第4章

"Andshesaid：’Youaremyman，Charley，andIhavebeenagoodwomantoyou。AndinallthedaysIhavemadeyourfire，andcookedyourfood，andfedyourdogs，andliftedpaddleorbrokentrail，Ihavenotcomplained。NordidIsaythattherewasmorewarmthinthelodgeofmyfather，orthattherewasmoregrubontheChilcat。Whenyouhavespoken，Ihavelistened。Whenyouhaveordered，Ihaveobeyed。Isitnotso，Charley？’

"AndIsaid：’Ay，itisso。’

"Andshesaid：’WhenfirstyoucametotheChilcat，norlookeduponme，butboughtmeasamanbuysadog，andtookmeaway，myheartwashardagainstyouandfilledwithbitternessandfear。

Butthatwaslongago。Foryouwerekindtome，Charley，asagoodmaniskindtohisdog。Yourheartwascold，andtherewasnoroomforme;yetyoudealtmefairandyourwayswerejust。

AndIwaswithyouwhenyoudidbolddeedsandledgreatventures，andImeasuredyouagainstthemenofotherbreeds，andIsawyoustoodamongthemfullofhonor，andyourwordwaswise，yourtonguetrue。AndIgrewproudofyou，tillitcamethatyoufilledallmyheart，andallmythoughtwasofyou。Youwereasthemidsummersun，whenitsgoldentrailrunsinacircleandneverleavesthesky。AndwhateverwayIcastmyeyesIbeheldthesun。Butyourheartwasevercold，Charley，andtherewasnoroom。’

"AndIsaid：’Itisso。Itwascold，andtherewasnoroom。Butthatispast。Nowmyheartislikethesnowfallinthespring，whenthesunhascomeback。Thereisagreatthawandabending，asoundofrunningwaters，andabuddingandsproutingofgreenthings。Andthereisdrummingofpartridges，andsongsofrobins，andgreatmusic，forthewinterisbroken，Passuk，andIhavelearnedtheloveofwoman。’

"Shesmiledandmovedformetodrawhercloser。Andshesaid，’I

amglad。’Afterthatshelayquietforalongtime，breathingsoftly，herheaduponmybreast。Thenshewhispered：’Thetrailendshere，andIamtired。ButfirstIwouldspeakofotherthings。Inthelongago，whenIwasagirlontheChilcat，I

playedaloneamongtheskinbalesofmyfather’slodge;forthemenwereawayonthehunt，andthewomenandboysweredragginginthemeat。Itwasinthespring，andIwasalone。Agreatbrownbear，justawakefromhiswinter’ssleep，hungry，hisfurhangingtothebonesinflapsofleanness，shovedhisheadwithinthelodgeandsaid，"Oof！"Mybrothercamerunningbackwiththefirstsledofmeat。Andhefoughtthebearwithburningsticksfromthefire，andthedogsintheirharnesses，withthesledbehindthem，felluponthebear。Therewasagreatbattleandmuchnoise。Theyrolledinthefire，theskinbaleswerescattered，thelodgeoverthrown。Butintheendthebearlaydead，withthefingersofmybrotherinhismouthandthemarksofhisclawsuponmybrother’sface。DidyoumarktheIndianbythePellytrail，hismittenwhichhadnothumb，hishandwhichhewarmedbyourfire？Hewasmybrother。AndIsaidheshouldhavenogrub。AndhewentawayintheSilencewithoutgrub。’

"This，mybrothers，wastheloveofPassuk，whodiedinthesnow，bytheCaribouCrossing。Itwasamightylove，forshedeniedherbrotherforthemanwholedherawayonwearytrailstoabitterend。And，further，suchwasthiswoman’slove，shedeniedherself。Erehereyesclosedforthelasttimeshetookmyhandandslippeditunderhersquirrel—skinparkatoherwaist。Ifeltthereawell—filledpouch，andlearnedthesecretofherloststrength。Daybydaywehadsharedfair，tothelastleastbit;

anddaybydaybuthalfhersharehadsheeaten。Theotherhalfhadgoneintothewell—filledpouch。

"Andshesaid：’ThisistheendofthetrailforPassuk;butyourtrail，Charley，leadsonandon，overthegreatChilcoot，downtoHainesMissionandthesea。Anditleadsonandon，bythelightofmanysuns，overunknownlandsandstrangewaters，anditisfullofyearsandhonorsandgreatglories。Itleadsyoutothelodgesofmanywomen，andgoodwomen，butitwillneverleadyoutoagreaterlovethantheloveofPassuk。’

"AndIknewthewomanspoketrue。Butamadnesscameuponme，andIthrewthewell—filledpouchfromme，andsworethatmytrailhadreachedanend，tillhertiredeyesgrewsoftwithtears，andshesaid：’AmongmenhasSitkaCharleywalkedinhonor，andeverhashiswordbeentrue。Doesheforgetthathonornow，andtalkvainwordsbytheCaribouCrossing？DoesheremembernomorethemenofFortyMile，whogavehimoftheirgrubthebest，oftheirdogsthepick？EverhasPassukbeenproudofherman。Lethimlifthimselfup，girdonhissnow—shoes，andbegone，thatshemaystillkeepherpride。’

"AndwhenshegrewcoldinmyarmsIarose，andsoughtoutthewell—filledpouch，andgirtonmysnowshoes，andstaggeredalongthetrail;fortherewasaweaknessinmyknees，andmyheadwasdizzy，andinmyearstherewasaroaring，andaflashingoffireuponmyeyes。Theforgottentrailsofboyhoodcamebacktome。I

satbythefullpotsofthepotlachfeast，andraisedmyvoiceinsong，anddancedtothechantingofthemenandmaidensandtheboomingofthewalrusdrums。AndPassukheldmyhandandwalkedbymyside。WhenIlaiddowntosleep，shewakedme。WhenI

stumbledandfell，sheraisedme。WhenIwanderedinthedeepsnow，sheledmebacktothetrail。Andinthiswise，likeamanbereftofreason，whoseesstrangevisionsandwhosethoughtsarelightwithwine，IcametoHainesMissionbythesea。"

SitkaCharleythrewbackthetent—flaps。Itwasmidday。Tothesouth，justclearingthebleakHendersonDivide，poisedthecold—

diskedsun。Oneitherhandthesun—dogsblazed。Theairwasagossamerofglitteringfrost。Intheforeground，besidethetrail，awolf—dog，bristlingwithfrost，thrustalongsnoutheavenwardandmourned。

WHERETHETRAILFORKS

"MustI，then，mustI，then，nowleavethistown—

Andyou，mylove，stayhere？"——SchwabianFolk—song。

Thesinger，clean—facedandcheery—eyed，bentoverandaddedwatertoapotofsimmeringbeans，andthen，rising，astickoffirewoodinhand，drovebackthecirclingdogsfromthegrub—boxandcooking—gear。Hewasblueofeye，andhislonghairwasgolden，anditwasapleasuretolookuponhislustyfreshness。Anewmoonwasthrustingadimhornabovethewhitelineofclose—packedsnow—cappedpineswhichringedthecampandsegregateditfromalltheworld。Overhead，soclearitwasandcold，thestarsdancedwithquick，pulsatingmovements。Tothesoutheastanevanescentgreenishglowheraldedtheopeningrevelsoftheauroraborealis。

Twomen，intheimmediateforeground，layuponthebearskinwhichwastheirbed。Betweentheskinandnakedsnowwasasix—inchlayerofpineboughs。Theblanketswererolledback。Forshelter，therewasaflyattheirbacks，——asheetofcanvasstretchedbetweentwotreesandanglingatforty—fivedegrees。

