diff options
Diffstat (limited to '25787-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 25787-h/25787-h.htm | 8198 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 25787-h/images/arctic-051.jpg | bin | 0 -> 51587 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 25787-h/images/arctic-183.jpg | bin | 0 -> 53556 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 25787-h/images/arctic-209.jpg | bin | 0 -> 54959 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 25787-h/images/arctic-emb.jpg | bin | 0 -> 4194 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 25787-h/images/arctic-fpc.jpg | bin | 0 -> 29278 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 25787-h/images/cvr-edge-arctic.jpg | bin | 0 -> 33637 bytes |
7 files changed, 8198 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/25787-h/25787-h.htm b/25787-h/25787-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..238202b --- /dev/null +++ b/25787-h/25787-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8198 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of On the Edge of the Arctic, by Harry Lincoln Sayler</title> +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em} + h3.pg {text-align:center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 100%} + div.ce p {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + .caption {font-size: .8em} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; color: silver; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + div.ra p {text-align: right; margin: auto 0;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.minor {width: 35%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.silver {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em} + + h1 { text-align: center; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, On the Edge of the Arctic, by Harry Lincoln +Sayler, Illustrated by Norman P. Hall</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: On the Edge of the Arctic</p> +<p> An Aeroplane in Snowland</p> +<p>Author: Harry Lincoln Sayler</p> +<p>Release Date: June 14, 2008 [eBook #25787]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE EDGE OF THE ARCTIC***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Roger Frank<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/cvr-edge-arctic.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<span class='caption'> + +<br /> +</span> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>The Aeroplane Boys Series</p> +</div> + +<hr class='minor' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-top:2em;'>On the Edge of the Arctic</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-top:1em;'>OR</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:1em;'>An Aeroplane in Snowland</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a name='linki_1' id='linki_1'></a> +<img src='images/arctic-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<span class='caption'> +The <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> ready for its first flight in the Far North. +<br /> +</span> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:2em; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:.6em;'>On the Edge of the Arctic</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:1.2em;'>OR</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.6em; margin-bottom:2em;'>An Aeroplane in Snowland</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p style=' font-size:1.1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;'>BY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.3em; margin-bottom:3em;'>ASHTON LAMAR</p> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/arctic-emb.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<span class='caption'> + +<br /> +</span> +</div> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em;'>Illustrated by Norman P. Hall</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>The Reilly & Britton Co.</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>Chicago</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce' style=' font-size:smaller;'> +<p>COPYRIGHT, 1913</p> +<p>by</p> +<p>THE REILLY & BRITTON CO.</p> +<p>ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p style=' font-size:smaller;'>ON THE EDGE OF THE ARCTIC</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:1em;'>Contents</p> +</div> + +<table border='0' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>CHAPTER</span></td> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>I </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Introducing An Airship And Count Zept</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_INTRODUCING_AN_AIRSHIP_AND_COUNT_ZEPT'>9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>II </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Curious Stranger Learns the Object of the<br /><i>Gitchie Manitou</i></span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_A_CURIOUS_STRANGER_LEARNS_THE_OBJECT_OF_THE_GITCHIE_MANITOU'>27</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>III </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Colonel Howell Makes a Novel Proposal</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_COLONEL_HOWELL_MAKES_A_NOVEL_PROPOSAL'>42</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Colonel Howell Discovers an Old Friend in Jack Zept</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_COLONEL_HOWELL_DISCOVERS_AN_OLD_FRIEND_IN_JACK_ZEPT'>58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>V </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Negotiating and Outfitting</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_NEGOTIATING_AND_OUTFITTING'>72</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Expedition Strikes a Snag in Edmonton</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_THE_EXPEDITION_STRIKES_A_SNAG_IN_EDMONTON'>86</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Tempestuous Voyage to Athabasca Landing</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_A_TEMPESTUOUS_VOYAGE_TO_ATHABASCA_LANDING'>100</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Count Zept Makes Himself Known at the Landing</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_COUNT_ZEPT_MAKES_HIMSELF_KNOWN_AT_THE_LANDING'>114</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Song of the Voyageur</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_THE_SONG_OF_THE_VOYAGEUR'>128</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>X </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Paul Awakens to the Situation</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_PAUL_AWAKENS_TO_THE_SITUATION'>142</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Preparing Camp for Winter</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_PREPARING_CAMP_FOR_WINTER'>155</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Breasting a Blizzard in an Airship</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_BREASTING_A_BLIZZARD_IN_AN_AIRSHIP'>169</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>In the Land of Caribou, Moose and Musk Ox</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_IN_THE_LAND_OF_CARIBOU_MOOSE_AND_MUSK_OX'>187</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>In the Cabin of the Paralyzed Indian</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_IN_THE_CABIN_OF_THE_PARALYZED_INDIAN'>201</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Letter Goes Wrong</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_A_LETTER_GOES_WRONG'>217</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Roy Conducts a Hunt</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_ROY_CONDUCTS_A_HUNT'>232</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> Wins a Race</span> </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII_THE_GITCHIE_MANITOU_WINS_A_RACE'>248</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:1em;'>Illustrations</p> +</div> + +<table border='0' width='500' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto'> +<col style='width:80%;' /> +<col style='width:20%;' /> +<tr> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> ready for its first flight in the Far North.</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_1'><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“I’ve an idea and I got it the minute I saw your aeroplane to-day.”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_2'>51</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“Don’t shoot,” he protested. “What’s the use?”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_3'>183</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“They must have seen us,” panted Roy as he and Norman<br />advanced.</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_4'>209</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></div> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.6em; margin-top:2em;'>On the Edge of the Arctic</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>OR</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>An Aeroplane in Snowland</p> +</div> + +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='I_INTRODUCING_AN_AIRSHIP_AND_COUNT_ZEPT' id='I_INTRODUCING_AN_AIRSHIP_AND_COUNT_ZEPT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>INTRODUCING AN AIRSHIP AND COUNT ZEPT</h3> +</div> + +<p>This story, which is an account of the peculiar +and marvelous adventures by which two +Canadian boys—Norman Grant and Roy +Moulton—achieved a sudden fame in the +Arctic wilderness of the great Northwest, had +its beginning in the thriving city of Calgary. +The exact time was the big day of the celebrated +“Stampede,” Calgary’s famous civic +celebration. It was in July and among the +many events that had drawn thousands of +people to the new Northwestern metropolis, +Norman and Roy were on the program as aviators +and exhibitors of their new aeroplane. +</p> +<p>These young men were born in Calgary and +had lived eighteen years in that city. Since +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +this almost covered the period of Calgary’s +growth from a trading post to a modern city, +each young man had a knowledge of the wilderness +and its romance that other boys could get +only from history. This meant that they knew +plainsmen, scouts, ranchmen, cowboys, hunters, +trappers, and even Indians as personal friends. +It meant also that they had a real knowledge +of the prairies, the woods and even of the mountains. +Their knowledge of these men and the +land in which they lived was personal and did +not come from the fanciful narratives of books +of adventure. +</p> +<p>Each boy was the son of a mechanic, men +who had come into the Province of Alberta with +the first railroads. And each boy was educated +in all that a grammar school affords. The +picturesque romance of the Northwest having +been a part of the life of each, it might have +been supposed that the ambitions of the two +lads would have run toward mining or ranch +life or even toward the inviting work of hunters +or trappers. +</p> +<p>To the gratification of their fathers, however, +they fell in with the modern movement +and turned toward mechanics. When the +furore for aeronautics reached even far-away +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span> +Calgary, the boys found themselves passionately +absorbed in all airship discoveries. +Mr. Grant’s position as a division mechanic +of a great trunk railroad, and Mr. Moulton’s +“Electrical Supply Factory,” gave the boys +their starting point. Later, in Mr. Moulton’s +factory, an outbuilding was appropriated and +in this place, with the approval and assistance +of their fathers, the two boys finally completed +an airship. This was but a spur to a renewed +effort, and within a year, the boys attending +school meanwhile, they finished their improved +aeroplane. It was named the “<i>Gitchie Manitou</i>” +or “Spirit of the Wind”—words taken +from the Cree Indians. +</p> +<p>The original ideas that resulted in this ingenious +contrivance came mainly from the boys +themselves. Yet they neglected no suggestions +that they could find in the latest aeronautical +journals. This wonderful machine was only +locally known, but when the citizens of Calgary +planned their local celebration, known as the +“Stampede,” there was knowledge among the +promoters, of the just completed “<i>Gitchie +Manitou</i>.” It was fitting that this modern invention +should be shown in contrast with all +that was being collected to exhibit the past, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span> +so an arrangement was made with the young +aviators to give a daily flight in the new airship. +</p> +<p>“It really isn’t made for work of this kind,” +argued Norman to his companion when the +suggestion was made to them, “but if it’ll work +in the winter in the wind and snow, as we’ve +planned, I reckon we ought to be able to put it +over in the park.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, it’ll work all right,” responded Roy. +“But what if it does? I never quite figured out +that we were to turn ourselves into showmen.” +</p> +<p>“Listen!” interrupted Grant at once. +“You’ve got to show your goods first. It’s just +the place where we may meet people who will +understand what it’s good for.” +</p> +<p>“And even then what are we going to do?” +asked Roy. “Sell it to some mail or stage contractor? +To some one who works in the blizzard?” +</p> +<p>The other boy shook his head: “I don’t +know,” he answered slowly, “but it’s certainly +going to come in handy for some one. I don’t +know of any other machine that you can run in +a snowstorm or that would be any good up here +in the wilderness when the bad weather comes +on. They’re not going to pay us much for risking +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +our necks, but I’m in favor of making a +contract, just to see if some one doesn’t come +along who’ll understand it.” +</p> +<p>“Then,” suggested Roy with a smile, “I +suppose all that’ll be left for us to do will be to +sell it and go to work on another one.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t know,” answered young Grant +slowly, “there aren’t many aviators ’round +here!” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” +</p> +<p>“We might get a job running it.” +</p> +<p>The other boy’s eyes sparkled. “That settles +it,” he announced. “Let’s sign up and do +the best we can.” +</p> +<p>Calgary is to-day the little Chicago of the +great Northwest. In the heart of it one may +find the last of the old-time frontier life, while +around and over this is all that makes a modern +city. At this time the civic pride of the city had +prompted its citizens to prepare an exhibit +typical of that part of the country which, +throughout Canada and the States, was also described +in placards and vivid pictures as the +“Stampede.” +</p> +<p>The main reason for this was that in the +pushing westward of the refinements of civilization +it was perhaps the last thing of its kind +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span> +that could be celebrated on such a scale on this +continent. The modern Provincial Fairground, +lying well within the city limits of Calgary, +was selected as the site of the performance. +Here, when the “Stampede” finally took place, +thousands of people made their way from the +Western States and northwestern Canada. +There were among them many theatrical producers, +moving picture operators, and others +especially interested in such a unique exhibit, +from the far East. All could foresee possibilities +that might never again be presented. +</p> +<p>It would bring together the last of the plainsmen, +scouts, trappers, and many others who +had been engaged in the conquest of the wilderness. +This meant a strange mixture of the men +who had made possible the romance of both +western America and the wide Canadian Northwest. +There were to be full-blood Indians, +half-breeds, and that curious mixture of foreigners +who had made their way through the fur-bearing +North by way of frozen Hudson’s +Bay. The men would be there who had traveled +through pathless woods, who had found +and named rivers and who had scaled unknown +mountain peaks—many of them in the leather +coats and moccasins of old days. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span></p> +<p>Where it was possible, these survivors of a +period now gone were to bring with them the +weapons of the frontier and the implements of +camp life. There were to be stage coaches and +freight wagons of the prairies, relics of the trail +and the paraphernalia of the frontier. +</p> +<p>The program of the Stampede included the +exhibition of these people and their old-time +life as well as it could be reproduced. Horses +noted for their viciousness, Mexican bulls especially +selected for their savageness, and the +untamed range cayuse, were to exhibit the prowess +of the horsemen. With these, the Indians +and their families were to copy the life of the +woods in the tepee and the movements on the +trail. +</p> +<p>Having concluded a contract to become participants +in this unique affair, Norman Grant +and Roy Moulton developed an interest in it +that they did not know they possessed. To +them most of it was an old story. But, having +superintended the erection of an aerodrome on +the edge of the open field inside the race track, +they were surprised at the interest they began +to take in the many curious people who soon +began to arrive and install themselves in tents +and cabins. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span></p> +<p>The exhibition was to last one week. On +Monday morning of Stampede week, while +the two boys were engaged in installing the +aeroplane, Roy suddenly disappeared. He was +gone over a half hour and when he returned, +flushed with some new enthusiasm, he found +his chum Norman much disgruntled. The machine +had been set up before Roy left and he +had stolen away while Norman was working +with the engine. +</p> +<p>“Everything all right?” asked Roy a little +guiltily as he observed his companion seated +on a box, a half scowl on his face. +</p> +<p>“I guess so,” answered Grant without a +smile. “At least, I did all I could, <i>alone</i>.” +</p> +<p>“I didn’t think there was much to do,” exclaimed +Roy apologetically. “I had something +I wanted to do—I’d have asked you to go, +but I didn’t think you’d care. I’ve been to +see those La Biche rivermen.” +</p> +<p>“Where’s La Biche, and what rivermen?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you know, Lac la Biche, way up country, +where the rivermen come from.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know anything about ’em—you +mean ‘scow men’?” +</p> +<p>“Of course,” answered Roy, taking off his +coat. “I wanted to see ’em and I knew they +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +got in last night. I’ve met all kind of Indians, +but these old boatmen don’t get down this way +very often.” +</p> +<p>“Why’d you think I didn’t care?” asked +the other boy. “If you mean a real old batteau +steersman, I never saw one either. I +reckon I’d have gone a few hundred yards to +see one of ’em if he’s the real goods. Since the +steamboats came in, I thought they’d all played +out. Are these fellows half-breeds or full-bloods?” +</p> +<p>“Don’t make any mistake about ’em!” responded +Roy eagerly. “I’ve seen all kinds of +Indians but these are some I never did see. +They’re all right, too. If there’s anything +about a canoe or a flatboat that they don’t +know, I guess nobody can tell it to ’em.” +</p> +<p>“They’ll have a fine time doing any paddling +or steering around here in this race +track,” suggested Norman gruffly. “How are +they goin’ to show ’em off? But what do they +look like?” +</p> +<p>“They’re not wearing Indian togs much,” +explained Roy, taking a seat by his friend, +“and I’ve never seen real old full-blood Indian +rivermen, but I know these fellows look +like ’em. But I’d change their names if I was +going to put ’em on the program.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span></p> +<p>“Don’t sound Indian enough?” suggested +Norman. “Full-bloods never do seem to have +real Indian names. Seems like all the loafin’ +half-breeds take the best names.” +</p> +<p>“Anyway,” went on Roy, “these men are +John Martin, or old ‘Moosetooth,’ and William +La Biche.” +</p> +<p>“Moosetooth and La Biche are all right,” +commented Norman. “Do they wear shoes?” +</p> +<p>“No,” explained Roy, “they’re in moccasins—plain +mooseskin wrapped around the +ankles. You’d know ’em by that. And they +both carry the Cree tobacco pouch, with the long +tassels hanging out of their hip pocket—so +they can find the pouch in the dark, I suppose.” +</p> +<p>“And black Stetson hats?” added Norman, +“with big silver buttons all around the leather +band?” +</p> +<p>“Sure!” answered the other boy. “But +you ought to see their arms. Neither one of +’em is big, but if you saw their arms you’d +know how they swing those twenty-foot steering +oars. I got a hankerin’ after those fellows. +Any man who can stand in the stern of +an old Hudson Bay Company ‘sturgeon head’ +and steer it through fifteen hundred miles +o’ rivers and lakes, clear down to the Arctic +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span> +Ocean, and then walk back if necessary, has +got it all over the kind of Indians I know.” +</p> +<p>Norman looked at him a few moments and +then got up and motioned him out of the aerodrome. +He swung the big doors together, +locked them, and then exclaimed: +</p> +<p>“I don’t care to get excited over every old +greasy Indian that comes along but lead me +to old Moosetooth.” +</p> +<p>Roy, who was well pleased over so easily +placating his chum, at once led the way around +the race track and through the fringe of tepees, +tents and other shelters being erected for the +housing of the fast gathering arrivals. At last +he stood before a group of mooseskin tepees +in which were gathered several families of Cree +Indians. These people had been brought from +the present famous Indian encampment on the +shores of Lac la Biche, just south of Athabasca +River, where it turns on its long northward +journey to the Arctic Ocean. +</p> +<p>It is the men of this region who are sought +by the great fur companies, by adventurers and +sportsmen and by all those traffickers who use +the great riverway to the north. And it is from +them that the skilled canoe men and the experienced +flatboat steersmen are selected for the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +conduct of the precious flotillas on these northern +waters. +</p> +<p>From Lac la Biche the veterans are called +each year when the ice is gone out of the Athabasca, +to take charge of the great Hudson’s Bay +Company’s fleet of batteaux whose descent of +the river means life to those who pass their +winters in the far north. These things both +boys knew, and hence their interest in Moosetooth +Martin and old man La Biche. +</p> +<p>“Here they are!” announced young Moulton +as, without hesitation, he made his way +through the litter of the little camp where the +women were already cooking the inevitable +bannock. +</p> +<p>Norman greeted each man and welcomed them +to the camp. The Indians were beyond middle +age and the dark face of each was seamed with +wrinkles. Nothing in Moosetooth’s yellow +regular teeth warranted his name, however. +This might better have been applied to La +Biche, whose several missing teeth emphasized +his few remaining ones. +</p> +<p>The two men and others were squatted near +the fire, each smoking a short black pipe. Some +spoke English but there was little conversation. +The boys turned to examine a couple of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span> +rare birch-bark canoes and the camp itself, but +almost at once they were distracted by the +appearance of a new spectator in the group +already surrounding the camp. +</p> +<p>This was a young man, not much beyond the +two boys in age but older in expression. He +had a foreign look, and wore a small moustache. +Norman instantly noted that his face showed +mild traces of dissipation. The stranger was +tall and although slight in build seemed full +of energy and somewhat sinewy in body. His +clothes were distinctive and of a foreign cut. +He wore smart riding gloves, a carelessly +arranged but expensive necktie in which was +stuck a diamond studded horseshoe. He was +smoking a cigarette. +</p> +<p>“Hello,” he said to Norman. “Pretty +classy boats these, eh?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” responded the boy, “and pretty rare +too. You don’t see many of these around any +more.” +</p> +<p>“I thought all the Indians used birch-bark +boats in the North,” commented the young man. +</p> +<p>“No more!” explained Roy. “They ship +cedar boats up to Herschel Island now. I +haven’t seen one of these bark boats for years. +But these are the real stuff!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span></p> +<p>“Do you live here?” asked the young man, +drawing on his cigarette. +</p> +<p>“Both of us have lived here all our lives,” +answered Roy, looking the unusual young man +over carefully. +</p> +<p>“Well, I’m a stranger,” resumed the young +man, proffering his cigarette case, which appeared +to be of gold and bore a crest on it. +When the boys declined he went on: “I’m +going to live here now, however. I’ve just +come from Paris. I’m Mr. Zept’s son. You +know him?” +</p> +<p>The two boys straightened. Mr. Zept was +one of the richest and most active citizens of +Calgary. He was even ranked as a millionaire, +having made his money with the other big horse +ranchmen in that part of the world. He was +a close friend of Norman’s father and had +been especially active in organizing the Stampede. +</p> +<p>“Oh, of course!” exclaimed Norman. +“Everyone knows Mr. Zept. He’s the big +man in this show. I’m glad to know you. I +am Norman Grant and my friend here is Roy +Moulton.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you’re the fellows who are going to +give the airship show,” responded the young +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +man with a marked interest. “I am glad to +meet you. I’m Paul Zept. I’m just through +school—in Paris. I’ve been living with my +grandfather. Now I’m going to live here. My +father wants me to go on one of his ranches. I +like horses but I don’t think I like ranches.” +</p> +<p>“Your father has some fine ones,” suggested +Roy. +</p> +<p>“Yes, I know,” answered the young man, +“but I want to get out on the frontier. I +thought this was the frontier.” He smiled as +he turned to wave his hand toward the skyscrapers +and factory chimneys and suburban +homes near by on the hills. “But this doesn’t +look much like it. I want to get out in the +wilds—and that’s where I’m going.” +</p> +<p>“Do you know what that means?” asked +Norman with a smile in turn. “Do you know +about the spoiled pork and bannock and mosquitoes?” +</p> +<p>“I suppose you mean the rough part,” +answered the young man. “I’ve never had +much of that but I want to try it. I want to get +beyond civilization. I want to get where I can +see things I can’t read about. I’m tired of +Paris and school and I want to see the real +wilderness.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span></p> +<p>“It’s gone!” interrupted Roy again with a +laugh. +</p> +<p>“All gone?” asked the young man with a +peculiar look. +</p> +<p>“Nearly all,” exclaimed Norman; “unless +you go a great ways from here. Unless,” he +continued, his smile broadening into a grin, +“you can arrange to go home with Moosetooth +here or La Biche.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” responded the young man as he lit +a new cigarette, “if that’s true I think I’m +going with them.” +</p> +<p>His tone was so positive and so conclusive +that neither Norman nor Roy made any immediate +comment. Moved by politeness they asked +the young man if he would care to have a look +at the airship. While Norman explained something +about himself and his companion the three +young men made their way back to the aerodrome. +Before they reached it he had related +their own small adventures. +</p> +<p>Then young Zept had made them further +acquainted with himself. Like his father he +had been born in Austria and later had been +sent to school in Paris. There, as Norman and +Roy could see, he had received a more than +ordinary education, part of which, as the boys +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +afterwards learned, was devoted to music. +They also learned later that although not a +great singer he had a pleasing tenor voice. +</p> +<p>Paul told them himself that he had devoted +a great deal of time to horsemanship. This, +he explained, was doubtless due to the fact that +his father had always engaged in the raising +and selling of horses. The young man also +explained to the boys that he had not only +received the ordinary riding lessons but that +he had also been trained under Austrian and +Italian military riding masters. His interest +in the coming “Stampede” was due largely to +the exhibit of horsemanship that he expected +to see. +</p> +<p>“I can’t see why you wouldn’t like life on a +horse ranch,” commented Roy at last. +</p> +<p>“No matter!” responded the young man. +“I do like horses and I know it’s going to be a +jolly row with the governor but I’ve always +had my own way and I don’t think he’ll stop +me now. I think I’m going into the wilderness—even +if I have to go alone. I’ve been riding +horses all my life. Now I want to do something. +The governor wants me to go in for making +money. I want to <i>discover</i> something.” +</p> +<p>Again the two boys looked at each other without +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +knowing just what to say. Their new +acquaintance was certainly affable enough, but +his education and his foreign bearing put him +somewhat above the young men and they felt +a certain reticence in his presence. Finally, +as Norman unlocked the door of the aerodrome, +it occurred to him to say: +</p> +<p>“This wilderness idea is pretty fine at long +range or in books, but it seems to be like some +other things. If you’ve got the real hankering +for it, rotten food and all the mosquitoes in +the world won’t keep you from it.” +</p> +<p>“You don’t know it,” broke in the young +Austrian instantly, “but if we’re going to live +in the same town I might as well tell you that a +lot of people call me ‘Count Zept.’ Of course +I’m not a ‘Count’ and I don’t know why they +gave me the title, unless it’s because I’ve never +been good for much. Now I’m going to get rid +of that handle to my name by showing my folks +and others that I can do something besides ride +horses. I’m going home with old Moosetooth +and La Biche and stay there long enough to +forget there’s a place like Paris.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='II_A_CURIOUS_STRANGER_LEARNS_THE_OBJECT_OF_THE_GITCHIE_MANITOU' id='II_A_CURIOUS_STRANGER_LEARNS_THE_OBJECT_OF_THE_GITCHIE_MANITOU'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>A CURIOUS STRANGER LEARNS THE OBJECT OF THE <i>Gitchie Manitou</i></h3> +</div> + +<p>The announced flight of the young aviators +Monday afternoon was delayed until the hour +grew so late that this feature of the program +was postponed until the next day. It was the +old story of over-enthusiastic amateur assistants +who persisted in giving unsolicited aid +when the airship was being taken from the aerodrome. +A young man who thought the machine +had to be carried instead of being wheeled onto +the starting field sought to lift the rear truss +by means of the lateral rudder. In doing this, +he punctured the oiled silk plane. After a futile +attempt to sew the rent, Norman was forced to +ask the police to clear their enclosure. When +Mr. Zept, one of the committeemen, called and +learned of the situation, he advised a postponement +of the flight until the next afternoon. +</p> +<p>“My son tells me,” remarked Mr. Zept as he +was about to leave the aerodrome, “that he +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span> +had the pleasure of meeting you boys this morning. +I’m glad of it. I hope you’ll be friends.” +</p> +<p>“He’s a fine young man,” answered Norman. +“You ought to be proud of him.” +</p> +<p>“All parents should be proud of their children,” +answered Mr. Zept with a sober face. +“I’ve tried to give Paul a good education and +I hope I’ve done the best for him. But I have +never seen much of him and, in a way,” he added +with a smile, “I hardly know him as well as I +do you boys.” +</p> +<p>“He’s certainly enthusiastic,” remarked +Roy, “and—and impulsive,” he added, hesitatingly. +</p> +<p>“He really has some peculiar ideas,” commented +Mr. Zept. “But I suppose they’re natural. +I had peculiar ideas myself.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” suggested Norman, “he makes a +great deal out of things that are old stories to +us. If we didn’t live here and know the West +as well as we do, I suppose we would have the +same romantic ideas.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Zept was just making his departure, but +at this he paused. +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” he asked suddenly +and with some concern in his voice. +</p> +<p>“Oh, you know he’s determined to see the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +real wilderness,” laughed Roy. “He wants to +get a taste of the life the story books describe. +I told him it might not be such an appetizing +meal but I imagine he’s set on it.” +</p> +<p>“So I believe,” answered Mr. Zept, “although +it isn’t what I had planned for him. +</p> +<p>“By the way,” he added quickly, “you young +men know how little there is in indulging this +longing for wilderness adventure. I hope if you +have a chance you won’t fail to impress upon +Paul the facts as we know them. I want him +to live at home now, with his mother and me. +I’m afraid he’s been too long away from us.” +</p> +<p>That evening the two young men could not +resist the temptation to visit the downtown +district where the hotels were crowded with +visitors and the city was resplendent with unusual +activity. Norman left Roy with some +friends at the King George Hotel and went +home at an early hour. When Roy called at +Norman’s house the next morning, on his way +to the Stampede Grounds, he spoke of some +new information he had picked up the night +before. +</p> +<p>“I found out last night,” he began at once, +“that everything isn’t as sunshiny in the Zept +home as it might be. Our new friend, the Count, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +I was told by some friends, got a pretty early +start in the fast life of Paris. Mr. Zept wants +Paul to stay at home a while, as I get it, to +make some changes in him if he can.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” asked Norman. +“But I can guess it—it’s in his face. And it +isn’t cigarettes either.” +</p> +<p>“Right,” answered Roy. “We call it booze +out here, but in the young man’s circle in Paris +I reckon it wouldn’t be worse than wine. Anyway, +they say, young as he is, that’s one of his +pleasures. He doesn’t look to me as if drinking +had ever bothered him much but, from what I +hear, he’s come to the point where his father +thinks he’s got to stop it if it’s ever going to be +stopped. He’s only been in town a few days +and they say he rides like a States’ Indian. +But this hasn’t taken all his time. He’s already +in with the fast set here and you know, in a +pinch there’s people in Calgary who can give +a pretty good imitation of high life in great +cities.” +</p> +<p>“I can guess the rest,” said Norman. “His +father brought him out here to put him on a +ranch. When he found that his son hadn’t this +idea, it rather upset certain plans.” +</p> +<p>“And he’d like us to put in a few knocks but +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +I reckon that’ll be some job. As far as I can +see, it’s young fellows like Zept who turn these +hardships into glories. I’ve heard of kids like +him who are really at home where there’s no +trail and whose idea of luxury is a canoe and +a blanket and a piece of pork.