Left on Labrador | Page 2

Council.--"Cold! oh, how
Cold!"--A Midnight Gun.--The Return of "The Curlew."--"A J'yful
'Casion."--A Grand Distribution of Presents.--Good-by to the Husky
Girls.--A Singular Savage Song.--We All get Sentimental.--Adieu to
"Isle Aktok."--Homeward Bound.--We engage "The Curlew" and her
Captain for Another Year 291

INTRODUCTION.
Those of our readers who may have read "Camping Out," the first
volume of the "Camping-Out Series," will probably recall the
circumstance of the graphite lode, and the manner in which it was left
to Raed to dispose of. As the reason was too far advanced at the time of
his negotiations with the unknown gentlemen to permit of a trip to
Katahdin that fall, the whole affair was postponed till the following
spring.
On the 27th of April, Raed set out for Bangor. At Portland, Me., he was
joined by the gentlemen (their names we are not at liberty to give); and
at Bangor Kit met the party. Thence they went up to the mountain,
where they had no difficulty in rediscovering the lode. That the
examination was satisfactory will be seen from the first chapter of
young Burleigh's narrative, which we subjoin. It is an account of their
first yacht-cruise north. The schooner "Curlew," with the party, sailed
from "Squam" (Gloucester, north village) on the 10th of June.
On the 7th of July they made Cape Resolution on the north side of the
entrance of Hudson Straits. Thenceforward, till their escape from that
icy passage in August, their voyage was one continued series of
startling adventures amid some of the grandest and most terrible
scenery the earth affords.
Of the plan of self-education adopted and acted upon by these young
gentlemen we may remark, that it is singularly bold and original in its

conception. If persevered in, we have no doubt that the result will fully
justify their expectations. Unless we are much mistaken, it will be, as
they modestly hope, a pioneer movement, looking to a much-needed
revolution in the present sedentary programme of collegiate study.

LEFT ON LABRADOR.
CHAPTER I.
Sequel to the "Graphite Lode."--The Fifteen Thousand Dollars, and
how it was invested.--About the Yacht.--The Schooner "Curlew."--Capt.
Mazard.--Guard.--The Gloucester Boys.--"Palmleaf, Sar."--Getting
Ready for the Voyage.--Ship-Stores.--The Howitzer.--The Big
Rifle.--A Good Round Bill at the Outset.
Raed got home from Katahdin on the night of the 15th of May. Kit
came with him; and together they called on Wade and the writer of the
following narrative early on the morning of the 16th. Brown enough
both boys looked, exposed as they had been to the tanning winds for
more than a fortnight.
"Jubilate!" shouted Raed, as I opened the door. "Latest news from
Mount Katahdin,--graphite stock clean up to the moon!"
Wade came looking down stairs, nothing on but his gown and slippers.
At sight of his tousled head both our callers gave a whoop of
recognition, and set upon him,--shook him out of his slippers, and
pulled him down the steps on to the sidewalk barefoot; thereby
scandalizing a whole houseful of prim damsels across the street, who
indignantly pulled down their curtains. Such a hand-shaking and
back-patting as ensued! All the hardships and discouragement we had
endured on our last season's expedition seemed to bear an exultant
harvest in this our final success.
"But you haven't been to breakfast!" exclaimed Kit.

"So they haven't!" cried Raed. "Well, can't do business till they have
their breakfast. We'll leave 'em to guzzle their coffee in peace. But
hurry up! We must hold a council this morning,--have a grand
pow-wow! Come round at nine sharp."
They were off.
We ate breakfast, and went down to Raed's, where we got into the back
parlor, shut the doors, and proceeded to pow-wow. Wade was chosen
president of the meeting; Kit, secretary.
"First," said Raed, "allow me to give an account of my stewardship. No
need of going into details. We went up to Katahdin; found the lode.
Messrs. Hammer and Tongs were well satisfied. The fifteen thousand
dollars was paid without so much as winking. Might have had twenty
thousand dollars just as well; but I didn't know it when I made the offer.
Hope you won't be dissatisfied with me. Here's the money; two
checks,--one on the First National Bank for nine thousand dollars, the
other on the Maverick National Bank for six thousand dollars."
"I move we accept the gentleman's statement, and tender our sincere
thanks for his eminently successful services," said a voice.
The motion was seconded by Kit, and carried.
"Question now arises," Raed resumed, "What shall we do with this
money? Of course we must plant it somewhere, have it growing, what
we don't want to use immediately."
"Might speculate a little with it," suggested Wade, "so as to double it
up along."
"And risk losing the whole of it," put in Kit.
"'Nothing risked,