Thiscaughttheradiatingheatfromthefireandflungitdownupontheskin。Anothermansatonasled，drawnclosetotheblaze，mendingmoccasins。Totheright，aheapoffrozengravelandarudewindlassdenotedwheretheytoiledeachdayindismalgropingforthepay—streak。Totheleft，fourpairsofsnowshoesstooderect，showingthemodeoftravelwhichobtainedwhenthestampedsnowofthecampwasleftbehind。

ThatSchwabianfolk—songsoundedstrangelypatheticunderthecoldnorthernstars，anddidnotdothemengoodwholoungedaboutthefireafterthetoiloftheday。Itputadullacheintotheirhearts，andayearningwhichwasakintobelly—hunger，andsenttheirsoulsquestingsouthwardacrossthedividestothesun—

lands。

"FortheloveofGod，Sigmund，shutup！"expostulatedoneofthemen。Hishandswereclenchedpainfully，buthehidthemfromsightinthefoldsofthebearskinuponwhichhelay。

"Andwhatfor，DaveWertz？"Sigmunddemanded。"WhyshallInotsingwhentheheartisglad？"

"Becauseyou’vegotnocallto，that’swhy。Lookaboutyou，man，andthinkofthegrubwe’vebeendefilingourbodieswithforthelasttwelvemonth，andthewaywe’velivedandworkedlikebeasts！"

Thusabjured，Sigmund，thegolden—haired，surveyeditall，andthefrost—rimmedwolf—dogsandthevaporbreathsofthemen。"Andwhyshallnottheheartbeglad？"helaughed。"Itisgood;itisallgood。Asforthegrub——"Hedoubleduphisarmandcaressedtheswellingbiceps。"Andifwehavelivedandworkedlikebeasts，havewenotbeenpaidlikekings？Twentydollarstothepanthestreakisrunning，andweknowittobeeightfeetthick。ItisanotherKlondike——andweknowit——JimHawesthere，byyourelbow，knowsitandcomplainsnot。Andthere’sHitchcock！Hesewsmoccasinslikeanoldwoman，andwaitsagainstthetime。Onlyyoucan’twaitandworkuntilthewash—upinthespring。Thenweshallallberich，richaskings，onlyyoucannotwait。YouwanttogobacktotheStates。SodoI，andIwasbornthere，butI

canwait，wheneachdaythegoldinthepanshowsupyellowasbutterinthechurning。Butyouwantyourgoodtime，and，likeachild，youcryforitnow。Bah！WhyshallInotsing：

"Inayear，inayear，whenthegrapesareripe，Ishallstaynomoreaway。

Thenifyoustillaretrue，mylove，Itwillbeourweddingday。

Inayear，inayear，whenmytimeispast，ThenI’llliveinyourloveforaye。

Thenifyoustillaretrue，mylove，Itwillbeourweddingday。"

Thedogs，bristlingandgrowling，drewinclosertothefirelight。

Therewasamonotonouscrunch—crunchofwebbedshoes，andbetweeneachcrunchthedraggingforwardoftheheeloftheshoelikethesoundofsiftingsugar。Sigmundbrokeofffromhissongtohurloathsandfirewoodattheanimals。Thenthelightwaspartedbyafur—cladfigure，andanIndiangirlslippedoutofthewebs，threwbackthehoodofhersquirrel—skinparka，andstoodintheirmidst。Sigmundandthemenonthebearskingreetedheras"Sipsu，"withthecustomary"Hello，"butHitchcockmaderoomonthesledthatshemightsitbesidehim。

"Andhowgoesit，Sipsu？"heasked，talking，afterherfashion，inbrokenEnglishandbastardChinook。"Isthehungerstillmightyinthecamp？andhasthewitchdoctoryetfoundthecausewhereforegameisscarceandnomooseintheland？"

"Yes;evenso。Thereislittlegame，andwepreparetoeatthedogs。Alsohasthewitchdoctorfoundthecauseofallthisevil，andto—morrowwillhemakesacrificeandcleansethecamp。"

"Andwhatdoesthesacrificechancetobe？——anew—bornbabeorsomepoordevilofasquaw，oldandshaky，whoisacaretothetribeandbetteroutoftheway？"

"Itchancednotthatwise;fortheneedwasgreat，andhechosenoneotherthanthechief’sdaughter;noneotherthanI，Sipsu。"

"Hell！"ThewordroseslowlytoHitchcock’slips，andbrimmedoverfullanddeep，inawaywhichbespokewonderandconsideration。

"Whereforewestandbyaforkingofthetrail，youandI，"shewentoncalmly，"andIhavecomethatwemaylookoncemoreuponeachother，andoncemoreonly。"

Shewasbornofprimitivestock，andprimitivehadbeenhertraditionsandherdays;sosheregardedlifestoically，andhumansacrificeaspartofthenaturalorder。Thepowerswhichruledtheday—lightandthedark，thefloodandthefrost，theburstingofthebudandthewitheringoftheleaf，wereangryandinneedofpropitiation。Thistheyexactedinmanyways，——deathinthebadwater，throughthetreacherousice—crust，bythegripofthegrizzly，orawastingsicknesswhichfelluponamaninhisownlodgetillhecoughed，andthelifeofhislungswentoutthroughhismouthandnostrils。Likewisedidthepowersreceivesacrifice。Itwasallone。Andthewitchdoctorwasversedinthethoughtsofthepowersandchoseunerringly。Itwasverynatural。Deathcamebymanyways，yetwasitalloneafterall，——

amanifestationoftheall—powerfulandinscrutable。

ButHitchcockcameofalaterworld—breed。Histraditionswerelessconcreteandwithoutreverence，andhesaid，"Notso，Sipsu。

Youareyoung，andyetinthefulljoyoflife。Thewitchdoctorisafool，andhischoiceisevil。Thisthingshallnotbe。"

Shesmiledandanswered，"Lifeisnotkind，andformanyreasons。

First，itmadeofustwaintheonewhiteandtheotherred，whichisbad。Thenitcrossedourtrails，andnowitpartsthemagain;

andwecandonothing。Oncebefore，whenthegodswereangry，didyourbrotherscometothecamp。Theywerethree，bigmenandwhite，andtheysaidthethingshallnotbe。Buttheydiedquickly，andthethingwas。"

Hitchcocknoddedthatheheard，half—turned，andliftedhisvoice。

"Lookhere，youfellows！There’salotoffoolerygoingonovertothecamp，andthey’regettingreadytomurderSipsu。Whatd’yesay？"

WertzlookedatHawes，andHaweslookedback，butneitherspoke。

Sigmunddroppedhishead，andpettedtheshepherddogbetweenhisknees。HehadbroughtShepinwithhimfromtheoutside，andthoughtagreatdealoftheanimal。Infact，acertaingirl，whowasmuchinhisthoughts，andwhosepictureinthelittlelocketonhisbreastofteninspiredhimtosing，hadgivenhimthedogandherblessingwhentheykissedgood—byandhestartedonhisNorthlandquest。

"Whatd’yesay？"Hitchcockrepeated。

"Mebbeit’snotsoserious，"Hawesansweredwithdeliberation。

"Mostlikelyit’sonlyagirl’sstory。"

"Thatisn’tthepoint！"Hitchcockfeltahotflushofangersweepoverhimattheirevidentreluctance。"Thequestionis，ifitisso，arewegoingtostandit？Whatarewegoingtodo？"

"Idon’tseeanycalltointerfere，"spokeupWertz。"Ifitisso，itisso，andthat’sallthereisaboutit。It’sawaythesepeoplehaveofdoing。It’stheirreligion，andit’snoconcernofours。OurconcernistogetthedustandthengetoutofthisGod—forsakenland。’Tisn’tfitfornaughtelsebutbeasts？Andwhataretheseblackdevilsbutbeasts？Besides，it’dbedamnpoorpolicy。"

