Whenhediscoveredablood-blisterunderathumb-nail，whichhehadreceivedthepreviousweek，hisself-identificationbecamedoublysure，andheknewthatthoseunfamiliarhandsbelongedtoMarcusO’Brien，or，justasmuchtothepoint，thatMarcusO’Brienbelongedtothehands。Hisfirstthoughtwasthathewasill——thathehadhadriverfever。Ithurthimsomuchtoopenhiseyesthathekeptthemclosed。Asmallfloatingbranchstrucktheboatasharprap。Hethoughtitwassomeoneknockingonthecabindoor，andsaid，"Comein。"Hewaitedforawhile，andthensaidtestily，"Stayout，then，damnyou。"Butjustthesamehewishedtheywouldcomeinandtellhimabouthisillness。
Butashelaythere，thepastnightbegantoreconstructitselfinhisbrain。Hehadn’tbeensickatall，washisthought;hehadmerelybeendrunk，anditwastimeforhimtogetupandgotowork。
Worksuggestedhismine，andherememberedthathehadrefusedtenthousanddollarsforit。Hesatupabruptlyandsqueezedopenhiseyes。Hesawhimselfinaboat，floatingontheswollenbrownfloodoftheYukon。Thespruce-coveredshoresandislandswereunfamiliar。
Hewasstunnedforatime。Hecouldn’tmakeitout。Hecouldrememberthelastnight’sorgy，buttherewasnoconnectionbetweenthatandhispresentsituation。
Heclosedhiseyesandheldhisachingheadinhishands。Whathadhappened？Slowlythedreadfulthoughtaroseinhismind。Hefoughtagainstit，strovetodriveitaway，butitpersisted：hehadkilledsomebody。ThatalonecouldexplainwhyhewasinanopenboatdriftingdowntheYukon。ThelawofRedCowthathehadsolongadministeredhadnowbeenadministeredtohim。Hehadkilledsomeoneandbeensetadrift。Butwhom？Herackedhisachingbrainfortheanswer，butallthatcamewasavaguememoryofbodiesfallinguponhimandofstrikingoutatthem。Whowerethey？Maybehehadkilledmorethanone。Hereachedtohisbelt。Theknifewasmissingfromitssheath。Hehaddoneitwiththatundoubtedly。Buttheremusthavebeensomereasonforthekilling。Heopenedhiseyesandinapanicbegantosearchabouttheboat。Therewasnogrub，notanounceofgrub。Hesatdownwithagroan。Hehadkilledwithoutprovocation。Theextremerigourofthelawhadbeenvisiteduponhim。
Forhalfanhourheremainedmotionless，holdinghisachingheadandtryingtothink。Thenhecooledhisstomachwithadrinkofwaterfromoversideandfeltbetter。Hestoodup，andaloneonthewide-
stretchingYukon，withnaughtbuttheprimevalwildernesstohear，hecursedstrongdrink。Afterthathetieduptoahugefloatingpinethatwasdeepersunkinthecurrentthantheboatandthatconsequentlydriftedfaster。Hewashedhisfaceandhands，satdowninthestern-sheets，anddidsomemorethinking。ItwaslateinJune。ItwastwothousandmilestoBeringSea。Theboatwasaveragingfivemilesanhour。Therewasnodarknessinsuchhighlatitudesatthattimeoftheyear，andhecouldruntherivereveryhourofthetwenty-four。Thiswouldmean，daily，ahundredandtwentymiles。Strikeoutthetwentyforaccidents，andthereremainedahundredmilesaday。IntwentydayshewouldreachBeringSea。Andthiswouldinvolvenoexpenditureofenergy;theriverdidthework。Hecouldliedowninthebottomoftheboatandhusbandhisstrength。
Fortwodaysheatenothing。Then，driftingintotheYukonFlats，hewentashoreonthelow-lyingislandsandgatheredtheeggsofwildgeeseandducks。Hehadnomatches，andatetheeggsraw。Theywerestrong，buttheykepthimgoing。WhenhecrossedtheArcticCircle，hefoundtheHudsonBayCompany’spost。ThebrigadehadnotyetarrivedfromtheMackenzie，andthepostwascompletelyoutofgrub。
Hewasofferedwild-duckeggs，butheinformedthemthathehadabushelofthesameontheboat。Hewasalsoofferedadrinkofwhisky，whichherefusedwithanexhibitionofviolentrepugnance。
Hegotmatches，however，andafterthathecookedhiseggs。Towardthemouthoftheriverhead-windsdelayedhim，andhewastwenty-fourdaysontheeggdiet。Unfortunately，whileasleephehaddriftedbyboththemissionsofSt。PaulandHolyCross。Andhecouldsincerelysay，asheafterwarddid，thattalkaboutmissionsontheYukonwasallhumbug。Thereweren’tanymissions，andhewasthemantoknow。
OnceonBeringSeaheexchangedtheeggdietforsealdiet，andhenevercouldmakeuphismindwhichhelikedleast。InthefalloftheyearhewasrescuedbyaUnitedStatesrevenuecutter，andthefollowingwinterhemadequiteahitinSanFranciscoasatemperancelecturer。Inthisfieldhefoundhisvocation。"Avoidthebottle"
ishissloganandbattle-cry。Hemanagessubtlytoconveytheimpressionthatinhisownlifeagreatdisasterwaswroughtbythebottle。Hehasevenmentionedthelossofafortunethatwascausedbythathell-baitofthedevil，butbehindthatincidenthislistenersfeeltheloomofsometerribleandunguessedevilforwhichthebottleisresponsible。Hehasmadeasuccessinhisvocation，andhasgrowngreyandrespectedinthecrusadeagainststrongdrink。
ButontheYukonthepassingofMarcusO’Brienremainstradition。ItisamysterythatranksatparwiththedisappearanceofSirJohnFranklin。
THEWITOFPORPORTUK
El-SoohadbeenaMissiongirl。Hermotherhaddiedwhenshewasverysmall，andSisterAlbertahadpluckedEl-Sooasabrandfromtheburning，onesummerday，andcarriedherawaytoHolyCrossMissionanddedicatedhertoGod。El-Soowasafull-bloodedIndian，yetsheexceededallthehalf-breedandquarter-breedgirls。Neverhadthegoodsistersdealtwithagirlsoadaptableandatthesametimesospirited。