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” concluded Norman, “if I didn’t +have the aeroplane bug just now, I’d like to +have a chance at the ponies and horses on one +of Mr. Zept’s big ranches. A canoe and a +blanket are all right, but on a cold evening when +the snow’s spitting I don’t think they’ve got +anything on a chuck wagon and a good tent.” +</p> +<p>On the way to the show grounds, Roy went +into further details of the gossip he had heard +concerning young Zept’s escapades, not only in +Paris but in the south of France. +</p> +<p>“One thing’s sure,” commented Norman at +last, “wild as he may be about a lot of things, +he ain’t crazy about airships. That’s saying +something these days.” +</p> +<p>This remark was made because the Count, +while showing a polite interest in the <i>Gitchie +Manitou</i>, had not bubbled over with exuberance. +The boys felt somewhat chagrined over this +lack of enthusiasm until they recalled that to +young Zept an airship was an old story, the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +young man having witnessed many flights by +the most improved French monoplanes. +</p> +<p>On this, the second day of the Stampede, +about five o’clock Norman made a respectable +if not very exciting flight. He was somewhat +nervous and was glad when the exhibition was +over, and had no sooner landed than he determined +on the following day to attempt a more +ambitious demonstration. On Wednesday and +Thursday he added some thrills to his evening +flight, making on the latter evening a landing +in the shape of a corkscrew spiral that got for +him special notice in the newspapers the next +morning. It also got for him an admonition +from his father, when the latter read this +story, that a repetition of it would result in a +breaking of his contract with the Stampede +authorities. +</p> +<p>“All right, father,” conceded the young +aviator, “but that ain’t a marker to the possibilities +of the machine. I haven’t put over the +real stunt yet.” +</p> +<p>“And what’s that?” demanded his parent. +</p> +<p>“I had planned, on the last day of the show, +to make an ascent as high as one reservoir of +gas would take me—and that means so high +that you couldn’t see me—and then make a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +volplane back to the ground without using the +engine.” +</p> +<p>“Are you going to try that?” demanded his +father sternly. +</p> +<p>The boy looked at him and laughed. +</p> +<p>“Probably not—now,” he remarked, “although +the show’d be over then.” +</p> +<p>“Try it,” snapped his father, “and that’ll +be the last thing you’ll have to do with your +<i>Gitchie whatever-you-call-it</i>.” +</p> +<p>The next evening, which concluded the big +day of the Stampede, twenty thousand people +attended the long afternoon’s program. When +the aeroplane appeared for its fourth flight, an +army of people surrounded the starting field. +Warned by his father, Norman made a less +dangerous exhibit, but one that was on the whole +more interesting to the eager spectators. Having +given illustrations of many of the tricks of +show aviators, including the roll and the banking +of racing machines on short circular courses, +he made a journey out over the hills until the +aeroplane was lost to sight. The enthusiasm +that greeted his reappearance and the approach +of the machine like a bird through the blue haze +of the endless prairies, stirred the crowd as the +more dangerous maneuvers had not. Before +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +reaching the inclosure, the monoplane climbed +about four thousand feet into the air and then +volplaned gracefully toward one of the large +exhibition buildings just in the edge of the +grounds. When it seemed as if Norman was +about to smash the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> against +the big green-roofed building, even Roy started +and held his breath. Then there was a quick +spring upwards and, with the last momentum +of the gliding monoplane, it lifted over the +structure and settled upon the dust of the race +track inclosure like a wide-winged bird. +</p> +<p>When, escorted by ample police, the aeroplane +had been wheeled into the aerodrome, +the two boys immediately closed the doors and +the officers dispersed the onlookers. It was +late and there was not much trouble in doing +this. When only a few persons were left in +the vicinity, the doors were thrown open again +and the car was trundled out to receive its after-flight +examination. Norman, yet wearing his +cap and jacket, had climbed into the cockpit +to overhaul the rudder wires and engine valves; +Roy was inspecting the body of the car, when +the attention of both boys was attracted by a +cheery salutation from a stranger. +</p> +<p>“Good evening, young gentlemen,” exclaimed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +a man who was unmistakably from the States. +“I’ve been trying to have a look at your machine +but I’ve only just now succeeded in +evading the police. I hope I’m not in the +way?” +</p> +<p>Since there were few persons about, the +boys smiled. +</p> +<p>“Glad to see you,” answered Roy. “Glad +to see anyone if he comes alone. It’s only the +mob that bothers us.” +</p> +<p>The stranger smiled and lifted his hat in +renewed greeting. +</p> +<p>“I’ve been watching your flight to-day,” he +went on, directing his remark to Norman, “and +I judge it must require some nerve.” +</p> +<p>“It requires a good machine and some little +experience,” responded Norman deprecatingly. +</p> +<p>The man was a well-set-up, ruddy complexioned +individual somewhat beyond middle age. +His clothes might have been made anywhere in +the East and yet, in spite of certain smart +touches in them, the man wore a negligee shirt, +a flowing black necktie and an abundance of +hair that indicated an acquaintance with the +freer costumes and manners of the West. A +large diamond ring on his weatherworn and +sinewy finger suggested that this jewelry was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span> +probably only worn on occasions. He had a +good-natured countenance which unquestionably +could easily show decision and force of +character. +</p> +<p>“Come in,” remarked Roy, good-humoredly. +“Sorry I can’t offer you a chair.” +</p> +<p>“Seriously,” retorted the stranger, “I’ve +been watching you with more than mere curiosity. +I have a special desire to know something +about your airship if you can give me a few +minutes.” +</p> +<p>Without questioning the man further, the +two boys, glad enough of the opportunity, at +once began an explanation of the craft that had +in the last few days demonstrated its practicability. +The stranger followed them intently, +interrupting them now and then with questions, +and showed a surprising interest in the elaborate +description given him by the young aviators. +Considering its origin, the aeroplane was a +more than ingenious piece of work. In general +it followed the stream lines of the modern +French monoplane. Its distinguishing variation +was a somewhat wider bulge in the forward +part of its birdlike body. +</p> +<p>While in most monoplanes this framework, +to which the planes are attached, is made only +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +wide enough to accommodate a narrow cockpit +and the compact engine located in its apex, in +this car the cockpit was almost double in size +that of the average machine. So wide was it +that two passengers might sit side by side. The +flying planes of the car and its five-foot body +gave the aeroplane an entire width of thirty-seven +feet. +</p> +<p>The planes were attached to the body proper +by rigid flanges, reinforced by wires running +from tip to tip of the planes, passing directly +over the body, and not elevated on bracing +chandelles. These wires were taut and made +a part of the planes, much like reinforcing ribs. +Beneath the planes three heavy wires ran from +their forward tips to the bottom of the car. +</p> +<p>There were no flexing devices to manipulate +the rear edges of the planes, but on the rigid +frames of each plane was a lateral rudder +manipulated by one lever standing in the forward +part of the cockpit. +</p> +<p>The stream lines of the body tapered birdlike +to the horizontal rudder twenty feet in the rear. +The truss work of the body was covered with +diagonally crossing strips of veneer, so that, +as a whole, with the rigid planes, the monoplane +had a substantial appearance. This +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +frame, covered with waterproof canvas, made +the body of the car impervious to rain. +</p> +<p>The two rudders at the rear of the body +resembled in all ways the steering devices of +the best modern air vehicles. A difference was +found at once, however, in the fact that the +rudders were heavily waterproofed and in that +the steering wires passed the pilot’s cockpit +through the protected body of the car. There +was nothing new in either the big single propeller +fixed to the front of the body, nor in the +Gnome engine that afforded motive power. +</p> +<p>“We didn’t make the engine,” explained +Norman. “It represents all the money Moulton +and I have ever saved, some we haven’t +saved but expect to save, and all that we could +borrow of our fathers. It’s eighty horse power, +came all the way from France, and if anything +happens to it, we’re bankrupt for life.” +</p> +<p>The stranger smiled with a curious sparkle +in his eyes, rubbed his chin, and without direct +answer, remarked: +</p> +<p>“It doesn’t seem an ordinary machine—looks +more substantial than most of ’em.” +</p> +<p>Roy had secured a box, and placing it alongside +the car he motioned their guest to mount. +</p> +<p>“There is a difference,” he began at once +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span> +with new enthusiasm. “This machine is made +for wind and weather. If any airship can make +its way through blizzards, the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> +can. If it doesn’t, it’s a rank failure.” +</p> +<p>The guest gave a look at each boy, as if this +was what he suspected. +</p> +<p>“Look!” went on Roy. Springing into the +cockpit, the two boys caught the sides of the +cockpit framework and in a moment had drawn +above their heads four light but strong frames +of wood. When these met above their heads, +they formed a curved and tightly-jointed canopy. +The four frames were filled with small +panes of glasslike mica. Within the canopy the +inmates were as well protected from the elements +as if they had been under a roof. +</p> +<p>While the stranger’s face flushed and his +eyes grew wider, the boys unsnapped the frames +and they fell back into place, disappearing +within the sides of the cockpit. +</p> +<p>“That isn’t all,” exclaimed Norman, and he +pointed to two small, dark, metal boxes just in +the rear of the two seats. “Look,” he went +on, as he also pointed to a small dynamo +mounted just in the rear of the circular engine. +“As long as the car’s moving, these two little +car heaters will not only keep us from getting +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +frost bites but, in a pinch, we can cook on ’em.” +</p> +<p>“And here,” added Roy, as he tapped a +chestlike object on which the seats were +mounted, “is where we get the stuff to do the +trick. We can put gas enough in there to +carry us three hundred miles. Back here,” he +went on, pointing to a nest of skeleton shelves +adjoining the rear of the cockpit, “we can +carry extra supplies of oil, gas, and food to +carry us five hundred miles, if we ever get that +far from home.” +</p> +<p>In what was little less than complete enthusiasm, +the curious guest sprang speechless from +the box, and took a few quick steps as if to +arrange his thoughts. +</p> +<p>“Don’t think that’s all,” exclaimed the +hardly less enthusiastic Norman as he vaulted +from the novel pilot-cage. “I guess you see +what we’re driving at and why we called our +machine <i>Gitchie Manitou</i>. You know that’s +Cree for—” +</p> +<p>“I know,” broke in the stranger; “Injun +for ‘Storm God’!” +</p> +<p>“I thought it was ‘God of the Winds,’” exclaimed +Roy. “But names don’t count. If +they did, we should have called it ‘The Snow +King,’ because that’s where it ought to shine. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +See these landing wheels?” he urged. “Well, +they’re only put on for use around here. If +this machine ever gets where it belongs it’s +going to have runners like a sled, where these +wheels are. And I’ve got a theory that these +are all it needs to make a trip where dogs and +sleds can’t travel.” +</p> +<p>The two boys, eager to continue their half-told +description, paused for a moment. The +stranger, his hat in his hand, seemed to be +drinking in the story he had just heard, with +an interest so profound that the puzzled boys +could not grasp it. +</p> +<p>“Young men,” said the man at last, “I’m +mighty glad to hear all this. I wish you’d let +me do some talking myself for a few moments. +Will you let me tell you something about myself? +It won’t take long. I hope,” and he +motioned the two boys to the seats on the box, +“when I’m through, it will interest you.” That +it did, the next chapter will amply prove. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='III_COLONEL_HOWELL_MAKES_A_NOVEL_PROPOSAL' id='III_COLONEL_HOWELL_MAKES_A_NOVEL_PROPOSAL'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>COLONEL HOWELL MAKES A NOVEL PROPOSAL</h3> +</div> + +<p>“My name is Howell,” began the man; “Hill +Howell,” he went on, “and in the places where +I’m best known I’m frequently called ‘Colonel’ +Howell, but I don’t get that title because I am +a native Kentuckian. I secured it up in this +part of the world—just why, I don’t know. +I’m not going to tell you the story of my life +or of any remarkable adventures, because I’m +only a plain business man. But I’ll have to +repeat to you some account of my experience in +the Northwest before you understand why I’m +so interested in your machine and in you young +men. +</p> +<p>“In Kentucky,” resumed Colonel Howell, +after he had helped himself to a cigar from his +vest pocket, “we once thought we had oil. To +prove how little we had, I spent my own small +means and, while I got no oil to speak of, I got +a considerable knowledge of this industry. This +came just in time for me to make my way to +Kansas. That was fifteen years ago. There +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +I found not only oil but considerable return for +my labors. It didn’t make me a rich man, but +it gave me all the money I needed. +</p> +<p>“Then I discovered that I had considerable +of the spirit of adventure in me and I started +for the Klondike. Like many another mistaken +prospector, I determined to go overland and +down the Mackenzie River. With a small party +I started down the Athabasca River from Athabasca +Landing. I would probably have gone on +and died in the wilderness, as most adventurers +did who took this route, but when we had +gone three hundred miles down the river and +were just below the Big Rapids, at a place they +call Fort McMurray, I caught the odor of oil +again and the Klondike fever disappeared. +</p> +<p>“When I saw the tar sands and the plain +signs of oil in the Fort McMurray region, I separated +from the party and stopped in the new +oil region. There were a few prospectors in +the vicinity and having got the oil mania again, +I found I was not prepared to make more than +a preliminary prospect. My former companions +had consented to leave me but few provisions. +I had to live practically alone and +without adequate provisions or turn back +towards civilization at once. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span></p> +<p>“To the others in the field I discredited the +possibilities of the region and set out on foot, +with a single Indian as a guide, to make my +way to Athabasca Landing. Here I planned +to secure food and proper tools and machinery +to return to Fort McMurray and develop what +I believed would be a sensational sub-arctic +oil region.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve heard about it,” broke in Norman. +“You pass Lac la Biche going there, don’t +you?” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell nodded and proceeded: “It +was impossible to return to Athabasca Landing +by canoe, as the river is too swift. For that +reason I made a thirty-day trip on foot and +reached the Landing with the winter well advanced. +</p> +<p>“Here I found I could not get what machinery +I needed and I put off my project until the +next season when the ice had gone out of the +river. I returned to the States and in the following +July I went back to the Landing ready +to go down the river once more. I took with +me, from Chicago and Edmonton, well-boring +machinery and ample provisions for a year’s +stay in the wilderness. At Athabasca Landing +I found it impossible to buy proper boats and I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +lost considerable time in making two large flatboats +patterned after the Hudson’s Bay Company’s +batteaux.” +</p> +<p>“‘Sturgeon heads,’” exclaimed Roy. “I’ve +always wanted to see one of them.” +</p> +<p>“That’s what they call ’em,” exclaimed the +colonel. “I guess I don’t need to describe +them to you. Well, when they were completed, +I loaded my machinery, quite a batch of lumber, +and my flour and pork—I freighted all of this +one hundred miles from Edmonton—and with +three workmen, set out down the river with an +Indian crew and a couple of old-time steersmen.” +</p> +<p>“Who were they?” broke in Roy, with apparently +uncalled-for eagerness. +</p> +<p>“The best on the river,” answered the colonel. +“Old Moosetooth Martin and Bill La +Biche.” +</p> +<p>“Why, they’re here on the ground!” almost +shouted Roy. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” exclaimed Colonel Howell. “Do +you know them? I’m on my way back to the +Landing now. They’re going with me again.” +</p> +<p>Roy’s mouth was open, as if this was a statement +not to be lightly passed over, but Norman +stopped him with an impatient: “Go on, +please.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span></p> +<p>“I’ll tell you about them later,” the colonel +added, as if to appease Roy. “They’re both +fine old Indians and I’ve been with them a good +bit to-day. But even the best of them have +their faults. You know, at the Grand Rapids +these flatboats ought to be unloaded. Even +then the best steersman is bound to lose a boat +now and then on the rocks. Both Moosetooth +and La Biche cautioned me against running the +Rapids loaded, but as it would take a week to +portage around the Rapids, I took a chance. +Moosetooth got through all right, but La Biche—and +I reckon he’s the better man of the two—at +least I had him on the more valuable +boat—managed to find a rock and we were +in luck to reach the bank alive. +</p> +<p>“All my iron tubing and drilling machinery +disappeared in the Rapids. There was no way +to recover it and we went to Fort McMurray in +the other boat. It carried my lumber and most +of the provisions, but I couldn’t work without +tools. There was nothing to do but make the +best of it and I left my three men to build a +cabin and spend the winter in the wilderness +while I went back on foot again to the Landing +to buy a new outfit.” +</p> +<p>“Gee, that was tough,” commented Norman. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span></p> +<p>“You boys have lived in the Northwest long +enough to have learned the great lesson of this +country,” explained Colonel Howell. “This +is a region where you can’t have a program and +where, if you can’t do a thing to-day, you can +do it some other time. And, after all, it isn’t +a bad philosophy, just so long as you keep at it +and do it sometime. They seem to do things +slowly sometimes up in this wilderness land, +but they always seem to do them in the end. +I guess it’s the Indian way. I notice they always +drive ahead until they get there, although +there may be a good many stops on the way.” +</p> +<p>“Then what?” persisted Roy. +</p> +<p>“I had to come back to the States—that was +the end of last season,” continued the man, +“and now I’m on my way again to reach the +Athabasca. My outfit is in Edmonton, I hope. +But this year I’ll have a little less trouble. +There’s a railroad now between Edmonton and +Athabasca Landing and I expect to get my +equipment and my stores to the river in freight +cars. I’ve been detained by other business and +should have been in Fort McMurray by this +time, as the ice goes out of the river late in +May. And I have my boats this year that +I bought before I left the Landing. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span></p> +<p>“But when I tried to arrange for my old +steersmen to pilot me down the river again, I +found that energetic Calgary had beaten me to +it. Moosetooth and La Biche are not the best +boatmen on the Athabasca, but they are the +ones I want. And I’m here, waiting for the +show to close. They will go with me, and I +suppose their families as well,” added Colonel +Howell with a grimace, “directly to Athabasca +Landing, and in a week from now there is no +reason why we should not be drifting down the +big river again.” +</p> +<p>“Then your trouble’ll begin again, won’t +it?” asked Norman. +</p> +<p>Instead of answering, Colonel Howell sat in +silence a few moments. +</p> +<p>“There’s a good deal I might say about the +country I’m going into,” he continued at last, +“but I think you young men understand it +pretty well.” +</p> +<p>“Pretty well up into the Barren Lands, isn’t +it?” asked Roy. +</p> +<p>“The last of the wilderness before you reach +the treeless plains,” explained the colonel, “but +as far as Fort McMurray the region is a vast +trail-less extent of poplar and spruce. The +winter comes in November and lasts until June. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +In that period, when the nights grow long, you +have a pretty good imitation of the Arctic. +There are Indians here and there and game +abounds, but the white man passes only now and +then. The dog and sled are yet the winter +means of transportation and here you may find +the last of the trappers that have made history +in the great Northwest. +</p> +<p>“Some of this region will undoubtedly in +time provide farms, but as yet no farmer has +learned how to use the rich black soil of its river +lands in the short summer seasons. In time, +powerful steamers will navigate the Athabasca +and also, in time, there will be railroads. When +they come,” the speaker went on with a chuckle, +“I hope to be able to supply them with oil. +This at least is why, for the third time, I’m +making my way into that little-known country.” +</p> +<p>“I hope you don’t get dumped again,” suggested +Norman. +</p> +<p>“How genuinely do you hope that?” asked +Colonel Howell instantly and with renewed +animation. +</p> +<p>“Why, I just hope it,” answered Norman, +somewhat perplexed. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell hesitated a moment and then +said abruptly: “You two boys are the best +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +guarantee I could have against another accident. +I want you to help me make a success of +this thing. I’ve an idea and I got it the moment +I saw your aeroplane to-day. Come with me +into the wilderness.” +</p> +<p>“Us?” exclaimed both boys together. +</p> +<p>“Why not?” hastily went on the oil man. +“Don’t you see what I’ve been driving at? +Don’t you recall the two long trails I made back +to civilization—a month each time? Think of +this: When I leave Athabasca Landing, the +only way by which I can communicate with the +world behind me is by courier, on foot; from +Fort McMurray this means a tramp of four +weeks for me, and even to a skilled Indian it +means three hundred miles through the poplar +forest.” +</p> +<p>“And what could we do?” asked the breathless +Roy. +</p> +<p>“If what you tell me about your airship is +true, you can make almost daily trips for mail. +At least, it would be as easy for me to keep in +touch with civilization as if I had a railroad +train at my disposal,” declared Colonel Howell +springing to his feet. +</p> +<p>“But we couldn’t do that,” began Norman. +“Our fathers—” +</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +<a name='linki_2' id='linki_2'></a> +<img src='images/arctic-051.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<span class='caption'> +“I’ve an idea and I got it the minute I saw your aeroplane to-day.” +<br /> +</span> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span></div> +<p>“What’s the use of all the energy you have +expended on this machine?” demanded the man +earnestly. “Is it a dream or do you believe +what you have told me? I’m not a millionaire, +but I’m sure I could make your services to me +worth while. At least you don’t need to hesitate +on that score. I think you can do all you +have said this machine can do. Anyway, I’ll +pay you well for making the attempt, and I’ll +undertake to get the consent of your fathers. +Of course you can’t go without that. Would +you be willing to go if I can arrange this?” +</p> +<p>“You bet your life!” announced Roy instantly. +</p> +<p>“It’s a pretty serious thing,” began Norman, +“and dangerous too—” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” broke in Colonel Howell, “then you’d +rather have some one else try out your glass +cage and electric stoves.” +</p> +<p>“But it’s a long way from home,” went on +Norman, growing red in the face. +</p> +<p>“No farther for you than for me,” explained +the colonel, still laughing. “And we’ll all go to +Fort McMurray on the flatboats. If you can’t +fly back you can at least do what I have done +twice—walk.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span></p> +<p>“And Moosetooth and La Biche are going +to run the boats?” asked Norman. +</p> +<p>“They certainly are,” answered Colonel +Howell, “and if you’re interested in those +things, there’ll be plenty of moose and bear and +deer standin’ on the river banks waiting for a +shot.” +</p> +<p>Norman looked at Roy, who was almost a +picture of disgust, and then, in self-defense, he +said: “I’d like to go if the folks consent. As +for that car, it’ll do everything we’ve said and +don’t you forget that.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell, apparently taking this as a +surrender, caught the two boys by their shoulders +and exclaimed: +</p> +<p>“It’s gettin’ late. Lock up your shop and +let’s go and see what your fathers think of my +project.” +</p> +<p>Elated and nervous, the boys turned and, as +if under a hypnotic spell, began to push the car +into the aerodrome. And once inside the little +building, with set lips, as if working his courage +up to that point, Norman broke the silence by +saying: “I was going to make my first trip to +the States this winter.” +</p> +<p>“Next summer would be a better time. Why +don’t you go in style?” asked Colonel Howell. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span> +“We’ll come out in the spring and we ought to +have a comfortable enough home during the +bad weather. You can’t spend your money and +when you get back home you can make your +trip and go all over the States.” +</p> +<p>Both boys looked at him as if not knowing +what to say next. +</p> +<p>“I never hired any aviators,” went on Colonel +Howell, with his old smile coming back, +“and I don’t know the union price of aerial +operators, but I’ll give you your board and keep +and three hundred dollars a month apiece while +you’re with me. How does that strike you?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t think we’ll be worth it,” were the +only words that Roy could find to express his +dazed feelings. +</p> +<p>“But you don’t know anything about that,” +said Colonel Howell promptly. “You might +easily be worth a great deal more.” +</p> +<p>While the colonel spoke, he could not help +noticing Norman’s rapid calculation on the ends +of his fingers. +</p> +<p>“In April, that would be nine months,” remarked +Norman at last, “and that’s twenty-seven +hundred dollars. We could go to France +on that, Roy,” he added suddenly. “Let’s lock +up and go home.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span></p> +<p>In a few moments the excited aviators and +the well-satisfied Colonel Howell emerged from +the aerodrome just as young Count Zept ran +up. +</p> +<p>“Are you fellows going to stay here all +night?” he exclaimed, almost out of breath. +“I thought you told me you’d meet me at seven +o’clock at the car. Father’s been there for a +half hour. We’re waiting to take you home.” +</p> +<p>It was necessary at once to introduce Colonel +Howell to young Zept. As the oil man heard +the name, his face brightened anew. +</p> +<p>“You’re not the son of Jack Zept, are you?” +the colonel asked as he grasped the young man’s +hand. +</p> +<p>“John C. Zept is my father’s name,” answered +the Count. “He’s a horse ranchman. +Do you know him?” +</p> +<p>The colonel chuckled. “Of course,” he answered +hastily. “I met him on the upper +Peace; shot sheep with him in ’95. Forgot he +lived here. If I can join you, I’d like to meet +your father. You can put me down at the King +George. I think,” the smiling colonel added, +turning to Norman and Roy, “that you boys +had better go home, talk it over with your +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +fathers, and I’ll look you up a little later in the +evening.” +</p> +<p>“Anywhere you like,” exclaimed the young +Count, “the machine’s waiting. Father’ll be +glad to see an old friend.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IV_COLONEL_HOWELL_DISCOVERS_AN_OLD_FRIEND_IN_JACK_ZEPT' id='IV_COLONEL_HOWELL_DISCOVERS_AN_OLD_FRIEND_IN_JACK_ZEPT'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>COLONEL HOWELL DISCOVERS AN OLD FRIEND IN JACK ZEPT</h3> +</div> + +<p>Although it was well after seven o’clock, it +was wholly light, for in Calgary in July dusk +does not come until after ten o’clock. While +Norman looked at his watch to confirm the +delay, Colonel Howell remarked: +</p> +<p>“It seems good to get back to long hours +again. When we get up to Fort McMurray,” +and he chuckled, “you boys can read your newspapers, +if you can find any, out of doors after +eleven o’clock.” +</p> +<p>“Fort McMurray?” broke in young Zept. +“Where’s that?” +</p> +<p>“Way up in the wilderness,” responded +Norman, laughing. “Looks as if we’re going +to beat you into the northland.” +</p> +<p>Instantly the young Count caught Norman by +the arm and stopped him. +</p> +<p>“What are you talking about?” he demanded, +his face a study in acute interest and +surprise. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span></p> +<p>“Tell you later,” answered Norman. “Your +father’s waiting.” +</p> +<p>Far from satisfied, the exuberant young Austrian +followed the others to Mr. Zept’s waiting +car. He was not in error as to his father’s +annoyance. The old ranchman, a heavy cigar +buried in the corner of his mouth, watched the +approach of the party with a scowl. The moment +he saw Colonel Howell, however, this expression +politely changed. The ranchman did +not at once recognize his old shooting friend but +without waiting for an introduction he sprang +with agility from his handsome motor. +</p> +<p>It required but a word, however, for him to +place the stranger and then the delay was forgotten. +The joviality of the veteran horse +raiser took the place of his petulance and, ignoring +the young men, the old friends stood arm in +arm for ten minutes recounting the past. The +result was inevitable. After Colonel Howell +had been catechised as to his present location +and plans, he could not refuse an invitation to +pass the remainder of his short stay in Calgary +at the Zept home. +</p> +<p>When the two men at last took the rear seat +in the car, Norman and Roy in front of them, +and Paul seated alongside the chauffeur, orders +were given to drive to the King George. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span></p> +<p>Avoiding the traffic streets and trolley lines, +the big car was turned south through the suburban +hills. In the meantime, Paul had lost no +opportunity to probe into the mystery of Norman’s +remark. In return, Norman had rapidly +sketched an outline of Colonel Howell’s proposition +and of the present situation. Norman’s +rapid words seemed at first to have rather a +depressing effect on young Zept, and then, when +the whole idea had been put before him, his +usual animation rose to what was almost excitement. +</p> +<p>No sooner had the motor found its way into +the broad suburban streets, than Paul almost +sprang over the seat back and in a moment had +located himself between his father and Colonel +Howell on the rear seat. +</p> +<p>“Father,” he began impulsively, interrupting +some old-time talk, “do you know that Mr. +Grant and Mr. Moulton are going to Fort McMurray +with Colonel Howell?” +</p> +<p>These business details had not reached Mr. +Zept, as he and his guest had not yet exhausted +their old-time hunting experiences. The result +was that Colonel Howell at once related what +had taken place that afternoon, to all of which +Mr. Zept gave earnest attention. Colonel +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +Howell concluded by telling how he was to see +the fathers of the boys that evening in an effort +to consummate his deal. +</p> +<p>“What do you think about it?” asked Colonel +Howell with his usual smile, and looking +at Mr. Zept. +</p> +<p>The latter paused, as if in grave doubt. +</p> +<p>“That’s a hard question to answer,” he said +at last. “These young fellows ought to answer +it best themselves. Their airship has +given a pretty good account of itself. I did not +understand that it was more than the ordinary +flying machine, but if it is and they feel sure +that it can do what they say it will, it seems to +me that the whole thing is pretty much a business +proposition. You’ve made a fine proposition +to the young men, financially. If it wasn’t +for that, if you want me to speak frankly, I +wouldn’t approve their going into that part of +the world simply as prospectors.” +</p> +<p>“It’d be great!” broke in his son. +</p> +<p>“From your point of view, yes,” answered +his father, affectionately dropping his hand +upon Paul’s knee, “but you know, my boy, that +you have a lot of impractical ideas about this +corner of the world.” +</p> +<p>“I want to go too,” persisted the young man, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span> +who in his eagerness seemed to have given little +heed to his father’s words. “Can’t I go with +you?” he went on, turning to Colonel Howell. +</p> +<p>The latter looked somewhat perturbed. He +had no answer ready just then and he needed +none. +</p> +<p>“You’re taking men with you,” went on Paul +as he slid to the edge of the seat. “I’ll go and +work for you for nothing. You’ve got to have +men on the river and I know I’m as good as +any Indian, except Moosetooth of course.” +Everyone smiled except Mr. Zept. “And I +know there are a lot of things that I could do +in camp. I wouldn’t be any good about the airship, +I know, but I can shoot and I know I can +stand anything that anyone else can. I—” +</p> +<p>“Young man,” broke in Mr. Zept at last, +“these gentlemen are going north on business. +Colonel Howell is not heading a pleasure excursion +and I doubt if he has any intention of +making an asylum for amateur woodsmen. Let +me tell you something: you’ve got to get on in +the world and you only do that, as far as I’ve +noticed, by having a purpose that has some reward +at the end of it. Colonel Howell and these +young men have a purpose and they’ll probably +profit by it. Playing Indian or wandering +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span> +around on the Barren Lands shooting moose +may be romantic enough and may be all you +want in life, but it doesn’t bring success as I +count it.” +</p> +<p>“Your father’s right, young man,” suggested +Colonel Howell; “success in life to-day is measured +by money. If you want to succeed that +way, stay where the money is to be found. I +can prove it,” he said, forcing a laugh. “Look +at me. What little money I have, I’m dumping +into the northern rivers. Then look at your +father. He knew the same wilderness you’re +trying to break into, but he only goes there for +pleasure. He had an idea and he came here and +put it over. I don’t know what it brought him, +and maybe you don’t. But I reckon you can +easily find out by going through a list of bank +directors in this town.” +</p> +<p>“He’s a millionaire anyway,” Roy exclaimed +with some lack of diplomacy. +</p> +<p>Mr. Zept did not seem conscious of this remark, +for he sat very stern and hard of face. +</p> +<p>“When the time comes, my boy, I will take +you into this region that you are so full of. Just +now, I have other plans for you. We’ll talk +these over later.” Then, as if dismissing the +entire matter, Mr. Zept began to point out to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +Colonel Howell the improvements of the city +while the big machine sped toward the hotel. +</p> +<p>Paul, with a sullen look on his face, settled +back among the cushions, and Norman and Roy, +awed by the decisive tones of the rich man, +made no attempt at conversation. +</p> +<p>Reaching the hotel, Colonel Howell alighted +to prepare his luggage and see to telegrams and +mail. Mr. Zept stopped with him while Paul +took the young aviators to their homes. A +short time later the motor picked up Mr. Zept +and his guest and carried them to the Zept +home. +</p> +<p>Despite his general knowledge of his old +friend’s wealth, Colonel Howell was surprised +at the sight of his host’s home. This, less than +a half a dozen squares from the hotel, occupied +a city block and was a mansion resembling a +French chateau, built of the yellow stone of +the country. In addition to an attractive fence +of stone and iron, the extensive yard was surrounded +on all sides by a wind-break hedge of +tall and uniform swamp cedars. +</p> +<p>When the car dashed up the asphalt drive, +Colonel Howell only turned toward his host +and smiled. But while his elders alighted, +under the porte cochere, Paul did not smile. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +Waiting for his father and their guest to disappear +into the magnificent home, he sprang +into the motor again and said to the chauffeur: +“Drive to the King George Hotel.” +</p> +<p>At dinner that evening there was a message +from young Paul, excusing himself on the +ground of an engagement. When Mr. Zept +heard this, he excused himself to telephone to +the garage. When he rejoined his guest, his +face was again stern and hard, for he knew +what his son’s engagement meant. +</p> +<p>Dinner over, the ranchman and Colonel Howell +made their excuses to Mrs. Zept and to +Paul’s young sister and retired to the library. +Here Mr. Zept used no ceremony and at once +confided to his old friend the greatest trouble of +his life. He told how he had brought his son +home from Paris because of his wayward ways +and how he had found these even more pronounced +than he feared. +</p> +<p>“He isn’t a bad boy,” explained his father, +“and the only trouble he has I think I can correct +by home influence.” He even explained +where his son was at that moment and did not +attempt to conceal his mortification. “It isn’t +in the blood,” he went on, “but it’s Paris and +the opportunity he had there.