderingly

till

opening, over which

a rug.

wildly,

;

he opened

and then looked

his eyes

his

him

cousin

lit

upon the

had pegged

;

TREGELLY'S IDEA OF A GOLD TRAP.

He of

and the memory

started violently then,

had taken place came back-

that

all

273

Clapping his hand to his throat, he wrenched his

head round so that he could look

in the

direction of the bed. "

The

— the bag of gold

gold

"Gone,

Try and

and think.

still

he broke asleep.

the

at

in

He

had a

Yes, side

I

but

?

don't leave me,

Dal;

is

dog?" here when

He was not "You broke in?"

could not

I

though, had

I

Shall

" ?

am

I

so weak.

the

"

"What

seized him.

I

"

come

But where

want

remember now there while I was

to

"Yes;

I

have not long been home.

I

go and ask Norton

"No,

"

I

knife,

Did you come back then No,

that,

drink this."

No, not now," said Abel feebly.

to lie

"

he whispered,

but never mind

old fellow;

so long as you are alive. "

" !

I

broke

make you

hear.

not better fetch help

for?

There

is

in."

I

say,

" ?

no doctor; and he

might come back." Dallas had started, for as Abel spoke there

was a loud thumping went behind

to his

at the door.

revolver,

His hand

which he held 17

"

'

TO WIN OR TO

274

DIE.

manner the marauder who had attacked him had

ready, fully expecting from his cousin's that

returned

but to the delight of both, after a

;

second blow on the door, the familiar voice of Tregelly was heard " Hullo,

there

"

he

!

a cheery

in

"

cried.

hail.

Any

one at

"

home

?

Dallas darted

and there

gloomy

the

in

door, threw

the

to

light

open,

it

mid-day

of

stood their friend with a load over his shoulder. "

Back

But

then?

again,

was coming

meaning of

say, what's the

I

I

this

to see.

—

is it

a

*

trap

?

" Is

what a trap

? "

said Dallas.

" Putting this

to

watch

it

Is the

it.

"

bag out yonder with the dog and snap at any one who touches

bag yours

Yes, of course/' exclaimed Dallas excitedly

" but

where was

" Outside, it's

?

I

;

" it ?

tell

you

;

but

it's

a failure

if

a trap, for the dog's dead."

Dallas rushed

and

there

stretched

in

out,

the

out upon

followed by his

dim the

light

lay

visitor,

the

dog,

snow, perfectly

stiff

and motionless. ((

I

see

how

it

was

now," cried

Dallas

;

TREGELLY'S IDEA OF A GOLD TRAP. excitedly

and

;

him carry

dug

tht:

neighbour

their

as

he told him

111,

275

helped

111

a few

words of how he had found matters on

his

return. "

"

Poor brute suppose

I

Was

!

so,

then lay If

his post.

in

the place, then

?

and he must have attacked

the scoundrel, and

"And

he

"

made him drop the bag." down to watch it, dying at

he had lived

I'd

have given some-

thing for that dog." " "

Indeed you would not," said Dallas warmly.

No

gold would have bought him."

The dog was

laid

down by

the

fire,

but

Tregelly shook his head. "

Might

but you " Is "

have to thaw him

he dead

No

" It's

11

well save his skin,

as

?

"

asked Abel feebly.

a pity, too, for he rule,

one was something.

Wray

won't want

was a good dog. Those

are

up everything, even to

"

first."

doubt about that," replied Tregelly.

Eskimo, as a

Mr.

youngsters

horrid brutes, their harness

I'd

here half one it

o'

come up

my

;

eating

but this to

bring

hams, but you

now."

No," said Dallas

;

"

and

I

can send you

back loaded, and be out of debt."

TO WIN OR TO

276

" Well,

can't

I

My

be welcome.

DIE.

what

say

lent

I

you won't

word, though, you brought

a good load." " Set to I

and play cook, said Dallas, " while up. I'm sure you could eat some

tidy

breakfast, "

"

So

'

and I'm starving."

am

Beginning

I,"

cried

their

to feel better,

visitor,

laughing.

? "

he added,

master

turning to Abel.

"Yes;

only

I'm so

stiff,

my

and

throat

is

so painful."

"Cheer I

lad

my I

fellow

that

soon get better.

that'll

;

only wish, though,

when if

my

up,

had come

I

was

here.

I

last

night

don't believe

conscience would ever have said anything

had put a

Abel lay

bullet

silent

through him.

near the

dog thoughtfully while and preparations made

fire,

stores

watching the

were unpacked

meal

for a

>}

;

but at

last

knife

that

still,

and

he spoke. "Dal," he

said,

"give

me

that

you found."

"What

for?

You had

better

don't worry about anything

now

lie

except trying

to get well." "

Give me the

knife.

I've

been thinking.

TREGELLY'S IDEA OF A GOLD TRAP. That man who attacked me

277

was

night

last

one of that gang."

What

"

"

task of frying bacon.

"

show

now."

"

their noses here

I

stopping

Tregelly,

cried

!

Nonsense they daren't !

Abel

feel

sure

of

me

look

at that knife.

" Let

his

in

said

it,"

excitedly.

believe its

I

the one that was stolen from the

man on

the

lake."

Dallas looked

picking up the " It

might

him doubtingly,

at

and shaking

knife

be,

or

might

it

dubiously, as he passed " Well, at

any

rate,

it

before

his

not/'

he

head. said

to his cousin.

Dal, they have tracked

us down, and that accounts for the attack." " It looks like

it,"

said Dallas; " but don't

get excited, old fellow. turn worse." a But they

hand,

Dal,"

I

don't

want you

must be somewhere

cried

"

Abel

;

close

to

at

and we may be

attacked again at any moment."

"All

be ready for them,"

right, then, we'll

said Dallas soothingly.

"

Forewarned

is

fore-

armed." "

You

Abel

are saying that just to calm me," said

bitterly.

"

You do

not believe me, but

it

TO WIN OR TO

278 is

a

fact.

felt

I

something of the kind

night in those horrible

my

past.

It

was out of

They have dogged

the time, and been close at our heels.

look out

— up

!

"

he cried wildly, as he

" Listen

!

I

last

moments when he held

throat in that peculiar way.

revenge for the all

DIE.

us

Ah,

tried to spring

can hear them outside plainly."

CHAPTER

XXVII.

THE STARTING OF A BODYGUARD.

AY,

"N

i t

nay, lad," said Tregelly soothingly

no

there's

one

bag of gold was enough

down upon

rowdies

now.

here

;

That

one of the

to bring

you, but those three chaps

wouldn't risk a meeting with the judge again." "

I

don't know,"

" there

be

in

is

plenty of

hiding

;

said

thoughtfully

Dallas

room hereabout

for

them

;

to

and they must have gone some-

where." "

Not much chance

self alive

in

stores, or a "

man

to

keep himtackle and

country, without

this

shanty of his own."

Unless he

some

for a

has

attacked

one," said Abel bitterly.

and "

murdered

But you

will

see.

The poor he

had

fellow

gone

swallowing

was so exhausted by what

through

some of the 279

that,

tea

after

that

painfully

had been

TO WIN OR TO

2 8o

DIE.

prepared, he dropped into a stupor-like sleep,

him anxiously.

whilst Dallas watched "

was fancy

That

Come, you "

said

lad,"

a hearty breakfast.

don't eat."

How can

cried

my

his,

who was making

Tregelly, "

of

with the poor fellow like this

I,

He

"

Dallas.

seems

to

come

" ?

in for all

the misfortune." " Yes, he

is

a bit unlucky," replied Tregelly

"but you must eat

Look

here,

your mate "

" Yes,

I

you want to help him. don't want to be unfeeling but

I

;

if

;

isn't

No, no

;

dying of fever."

but look at him."

have, and he has been a good deal

knocked about, besides having a frozen foot but that will all get well. You are set up with

;

provisions again

;

you've got your gold back,

and a good claim of your own." "

J ust

good enough

" Well,

it

isn't

said Tregelly

of

it.

We

;

shall

to

keep us

alive."

very lively work,

lad,"

we must make the best have the summer again soon,

" but

and do better, perhaps." " I hope so," said Dallas

bitterly,

could never get through another this."

my

" for

we

winter like

281

And you

take

You

"

my

THE STARTING OF A BODYGUARD.

advice

My

"

you

till

try. >j

your brother

let

.

cousin."

" Well,

sleep

know

don't

all

it's

he can,

all

same out here. Let him and when he's awake feed him the

up and keep him warm." "

I

can't get rid of the feeling that

go back "

Yukon Town and

to

Nonsense,

And now

my

son

look here

if

you, will you believe that

try to get a doctor."

say something to

I

meant honest

it's

"

Of course.

What do you mean ?

"

Only

my

this,

to think that

I

son

want

that

;

to

ought to

he wants no doctor.

;

;

I

I

" ?

"

don't

want you

come and sponge upon

you because you've got plenty of prog." "

Mr. Tregelly

"

Let "

man. of

me

!

my lad,"

was going

I

me coming and

bit, in

off that

and

;

I

to say,

what do you think

pigging here with you for a

it is,

you and me could

well,

could alone.

"

too.

But

polish

better than you could

Not

young Wray here

down upon me think

if

gang pretty

alone, or if

said the big Cornish-

case what the youngster here says might

be right

but

finish,

"

is I

that I'm skeered right

don't

they'll

want you

;

be to

"

TO WIN OR TO

282

DIE.

"But what about your gold?"

said Dallas

eagerly. " If

any one should go

give

I'll

" Is

it

Yes

"

block of

man

"

:

you come

?

The

?

"

said Dallas excitedly. that," said the Cornish-

glad of the chance to help

;

Yah

"

stop now."

I'll

"You will?" " Of course and you.

it,

froze into the middle of a

it

do better than

I'll

find

They'll never look there."

ice.

" Will

"

I've got

;

and can

him."

so well hidden

it

there,

!

jumped up

big fellow

in

horror, as a

loud rap came from close by.

"What was

that?" cried Dallas,

who was

equally startled.

"It was that there dogs ghost got

thawed enough say,

(

That's right

to say,

'

Look

coming here his

;

it

and

;

this

a rap on the floor to

I

believe your cousin's

is

a message sent to us

out, for those three beauties are

again.'

Nonsense knees

'

and

right too, now,

"

to give

his tail

" !

"

cried Dallas, going

down on

" the dog's alive."

" I'm blessed!" said his big friend.

"Well,

some

THE STARTING OF A BODYGUARD.

283

things can stand being froze hard

and

we

thawed out again better than I

s'pose

him

at

it's

having such a thick

one

got

he's

;

Christians.

Look

coat.

eye open,

and

he's

1

winking.'

came

In proof thereof

appeal for food. # # "

Look

day, as he

a low whine, as

*

my

here,

came

#

if

in

*

sons," said Tregelly one

in last

from the dismal dark-

warmth of the hut, where the fire was burning cheerily and an appetising odour of tea, damper, and fried ham proclaimed how busy, weak as he still was, ness without to the bright

Abel had been

down

in old

"

;

I

used to grumble a deal

Cornwall because

I'm an altered

you

lot o'

it

;

man now, and

I

repent.

a regular heaven compared to this country.

a

was a country not fit for than a duck to live in but

wet days, and say anything better

we had

Hullo,

Scruff,

my

son,

It's

Klondike

how

are

r

The dog gave an amiable

growl, and seemed

to enjoy the gentle caress the big

him with out by the

his

miner gave

heavy boot, as he lay stretched

fire.

TO WIN OR TO

284 "

DIE.

Don't grumble, Bob," said Dallas.

and we've dune

lookb cheery enough,

good to-day." "Oh, I'm not grumbling, making comparisons as is ojus. This

used to write at school.

Mayor's banquet word,

how

dirty

"So am

" in

Wash,

I

my

That's what

I

a reg'lar Lord

But

my

!

"What feel

I

with the

like

a char

should like a wash, though."

son

should

I

!

like

a bathe

our old Cornish sea, with the sun shining

my

on fish.

or a

And

back.

A

say, a bit of our old

I

few pilchards

or

baked hake, with

or oh

!

a

grilled

And

mackerel,

pudding inside him

a conger pie."

" Don't, Bob," said Dallas.

to

some

"

wood smoke,

gravel and the

This

son; only

hungry man.

for a

am

my is

said Dallas.

I,"

coal burner.

I

"

look here

Yukon

;

either

"

you or

I

This

is

painful.

must go down

City with the sledge again, for the

stores are getting low." " Nay,"

said

have up what

the I've

Clear out the place.

" Cornishman got down yonder

big

There's

to last us a fortnight longer

go there

badly."

;

;

we'll first.

enough there and I want to

!

THE STARTING OF A BODYGUARD. "

Very

Feci well enough to

morrow, Bel

Yes

"

;

Dallas

well," said

should like

I

it,"

we come

no one

come.

likely

was the

reply.

We'll shut up the dog

we'll go.

till

longer

as far ab there to-

?

here to keep house is

then we'll go.

"

and

"Then

come

"

;

285

to

I

back, though

how much

say,

has been light to-day."

it

"Pretty sort of light!" growled Tregelly. "

make better light out of a London and some wet flannel We got a fine lot could

I

fog

of gravel

and washing

the

to-day.

shaft

stuffy

Look

though, out

here,

of

picked out

I

this."

He

held out a tiny nugget of gold, about as

big as a small pea

put in a small

;

and

was duly examined,

it

upon the

canister

shelf,

and

then the evening meal went on, and Tregelly refreshed himself with large draughts of tea. "

Look

we'd

tell

here," he said

one another

if

:

"we

agreed

we found a good

that place,

and we started working separate." "

we

Yes," said Bel, " and fate has ordered that

We

should come together again.

what mockery

it

seems

I'm such a helpless log."

to talk of

*

bah

we when '

—

"

TO WIN OR TO

286 "

Look

and

stronger, "

here,

"

1*11

here,

my

He

"

save

it

wish you were a

I

bit

you."

I'd kick

Don't wait,

Tregelly.

Bel,

DIE.

son

;

him now,"

kick

deserves

cried

it." *'

up," said Dallas.

But look

Big Bob, you needn't make a long speech.

You were going to that we had better

say that you thought stick

together,

now

share and

share alike for the future." " Well,

Tregelly

;

I

"

dunno how you knew that," said but it was something of the kind."

we

" That's right, then "

Of course

;

if

will

?

Tregelly will consent to share "

with such a weak, helpless "

eh, Bel

;

Here," cried the big Cornishman, springing

up, " shall

I

kick him

"

No, no;

"

But he do deserve 1(

ing.

let

Now,

quite fair for

three

—

if

him

" ?

off." it,"

said Tregelly, subsid-

was going to say

I

me

there

is

to

stop,

as

it

don't

seem

those precious

three of 'em

left

not having shown up, there don't

unhung seem any

need." "

More need than

ever," said Dallas.

"

Your

being here scares them away." "

Hope

it

do," said Tregelly.

"

Then

look

THE STARTING OF A BODYGUARD. go down

here, we'll

my

to

bring up the sledge load for

ice,

to-morrow, and

including

my

begin to thaw a bit every day, and

it'll

my

want

block to melt and

bit

now

be so very long

can't

it

pit

287

of

before don't

I

out the gold.

let

There's more there than you'd think." "

But

"

Nay, nay,

that's yours," said

when

can wash

son

we'll

;

put

it

all

some, and there's a

You've got outside

my

Abel.

yonder

lot

we Wonder

the soft weather comes and out

it

together.

whether working

so

;

that's settled.

damp

hot

in that

shaft'll

give

us rheumatiz by-and-by." i(

hope

I

not,

Bob/' said Dallas, yawning.

" I've often thought of

One

thing

is

something of the kind.

certain, that

if

we

much

don't find

more gold than we have got so

far

we

shall

have earned our fortunes." "

"

Fortunes

why,

we

" !

cried

at the rate

Abel

contemptuously

we have been going

on,

;

if

get enough to pay for our journey home,

as well as for our provisions, that will

be about

all."

"

And

we might

except for the pleasant as well

have stopped

at

trip,

my

home."

sons,

CHAPTER

XXVIII.

STRANGE DISCOVERY.

