Glen of the high north

TheProjectGutenbergeBook,GlenoftheHighNorth,byH.A.Cody
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Title:GlenoftheHighNorth
Author:H.A.Cody

ReleaseDate:September15,2005[eBook#16699]
Language:English
***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKGLENOFTHEHIGH
NORTH***
E-textpreparedbyAlHaines

GLENOFTHEHIGHNORTH
by
H.A.CODY

Authorof"TheFrontiersman,""TheLostPatrol,"
"TheChiefoftheRanges,""TheTouchofAbner,"etc.


McClellandandStewart
Publishers:::Toronto
GeorgeH.DoranCompany
1920

To
ALLTRUEMENANDWOMEN

OftheOuterTrailsoftheYukon,
WhereforYearstheAuthorLivedandTravelled,
ThisBookisAffectionatelyDedicated.


CONTENTS
IONEFLEETINGVISIONIIWHENTHEFOG-BANKLIFTEDIIIABIGBLAZIN'LAUGHIV
BEYONDTHEGREATWHITEPASSVCOMRADESOPTHETRAILVIASHOTTHATTOLD
VIIBOTTLESWILLDOVIIILOVEVERSUSGOLDIXTHEOUTERTRAILXADRIFTIN
THEWILDERNESSXIINTOTHEGREATUNKNOWNXIITHEGIRLOFGLENWESTXIII
WHENTHESTORMBURSTXIVANOTHERPRISONERXVJIMWESTONXVITHEORDEAL
XVIIMANTOMANXVIIITHEPREPAREDROOMXIXTHETURNOFEVENTSXXASHOT
FROMTHEGOLDENCRESTXXITHEPLOTTERSXXIITHECABININTHEHILLSXXIII
ATTHEREVOLVER'SPOINTXXIVWHENTHERIFLESCRACKEDXXVBYTHEINLAND
LAKEXXVITHROUGHTHESTORMXXVIIINTHETOILSXXVIIIHELPFROMTHEHILLS
XXIXTHEOLDTRUESTORYXXXTHEUNMASKINGXXXIOUTWARDBOUND

"SomethinglostbeyondtheRanges,
Lost;andcallingtoyou.Go."
KIPLING

"Shehadgrown,inherunstainedseclusion,brightandpureasafirstopening
lilac,whenitspreadsitsclearleavestothesweetestdawnofMay."
PERCIVAL


GLENOFTHEHIGHNORTH
CHAPTERI
ONEFLEETINGVISION

Itallhappenedinlessthantwominutes,andyetinthatbriefspaceoftimehis
entireoutlookuponlifewaschanged.Hesawheracrossthestreetstandingupon
theedgeofthesidewalkfacingthethrongofteamsandmotorsthatweresurging
by.Shehadevidentlyattemptedtocross,buthadhurriedlyretreatedowingtothe
tremendouscrushoftraffic.Thegleamofthelargeelectriclightnearbybrought
intoclearreliefafaceofmorethanordinarycharmandbeauty.Butthatwhich
appealedsostronglytotheyoungmanwasthemingledexpressionofsurprise,
fearanddefiancedepicteduponhercountenance.Itstrangelyaffectedhim,and
hewasonthepointofspringingforwardtoofferhisassistancewhenshe
suddenlydisappeared,swallowedupinthegreattideofhumanity.
Forafewminutestheyoungmanstoodperfectlystill,gazingintentlyuponthe
spotwherethegirlhadbeenstanding,hopingtoseeherreappear.Hecouldnot
accountforthefeelingthathadsweptuponhimatthesightofthatface.Itwas
butoneofthethousandshedailybeheld,yetitalonestirredhimtohisinmost
depths.Afewminutesbeforehehadbeenwalkingalongthestreetwithoutany
definiteaiminlife,listlessandalmostcynical.Butnowadesirepossessedhim
tobeupanddoing,tofollowafterthefairvisionwhichhadsounexpectedly
appeared.Whocouldshebe,andwherewasshegoing?Shouldheeverseeher
again,andifhedidwouldhehavetheslightestchanceofmeetingandtalking
withher?
Thesethoughtsoccupiedhismindashecontinuedonhisway.Hewalkederect
now,withshouldersthrownback,andwithamorebuoyantstepthanhehad
takeninmanyaday.Hisbloodtingledandhiseyesglowedwithanew-found
light.Hefeltmuchoftheoldthrillthathadanimatedhimatthebeginningofthe


GreatWar,andhadsenthimoverseastotakehispartinthetitanicstruggle.An
overmasteringurgehadthensweptuponhim,compellinghimtoabandonallon
behalfofthemightycause.Itwashisnature,andtheleopardcouldnomore

changeitsspotsthancouldTomReynoldsovercometheinfluenceofagripping
desire.Eversincechildhoodthoughtandactionhadalwaysbeenweldedinthe
strongclearheatofanoverwhelmingpurpose.Ithadcausedhimconsiderable
trouble,butatthesametimeithadcarriedhimthroughmanyadifficult
undertakingthathaddauntedothermen.Itwasonlytheafterwardsthataffected
him,thedepression,whentheobjectivehadbeenattained.Soformonthsafter
thewarendedhislifehadseemedofnoavail,andhefounditimpossibleto
settlecomfortablybackintothegroovesofcivilianlifeinabustling,thriving
city.Everythingseemedtameandinsignificantafterwhathehadexperienced
overseas.Timeinsteadoflesseninghadonlyincreasedthisfeeling,until
Reynoldsbelievedthathecouldnolongerenduretheprosaiclifeofthecity.
Suchwasthestateofhismindwhenhebeheldthefaceacrossthestreet,which
insomemysteriousmannergavehimasuddenimpulseandanewoutlookupon
theworld.Afterashortquickwalk,heturnedintoasidestreetandstoppedat
lengthbeforeabuildingfromwhichextendedalargeelectricsign,bearingthe
wordsTelegramandEveningNews.Heentered,andatoncemadehisway
throughseveralroomsuntilhereachedtheeditorialofficeatthebackofthe
building.Thedoorwasopen,andseatedatthedeskwasanelderlyman,busily
writing.HelookedupasReynoldsappeared,andasmileilluminedhisface.
"Youarebackearly,Tom.Foundsomethingspecial?"
"Yes,"Reynoldsrepliedashesatdownupontheonlyvacantchairtheoffice
contained."Butnothingforpublication."
Theeditorpushedbackhispapers,swunghimselfaroundinhischairandfaced
thevisitor.
"Whatisit,Tom?"heasked."YoulookmoreanimatedthanIhaveseenyoufor
manyaday.Whathascomeoveryou?Whatisthespecialsomethingyouhave
found?"
"Myself."
"Yourself!"
"That'sjustit.I'mthroughwiththisjob."

