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BS : SR ass 74 NAN ON PE gn Se PE TTAN SRY LIN ANIRC DL NTT ROHS Ds is 4 + - we. ee in In a Y hd an mx \ae iS ene SS Ee Ns = 4m PT: ~~ " hs { MU =, oa aces x ) ty AN G/ Ss ei xf is pe) Be ng WER AS DEY IN<¢ "i x +) ay par wif 74 )\ 7) i uy Ze Vy aE As Ae . bs 3 = Re ~~] + y ty: ANN, %4i\ | ay aN 4 a Ree = f 4 oN ae & LAN 3 = GY iy, x . 4 SY 4 the: er am | 7 | A 3 ee el i x iz Jas Th 2 = Vy Ty 7 j x f i ~% = Y Mi {Th Ay os “Sy bf AM, hea ; * ! a = j . 5 A f Ac . J ‘ . r; \ i ‘ / , a4 - f ' ' f ; ‘ % ’ } Li . Ve } 7 2 i ’ \ 1 : ; ae } N THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. e a t 7 ea ie al [ , i . 1 i is se * = is Vy Nee ~ z . me : i i | % + . } “‘no THE RESCUE!’ SHOUTED THE BOYS.” THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. BY WILLIS BOYD ALLEN AUTHOR OF “ PINE CONES,” “THE NORTHERN CROSS,” ‘SILVER RAGS,” **KELP,”’ ETC. FULLY ILLUSTRATED BOSTON ESTES AND. LAURIAT PUBLISHERS COPYRIGHT, 1889, By ESTES & LAURIAT. i “irvA == —— C. J. PETERS & SON, TYPOGRAPHERS AND ELECTROTYPERS, 145 HIGH STREET, BOSTON. TO MY COUSIN, Bathte, WITHOUT WHOSE HELP THE DUTTONS WOULD NEVER HAVE GONE TO ALASKA, I AM HEARTILY GLAD TO DEDICATE THIS STORY OF THEIR ADVENTURES. CHAPTER CONTENTS. A REMARKABLE LETTER TREED BY A MooOsE . Trp’s PrickLty BEAR An UNSEEN ENEMY . RAFT-BUILDING THROUGH THE ENEMY’s LINES Out OF THE FRYING-PAN . A STARTLING DISCOVERY . From VICTORIA TO SITKA . Day AND NIGHT IN ALASKA . THE CHILKOOT PAss . An Escapt, AND A NEw Enemy. Nat’s SHacey Purp . To THE RESCUE! . UNDER THE EARTH . A Mystery ExPpLAINED A REUNION . A Lesson In BripGE-MAKING CAPTURED BY Brown BEARS. Hatt! . WINTER-QUARTERS PEESCHEE’Ss MARVELLOUS STORY. 9 PAGE 102 113 Jal) 125 140 148 164 169 184 IS 205 216 230 239 251 10 CHAPTER DOCELEE 2 D.G INE 2. Oe XXVI. XOOVAIE SONI XXIX. XXX. CONTENTS. CHRISTMAS IN ALASKA THE LIEUTENANT’S STORY CONCLUDED . SNOWED UP PEESCHEE’S Map AGAIN . For Lirt ork DEATH . WoLF AGAINST MAN OVER THE IcE CoNCLUSION PAGE 261 280 298 314 319 328 336 339 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE “<1 THE RESCUE!’ SHOUTED THE BOYS” . . . . Frontispiece ReerabimbimsVENP = — 6 eh wee ee we a es ol wn ZO “TT WAS EVIDENT THAT AFFAIRS WERE REACHING A CRISIS” 305 Pit) SEARTED ACROSS THE LAKE”. . ... . . . . ss 88 IMRSENBITMEEY OIE Vins ch Pw wee ea OT IectOUlMERED THE CANOR”. :°. . . 5 « «+s « « - 60 “ JOHN WAS PUTTING THE LAST TOUCHES ON”. .... . 62 PstireeOnwo THE RANT RUSHED” . .°... 0. 6 5. 20... 88 PROMNGNEOOSHENEIROW, 60s. 5 i a ke oe eae ee QO He ROYAL BARGE BROUGHT UP THE REAR”. ... ... . 98 DeceMRKeU MMO ANON fo 6 Ue fee bw Be me ws ee. 108 “THE INDIANS WERE GAMBLING IN DEAD EARNEST” . . . 109 PREMPEE MIDAS KEN Ratko Ee ee ew oe ADS Mee Go WP. THM YUKON. .)...<.. 0) 6 6 le ew we ew we OF Perec ACHUND) 970% 0s se eh la Oo ee ee we | 140 ori Cup. ‘Drop it, Nari?” .-. . . . ... .° 159 Petes NOMORDINARY SIGHT” , 2 6. wow we we ewe ULRY SttewAS STUDYING THE MAP”... . ... . « « « 195 RUPTERUIESEOVIOAD | FeO eM mt ge ge ao ee whe ar 208 BUILDING THE BRIDGE Prk cine oa! ‘“T COME FROM THE GREAT MEDICINE MAN” ..... . 223 me TUNO TI ORV ATA oe etl oe ce we we tl ew LOO “A DISH OF VENISON IS SMOKING ON THE TABLE”. . . . 253 “WITHIN A ROD OF THE HUT WERE A DOZEN SHADOWY ener eam ie Sacer se rome ie Ui ae ite weet eg oe BOO THERE WAS A SHARP REPORT, AND WITH ONE LEAP SHE FELL, 325 11 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA, CHAPTER I. A REMARKABLE LETTER. 7 SPACIOUS, comfortable-looking house, in the ey outskirts of one of the largest manufacturing @ towns of Massachusetts ; the dining-room is ity hghted, and a wood fire fine: and snaps cheerily in the open fireplace, for it is late October, and the even- ings are cold. Around the cosey tea-table are gathered the family, namely: John Dutton, Esq., proprietor of the celebrated Sheldon Paper Mills; Mrs. John Dutton; Miss Florence Dutton, age fifteen, commonly addressed as “Flossie,” or “ Floss;” and Masters Robert, Hugh, and Nathaniel Dutton, ages respectively seventeen, fifteen, and twelve years. Flossie and Hugh, it will be noticed, are twins. Only three more personages in the town of Sheldon are at present sufficiently important to merit an introduction. 13 14 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. They are, in fact, members of the Dutton household, two of them actually signing that name as their own, and the third plainly desirous of doing so, were he able. All three are in the dining-room at the present moment, and the fact of their familiarity with the family is evident from the interest with which they listen, with open eyes and mouths, to the letter which their master is reading aloud. Without further ceremony, allow me to present: Chloe (Dutton), decided brunette, nurse of all the childen suc- cessively, maid-of-all-work, and devoted slave to Miss Flossie’s slightest whim; Teddy (Dutton), remotely de- scended from County Kildare, red-haired, freckled, four- teen years old, errand-boy, helper, and mischief-maker in general, particularly attached to the oldest son; Carlo (Dutton), at the side of pale, sweet-faced little Nat, —a shaggy, coal-black, silken-haired fellow, from the south coast of Newfoundland, as faithful a servant and friend as any in the country. And now for the letter. Mr. Dutton has evidently just reached home from the mills, for his hat, coat, and cane are lying on the sofa where he has dropped them, and he is still out of breath from the quick half-mile walk. All eight of the Duttons listen eagerly while he reads : — “Fort WRANGEL, ALASKA TER., Sept. 5, 1868. “My DEAR Brotuer, — It is a long time since I have written to you. The uncertainty of the mails in this new adopted country of ours, the constant disputes with Rus- A REMARKABLE LETTER. 15 sian traders who are angry at having their hunting-ground sold over their heads — or under their feet, rather ! — and the treachery of the native Innuits, as well as the reck- less behavior of our own troops, have kept my hands full and my head in a continual worry since the establishment of the post. Sometimes I wish the government had kept her seven millions in her pocket, and left this desolate country to take care of itself. It was an immense respon- sibility to shoulder. Have you any idea of the size of the ‘Northwest Territory,’ old fellow? Are you aware that it contains something over five hundred thousand square miles, or about one-sixth of the entire extent of the United States and Territories? This vast country is covered throughout its southern districts with jungles and forests, reaching far up the sides of its lofty mountains, which smoke night and day. The portions nearer the Arctic Sea consist mostly of dreary morass and mossy ‘tundra, as it is called, under which lies a deep layer of ice, never thawing, winter or summer. But in the rest of the territory are splendid forests, as I have said. There are mountain peaks reaching (in Mt. Wrangel) the enormous height of twenty thousand feet above the sea; there is a river, the noble Yukon, over two thousand miles in length —a rival of the great Mississippi itself. Among the hills are winding streams and pleasant valleys, where brilliant wild-flowers blossom, insects hover over them in the sunshine, and birds dart to and fro as merrily as in our old New England orchards. The woods are full 16 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. of game. There is no place in the world where bears, black, brown, grizzly, and cinnamon, with two or three other varieties, are found in such abundance. Moose have not learned to fear the rifle, and wild goats clamber over the rocks in full sight. The imland districts of Alaska are almost absolutely uninhabited. The whole interior population of Indians is probably less than three thousand, while no white man ever passes beyond the protection of the trading-posts and forts. “By this time, my dear John, you are beginning to wonder why I have launched forth into this lecture on the resources of our National Purchase. Ah, you have noticed, have you, that I have omitted an important item ? Vegetation, game, ihhabitants, scenery — but nothing said about wealth ! “Yes, wealth. Reports must have reached you of the startling discoveries of Haley and others. Little did the Hudson’s Bay fur-hunters dream that they were camping each night on a gold mine; or that the very rivers down which they paddled, in pursuit of some paltry, frightened, furred creature, were full of gleaming particles of the precious metal ! ; ‘Without doubt, the coasts of Alaska are veined throughout their length and breadth with gold and silver. Shafts are being sunk in all directions, ‘and mines located. Haley found it paid him to dig out lumps of rock, a small bit at a time, and simply crush them in a mortar. A REMARKABLE LETTER. 17 “But I am not going to tempt you to rush for the ‘diggings, my boy. There's better game in the cover!” “What in the world does the man mean!” exclaimed Mrs. Dutton. “ He’s as mysterious as a sphinx, and here's the supper all getting cold. Let’s have the rest of the letter afterwards.” 3 Whereupon arose a chorus of “Oh, no, no! Read on, read on! Never mind the supper yet—let’s find out what he means by ‘better game’! ” Mr. Dutton accordingly found his place again, and, holding the letter so as to get a little better light upon it, resumed his reading. “YT know you will be incredulous when I say there is more valuable treasure to be found in Alaska than gold — knowing, as you do, that there are no diamonds in the territory. Nevertheless, 1 am right. Among the many ores which exist here, in more or less abundance, is one which furnishes a strange metal, well known in medicine and the arts. Its chemical symbol is He. Ah, you start now! I see you have not forgotten those tiresome lectures at Harvard ; you know at last that I am speak- ing of Mercury, which is obtained almost entirely from the beautiful crimson ore known as ‘ Cinnabar.’ ” Mr. Dutton paused, and glanced about the eager circle of listeners. 18 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. “Now, shall we have supper? The griddle-cakes are hot,” said Mrs. Dutton, plaintively, taking advantage of — the silence, and playing her highest card. In vain! Even Teddy testified with open mouth and round, light blue eyes to his interest in the subject. The vote was none the less emphatic because unex- pressed in words. The reading continued. “Cinnabar is worked to a considerable extent in only half a dozen spots on the globe — Spain (which supplies England), Idria, Peru, Japan, and one or two other places. It has been discovered in California. All the mines in the world, taken together, yield only a trifle over three thousand tons a year, including the new American mines. ‘No ore is so easily decomposed as cinnabar; it is effected by direct exposure to the oxidizing flame of a furnace, the mercury vapor being collected in condensers. I believe the metal can be even more economically sepa- rated by the use of an iron retort in which it can be readily volatilized, without the escape of vapors. By the | old way, nearly half is wasted in the process. “Now as to its value. This varies largely from year to year. It runs from fifty cents to two dollars a pound, avoirdupois. One dollar a pound, or two thousand dollars a ton, would be a low average. “But a ton, you say, is an enormous amount. Thirty tons is a hundreth part of the world’s annual product. A REMARKABLE LETTER. 19 “What would you say, John, to fifty tons a year, or even one hundred? In the countries I have mentioned, the ore crops out, or is found below the surface, in narrow veins, among much schist and slate. What would you say to a whole mountain of cinnabar !”’ Mr. Dutton looked up with a prolonged “ Whew-w!”’ and Carlo gave a short yelp. As no one else seemed disposed to conversation, the letter was resumed. “To make a long story short (for I can see now that you are getting excited, as plainly as if I were sitting with you in your cosey dining-room in Sheldon, where you will probably read this letter), the following facts have recently come to light; no one, until this letter was read, John, knew of them. No one knows of them now, except your family, myself, and Peeschee. The last named gentle- man is a Chilkat Indian, whose name in honest English is ‘The Fox.’ Call him which you like, he has served us a good turn. This is how it came about. “T was off hunting with a party of Indians from the vicinity of the fort. We were in camp about twenty miles inland from Wrangel, when something came bound- ing into the circle of firelight like a deer. It was the Fox, who threw himself panting at our feet, his teeth chattering, and his face fairly gray with terror. As soon as he could talk we made out his story. He had left Ins village a week before, on a trapping expedition. While 20 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. at work among his traps, he had accidentally run on to the line set by a wandering party of Tak-heesh natives from the interior, and had ignorantly — so he assured us again and again — taken several pelts from their traps. ‘A dozen Tak-heesh had come suddenly upon him, taken him prisoner, and vowed he should die for the offence. Poor Peeschee in vain asserted his innocence. To the stake he should go. On the second day of his captivity, he had escaped by gnawing his thongs while his captors were dozing after a hearty meal of bear meat, and had been running all the afternoon, he said. “We felt a little nervous about the pursuers, but those Tak-heesh are cowards unless they are terribly roused, and, sure enough, when they turned up the next morning, a rifle volley into the air put the entire crowd to flight. The Fox was as grateful as a dog, and, the day after we reached Fort Wrangel, he did me the good turn I referred to. “He came quietly to the barracks, inquired for my room, found me alone, and then and there told me the wonderful story which set me to writing this long letter —an offence, John, which I seldom commit, you'll acknowledge. ‘What the Fox had to say was ce tava this: Last autumn he made one of his solitary expeditions over the mountains, in search of furs. He penetrated far into the interior, reaching a district absolutely unknown to him before that trip. He describes it as abounding in game, A REMARKABLE LETTER. OA and heavily wooded. ‘There were many rapid streams, all seeming to be well stocked with trout, grayling, and other fish. “ As often occurs in Alaska, the weather was cloudy for fully ten days at a stretch. Toward the close of a dull, drizzly afternoon, Peeschee stopped for the night on the bank of a swift brook. Suddenly the clouds in the west began to break away, and, as they gradually parted, there appeared high in the heavens what seemed to be a mountain of fire. It was a soft, glowing crimson, and from its summit rose a huge column of smoke; it was beyond a doubt a mountain peak; Peeschee had never set eyes on