El-Soowasquick，anddeft，andintelligent;butaboveallshewasfire，thelivingflameoflife，ablazeofpersonalitythatwascompoundedofwill，sweetness，anddaring。Herfatherwasachief，andhisbloodraninherveins。Obedience，onthepartofEl-Soo，wasamatteroftermsandarrangement。Shehadapassionforequity，andperhapsitwasbecauseofthisthatsheexcelledinmathematics。
Butsheexcelledinotherthings。ShelearnedtoreadandwriteEnglishasnogirlhadeverlearnedintheMission。Sheledthegirlsinsinging，andintosongshecarriedhersenseofequity。Shewasanartist，andthefireofherflowedtowardcreation。Hadshefrombirthenjoyedamorefavourableenvironment，shewouldhavemadeliteratureormusic。
Instead，shewasEl-Soo，daughterofKlakee-Nah，achief，andshelivedintheHolyCrossMissionwherewerenoartists，butonlypure-
souledSisterswhowereinterestedincleanlinessandrighteousnessandthewelfareofthespiritinthelandofimmortalitythatlaybeyondtheskies。
Theyearspassed。ShewaseightyearsoldwhensheenteredtheMission;shewassixteen，andtheSisterswerecorrespondingwiththeirsuperiorsintheOrderconcerningthesendingofEl-SoototheUnitedStatestocompletehereducation，whenamanofherowntribearrivedatHolyCrossandhadtalkwithher。El-Soowassomewhatappalledbyhim。Hewasdirty。HewasaCaliban-likecreature，primitivelyugly，withamopofhairthathadneverbeencombed。Helookedatherdisapprovinglyandrefusedtositdown。
"Thybrotherisdead，"hesaidshortly。
El-Soowasnotparticularlyshocked。Sherememberedlittleofherbrother。"Thyfatherisanoldman，andalone，"themessengerwenton。"Hishouseislargeandempty，andhewouldhearthyvoiceandlookuponthee。"
Himsheremembered——Klakee-Nah，theheadmanofthevillage，thefriendofthemissionariesandthetraders，alargemanthewedlikeagiant，withkindlyeyesandmasterfulways，andstridingwithaconsciousnessofcruderoyaltyinhiscarriage。
"TellhimthatIwillcome，"wasEl-Soo’sanswer。
MuchtothedespairoftheSisters，thebrandpluckedfromtheburningwentbacktotheburning。AllpleadingwithEl-Soowasvain。
Therewasmuchargument，expostulation，andweeping。SisterAlbertaevenrevealedtohertheprojectofsendinghertotheUnitedStates。
El-Soostaredwide-eyedintothegoldenvistathusopeneduptoher，andshookherhead。Inhereyespersistedanothervista。ItwasthemightycurveoftheYukonatTana-nawStation。WiththeSt。GeorgeMissionononeside，andthetradingpostontheother，andmidwaybetweentheIndianvillageandacertainlargeloghousewherelivedanoldmantendeduponbyslaves。
AlldwellersontheYukonbankfortwiceathousandmilesknewthelargeloghouse，theoldmanandthetendingslaves;andwelldidtheSistersknowthehouse，itsunendingrevelry，itsfeastinganditsfun。SotherewasweepingatHolyCrosswhenEl-Soodeparted。
TherewasagreatcleaningupinthelargehousewhenEl-Sooarrived。
Klakee-Nah，himselfmasterful，protestedatthismasterfulconductofhisyoungdaughter;butintheend，dreamingbarbaricallyofmagnificence，hewentforthandborrowedathousanddollarsfromoldPorportuk，thanwhomtherewasnoricherIndianontheYukon。Also，Klakee-Nahranupaheavybillatthetradingpost。El-Soore-
createdthelargehouse。Sheinvesteditwithnewsplendour，whileKlakee-Nahmaintaineditsancienttraditionsofhospitalityandrevelry。
AllthiswasunusualforaYukonIndian，butKlakee-NahwasanunusualIndian。Notalonedidheliketorenderinordinatehospitality，but，whatofbeingachiefandofacquiringmuchmoney，hewasabletodoit。Intheprimitivetradingdayshehadbeenapoweroverhispeople，andhehaddealtprofitablywiththewhitetradingcompanies。Lateron，withPorportuk，hehadmadeagold-
strikeontheKoyokukRiver。Klakee-Nahwasbytrainingandnatureanaristocrat。Porportukwasbourgeois，andPorportukboughthimoutofthegold-mine。Porportukwascontenttoplodandaccumulate。
Klakee-Nahwentbacktohislargehouseandproceededtospend。
PorportukwasknownastherichestIndianinAlaska。Klakee-Nahwasknownasthewhitest。Porportukwasamoney-lenderandausurer。
Klakee-Nahwasananachronism——amediaevalruin，afighterandafeaster，happywithwineandsong。
El-SooadaptedherselftothelargehouseanditswaysasreadilyasshehadadaptedherselftoHolyCrossMissionanditsways。ShedidnottrytoreformherfatheranddirecthisfootstepstowardGod。Itistrue，shereprovedhimwhenhedrankovermuchandprofoundly，butthatwasforthesakeofhishealthandthedirectionofhisfootstepsonsolidearth。
Thelatchstringtothelargehousewasalwaysout。Whatwiththecomingandthegoing，itwasneverstill。Theraftersofthegreatliving-roomshookwiththeroarofwassailandofsong。Attablesatmenfromalltheworldandchiefsfromdistanttribes——EnglishmenandColonials，leanYankeetradersandrotundofficialsofthegreatcompanies，cowboysfromtheWesternranges，sailorsfromthesea，huntersanddog-mushersofascoreofnationalities。