A

ALLAS

morning when

stared the next

he opened his eyes,

for the

fire

was

burning brightly and Abel was bustling about in the

limp to "

tell

with nothing but a slight

hut,

lit-up

of the old frost-bite in his

Come/' he

said cheerfully

;

foot.

" breakfast is

nearly ready."

"Where's Bob Tregelly ?" cried Dallas. "Scraping the ice off the sledge to make run

it

easily.

" Night,"

half asleep.

a glorious morning."

It's

said

Dallas

" I'm not

Keen

"

No.

"

Bother the stars

going to

for

call

it

he was

morning

Snowing?"

there's daylight.

till

sourly,

frost, !

and the stars are brilliant." " grumbled Dallas, rolling

warm couch of blankets and skins. want the sun to come back and take the

out of his "

I

raw edge off

all

this chilly place. 288

But

I

say,

"

A STRANGE DISCOVERY.

289

you have given up going with us to-day to-night,

" I

mean

I

Given up

made an

stronger " But

and

?

No.

?

you

feel

I

and

effort,

I

that

it

is

time

be better and

shall

do."

if I

will

it

"

wear your boots, you know,

can't

not be safe for you to trust to a

bandaged sandal." " Can't at

any

wear

my

rate, I've

boots

?

"

said Abel.

got them on."

"

But they must hurt you horribly."

"

Not

was

in the least," said

silent

simple

toilet

the

opened, the "

Abel, and his cousin

while he completed his exceedingly

—one

thought possible

By

in

that

the old days.

had

he

time

he would not have the

finished,

door

and Tregelly stooped to pass under

lintel.

Morning,

my

son," he cried

;

" I've

greasing the runners of the sledge a

The

rubbing up the chest-strap. using. too.

"Well,

I've

oiled

Beautiful

the

bit,

been

and

thing wants

guns and six-shooters

morning.

I

say,

how

that

dog has come round For the great shaggy brute had walked to the door to meet him, with his bushy tail !

18

TO WIN OR TO

290

DIE.

and a keen look of returning

well curled up,

vigour in his eyes and movements. "

Yes," said Dallas

But

live.

I

never thought he'd

I

;

Bel persists

say,

and I'm sure

us,

((

he'll

going with

in

break down."

my

" Well, that doesn't matter,

If he

son.

make him sit astride of the load we come back, and each take a rope, and

does we'll as

give him a ride home." "

I

shall

"

Very were the

be able to walk," said Abel stoutly. said

well,"

most

"You

Dallas.

animal

obstinate

always

that

ever

and

cart-

breathed."

The

breakfast was eaten,

ridges placed in their belts,

from their hooks, and the

pistols

taken

rifles

fire

banked up with

big logs that would last to their return

then

Dallas

took

up

down

;

and

one of the skin-lined

sleeping-bags. "

What's that

for

? "

said

Abel

suspiciously.

"

For you to ride back in." Abel made an angry gesture.

"

I'm better," he said sharply. " Well, never mind if you are, Tregelly quietly. if

you are

you'll

"

You must

I

my

tell

you

son," said

get tired, and

be none the worse

for a ride,

A STRANGE DISCOVERY. but a good deal so

Very

make a

well,

we

all

take something for a bit of lunch

we start Nay y y

——

" there's

"

got

?

back," suggested Dallas.

before

carry

Have we

"

" Better

il

child of me," said Abel,

"

and he gave way. want

you get your toes frosted

j)

again "

if

291

"

the

cried

!

plenty yonder, and

some of

Come

it

we may

as well

back inside as out."

on, then," said Dallas,

to the door,

Cornishman,

when,

and he strode

to the surprise of

all,

the

dog

uttered a deep bark and sprang before them. < i

Oh, come, that won't do," cried Dallas.

" You've got to stop and

mind the house." The dog barked fiercely, and rose at the door upon its hind legs. " we " Yes, he had better stay," said Abel ;

mustn't

leave

slip out

one by one."

" "

I

the

unprotected.

place

don't know," said Tregelly thoughtfully

he has evidently made up

us,

Let's

and

if

we

shut

him

in

his

mind

alone

to

he'll

;

go with be wild

and get springing about, and perhaps knock the fire

all

over the place.

Don't want to come

back and find the shanty burned up."

TO WIN OR TO

292

DIE.

This remark settled the matter, and they

keen dark morning, the

started Out into the

dog, after bounding about a in a roll in the

trace as

if

little

and indulging

snow, placing himself by the

drawing, and walking in front of the

empty sledge which Tregelly was dragging. "

the

Might as well have " but

latter;

let

you

pull too," said

mind— you may

never

rest

this time."

No on

were burning

fires

over

the

snow,

frozen

glittered brilliantly as if

quite

enough

light for

it

as they trudged

yet,

while

the

stars

were midnight, giving

them

to

make

their

way

over the four miles which divided them from Tregelly's claim. " Getting pretty close

the silence

snow had

;

for the

resulted

journey being made the

crunching of

now," he

rugged in

said,

breaking

state of the slippery

the latter part

in silence,

the

icy

of the

only broken by

particles

and the

squeaking sound made from time to time by the sledge runners as they glided over the hard surface.

Suddenly Tregelly stopped they were "

in single

file,

short,

and as

the rest halted too.

What's the matter?" said Dallas.

A STRANGE DISCOVERY.

Why, some

"

a shanty

TheyVe

got

up a claim and made

one's took

Nu, by thunder!

up to mine.

clobt:

my

in

place and

I'm not going to stand that

"What impudence!" "

Impudence

come on; " Hist carefully

call

whispered

!

lit

a

fire

!

Oh,

" !

said Dallas. real

it

cheek

But

!

soon have them out of that!"

I'll

"

I

!

293

and see

first.

It

" let's

go up may be some one

Abel

;

we know." "

Whether we know them

don't," said Tregelly angrily, out,

and

once.

at

Do

we

or whether " they're

you hear

?

coming There's

more than one of them. Come along." But before he had taken a dozen of his huge strides towards the hut, from whose rough chimney the ruddy smoke and sparks were rising, there was a wild hoarse cry as of some one in agony, and the sound of a struggle going on, while fierce oaths arose, and a voice, horrible in

its

weird, strange tones, shrieked

out so that the words reached their ears (i

or

The dog he'll

tear

— the my

dog!

:

Keep him from me,

heart right out

!

"

while at

same moment Scruff barking fiercely, bounded forward towards the door, just as a the

TO WIN OR TO

294

DIE.

cry of horror arose, so awful that to freeze the "

marrow

Come on" some

killing

in the

shouted

it

seemed

young men's bones. Tregelly

" they're

;

one."

The two young men needed no Following Tregelly

closely,

inciting.

they ran towards

the door, which was flung open as their leader

reached against

have

and

it,

Tregelly was dashed back

them with such violence

fallen

had caught,

after they

light of the fire within, a glimpse of

of them

rough-looking men, one

the to

and

still

all

cries,

yells,

to

to

and appeals

keep back the dog, there came from the

other

direction the crunching of

in full retreat

heavy boots

on the snow, the savage barking

of the dog, and then flash after

by

swung

was darkness, while added

continuing

two

apparently

as big as their companion, the door

again

would

but for their support.

At the same moment, by the

that he

reports, as

flash,

followed

the late occupants of the hut

evidently turned to

fire at

The first idea of the the men who had come

the pursuing dog.

trio

was

to rush after

in contact with

them,

but second thoughts suggested the impossibility

of overtaking them

in

the darkness, while the

A STRANGE DISCOVERY.

295

appealing cries from within the cottage drew

them "

in the

uther direction.

Leave them

to the dog," shouted Dallas

excitedly.

come

" Yes,

on

and

see

growled Tregelly,

inside,"

as

who's this one

he thrust open

the door and stepped into his hut.

The wood

place was well illumined by the blazing fire,

and they looked round

in

wonder

dog which had elicited the hoarse wild appeals for help and protection for the assailant or

which rose from the solitary occupant of the place

—a

wild, bloodshot-eyed, athletic

man

in

torn and ragged half-open shirt and trousers,

who cowered on himself closer fingers

time

the rough bed trying to force into

the

corner,

scratching at the wall,

his

his

while

crooked all

the

head was wrenched round so that

he stared wildly at imaginary dangers, evidently vividly seen,

and kept on shrieking

for help.

"

CHAPTER

XXIX.

ONE GETS HIS DESERTS.

HE

little

party paused and glanced ex-

citedly round,

weapons ready

whom

the companions

at

fire

their

to

man was

the

addressing. "

Keep

Beardy

him

mate

off,

— drag

him

Can't you see he's tearing

!

Shoot! shoot!

why

mind

hitting me.

dog's

mad ?

me

back, to bits

Never

don't you shoot?

Shoot

!

—

!

you see the

can't

There was a moment or two's pause, during which the man was silent, panting and foaming at the mouth, as he glared wildly towards the Then he began again. door. " There, there you've missed him " he

—

shrieked.

mad,

I

!

" He's at

tell

you

!

The poor wretch

me

Shoot

mad

He's

again.

— shoot —ah

"

!

!

darted out one hand, caught

up something from between the bed and the 296

ONE GETS HIS DESERTS. wall,

and the

firelight glistened

297

upon the

side of

a bottle, which he raised so violently to his that the neck rattled against his teeth

lookers-on heard the deep glug

the liquid within, as the "

Ah

M

man drank

and

wall heavily,

Missed

keep him back

went

to the floor

fell

!

me again " Ah

!

unbroken.

through

struggling

was

against

wildly

and

down cowering

Keep him back

then

the

of

attacks

suddenly

it

one of a

dropped

into the corner, panting loudly.

Meanwhile Tregelly had picked up the and held

he

horrible, as

movements

the

all

beast,

"and

;

!

shriek he uttered

savage

wooden

struck the

it

might

his

all

— missed!" shrieked the man

he's springing at

The

with avidity.

he yelled again, and, raising himself

!

across the hut, so that

"

and the

;

—glug—glug of

he threw the bottle with

up,

lips

to his nostrils,

bottle

before glancing at

the side. " That's mine/' that, then. ill

got

I

in the night

none, and put

;

it

he growled. it

but

They found

for spirits, case it

was so bad

I

on the corner of the

poison, that's what

can be.

"

it

Nice stuff for

I

was took

never used shelf.

It's

much like paraffin " a man like that

is

;

!

as

TO WIN OR TO

298 "

The man's mad,"

DIE.

with

Dallas,

said

a

shudder. " Yes,"

Dal? in

Yes

see,

»l

no doubt about

there's

;

you

one of three who attacked us up

It's

the pass. "

" don't

Abel;

whispered

said

that,"

Dallas. " He's the

man who

me

attacked

the other

I'm sure as can be." " Oh, that's him, is it ?" said Tregelly with

night.

"Well,

a deep, angry growl.

it'll

my

time before he attacks you again, " Is
'M

it

fever no,

!

?

"

be a long son."

said Dallas.

my

like that before.

son I

;

I've seen a

should say

from the bite of a dog

;

and

it's

he's

himself with that paraffin stuff

man

took

hydrophoby,

been doctoring

till

he's

madder

than ever."

The

sight before

them had so taken up

attention that for the

moment

Scruff's pursuit

of the other two had been forgotten it

was brought vividly back

thump

at the door,

to

their

;

but

mind by a

and the scratching of

now dull

claws,

and as the door yielded, the great dog forced its

way

in,

with his red tongue lolling out, and

panting loudly with his exertions,

ONE GETS HIS DESERTS. The

effect

299

The man upon

was magical.

the

couch could not have seen or heard the dog, but he seemed to divine the great animal's presence, and springing

up again from where

he cowered, he began to shriek again horribly.

"The dog me to pieces I

say

!

— the dog!" he yelled "tearing Mad— mad Shoot — shoot,

!

" !

But attention was taken from him to the action of the dog.

As soon

as the ghastly, distorted face in the

corner rose, and the shrieks began to hut, the

dog paused by the double

his

the

door, with the thick

hair about his neck bristling

looked

fill

former

up

till

the animal

and a low,

size,

thunderous growl came from

muttering,

his

grinning jaws.

The the

moment he would have sprung

next

wretched man,

position

but

and was too quick

instant he

grasped

Dallas

for him.

at

the

In an

had sprung across the dog's back,

nipped him between his knees, and buried his

hands

in the thick hair of his neck.

" Quick, Bel, or

cried

Dallas.

Bob, help

;

I

he

"The

will tear

door

can't hold him.

him

— the

to pieces

door!

" !

Here,

Strong as a horse."

— TO WIN OR TO

3©o

Abel flew seized the

DIE.

drag open the door, Tregelly

to

dog by

his tail

there was a furious

;

scratching and barking, a rush

out,

a swing

round of two powerful arms, and the door was

banged

and fastened

to again,

head coming

time, Scruff's

;

but only just in

at

it

with a loud

thud, and his claws rattling and scratching on

the wood, as he barked and growled savagely. " Lie down,

dare you

sir! "

roared Dallas.

"

How

Lie down."

!

There was a loud barking at this, but there were sounds as if of protest mingled with it, and finally the dog subsided into a howl, and dropped down by the door to wait, a low, shuffling,

panting sound coming through the

crack at the bottom. "

He'd have

killed him," said Dallas, panting

with the exertion. "

Not a doubt about

Tregelly.

him

" That's

"

my

son,"

replied

the chap, sure enough

as half killed you,

"Yes, I'm sure of

it,

Mr. Abel."

it."

Knew him

again directly." " Think so ?" said Dallas. " Sure of

gone

for

it,

my

a sick

Dog

son.

man

in

bed.

wouldn't have

Knew him

'

ONE GETS HIS DESERTS.

301

Depend upon it, them two had a desprit fight that night when Scruff laid hold of him and made him drop the and went

directly,

for him.

gold-bag.'

"That's

it,

"No

Bel/' said Dallas.

doubt

Scruff bit him pretty well, and he has scared himself into the belief that the dog was mad." " Yes,

that

and delirim trimins," said the

down

big Cornishman, looking

wreck before

and

ghastly

to

be

my

He's a ;

from has

brute

thief,

more

seeming

the face

grotesque

"The

shadows.

mad.

him,

at the horrible

dancing

the

drunk

himself

and a murderer, or meant

and him and his gang have broke into

house.

If the

judge and his

yonder

lot

could get at him they'd hang him to the tree

;

he told us

we were

we saw him and

to shoot at sight

himself or anybody

to

would be I

if

all

say, don't

;

and

else,

he's

his

you think we'd better

lot

no good

and the

the better without him

first

world

and

;

let

the dog "

come in and put him out of his misery ? "No," said Dallas angrily; "neither do you

»)

"Well, put him outside merciful sort of death,

in the

snow.

It's

a

and very purifying to

TO WIN OR TO

3o2

such a chap as

come back

wouldn't

What do you

to

Abel

He

freeze hard.

life

old

like

say to that, Master Abel

" Nothing/' said said Yes !

Soon

this.

DIE.

Scruff.

Wray ?

shortly, " because

you wouldn't do

if

" I

it."

Tregelly stood and shook with the ebullition

came bubbling

of chuckles which "

Oh, dear me/' he said "

can't

help being such a

eyes.

It's

my

nature

to,

set

the

dog

the beast, and

at

he wiped

at last, as

his

I

out.

my

No,

sons.

I

I

fool.

couldn't

couldn't put

him out to freeze but if it had come to a fight, and I'd been up, I could have shot him or knocked him on the head, and felt all the better ;

for

it."

" Yes,

gazing

know," said

I

down

at

the

Dallas,

who

trembling wretch

stood

upon

the couch. "

I

s'pose

I

ought to be very glad him and

my

empty and I ought to sit down and nurse him and try to make him well again, and stop till his mates came and made an end of me same as they've made an end of everything in the place. I his

lot

found

say, just look here

and

talk

to

place

— quiet,

;

Scruff, or

you with one of

my

I'll

boots!

come

— I'm

ONE GETS HIS DESERTS. blessed I

if

they haven't finished up everything

here

left

303

—ham,

bacon,

every blessed thing,"

meal,

tea,

sugar

continued Tregelly, as

he opened canister and

peered into the

tin,

meal-tub, and finished by staring

down

at the

miserable wretch on the bed, and thoughtfully scratching his head. " It's

brutes

know what looked down again

But

!

