Beadle's Boy's Library of Sport, Story, and Adventure, No. 37 — page 5: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Old Tar Knuckle and His Boy Chums. Yonkitt’s eyes gleamed wildly through the darkness. ‘* What you t’ink made themcry? What you t’ink?” he exclaimed. ‘‘We did not know; we thought some one was hurt, and—” ‘‘ No,” interrupted Yonkitt, ‘cry came from Esquimaux squaw—from mudder of dat bab Kouckle give der molass to, in wooden house,’ ' The speaker went on to explain that while the woman with her child, was < alpeaage 5 the shore to meet her husband, who was one of the men in the canoes that had just come to land, she had crossed the path of a huge sea-lion, which was making for the water. It is perilous to get in the way of one of these monsters at such a time, Before the woman could step aside, the crea- ture was upon her, knocking her down, and making a svap at her with its fangs. She rolled over to avoid it; then she heard a cry from the babe and to her horror, saw the lion snatch up the child, and make off with it—in his mouth! Then it was that she uttered the terrible cry which was heard. Springing up, she started in pursuit of the beast, and soon meeting Knuckle and his com- panions, she described what had peupenad. The lion with his prey bad disappeared among the rocks, A long but useless search was made for him. Once Knuckle thought he saw him, and fired his pistol, but he soon dis- covered his mistake, the thing aimed at proving to be only a common seal near the water. ‘At last,” continued Yonkitt, ‘‘ Knuckle tell me bet- ter go for boys on iceberg, while he stay and still help Esquimaux hunt for lion wid baby.” Nye shuddered. ‘*The poor thing is probably devoured by this time,” he said. ‘Don’t know; hope not,” answered Yonkitt. “‘ And now me tell you how line fast to berg on which you were come out. ay lookin’ for baby, find line in her way. She half crazy— she not stop to ask question; she cut line quickee wid her knife.” Not long after, the canoe gained the beach. The three occupants could see the outlines of the Esquimaux, and could hear their voices, as they searched in vain for the lost child, Finally the gleam of torches, which had been brought from the settlement, lighted the gloom, and the form of the poor mother, as oa ran hither and thither, peering among the rocks and rending the air with cries of anguish, was a sad spectacle to behold. At last old Knuckle, panting with his exer- tions, appeared before the boys. ‘* Ay, ay,” he said, “‘it’stoo bad. I’m afeared the youngster will never be found. I’m goin’ to help ‘em continue the s’arch in the morning ” The sailors, keeping along the coast in the whale-boat, soon reached the landing-place, near the hollow rock opposite the little dwel- ling. Having put the boat in its place, they en- tered the building and ligbted a lamp. ‘*Halloa!” cried Knuckle, ‘‘what does this mean?” In fact, one of the windows was open—or rather, it had been broken in by some heavy in- strument! “‘ Ay, what can it mean?” echoed Hasler. ‘‘There has been a robbery!” declared the old sailor. “Ay, blast my eyes! this is no better than a civilized country, arter all!” Taking the light, he entered the room where the provisions were kept. ‘[wo of the hams and all of the flour were gone. The jug of mo- lasses was also missing. ‘“Who are the thieves?—that’s the question!” demanded Nye. ‘It’s plain enough to be seen—the Skeemos, F of course,” was Knuckle’s response. ‘You not sure,” demurred Yonkitt. «‘ Who else could have done it?” ‘*Don’t know; but don’t think Esquimaux take provision.” aS Well,” said the old tar, *‘ we'll have to look into this thing. I'll have to speak to your peo- le about it. By the everlastin’ codfish!” added nuckle, suddenly; ‘‘ I hope they haven’t med- dled with the rum!” Running to the cupboard, he was glad to per- -aeive that the liquor remained unmolested —— the coil of rigging where he had placed it. co prepared some hot rum, and gave a little e. - That'l do you good arter your hardship,” he said to Charfey. “Tn fact, it would do us all good for that matter!” added Knuckle wist- fully. “Help yourself, then,” ordered Nye, “ and give some to Youkitt and Hasler.” ‘“*No,” demurred the old tar. ‘‘ Honesty is honesty, and I must keepmy word. I promised the captain I would keep this as medicine for you. rs Nye could not change his resolution; the old tar put away the bottle, and set about preparin supper. ext morning, after a refreshing sleep, the parte rose early. ‘I’m goin’ to hel baby,” announced Knuckle. ‘* You may go along if you like, lads. You, Yonkitt, must stay and watch the house,” s Ay, ay, sir,” answered Yonkitt, a little sul- enly. It was evident he did not like the suspicion Knuckle expressed the night before about his | people. “Are you going tospeak to the Esquimaux about the robbery?” inquired Hasler, as the trio walked toward the settlement. ‘* Not till arter the babe is found,” said the mate—‘ leastways, not until the hunt for it is given up. In t’other words,” added Knuckle, by way of comparison, ‘‘ when the strand is ready to snap, it’s best to slack up, instead of givin’ an extra twist with the marlinspike.” A large party of Esquimaux were seen ahead, already searching among the rocks along the coast, The mother of the lost child was there, and also her daughter—an Esquimaux girl of fifteen, whose name was Ingluk. With her dark eyes and smooth cheeks, this girl was rather pretty, in spite of her swarthy skin and clumsy attire, Knuckle and his two companions joined the natives in the search. The old tar, and each of the ee carried a strong club. During the hunt, they found themselves on the shores of a small bay, with a line of rocks extending, in broken masses, about a hundred yards from the water, They perceived that these rocks contained many hollows, in front of which were several packs of seals. The uncouth-looking monsters were of a brown and white color, and each pack was closely huddled together. The moment the sailors appeared the animals raised their heads, aud uttered discordant cries something between the barking of a dog and the howling of a wolf. Two huge, grim looking sea-lions sat like sentries a few yards away in front of the pack. They showed their fangs, and sent forth