it before in his life. Within five minutes the clouds had closed in again, and the wonderful peak was out of sight. ) “The next three days he spent in travelling straight uphill toward the Red Mountain. After much struggling through jungles and morasses, fording streams, and encountering wild beasts by day and night, he claims that he reached the base of the peak, and discovered the cause of its strange color. He brought a piece of the live rock itself, and showed it to me. I have it in my desk now. Itis a magnificent specimen of cinnabar in the ore, deep crimson in color, promising to yield, if worked, an enormous percentage of weight of the pure metal. “Jobn, that was a mountain of mercury! It waits for some one to take those red heaps of granite and 929 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. quartz, fuse them, and bear away such a fortune as you could not make in a century of prosperous mill operation at Sheldon. Will you come? Shall we share the Red Mountain, old fellow, as we used to share the red apples in grandfather’s orchard ? “This is what I propose. You have been in indifferent health for a good many months. You need a change; you have a competent superintendent in practical charge of the mills; you always liked hunting and camping-out. Take the boys along, and meet me at some point in west central Alaska — say old Fort Yukon. I will come from the west, you from the east, if you like, striking up through Canada and across from the Hudson’s Bay post in British America. From Fort Yukon we can proceed together to the Red Mountain, make a rough survey, lay out our claim, and the followmg spring commence work in earnest. In other words, you can start from Sheldon as soon as the spring of ’69 opens, reach the Alaska boun- dary by the first of July, and before the winter shuts down we shall have finished all our prospecting, and be ready to take out ore in the following May. “Qne more point to consider, and then I have done. It is, I admit, an important point. How shall we find this half-fabulous ‘Red Mountain’ after we have effected a union of forces at Fort Yukon? Here we must rely entirely on Peeschee. He proposes to start from the fort (which is situated on nearly 67° N. lat., 145° long. W.), and strike due south. You will be glad to hear this A REMARKABLE LETTER. 23 when I add that the Arctic Circle passes directly through the fort. After travellmg something over two hundred miles straight into the wilderness, the Fox says we shall find ourselves at the foot of a lofty range of mountains. From this point he bears away slightly to the east, and within three or four days expects to reach his old camp- ing-ground, from which he obtained his first view of the flaming peak. Now will begin by far our hardest fight with the forces of nature. Peeschee has drawn a map, 94 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. which he professes to understand, and by which he pro- poses to follow as nearly as possible his former route to the base of the mountain and up its steep sides. I have borrowed this map or chart, and will trace it here for you.* “It’s a curious-looking affair, but, with Peeschee as guide, 'd stake it against a government chart. Every mark on it means something to him. I'll give you his explanation at some other time. ‘“‘ Now, then, once more, will you come ? ‘ Your affectionate brother, “Dick Dutron. “P, §. Write full particulars, exactly when and where you will meet me. Sorry you must leave Mrs. D. and Florence behind. Of course, you'll come.” * See Illustration, page 23. CEEAP TER 1. TREED BY A MOOSE. JUST five months after the letter of Lieutenant Richard Dutton was read aloud in his brother’s co- sey dining-room, a group of people are assembled on the platform of the Sheldon railroad station. There 1s a tallish, brown- bearded gentleman, with clear, bright eyes, and an exceedingly gentle voice; a lady, of refined face and manner, and close beside her a young girl; four boys, one of them freckled and sandy- haired ; a negro woman, with a red bandanna handker- chief around her black neck ; and a young Newfoundland dog, full of quiet surprise at all this commotion. Several large trunks and cases are piled upon the platform, await- ing transportation. Presently the train comes in sight, around a curve, and 25 96 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. slows up at the station, rmging and hissing vigorously. People, dog, and baggage are hurried on board, the con- ductor waves his hand, and, with renewed clangor of bell and hiss of steam, the train starts for Boston, bearing — you know as well as [— the entire Dutton family away from their home. Dick Dutton was right. The letter could not be resisted. A favorable answer had been sent, thorough preparations made during the winter months, the mill wound up to run for a full year without the personal supervision of the owner — and off the party are starting, this twenty-fifth day of March, 1869, on their long and divided journey. | _ All the family, I said. You see, there has been a shght change of plan. After the letter had been care- fully considered, and it had been voted unanimously that Mr. Dutton and the boys should make the trip to our northwest province, Mrs. Dutton had unexpectedly asserted herself. “Dick’s plan is a good one,” she said, “with one exception.” ‘What is that, my dear?” inquired Mr. Dutton, mildly. ““T do not propose to stay at home while you are off in the woods for a year. Florence and I will take the regular San Francisco route to Sitka, join Dick at his post, and start inland with him, meeting you at the fort.” Mr. Dutton was astonished, but, as his wife's remark TREED BY A MOOSE. Ti. had rather the appearance of a decision than a suggestion, he wisely refrained from opposing it. “You shall certainly go, my dear, if you wish to,” said this exemplary husband. And she did. Certain modifications of the original route had also been made. The “itinerary” was finally laid out as follows : — The “military section,’ as Flossie laughingly called the lieutenant’s party, were to meet at Sitka, and “pack” over the mountains to the headwaters of the Yukon River, moving down-stream until they should reach Fort Selkirk, where they would await the eastern party, instead of at Fort Yukon. Mr. Dutton and the boys decided to follow the regular traders’ route from Ottawa, northward and westward to Fort Churchill, on Hudson’s Bay. From there a nearly westerly course, bearing a little to the north, above Athabasca Lake and below (on the map) the Great Slave, would bring them to Fort Simpson; thence over a lofty pass in the Chippeway division of the Rocky Mountains into New Columbia, and to Fort Selkirk, which is situated exactly 62° 45’ north, 137° 22’ west from Greenwich. There! We've done with figures and theoretical geog- raphy for a while; practical geography we must study in spite of ourselves. Once in Alaska territory, we must examine our surroundings, and pick our way, almost inch by inch, for we have no reliable guide to the interior of this great, desolate region. If we want a map, we must make one. 98 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. We do not need to follow the Dutton family over the first portions of their respective routes, which are more or less familiar to travellers. Mrs. Dutton, Florence, and Chloe sailed from New York for Aspinwall, crossed the Isthmus, took steamer again at Panama, and reached San Francisco safely, after a journey of nearly six thousand miles. Here they rested a week, and completed their outfit necessary for a summer in the woods. On a bright morning in May they started in a sailing vessel for Vic- toria and Sitka. So much for the ladies’ party. The sterner portion of the family had hardly a more eventful trip until they left Fort Churchill. From this point the boys had plenty of shooting, and Mr. Dutton had much ado to keep them within reach of camp. The trip, however, was quickly made, the “ Rockies” sur- mounted, and by the second week in June the party were descending the western slopes of the mountains within one hundred and fifty miles of Fort Selkirk. It was ten o’clock in the forenoon when Mr. Dutton, whose orders were obeyed by every one in the expedition, called a halt, on the first day after the high peaks were left behind. It was a curious company that was gathered there. Mr. Dutton and the three boys were browned from ex- posure to the sun and all sorts of weather; while Teddy was burned a bright red, and fairly peppered with freckles. Carlo was in the highest of spirits, and gambolled about the party like a six-months-old pup. There were two TREED BY A MOOSE. 29 Indian guides, strong-limbed, quiet fellows, named Joe and Jim. At Mr. Dutton’s word, these two last named threw down their heavy packs, and drew themselves up with an air of relief. | “Ugh!” grunted Joe, wiping his forehead. “Much hot comin’. No-see-’ems and skeeters dis night.” “ Midges? Have you felt any, Joe?” asked Mr. Dutton, recognizing the Indian term for those tiny tormentors. “No feel ’em. Smell ’em,’ ? said Joe, gravely, sniffing the air. Mr. Dutton laughed, and turned his attention to select- ing a good “nooning”’ spot where they could spend the hottest hours of the day. They had halted beside a swift-running stream, whose waters, though white with glacial silt, promised sport for Hugh, the fisherman of the party. All around them was a forest of immense spruce trees, through which they had been travelling since early morning. The ground was everywhere covered with thick moss, and long, gray streamers hung from the lofty boughs overhead. “T tell you what, father!” exclaimed Robert, with enthusiasm, ‘“‘this would be a jolly place to camp in for a week. ‘There’s plenty of water, and Ill warrant the woods are full of game.” “A good place enough, Rob, but we’ve no time to lose. The mosquitoes are getting thicker and hungrier every 30 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. day, and before long we shall have to rush to the settle- ments for our lives. They are the pest of Alaska, you know.” “ But, father, we are within a few days’ march of Fort Selkirk, and are ahead of time.” ‘“T want to see mother,” ““ Don't you, Rob ?” The older brother made no further protest, but began interposed little Nat, quietly. preparations for a short hunt before dinner. ? “T won't be gone long, father,” said he, shouldering his Winchester, and starting off at an easy gait. “Won't you take one of the guides with you, my bows. “Oh, no, thank you. They’ve had enough to do, pack- ing our blankets through the woods. Good-bye. Ill keep within hearing of a gun-shot.” And he was gone. Mr. Dutton now busied himself about his “skeleton tent,” as he called it—a device of his own, for relief from the attacks of gnats, mosquitoes, and other insects, while on the march. | It was a very simple arrangement; merely an “A” tent made of mosquito netting. It was large enough to accommodate all the party. A few minutes sufficed to pitch it carefully, so that no rent should be made in its meshes. The guides, Nat, and Mr. Dutton then crept under its folds, and, stretched out comfortably on rubber blankets which had been first spread to keep out dampness, all four fell fast asleep. TREED BY A MOOSE. 81 Hugh whistled for Carlo, and took his way, fishing- tackle in hand, down to an inviting pool just in sight through the trees. When Mr. Dutton awoke it was high noon. The guides were already preparing the noon meal, one of them build- ing a good fire, laying the sticks all one way, for conven- ience of cooking; the other engaged in dressing a fine mess of trout which bore witness to Hugh’s success. Nat strayed about the camp, looking for flowers — the delicate Linnea, or twin-flower, the violet, the cornel, and others familiar in the home woods. The oldest boy had not returned, and Mr. Dutton began to feel anxious about him. He fired his rifle three times, a signal that always meant, “Answer, and come into camp!” But there was no reply. At one o'clock they sat down to dinner, worried and perplexed by Rob’s absence. ‘Two hours passed, and still he did not appear. It was time to resume march. Ata word from the captain, Joe, the Indian, took up his rifle, and plunged into the woods, in the direction the missing boy had taken. When Robert left the camp, he had no definite inten- tion, save that he would skirt round the base of a low hill, about a mile away, and return to camp within an hour or two. He hoped to come across some sort of game; a brace of grouse, at least, of which there are several varieties in British America. His Winchester rifle had half a dozen cartridges in it, and Robert was a 52 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. good shot. He had no fear of missing a partridge or ptarmigan at thirty yards, with a single ball. The forest floor was encumbered with fallen and de- cayed logs, into whose crumbling sides he sank so often that his progress was slow. There was very little under- erowth to impede his way, however, and within half an hour he reached sharply rismg ground, which told him he was at the foot of the hill he had seen from camp. Up to this pomt he had kept within hearing of the stream, but now he turned off at right angles, thinking he would walk fifteen minutes and then retrace his steps. Before he had advanced far in this new direction, he found himself following a sort of trail. Indeed, it was almost a beaten path in the woods. “Ah!” said Rob to himself, with some dissatisfaction, “we have struck civilization again! MHere’s a regular route for fur-traders, ve no doubt. Well,” he solilo- quized, as he sauntered lazily along the path, “I might as well — halloo !” | He stopped and examined a track that was plainly out- lined in a patch of mud. It was shaped like the print of a huge human foot, fourteen inches long at the very least. Robert had not “trailed” from the Hudson’s Bay settlements for nothing. He knew that no man had left that footprint. It was undoubtedly the track of a bear, and an enormous one, too; possibly a grizzly. The boy’s heart beat so hard that it seemed as if he must stifle. The “sign” was fresh. It certainly was not TREED BY A MOOSE. 