Tregelly

whose

Bob," said Dallas.

horrible,

lips

I

don't

were moving

fast

;

"

The

we're to do." at

the

man,

but his words

were inaudible, save now and then, when he uttered a strange yelping cry, and they heard

the word, " "

Dog!

Seems your

Tregelly.

most.

"

"

turn now, Master Abel," said

You've got your knife into him

But he's got

his deserts."

CHAPTER XXX A STAGGERING BLOW.

S he dying?" said Abel, as he looked down with commiseration on the man

who

tried to take his

"As

as

sure

the

morning somewhere He's dying

life.

my

don't here,

if it

Man

fast.

to-morrow

rise

sun'll

can't

long going

live

He's

through what he's going through now.

man

dying as horrible a death as a

Hanging would be " Yes,

a blessing to

weaker

he's

can

die.

it."

Dallas,

said

already,"

son.

looking at the prostrate man. " That's so, in

my

place

but

;

son.

But there

is

don't like his dying

I

we can

we want

together what "

my

t

help

to take,

it.

Let's get

and go."

nothing to load the sledge

with," said Dallas.

" There's

and

rifle

—

in

a nice lot

of

cartridges

a tin in yon corner. 3°4

—

pistol

We'll take

A STAGGERING BLOW. those and

How

They've

Well, I'm blessed!

got them, too °

3 oJ

" !

"

tiresome

!

" But they haven't got

my

gold;

warrant

I'll

that." "

Where

" Buried

is

" 'Tain't

?

we

"

— one

pick-axe

just outside

the

of those big blocks of ice

wipe

to

make

to

asked Abel.

It's

all.

have

shall

?

Tregelly, with a laugh.

replied

buried at

door there but

buried

it

!

;

round with a

it

a more decent size for

it

the sledge." "

>" of these blocks

One

" That's

my

right,

some

hiding-place

you make a

If

son.

one's sure to find

it

;

but

they'd never think of looking inside a block

your door.

lying outside

a big hole in

wedge of top,

flannel,

it

Well,

was a

You

would only

stuff,

I

needn't

let

wish

us

then a big the

in half

solid block."

and go, before those

it

come back," fear

know

they

picked

rammed some snow on

get

let's

other scoundrels <(

see,

poured a drop of water over, and

an hour ((

my

put in

it,

You

them, if

would

my

they were

come,

Scruff

son.

so

near.

as 19

I

we

306

TO WIN OR TO

could have

a

DIE.

Taking my

fight.

stores

like

that."

"

But about

"What we

all

this

man?"

about him,

my

said Abel.

We

son?

can by letting him alone.

enough of that

be done

Perhaps his mates

if

there was

and go

the gold

get

Let's

will

No

for him.

doctor could do him any good,

one to be had.

know

I

of thing to be able to

sort

say that nothing can

back.

are doing

come back

him when we're gone." "And if they do, what then?"

to

said Dallas

sharply. "

You mean,

trap them,

my

shall

son.

I

wait for

lay

No

;

I

can't

do that now.

best for them, though, to keep quite out

Be o'

my

a

little

Now

way.

then,

open the door just

way, so that you can squeeze out and

get hold of the dog, Mr. Dallas. in

them and

we

shall

he gets

If

have a scene."

Dallas nodded, glanced at where the delirious

man

lay muttering to himself,

out,

and was nearly thrown backward by the

rush the dog

he held on

to

made

to

and then slipped

get into the hut

the animal's thick coat

companions had had time

to slip out

;

till

but his

and the

-----.i^

V£ <# ifc"

*r

V*v

^'-'

^"-


,**

mmmm '""" :

^^^^'''V^V^

>-i

u

:i

v*

*t

A STAGGERING BLOW. door was closed,

the

309

dog growling

his

dis-

appointment the while. "

Now," said Dallas merrily, "which is the " block we ought to take ? There was a heap of hardened snow on a heap composed of either side of the door roughened blocks, and when the young men

—

had declared their

inability

one

say that

to

was more likely than another, Tregelly stooped down and rolled the very first one over and over.

"That's the one," he said; "but well chip a hundredweight of ice off

get

while

I

shaft,

and

pick

the

you

may

from as

the

well

look-out with cocked pieces.

may

I

as

Wait

it.

of the

side

keep a sharp

They might

try

to rush us."

Dallas and better;

wood come

Abel

they sheltered

heap, ready ;

took

while

for

dog,

the

the

hint,

and did

themselves behind the

any attack

now

pacified,

here and there, snuffing about as

might

that

if

walked scenting

danger.

Tregelly was back directly, and by dexterous

usage of the pick-axe he soon reduced the

heavy block

to

a

more portable

size,

after

TO WIN OR TO

310

DIE.

was secured upon the the return journey commenced. A good look-out was kept,

sledge,

and

every

man

walking

cocked,

which

it

with

were plenty

there

ready

piece

his

of

places

where they might well expect an ambush

but

;

went

all

be

to

for

passed

meet with

to

the ice-block

well,

forming but a light load, as the snow was hard beneath their

To make

feet.

matters easier, Abel kept up well,

declaring again and again that he was not tired. " Don't

overdo

"

Even

would be a

light

Dallas

it,"

with you on the sledge

it

said.

load for us two to draw."

"You replied

will

not draw me, even "

Abel.

now than when a

little

It

energy

was

I

I

came

out.

It

shows what

will do."

fairly light as

they came within sight

left

that morning,

and a

of smoke rising from the roof showed

that the fire

was

still

to be perfectly right,

when

would be,"

stronger and brighter

feel

of the hut they had faint curl

if it

and all seemed they were close up,

alight till

;

Dallas caught sight of a piece of timber

lying across the front of the door, and began to run.

;

A STAGGERING BLOW. "

"

Take

my

care,

311

!

lad

Tregelly

cried

"

There may be danger.' Abel followed, but the dog out-speeded the

little

party,

in at the

"

Take

and rushing

to the front,

bounded

open door. care

take

!

he saw that the

care

door

!

"

had

Abel,

as

been forced

in

cried

their absence.

But he was too rushed up, place

rifle

in

late,

for

his

cousin

had

hand, and sprung into the

»

CHAPTER

XXXI.

SCRUFF GIVES WARNING.

BEL

was

weak and wanting

still

from his long

illnesses,

m

spirit

but the courage

displayed by his cousin roused him to action,

and he followed the others But

into the hut.

was to face no enemies, only

it

Scruff sniffing about

— Tregelly

to find

stamping with

rage.

What been "

it?"

of course.

Been

hands li

in,

is

in

cried

Abel,

"

Somebody

I?

and carried off

all

they could lay

,y

on.

Took advantage of our

absence, Bel, and

loaded themselves with stores."

"And

all

risking the

through not leaving the dog and fire."

"Poor Scruff!" as well, for

hi lm.

said Abel.

they would 312

" Perhaps

it's

probably have shot

SCRUFF GIVES WARNING. "

They might

Tregelly, " "

Yes,"

as

of thing

sort

if this

"

Dallas.

said

must be warned

shoot

well

is

313

cried

us,"

go on."

to

Everybody round

at once."

Fortunately, further examination

showed

that

the visitors to the hut must have been hurried in their

movements, and had been either unable

to carry away, or

had overlooked, a portion of

the

remaining stores,

not

quite

so

them

stare

that starvation

the

in

was absolutely necessary that "

My

this time,"

job

a

made

the settlement should be

face

;

did

but

it

journey to

at once.

said Tregelly, as the

matter was discussed by the

fire,

where, armed

he was busily chipping a way

with an

axe,

into the

centre of the block of ice they had

brought back.

"

Now,

mine hadn't grown before the winter

if

sick of

come

those two mates of

and gone back

it,

on,

they'd just have

been useful now." "

Did you quarrel?" asked

"

Quarrel

?

No,

he chipped away

my at

Dallas.

son," said Tregelly, as

the

ice.

"

They

took

the right notion one day that there was the

long winter to face,

and that they'd better

share and be off while their shoes was good."

TO WIN OR TO

3i4

DIE.

"Well?" said Dallas. Well, we shared, and they went home.'* Then there was silence, save that the Cornishman went on chipping away at the ice, s '

more and more

for

he was getting

shell,

and the golden

carefully,

through the top of the

kernel was near, Scruff watching the proceedings in rather a

cynical

sneering at the

if

dog-like way, as

or

two-legged

these

trouble

something not good

animals took to obtain to eat.

Yes

"

up

"and then

one

the

of

were

right.'

could find

go

we'll

other

There

mountains.

1

farther north

towards

creeks,

abundance of gold

is

And we must

it.

the

— we

if

will find

before we've done."

it

" That's "

in the dark," said

But the long days are coming," said Dallas

cheerfully,

we

work

terrible

u Perhaps they

Abel. "

it's

;

We

good

the

try.

mixed up and

hand me chip

son,"

three won't give up

reg'lar all

my

right,

it

fire.

cried

then,

froze

into

that iron bucket, Mr.

out

into

that,

we've had a

till

Now

here we are

a lump.

as

it

:

Just

Wray, and

and throw

Wonder," he added,

Tregelly.

I'll

down by he began

SCRUFF GIVES WARNING. to break out the gilded ice, "

315

whether there's

much of my bhare left." The pieces of ice and gold went on rattling down till the last scrap was emptied out, and hollowed block of

the

ice

tossed out of the

door. " Let's see,"

my

"

said Tregelly,

two mates

end of the winter there'd only

said that at the

be about two hundred shillings

1

But

worth.

they were wrong," he continued, with a merry laugh, " for

a bit

more

my

all

to

it

—enough

want from down the river so badly, after

pay

to ;

so

You have done wonders,"

"

Oh,

don't

though,"

hard,

contents

I

I've

for

added

what we

haven't done

all."

((

I

and

share's here,

of the

know.

cried Dallas.

worked pretty

I've

giving

Tregelly,

said

bucket

a

twist

the

round and

pouring off some of the melted ice into another bucket.

"

but hardly get

Looks worth

pretty, all

don't

it,

my

sons?

the trouble one takeb to

M it

He

pushed the bucket right

in

among

embers, and the contents began to steam, all

the ice was melted,

when

the till

the dirty water

was drained away and the gold then turned

"

TO WIN OR TO

3 i6

on

dryness

to

DIE.

on the iron cake

carefully out

wood

the

"

baked

griddle,

and

ashes,

then

examined.

That would make Mr. mouth water if he could see "

" it

Yes,

Redbeard's ugly it,

my

sons, eh "

looks tempting," said Dallas.

it

?

Put

away."

Nay

"

we've agreed

;

Let's take out

sons.

down

the river.

now,

share

to

enough

for

me

my

spend

to

Let the other go into your

leather bag." "

No, that would not be

fair,"

said Dallas

quickly. "

say

I

know

my

would,

it

sons

Look here

best.

:

;

and

I

ought to

you're going to help

me

take care of what I've got, and I'm going

to

help

you.

sometimes square

all

I

in

Sometimes you'll get more; shall so you see it will come ;

the

There," he

end.

said,

in

conclusion, as he roughly scraped a portion of

the glittering heap aside, to that beino-

enough

"I'd take more," will

"what do you say

" ?

said

Abel;

"provisions

be dearer than ever."

"Right; so they plenty.

Now

then,

will.

Well, that must be

where's your bag

?

SCRUFF GIVES WARNING.

317

This was produced, rather unwillingly, from the hiding-place. " That's right," he continued, as the glitter-

ing treasure was poured into the leather bag. "

Now

then,

way of prog

the

for

out pretty well on tobacco.

" "

see what

we'll just

Then

I'll

me

to

take.

we can do I

in

can hold

some cake and plenty of be

off."

When do you mean to go ? " said Abel. Go, my son ? Why, now, directly. Sooner

Those chaps won't come back till I tell you what they want some more prog. you might do, though go to the first shanty and tell the neighbour about those two being out on the rampage, and ask him to pass the word all along the line." An hour later Tregelly was ready to start, the better.

;

and shook hands. 4 '

"

What I

is

Then he

it?" said Dallas.

was thinking whether

round by

my

hesitated.

claim and see

I

how

ought

to

go

that fellow's

Sometimes I'm pulled one way, sometimes I'm pulled another. But going perhaps means a bullet in my jacket, so I getting on.

won't go."

He

threw the leather band over his shoulder,

TO WIN OR TO

3 i8

DIE.

and the next minute the sledge runners were creaking and crackling as they glided over the

hardened snow, while with

his

out,

and

companion then

Dallas

till

hurriedly

the

stood listening

sound died

last

load

fetched

after

load of fire-logs, with the dog busily at work

exploring the neighbourhood in

coming back

at

and sending up bade him go

directions,

all

five-minute intervals panting his

visible breath,

till

Dallas

in.

" Dal," said Abel, after a few minutes' pause,

during which they had been stacking the wood neatly in one corner, " don't

you saved Scruff's "

I

should think

you

glad that

feel

" life ? I

do.

He's going to prove

a regular policeman on the beat."

A "

deep growl came from the dog.

low,

Hullo

a bobby " Hist

!

Does he

object

to

being called

? : !

No," whispered Abel, darting

the hooks upon which the

rifles

to

were hung.

For the dog had trotted softly to the door, and stood looking down at the narrow opening at the

bottom, and was growling more deeply

than before. " There's

some

one

coming,"

whispered

SCRUFF GIVES WARNING. Dallas,

"and

that fire

makes

it

319

as light within

here as day."

The two young men darted

close to the side,

and drew the curtain-like rugs over the door

and the

little

Just as this again,

shuttered window.

was completed the dog growled

and then burst into a deep-toned bay.

'

CHAPTER THE ENEMY

HOY

there

cried

a

IN

XXXII. THE DARK.

Keep

!

familiar

that

dog

quiet,"

some

from

voice

distance off "

It's

"

relief.

right," cried Dallas with a sigh of

all

Norton."

" Here,

Scruff,

The dog as the door into

"How you

cried

" Friends, friends.

Abel.

came

down, old man,"

lie

whined, and waved his bushy

was opened, and their the glow shed by the

are you,

for ages.

my

Didn't

lads?

tail

bluff friend fire.

Haven't seen

know you had

started

a dog." "

He's a

visitor," said Dallas.

"

Come

in."

The man entered and looked sideways at the dog, who had begun to smell his legs. " Not treacherous, is he ? Some of these Eskimo

are brutes to snap." 320

"

THE ENEMY "

THE DARK.

IN

321

No, he understands you are friends," said "

Abel.

Lie down, Scruff."

The dog crouched, and watched the visitor as he sat down on a box, took out his pipe, and "

lit

it.

Thought

I'd

give you a look in as

I

didn't

How's things going?" " We were coming to warn you," said Dallas and he related what had passed. feel

"

worky.

Them

? "

Norton, springing up and

said

putting out his pipe;

were hanged.

Well,

"I

was be

I'll

a serious matter for them. get up a hunt and stop

"Of

course,"

;

said

this.

the

in

means

this

off;

We

hopes they

shall

have

Will you join

men

young

to

?

in

a

breath.

Then good-bye hear firing come and

only mind this

i <

"

Yes

;

and

you'll

;

if

you

help."

do the same

" Trust me," said the

man

" ?

shortly,

and he

shook hands and hurried away.

The

next four days passed anxiously enough,

and they heard no more of Norton and his friends. The first two nights watch was kept, the occupants of the hut taking turn and turn of three hours.

But

this

duty,

somewhat

in

322

TO WIN OR TO

accordance

with

proverb

the

breeding contempt,

DIE.

wdb

of

familiarity

deputed

to

Scruff,

who, however, was more contemptuous than either of his masters carefully curled in the spot fire

for

;

up with

he kept the

watch

his tail across his eyes,

where the warmest glow from the

struck.

The

fifth

day passed without any news being

heard from the other scattered claim holders,

and

was thought

it

likely, that

The

possible,

though hardly

Tregelly might return.

night

came on

intensely

black,

with

by

puffs

intervals of perfect stillness, followed

of

wind, which

icy

sharp spicules of tingle

the

at

were

ice,

charged with tiny

which made

slightest

the

exposure

to

face its

influence.

"

He

will

not be here to-night,'' said Dallas,

after looking out; "there's a storm brewing,

and

it is

too dark to travel, so

we may

as well

give him up." "

We

had better

sit

up a few hours.

