by Kirk Munroe
Produced by Al Haines
[Frontispiece: From it was evoked a monstrous shape.]
"Above this far northern sea Ursa Major sailed so directly overhead that he seemed like to fall on us." --_From an early voyage to the coast of Labrador_.
Under the Great Bear
BY
KIRK MUNROE
AUTHOR OF
"The Flamingo Feather," "Dorymates," "The White Conquerors," Etc.
New York
International Association of Newspapers and Authors
1901
COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
I. GRADUATION: BUT WHAT NEXT? II. AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT III. THE STRANGE FATE OF A STEAMER IV. ALONE ON THE LIFE RAFT V. WHITE BALDWIN AND HIS "SEA BEE" VI. THE FRENCH SHORE QUESTION VII. DEFYING A FRIGATE VIII. A CLASSMATE TO BE AVOIDED IX. SENDING IN A FALSE REPORT X. CABOT ACQUIRES A LOBSTER FACTORY XI. BLUFFING THE BRITISH NAVY XII. ENGLAND AND FRANCE COME TO BLOWS XIII. A PRISONER OF WAR XIV. THE "SEA BEE" UNDER FIRE XV. OFF FOR LABRADOR XVI. MOSQUITOES OF THE FAR NORTH XVII. IMPRISONED BY AN ICEBERG XVIII. FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THE NATIVES XIX. A MELANCHOLY SITUATION XX. COMING OF THE MAN-WOLF XXI. A WELCOME MISSIONARY XXII. GOOD-BYE TO THE "SEA BEE" XXIII. THE COMFORT OF AN ESKIMO LAMP XXIV. OBJECTS OF CHARITY XXV. LOST IN A BLIZZARD XXVI. AN ELECTRICIAN IN THE WILDERNESS XXVII. THE MAN-WOLF'S STORY XXVIII. CABOT IS LEFT ALONE XXIX. DRIFTING WITH THE ICE PACK XXX. THE COMING OF DAVID GIDGE XXXI. ASSISTANT MANAGER OF THE MAN-WOLF MINE
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
From It Was Evoked A Monstrous Shape . . . _Frontispiece_
On The Deck Of The Steamer "Lavinia"
He Began To Kick At It With The Hope Of Smashing One Of Its Panels
At This The Enraged Officer Whipped Out A Revolver
"Did This Come From About Here?"
Others Fell On The New-Comers With Their Fists
Livid With Rage, The Frenchman Whipped Out An Ugly-Looking Knife
A Solitary Figure Stood On The Chest Of A Bald Headland
"Yim"
"My Name Is Watson Balfour"
He Reached A Point From Which He Could Look Beyond The Barrier
"My Dear Boy, You Have Done Splendidly"
UNDER THE GREAT BEAR.
CHAPTER I.
GRADUATION: BUT WHAT NEXT?
"Heigh-ho! I wonder what comes next?" sighed Cabot Grant as he tumbledwearily into bed.
The day just ended marked the close of a most important era in hislife; for on it he had been graduated from the Technical Institute, inwhich he had studied his chosen profession, and the coveted sheepskinthat entitled him to sign M.E. in capital letters after his name hadbeen in his possession but a few hours.
Although Cabot came of an old New England family, and had been givenevery educational advantage, he had not graduated with honours, having,in fact, barely scraped through his final examination. He had devotedaltogether too much time to athletics, and to the congenial task ofacquiring popularity, to have much left for study. Therefore, while ithad been pleasant to be one of the best-liked fellows in the Institute,captain of its football team, and a leading figure in the festivitiesof the day just ended, now that it was all over our lad was regrettingthat he had not made a still better use of his opportunities.
A number of his classmates had already been offered fine positions inthe business world now looming so ominously close before him. Littlepale-faced Dick Chandler, for instance, was to start at once for SouthAfrica, in the interests of a wealthy corporation. Ned Burnett was tobe assistant engineer of a famous copper mine; a world-renownedelectrical company had secured the services of Smith Redfield, and soon through a dozen names, no one of which was as well known as his, butall outranking it on the graduate list of that day.
Cabot had often heard that the career of Institute students was closelywatched by individuals, firms, and corporations in need of young menfor responsible positions, and had more than once resolved to graduatewith a rank that should attract the attention of such persons. Butthere had been so much to do besides study that had seemed moreimportant at the time, that he had allowed day after day to slip bywithout making the required effort, and now it appeared that no onewanted him.
Yes, there was one person who had made him a proposition that very day.Thorpe Walling, the wealthiest fellow in the class, and one of its fewmembers who had failed to gain a diploma, had said:
"Look here, Grant, what do you say to taking a year's trip around theworld with me, while I coach for a degree next June? There is no sucheducator as travel, you know, and we'll make a point of going to allsorts of places where we can pick up ideas. At the same time it'll beno end of a lark."
"I don't know," Cabot had replied doubtfully, though his face hadlighted at the mere idea of taking such a trip. "I'd rather do thatthan almost anything else I know of, but----"
"If you are thinking of the expense," broke in the other.
"It isn't that," interrupted Cabot, "but it seems somehow as though Iought to be doing something more in the line of business. Anyway, Ican't give you an answer until I have seen my guardian, who has sent meword to meet him in New York day after to-morrow. I'll let you knowwhat he says, and if everything is all right, perhaps I'll go with you."