El-Soodrewbreathinacosmopolitanatmosphere。ShecouldspeakEnglishaswellasshecouldhernativetongue，andshesangEnglishsongsandballads。ThepassingIndianceremonialssheknew，andtheperishingtraditions。Thetribaldressofthedaughterofachiefsheknewhowtowearuponoccasion。Butforthemostpartshedressedaswhitewomendress。NotfornothingwasherneedleworkattheMissionandherinnateartistry。Shecarriedherclotheslikeawhitewoman，andshemadeclothesthatcouldbesocarried。
Inherwayshewasasunusualasherfather，andthepositionsheoccupiedwasasuniqueashis。ShewastheoneIndianwomanwhowasthesocialequalwiththeseveralwhitewomenatTana-nawStation。
ShewastheoneIndianwomantowhomwhitemenhonourablymadeproposalsofmarriage。AndshewastheoneIndianwomanwhomnowhitemaneverinsulted。
ForEl-Soowasbeautiful——notaswhitewomenarebeautiful，notasIndianwomenarebeautiful。Itwastheflameofher，thatdidnotdependuponfeature，thatwasherbeauty。Sofarasmerelineandfeaturewent，shewastheclassicIndiantype。Theblackhairandthefinebronzewerehers，andtheblackeyes，brilliantandbold，keenassword-light，proud;andhersthedelicateeaglenosewiththethin，quiveringnostrils，thehighcheek-bonesthatwerenotbroadapart，andthethinlipsthatwerenottoothin。Butoverallandthroughallpouredtheflameofher——theunanalysablesomethingthatwasfireandthatwasthesoulofher，thatlaymellow-warmorblazedinhereyes，thatsprayedthecheeksofher，thatdistendedthenostrils，thatcurledthelips，or，whenthelipwasinrepose，thatwasstillthereinthelip，thelippalpitantwithitspresence。
AndEl-Soohadwit——rarelysharptohurt，yetquicktosearchoutforgivableweakness。Thelaughterofhermindplayedlikelambentflameoverallabouther，andfromallaboutheraroseansweringlaughter。Yetshewasneverthecentreofthings。Thisshewouldnotpermit。Thelargehouse，andallofwhichitwassignificant，washerfather’s;andthroughit，tothelast，movedhisheroicfigure——host，masteroftherevels，andgiverofthelaw。Itistrue，asthestrengthoozedfromhim，thatshecaughtupresponsibilitiesfromhisfailinghands。Butinappearancehestillruled，dozing，ofttimesattheboard，abacchanalianruin，yetinallseemingtherulerofthefeast。
AndthroughthelargehousemovedthefigureofPorportuk，ominous，withshakinghead，coldlydisapproving，payingforitall。Notthathereallypaid，forhecompoundedinterestinweirdways，andyearbyyearabsorbedthepropertiesofKlakee-Nah。PorportukoncetookituponhimselftochideEl-Soouponthewastefulwayoflifeinthelargehouse——itwaswhenhehadaboutabsorbedthelastofKlakee-
Nah’swealth——butheneverventuredsotochideagain。El-Soo，likeherfather，wasanaristocrat，asdisdainfulofmoneyashe，andwithanequalsenseofhonourasfinelystrung。
Porportukcontinuedgrudginglytoadvancemoney，andeverthemoneyflowedingoldenfoamaway。UpononethingEl-Soowasresolved——herfathershoulddieashehadlived。Thereshouldbeforhimnopassingfromhightolow，nodiminutionoftherevels，nolesseningofthelavishhospitality。Whentherewasfamine，asofold，theIndianscamegroaningtothelargehouseandwentawaycontent。Whentherewasfamineandnomoney，moneywasborrowedfromPorportuk，andtheIndiansstillwentawaycontent。El-Soomightwellhaverepeated，afterthearistocratsofanothertimeandplace，thatafterhercamethedeluge。InhercasethedelugewasoldPorportuk。Witheveryadvanceofmoney，helookeduponherwithamorepossessiveeye，andfeltbourgeoningwithinhimancientfires。
ButEl-Soohadnoeyesforhim。NorhadsheeyesforthewhitemenwhowantedtomarryherattheMissionwithringandpriestandbook。
ForatTana-nawStationwasayoungman，Akoon，ofherownblood，andtribe，andvillage。Hewasstrongandbeautifultohereyes，agreathunter，and，inthathehadwanderedfarandmuch，verypoor;hehadbeentoalltheunknownwastesandplaces;hehadjourneyedtoSitkaandtotheUnitedStates;hehadcrossedthecontinenttoHudsonBayandbackagain，andasseal-hunteronashiphehadsailedtoSiberiaandforJapan。
Whenhereturnedfromthegold-strikeinKlondikehecame，aswashiswont，tothelargehousetomakereporttooldKlakee-Nahofalltheworldthathehadseen;andtherehefirstsawEl-Soo，threeyearsbackfromtheMission。Thereat，Akoonwanderednomore。Herefusedawageoftwentydollarsadayaspilotonthebigsteamboats。Hehuntedsomeandfishedsome，butneverfarfromTana-nawStation，andhewasatthelargehouseoftenandlong。AndEl-Soomeasuredhimagainstmanymenandfoundhimgood。Hesangsongstoher，andwasardentandgloweduntilallTana-nawStationknewhelovedher。AndPorportukbutgrinnedandadvancedmoremoneyfortheupkeepofthelargehouse。
ThencamethedeathtableofKlakee-Nah。
Hesatatfeast，withdeathinhisthroat，thathecouldnotdrownwithwine。Andlaughterandjokeandsongwentaround，andAkoontoldastorythatmadetheraftersecho。Therewerenotearsorsighsatthattable。ItwasnomorethanfitthatKlakee-Nahshoulddieashehadlived，andnoneknewthisbetterthanEl-Soo，withherartistsympathy。Theoldroysteringcrowdwasthere，and，asofold，threefrost-bittensailorswerethere，freshfromthelongtraversefromtheArctic，survivorsofaship’scompanyofseventy-four。AtKlakee-Nah’sbackwerefouroldmen，allthatwerelefthimoftheslavesofhisyouth。Withrheumyeyestheysawtohisneeds，withpalsiedhandsfillinghisglassorstrikinghimonthebackbetweentheshoulderswhendeathstirredandhecoughedandgasped。