Theeditoreyedtheyoungmancuriouslyyetsympathetically.Hewastohimasa
son,andhehaddoneeverythinginhispowertohelphimsincehisreturnfrom
thewar.ButhewaswellawarethatReynoldswasnothappy,andthatnewspaper
workwasprovingmostuncongenial.
"Whereareyougoing,Tom,andwhatareyougoingtodo?"hepresentlyasked.
"Ihavenottheslightestidea,sir.ButImustgetawayfromthishum-drum
existence.Itiskillingmebyinches.Ineedadventure,lifeintheopen,wherea
mancanbreathefreelyanddoashelikes."
"Haven'tyoudoneaboutasyoulike,Tom,sinceyoucamehome?Ipromised
yourfatheronhisdeath-bedthatIwouldlookafteryou,andIhavetriedtodoso
ineverypossibleway.Isincerelyhopedthatyourpresentworkwouldsuityou
betterthaninanoffice.Youarefreetoroamwhereyouwill,andwhatever
adventurehastakenplaceinthiscityduringthepastsixmonthsyouwereinthe
midstofit,andwroteexcellentreports,too."
"Iknowthat,sir,andIfeeldeeplyindebtedtoyouforwhatyouhavedone.But
whatdoesitallamountto?WhatinterestdoItakeintroublealongthedocks,a
fightbetweenacoupleoftoughsinsomedarkalley,orafashionableweddingin
oneofthebigchurches?Bah!Iamsickofthemall,andthesoonerIgetaway
thebetter."
Reynoldsproducedacigarette,lighteditandthrewthematchuponthefloor.
Fromthecornerofhiseyehewatchedtheeditorashetoyedthoughtfullywith
hispen.Thismanwasnearertohimthananyoneelseintheworld,andhewas
afraidthathehadannoyedhimbyhisplainoutspokenwords.
"Andyousayyouhavenothinginview?"theeditoratlengthenquired.
"Nothing.Canyousuggestanything?Somethingthatwilltaxallmyenergyof
mindandbody.ThatiswhatIwant.Ihopeyoudonotmisunderstandme,sir.I
donotwishtoseemungratefulforwhatyouhavedone."
"Idounderstandyou,Tom,andwereIinyourposition,andofyourage,Imight

feelthesame.Butwhataboutyourpainting?Haveyoulostallinterestinthat?
WhenyouwereinFranceyouoftenwrotewhatimpressionsyouweregetting,
andhowmuchyouintendedtodowhenyoucamehome."


"Ihavedoneverylittleatthat,andthesketchesImadearestilluncompleted.
SomedayImaydosomething,butnotnow."
"Youcertainlyhavelostallinterest,Tom,inthethingsthatoncegaveyouso
muchpleasure."
"Itisonlytootrue,althoughIhavehonestlytriedtoreturntotheoldways.ButI
musthaveaflingatsomethingelsetogetthisrestlessfeelingoutofmysystem.
Whatdoyousuggest!PerhapsitisonlyathrashingIneed.Thatdoeschildren
goodsometimes."
Theeditorsmiledashepulledoutadrawerinhisdesk,andbroughtforthafairsizedscrapbook.Heslowlyturnedthepagesandstoppedatlengthwherealarge
newspaperclippinghadbeencarefullypasted.
"Idonotthinkyouneedathrashing,Tom,"hebegan."ButIbelieveIcan
suggestsomethingbetterthanthat.HereisanentryImadeinthisbookover
fifteenyearsago,andthestoryitcontainsappealsstronglytomenow.Ireaditat
leastonceayear,andithasbeenthecauseofmanyaday-dreamtome,and
night-dreamaswell,forthatmatter.Didyoueverhearofthemysterious
disappearanceofHenryRedmond,thewealthymerchantofthiscity?ButI
supposenot,asyouwereyoungatthetime."
"No,Ineverheardofhim,"Reynoldsacknowledged."Washekilled?"
"Oh,no.Hemerelydisappeared,andleftnotraceatall.Thatwas,asIhavejust
said,overfifteenyearsago,andnowordhasbeenreceivedfromhimsince."
"Whatwasthetrouble?Financialdifficulties?"
"Notatall.Hesimplydisappeared.Itwasduetohiswife'sdeath,soIbelieve.
Theyweregreatlyattachedtoeachother,andwhenshesuddenlydiedRedmond
wasabroken-heartedman.Iknewhimwellanditwaspathetictowatchhim.He
tooknointerestinhisbusiness,andsoldoutassoonaspossible.Thenhe

vanished,andthatwasthelastweheardofhim.Hewasanoddmaninmany
ways,andalthoughoneoftheshrewdestmeninbusinessIeverknew,hewas
fondofthesimplelife.Hewasagreatreader,andatonetimepossessedavery
finelibrary.ThisarticlewhichIwishyoutoreadtellsthestoryofhislife,how
hebuiltuphisbusiness,andofhissuddendisappearance."