33 half an hour old, for the water was still oozing into it from the sides. Should he go on? The ambition of Robert’s life just now was to shoot a grizzly, but he knew the danger to a single hunter if he should meet one of these terrible brutes alone. It flashed across the boy’s mind at the same moment that the trail he was following was very closely con- nected with that peculiar track. It was no hunter’s at all. It was one of the famous “ bear-roads,’ for which the great Northwest is noted, and which thread the densest forests in every direction. Only six charges in that rifle! But the temptation was too great. Robert concluded at least to follow the path cautiously for a short distance. Perhaps he could come upon his shaggy game unexpectedly. Perhaps he could stalk him ! With these thoughts passing swiftly through his mind, he examined the lock of his rifle carefully, assured him- self that the cartridges were in place, and, stooping over like an old hunter, advanced softly along the trail. At every slightest sound in the forest his heart gave an answering thump; but no bear appeared. He was beginning to think of turning back toward the camp, when a curious noise fell upon his ears. It was a succes- sion of dull blows, like that of a farmer driving a stake into the ground. A sudden turn of the path brought him unexpectedly 34 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. upon a singular scene. About a hundred yards away, the trail was blocked by a huge, dark form. It stood about four feet high, and was covered with long, shaggy fur of a dirty brown color. Robert recognized the animal at once, although it was back to him. It was the Brown Bear, Ursus Arctos, of the cold countries. It was with a feeling half chagrin and half relief that the boy knew in a moment it was no grizzly before him. That it was, on the other hand, his very ughest and most formidable relative south of the Arctic Circle was equally certain. But what was the occasion of the bear’s quiet attitude ? A glance along the path explained matters. Directly facing the bear stood an old bull moose, his spreading antlers touching the boughs on each side of the path. The big fellow was not standing at his full height. His head was slightly lowered, and his eyes fixed intently on those of his near neighbor. Neither of the animals paid the shghtest attention to the new-comer. There seemed to be no good reason why there should be a quarrel. There was plenty of room, with a little squeezing, for a bear and a moose, even if both, as was the case, were larger than the average, to pass each other comfortably. But neither of them thought of yielding an inch ; they glared silently at each other, like two team- sters who have unexpectedly met in a narrow alley. Neither one would back out, that was settled. The moose raised one of his great hoofs, and struck it upon the ground several times, making moss and mud fly, CRISIS. WERE REACHING A S > uv THAT AFFAIR IT WAS EVIDENT TREED BY A MOOSE. 37 while his eyes seemed fairly to flash fire. Huis long, ungainly head drooped lower ; it was evident that atfairs were reaching a crisis, and Robert concluded it was time toact. An old hunter would have walked backward softly to the turn in the path, and then run for his life, leaving the two forest princes to fight 1t out as they pleased. Unfortunately, the boy did no such thing. He raised his rifle, sighted a spot in the very centre of the moose’s broad breast, and fired. At the very same instant, the latter made up his mind to knock that bear into small bits, and bounded forward. The bear was watching for this, and rose on his haunches to meet his antagonist. So it happened that the rifle ball, instead of doing its work as was intended, merely scored the bear's right shoulder, and inflicted a slight wound on the flank of the moose. Both the brutes were startled by the heavy report of the gun, and enraged by the sting of the ball. The im- petus of the big “horned horse”’ was so great that he could not stop himself, but struck the bear squarely on the snout, causing Bruin to roll over backward, with the moose on top of him. The two huge creatures scrambled to their feet, and simultaneously caught sight of Robert, who pluckily drew a bead on the brown, struggling mass, and fired a second time, with as little apparent result as before. Then he started for the nearest tree, which, luckily for 38 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. him, was a good-sized spruce, with two or three boughs, or stubs of them, close to the ground. He had to drop his rifle, and deed had no time to spare, for by a common impulse both the late enemies rushed against their common foe. Robert drew a long breath as he seated himself, not very comfortably, on a stout branch, some twenty feet from the ground. To his relief, the bear concluded that his honor had been vindicated, and ambled off on his “road” at a swilt pace, which took him out of sight in two minutes. Not so-the big moose. Pawing the ground, and snort- ing fiercely, he continued to charge up and down, under the tree, until at last, perceiving that his hated assailant was for the time out of his reach, he sullenly commenced a slow walk to and fro, like a sentinel on guard duty; now and then casting vindictive glances into the ever- green boughs overhead. Faintly three rifle shots came echoing through the woods, but Robert could not reply. He had given his party no idea of where he was going. Plainly his position was a disagreeable one, not to say positively dangerous. What was to be done? CHAPTER III. TED'S PRICKLY BEAR. SOON as Joe, the younger and more agile of Mr. Dutton’s two Indian guides, struck into the for- est, he formed a definite plan of action in his mind. He had seen his young master start off in his expedition, and had noted the direction he had taken.. Once out of sight of camp, the trail was lost in the deep green moss that covered the ground everywhere. Joe, however, was not at a loss for the route he should take. He reasoned that the boy would, in the main, keep the direction he had at first taken, and would follow the stream up toward the hills, good shooting being generally found near water; moreover, the brook would be an infallible guide back to camp. Swiftly and stealthily as a cat the Indian glided through the dark shadows of the forest, in and out among the trunks of the evergreens. Now and then he would utter a grunt of satisfaction as his quick glance fell upon a’ 39 40 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. broken twig, or a red mass of crumbling wood where Robert had placed an incautious foot. Arriving at the bear path, he did not hesitate a moment, but followed it with a swift, shambling gait like the awk- ward trot of the animals who had trodden down the path for him: When he perceived the big track in the mud, he started, paused, and examined it carefully; then felt of the handle of his long knife—he had brought no other weapon — and kept on as before. If you had been watching him, a few minutes later, you would have seen him suddenly come to a standstill, listen eagerly, and then creep forward on hands and knees. Presently he dropped flat on the ground, and began wriggling forward as. silently as a snake, but more slowly. From his perch, Robert caught sight of a dark figure crouching on the moss, a hundred feet away, to the lee- ward. At first he turned sick with fear, thinking it was a puma, making ready for a sprmg. Then he recognized with delight the homely features of his guide. The besieger just then was wandering moodily about, at about the same distance the other side of the tree, his attention being distracted by a swarm of mosquitoes who kept him stamping and licking furiously. It was evident that he had not the least idea of the Indian’s presence. The latter wriggled nearer the tree, nearer, — until he could lay his hand on the repeating rifle. TED’S PRICKLY BEAR. Aq The slight noise he made in cocking the piece caused the moose to look up quickly, half turning as he did so, and exposing his broad, brown side. A shot rang out, and another. The moose started for the tree like hghtning, but before he had covered half the distance he fell headlong. To leap to his side and plunge the keen blade of the knife into his throat was but an instant’s work for the Indian, who had despatched many a moose in his day. As Robert descended stiffly from his tree, and saw the poor creature’s huge bulk stretched out, helpless and still, he felt a pang of remorse. “Tt’s too bad, Joe,” he said, gazing at his prostrate enemy. “Hm. You no kill ’im, he kill you,” remarked the other, in soft gutturals. “ You lucky git way from ’im, 9? yls. They cut several slices of meat from the moose, and Joe took especial pains to carry away the muzzle, or upper lip, which is esteemed a dainty among hunters. The magnificent antlers they were of course obliged to leave behind. The Indian had as yet made no allusion to the bear. When they had travelled about half way to the camp, and had been walking in silence for some time, he sud- denly asked : — “You shot at bear, too?” Robert laughed rather shamefacedly. 49 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. “Yes, I did, Joe. I guess I didn’t hurt him much, and Pm glad I didn’t. One of those splendid creatures is enough to kill in a day.” “You no fire when you see ’im gain,” remarked the Indian. ‘No hurt poor bear,” he added. Rob caught the twinkle in his companion’s eye. “ You're laughing at me, old fellow!” he cried, good- naturedly. “ Never mind, [ll pay you up some day.” “No shoot bear when you ’lone,’ said Joe, more soberly. ‘Nor moose, too. Wait for Injun come, he help shoot.” ‘“* Well, Pll be more careful another time. Hullo, here Wwe are at camp. Sorry you were worried, father,’ as he saw Mr. Dutton’s look of relief at his approach. “T was worried, Rob,” said the older man, earnestly, “and I thank God that you're back safe. If I had realized half the dangers and hardships of this wild coun- try, 'd never have come. I suppose Dick is used to them, and don’t mind meeting a grizzly, or fighting mosquitoes for a week at a time, or running on to a tribe of hostiles. I confess I do.” ‘“‘ But, father, we were never so well in our lives. Just ‘ look at Nat, there!” And, indeed, it did one good to glance at the little fellow’s brown, healthy face. ¢ Well, well,” said Mr. Dutton, brightening, “ we're all in safe keeping, no doubt. Tell me about your adven- ture, Rob. It’s too late to move further to-night, and we TED’S PRICKLY BEAR. 43 could hardly find a better camping-ground. The tents, boys!” This last was addressed to the guides, who at once quietly set about their preparations for the night. While the boys gathered eagerly about Rob, as he described the big game he had seen, two tents of light, strong drilling were taken from the packs and pitched. They were of the ‘Shelter ” form, with side flaps that were secured to the ground by pegs. These were necessary to keep out the little winged tormentors whose falsetto songs already began to ring unpleasantly in the ears of the hunters. The mosquito bars were now stretched across the front of the tents, admitting light, air, and nothing else, unless perhaps the midges, or no-see-’ems, whose approach the Indians feared. In the midst of Rob’s glowing account, there arose a series of howls and cries, mingled with the barking of a dog, close by the camp. All hands seized rifles and axes, and ran to the rescue. “Oh, murther! Oh, save me, quick! She’s comin’ alther me, sure! Come quick wid yer guns! ” A moment later a shout of laughter went up from the rescuers. Hven the taciturn Indians smiled. There was the valiant Teddy, with his hair fairly standing on end, glaring wildly at a small black animal, which crouched in a tree, about ten feet from the ground. “Sure, I have fixed it wid me eyes,” said Teddy. “I have a shpell on it, I have. If I look off, it'll jump.” AA THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. “Why, what is it, Ted ?”’ inquired Mr. Dutton, putting on a sober face. “Can't ye see, sur-r, it’s a shmall little bear, bad luck to him! Sure, I looked to see the ould one come rushing out o the bushes ivery minute, and that’s why I called 2?) yez. All this time Carlo was barking furiously at the little animal, whatever it was. “T think the safest way,” said Mr. Dutton, suppressing a smile once more, “is to leave Teddy here for a while to watch the beast. If the she-bear attacks you, be sure to call us, Ted,” he added, making as if he would walk off. But the Irish boy set up a mournful wail that would have touched a heart of stone. “Och, don’t lave me, sur! Tl be kilt entirely!” “Oh, Ted!” called out Hugh, who could no longer keep silence, “killed by a—hedgehog! Think of it! Don’t you see his prickles?” Poor Teddy grew even redder than before as he exam- ined the animal anew, and for the first time noticed the quills. He slunk back to camp, and it was a long time before the boys ceased to allude to “ Ted’s prickly bear.” The night passed quietly, and an early start was made next morning. Before they halted for their noon rest, they had made a good fifteen miles, due west. Nat was tired, and when they started for their afternoon tramp, Jim, the older and larger Indian, had a curious pack upon TED’ S PRICKLY. BEAR. 45 his back. It was, in fact, no other than Nat himself, comfortably seated in a natural chair, formed by cutting a distorted birch close to the ground, and using the stump of a bent bough fora seat. A belt was carried around the Indian’s waist, to steady the chair, but the weight came largely upon his forehead, which held the loop of a leather thong supporting this human piece of baggage. Mr. Dutton had seen Peruvian natives carry travellers in this way, over dangerous mountain passes, and Jim found that it worked to a charm. At about three o’clock the leader of the party uttered a cry of delight. “Look!” he said, pointing forward. “The head- waters of the Pelly!”’ “What is the Pelly, father?” asked the oldest boy. “The northern branch of the Yukon, Rob. Where that river joins the old ‘ Lewis,’ or properly the Yukon itself, is Fort Selkirk, and there we shall find your mother, Flossie, and Dick.” “Hooray!” shouted Hugh, catching his father’s enthu- siasm. ‘‘ How long will it take to reach them?” “TJ should think that by day after to-morrow we ought to come in sight of the chimneys of the old fort. As soon as possible we will build a raft, and finish our journey by water.” An hour’s fast walking brought the party to the edge of a small lake. On the southern shore were high bluffs, crowned with evergreen forests. Just before them lay a 46 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. little meadow. Its bright green grass was dotted with dandelions and buttercups; butterflies, red and yellow, floated gracefully in the sunshine. A cloud of waterfowl rose from the reeds near by, and, flying low over the smooth water, plunged into 1t again not half a mile away, with a deal of splashing. Not a breeze stirred the surface of the lake; the hills along its shore were reflected as in a mirror. “ Beautiful, beautiful!”” murmured Mr. Dutton, baring his head for a moment, and gazing over the tranquil scene. “ Why should not one settle here, and spend his days within sight of this lovely sheet of water? No cares, but plenty of —” “Mosquitoes!” interrupted one of the Indians, gravely. The boys burst into a shout of laughter at the sudden conclusion of their father’s soliloquy, and ran gleefully down to the water’s edge. | cried little Nat presently, holding fee “‘ See, father, see up a small brown animal in his arms. It was a young marmot, a species which furnishes to the Indians of the interior their blankets, these bemg made of numerous skins of the little creatures, sewed together. After an inspection by all the boys, the captive was permitted to waddle off at the top of his speed, presuma- bly in the direction his parents had taken. “Camp, boys, camp!” called Mr. Dutton, and all hands set busily to work, preparmg for the night. The tent was pitched on the bank of a tiny stream that fell TED’S PRICKLY BEAR. 47 musically over a mossy ledge, into the lake itself. The boys cut and broke armfuls of boughs from the young spruces that grew thickly along the edge of the forest, and threw them into the camp fora bed. Nat was left to kindle the fire, a task at which he was a particular adept. With bits of bark and dried twigs he soon had a jolly blaze mounting up through the larger sticks, and the camp was ready. Rob strolled off with his gun, and Hugh with fishing-rod and flies, as usual. Mr. Dutton took shelter behind a mosquito net, and registered in his diary the events of the day, the various sorts of plants and living creatures he had observed; and the situation and most striking characteristics of the lake before him. Then he took out his map of the British provinces and Alaska, settling his position beyond a doubt, and marking his camping spot with a pencilled cross. Those boys who would like to know just where the party was encamped may make a cross on their maps at exactly lat. 61° 30’ N., long. 128° 10’ W. from Greenwich. If the map isa good one, they will find this lake, shaped something like a horseshoe, with the open end toward the north. On the east bank of the right-hand arm of the horseshoe was “Camp Prospect,” as Mr. Dutton named their halting place. CHA PIR aay: AN UNSEEN ENEMY. HE afternoon had been ny . iy so bright, friends seemed i Ta i so near, and camp was so ~ ~~ ie Ss . Re i pleasantly situated, that 3 ihc a acy the Duttons looked for- wf i ees DA won wt ib Yin. Ward to a peaceful, rest- eee te ae a ful night. They were Apes rath Nites _ doomed to serious dis- appointment. Hugh came back from the lake empty-handed, and Robert was the lucky one this time, bringing back from his hunting expedition a fine bag of black duck, and a good fat rabbit. While Joe was preparing the ducks for supper, Teddy, whose bump of curiosity was always leading him to poke about among bushes and under logs, came rushing back to camp, and breathlessly announced an important dis- covery. “ Sure, it’s a bear this time,” he stammered, looking over his shoulder. “ Ye’ve tould me toime and toime 48 AN UNSEEN ENEMY. 49 agin that the print of a bear’s fut looks like a man’s boot. Sure, there’s wan here in the bushes that’s the very image o wan, toes an’ all. Oh, wirra, wirra, he'll ate us up p) bP) before mornin ‘Hush, Teddy,” exclaimed Mr. Dutton, authoritatively. “Tell us where you saw the track.” “ Jist beyant in the bushes.” “Come, Joe, we'll look at it.” The rest wanted to follow, but Mr. Dutton bade them stay where they were. He had uncomfortable misgivings regarding that track, with its toes so plainly marked. What if it were not a bear’s footprint at all! Whatif — His worst fears were realized when he saw the Indian’s manner on looking at the track. “H’m!” he grunted, with a slight start, as he stooped low to examine it. “H’m! Him no bear!” * What-is 1t, then ?” ‘¢ Him man’s foot.” e Mihite 2.’ ‘Now Injun.’ “ How old is the sign?” “¢ Half-hour, maybe.” Here was intelligence, to be sure, of a decidedly unpleas- ant character. While they had been building their camp, discussing their plans, roaming about the woods, dark forms had been flitting to and fro among the shadows of the forest, within a stone’s throw. Glistening eyes had been watch- 50 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. ing them, probably with looks of hate. For a friendly band would have advanced at once, where the party of whites was so evidently a harmless one, with its four boys and one middle-aged man. The two guides now held a short consultation, and, on Mr. Dutton’s return to camp, they darted into the woods. The hour spent before their return was one of extreme anxiety. The boys knew nothing of their father’s appre- hensions, and chatted merrily over the supper-getting, which, in the absence of the guides, they took into their own hands. If the Takheesh Indians, in the borders of whose coun- try they now were, should take the warpath, they were greatly to be feared. Their tribe had been foully treated by the traders, and, though few in numbers, the Alaska Indians are known to be among the fiercest and most im- placable of their race when their evil passions are once roused. And if there was danger to his own party, what of the other, near by, containing his brother, wite, and daughter ? While these thoughts were chasing one another through Mr. Dutton’s troubled mind, Joe returned, and shortly afterward his comrade. The information they brought was not reassuring. They had struck the trail of the strange Indians, they said, in several parts of the surrounding forest, and, though they did not come upon the band, the guides were pretty sure that they were encamped just beyond a little AN UNSEEN ENEMY. 51 ridge, about two miles southwest of Camp Prospect. They had probably been startled, Joe intimated, by the report of Rob’s gun. The boys by this time had been acquainted with the situation, and the faces of the company were clouded. “ Well,” said Mr. Dutton, at last, “we won't try to cross a bridge before we come to it. The Indians will not dare to attack us to-night, while we are all in camp, nor are they fond of roaming the woods after dark. Well take turns keeping guard, however, and while one watches the rest shall sleep.” It was still so early in the evening that no thoughts of sleep could be entertained for an hour or two. Mr. Dut- ton was determined that his boys should not worry away their chances for a night’s rest. He therefore proposed telling stories until bedtime. “That is,” said he, with a good-natured slap on Joe’s broad shoulders, “I don’t mean to do all the talking myself. You can begin, old fellow.” The Indian’s dark eyes lhghted up. Taciturn as he was on ordinary occasions, he was renowned among his comrades as a recounter of marvellous tales and _hair’s- breadth escapes. Joe was a good story-teller, and he knew it. As full of airs as a young lady who is asked to play, and “has left her music at home,” Joe coughed and smoked, and pretended indifference, but, after the proper amount of urging, raised himself upon elbow instead of 52 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. squatting in the traditional Indian fashion, and, having replenished his pipe (which, however, soon died out), began as follows. I do not attempt to spell out his pecu- liar dialect, or indicate the expressive grunts and gut- turals which served as punctuation marks. “About ten years ago,” he said, “I was guiding, near Fort Churchill, with my brother, John Feathertop.”’ “T didn’t know you had a brother, Joe,” interrupted Nat. “Dead now,’ remarked the narrator, laconically, then resumed his story. “We started out, one fine morning, from the fort, and by the end of the next day reached a lake about thirty miles away, where the fishing was good. “Two men — white men — were with us. They were from a big town in the States — New — New —” “York ?” suggested Rob. “That's it. They paid us well, and were full of fun. On the lake we had two good canoes, hidden in the bushes at different points. John and I soon found one of them, drew the paddles from a hollow log close by, and started across the lake for the other canoe. “We paddled straight across a wide bay, in a north- east direction, took our bearings from a bunch of rocks just above water (there were half a dozen gull’s-nests on them, and the birds flew up slowly as we paddled past) ; then worked up to a point heavily wooded with black growth, and John landed. AN UNSEEN ENEMY. 53 “Pretty soon I heard a squirrel chatter, and right afterward a bird sound, like this.” Here Joe imitated pretty closely the long, plaintive whistle of the hermit thrush. W: yy Vy Y, W) Ny (Za tf ile —— 2 ea = a5 : Sez illite eS Se = “WE STARTED ACROSS THE LAKE.” The boys nodded to their father, to show that they recognized the notes ; and Joe gravely proceeded. ““T knew then that something was out of the common, and that John apprehended danger ; otherwise he would not have called me at all, or would have sung out my name. ‘The squirrel and the bird meant ‘ trouble — come 54 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. quick, but carefully.’ If the bird had sung first, it would have meant, ‘ Stay there; I’m coming back.’ “ T answered the bird call, and stepped out of the canoe, pulling it up a little on a big rock. Then I went into the bushes and found John. ‘He was standing near an old pine stub that had been our landmark for the second canoe. It ought to have been just six paces from that stub, in a little overgrown run, covered with brush. The fir and spruce, with a few white cedars, grew so thick along the edge of the run that nobody would have found the canoe without a hard hunt, and a hint as to its hiding-place. Nobody in the world knew of that place but John and I. The canoe was gone.” Joe paused impressively, having dropped his voice to its lowest gutturals in pronouncing the two words, “Canoe gone!’ —and looked around the firelit circle of faces to observe the effect. The result of the survey proving satisfactory, he lighted his pipe anew with a blazing twig from the camp- fire. “ But that wasn’t the worst of it,’ he continued, more solemnly than ever. ‘ There wasn’t the faintest sign of any stranger there. Not a track showed in the earth between that spot and the lake. Not a twig, as far as we could see in any direction, was broken or bent; even the boughs that had been thrown over the run were absolutely undisturbed. AN UNSEEN ENEMY. isis “Simply, the canoe was not there. In some mysterious way it had been drawn out from its hiding-place, and had totally disappeared. “T said there was no track. Stop — there was one. John pointed it out after we had been there a minute. It was a mere touch on the moss — so light as hardly to bend down the soft tops— yet, here and there, plainly enough marked when once we had found one, were the prints of a child’s or a young girl’s foot. The strange part of it was the lightness. We found one spot where she or it had stepped fairly on a piece of soft, muddy soil. As I live, masters, the print was not half a day old, and was not so deep.” Joe measured off about an eighth of an inch on his thumb-nail. Nat crept more closely to his father, and glanced over his shoulder. There was always something uncanny about Joe’s stories; and, indeed, Mr. Dutton began to repent having called for the performance on this particular night. “ Hurry up, Joe,” he exclaimed, “and get to the point of your story. What made the tracks around the run? Some light-footed Indian squaw, I suppose!” “No squaw, replied Joe, with dignity. “Track too ver’ light, you see.” But, as I said, I will not try to give the story in Joe’s peculiar dialect. Here is the rest of it, translated into English. | “We could make nothing of the tracks, and pretty 56 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. soon we paddled back to camp, after having searched the point over for the missing canoe. Nota sign of it could we find. “When we returned to our two hunters, they laughed at us, but were angry, too, because they had but one canoe to fish from. Only one of them could go out at a time. | ‘¢ We took a few trout in the lake, but the fish did not rise well, and after a couple of days we pushed on to a small pond five miles above. “Tt was all white water between, so we had to carry. It took five trips to get across, for it’s the hardest carry in all the north country. “The last time we took the canoe. It was rather heavy for that style of craft, and there was one point, just opposite a big waterfall in the river, where it had to be lugged straight uphill for fifty rods or more. “ John and I got underneath, and the New York men pulled on a rope hitched round the bows. “Tt was a hard tug, but we got there at last. ‘We built a brush camp pretty near the shore of the upper pond, and laid out for a fortnight’s stay at least. There was deer-sign in the woods, and if the rises in the pond at sunset meant anything, they meant all the fish we could eat, and more, too. “Well, sir, if you'll believe me, we'd no sooner got settled down in camp than everything began to go wrong. “ John cut his hand that very night mending a leader, AN UNSEEN ENEMY. 57 so he could hardly hold a paddle. One of our blankets yy had a hole burnt in it the next 5 #, fro! morning; our best rifle missed s/t" fre when we had a fine buck ,, caribou In easy range; it rained Nim hard and was broiling hot 4, Vos 4 Ua), -. by turns; and at last John \ a eee through clumsy paddling Roo vy : with his lame hand, vill ‘ see iN, SW «run the canoe square ) im) , ih on to a rock, near the outlet, and put a hole “out, through the birch. “Solt sao: Use, / ’ [ 2, ss ty we agreed, he and hy i I, ‘the trip’s be- ee . witehed. What- A ever it was that aN ; — took that canoehas ,__ bee . * Veer: sent us bad luck.’ SN OS a «Then we re- ' Vi membered an old pi. story of how an in- nocent Indian girl ly, : “es was shot by trap- a Wm? GpHILL WORK. Gi pers in that region years before ; shot because some skulk- 58 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. ing chap in her tribe had stolen a pelt or two, and these fellows wanted to square the account. | “John shook his head, and said he believed the spirit of the girl was abroad in the woods, and would be the death of us if we didn’t go out. ‘‘ He wanted to tell the two gentlemen about it, but I told him they'd laugh at him, and we'd better wait a while before doing anything. “* Hm,’ said John, ‘if we want to go back, who can hinder ?’ ‘“* You'd have to go alone,’ said I, ‘ for I won’t leave a party Ive once taken into the woods, spirit or no spirit.’ “That night one of our two masters was taken with fever and chills, though he had been perfectly well an hour before. John looked hard at me as we sat by the fire, but I pretended not to see him. | “Next morning the poor gentleman was rather worse than better. Part of the time he was out of his head, | and kept raving about somebody he thought was trying to drown him in the canoe. 7 “<< Don't tip it over! Don't trp it ever! hed (ery, am the most awful way, starting up and then sinking back with a choking sound as if he were going under water. “As soon as I got a chance I called Jolin out into the brush a bit. “<¢John,’ said I, ‘I had a queer dream last night.’ “«« So did I,’ said he, quietly. “‘<]T dreamed I found that canoe.’ AN UNSEEN ENEMY. 59 feo did I.’ “Tt was placed across two flat, mossy rocks, and in it was the body of a young squaw— ’ “Before John had time to say, ‘So it was!’ (as I’ve no doubt his dream was exactly the same as mine) we were called to hold the sick man, who was now quite out of his head, and muttering strange things that nobody but John and I understood. “He grew quieter after a while, and slept. The other gentleman, worried and troubled as he was, took his rifle and started round the shore of the lake for game. ‘“‘ Before long I heard the crack of his piece, and not a> minute later a doe dashed past the camp. “Her tongue was out, and I could see that she was wounded ; but she was out of sight with three bounds. As she went past us she half turned her head, and gave me one swift look from her big, frightened eyes. I’m an old hunter, sir, but I declare to you I never had a deer nor a living animal look at me so before. I found a single red spot on a green leaf in her tracks, after she had gone. ° “This was at about noon. The master came back more tired and anxious than ever. As soon as dinner was over, he wanted me to go and hunt up that doe. “Generally, I'd want no better job, for I knew by the way she ran that she was shot to death, and I wouldn’t have to go far. But, sir, I hated to go. I’d have taken John, but he said he must stay in camp and gum that 60 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. leak in the old canoe before dark. I left him getting his gum and some bark to burn and sear with. “ Well, it took longer than I thought it would. For upwards of three miles I tramped through the black ‘¢T SHOULDERED THE CANOE.”’ growth to the head of the pond, following the trail, which wasn't the easiest to keep in sight. There wasn’t a broken limb or even a bent brake; and on the ground scarcely a track, she was so light. AN UNSEEN ENEMY. 61 “The sun was well down, and it was getting pretty shady in the woods when I struck a plain carry, made by traders in old times, from the head of the pond to a chain of lakes and a post beyond. “ After following this about a hundred rods, I came to a standstill. A small sheet of water was just in front of me; but what I noticed most was a lot of big, mossy rocks along the shore. They were the very rocks that I had seen in my dream! “ And there, sir, not quite as I had dreamed it, but pulled up a little across the opening of the carry, was the lost canoe. “Y came up to it with a creeping all over me, from head to foot. I knew what I should find there, even before I saw the patch of soft brown and white over the edge of the canoe. “There, just as she had stumbled and fallen, in her last feeble effort to reach the water, lay the beautiful doe, the blood still flowing from the fatal bullet-hole. She was quite dead. “Perhaps you'll laugh at me, sir, when I tell you I didn’t cut her up ? “I took her out easy, and laid her on the moss, out of sight of the carry. She was a small, slender thing, and hited easy. I threw some brush over her, and shouldered the canoe, which was not so large as the one we had brought with us from the first lake, and in five minutes was paddling down the lower pond as if all the spirits of the forest were after me. 62 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. “At last I came in sight of John Feathertop, just putting the last touches on the bottom of the damaged canoe, and then, I confess, for the first time I breathed freely. | “ic a wii i ‘JOHN WAS PUTTING THE LAST TOUCHES ON.”? “The gentleman asked me where the doe was, but I took no notice, and he supposed I felt bad at not finding her, so he said nothing more about it. “ The next day the sick man was well enough to move, AN UNSEEN ENEMY. 63 and we all started for home, although the two New Yorkers wanted to stay and finish their sport.” ‘Why did they go out, then ? “ Because they could not stay without guides. And both guides refused, quietly and respectiully, but firmly, to spend another day in that locality. “We got out in safety, with the exception of the lighter canoe. That we left behind. Why? Because it had carried the dead; because the dead had claimed it ; because it belonged to the dead. “ John Feathertop and I, as well as Jim here, were poor enough ; but there wasn’t money enough in all the -Hudson’s Bay territory to hire us ever to visit that lake again.” As Joe concluded his story, with a furtive glance at the staring eyes about him, a loon in the lake below suddenly made night hideous with its maniac laughter. Mr. Dutton could feel little Nat shiver in his arms. CHAPTER V. RAFT-BUILDING. Se peel was plain that Joe's story, instead of quieting “i lg the boys, as their father had intended, had ee ig We wrought them to a high pitch of nervousness, ae would have to relax before sleep visited the little camp by the headwaters of the Pelly that night. ‘“Now, boys,’ he exclaimed in his cheery, wholesome tones, that of themselves began at once to put to flight the imaginary terrors of the night, “ Z’m going to tell you a story. The difference between mine and Joe’s is, princi- pally, that mine is true!” Joe withdrew his pipe from his lips, and gazed reproach- fully at Mr. Dutton; contented himself with a shake of his head, at the idea of his veracity being questioned ; and began to puff again at his tobacco. “That is,” added Mr. Dutton, changing his position in the tent so as to rest more easily, and at the same time face the boys, “the main facts are true. It’s about a severe cold snap that took place in Atlanta, Georgia, not long ago.” Thereupon he proceeded to narrate the following story, 64 RAFT-BUILDING. 65 giving the negro dialect with such excellent effect as to make the boys laugh heartily at some points, and to bring tears to their eyes at others. Lex had been busy all day, partly in efforts to keep out from under customers’ feet, partly in running errands. When he turned away from the store at night, and started for home, he was very tired. “Hi!” chattered Lex, as he pattered along the side- walk, “ain’t dis yere cold, jes’ !” It was cold, and was growing colder. The sun had muffled itself in a bank of clouds, as it hurried off toa warmer climate, turning a very cold shoulder indeed upon Lex and his surroundings. As soon as the sun was well out of the way, presto! up dodged the sly breezes that had kept quiet since morning, and, spying the black boy on his way home, made for him with eager glee. They could not do much with his hair, to be sure, it curled so tightly and closely to his round head; but, to make up for that, they pinched his ears, and pulled off his tattered hat, tweaked his fingers and toes, whooped and hallooed at him, and threw dust in his astonished black eyes, until he felt as if he were in the paws of a sort of great Polar tiger, playing with him cruelly and breathing on him from her icy jaws. So the wind kept on blowing, harder and harder, and the mercury in the thermometers sought to hide itself in 66 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. their bulbs, until the very light of the moon above the chimney-tops seemed to come down frozen. Colder and colder it grew. In the North, people would not have been surprised at it, but Atlanta folks were not used to such cold, and it took them by surprise. George Alexander Jackson, or “ Lex,” as he was called for short, hurried along till he reached a small cabin on the outskirts of the city, and, slamming the door behind him, stood shivering before the stove, whose firelight, | shining out between the bars in front, fell pleasantly on the floor, and danced all about the white kitten who blinked sleepily at Lex. “Well, Lex, got home fm yo’ wo’k agin, ain’t ye!” said a stout black woman, cheerily, coming up to him and drawing his woolly head to her motherly bosom. “ Po’ little boy! He’s done run all d’ way home, — now, ain't ye, honey ?” Lex bobbed his head, and squirmed with the cold. “Dar, dar, chile, you jes’ stay right in mammy’s arms till ye get wo’'m an’ comf’ble. Reckon ’twon’t be so cold ter-morrer. An’ de Lo’d will pervide!” Chloe Jackson was one of the old slaves who had “ got religion,’ as her master had sneeringly said. ‘Truly she had “got” it, firmly enough, and not even her freedom in these later days was so precious to her. To Lex, re- ligion as yet meant mostly —“mammy,’ and he would have been as much alarmed had she stopped using Scrip- ture phrases as if she had stopped breathing. RAFT-BUILDING. 67 A comfortable sense of warmth stole through Lex’s sturdy little frame, as he watched his mother going about the room in her preparations for supper. On the table, bare, but clean, were set three plates of different sizes, and in varied stages of repair; a small teapot, a plate of hoe-cakes, and a cracked mug full of a dark liquid that Lex’s critical eye told him was molasses. A cup and saucer for Chloe herself completed the tea- set, and Lex was told to take his place beside his mother and sister, the latter beng a year or two younger than himself. His father had gone quietly away to another country five years before, leaving his poor black earth- clothes in the little burying-ground outside the city. “Be quiet, chilluns!”’ said Chloe, softly, raising her hand. Then she proceeded to say grace — rather longer than common, Lex thought, sniffing the hoe-cakes with his eyes shut. | “QO Lo’d,” she concluded, her voice beginning to trem- ble strangely, “bress dese yere chilluns! O doan fergit yo brack chilluns, what yo’ led outen de wildness, O Lo’d, an’ don’t let dese yere little ones freeze wid cold, or die fer want of food, an’ doan, O Lord — Amen.” Lex looked up, surprised at her abrupt close, and caught sight of two big tears rolling down her cheeks. “OQ mammy! mammy! what ye done cry fer?” he begged, laying his head again on her shoulder. “ What makes y’ ask Mass, Lo’d”’ (she never could break him of saying that) “ter keep us f’m freezin’ ?” 68 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. “ Dar, chile,” she said, almost sharply, “doan ye go ter axin’ questions. De Lo’d an’ I done got two er free secrets what pickaninnies mus’n know nuf’n’ ’bout. You jes eat yo’ supper an’ be quiet.”’ His thoughts diverted for a few minutes by this last suggestion, Lex busied himself with his bread and molasses. Then he asked, — “Mammy, who was it you read ’bout in de Bible dat got fo’ or five t’ousand hoe-cakes f’m a flock of crows?” “Laws-a-me, jes’ hear him!” cried mammy, an ill- suppressed chuckle of fun driving the anxiety out of her face fora moment. “’Twas meat, meat, chile, what dem birds bro’t to ’Lijah.” ‘An’ would dey brung meat to us, mammy, ef we wus mighty hungry ?” “YT reckon so, honey,” said Chloe, with a sweet look of faith in her honest eyes. “ He’s never fergot us yit.” So Lex was satisfied, and returned to his post by the fire. Presently he looked up, with a little shiver. ‘‘Mammy, please put some mo’ wood on de fire.” Mammy glanced up quickly, then came to the small stove, and stirred the brands together till they crackled and blazed again. “Lex,” she said, quietly, “I’m gwine out fer a little while. You an’ Bess stay here an’ ‘have yerselves till I git back.” Without further words, she drew a faded shawl over her head, and went out into the bleak night. RAFT-BUILDING. 69 It was half an hour or more before she came back. She kept her shawl about her till she had sent the chil- dren out of the room on an errand, then deposited upon the floor a few sticks of wood she had brought in. When they returned, she was replenishing the fire. *Pears colder “n ever,’ she said. ‘You chillun ’d better go ter bed now.” And they went, curling up in a heap of straw and under a patched quilt in one corner of the hut. “ Are ye sho’ de crows will come, mammy?” yawned Lex, as she tucked the ragged edges of an old blanket around him. > “¢ Sho’, honey,” she replied, heartily. “ An’ could — dey — brung — wood?” — but Lex was too sleepy to wait for an answer. It will be long before the Atlanta people forget the night of January 26, 18—. The bitter wind which only a few weeks before had urged a conflagration to do its fearful work, until a whole city seemed mounting to heaven in a chariot of fire, now with icy coldness crept in noiselessly, to counteract the efforts of the very element it had so lately helped. In the night Lex had a curious dream. He thought he saw his mother creep softly into the kitchen, and bear the old pine table out of the house. Then there seemed to come a cracking noise, and presently the firelight shone out merrily through the little bars, and Lex felt warm and comfortable. Mammy stayed by the stove, occasion- 70 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. ally throwing in bits of wood, until his dream carried him elsewhere. The next morning Lex was waked by hearing Bess crying softly beside him. ‘“ What’s de matter, Bess?” he asked, sleepily. “ T’se s-so cold!”’ she sobbed, cuddling up close to him. But mammy’s ears had eaught the sound too, and she was beside her little black lambs in a moment, covering them with the shawl she had worn the night before. As she did so, Lex felt something soft and warm between him and Bess. It was the white kitten. It struck Lex as strange that the white kitten should prefer his bed to the floor underneath the stove, where she was usually found on other mornings. At that same moment he observed that the steam was not puffing from the tea- kettle, as was its wont. ‘Wh-what’s de matter wid de stove, mammy?” he stammered, rubbing his eyes. “ Doan you bodder yo’ head ’bout dat ar stove,” said Chloe, with great cheerfulness. “I jes’ let de fire go down a little b’fo’ breakfas’, dat’s all.” “ B-but — whar’s de table ?” Chloe turned her head away at first, without answer- ing. She had loved the little four-foot table, at which she and her husband had sat so often, and it had been a sore sacrifice to burn it up. But she had all her mother- hood stirred in defence of her children. She fought the cold as if it had been a living thing. | RAFT-BUILDING. el Just then Bess, catching the look, gave a little miser- able wail of distress and cold. At that cry, the fierce light that sometimes comes into the mild eyes of her race flashed in Chloe’s as she crouched by the httle heap of straw, and glanced ner- vously about the room. There were only two wooden pieces of furniture that had survived the demands of that night; an old, broken- legged stool, which her husband had brought from the plantation, and which had always been specially set apart for him; and a small shelf, high up on the opposite wall, on which were laid a worn Bible and hymn-book. Chloe rose, hesitated a moment, then stepped across the room, swiftly reached up, and, taking the two books from their resting-place, laid them carefully and reverently upon a few wisps of clean straw, in a corner of the hut. Next, she gave the shelf a wrench that brought it down ~ with a cloud of dust, and, without pausing, —as if she were afraid of repenting,— opened the stove-door and thrust in the fragments upon the glowing brands. All these proceedings Lex and Bess and the white kitten watched with intense interest, and with very dubi- ous faces. Bess no longer cried, but had hard work to keep her lip from quivering. Kitty put out one dainty paw, shook it as if she had dipped it into cold water, curled up again in Lex’s bosom, and made a brave attempt to purr. Lex privately thought it might be about time for the no, THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. ravens. It comforted him a little, he hardly knew why, to think that they would be black, like himself — these chosen messengers from heaven. He was cut short in his reflections by mammy. “Tse owine out again,” she said, in a queer voice Lex had never heard. “I’se gwine out ter git somefin fer ye ter burn an’ ter eat.” ‘“¢ But dem — dem crows, mammy ?” “T’se ewine ter look fer em.” And she was gone. ‘““Mebbe dey mout ‘light down round de house,” medi- tated Lex. “Tl jes’ keep de cat inside de do’, any- ways.” This time it was an hour before Chloe returned, weary, footsore, slow of speech, benumbed with cold. She had left the shawl, you see, over little Bess. In her pocket she brought a few chips, two bits of coal, and a fragment of bread-crust. With the remains of last night’s supper, for which she had used the last crumb of provisions in the house, they made a meagre breakfast. The children were not allowed to get up, so they did not miss the table so much. Still the ravens did not come. Chloe dragged herself out once more, and returned — empty-handed ! It was Sunday, and the church-bells, in the wealthier part of the city, rang merrily. But congregations that morning were small. Those whose conscience permitted them to do so stayed at home. The lower streets were thronged with poor people, crying for bread and fuel. RAFT-BUILDING. 