eral 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.

"He visited New York on this trip, and caused something of a sensation
even there while his money held out. His diversions are innocent, turning
largely to investments in food and drink, a tendency born, I suppose, of
long privations in the Arctic. His most humorous exploit on this trip was
entering the most fashionable restaurant in the metropolis, and ordering
fifty dollars worth of ham and eggs, after vainly attempting to make out
the French of the bill of fare."

Colonel Snow and the boys laughed, and the former said:

"I presume little of his money is really spent on himself."

"No," said the Captain. "He is the soul of generosity and scatters it
right and left. Of course, a good deal of it goes to the leeches who
cluster around such characters in the cities. Still, although he has the
average pioneer's contempt for Indians and Eskimos he has given liberally
to the missions which are civilizing them. He may make another fortune,
but I believe he will die poor."

"D-d-did he eat all that order of ham and eggs?" asked Pepper with
interest.

"Well, I hardly think so," smiled the Captain. "I doubt if the order was
really served. Head waiters of these big restaurants have very diplomatic
ways."

"Captain Huxley, what is a 'Sourdough'? I heard you apply the word to
Swiftwater Jim," said Jack, on the alert for information.

"The aristocracy of the Alaskan mining camp," replied the officer. "The
man who has b