"Howdoyouknowhewasn'tkilled?"Reynoldsasked.
"Becauseofthis,"andtheeditorlaidhisforefingeruponasmallseparate
clippingatthebottomofthelargerone.AshorttimeafterRedmond
disappeared,andwhentheexcitementofallwasintense,thiswasreceivedand
published.Althoughitborenoname,yetwewellknowthatitwasfrom
Redmond,foritwasjustlikesomethinghewoulddo.Thisiswhathewrote:
"'Igofromthebusyhauntsofmen,farfromthebustleandworryofbusiness
life.Imaybefound,butonlyhewhoisworthywillfindme,andwhoeverfinds
me,will,Itrust,notlosehisreward.FromtheloopholesofretreatIshallwatch
thestressandfeveroflife,butshallnotmingleinthefray.'"
"Queerwords,those,"Reynoldsremarked,whentheeditorhadfinishedreading.
"Whatdoyoumakeofthem?"
"Ihardlyknow,althoughIhaveconsideredthemverycarefully.Ibelievethey
containahiddenmeaning,andthatthefindingwillconsistofmorethanthe
merediscoveryofhisperson.Itmustrefertosomethingelse,somequalityof
heartormind,thatis,therealpersonalitybehindthemereoutwardform."
"Adoublequest,eh,foranyonewhoundertakestheventure?"
"Itseemsso,Tom,andthatmakesitallthemoredifficult.Butwhatan
undertaking!HowIwishIwereyoungagain,andIshouldbeoffto-morrow.I
wasafoolnottomakethetryfifteenyearsago.Iwouldnotnowbechainedto
thisdesk,Ifeelcertainofthat."
"Andasyoucannotgoyourself,youwant——?"Reynoldspausedandlooked
quizzicallyattheeditor.

"Iwantyoutogoinmystead,"wastheemphaticreply."Youareyoung,strong,
andanxiousforadventure."
"Forwhatpurpose,sir?Whydoyouwishmetoundertakethiswild-goose
chase?Forsuchitseemstome."
"Iwishyoutogoforthreereasons.First,foryourowngood;asanoutlettoyour


abundantenergy,andtogiveyousomeobjectinlife.Next,tosatisfyacuriosity
thathasbeenconsumingmeforyears.Iammorethananxioustoknowwhathas
becomeofHenryRedmond.Andfinally,forthesakeofmypaper.Ifyoushould
provesuccessful,whatawrite-upitwillmake,foryouwillhaveawonderful
storytotell.Doesn'tthethingappealtoyou?Why,itmakesmybloodtingleat
thethoughtofsuchanundertaking."
"Itdoesstirmeabit,"Reynoldsacknowledged."ButwhereamItogo?Have
youanyideawhereRedmondis?Theworldisbig,remember,andwithoutany
clue,thechasewouldbeabsolutefolly."
"Iamwellawareofallthat.IhavenoideawhereRedmondis,andthatmakes
theventureallthemoreinteresting.IfIcouldtellyouwhereheis,andyou
merelywentandfoundhim,bah!thatwouldnotbeworththetrouble.Butthe
uncertaintyofitalliswhatappealstome.Thewholeworldisbeforeyou,and
somewhereintheworldIbelieveHenryRedmondisliving.Yourtaskistofind
him.Canyoudoit?"
ForafewminutesReynoldsdidnotspeak.Hewasinterested,butthe
undertakingseemedsoutterlyhopelessandridiculousthathehesitated.Ifhehad
theslightestclueastotheman'swhereaboutsitwouldbedifferent.
"HowoldamanwasRedmondwhenhedisappeared?"heatlengthasked.
"Aboutfifty,Iunderstand,althoughheappearedmucholderattimes.Hewasa
finelookingman,oversixfeetinheight,andalargehead,crownedwitha
wealthofhairstreakedwithgray,whenlastIsawhim.Hiscommanding
appearanceattractedattentionwhereverhewent,andthatshouldaidyou

somewhatinyoursearch."
"Hadheanyfamily?"Reynoldsquestioned.
"Onelittlegirlonly,forhemarriedlateinlife.Hisfriendsthoughtthathewould
remainapermanentbachelor,andtheyweregreatlysurprisedwhenhe
unexpectedlytooktohimselfawifemuchyoungerthanhimself,andvery
beautiful.Theylivedmosthappilytogether,andwhenhiswifediedRedmond
washeartbroken."
"Perhapsherdeathaffectedhismind,"Reynoldssuggested.


"Ihavethoughtofthat,andhissuddendisappearance,aswellasthepeculiar
letterIreadtoyou,lendscolortotheidea."
"Whatbecameofthechild?"
"Nooneknows.Heevidentlytookherwithhim,andthatisanotherreasonwhyI
believenoharmbefellhimasyousuggested.Thewholeaffairisinvolvedinthe
deepestmystery."
"Anddidnooneattempttosolveit?"Reynoldsasked."Wasnoeffortmadeto
findthemissingman?"
"Therewasatthetime,andthenewspapersfarandnearmadementionofhis
disappearance.Itwasthetalkofthecityforseveralweeks,andIunderstandthat
severalmenthoughtseriouslyofsearchingforhim.Buttheinterestgradually
waned,andhewasforgottenexceptbyafew,ofwhomIamone."
Reynoldsrosetohisfeetandpickeduphishat.
"SupposeIthinkthisoverforafewdays?"hesuggested."IfIgetthefeverI
shallletyouknow.InthemeantimeIshallplugawayatmypresentjob.Ican't
affordtobeidle,for'idlenessistheholidayoffools,'assomeonehassaid."
"That'sfine,Tom,"andtheeditor'sfacebrightenedwithpleasure."And,
remember,youshallbesuppliedwithallthemoneyyouneed,sodonotworry
aboutthat."
"Thankyou,butIhavealittleofmyownthatwilllastmeforawhile.WhenI

runthroughwithitImaycalluponyou."
"Verywell,doasyoulike,Tom.Butthinkitoverandletmeknowofyour
decisionassoonaspossible."