73 The little white kitten, and many other kittens that day, white and black, mewed piteously for the meat the ravens did not bring. “Mammy,” said Lex, “I’se powful hungry. Doan y’ tink it’s bout time fer ’em?”’ The three-legged stool had gone long ago. Mammy, her brave heart battling against the numb despair that was creeping over her, laid her poor rough hand on the boy’s head, and sang : — “Oh, my way’s cloudy — My way — Oh, send dem angels down.” “Mammy!” Lex suddenly broke out, with a sharp ery, “ was dat “Lijah white?” Poor mammy! Perhaps if she could have had an image of Hlijah’s swarthy face as it must really have looked, she would have been comforted. As it was, she was fain to lay her finger on the child’s trembling lips, and go on singing. In the west the sun glowed in all its mockery of red light, like a painted furnace in a frame of ice. The wind, — ah, that remorseless wind ! — springing up again, blew out the last spark of fire, and thrust itself through the wide cracks in the little hut. Still mammy sat stiffly, forming the words with her lips : — “Send dem angels down, — My way’s clo-o-udy —” 74 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. “Mammy,” moaned Lex once more, “’pears like dem crows lost dar way, ’r else dey doan come to no brack folks. Dar pry 1s!” he shrieked out, all at once, jump- ing to his feet and almost upsetting mammy, who raised herself more slowly and listened. Yes! it was-a low, heavy rumble of wheels over the frozen ground. Nearer and nearer it came. Chloe darted to the door. They were stopping — two big wagons, one loaded high with wood, the other with baskets of provis- ions of every sort conceivable. The driver was a wealthy resident of Atlanta, well known throughout the city, and, doubtless, throughout heaven, too, God bless him ! So the ravens had come, and Chloe and her little ones knew no more want that winter. The next morning the following telegram quivered over the wires to the great Northern newspapers, in the files of which you can find it if you look : — “ ATLANTA, Ga., Jan. 27. The severe weather of the past week caused great suffermg among the poor. On Saturday it was learned that hundreds of poor women and children were huddling around their last burning stick of wood, and the Constitution of Sunday morning made an appeal to the citizens to send to the paper money, provisions, and fuel, which would be distributed by its business department. ‘‘ At noon there were gathered together about sixty wagons, containing wood and provisions. Merchants worth hundreds of thousands of dollars took their places RAFT-BUILDING. 75 as drivers, each with a wood-wagon and a _provision- wagon under his charge, and started on a tour of the city, working all day until nightfall. “All day the Constitution office looked more lke a military supply depot than a newspaper office. Hundreds of sacks of flour, coffee and sugar, sides of meat and hams, and on the sidewalk cords of wood were seen, while the streets were full of people, clamorous for relief. No distinction was made in the distribution in regard to color.” Who shall say, boys, that men are not still about their Father’s business ? When Mr. Dutton concluded, Nat was already yawn- ing, and the relieved expression of the other boys’ faces showed that their pulses were beating calmly once more. “ Now,” said the father, “we'll go to sleep.” It was easier to say “sleep” than to do it, after all. Never did a night seem so long to the boys as they lay huddled together in the tent. Perhaps little Nat, now that he had recovered from his nervousness, was the bravest of all. He said his prayers composedly, took off his jacket, and Jay down in the tent with perfect trust in both his heavenly and his human father, feeling very sure that he would be well taken care of until morning. Mr. Dutton watched, rifle across his knee, until twelve o clock. Then he called Rob, who kept guard till two. The guides relieved him, and he slept heavily for the next two hours. 76 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. At four o'clock the whole camp was astir. Mr. Dutton, who had decided upon a definite course, gave his orders quietly. First, a good breakfast, in which hot coffee and Rob’s rabbit played a prominent part. It was wonderful how much better they all felt after this. Teddy, rein- forced by a huge lump from the savory stew, declared himself ready to fight “‘ivery Injun in Alashky.” No alarm had been given during the night, and all were alert for the day’s work. Already the terrors of the dusky evening twilight seemed a thing of the past. “The first thing,” said Mr. Dutton, cheerily, as they rose from their meal, “is to find some good large logs floating in the lake. Half a dozen will do.” y) ‘“There’s a lot of them down there,” said Hugh, point- ing. “TI crept out on them yesterday when I was fish-. mow “What are you going to do with them, papa ?”’ asked Nat. “T think it best that we should finish our journey, if possible, on a raft, though it will take all day to make one. We should be liable to lose our way by shore, and I’ve noticed that the undergrowth of bushes and deep moss is growing much more troublesome as we approach the coast.” ‘But how about the Indians ?” “Tf they are really hostile, we shall be safest on our raft, for then they cannot reach us without coming mto RAFT-BUILDING. 77 full view. Yes, by all means, it is best to take to the water.” “To the water, then!’’ cried Robert, seizing an axe, and starting for the point indicated by Hugh. “To the water!” echoed all, and a general stampede toward the lake would have followed had not the leader checked it. “Wait! wait!” he called out, laughing. “There's work here for some to do. Nat, do you straighten out all the pieces of cord you can find in the packs. They must be used for fastening the cross pieces together. Hugh, you may busy yourself about camp. Take down the tent, to begin with, and pack it up for transporta- tion.” | “ But, father, I thought you said we should stay here another day. Sha’n’t we need the tent — ?”’ “ Another day, my boy, but not another night! No, we shall take the ‘ night boat,’ and before sunrise to-mor- row we must be thirty miles from here, if it can be done.” Mr. Dutton now dispatched the two guides into the woods, to reconnoitre. They joined him shortly afterward at the water’s edge, and reported all quiet; no new signs of the enemy. How those axes did flash through the air! Branches were lopped off from the fallen trees where it was neces- sary, but for the most part they had been broken or rubbed away in the wild rush they must have recently made from their native heights, in the current of a glacial 78 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. torrent. The ends of four of the largest logs were notched, and the big timbers “ saddled” on each other. Then, although they lay quite firmly together, they were lashed with stout cords. Two other pieces were saddled across from side to side in the same way, at even distances between the ends of the oblong raft, and on these four cross-pieces was laid a dry, compact floor or deck of logs, running lengthwise of the raft, and secured by notch- ing and tying at the outside corners. It was eight o'clock in the evening when the last log was fastened in its place. The day had passed without a visit from the savages, but there had been an indication of their presence which had disturbed Mr. Dutton. | About the middle of the afternoon a light column of thin blue smoke had been seen to ascend from just beyond the ridge before referred to. Within three minutes a similar smoke arose from a hill-top on the opposite side of the lake. Then both disappeared. It was plainly a signal. It looked as if the natives were gathering in force. Perhaps it was not a band of Takheesh after all, but some strange, unknown tribe from the interior, far more savage and uncivilized. Supper was eaten in silence. “Now,” said Mr. Dutton, quietly, “ we'll rest an hour or two under the mosquito tent.” The netting had been left out for this especial purpose, and the whole party crawled under its meshes, thankful RAFT-BUILDING. 79 to stretch themselves out on their blankets for even that short time, They had done little during the day except hard work, standing half the time up to their knees in water, while the mosquitoes were buzzing in swarms around their heads. Hugh had taken half a dozen trout, and Robert had shot a green-winged teal. At just half past ten o’clock Mr. Dutton gave the sig- nal for rising. They rubbed their stiff and weary limbs, and, one by one, scrambled, yawning, to their feet. “Do up the blankets, boys. Joe, is the raft ready? Have you got the poles on board, and the mast rigged with the braces ?”’ ois.’ “Now, Rob —that’s it, take everything with you, and scatter the fire a little. Good-bye, Camp Prospect !”’ They stepped on board their rough craft, and the three men took positions with the long push-poles Joe had provided. “Now, then; off she goes!” And off she went, away from the silent shore, toward the middle of the lake. A gentle breeze was blowing from the east. Mr. Dut- ton spread the cotton tent in such a way as to shelter the younger boys, and at the same time help their progress a little as a sail. From the time they left the shore, they spoke in low tones, in order not to apprise any lurking 80 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. enemy of their departure. In this way they moved slowly but steadily on their course down the lake, the little waves rippling against the sides of the raft, and a startled Quack ! now and then betraying the presence of a duck paddling about in the water. It was now near midnight, but they were so far north that they could have read a newspaper easily had such a commodity been furnished by the Alaska press. The mosquitoes were so voracious that the “skeleton tent ’’ was pitched on the raft, and afforded intense relief to those of the crew who could be spared to take refuge under it. Hugh, Nat, Teddy, and Carlo were the first to take advantage of the netting, and in five minutes all four were fast asleep, Nat’s head resting lovingly on Carlo’s black fur. Robert came over to his father’s side. ‘Where are you aiming for, father? How far do you expect to go?” ‘“‘Tf the traders’ and travellers’ stories are correct, this lake is about a dozen or fifteen miles long, by an average of three wide. At the foot of it, the river Pelly starts in a series of rough but not dangerous rapids. I studied this all out at home, for I could see that we were likely to travel on or beside the river, from its source to its union with the Yukon proper.” “And do you expect to cross those rapids to-night, sir?”’ asked Robert, in amazement. RAFT-BUILDING. 21 “T do,’ said Mr. Dutton, firmly. “About ten miles from their foot, the river widens into a small pond, which contains one island. On that island we shall camp —” “Look, father, what 1s that ?”’ interrupted Rob, eagerly. “Tt looks like a man swimming. Isn't it?” A moment’s scrutiny and a single question to the guides explained the true character of the swimmer. It was not an Indian or a white man. What they saw was simply the head of a large black bear, swimming across at the narrowest part of the lake. Robert was eager to get out his Winchester and shoot the animal, but his father said no. He did not dare to fire a gun, lest he should put the natives on their guard. “‘ Besides,” he said, “‘ we could not possibly secure either carcass or skin, and we must not join the large army of thoughtless people who take animal life ‘ for fun.’”’ The bear looked neither to right nor left, but swam on, and presently they saw him drag himself out of the water and disappear in the forest. The raft had now turned the bend of the horseshoe, and was heading northwest. The east wind, drawing in around the high hills I have already spoken of, on the southern shore of the lake, was still slightly astern, and helped the raft so that the poles were not used. They now drew near the opening which, they could plamly see, marked the exit of the Pelly River. Already they could hear the rush of the “rip”? waves, where the fierce current contended with the eternal rocks. 82 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. Bump! went the raft on a huge boulder. Carlo became uneasy, and, getting out somehow from under the mosquito canopy, advanced gravely to the forward end of the raft. Thump! went the raft again. Still it kept the main channel, and was not appreciably the worse for wear. A sort of steering oar had been arranged for this craft by the boys, and by a diligent use of this, as well as the push-poles, no great damage was done to the vessel or passengers. Presently the raft began to run more smoothly. She was passing swiftly down between the shadowy banks of the Pelly, picturesque and grand by daylight, but solemn and awe-inspiring in the dim, brown dusk. of the northern night. Overhead, a thick bank of fog was stealing across the sky, concealing stars and moon. Still on the raft rushed. Strange shapes seemed to throng the banks. The boys thought they could see huge elks, gigantic serpents, even lions and tigers, along the shore. These were but the ghosts born of darkness and imagination. They hoped now that they were well beyond their unwelcome and unseen visitors of the night before. Cer- tainly no Indian war-party could have kept up with them had they started on shore at the same time. The only danger was that some roving band of Takheesh had been warned by that column of blue smoke that a raft was going down the rapids soon. ) ED THE RAFT RUSH TILL ON beg or tie \, fins Dn he + q j r bay A i by i a & ng Sly —_ a DY 2 | \ | . ap — * ty es : = —— . e f «i , ‘ 4 é “ss oi, oth ie x tr ry } , 2 , . ~ : / f & + ve ri : - cos eee At oe ee yd RAFT-BUILDING. 