He may

come." So, instead of creeping into their sleeping-

bags after they had banked up the

made

all

snug, they sat talking,

till

fire

and

warmth

THE ENEMY

and weariness combined and they

down, to

lay

THE DARK.

IN

to

fall

make them drowsy,

asleep directly.

In an hour or two the blazing place to a heap of

wood

fire

ashes,

wind swept round the

seemed

be

a

played for a few Scruff was

looked fixed, to everything,

faint

had given

over which,

as the rising to

323

place,

phosphorescent light

moments and then died up

curled

what

so

tightly

out*

that

he

and he seemed blind and deaf till

towards the middle of the

night a watcher, had there been

one, would

have seen that there were two bright points visible

through the thick brush so closely curled

round, while directly after the dog's ears seemed to prick up. If there

probability

had been a watcher he would

have attributed

quent upon the

this to fancy,

in all

conse-

glow which came and

faint

went about the embers, as the wind sighed

shadows darkened, and various objects grew more or lesb defined. Then all idea of want of reality would have round the lonely hut

;

for

passed away, for the dog suddenly and silently

sprang to his

feet,

took a step or two towards

the door, and then stood with his head turned

on one

side, listening.

20

TO WIN OR TO

324

He

remained perfectly motionless

minute, as the glow from the less

DIE.

till

he was almost

fire

for quite a

grew

invisible.

less

Then

and sud-

denly throwing up his head, he uttered a low,

deep-toned bark, which

from their beds,

each

brought the cousins

seizing

upon the

rifle

laid ready.

"

What

one there

is it,

"

Scruff? " cried Dallas.

Some

" ?

There was another deep-toned bark, and the dog sprang to the door and rose up on its hindlegs, tearing at the

rug which covered

it

until

it fell.

Scruff stood there with his head on one side, listening for

silence

some minutes, during which

was painful

in the

extreme.

Dallas had

sprung to one side of the door, Abel other,

and they stood close up

walls,

the only place for there they

safety,

of any one

to

the

to

the

the rough

where they could be

in

were beyond the vision

who peered through

the

shuttered

window or the apertures of the door left exposed by the tearing down of the rough hanging.

The have

simplest thing, and an act which would

them more freedom, would have have quenched the fire at once. But

left

been to

THE ENEMY

IN

there was no water at

and

hand,

325

there

was

from the glowing embers to

light

sufficient

THE DARK.

expose every movement to an enemy without.

They

with every nerve on the

stood there

while the dog whined uneasily,

strain, listening,

took a trot round the door, to stand with his "

There

must

be

and returned to the head on one side again.

fire,

some one

there/

out

whispered Abel, Dallas nodded, and to

be

silent, for

the

made

a sign to his cousin

dog whined uneasily again,

turning to the young man, thrusting his muzzle

up

against his hand, and looking

The

waiting for orders.

next

at

as

if

moment he was

door again, and reared up with his paws

at the

against the bar, at which he tore as it

him

if

to get

down, so that he might go out into the

night. " Here,

I

know," cried Abel excitedly,

must hear or is

feel

in

some way

"

he

that Tregelly

close here." "

He

would not come on

at

this

time of

night." "

as

Why

it

hail."

is

not?

now.

It's

Let's

as dark

most of the day

open the door and give a

TO WIN OR TO

326

u

do

No

5

whispered Dallas.

listen/

;

DIE.

He

"

would

that." " If

he were within reach."

He

"

must be within reach

doubted his own opinion, a

possible

that

might be

sufficiently

to

But as he spoke

know/' whispered Dallas. he

dog

for the

for

dog's

half-wild

keen

it

seemed

sensibilities

to feel the

coming

fellow?"

he said

of a friend. " Here, softly.

"

what

is

Some one

"

It is as

Look

tore at the bar,

Here,

him.

at

?

Dal," said Abel excitedly.

say,

I

"

there

The dog whined and <(

old

it,

Scruff,

old lad, what

is it?

The dog "

growled.

That doesn't sound as

if

he scented a

friend,

Bel."

"He for

does,

tell

you,'

he was prone to be

many

his

door open

sufferings.

cried

Abel angrily;

irritable as a result

"

Here,

let's

of

have the

at once."

dog understood his words, he dropped on all fours and uttered a deep-

It

for

I

was

as if the

toned bay. *'

All right, Scruff, we'll

let

you go," cried

*-

-


-t

ft

**

THE ENEMY

THE DARK.

IN

329

Abel, and seizing the rough bar, he was in the act

uf raising

from the notch

it

—bang, two

when bang

rested,

ing sound in the rough

boards,

gave a spasmodic

leap,

splinter-

and Dallas's he saw his

for

to the ground.

fall

" Bel,

shots were fired

was a peculiar rending,

violently, there

cousin

it

and simultaneously the door shook

just outside,

heart

which

in

lad

Hurt

!

? "

panted Dallas, stepping

forward and dropping on

by

one knee

his

cousin's side.

As he spoke

through with a whirring, the

on

wall

position in

all

the

humming

probability saving his

man

old

!

sound, to

other side,

sound seemed to pass just over " Dal,

shots, the

and one passing clean

bullets striking the door,

strike

more

there were two

Hurt

?

Dallas's

life,

for the

his head. "

was

Abels

answer. "

No, not touched.

Were you

"No;

hit

Why

don't you answer

" ?

only ducked down,

I

?

it

seemed so

near." i i

t i

Save

your shot,"

When we

fire

Abel nodded.

it

said

must be as a

Dallas

hoarsely. }y

last resource.

TO WIN OR TO

33° " Right,"

he

said.

Crawl to your own

"

The

DIE.

side.

I'll

come through

bullets will not

take

thib.

the logs of

the wall." " I'm not so sure," said

obeyed

Abel

softly

;

but he

his cousin's order, just as a couple

more

shots were fired through.

The

next

moment

kicking out the

Abel.

"

with the result that the

fire,

interior of the hut " Don't,

Dallas was stamping and

don't

grew

lighter.

do

You're right

in

the line of

As a proof that their made more precarious a were

fired,

the

Dal,"

that,

position

fire,

too."

was being

couple more shots

buzzing

bullets

whispered

across

the

interior.

" Must," was the reply. will

soon grow faint"

place it

was

;

and

was nearly black full

;

" in a

There, the ashes

few minutes the

but at the same time

of strangling wood-smoke which rose

slowly towards the opening in the roof which

formed

their

chimney.

Meanwhile shot

after shot

was

fired

through

the door, and at every dull thud or tearing of the stout

woodwork, the dog dashed about,

snarling and barking furiously.

THE ENEMY "

we

Dal

Dal

!

!

" cried

to stop here

"

Yes Wait a

we

;

THE DARK.

IN

Abel passionately

doing nothing

" ?

and our time

i

" ?

a pocketful."

Don't waste

them,

sufficient to silence

him

One

then.

We

an enemy.

that will be sufficient.

I

Yes, what?"

"

Bob Tregelly would not knock would he

" Don't.

The

I

firing

bullets

!

door

at the

?

made sure

it

was he."

went on through the door, and

made

was

now grew

varied,

and

to right

which

those

for

in

and

different

left

;

in

profound, the

that the direction

out

through struck the wall high, low,

"

"

the darkness, which

besieged

be

will

must wing

say

((

like this,

Have

come.

will

you plenty of cartridges handy <

"are

;

are not going to shoot at random.

bit,

"Yes;

331

of the

came

places

and the

result

of this was that suddenly, in spite of Dallas's

endeavours to keep the dog close to him shelter,

in

he escaped from him to bound about,

barking savagely, and the next minute, as a couple uttered

of shots a

came through the

peculiar

snarling

snap,

door,

he

and threw

himself with a heavy thud against the door.

TO WIN OR TO

33a

"

He

has got

" Here, Scruff!

whispered

Bel,"

it,

DIE. Dallas.

Scruff!"

The dog came

whining, and then

to him,

uttered a dismal howl. " said

Poor old chap "

Dallas.

I'll

!

you must

see to

it

lick the place/'

when

I

can get

a light." " Badly

wounded, Dal

" Can't

tell.

would have "

lain

No; still.

?

"

not

said Abel.

very

bad,

Has he come

"

;

" ?

he has shoved his head against me."

There was a pause then, and an

ejaculation

of horror.

''What "

you

he

Yes," said Abel, from the other side of

the door

full

to

or

Ugh

!

is

it?" anxiously.

The poor

fellow's bleeding!

"

'

CHAPTER

XXXIII.

A DEATH SHRIEK.

W

AIT

a bit

a savage.

was

that " I

I

a bit!" said Dallas

through his teeth

cowardly brutes like

—wait

Bel,

yet. I

couldn't

;

pay the

makes me

it

but

I

!

wish

it

was daylight and N

could get a good aim at one of them.

they'll

"

I

say,

riddle that door."

Wait a

curious

feel

could enjoy pulling the rope

hang them

to

" we'll

;

little

bit,"

whispered

laugh,

"

and

Dallas,

we'll

with

answer

a

their

riddle."

The

firing

went on

barked no more

persistently, but the

— only gave

dog

vent from time to

time to a low growl, while the listeners could tell

from the sound that he was applying an

animal's natural it

remedy

to his

wound by

licking

diligently.

And

the firing went on as 333

if

the

enemy were

1t

TO WIN OR TO

334

DIE.

every part of the hut with their

searching bullets.

" Dal/'

" don't

whispered Abel suddenly,

be

startled."

"

You're not going to be such an

open the door

No

"

but

;

Abel quietly

to the

would not be

it

" for

;

are you

fire,

I

feel as if

I

idiot as to n ?

said

idiotic,"

could hit one

of them by seeing the flash of his piece/'

Wh

i

dog out ?" " No, not now he is wounded. had set him free, though, at the have "

startled the wretches

They'd

have

done

bowies," said Dallas. Ah h startled at ?

down, Bel

now. 1

!

I

wish

we

first

—he'd

him with

their

" !

for

What am not You brutes h

"

——

right

the

let

to

I

!

They're

!

firing at the

be Lie

wall

y)

Then

time

it's

for

it.

Look

here,

I'm

going to humbug them."

Two more

reports came, and, as the sound

died out, Abel uttered so unearthly a shriek that Dallas felt that chilled " Bel

" !

it

him

go through him to the

bone.

he panted wildly.

in a

shudder

A DEATH SHRIEK. " All

right

did

;

335 ?

sound natural

it

was

"

whibpered back. "

Oh, you wretch

"

whispered Dallas

!

;

and

Abel laughed. ((

They'll

think

they've

done

for

Abel

softly.

"

and one of

us/' said

go on

now

firing

your turn "

I

only don't squeak like

I

it

will

be

did."

see," said Dallas.

"You

for

feel

they've door,

;

and then

for a bit,

dog Let them the

fired

a

something

more

bit

and when

big,

hurl

it

hard at the

and then give a big groan."

" All right!" " They'll feel

sure then, and

come up and

begin to force open the door or the shutters.

Then we must "

Yes

"

And some

let

them have

it."

four barrels at once," said Dallas.

;

seasoning directly after from

our pepper-boxes."

The dog was for

his

fate,

so quiet

but

he and

they lay there

in the

think

about,

else

to

steadily,

now

darkness, had something for

the

and they wondered

there.

Abel trembled companion, as

hib

up some of the miners from

and

that

firing it

went on

did not bring

their claims here

TO WIN OR TO

336

" Surely they're not too

DIE.

cowardly to come to

our help," thought Dallas.

Four shots were as

sion,

the

if

now

fired

in

quick succes-

enemy were anxious

to bring

"Try

matters to an end, and Abel whispered, it

directly they fire again."

"Yes," said Dallas; and directly

after

Abel

heard the handle of the galvanised iron bucket chink

softly.

Then came two more

shots,

and

in

an instant

Dallas dashed the bucket against the door with all

his might, uttered a

heavy groan, and was

silent.

The

firing outside

the ruse had

been successful

young men held for the nearer

they

felt

ceased now, showing that ;

and the two

their breath as they listened

approach of the enemy, which

sure must

now be imminent

;

but they

listened a long time in vain.

At

last,

outside, as

though, the crackling of the snow

from the pressure of a heavy

warned them

that their time

foot,

was coming, and

they lay ready with the muzzles of their pieces

ready to direct at door or window, necessity might arise,

and

the floor by their knees.

as

the

their revolvers on

A DEATH SHRIEK.

337

Which was it to be — door or window ? They would have given years of their lives to know at which to aim, and they felt now what guesswork

it

must

be.

come to the window, I hope," thought Dallas; "and if they do I won't fire "

till

They'll

am

I

sure of winging one of them."

But though they waited, no such opportunity

seemed likely sound at the

to

come,

there was not

for

front after

they

heard the

a

soft

crackling of the snow. All

seemed Dallas

when

once,

at

greater felt

that

the

horrible

suspense bear,

and

he must spring to his

feet,

they

than

could

rush to the door, and begin firing at random,

seemed to both that an icy hand had grasped each of them by the throat. it

It

was another exemplification of the aphorism

that

it is

For

all

the unexpected which always happens. at once, after

silence, there

a long period of perfect

was a peculiar grating sound

the

back of the hut instead of

and

for a

at

at the front,

few moments both the defenders of

the place were puzzled.

Then, as realised

what

the it

sound was.

was

There

repeated,

they

were several

TO WIN OR TO

338

DIE.

pieces of thickish pine-trunk lying outside in the

snow, pieces that had been cut to form uprights? for the

rough shedding over their

These

shaft.

pieces were very rough and jagged with

the

remains of the boughs which had been lopped off so that they

almost

—as

would be as easy

a ladder.

softly placed so that

Two

to climb

of these had been

they lay along the slope

of the roof, and up them one

of the

was cautiously climbing, while was holding them at the foot.

his

" Bel

must grasp not

dared

whisper,

this,"

for

enemy

companion

thought Dallas, who fear

of giving

the

alarm to the enemy and putting them on their guard.

For, cunning enough in the plans that

had been devised, the enemy were about to ignore door and window, and make their approach by the opening

in

the roof through

which the smoke passed.

There was a sort of lid of boards nailed a foot above to prevent the snow from falling straight through, but there was ample

room

for

an active

through the hole full

;

man

to lower himself

down

and, drawing a deep breath

of satisfaction, Dallas changed the direction

of the muzzle of his gun, feeling quite sure

;

A DEATH SHRIEK. who was

that the one

himself

down

feet

339

would lower

to attack

first,

so that the task of

performing vengeance would be

easy as far

men was concerned, and could make sure of him.

as one of the rate they

Dallas waited,

s

way

Abel's

heart

beat

with

heavy

he had been as quick to grasp the

But they had not

of attack as his cousin.

fully

any

teeth gritted softly together as he

and

throbs, for

at

fathomed the enemy's plans, and were

completely taken by surprise.

was only a matter of a few minutes, but it seemed like an hour as the young men strained their eyes in the black darkness, and It

mentally saw one of their foes

up

till

he reached the sloping

he progressed rasping

which

and clung

steadily, the

crunching the

to

climb slowly

roof,

up which

two pieces of tree

the

roof;

thick,

icy

snow

and then fingers

trembled about triggers as the defenders tried to guess at the

opening exactly

in the centre

of where the ridge pole ran.

And now

the

sounds came more plainly

was evidently feeling about for the opening, for a bit or two of snow from the a hand

edge of the hole

—

pieces which had not melted

TO WIN OR TO

34o

away

—

soft

pat,

fell

down amongst

DIE.

the embers with

a

and a low, hissing sound of steam

arose from the hot fire-hole. " "

Now

and

I

he knows exactly," thought Dallas, shall

hear him

We

lower himself down.

he

is

turn

and begin

ought to wait

more than half through before we

to till

fire.

Will Bel think of this?"

He

drew a long breath, for there was a heavy, rustling sound above, as if the man on Then there the roof was altering his position.

came a sharp scratch, for the greater part of a box of matches had been struck all at once. Then there was a brilliant flash of light, the momentary glimpse of a big hairy hand, from which the burning matches began to fall, while the interior of the dark hut was lit up, showing the dog, with eyes glistening and bared teeth,

crouched to spring, and the two young kneeling, each with his

But they did not be madness to

fire,

trust

to

weapon

raised.

feeling that hitting

men

the

it

would

unseen,

hand was too small a target and before they could make up their minds what to do next, two shots were fired from outside, and for the

a cry rang out on the midnight

;

air.