Itwasawildnight，andasthehourspassedandthefunlaughedandroaredalong，deathstirredmorerestlesslyinKlakee-Nah’sthroat。
ThenitwasthathesentforPorportuk。AndPorportukcameinfromtheoutsidefrosttolookwithdisapprovingeyesuponthemeatandwineonthetableforwhichhehadpaid。ButashelookeddownthelengthofflushedfacestothefarendandsawthefaceofEl-Soo，thelightinhiseyesflaredup，andforamomentthedisapprovalvanished。
PlacewasmadeforhimatKlakee-Nah’sside，andaglassplacedbeforehim。Klakee-Nah，withhisownhands，filledtheglasswithferventspirits。"Drink！"hecried。"Isitnotgood？"
AndPorportuk’seyeswateredashenoddedhisheadandsmackedhislips。
"When，inyourownhouse，haveyouhadsuchdrink？"Klakee-Nahdemanded。
"Iwillnotdenythatthedrinkisgoodtothisoldthroatofmine，"
Porportukmadeanswer，andhesitatedforthespeechtocompletethethought。
"Butitcostsovermuch，"Klakee-Nahroared，completingitforhim。
Porportukwincedatthelaughterthatwentdownthetable。Hiseyesburnedmalevolently。"Wewereboystogether，ofthesameage，"hesaid。"Inyourthroatisdeath。Iamstillaliveandstrong。"
Anominousmurmurarosefromthecompany。Klakee-Nahcoughedandstrangled，andtheoldslavessmotehimbetweentheshoulders。Heemergedgasping，andwavedhishandtostillthethreateningrumble。
"Youhavegrudgedtheveryfireinyourhousebecausethewoodcostovermuch！"hecried。"Youhavegrudgedlife。Tolivecostovermuch，andyouhaverefusedtopaytheprice。Yourlifehasbeenlikeacabinwherethefireisoutandtherearenoblanketsonthefloor。"
Hesignalledtoaslavetofillhisglass，whichheheldaloft。"ButIhavelived。AndIhavebeenwarmwithlifeasyouhaveneverbeenwarm。Itistrue，youshalllivelong。Butthelongestnightsarethecoldnightswhenamanshiversandliesawake。Mynightshavebeenshort，butIhavesleptwarm。"
Hedrainedtheglass。Theshakinghandofaslavefailedtocatchitasitcrashedtothefloor。Klakee-Nahsankback，panting，watchingtheupturnedglassesatthelipsofthedrinkers，hisownlipsslightlysmilingtotheapplause。Atasign，twoslavesattemptedtohelphimsituprightagain。Buttheywereweak，hisframewasmighty，andthefouroldmentotteredandshookastheyhelpedhimforward。
"Butmanneroflifeisneitherherenorthere，"hewenton。"Wehaveotherbusiness，Porportuk，youandI，to-night。Debtsaremischances，andIaminmischancewithyou。Whatofmydebt，andhowgreatisit？"
Porportuksearchedinhispouchandbroughtforthamemorandum。Hesippedathisglassandbegan。"ThereisthenoteofAugust，1889，forthreehundreddollars。Theinteresthasneverbeenpaid。Andthenoteofthenextyearforfivehundreddollars。Thisnotewasincludedinthenoteoftwomonthslaterforathousanddollars。
Thenthereisthenote——"
"Nevermindthemanynotes！"Klakee-Nahcriedoutimpatiently。"Theymakemyheadgoaroundandallthethingsinsidemyhead。Thewhole！
Theroundwhole！Howmuchisit？"
Porportukreferredtohismemorandum。"Fifteenthousandninehundredandsixty-sevendollarsandseventy-fivecents，"hereadwithcarefulprecision。
"Makeitsixteenthousand，makeitsixteenthousand，"Klakee-Nahsaidgrandly。"Oddnumberswereeveraworry。Andnow——anditisforthisthatIhavesentforyou——makemeoutanewnoteforsixteenthousand，whichIshallsign。Ihavenothoughtoftheinterest。
Makeitaslargeasyouwill，andmakeitpayableinthenextworld，whenIshallmeetyoubythefireoftheGreatFatherofallIndians。
Thenthenotewillbepaid。ThisIpromiseyou。ItisthewordofKlakee-Nah。"
Porportuklookedperplexed，andloudlythelaughteraroseandshooktheroom。Klakee-Nahraisedhishands。"Nay，"hecried。"Itisnotajoke。Ibutspeakinfairness。ItwasforthisIsentforyou，Porportuk。Makeoutthenote。"
"Ihavenodealingswiththenextworld，"Porportukmadeanswerslowly。
"HaveyounothoughttomeetmebeforetheGreatFather！"Klakee-Nahdemanded。Thenheadded，"Ishallsurelybethere。"
"Ihavenodealingswiththenextworld，"Porportukrepeatedsourly。
Thedyingmanregardedhimwithfrankamazement。
"Iknownaughtofthenextworld，"Porportukexplained。"Idobusinessinthisworld。"
Klakee-Nah’sfacecleared。"Thiscomesofsleepingcoldofnights，"
helaughed。Heponderedforaspace，thensaid，"Itisinthisworldthatyoumustbepaid。Thereremainstomethishouse。Takeit，andburnthedebtinthecandlethere。"
"Itisanoldhouseandnotworththemoney，"Porportukmadeanswer。
"TherearemyminesontheTwistedSalmon。"
"Theyhaveneverpaidtowork，"wasthereply。
"ThereismyshareinthesteamerKoyokuk。Iamhalfowner。"
"SheisatthebottomoftheYukon。"
Klakee-Nahstarted。"True，Iforgot。Itwaslastspringwhentheicewentout。"Hemusedforatimewhiletheglassesremaineduntasted，andallthecompanywaiteduponhisutterance。
"ThenitwouldseemIoweyouasumofmoneywhichIcannotpay……
inthisworld？"Porportuknoddedandglanceddownthetable。
