Part 10 (1/2)
”Andrew and I are on our way to the _Oklahoma_, the steams.h.i.+p frozen in the ice below here.”
”How far?” asked the Boy.
”About seven miles below the Russian mission, and a mile or so up the Kuskoquim Slough.”
”Wrecked there?”
”Oh no. Gone into winter quarters.”
”In a slew?” for it was so Father Wills p.r.o.nounced s-l-o-u-g-h.
”Oh, that's what they call a blind river up in this country. They come into the big streams every here and there, and cheechalkos are always mistaking them for the main channel. Sometimes they're wider and deeper for a mile or so than the river proper, but before you know it they land you in a marsh. This place I'm going to, a little way up the Kuskoquim, out of danger when the ice breaks up, has been chosen for a new station by the N. A. T. and T. Company--rival, you know, to the old-established Alaska Commercial, that inherited the Russian fur monopoly and controlled the seal and salmon trade so long. Well, the younger company runs the old one hard, and they've sent this steamer into winter quarters loaded with provisions, ready to start for Dawson the instant the ice goes out.”
”Why, then, it's the very boat that'll be takin' us to the Klond.y.k.e.”
”You just goin' down to have a look at her?” asked Potts enviously.
”No. I go to get relief for the Pymeuts.”
”What's the matter with 'em?”
”Epidemic all summer, starvation now.”
”Guess you won't find _any_body's got such a lot he wants to give it away to the Indians.”
”Our Father Superior has given much,” said the priest gently; ”but we are not inexhaustible at Holy Cross. And the long winter is before us.
Many of the supply steamers have failed to get in, and the country is flooded with gold-seekers. There'll be wide-spread want this year--terrible suffering all up and down the river.”
”The more reason for people to hold on to what they've got. A white man's worth more 'n an Indian.”
The priest's face showed no anger, not even coldness.
”White men have got a great deal out of Alaska and as yet done little but harm here. The government ought to help the natives, and we believe the Government will. All we ask of the captain of the _Oklahoma_ is to sell us, on fair terms, a certain supply, we a.s.suming part of the risk, and both of us looking to the Government to make it good.”
”Reckon you'll find that steamer-load down in the ice is worth its weight in gold,” said Potts.
”One must always try,” replied the Father.
He left the doorpost, straightened his bowed back, and laid a hand on the wooden latch.
”But Nicholas--when you left Pymeut was he--” began the Boy.
”Oh, he is all right,” the Father smiled and nodded. ”Brother Paul has been looking after Nicholas's father. The old chief has enough food, but he has been very ill. By the way, have you any letters you want to send out?”
”Oh, if we'd only known!” was the general chorus; and Potts flew to close and stamp one he had hardly more than begun to the future Mrs.
Potts.
The Boy had thoughtlessly opened the door to have a look at the dogs.
”Shut that da--Don't keep the door open!” howled Potts, trying to hold his precious letter down on the table while he added ”only two words.”