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span></p> +<p>Colonel Howell had been deeply moved by his +friend’s talk, and when the latter used the word +“opportunity,” his sober face suddenly lit up. +</p> +<p>“That’s it,” he exclaimed, “you’ve hit it. +I think I can read the boy like a book. ‘Opportunity’ +to go wrong is what did it. I’ve an +idea. Cut out this ‘opportunity’ and I think +you’ve solved the question.” +</p> +<p>“That’s what I want to do,” replied Mr. +Zept, with a sigh, “and I’ve been trying to +make his home take the place of the saloons, +but,” and he shook his head, “you see where +he is now.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” exclaimed Colonel Howell. +“That doesn’t need to discourage you. I +think we’ll have to send him where there isn’t +any Paris and where there aren’t any cafes.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” broke in the disturbed +father. +</p> +<p>“I mean up to Fort McMurray, where they’ll +put a man in jail if they find a drink of whisky +on his person.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Zept sat upright and darted a look at +his old friend. +</p> +<p>“That’s right,” went on Colonel Howell. +“When you leave Athabasca Landing, the fellow +who tells you good-bye is a mounted policeman, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +and he doesn’t shake hands with you +either. If you’ve got a drop of whisky with +you, you’ve got to have it inside of you. If you +try to take whisky into that country, you’ve +got to be smarter than the smartest policemen +in the world. The ‘opportunity’ is gone. And +there’s another thing,” went on the aroused +colonel. “If your boy thinks he’s been robbed +of something, when he finds he hasn’t anything +to drink, you can see yourself that he’ll have +plenty of other things to interest him.” +</p> +<p>The agitated ranchman sprang to his feet and +took a quick turn around the room. +</p> +<p>“Howell!” he exclaimed at last, as he returned +and placed a hand on his friend’s +shoulder, “this upsets every plan I have.” +</p> +<p>“Maybe they ought to be upset,” rejoined +the oil man. +</p> +<p>“You’re right,” answered his friend thickly. +“It’s all pretty sudden and it’s all a kind of +a blow to me, but you’re right. What can I +do?” +</p> +<p>“Easy enough,” responded the other as he +relit his cigar; “he wants to go with me. Let +him have his way. I’ve never been called upon +to attempt anything in the reform line and I +don’t think I will be now. Let your son join +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span> +us and I think that’ll be the end of what is +causing you a good deal of misery. It isn’t +a case of curing him of the whisky habit. I +believe he’ll simply forget it.” +</p> +<p>“Will you take him?” suddenly asked Mr. +Zept, his face a little white. +</p> +<p>“Sure!” exclaimed Colonel Howell. “Call +it settled and get this terrible fear off your +mind. Paul’s all right and I’ll bet when you +see him again he’ll give an account of himself +that’ll make you proud.” +</p> +<p>But the boy’s father was not so easily assured. +“Howell,” he said in a nervous tone, +“you’ve done something for me this evening +that I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I don’t +often talk about money, but I’m a rich man. +From what you’ve told me, I can see you’re yet +working pretty hard. You may have plenty of +money but no matter as to that. I know it +takes a lot of money to do what you’re doing. +I’m not doing this to show my appreciation of +what you’re willing to do for me, but it looks +as if you’re the only real friend I have in the +world. Let me put some money into this venture +with you—I don’t care how much—but +I’ve an interest in your project now—” +</p> +<p>The Kentuckian was on his feet in a moment. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +“Jack,” he began without any show of resentment, +“I’ve got all the money I’ll ever need +in this world. It’s fine of you to say what you +have, but now I’m going to make you a new +proposition. I’m willing to take your boy and +treat him as my own son but I’ll have to put +one condition on it.” +</p> +<p>The ranchman only looked his surprise. A +wave of his hand indicated that any condition +would be met. +</p> +<p>“I want him to go with me but I’ll only take +him as my guest.” +</p> +<p>“Hill,” said Mr. Zept, after looking his +friend directly in the eye, “I knew from the +moment we first made camp together up on the +Peace, that you were the real stuff. I haven’t +any way to thank you.” +</p> +<p>“Let’s compromise on another of those +cigars,” laughed Colonel Howell, “and then, +if it is agreeable to you, and I can have the use +of your car for a short time, I have some business +of my own.” +</p> +<p>After a few moments with his hostess, Colonel +Howell departed in the motor. As soon as he +was out of his host’s hearing, he ordered the +driver to take him to the King George Hotel. +Still puffing his new cigar, the oil man entered +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +the hotel and made a quick examination of the +bar room. The person he was looking for was +apparently not in sight. Nodding his head to +an occasional acquaintance, Colonel Howell +made his way downstairs to the fashionable +cafe. +</p> +<p>He did not obtrude himself, but called the +head waiter and after a question, took out his +card and scribbled a line on it. A few moments +later, in the lobby of the hotel, he was joined by +young Count Zept, who explained that he had +been dining with a few friends. Colonel Howell +motioned him to a seat and gave no sign of +noticing the boy’s flushed face and somewhat +thick speech. +</p> +<p>He had spoken hardly a dozen words to the +excited young man, when the latter seemed to +throw off his condition as if it had been a cloak. +He even discarded the cigarette he was smoking. +Then the colonel resumed his talk with +the young man and for several minutes spoke +very earnestly in low tones. +</p> +<p>As he concluded, the young man sat sober +and tense. +</p> +<p>“Colonel Howell,” he said, “I’ll do it. I +understand everything. You have given me the +greatest chance of my life.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span></p> +<p>“Then,” came the cheery and quick rejoinder +of the Kentuckian, relighting his cigar, +as he appeared to be always doing under any +stress, “we’ll begin right away. This is a +business proposition and we’re all business +people. We haven’t any time to lose. I want +you to go home and begin to pack your kit. The +machine is outside. I think your father would +like to talk to you.” +</p> +<p>“I’m ready now,” came the quick response. +A moment later the Zept motor was on its way +home. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='V_NEGOTIATING_AND_OUTFITTING' id='V_NEGOTIATING_AND_OUTFITTING'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>NEGOTIATING AND OUTFITTING</h3> +</div> + +<p>It had been an eventful day for the millionaire +ranchman and his son Paul, as well as for Norman +Grant and Roy Moulton, to whom it had +opened up possibilities that they could scarcely +yet realize. It was now Colonel Howell’s mission +further to enact the role of a magician and +to see if the plans he had outlined were to bear +fruit for the young aviators. +</p> +<p>“We’ll be waiting to hear,” announced the +young Count, as he alighted and gave the chauffeur +directions for finding the Grant and Moulton +homes, “and I want to know the news +to-night.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll be disappointed if it isn’t good news,” +responded the Kentuckian, “but don’t you worry +about that. We’re going anyway. You see +your father right away and he’ll begin to plan +your outfit. We’re going to leave, the airship +with us I hope, at three o’clock Monday afternoon.” +</p> +<p>It was half past nine when the oil prospector +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +reached the Grant home. The evening there +had been one resembling preparations for a +funeral. Colonel Howell’s offer had fallen on +the Grant family with no sign of joy in anyone +except the son. Dazed by the dangers which, to +Norman’s family, overshadowed all possible advantages, +small time was lost in calling Mr. and +Mrs. Moulton into the conference. After the +arrival of the latter, it had been a debate between +the two boys, their parents, and several +sisters, with no apparent possibility of reaching +a decision. +</p> +<p>Even the appearance of Colonel Howell did +not seem to help matters very much, but the +formalities having worn off and the prospector +having been invited to give his version of his +own plans, the possibilities began to brighten +for the young men. In the process of argument, +even the somewhat hesitating Norman had +talked himself into a wild eagerness to be allowed +to go. +</p> +<p>Roy was so impatient that he stuttered. The +different effect of Colonel Howell’s explanation +was undoubtedly due to the fact that he emphasized +the great possibilities of the business +part of the trip. Roy had sought to win favor +by expatiating on the ease with which the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +<i>Gitchie Manitou</i> was to overcome the perils and +privations of the almost Arctic region. +</p> +<p>Norman had also grown hoarse in demonstrating +the entire safety of their aircraft. But +their patron seemed to dismiss these arguments +as matters needing no discussion. Rather, he +drew a picture of the opportunities to be presented +to the boys in seeing the new land, of +what he called the comforts of their snug cabin +and of the advantages that must come to all +young men in becoming acquainted with the +little-known frontiers of their country. He +said little of the immediate pecuniary reward, +but said enough to have both fathers understand +just what this was to be. +</p> +<p>Both Mr. Grant and Mr. Moulton had had +their share of roughing it on the frontier and +neither seemed to welcome the sending of their +children against the privations that they had +endured. +</p> +<p>While the discussion dwindled into indecision, +Colonel Howell, as if in afterthought, repeated +in substance his talk with Mr. Zept, +omitting of course some of the unfortunate details, +all of which, however, were already well +known to those present. +</p> +<p>Mr. Zept was the leading citizen of Calgary, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +an influential and important man. He was also +a character whom most men in that part of the +country were proud to count as a friend. +Among those of her own sex, Mrs. Zept occupied +about the same position. When the flurry of +questions concerning Mr. Zept’s determination +to send his son as a member of the party had +died somewhat, it was perfectly plain that both +Mrs. Grant and Mrs. Moulton had new thoughts +on the proposition. +</p> +<p>“Is he going as a workman?” asked Roy +impulsively. +</p> +<p>“Oh, he’ll do all he’s called upon to do,” +answered Colonel Howell, taking advantage of +his opening, “but I really didn’t need any more +help. He’s going because his father thought +it would prove an advantage to him. In fact,” +continued the colonel, “Mr. Zept was kind +enough to want to contribute to our expenses +because his son was to be with us. But as I +told my old friend, I was not running an excursion, +and I have invited the young man to go +as my guest.” +</p> +<p>“And he’s paying us nearly three thousand +dollars to do what the Count was willing to pay +for,” exclaimed Norman, as a clincher. “What +have you got to say to that?” he added almost +defiantly, addressing his mother. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></p> +<p>“But he won’t have to go up in a flying +machine,” meekly argued Mrs. Grant. +</p> +<p>Norman only shrugged his shoulders in disgust. +“There won’t be any more danger in +that,” he expostulated, “than I’ve been in all +week.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell turned to Mr. Grant, who held +up his hands in surrender. Then he looked at +Mr. Moulton. The latter shook his head, but +the debate seemed to be closed. +</p> +<p>“I guess they’re able to take care of themselves,” +conceded Mr. Grant. +</p> +<p>“I started out younger,” added Mr. Moulton. +</p> +<p>“I’m planning to leave at three o’clock Monday +afternoon,” announced the Kentuckian, +with his most genial smile, “and we’ll have a +car ready for the machine Monday morning.” +</p> +<p>The conference immediately turned into a +business session to discuss immediate plans and +the outfit needed by the newly enlisted assistants. +In this the mothers took a leading part, +seeming to forget every foreboding, and when +Colonel Howell left, the two families were apparently +as elated as they had been despondent +on his arrival. +</p> +<p>The next day’s performance at the Stampede +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +was more or less perfunctory, so far as the +young aviators were concerned, and was only +different from the others in that Roy accompanied +Norman in the exhibition flight. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell, after a day of activity in the +city, was present when the flight was made. No +time had been lost by the boys in arranging for +their departure, and mechanics in Mr. Grant’s +railroad department had been pressed into service +in the construction of three crates—a long +skeleton box for the truss body of the car, another, +wider and almost as long, to carry the dismounted +planes, and a solidly braced box for the +engine. The propeller and the rudders were +to go in the plane crate. These were promised +Sunday morning, and Norman and Roy took a +part of Saturday for the selection of their personal +outfits. Over this there was little delay, +as the practical young men had no tenderfoot +illusions to dissipate. +</p> +<p>The kind of a trip they were about to make +would, to most young men, have called for a +considerable expenditure. But to the young +aviators, life in the cabin or the woods was not +a wholly new story. Overnight they had talked +of an expensive camera, but when they found +that young Zept was provided with a machine +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +with a fine lens, they put aside this expenditure, +and the most expensive item of their purchases +was a couple of revolvers—automatics. +</p> +<p>Norman already owned a .303 gauge big game +rifle, but it was heavy and ammunition for it +added greatly to the weight to be carried in the +airship. With the complete approval of Colonel +Howell, he bought a new .22 long improved +rifle, which he figured was all they needed in +addition to their revolvers. +</p> +<p>“It’s a great mistake,” explained Colonel +Howell, who had met the two boys at the outfitting +store just before noon, “for travelers to +carry these big game high-powered rifles. The +gun is always knocked down, is never handy +when you want it, and the slightest neglect puts +it out of commission. You take this little high-powered +.22, put it in a bag, throw a few cartridges +in your pocket, and you’ll get small +game and birds while you’re tryin’ to remember +where the big gun is.” +</p> +<p>“That’s right,” answered Roy. “Grant +and I were up in the mountains a year ago, back +of Laggan. We weren’t hunting especially, but +I was carryin’ the old .303. Up there in the +mountains we walked right up on as fine an old +gold-headed eagle as you ever saw. I was going +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +to shoot, when I recollected that this wasn’t a +deer four hundred yards away. If I’d shot, +I’d have torn a hole through that bird as big as +your hat. If I’d had this,” and he patted the +smart looking little .22, “somebody would have +had a fine golden-headed eagle.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell had few suggestions to make, +but while he was in the store, he selected a small +leather-cased hatchet and an aluminum wash-pan. +</p> +<p>“Don’t laugh,” he explained. “Just take +the word of an old campaigner and keep these +two things where you can put your hands on +’em. You can get along in the wilderness without +shootin’ irons—or I can—but you’ll find +this tin pan a mighty handy friend. If your +wise friends laugh at your luxury just wait, +they’ll be the first ones to borrow it. You can +cook in it, wash in it, drink out of it, and I’ve +panned for gold with ’em. It’s the traveler’s +best friend.” +</p> +<p>The outfitter was busy enough displaying his +wares, of which he had a hundred things that he +urged were indispensable, but he was not dealing +with States tenderfeet, and the volume of +his sales was small. In it, however, the boys +finally included two heavy Mackinaw jackets, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +two still heavier canvas coats reinforced with +lambs’ wool, two cloth caps that could be pulled +down over the face, leaving apertures for the +eyes, and two pairs of fur gauntlets, mitten-shaped, +but with separate fore-fingers for shooting. +</p> +<p>The boys made these purchases on their own +account, and then Colonel Howell asked permission +to make them a present. He selected and +gave each of the boys a heavy Hudson’s Bay +blanket, asking for the best four-point article. +</p> +<p>“They’ll last as long as you live,” explained +the oil man, “and when you don’t need ’em in +the woods for a house or tent or bed, or even as +a sail, you’ll find they’ll come in handy at home +on your couch or as rugs.” +</p> +<p>Each boy had his own blankets at home, but at +sight of those their new friend gave them their +eyes snapped. Roy selected a deep cardinal +one and Grant took for his a vivid green, both +of which had the characteristic black bars. +</p> +<p>“These look like the real things,” exclaimed +Roy, with enthusiasm. +</p> +<p>“An Indian will give you anything he owns +for one of ’em,” chuckled the colonel. “The +tin pan is a luxury, but you’ve got to have these. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span> +If you learn the art of how to fold and sleep in +’em, you’ll be pretty well fixed.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell did not seem to be worrying +about his own outfit, and when he left the boys +his work for the day was probably financial. +</p> +<p>By the middle of Sunday afternoon, the +<i>Gitchie Manitou</i> had been safely stored in its +new crates, and then, with a small tool chest +and a hastily-made box crowded with extra +parts, had been loaded on a large motor truck +and forwarded to the railroad yards. The remainder +of the day was utilized by the young +aviators in compactly packing their personal +belongings, and in the evening the two young +men had dinner at the Zept home. The young +Count, whom they had not seen since the day +before when he accompanied Colonel Howell at +the closing exercises of the Stampede, was present +and nervously enthusiastic. +</p> +<p>After dinner the three boys went to Paul’s +room where Grant and Roy were astonished at +the elaborateness of their friend’s outfit. Paul +had not confined himself to those articles suggested +by his practical father but had brought +together an array of articles many of which +were ridiculously superfluous. +</p> +<p>He had worked so seriously in his selection, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +however, that it was not a laughing matter. So +his new friends hesitated to tell him that half +of his baggage was not necessary. Therefore +they said nothing until Paul, having proudly +exhibited his several costumes, his new leather +cases for carrying his camera, field glasses, revolvers, +and two guns, noticed the lack of approval +on their faces. +</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, with a smile, “out with it. +I couldn’t help getting them, but I know I don’t +need all this stuff. You fellows know. Throw +out what I don’t need. I bought a lot of it in +Paris, but don’t mind that. I’m not going to +take a thing that I can do without.” +</p> +<p>Greatly relieved, Norman and Roy fell to +work on the elaborate assortment and in a short +time had but little more left in the heap than +one man could carry. +</p> +<p>“What’s this?” asked Roy, as they reached +a soft leather roll about the size of a big pillow, +carefully strapped. +</p> +<p>“It’s my blankets,” explained Paul, opening +the flap and exhibiting two soft fleecy articles. +“They’re from London.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” exclaimed Norman positively, “you +give them to your sister for her picnics. Then +you go down to-morrow morning and get a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +four-point Hudson’s Bay blanket, fourteen feet +long, pay your twelve dollars for it, get a strap +to hang it on your back, and I reckon you’ll have +about all you need.” +</p> +<p>A little later, when Paul’s father and Colonel +Howell visited the room and Paul good-naturedly +explained what his friends had done, +Mr. Zept laughed. +</p> +<p>“I told you all that,” he exclaimed, “but I +guess it was like the advice of most fathers. +These young men know what they’re doing. +Hill,” he said, turning to his guest, “I guess +you haven’t made any mistake in signing up +these kids. There’s a lot they may have to +find out about the wilderness, but it looks to me +as if they weren’t going to have very much to +unlearn.” +</p> +<p>The next morning was a long one. The baggage +car secured by Colonel Howell for the +aeroplane crates was soon loaded. Then nothing +remained to be done except, as Colonel +Howell put it, “to line up my Injuns.” +</p> +<p>Moosetooth and La Biche were yet in camp +at the Stampede Grounds. The boys, including +Count Zept, accompanied Colonel Howell to the +Grounds about noon. Here the oil prospector +was able to change his program somewhat, and +much to his gratification. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span></p> +<p>Colonel Howell knew that his old steersmen +were accompanied by quite a group of relatives +but he did not know the exact extent of the Martin +and La Biche families. They were all in +charge of a man from Athabasca Landing, who +was of course under contract to return the Indians +to that place. Colonel Howell had thought +it would be necessary to look after the immediate +relatives of Moosetooth and La Biche, but when +he found that the women and children belonging +to these men would just as soon return to +the North with their friends, he was able to +arrange that the two old river men might precede +the main party and accompany him alone. +</p> +<p>The Indian makes very little ceremony of his +farewells to the members of their families and +after Colonel Howell had talked a few moments +with them the dark-skinned boatmen announced +themselves ready. The matter of luncheon +seemed to worry neither Moosetooth nor La +Biche. Each man had an old flour bag, into +which he indiscriminately dumped a few bannock, +some indistinguishable articles of clothing, +and relighting their pipes, were ready to +start for Fort McMurray. +</p> +<p>It was the first ride either Indian had ever +had in an automobile, but the quick run back +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +to the city seemed to make no impression upon +them. Leaving the taciturn Crees in the baggage +car, well supplied with sandwiches, fruit, +and a half dozen bottles of ginger ale, the others +once more headed for the Zept home. In two +hours the expedition would be off. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VI_THE_EXPEDITION_STRIKES_A_SNAG_IN_EDMONTON' id='VI_THE_EXPEDITION_STRIKES_A_SNAG_IN_EDMONTON'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>THE EXPEDITION STRIKES A SNAG IN EDMONTON</h3> +</div> + +<p>At three o’clock the fast express pulled +out of the big depot at Calgary on its way to +Edmonton, then the northern limit of railroad +transportation on the American Continent. A +part of the train was the sealed baggage car +carrying the airship. In the day coach, with +their bags in their laps, and still stolid of face, +sat Moosetooth Martin and old La Biche. For +the moment their pipes reposed in their vest +pockets. Each was eating an orange. Far in +the rear of the train, Colonel Howell’s little +expedition was making itself comfortable in a +stateroom. Somewhat to the surprise of the +younger members of the party, Mr. Zept had +joined them. +</p> +<p>The corners of the stateroom and the near-by +vestibule of the car were crammed with the personal +belongings of those headed for Fort +McMurray. +</p> +<p>Even in the excitement of leaving and the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +farewells to the members of their families and +friends, neither Norman nor Roy failed to notice +that the young Count’s face again bore the flush +that did not come from exertion. Mr. Zept’s +face also bore the look that the boys had come +to know, the expression that they could not fail +to connect with the indiscretions of his son. +</p> +<p>If Colonel Howell saw these things, nothing +about him indicated it. Having divested himself +of his coat, he put himself at once in charge +of the party, and was full of animation. +</p> +<p>Within a few moments young Zept left the +stateroom, without protest from his father, and +the two boys partly lost themselves in a close +view of the country through which they were +passing. +</p> +<p>“Things are changing very fast in this +region,” explained Mr. Zept, motioning to the +irregular hill-dotted country, in which patches +of vegetation alternated with semi-arid wastes. +“See how irrigation is bringing the green into +this land. Ten years ago, for fifty miles north +of Calgary, we called this The Plains. It’s all +changing. It’s all going to be farms, before +long. You’ll be surprised, however,” he continued, +addressing the boys. “Long before +night we’ll run out of this onto the green prairies. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +Long before we get to Edmonton, we’ll be +in some of the best farming land in the world. +And it goes on and on, more or less,” he added +with a faint smile, “a good deal farther than +we know anything about—maybe as far as +Fort McMurray,” he concluded. +</p> +<p>“There isn’t any reason why Fort McMurray +can’t be a Calgary some day,” replied Colonel +Howell; “that is, when the railroads start towards +Hudson’s Bay.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll have to have some land too,” suggested +Mr. Zept. “If you just had a few good +prairies and some grass lying loose around +up there, that’d help.” +</p> +<p>“How do you know we haven’t?” answered +the colonel. +</p> +<p>“I don’t,” exclaimed Mr. Zept. “If you +have, just send me word. We might start a +few horse ranches up there.” +</p> +<p>As the train sped on and all had adjusted +themselves to the limits of their little room, +after a time Mr. Zept spoke again: “I wish +I had the time to go up there with you,” he +began, “but of course, that’s impossible. I’m +going to see you away from Edmonton in good +shape. By the way,” he remarked, “I’ve been +wondering just how you’re going to find things +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span> +up there, after a year’s absence. You say you +left three men there. What are they doing?” +</p> +<p>“Well,” answered Colonel Howell, “they’re +all on the pay roll. One of ’em’s an Englishman +from Edmonton, and two of ’em I brought +from the gas fields of Kansas. The Kansas +men have worked for me for several years.” +</p> +<p>“Must have had a pretty easy job, with +nothing to do but punish your provisions all +winter,” suggested Mr. Zept. +</p> +<p>“Don’t you think it,” exclaimed his friend. +“They had plenty of work cut out for them. In +the first place they had to build a cabin, and +they had the tools to make a decent one—tar +paper for a roof too. I don’t care for bark +shacks. Then I’m taking a boiler and engine +up this time and we can probably use a lot of +firewood when we get to drilling. They can +put in a lot of time cutting dry cordwood.” +</p> +<p>“They doing any prospecting?” asked the +ranchman. +</p> +<p>“They couldn’t do much except look for +signs,” answered Colonel Howell. “And, of +course, if they have any extra time, the Kansas +men have been in the business long enough to +know how to do that. They might save me a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +lot of work when I get up there, if they’re on +the job,” concluded Colonel Howell. +</p> +<p>“A good deal like grub-staking a man, isn’t +it?” asked Mr. Zept. +</p> +<p>“Not much,” retorted the oil man with decision. +“They’re all on my pay roll and +they’re all working for me. There isn’t any +halves business in what they find, if they find +anything. It all belongs to yours truly—or +will, when I prove up on my claim.” +</p> +<p>“What are the names of the men?” asked +Roy with sudden curiosity. +</p> +<p>“The Edmonton man I don’t know very +well,” answered Colonel Howell. “He is a +kind of a long range Englishman and I think his +name is Chandler. The other men are Malcolm +Ewen and Donald Miller. Ewen and Miller are +good boys, and I know they’ll give me a square +deal, whether Chandler sticks or not.” +</p> +<p>In spite of the general conversation, Norman +fancied that Mr. Zept’s annoyance did not grow +less, and it was not hard to conclude that this +was due to Paul’s absence. Finally both Norman +and Roy excused themselves to visit the +observation car. They really wanted to find +Paul. He was not in the rear car, which fact +the young men learned after describing their +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +companion to the colored porter, who smiled +significantly when he announced that Paul had +left the car some time before. +</p> +<p>The young men then went through the train +and at last found the Count in jovial companionship +with Moosetooth and La Biche. It was +plain that both the Indians had been drinking, +but there was no liquor now in sight, and the +three were enjoying their pipes and their cigarettes. +The Count had discovered that the +Indians knew more French than English, and he +was in high conversation with them. The boy +himself was even more jovial when he greeted +Norman and Roy with hearty slaps on the back. +</p> +<p>For some moments the visitors attempted to +join in the conversation between the Indians +and Paul, but the conditions were such that the +young aviators soon lost interest and they invited +young Zept to return to the stateroom for +a game of cards. +</p> +<p>“Not now,” protested the Count, dropping +into a seat opposite the Indians again. “My +friends here are great Frenchmen. They have +been telling me about the Barren Lands. Besides,” +and he frowned a little, “I didn’t know +the governor was coming. I don’t think I ought +to see him just now. He ain’t much for this +sort of thing.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span></p> +<p>“What sort of thing?” asked Norman somewhat +brusquely. +</p> +<p>“You know,” answered the Count. “I was +just telling the boys good-bye. I’ll be all right +in a little while, and then I’ll come back.” +</p> +<p>“You aren’t fooling anyone,” broke in the +quick-tongued Roy, “and I think Colonel +Howell wants to see you.” +</p> +<p>Count Zept’s laugh ended and he at once arose +and followed the young men back to the stateroom. +His reappearance seemed to ease his +father’s mind, and when the three young men +and Colonel Howell began a game of auction +the incident seemed almost forgotten. +</p> +<p>At six o’clock, the superintendent of the dining +car came to announce to Colonel Howell that +his special table was ready, and the party went +in to dinner. +</p> +<p>When this elaborate meal was concluded, an +hour and a half later, the warm afternoon had +cooled and the train was well into the fertile +farm land that distinguishes the great agricultural +regions south of Edmonton. Somewhat +after ten o’clock, the long daylight not yet +at an end, the journey came to a close in the +city of Strathcona. They had reached the +Saskatchewan River. Loading their baggage +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +into two taxicabs, they made a quick trip across +the river to Edmonton and the King Edward +Hotel. +</p> +<p>It was with a feeling of happiness that Norman +and Roy found themselves on what is now +almost the frontier of civilization. Their joy +did not lie in the fact that hereabouts might be +found traces of the old life, but that they were +at last well on their way toward their great +adventure. +</p> +<p>Rooms were at once secured and Mr. Zept and +Paul immediately retired. Norman and Roy +lingered a while to learn from Colonel Howell +the next step. +</p> +<p>“The crates will come across the river early +to-morrow morning,” he explained, “and we’ll +catch the Tuesday train at eight thirty for +Athabasca Landing. We’ll be there to-morrow +evening. Turn in and get a good night’s sleep.” +</p> +<p>It was no trouble for the boys to do this, and +at seven o’clock the next morning they were +waiting for their friend and patron in the office. +When he appeared he was in company with Mr. +Zept and Paul, having apparently just aroused +them. +</p> +<p>“Well, boys,” he began, using his perpetual +smile, “we’ve struck a little snag. But remember +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +the philosophy of the country—what you +can’t do to-day, do when you can. It’s the +train!” +</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” exclaimed Norman. +</p> +<p>“Well,” explained Colonel Howell, “you +know they’re just finishing the railroad and +I was told that the trains are running to Athabasca +Landing. They were running a passenger +train about twenty-five miles out, but beyond +that there hasn’t been anything but a +construction train. There’s a new Provincial +Railway Commission and it decided only the +other day that no more passengers could be +carried. The road hasn’t been turned over yet +by the contractor and they’re afraid to let anyone +ride on the construction train. We could +get as far as the passenger train goes and +there we’d be stalled. Looks like I’d have to do +some hustling.” +</p> +<p>“You can go in an automobile,” suggested +young Zept, who apparently had secured some +information about the country. +</p> +<p>But Colonel Howell shook his head. “There +are only two automobiles in that service and +they’re both stuck somewhere in the mud between +here and the Landing. Besides, that +wouldn’t do us much good. I find that my +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +two carloads of oil machinery are yet in Edmonton +and then there’s the airship crates.” +</p> +<p>“Can’t we carry it all by wagon?” asked +Norman. +</p> +<p>“Hardly,” responded the colonel. “It’d +make a caravan. We might get through in good +weather but the trail is impassable now. We’ve +got to go by train.” +</p> +<p>“And can’t!” commented Roy. +</p> +<p>“Not to-day,” laughed Colonel Howell, “but +the season’s young yet. There’ll be another +train starting out day after to-morrow. We’ll +have to turn up something. Meanwhile, let’s +have breakfast.” +</p> +<p>This meal over, Norman and Roy accompanied +Colonel Howell out into the city. As +they well know, Edmonton was the town from +which all were forced to take their start into +the northern country and, as the colonel had +already discovered, they soon confirmed the fact +that transportation facilities were in a chaotic +condition. A stage was to leave that day, but +its passenger facilities were wholly inadequate, +and what there were had been engaged for +many days. +</p> +<p>The first visit of the investigators was to +the offices of the Hudson’s Bay Company, that +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +great trading institution which is at once the +banker and the courier for all travelers in the +great Northwest. Although altogether obliging, +at the present time the Company was helpless. +The agent thought he might arrange for +teams, but it would require several days. Then +Colonel Howell visited the offices of the railroad +contractors, where he ascertained definitely +that passage on the construction train was out +of the question. +</p> +<p>“Maybe we’ll have to stay here until the mud +dries,” laughed Colonel Howell. +</p> +<p>The two boys almost groaned. +</p> +<p>“But something may turn up,” continued +Colonel Howell, “and I’ll be enough to look +after things. You boys had better take a run +over town. If I don’t see you at noon, I’ll see +you at dinner this evening.” +</p> +<p>The boys returned to the hotel, found that +Mr. Zept and his son had finally gone out with +friends, and they put in the rest of the day +inspecting the lively young city. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell’s acquaintances were not confined +to the Northwest—he also had friends +in Winnipeg. After leaving the contractors’ +offices, he went to the Dominion Telegraph +Building and sent this message to a business +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span> +friend in Winnipeg: “Please see the Canada +Northern officials and tell them that I am +stranded in Edmonton with a party of friends +and would like to get to Athabasca Landing.” +</p> +<p>In two hours, he was called up at the hotel +by the general superintendent of that road, located +in Edmonton, who said he had just been +ordered by the Winnipeg officials to extend +every facility to Colonel Howell and his friends +in their advance to Athabasca Landing. +</p> +<p>“We’re running a mixed train to a little village +twenty-five miles out from Edmonton,” explained +the superintendent, “and when it goes +again, Wednesday morning, I’ll put an extra +car on this train. Meet me that morning at +eight thirty, at the depot, and I will escort you +personally as far as this train goes. Then I’ll +arrange to have your car attached to the construction +train. There has never been a passenger +car in Athabasca Landing. You can have +the distinction of finishing your journey in the +first passenger car to touch the great rivers +of the Mackenzie Basin.