"That’swhatIsay，"chimedinHawes。"Hereweare，fourofus，threehundredmilesfromtheYukonorawhiteface。Andwhatcanwedoagainsthalf—a—hundredIndians？Ifwequarrelwiththem，wehavetovamose;ifwefight，wearewipedout。Further，we’vestruckpay，and，byGod！I，forone，amgoingtostickbyit！"

"Dittohere，"supplementedWertz。

HitchcockturnedimpatientlytoSigmund，whowassoftlysinging，—

"Inayear，inayear，whenthegrapesareripe，Ishallstaynomoreaway。"

"Well，it’sthisway，Hitchcock，"hefinallysaid，"I’minthesameboatwiththerest。Ifthree—scorebuckshavemadeuptheirmindtokillthegirl，why，wecan’thelpit。Onerush，andwe’dbewipedoffthelandscape。Andwhatgood’dthatbe？They’dstillhavethegirl。There’snouseingoingagainstthecustomsofapeopleexceptyou’reinforce。"

"Butweareinforce！"Hitchcockbrokein。"Fourwhitesareamatchforahundredtimesasmanyreds。Andthinkofthegirl！"

Sigmundstrokedthedogmeditatively。"ButIdothinkofthegirl。Andhereyesarebluelikesummerskies，andlaughinglikesummerseas，andherhairisyellow，likemine，andbraidedinropesthesizeofabigman’sarms。She’swaitingforme，outthere，inabetterland。Andshe’swaitedlong，andnowmypile’sinsightI’mnotgoingtothrowitaway。"

"AndshamedIwouldbetolookintothegirl’sblueeyesandremembertheblackonesofthegirlwhosebloodwasonmyhands，"

Hitchcocksneered;forhewasborntohonorandchampionship，andtodothethingforthething’ssake，norstoptoweighormeasure。

Sigmundshookhishead。"Youcan’tmakememad，Hitchcock，nordomadthingsbecauseofyourmadness。It’sacoldbusinesspropositionandaquestionoffacts。Ididn’tcometothiscountryformyhealth，and，further，it’simpossibleforustoraiseahand。Ifitisso，itistoobadforthegirl，that’sall。It’sawayofherpeople，anditjusthappenswe’reonthespotthisonetime。They’vedonethesameforathousand—thousandyears，andthey’regoingtodoitnow，andthey’llgoondoingitforalltimetocome。Besides，they’renotourkind。Nor’sthegirl。No，ItakemystandwithWertzandHawes，and——"

Butthedogssnarledanddrewin，andhebrokeoff，listeningtothecrunch—crunchofmanysnowshoes。IndianafterIndianstalkedintothefirelight，tallandgrim，fur—cladandsilent，theirshadowsdancinggrotesquelyonthesnow。One，thewitchdoctor，spokegutturallytoSipsu。Hisfacewasdaubedwithsavagepaintblotches，andoverhisshoulderswasdrawnawolfskin，thegleamingteethandcruelsnoutsurmountinghishead。Nootherwordwasspoken。Theprospectorsheldthepeace。Sipsuaroseandslippedintohersnowshoes。

"Good—by，Omyman，"shesaidtoHitchcock。Butthemanwhohadsatbesideheronthesledgavenosign，norliftedhisheadastheyfiledawayintothewhiteforest。

Unlikemanymen，hisfacultyofadaptation，whilelarge，hadneversuggestedtheexpediencyofanalliancewiththewomenoftheNorthland。Hisbroadcosmopolitanismhadneverimpelledtowardcovenantinginmarriagewiththedaughtersofthesoil。Ifithad，hisphilosophyoflifewouldnothavestoodbetween。Butitsimplyhadnot。Sipsu？Hehadpleasuredincamp—firechatswithher，notasamanwhoknewhimselftobemanandshewoman，butasamanmightwithachild，andasamanofhismakecertainlywouldiffornootherreasonthantovarythetediumofableakexistence。Thatwasall。Buttherewasacertainchivalricthrillofwarmbloodinhim，despitehisYankeeancestryandNewEnglandupbringing，andhewassomadethatthecommercialaspectoflifeoftenseemedmeaninglessandborecontradictiontohisdeeperimpulses。

Sohesatsilent，withheadbowedforward，anorganicforce，greaterthanhimself，asgreatashisrace，atworkwithinhim。

WertzandHaweslookedaskanceathimfromtimetotime，afaintbutperceptibletrepidationintheirmanner。Sigmundalsofeltthis。Hitchcockwasstrong，andhisstrengthhadbeenimpressedupontheminthecourseofmanyaneventintheirprecariouslife。

Sotheystoodinacertaindefiniteaweandcuriosityastowhathisconductwouldbewhenhemovedtoaction。

Buthissilencewaslong，andthefirenighout，whenWertzstretchedhisarmsandyawned，andthoughthe’dgotobed。ThenHitchcockstooduphisfullheight。

"MayGoddamnyoursoulstothedeepesthells，youchicken—heartedcowards！I’mdonewithyou！"Hesaiditcalmlyenough，buthisstrengthspokeineverysyllable，andeveryintonationwasadvertisementofintention。"Comeon，"hecontinued，"whackup，andinwhateverwaysuitsyoubest。Iownaquarter—interestintheclaims;ourcontractsshowthat。There’retwenty—fiveorthirtyouncesinthesackfromthetestpans。Fetchoutthescales。We’lldividethatnow。Andyou，Sigmund，measurememyquarter—shareofthegrubandsetitapart。Fourofthedogsaremine，andIwantfourmore。I’lltradeyoumyshareinthecampoutfitandmining—gearforthedogs。AndI’llthrowinmysixorsevenouncesandthespare45—90withtheammunition。Whatd’yesay？"

Thethreemendrewapartandconferred。Whentheyreturned，Sigmundactedasspokesman。"We’llwhackupfairwithyou，Hitchcock。Ineverythingyou’llgetyourquarter—share，neithermorenorless;andyoucantakeitorleaveit。Butwewantthedogsasbadasyoudo，soyougetfour，andthat’sall。Ifyoudon’twanttotakeyourshareoftheoutfitandgear，why，that’syourlookout。Ifyouwantit，youcanhaveit;ifyoudon’t，leaveit。"

"Theletterofthelaw，"Hitchcocksneered。"Butgoahead。I’mwilling。Andhurryup。Ican’tgetoutofthiscampandawayfromitsverminanytooquick。"

Thedivisionwaseffectedwithoutfurthercomment。Helashedhismeagrebelongingsupononeofthesleds，roundedinhisfourdogs，andharnessedup。Hisportionofoutfitandgearhedidnottouch，thoughhethrewontothesledhalfadozendogharnesses，andchallengedthemwithhiseyestointerfere。Buttheyshruggedtheirshouldersandwatchedhimdisappearintheforest。

Amancrawleduponhisbellythroughthesnow。Oneveryhandloomedthemoose—hidelodgesofthecamp。Hereandthereamiserabledoghowledorsnarledabuseuponhisneighbor。Once，oneofthemapproachedthecreepingman，butthemanbecamemotionless。Thedogcamecloserandsniffed，andcameyetcloser，tillitsnosetouchedthestrangeobjectwhichhadnotbeentherewhendarknessfell。ThenHitchcock，foritwasHitchcock，uprearedsuddenly，shootinganunmittenedhandouttothebrute’sshaggythroat。Andthedogknewitsdeathinthatclutch，andwhenthemanmovedon，wasleftbroken—neckedunderthestars。InthismannerHitchcockmadethechief’slodge。Forlonghelayinthesnowwithout，listeningtothevoicesoftheoccupantsandstrivingtolocateSipsu。Evidentlythereweremanyinthetent，andfromthesoundstheywereinhighexcitement。Atlastheheardthegirl’svoice，andcrawledaroundsothatonlythemoose—

hidedividedthem。Thenburrowinginthesnow，heslowlywormedhisheadandshouldersunderneath。Whenthewarminnerairsmotehisface，hestoppedandwaited，hislegsandthegreaterpartofhisbodystillontheoutside。Hecouldseenothing，nordidhedarelifthishead。Ononesideofhimwasaskinbale。Hecouldsmellit，thoughhecarefullyfelttobecertain。Ontheothersidehisfacebarelytouchedafurrygarmentwhichheknewclothedabody。ThismustbeSipsu。Thoughhewishedshewouldspeakagain，heresolvedtoriskit。