CHAPTERII
WHENTHEFOG-BANKLIFTED

TheNorthernLightwaslyingatherwharfpreparingforherlongruntothefar
NorthernPacific,throughthenumerousislandsstuddingthecoastalwatersof
BritishColumbia,andtheUnitedStatesTerritoryofAlaska.Alldaylongshe
hadbeentakingonboardgreatquantitiesoffreight,andnowontheeveofher
departurepassengerswerearriving.Thelatterweremostlymen,fornewgold
diggingshadbeendiscoveredbackinthehillsborderingtheYukonRiver,and
old-timerswereflockingnorthward,anticipatinganotherKlondyke,andallthat
itmightmean.
TomReynoldsstoodonthewharfnotingtheexcitementthatwastakingplace
aroundhim.Apartfromthearticlehewouldprepareforthenextday'sissueof
TheTelegram;hewasmorethanusuallyinterestedinwhathebeheld.Ashe
watchedseveralbronzedandgrizzlyveteransofmanyalongtrailandwild
stampede,adesireenteredintohishearttojointhemintheirnewadventure.He
wouldthusfindexcitementenoughtosatisfyhisrestlessnature,andperhapsat
thesametimeshareinthegoldenharvest.
Thislonging,however,washeldincheckbythethoughtofthestoryhehad
heardtheeveningbefore,andalsobythehopeofseeingagainthefacehehad
beheldforafewfleetingsecondsatthestreetcrossing.Infact,hehadthought
moreofitthanofthemysteriousdisappearanceofHenryRedmond.Forthe
greaterpartofthenightandallthenextdaythegirlhadbeeninhismind.He
triedtorecallsomethingmoreabouther,thecolorofherhair,howshewas
dressed,andwhethershewastallorshort.Buthecouldremembernothing

exceptthefacewhichalonestoodoutclearanddistinct.Severaltimesduringthe
dayhehadbeenonthepointoftransferringhisimpressionstopaper,buthe
alwaysdeferredaction,preferringtomuseuponthebeautifulvisionhehadseen
andtodreamofmeetingheragain.Shemuststillbeinthecity,hereasoned,and


shouldhegoawaynowhischanceoffindingherwouldbelostforever.Thathe
wouldfindherhehadnottheslightestdoubt,foramongthecrowdsthatpassed
dailyalongthestreetshewouldsurelyseeher,andwhenhedid—well,hewas
notcertainwhatwouldhappen.Anyway,hewouldknowmoreaboutherthanat
present.Hewasstandingwatchinganoldmanwithalonggraybeardandwavy
hairfallingbelowabroad-brimmedslouchhat.Hewasevidentlyaprospector,
forheboreagood-sizedpackacrosshisrightshoulder,andwasdressedasiffor
thetrail,withapairofcoarsebootsuponhisfeet.Hisfigurewascommanding,
almostpatriarchal,andReynoldswatchedhimwithmuchinterestashewalked
statelyanddeliberatelyupthegangway.
AsReynoldsturnedfromhisobservationoftheoldman,hegaveagreatstart,
andhisheartbeatwildly,fortherebutafewfeetfromhimwastheverygirlhe
hadseenatthestreetcrossing.Shehadjustalightedfromanhotelauto,andwas
pointingoutherbaggagetooneofthecabinboyswhenReynoldsnoticedher.
Heleanedeagerlyforwardtocatchthesoundofhervoice,butthenoisearound
himmadethisimpossible.Buthehadachancetofeasthiseyesuponherface,
andtonoteherneatdark-browntravellingsuitwhichfittedsoperfectlyherwellbuilterectfigure.Shewasofmediumheight,andcarriedherselfwithcomplete
assuranceasonewellaccustomedtotravel.Shewasapparentlyalone,fornoone
accompaniedherasshepresentlywentonboardthesteamer.
Reynoldswasallalertnow,andhisold-timeenthusiasmreturned.Shewasgoing
north,andwhyshouldnothegotoo?Oncemorethoughtandactionbecame
welded,andfindingthatitwouldbethree-quartersofanhourbeforethe
steamer'sdeparture,hehurriedbacktohisboardinghouse,gatheredtogetherhis
fewbelongings,includinghisartist'soutfit,thrustthemintoagrip,settledhis

boardbill,andalmostracedtotheTelegramandEveningNewsbuilding,where
hefoundtheeditorwhohadjustarrivedforhisnightlyduties.
"Iamoffatonce,"heannounced."Howwillthatsuityou?"
"Goodforyou!"wasthepleasedreply."DecidedupontheGreatQuest,eh?"
"Yes,allsettled,andawayintwentyminutes."
"Whereto?"
"Upnorth,totheedgeofnowhere.Howwillthatdo?"


"Foundaclue?"Theeditorwasquiteexcitednow.
"AlltheclueIneed,"wastheevasivereply."Ishallwriteassoonaspossible,
tellingofmywanderings.So,good-by;Imustbeaway."
"Haveyouenoughmoney?"Theeditorwasonhisfeetnow,graspingtheyoung
man'shandinafirmgrip.
"Yes,allthat'snecessaryforthepresent.IfIneedmoreIshallletyouknow."
AnhourlatertheNorthernLightwassteamingsteadilyonherway.Reynolds
hadbeenfortunateenoughtoobtainanupperberth,hisroommatebeingayoung
clerkdestinedforabranchbankinanorthernminingtown.Reynoldsstrolled
abouttheboathopingtocatchaglimpseofherwhowasmuchinhismind,but
allinvain.Itrainedhardmostofthenextday,andtheoutsidedeckswere
uncomfortable.Itwastowardeveningthathesawher,walkingslowlyupand
downthehurricanedeckabaftthefunnel.Shewaswiththecaptain,afine
looking,middle-agedman,andtheyseemedtobeonveryfriendlyterms,forthe
girlwassmilingatsomethinghercompanionwassaying.
Reynoldslightedacigarandbegantopaceupanddownontheoppositesideof
thedeck.Othersweredoingthesame,sonoonepaidanyheedtohispresence.
Acasualobservermighthavethoughtthatthesilentyoungmantooknointerest
inanythingaroundhim.ButReynoldsmissedhardlyamovementofthegirlbut
afewfeetaway.Healwayskeptashortdistancebehindandwasthusableto
studyhercloselywithoutattractingattention.Sheworearaincoat,ofasoftlight