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell proceeded at once to the +superintendent’s office, expressed his gratitude +at the courtesy shown, and arranged that the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +other cars containing his outfit and the airship +should be carried through at the same time. +</p> +<p>When the members of the party returned to +the hotel late in the afternoon, and received +the news of the happy solution of their difficulty, +congratulations rained on Colonel Howell. +The boys had a new respect for the influence +of the man with whom they were casting their +fortunes and who had so little to say about +himself. +</p> +<p>The effect was a little bit different on the +Count, who had rather persisted all day in a +theory of his own that automobiles were the +things to be used. He had canvassed liveries +and accosted chauffeurs, but he had made no +practical advance in securing help of this kind. +</p> +<p>“Our own private car!” was one of Norman’s +outbursts. “That’ll be great.” +</p> +<p>“And the first one into the North!” added +Roy. “That’s greater yet. And it gives us +another day in Edmonton.” +</p> +<p>“Which isn’t very great,” commented the +Count. “I’ve seen all I want to of this place. +It’s nothing but banks and restaurants. What’s +Athabasca Landing like, Colonel Howell?” he +added a little petulantly. +</p> +<p>“Oh, the Landing’s nothing but saloons and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span> +the river, and beyond it,” he added significantly, +“there’s nothing but the river.” +</p> +<p>At seven o’clock that evening, Mr. Zept and +Colonel Howell with the three boys attended a +baseball game, leaving it at nine thirty in full +daylight. +</p> +<p>“To-morrow is vacation,” explained Colonel +Howell, as they separated for the night, +“and Wednesday at eight thirty we’ll board +our private car.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VII_A_TEMPESTUOUS_VOYAGE_TO_ATHABASCA_LANDING' id='VII_A_TEMPESTUOUS_VOYAGE_TO_ATHABASCA_LANDING'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>A TEMPESTUOUS VOYAGE TO ATHABASCA LANDING</h3> +</div> + +<p>During their stay in Edmonton, the two +Indian rivermen had been living royally in +a lodging house near the depot. Early on the +morning of the departure, Colonel Howell +rounded up his old employees and when the +mixed freight and passenger train backed up +to the depot, the party was ready to board it. +It was with satisfaction that all saw two Chicago +& North Western freight cars, which Colonel +Howell identified as those containing his oil +outfit, and next to the extra passenger coach, +the special baggage car. +</p> +<p>A mist was falling and it was not cheerful. +It was time for Mr. Zept to take his leave. For +some moments he and Colonel Howell spoke +apart and then, without any special word of admonition +to his son, he grasped the hand of each +boy in turn. +</p> +<p>“I hope you’ll all be friends,” was his general +good-bye, “and that you’ll all stand by +each other. Good-bye. Colonel Howell is my +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +friend and I advise all of you to do just as he +tells you. Take care of yourselves,” and with +no further words, the rich ranch owner helped +the little party to load its baggage into the +express car. +</p> +<p>There were many curious people at the +depot, among whom, not the least conspicuous, +were Moosetooth and La Biche. Men from the +frontier and a dapper young mounted policeman +all came to speak to the two Indians. +</p> +<p>With most of the passengers either hanging +out of the car windows or jammed together on +the platforms—for at the last moment, Colonel +Howell had readily given his consent to the +superintendent that he might also throw open +the special car to the general public, as far at +least as Morineville, the end of the passenger +run—the creaking train crawled around a bend, +and while the boys and Colonel Howell waved a +farewell to Mr. Zept, the journey northward +on the new road began. +</p> +<p>The privacy of the special car at once disappeared. +The unusual jam was due to the +impassable condition of the stage trail. Into +the special car there came not only hunters and +traders, but many women and children who had +prevailed upon the railway officials to help them +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +forward on the last stage of their journey into +the river land. +</p> +<p>As the pitching train made its way slowly +beyond the city limits, Norman, Roy and Paul +also found themselves on the platform, ready +for the first sight of a new country. They +were looking for sterile plains. Instead, they +found black land freely dotted with clumps of +trees, with walls of wild flowers on each side +of the track. Magnificent strawberries almost +reddened the ground, while, by the fences, the +ripening Saskatoon berry gave the first positive +sign of the new vegetation of which they were +to see so much. +</p> +<p>For three hours the train crept forward, +stopping now and then at little stations, and +at last reached the considerable settlement of +Morineville. Here, Colonel Howell expected to +meet the construction train to which the special +car was to be attached, and from this point they +were to make the remainder of their journey +of seventy-five miles to Athabasca Landing +as the sole passengers of their car. +</p> +<p>But bad news awaited the travelers. The +construction train had not arrived but it was +expected during the afternoon. The superintendent, +taking leave of his guests, left orders +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span> +that their car should be forwarded on the returning +construction train and at noon he left +on the passenger train for Edmonton. Colonel +Howell’s car was switched onto a spur and then +began a wait for news of the construction train. +</p> +<p>An affable telegraph operator did what he +could to appease the anxious travelers. By +telephone he learned that the expected train had +not yet made half the journey between Athabasca +Landing and Morineville, and in that distance +had been off the track four times. On the +operator’s suggestion, the adventurers made +their way to the village for dinner and then returned +to their car and spent the afternoon in +hearing from time to time that the construction +train was off the track again. +</p> +<p>“Promises well for a night ride!” suggested +Roy. +</p> +<p>“It doesn’t mean anything,” explained Colonel +Howell. “They just slap down an iron +frog and run on again. Don’t get scared about +that.” +</p> +<p>When time for supper arrived, the agent +gave it as his judgment that the train couldn’t +get in before midnight and, in that event, that +it certainly would not go back until the next +morning. Being assured by this employee that +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +in case his theory was not correct he would +send them word, the party abandoned their car +to have supper and sleep in a little French +hotel. +</p> +<p>The supper was bad and the beds were worse. +Norman and Roy longed for their new blankets +and the woods, and slept with difficulty. Some +time, about the middle of the night, the two +boys heard the strident shriek of a locomotive. +They at once rushed to Colonel Howell’s room, +eager to make their way back to the depot, but +recalling the operator’s promise, the prospector +persuaded them to go to bed again and when +it was daylight they all awoke to find no train +in sight. But the operator was waiting for +them and ate breakfast with the party. +</p> +<p>“She come in with a busted cylinder,” he +exclaimed, “and they had to go to Edmonton +to get ’er fixed. But she’ll be back this morning +sometime and you’ll have a nice ride to the +Landing.” Then he laughed. “That is, if you +can pull a heavy passenger coach over them +tracks.” +</p> +<p>It was eleven o’clock when the old-fashioned +engine reappeared but any motive power +seemed good enough and when the little Irish +conductor read his orders, he cheerfully busied +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span> +himself in making the passenger car and the +three other cars a part of his train. The spirit +of discontent disappeared and once again the +northbound expedition was on its way. +</p> +<p>Until twelve o’clock that night, the indefatigable +little Irishman pushed his heavy train, +which included many cars of long-delayed +freight, over the new tracks, which alternately +seemed to float and sink into the soft sand and +muskeg. Four times in that journey some one +car of the train slid off the track and just as +often the energetic crew pulled it back again. +Once the accident was more serious. When the +piling-up jarring told that another pair of +wheels were in the muskeg and the train came +to a crashing stop, it was found that the front +axles of the car had jammed themselves so far +rearward that the car was out of service. But +again there was little delay. With two jack +screws, the little Irishman lifted the car sideways +and toppled it over. Coupling up the +other cars, the train proceeded. +</p> +<p>At six o’clock in the evening supper was +found in the cook car of a construction camp. +It did not grow dark until eleven o’clock, and +by this time, Colonel Howell and his friends +were beginning to get a little sleep curled up +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span> +on the seats of their car. An hour later, having +creakingly crossed a long trestle, the strange +train, still bumping and rattling, made its way +along the even newer and worse track which +led into Athabasca Landing. +</p> +<p>There were neither depot nor light to make +cheer for the tired travelers. With the help +of Moosetooth and La Biche and a few half-breeds, +the considerable baggage of the party +was dumped out onto the sand of the new roadway +and then, all joining in the task, it was +carried across the street to the new Alberta +Hotel. For the first time the boys discovered +that there was almost a chill of frost in the +air; in the office of the hotel a fire was burning +in a big stove and from the front door Colonel +Howell pointed through the starlight to +a bank of mist beyond the railroad track. +</p> +<p>“There she is, boys,” he remarked. +</p> +<p>“You mean the river?” exclaimed Roy. +</p> +<p>“Our river now,” answered their elder. +“There’s plenty of room here and good beds. +Turn in and don’t lose any time in the morning. +We’ve got nothing ahead of us now but +work. And remember, too, you’re not in the +land of condensed milk yet; you’ll have the best +breakfast to-morrow morning you’re going to +have for many a day.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></p> +<p>Moosetooth and old La Biche had already +disappeared toward the misty riverbank. +</p> +<p>Dawn came early the next morning and with +almost the first sign of it Norman and Roy +were awake. From their window they had their +first sight of the Athabasca. A light fog still +lay over the river and the three-hundred-foot +abrupt hills on the far side. Had they been +able to make out the tops of these hills, they +would have seen a few poplar trees. A steep +brown road that started from the end of a ferry +and mounted zigzag into the fog, was the beginning +of a trail that at once passed into a desolate +wilderness. They were within sight of the +endless untraveled land that reached, unbroken +by civilization, to the far-distant Arctic. +</p> +<p>Beneath the fog the wide river slipped southward, +a waveless sheet moving silently as oil, +and whose brown color was only touched here +and there by floating timber and the spume of +greasy eddies. +</p> +<p>“Not very cheerful looking,” was Norman’s +comment. +</p> +<p>“No,” answered Roy, “she’s no purling +trout-brook; she couldn’t be and be what she +is—one of the biggest rivers in America.” +</p> +<p>The boys dressed and hurried through the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +new railroad yards to the muddy banks of a big +river. The town of Athabasca Landing lay at +their backs. The riverbank itself was as crude +and unimproved as if the place had not been a +commercial center for Indians and fur men +for two hundred years. +</p> +<p>To the left there was an exception, where, +close on the riverbank, white palisades inclosed +the little offices and warehouse of the Northern +Transportation Company. Just beyond this, a +higher and stronger palisade protected the +riverbank from the winter ice jam. To the right +and down the river a treeless bank extended, +devoid of wharves and buildings. Opposite +the main portion of the town, in this open space, +a steamboat was approaching completion on +crude ways. Near this there were a few +ancient log cabins, used for generations by the +Hudson’s Bay Company as workshops and +storehouses. +</p> +<p>Three blocks to the west and in the heart +of the new city the old historic H. B. Company +was then erecting a modern cement and pressed +brick store, probably at the time the most +northern expression of civilization’s thrift. +Still farther to the south the river swerved in +a bend to the east and lost itself beyond a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +giant sweep of hills. Not the least suggestive +objects that came within the two boys’ hasty +view were a few Hudson’s Bay flatboats, moored +to the bank and half full of water to protect +their tarred seams. In craft such as these, Norman +and Roy, with their friends, were now +about to venture forth on the river flowing +swiftly by them, and not even the new steamboat +was as attractive as these historic “sturgeon +heads.” +</p> +<p>Also, in the far distance, on the riverbank +where it curved toward the east, the young +adventurers could make out the thin smoke of +camp fires where a few tents and bark shacks +marked the settlement of the river Indians. +Here they knew Moosetooth and La Biche +had passed the night. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell’s prediction as to the breakfast +was fully confirmed. After this, real activity +began at once. Norman and Roy knew that +they had reached the end of civilization, and +had already abandoned city clothes. Both the +boys appeared in Stetson hats, flannel shirts, +belts, and half-length waterproof shoes. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell made no change other than to +put on a blue flannel shirt. The young Count +made a more portentous display. When he +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +rejoined the others after breakfast, he wore a +soft light hat, the wide brim of which flapped +most picturesquely. His boots were those of a +Parisian equestrian, high-heeled like those of a +cowboy, but of varnished black leather. His +clothing was dark, and the belted coat fitted him +trimly. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell left at once to give orders +about the placing of his cars, and Norman and +Roy were dispatched to the Indian camp to +find Moosetooth and La Biche, who were to +go a short distance up the river and bring the +waiting flatboats down to a point opposite the +freight cars. This duty appeared to interest +young Zept and he cheerfully joined the other +boys in their task. +</p> +<p>Opposite the new steamboat they passed a +larger and noisier hotel, in front of which were +collected many curious people of the country, +many of whom were lazy-looking, slovenly-garbed +half-breeds. +</p> +<p>Young Zept was full of animation, spoke +jovially to any one who caught his eye and, +although it was early in the day, suggested that +his young friends stop with him in the bar +room. But Norman and Roy’s whole interest +was in the task before them and when they +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span> +saw the Count abruptly salute a red-jacketed +mounted policeman who was standing in the +door of the hotel, they hurried on without even +the formality of declining Paul’s invitation. +</p> +<p>By the time the old steersmen had been +found, the Count was out of their minds. +Although the riverbank was sticky with mud, +there was an exhilarating crispness in the air +and the river fog had now disappeared. Led +by the two Indians, the boys made their way +a half mile up the river. Here, on a high clean +bank, stood the big red river warehouse of the +H. B. Company. Among the willow bushes opposite +it was a fleet of new “sturgeon heads,” +and just below these, two boats that had been +put aside for Colonel Howell. +</p> +<p>From among the bushes near the warehouse +the two Indians produced a pump and then for +two hours took turns in drawing the water from +the half submerged boats. Just before noon, +Moosetooth taking his place in the stern of +the rear boat with a small steering oar, La Biche +loosened the craft and Norman and Roy were +on their first voyage in the historic flatboat of +the Athabasca. +</p> +<p>It was curious to note the skill with which +the veteran riverman allowed the current to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +carry his boats on their way, and the ease +with which they were finally drawn in to the +bank opposite the freight cars. +</p> +<p>Roy proposed to secure a shovel for cleaning +out the mud, but old La Biche laughed. +</p> +<p>“The sun,” he said, “he goin’ do dat.” +</p> +<p>Near the landing, as the boys returned to +the hotel, they discovered a thing they had +not noticed in the morning. A grizzled “Baptiste,” +as Norman liked to designate each Indian, +was busy with a draw knife, a chisel and a +maul, finishing steering oars. These enormous +objects resembled telegraph poles, being of pine +timber, slightly flattened at one end to resemble +the blade of an oar, and at the other end cut +down into long handles that the user might +clasp with his two hands. +</p> +<p>When the Indian had roughly trimmed these +giant oars, with the help of an assistant, who +in the meantime seemed to have no other duty +except to puff his charred black pipe, the old +“Baptiste” balanced the piece of timber on +a rock. Carefully testing the spar, in order to +get the exact point of equilibrium, the oar +maker then made a rectangular hole through +the six inches of timber. The two boys understood. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span></p> +<p>At the rear of each flatboat a steel pin +extended seven or eight inches above the woodwork. +When this pin was thrust through the +hole in the oar, the great sweep hung almost +balanced, and the steersman who used it to +guide the unwieldy craft forced the blade of the +oar back and forth against the current with the +force of his body. The boys found it almost +impossible to lift one of the oars. +</p> +<p>“I can see now,” panted Roy, as he looked +over the tree-like sweep, “where experience +comes in.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VIII_COUNT_ZEPT_MAKES_HIMSELF_KNOWN_AT_THE_LANDING' id='VIII_COUNT_ZEPT_MAKES_HIMSELF_KNOWN_AT_THE_LANDING'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>COUNT ZEPT MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN AT THE LANDING</h3> +</div> + +<p>At the noon meal, Count Zept reported that +Athabasca Landing was certainly a live town. +He explained that he had met the most important +man in town, the sergeant of the mounted +police, and that he had been introduced to many +of the influential merchants. He had examined +the store of the Revillon Freres and was somewhat +disappointed in his inability to secure a +black fox skin which he had promised to send +to his sister. +</p> +<p>The Revillon Freres being the well-known +rival of the Hudson’s Bay Company, young +Zept in his disappointment had also gone to +the Hudson’s Bay store, but there he had been +equally unsuccessful, although at both places +he saw plenty of baled skins. Colonel Howell +laughed. +</p> +<p>“My dear boy,” he explained, “furs do not +go looking for buyers in this part of the world. +Inexperienced travelers seem to have the idea +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +that Indians stand around on the corners waiting +to sell fox skins. Skins are getting to be too +rare for that now and, believe me, the fur companies +get their eye on them before the traveler +can. And the companies pay all they’re worth.” +</p> +<p>“Anyway,” remarked the Count, “I can get +a small eighteen-foot canoe for a hundred and +twenty-five dollars. Don’t you think I’d better +buy one? The H. B. Company has some fine +ones—the kind the mounted police use. I was +looking for a bark one.” +</p> +<p>Even the boys smiled at this and Colonel +Howell laughed again. +</p> +<p>“Indians don’t trouble to make bark canoes +any more,” he answered. “That is, when +they can buy a good cedar boat. And next to +his blanket, the Indian prizes his wooden boat +above his family. But don’t bother about a +canoe. Moosetooth has one that we’ll carry +down the river with us and I’ve got a good one +at the Fort. Don’t buy <i>anything</i>. I’m buying +enough for all of us.” +</p> +<p>But the Count could not resist the temptation +and later in the day, when the boys saw +him, he and the sergeant of police were each +wearing a highly embroidered pair of mooseskin +gauntlets that Paul had found in a trading +store. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span></p> +<p>Paul had been in the company of this new +friend most of the day and it was apparent +that they had been to the big hotel more than +once. +</p> +<p>After dinner, the unloading of the drilling +machinery, the engine and the airship crates +began. It was a task that Colonel Howell soon +assigned to his young assistants, who had under +their direction a few paid laborers and many +more volunteer laborers who were more curious +than useful. When Colonel Howell turned over +this task to Norman and Roy, he returned to +the outfitting stores and devoted himself anew +to the purchase of supplies. +</p> +<p>On the morning of the second day the loading +of the boats began. Each of these was over +thirty feet long and could hold an immense +amount of freight. It was generally planned +that all of the drilling machinery, the engine, +and some lumber were to go in La Biche’s boat, +and that the provisions and the airship were +to be carried in Moosetooth’s batteau. In the +end of each boat there was a little deck the +width of the narrowing end of the boat and +about six feet long. +</p> +<p>While the boats were moving, the decks in the +rear were devoted wholly to the use of the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +steersmen, who required all the space as they +occasionally shifted the position of their giant +sweeps. On the forward decks the passengers +must sleep and unless they disposed themselves +on the cargo, find sitting room during the day. +There was neither house nor tent for protection. +A charcoal brazier was provided, on +which at times on the stern deck some cooking +might be done. But in the main, unless the +night was clear and good for running, the boats +were to be tied up while supper and sleep +were had on the shore. +</p> +<p>A part of the equipment of each boat was +six heavy oars. These were for use by the +Indian crew when from time to time it was +necessary to cross quickly over the broad river +to escape rapids or other obstructions. As +these things were revealed to the young aviators, +they grew more and more anxious for the +hour of departure. +</p> +<p>When Colonel Howell’s outfit began to reach +the riverbank the next morning, Moosetooth +and La Biche had part of their men on hand +to assist in the loading. It was a motley group, +moccasined in mooseskin with their straight +black hair showing defiantly beneath their +silver-belted black hats. Mostly they wore +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +collarless checked flannel shirts and always +from the hip pocket of their worn and baggy +trousers hung the gaudy tassels of yarn tobacco +pouches. Most of them were half-breeds, young +men eager to show the smartness of a veneer of +civilized vices. But this did not bother Colonel +Howell, for Moosetooth and La Biche were alone +responsible and these two men well enacted the +roles of foremen. Sitting idly on the bank, cutting +new pipes of tobacco or breaking twigs, +with slow guttural exclamations they directed +the work to be done. +</p> +<p>The loading began and proceeded wholly +without order. For this reason the prospector +suggested that the airship crates be left until +the last. Bags of flour, of which there were +fifty, were dumped in the bottom of the boat +where the mud and water were sure to spoil +part of the flour. +</p> +<p>“But that’s the way they do it,” explained +Colonel Howell. “It’s the method of the river +Indians. They’re doing the work now and don’t +make suggestions or try to help them. They’ll +resent it and think less of you for it.” +</p> +<p>While this work was going on, young Zept +appeared from time to time and seemed to be +interested but he as continually absented himself. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span></p> +<p>Loading went forward slowly. Deliveries of +stores were made several times during the day, +but there was an entire lack of snap and the +Indians took their time in stowing things away. +Colonel Howell was absent most of the day +and in the middle of the afternoon the two +boys took their first opportunity to look over +the town. +</p> +<p>Reaching the main street, they were not surprised +to see the young Count, mounted on a +lively looking pony, dash along the main thoroughfare. +It was hard to tell whether the ease +and surety with which young Zept rode or his +flapping Paris hat attracted more attention. As +the boys waved their hats to him and he gracefully +saluted, they noticed that he must have +been riding for some time. The pony was covered +with perspiration and its nostrils were +dilated. As the rider passed an intersecting +street in the heart of the town, the little animal +made a turn as if preferring another route. +The Count threw it on its haunches and headed +it on down the street at renewed speed. +</p> +<p>A little later, having visited the post office, +Norman and Roy came out just in time to see +young Zept whirling his exhausted mount into +a livery stable. When the boys reached this, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +they found the proprietor, who from his sign +was a Frenchman, and Paul in a heated argument. +It was in vociferous French and in the +course of it the boys saw young Zept excitedly +tear a bill from a roll of money in his hand and +hurl it on the floor of the barn. The proprietor, +hurling French epithets at his customer, kicked +the money aside. +</p> +<p>Norman pushed his way between the spectators +and with assumed jocularity demanded to +know the cause of dispute. In broken English, +the liveryman exclaimed: +</p> +<p>“He is no gentleman. He kills my horse. +For that he shall pay two dollars more.” +</p> +<p>“Well, what’s the matter?” went on Norman +laughing. “Isn’t that enough? There’s +your money,” and he picked up a Canadian ten-dollar +bill and handed it to the owner of the +pony. +</p> +<p>“His money is nussing,” retorted the pony +owner. “He is no gentleman.” +</p> +<p>The absurdity of this must have appealed to +young Zept. Perhaps the presence of his two +companions somewhat shamed him. +</p> +<p>“Don’t have a row,” broke in Roy. “The +colonel’s sure to hear of it.” +</p> +<p>The Count turned again to the excited +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +Frenchman and began another torrent of apparent +explanation, but it was in a different +tone. He was now suave and polite. As he +talked he held out his hand to the proprietor +of the stable and smiled. +</p> +<p>“He’s been drinking again,” whispered Roy +to Norman, a fact which was quite apparent to +the latter. +</p> +<p>Then to the surprise of both boys, with Norman +still holding the money in his hand, the +excited Frenchman grasped his customer’s +hand, and he and Paul hurried from the barn. +A block away, the disturbed Norman and Roy +saw the two men arm in arm disappear behind +the swinging door of the big hotel bar room. +Ascertaining the amount of their friend’s bill +from one of the stable employees, Norman paid +it and he and his companion left. +</p> +<p>That evening, Norman handed Paul five dollars +he had received in change and the incident +was closed. +</p> +<p>For three more days the loading of the scows +continued slowly. It finally became apparent +that the little flotilla would set out Saturday +evening. In these days Count Paul’s manner of +life was so different from that of the boys that +they did not see a great deal of him. Now and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +then he was on the river front, but more frequently +he was a patron of the livery stable, +and even in the evening he was frequently not +in the hotel when Norman and Roy retired. +</p> +<p>His acquaintance with the mounted policeman +put him much in that man’s company. This +officer, always in immaculate uniform, was very +English in appearance, and he wore a striking +tawny moustache. Being in charge of the local +police station, as the sergeant, he was the highest +police authority in that district. As the boys +noticed him on the street at times, gloved and +swishing his light cane, they were surprised +at the open signs of his indulgence in drink. +But what surprised them even more, knowing +as they now did of the arrangement between +Paul’s father and Colonel Howell, was the colonel’s +apparent indifference to young Zept’s +conduct. +</p> +<p>“I have a theory,” said Norman to his friend +at one time. “You know Colonel Howell told +us he wasn’t taking Paul in hand to act as his +guardian. I think he’s letting him go the pace +until he gets him where he’ll have to quit what +he’s doing. Then it’s going to be up to Paul +himself. If he doesn’t make a man of himself, +it’ll be his own fault.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span></p> +<p>“I think a good call-down is what he needs,” +answered Roy, “and the colonel ought to give it +to him.” +</p> +<p>“I reckon he thinks that isn’t his business,” +commented Norman. “It’s certainly not ours. +I reckon it’ll work out all right.” +</p> +<p>“Like as not this is Paul’s idea of roughing +it in the wilds,” suggested Roy. +</p> +<p>“Then there’s hope,” answered his chum. +“He’ll be out of the swing of this in a few +days and when he learns what the real thing +is, if he likes it and takes to it, he’ll forget this +kind of life.” +</p> +<p>Finally the evening for the departure arrived. +There was no fixed hour, but Colonel Howell’s +party had an early supper at the hotel and +then a gang of Indians carried their newly +packed equipment to the boats. All these +articles were dropped indiscriminately as the +Indians felt disposed, and soon after six o’clock +Norman and Roy were ready for the long voyage. +Count Paul had turned his camera over +to the young aviators and their first step was +to make a number of snaps of the boats and +their crews. +</p> +<p>Then, piling their rifles and their new blankets +in the bow of Moosetooth’s boat, the boys +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +took station on the riverbank, prepared to embark +at any moment. +</p> +<p>In keeping with the methods that they had +found common, it was then discovered that parts +of the provisions had not yet arrived. Colonel +Howell and Paul had not accompanied the boys +directly to the boats. Even after a wagon had +arrived with the last of the provisions, and +these had been distributed by the Indians on +the high heaped cargo, there was yet no sign of +their patron. Nor was Count Zept anywhere +to be seen. +</p> +<p>The Indian wives of the crew sat around +their little tepee fires, but between them and +their husbands passed no sign of emotion or +farewell; this, in spite of the fact that no one +on the boats might expect to return for several +weeks. +</p> +<p>It began to grow cooler and finally the night +fog began to fall over the swift brown river. +</p> +<p>As the sun began to grow less, the barren +hills on the far side of the river turned into +a dark palisade. Finally Colonel Howell appeared. +He had been engaged in settling his +accounts and a merchant who came with him +spent some time in checking up goods already +aboard the scow. But when Colonel Howell +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +learned that the Count was not present he +strolled away almost nonchalantly. +</p> +<p>“It’s the way of the North,” almost sighed +Roy. “Nothing goes on schedule in this part +of the world.” +</p> +<p>“Why should it?” grunted Norman. +“When your journey may mean a year’s delay +in getting back, what’s a few minutes more or +less in starting out?” +</p> +<p>It was far after nine o’clock and the sun +was dropping behind the southern hills—the +air chillier and the fog deeper, when Paul finally +appeared. His boisterous manner was all the +testimony needed to indicate how he had spent +the evening. +</p> +<p>With him was his friend, the sergeant of +police. He had undoubtedly been with his new +comrade to celebrate the departure, but the +dignified officer, being now in the field of duty, +gave few signs of personal indiscretions. For +the first time he was formally presented to all +and in a courteous and high-bred manner extended +to the voyageurs his good wishes for a +safe voyage. +</p> +<p>Before the representative of the law, each +Indian at once sprang to his feet and lifted +his hat. And to each of these in turn the uniformed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +policeman answered in salute. When +it seemed to Norman and Roy that there would +be no end to the long delay, Colonel Howell +also reappeared. With a nod of his head to all, +he spoke quickly in the Cree language to his +steersmen. +</p> +<p>Old Moosetooth grunted a command and the +men ran to the hawsers holding the scows +against the current. Then Moosetooth and La +Biche, without even a look at their unconcerned +families sitting stolidly in the gloom on the +riverbank, took their places in the stern of each +boat. Each began, as he leaned on his oar, to +cut himself a new pipe of tobacco and Colonel +Howell turned to the policeman. +</p> +<p>“Sergeant,” he remarked, “I think we are +ready. Will you examine the outfit?” +</p> +<p>The tall sergeant bowed slightly and with a +graceful wave of his hand, stepped to the edge +of one of the nearest scows. With a cursory +glance at the mixed cargo of boxes, barrels and +bags—hardly to be made out in the twilight—he +turned and waved his hand again toward +Colonel Howell. Then, quite casually, he faced +the two steersmen. +</p> +<p>“Bon jour, gentlemen,” he exclaimed and +lifted his big white hat. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span></p> +<p>Colonel Howell and his friends took the +sergeant’s hand in turn and then sprang aboard +the boat. While the two steersmen lifted their +own hats and grunted with the only show of +animation that had lit their faces, the ceremony +of inspection was over and the long voyage +was officially begun. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IX_THE_SONG_OF_THE_VOYAGEUR' id='IX_THE_SONG_OF_THE_VOYAGEUR'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR</h3> +</div> + +<p>Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden +scows veered more and more into the current, +until at last the swift flow of the river began +to push them forward. But even before La +Biche’s boat, which was ahead and farthest +from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling +eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly +set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering +oar and plunged the far end of it against the +oily current. +</p> +<p>At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his +own oar and almost instantly both boats +straightened out before the onrushing waters. +It was a moment long waited for by Norman +and Roy, and at the time no thought was given +to any arrangements for comfort. The boys +threw themselves on the forward deck, their +sweaters close about their throats against the +chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel +Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge +of the deck. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span></p> +<p>Such events in the history of the Northern +rivers were in the old days momentous. Their +only ceremony had been the parting “Bon +jour” of the policeman. +</p> +<p>“In the old days,” suggested Norman, “in +the days that our friend Paul would have loved, +the voyageurs had a song for a time like this.” +</p> +<p>“The riverman’s song of farewell,” spoke +up young Zept with animation. “I wish I knew +one.” +</p> +<p>Almost instantly, those on the fast-receding +shore heard from the boat the soft notes of some +one in song. Under the conditions, whatever +the words and the air, they floated back as +many of those left behind had heard the old +voyageur take his leave. But this song came +from neither of the weatherworn steersmen, +nor from the stolid members of their half-breed +crew. Count Zept, his hat in his hand and the +cool river wind paling his flushed face, had +mounted to the top of the cargo and was singing +something he had learned in far away lands. +The fascinating tenor of his voice carried far +over the river. +</p> +<p>Even out of the hidden heights on the far +side of the current, the strains of the song came +back with a melancholy pathos. Perhaps the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +young singer himself was moved. But to those +who listened, it wafted over the waters as for +two centuries the voyageurs into the unknown +north had celebrated the setting out of the long +voyage that might have no return. None in the +boat spoke to him, but as he went on, repeating +the lines, and his voice gradually dropping lower +and lower, the boats, lost in the fog and darkness, +swept into the great bend, and the stragglers +on shore turned and left the river. +</p> +<p>Although he did not realize it then, Paul +Zept’s impromptu tribute in farewell marked +the great turning point in his life. +</p> +<p>Three hundred miles of dangerous water lay +before the travelers and their valuable outfit. +On this part of the voyage the river ran wide +and deep. At the suggestion of the steersmen, +it was at once decided to make no landing that +night but to take advantage of the easy going, +as the cold wind would soon sweep the fog +away. Strongly touched by the air of Paul’s +song, which the singer laughingly explained +was a song without words, as he had made it up +mainly from snatches of Italian opera, the +words of which he could not recall, Norman and +Roy got Paul on the rear deck and began to +prepare for the night. The assistance of one +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +of the crew was necessary to prepare the blankets +in an expert manner. Before midnight +Colonel Howell and the three young men, snugly +wrapped in their new “four points,” found +no trouble in losing themselves to the world +without. +</p> +<p>Long before the sun showed itself above the +high poplar-crowned hills that lined each bank +of the Athabasca, Norman and Roy had slipped +out of their blankets. It was their first view +of an absolute wilderness. The boats were still +drifting silently forward, with no sign of life +except in the erect forms of Moosetooth and old +La Biche, who were yet standing against their +long steering oars as they had stood through +the night. Neither of them gave salutation, +Moosetooth’s dripping oar following in silence +now and then a like sweep of his companion’s +blade in the water ahead. +</p> +<p>Not arousing their companions, the two boys +perched themselves where Paul had sung the +night before and, shivering in the new day, +began to drink in the scene before them. +</p> +<p>What they saw at that moment was a picture +repeated for nearly two weeks to come. +Although drifting at the rate of four miles an +hour, much time was lost while the boats made +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +their way back and forth across the river, and +although it was but three hundred miles to Fort +McMurray, there was constant delay in camps +ashore, and at the beginning of the Grand +Rapids a week was lost in portaging the entire +cargo. Colonel Howell did not welcome another +lost outfit and he was quite satisfied when both +Moosetooth and La Biche took their empty +scows safely through the northern whirlpool. +</p> +<p>Rising almost from the water, the hills, little +less than mountains in height, ran in terraces. +Strata of varicolored rock marked the clifflike +heights and where black veins stood out with +every suggestion of coal, the young observers +got their first impression of the mineral possibilities +of the unsettled and unknown land into +which they were penetrating. +</p> +<p>The first deer which they observed standing +plainly in view upon a gravelly reef aroused +them to excitement. But when Moosetooth, not +speaking, but pointing with a grunt to a dark +object scrambling up the rocky shelf on the +other side of the river and the boys made out a +bear, Roy sprang for his new twenty-two. +</p> +<p>“Nothin’ doin’,” called Norman in a low +tone. “That’s where we need the .303 and of +course that’s knocked down.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span></p> +<p>“Well, what’s the use anyway?” retorted +Roy, resuming his seat. “I can see there’s +going to be plenty of this kind of thing. And +besides, you can bet our friend here isn’t going +to stop for a bear, dead or alive.” +</p> +<p>From that time on, although they did not find +animals so close together again, they saw eagles, +flocks of wild geese floating ahead of them on +the river, and three more deer. And continually +the magnificent hills, hanging almost over the +river, gave them glimpses of vegetation and +objects new to them. +</p> +<p>“I’m glad I came,” remarked Norman, “but +I wonder how this country looks when winter +comes.” +</p> +<p>“You know how this river’ll look,” answered +Roy. “It’ll be a great, smooth roadway and a +lot of people waitin’ now to get back to civilization +will make it a path for snowshoes and +dog sleds.” +</p> +<p>“Some trip up here from Fort McMurray,” +suggested Norman. +</p> +<p>“You said it,” exclaimed Roy. “But the +colonel won’t have to make it on foot this winter—not +with the old <i>Gitchie Manitou</i>, and +this ice road to guide us.” +</p> +<p>He looked with longing at the crates of the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +airship, the two smaller ones of which took up +one side of their own scow, while the others +were lashed diagonally on top of the crate in +the forward boat. The two boats had kept their +relative positions throughout the night. +</p> +<p>Just as the sun began to gild the water in +their wake, Paul stuck his nose out of the blankets. +All had slept in their clothes during the +night, Colonel Howell having promised them a +chance at their pajamas on the following evening. +There was no dressing to be done and +when Paul joined his companions all made +preparation to souse their faces over the edge +of the boat. +</p> +<p>“One minute,” exclaimed Norman. He dug +among his baggage and in a short time reappeared +with the aluminum basin. +</p> +<p>“Non! Non!” came from the statuelike +figure of old Moosetooth. Then he pointed +to the abrupt cut bank of the river a few hundred +yards ahead and called something in the +Cree language to La Biche. The latter nodded +his head and in turn called aloud in the Indian +tongue. +</p> +<p>Instantly from between the pipes and crates +on the forward boat a dozen half-breeds crawled +sleepily forth. One of these, with a coil of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +rope, sprang into the bow of the forward scow, +and another similarly equipped took his place +in the rear of La Biche, as if ready to spring on +the second scow when opportunity presented. +Both boats were headed for the cut bank. +</p> +<p>The commotion aroused Colonel Howell, and +while he gave a nod of approval, the scows +drifted in under the sweep of the steersmen’s +oars where the deep water ate into the tree-covered +shore. +</p> +<p>As La Biche’s boat touched the bank and the +second scow ran forward, the two half-breeds +scrambled onto the roots of the trees and before +the scows could bump away into the stream +once more, they had been skillfully snubbed +around the trunks of the nearest trees, a third +Indian springing from the forward boat onto +Moosetooth’s craft and making fast a line +thrown him from the shore. Then while the +two boats bumped and struggled to turn their +free ends into the current, the other Indians, +with the skill of long experience, swiftly transferred +hawsers from the free ends of the scows +to other trees. +</p> +<p>“Whew!” shouted Paul, after the first excitement +was over. “Whatever we’re going to +do, I hope’ll be short and sweet,” and he waved +his arms violently about his head. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span></p> +<p>The close vegetation of the shore was alive +with mosquitoes. +</p> +<p>“Don’t worry about these,” laughed Roy. +“This is the breeding place of the best mosquitoes +in the world. Don’t fight ’em—forget +’em.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell, near by, exclaimed: +</p> +<p>“Don’t worry, young men. Mosquito time +is about over. You won’t see many of them +after the end of July.” +</p> +<p>“By the way,” interrupted Norman, “what +day is this? Is it July yet?” +</p> +<p>“That’s another thing you don’t need to +worry about,” went on Colonel Howell with a +chuckle. “When the mosquitoes have gone, +you’ll know that July is gone, and then we won’t +have anything to trouble us till the ice comes.” +</p> +<p>“Bum almanac,” commented Roy. “Mostly +gaps, I should say.” +</p> +<p>“Not so much,” continued the colonel still +laughing. “It isn’t as much of a gap between +the mosquitoes and ice as you might think. But +it’s breakfast time. We’ve got two cooks with +us, one for the crew and one for the cabin passengers. +You’d better take your morning dip +and then, if you like, you can take the canoe and +pull over to that gravel reef. You won’t find +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +so many mosquitoes there and you can stretch +your legs.” +</p> +<p>The boys put off their swimming until they +had reached the island, where they had the +satisfaction of arousing a young buck from the +poplar underbrush, and the mortification of trying +to catch it by chasing it toward the mainland +in a canoe. An Indian fired at the deer +from one of the scows, but it made the river +bank in safety and disappeared in the bush. +</p> +<p>“There, you see,” announced Roy at once. +“The twenty-two would have been all right, +but you’ve got to have it with you.” +</p> +<p>The colonel’s prediction was true and the +three young men had a dip in the shallow +water off the island that was certainly bracing. +When they returned to the shore they found +both cooks in full operation a few hundred yards +from the scows and on the open riverbanks. +</p> +<p>The difference in the output of the cooks was +considerable, but satisfactory to each party +served. The colonel’s party was making the +best of fresh eggs, fresh butter and new bread +and a beefsteak, which would be their only fresh +meat for many days. The crew, out of a common +pan, helped themselves to boiled potatoes +and fried pork, to which each man appeared to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span> +add bannock from his own home supplies. The +Indians drank tea. +</p> +<p>“Gentlemen,” remarked Colonel Howell, as +he lifted a tin of steaming coffee, “here’s to a +friend of civilization—delicious coffee. We +will know him but a few days longer. He will +then give way to the copper kettle and tea.” +</p> +<p>“How about fresh eggs and beefsteak?” +laughed Paul. +</p> +<p>“Eggs, my dear sir, have always been a +superfluous luxury patronized mostly by the +infirm and aged. As for beefsteak, it cannot +compare with a luscious cut of moosemeat, the +epicurean delight of the Northwest. It is a +thing you may not have at the Waldorf, and a +delicacy that not even the gold of the gourmet +may lure from the land of its origin.” +</p> +<p>“How about bear meat?” asked Roy, recalling +with some concern his lost opportunity +in the early dawn. +</p> +<p>“Rather than starve, I would eat it,” responded +Colonel Howell, “and gladly. But to +it I prefer rancid salt pork.” +</p> +<p>In such badinage, the leisurely stop passed +while the boys finished their first meal in the +wilderness, topping it off with the luscious red +raspberries that were just in perfection all +around the camp. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span></p> +<p>That day the boats drifted fifty miles, luncheon +being eaten on the rear deck. A night landing +was made on a gravelly island to escape +as far as possible the many mosquitoes. Tents +were not erected but alongside a good fire the +blankets were spread on the soft grass beneath +the stunted island trees and with mosquito nets +wrapped about their heads all slept comfortably +enough. +</p> +<p>Where the Indians slept no one seemed to +know. When the boys and their patron turned +in as dark came on, at eleven o’clock, the half-breeds +were still eating and smoking about their +removed camp fire. In this manner, with no +accidents, but with daily diversions in the way +of shooting, venison now being one of the daily +items of food, the voyageurs at last reached the +Grand Rapids. +</p> +<p>From this place, for sixty miles, a tumultuous +and almost unnavigable stretch of water +reached to the vicinity of Fort McMurray, the +end of their journey. The greatest drops in the +water and the most menacing perils were encountered +at the very beginning of the Rapids, +where for half a mile an irregular island of +rock divided the stream. On one side of this +the river rushed in a whirlpool that no craft +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +could attempt. On the other side, and the wider, +skilled boatmen had a chance of safely conducting +light craft through the many perils. Here +it was necessary that both boats should be unloaded +and the entire outfit be portaged to the +far end of the island. +</p> +<p>But travel on the river was so important +that those concerned in it had, many years before, +constructed a crude wooden tramway +which, repaired by every newcomer, was available +for use in transporting the heavy freight. +</p> +<p>Permanent camp was made at the head of +the island when this arduous task began. It +had taken four days to load the boats and seven +days were spent on the island in getting the +cargoes of the two boats to the far end. The +sixth day fell on a Sunday, when no Indian +does any labor. On the afternoon of the next +day Moosetooth and La Biche made their +spectacular races down the Rapids. Not a boy +of the party that did not entreat Colonel Howell +to let him go with the first boat, but in his +refusal their patron was adamant. The only +man to accompany each boat as it started on its +flight was an experienced member of the crew +who sat on the bow with a canoe practically in +his lap. He was ready to launch this any moment +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span> +to rescue the steersman, but both attempts +were engineered by the veteran river men with +no other bad results than the shipping of a +great deal of water. +</p> +<p>Paul posted himself opposite the most dangerous +point and made pictures of the tossing +boats and their bareheaded pilots as long as they +were in sight. +</p> +<p>Then came the laborious task of reloading +the boats, but under Colonel Howell’s direct +attention, this operation now took far less than +four days. Within ten hours’ travel from the +foot of the Rapids, the boats rounded a bend at +three o’clock the next afternoon and came in +sight of a lone cabin on the bare and rocky +shore of the river. +</p> +<p>“Look in the trees behind it,” exclaimed +Colonel Howell. +</p> +<p>Like a gallows, almost concealed behind a +fringe of poplar trees, stood the familiar lines +of an oil derrick. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry they haven’t got a flag out,” remarked +Colonel Howell, “but that’s the place. +All there is of Fort McMurray is just beyond.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='X_PAUL_AWAKENS_TO_THE_SITUATION' id='X_PAUL_AWAKENS_TO_THE_SITUATION'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>PAUL AWAKENS TO THE SITUATION</h3> +</div> + +<p>At first Colonel Howell’s camp appeared to +be deserted, but as the boats made in toward +the shore and the crew began shouting, two +men appeared from the cabin. These were +Ewen and Miller—Chandler was not in sight. +</p> +<p>The new log cabin with its flat tar-paper roof, +glistening with its many tin washers, and with a +substantial looking chimney built against one +end, had a satisfactory look. In addition, several +large ricks of cordwood standing at the +edge of the clearing gave sign that the men had +not been idle during the spring. At the same +time, there were many evidences of a lack of +thrift to be seen in the debris left from the +cabin building. +</p> +<p>No arrangements had been made for a boat +landing and Colonel Howell’s canoe was lying +carelessly against the steep bank. Both Norman +and Roy felt somewhat disappointed. While +neither was bothered with the romantic ideas +usually attached to the woodland cabins of fiction, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +each had expected a smarter camp. Nor +were they very favorably impressed with the +two men who appeared on the bank. They were +not exactly tidy in appearance and their figures +and faces suggested that they had spent a winter +of comparative ease among the colonel’s +stores. +</p> +<p>“Where’s the Englishman?” was Colonel +Howell’s salutation, as he and his friends +sprang ashore. +</p> +<p>“Over at the settlement,” answered Ewen, +as he jerked his thumb down the river. “There +wasn’t much doing here and he went over there +a few days ago to visit some friends.” +</p> +<p>“A few days ago,” exclaimed the colonel, +as his eyes made a survey of the littered-up +clearing. “He might have put in a little time +clearin’ out these stumps.” +</p> +<p>“We just got through cuttin’ the wood,” +broke in Miller as he and Ewen shook hands +with their boss, “and we just got the finishin’ +touches on the cabin. We didn’t know when to +expect you.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell, followed by his men and the +new arrivals, scrambled up the bank and, with +no great show of enthusiasm, began a close +examination of the new cabin and its surroundings. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +Nor were the boys any more impressed +with the structure, which, inside, showed very +little ingenuity. It had been made for the use +of four men—seven were going to crowd it. +After Colonel Howell had inspected the derrick, +he returned and seated himself on a stump. +</p> +<p>“When’s Chandler comin’ back?” he asked +abruptly. Without waiting for a reply, which +neither of his men seemed able to give him, he +added: “One of you fellows had better take +the canoe and go and get him this afternoon—that +is, if he wants to come back.” +</p> +<p>There was some irritation in his tone that +showed everyone that things were not exactly +to his liking. +</p> +<p>“It’s only two miles,” remarked Ewen showing +some alacrity, “and I’ll go by the trail.” +</p> +<p>When he had gone, Colonel Howell turned to +Miller, whose unshaven and somewhat bloated +face told that he had not lost any flesh during +his stay at the camp. +</p> +<p>“Miller,” he said, “go down and take hold +of these scows. We’ve got to get this stuff +up here on the bank and under some protection. +I don’t want these Indians on my hands +any longer than necessary. Keep ’em at it until +midnight, if necessary, and then make up an +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span> +outfit for ’em to-morrow and let ’em hit the +trail.” +</p> +<p>“What are you going to do with the boats?” +asked Roy. +</p> +<p>“We’re going to use ’em to make a cabin +big enough for our new family,” answered +the colonel, smiling perfunctorily. “This one’s +all right for our cooking and eating, but it +doesn’t appeal to me as a bunk house. I think +we’ll add another room. The season’s getting +away from us and we can’t afford to lose any +time.” +</p> +<p>The man Miller had already shown signs +of great activity when Colonel Howell suddenly +called him back. +</p> +<p>“On second thought, Miller,” he said, rising +and throwing off his coat, “I think you’d better +tackle the cabin first. There’s a lot of truck +in there that ought to be in a storehouse and it’s +got a kind o’ musty smell. Open all the windows +and clean out the place. We’ve got to +sleep in there to-night. When you’ve done that, +get that kitchen stuff and use some river water +and sand on it. Looks like an Indian shack +in the middle o’ winter. Young men,” he went +on, again forcing a smile, “I reckon it’s up to +us to get this gang busy.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span></p> +<p>There was nothing in this that discouraged +Norman and Roy and even Paul seemed interested +in the unloading of the boats. Before this +was begun, however, Moosetooth spoke in an +undertone to Colonel Howell and, shrugging +his shoulders, the prospector waved his hand. +</p> +<p>“All right,” he exclaimed, “they’ll work +the better for it. Feed ’em. Four meals a +day—that’s the least that any half-breed +demands.” +</p> +<p>While Colonel Howell and the crew began +getting the two scows broadside along the bank, +the Cree cooks unloaded the two cook outfits +and the grub boxes. The laborious task of +hoisting the crates and boxes of the rest of the +cargo up the treacherous bank had hardly begun +when the cooks, disdaining the fireplace within +the cabin, had their fires going in the open +clearing. +</p> +<p>Within an hour the Indians were devoting +themselves to a filling supper and a little later +Colonel Howell and his assistants made a hasty +meal of tinned roast mutton, pickles, Indian +bannock, and tea. All about was confusion. +The personal baggage of the newly arrived had +been assembled just without the cabin door and +Miller and a couple of the crew were beginning +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +to carry in balsam boughs, on which, in their +blankets, the colonel and his friends were to +pass the night. +</p> +<p>No attempt was made, further than Miller’s +crude efforts, to make the inside of the cabin +more inviting. A big fire of rotten wood had +been started near by, as a mosquito smudge, but +all were too busy to give these pests much +attention. +</p> +<p>While the Indians were at supper, Ewen returned +with Chandler. +</p> +<p>The latter arrived with much effusiveness, +but his greeting by Colonel Howell was rather +curt. +</p> +<p>“Of course you’ll remember this,” the +colonel remarked, “when it comes to settling.” +</p> +<p>Chandler changed his attitude instantly. His +expression and speech showed that he was not +sober. +</p> +<p>“I’m ready to settle now,” he retorted, as +his eyes swept over the growing heaps of the +many boxes, barrels, bags and crates that littered +the shore. +</p> +<p>“I think I am too,” remarked Colonel Howell, +“when it suits me. Meanwhile, you’re off +the chuck roll. Get out of camp and when +you’re in a proper condition and can show me +what you’ve earned, come back!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span></p> +<p>The tall and emaciated Englishman drew himself +up and glared at Colonel Howell. +</p> +<p>“Get out!” exclaimed the latter in a tone +that was wholly new to the three boys. +</p> +<p>“I’ll go when I get my money!” mumbled +Chandler, half defiantly. +</p> +<p>Without more words, Colonel Howell shot out +his right arm and caught the man by his shoulder. +He whirled Chandler and sent him sprawling +on the trail. +</p> +<p>The man’s defiance was gone. “My pay’s +comin’ to me,” he whimpered, “and I’ve +worked hard for it.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll see about that,” snapped the oil +man, “when the time comes.” +</p> +<p>As if dismissing the incident from his mind, +he turned toward the scows. +</p> +<p>“Look out!” exclaimed the three boys, +almost together, but their warning was hardly +needed. As Colonel Howell turned, the sinewy +form of old Moosetooth had thrown itself upon +the crouching Englishman. The two men sank +to the ground and there was a surge forward +by those near by. Then the Indian tore himself +from the partly helpless Chandler and +struggled to his feet. In his hand he held +Chandler’s short double-edged knife. With indistinguishable +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +imprecations and his arms waving +in the air, the Englishman disappeared +within the fringe of poplar trees. +</p> +<p>Excited, but with no excuse for asking questions, +the boys turned and, with Colonel Howell, +resumed the task of getting their cargo +ashore. Old Moosetooth looked at the knife, +placed it inside his belt and began cutting a +fresh pipe of tobacco. +</p> +<p>“Life in the wilds!” remarked Colonel +Howell, as he and the boys regained the scows. +“A lazy man’s bad enough, but a booze fighter +doesn’t belong in this camp.” +</p> +<p>“Where could he get anything to drink up +here?” asked Norman, a little nervously. +</p> +<p>“Tell me!” responded Colonel Howell. +“That’s what we all want to know. Anyway,” +he went on, “we’ve done our part towards cutting +it out. There isn’t a drop of it in this +outfit.” +</p> +<p>When he could do so without attracting attention, +Norman glanced at Paul. The latter as +quickly averted his eyes and plunged with +greater energy into his share of the work. +</p> +<p>These events had taken place just before +the “cabin passengers” had been called to supper. +Efforts were being made to forget the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span> +Chandler episode and Colonel Howell especially +was talkative and jolly. Paul was just the +opposite. At last, when the cook had left them +with their tea, the young Austrian seemed to become +desperate. Norman and Roy were just +about to leave the cabin when Paul stopped +them, more and more embarrassed. +</p> +<p>“I want to say something, boys,” he began. +Then he turned to his host and, the perspiration +thick on his face, added suddenly: “Colonel +Howell, I don’t know how to say it, but I’ve +got to tell you. I lied to you the other night in +the hotel at Edmonton. You didn’t ask me to +stop drinking, but you talked to me pretty +straight, and that’s what I meant to do. Well +I didn’t stop—I just put it off, a little. I +didn’t do the right thing back at the Landing. +I knew it then, but I knew I was going to stop +when I came up here and I just put it off a little +longer.” +</p> +<p>The colonel made a half deprecating motion, +as if it embarrassed him to listen to the young +man’s confession. +</p> +<p>“I thought it was all right,” he said, as if to +somewhat relieve Paul’s embarrassment, “and +I knew you meant to stop. Of course we knew +what you were doing, but you’re pretty young,” +concluded the colonel with a laugh. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span></p> +<p>Norman and Roy each gave signs of an inclination +to relieve Paul’s embarrassment and +Norman especially showed concern. But he and +his friend remained silent. +</p> +<p>“We’ll let that all be bygones,” suggested +Colonel Howell, “and here’s to the future—we’ll +drink to what is to come in Canada’s national +beverage—black tea reeking with the +smoke of the camp fire.” +</p> +<p>A laugh of relief started round, as Paul’s +three companions hit the table with their heavy +tin cups, but in this the young Count did not +join. +</p> +<p>“That ain’t it,” he blurted suddenly. “That +was bad enough, but I’ve done worse than +that.” +</p> +<p>The colonel’s face sobered and Norman’s +eyes turned toward the heap of personal belongings +just outside the cabin door. Paul’s +trembling arm motioned toward these boxes +and bags. +</p> +<p>“I’ve got a case of brandy out there and +I’ve got to tell you how I’ve lied to you.” +</p> +<p>“Hardly that!” protested Colonel Howell. +“You hadn’t spoken to me of it.” +</p> +<p>“No, I didn’t,” confessed Paul, his voice +trembling, “but I just heard you say we hadn’t +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span> +anything like that with us and I might as well +have lied, because I had it.” +</p> +<p>“Did that sergeant of police know this?” +broke in Roy. “I thought he examined everything. +He certainly said we were all right.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, he knew it,” answered Paul, “but he +isn’t to blame. Don’t think I’m making that an +excuse.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell sat with downcast eyes and +an expression of pain on his face. +</p> +<p>“Why did you do it?” he asked in a low +tone at last. “Did you mean to hide it from +me?” +</p> +<p>“No, no,” exclaimed his young guest. “I +don’t know why I did it. I don’t want it. I’m +going to quit all that. That’s why I came up +here. You know that, Colonel Howell—don’t +you believe me?” +</p> +<p>But Colonel Howell’s face now bore a different +expression. +</p> +<p>“My friend,” he remarked after a few moment’s +thought, “I may have done wrong to +ask your father to let you come with us. I +thought you knew all the conditions. If this is +a life that is not going to interest you, you’d +better go back. The Indians will be returning +to-morrow or the next day and you won’t find +it such a hard trip.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></p> +<p>Paul gulped as if choking and then sprang +from the table. From the baggage outside he +extracted a canvas-bound box, his own name +on the side. While his companions sat in silence +he hurled it on the floor at their feet and then, +with a sweep of his knife, cut the canvas from +the package. With a single crush by his heavy +boot, he loosened one of the boards of the cover. +Carefully packed within were a dozen bottles of +expensive brandy. Paul caught one of them and +appeared to be about to smash it on the edge +of the table. The colonel raised his hand. +</p> +<p>“Stop!” ordered his host. “Are you going +back or do you want to stay with us?” +</p> +<p>“Colonel Howell,” almost sobbed the young +man, “I’d give anything I have or can do for +you if you’ll let me stay.” +</p> +<p>“There’s only one condition,” answered +Colonel Howell, and he no longer attempted to +conceal his irritation. “If you’re not strong +enough to do without that kind of stuff, you’re +not welcome here. If you are, you are very +welcome.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll throw it all in the river,” exclaimed +Paul, chokingly. +</p> +<p>“Which would prove nothing,” announced +Colonel Howell. “Put that bottle back in the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +box and nail it up. When you want it again, +come and tell me and I’ll give you the case and +an escort back to the Landing.” +</p> +<p>The episode had become more than embarrassing +for Norman and Roy and they arose +and left the room. Paul’s face was buried in +his hands and his head was low on the table. +Fifteen minutes later, the young Count and the +oil man made their appearance, both very sober +of face. +</p> +<p>At midnight when the last of the cargo had +been unshipped, when the Indians had been +fed again and when the white men had had a +late supper of bannock and Nova Scotia butter +and fresh tea, and when Colonel Howell and the +boys had spread their heavy blankets on the +fresh balsam, in Paul’s corner of the cabin lay +the box that had brought him so much chagrin. +Not once during the evening had the humiliating +incident been referred to by those who participated +in it. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XI_PREPARING_CAMP_FOR_WINTER' id='XI_PREPARING_CAMP_FOR_WINTER'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>PREPARING CAMP FOR WINTER</h3> +</div> + +<p>Colonel Howell being a far from hard taskmaster, +especially in his dealings with the Indians, +it was not until the morning of the second +day that Moosetooth and La Biche led their men +out of camp on the three-hundred mile tramp +to Athabasca Landing. But the beginning of +work in the camp did not await their departure. +Colonel Howell took time to explain his plans +so far as they concerned his young friends, and +the morning after the arrival of the boats work +at once began with the regularity of a factory. +</p> +<p>The things to be done included a substantial +addition to the present cabin, to be made in the +main out of the straight poplar timber. The +roof of this was to be of sod and the new bunk +house formed a “T” with the old cabin. A +clay floor was packed within and on this a board +floor was made of some of the inside timber +from one of the scows. New timber and poplar +posts were used to make the bunks, which, +packed heavily with shredded balsam, soon provided +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +clean and fragrant sleeping berths. Colonel +Howell had learned of a sheet-iron stove +to be had in the McMurray settlement, and this +was to be installed before cold weather arrived. +</p> +<p>The other cabin was renovated and thoroughly +cleaned. A provision storehouse was +added in the rear, and the clay fireplace was +enlarged and extended into the room. This +work under way, Norman and Roy, assisted by +Paul, undertook to construct a rough but +adequate aerodrome. The open space in front +of the cabin was not sufficient for a landing +and a large part of the clearing in the rear of +the cabin was leveled for the airship shed. To +decrease the size of the structure, it was also +made in “T” shape, the extension for the tail +of the machine reaching back toward the cabin, +for the new shelter faced away from the cabin +so that there might be no obstacle in starting +and landing the machine. +</p> +<p>In spite of its simple character, the boys made +elaborate sketches for this shed and used in the +main small uniform poplar trees easily carried +on their shoulders. The entire frame of the +building was made of this timber. The front +of it was to be made of the colonel’s three enormous +tarpaulins. The sides and top being of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +heavy hemlock bark, this feature of the work required +many days and it was often tiresome. +</p> +<p>In the three weeks that this work went on, +Colonel Howell appeared to be in no hurry +to resume his prospecting. The boys learned +that the old Kansas oil men had not been wholly +idle in this respect and that they had located +several good signs, all of which Colonel Howell +took occasion to examine. +</p> +<p>The boys also learned that the best prospects +were not those found where the derrick had +been erected. From their experience, the men +who had been left in camp strongly urged +another location in a dip of land farther inland. +</p> +<p>“It’s as good a surface sign as I ever saw,” +Colonel Howell explained to the young men. +“It’s a rock cut, but there’s enough tar floating +loose to show that there’s oil mighty close. +But there’s no use getting excited about it and +tapping a gusher. We’d only have to cap it +and wait for the tank cars. Everything around +here is prospective, of course. All we can do +is to cover the field and establish our claim. +And I guess that’s a good winter’s job.” +</p> +<p>“Ain’t you goin’ to work this derrick?” +asked Paul, indicating the one erected near the +camp. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span></p> +<p>“Looks like there might be gas around here,” +was the colonel’s laughing response. “We’ll +sink a shaft here an’ maybe we can find a flow +of natural gas. That’d help some when she gets +down to forty below.” +</p> +<p>It was surprising how all these preparations +consumed time. It was nearly the end of +August when these plans had been worked out +and with the setting up of the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> +in its novel aerodrome and the storing away of +its oil and gasoline in a little bark lean-to, the +camp appeared to be ready for serious work. +</p> +<p>For a week Ewen and Miller had been setting +up the wood boiler and engine for operating +the derrick. From the night he unceremoniously +left camp, Chandler, the Englishman, had +not been heard from. +</p> +<p>Each Sunday all labor ceased in camp and +Ewen and Miller invariably spent the day, long +into the night, in Fort McMurray. The boys +also visited this settlement, which had in it little +of interest. There was no store and nothing to +excite their cupidity in the way of purchases. +They heard that Chandler had gone down the +river, but the information was not definite and, +although Colonel Howell left messages for his +discharged employee, the man did not reappear +and sent no word. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></p> +<p>Colonel Howell’s other workmen, Ewen and +Miller, were not companionable and did not +become comrades of the boys. Now and then, +in the month’s work, Norman and Roy had +heard Colonel Howell freely criticize them for +the method of their work or for some newly +omitted thing they had failed to do during the +winter. +</p> +<p>When the stores and supplies had been compactly +arranged in the rear of the living room +and the new storehouse, the cabin and its surroundings +seemed prepared for comfortable +occupancy in the coldest weather. +</p> +<p>The only man retained out of the river outfit +was a Lac la Biche half-breed, a relative of +Moosetooth, who was to serve both as a cook +and a hunter. At least once a week, the entire +party of young men went with Philip Tremble, +the half-breed hunter, for deer or moose. This +usually meant an early day’s start, if they were +looking for moose, and a long hike over the +wooded hills to the upland. +</p> +<p>One moose they secured on the second hunt +and to the great joy of the boys Philip brought +the skin of the animal back to camp. The +antlers, being soft, were useless. This episode +not only afforded a welcome change in meat +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +which, as Colonel Howell had predicted, could +not be told from tender beef, but it sadly interfered +with the work on the aerodrome. +</p> +<p>When the Indian had prepared a frame for +dressing the skin and lashed the green hide +with heavy cord between the four poplar sides +and had produced a shaving knife from somewhere +among his private possessions, the boys +fought for the opportunity to work upon the +hide. +</p> +<p>For almost two days, Norman, Roy and Paul, +by turns, scraped at the muscle, sinews and fat +yet adhering to the skins until at last their first +trophy shone as tight and clean in the sunshine +as a drumhead. Philip had also brought, from +the upland, the animal’s brains tied up in his +shirt. In the tanning process he then took +charge of the cleaned skin and buried it until +the hair had rotted, and in this condition the +outside of the skin was also cleaned. Then +came a mysterious process of scouring the skin +with the long preserved brains. +</p> +<p>At Colonel Howell’s suggestion, and with the +complete approval of the boys, this part of the +process was carried on at some distance from +the cabin. Thereafter, when the weather was +clear, Philip exposed the skin to the smoke of a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +smouldering fire, devoting such time as he had +to rubbing and twisting the hide while it turned +to a soft, odorous yellow. +</p> +<p>Before the real winter began, the skin, which +is the wealth of the Canadian Indian, began to +make its appearance in strong moccasins, which +were usually worn around the fireplace and +often in bed. +</p> +<p>From somewhere in the outfit a calendar had +made its appearance, and this had found a +lodging place in the front of the fireplace. The +morning that Colonel Howell made a mark on +September 1, with a bit of charred stick, he +remarked: +</p> +<p>“Well, boys, the postman seems to have forgotten +us. What’s the matter with running up +to Athabasca and getting our mail? A piece +of beef wouldn’t go bad, either. How about +it?” +</p> +<p>So intense had the interest of Norman and +Roy been in the hundreds of things to be done +in camp that the aeroplane, although not out +of mind, was not always foremost in their +thoughts. No reply was needed to this suggestion. +Instantly, the proposition filled the air +with airship talk. +</p> +<p>This first trip had been discussed many +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +times. It required no particular planning now. +</p> +<p>“I like to travel about fifty miles an hour,” +exclaimed Norman, “and it’s three hundred +miles to the Landing. We’ll leave to-morrow +morning at five o’clock and land on the heights +opposite the town at eleven. One of us’ll go +across in the ferry—” +</p> +<p>“Both of us,” broke in Roy. “There’s no +need to watch the machine—everybody’s +honest in this country.” +</p> +<p>“Let me go and watch it?” asked Paul, who +was now the constant associate of the other +boys in their work and pleasures. +</p> +<p>“Not this time,” answered Norman. “It +isn’t exactly a bus, you know. We can take +care of it all right.” +</p> +<p>“Then we’ll have dinner at the good old +Alberta,” suggested Roy with his features +aglow, “do our errands, and start back about +three o’clock. It’s a cinch. With the river +for our guide, we ought to give you a beefsteak +about nine o’clock.” +</p> +<p>“And don’t forget a few magazines,” put +in Paul. +</p> +<p>This flight, which began promptly on time +the next morning, after an early breakfast of +toasted bannock, bacon and the inevitable tea, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span> +which Philip never spoiled with smoke, however, +was made with all the ease of the exhibitions +at the Stampede. +</p> +<p>The <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> was wheeled out of the +hangar for a thorough inspection. Then the +boys climbed in and the engines were started. +With a wave of the hand they were off. +</p> +<p>For a short time after the yellow-winged +monoplane had mounted and turned south and +westward over the vapory river, the boys had +a new sensation. The rising fog started air +currents which for a time they did not understand. +Perhaps Norman’s hand was a little +out of a practice and at times Roy showed nervousness. +</p> +<p>When Norman finally guessed the cause, he +mounted higher and took a course over the +uplands where, as the sunshine cleared the +atmosphere, the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> became more +easily manageable. The line of vapor rising +from the river some distance on their left was +sufficient guide. This at last disappeared in +turn and Norman threw the car back on its old +course. +</p> +<p>Once again above the river, whose brown, +oily surface now shone clearly beneath them, +Roy especially busied himself with the many +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +attractions of the stream. Animal life was +plentiful and, despite Norman’s renewed protests, +his companion insisted now and then in +fruitlessly discharging his rifle at small game. +</p> +<p>They made better time than fifty miles and +made a safe landing on the heights opposite +Athabasca some time before eleven o’clock. +What had seemed to them, from Athabasca, +to be an uninhabited bluff, was now found to +contain several poor cabins. Afraid to leave +the car alone near those who would certainly +be curious, Norman decided to stay with the +monoplane and Roy undertook to visit the town +across the river. But dinner at the Alberta was +eliminated and Roy, in addition to his mail and +meat and magazines, was to bring back luncheon +for both the aviators. +</p> +<p>Norman accompanied him to the brow of the +hill and saw him scramble down the winding +road to the ferry landing below. Here, also, +he saw him wait nearly a half hour before the +cumbersome gravity flatboat put out from the +other shore, and then he devoted himself to +picking and eating Saskatoon berries, with +which the hills were covered. +</p> +<p>It was two o’clock when Roy returned, burdened +with packages. For an hour Norman +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +had been asleep in the invigorating hill air. +Roy had certainly gone the limit in the matter +of meat. He had two roasts and six thick steaks +and, what was more to his own taste, he proudly +displayed a leg of lamb. His mail, of which +there seemed to be a great deal for everyone, +he had tied in one end of a flour sack. In the +other end he had six loaves of fresh bread. On +his back in another bag he had a weight of +magazines. +</p> +<p>“I thought we’d take what we could,” he +began, “and I guess it’s a good thing we came +when we did. Somebody’s been pounding telegrams +in here for several days for Colonel +Howell. I got a half dozen of ’em and I sent +all he gave me. I got off some messages to the +folks, too, but I wonder what the colonel’s so +busy about.” +</p> +<p>“This ain’t the only iron he has in the fire,” +answered Norman drowsily. “But where’s our +own eats?” +</p> +<p>Roy dumped his bags and bundles on the +grass and then began to explore his own capacious +pockets. From one he took a can of salmon +and from another a box of sardines. +</p> +<p>“And here’s the lemon for ’em,” he explained, +producing it from his shirt pocket. +“Help yourself to the bread.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span></p> +<p>“Is that all?” complained Norman. “I’ll +bet a nickel you had dinner at the Alberta!” +</p> +<p>“All but this,” went on Roy, and he began +unbuttoning the front of his flannel shirt. “It +feels kind of soft.” +</p> +<p>While Norman watched him, he extracted a +greasy bag, flat and crumpled, and tore it open +to expose what was left of an originally fine hot +raisin pie. +</p> +<p>His companion turned up his nose in disgust. +</p> +<p>“I fell down on the hill,” explained Roy, +“but if you don’t want it, don’t bother. It’s +just a little squashed. I’ll eat it all right.” +</p> +<p>Norman began to straighten out the crumpled +pieces with his finger, when his chum added, +with some exultation: “And these.” +</p> +<p>Then, from within his unbuttoned shirt, he +began to unload a dozen large sugar-coated +doughnuts. +</p> +<p>As Norman’s mouth began to water, and he +turned to the bread bag, a new odor caught his +nostrils. +</p> +<p>“What’s this?” he exclaimed, pulling another +greasy bag from among the bread loaves. +</p> +<p>“Oh, I forgot,” sputtered Roy, a part of one +of the doughnuts already in his mouth; “that’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +some baked ham I found at the butcher shop. I +guess that’s some eats.” +</p> +<p>“Didn’t you get any pop?” was Norman’s +only answer, a look of added disgust spreading +over his face. +</p> +<p>Roy turned, with a startled look: “I +couldn’t carry any more,” he answered a little +guiltily, “but I drank a couple o’ bottles myself.” +</p> +<p>“I knew I’d get stung if I let you go!” +growled his companion. +</p> +<p>Norman looked at him with indignation. +Then, having already appropriated a doughnut, +he mounted quickly on the side of the car and +sprang down again with the aluminum basin in +his hand. +</p> +<p>“Now you go down to the river and get me +a drink. You’ve had it soft enough.” +</p> +<p>The return trip was almost a duplicate of the +morning flight. In this, however, the aviators +were able to follow the stream itself, and they +flew low, protected from the evening breeze by +the river hills. The ride did not seem long, +and the boys were particularly interested in another +view of the Rapids, which they had been +unable to study in the morning flight. Not a +single human being, going or coming, had they +seen on the long stretch of river. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span></p> +<p>In Athabasca, Roy had learned that their +boat crew had not all returned, but that La +Biche and Moosetooth had reached town and +that both were already serving as pilots on the +new Hudson’s Bay Company steamer that had +been launched in their absence and was now +making its first trip up the river. They were +almost passing the oil camp when the sound +of a shot attracted their attention and then, +guided by Paul’s worn and faded hat, they +banked and landed in the rear of the aerodrome +at ten minutes of nine. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XII_BREASTING_A_BLIZZARD_IN_AN_AIRSHIP' id='XII_BREASTING_A_BLIZZARD_IN_AN_AIRSHIP'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>BREASTING A BLIZZARD IN AN AIRSHIP</h3> +</div> + +<p>When Roy turned over his half dozen telegrams +to Colonel Howell, the two boys saw that +the messages were of some significance. A little +later they saw their patron reading them a second +time. But when the beefsteak supper was +served he seemed to have forgotten business. +But that was only his way. When the prospector +had reached his after-dinner cigar, he +said abruptly: +</p> +<p>“So you say everything went all right!” +</p> +<p>“Like taking a buggy ride,” answered Norman. +“Don’t you want us to go oftener? If +it wasn’t for using up the gas, there isn’t any +reason why we shouldn’t meet each mail stage.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad o’ that,” answered Colonel Howell, +smiling. “I’d like to have you take a telegram +over for me in the morning and wait for +an answer.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t you think I can go in this time?” +asked Paul at once. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span></p> +<p>The other boys gave him no heed for a +moment. +</p> +<p>“We could go to-night,” volunteered Norman, +“if you like.” +</p> +<p>“That wouldn’t do any good,” answered +the colonel. “You probably couldn’t get the +operator. I’ll be more than satisfied if you duplicate +to-day’s trip—except as to the meat,” +he added. “We’ve enough of that for some +days.” +</p> +<p>Paul sat in suppressed excitement. +</p> +<p>“I don’t want to butt in,” he urged in the +pause that followed; “but I want to help all I +can. You don’t need to be afraid—” +</p> +<p>The boys could not resist a glance toward the +bunk house door, where they well knew that +Paul’s embarrassing box still stood intact. And +both Norman and Roy flushed. +</p> +<p>“You can go,” announced Norman instantly. +“You won’t be afraid!” +</p> +<p>“Only afraid of disappointing Roy,” answered +the elated Paul. +</p> +<p>The latter was disappointed, but he gave no +sign of it and when he smiled and waved his +hand, the thing was settled. +</p> +<p>“I’ve been holding an option on a fine piece +of oil property near Elgin, Kansas,” the colonel +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +began in explanation, “and I had forgotten +that the limit was about to expire. Several of +these telegrams are from my agent, who tells +me we must have the property. The telegrams +are now over three weeks old and I’ve just got +two days in which to get word to him to buy.” +</p> +<p>“Write your message to-night,” suggested +Norman, “for we’ll get away a little earlier in +the morning, since we’ve got to wait for an +answer.” +</p> +<p>The second flight to Athabasca Landing was +of course Paul’s first experience in an airship. +For some time he was subdued and Norman +could see his tense fingers gripping the edge +of the cockpit. But when assurance came to +him, he made up for his preliminary apprehension +and was soon taking impossible pictures of +the far-away hills and trees beneath him. +</p> +<p>Reaching the landing place on the Athabasca +Hills, Paul at once said: +</p> +<p>“I s’pose you’d feel better if you looked +after the telegrams yourself. I’ll stay with the +machine.” +</p> +<p>This was the program Norman had outlined +but when the suggestion came from the young +Austrian himself, Norman had not the courage +to humiliate his companion with such a plain +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +indication of his fear. Without hesitation, he +answered: +</p> +<p>“What are you talking about? Nothing like +that now! Besides, I want to look over the engine. +You go and attend to things—I’ll be +here when you get back.” +</p> +<p>A little after twelve o’clock, a boy arrived +from the other side of the river, carrying Norman’s +dinner in a basket. The messenger was +from the Alberta Hotel and he also carried a +note from Paul announcing that no answer had +yet been received to Colonel Howell’s telegram. +</p> +<p>As the afternoon wore slowly away, Norman +became more and more apprehensive. It was +nearly six o’clock when Paul came in sight, +breathless and exhausted from his rapid climb +up the hill. Norman could not resist a sigh of +relief when he saw that the delay was not due +to any new indiscretion of the young Austrian. +</p> +<p>“I don’t blame you,” panted Paul, “and I +bet you’ve been sweating blood. I don’t deserve +anything else, but you’re going to save a +lot of time if you’ll just forget what I used to +be. I ain’t going to make any promises, but +I’ll show all of you that I’m not what you all +thought I was.” +</p> +<p>Norman only smiled, but he gave his young +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +friend a look of sympathy. Then he announced +a little variation in the general plan. +</p> +<p>“We’re so late now that it’s goin’ to be dark +before we get back and a little further delay +won’t do any harm. Just back of the new H. B. +Company store I remember there’s quite an +open space on the other side of the town. +We’re flying pretty light and I think we’ll +cross the river, make a landing there, and get +a couple of tins of gasoline. We want an extra +supply on hand.” +</p> +<p>This flight was easily accomplished but it involved +an experience that Norman had not anticipated. +Having made a safe landing, while +he visited the trading post and arranged to +have oil delivered at once, nearly everyone in +Athabasca Landing seemed to learn of the arrival +of the airship. When he came riding +back to the monoplane, in the delivery wagon, +the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> was the center of a mob of +curious people. The sergeant of police was +there, as well as the people from the hotel. It +was impossible to leave at once. Politeness +demanded decent replies to many inquiries but +Norman almost felt repaid when he noted that +this was the first meeting during the day between +Paul and his old friend, the Mounted +Policeman. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span></p> +<p>Yet, in the midst of the general greeting, the +boys finally took their leave. As they swung +over the city and the river, the mist was beginning +to rise from the latter. For a part +of the return trip at least, Norman knew that +he would have to resort to his compass or to +the guidance of the varying air currents that +marked the river course at night. +</p> +<p>For several days in the latter part of August +there had been nightly frosts. Then there +had been a short spell of warm weather and this +night the boys could see that cool weather +was rapidly approaching. As the monoplane +winged its way into the gathering gloom and +the crisp evening passed into dusk, the body +of the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> grew wet with cold dew. +After dark, this began to turn into frost. Paul +was able to wrap a light blanket about himself, +but Norman, with no relief present, stuck to +his post, protected only by his gloves and +sweater. +</p> +<p>As it was impossible to make out the course +of the river from any distance, he had to defy +the air currents in the rather hazardous light +between the high river banks. It was far from +the even flight made during the day in the sunlight, +and again Norman could see his companion +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +gripping the edge of the cockpit. There +was little conversation, and in order to divert +his companion, Norman manufactured a job for +Paul by assigning to him the duty of watching +the engine revolution gauge and the +chronometer. +</p> +<p>As Paul flashed the bulbs, throwing their +little shaded lights on these instruments, and +sang out the reading every few moments, Norman +could not resist a smile. He read both instruments +each time as quickly as his assistant. +</p> +<p>About eleven thirty, the sun having now +wholly disappeared, Norman’s long-waiting ear +caught the unmistakable roar of the head of the +Grand Rapids. From this place, he had a compass +bearing to Fort McMurray, and he could +have predicted their arrival at the camp almost +within minutes. +</p> +<p>“You can take it easy now,” he suggested to +Paul. “We’re practically home.” +</p> +<p>When the roar of the Rapids finally ceased, +the river fog cleared somewhat and, with the +help of the stars, the outline of the river became +plainer below. +</p> +<p>“How much longer?” asked Paul in a tired +tone. +</p> +<p>“We’ve been coming pretty slow,” was Norman’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span> +cheery response. “We’ll hit her up a bit. +It’s forty miles to the camp, but we’ll save a little +by cutting out the big bend. See if I ain’t +there in three-quarters of an hour.” +</p> +<p>“I’d think they’d have a light for us.” +</p> +<p>“If they’re all asleep,” answered Norman. +</p> +<p>But they were not asleep. Some apprehension +on the part of even Roy had kept him and +the colonel wide awake. When it grew dark +and the monoplane had not returned, he made +a fire of cordwood and during the long evening +renewed it constantly. At half past one the +<i>Gitchie Manitou</i> concluded its second successful +trip. +</p> +<p>The answer brought to Colonel Howell, in response +to his telegram, appeared to be highly +satisfactory to that gentleman. As he read it +in the light of Roy’s poplar wood signal fire, he +remarked: +</p> +<p>“I told you young men that you didn’t know +how much you might be worth to me. If I +hadn’t made good on that option, there’s no +way to tell what I might have lost. I wouldn’t +let go the deal I made to-day for twenty-five +thousand dollars.” +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry I didn’t have anything to do with +it,” exclaimed the benumbed Paul, “but I’m +glad I got a ride at last.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span></p> +<p>Colonel Howell opened his mouth as if to +make reply and then checked himself with a +smile. The words behind his lips were: “And +a month ago you’d have probably spoiled any +deal you had a finger in.” +</p> +<p>“You had as much to do with it as anyone,” +Norman suggested aloud. Then he laughed +and added: “But you mustn’t work so hard. +Look at your hands.” +</p> +<p>Paul opened his yet clenched fingers and held +them before the snapping blaze. The palm of +each hand bore traces of blood. +</p> +<p>“That’s where I lifted her over the high +places,” he said with a laugh of his own. “But +look, it’s dry. I ain’t been doing it for some +time.” +</p> +<p>This night was the real beginning of the +colder weather. When they were able, in late +July, Ewen and Miller had sacrificed a few potatoes +out of their store to plant a patch of +this vegetable. During August the little garden +had thriven and was at last in full bloom. But +this night, to the keen disappointment of all, +the creamy blossoms fell a victim to the first +blighting frost. From now on, while the days +were even sunnier and often quite warm, the +nights rapidly grew colder and each morning +there were increasing frosts. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span></p> +<p>For two weeks preliminary to the removal +of the derrick to the better prospect, the arm +of the drill pounded ceaselessly up and down +all day. There were small accidents that frequently +delayed the work, but no result other +than dulled drills and the accumulation of +promising-looking sand and rock. +</p> +<p>The hunting trips also continued and moose +now became very plentiful. Philip, the cook +and hunter, did not always accompany the boys +on shooting trips, as the half-breed had joined +Ewen and Miller in the work on the well. +</p> +<p>The airship was safely housed, as if for the +winter. The third week in September came in +with a lessening in the daily sunshine. A haze +began to hang over the river valley and a murkiness +now and then took the place of the keen +and clear atmosphere. The evenings had grown +so cool that considerable attention was being +given the fire in the living room. +</p> +<p>On an evening such as this, while Colonel +Howell and his young assistants stood on the +riverbank, watching the red sun turn to silver +gray, Colonel Howell exclaimed: +</p> +<p>“By our calendar, the fall’s coming along +a little early. And judging by the trees over +there and the nip in the air, we’re going to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +have some weather before long. Maybe not for +several days, but it’s on its way. Before it gets +here, why not make another trip to the Landing +and see if there’s anything at the post office?” +</p> +<p>“All letters ready at five in the morning,” +announced Norman impulsively. “Mail for +Athabasca Landing, Edmonton, Calgary and +points south leaves at that time.” +</p> +<p>“Better bring a little more beef this time,” +suggested the colonel with a laugh, “and anything +else that looks tasty and you’ve got room +for.” +</p> +<p>“I guess I’ve had all that’s coming to me,” +suggested Paul. “Don’t think I’m afraid. +Whenever you want a helper,” he went on, +addressing Norman, “don’t fail to call on me.” +</p> +<p>“I guess we won’t make many more trips +this season!” put in Roy, but in that he was +mistaken. The trip made the next day was +memorable, but two more that were to be made +later were more than that, and the last one was +certainly ample justification for Colonel Howell’s +daring introduction of the monoplane into +these silent places of the North. +</p> +<p>Shortly before five o’clock the next morning, +in spite of an ominous gray sky and a new +sound of the wind in the trees, Norman and Roy +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +were off on their three hundred mile flight. +They planned a short stay at the Landing and +upon reaching camp again before the shortening +day was at an end. They carried in the cockpit +their Mackinaw jackets and their winter caps. +Philip also prepared a cold luncheon to be eaten +on the return trip, thus saving time at the Athabasca +stop. +</p> +<p>Early on their outward flight, for a time the +red sun made an effort to get through the clouds, +but after nine o’clock had wholly disappeared +and the temperature began to fall. An almost +imperceptible fine dry snow appeared, but it +was not enough to interfere with the conduct +of the machine. When a landing was finally +made at the old place in the bend of the river, +although the day was dreary enough, only the +chill atmosphere and a few traces of snow gave +premonition of possible storm. +</p> +<p>This time Norman made the visit across the +river and he was not gone much over an hour +and a half. To facilitate the delivery of his +stores, which were considerable, he pressed a +horse and wagon into service and a little after +twelve o’clock Roy was glad to see his companion +reappear in the delivery wagon. The spitting +snow had begun again. No time was lost +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span> +in luncheon this day, but the fresh meat, eggs +and butter and a few fresh vegetables were +quickly stored in the rear of the cockpit. +</p> +<p>There were no telegrams this time, but a +larger quantity of mail with considerable for the +boys, some of which Norman had examined. +At twelve thirty o’clock everything was in readiness. +On the wind-swept heights it was now +cold. Before mounting into the cockpit the boys +put on their winter caps, Mackinaw jackets and +gauntlets. +</p> +<p>Then, elevating the front protecting frame, +they started the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> on its return +flight, the wind and snow already smiting its +resonant sides in a threatening manner. +</p> +<p>The young aviators had little to say concerning +the situation. They were not alarmed and +could not afford to be, as their surroundings +were mild compared with the conditions that +the unique monoplane had been made to overcome. +And yet they were now beyond theorizing, +and it looked as if before the day was done +they were to prove the merits or weaknesses of +their much-lauded craft. +</p> +<p>“I’m glad of one thing,” suggested Roy, a +little later; “we’re going to have daylight all +the way back.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span></p> +<p>“I hope so,” answered Norman, but not very +confidently. +</p> +<p>“We ought to be there by seven o’clock!” +retorted Roy. +</p> +<p>“That’s all right,” said Norman in turn, +“but I’ve seen snow in the daytime so heavy +that it might as well have been night.” +</p> +<p>“Anyway, as long as we don’t lose the river,” +suggested Roy, “we can’t go far wrong. And +the compass ought to help some.” +</p> +<p>“A compass is all right to keep you in a +general direction,” answered Norman, “but +the best of them, in a three hundred mile run, +won’t land you at any particular street +number.” +</p> +<p>“I think,” suggested Roy again, a little later, +“that we might as well put up these shelters +and have something to eat.” +</p> +<p>By this time the wind had died somewhat +and the volume of the snow had increased. It +was falling so heavily that the top of the car +was white. Norman’s silence giving approval, +Roy managed to elevate the protecting sections, +which in turn immediately began to be plastered +with soft flakes. Almost at once part of the section +on the lee side, which by good chance happened +to be the one next to the river, was lowered again +that the pilot might get a clear view. +Then Roy opened Philip’s bag of food. +</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span> +<a name='linki_3' id='linki_3'></a> +<img src='images/arctic-183.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<span class='caption'> +“Don’t shoot,” he protested. “What’s the use?” +<br /> +</span> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span></div> +<p>The aviators had both tea and water, but +they drank only the latter and made no attempt +to use the heating apparatus. +</p> +<p>At four o’clock the increasing snowfall was +beginning to give the machine some trouble, +and yet it was plowing its way steadily through +the air and neither boy was more than apprehensive. +Soon after this the snow ceased suddenly +and the wind rose as quickly. +</p> +<p>“We’re losing some of our extra cargo anyway,” +announced Roy, as the first gusts tore +some of the accumulated snow from the +weighted planes. +</p> +<p>“And we’re losing some considerable gas,” +added Norman. “I hope we don’t have to buck +this wind very long—it’s coming dead ahead.” +It was just then, the gloom merging into dark, +that the alert Roy exclaimed: +</p> +<p>“Look; a bunch o’ deer!” +</p> +<p>The car was crossing the snow-flecked river +and flying low. Norman raised himself and +made out, in the edge of the timber below them, +a group of deer. +</p> +<p>“Don’t shoot,” he protested. “What’s the +use?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span></p> +<p>But his admonition was too late. Roy’s +twenty-two had already sounded. However, +nothing but a bullet was lost. When the monoplane +had passed swiftly on its way, the placid +and apparently unmoved animals stood gazing +after the airship. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIII_IN_THE_LAND_OF_CARIBOU_MOOSE_AND_MUSK_OX' id='XIII_IN_THE_LAND_OF_CARIBOU_MOOSE_AND_MUSK_OX'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>IN THE LAND OF CARIBOU, MOOSE AND MUSK OX</h3> +</div> + +<p>Within another hour, the first storm of the +season had turned into a blizzard. With the +provisions they had on hand the boys would +have made a landing to get what protection +they might from the blinding snow and the now-piercing +wind had they dared. They had not +yet changed the landing wheels of the monoplane +for their novel snow runners and they +realized that a new start in the rapidly increasing +snow was practically hopeless. +</p> +<p>Working directly ahead into the gale had so +reduced their speed that Norman had adopted +a series of long tacks. He did this in spite of +the fact that for miles at a time it took him from +the river valley, which he was now locating +mainly by the wind eddies he had learned to +know. There was no use turning on the searchlight, +as it merely gave them a little longer +view into the deep gray emptiness before them. +</p> +<p>Thoroughly appreciating their danger, the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span> +boys also recognized that a panic of fear would +not help them. If the car should become +unmanageable, they would make the best landing +they could and, half burying the monoplane +in the snow, would await in the protected cockpit +the breaking of the blizzard and a new day. +</p> +<p>“Anyway,” announced Roy at one time, +“while I ain’t exactly stuck on being here and +it ain’t as cheerful as I thought it would be, you +got to say this, the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> ain’t falling +down any.” +</p> +<p>No attention was given to supper and it did +not get so cold but that the heavy clothing and +enclosed cockpit—for they had long since been +forced to put up all the sections—were ample +protection for the young men. Seven o’clock, +by which time they had expected to be in camp, +came, as did eight and nine. It was now long +after dark and, while the storm had abated +somewhat, there was still a heavy wind and +plenty of snow. +</p> +<p>For hours the boys had been simply following +the compass. They had not caught the roar of +the Grand Rapids and felt themselves practically +lost. By their calculation, and allowing +for a head wind, they had concluded that they +would have covered the three hundred miles by +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +ten o’clock. If at that time they could make out +no signal light, they had decided to come down +on the upland and go into camp for the night. +</p> +<p>Their calculation was purely a guess but it +was not a bad one. Some time after half past +nine both boys made out in the far eastern sky +a soft glow. +</p> +<p>“I thought it had to be a clear night for the +Aurora Borealis,” suggested Roy, conscious +that his companion had also seen the same glow. +For a time Norman made no response but he +headed the machine directly toward the peculiar +flare and ceased his tacking. +</p> +<p>“That’s no Aurora,” he said at last. “I +think the woods are on fire.” +</p> +<p>For ten minutes, through the thinning wind-tossed +snowflakes, the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> groaned +its way forward. +</p> +<p>“I wonder if it ain’t a big signal fire for us,” +suggested Roy at last. +</p> +<p>“It’s a big blaze of some kind,” answered +Norman. +</p> +<p>Through the obscuring snow, the nervous +aviators had located the light many miles in +the distance. Now it began to rise up so suddenly +before them that they knew it had not +been very far away. Yet they could not make +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +up their mind that it was a signal fire. It did +not at all resemble a blaze of that kind. +</p> +<p>“Well, don’t run into it, whatever it is,” +shouted Roy a few minutes later as a tall spire-like +shaft of yellow light seemed almost to +block their progress. +</p> +<p>But Norman was already banking the machine, +and the flying car responded while the +wonder-struck boys gazed open-mouthed. +</p> +<p>“It’s the camp,” Norman yelled just then +as a little group of shadowy buildings seemed +to rise up out of the snow. +</p> +<p>“They’ve struck gas!” blurted Roy, as he +sprang to his feet. “The men have struck gas +and it’s a gusher!” +</p> +<p>Even as he yelled these words, the aviators +heard a quick fusilade of shots and as the car +darted onward were just able to catch sight of +shadowy forms running about within the glare +of the burning gas well. The sight was enough +of a shock to Norman to throw him off his guard +and the snow-weighted car careened wildly +toward the earth. Roy attempted to spring to +his companion’s assistance and realized almost +too late that this would be fatal. While the +perspiration sprang to Roy’s chilled face, Norman’s +presence of mind returned and he threw +the car upward and into equilibrium again. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span></p> +<p>Then, straining every nerve, he made a wide +detour but while his brain acted, the muscles of +his hands and arms seemed suddenly paralyzed. +The car dropped slowly and safely in the midst +of the clearing, and when it touched the snow +the landing chassis caught and the airship +stopped as if in collision with a wall. Both boys +lunged forward and when Roy got to his feet +he found Norman curled up among the steering +apparatus, cold and motionless. +</p> +<p>It was a good half hour later when the young +aviator had been revived. His first inquiry was +about the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i>. When he learned +that this was apparently little injured and had +already been backed into the aerodrome, he +gave more evidence of his all-day’s strain by +again relapsing into unconsciousness on the cot +that had been improvised for him before the fire +in the living room. +</p> +<p>The more fortunate Roy was able to relate +their adventures and hear the details of the +gas gusher’s discovery that night. Within the +protected clearing, the storm had been more +of a heavy downfall of snow and less of a blizzard. +Anxious to move the derrick before winter +was fully upon them, Colonel Howell and +his two men had persisted in working the drill +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +all day. When the gas vein was unexpectedly +tapped late in the afternoon, the drill pipes had +been blown out and the escaping gas, igniting +from the near-by boiler, had consumed the derrick. +Fortunately, the tubing and drills had +been forced through the derrick and were saved. +</p> +<p>The engine house had also caught fire, but +this had been pulled down and it was thought +that the engine and boiler were undamaged. +These details were discussed while Roy ate a +late supper and drank with more relish than +ever before his tin of black tea. Norman was +so improved by morning that he was early astir, +eager for a view of the still roaring volume of +gas. He found that Colonel Howell had also +taken advantage of the first daylight to inventory +the possible damage. +</p> +<p>While the twisting yellow flame of the +uncapped well was less inspiring as day broke, +the roar of the escaping flame fascinated the +young aviator. +</p> +<p>“It’s a gusher, and a dandy,” explained +Colonel Howell as he and Norman stood close +by it in the melting snow. “But I think we’re +prepared for it and we’ll try to cap it to-day.” +</p> +<p>All else, the clearing, the camp structures +and the banks of the river, were peaceful and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +white under the untracked mantle of new-fallen +snow. The wind had died out and the gas +camp at Fort McMurray stood on the verge of +the almost Arctic winter. +</p> +<p>The excitement attendant upon the wonderful +discovery and the attempt made at once to control +the fiery shaft again interfered with Colonel +Howell’s real plans of active prospecting. +For days the experienced oil men made futile +efforts to extinguish the gusher and to cap the +shaft. When they were of no assistance in this +work, Norman and Roy overhauled the airship +and substituted the ski-like runners in place +of the aluminum-cased rubber-tired landing +wheels. +</p> +<p>It seemed as if every trader, trapper and +prospector within fifty miles visited the camp. +A week after the discovery, somewhat to the +surprise of all, although apparently not so +much to Ewen and Miller, the long missing +Chandler appeared at the clearing late one +evening. If he had any apology to make to +Colonel Howell, the boys did not hear it. But +he was sober enough this time and somewhat +emaciated. He had come to settle with his old +employer and explained his long delay in doing +this by saying: “I knew my money was good +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +any time,” and that he had been trapping +farther down the river. +</p> +<p>He lounged about the camp the greater part +of the day and even volunteered his services in +the still unsuccessful attack of the flaming gas. +But Colonel Howell seemed without any interest +in his offers. The man was invited, however, +to eat in the camp and spend the night there. +</p> +<p>When the boys retired, Colonel Howell, the +visitor, and Ewen and Miller were still smoking +before the big fire. The next morning the boys +slept late and when they responded to Philip’s +persistent call to breakfast, they found that +Chandler had eaten and gone. Colonel Howell +was awaiting the boys, Ewen and Miller being +already at work on the blazing well, and he +seemed to have something on his mind. +</p> +<p>“Would there be any great danger,” he +began at once, addressing Norman, “in making +a short flight in your airship in weather like +this?” +</p> +<p>“This isn’t bad,” volunteered Roy. “It’s +only a few degrees below zero. There’s a good +fall of snow for our runners and there hasn’t +been any wind since the blizzard.