deep, ae roars, while their eyes blazed like balls of fire. The bodies of the lions were full fifteen feet long, they had thick manes, long bristles stood out from under their flat noses, their heads were broad and massive, and their eyes were round, bright and fierce. ‘“We haven’t looked in those hollows yet,” and Knuckle pointed toward the rocks, ‘‘No,” responded young Nye. ‘We will have to pass through the pack of seals to reach those rocks.” As he spoke some of the Esqui- maux, who kad heard the noise made by the seals, joined the sailors. On seeing the animals, they advanced toward them, their bone lances held ready for SaTeing. They moved slowly and cautiously, Knuck and the two boys keeping up with them. Each of the lads, imitating the old tar’s example, — ready the club with which he was pro- vided, The party were within ten feet of the animals when, all at once, one of the packs headed by the lions rushed toward them,* making for the water. To oppose the progress of these rushing, leap- ing monsters was impossible, and the Esqui- maux at once resorted to the manner which is always adopted by sealers under similar cir- cumstances, Throwing themselves down flat, they lay motionless, in which position the seals passed over, without offering to harm them. Had they remained upright, the creatnres would have torn them to pieces with their fangs. | Knuckle had motioned to the boys to imitate the natives’ example, The old tar and_ bis young companions lay flat and still, but the lads could hardly repress a shudder as the slimy creatures sprung over them. The moment the animals had \passed and taken to the water, the uimaux rose. As- sisted by Knuckle and the boys, they attacked such of the seals as remained, the sailors using their clubs and the natives their lances. One blow with the club over the bridge of the nose is sufficient to kill a seal. ‘‘They’ll give us some skins to save for Cap- tain Stone,” said Knuckle, as he pointed at the animals he had killed. Those being fur-seals, hunt for the Esquimaux | naan were more valuable than the others, which were hair seals. Ingluk, the Esquimaux girl, who had closely followed her people, and who had kept near young Nye, while he struck down the seals, now darted into one of the caves in the rocks. ‘‘Come, lads, let’s follow,” said Knuckle, ‘and see if we can find that poor babe, or, at any rate, what’s left of it.” The three entered the cave, and advancing, looked carefully around them. Nye, seeing a narrow, rocky passage, leading from the main cave, turned off in this direction, | thus separating from his companions, who passed on. | He had advanced about ten paces when he seven feet high and ten feet broad, dimly lighted by crevices in the roof above, He had crossed to the a iy side of this cavern, when he was startled by a deep, guttural roar. Then he noticed what had at first escaped his attention—the huge body, massive hairy head, and fierce, gleaming eyes of a sea-lion near one of the rity walls of this retreat, The monster faced an alcove, in which, to the boy’s dismay, be could dimly desery the form of Ingluk, who, now being cornered by the lion so that she could not pass it, was certainly ina portian of great peril. Having no arms with 1er—not even a knife or a club, she could do nothing to defend herself against the savage beast, which, with elevated neck and fangs revealed, was evidently about to spring upon her. Hitherto she had uttered no cry, but the mo- ment she perceived that Charley noticed her she shook her bead, said something in a low voice, and motioned toward the rocky passage, robably as an intimation to him not to attempt er rescue without the assistance of others, But Nye realized at once that he could not wait for his friends if he would save the life of the girl, to do which prompt action was neces- sary. Calling out with all his might for Knuckle and Hasler, the boy sprung at the sea-lion, and dealt it a blow on the head with his club. But the blow was not given in the right quarter; the monster seemed but little hurt, and now turned with fury upon its assailant. As it came toward him, Nye struck at it again hitting it on the jaw. In an instant the from the boys’ creature had the club in its mouth, jerked it grasp, and biting it in twain, as if it had been a mere wisp of straw, the brute dropped the pieces at the feet of the outh. 4 The latter now raised his knife but, ere he could use it, the savage beast knocked him down, and he felt its cold, slimy form pressing on his breast. Glaring down at him a moment, the monster opened its fangs and thrust them toward the throat.of the young sailor. The latter plunged his knife to the haft in the thick neck of the brute, which, with a horrible roar, and with the blood running down its mane then gave its head an upward fling thus yee, the knife from the grasp of its adversary, and sending it flying into the alcove. Down came its fangs again, when, with a wild cry, Ingluk, who had icked up the knife, sprung forward lunging he blade again and again into the side of the creature’s neck. The beast raised its head, its pes glaring horribly, and its teeth, being now fixed in the boy’s neck-tie, the youth was lifted with it, his face pressed against the grim visage of the monster, whose hot breath he could feel upon his cheek. , With a supple twist of its powerful form the brute knocked Ingluk down; then dasbing Charley to the floor, the infuriated creature was about to drive its fangs deep into his throat when Knuckle followed by Hasler, came bound- ing into the cavern and with his club dealt,the monster a tremendous crusbing blow over the bridge of the nose. The old mate who was an experienced sealer, had struck the fatal life-spot, and the lion, opening wide its mouth, uttering one wild pro- longed cry, something between a scream and a at, fell, with a heavy thud upon its side, stone ead. ‘Flukes and flippers!” cried Knuckle, as Charley rose. ‘1 hope you are not quite dead, yet, my lad!” . “Thank you, not quite /” assured Nye, as he rubbed his bruised head. Ingluk stepping forward, looked Se at the “asap i en ne said vg ae Ph sige ickly, and pressed and than y, after which she glided out of the cavern, 5 found himself in another rocky chamber about » GComicboo Cc S €o