material,andherheadwasbare.Thewindplayedwithherdark-brownhair,and
occasionallysheliftedherhandandbrushedbackawaywardtressthathad
driftedoverherforehead.Attimeshecaughtaglimpseofherfaceassheswung
aroundattheendofthebeat,anditwasalwaysahappy,animatedfacehe
beheld.
Foraboutfifteenminutesthiswalkwascontinued,andReynoldshadbeen
unabletodistinguishanyoftheconversationbetweenthetwo.Butastheyended
theirpromenade,andstartedtogobelow,theyalmostbrushedhiminpassing,
andheheardthecaptainsay,"Jackwillbehomesoon,andhewill——"That
wasallReynoldswasabletooverhear,andyetitwassufficienttocausehimto
stopsoabruptlythathenearlycollidedwithamanafewstepsbehind.Wasall
thattalkaboutJack?heaskedhimself,andwasthatwhythegirlseemedso


happyinlisteningtohercompanion?WasJackthecaptain'sson,anddidhehave
thefirstclaimuponthegirl?Perhapshewasoverseas,andwasexpectedhome
shortly.Nodoubtthegirlhadbeenvisitinghispeople.
SuchanideahadnotoccurredtoReynoldsbefore,butashethoughtitallover
thatnightashesatsilentinthesmoking-room,itdidindeedseemmost
reasonable.Whyshouldhethinkanymoreaboutthegirl?hemused.Hehad
beenafoolforallowinghishearttorunawaywithhishead.Howcouldhefor
oneinstantimaginethatsuchagirlwouldbeleftuntilnowwithoutmany
admiringsuitors,withonesuccessfuloveralltheothers?Andnodoubtthatone
wasJack,whosenamehadfallenfromthecaptain'slips.
AlthoughReynoldsfeltthatthegirlwasnotforhim,yethecouldnotbanishher
fromhismind.Shehadarousedhimfromtheparalysisofindifference,forwhich
hewasmostgrateful.Hewouldmakeadesperateeffortnottobeagain
enmeshedinsuchafeeling.Hewouldthrowhimselfardentlyintothesearchfor
gold,andthenturnhisattentiontoHenryRedmond,andstrivetosolvethe
mysterysurroundingtheman.

Afterbreakfastthenextmorninghewentoutondeck,andfoundthegirlalready
therecomfortablyseatedinalargesteamerchair.Shehadevidentlybeen
reading,butthebookwasnowlyingopenuponherlap,andherhandswere
claspedbehindherhead.Reynoldscaughtthegleamofajewelononeofher
fingers,andhewonderedifitwasanengagementringshewaswearing.Her
eyeswerelookingdreamilyoutacrossthewater,awaytoagreatfog-bank
hanginganddriftingoverthefaceofthedeep.Reynolds,too,looked,andthe
sightheldhimspellbound.Themassoffogslowlyroseandrolledacrossthe
newly-bathedsun.Thenitbegantodissolve,anddimformsoftreesandislands
madetheirappearance,growingmoredistinctmomentbymoment.Thescene
fascinatedhim.Itwastrulyafairyworlduponwhichhewaslooking.
Andashelooked,hiseyesresteduponadarkspeckjustbeneaththe
overhangingfog.Forafewminutesitmadenoimpressionuponhiswandering
mind.Butslowlyhebegantorealizethattheobjectwasinmotion,andmoving
towardthesteamer.Thenhesawsomethingdarkbeingwavedasiftoattract
attention.Hewasallalertnow,feelingsurethatsomeonewashailingthe
steamer.Inafewminutesshewouldbepast,whenitwouldbetoolatetobeof
anyassistance.


Turningalmostinstinctivelytowardthepilot-house,Reynolds'eyesfelluponthe
captain,whowasagaintalkingtothegirl.Onlyforaninstantdidhehesitate,and
thenwalkingrapidlyalongthedeck,hereachedthecaptain'ssideandtouched
himlightlyuponthearm.
"Excuseme,sir,"hebegan,astheofficerwheeledsuddenlyaround."Someone
seemstobesignalingtoyouoverthere,justwherethatfog-bankislifting,"and
hepointedwithhisfinger.
Thecaptainandthegirlbothturned,andtheireyesscannedthewateryexpanse.
"Canyouseeanything,Glen?"thecaptainasked."Myeyesmustbefailingme."
"Idonow,"wasthereply."Overtheretotheleft,"andshemotionedwithher

hand."Iseeitquiteplainly.Itisaboatofsomekindwithpeopleinit,andthey
arewavingtous."
"Soitis!"thecaptainexclaimed."Whocanitbe?However,weshallsoonfind
out."
Hehurriedaway,andsoonalongraucousblastrippedtheair.Thenthesteamer
swervedtotherightandmadeforthesmallcraftwhichwasnowplainlyvisible.
Manyofthepassengerswerealreadycrowdingtherail,allgreatlyinterestedin
thisnewdiversion.
Reynoldssteppedbackandgavehisplacetoanother.Hecouldwatchthe
approachingboatjustaswellhere,andatthesametimestudytoabetter
advantagethegirlwhowasstandingclosetotherail.Hehadaccomplished
something,anyway,whichwasworthagreatdealtohim.Hehadheardher
speakandlearnedhername.Heliked"Glen,"anditseemedtosuither.ButGlen
what?Helongedtoknowthat,too.Hervoicewassoftandmusical.Itappealed
tohim.Yes,everythingseemedtobeinharmony,hemused.Name,voice,dress,
andmanner,allsuitedthegirladmirably.Itwasahappycombination.
Fromwherehewasstandinghecouldwatchherunobserved.Hecouldseethe
sideofherfacenearesttohim,andhenotedhowflusheditwaswithexcitement.
Shewaskeenlyinterestedintheapproachingboat,andhereyesfolloweditmost
intently.
Thesteamerhadalreadysloweddown,anditsmovementnowwasscarcely


