First at the North Pole Part 22

The hunter purchased for the lads some silk underwear that was extra warm, and some stout boots, and outer garments of wool and of fur, and also some oilskins for wet weather. Then he took them to a gun shop in Portland and fitted them out with pistols, repeating rifles, and stout hunting knives. He also purchased for them water-tight match safes, and colored goggles of the automobile variety--the latter to ward off headache and snow-blindness.

"You need not wear the goggles all the time up north," he explained.

"But as soon as your eyes hurt the least bit, put them on."

"You are very kind to get us all these things," said Chet. The new repeating rifle made his eyes sparkle with pleasure.

"Indeed you are kind!" cried Andy. "We didn't expect half so much."

"I want you to go away completely equipped," answered Barwell Dawson.

"Half of the failures of exploring expeditions is due to the lack of proper equipment. It's like going hunting with a gun that won't shoot straight. Sometimes you hit your game, but more times you don't."

The hunter and explorer also went over the scientific instruments with Professor Jeffer, to see that nothing should be lacking to take all manner of observations and measurements. Some linen notebooks were also provided, which could not be torn easily, and likewise fountain pens, and ink made of liquids that would not readily freeze. Mr. Dawson also procured a number of cameras for taking pictures, and films that would not be affected by the intense cold.

"You've got to think about the cold every time you buy anything,"

observed Andy. "Wonder what about a jack-knife? I was going to buy a new one, and I don't want to ask Mr. Dawson about it--he has bought enough already."

"I guess you can get any kind you want," answered his chum. "But don't use it when it's too cold, or the steel will stick to your skin."

"Oh, I know that. I once put my tongue on some cold iron, and I had a terrible time getting it off again."

The boys were in Portland, and set off to buy some trifles, having still a few dollars of their own. Andy purchased the knife at a hardware store, and they were just coming from the place when Chet caught him by the arm.

"What is it, Chet?"

"Look at the man across the way! It is your Uncle Si!"

"Uncle Si!" cried Andy. "So it is! And he has seen me!"

Andy's first impulse was to run, but he did nothing of the sort. He stood his ground, and gazed at his uncle coldly as the latter shuffled up. Josiah Graham looked anything but tidy and prosperous, and Andy rightly imagined that his relative had been going through some hard times.

"Humph! So here you be!" were Josiah Graham's first words. "I was a-wonderin' what had become of yer."

"What are you doing here, Uncle Si?" asked Andy, as calmly as possible.

"Me? Wot's thet to you, I'd like to know?"

"Oh, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"I'm a-lookin' fer work. Be you workin' now?"

"Not just at present."

"How did you git here?"

"Came on the train."

"Humph! Needn't be so pert! Maybe you had an offer o' work here?"

"No."

"We haven't got to look for a job," said Chet. "We've got something better to look forward to."

"Better, eh? Wot is it?" And Josiah Graham's small eyes gazed shrewdly at the youths.

"Never mind what it is," broke in Andy, hastily, with a warning look at his chum.

"Ah, I know!" cried the man, with a leer. "You came down to sell thet land claim! Goin' to do it without my knowledge an' consent!"

"No, I didn't come for that."

"You can't tell me, Andy Graham! I know better, I do!" the old man shrilled. "But you remember I'm your guardeen, an' you can't sell nuthin' without me!"

"You are not my guardian, Uncle Si. You went away of your own free will, and now I want you to let me alone."

"Did you sell them papers yet?"

"No."

"Then you better give 'em to me. You was a big fool to run away as you did. I was a-goin' to make a good bargain fer yer."

"Uncle Si, if you had sold those papers to that Mr. A. Q. Hopton, I could have had you arrested," said Andy, quietly but firmly.

At these words the face of the s.h.i.+ftless man changed color, and his jaw dropped.

"Me? Arrested?" he stammered.

"Yes, arrested. I have had advice on the subject. You had no right to do a thing without the consent of the court."

"Humph! so you have been to a lawyer, eh? Pretty way to do--not to trust your uncle, who allers did so well by yer. Has thet lawyer got them papers now?"

"I won't tell you a word about the papers."

"Humph! You ain't got no right to run away like this."

"I am not running away. I have a right to go where I please--and do as I please."

"Who told you thet?"

"Never mind who told me."

"You're a-gettin' too high-toned fer your boots, Andy Graham! How much money have you got?"

"That is my business."

"Ain't you a-goin' to tell me?"

"No."

"Where be you a-stopping?"