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32 chapters
CHAPTER I—DISMISSED
CHAPTER I—DISMISSED
The big liner’s smoke streamed straight astern, staining the soft blue of the sky, as, throbbing gently to her engines’ stroke, she clove her way through the smooth heave of the North Pacific. Foam blazed with phosphorescent flame beneath her lofty bows and, streaking with green and gold scintillations the long line of hull that gleamed ivory-white in the light of a half moon, boiled up again in fiery splendor in the wake of the twin screws. Mastheads and tall yellow funnels raked across the sky
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CHAPTER II—A NEW VENTURE
CHAPTER II—A NEW VENTURE
“Hank,” Bethune drawled, after watching Moran for several minutes, “you Maritime Provinces people are a hard and obstinate lot, but you won’t get the plank in that way if you stick at it until to-morrow.” Moran looked up with the sweat dripping from his brow. “I surely hate to be beat,” he admitted. “I can spring her plumb up lengthways, but her edges won’t bend into the frames.” “Exactly. This isn’t a cod-fishing dory or a lobster punt. Take your plane and hollow the plank up the middle.” After
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CHAPTER III—THE FURY OF THE SEA
CHAPTER III—THE FURY OF THE SEA
“It doesn’t look promising,” Jimmy answered. “If time wasn’t an object, I’d like the topsail down. We’ll have wind before morning.” “That’s my opinion; but time is an object. When the cost of every day out is an item to be considered, we must drive her. Have you reckoned up what we’re paying every week to the ship-chandler fellow who found us the cables and diving gear?” “I haven’t; his terms were daunting enough as a whole without analyzing them. Have you?” Bethune chuckled. “I have the cost of
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CHAPTER IV—THE ISLAND
CHAPTER IV—THE ISLAND
“Pretty good shelter in the bight in about two fathoms. Watch out to starboard and the reef will show you where she is.” Jimmy turned his eyes in that direction, but saw nothing for a minute. Then the swell, which ran after them in long undulations nearly as smooth as oil, suddenly boiled in a white upheaval, and a cloud of fine spray was thrown up as by a geyser. “One can understand the old steamboat’s breaking her back,” he said. “Where’s she lying?” “Not far ahead; but by the height of the wa
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CHAPTER V—AN INTERRUPTION
CHAPTER V—AN INTERRUPTION
Bethune had gone below and Jimmy was turning the crank of the pump when a dull, throbbing sound came out of the mist. Moran looked up sharply. “That blame steamboat is coming here!” he cried, diving into the cabin to get their glasses. The measured thud of engines was plainly distinguishable with the roar of water flung off the bows. Jimmy supposed the clank of the pump had prevented their hearing it before. “She’s pretty close! Keep turning, but bring him up; you have the line!” Moran exclaimed
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CHAPTER VI—BLOWN OFF
CHAPTER VI—BLOWN OFF
“We ought to tie two reefs in the mainsail handy, but I feel played out, and the breeze may not come before morning. It strikes me the most important thing is the question of grub. We can’t hang on much longer if that flour’s too bad to eat. I can’t see how it went so moldy in a day or two. You can leave a flour-bag in the water for quite a while and then find the stuff all right except for an inch on the outside.” “That’s so,” Jimmy put in. “My notion is that the flour was bad when we got it. T
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CHAPTER VII—GRUBSTAKED
CHAPTER VII—GRUBSTAKED
“Jefferson’s; three blocks farther on. He’s been here since the mills were started.” “Is it necessary to go to the best store?” Jimmy inquired as they went on. Bethune laughed. “Oh, no! Now that we’ve found out which it is, we can try somewhere else. I’ve a suspicion that our business won’t have much attraction for a prosperous dealer who can choose his customers. It’s the struggling man who’s readiest to take a risk.” “We’ll leave it to you,” Jimmy said confidently. Bethune had arranged their c
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CHAPTER VIII—PUZZLING QUESTIONS
CHAPTER VIII—PUZZLING QUESTIONS
“Well, dear,” she said, “this is a pretty place; and your father’s affairs have evidently improved. It’s sad your dear mother didn’t live to enjoy it.” Though her dress and appearance were provincial, the austere simplicity of her manner had in it something of distinction, and her accent was singularly clean. Ruth looked up at her with an air of thoughtful regret. “Yes; I often feel that, when I think of the hard struggle she must have had. Though I was very young then, I can remember the shabby
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CHAPTER IX—THE MINE AT SNOWY CREEK