perceptible.Reynoldslookedatthesmallapproachingcraft,andtohissurprise
hesawthatitwasalargecanoe,beingpaddledbyfourstalwartIndians.There
wereseveralwhitemenonboard,althoughhecouldnotdistinguishtheirfaces.
Whocouldtheybe,andwherehadtheycomefrom?hewondered.Aman
standingnearbyaskedthesamequestion,thoughnooneseemedtobeableto
giveasatisfactoryanswer.
BythistimethecanoewassonearthesteamerthatfromhispositionReynolds

couldseenothingmoreowingtothemencrowdingtherail.Heglancedtoward
thegirljustassheturnedsuddenlyawayfromthesideofthesteamerand
walkedrapidlyacrossthedeck.Sheseemedmuchagitated,andtheflushhad
fledherface,leavingitverywhite.AllthisReynoldsbrieflynoted,andwhen
shehaddisappearedthroughadoorleadingintotheobservationroom,hestood
wrappedinthought,wonderingastothecauseoftheremarkablechangethathad
sosuddenlytakenplace.Wastheresomemysteryconnectedwithherlife,and
hadsherecognizedsomeoneinthecanoeshedidnotwishtomeet?He
determinedtolearnwhathecouldaboutthepicked-upmen,andtokeephiseyes
andearsopenforfurtherdevelopments.


CHAPTERIII
ABIGBLAZIN'LAUGH

"Finesightthat,sir."
Reynoldsturnedsharplyatthesewords,andsawtheoldmanwiththelongbeard
andflowinghairstandingathisleft.Althoughhehimselfwasalmostsixfeetin
height,heseemedsmallbythesideofthisstranger,whowaslookingcalmlyout
overthewatertowardthefog-bank,whichhadnowliftedandwasslowly
dissolving.
"Yedon'tseethelikesofthatoften,"hecontinued,"an'itain'teveryonewhokin
readitsmeanin',either."
"Whatdoyouseethere?"Reynoldsasked,moreinterestedinhearingtheman's
deliberatedrawlthanthemeaningofthefog-bank.
"Wall,itseemstomethatafog-bankhasn'taghostofachanceferlifewhenthe
sunhitsitgoodan'hard."
"Thatonehasn't,anyway,"Reynoldsreplied,ashewatchedthecloudgradually
thinninganddriftingaway.
"It'sthesamewithallclouds,sir,an'itmakesnodifferencewhetherthey're

hangin'overthewateroroverone'slife.They'reboundtodisappearwhenthe
sungitsafter'em."
"Doyouthinkso?"
"Isartinlydo.Why,thereisn'tacloudbut'llgatherupitsskirtsan'runwhena
goodbigblazin'laughgitsafterit.An'that'swhatwewantinthisworldto-day;
morecheerfulness,moreofthejoyoflife."


"Haveyoutriedit?"
"Y'betIhave,an'it'sallusworkedlikeacharm.Icouldtellyeofmanya
squabblethat'sbeensettledbythemeansofasmilin'facean'agoodhearty
laugh.There'snuthin'likeit."
"You'reanoptimist,Isee,"andReynoldssmiledforthefirsttimeinmanyaday.
Hecouldnothelpit,forthisstrangerradiatedastimulatinginfluenceof
cheerfulnessandgoodwill.
"Itrytobe,sir,an'whenIseeafog-bankhoverin'overpeoplelikethatonedid
outyonderalittlewhileago,Iconsideritmydutytoactlikethesunan'driveit
away.Then,there'sgoodfeelin'allaround,'speciallyamongtheoneswhowere
underthecloud."
"Iimagineitisthatwaywiththosemenwhohavejustbeenpickedup.
Theymustfeelhappyovertheliftingofthefogattherightmoment."
"That'sjistwhatImean.Itmeantmuchtothem."
"Doyouknowwhotheyare?"
"Miners,nodoubt,whowishtogonorth.They'vebeenprospectingmebbe,on
someoftheislandsalongthecoast,an'startedouttohailapassin'steamer.They
doitattimes."
"Andthesteamersalwayspickthemup?"
"Sure;theywouldn'tgobywithouttakin''emonboard,nomatterwhotheyare.
It'sthegreatBrotherhoodofman,yesee,backofitall,an'ye'llfindthatspirit
strongerthefarthernorthyego.It'sdifferentherefromwhatitisinthebig

cities,an'themoreyepreachofthatthebetter."
"Preach!Whatdoyoumean?"Reynoldsaskedinamazement.
"Youbeoneofthemmissionarychaps,ain'tye?"
Reynoldslaughed."Whatmakesyouthinkso?"
"Dunno,'ceptyersolemncolyface,an'thewayyerdressed.