CHAPTER XXXIV. THE STRIKING OF ANOTHER MATCH.

HE

long-silent

dog burst out

into a hoarse

men

bark once more, as the two young knelt there as

died

out

if

paralysed, and the tiny splints

one by one where they had

amongst the wood there

was

sound, hoarse

snow,

w

finally

He

has

scrambling,

struggling

the crunching of the frozen

by the scraping sound as of

sliding

and then a and

cries,

followed

some one

ashes, while from the roof

horrible

a

fallen

dull,

down

the slope of the roof,

heavy thud, a groan or two,

complete silence. it,"

said Dallas hoarsely.

-Hush! Hark!"

cried Abel.

For there was another and another,

till

shot, then

quite a dozen

another,

had rung

each growing more and more distant

;

out,

and as

young men dashed to the door now and threw it open, they saw flashes of light as other the

34*

21

"

TO WIN OR TO

342

Then came

shots were fired.

Some

of the lads heard the firing at

and come "

shouting, voices

one another.

Calling to "

DIE.

last,

to our help/' said Dallas.

Look

out

there's

;

some one coming back,"

whispered Abel. "

him.

Be

ready,

him have

it.

Hah

hear

I

and

enemy

let

dog!

You're not so very bad, then."

For coming

at

a

Good

!

sound of the heavy footsteps

the

at

Bravo

!

an

he's

if

over

trot

snow

creaking

the

Scruff uttered a fierce growl, began to bay

and dashed out " He'll

on

;

"

we

into the darkness.

mustn't leave

it all

Hullo there!" came

voice.

"

have him," said Dallas.

"Good

to him."

in

a cheery, familiar

dog!" and

old

But come

Scruff's fierce

bay changed to a whining yelp of pleasure, while

hearty

Tregelly's

of

cry

"

Ahoy

!

came. "

Ahoy

!

Ahoy

"

was sent out

!

joyfully in

answer, and directly after the big Cornishman

came "

trotting up.

Thank God, my

what about

that chap

sons," he

on the roof?

him down with those two

shots

" ?

"

cried.

Did

I

But

bring

"

THE STRIKING OF ANOTHER MATCH.

"Was men "

"

it

343

you that fired?" cried the young

a breath.

in

Of course. The enemy

the others

come

Who

— we

did you think

did not

to our help,"

know

it

"

was

?

— some

of

was the confused

answer, given in a duet. "

Nay,

it

such a chance lucifers.

I

you

to burn

No

"

—lighting

could

sons

me

he gave

;

up a whole box of

him

see

he

out, wasn't

we were

to see if

;

my

was me,

Going

splendid. ?

dead, and,

not,

if

to fire again." " I'm afraid the other

beggar has got away/'

"But you had some one with you?"

said

Dallas eagerly. " Yes,

it

suppose

so,

but

is

it

I

—

up

you

for

me

—

to

come

early in the night

;

straight

on and get

and

rest

time

I

shanty that

how

I

had

to stop

and have a pipe now and then.

was going I

to

stop

I

things were there. it,

Last

was so near

thought I'd go round by

sledge and crept up to

to

but that blessed sledge

got heavier and heavier, so that

see

plaguy

so

was so long away that I made up mind or something I can't explain made

dark.

my

I

So

I

did

;

my

it,

and

left

the

to find a bit of fire

!

TO WIN OR TO

344

DIE.

smouldering, showing some one lived there

nobody Wdb

when

I

at

home.

got inside

No,

;

but

that isn't right, for

struck a match, and some-

I

body was at home but he didn't live there. Understand ?" " That scoundrel who was bitten by the dog ? " cried Dallas excitedly. ;

"

Was

he there

"

His

mummy

?

"

cried Abel.

was,"

said

Tregelly.

"

I

—

I dunno how they could do it I couldn't. didn't want to live in such company as that. I stayed just as long as the match burned, and

came away as fast as I could. Ugh Those fellows can't be men." it wasn't nice. " And then you came on ? " " Yes, my son. I came along at a horrible crawl, which was getting slower and slower

then

I

;

no use to deny

for

it's

so

much

to carry

it

— us

big chaps have

on one pair of legs that we're

There I was, getting slower and slower, and smoking my pipe, and in a rare nasty temper, cussing away at that sledge for being so heavy, and that old

downright lazy ones.

sleepy that

I

kept dropping off

and waking up again to like

a bit

o'

machinery.

find '

fast as

a top,

myself going on

This won't do/

I

THE STRIKING OF ANOTHER MATCH. says to myself; and that

my a

couldn't

I

down

in

sea.

Then

mean said

I'm blessed

a top

the

all

—chap

if

same

dreamed

I

was French

for

away under

the

wasn't asleep again,

I

me

told

once that didn't

a taupe, which he

a spinning top, but

But that don't

dormouse.

"

No, no," said Abel impatiently.

my

" All right, "

but

Botallack mine, right

matter, do it? "

;

because

long,

about dragging a truck on a tram-line

lot, all

fast as

roused up again, knowing

I

have been asleep

pipe wasn't out

345

You were

Where had

son.

" I

Go

on."

got to

" ?

fast asleep again," said Dallas.

and then something So it was, my son " woke me, and what do you think it was ? "

" (i

;

"

You heard the firing ? Nay I must have yawned

or sneezed, for

;

I'd

my

dropped

pipe

longer that time, and for

I

see

couldn't

although

;

and it

I

s'pose I'd slept

must have been

out,

a spark in the dark, and

my hands and knees, directions with my nose close

went down on

I

and crawled

in all

to the ground, "

What

"

Swore,

did

I

couldn't smell

you do then

my

son,

?

till

myself, and very thankful

" I

I

it."

said Abel.

was ashamed of

was

that

you gents

;

TO WIN OR TO

346

couldn't hear me.

my

ance,

son/

Then

you.'

'

DIE.

They'd drop your acquaint-

said to myself, 'if they heard

I

got up again, and was feeling

I

for the trace, to start off again, thinking a deal

of

my

poor old pipe, when

to myself,

'

firing

'

!

There

two shots together, and "

That was enough

Next minute,

sledge. fired,

of

coming on as

me, so

I

tied

as two

more

slips

on

But

the

shots were

it

went

should be so one-

out a bit."

it

and

on,

you chaps, but

was wide awake

I

enough now, and hadn't come much

when

to

my

could, feeling

I

at

firing

make

Couldn't

sided.

fast as

enemy was

the

that

wondering why the "

says

I

came, leaving the sledge to take care

I

itself

sure

'

two more.

was

it

!

was, plain enough,

after a bit

for

from where

out

rifle

it

Hullo

'

was brought up short by the

I

of guns being cocked, and

farther

clicking

some one says

in

a low voice, 'Stand,' he says, 'or we'll blow

you out of your I

says

' :

who

are you

says the voice o'

skin.'

'

;

who

?

'

'

*

Two

can play at

Norton, and six more,'

are you

?

'

Trevallack, Cornwall, mates,'

man and

true,'

that,'

'

I

says another voice.

Bob Tregelly says. Good Look here, '

'

mate, there's firing going on up at your place

THE STRIKING OF ANOTHER MATCH. we've heard

make '

I

take or

"

ever so long, and couldn't quite

out where

Yes/ ((

it

says,

(

it

was, but itb therefor Certain.'

come on

"

ejaculated Abel.

!

They

did just as

out, while

I

let's

"

" firing.'

on."

and spread

told 'em,

had stopped.

Last ol

up a whole

lit

That was enough

box of matches.

knew him

are

Go

saw that chap's face as he

I

spread out and

crept nigher and nigher, reg'larly

I

puzzled, for the firing all

but

;

make an end of those who

Hah

347

for

me.

I

again."

"

Was

it

"

No,

my

Redbeard son

;

?

" said Dallas excitedly.

I'm sorry to say

wasn't the

it

moose with the finest pair of horns but I had to take what I could get, and I fired. But I've left the sledge out yonder to take care of itself. I hope none o' them ruffians o' street-boys '11 ;

find "

and get helping themselves."

it

Then Redbeard has got away

again," said

Abel.

know yet, my son, till come back. They may have had " Don't

than

I

At

the others better luck

did."

that

moment Scruff

burst out in a deep-

toned bark from the back of the hut. "

Look

out," said Tregelly sharply, as they

""

TO WIN OR TO

348

having reached the

halted,

get a shot "

if

Spread

"

front.

We

may

wounded/'

he's only

and

out,

DIE.

both

take

let's

sides

together."

They

separated in the darkness, and advanced

with finger on trigger, ready to "

"

Stand Stand

"Oh, "Oh, I

shot

!

!

it's

you!"

it's

you!"

my

"Yes,

fire.

son

it's

;

Where's the game

me.

" ?

"We

have not seen him," said Dallas.

He

"

must have crawled away." "

Wounded

beasts

are

dangerous,"

said

Tregelly, " so look out."

"But where's

the

dog?"

said

Abel,

in

"

Hi Scruff! Scruff! sharp bark came from close at hand

hoarse whisper.

A

"

a

!

in

the darkness.

Look here," whispered the big Cornishman "you two get your pieces to your "

;

shoulders and be ready. it

and ((

"

light a match.

Yes."

Then come

on!

I'm going to chance

Ready?

"

CHAPTER XXXV. THE HELP THAT CAME LATE.

HERE

was

a

momentary pause, and

then Scratch went the match, and the tiny flame feebly

great

up

lit

dog

the

sitting

place, at

to

show them the

the edge

of the

shaft,

looking down.

Then "All <(

Let's

the light went nut.

my

right,

go

in

sons," said Tregelly coolly.

and

The and dropped down

get

the

beggar has rolled about, the

we

pit.

can't,

Sorry

t

cover him up.

But

on account of the gold."

came while when

Just then

there

and another,

and held up

men up "Got the

six

we can

lantern.

it

a

hail,

the

and another,

lantern

was

lit

served as a beacon to bring

to the hut door.

one?" cried Tregelly. "No; he got away in the darkness," other

349

said

TO WIN OR TO

35o

"

Norton.

the

one

you

?

He's

down So

about

"

shot at "

what

But

DIE.

yonder,"

said

Tregelly.

" Rolled

into the shaft."

proved, for by the light of the lantern

it

body of one of the marauders was hauled

the up. "

Stone dead," said Tregelly.

"Well,

And

"

it

has saved him from being hanged.

others

from having to do

it,"

j i

said

another. " But no one will

same

the

We

Dallas.

he

is.

It

fellow

till

his mate's in

state," said Tregelly.

"And he soon will we all came in time a

be safe

are

most

"Glad

be," said another.

you two."

to help

gentlemen,"

grateful,

said

"

Leave the unhappy wretch where Come inside, and rest and refresh."

was about

an

gold-seekers

hour

who

when had come to

their

later,

their

help had gone, promising to return next day

and help over the interment of the dead man, that Dallas turned to Tregelly,

who was

seated

with his big arms resting upon his knees, gazing

down

into the cheery fire that

"Sleepy,

Bob?"

had been

lit.

THE HELP THAT CAME LATE. " in

my

Nay,

Never

son.

351

awake

so wide

felt

my life. I'm thinking." "What about?" asked Abel. "

About having

man," said the big

killed a

fellow gravely.

"It was "

I

in self defence," said Dallas.

my

dunno,

Seems

him a chance. "

The wretch was Abel

lives," cried

You

son.

see,

never give

I

rather cowardly.*'

trying

our

destroy

to

hotly.

"Eh?" "

Yes

;

he and his companion had been

at us for long "

enough," said Abel. "

Ah," cried Dallas,

the

dog.

firing

Here,

old

and they did wound

fellow,

look

let's

at

you."

In

effect,

the

dog was

just then licking at

one particular part of his back, and examination little

proved that a bullet had ploughed off a strip of skin.

"Only make

him

sore

"

Poor old chap

pitch to touch

thought of

it

that,

I

!

wish

over for you.

my

sons

"Thought of what?"

a

bit,"

said

examined the dog

Tregelly, after he had turn.

for

"

I'd

But

a bit I

in o'

hadn't

TO WIN OR TO

352

"'Bout him trying to

DIE.

That

you.

kill

didn't

make it quite so bad o' me, did it?" "Bad? It was stern justice, meted

out to

a murderer," said Dallas firmly.

Tregelly looked at him for some moments thoughtfully.

"Of You "

"

Think so ?" he

course!"

didn't

want us

be

to

Lor a mussy me,

why

That's

"And

"and

Abel,

cried

so do

did you

killed,

my

said. I.

" ?

son! of course not.

took aim at him."

I

saved our

Bob/' cried Dallas,

lives,

clapping him hard on the shoulder.

"You you

think,

hadn't

if I

game

then, that they'd

come and stopped

I

"

Hah

feel sure

sons.

their

little

it,"

cried Dallas. ye,

my

feeling a bit uncomfortable,

and

Yes,

!

was

I

of

of

should be having the

I

chap coming to bed to telling

me how but

;

I

good.

I'd

shan't

Hah

!

Thank

course.

beginning to think that

lot o'

settled

? :

"

way

have

me

every night and

shot him

now. I

feel

in

cowardly

a

me

That's done

now

as

if

I

a

should

like a pipe."

The was

big,

amiable, honest face

lightened

by

a

smile

as

lit

he

up,

and

began

THE HELP THAT CAME LATE. searching

and

pockets

his

for

353

tobacco-pouch

his

pipe.

You

"

"

said.

see,

never killed a

I

But you can hardly

More

a man.

man

a chap like that

call

like a wild beast

before," he

—

sort o' tiger."

"It's insulting a wild beast to say so,

"A

cried Dallas warmly.

reaching out

dropped

it

Tregelly,

said

kills

for

What's the matter?"

the sake of food. " Pipe,"

wild beast

Bob,"

the

for

slowly and

rising "

lantern.

out yonder, and

I

told

you

I

somewhere by

it's

the sledge." "

Leave

that

till

daylight,

and

we'll

go with

you. "

Won't be any daylight

and hours

for hours

to come," said Tregelly, putting out the light

and

feeling

that

all

matches.

his

for

time for a pipe.

ought to be brought

"You mean ((

Oh,

yes,

to

"

'Sides,

wait

can't

I

the sledge

in."

go now," said Dallas.

my

son,

I

mean

go

to

now.

'Tarn't so very far."

"All right;

no

we'll

go with him,

Bel.

There's

fear of the other scoundrel being about." "

I

don't

gravely.

know,

"He

my

can't

sons,"

be very

said far

Tregelly

away, and

TO WIN OR TO

354 he's

got his

PVaps

knife

into

DIE.

very deep

us

would be as well

it

if

now.

you stopped

here and got the breakfast ready." " If feel

that

did,"

replied

Dallas,

"

we should

you would never come back

to eat

Eh, Bel?"

it.

"

to

we

Yes

;

I'm going.

keep house

We

must leave Scruff

for us this time."

But the dog did not seem the same light.

to see matters in

One minute he was

finishing lick to his

wound

;

giving a

the next he had

shot out through the open door, barking excitedly,

run

and looking ready to scent out and

down

the last of the savage gang.

CHAPTER XXXVI. BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH. I

DE D

by

Scruff,

was made dog seeming

fairly

correct

for the forsaken

know

to

a

line

sledge, the

exactly what was wanted,

and preventing them from over-running the spot where

had been

it

left.

This was the only thing they dreaded, for the

track

was

— through

not

being beaten

almost obliterated again and again by

snow

;

but

it

was tolerably

winding creek and forest It

falls

now,

familiar

the edge of the

of the

scrubby

forming pretty good guides.

was

still

very dark when they reached the

place,

Scruff uttering a low snuffling whine

but

was not easy to

it

;

find a small object like

a briarwood pipe.

"Must have been somewhere here it,"

said Tregelly.

"If

it

355

I

was daylight

dropped I

should

TO WIN OR TO

356

see

it

directly

the lantern, " It

beard "

on the white snow.

he

Think

like inviting a shot

from Red-

near."

is

so,

Better light

suppose."

I

would be if

DIE.

my

son

"

?

said Tregelly thought-

fully.

"

He

to

make

my

son."

would be almost sure

for his

old lair." "

My

old

you mean,

lair,

"Well, your old

lair,

"

likely/' said the big fellow,

Yes,

it

do seem

then."