"Thenitwouldseemthatyou，Porportuk，areapoorbusinessman，"
Klakee-Nahsaidslyly。AndboldlyPorportukmadeanswer，"No;thereissecurityyetuntouched。"
"What！"criedKlakee-Nah。"HaveIstillproperty？Nameit，anditisyours，andthedebtisnomore。"
"Thereitis。"PorportukpointedatEl-Soo。
Klakee-Nahcouldnotunderstand。Hepeereddownthetable，brushedhiseyes，andpeeredagain。
"Yourdaughter，El-Soo——herwillItakeandthedebtbenomore。I
willburnthedebtthereinthecandle。"
Klakee-Nah’sgreatchestbegantoheave。"Ho！ho！——ajoke。Ho！ho！
ho！"helaughedHomerically。"AndwithyourcoldbedanddaughtersoldenoughtobethemotherofEl-Soo！Ho！ho！ho！"Hebegantocoughandstrangle，andtheoldslavessmotehimontheback。"Ho！
ho！"hebeganagain，andwentoffintoanotherparoxysm。
Porportukwaitedpatiently，sippingfromhisglassandstudyingthedoublerowoffacesdowntheboard。"Itisnojoke，"hesaidfinally。"Myspeechiswellmeant。"
Klakee-Nahsoberedandlookedathim，thenreachedforhisglass，butcouldnottouchit。Aslavepassedittohim，andglassandliquorheflungintothefaceofPorportuk。
"Turnhimout！"Klakee-Nahthunderedtothewaitingtablethatstrainedlikeapackofhoundsinleash。"Androllhiminthesnow！"
Asthemadriotsweptpasthimandoutofdoors，hesignalledtotheslaves，andthefourtotteringoldmensupportedhimonhisfeetashemetthereturningrevellers，upright，glassinhand，pledgingthematoasttotheshortnightwhenamansleepswarm。
ItdidnottakelongtosettletheestateofKlakee-Nah。Tommy，thelittleEnglishman，clerkatthetradingpost，wascalledinbyEl-Sootohelp。Therewasnothingbutdebts，notesoverdue，mortgagedproperties，andpropertiesmortgagedbutworthless。NotesandmortgageswereheldbyPorportuk。Tommycalledhimarobbermanytimesasheponderedthecompoundingoftheinterest。
"Isitadebt，Tommy？"El-Sooasked。
"Itisarobbery，"Tommyanswered。
"Nevertheless，itisadebt，"shepersisted。
Thewinterworeaway，andtheearlyspring，andstilltheclaimsofPorportukremainedunpaid。HesawEl-Soooftenandexplainedtoheratlength，ashehadexplainedtoherfather，thewaythedebtcouldbecancelled。Also，hebroughtwithhimoldmedicine-men，whoelaboratedtohertheeverlastingdamnationofherfatherifthedebtwerenotpaid。Oneday，aftersuchanelaboration，El-SoomadefinalannouncementtoPorportuk。
"Ishalltellyoutwothings，"shesaid。"FirstIshallnotbeyourwife。Willyourememberthat？Second，youshallbepaidthelastcentofthesixteenthousanddollars——"
"Fifteenthousandninehundredandsixty-sevendollarsandseventy-
fivecents，"Porportukcorrected。
"Myfathersaidsixteenthousand，"washerreply。"Youshallbepaid。"
"How？"
"Iknownothow，butIshallfindouthow。Nowgo，andbothermenomore。Ifyoudo"——shehesitatedtofindfittingpenalty——"ifyoudo，Ishallhaveyourolledinthesnowagainassoonasthefirstsnowflies。"
Thiswasstillintheearlyspring，andalittlelaterEl-Soosurprisedthecountry。WordwentupanddowntheYukonfromChilcoottotheDelta，andwascarriedfromcamptocamptothefarthermostcamps，thatinJune，whenthefirstsalmonran，El-Soo，daughterofKlakee-Nah，wouldsellherselfatpublicauctiontosatisfytheclaimsofPorportuk。Vainweretheattemptstodissuadeher。ThemissionaryatSt。Georgewrestledwithher，butshereplied——OnlythedebtstoGodaresettledinthenextworld。Thedebtsofmenareofthisworld，andinthisworldaretheysettled。"
Akoonwrestledwithher，butshereplied，"Idolovethee，Akoon;buthonourisgreaterthanlove，andwhoamIthatIshouldblackenmyfather？"SisterAlbertajourneyedallthewayupfromHolyCrossonthefirststeamer，andtonobetterend。
"Myfatherwandersinthethickandendlessforests，"saidEl-Soo。
"Andtherewillhewander，withthelostsoulscrying，tillthedebtbepaid。Then，andnotuntilthen，mayhegoontothehouseoftheGreatFather。"
"Andyoubelievethis？"SisterAlbertaasked。
"Idonotknow，"El-Soomadeanswer。"Itwasmyfather’sbelief。"
SisterAlbertashruggedhershouldersincredulously。
"Whoknowsbutthatthethingswebelievecometrue？"El-Soowenton。
"Whynot？Thenextworldtoyoumaybeheavenandharps……
becauseyouhavebelievedheavenandharps;tomyfatherthenextworldmaybealargehousewherehewillsitalwaysattablefeastingwithGod。"
"Andyou？"SisterAlbertaasked。"Whatisyournextworld？"
El-Soohesitatedbutforamoment。"Ishouldlikealittleofboth，"
shesaid。"Ishouldliketoseeyourfaceaswellasthefaceofmyfather。"
Thedayoftheauctioncame。Tana-nawStationwaspopulous。Aswastheircustom，thetribeshadgatheredtoawaitthesalmon-run，andinthemeantimespentthetimeindancingandfrolicking，tradingandgossiping。Thentherewastheordinarysprinklingofwhiteadventurers，traders，andprospectors，and，inaddition，alargenumberofwhitemenwhohadcomebecauseofcuriosityorinterestintheaffair。
Ithadbeenabackwardspring，andthesalmonwerelateinrunning。
Thisdelaybutkeyeduptheinterest。Then，onthedayoftheauction，thesituationwasmadetensebyAkoon。HearoseandmadepublicandsolemnannouncementthatwhosoeverboughtEl-Soowouldforthwithandimmediatelydie。HeflourishedtheWinchesterinhishandtoindicatethemannerofthetaking-off。El-Soowasangeredthereat;butherefusedtospeakwithher，andwenttothetradingposttolayinextraammunition。