85 “ Hivery foot is clear gain,’ said Mr. Dutton. “ We must be getting pretty well down to the little lake where [ intend we shall camp. I believe there are some light rips just before we reach there, but I think we've got over the worst of — ” A startled grunt from Joe, who was at the forward end of the raft, mterrupted him. ew hat is it, boy?” Joe pointed ahead, and at the same moment Carlo gave a sharp, angry yelp. In the dim light could be seen a row of dark figures stretched entirely across the stream, about three hundred yards below them. Beyond a doubt they were Indians. In profound silence the raft swept forward, with its tremendous momentum, and in another moment it was upon them. CHART va: THROUGH THE ENEMY’S LINES. a gem i 4 N catching sight of the shad- owy line of enemies, stretched across the river in the direct path of the swiftly moving raft, Mr. Dutton’s first impulse had been to seize his rifle, which was fully charged with reserve cartridges, and was close at hand. The time was so short that he had barely an opportunity to cock the piece before the voyagers were in the very midst of the band of Indians, who crowded about the raft, and, half wading, half floatimg down- stream with the clumsy raft, began urging it toward the right bank of the river. Before any of them could climb upon the raft, Mr. Dutton discharged his rifle into the air; at exactly the same moment Carlo gave a fierce yelp, and Teddy, who for the first time realized the condition of affairs, uttered an unearthly howl of dismay. At the report of the rifle, the natives fell back in con- 86 THROUGH THE ENEMY’S LINES. 87 sternation, putting their hands to their ears; and the apparition of the huge, shaggy Newfoundland, together with Teddy’s outcry, put a climax to their Imght. Tum- bling and splashing in the water, they made for the shore, and, before the Duttons fairly knew what had hap- pened, the river was as silent as a grave, save for the rushing of the muddy waters around the rocks and the protruding logs of the raft. “Out with your poles, boys! Push for your lives — they may be back, or send their arrows after us at any minute !”’ cried the leader, seizing one of the long poles, and suiting the action to the word. The raft, which had already touched bottom, now glided off into deeper water, and soon was swinging down-stream without interruption, save an occasional thump upon a hidden boulder. For half an hour the voyage continued in perfect silence, Nat, Hugh, and Ted sleeping quietly in their tent, and the attention of the rest being concentrated on keeping the raft in the channel. Once it grounded on a sandbar, but the two Indians, leaping into the water and standing waist-deep, succeeded in heaving it off. At length, to the intense relief of all, the river began perceptibly to widen. The banks became more and more obscure in the mists of early morning. The speed of the raft slackened, and the poles now and then failed to touch bottom. Beyond a doubt, they were emerging into the broad lake to which they had been anxiously looking forward throughout the long night. 88 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. As the daylight grew brighter, they could soon make out a low, wooded island ahead. Toward this they moved, and ere long the logs grated on the pebbles, some half-dozen rods from shore. Again the Indians entered the water, but, like the raven from the ark, this time they did not return. They disappeared for a few moments; then, having explored a small bit of the rocky island, came running back, not to climb on board, but to drag and push the raft a few yards nearer the shore. Carlo plunged into the water, and swam lke an otter to the island. Nat, Hugh, Rob, and even Mr. Dutton himself, were carried ashore ou the stout shoulders of the guides. It remained only to bring Teddy ; but, to every- body’s surprise, that valiant youth refused to set foot on dry land. ‘¢ Sure, I’m safer.on the raft,’ he said. “Tl megane going into the woods again till I see the sojers.” So he was left to guard the ship. Blankets and tents were landed, a roaring fire made, and soon the whole party were sound asleep. ¢ CHAPTER VIL. OUT OF THE ERYING-PAN. OUR friends slept well that night, — or morning, rather,— it was ten o'clock before the camp was fairly astir. Teddy begged to come ashore at last, and complained bitterly of the “‘muskayters,’ who, he said, made such a noise about his ears that he was awake all the time he was sleeping. Jim waded out to the raft to brmg him in. The Indian was observed to stoop and examine something closely near the end of one of the logs. He brought Teddy to land on his back, and then handed Mr. Dutton a fragment of a peculiar-shaped arrow, which he said he had found sticking in the raft. “What do you make of it, Joe?” asked Mr. Dutton. The two Indians examined the ugly-looking shaft nar- rowly, and exchanged a few guttural remarks in their own tongue. Jim gave the verdict, laconically, as usual. ‘“‘ Ayan moose arrow.” 89 90 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. “Then it was not a war party that we saw?” ex- claimed the leader. The arrow 1s pictured below. SOINo.) 4 Ettnad! “ But who or what are the Ayans?”’ ‘‘Injuns round here,” said Joe, with a sweep of his arm. ‘No Takheesh yit.” Mr. Dutton was greatly gratified at this information. The band they had come upon, then, was simply a hunt- <= wa = AS . S \ \ ~ AYAN MOOSE ARROW. ing-party of river Indians, who were probably attracted to the travellers by curiosity. When the gun was fired, or after the Indians had reached the shore, it was likely that one or two arrows had been discharged at the fast disappearing raft. No trouble, then, was to be appre- hended, after all. They were making leisurely preparations to break camp once more, when a slight splashing in the lake caused Teddy, who was nearest the water, to glance up from his work. was “ down-east’’ in every shrewd twinkle of his eye and intonation of his voice. This, with the fact that he was a dead shot, and immensely powerful in his arms, is all we need to know at present of Solomon Baronov. We shall be better acquainted with him by and by. Getting wind of the heutenant’s expedition, he had petitioned at once to join it, on small pay, as general hunter and guide. At the present moment he was swinging along at an easy gait, behind the Indians, smoking a well blackened briar-wood as he walked. A small schooner had been chartered, and lay at the wharf in waiting for her passengers and freight. These were soon on board, sails were hoisted, and the Walrus began to plough the waters of the sound. Sitka was left behind, Mt. Edgecumbe passed, and the prow of the schooner turned northward. The short voyage was without special incident, and early on the morning of the fourth day, Saturday, the Walrus let go her anchor in Chilkoot Inlet. Canoes — and the schooner’s boat — were now taken to the extreme head of the inlet, an all-day’s hard pull. At noon the party stopped for lunch under some large cedars near the shore. Grass grew on all sides shoulder- high ; enormous dandelions, buttercups, and violets dotted - the moist banks, while briars and berry vines, covered with snowy blossoms, grew in rank profusion over boul- der and fallen trunk. THE CHILKOOT PASS. LAr Soon after leaving this spot, the little flotilla entered the narrow portion of their course, known as Dayay Inlet. Again Florence’s girlish adjectives of admiration were called into play by the dark masses of foliage cloth- ing the steep hills on each side of the stream, and the frequent cataracts that dashed down from the far-off heights. The end of open navigation was reached at last, but the banks were too soft at this point to admit of a camp. The swift Dayay River was therefore followed up for a. mile, and here the really wild life commenced. Tents were pitched and fires lighted at once. Solomon slouched off with his rifle, and presently returned with a couple of rabbits, which he threw down for his contribution to the evening meal. : After supper, the whites gathered about the fire in front of the largest tent, which was devoted to the ladies, and told stories. How dim and weird the twisted shapes of the trees in the dusky northern twilight! How ceaseless and cold the rush of the white, icy river! The Indians at once organized themselves into gambling parties, and added their doleful wails to the hooting of an owl some- where in the forest. “Hark!” said Solomon, suddenly, letting his hand drop instinctively upon his rifle, then continuing the story he had just been telling, but plainly with every sense on the alert. Flossie looked up inquiringly, but, guided by an 128 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. expressive gesture of the hunter’s big hand, said nothing. Before Solomon had reached the end of his story — which indeed had assumed a remarkably rambling char- acter during the last few mimutes—the snapping of a twig close by was heard by all, and a moment later three men walked into the circle of firelight. “ Ayans!” grunted the Fox, just loud enough for his master to hear. The new-comers merely glanced around the group, and then joined the Chilkats, by whom, however, they were coldly received. Finding their presence unwelcome, they retired a short distance, threw themselves down on their blankets, and were soon apparently sound asleep. In the morning the Ayans were missing, together with several small articles, of more or less value, about the camp — including an embroidered handkerchief, which Flossie had incautiously left on a log near the fire on the previous evening. As it was Sunday, this day was spent quietly in camp. Monday’s journey was a hard one. For ten miles the party straggled along the banks of the Dayay, up whose milky current the “ packers ” dragged the canoes, heavily loaded with baggage. More than a dozen times the ladies had to be carried across the stream, as the trail struck its bends and long, winding détours. Chloe at first objected seriously to this method of ferriage. THE CHILKOOT PASS. 129 ’ “Dat’s a po contrivance,’ she said, anxiously, as she watched a broad-shouldered Chilkat lift Florence and carry her across to the opposite bank. “He'll go an’ drop me, sho’.” “But how are you going to cross, Chloe?” asked her mistress, amused. “T dunno, Mis’ Dutton, I dunno. ’Pears like I done got far’s I e’n go.” | “Oh, nonsense, Chloe,’ and Mrs. Dutton gathered up her skirts preparatory to her own embarkation. “If I can go, you can.” A compromise was finally effected by employing two Indians, instead of one, to carry the black woman, who uttered various uncouth cries at every step of her bearers, and clung so tightly to their necks as almost to choke them. The scenery grew more and more wild as the expedi- tion advanced. Baird’s Glacier seemed fairly to overhang the valley. Heavy clouds rested on the summits of the highest mountains during the day, rising only as evening came on. That night, the air was much colder than before ; big- ger fires and more blankets were called into requisition. The canoes were now concealed in the bushes, a few yards from the shore, and the baggage packed upon the backs of the Indians, the men carrying about one hun- dred pounds each, and the boys less weight, proportion- ately to their strength. 130 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. _ The travelling now became so difficult that Lieutenant Dutton was in serious doubt whether it was practicable for ladies to advance farther into the wilderness. He accordingly summoned a council of war. “ Hila,” said he, addressing Mrs. Dutton, “the trail is decidedly rough — much rougher than I expected, I must say. There seem to be thousands of acres of these fallen trees — ” | ‘We can chmb over them,” interpolated Mrs. Dutton, with energy. “There are boggy places between — ” “We will wade through them.” “There are numerous bears in the neighborhood, Sol- omon informs me.” | “So much the better for the commissariat.”’ “The Ayans have got wind of our approach — ” “ Let them come.” | “In short,’ shouted Dick, in desperation, “it’s going to be a mighty hard road to travel. The question is, Shall we return, or go on?” Mrs. Dutton rose to the occasion. She did not argue or discuss. She pointed to the mountain pass before them, and said just two words : — “GOON | It was on the evening of this same day that they reached a wild and desolate district, known to the Ind- ians as the “stone houses.” These consisted merely of huge boulders piled pell-mell in great heaps, with crev- THE CHILKOOT PASS. sy ices and caves between, where shelter could be found. There were banks of deep snow close by, and closing the gaps between mountains on every side were walls of blue ice. The lieutenant and Solomon set to work at once, and in a short time had one of these caves cleared out, car- peted with moss and spruce boughs, and provided with two front curtains, one of drilling and one of netting, as a protection against mosquitoes, which even at this alti- tude were inclined to be troublesome. This comfortable little retreat was bestowed upon Mrs. Dutton, her daughter, and maid, and, with a bright fire crackling just before the entrance, was really as cosey- looking a camp as one could wish. “Oh, look!” cried Flossie, just as the cave was fin- ished, “ there’s some kind of a creature crossing the snow, away off there! ”’ Solomon looked up from his work, and viewed the dis- tant animal with a professional eye. “ A mountain goat,” said he, picking up his rifle. “I guess I'll go ’w’ stir him up a leetle —no, I don’t want anybody but the Fox, thar,” he added, as a dozen or more Chilkats came forward to join him. The goat’s hair was white, and he could hardly be dis- tinguished against the snow. Sending Peeschee round in the rear of the animal, the hunter crept cautiously toward a certain bold bluff of bare rocks, half-way between him and the game. 32 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. After an absence of some twenty minutes, Peeschee appeared beyond the goat, which started on a quick run toward the bluff. There he was seen to pause suddenly, and wheel about. But it was too late. A puff of smoke -arose from between the rocks, a sharp report rang out across the valley, and the goat made his last leap, falling headlong over the bluff to the boulders at its base. Solo- mon and Peeschee now descended the cliff in more lei- surely fashion, and presently were seen bending over the game, which was