Hecouldhearthechiefandthewitchdoctortalkinghigh，andinafarcornersomehungrychildwhimperingtosleep。Squirmingoveronhisside，hecarefullyraisedhishead，stilljusttouchingthefurrygarment。Helistenedtothebreathing。Itwasawoman’sbreathing;hewouldchanceit。

Hepressedagainsthersidesoftlybutfirmly，andfeltherstartatthecontact。Againhewaited，tillaquestioninghandslippeddownuponhisheadandpausedamongthecurls。Thenextinstantthehandturnedhisfacegentlyupward，andhewasgazingintoSipsu’seyes。

Shewasquitecollected。Changingherpositioncasually，shethrewanelbowwelloverontheskinbale，restedherbodyuponit，andarrangedherparka。Inthiswayhewascompletelyconcealed。Then，andstillmostcasually，shereclinedacrosshim，sothathecouldbreathebetweenherarmandbreast，andwhensheloweredherheadherearpressedlightlyagainsthislips。

"Whenthetimesuits，gothou，"hewhispered，"outofthelodgeandacrossthesnow，downthewindtothebunchofjackpineinthecurveofthecreek。Therewiltthoufindmydogsandmysled，packedforthetrail。ThisnightwegodowntotheYukon;andsincewegofast，laythouhandsuponwhatdogscomenighthee，bythescruffoftheneck，anddragthemtothesledinthecurveofthecreek。"

Sipsushookherheadindissent;buthereyesglistenedwithgladness，andshewasproudthatthismanhadshowntowardhersuchfavor。Butshe，likethewomenofallherrace，wasborntoobeythewillmasculine，andwhenHitchcockrepeated"Go！"hediditwithauthority，andthoughshemadenoanswerheknewthathiswillwaslaw。

"Andnevermindharnessforthedogs，"headded，preparingtogo。

"Ishallwait。Butwastenotime。Thedaychaseththenightalway，nordoesitlingerforman’spleasure。"

Halfanhourlater，stampinghisfeetandswinginghisarmsbythesled，hesawhercoming，asurlydogineitherhand。Attheapproachofthesehisownanimalswaxedtruculent，andhefavoredthemwiththebuttofhiswhiptilltheyquieted。Hehadapproachedthecampupthewind，andsoundwasthethingtobemostfearedinmakinghispresenceknown。

"Putthemintothesled，"heorderedwhenshehadgottheharnessonthetwodogs。"Iwantmyleaderstothefore。"

Butwhenshehaddonethis，thedisplacedanimalspitcheduponthealiens。ThoughHitchcockplungedamongthemwithclubbedrifle，ariotofsoundwentupandacrossthesleepingcamp。

"Nowweshallhavedogs，andinplenty，"heremarkedgrimly，slippinganaxefromthesledlashings。"DothouharnesswhicheverIflingthee，andbetweenwhilesprotecttheteam。"

Hesteppedaspaceinadvanceandwaitedbetweentwopines。Thedogsofthecampweredisturbingthenightwiththeirjangle，andhewatchedfortheircoming。Adarkspot，growingrapidly，tookformuponthedimwhiteexpanseofsnow。Itwasaforerunnerofthepack，leapingcleanly，and，afterthewolffashion，singingdirectiontoitsbrothers。Hitchcockstoodintheshadow。Asitsprangpast，hereachedout，grippeditsforelegsinmid—career，andsentitwhirlingearthward。Thenhestruckitawell—judgedblowbeneaththeear，andflungittoSipsu。Andwhilesheclappedontheharness，he，withhisaxe，heldthepassagebetweenthetrees，tillashaggyfloodofwhiteteethandglisteningeyessurgedandcrestedjustbeyondreach。Sipsuworkedrapidly。Whenshehadfinished，heleapedforward，seizedandstunnedasecond，andflungittoher。Thisherepeatedthriceagain，andwhenthesledteamstoodsnarlinginastringoften，hecalled，"Enough！"

Butatthisinstantayoungbuck，theforerunnerofthetribe，andswiftoflimb，wadingthroughthedogsandcuffingrightandleft，attemptedthepassage。ThebuttofHitchcock’srifledrovehimtohisknees，whencehetoppledoversideways。Thewitchdoctor，runninglustily，sawtheblowfall。

HitchcockcalledtoSipsutopullout。Athershrill"Chook！"themaddenedbrutesshotstraightahead，andthesled，boundingmightily，justmissedunseatingher。Thepowerswereevidentlyangrywiththewitchdoctor，foratthismomenttheyplungedhimuponthetrail。Thelead—dogfouledhissnowshoesandtrippedhimup，andtheninesucceedingdogstrodhimunderfootandthesledbumpedoverhim。Buthewasquicktohisfeet，andthenightmighthaveturnedoutdifferentlyhadnotSipsustruckbackwardwiththelongdog—whipandsmittenhimablindingblowacrosstheeyes。Hitchcock，hurryingtoovertakeher，collidedagainsthimasheswayedwithpaininthemiddleofthetrail。Thusitwas，whenthisprimitivetheologiangotbacktothechief’slodge，thathiswisdomhadbeenincreasedinsofarasconcernstheefficacyofthewhiteman’sfist。So，whenheoratedthenandthereinthecouncil，hewaswrothagainstallwhitemen。

"Tumbleout，youloafers！Tumbleout！Grub’llbereadybeforeyougetintoyourfootgear！"

DaveWertzthrewoffthebearskin，satup，andyawned。

Hawesstretched，discoveredalamemuscleinhisarm，andrubbeditsleepily。"WonderwhereHitchcockbunkedlastnight？"hequeried，reachingforhismoccasins。Theywerestiff，andhewalkedgingerlyinhissockstothefiretothawthemout。"It’sablessinghe’sgone，"headded，"thoughhewasamightygoodworker。"

"Yep。Toomasterful。Thatwashistrouble。ToobadforSipsu。

Thinkhecaredforhermuch？"

"Don’tthinkso。Justprinciple。That’sall。Hethoughtitwasn’tright——and，ofcourse，itwasn’t，——butthatwasnoreasonforustointerfereandgethustledoverthedividebeforeourtime。"

"Principleisprinciple，andit’sgoodinitsplace，butit’sbestlefttohomewhenyougotoAlaska。Eh？"Wertzhadjoinedhismate，andbothwereworkingpliabilityintotheirfrozenmoccasins。"Thinkweoughttohavetakenahand？"

Sigmundshookhishead。Hewasverybusy。Ascudofchocolate—

coloredfoamwasrisinginthecoffee—pot，andthebaconneededturning。Also，hewasthinkingaboutthegirlwithlaughingeyeslikesummerseas，andhewashummingsoftly。

Hismateschuckledtoeachotherandceasedtalking。Thoughitwaspastseven，daybreakwasstillthreehoursdistant。Theauroraborealishadpassedoutofthesky，andthecampwasanoasisoflightinthemidstofdeepdarkness。Andinthislighttheformsofthethreemenweresharplydefined。Emboldenedbythesilence，Sigmundraisedhisvoiceandopenedthelaststanzaoftheoldsong：—