"Giving him such a chance Yes, it won't do but I must find to aim at us. Look here, s'pose I go up to my that pipe. rubbing his

ear.

;

hut and see

"Do," and

trap

if

he's there."

"and

said Dallas,

him

"Hoomph!"

if

he

we'll

go with you

there."

is

"I'm feared

grunted Tregelly.

there won't be any trapping,

my

sons.

If he's

there he won't be took without a hard fight.

Hadn't you two better fellows

come back

him and

to

?

finish

let that

be

Then we him

off,

for

till

the other

could lay siege it

must come

to that." "

" It

We

are three to onQ

seems cowardly

Jl }

said Dallas quietly.

to wait for more."

BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH. "Dunno,"

him

fight fair, or I'd tackle

man

he aren't a here,

"No; go

my

you

He may

to the hut.

fled far

"

I

dunno,

my

son.

you two run bad o'

"We

on.

"Let's

Dallas.

Perhaps

not be there.

enough."

beat for his old shelter,

pipe

it

pipe." not," said

shall

take

let's

bee,

Look

savage beast. ;

don't

You

rnyhelfi

we've got the sledge

go without

I'll

he's a

;

"He

companion.

said their

357

He'd run when he was and I don't like making

risks just

because

want a

I

bacca."

do not look

said Dallas firmly.

at "

it

in that light,

This man

Bob,"

our mortal

is

enemy, who seems determined to have our lives out of revenge, and it is our duty to save those lives at his expense.

has passed tiger this

I

look upon him as a sort of

whose claws must be drawn.

human

Let's take

opportunity of capturing the brute.

go together and draw shall

his

After what

his fire

;

We'll

or perhaps

we

be able to see and disable him without

being able to do us any mischief.

Tregelly shook his head solemnly. " Chaps like that, with their lives

hands, are

all

eyes,

and when they

in

their

aren't

22

all

TO WIN OR TO

358

eyes they're

my I

sons

all ears.

him

while the

fire

he's I

may be ((

and

may

dark

the

help us

;

gone back there and roused up

make

can

got to be

we've got a chance

feeling that

now,

if

don't like this business,

I

but what you say's quite right, and

;

can't help

at

DIE.

and

done,

There,

sure of him.

we

if

leave

it's

the job

it

worse."

Yes, perhaps much."

my

" That's so,

We

son.

with the knowledge

about

always close at hand,

shall

that

have to go

that fellow's

marking us down

for

a shot." " Better

seize this (i

hoarsely.

I

opportunity," said Abel

feel as if

we may master him

now." a

What do you

say,

Mr. Dallas

?

"

asked

Tregelly.

my

"

I

"

Good, then,

sons

say as

cousin does.

"

Of

"

Not because

"

No

come

go

on'y

;

we're going because

:

not

we'll

Let's try."

it's

mind

this,

my

our dooty."

course."

;

I

want a pipe."

you have already proved that you do

wish on."

to

be

selfish,"

said

Dallas,

"so

BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH. " Nay,

my

" It'b

fellow.

You'd go

and he'd have

door,

That won't do chance, and

means

Don't

me. "

make him shoot

But what

is

first

random, which

at

follow

then,

good chance."

unless you get a

fire

to the

must get

Now

all.

up

right

We

me.

for

know every

I

chance of a shot.

first

nothing at

at

cried the big

sons/'

shanty, and

of the way.

step

my

lead,

I'll

359

your plan, Bob?" said Dallas

eagerly.

Get him to fire, my son, and then go him before he has time to load again." "

The with

w

lantern

every

;

with the sledge, and

left

now upon

nerve

two young men followed panion,

at

who gave them

the

their

strain

the

com-

sturdy

but few words as to

their proceedings.

" Don't

be

a

in

hurry

when you get Now, tread have it. " but

The Abel's

distance

heart

to

your softly,

chance,

said,

him

let

and come on."

was comparatively

beat fast

he

fire,"

and

short,

loud,

as,

and

upon

passing through a thick clump of pines, there in front fire

hut.

of them

through

the

shone the

open

light

door

of a

wood

of Tregelly's

TO WIN OR TO

360

The owner

stopped short and whispered.

''He's there,'

made up "

DIE.

1

he said, "the

has been

fire

n

But he^must have been and gone,"

"

The door

"

Dallas.

His

" It's so as

throw dust

wide open."

is

he can hear our coming, and in

so look out/'

crept cautiously on, abreast

hand on notice,

trigger, front,

ready to or

right,

the danger appeared

;

from

left,

in

spite of every

from the open door they stopped better

wherever

but the icy snow crackled

and when they were about

that the

now and

a moment's

fire at

beneath their heavy boots, care,

to

He's there, or else

our eyes.

outside waiting for us,

They

Cornishman.

the

said

artfulness,"

said

way would be

forward, for their approach

thirty yards short, feeling

to step

boldly

must have been

heard.

But did,

to

still

that

Tregelly hesitated, feeling, as he

the peril

was very great

them

advance into the light thrown from the

open door, when the be

for

a repetition of his

result

own

would probably shot a

kw

hours

before.

"Open

out,"

he whispered suddenly, "and

BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH. keep away from the side

whistle It

was

two

you

;

we'll

light.

I'll

the

left,

take

left

black by

huge

band of ruddy

to

Striking of£ then,

to

they had one glimpse of

and then the broad from the door cut off

form, light

well

everything, while

approached

it

felt

shadow, which looked intensely

contrast,

Tregelly's

I

Tregelly

and Abel

and Dallas

into the

and when

disputation.

for

be their duty to obey. the

take the right

rush in together."

all

was no time leader,

361

nearer

upon

and

guard they

their

nearer,

feeling

that

Tregelly must be nearing the building at about

same rate. It was a task which,

the

short distance, feel

as

if

nearly touch

stretching

so

that

Dallas breathe hard, and

he was so close that he could

the rough trunks which formed

the thick

wall,

out

the

like

thatching of pine boughs the roof of a

darkness

seemed

where they stood waiting

seemed as

And

of the extremely

he were going through some great

exertion, before

the

made

in spite

if it

verandah,

more

intense

for the signal

which

would never come.

as Dallas stood in the

popping and crackling

deep silence the

of the burning

wood

TO WIN OR TO

362

came out of while

clear,

it

in

At

him that Abels hoarse and loud as that of

seemed

breath sounded as

one

doorway sharp and

open

the

DIE.

to

a deep sleep.

last

!

a

chirruping

clear, sharp,

Abel and Tregelly darted

into

trill,

the

light

urged forward by the same spring,

if

moment

Dallas stood for the

and

petrified

as

while

— unable

For from the upright logs close to which he stood a great hand seemed to dart out, holding him fast, while simultaneously another hand struck him a tremendous blow upon the to

stir.

shoulder.

He

closed with

his assailant, but the

moment he was hurled

to the ground.

As, half stunned by his to his feet, there

fall,

Dallas struggled

was a heavy trampling heard

as of one escaping in the darkness

snowy

and

ground,

next

the

at

same

over the

moment

Tregelly and Abel appeared at the door in the full light

of the

fire.

"

Where

"

Here, here!" panted Dallas.

are you, lad

" Hah-! " cried " fire

?

"

shouted the former.

Tregelly.

" Fire,

my

lad,

!

Two more

shots

rang out

in

the direction

BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH.

363

of the retiring steps, with the result that there

wdb a sudden cessation of the sounds directly

the

of

two more shots were

after

and

darkness,

couple

a

,

but

fired

out

of

bullets

whistled through the open doorway. In an instant Tregelly and Abel sprang to right

and

and

left,

fired

again in the direction

of the flashes they had seen. "

sound

faint

heard.

my

"

lads.

was

him

Missed

it,

of

"

growled Tregelly,

!

retreating

He's too

many

Waste

powder and

of

was

steps

the

as

again

Don't

for us.

shot.

fire,

How

Mr. Dallas?"

There was no

Dallas standing close

reply,

by breathing hard, with

his

hand pressed upon

his shoulder.

"Are you

was

for his cousin "

Yes,

Dal?"

there,

yes,

cried

invisible

I'm

here,"

Abel anxiously,

in

said

the darkness. Dallas,

in

a

strange tone of voice.

"What

is

it,

my sen?"

cried

Tregelly

anxiously. " I'm afraid

to recover his

I'm hurt," said Dallas, stooping rifle.

"

He

struck

shoulder with his right hand, and is

numbed.

I

can

feel

me on the

the

place

nothing there but a

TO WIN OR TO

364

smarting pain is

but

;

DIE.

and the

bleeds,

it

cloth

cut.

Tregelly caught him up in his arms as

were a

bore him

child,

him on the bed, and

the

into

if

threw

hut,

so

off his jacket

tore

he

as to expose the place to the light. "

he has knifed

Yes,

Tregelly hoarsely

He

meant

it,

"

;

my

you,

but

it's

said

son,"

a mere scratch.

though, but reached over a

bit

too far."

"You

are saying

"He

Dallas excitedly.

to

this

calm me,"

me

struck

said

a tremen-

dous blow."

my

" Yes,

I'm

his wrist.

simple "

I'm

truth.

"

a

;

it I

It's

the

worth tying up." "

sighed Dallas.

crack

have

Did

No

isn't

but

I

suppose

the horror of

it

a dog."

feel sick as

Such

must have been with

cheating you.

not

!"

it

of a coward,

a bit

you would son.

but

;

It

Thank God

made me "

son

he must have given

as

made

me

feel

sick,

my

knock you down?" closed

with him, but he tripped

and threw me heavily." "

Well, that would

son, without

make you

anything

else.

feel

sick,

my

Here, on with

"

BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH. your jacket again, and darkness.

and pot

hurried

listening "

standing here."

us,

They

but

;

Now

get out into the

let's

asking the beggar tu cume

like

It's

365

out

all

then,"

directly

was

after,

to

still.

Tregelly,

said

"

we'd

make our way home

get the sledge and

what do you think

stand

of

my

best ;

but

gentleman now

?

Oughtn't we to scrunch him like one would a blackbeetle

"Yes/* time

" ?

said

we

can.

"and the first But where's the dog? Can

Abel

fiercely,

that be he in the distance

A

sounded cession, still

baying sound,

faint

for

like

revolver

began again.

followed

shots,

by what

several in suc-

Then once more all was few moments, when the firing

was heard. a

?

CHAPTER XXXVIL "WHEN SLEEP a

H

13

MASTER.

EAR that?" cried Abel excitedly. scoundrel

The

!

ruffian

"

He's

!

The

firing

at the dog." ((

Yes,

my

son," said Tregelly quietly

;

"

and

I'm not surprised, for old Scruff can be pretty nasty a

when he

likes."

But you don't

stir.

Are we

going

to

stand here and listen to that poor brute being "

murdered? " It would be about madness

my he

son," said Tregelly, coolly isn't likely to hit

A

few minutes

to ;

"

go after him, and after all,

the dog in the dark."

later

and as they were about

they found the sledge, to

start,

Dallas kicked

against something hard, which went spinning

along the ice-covered snow. i i

it

What's that?" he

must be your

said.

* >

pipe. 366

"Why,

Tregelly,

WHEN SLEEP a "

Yes.

IS

MASTER.

struck against me,"

It

367

cried Abel.

Here it is," he added in triumph. " Hooroar " cried Tregelly. "Now,

my

that fine,

Why,

sons.

comes

old Scruff

if

call

I

!

back and says he's killed Master Redbeard, be about as pleasant a time as

this'll

But how's your arm, Master Dallas

spent.

" Smarts, all.

I

ever

I

and

feels

wretched and numb,

" ?

that's

can help pull the sledge."

" All right,

the line a jerk

immovable,

my ;

son," cried Tregelly, giving

but in vain, for the sledge was

the

runners being frozen to the

surface of the snow.

"

I

say

;

think

that."

o*

Dallas and Abel gave the sledge a wrench, set

at

it

and

liberty,

it

smoothly on,

glided

Tregelly insisting on dragging

it

all

way

the

back to the hut, where they shut themselves

and then prepared an early breakfast

in,

before

;

but

was ready there was a familiar thump

it

on the rough door, and Scruff was admitted, apparently free from fresh injuries, for he gave

an intelligent look, and then seated himself

all

by the

fire to lick

and going i i

I

a

wish

Do

it

his

wound, before curling up

to sleep. I

could do that," said Dallas.

without the

curl,"

said

Tregelly,

TO WIN OR TO

368

DIE.

man who

" It's the best thing for a

smiling.

has had such a shake as yuu have." "

No,

"

He

" but

no.

won't

The

may come

ruffian

come

yet,

my son,"

he should think

if

another

call,

it

back."

said Tregelly;

best

give us

to

don't you be uneasy

;

we'll

wake

you up."

A

quarter of an hour later Dallas was fast

and

asleep,

Abel

looked

up

Tregelly

at

inquiringly.

"Is the sleep natural " "

?

'

he whispered.

Yes why shouldn't it be ? " was the reply, It seems so strange, after the excitement ;

we have been through during

the last twenty-

four hours." "

Done

up,

wants

rest."

"

I

the

But

my

son

;

regular exhausted, and

could not sleep, knowing as

enemy might

I

attack us at any time.

do that

Think

of the danger." "

I

wonder you ever went

to sea, then,

son," said Tregelly, good-humouredly.

my

"There's

always danger of the ship sinking; and yet you suppose, every night, and

went

to your berth,

slept

soundly enough, didn't you

"

Of course."

I

? :

WHEN "

And

111

SLEEP

IS

MASTER.

be bound to say you go to sleep

369 this

morning before long." "

Not

Impossible,"

I.

touch of contempt

in

said

Abel, with

a

his tone.

But Tregelly was the better judge of human nature, and before an

weariness,

the

fire

the

hour had passed away,

warmth of conquer, and Abel

darkness, and

had combined

to

the

sank sidewise on the rough packing-case which

formed

his

easy chair, and slept soundly

till

the short daylight had passed, and they were well

on towards the evening of another day.

CHAPTER

XXXVIII.

THE RED GLOW.

WEARY with leading the

the

"

I

to

adventurers

working

labourers

by,

in

a

win just a bare existence

soil.

would not care so much

safe," said Dallas

scoundrel

that

month passed

after

indefatigable

of

life

terrible climate

from the

month

;

"

we

if

could feel

but big as the country

seems

to

be always on

is,

our

track." "

He

"He

he do,

do,

my

means paying us

" Well,

we

when

fortunes.

we

Let's

right

Tregelly.

while strike

make a bold

no more now than are

others right

up

stroke

and give that scoundrel the

The

said

off."

are doing

started,

mountains,

son,"

for

making into

the

fortune,

slip."

was made, the little party striking away into one or other of the lonely start

370

:

THE RED GLOW.

was always the gold was no inure plentiful, and northward

valleys running

the bdine

life,

;

but

it

ample proof that enemy, who seemed to have a charmed again they had

again and their

371

was

still

following them.

had

disappointment

Constant

been

their

and a general feeling of being utterly

portion,

worn out was dulling

their efforts,

when toward

the close of a dreary day Tregelly exclaimed "

Look

my

here,

sons

I

;

think we've seen

the end of that red-headed ruffian at last."

I

wish

could think so," said Dallas.

"

I

"

No," said Abel

I

Bah

you're

!

"

Tregelly.

I

"

we

shall see

be the death of us

feel that he'll

"

;

the

in

feel that

again.

all."

dumps again/

said

we must have completely

given the scoundrel the slip by our I'm not one of your grumbling sort, "

him

move.

last

am

No, Bob, no," said Dallas sadly.

I

"

I

?"

envy

you the calm patience and perseverance you possess

>i

The Cornishman "

but

Did it's

possess, all

laughed.

my

son.

used up to the

I

did have a

last scrap,

lot,

and I'm

regularly done."

Abel looked

at

him

in surprise,

but Dallas

"

TO WIN OR TO

372

DIE.

seemed too dejected to notice anything, and sat forward, haggard and staring, with his eyes

upon

fixed

their struggling

fire.

"Well, don't you believe me?" said Tregelly. "

always believe what you say, Bob

I

;

but

mean now." Well, then, 1*11 soon make

I

don't understand what you

You

li

my

don't?

son.