evidently stone-dead. What were the two men about? Were they preparing to bring the carcass of the goat into camp? Not they. The day’s work had been too arduous to invitea “ lug ” of a hundred-and-fifty-pound goat across half a mile of rough rocks and deep snow. They busied themselves for some time at the foot of the bluff, and then were seen coming | back to their party. Peeschee bore his share of the results of the hunt — a hide of snow-white hair, reaching an almost furry softness on the neck and breast parts of the animal. Solomon did not want the hide. The handle of his hunting-knife had been cracked in some way the day before. He proposed to occupy his leisure moments in manufacturing a new one from the glossy ebony horns, the points of which protruded from the pocket or pouch of his hunting shirt. In each hand, it should be added (Peeschee carried the empty rifle), Baro- nov swung what might well be taken for an uncommonly large “Indian club.” They were the hind-quarters of THE CHILKOOT PASS. ies the goat, which were straightway added to the bill of fare of the party. It was thought best to rest a day at the Stone Houses, and the decision was a fortunate one, for by eleven in the forenoon a driving hailstorm set in, and throughout the remainder of the day it rained and snowed furiously by turns. The ladies were quite comfortable in their snug cave, the front opening of which was overhung by a broad boulder, forming a natural lintel. The Indians crept into the crevices among the rocks, like so many marmots. Solomon improved the time by fashioning the | new horn handle to his knife. Next morning the expedition was en route at half past three. The sun shone brightly, and scattered the fogs from the valleys. The hardest day’s march of all was before the Duttons. through what 1s now called Perrier Pass. Up, up they mounted, over dreary wastes of snow and ice, the Indian packers going ahead and often pausing to cut steps in the glacier slopes, or looking back and gestic- ulating to point out the best route. At noon all hands reached the summit of the pass, a trifle more than four thousand feet above the level of the sea. A cold, clammy fog drifted around them; nothing was to be seen but snow and ice and a few stretches of bare rock. | On one of these last they paused for a dry and cold luncheon, there being no fuel of any kind near. On again, down a steep descent, the Indians using snow- 184 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. shoes, which they had brought on their backs for that purpose. Now they came to a frozen lake. One swallow, swiftly darting across its still, white expanse, was the only sig of life. | Nightfall — or what would have been nightfall at home —came down upon them while they were still tramping wearily through the snow, and it was nearly midnight when the broad waters of Lake Lindeman stretched out before them. Tents were hastily pitched, and, thoroughly exhausted, the whole party threw them- selves down on their blankets and forgot snow, ice, weari- ness, and mosquitoes, yes, even apprehensions of the sullen Ayans, in refreshing sleep. We have already seen how Mr. Dutton and the boys built their raft near “Camp Prospect.” It is needless to describe the process again. Lieutenant Dutton went to work with his forces in much the same way, and the- result was a craft considerably stronger and handsomer than the former — as government work is usually more thorough than that of private contractors! In addition to ropes at the corners of the raft, the logs were fastened together with stout wooden pins, driven into auger holes which had been bored for that purpose at the points where the logs were mortised and saddled. An elevated deck of spruce poles, high and dry above the water, furnished comfortable quarters for the gentler members of the expe- dition. THE CHILKOOT PASS. 135 On the second Monday morning, the twenty-eighth of June, the voyage down the river began. All the Indians except Peeschee and half a dozen of the most trusted Chil- kats were paid, discharged, and sent home across the pass. For two weeks the raft sailed, bumped, floated its way down-stream. Just below Lindeman was another lake, thirty miles long. Its shores were low and boggy, but the hills in the background gave a liveliness to the landscape, which was increased by the abundance of little streams that came leaping down from the far-away glaciers, to pour their ice-cold waters into the larger river. Now and then, but rarely, large game appeared on shore. Solomon and Flossie became firm friends, and had many a long talk together as they sat on the raised deck, looking out over lake or stream. “What do you do in the winter?” the girl asked, on one of these occasions. “Oh, I jest hang raound, pretty much. Sometimes I hev a line o’ traps to tend.” “What do you do with the poor little creatures after you catch them ?”’ “Sell their pelts,” said Baronov, laconically. “ Why, how much are they worth ?” “Oh, a good beaver skin ‘Il bring abaout two dollars an’ a half. They’re the commonest fur animal in Alasky that’s wuth ketchin’. Mush-rat pelts air wuth five cents. A sea-otter’s skin kin be sold anywheres for seventy-five dollars and up’ards.”’ 136 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. ‘“¢T wonder if there are really any ‘blue foxes’ ?” asked Floss. “I had such a pretty boa last winter. It was just the color of a maltese kitten, only the fur was just as long and silky!” “Oh, yes, thar’s some islands whar the blue foxes are commoner than red. Thar’s eight or ten thaousand pelts sent off every year. The Injuns on them islands kill off the red foxes all they kin, so’s to leave only pure blue ones.” “Poor little things! ’’ mused the girl. “ How they must wish they didn’t have any fur at all. I wouldn't like to be a blue fox.” “Wal, I d’no,” said Solomon, “I reckon they kind o look daown on the red ones, an’ git some comfort out o that. It’s astonishin’ haow foxes — an’ folks — do like to look daown!”’ | Day after day the raft surged onward, drawing con- stantly nearer its destination. On Friday noon, July 9, it was only forty-five miles from Fort Selkirk. The banks were now steep and forbidding, and the river full of dan- gerous rapids. More than once Florence and Chloe went ashore and walked over a “ carry,” while the rest of the y) party shot the swift water, or “rips,” as they were called. Mrs. Dutton never deserted the ship. All that Friday night they kept on, not daring to halt lest some unforeseen accident should cause them to miss their appointment. For Saturday, July 10, was the day set for the union of forces. Only twelve miles away! Perhaps it was the effect of YUKON. \ w] THI LOOKING UP a ‘ ‘ i oe 1 ‘A ‘ i 4 j = =, A ee ~ * ry = ast — THE CHILKOOT PASS. 139 the gloomy gorges through which they were shooting, or the heavy clouds which settled down over the river, be- tokening a coming storm ; but the party could not shake off a strange sensation of fear, of dread of some discovery to take place, of an actual shrinking terror, that gained on them momently as they swept onward. High noon, and the site of Fort Selkirk only five miles away, according to the confident assertion of Peeschee, the Fox. Three miles, — two, — one! A clump of blackened, ruined chimneys comes into view, on a little raised plateau ahead. Dick Dutton strained his eyes, Mrs. Dutton looked eagerly in the same direction, Flossie waved her hand- kerchief and Chloe her red bandanna; but there was no response, though by all previous calculations the British- American party ought to have arrived several days in advance of the Sitkans. The raft grounded, and the Duttons, with hearts full of forebodings, hurried up to the ruined fort. Their worst dread was realized. The ground was trampled with the recent tread of many feet, but no other sign of the dear ones they longed for was to be seen. While they stood staring silently at the ground, the wind began to moan uneasily through the spruce tops, a few great drops of rain came splashing down, and in another minute, with a glittering flash of lightning, the storm burst upon them. CHAPTER XII. AN ESCAPE, AND A NEW ENEMY. {[@—r & OMING upon his sister's handkerchief, Robert’s Fe ] heart sank within him. Until his father and 4 brothers were safe inside the hut, and the . tattered caribou hide drawn across the en- trance, the boy did not dare to speak of his CHILKAT BRACE- LET, MADE FROM 7: SILVER COIN. discovery. As they threw themselves down on the skins and blankets that carpeted the cabin, the fire flared up for a moment. Instantly Mr. Dutton saw by Robert’s expres- sion that something had gone wrong. “What's the matter, my boy?” he asked quietly, after waiting a moment for the former to speak. Robert handed him the handkerchief, without a word, hardly daring to look into his father’s face as he did so. Mr. Dutton controlled himself by a strong effort. “It is Flossie’s?” “Yes; sir.” There was another silence, that threatened to be broken by a wail from Teddy. While Hugh was hushing him up, Carlo gave a low growl, and at the same moment the hide across the doorway was pushed aside. 140 AN ESCAPE, AND A NEW ENEMY. 141 “Be still, Carlo!” commanded Mr. Dutton. “ What is it?”’ he added more sharply to the new-comer, forget- ting that the Ayans spoke and understood only their own language. But, to the surprise of all, the visitor, though evidently one of the tribe, replied in broken English. By the dim light they could make out that it was the ill-favored squaw to whose pappoose Ted had given the sugar. “ S-s-t !’’ she hissed, looking over her shoulder. “ Bad Injun hear. No speak loud.” “What do you want ?” “You ’fraid, ‘cause find white girl’s han’chif.” The boys gathered more closely about the speaker. Mr. Dutton’s voice trembled in spite of himself. “Well, well, my good woman, go on. Is—is she alive ?”’ | “ White girl not hurt. Nobody hurt. Bad Injuns go look for white people comin’. Think he come steal furs. Injun take han’chif.” The man gave a long sigh of relief. “ What do your tribe mean to do?” he asked. “They go hunt for white people. P’r’aps kill ’em.” “ And we —” “You stay here with squaws.” There was no trace of humor in the woman's voice or face. She was simply telling facts as she knew them. “You git off to-night, go tell white peovle,” she added, rising to leave the hut. 142 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. ‘‘ When shall we try it?” eagerly inquired Rob and Hugh, in a breath. “ When ungaik (grouse) call t’ree times.” And she was gone. Preparations for departure were hastily made. The rifles, of which, fortunately, the Ayans had not yet seen fit to deprive them, were carefully examined. “What day of the month is it?”’ asked Nat, while they were resting on their arms, listening for the signal. “The twenty-ninth of June, my boy.” “¢ And how far are we from the old fort, papa?” ‘¢ About two hundred and fifty miles.” “Then, if we start to-night, we shall get there before the tenth of July, sha’n’t we, sir?” “Please God,” replied his father, earnestly, “we shall be there by the fifth, at the latest. Then we can prepare for trouble, and, if they have not yet arrived, we can even go up the Yukon a bit to meet them. But I think they will be there, for we allowed several days to spare, and Dick always was a prompt fellow.” For half an hour nobody spoke. Then Teddy started up and put his hand to hisear. The others listened intently. ‘““ Qo-oo-00 !”’ the sound came faintly from the forest. The Duttons started to their feet and peered out of the hut. What was their disappomtment to find that the Indian — presumably Loklok — occupying the hut oppo- site and almost adjoining their own had left his front entrance wide open, so that it would have been almost AN ESCAPE, AND A NEW ENEMY. 143 impossible for five men and a big dog to get past and out through the narrow passage-way already referred to without discovery. They softly withdrew ito the recesses of their own apartment for further deliberation. ““ Qo-o0-00! Oo-oo-o0!” plainer than before. The grouse was getting impatient. A low exclamation from Nat directed the attention of the rest to Carlo, who was thrusting his black snout between the spruce limbs forming the rear wall of the hut. The close air of the place disturbed the Newfound- land, and, on being checked at the front door, he was bound to get out by hook or crook. The dog’s instinct had led him to the loosest place in the wall. His masters took the hint. and softly widened the aperture that Carlo’s nose had begun. In three min- utes it was large enough to allow a. human body to pass, and one by one the captives — for such EY practically were — squeezed through. How delicious the cold night air, after the foul, tainted atmosphere of the Ayan hut! The dogs discovered them at once, and set up a doleful howling, but the natives were apparently too well used to midnight concerts of that sort to trouble themselves as to its cause. The very uproar made by these canine performers served, in fact, to cover the slight noise made by the escaping party. They crept around behind the huts, Nat holding Carlo by the collar, and Mr. Dutton leading the way down to the shore of the river. 144 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. Joe and Jim were wide awake, and had managed, dur- ing the earlier hours of the night, to edge the raft off from the banks, so that it swung free in deep water, held only by the rope. One dark form after another crept on board. A quick sweep of Joe’s sharp hunting-knife severed the tightly drawn hawser, and away swept the raft to freedom. “Glorious! glorious!” exclaimed Mr. Dutton, in low | tones, gazing back at the fast dwindling village, where nothing was stirring but the wolfish dogs, who howled a dismal farewell from the landing. The energies of all the party were now bent on keeping - the raft free from obstructions. Once they grounded on a mud flat, but, by poling the free end of the raft up- stream. they got the force of the current to help them, and presently swung off again. The sun rose brightly shortly after two o'clock, but the refugees dared take no moment of rest. Hugh managed to secure half a dozen erayling as they swept along, and these were cooked over a fire of twigs hastily collected at the lower end of a small island, where they ventured to halt a few minutes after ten hours’ steady progress. At noon they reached another lake, and here their advance was slow, as hardly a breath of wind was stir- ring. The rays of the sun were intensely hot, and the attacks of both mosquitoes and gnats incessant. By six o’clock they had reached the lower end of the AN ESCAPE, AND A NEW ENEMY. 145 lake, and just at the outlet they ventured to enjoy an hour’s refreshing rest. , Hugh knocked over a brace of spruce grouse with his shotgun, and these, with a mess of fish caught by little Nat during their tedious sail across the lake, made a very good supper. 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