With this the matter had rested, and during the manifold excitements ofthe day our lad had not given it another thought, until he tumbled intobed, wondering what would happen next. Then for a long time he layawake, considering Thorpe's proposition, and wishing that it had beenmade by any other fellow in the class.
Until about the time of entering the Technical Institute, from which hewas just graduated, Cabot Grant, who was an only child, had beenblessed with as happy a home as ever a boy enjoyed. Then in a breathit was taken from him by a railway accident, that had caused theinstant death of his mother, and which the father had only survivedlong enough to provide for his son's immediate future by making a will.By its terms his slender fortune was placed in the hands of a trust andinvestment company, who were constituted the boy's guardians, andenjoined to give their ward a liberal education along such lines as hehimself might choose.
The corporation thus empowered had been faithful to its trust, and hadcarried out to the letter the instructions of their deceased clientduring the past five years. Now less than a twelvemonth of theirguardianship remained and it was to plan for his disposal of this timethat Cabot had been summoned to New York.
He had never met the president of the corporation, and it was with nolittle curiosity concerning him that he awaited, in a sumptuouslyappointed anteroom, his turn for an audience with the busy man. Atlength he was shown into a plainly furnished private office occupied bybut two persons, one somewhat past middle age, with a shrewd,smooth-shaven face, and the other much younger, who was evidently aprivate secretary.
Of course Cabot instantly knew the former to be President Hepburn; andalso, to his surprise, recognised him as one who had occupied aprominent position on the platform of the Institute hall when he hadgraduated two days earlier.
"Yes," said Mr. Hepburn, in a crisp, business tone, as he noted thelad's flash of recognition, "I happened to be passing through anddropped in to see our ward graduate. I was, of course, disappointedthat you did not take higher rank. At the same time I concluded not tomake myself known to you, for fear of interfering with some of yourplans for the day. It also seemed to me better that we should talkbusiness here. Now, with your Institute career ended, how do youpropose to spend the remainder of your minority? I ask because, as youdoubtless know, our instructions are to consult your wishes in allm
atters, and conform to them as far as possible."
"I appreciate your kindness in that respect," replied Cabot, who wassomewhat chilled by this business-like reception, "and have decided, ifthe funds remaining in your hands are sufficient for the purpose, tospend the coming year in foreign travel; in fact, to take a trip aroundthe world."
"With any definite object in view," inquired Mr. Hepburn, "or merelyfor pleasure?"
"With the definite object of studying my chosen profession wherever Imay find it practised."
"Um! Just so. Do you propose to take this trip alone or in company?"
"I propose to go with Thorpe Walling, one of my classmates."
"Son of the late General Walling, and a man who failed to graduate, ishe not?"
"Yes, sir. Do you know him?"
"I knew his father, and wish you had chosen some other companion."
"I did not choose him. He chose me, and invited me to go with him."
"At your own expense, I suppose?"
"Certainly! I could not have considered his proposition otherwise."
"Of course not," agreed Mr. Hepburn, "seeing that you have funds quitesufficient for such a venture, if used with economy. And you havedecided that you would rather spend the ensuing year in foreign travelwith Thorpe Walling than do anything else?"
"I think I have, sir."
"Very well, my boy. While I cannot say that I consider your decisionthe best that could be made, I have no valid objections to offer, andam bound to grant as far as possible your reasonable desires. So youhave my consent to this scheme, if not my whole approval. When do youplan to start?"
"Thorpe wishes to go at once."
"Then, if you will call here to-morrow morning at about this hour, Iwill have arranged for your letter of credit, and anything else thatmay suggest itself for making your trip a pleasant one."
"Thank you, sir," said Cabot, who, believing the interview to be ended,turned to leave the room.
"By the way," continued Mr. Hepburn, "there is another thing I wish tomention. Can you recommend one of your recent classmates for animportant mission, to be undertaken at once to an out-of-the-way partof the world? He must be a young man of good morals, able to keep hisbusiness affairs to himself, not afraid of hard work, and willing aswell as physically able to endure hardships. His intelligence andmental fitness will, of course, be guaranteed by the Institute'sdiploma. Our company is in immediate need of such a person, and willengage him at a good salary for a year, with certain prospects ofadvancement, if he gives satisfaction. Think it over and let me knowin the morning if you have hit upon one whom you believe would meetthose requirements. In the meantime please do not mention the subjectto any one."
Charged with this commission, and relieved that the dreaded interviewwas ended, Cabot hastened uptown to a small secret society club ofwhich he was a non-resident member. There he wrote a note to ThorpeWalling, accepting his invitation, and expressing a readiness to setforth at once on their proposed journey. This done, he joined a groupof fellows who were discussing summer plans in the reading-room.
"What are you going in for, Grant?" asked one. "Is your summer to bedevoted to work or play?"
"Both," laughed Cabot. "Thorpe Walling and I are to take aneducational trip around the world, during which we hope to have greatfun and accomplish much work."
"Ho, ho!" jeered he who had put the question. "That's a good one. Theidea of coupling 'Torpid' Walling's name with anything that savors ofwork. You'll have a good time fast enough. But I'll wager anythingyou like, that in his company you will circumnavigate the globe withouthaving done any work harder than spending money. No, no, my dear boy,'Torpid' is not the chap to encourage either mental or physical effortin his associates. Better hunt some other companion, or even go byyour lonely, if you really want to accomplish anything."
These words recurred to our lad many times during the day, and when hefinally fell asleep that night, after fruitlessly wondering who of hismany friends he should recommend to President Hepburn, they were stillringing in his ears.