“So he will,” said Phil, brightening, “for I left a note for him in Victoria, telling him just what I intended to do.”
“Did you inform him that you proposed to become a seal-hunter, and then turn into a pirate, and then get cast away on Oonimak Island, and get lost among the sea-otters, and captured by a revenue-cutter, and be delivered to him in irons?” asked the captain, gravely.
“No, sir, not just that in detail,” laughed Phil. “I left most of it to be understood.”
“Well, I only hope he’ll understand it. By-the-way, Serge, I’ve a bit of news that will interest you to the extent of nearly a thousand dollars. Do you remember showing me once a very curiously carved fur-seal’s tooth that had been presented to your father by a Chilkat chief?”
“Yes, sir, I remember it well.”
“Well, those Indians have been having very bad luck lately with their fishing, trading, and one thing or another, and have decided that it is all owing to the fact that they allowed that magic talisman, as they regard it, to pass out of their possession. So they sent a delegation down to Sitka to try and recover it from your mother. I saw them there last week, and they were terribly in earnest about getting it. They even offered your mother as high as ten of their finest old-time dance-blankets for it, and you know those are now worth anywhere from seventy to one hundred dollars apiece. Your mother told them that you had it, and had taken it with you on a long voyage. She said, though, that she had no doubt you would sell it to them on your return, and that you were expected back every day. So they are waiting for you, and you may look forward to a very savage demonstration of welcome the moment you set foot on Sitka wharf. Have you the tooth with you? I should like to see it again.”
“No,” answered Serge, slowly; “I gave it away.”
“You don’t say so! How could you be so foolish? To whom did you give it?”
“To one who proved my best friend in a strange country,” replied Serge, nodding significantly in Phil’s direction.
“Oh!” exclaimed the captain, in a relieved tone. “So you are the lucky possessor of the magic tooth, are you, Master Phil? Then our Chilkat friends must drive their bargain with you. Would you mind allowing me to have it a moment? I want my daughter to see it; for, on account of its history and associations, I regard it as one of the most interesting of Alaskan curios.”