"Inayear，inayear，whenthegrapesareripe——"

Thenthenightwassplitwitharattlingvolleyofrifle—shots。

Hawessighed，madeanefforttostraightenhimself，andcollapsed。

Wertzwentoveronanelbowwithdroopinghead。Hechokedalittle，andadarkstreamflowedfromhismouth。AndSigmund，theGolden—Haired，histhroata—gurglewiththesong，threwuphisarmsandpitchedacrossthefire。

Thewitchdoctor’seyeswerewellblackened，andhistempernoneofthebest;forhequarrelledwiththechiefoverthepossessionofWertz’srifle，andtookmorethanhisshareofthepart—sackofbeans。Alsoheappropriatedthebearskin，andcausedgrumblingamongthetribesmen。Andfinally，hetriedtokillSigmund’sdog，whichthegirlhadgivenhim，butthedogranaway，whilehefellintotheshaftanddislocatedhisshoulderonthebucket。Whenthecampwaswelllootedtheywentbacktotheirownlodges，andtherewasagreatrejoicingamongthewomen。Further，abandofmoosestrayedoverthesouthdivideandfellbeforethehunters，sothewitchdoctorattainedyetgreaterhonor，andthepeoplewhisperedamongthemselvesthathespokeincouncilwiththegods。

Butlater，whenallweregone，theshepherddogcreptbacktothedesertedcamp，andallthenightlongandadayitwailedthedead。Afterthatitdisappeared，thoughtheyearswerenotmanybeforetheIndianhuntersnotedachangeinthebreedoftimberwolves，andthereweredashesofbrightcolorandvariegatedmarkingssuchasnowolfborebefore。

ADAUGHTEROFTHEAURORA

"You——whatyoucall——lazymans，youlazymanswoulddesiremetohafforwife。Itisnotgood。Nevaire，no，nevaire，willlazymansmyhoosbandbe。"

ThusJoyMolineauspokehermindtoJackHarrington，evenasshehadspokenit，butmoretritelyandinhisowntongue，toLouisSavoythepreviousnight。

"Listen，Joy——"

"No，no;whymoos’Ilistentolazymans？Itisvairebad，youhangrount，makevisitationtomycabin，anddonothing。Howyougetgrubforthefamine？Whyhafnotyouthedust？Oddermanshafplentee。"

"ButIworkhard，Joy。NeveradayamInotontrailorupcreek。

EvennowhaveIjustcomeoff。Mydogsareyettired。Othermenhaveluckandfindplentyofgold;butI——Ihavenoluck。"

"Ah！ButwhenthismanswiththewifewhichisIndian，thismansMcCormack，whenhimdiscovairetheKlondike，yougonot。Oddermansgo;oddermansnowrich。"

"YouknowIwasprospectingoveronthehead—reachesoftheTanana，"Harringtonprotested，"andknewnothingoftheEldoradoorBonanzauntilitwastoolate。"

"Thatisdeeferent;onlyyouare——whatyoucallwayoff。"

"What？"

"Wayoff。Inthe——yes——inthedark。Itisnevairetoolate。Onevairerichmineisthere，onthecreekwhichisEldorado。Themansdrivethestakeandhimgo’way。Noodddrmansknowwhatofhimbecome。Themans，himwhichdrivethestake，isnevairenomore。Sixtydaysnomansonthatclaimfilethepapaire。Thenoddermans，plenteeoddermans——whatyoucall——jumpthatclaim。

Thentheyrace，Osoqueek，likethewind，tofilethepapaire。

Himbevairerich。Himgetgrubforfamine。"

Harringtonhidthemajorportionofhisinterest。

"When’sthetimeup？"heasked。"Whatclaimisit？"

"SoIspeakLouisSavoylastnight，"shecontinued，ignoringhim。

"HimIthinkthewinnaire。"

"HangLouisSavoy！"

"SoLouisSavoyspeakinmycabinlastnight。Himsay，’Joy，Iamstrongmans。Ihafgooddogs。Ihaflongwind。Iwillbewinnaire。Thenyouwillhafmeforhoosband？’AndIsaytohim，Isay——"

"What’dyousay？"

"Isay，’IfLouisSavoyiswinnaire，thenwillhehafmeforwife。’"

"Andifhedon’twin？"

"ThenLouisSavoy，himwillnotbe——whatyoucall——thefatherofmychildren。"

"AndifIwin？"

"Youwinnaire？Ha！ha！Nevaire！"

Exasperatingasitwas，JoyMolineau’slaughterwasprettytohear。Harringtondidnotmindit。Hehadlongsincebeenbrokenin。Besides，hewasnoexception。Shehadforcedallherloverstosufferinkind。Andveryenticingshewasjustthen，herlipsparted，hercolorheightenedbythesharpkissofthefrost，hereyesvibrantwiththelurewhichisthegreatestofallluresandwhichmaybeseennowheresaveinwoman’seyes。Hersled—dogsclusteredaboutherinhirsutemasses，andtheleader，WolfFang，laidhislongsnoutsoftlyinherlap。

"IfIdowin？"Harringtonpressed。

Shelookedfromdogtoloverandbackagain。

"Whatyousay，WolfFang？Ifhimstrongmansandfilethepapaire，shallwehiswifebecome？Eh？Whatyousay？"

WolfFangpickeduphisearsandgrowledatHarrington。

"Itisvairecold，"shesuddenlyaddedwithfeminineirrelevance，risingtoherfeetandstraighteningouttheteam。

Herloverlookedonstolidly。Shehadkepthimguessingfromthefirsttimetheymet，andpatiencehadbeenjoineduntohisvirtues。

"Hi！WolfFang！"shecried，springinguponthesledasitleapedintosuddenmotion。"Ai！Ya！Mush—on！"

FromthecornerofhiseyeHarringtonwatchedherswingingdownthetrailtoFortyMile。WheretheroadforkedandcrossedtherivertoFortCudahy，shehaltedthedogsandturnedabout。

"OMistaireLazyMans！"shecalledback。"WolfFang，himsayyes—

—ifyouwinnaire！"

Butsomehow，assuchthingswill，itleakedout，andallFortyMile，whichhadhithertospeculatedonJoyMolineau’schoicebetweenhertwolatestlovers，nowhazardedbetsandguessesastowhichwouldwinintheforthcomingrace。Thecampdivideditselfintotwofactions，andeveryeffortwasputforthinorderthattheirrespectivefavoritesmightbethefirstinatthefinish。

Therewasascrambleforthebestdogsthecountrycouldafford，fordogs，andgoodones，wereessential，aboveall，tosuccess。

Anditmeantmuchtothevictor。Besidesthepossessionofawife，thelikeofwhichhadyettobecreated，itstoodforamineworthamillionatleast。

Thatfall，whennewscamedownofMcCormack’sdiscoveryonBonanza，alltheLowerCountry，CircleCityandFortyMileincluded，hadstampededuptheYukon，——atleastallsavethosewho，likeJackHarringtonandLouisSavoy，wereawayprospectinginthewest。Moosepasturesandcreekswerestakedindiscriminatelyandpromiscuously;andincidentally，oneoftheunlikeliestofcreeks，Eldorado。OlafNelsonlaidclaimtofivehundredofitslinearfeet，dulypostedhisnotice，andasdulydisappeared。AtthattimethenearestrecordingofficewasinthepolicebarracksatFortCudahy，justacrosstheriverfromFortyMile;butwhenitbecamebruitedabroadthatEldoradoCreekwasatreasure—house，itwasquicklydiscoveredthatOlafNelsonhadfailedtomakethedown—Yukontriptofileuponhisproperty。Mencasthungryeyesupontheownerlessclaim，wheretheyknewathousand—thousanddollarswaitedbutshovelandsluice—box。Yettheydarednottouchit;fortherewasalawwhichpermittedsixtydaystolapsebetweenthestakingandthefiling，duringwhichtimeaclaimwasimmune。ThewholecountryknewofOlafNelson’sdisappearance，andscoresofmenmadepreparationforthejumpingandfortheconsequentracetoFortCudahy。