Thefirstsalmonwascaughtatteno’clockintheevening，andatmidnighttheauctionbegan。IttookplaceontopofthehighbankalongsidetheYukon。Thesunwasduenorthjustbelowthehorizon，andtheskywasluridred。Agreatcrowdgatheredaboutthetableandthetwochairsthatstoodneartheedgeofthebank。Totheforeweremanywhitemenandseveralchiefs。Andmostprominentlytothefore，rifleinhand，stoodAkoon。Tommy，atEl-Soo’srequest，servedasauctioneer，butshemadetheopeningspeechanddescribedthegoodsabouttobesold。Shewasinnativecostume，inthedressofachief’sdaughter，splendidandbarbaric，andshestoodonachair，thatshemightbeseentoadvantage。
"Whowillbuyawife？"sheasked。"Lookatme。Iamtwentyyearsoldandamaid。Iwillbeagoodwifetothemanwhobuysme。Ifheisawhiteman，Ishalldressinthefashionofwhitewomen;ifheisanIndian，Ishalldressas"——shehesitatedamoment——"asquaw。I
canmakemyownclothes，andsew，andwash，andmend。IwastaughtforeightyearstodothesethingsatHolyCrossMission。IcanreadandwriteEnglish，andIknowhowtoplaytheorgan。AlsoIcandoarithmeticandsomealgebra——alittle。Ishallbesoldtothehighestbidder，andtohimIwillmakeoutabillofsaleofmyself。
IforgottosaythatIcansingverywell，andthatIhaveneverbeensickinmylife。Iweighonehundredandthirty-twopounds;myfatherisdeadandIhavenorelatives。Whowantsme？"
Shelookedoverthecrowdwithflamingaudacityandsteppeddown。AtTommy’srequestshestooduponthechairagain，whilehemountedthesecondchairandstartedthebidding。
SurroundingEl-Soostoodthefouroldslavesofherfather。Theywereage-twistedandpalsied，faithfultotheirmeat，agenerationoutofthepastthatwatchedunmovedtheanticsofyoungerlife。InthefrontofthecrowdwereseveralEldoradoandBonanzakingsfromtheUpperYukon，andbesidethem，oncrutches，swollenwithscurvy，weretwobrokenprospectors。Fromthemidstofthecrowd，thrustoutbyitsownvividness，appearedthefaceofawild-eyedsquawfromtheremoteregionsoftheUpperTana-naw;astrayedSitkanfromthecoaststoodsidebysidewithaStickfromLakeLeBarge，and，beyond，ahalf-dozenFrench-Canadianvoyageurs，groupedbythemselves。Fromafarcamethefaintcriesofmyriadsofwild-fowlonthenesting-
grounds。SwallowswereskimmingupoverheadfromtheplacidsurfaceoftheYukon，androbinsweresinging。Theobliqueraysofthehiddensunshotthroughthesmoke，high-dissipatedfromforestfiresathousandmilesaway，andturnedtheheavenstosombrered，whiletheearthshoneredinthereflectedglow。Thisredglowshoneinthefacesofall，andmadeeverythingseemunearthlyandunreal。
Thebiddingbeganslowly。TheSitkan，whowasastrangerinthelandandwhohadarrivedonlyhalfanhourbefore，offeredonehundreddollarsinaconfidentvoice，andwassurprisedwhenAkoonturnedthreateninglyuponhimwiththerifle。Thebiddingdragged。AnIndianfromtheTozikakat，apilot，bidonehundredandfifty，andaftersometimeagambler，whohadbeenorderedoutoftheUpperCountry，raisedthebidtotwohundred。El-Soowassaddened;herpridewashurt;buttheonlyeffectwasthatsheflamedmoreaudaciouslyuponthecrowd。
TherewasadisturbanceamongtheonlookersasPorportukforcedhiswaytothefront。"Fivehundreddollars！"hebidinaloudvoice，thenlookedabouthimproudlytonotetheeffect。
Hewasmindedtousehisgreatwealthasabludgeonwithwhichtostunallcompetitionatthestart。Butoneofthevoyageurs，lookingonEl-Soowithsparklingeyes，raisedthebidahundred。
"Sevenhundred！"Porportukreturnedpromptly。
Andwithequalpromptnesscamethe"Eighthundred"ofthevoyageur。
ThenPorportukswunghisclubagain。
"Twelvehundred！"heshouted。
Withalookofpoignantdisappointment，thevoyageursuccumbed。
Therewasnofurtherbidding。Tommyworkedhard，butcouldnotelicitabid。
El-SoospoketoPorportuk。"Itweregood，Porportuk，foryoutoweighwellyourbid。HaveyouforgottenthethingItoldyou——thatI
wouldnevermarryyou！"
"Itisapublicauction，"heretorted。"Ishallbuyyouwithabillofsale。Ihaveofferedtwelvehundreddollars。Youcomecheap。"
"Toodamnedcheap！"Tommycried。"WhatifIamauctioneer？Thatdoesnotpreventmefrombidding。I’llmakeitthirteenhundred。"
"Fourteenhundred，"fromPorportuk。
"I’llbuyyouintobemy——mysister，"TommywhisperedtoEl-Soo，thencalledaloud，"Fifteenhundred！"
AttwothousandoneoftheEldoradokingstookahand，andTommydroppedout。
AthirdtimePorportukswungtheclubofhiswealth，makingacleanraiseoffivehundreddollars。ButtheEldoradoking’spridewastouched。Nomancouldclubhim。Andheswungbackanotherfivehundred。
El-Soostoodatthreethousand。Porportukmadeitthirty-fivehundred，andgaspedwhentheEldoradokingraiseditathousanddollars。Porportukagainraiseditfivehundred，andagaingaspedwhenthekingraisedathousandmore。
Porportukbecameangry。Hispridewastouched;hisstrengthwaschallenged，andwithhimstrengthtooktheformofwealth。Hewouldnotbeashamedforweaknessbeforetheworld。El-Soobecameincidental。Thesavingsandscrimpingsfromthecoldnightsofallhisyearswereripetobesquandered。El-Soostoodatsixthousand。