Missionariesginerallycomenorthlookin'aboutasyoudo,toturnthe
sinnerfromtheerrorofhisway,an'toconvarttheheathenInjun.
They'renotoverlypop'larupthar."
"Whynot?"
"Oh,they'vetoohighan'mightynotionsaboutthewaymenshouldlive;that's
thetrouble."
"Andsoyouthinktheyshouldmakethemselvespopularwiththemen,eh?
Inwhatway?"
"Bybein'oneof'em,an'notbein'toohardonwhattheydo."
"DoyouthinkthattheirgreatMastereversaidthattheywouldbepopular,and
thattheyweretopleaseallmen?"Reynoldsdefensivelyasked.
"Idunno.GuessIcan'trecallanythingHeeversaidaboutthematter,"andthe
oldmanscratchedhisheadinperplexity.
"Didn'tHetellHisfirstdisciplesthattheywouldbehatedofallmenforHis
name'ssakewhenHesentthemforthtodoHiswork?"
"IbelieveHedid,"wasthereluctantassent."Butthatwasalongtimeago.
Thingsaredifferentnow."
"Onlyoutwardly,remember.Theheartisthesameinallages;youcan'tchange
that.Ifitisevilandfullofvileness,itisboundtohatethegood.Surelyyou
knowthat."
"Thenyoureallyareoneofthemmissionarychaps?"andtheoldmaneyed
Reynoldscuriously.
"No,Iamnot,"wastheemphaticreply.

"ButyequoteScripterlikeaparson,though.Ithoughtmebbeyewas."
"IsitnecessarytobeaparsontoknowsomethingabouttheBible?Isn'tthisa
Christianland?Whyshouldn'tIknowsomethingaboutthegreatestBookinthe
world?MymothertaughtittomewhenIwasachild,andIlearnedagreatdeal


aboutitwhenIwenttoSundayschool.Ididnotvalueitsomuchthen,butwhen
overinFrance,withdeathonallsides,muchofitcamebacktome,andI
honestlyconfessitwasagreatcomfort."
"An'soyewasoverthar,youngman?Wall,that'ssartinlyinterestin'.Ferhow
long?"
"Nearlyfouryears.Ienlistedatthebeginningofthewar."
"An'comethroughallright?"
"Look,"andReynoldsbaredhisleftarm,showingagreatscar."Ihaveseveral
moreonmybody,someworsethanthat."
"Yedon'ttell!My,I'mgladI'vemetye.Gotsomemedals,Is'pose."
Reynoldsmadenoreply,ashealreadyfeltashamedofhimselfforhavingtold
thismuch.Itwasnothisnaturetospeakabouthimself,especiallytoastranger,
andhewasdeterminedtosaynothingaboutthemedalshehadreceivedfor
conspicuousbravery,andwhichhecarriedinhisbreastpocket.
"Doyousmoke?"hesuddenlyasked.
"Yes;anoldhandatit.Goodferthenerves."
"Well,supposewegoandhaveasmokenow.Iamjustinthemoodforone
myself."
Togethertheymadetheirwaytothesmoking-room,whichwassituatedwellaft.
Itwaspartlyfilledwithmen,smoking,chatting,andplayingcards.Theairwas
densewithvariousbrandsoftobacco,makingitimpossibletoseeclearlyacross
theroom.Noonepaidanyheedtothetwoastheyentered,satdowninone
corneroftheroom,filledandlightedtheirpipes.Reynoldsnotedthathis
companionbecamesuddenlysilent,andseemedtobedeeplyinterestedinfour

menplayingcardsatasmalltableashortdistancefromwheretheyweresitting.
"Doyouplay?"Reynoldsasked,thinkingthattheoldmanmightbefondof
cards.
"No,"wasthebriefandabsent-mindedreply.


Reynoldssaidnomore,butwatchedthefourmen.Hisattentionwaschiefly
centeredupononewhowasfacinghim,andwhowasdoingmostofthetalking.
Hewasayoungman,withadarkmoustacheandblackcurlyhair.Heplayed
withkeeninterestandinaloftydominatingmanner.Reynoldsdidnotlikehis
appearance,andthemorehestudiedhimthestrongerbecamehisrepugnance.It
wasnotonlythelowbrutalfacethatcompelledthisfeeling,butthecoarse
languagethatreekedfromhislips.ThissodisgustedReynoldsthathewasabout
toleavetheroom,wheninaninstantacommotiontookplaceamongtheplayers.
Theysprangtotheirfeet,andaminiaturebabelensued.
"You'recheating."
"I'mnot."
"You'realiar."
Theseweresomeofthetermshurledforthinsharpraspingsentences,andit
seemedasifbloodmustsurelybeshederetheconfusionended.Astheword
"liar"rangout,asuddensilencefollowed,andatoncehandsresteduponbuttsof
revolversconcealedinfourhip-pockets.Butbeforetheyweredrawnapeculiar
noisebrokethestillness,whichcausedReynoldstostart,forthesoundcame
fromtheoldprospector'slips.
"Me-o-o-o-ow.Me-o-o-o-ow.Bow-wow-wow.Bow-wow-wow."
Sounexpectedwasthisinterruptionthatallintheroomstaredinamazement,
andeventhefourangrymenturnedtoseewhencethesoundcame.Soperfect
wastheimitation,andsohumoroustheexpressionuponthefaceoftheoldman,
thattheonlookersburstintoaheartylaugh,whichcausedthefourinflamed
playerstoshuffleuneasily,andtolooksheepishlyatoneanother.Thentheir

mouthsexpandedintoagrin,andthestormwasover.
Thecurly-hairedmanatoncelefthisplaceandstrodeovertowherethe
prospectorwassitting.
"FrontierSamson!"heexclaimed,grippinghimfirmlybythehand."Isitreally
you?"
"Sure,it'sme,allright,Curly.Whoelsedidyethinkitwas;meghost?"