ButcompetitionatFortyMilewaslimited。WiththecampdevotingitsenergiestotheequippingeitherofJackHarringtonorLouisSavoy，nomanwasunwiseenoughtoenterthecontestsingle—

handed。ItwasastretchofahundredmilestotheRecorder’soffice，anditwasplannedthatthetwofavoritesshouldhavefourrelaysofdogsstationedalongthetrail。Naturally，thelastrelaywastobethecrucialone，andforthesetwenty—fivemilestheirrespectivepartisansstrovetoobtainthestrongestpossibleanimals。Sobitterdidthefactionswax，andsohighdidtheybid，thatdogsbroughtstifferpricesthaneverbeforeintheannalsofthecountry。And，asitchanced，thisscramblefordogsturnedthepubliceyestillmoresearchinglyuponJoyMolineau。

Notonlywasshethecauseofitall，butshepossessedthefinestsled—dogfromChilkoottoBeringSea。Aswheelorleader，WolfFanghadnoequal。Themanwhosesledheleddownthelaststretchwasboundtowin。Therecouldbenodoubtofit。Butthecommunityhadaninnatesenseofthefitnessofthings，andnotoncewasJoyvexedbyoverturesforhisuse。Andthefactionsdrewconsolationfromthefactthatifonemandidnotprofitbyhim，neithershouldtheother。

However，sinceman，intheindividualorintheaggregate，hasbeensofashionedthathegoesthroughlifeblissfullyobtusetothedeepersubtletiesofhiswomankind，sothemenofFortyMilefailedtodivinetheinnerdeviltryofJoyMolineau。Theyconfessed，afterward，thattheyhadfailedtoappreciatethisdark—eyeddaughteroftheaurora，whosefatherhadtradedfursinthecountrybeforeevertheydreamedofinvadingit，andwhohadherselffirstopenedeyesonthescintillantnorthernlights。

Nay，accidentofbirthhadnotrenderedherlessthewoman，norhaditlimitedherwoman’sunderstandingofmen。Theyknewsheplayedwiththem，buttheydidnotknowthewisdomofherplay，itsdeepnessanditsdeftness。Theyfailedtoseemorethantheexposedcard，sothattotheverylastFortyMilewasinastateofpleasantobfuscation，anditwasnotuntilshecastherfinaltrumpthatitcametoreckonupthescore。

EarlyintheweekthecampturnedouttostartJackHarringtonandLouisSavoyontheirway。Theyhadtakenashrewdmarginoftime，foritwastheirwishtoarriveatOlafNelson’sclaimsomedaysprevioustotheexpirationofitsimmunity，thattheymightrestthemselves，andtheirdogsbefreshforthefirstrelay。OnthewayuptheyfoundthemenofDawsonalreadystationingsparedogteamsalongthetrail，anditwasmanifestthatlittleexpensehadbeensparedinviewofthemillionsatstake。

Acoupleofdaysafterthedepartureoftheirchampions，FortyMilebegansendinguptheirrelays，——firsttotheseventy—fivestation，thentothefifty，andlasttothetwenty—five。Theteamsforthelaststretchweremagnificent，andsoequallymatchedthatthecampdiscussedtheirrelativemeritsforafullhouratfiftybelow，beforetheywerepermittedtopullout。AtthelastmomentJoyMolineaudashedinamongthemonhersled。

ShedrewLonMcFane，whohadchargeofHarrington’steam，tooneside，andhardlyhadthefirstwordsleftherlipswhenitwasnoticedthathislowerjawdroppedwithacelerityandemphasissuggestiveofgreatthings。HeunhitchedWolfFangfromhersled，puthimattheheadofHarrington’steam，andmushedthestringofanimalsintotheYukontrail。

"PoorLouisSavoy！"mensaid;butJoyMolineauflashedherblackeyesdefiantlyanddrovebacktoherfather’scabin。

MidnightdrewnearonOlafNelson’sclaim。Afewhundredfur—cladmenhadpreferredsixtybelowandthejumping，totheinducementsofwarmcabinsandcomfortablebunks。Severalscoreofthemhadtheirnoticespreparedforpostingandtheirdogsathand。A

bunchofCaptainConstantine’smountedpolicehadbeenorderedondutythatfairplaymightrule。Thecommandhadgoneforththatnomanshouldplaceastaketillthelastsecondofthedayhadtickeditselfintothepast。InthenorthlandsuchcommandsareequaltoJehovah’sinthematterofpotency;thedum—dumasrapidandeffectiveasthethunderbolt。Itwasclearandcold。Theauroraborealispaintedpalpitatingcolorrevelsonthesky。Rosywavesofcoldbrilliancysweptacrossthezenith，whilegreatcoruscatingbarsofgreenishwhiteblottedoutthestars，oraTitan’shandrearedmightyarchesabovethePole。Andatthismightydisplaythewolf—dogshowledashadtheirancestorsofoldtime。

Abearskin—coatedpolicemansteppedprominentlytothefore，watchinhand。Menhurriedamongthedogs，rousingthemtotheirfeet，untanglingtheirtraces，straighteningthemout。Theentriescametothemark，firmlygrippingstakesandnotices。Theyhadgoneovertheboundariesoftheclaimsooftenthattheycouldnowhavedoneitblindfolded。Thepolicemanraisedhishand。Castingofftheirsuperfluousfursandblankets，andwithafinalcinchingofbelts，theycametoattention。

"Time！"

Sixtypairsofhandsunmitted;asmanypairsofmoccasinsgrippedharduponthesnow。

"Go！"

Theyshotacrossthewideexpanse，roundthefoursides，stickingnoticesateverycorner，anddownthemiddlewherethetwocentrestakesweretobeplanted。Thentheysprangforthesledsonthefrozenbedofthecreek。Ananarchyofsoundandmotionbrokeout。Sledcollidedwithsled，anddog—teamfastenedupondog—teamwithbristlingmanesandscreamingfangs。Thenarrowcreekwasgluttedwiththestrugglingmass。Lashesandbuttsofdog—whipsweredistributedimpartiallyamongmenandbrutes。Andtomakeitofgreatermoment，eachparticipanthadabunchofcomradesintentonbreakinghimoutofjam。Butonebyone，andbysheerstrength，thesledscreptoutandshotfromsightinthedarknessoftheoverhangingbanks。

JackHarringtonhadanticipatedthiscrushandwaitedbyhissleduntilituntangled。LouisSavoy，awareofhisrival’sgreaterwisdominthematterofdog—driving，hadfollowedhisleadandalsowaited。Therouthadpassedbeyondear—shotwhentheytookthetrail，anditwasnottilltheyhadtravelledthetenmilesorsodowntoBonanzathattheycameuponit，speedingalonginsinglefile，butwellbunched。Therewaslittlenoise，andlesschanceofonepassinganotheratthatstage。Thesleds，fromrunnertorunner，measuredsixteeninches，thetraileighteen;butthetrail，packeddownfullyafootbythetraffic，waslikeagutter。Oneithersidespreadtheblanketofsoftsnowcrystals。

Ifamanturnedintothisinanendeavortopass，hisdogswouldwallowperforcetotheirbelliesandslowdowntoasnail’space。

Sothemenlayclosetotheirleapingsledsandwaited。NoalterationinpositionoccurreddownthefifteenmilesofBonanzaandKlondiketoDawson，wheretheYukonwasencountered。Herethefirstrelayswaited。Buthere，intenttokilltheirfirstteams，ifnecessary，HarringtonandSavoyhadhadtheirfreshteamsplacedacoupleofmilesbeyondthoseoftheothers。Intheconfusionofchangingsledstheypassedfullhalfthebunch。

