THE ROYAL BOUNTY
The _Northern Packet_, the little flat-bottom, stern-wheel steamer, had
made a notable trip up the Heena River. She was the first that had ever
ploughed the waters of this crooked stream. Every foot of the way she
had to contend with the swift current, and there was constant danger
from sandbars, which, like long fingers, were thrust out below the
surface. No pilot had hitherto navigated that river, and great care had
to be exercised.
Thus for several days the steamer nosed her way into the wilderness. Her
incessant wheezing and puffing startled the wary denizens of the region.
Rabbits scurried away in affright; foxes hurried off under cover; moose,
grazing in wild meadows, lifted their great heads, stared for an instant
at the strange monster on the river, snorted, and with long, swinging
strides sought refuge among the tall trees.
But the _Northern Packet_ was well accustomed to startling the creatures
of the wilderness. She had been doing it on her long, tedious run of
over two thousand miles up the mighty Yukon River. It was not the first
time that she had done so, either. Hers were the first blasts which had
awakened the silence of the land for several years past. She had made it
a point to be the first steamer to contend with running ice, and other
dangers of that northern stream, to carry supplies to lone miners and
prospectors encamped along the banks. No sound was so welcome to the
weary watchers as her hoarse whistle, and no sight so dear to straining
eyes as her scarred prow breasting the racing stream.
But never before had the _Northern Packet_ started upon such an
uncertain venture as the run up the Heena to the Klutana Lake. Neither
had she ever carried such a throng of excited and anxious men as those
which now crowded her almost to overflowing. Word of the new strike had
drifted down the Yukon, and by the time the steamer reached Rapid City
it looked as if she could carry no more. But in some mysterious manner
room was made. There was no limit set by stern authority as to the
number of passengers she should carry. It was simply climb on board and
room would be made somehow. All the freight which had been consigned for
points farther down river was still on board, and this took up
considerable space on the lower deck. But wherever there was a nook some
one was stowed, and at night those who could not curl themselves up on
the floor were forced to stand and wait their turn. But notwithstanding
the inconveniences a remarkable spirit of harmony prevailed. Those who
had already staked their claims were looking eagerly forward to large
cleanups, while those who had never been up the river before were
greatly encouraged by the reports they heard of the richness of the
land.
Dick Russell was as anxious as any of the men on the steamer to reach
Lake Klutana. It was not the gold he craved to see, but the young woman
whose face was enshrined in his heart. He was somewhat worried for her
sake. He feared the crowd of men thronging the boat. Some of them, he
knew, were Nature's gentlemen, but there were others who could not be
trusted. He believed that it would be necessary to keep a strict watch
upon "The Twins." That they had some mischief in their minds he was
quite certain, and it was only natural that he should think of Nance. As
for the newcomers, who came from the lower river, he knew very little
about them. He had overheard some of them talking, however, and the
stories they had told filled him with apprehension. He was determined,
at any rate, to put Nance on her guard against such men, and to protect
her from any injury.
He was standing on deck, well forward, when the _Northern Packet_
steamed out of the Heena into Lake Klutana. Eagerly he strained his eyes
for the first glimpse of the little cabin nestling on the bank among the
trees. When the loud, coarse blasts of the whistle rent the air he saw
the Indians running to the shore in amazement. Then as the steamer swept
forward Martin's house appeared to view, and in a few minutes he was
able to see two figures standing in the doorway.
There was much excitement on board as the steamer slowed down, drifted
slowly into shore, and her bow ran gently upon the sand and gravel right
in front of Martin's house. Then ensued a wild scramble for the shore,
but Dick was the first to land, and without waiting an instant he ran
swiftly up the slope straight toward Nance. The expression upon the
latter's face was one of supreme joy as she held out her hands to the
young man.
"My! it's good to be back," Dick panted, as he took her hand in his.
"How are you, sir?" and he turned to Martin.
"Well, very well," was the somewhat reluctant reply. Martin then
relapsed into silence, and stood watching the miners scrambling off the
steamer.
But various conflicting emotions were disturbing Martin's heart. He
longed to turn upon the visitor and drive him away from the place. The
look of happiness in Nance's eyes, however, deterred him from action.
