The morning of their arrival at Skagway was gray and windy. The sea was rolling into the harbor in heavy, boisterous swells. The captain announced that he would not put off a boat until the sea subsided, as capsizing was certain in the heavy seas.
Tad, impatient, was standing at the rail when he saw Sandy Ketcham leap over the rail into the sea. The boy did not hesitate. He sprang to the rail and dived as far out as he could, striking a rod or so behind Ketcham. Then began a desperate race. But youth won, and Tad staggered out of the water a few moments ahead of his adversary and ran for the land office, Ketcham close behind him.
“I file the claim to Taku Pass in the name of 211Curtis Darwood and others,” shouted Tad, slapping the oilskin parcel on the desk. “That man’s an impostor. He destroyed our markers and erected his own on our claim.”
“It’s a lie!” yelled Sandy, making a leap for the boy.
There was a furious fight, in which the interested bystanders did not interfere. But at last Tad’s fist shot up in a vicious uppercut on the man’s chin, and Sandy Ketcham settled to the floor as the boy leaped out of the way.
“Have you filed the papers?” gasped Tad.
“Sure, boy! You’ve won the first round. The rest will be up to the government, but I guess you’ve got it clinched for all time.”
When Tad returned to Yakutat three government surveyors went with him to run the lines and definitely establish the claim. Sandy Ketcham also filed a claim, but Tad’s being the prior one the case would have to be decided by the proper government officials; though there was really no doubt of the outcome.
For a month after Tad Butler’s return the Pony Rider Boys stayed at Taku Pass, panning over a section allotted to them by the Gold Diggers, each filling a small sack with yellow dust and a few nuggets. In addition the Gold Diggers insisted that the boys and their tutor jointly should have a twentieth interest in the 212claims, which would undoubtedly give each a comfortable amount of wealth.
It was their last night in the camp and the boys and the Professor were talking over future plans.