THE THIRD LIEUTENANT’S HUMILIATING POSITION
A throng of villagers were assembled on the beach to witness the landing of the boat, for in that distant community the arrival of a ship bringing news from the great world is an event of general interest. Every one knew Captain Matthews, and all wanted to shake hands with him; but he found time to present our lads to the principal men of the place, such as the government inspector, the company’s agent, the priest, and the doctor who has charge of the hospital in which all sick or wounded villagers are cared for free of expense to themselves. All of these extended a cordial hospitality, and promised that the lads should be well taken care of during their short stay, and shown all the sights.
A good-looking young Aleut, who was the possessor of such a tremendously long and mysterious name that neither Phil nor Serge dared try to pronounce it, was introduced to them as the school-teacher, and as there was no school at that season he at once offered to act as their guide.
“There is a drive going on now,” he said, in such perfect English as to surprise them; “and if you care to see it we must go at once.”
Agreeing to this, the visitors started off with their guide in the direction indicated.
“The one thing that gets me!” exclaimed Phil, holding his nose and making a wry face, “is, how you people can stand this awful smell. It is enough to breed sickness and cause death.”
“Smell?” repeated the guide. “Is there a smell? I suppose there must be, for I have heard other strangers complain of it; but I don’t notice it.”
“Certainly I have; but then I was born here, you know. You would get so used to it in two or three weeks that you would not be troubled by it any more than I am.”
“Yes. When I first returned from the East I must confess that I noticed it a little for a day or two, but I quickly forgot it.”
“What part of the East did you visit?” inquired Serge, thinking that he meant eastern Alaska, and perhaps Sitka.
“Rutland, Vermont, where I was educated,” replied the teacher, simply.
“You don’t say so!” cried Phil; “why, I am from New England myself. New London, Connecticut, is my home, and that is where I met Serge, too.”
“Then I am doubly glad to make your acquaintance,” said the teacher, “for I love New England almost as much as I do this island. The people there were very kind to me. But here is the drive.”