PerhapsthirtymenwerestillleadingthemwhentheyshotontothebroadbreastoftheYukon。Herewasthetug。Whentheriverfrozeinthefall，amileofopenwaterhadbeenleftbetweentwomightyjams。Thishadbutrecentlycrusted，thecurrentbeingswift，andnowitwasaslevel，hard，andslipperyasadancefloor。TheinstanttheystruckthisglareiceHarringtoncametohisknees，holdingprecariouslyonwithonehand，hiswhipsingingfiercelyamonghisdogsandfearsomeabjurationshurtlingabouttheirears。Theteamsspreadoutonthesmoothsurface，eachstrainingtotheuttermost。ButfewmenintheNorthcouldlifttheirdogsasdidJackHarrington。Atoncehebegantopullahead，andLouisSavoy，takingthepace，hungondesperately，hisleadersrunningevenwiththetailofhisrival’ssled。

Midwayontheglassystretchtheirrelaysshotoutfromthebank。

ButHarringtondidnotslacken。Watchinghischancewhenthenewsledswunginclose，heleapedacross，shoutingashedidsoandjumpingupthepaceofhisfreshdogs。Theotherdriverfelloffsomehow。Savoydidlikewisewithhisrelay，andtheabandonedteams，swervingtorightandleft，collidedwiththeothersandpiledtheicewithconfusion。Harringtoncutoutthepace;Savoyhungon。Astheynearedtheendoftheglareice，theysweptabreastoftheleadingsled。Whentheyshotintothenarrowtrailbetweenthesoftsnowbanks，theyledtherace;andDawson，watchingbythelightoftheaurora，sworethatitwasneatlydone。

Whenthefrostgrowslustyatsixtybelow，mencannotlongremainwithoutfireorexcessiveexercise，andlive。SoHarringtonandSavoynowfelltotheancientcustomof"rideandrun。"Leapingfromtheirsleds，tow—thongsinhand，theyranbehindtillthebloodresumeditswontedchannelsandexpelledthefrost，thenbacktothesledstilltheheatagainebbedaway。Thus，ridingandrunning，theycoveredthesecondandthirdrelays。Severaltimes，onsmoothice，Savoyspurtedhisdogs，andasoftenfailedtogainpast。Strungalongforfivemilesintherear，theremainderoftheracestrovetoovertakethem，butvainly，fortoLouisSavoyalonewastheglorygivenofkeepingJackHarrington’skillingpace。

Astheyswungintotheseventy—five—milestation，LonMcFanedashedalongside;WolfFangintheleadcaughtHarrington’seye，andheknewthattheracewashis。NoteamintheNorthcouldpasshimonthoselasttwenty—fivemiles。AndwhenSavoysawWolfFangheadinghisrival’steam，heknewthathewasoutoftherunning，andhecursedsoftlytohimself，inthewaywomanismostfrequentlycursed。Buthestillclungtotheother’ssmokingtrail，gamblingonchancetothelast。Andastheychurnedalong，thedaybreakinginthesoutheast，theymarvelledinjoyandsorrowatthatwhichJoyMolineauhaddone。

FortyMilehadearlycrawledoutofitssleepingfursandcongregatedneartheedgeofthetrail。Fromthispointitcouldviewtheup—Yukoncoursetoitsfirstbendseveralmilesaway。

HereitcouldalsoseeacrosstherivertothefinishatFortCudahy，wheretheGoldRecordernervouslyawaited。JoyMolineauhadtakenherpositionseveralrodsbackfromthetrail，andunderthecircumstances，therestofFortyMileforboreinterposingitself。Sothespacewasclearbetweenherandtheslenderlineofthecourse。Fireshadbeenbuilt，andaroundthesemenwagereddustanddogs，thelongoddsonWolfFang。

"Heretheycome！"shrilledanIndianboyfromthetopofapine。

UptheYukonablackspeckappearedagainstthesnow，closelyfollowedbyasecond。Asthesegrewlarger，moreblackspecksmanifestedthemselves，butatagoodlydistancetotherear。

Graduallytheyresolvedthemselvesintodogsandsleds，andmenlyingflatuponthem。"WolfFangleads，"alieutenantofpolicewhisperedtoJoy。Shesmiledherinterestback。

"TentooneonHarrington！"criedaBirchCreekKing，draggingouthissack。

"TheQueen，herpayyounotmooch？"queriedJoy。

Thelieutenantshookhishead。

"Youhavesomedust，ah，howmooch？"shecontinued。

Heexposedhissack。Shegaugeditwitharapideye。

"Mebbe——say——twohundred，eh？Good。NowIgive——whatyoucall——

thetip。Covairethebet。"Joysmiledinscrutably。Thelieutenantpondered。Heglancedupthetrail。Thetwomenhadrisentotheirkneesandwerelashingtheirdogsfuriously，Harringtoninthelead。

"TentooneonHarrington！"bawledtheBirchCreekKing，flourishinghissackinthelieutenant’sface。

"Covairethebet，"Joyprompted。

Heobeyed，shrugginghisshouldersintokenthatheyielded，nottothedictateofhisreason，buttohercharm。Joynoddedtoreassurehim。

Allnoiseceased。Menpausedintheplacingofbets。

Yawingandreelingandplunging，likeluggersbeforethewind，thesledssweptwildlyuponthem。ThoughhestillkepthisleaderuptothetailofHarrington’ssled，LouisSavoy’sfacewaswithouthope。Harrington’smouthwasset。Helookedneithertotherightnortotheleft。Hisdogswereleapinginperfectrhythm，firm—

footed，closetothetrail，andWolfFang，headlowandunseeing，whiningsoftly，wasleadinghiscomradesmagnificently。

FortyMilestoodbreathless。Notasound，savetheroaroftherunnersandthevoiceofthewhips。

ThentheclearvoiceofJoyMolineauroseontheair。"Ai！Ya！

WolfFang！WolfFang！"

WolfFangheard。Heleftthetrailsharply，headingdirectlyforhismistress。Theteamdashedafterhim，andthesledpoisedaninstantonasinglerunner，thenshotHarringtonintothesnow。

Savoywasbylikeaflash。HarringtonpulledtohisfeetandwatchedhimskimmingacrosstherivertotheGoldRecorder’s。Hecouldnothelphearingwhatwassaid。

"Ah，himdovairewell，"JoyMolineauwasexplainingtothelieutenant。"Him——whatyoucall——setthepace。Yes，himsetthepacevairewell。"

ATTHERAINBOW’SEND

ItwasfortworeasonsthatMontanaKiddiscardedhis"chaps"andMexicanspurs，andshookthedustoftheIdahorangesfromhisfeet。Inthefirstplace，theencroachmentsofasteady，sober，andsternlymoralcivilizationhaddestroyedtheprimevalstatusofthewesterncattleranges，andrefinedsocietyturnedthecoldeyeofdisfavoruponhimandhisilk。Inthesecondplace，inoneofitscyclopeanmomentstheracehadarisenandshovedbackitsfrontierseveralthousandmiles。Thus，withunconsciousforesight，didmaturesocietymakeroomforitsadolescentmembers。True，thenewterritorywasmostlybarren;butitsseveralhundredthousandsquaremilesoffrigidityatleastgavebreathingspacetothosewhoelsewouldhavesuffocatedathome。

MontanaKidwassuchaone。Headingforthesea—coast，withahasteseveralsheriff’spossesmightpossiblyhaveexplained，andwithmorenervethancoinoftherealm，hesucceededinshippingfromaPugetSoundport，andmanagedtosurvivethecontingentmiseriesofsteeragesea—sicknessandsteeragegrub。Hewasrathersallowanddrawn，butstillhisownindomitableself，whenhelandedontheDyeabeachonedayinthespringoftheyear。