"NotwhenIheardthatcat-call,an'thebow-wow."
"Heard'embefore,eh?Guessthisisn'tthefirstscrapeI'vegotyeoutof,isit?"
"Shouldsaynot.Butwhereinh——didyedropfrom,Sam?Ididn'tknowye
wereonboard."
"Oh,I'mjistonavisitfromtheoutside.An'it'smightyluckythatI'mhere,or
elseIdon'tknowwhat'udhavehappened.Betterleavecardsalone,Curly,ifye
can'tplaywithoutfightin'.Theymakepeopleactlikeabunchofkids."
"Itwasthosed——fools'fault,though,Sam."
"Thar,now,don'tmakeexcusesan'blameothers,Curly.That'sjistwhatkids
allusdo.An'cutoutthemunholywords.Theremightbeaparsonaround."
Curlyflunghimselfdownuponaseat,andlightedacigarette.Hecastafurtive
glanceatReynolds,thinkingthatperhapshemightbethe"parson."
"Whathaveyebeendoin',Curly?"theoldmanasked."An'whywasyedriftin'
outunderthatfog-bank?Yenearlygotleft,letmetellyethat."
"Iknowwedid,andIthoughtthatd——,excuseme,Sam,"heapologized,ashe
againglancedtowardReynolds."Imean,Ithoughtthatthefog-bankwould
neverlift.We'vebeendoingsomeoftheislandsforseveralmonths."
"Strikeanything?"
"Nothing,an'nearlystarvedinthebargain.Ifithadn'tbeenferan
Indianmission,wewouldn'tbealivenow."
"Thenmissionariesareofsomeuseafterall,Curly.Youwasallushardon'em,if
Irememberright."

"Umph!They'reallrightwhenone'sstarving.Ifthey'donlyleavetheGospel
dopeout,itwouldn'tbesobad."
"Gotadoseofit,eh?"
"ShouldsayIdid.Morning,noonan'nightIhadtogotochurchwiththe


Indians.I'vehadenoughtolastmetherestofmelife.Say,weren'twegladtoget
away!"
"Goin'northagin?Ithoughtyewasthrough,upthar?"
"SodidI.ButweheardofthenewstrikeatBigDraw,an'decidedtotryourluck
oncemore."
"Thinkye'llhititthistime?"
"Ihopeso.Butitisn'taltogetherthegoldthat'stakingmeback.
There'ssomethingmoreattractive."
"SoIimagined."
"Ithoughtyouwouldunderstand."Curly'svoicewaseagernow."She'llnot
escapemethistime.Gad,she'sabeaut!Butaswildasahawk."
"An'soyethinkye'llcornerher,eh?"TherewasapeculiarnoteinSamson's
voicewhichReynoldswasquicktodetect,butwhichCurlymissed.
"Justyouwaitan'see,"thelatterreminded."Thatoldcussthinkshe'sgota
regularGibraltarbehindthosehillswithhislousyIndians.ButI'llshowhima
thingortwo."
"Ye'veneverbeenthar,haveye?"Samsonqueried.
"Never.Butthebirdcomesoutofhernestsometimes,yeknow,an'then——"
"You'llbethehawk,isthatit?"Samsonaskedastheotherpaused.
"Oh,I'llbearound,"Curlylaughed."Onedoesn'trunacrossthelikesofher
everyday,an'she'sthegoldI'mreallyafter."
"Wall,allIkinsayisthis,"theprospectorreplied,asheroseslowlytohisfeet,
"thatye'dbetterbemightykeerful,youngman.ThatGiberalter,asyecallit,is
guardedbyalionthatain'ttobefooledwith.He'sgotclawsthatreachfromsunuptosun-downasseveralsmarteronesthanyouhavefoundouttotheirsorrow.

Leavehimalone,an'he'llbothernobody.Butinterferewiththatlassofhis,an'
thehullnorthwon'tbebigenoughtohideye.That'smywarnin',an'ifyernota


foolye'llheedit."
Reynoldshadagoodlongsleepthatafternoon.Hehadbeenmuchdisturbedthe
nightbeforebyseveralmeninthenextroom,whoshoutedandsanguntilearly
morning.Duringtheeveninghewentoutupondeck,wellforward,ashewished
tobealone,andawayfromthemenwhoweredrinkingandgamblinginother
partsofthesteamer.Itwasabeautifulevening,withscarcelyarippledisturbing
thesurfaceofthewater.Theairwasmild,andwhenthesunwentdown,the
moonrosebigandcheeryabovethedensedarkforestawaytotheright.
ReynoldsthoughtovertheconversationhehadheardbetweenFrontierSamson
andthemanknownas"Curly."Thatthelatterwasascoundrelhehadnotthe
slightestdoubt.Hisfacealonewouldhavebetrayedhimevenifhehadnot
spokenaword.Hewascuriousconcerningthereferenceto"Gibraltar,"the
"lion,"andthe"lass."
Ashethussatandmused,listeningtothezip-zipofthevesselasitcutthrough
thewater,hismindnaturallydriftedofftoherofthestreetcrossingincident.He
wonderedwhathadbecomeofher.Whyhadshelefttherailinginsuchahurry,
andwhatwasthecauseofthesuddenpallorthathadcomeuponherface?Had
Curlyanythingtodowithheragitation,andwasitpossiblethatshewasthegirl
towhomhereferred?Asthisideaflashedintohismind,hesatboltuprightinhis
chair.Itdidseemreasonablewhenheconsideredit.Infact,itgavehimacertain
degreeofpleasureaswell.Ifhissuspicionsweretrue,thenthegirlneeded
protectionfromthatbrute,andwasitnothisdutytokeepasharplookout,andif
necessarytoprotectherfromallharm?
Andashethoughtofthis,thegirlherselfcameupondeck,andwalkedatonce
towardthebowclosetothetallflag-staff,whichpointedupwardslikea
quiveringslenderneedle.Reynoldscouldseeherplainlyasshestoodlooking

straightbeforeher.Acloakwasthrowncarelesslyoverhershoulders,andher
headwasbare.Whataperfectpictureofgracefulnessshepresentedtothe
admiringyoungmanashewatchedherbythelightofthefull-orbedmoon.How
helongedtogoforward,speaktoher,andlistentohervoice.But,no,hedidnot
daretodothat.Hemustadoreheratadistanceandwonderwhatshewas
thinkingabout.
Presentlyanidealeapedintohismindthatthrilledhisentirebeing.Hewas
pushingoutintotheGreatUnknown,withallitsdangersanduncertainties.But
standingtherebeforehimwashisguidingstar,theonegirlinalltheworldwho