CHAPTER IX—THE MINE AT SNOWY CREEK
Ruth grew somewhat uneasy beneath his amused glance. Her father was shrewd, and she was not prepared to acknowledge that she had influenced Aynsley. “But don’t you think Aynsley’s right?” she asked. “Oh, yes; in a sense. We admire industrial enterprise, and on the whole that’s good; but I’ve sometimes thought that our bush ranchers and prospectors, who, while assisting in it, keep a little in advance of civilized progress, show sound judgment. It’s no doubt proper to turn the beauty of our count
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CHAPTER X—THE WRECK OF THE KANAWHA
CHAPTER X—THE WRECK OF THE KANAWHA
“Well,” he began, “some time after the Klondyke rush started, when gold had been found freely on American as well as Canadian soil, I went up to Alaska to re-locate the mine. Clay had gone north before this, but not as a miner—he said it was cheaper to let somebody else dig the gold for him. He had a share in a wooden steamboat, started a transport service to several mining camps, and financed prospectors who made lucky finds. Everything he touched prospered, and the man was popular where the ca
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CHAPTER XI—FATHER AND SON
CHAPTER XI—FATHER AND SON
“At least, he has done no harm.” “That’s a very negative virtue. It isn’t thought highly of in this country.” “I told him not long ago that he ought to work,” Ruth replied in unguarded confidence. “It will be interesting to see if he follows your advice. His friends have been urging the course for several years without much effect.” “He means to take charge of the Canadian mill; but, of course, he may have a number of reasons for doing so,” Ruth added hastily. Osborne made no comment. Of late, h
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CHAPTER XII—READY FOR THE FRAY
CHAPTER XII—READY FOR THE FRAY
“You’ve hit it,” Clay answered in a confidential tone. “I’m a bit worried about things; but I’ve spent the last two days wondering whether I’d go or not.” He was seldom so undecided, but Osborne thought he understood. “It looks as if the unions meant business,” he said, “and in this agitation against alien labor they seem to have public sympathy. Have you any Japs at the mill?” “I believe so. That’s partly why I’m going. Until I read the papers this morning I thought I’d stay away. I figured it
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CHAPTER XIII—THE REPULSE
CHAPTER XIII—THE REPULSE
“The Japs wouldn’t go?” “No, sir; they allowed they meant to hold their job; and the boys didn’t make a good show when they tried to chase them off. Then, as they were getting other work into their hands, the trouble spread. The city’s surely full of foreigners.” “You had a pretty big row a day or two ago.” “We certainly had,” the driver agreed, and added, after a pause during which he avoided a deep rut, “The boys had fixed it up to run every blamed Asiatic out of the place.” “I understand they
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CHAPTER XIV—FIGHTING FOR A LIFE
CHAPTER XIV—FIGHTING FOR A LIFE
“I’ll see what the doctor thinks; but there’s the difficulty that I don’t know where to take you. You wouldn’t be much quieter in Seattle. It’s curious, now I think of it, that I haven’t had a home for a good many years, though I didn’t seem to miss it until this thing happened.” Aynsley made a sign of languid agreement. He could not remember his mother, and his father had not kept house within his recollection. For the last few years he had rented luxurious rooms in a big hotel which Aynsley sh
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CHAPTER XV—ILLUMINATION
CHAPTER XV—ILLUMINATION
She looked up abruptly, for her thoughts had been far away and he had held no place in them. “I suppose you must go when you are strong enough,” she answered rather absently. “Still, you have not recovered, and perhaps they can get on without you.” This was not encouraging. Her tone was kind, but she had shown no anxiety to detain him, and if she had wished to do so it would have been easy to give him a hint. For all that, he must learn his fate. “It’s possible; in fact, I’ve a suspicion that th
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CHAPTER XVI—A GHOST OF THE PAST
CHAPTER XVI—A GHOST OF THE PAST
“No doubt, but it has its disadvantages now and then, as you would agree if a crowd of savage strikers had chased you about your mill. Then, if it weren’t for my business ties, I’d send the captain word to get steam up on the yacht, and take you all to the land of mist and glaciers, where you can get fresh air to breathe.” “Wouldn’t you miss the comforts, though I dare say you call them necessities, that surround you here? One understands that people live plainly in Alaska.” Miss Dexter indicate
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CHAPTER XVII—THE STRONG-ROOM