Hemadeitseventhousand。Andthen，inthousand-dollarbids，asfastastheycouldbeuttered，herpricewentup。Atfourteenthousandthetwomenstoppedforbreath。
Thentheunexpectedhappened。Astillheavierclubwasswung。Inthepausethatensued，thegambler，whohadscentedaspeculationandformedasyndicatewithseveralofhisfellows，bidsixteenthousanddollars。
"Seventeenthousand，"Porportuksaidweakly。
"Eighteenthousand，"saidtheking。
Porportukgatheredhisstrength。"Twentythousand。"
Thesyndicatedroppedout。TheEldoradokingraisedathousand，andPorportukraisedback;andastheybid，Akoonturnedfromonetotheother，halfmenacingly，halfcuriously，asthoughtoseewhatmannerofmanitwasthathewouldhavetokill。Whenthekingpreparedtomakehisnextbid，Akoonhavingpressedcloser，thekingfirstloosedtherevolverathiship，thensaid：
"Twenty-threethousand。"
"Twenty-fourthousand，"saidPorportuk。Hegrinnedviciously，forthecertitudeofhisbiddinghadatlastshakentheking。ThelattermovedoverclosetoEl-Soo。Hestudiedhercarefullyforalongwhile。
"Andfivehundred，"hesaidatlast。
"Twenty-fivethousand，"camePorportuk’sraise。
Thekinglookedforalongspace，andshookhishead。Helookedagain，andsaidreluctantly，"Andfivehundred。"
"Twenty-sixthousand，"Porportuksnapped。
ThekingshookhisheadandrefusedtomeetTommy’spleadingeye。InthemeantimeAkoonhadedgedclosetoPorportuk。El-Soo’squickeyenotedthis，and，whileTommywrestledwiththeEldoradokingforanotherbid，shebent，andspokeinalowvoiceintheearofaslave。AndwhileTommy’s"Going——going——going——"dominatedtheair，theslavewentuptoAkoonandspokeinalowvoiceinhisear。
Akoonmadenosignthathehadheard，thoughEl-Soowatchedhimanxiously。
"Gone！"Tommy’svoicerangout。"ToPorportuk，fortwenty-sixthousanddollars。"
PorportukglanceduneasilyatAkoon。AlleyeswerecentreduponAkoon，buthedidnothing。
"Letthescalesbebrought，"saidEl-Soo。
"Ishallmakepaymentatmyhouse，"saidPorportuk。
"Letthescalesbebrought，"El-Soorepeated。"Paymentshallbemadeherewhereallcansee。"
Sothegoldscaleswerebroughtfromthetradingpost，whilePorportukwentawayandcamebackwithamanathisheels，onwhoseshoulderswasaweightofgold-dustinmoose-hidesacks。Also，atPorportuk’sback，walkedanothermanwitharifle，whohadeyesonlyforAkoon。
"Herearethenotesandmortgages，"saidPorportuk，"forfifteenthousandninehundredandsixty-sevendollarsandseventy-fivecents。"
El-SooreceivedthemintoherhandsandsaidtoTommy，"Letthembereckonedassixteenthousand。"
"Thereremainstenthousanddollarstobepaidingold，"Tommysaid。
Porportuknodded，anduntiedthemouthsofthesacks。El-Soo，standingattheedgeofthebank，torethepaperstoshredsandsentthemflutteringoutovertheYukon。Theweighingbegan，buthalted。
"Ofcourse，atseventeendollars，"PorportukhadsaidtoTommy，asheadjustedthescales。
"Atsixteendollars，"El-Soosaidsharply。
"Itisthecustomofallthelandtoreckongoldatseventeendollarsforeachounce，"Porportukreplied。"Andthisisabusinesstransaction。"
El-Soolaughed。"Itisanewcustom，"shesaid。"Itbeganthisspring。Lastyear，andtheyearsbefore，itwassixteendollarsanounce。Whenmyfather’sdebtwasmade，itwassixteendollars。Whenhespentatthestorethemoneyhegotfromyou，foroneouncehewasgivensixteendollars’worthofflour，notseventeen。Wherefore，shallyoupayformeatsixteen，andnotatseventeen。"Porportukgruntedandallowedtheweighingtoproceed。
"Weighitinthreepiles，Tommy，"shesaid。"Athousanddollarshere，threethousandhere，andheresixthousand。"
Itwasslowwork，and，whiletheweighingwenton，Akoonwascloselywatchedbyall。
"Hebutwaitstillthemoneyispaid，"onesaid;andthewordwentaroundandwasaccepted，andtheywaitedforwhatAkoonshoulddowhenthemoneywaspaid。AndPorportuk’smanwiththeriflewaitedandwatchedAkoon。
Theweighingwasfinished，andthegold-dustlayonthetableinthreedark-yellowheaps。"ThereisadebtofmyfathertotheCompanyforthreethousanddollars，"saidEl-Soo。"Takeit，Tommy，fortheCompany。Andherearefouroldmen，Tommy。Youknowthem。
Andhereisonethousanddollars。Takeit，andseethattheoldmenareneverhungryandneverwithouttobacco。"
Tommyscoopedthegoldintoseparatesacks。Sixthousanddollarsremainedonthetable。El-Soothrustthescoopintotheheap，andwithasuddenturnwhirledthecontentsoutanddowntotheYukoninagoldenshower。Porportukseizedherwristasshethrustthescoopasecondtimeintotheheap。
"Itismine，"shesaidcalmly。Porportukreleasedhisgrip，buthegrittedhisteethandscowleddarklyasshecontinuedtoscoopthegoldintotherivertillnonewasleft。
ThecrowdhadeyesfornaughtbutAkoon，andtherifleofPorportuk’smanlayacrossthehollowofhisarm，themuzzledirectedatAkoonayardaway，theman’sthumbonthehammer。ButAkoondidnothing。
"Makeoutthebillofsale，"Porportuksaidgrimly。
