The Luck of the Kid

by Ridgwell Cullum

"The Luck of the Kid" by Ridgwell Cullum is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins in the sub-Arctic wilderness, where two men, one older and one younger, are engaged in a struggle for survival against the oppressive summer heat and the challenges of their environment. As they seek to uncover the secrets of gold in the north, their thoughts reveal a fierce ambition and the dynamics of their familial relationship, particularly between the father and son, as they grapple with feelings of resentment and ambition. The opening of the novel introduces the characters of Marty Le Gros and his son Sate, who are immersed in a quest for gold that they believe has escaped their grasp and fallen into the hands of a rival, a missionary. The tension between their determination to claim their share of wealth and the obstacles they face unfolds against the backdrop of the harsh, beautiful landscapes of northern Canada. As they contemplate their next moves, the foreboding mention of the Euralians, a tribe known for their brutality, foreshadows a deeper conflict that will soon converge on their lives, adding a layer of urgency and danger to the narrative.