CHAPTER XVII—THE STRONG-ROOM
He attacked the nearest with his shovel, using force when he found a purchase, but the timber proved to be firmly mortised in. He lost count of time as he struggled to prize it out, and did not stop until he grew distressed from the pressure. His heart was beating hard and his breath difficult to get, but the beam still defied him. Making his way out of the hold, he stumbled forward toward the ladder; and when his comrades removed his helmet on board the sloop, he sat still for a few moments to
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CHAPTER XVIII—BOGUS GOLD
CHAPTER XVIII—BOGUS GOLD
The days were rapidly shortening, and the light was growing dim. The horizon seemed to be creeping in on them, obscured by smoky fog, which stirred and wreathed about as the wind sprang up. Small ripples were splashing round the sloop, and the swell was steeper. “I hope Hank will manage to sling that box,” Jimmy said to Bethune, who nodded as he steadily turned the pump. “We may get another turn or two, but that will be all. There’s a breeze behind the heave that’s working in.” Neither of them s
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CHAPTER XIX—A DANGEROUS SECRET
CHAPTER XIX—A DANGEROUS SECRET
“That raises another point,” asserted Bethune. “What we do with her now depends on our plans for the future, and they’re not made yet.” “Then suppose we consider that you’re going back to try again in the spring?” Jimmy looked at Mrs. Jaques, and fancied that her expression was encouraging. “You’re taking it for granted that we can get out of debt. If such a thing were possible, we’d haul her up and strip her for the winter with the first big tides.” “Not here,” Jaques said pointedly. “For one t
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CHAPTER XX—HOUNDED
CHAPTER XX—HOUNDED
Though the incident was not of an unusual character, Jimmy sat down limply in the wet fern to recover breath, and he was still resting when the foreman came up and beckoned him. “We’ll not want you and your partner after to-night,” he said abruptly. Jimmy looked at him in surprise. “As you haven’t found any fault with us, might one ask the reason?” “You might; but I can’t tell you. There it is—you’re fired. I’ve got my orders.” The Canadian is often laconic, and Jimmy nodded. “Very well,” he sai
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CHAPTER XXI—JIMMY’S EMBARRASSMENT
CHAPTER XXI—JIMMY’S EMBARRASSMENT
Jimmy turned, thrilled but embarrassed, and Ruth smiled at him. “I can’t compliment you upon your memory,” she said. Jimmy saw that the other men were regarding them curiously. He was not surprised, for Ruth had a well-bred air and her dress indicated wealth and refinement, while his appearance was greatly against him; but it was insufferable that those fellows should speculate about her, and he moved slowly forward. “I think my memory’s pretty good,” he answered with a steady glance. “That make
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CHAPTER XXII—A WARNING
CHAPTER XXII—A WARNING
Osborne flung up his head, and his eyes narrowed. “I can’t discuss—” “It has to be discussed,” Clay interrupted. “You can’t have that man at your house: he’s one of the fellows who were working at the wreck.” “Ah! That makes a difference, of course. I suppose you have been on their trail, but you have told me nothing about it yet.” “I had a suspicion that you didn’t want to know. You’re a fastidious fellow, you know, and I suspected that you’d rather leave a mean job of that kind to me.” “You’re
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CHAPTER XXIII—THE FIRST ATTACK
CHAPTER XXIII—THE FIRST ATTACK
“I’m often in trouble, ma’am, and find I can’t fight on coffee and ice-water,” he explained humorously. “Perhaps that’s one of their advantages,” Miss Dexter replied. “But as we’re not quarrelsome people, you ought to enjoy a few days’ peace.” “That’s so. I guess I warmed up over telling your brother-in-law about my latest battle.” He turned to Osborne. “Frame and Nesbitt were in this morning, ready to take what I’d give them on their knees. Fletcher came and tried to bluff, but he wilted when I
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CHAPTER XXIV—THE GIRL IN THE BOAT
CHAPTER XXIV—THE GIRL IN THE BOAT
“What’s your opinion?” “Perhaps it might be wiser to take no notice of the invitation; but I don’t know. I’d like to see the fellow and hear what he has to say. It’s curious that we haven’t met him yet, though we have felt his influence.” “Anyway, I’m not going alone. I might make a mess of things; he’s evidently a cunning rogue. If you think it’s wise to see him, you’ll have to come.” “We’ll all go,” said Bethune with a grin. “I believe he knows us already, and he won’t get much out of Hank.” “
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CHAPTER XXV—PAYING A DEBT
