“Why, we saw Monkey Rae trip up this man,” said Jack pointing to Swiftwater, “but we didn’t know it was Monkey then. It was a cowardly attack.”
“Well,” said Captain Huxley, “we’ll let the matter drop now, unless Swiftwater complains.”
“Not me,” said the miner, turning away. “I’ll see to this myself, later.”
“Not here, though,” said Captain Huxley, sternly.
“You can trust me, Captain,” replied Swiftwater, as he waved his hand to the boys and Colonel Snow, and walked away.
“And now,” said the Captain of the “Queen,” “I’m afraid we’ve missed the first bugle blast for breakfast, but I should be glad to have you, Colonel Snow and your young men join my table at meals for the voyage.”
This signal honor was highly appreciated by the boys, for at meals they were introduced to several territorial officials, capitalists and army officers, who, with the women of their families, were going in with the advent of Spring in Alaska. The tale of Rand’s feat had preceded them, and the poor fellow spent a rather uncomfortable and embarrassing half hour of compliments and congratulations from men whose experience had taught them to appreciate a gallant deed.
Colonel Snow finally came to Rand’s rescue by turning the talk to the rescued man.
“A great character, Swiftwater Jim, Captain Huxley?”
“Yes,” replied the commander of the “Queen,” “and Alaska history is full of his vagaries. He’s probably the best equipped prospector and all-round miner in the territory, but it does him no good. He has owned twenty mines, and has made a dozen fortunes and spent them all. Every time he makes a ‘stake’ as he calls it, he indulges in extravagances that make one doubt his sanity. He went out last fall with fifty thousand dollars in dust, and I dare say will be working for day wages when he gets back in.