Betweenthecostofdogs，grub，andoutfits，andthecustomsexactionsofthetwoclashinggovernments，itspeedilypenetratedtohisunderstandingthattheNorthlandwasanythingsaveapoorman’sMecca。Sohecastabouthiminsearchofquickharvests。

Betweenthebeachandthepasseswerescatteredmanythousandsofpassionatepilgrims。ThesepilgrimsMontanaKidproceededtofarm。Atfirsthedealtfaroinapine—boardgamblingshack;butdisagreeablenecessityforcedhimtodropasuddenperiodintoaman’slife，andtomoveonuptrail。Thenheeffectedacornerinhorseshoenails，andtheycirculatedatparwithlegaltender，fourtothedollar，tillanunexpectedconsignmentofahundredbarrelsorsobrokethemarketandforcedhimtodisgorgehisstockataloss。AfterthathelocatedatSheepCamp，organizedtheprofessionalpackers，andjumpedthefreighttencentsapoundinasingleday。Intokenoftheirgratitude，thepackerspatronizedhisfaroandroulettelayoutsandweremulctedcheerfullyoftheirearnings。Buthiscommercialismwasoftoolustyagrowthtobelongendured;sotheyrushedhimonenight，burnedhisshanty，dividedthebank，andheadedhimupthetrailwithemptypockets。

Ill—luckwashisrunningmate。Heengagedwithresponsiblepartiestorunwhiskyacrossthelinebywayofprecariousandunknowntrails，losthisIndianguides，andhadtheveryfirstoutfitconfiscatedbytheMountedPolice。Numerousothermisfortunestendedtomakehimbitterofheartandwantonofaction，andhecelebratedhisarrivalatLakeBennettbyterrorizingthecampfortwentystraighthours。Thenaminers’

meetingtookhiminhand，andcommandedhimtomakehimselfscarce。Hehadawholesomerespectforsuchassemblages，andheobeyedinsuchhastethatheinadvertentlyremovedhimselfatthetail—endofanotherman’sdogteam。Thiswasequivalenttohorse—

stealinginamoremellowclime，sohehitonlythehighplacesacrossBennettanddownTagish，andmadehisfirstcampafullhundredmilestothenorth。

Nowithappenedthatthebreakofspringwasathand，andmanyoftheprincipalcitizensofDawsonweretravellingsouthonthelastice。Thesehemetandtalkedwith，notedtheirnamesandpossessions，andpassedon。Hehadagoodmemory，alsoafairimagination;norwasveracityoneofhisvirtues。

II

Dawson，alwayseagerfornews，beheldMontanaKid’ssledheadingdowntheYukon，andwentoutontheicetomeethim。No，hehadn’tanynewspapers;didn’tknowwhetherDurrantwashangedyet，norwhohadwontheThanksgivinggame;hadn’theardwhethertheUnitedStatesandSpainhadgonetofighting;didn’tknowwhoDreyfuswas;butO’Brien？Hadn’ttheyheard？O’Brien，why，hewasdrownedintheWhiteHorse;SitkaCharleytheonlyoneofthepartywhoescaped。JoeLadue？BothlegsfrozenandamputatedattheFiveFingers。AndJackDalton？Blownuponthe"SeaLion"

withallhands。AndBettles？Wreckedonthe"Carthagina，"inSeymourNarrows，——twentysurvivorsoutofthreehundred。AndSwiftwaterBill？GonethroughtherotteniceofLakeLeBargewithsixfemalemembersoftheoperatroupehewasconvoying。GovernorWalsh？LostwithallhandsandeightsledsontheThirtyMile。

Devereaux？WhowasDevereaux？Oh，thecourier！ShotbyIndiansonLakeMarsh。

Soitwent。Thewordwaspassedalong。Menshoulderedintoaskafterfriendsandpartners，andinturnwereshoulderedout，toostunnedforblasphemy。BythetimeMontanaKidgainedthebankhewassurroundedbyseveralhundredfur—cladminers。WhenhepassedtheBarrackshewasthecentreofaprocession。AttheOperaHousehewasthenucleusofanexcitedmob，eachmemberstrugglingforachancetoaskaftersomeabsentcomrade。Oneverysidehewasbeinginvitedtodrink。NeverbeforehadtheKlondikethusopeneditsarmstoache—cha—qua。AllDawsonwashumming。Suchaseriesofcatastropheshadneveroccurredinitshistory。Everymanofnotewhohadgonesouthinthespringhadbeenwipedout。

Thecabinsvomitedforththeiroccupants。Wild—eyedmenhurrieddownfromthecreeksandgulchestoseekoutthismanwhohadtoldataleofsuchdisaster。TheRussianhalf—breedwifeofBettlessoughtthefireplace，inconsolable，androckedbackandforth，andeverandanonflungwhitewood—ashesuponherravenhair。TheflagattheBarracksfloppeddismallyathalf—mast。Dawsonmourneditsdead。

WhyMontanaKiddidthisthingnomanmayknow。Norbeyondthefactthatthetruthwasnotinhim，canexplanationbehazarded。

Butforfivewholedaysheplungedthelandinwailingandsorrow，andforfivewholedayshewastheonlymanintheKlondike。Thecountrygavehimitsbestofbedandboard。Thesaloonsgrantedhimthefreedomoftheirbars。Mensoughthimcontinuously。Thehighofficialsboweddowntohimforfurtherinformation，andhewasfeastedattheBarracksbyConstantineandhisbrotherofficers。Andthen，oneday，Devereaux，thegovernmentcourier，haltedhistireddogsbeforethegoldcommissioner’soffice。

Dead？Whosaidso？Givehimamoosesteakandhe’dshowthemhowdeadhewas。Why，GovernorWalshwasincampontheLittleSalmon，andO’Briencominginonthefirstwater。Dead？Givehimamoosesteakandhe’dshowthem。

AndforthwithDawsonhummed。TheBarracks’flagrosetothemasthead，andBettles’wifewashedherselfandputoncleanraiment。ThecommunitysubtlysignifieditsdesirethatMontanaKidobliteratehimselffromthelandscape。AndMontanaKidobliterated;asusual，atthetail—endofsomeoneelse’sdogteam。DawsonrejoicedwhenheheadeddowntheYukon，andwishedhimgodspeedtotheultimatedestinationofthecase—hardenedsinner。Afterthattheownerofthedogsbestirredhimself，madecomplainttoConstantine，andfromhimreceivedtheloanofapoliceman。

III

WithCircleCityinprospectandthelasticecrumblingunderhisrunners，MontanaKidtookadvantageofthelengtheningdaysandtravelledhisdogslateandearly。Further，hehadbutlittledoubtthattheownerofthedogsinquestionhadtakenhistrail，andhewishedtomakeAmericanterritorybeforetheriverbroke。

Butbytheafternoonofthethirddayitbecameevidentthathehadlostinhisracewithspring。TheYukonwasgrowlingandstrainingatitsfetters。Longdetoursbecamenecessary，forthetrailhadbeguntofallthroughintotheswiftcurrentbeneath，whiletheice，inconstantunrest，wasthunderingapartingreatgapingfissures。Throughtheseandthroughcountlessairholes，thewaterbegantosweepacrossthesurfaceoftheice，andbythetimehepulledintoawoodchopper’scabinonthepointofanisland，thedogswerebeingrushedofftheirfeetandwereswimmingmoreoftenthannot。Hewasgreetedsourlybythetworesidents，butheunharnessedandproceededtocookup。

DonaldandDavywerefairspecimensoffrontierinefficients。