It's like this

in a cage, galloping

never getting a

:

I

you,

feel just like a squirrel

on over miles of wire and

bit farther, or like

one of those

chaps on the old-fashioned treadmill,

who were

always going upstairs, but never got to the top." "

Look

here,"

said

suddenly from his seat

Dallas, in

up

springing

the rough

shelter

made with pine boughs, where they had been now for some days, while they tried the banks of a tiny creek, one of many which they had followed to their sources in their daring quest.

"This be

?

back help,

is

no time

Shall to

we

for idle talk;

retreat at once,

the main river, where

and perhaps save our

which

and

is it

try to get

we may

lives, or

to

go on

find ?

There was a dead silence, and then a gust of wind swept down the narrow valley, laden with fine,

dusty snow, evidently a forerunner of a

wintry storm.

THE RED GLOW. we

" If

"

we

start

373

back now/' said Abel

at last,

are not sure of reaching the settlement

before the winter sets in."

"And if we do we've nothing left to live upon, my sons. You see, those last supplies emptied the bag, and we've never settled down

You both

since.

mouse/ a

said,

'

Let

it

be a man or a

"

And you

said

'All right/" cried

Dallas

angrily. "

So

I

turn out

my

did,

men

son

;

but

I

hoped we should

instead of mice/'

"we must

" Well," said Dallas bitterly,

find fault with

We

one another.

Go

did our best." "

" That's true," said Tregelly.

not

Hear, hear. "

What were you going to say ? " That I have had it my own way for long enough, but now I'll give up to you two. There's on.

no gold worth getting here, so '

Let's

make

a dash back for

if

life

you both say, before

shut in by the winter that seems to be

on early/ I'm ready, and fight for

"And

we'll

We

are

coming

make a brave

it."

if

we

say,

'

No

!

fight for the stuff to the last' i t

we

will

not

look

Let's go

on and

— what then

back,"

cried

" ?

Dallas, 23

TO WIN OR TO

374

DIE.

stepping outside, to stand gazing, with a

far-

off look ni his eyes, straight along the narrow

ravine running up into the savage-looking snow-

covered mountains.

"Go

enthusiasm

cousin's

his

who seemed

on," said Abel,

as

he

to catch

stood there,

gradually growing whitened by the fine drifting

snow.

"Goon?" head

;

said Dallas, without turning his

" well,

go on.

let's

be up yonder, where

it

The

must

gold

crumbles or

is

ground

out of the rocky mountains, to be washed, in

down

the course of ages,

the streams into the

gravel and sand."

"Ay,

my

there must be plenty of

it

up yonder,

son," said Tregelly, stepping out to shade

and gaze upward towards the wilderness of mountains to the north, probably never

his eyes

yet trodden "

Then

—

No

well,

one

find it is

will

be found. you, Bel

foot of

say, as

I

go on and fail

by the

I

man.

we have come

it,"

cried Dallas;

down

only lying

know, feel as

for if

far,

"and

let's

if

we

at last to sleep

our bones I

so

can't

will

go back

!

never

— and

" ?

For answer Abel

laid

his

hand upon

his

THE RED GLOW. cousin's shoulder,

375

and stood gazing with him

into the dimly seen, mysterious land, just ab,

high up, one of the snowy summits suddenly

grew bright and flashed in the feeble sunshine which played upon it for a few minutes before the snow-clouds closed in again.

And

one bright gleam had inspired

as if the

him, Tregelly began to whistle softly. "

Look here thing up when win or to die " "

And And

'

!

he

"

cried, "

never say pitch a

there's a bit of is

my

motto

hope

(

left.

To

" !

mine," cried Dallas, enthusiastically.

mine," said Abel, in a

soft,

low,

dreamy

voice. "

Then

look here," said Tregelly;

got enough to give us

all

"we've

a small ration

for

seven days, so lets load up one sledge and

Then we can

leave the others.

take

it

in turns

and push right on up into the mountains with nothing to hinder us. shelter

Snow

don't

when you've plenty of

make a bad

blankets,

t

and

now.

Old Redbeard never could have come up here he must have gone off by one of the side gulches, and got there's nothing

to

fear

;

round and back to where he can rob some one else."

TO WIN OR TO

376 "

Yes

DIE.

we must have passed him days

;

ago/'

said Dallas.

"Very

we can

well, then,

sleep

all

nights

o'

without keeping watch/'

"And we

can push on and on, just trying

with

the rocks

wherever we

hammer

the

here and there

find a place clear of ice."

my

" That's the way,

son,

and who knows

we may shoot

but what

a bear or something else to keep us going for another week, eh ?"

nodded

Abel

could

not

;

marked

in

their

haggard

in the shelter of the

faces,

dwarfed pines around

be necessary to take on hope expedition, and with it the felt

plainly

they set to

and packed one sledge with

them,

himself

trust

and then, with determination

to speak

work

— he

to

all

forlorn

this last

they

of their

dwindling store of food. " There,"

narrow

gully,

tions, "

how

Dallas,

cried

pointing

as they finished their

we

could

as that before us

up

prepara-

despair with such a sign

" ?

His companions stood and looked up direction

that

the

indicated,

in the

where the transformation

had taken place was wonderful.

An

hour before

they had gazed through

THE RED GLOW.

dusty snow at forbidding crags and

drifting,

wintry

377

For a few minutes

desolation.

that

one peak had flashed out hopefully, but only

away

fade

to

literally

to

be a grotto-like palace of precious

stones, set in frosted silver

mountains blazed

and burnished gold the

in

last

the setting sun with the hues of the fied into

"

;

rays of

iris

magni-

one gorgeous sheen.

Yes, that looks as

land at

eyes

their

ached with the dazzling splendour of

what seemed for the

now

while

again,

my

last,

something

like

reading the

'

if

we'd got to the golden " It's

sons," said Tregelly.

what one has dreamed of 'Rabian Nights';

after

only you see

they aren't fast colours, and they won't wash." "

Never mind,"

said Dallas

;

"

we know

the gold must be there, and we'll find

it

that yet.

"

Ready ? For answer Tregelly picked up the and was about to pass

it

trace,

over his head, but

he paused and looked round. "

Here/'

dog ?

he cried

;

"

where's

that

there

"

Abel went into the rough shelter they had made, to find Scruff curled up fast asleep beneath one of the skins they were going to

TO WIN OR TO

378

leave behind

DIE.

but he sprang up at a touch, and

;

trutted out to take his pld.ce

by Tregelly, who

harness

over the sturdy

slipped

his

slight

animals head. " "

No

shuffling now,

my

son/' he said merrily.

You're stores, you know, and

you

to eat

Forward

!

when

we

shall

the rest of the prog

we're going to do

it

now."

is

want done.

CHAPTER XXXIX. THE LAST BIVOUAC.

H ORTE N NG

and

days

I

shortening

distances in and out of the wild ravine,

where the water ran

along

trickling merrily

in

the brief sunny hours, but froze hard again at night.

Every

reach than the

to

was more

halting-place jlast,

and climbing up the bed was as often

slippery sides of the stream

the

means of progression

The though in it

as the simple tramp.

grew more weight was really

sledge its

a mechanical

way

all

difficult

to

difficult

less

and

less

draw, :

but

joined hands in getting

over masses of rock, or through cracks where

at times

became wedged

it

could not be

left

at

when

the

made,

little

last

fast.

behind, loaded as

the links which held

And

in

them

to

the brief day

shortest journey

it

For it was with

life.

came of

all

to

an end,

had been

more than a mile along the narrow 379

TO WIN OR TO

380

with

rift

its

often perpendicular sides,

climb

where

way had been one

of the

the greater part

constant

DIE.

rock-burdened

over the

bed

of the stream, whose sources were somewhere in the

apparently as far away as

region,

icy

when they started on They had halted in

their journey.

a narrow amphitheatre

of rocks, on one side of which lay a shelf dotted

with dwarf pines, thick, sturdy, and old,

having shed their

and

displaying

needles

last

now

nothing

many

years before,

but thin bare

trunks and a few jagged, weather-worn boughs.

Snow had

heavily

fallen

in

the

mountains

during the previous night, and the side of the

amphitheatre at the back of the shelf

to

which

they had dragged the sledge was glazed with

where the snow above had melted in the warm mid-day rays, and frozen again and again. It was bitter winter all around as the short ice,

day began to close of wood, and they

next day

it

in felt

would be

but there was plenty

;

if

they climbed higher

into the region of wiry

heaths and moss.

Quite instinctively, axe

weary three made to.

cut

for the

in

hand, each of the

dead wood and began

and break down the

brittle

boughs.

-

**w

.-."n.

<**%>

V*

^

L

Tl

M L

rf

THE LAST BIVOUAC. "

Ay,

that's right,

my

sons," said Tregelly,

with the ghost of a smile fire

if

is

it

The

;

was reflected

and he nodded

;

in a

these

;

against the icy

till

Then

a

the smallest

communicated with the

a very short time there was a

larger,

and

in

roaring

fire,

whose heat was

glazed surface of the rock,

around and run off till

rock, on

— only went

of the broad shelf.

match was struck and sheltered twigs caught

face,

mechanical fashion, and

wood was heaped up

wall at the back

all

Dallas's

in

but he did not speak

on hacking away

melt

have a good

" let's

to be the last."

smile

the small

383

reflected

from the

making the snow there was dry bare

one piece of which,

in the

full

warm

up and went to sleep. Outside the snow lay deep and high, as it had been drifted in the heavy fall, forming a good shelter from the wind and by a liberal glow, Scruff curled

;

use of their axes the dwarf

down proved for

that

they cut

when laid in a while when no longer

a good shelter

curve on the other side,

wanted

firs

that

purpose they would be free

from the clinging snow and more

fit

Roof there was none save the spangled with myriads of stars

;

to burn.

frosty

sky,

but the weary

TO WIN OR TO

384

DIE.

There was

party paid no heed to that want.

the

fire,

pass

and

due time the

in

and

round,

the

of hot tea to

tin

roughly

made

bread.

They seemed to want no more, only to lie down and rest in the warmth shed by the crackling wood to take a long, long rest, and wake where ? The question was silently asked by each of

—

—

his

inner

self

answered, needed.

again

and

no

answer

for

The

weary,

long was at an end.

and

failed

;

wanted was

again,

seemed

true gold after

and forgetfulness

head

fire

;

and he

slightly raised,

distorted

and

rose and

be

—

;

all

they

peace, the

all.

Sleep was long coming to

though he was

to

weary day two years They had worked well

they could do no more rest

never

but

full

gazing

lay

Dallas,

there

at the

weary

with

his

weird scene,

of strange shadows, as the

fell.

There lay, big and heavy, the sturdy friend and companion in so many adventures, just as and close by, poor Abel, he had lain down the most unfortunate of the party, so near that he could rest his hand upon the rough ;

coat of the dog.

THE LAST BIVOUAC. "

Poor

Bel

" !

mused

Dallas

385

how

" ;

un-

"

fortunate he has been

!

But the next minute he was thinking of

how

the troubles of the past

trivial

comparison with

be

in

of

them

down

all.

to sleep

to

— the greatest trouble

For though they had all lain so calmly, and with the simple

friendly good-night,

was

this

seemed

for the last

they had

and that

time,

felt

all

that

their

it

weary

labours were at an end.

"All a mistake

—a

vain empty dream of a

golden fortune/' Dallas said to himself.

was brave and strong, but

idea

romance of a boy.

made by one

well,

mistakes

was the

by

how

patient,

that

work

hard work, shall

bring

and then by constant application.

forth fruit,

Ah,

The

Fortunes are not to be

stroke, but

long thought as to

it

"

we

are not the

— not the

the simple

first

first

to

make such

to turn our backs

substance to

upon

grasp at the great

shadow."

He

lay gazing sadly at

the

crackling

fire,

whose flames danced, and whose sparks eddied into spirals air

;

and flew upwards on the heated

and then with eyes half closed he watched

the glowing embers as the great pieces of

wood

TO WIN OR TO

386

became incandescent. into

the

contempt

fire

with

a

He dull

DIE.

was

still

feeling

for himself, seeing

gazing

of pitying

imaginary caverns

and ravines of burnished gold, when with a sigh upon his

lip as

he thought of the simple-

hearted, loving mother at

home

for those

who would never

threshold again, sleep

upon the

watching and waiting

came

half-closed eyelids,

cross the

to press

and

all

heavily

was blank.

CHAPTER

XL.

THE SOLID REALITY.

STRANGE

feeling of stiffness

so painful that for

and cold

some moments Dallas

could not move, but lay gazing straight before

him

at the

heap of ashes, which gave forth a

dull glow, just sufficient at

times to show the

curled-up form of the great dog, and beyond him,

rolled

up

a

like

mummy

and perfectly

Abel, just as he had last seen him before

still,

was so dark that he could not see Tregelly, and he lay trying in vain to make him out. he closed his eyes.

His head was

dull

It

and confused, as

slept foragreat.length of time,

would not

run

straight

;

and

but

if

he had

his thoughts

every train of

thought he started darted off into some side track which he could not follow,

had

to

come back

to

and he always

where he had made

start. 387

his

TO WIN OR TO

388

There

was

it

up the

piled

DIE.

—some time ago, when they had to a great height

fire

might burn long and well while they painlessly

that

;>o

and without more trouble

it

sank

all

into the

sleep of death.

And now

by slow degrees he began to grasp

what seemed

be the

to

fact,

that while

his

companions, even the dog, had passed away,

he was once more unfortunate, and had come back, as

it

were, to

life,

to

more misery, weariness, and

He

shivered,

and

go alone through despair.

strangely

inconsistent

worldly thoughts began to crawl in upon him.

He

felt

he must thrust the unburned pieces of

pine-wood closer together, so that they might catch It

fire

and burn and radiate some more

was so dark,

too, that

he shuddered, and then

lay staring at the perpendicular

the

fire

—the wall

over-night, as

if

but

wall

that looked so icy

now

heat.

beyond

and

cruel

dim, black, and heavy,

about to lean over and crush them

all

out

of sight.

Yes, he ought, he knew, to thrust the un-

burned embers together and put on more wood, so as to

make a

the energy to

cheerful blaze stir.

He

;

but he had not

wanted another rug

THE SOLID REALITY. over him

;

but to get

it

he would have had to

crawl to the sledge, and he was too

much numbed

Besides, he shuddered at the idea

move.

to

389

of casting a bright light upon his surroundings, for

he

felt

that

would only reveal the features

it

of his poor comrades hardened into death.

And in the

to

it

was

darkness,

give

moan

so

way

enough the numb sensation began

that

till

to

acute

he lay

for long

which made him

pain,

with anguish and mentally ask what he

had done that he should have been chosen to remain there and go through

all

that horror

and despair again.

The natural man in times tells

self

of

himself that

a river or pool to

next

moment

is

stronger than the educated

A

crisis. all

is

end

despairing wretch

over, his

and plunges into

weary

the nature within

struggle hard to preserve the

life

;

but the

him begins

life

to

the trained

being has tried to throw away. It

ment

was so here.

at last, turned over,

burned, fully it

Dallas

still

made

move-

and picked up a

half-

smouldering piece of pine, pain-

raked others together with

on the

a quick

top,

it,

and threw

glad to cower over the

warm

embers, for the heat thrown out was pleasant.

TO WIN OR TO

39°

As he

sat there after raking the ashes

together, and getting closer,

warmth

DIE.

strike

up

the rug he had

was

it

to feel the

and

into his chilled limbs,

drawn round

more fill

his shoulders with

a gentle glow.

Soon

after,

the

collected

burn, and a faint tongue

danced,

went

and

out,

embers began

of flame flickered

flickered,

up again,

illuminating the darkness sufficiently to

make

to

let

him

out that the banked up snow had largely

melted, and that Tregelly had

from where he had Dallas's,

side,

lain,

crawled away

and come over

to his,

apparently to place his heavy

bulk as a shelter to keep off the bitter wind

young companion. There was something else,

from

his

not recognise as

down

too,

which he did

having seen before he lay

—something dark where the bank of snow

had been, which had wonderfully melted away in the fierce

glow of the

fire

;

for that sheltering

bank had been so big before.

What did it matter to one who was suffering now the agonising pangs of hunger to augment those of cold

?

But the sight of the big motionless figure dimly

seen

by

the

bluish

flickering

light

THE SOLID REALITY.