CHAPTER XXV—PAYING A DEBT
“There was a time when I didn’t expect to hear you talk like that. However, you have a pretty good mill-boss and secretary, haven’t you? Do you think you could leave them to look after matters for a little while?” “I suppose I could,” Aynsley answered dubiously. “They know more about the business than I do; but, for all that, I’d rather be on the spot. Things seem to go wrong unless you look closely after them.” “They do; you’re learning fast, my son. It looks as if the mill is getting hold of y
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CHAPTER XXVI—AN UNEXPECTED DELAY
CHAPTER XXVI—AN UNEXPECTED DELAY
“Then we can wait until it clears. Keep her going at her best clip to please me.” Aynsley promised to do so, though his father’s eagerness made him thoughtful. As a matter of fact, Clay was tensely impatient to begin work on the wreck. He had so far never spoiled an undertaking by undue haste, but he had now a foreboding that if he delayed his attempt he might be too late. His life was threatened, and he must finish the work he had on hand while there was an opportunity. When they lost sight of
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CHAPTER XXVII—ON THE BEACH
CHAPTER XXVII—ON THE BEACH
“If you’d been a lobster fisher, you wouldn’t have had any,” Moran remarked. “I expect that’s true,” Bethune laughed. “No doubt it depends on the way one is brought up; but you don’t often surprise us with these reflections. Anyway, I can’t help thinking of our opponent sitting at the saloon table on board his yacht with a smart steward waiting to bring him what he wants, while we squat over our tin plates in the cubby-hole with our knees against the centerboard trunk and our heads among the bea
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CHAPTER XXVIII—A TRUCE
CHAPTER XXVIII—A TRUCE
“The matter needs thinking over, and we’ll wait a bit for a better view,” he said. “It doesn’t look as if we could get to work just yet, and if any big floes drove across the banks at high-water, we’d be awkwardly placed in the bight. On the other hand, the ice will probably hang about until a strong breeze breaks it up, and I don’t want to keep the sea in wild weather while it’s in the neighborhood. The fog comes down thick and the nights are still dark.” The others agreed to this and were afte
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CHAPTER XXIX—THE HIDDEN GOLD
CHAPTER XXIX—THE HIDDEN GOLD
“We can promise that,” said Jimmy. “It looks as if you knew nothing about the business.” “I don’t. And, more than that, I have no wish to learn anything.” “We’re not in a position to tell you much if you pressed us; but it struck us that your father wasn’t looking very fit, and it might be better if you stopped him from going down.” “I can’t,” Aynsley answered with a smile. “I’m afraid I haven’t much control over him.” Early in the evening Clay came on board and sat in the cockpit while the men
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CHAPTER XXX—THE LAST OF THE WRECK
CHAPTER XXX—THE LAST OF THE WRECK
“Sure!” smiled Bethune. “It’s safe under the floorings and heavy enough to make the salvage worth having. But I came down to bring you this note from Aynsley. One of his men brought it and his gig’s waiting alongside.” Jimmy opened the note and read it aloud in the dim light of the cabin. “I shall consider it a favor if you will come across at once. My father seems very ill and he insists on seeing you.” “I’d better go,” Jimmy said. “After all, we couldn’t have got the case without his help, and
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CHAPTER XXXI—A GIFT FROM THE DEAD
CHAPTER XXXI—A GIFT FROM THE DEAD
Bethune leaned forward with a thoughtful air. “In the first place, the matter is not so simple as it looks. We don’t know the whole story of the wreck, and I’m inclined to think we’ll never learn it. On the other hand, there’s much to be guessed, and one could form a theory which would be rather hard to contradict. In fact, except for certain prejudices, I believe we could make some money out of it.” “You can call them prejudices, if you like,” Mrs. Jaques broke in. “For all that, it would be wi
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CHAPTER XXXII—THE BARRIERS GO DOWN
CHAPTER XXXII—THE BARRIERS GO DOWN
“I am glad you have come at last. It is pleasant to know that you have got back safely.” She pouted prettily. “No doubt you had some business with my father, which explains the visit.” “It gave me an excuse for doing what I wished.” “Did you need an excuse? We gave you an open invitation.” “I felt that I did,” Jimmy answered slowly; and Ruth understood. He was diffident but proud, and shrank from entering her circle by favor. She preferred that he should regard her, however, not as the daughter
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