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” resumed Colonel Howell, almost +meditatively, “it seems a shame for us to be +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +livin’ here in what you might call luxury and +folks starving all around us. Look at this,” he +went on, and he led the three boys near one of +the windows where a large Department of the +Interior map of northern Alberta was tacked +to the wall. “Here’s Fort McMurray and our +camp,” he began, pointing to a black spot on the +almost uncharted white, where the McMurray +River emptied into the Athabasca. Then he ran +his finger northward along the wide blue line +indicating the tortuous course of the Athabasca +past Fort McKay and the Indian settlement +described as Pierre au Calumet (marked +“abandoned”), past the Muskeg, the Firebag +and the Moose Rivers where they found their +way into the giant Athabasca between innumerable +black spots designated as “tar” islands, +and at last stopped suddenly at the words +“Pointe aux Tremble.” +</p> +<p>“That’s an Indian town,” went on Colonel +Howell, “and it’s about as far south as you +ever find the Chipewyans. It isn’t much over +a hundred miles from here and Chandler says +there ain’t a man left in the village. Pretty +soon, he thinks, there’ll be no women and children +left. Maybe he’s making a pretty black +picture but he says all the men have gone over +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span> +toward the lake hunting. They’ve been gone +over two weeks and the camp was starving when +they left.” +</p> +<p>The colonel, with a peculiar look on his face, +led the way back to the breakfast table. +</p> +<p>“These Indians are nothing to me,” he went +on at last, “and all Indians are starving pretty +much all the time, but they die just the same. +But somehow, with plenty of pork and flour here +and this great invention here right at hand from +which nobody’s benefitting, it seems to me we +must be pretty hard-hearted to sit in comfort, +stuffing ourselves, while little babies are dying +for scraps that we’re throwing in the river. +I——” +</p> +<p>“Colonel,” exclaimed Roy at once, “you’ve +said enough. Get up what you can spare and +we’ll have bannocks baking in that settlement +before noon.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t want to get you into another blizzard,” +began the colonel, yet his satisfaction +was apparent. +</p> +<p>“Don’t you worry about that,” broke in +Norman. “I think we feel a good deal the +same way about this. Besides, aren’t we +working for you?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span></p> +<p>“Nothing like that!” expostulated the oil +prospector. “This isn’t an order.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll help get the stuff ready,” began Paul, +“for I know that’s all I can do. Is this Chandler +trapping near there?” he went on, as he +gulped down the last of his tea. +</p> +<p>“Says he’s been helping them,” explained +Colonel Howell, “but he couldn’t have done +much, judging by his appearance.” +</p> +<p>“Is he going back there?” asked Roy +curiously. +</p> +<p>“He didn’t say,” answered Colonel Howell +slowly. “But he’s got his money now and +I imagine he won’t go much farther than Fort +McMurray. I don’t care for him and I don’t +like him around the camp. He’s too busy talking +when the men ought to be at work.” +</p> +<p>It was an ideal winter’s day, the atmosphere +clear and the temperature just below zero. +There was no cause for delay and while Norman +made a tracing and a scale of the route, Paul +and Roy drew the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> into the open. +Colonel Howell and the half-breed cook had +been busy in the storehouse, arranging packets +of flour and cutting up sides of fat pork. Small +packages of tea were also prepared, together +with sugar, salt and half a case of evaporated +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span> +fruit. The only bread on hand was the remainder +of Philip’s last baking of bannock. +</p> +<p>“See how things are,” suggested Colonel +Howell, when these articles were passed up to +Roy, “and if they’re as bad as Chandler says, +we’ll have to send Philip out for a moose. +These things’ll carry ’em along for a few days +at least.” +</p> +<p>The look on the young Count’s face was such +that Norman was disturbed. +</p> +<p>“Paul, old man,” he said, “I know you’d +like to go with us and we’d like to have you. +But we’ve got more than the weight of a third +man in all this food. I hope you don’t feel +disappointed.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I do, in a way,” answered Paul, with +a feeble attempt at a smile, “but it isn’t just +from curiosity. I envy you fellows. You’re +always helping and I never find anything +to do.” +</p> +<p>“You can help me to-day,” laughed Colonel +Howell. “I’m going to cap that gas well or +bust it open in a new place. I’ll give you a job +that may make both of us sit up and take +notice.” +</p> +<p>“Come on,” exclaimed Paul, seeming +instantly to forget the mission of the machine. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +“I’ve been wanting a finger in that pie from the +start.” +</p> +<p>“Good luck to you,” called out Norman, as +he sprang aboard the monoplane, and the colonel +caught Paul laughingly by the arm and held +him while Norman threw the big propeller into +sizzling revolution. +</p> +<p>The powerful car slid forward for the first +time on its wooden snowshoes. As it caught +the impulse of the great propeller, it sprang +into the air and then dropped to the snow again +with the wiggling motion of an inexperienced +skater. Then, suddenly responding again to the +propeller, it darted diagonally toward a menacing +tree stump; but Norman was too quick for +it. Before harm could result, the planes lifted +and the airship, again in its native element, +hurled itself skyward steadily and true. +</p> +<p>It was an exhilarating flight. For the first +time the boys got a bird’s-eye view of Fort +McMurray and were surprised to find that the +main settlement drifted down to the river in a +long-drawn-out group of cabins. Few people +were in sight, however, and all the world spread +out beneath them as if frozen into silence. The +big river continued its course between the same +high hills and, as the last cabin disappeared, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +the boys headed the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> directly +for the top of the hills, where the plains began +that led onward and onward until the sparse +forests finally disappeared in the broken land +of the Barren Grounds. And on these, not +much farther to the North, they knew that caribou +and moose roamed in herds of thousands, +and that the musk ox, the king of the Northland +big game, made his Arctic home. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIV_IN_THE_CABIN_OF_THE_PARALYZED_INDIAN' id='XIV_IN_THE_CABIN_OF_THE_PARALYZED_INDIAN'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>IN THE CABIN OF THE PARALYZED INDIAN</h3> +</div> + +<p>No sooner had the monoplane begun to disappear +over the northern hills than the impatient +Paul demanded the attention of Colonel Howell. +</p> +<p>“Colonel,” he began, “I’m almost ashamed +to even make the suggestion, but I’ve been +watching the men at work on the gusher. They +don’t seem able to get a plug into the pipe or to +put a cap on the end of it, even with the rigging +they’ve managed to set up.” +</p> +<p>“We seem to be at the end of our string,” +laughed Colonel Howell. “But laymen frequently +make suggestions that never occur to +professionals. Have you an idea?” +</p> +<p>“Not much of a one,” answered Paul diffidently, +“but I learned one thing in school—I +think it was in what you call ‘Physics.’” +</p> +<p>“Speak out,” laughed Colonel Howell. +“We’ve utilized all our own ideas; that is, all +but one, and I don’t like that. I suppose we can +dig a pit around the pipe and smother the blaze. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +But that’s goin’ to be quite a job, and I’m not +sure it would work.” +</p> +<p>“A pit!” exclaimed Paul. “Now I’ve got +it. They used to tell me, when you strike a +force you can’t handle, try to break it up into +parts.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell looked up quickly. +</p> +<p>“We don’t need a pit,” went on Paul, “but +something like a trench. Let’s dig down alongside +the pipe until we’re ten or fifteen feet +beneath the ground and then tap the tube and +let some of the gas out where it won’t do any +harm. If we can’t drill a hole, we can rig up a +long-handled chisel and punch an opening. +When the gas rushes out, down there in the +trench, maybe it won’t catch fire for a few +minutes and it’s sure to shut off a good deal +of the pressure at the mouth of the tube. If it +does, maybe we can get the cap and the regulator +on the top. Then we can plug the opening +below. It’ll leak, of course, but the regulator’ll +fix things so we can use the gas at least.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell thought a moment and then +slapped the young man on the back. Without a +word, he hurried to the two workmen and in a +few moments Ewen and Miller had begun digging +into the frozen ground. Colonel Howell’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +orders were for them to make a trench about +four feet wide and extending toward the river +about twenty feet. It was to be twenty feet +deep alongside the pipe and in the form of a triangle, +the long side to incline toward the river. +This was to facilitate the removal of the gravel +and dirt and to afford a path to the deep side +of the trench where it touched the gas tubing. +</p> +<p>“Five feet from the bottom,” explained the +enthusiastic Paul, “we’ll put a shelf across +the trench and we’ll work from this, so that +when a hole is made in the pipe no one will be +in danger from the rush of gas.” +</p> +<p>“That’s right,” added Colonel Howell. +“All the gas can’t get out through the new +opening, but enough of it ought to escape to +make it possible to work on the top opening. +But we’ll hardly finish the ditch before the +boys get back?” +</p> +<p>“Hardly,” smiled the happy Paul. “They +ought to be here before dark.” +</p> +<p>While Ewen and Miller were busy with picks +and shovels, Colonel Howell and Paul devoted +themselves to improvising the long wooden +handle for the chisel to be used in cutting the +pipe. But the workmen had not finished the +trench when night came and, to the surprise of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +Colonel Howell and Paul, the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> +had not returned. This fact especially disturbed +Colonel Howell and Paul because soon +after noon the bright day had ended and the +afternoon had passed with lowering clouds and +other evidences, including a decided drop in the +temperature, that a bad night was approaching. +</p> +<p>The northward flight of the aviators had been +made without any premonition of this change. +After the monoplane had reached the high +ground, Norman could not resist a temptation +to make his way some miles back from the river, +where the boys could see that the sparse timber +grew very much thinner and that within five +miles of the river the timberland disappeared +altogether in a wide prairie or plain. Still +farther to the east, they could make out irregular +elevations on the plain, which appeared +to be treeless ridges. +</p> +<p>“I wish we had time to go over there,” +remarked Roy, “for we may never get back +this way and I’d like to have had one good look +at the caribou lands.” +</p> +<p>But the general nature of this treeless, barren +waste had been ascertained and Norman +brought the swift car back on its flight toward +the river. Colonel Howell had explained to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +them that the Indian village they were seeking +was one hundred miles from the gas camp. As +it was not certain that Pointe aux Tremble +could be easily made out from a distance, it +was necessary to keep careful watch of the +chronometer and the propeller revolution +gauge. +</p> +<p>The flight over the picturesque banks of the +great river was now getting to be an old story +to the boys and protected as they were in the +inclosed cockpit, the journey proceeded with +only occasional comment. They had left the +camp at nine twenty-five o’clock, having set the +engines at fifty miles, and, allowing for their +detour, at a quarter after eleven o’clock Roy +arose and began to use his binoculars. But +either the reputed distance or the boys’ calculations +were wrong, for it was not until a quarter +of twelve o’clock that they caught sight of +a few cabins scattered along the riverbank +within a fringe of poplar trees. +</p> +<p>It was necessary to find a suitable landing +place and both aviators busied themselves in +this respect with no great result. What clearing +there was seemed to be full of tree stumps +and large brush. The car, having passed over +the few cabins of what seemed to be a deserted +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +village, with no living thing in sight, it was +necessary to make a turn to look for a landing +place in the vicinity. In doing this, Norman +made a wide swing. +</p> +<p>The only naturally open place was some distance +to the east. Without consulting Roy, he +made for this white glare of snow. As the +monoplane dropped toward the wide opening, +Roy made a desperate dive toward the floor of +the cockpit and, before Norman learned the +situation, his chum was pulling its new mooseskin +jacket from the .303 rifle. +</p> +<p>“It’s a moose!” shouted Roy, “and a +dandy. Gi’ me a shot at it. I’ve got to shoot +something from the machine.” +</p> +<p>“I thought there wasn’t any game around +here,” answered Norman, trying in vain to get +his eyes above the cockpit. +</p> +<p>“I guess the hunters have all gone too far,” +answered Roy breathlessly. “Anyway, there’s +a dandy bull right out there in the open. Give +me a shot at it.” +</p> +<p>As he spoke, he dropped one of the front +sections and pointed to one side of the basin-like +opening among the spruce trees. The +moment Norman caught sight of the animal, +which stood with its forefeet together, its head +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span> +erect, and its immense spread of antlers reared +almost defiantly, he brought the machine +directly toward the animal. There was a heavy +discharge from Roy’s rifle, but no sign that his +shot had gone home. +</p> +<p>“Try him again,” laughed Norman. “He’s +big as a barn.” +</p> +<p>But while Roy pumped a new shell into +place, the erect animal suddenly stumbled and +then with a snort whirled and sprang toward +the trees. This time when the rifle sounded the +great antlers seemed to rise higher and then the +moose lunged forward on its head and began +kicking in the snow. Norman, gazing at the +struggling animal, brought the monoplane to +the wide drifts of snow. +</p> +<p>“You get out and finish him,” he exclaimed +as the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> came to a jolting stop. +“It’s getting colder. I’m going to put some +alcohol an’ glycerine in the radiator. This isn’t +a very good place to freeze up.” +</p> +<p>“Why not wait till we get over to the +camp?” asked Roy as he dropped one of the +side sections. +</p> +<p>“We’ve got enough of a load now,” answered +Norman as he began to prowl around +among the extra supplies. “There isn’t much +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +snow among the trees. We’ll take all we can +carry of this fresh meat and go to the camp +on foot. There’s no place to land there, +anyway.” +</p> +<p>Closing the machine, the two boys soon +quartered the moose, and leaving a part of the +carcass in the lower limbs of a spruce tree, +shouldered the remainder and made their way +toward the Indian village. The snow and their +heavy load made this a panting task and in +the mile walk they paused to rest several times. +</p> +<p>When they finally reached the edge of the +Indian settlement and broke their way through +the last of the trees, they found before them a +picture that had escaped them from the airship. +In the distance lay the deserted looking cabins +but, nearer by and as if seeking protection +among the scrub spruce, rose a single tepee. +Before it stood two men and two squaws. +</p> +<p>“They must have seen us,” panted Roy, as +he and Norman advanced, bending low under +their burdens. “They seem to be watchin’ for +us.” +</p> +<p>In fact, one of the men had his arms outstretched. +The cheerless group was made even +more so by a small, almost blazeless fire, in the +thin smoke of which was suspended a black +kettle. +</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span> +<a name='linki_4' id='linki_4'></a> +<img src='images/arctic-209.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<span class='caption'> +“They must have seen us,” panted Roy as he and Norman advanced. +<br /> +</span> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span></div> +<p>“No wonder they let a moose almost stick +his nose in camp,” was Norman’s comment. +“The men seem to be as old as Methuselah.” +</p> +<p>There was nothing dramatic in the arrival of +the boys, for the Indians spoke no English +and gave not the least sign of gratitude when +the quarters of the moose were thrown on the +ground. Both the women sank on their knees +and one of them eagerly bit into the raw flesh. +After vainly attempting to talk to the men, Norman +pointed to a knife in the belt of one of them +and then at the freezing flesh on the ground. +</p> +<p>While the boys watched them, this aged and +emaciated Chipewyan also dropped on his knees +and hastily cut off four strips of flesh. Without +any attempt at cooking these the starving group +attacked them voraciously in their raw condition. +After a few moments, the boys took the +other quarter and, motioning toward the other +cabins, started toward them. They decided, if +they found no younger men, to take the two old +men back to the monoplane and deliver to them +their other provisions. +</p> +<p>Having reached the first cabin, the boys at +once discovered that Chandler had not overstated +the camp condition. Neither in this +filthy structure, nor in any but one of the other +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span> +half dozen did they find anyone but women and +children. In each cabin there was heat in +plenty, but signs of food were wholly missing. +In each place the air was foul, and half-clad +children made the situation pitiable. In one +fortunate cabin, the children were chewing +shreds of skin. +</p> +<p>Still unable to find anyone who could speak +English, the boys continued their work of +rescue by cutting off a generous piece of moose +and then continuing their investigation. Having +reached the last cabin, which differed in no +respect from the others, Norman and Roy came +across a surprise that was a shock to them. +Swinging open the door, without warning, they +entered a chill interior that was reeking with +new odors. A small fire burned in one corner +and before it, on a pallet of worn and greasy +blankets, lay the distorted figure of a man. He +was the sole occupant of the almost dark room. +</p> +<p>While the boys hesitated, choking with the +rancid and stifling odors about them, they saw +the figure turn its head with an effort. Then +they saw that it was a man of about middle age, +who was almost completely paralyzed. He could +move neither his legs nor his body, but with the +use of his elbows, he was just able to turn the +upper part of his body. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span></p> +<p>He did not resent the intrusion but he did +not give the young men the least sign of welcome. +In his left hand rested a charred stick. +With this he was able to reach the little fire at +his side, in front of which was piled a heap of +small sticks and branches—his firewood. +</p> +<p>The fireplace and chimney, which was also +inside the cabin, were made of clay and occupied +the corner of the uninviting apartment. +Near the fire stood a smoke-begrimed frying +pan in which there was a piece of black meat of +some kind. On the dirty clay hearth was a tin +basin, in which were a few ounces of soiled +looking meal or flour. +</p> +<p>“The man’s paralyzed,” remarked Norman +in an undertone. “But at that he seems better +off than the rest.” +</p> +<p>“He ain’t starvin’, at least,” answered Roy. +“But we’d better give him his share of moose.” +</p> +<p>He spoke to the man and was surprised to +receive a grin in return. It meant that the +invalid did not understand. But the moment +they offered the meat to the almost-helpless +man, they were glad to see that he had the full +use of his arms and fingers. Reaching for a +knife that lay under him, he began to cut off +pieces of fat with celerity. These he ate without +cooking. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span></p> +<p>The close cabin was so crowded with articles +of various kinds that the boys could not resist +an examination before they took their leave. +</p> +<p>“Somebody’s been livin’ here besides this +man,” exclaimed Roy at once. He pointed to the +opposite corner of the cabin where there were +indications that some one had had a bunk. +Then in the other end of the room they found +the cause of the heavy odors. Hanging from +the rafters were several dozen skins, stretched +tightly on trappers’ boards, and in various +states of curing. There was also a collection +of steel traps, a dog sled and a jumbled mass +of dog harness. +</p> +<p>Curing skins was not exactly a novelty to +either of the boys but they knew a valuable +skin from an ordinary one and they could not +resist the temptation to look for a possible +silver fox. They soon decided that the trapper +who might have collected these furs was one +of no great experience. Roy pointed to the +skins, then made signs to the Indian as if to +ask if the skins belonged to him. The man +grinned in silence and punched up his little fire. +Roy was examining one of the stretched hides +when he suddenly called to Norman and pointed +to a name written with indelible pencil near +the bottom of the board. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span></p> +<p>“Well, what do you think of that?” exclaimed +the astonished Norman. +</p> +<p>The two boys were looking at the scrawl +which was plainly “E. O. Chandler.” +</p> +<p>“There you are!” exclaimed Roy. “Here’s +where our friend made his headquarters. No +wonder he knew that the Indians were +starving.” +</p> +<p>There was a light tapping on the floor and +the paralyzed and speechless Indian pointed +toward the corner of the room where there +were signs of a bunk. In the gloom the boys +went to this place. But they noticed nothing +in particular until the prostrate Indian again +lifted his stick upward. And then, shoved in a +crevice between the logs, they saw a soiled and +crumpled envelope. Taking it to the window, +they read plainly enough the address—“E. O. +Chandler, Fort McMurray.” There was no +postmark but in the upper left hand corner was +this printing—“Hill Howell, Contractor, Centralia, +Kansas.” +</p> +<p>“It’s one of the envelopes that Colonel Howell +has down in camp,” exclaimed Roy. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Norman slowly, “and I’ll +bet you it’s a message that either Ewen or +Miller wrote to Chandler after he left us.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span></p> +<p>“Do you think we ought to read it?” asked +Roy, his fingers grasping the greasy envelope +as if itching to extract the enclosure. +</p> +<p>“I reckon it’s none of our business,” answered +Norman, as if with some regret, “but +I’ll bet it concerns Colonel Howell and I believe +we ought to take it to him.” +</p> +<p>Roy turned toward the Indian and made signs +of putting the letter in his pocket. If this meant +anything to the helpless man, he gave no sign +other than the same peculiar grin. Roy put the +envelope in his pocket and, making signs of +farewell, the two boys left the cabin. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XV_A_LETTER_GOES_WRONG' id='XV_A_LETTER_GOES_WRONG'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>A LETTER GOES WRONG</h3> +</div> + +<p>The conditions that the young aviators had +just encountered had not sharpened their appetites. +But again in the fresh air, they decided +to use speed and complete their mission and, +incidentally, to have a little tea and some bannock +at the airship. +</p> +<p>At two of the cabins where they had seen +the strongest women, they stopped and made +signs for the squaws to follow them. At the +tepee in the edge of the woods they found the +two old men and the two women huddled around +a fire on the inside of the tepee, with every sign +of having gorged themselves upon the food +given them. In the kettle outside, chunks of +the moose were stewing under a now brisk fire. +This entire party was also enlisted and Norman +and Roy made their way back to the snow +basin in the woods. Without delay they passed +out all the supplies to the Indians who had +accompanied them, showed them the remainder +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +of the moose and made signs that these should +be distributed equally among all. With every +expression of pleasure, but none of gratitude, +the six Indians took instant departure. +</p> +<p>“It’s three o’clock,” announced Norman, +when this had been done. “Now for a little +camp fire out here in the snow, some tea and a +piece of bannock, and we’ll make a record trip +back home.” +</p> +<p>Unaware of the disastrous discovery they +were soon to make the two boys took a leisurely +rest. +</p> +<p>“It’s the only time I miss a pipe,” remarked +Roy as he sat behind a snow bank with his feet +toward the cheery blaze. +</p> +<p>“Well, if ever I begin,” said Norman in +turn, “I’ll never try to manipulate any of this +plug smokin’ stuff. I’ll go to the States for a +mixture of some kind and not try to shave down +the brick of hydraulic-pressed tobacco that the +half-breeds use.” +</p> +<p>After a long loaf before the fire the boys +made preparations to return. +</p> +<p>“Looks a little like the blizzard day,” remarked +Roy, “and it’s certainly getting some +colder. I hope the wind won’t come up. If it +does, I hope it comes out of the north.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span></p> +<p>While he spoke, the two boys took hold of +the frame of the monoplane to pull it out onto +the smooth snow and head it south. The airship +had been resting upon what seemed to be a little +ridge. Pulling the chassis from this rise in +the snow, they were both astounded to find the +body of the car shift to one side and sink into +the snow. +</p> +<p>Both sprang to that side of the car and Norman, +running his hand along the wooden landing +ski, gasped with astonishment when he +found the long runner broken sharply in the +middle. +</p> +<p>“That’s fine!” he shouted. “This runner’s +out of business!” +</p> +<p>Roy ran to the rear where the car had stopped +and found underneath the snow a rocky ledge. +</p> +<p>“She hit this!” he exclaimed. “Can’t we +tie her up?” +</p> +<p>Norman was plainly in doubt but they cleared +away the surrounding snow and found that, +instead of a single break, a section of the runner +had been shattered. Two jagged ends of wood +extended into the soft snow. +</p> +<p>“If you’ll find any way to fix them,” exclaimed +Norman, “maybe we can get a start. +But it looks to me as if we’d have to make a +new runner.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span></p> +<p>“Nonsense!” exclaimed Roy, beating his +numbing hands together. “We can fix ’er.” +</p> +<p>The two boys made this attempt and, as often +as they thought they had patched up the shattered +ski and mounted into the car in attempts +to make a start, the patched strip of wood would +part and the chassis would lunge again into the +snow. +</p> +<p>After a half hour of attempts of this kind, +Roy recalled the dog sled in the distant hut of +the paralyzed Indian and, in desperation, after +four o’clock, for it was now getting desperately +cold, he secured Norman’s consent to a trip back +to the Indian’s cabin and the securing of at +least a part of the sled to patch up their +machine. +</p> +<p>The winter days were now growing short and +when Roy hurried away into the gray woods +night was fast coming on. Nor did he find an +easy task before him. In the end it was necessary +to pay the paralytic twenty-five dollars +before he could secure possession of the sled. +As he made his way back to his waiting companion, +he had to stick to the trails that they +had previously made, for in the woods darkness +had already come. +</p> +<p>At the airship camp he found Norman had +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +put in his waiting time in collecting a pile of +fallen timber. It was now so cold that this +served a double purpose—they needed the +warmth and it served to illuminate the vicinity. +</p> +<p>The benumbed Roy also found tea ready and, +better yet, a generous piece of moose meat frying +in the edge of the fire. These, with some +broken bannock heated in the fat of the meat, +gave the boys a welcome supper. Then, piling +new wood on the fire, they began again the +task of repairing the chassis. Here they were +handicapped by the darkness, as they were +afraid to get the monoplane and its reservoirs +of gasoline too near the blazing camp fire. +</p> +<p>Finally they solved this difficulty by starting +the engine and using one of their adjustable +light bulbs, which they hung over the side of the +car. Yet the cold had become so intense, +although it was a dry Arctic cold, that the work +went forward only by stages, the boys being +forced to stop and warm their hands from time +to time at the camp fire. +</p> +<p>When the new moon showed through the dark +border of spruce trees and the brilliant northern +stars pierced the black sky, the young aviators +were ready for another trial. It was eight +o’clock. This time they packed the snow for a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span> +hundred yards in front of the chassis of the car, +and then, arranging their few blankets in the +cockpit and refreshing themselves with some +newly-made hot tea, exhausted and nervous, +they climbed aboard. Putting on all their power +and holding their runners steadily to the packed +snow, they again started the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i>. +</p> +<p>While the runners were yet gliding over the +evenly-packed snow drifts, there came an ominous +jar on the side of the repaired ski and +Norman instantly threw the planes upward. It +was a chance for, if the car settled again, the +new runner would probably give away. In its +gathering momentum, the airship drifted snowward +again while both boys gulped. Then as if +guiding itself, it sprang upward once more. +</p> +<p>“It’s all right!” shouted Roy, “but we +had a close call. If we have to come down +again we’ll never get up.” +</p> +<p>“When we land again,” added Norman, his +mouth dry, “it’ll be in the gas camp.” +</p> +<p>In a few minutes the airship was over the +Athabasca River again, which was now vaporless +and white beneath them. +</p> +<p>“It’s cold, all right,” was Roy’s comment at +this moment. “I think there’s ice on the +river.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span></p> +<p>In spite of the increasing coldness, the +<i>Gitchie Manitou</i> made its way without trouble +toward the distant camp. There was no wind +and, although the boys computed the temperature +outside at not less than twenty below zero, +the interior of the little cockpit soon became +cozy enough. The heating appliances had been +connected with the dynamo and Norman at +times even complained of the heat. After the +first hour of flight, both boys began looking +for the flare of the gas well. When this at +last came in sight, the car was headed directly +for it. At that time both boys agreed that the +river beneath was covered with ice from shore +to shore. +</p> +<p>“Anyway,” said Norman, as the gas well +came into full view, “looks as if Paul didn’t +succeed in capping the gusher to-day.” +</p> +<p>To warn their friends of their arrival, the +boys threw on their searchlight, and the arrival +back of the aerodrome was unmarked, except by +the vociferous welcome accorded by the alarmed +occupants of the camp. +</p> +<p>Another supper was awaiting the relief +expedition and for some time all were busy with +the cause of the delay and the details of the +condition of the Indian encampment. Unquestionably +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span> +there would have to be another visit to +the camp to ascertain at least the result of the +hunting expedition. +</p> +<p>Strangely enough, before the matter of +Chandler’s letter was reached, the discussion +reached the work on the gas well that day. +When Roy suddenly recalled the episode of the +discovery in the paralyzed Indian’s cabin he +started to produce the letter, but hesitated +because both Ewen and Miller were present. In +his discussion with Norman on the way back, +it had been decided that the letter had probably +been written by one or the other of these men +and that its appearance might cause embarrassment. +Both Ewen and Miller had been very +curious about the settlement at Pointe aux +Tremble, but they had asked no questions that +connected Chandler with the place. +</p> +<p>When the hour grew late and Colonel Howell +proposed retiring to the bunk room where +the iron stove was red hot, since neither Ewen +nor Miller gave signs of turning in, Roy put off +the matter of the letter until later. When the +three boys sought their bunks, Ewen and Miller +still lingered in the big room, and Colonel +Howell was asleep. +</p> +<p>“Time enough in the morning,” suggested +Norman. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span></p> +<p>In the morning, however, Colonel Howell +and Paul with Ewen and Miller were up and at +work before Norman and Roy were astir. The +weather had not moderated but Colonel Howell +was anxious to bring the work on the gusher +to a close. Ewen and Miller attacked the frost +hardened ground before breakfast and this +work had now reached the point where Paul +could help in removing the heavy clods. +</p> +<p>When the young aviators joined their friends +at breakfast, Ewen and Miller were present +again and the letter was not exhibited. Then +all hurried out to complete the work of attempting +to control the gusher. The regulator and +the ordinary apparatus to connect it with the +mouth of the pipe, together with the smaller +tubes and their valves that were to be attached +above the regulator, were all in place. In the +end, Colonel Howell proposed, with still smaller +pipes, to lead part of the gas into the fireplace +and the bunk house stove. +</p> +<p>At eleven o’clock the perspiring men in the +trench announced this part of the work completed. +Then it required only a few minutes +to brace a narrow platform about five feet above +the bottom of the trench, next to the tube, and +all paused for a short rest before making the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span> +final experiment. At last the men took their +places near the roaring gusher and, at Paul’s +request, he was given the opportunity to use +his well-muscled arms in swinging the sledge, +Colonel Howell taking his place on the platform +in charge of a long-handled chisel. +</p> +<p>The duties of Norman and Roy were to assist +the two workmen in manipulating the chain +pulley, by which the first tap was to be forced +on the open end of the pipe. This of course +was pierced with holes, so that the pressure +beneath it might not be altogether shut off. +This was to be forced down upon the steel drill +tube, after which the regulator was to be similarly +attached to the threads of the preliminary +cap. The situation was hazardous for all. +There was danger that the out-rushing gas in +the trench below might explode when it rose and +came in contact with the roaring blaze above. +But it was hoped that the work might be done +so quickly that this would not result. +</p> +<p>When Ewen had laid out his apparatus about +the mouth of the tube with all the care of a +surgeon preparing for a hasty operation, and +Paul and Colonel Howell had taken their position +on the scaffold far below, Ewen suddenly +shouted: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span></p> +<p>“Ready!” +</p> +<p>A heavy blow resounded in the narrow pit. +Then another, and another, and a new roar +broke out below. Dropping their tools, Colonel +Howell and Paul fled up their improvised +ladder and when they reached the surface they +saw the workmen and Norman and Roy, their +faces distorted with effort and their clothes +almost scorching, bend to the task before them. +The escaping gas was still roaring and the +flames were leaping sideways. +</p> +<p>Norman and Roy were almost flat on the +ground, hanging on to the pulley chain. The +first cap was in place and, with a long wrench, +Ewen was twisting it onto the thread. A new +volume of gas was already rolling from the +pit, while from the incline opposite the mouth +of the new opening, gravel and clods of earth +were shooting riverward like the sparks of a +Bessemer furnace. Paul threw himself on the +ground with the other boys and added his +strength to theirs in holding the cap in place. +All seemed to forget the possibility of a new +explosion. +</p> +<p>There was a hoarse shout from Ewen and +the boys released the pulley chain while Miller +slapped the regulator between the guide rods. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +As the three young men again threw themselves +upon the chain and forced the regulator into +place, the crucial moment had arrived. The controlling +valve of the regulator was open, of +course, and as the rushing gas was again concentrated +into one stream, a new fiery jet shot +upward. But the lateral streams had been controlled +and again Ewen applied the wrench to +thread the regulator to the first cap. Once he +failed and then the threads caught. With a yell +of victory the veteran gas man threw himself +against the long wrench again. +</p> +<p>“You’ve got ’er!” exclaimed Colonel +Howell as he sprang to Ewen’s side and joined +him in screwing the regulator into place. Even +before he spoke there was a renewed roar in the +trench beneath and a new volume of gas poured +upward. +</p> +<p>“Fill ’er in!” shouted Paul. “The big rocks +first.” And then, while the newly confined gas +still shot upward through the regulator in a +screaming stream of fire, six pairs of hands, +including those of the energetic Philip, hurled +a collected heap of rocks to the bottom of the +trench and around the new opening. +</p> +<p>“This ain’t goin’ to stop the flow,” explained +Colonel Howell to Norman and Roy, as all +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span> +panted in their work, “but it’s Paul’s idea, and +I think he’s put it over.” +</p> +<p>“Now for the dirt!” shouted Paul, who was +leading in the work. With shovels and pieces +of board, the excavated material was rapidly +dumped into the trench. With each new shovelful +of material, the escape of gas from the +trench became less and the roar from the open +regulator became more deafening. When at +last only an odor of gas escaped from the newly +packed trench, Paul exclaimed: +</p> +<p>“Plenty of water dumped in here ought to +make a solid cake of ice around the opening and +that ought to fix us till spring anyway.” +</p> +<p>“The cleverest idea you’ve yet given us!” +exclaimed Colonel Howell, as all paused for +breath. “Now, go over and finish your job. +Turn off the regulator.” +</p> +<p>Proudly enough, Paul sprang to the roaring +gusher and gave the protected valve wheel a +few quick turns. Instantly the flow was shut +off and silence followed. The young Austrian +had made good. +</p> +<p>Many other mechanical details had to be +seen to but the great problem had been solved +and all were elated. The main work accomplished, +Colonel Howell and the young men retired +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span> +to the cabin, where, as soon as the excitement +over Paul’s victory had somewhat subsided, +Roy produced the letter he had found in +the cabin of the paralyzed Indian. Colonel +Howell, having heard the explanation of the +finding of the letter, without any hesitation and +evidently without any qualms of conscience, +drew out the enclosure. The letter was an +illiterate scrawl. +</p> +<p>“Mr. Chandler,” it began, “we have decided +our answer is this. Mebbe you are right +and we three have done all the work here, but +Colonel Howell has always been on the square. +If you think you are intitled to go to Edmonton +and make a claim for this property, we don’t. +It’s been a perty hard job, but we been paid for +it and don’t think we have no claim fur a title +to this claim. Besides, this ain’t no time to +try to go to Edmonton and get out papers. If +we was goin, we’d wait till the river froze and +take a dogsled. When you get your money you +can go if you like. Like we promised you, we +wont say nothin. So long as Colonel Howell +treats us square we’re goin to stick. So no +more at present. +</p> +<div class='ra'> +<p style='text-align: right; '>Ewen and Miller.”</p> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span></div> +<p>The message was dated August 10th and was +evidently a reply to some proposition made by +Chandler after he was kicked out of the camp. +While Colonel Howell read it, his face was very +sober. Then he read it aloud to the boys and +tossed it on the table while he lit a new cigar. +All sat in silence for some time and then Norman +said: +</p> +<p>“I guess Chandler must have changed his +mind too. He was here yesterday morning.” +</p> +<p>“But the river’s frozen now,” suggested Roy +quickly. “What does this mean, Colonel +Howell?” went on Roy, his curiosity overcoming +him. +</p> +<p>The colonel took a long draw on his cigar and +at last found his old-time smile. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVI_ROY_CONDUCTS_A_HUNT' id='XVI_ROY_CONDUCTS_A_HUNT'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>ROY CONDUCTS A HUNT</h3> +</div> + +<p>“At first,” he said, “it looked simple +enough. So far as this letter is concerned, +I’m not bothered. That is, I’m not afraid of +Ewen and Miller. But Chandler’s proposition +is another matter. It’s plain enough that he +wanted our men to join him and go to Edmonton +and file papers on this claim. But that isn’t +as ridiculous as it appears. You know,” he +said, “Mr. Zept asked me if I hadn’t grubstaked +these fellows. If they could make it +appear that I had, then part of this claim would +belong to them. And if they all got together +and swore that I had, I don’t know how I could +prove that they were working for me on wages. +Even if our own men would testify for me that +this was my claim, if Chandler should happen +to file his papers, this would cloud my title. +Besides,” went on the colonel, “Chandler is a +naturalized Canadian and you know the mining +laws up here are not made to favor the outsider. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +A foreigner such as I am, when he’s working in +these unsurveyed districts, can only stake out +his claim, wait for the survey and then buy the +property. Chandler would have it all over me +if he set up the claim of a native, especially +ahead of me.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t think he’s gone,” suggested Paul, +“for he ate breakfast here yesterday morning.” +</p> +<p>“And it’s somewhere between two hundred +and fifty and three hundred miles between here +and the land office,” exclaimed Norman. +</p> +<p>“It would be interesting to know whether he +has gone,” answered Colonel Howell. +</p> +<p>“Why not ask Miller or Ewen?” broke in +Roy. “They might know something about +him.” +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell shook his head: “They’d +better know nothing about the letter,” he answered +at last. “It was written a long time +ago.” +</p> +<p>“You mean they may have changed their +minds?” asked Norman. +</p> +<p>“I don’t mean that,” answered Colonel +Howell, his face again sober, “but they had +the matter under consideration once. I don’t +suspect them. I’ll just keep my eyes open and +say nothing. If they are all right they might +get sore and leave me.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span></p> +<p>“Do you mind,” asked Roy, “if I go out +and do a little investigating? Chandler may be +over to Fort McMurray.” +</p> +<p>The colonel thought a moment and then answered: +</p> +<p>“That won’t do any harm. All of you might +go hunting this afternoon over in that direction—if +it isn’t too cold.” +</p> +<p>Eagerly enough the boys accepted the suggestion. +Protected by their heavy clothing and +carrying the camera and their skin-protected +rifles, they found the trip to the settlement only +exhilarating. At Fort McMurray the temperature, +which was twenty-two below zero, did not +give much trouble so long as the wind did not +blow. To those whom they met, the boys talked +of being on their way to the hills for moose. +But later they determined not to venture upon +the highlands, deciding to make a detour in the +timber on their way back for a possible deer. +</p> +<p>They had no trouble in getting trace of +Chandler. In the cabin of a white prospector, +where Chandler was well known, they picked up +the latest town gossip. This was that Chandler, +who yet seemed to have plenty of money, had +hired Pete Fosseneuve, a half-breed, only two +days before to take him back to his trapping +camp at Pointe aux Tremble. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span></p> +<p>“He’s been working there all fall,” explained +their informant, “and Fosseneuve has a team +of six fine dogs. He paid Pete a lot of money +to take him back to his camp night before last. +They ought to be there to-morrow some time.” +</p> +<p>This statement allayed the suspicion directed +against the dissolute Englishman and the young +men made an early return to the camp. +</p> +<p>“I’m glad I didn’t say anything to Ewen and +Miller,” commented Colonel Howell, when he +learned that Chandler had gone still further into +the woods. “Now we’ll get to work on our +prospecting in earnest.” +</p> +<p>When the controlled gas had been piped into +the cabin, in spite of the cold weather, Ewen and +Miller at once went to work building a new derrick +near the best prospect and sledging the +boiler and engine to that location. In this work +nearly a week went by, the boys finding little to +do. The weather seemed settled into a cold +spell in which the thermometer ranged at noonday +about twenty below. +</p> +<p>It was at this time that a long suppressed +ambition of Norman and Roy came to the surface. +They wanted a real hunting trip. The +three young men were natural lovers of the open +and curious about animal life in the wilderness. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +But, so far, none of the younger members of +the camp had really had an opportunity to test +himself amid the rigors of a northern winter. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell finally consented to their leaving +on a hunting expedition that would give +them at least one over-night camp in the snow. +This was on the condition that Philip should +accompany the shooting party and that it should +not proceed over a day’s march from camp. +</p> +<p>The plan of the hunt was really Roy’s. He +prepared the provisions and was accepted as +leader of the party. +</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t be any trouble to equip ourselves +like tenderfeet,” he explained to Colonel +Howell, “and to make a featherbed trip of this. +But we’re going to travel like trappers.” +</p> +<p>The hunt was to be for caribou back over the +hills in the direction of the Barren Lands. In +the end Colonel Howell agreed that the party +might advance two days’ travel into the wilderness +but that it must return to camp on the +evening of the fourth day. +</p> +<p>Less than an hour’s preparation was necessary +and when Philip and the three boys left +camp one morning, the expedition had little +appearance of the usual, heavily laden winter +hunters. Each member of the party was on +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +snowshoes, and behind them they drew a small +sled containing their camp equipment. It was +hardly more than a packload for a strong Indian +but the sled was taken in the hope that it might +bring in a return load of fresh meat. +</p> +<p>Philip and Norman carried rifles carefully +protected in mooseskin cases. Paul carried +nothing but his camera and an automatic revolver. +Roy took the first turn at the sled. The +morning was fair but cold, and the bright sun +had no effect upon the snow-laden trees. +</p> +<p>When the enthusiastic hunters reached the +Fort McMurray settlement just below the camp +they left the river and struck inland. Within +an hour they had passed through the pines and +poplars fringing the river and had reached the +summit of a “hog-back” range of hills beyond +which there was known to be a little valley running +at right angles to the course of the river. +</p> +<p>When the four travelers reached the top of +the “hog-back” and saw the frozen snow-covered +valley before them, like children out for +a lark, Philip no less active than the others, +they coasted into the valley. Until the sun was +high above them they made their way along the +frozen creek toward the head of the wide defile. +About noon, camp was made, tea was brewed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +and, partly behind the protection of a little +frozen waterfall, bannock and cold meat were +added to the hot tea. No time was lost in cooking. +</p> +<p>With faces and ears protected by their heavy +caps, and with heavy mittens to guard their +fingers against frost bite, not one of the party +complained of the intense cold. +</p> +<p>“It’s all right,” explained Philip, “unless +the wind comes up, and if it does we’ll have to +go into camp.” +</p> +<p>But in the valley no wind arose to make any +trouble. The party set forward to reach the +head of the valley before time to go into camp. +They did this by three o’clock and then, mounting +an elevation and passing through a thin +fringe of dwarf pines, the boys found themselves +on a wind-swept plateau where the snow +clung with difficulty. +</p> +<p>They had seen plenty of deer, rabbits and +small game during the day but had done no +shooting. They were after caribou or moose. +The first look over the desolate plateau, where +not even trees broke the landscape, was far from +inviting. As the sun began to go down and +little was to be seen other than a few rocky +irregularities and a thin covering of snow with +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span> +drifts here and there like white islands, camp +prospects were not as inviting as they had +seemed in the valley behind them. +</p> +<p>“Come on,” exclaimed Roy, as the party +paused on the edge of the heights. “This begins +to look like the real thing.” +</p> +<p>“Maybe some moose,” was Philip’s rejoinder. +“No moose track on de valley below.” +</p> +<p>“Hear that?” exclaimed Roy. “Everybody +get busy. I reckon we can’t go any farther +inland to-night than that heap o’ rock way +over there.” He pointed to a barren elevation +on the already darkening horizon. “You hunters,” +he added, indicating Norman and Philip, +“ought to spread out and look for game tracks +in the swales to the right and left. But don’t +go too far. Work your way in toward those +rocks before night. You’ll find us there. Come +on, Paul,” he added with unusual enthusiasm, +considering that it was rapidly growing colder +in the open country, “there’s probably no wood +over there. You and I’ll get some here and +meet the hunters at the rock pile.” +</p> +<p>While Norman and the Indian started out, +Roy loosened the axe and drew the sled back +into the pine scrub to look for fallen timber. +This was a tedious process and it was even +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +more of a task to load the firewood onto the +sled. +</p> +<p>“The tent’ll fix us all right,” explained Roy +as he backed against the wind and began to +dump his firewood on the snow. “But first +we’ve got to make a camp site. Take off your +snowshoes.” +</p> +<p>Where the wind had been cutting over the +tops of the rocks a sort of vacuum had been +formed behind the ridge and into this the snow +had been piled up to a depth of four or five feet. +With a snowshoe, each boy tackled this bank. +Soon they had dug a pit in it about ten by ten +feet. By throwing the loose snow around the +edge of this they created a wall about seven +feet high. +</p> +<p>“Now I’ll show you a trick I read about,” +exclaimed Roy. +</p> +<p>From the pine grove on the edge of the +plateau he had dragged the slender trunk of a +poplar tree about twelve feet long. This he +now threw over the opening in the snow, making +a sort of a ridge pole, and then with Paul’s +assistance unrolled the tent and spread it across. +While Paul held the edges of the somewhat +awkward canvas in place on top of the snow +wall Roy piled snow on the ends of the canvas +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span> +and just as it was too dark to see more the +excavation was thoroughly roofed except in one +corner where the irregular canvas did not fit. +</p> +<p>“We need that for a chimney opening anyway,” +exclaimed Roy. +</p> +<p>Before a fire could be started, however, there +was the sound of a rifle off to the south, to which +Paul responded with a pistol shot. Then the +camp makers carried their wood into the snow +house and while Paul attended to their scanty +food supply and arranged the sleeping bags as +rugs on the crisp snow floor, Roy started a fire. +The blaze emphasized the darkness without and, +realizing that their companions had no signal, +the two boys split up a torch with the axe and +carried it outside where, while they could keep +it alight, it might serve as a beacon. +</p> +<p>But this was not necessary. Both the Indian +and Norman came in, guided by Paul’s revolver +shot. Neither reported signs of game. Both +were elated over the house which was already +so warm within that the heavy coats and mittens +could be discarded. +</p> +<p>“I s’pose supper’s all ready,” exclaimed +Norman after he had got his numbed limbs +warmed. +</p> +<p>“No,” answered Roy, “I’ve just been waiting +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span> +for you so we could have it all fresh and hot. +I’m going to prepare it myself and everything’s +going to be in trapper style. It won’t be much +but it’s all you need and it’s according to the +rules and regulations. I’ve already got my hot +water. Now I’ll get the bannocks ready.” +</p> +<p>“Didn’t you bring those I made for you?” +asked Philip, the camp cook and hunter. +</p> +<p>“I prefer to make ’em myself,” answered +Roy, “just as the Indians make ’em in the +woods.” +</p> +<p>Philip smiled and Norman and Paul looked +somewhat disappointed but neither made objection. +</p> +<p>“Here’s my flour,” explained Roy who had +already rolled up his sweater sleeves and produced +an old flour bag with a few pounds of +flour in the bottom of it. “I mixed the baking +powder with the flour before we left camp so as +to save time,” he explained. +</p> +<p>“Seems to me we’ve got all night,” interrupted +Norman. “They don’t do that to save +time—you’re mixed. They do that to save +carrying the baking powder in a separate package.” +</p> +<p>“Anyway,” retorted Roy, “it’s the way real +trappers do.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span></p> +<p>He had rolled the sides of the sack down to +make a kind of receptacle at the bottom of which +lay his flour. Then with a piece of wood he +pried off the top of the tea kettle and was about +to pour some boiling water onto the flour when +Philip with a grunt stopped him. +</p> +<p>“Non,” exclaimed the Indian. “You spoil +him.” +</p> +<p>Over Roy’s feeble protest the Indian scooped +up snow and deposited it in the boiling water +until the fluid was somewhat cooler. Then he +passed the kettle to the waiting Roy who began +to mix his Indian bread. But had Philip +allowed Roy to proceed in his generous application +of water, his proposed bannocks would have +resulted in flour paste. In the end, because +Roy had to get his pork ready, the volunteer +cook permitted Philip to finish the fashioning of +a bannock as big as the frying pan,—the only +cooking utensil that Roy had thought necessary +to bring with them. +</p> +<p>“Now,” exclaimed Roy, as he deposited a +generous piece of salt pork in the frying pan, +“I’ll show you how the hungry trapper makes +a supper fit for a king.” +</p> +<p>As the pork began to sizzle in the pan those +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +who were eagerly watching the amateur cook +saw the piece separating into thin sections. +</p> +<p>“You see, that’s what we trappers always +do,” explained Roy rather proudly. “You +can’t slice pork when it’s frozen solid. I sliced +my pork before we left camp this morning.” +</p> +<p>By this time the rashers of pork were swimming +about in the hot fat like doughnuts in bubbling +lard. +</p> +<p>“It certainly smells all right,” exclaimed +Paul, as the appetizing odor from the frying +meat filled the snow cave. “Hurry up and give +us a piece.” +</p> +<p>Roy made no reply but busied himself stirring +the bits of meat with the point of his knife. +</p> +<p>“Is the bread ready?” the cook asked, turning +to Philip. +</p> +<p>The Indian only pointed to the big ball of +dough flattened out like a gigantic pancake and +ready for the skillet. +</p> +<p>There upon Roy seized the handle of his frying +pan, shifted the skillet to one side and, resting +it on the snow, began to flip the bits of salt +pork onto the snow floor. +</p> +<p>“Here, what are you doing?” shouted Norman. +</p> +<p>“You don’t eat those scraps,” announced +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +Roy positively. “The only good in pork is the +fat and the fat’s all in the skillet. We trappers +give these scraps to the dogs—only we ain’t +got any dogs.” +</p> +<p>“Well I’ll be a dog all right,” exclaimed +Norman and as fast as Roy flipped the brown +rashers out with his knife point Norman and +Paul grabbed them up. +</p> +<p>“There ain’t any need of doin’ that,” snorted +Roy. “I tell you there ain’t any good in those +things and it’s against all the rules anyhow. +You’ll get all the fat you want when our bannock’s +done.” +</p> +<p>“Well, then, why don’t you start it?” asked +Paul. “I suppose it’ll take it an hour to cook. +And your fat’s getting cold anyway.” +</p> +<p>“That’s where you show your ignorance,” +retorted Roy. “I suppose you fellows think I +don’t know my business. If I’d put that bannock +right into this hot fat it would have fried +like a doughnut. I’ve got to get this grease +soaked up in my bread. That’s why I’m lettin’ +the grease get cool.” +</p> +<p>With this he took the flat looking loaf from +the Indian’s hands and slipped it into the already +nearly full frying pan. But Roy knew +his limitations. As he lifted the pan back upon +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span> +the coals and the grease began to sizzle and snap +he knew that he had exhausted his culinary +knowledge. +</p> +<p>“Here,” he said to the Indian, “you can +watch this while it cooks.” +</p> +<p>With a smile the Indian took the handle of +the pan, shook it deftly a few times, lifted the +edge of the dough with skilled fingers and then +settled the pan upon a bed of coals just outside +the heart of the fire and, squatted by its side, +carefully watched the baking. Meanwhile, Norman +and Paul were crunching bacon scraps +while Roy was mopping his perspiring brow +with the sleeve of his sweater. +</p> +<p>“If that’s all we’re going to have,” broke +in Norman, “I want to go home.” +</p> +<p>But that was all they did have. The conscientious +Roy, who had given the subject much +consideration, had carefully refrained from +bringing any luxuries other than tea and a little +sugar. But by the time the bannock was done—and +the Indian knew how to cook it—the +three boys had become so hungry that the Indian +bread was eaten ravenously. Then the party +crept into their sleeping bags at an early hour +and passed the night without discomfort. +</p> +<p>Philip took charge of the camp in the morning +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span> +and before the boys crept out of their bags +he served each of them with a cup of hot tea. +When the boys looked outside of their snow tent +it seemed hardly dawn and yet it was after eight +o’clock. Philip shook his head and announced +prospects of bad weather. There was no sun +and, although it was no colder than it had been +the day before, there was a gloom over all that +suggested a storm. +</p> +<p>Not one of the boys would have suggested it +but the Indian did not hesitate to warn them +that they should return to the camp at once. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know how I would vote on this +question,” said Norman, “if we’d had proper +provisions. But I don’t propose to live three +more days on the <i>ghost</i> of salt pork. And, besides, +we’ve got plenty of moose meat in camp. +I’m not so keen about going to the Barren Lands +as I was.” +</p> +<p>This was why late that afternoon Colonel +Howell was both surprised and glad to see his +young friends trot into camp. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVII_THE_GITCHIE_MANITOU_WINS_A_RACE' id='XVII_THE_GITCHIE_MANITOU_WINS_A_RACE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>THE <i>Gitchie Manitou</i> WINS A RACE</h3> +</div> + +<p>Norman and Roy soon became restless and +after a few days’ idleness asked Colonel Howell +for permission to make their delayed visit to +the Pointe aux Tremble Indian camp. The day +set for this second relief expedition promised +a continuation of clear dry weather. Almost +duplicating their last provisions, the monoplane +got away at dawn. At the last moment, Paul +was substituted for Roy, and he and Norman +made an uneventful flight directly up the river. +This time a landing was made at the foot of the +bluff on the smooth ice of the river. The provisions +were distributed and then the two boys +visited the cabin of the paralytic Indian. +</p> +<p>“Chandler probably will be out running his +trap line,” suggested Norman, “but he may be +at home.” +</p> +<p>Within the cabin they found only the Indian. +To Norman’s surprise, the rusty traps still hung +on the wall, with no sign of having been touched +since he and Roy visited the cabin. Norman’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span> +observing eye at once examined the other parts +of the room. +</p> +<p>In the bunk corner there was absolutely no +change. He would have sworn that Chandler +had not slept in the place since he returned. A +sudden suspicion coming into Norman’s mind, +he walked to the bunk corner of the room and +pointed to the crevice from which they had +taken the letter. The Indian grinned. Then +Norman pointed to the curing boards, made +motions with his hands to indicate a man of +about Chandler’s build and other pantomimes +of inquiry. The Indian responded with his +usual grin, then shook his head. Norman’s jaw +dropped. +</p> +<p>“Paul,” he exclaimed, “we’re a lot of +chumps. Chandler never came back to this +camp. He hired the best dog team in this part +of the world and while we were all asleep he’s +been hurrying to Edmonton. He’s had seven +days’ start, and the way these dogs travel, he’ll +cover that distance in jig time. Come on,” he +almost shouted, “we’ve got something to do +now besides feeding lazy Indians. The hunters +are back, anyway, and there won’t be any starving +around here. We’ve got to get back to +Colonel Howell as fast as the airship’ll go.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span></p> +<p>Philip’s supper was awaiting the return of +the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i>, but its serving was long +delayed. For an hour the conference that took +place immediately upon the safe housing of the +monoplane continued while each participant contributed +his views. The conclusion was inevitable. +Colonel Howell must proceed to Edmonton +at once. There was a discussion as to +whether this perilous flight should be made to +Athabasca Landing, where Colonel Howell +would have to make the last hundred miles of +journey by train, or whether the trip through +the Arctic skies should be made by compass +directly to Edmonton. +</p> +<p>Finally it was decided, in view of the comprehensive +charts that they had of the intervening +country, that the latter should be the program, +even if it were necessary to make a landing on +the way. +</p> +<p>“The trains from Athabasca Landing,” concluded +Colonel Howell at last, “run only three +times a week, and I’m not sure of the schedule.” +</p> +<p>“Then,” announced Norman, “we’ll do it +by <i>Air Line</i>. We can make it, if you want to +trust me.” +</p> +<p>“I think it’s worth while,” laughed the +colonel. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span></p> +<p>“You haven’t much time,” broke in the excited +Roy. “They’ve had good hard snow, and +this half-breed’s got a great team, I understand. +If they made forty miles a day, and I’ve heard +o’ them doing that, you’ll have to get a hustle +on you.” +</p> +<p>“We leave to-night,” announced Norman, +springing to his feet. “Philip!” he called. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell, with a disturbed look on his +face, interrupted: +</p> +<p>“Couldn’t we leave in the morning—early?” +he suggested. “I think I’d rather ride +by daylight.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll feel more comfortable by night,” +laughed Paul, “and you don’t need to miss your +sleep. Norman won’t have any use for you.” +</p> +<p>The discussion did not close for some time +after this and when supper was finally served, +the last detail had been arranged. The meal +proceeded without any sign of the momentous +event to follow. At its conclusion, Colonel +Howell turned to Ewen and Miller and said, +almost nonchalantly: +</p> +<p>“Boys, I’m going to leave you for a few days. +Your friend Chandler is on his way to Edmonton +to make trouble for me.” +</p> +<p>Both men looked startled and Ewen exclaimed: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span></p> +<p>“What’s that?” +</p> +<p>“The same thing he wanted you boys to do +and in which you wouldn’t join him.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” Miller managed to +ask. +</p> +<p>“What you wrote him a letter about,” answered +Colonel Howell calmly. “I read that. +But,” he went on, as both men gave new signs +of alarm, “I’m goin’ to forget it. Do you men +want to go on working for me as you have in the +past?” +</p> +<p>Flushed faces made any other answer unnecessary. +</p> +<p>“All right,” continued Colonel Howell, +“then that’s settled. But I want you to get +Chandler out of your systems. You can stay +here. To show you that I trust you, I’m going +to leave you in the camp again.” +</p> +<p>Immediately, activity began; Norman and +Roy working on the <i>Gitchie Manitou</i>, the half-breed +preparing supplies, and Colonel Howell +making notes and getting papers together on the +still littered table. +</p> +<p>On an air line, the young aviators estimated +the distance across country at about two hundred +and seventy miles. After a consultation it +was decided to proceed at the rate of about +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span> +thirty-five miles an hour. This meant eight +hours in the air. As there was no need of +reaching the distant city before eight o’clock, +it was agreed to start at midnight. At seven +o’clock, all preparations having been made, Norman +turned in for a few hours’ sleep. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell devoted some time to his +private arrangements and spent the remainder +of the evening discussing the flight with the +other occupants of the cabin. Norman being +sound asleep at twelve o’clock, the others agreed +not to arouse him for another hour, considering +the work he had done that day. But at one +o’clock new activity began. +</p> +<p>A match was again applied to the gas well +and the monoplane was whirled out into the +spectacular illumination. There could be only +a brief handshake all around. Then, without +a slip, the monoplane was off in the light of the +waning moon. +</p> +<p>Least of all did the voyagers suffer from the +keen cold. With a plentiful store of gasoline, +the heaters were at once started but in a short +time Colonel Howell asked Norman to shut off +one of them. The passenger had been assigned +the duty of watching the engine gauge and recording +it, together with the chronometer record. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span> +Norman did not find this necessary but it +was a check upon his own observations and a +safeguard against errors in noting their progress. +</p> +<p>It was too dark for the colonel to feel any +sense of apprehension. As there was no wind, +the conditions were ideal for an aerial flight, and +Norman having once shaped his course, the +powerful car sped on its way as if sliding downhill. +In time the monotonous whir of the propellers +appeared to have its effect upon Colonel +Howell, and Norman caught him dozing more +than once. He then explained to his passenger +that his observations were no longer necessary +and persuaded Colonel Howell to wrap up in +his blanket and go to sleep. +</p> +<p>When the passenger aroused himself, about +five o’clock, Norman asked him to make some +tea and see what Philip had prepared in the way +of food. It was his only way of relaxing under +the strain and he ate heartily. Later, Colonel +Howell again pulled his blankets about him and +did not stir until the gray of the winter dawn +was in the air. The moon had long since disappeared +but the stars were brilliant. +</p> +<p>When the land beneath came into view, the +oil prospector took his place in front of the port +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span> +section for his first view of the world from the +clouds. Then day came and the east grew red. +No settlement was yet in sight, but as the golden +sun began to glisten on the snow-weighted trees, +Colonel Howell gave an exclamation. +</p> +<p>“There’s the railroad!” he shouted. “We’re +crossing it.” +</p> +<p>“Just after eight o’clock,” muttered Norman, +as he craned his neck to make out the land +beneath. “We’re certainly this side o’ the +town and we’ll take to the tracks.” +</p> +<p>With this, he brought the steady airship about +and began to follow the rails, which were now +plain enough below. For another quarter of an +hour, the monoplane made its way steadily to +the south and then a sudden blur broke the landscape +in the distance. +</p> +<p>“There she is,” remarked Norman, almost +casually. “Don’t forget your packages and +bundles.” +</p> +<p>At nine o’clock Colonel Howell and Norman +were eating breakfast at the Royal George +Hotel. At half past ten they were leaving the +big new Provincial Capitol Building. The +colonel had filed his claims and had his papers +safely in his pocket. A little later, entering the +busy hotel office once more, Norman hastily +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span> +caught his patron’s sleeve. Seated in front of +the hotel fireplace, as if gratefully drinking in +its warmth, was the worn and emaciated Chandler. +By his side was Fosseneuve the half-breed, +already far gone in intoxication. +</p> +<p>Colonel Howell stepped forward, as if about +to speak to the defeated man. Then he paused. +</p> +<p>“Can’t do any good,” he exclaimed in an +undertone to Norman. “We got there first. +And he might have beaten us at that if he hadn’t +stopped here in the hotel too long. We’ll take +the afternoon train down to Calgary for a day’s +visit. Then, when you’re ready, we’ll go back +to the boys.” +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE EDGE OF THE ARCTIC***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 25787-h.txt or 25787-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/7/8/25787">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/7/8/25787</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution.</p> + + + +<pre> +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a> + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a> + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/25787-h/images/arctic-051.jpg b/25787-h/images/arctic-051.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..710565f --- /dev/null +++ b/25787-h/images/arctic-051.jpg diff --git a/25787-h/images/arctic-183.jpg b/25787-h/images/arctic-183.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..923c5f1 --- /dev/null +++ b/25787-h/images/arctic-183.jpg diff --git a/25787-h/images/arctic-209.jpg b/25787-h/images/arctic-209.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7f53caf --- /dev/null +++ b/25787-h/images/arctic-209.jpg diff --git a/25787-h/images/arctic-emb.jpg b/25787-h/images/arctic-emb.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c50e8a --- /dev/null +++ b/25787-h/images/arctic-emb.jpg diff --git a/25787-h/images/arctic-fpc.jpg b/25787-h/images/arctic-fpc.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e851e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/25787-h/images/arctic-fpc.jpg diff --git a/25787-h/images/cvr-edge-arctic.jpg b/25787-h/images/cvr-edge-arctic.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9efc7e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/25787-h/images/cvr-edge-arctic.jpg |