391

appealed strongly to the sufferer, and something

thought

sob

a

like

rose

Tregelly's

of

throat

his

to

as

patient

brave,

he

ways,

and the honest truth of his nature.

These

feelings

were

to

sufficient

urge him

forward from where he crouched, to go and lean

over the recumbent figure and lay a hand

upon the big clenched

fist

drawn across the

breast of the dead. It

was a hand of

ice,

and with a piteous sigh

Dallas drew back and crept to where Abel lay rolled in his rugs.

died out, and Dallas

felt

The

it

Just then the dancing flame

was

in the pitchy

darkness that

for his cousin's face.

next

moment he

uttered

a

cry,

and

there was a quick rustling sound as of something

leaping to

its

Then

feet.

the dog's cold nose

touched his cheek, and there was a low whine

by

of satisfaction,

followed

scuffling as the

dog transferred

a

panting

and

his attentions

to Abel. "

And

Dallas

;

we're both

left

half groaned

but the dog uttered a joyous bark, and

he sprang painfully to gruff voice growled "

alive/'

Now,

his feet, for a familiar

:

then, what's the matter with you,

24

my

TO WIN OR TO

392

And

son?"

gashly

!

Bob

" !

faltered Dallas.

Wait a bit, my son, How's Mr. Wray?"

"You, Master Dallas? and

How

then: "Fire out?

"

dark "

DIE.

get the

I'll

fire

going

There was a weary groan, and Abel said " Don't dreamily don't wake me. How

—

:

How

cold!

cold!"

Tregelly sighed, but

said

nothing for the

moment, exerting himself the while

in trying

to fan the flickering flame into a stronger glow,

and with such success that the horrible

feeling

of unreality began to pass away, with

accom-

its

panying confusion, and Dallas began

to realise

the truth. "

I

—

said at

I

thought you were lying there dead," he

last.

"Oh,

no,

Tregelly,

my

who

son; I'm

still

my

more

to eat,

fire;

"but

eyes again.

melt some snow over the

scrap or two

enough," said

bent over the

never thought to open I

'live

fire ?

There

and when

it's

I

Shall is

a

light

we might p'r'aps shoot something. But I say, we must have slept for an awful long time, for we made a tremendous fire, and the snow's melted

all

about wonderful."

"

THE SOLID REALITY. "Yes, wonderfully," said Dallas,

393

who crouched

there gazing at the figure where the bank of

snow had been. " It's

my

belief that

we've slept a good four-

and-twenty hours, and that

it's

night again."

-Think so?" i(

I

my

do,

believe.

I

Why,

away. leapt

"

I

and

how

say,

"

hullo

!

it's

the

to-morrow night,

he shouted, as the flames

don't know," faltered Dallas it

I

snow has melted

" who's that

up merrily now,

at first 14

son,

" ? ;

"

I

thought

was you."

Not a dead

'un

?

"

whispered Tregelly

in

an awestruck tone.

"Yes; and whoever

it

was must have been

buried in that bank of snow, so that

we

did not

see him last night.

Tregelly drew a burning brand from the

gave

a

it

wave

in

the air to

make

it

fire,

blaze

and stepped towards the recumbent

fiercely,

figure lying there.

Hi Look here, my son," he cried. " No wonder we didn't see him come back." Dallas grasped the fact now, and the next moment he too was gazing down at the fierce "

face,

!

icily

sealed

in

death, the light playing

TO WIN OR TO

394

DIE.

upon the huge red beard, while the eyes were fixed in a wild stare.

"Hah!"

ejaculated

my

no more mischief now, he doing here

man

to choose for his

safe,

I

Only

suppose.

But what was

son.

Rather a

?

do

"He'll

Tregelly.

chilly

place

for a

Thought he was

lair.

look."

For a few moments Dallas could not drag eyes from the horrible features

his

enemy, about which the dog was But

a puzzled way.

where

at

last

Tregelly was waving

he the

of their

sniffing

in

turned

to

great

fire-

brand, which shed a bright light around. " It

was

Tregelly.

all

"

Look

here,

night

last

son

;

us,

and what's he done

he spent

lives.

Flour,

bag

Sugar.

he's

?

this

when we melted away. Why,

with snow it's

Master Dallas," growled

his den,

?

—

choose

to

lit

the

only

Why,

and

look,

my

fellows'

live

What's

this is all his

in

all

do

for

all

our

in

that

plunder as

There's his

huts.

But what a place alone

!

thought he'd have had a shelter. not going to die just yet."

covered fire,

he's saved

bacon, coffee.

gun, too, and his pistol. to

all

his time trying to

all

robbed from

was

You'd

ha'

Here, I'm

THE SOLID REALITY.

A wave

seemed

who picked up

great fellow, sheltered

energy

of

him during the

395

inspire

to

the

the rug that had

and gave Dallas

night,

a nod. "

When

man

a

wipes out

debts.

his

all

he said solemnly, "he

dies,"

We

don't

owe him

nothing neither now."

As

Tregelly spoke he drew the rug carefully

over the figure lying there, and the next minute set to

work

to

make

the

fire

blaze higher, while

Dallas, with half-numbed hands, tried to help

him by setting it

the billy

filling it

in the

with

pieces

glowing embers, and

as the solid pieces rapidly melted

They were both

prepare a meal from the

life

ice,

refilling

down.

busy and

too

of

eager

to

saving provender

they had so strangely found, to pay any heed to Abel. "

Let him

he's terribly

we do

rest,

my

son,

weak, poor

till

lad.

breakfast's ready

Mind,

rouse him up, not to say a

what's lying under that rug.

wood across it wake him up." renewed

when

word about pitch some

so as he shan't notice before

Dallas nodded, and

of

I'll

too,

hope

for

;

we

with a strange feeling

which

he could

not

396

TO WIN OR TO

account, he

worked away

DIE. for

;

it

seemed the

of provisions they had

while that the store

found would do no more for them than prolong their

weary existence

the wild for two or

in

three weeks.

wood from

Tregelly brought forward more the shelter they had formed

more

brightly

was

bacon

;

of coffee and

fragrance

when, just as

diffused,

the

;

fire

and

frying,

Dallas was

state of affairs, a hoarse cry aroused

Abel had full

"

look

of the

light

We're too

fire,

knees

thinking

and

him and

unnoticed,

there, in the

son," growled Tregelly

Meant

it.

;

in their

he could be seen pointing.

my

late,

" he has seen

where,

sharply at

risen to his

the

hot cake was being

of awakening his cousin to the change

made him

burned

to

have covered

;

it

before he woke." "

No, no

;

"

Look

Look

"

Poor

!

he

lad,

not pointing there."

is !

" cried

he's

Abel.

whispered

off his head,"

Tregelly.

"Do

you hear me, you two?" cried Abel

hoarsely.

"What as

" is

Look it,

!

Can't you see

" ?

Bel?" said Dallas soothingly,

he stepped round

to the other side of the

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THE SOLID REALITY.

399

and then, following the direction of

fire;

he too uttered a wild

cousin's pointing finger,

which brought Tregelly to their

cry,

gaze

his

side,

to

astonishment at the sight

in speechless

before them.

For the thick glazing of

ice

had been melted

from the perpendicular wall of rock of their

fire,

and

there, glistening

of the

in the face

at the

and sparkling

were veins, nuggets, and

cliff,

time-worn fragments of rich red gold profusion, cliff

far

that,

seemed

back

up

such

in

they could see, the

as

be one mass of gold-bearing

to

rock, richer than their wildest imagination

had

ever painted.

The

effect

strange as

upon the adventurers was as

was marked.

it

Abel bowed down his face hide rose,

its

in his

spasmodic contractions

stepped slowly towards

,*

it,

hands

to

while Dallas

and reached

over the glowing flame to touch a projecting

nugget

— bright,

warm from "it

is

in

hue,

the reflection of the

"Ah!" he last;

glowing

sighed

real,

softly,

as

if

and

quite

fire.

convinced

at

and not a dream."

Tregelly turned his back, began to whistle softly

an old tune

in

a minor key, and drew

TO WIN OR TO

4 oo

the

farther away.

little

"

bacon pan, and the bread a

the

coffee,

DIE.

Ahoy

my

there,

sons

" !

he cried cheerily

Fellows must eat even

"breakfast!

if

;

they

1

are millionaires/

was too much

It

for

whose

Dallas, before

eyes was rising, not the gold, for he seemed to

be

looking

through

right

wistful, deeply-lined face

at a

that,

but

of a grey-haired

window, watching ever

the

woman

for the lost ones'

return.

At Tregelly's words he burst

into a strangely

harsh, hysterical laugh, and then, too, he sank

upon

his

knees and buried his face

remaining there motionless

upon

his shoulder,

sound

cried,

his

like

a hand was laid

and he started

Abel who was gazing " Dal," he

till

in his hands,

to find

it

was

in his eyes.

own,

that did

a voice

in

"

we

shall

not

pay the old

uncle now."

At that moment the dismal tune Tregelly was whistling came to an end, and they saw that

he was

sitting

with his

back

to

them,

looking straight away.

They stepped started

up

quickly to his side, and

to hold a

hand

to each.

he

THE SOLID REALITY. "

sons

To ?

"

win or

to

die,

didn't

401

you

say,

my

he cried cheerily.

" Yes,

something

like

that," replied

Dallas

huskily. " Well,

it

means winning,

Tregelly, "for

we won't

my

sons,"

die now."

cried

CHAPTER

XLI.

SHOWING HOW GOOD CAME OUT OF

HE

EVIL.

store of provisions proved on exami-

nation to be far greater than had been

and

anticipated,

enemy

their

refuge

;

career,

and

of

remains,

the

gold

decently

three

that

seeking a place of carry

accidentally

hit

after

enough

plain

he might

which

discovery

greatest

made

while

had,

from

nefarious

seemed

it

that

upon

the

had

been of

his

began

to

disposing

adventurers

on his

examine with something approaching breathless

awe

the

vast

treasure

that

they could

claim as theirs.

The first thing to be done, though, was to make use of their axes and contrive a shelter right in the centre of the patch of their plan

dwarf

pine,

being to hack out the size of the

hut they intended to

make 402

in

the dense scrub,

SHOWING HOW GOOD CAME OUT OF

EVIL. 403

saving everything approaching to a straight pole tu u^e fur roofing.

They worked and a

gold

for the discovery of the

well,

supply of provisions seemed

fair

them and before many hours had passed they were provided with shelter for themselves and their stores. Their next step was to mark out and peg what was legally allowed to each man as discoverer of a new field's claim. And now, in to send

new

into

life

spite of the lateness

height up in the

;

and seemed

of the season

mountains,

it

their

as

if

had ceased to persecute them and was

fate

ready

to

help

them make the treasure they

had found safely their own. It

was too

expect to do

late to

the winter closed in with

so the energies of

its

much

inclement darkness,

were devoted

all

before

to

making

the most of the glorious spell of fine weather

which now ensued, and preparing "

We've found

it

;

and

after

it

for the winter.

has been lying

here ever since the world began," said Tregelly, "

it

isn't likely

away now, and nobody's

to fly

away from us. First thing is, have we got as much on our claim as ever

going to take

it

we're likely to want

" ?

TO WIN OH TO

4 o4

"

More," said Dallas

one of us goes down

;

"

DIE.

and

propose that

I

to the old spot to give

the news to Norton and our old friends, that

may come and be

they

the

up

to take

first

claims." a

That

what

is

meant

I

to propose/'

said

Abel. "

Good

nails driven in,

to

do a good turn i

*

Of

course,"

up all

he'll

a

I

will,

to bringing

to help.

;

propose

I

and then

come up

is this.

let's

tell

with a picked lot

right."

" Excellent," said first

hung and it was

nearly

claims sure, and get our

to secure theirs

the judge, and

keep

What

and order.

for law

down

He

but he meant well,

tree,

Well make our own

to

think he ought to

I

pull out of this, too.

friends

well."

"but what do

Dallas;

said

like

?

us up on a all

always

man who means

There's that judge.

have a

I

:

"

you mean "

to a

clinch them,"

I

Only look here

"

said Tregelly.

and

"

Dallas.

to see about stores

my up

But

away with my

plenty, I

I'm

sons.

say,

I

" ?

strongest,

shall

play

But who goes

have plenty ready

fair

third while I'm

and as

;

you won't run

gone

" ?

SHOWING HOW GOOD CAME OUT OF down

Tregelly started

EVIL. 405

company and many more

the ravine in

with Scruff the very next day,

had not elapsed before he was back with the whole party from their old workings, eager to congratulate the fortunate discoverers and place

ample stores

at their service.

They had

just time to get

enough to

for the

up another supply,

coming winter, before

sweep down

a

like

black

veil

seemed

it

from the

northern mountains.

But building does not take long under such

Wood

circumstances.

from

of

out

down, and

a

had been brought up a

valley

in the shelter

few

miles

lower

of a dense patch of

scrub pine in a side gully, where the new-comers

found the gold promising to their hearts' content,

*****

they were ready

to

defy

the

keenest

weather that might come,

Two

years had elapsed, and winter was once

more expected, fast,

when

humble

home

;

three

hut,

the days were shortening

men

sat

together

in

their

discussing the question of going

and the thought of once more meeting

one whose to

for

last letter

see her

had

told of her longings

boys again, brought a flush to

TO WIN OR TO

406

DIE.

the young men's cheeks and a bright light to their eyes.

They had been

talking long and loudly, those

two, while Tregelly had sat smoking his pipe

and saying nothing,

Dallas turned to him

till

sharply.

"Say

Of

"

cried.

course

been thinking of safely

my son?"

something,

will.

I

that

all

home through

the big fellow

Here gold

it

I've

is.

we've

sent

the banks, and I've been

thinking of what our claim's worth, and what

company's willing

that there

to give."

"Well," said Abel, "go on." "

Give

man

a

time,

brought up to the law. is

this

:

we

my What

son. I

warn't

I

was thinking

three working chaps in our shabby

clothes are rich

men

as

we

stand now."

"Very," said Dallas.

"And

if

we were

should be very, very "

Very

to sell our claim '

rich.

— very—very

ing as a

man

now we

laughs

rich," said Abel, laugh-

who

is

in

high

spirits

produced by vigorous health.

"Well, go on," said Dallas. "

Here

it

is,

then

:

going grubbing on just

what's the good of our to

be able to say we're

"

SHOWING HOW GOOD CAME OUT OF richer

still ?

'

EVIL. 407

Enough's as good as a

feast,'

good of being greedy ? Why some one else have a turn, and let's

so what's the

not

let

go home

all

" ?

"What do you say, Bel?" "Ay! And you, Dal?" -Ay!" " *

The Ayes have '

'

Well

done,

my

then," cried Tregelly.

it,

Hooroar

sons.

homeward bou wou-wound big bass voice.

bound

Hooroar

in his

We're homeward

matters are settled quickly in

now crowded

ravine,

ground was taken up, three

near as all

it

was known

a in

where every inch of

that

the big

company

was the head had bought

of which the judge

But

!

and the next day

goldfield,

the

he roared

!

!

Business

the

"

"

We're

!

adventurers' claim,

Redbeard's,

for

known

and

far

a tremendous

sum.

the same, heads were shaken by the

wise ones of the settlement,

who one and

agreed that the company had got

it

all

cheap, and

they wished that they had had the chance. " You're

one

of

Norton, and your the rest

" ?

the

lot

buyers,

aren't

who came up

first

you, are

TO WIN OR TO

4 o8

DIE.

"That's right," said Norton, smiling.

"Hah!"

man.

said the

Kissing goes by

"

favour."

*****

"Of see,

we were

"We said

"But

course," said Norton.

Dallas

it

you

old friends."

all

said

then,

was to win or to

one day, when

satisfactorily settled

all

die,

Bel,"

business was

and they were

really,

as

homeward bound. Abel quietly, "and it all seems

Tregelly had sung,

"Yes," said like a

dream."

"

it's

But

sort q'

a mighty, weighty,

dream,

my

solid,

son," said the big Cornish-

man, "and* there's no mistake about won.

I

say,

golden

though,

it,

you've

I'm glad we're taking

the dog."

THE END.

PrxnUd by

Hazelly

Watson

&

Viney^ Ld. t

London and Aylesbury*