How could he bring sorrow to her who was dearer to him than life itself?
He was standing thus uncertain what to do, when a cry of pain down by
the shore caused the three to turn quickly in the direction from whence
the sound came. There was excitement there, and the men were gathered
around some object, and were talking in a most excited manner.
Fearing that something was seriously the matter, Dick left Nance, and
hurried at once to the spot.
"What's wrong?" he asked of those standing on the outskirts of the
crowd.
"Pete Larsen's hurt," was the reply. "In jumping from the boat his foot
caught, and he came down hard on the ground."
Dick at once pushed his way through the crowd, and those gathered about
the unfortunate man fell back a little as he approached.
"It's his leg," Dick explained, after he had made a brief examination.
"I'm afraid it's broken. We must get him away from here as soon as
possible."
"Put him back on the steamer," was the suggestion of several. "He can go
down to the mission station. They'll look after him there better than we
can."
"No, no!" moaned the injured man. "For God's sake, let me stay! I must
stake my claim."
"Guess he'll have to stay," spoke up the captain of the _Packet_. "We
couldn't do anything with him on board. He needs attention at once, and
more than we can give him."
"You are right," Dick replied. "He must remain here. We'll look after
you, Pete, so don't worry."
By this time Martin had joined the crowd, and was listening to the
conversation.
"Bring him up to my house," he quietly remarked. "We'll take care of him
as well as we can."
At these words the miners turned and looked upon the speaker. They were
surprised at his sudden appearance in their midst, and several
questioned one another as to where he had come from.
Dick at once motioned to the men standing near, who lifted Pete in their
arms and carried him as gently as they could up the slope to Martin's
house, and laid him upon the cot within the building.
"It is a pity that we are giving you so much trouble," Dick apologised,
as Nance met him at the door. "We are certainly making a hospital out of
your house."
"We do not mind," was the reply. "It is so nice to be able to help
people in trouble."
"I am afraid there may be more who will need assistance," and the young
man turned his face sadly toward the lake. "Among all that crowd there's
something sure to be happening every day."
Martin stood near at hand and watched Dick as he reset the broken leg
and put it in splints. He could not help admiring the skilful way in
which everything was done. As he looked upon the stricken man lying
before him he was thankful for the first time that Dick Russell was
present. If he were simply a medical man and not a missionary, Martin
would have been delighted. He thought of the days years ago when, in his
old parish in Eastern Canada, he had longed to be a doctor as well as a
clergyman. There had been several outlying places where the people were
very poor. What a comfort it would have been to them, and what an
assistance to him in his work, could he have attended to their bodily
wants. And now this young man was doing what he had desired to do, and
was unable through lack of training.
A sudden revulsion of feeling came over Martin as he watched Dick doing
so much for the stricken miner. Here was this man, young in years, doing
an unselfish work, while he himself was useless. The missionary had
given up home and the comforts of civilisation, and was living in the
wilderness, not for the sake of gold, but to help others. And what was
he himself doing? He had disgraced his calling; his Church had cast him
out, and he in turn had repudiated her. He had thought that it would be
an easy thing to free himself from her influence. But here, right in the
region where he believed that he would be safe from all interference,
and in his own cabin at that, stood a clergyman of the Church which had
cast him out forever.
Then for the first time since he had been deposed came the feeling of
his own selfishness. What had he really accomplished during his long
sojourn in the wilderness? A longing suddenly rose in his heart to take
up the work he had abandoned so many years before. He recalled the high
ideals which had animated his soul when he took charge of his first and
only parish. They were just as lofty and noble, he believed, as those of
the young man now standing before him.
After the injured man was resting as comfortably as could be expected,
Martin, Nance, and Dick sat for a while outside the door. The evening
was balmy and the air delightful. The _Northern Packet_ had moved away,
and was lying close to the shore just across the mouth of the Quaska.
Dick related his experiences on the steamer, and told in a humorous way
the inconveniences the passengers endured. Martin had very little to say
for some time. He leaned back against the house, smoking and listening
intently. Nance was very happy. Often she turned her eyes full upon
Dick's face, and at times her joyous laugh rippled forth at some droll
story.
The sun had just swung low behind a tall mountain peak and heavy shadows
were lying athwart the calm surface of the lake. The only sounds which
disturbed the peaceful scene came from the men unloading the steamer.
Martin gazed over the water and far beyond the black forest. His pipe
was clutched in his right hand, and he had the appearance of a man
oblivious as to his surroundings. Presently he shifted a little on the
bench and glanced at Dick. The latter was sitting near Nance, silent,
and watching with her the operations going on across the river. Martin
beheld the thoughtful young faces aglow with a light which was more than
the reflection of the departing sun.
"What led you to come into this country?" Martin quietly asked, turning
toward Dick.
The latter gave a slight start, as if aroused from a dream, and looked
searchingly into his inquirer's face.
"It was the Royal Bounty which did it," was the slow reply.
"The Royal Bounty! I don't understand."
"No, it is not likely that you should. It is all very simple and
beautiful to me, however."
"Go on," Martin commanded, as Dick paused, and looked once more out over
the water.
"Would you really like to hear my little story which I have never told
to any one before?"
"Certainly. That is, if you don't mind."
"No, not at all. But I should not like to tell it to every one. Few
there are in the world, it seems to me, who would understand. It was all
through a sermon about the Royal Bounty which I heard years ago from the
lips of a dear old clergyman. He spoke about King Solomon giving to the
Queen of Sheba all the things she asked for, and then he added of his
own free will of his Royal Bounty. I cannot remember now all that he
said, but the sermon made a very strong impression upon my heart and
mind. Several thoughts, however, I can never forget. He showed how God
is always giving us of His Royal Bounty, that is, blessings over and
above what we actually need. The earth, for instance, might have been
made all stony, but He added flowers to give us joy. Birds are not
absolutely necessary. He could have made the seasons, the sun, fields,
and forests. But He gave of His Royal Bounty, and added the birds to
change the silence into song. He also showed that Christ could have gone
through life working at His tasks like other men. But He was not content
to do that alone. He was ever going about doing good. He threw in, so to
speak, the Royal Bounty, that is, blessings which were not expected.
"I was somewhat unsettled in my mind at the time I heard that sermon,
and it started me thinking along new lines. I had open before me a
business career, with every opportunity for great success. But that
sermon changed my mind completely. I desired to become more than a mere
successful business machine. Life took on a new aspect. I wished to do
something that would bring the greatest joy to others. With this object
in view I entered college to study for the Ministry, and in due time
took my degree. I was not satisfied with this, however, and longed to be
better fitted for my life's work. With my father's permission I entered
McGill University, and studied medicine. When I was through there I was
ordained. This was a great day for me, and yet I was not altogether
satisfied. A comfortable parish I could have entered at once, and
carried on the work for which I had been prepared. But I wished to do
more, something which was not expected of me, such as caring for the
bodies as well as for the souls of those among whom I laboured. I have
always believed that the two should go together, and am now more
convinced of it than ever."
"Quite true, quite true," Martin interposed. "But how did you happen to
come into such a region as this, when you might have done such a good
work outside?"
"I am coming to that," Dick replied. "It, as well, was all due to the
Royal Bounty idea. You see, this caused me to enter the Ministry and to
study medicine that I might make the most of life and do as much good as
possible. I, accordingly, looked around for a field in which to begin my
work. Everywhere I found earnest clergymen and doctors devoting
themselves to the souls and bodies of people in their various parishes,
so my service of a dual nature was not required. One night I heard an
address by a missionary who had been working for years in the northland.
He appealed for men, and impressed me so strongly that I at once
responded. That was five years ago, and I have been up here ever since."
"And you have never regretted the step?" Martin queried.
"No, not for a single moment. Whether I have done any good or dispensed
the Royal Bounty is not for me to judge. But in living among men on the
ragged edge of civilisation and trying to help them body and soul has
given me great happiness. I would not exchange my lot for the most
favoured being on earth."
There was a long silence when Dick ended his story. He sat quietly by
Nance's side, and compared the past with the present. He had fondly
believed that his life was full to overflowing. But now what a
difference. There was added a new happiness, a love such as he had never
experienced before.
Martin, too, was silent. Thoughts, too deep for words, were passing
through his mind. In his heart as well as in Dick's a new life had
arisen, although of a far different nature.