AndTommymadeoutthetillofsale，whereinallrightandtitleinthewomanEl-SoowasvestedinthemanPorportuk。El-Soosignedthedocument，andPorportukfoldeditandputitawayinhispouch。
Suddenlyhiseyesflashed，andinsuddenspeechheaddressedEl-Soo。
"Butitwasnotyourfather’sdebt，"hesaid，"WhatIpaidwasthepriceforyou。Yoursaleisbusinessofto-dayandnotoflastyearandtheyearsbefore。Theouncespaidforyouwillbuyatthepostto-dayseventeendollarsofflour，andnotsixteen。Ihavelostadollaroneachounce。Ihavelostsixhundredandtwenty-fivedollars。"
El-Soothoughtforamoment，andsawtheerrorshehadmade。Shesmiled，andthenshelaughed。
"Youareright，"shelaughed，"Imadeamistake。Butitistoolate。
Youhavepaid，andthegoldisgone。Youdidnotthinkquick。Itisyourloss。Yourwitisslowthesedays，Porportuk。Youaregettingold。"
Hedidnotanswer。HeglanceduneasilyatAkoon，andwasreassured。
Hislipstightened，andahintofcrueltycameintohisface。
"Come，"hesaid，"wewillgotomyhouse。"
"DoyourememberthetwothingsItoldyouinthespring？"El-Sooasked，makingnomovementtoaccompanyhim。
"Myheadwouldbefullwiththethingswomensay，didIheedthem，"
heanswered。
"Itoldyouthatyouwouldbepaid，"El-Soowentoncarefully。"AndItoldyouthatIwouldneverbeyourwife。"
"Butthatwasbeforethebillofsale。"Porportukcrackledthepaperbetweenhisfingersinsidethepouch。"Ihaveboughtyoubeforealltheworld。Youbelongtome。Youwillnotdenythatyoubelongtome。"
"Ibelongtoyou，"El-Soosaidsteadily。
"Iownyou。"
"Youownme。"
Porportuk’svoiceroseslightlyandtriumphantly。"Asadog，Iownyou。"
"Asadogyouownme，"El-Soocontinuedcalmly。"But，Porportuk，youforgetthethingItoldyou。Hadanyothermanboughtme，Ishouldhavebeenthatman’swife。Ishouldhavebeenagoodwifetothatman。Suchwasmywill。ButmywillwithyouwasthatIshouldneverbeyourwife。Wherefore，Iamyourdog。"
Porportukknewthatheplayedwithfire，andheresolvedtoplayfirmly。"ThenIspeaktoyou，notasEl-Soo，butasadog，"hesaid;
"andItellyoutocomewithme。"Hehalfreachedtogripherarm，butwithagesturesheheldhimback。
"Notsofast，Porportuk。Youbuyadog。Thedogrunsaway。Itisyourloss。Iamyourdog。WhatifIrunaway？"
"Astheownerofthedog，Ishallbeatyou——"
"Whenyoucatchme？"
"WhenIcatchyou。"
"Thencatchme。"
Hereachedswiftlyforher，butsheeludedhim。Shelaughedasshecircledaroundthetable。"Catchher！"PorportukcommandedtheIndianwiththerifle，whostoodneartoher。ButastheIndianstretchedforthhisarmtoher，theEldoradokingfelledhimwithafistblowundertheear。Therifleclatteredtotheground。ThenwasAkoon’schance。Hiseyesglittered，buthedidnothing。
Porportukwasanoldman，buthiscoldnightsretainedforhimhisactivity。Hedidnotcirclethetable。Hecameacrosssuddenly，overthetopofthetable。El-Soowastakenoffherguard。Shesprangbackwithasharpcryofalarm，andPorportukwouldhavecaughtherhaditnotbeenforTommy。Tommy’slegwentout，Porportuktrippedandpitchedforwardontheground。El-Soogotherstart。
"Thencatchme，"shelaughedoverhershoulder，asshefledaway。
Sheranlightlyandeasily，butPorportukranswiftlyandsavagely。
Heoutranher。Inhisyouthhehadbeenswiftestofalltheyoungmen。ButEl-Soododgedinawillowy，elusiveway。Beinginnativedress，herfeetwerenotclutteredwithskirts，andherpliantbodycurvedaflightthatdefiedthegrippingfingersofPorportuk。
Withlaughterandtumult，thegreatcrowdscatteredouttoseethechase。ItledthroughtheIndianencampment;andeverdodging，circling，andreversing，El-SooandPorportukappearedanddisappearedamongthetents。El-Sooseemedtobalanceherselfagainsttheairwithherarms，nowoneside，nowontheother，andsometimesherbody，too，leanedoutupontheairfarfromtheperpendicularassheachievedhersharpestcurves。AndPorportuk，alwaysaleapbehind，oraleapthissideorthat，likealeanhoundstrainedafterher。
Theycrossedtheopengroundbeyondtheencampmentanddisappearedintheforest。Tana-nawStationwaitedtheirreappearance，andlongandvainlyitwaited。
InthemeantimeAkoonateandslept，andlingeredmuchatthesteamboatlanding，deaftotherisingresentmentofTana-nawStationinthathedidnothing。Twenty-fourhourslaterPorportukreturned。
Hewastiredandsavage。HespoketonoonebutAkoon，andwithhimtriedtopickaquarrel。ButAkoonshruggedhisshouldersandwalkedaway。Porportukdidnotwastetime。Heoutfittedhalfadozenoftheyoungmen，selectingthebesttrackersandtravellers，andattheirheadplungedintotheforest。
NextdaythesteamerSeattle，boundupriver，pulledintotheshoreandwoodedup。Whenthelineswerecastoffandshechurnedoutfromthebank，Akoonwasonboardinthepilot-house。Notmanyhoursafterward，whenitwashisturnatthewheel，hesawasmallbirchbarkcanoeputofffromtheshore。Therewasonlyonepersoninit。Hestudieditcarefully，putthewheelover，andsloweddown。
Thecaptainenteredthepilot-house。"What’sthematter？"hedemanded。"Thewater’sgood。"
Akoongrunted。Hesawalargercanoeleavingthebank，andinitwereanumberofpersons。AstheSeattlelostheadway，heputthewheeloversomemore。
Thecaptainfumed。"It’sonlyasquaw，"heprotested。
Akoondidnotgrunt。Hewasalleyesforthesquawandthepursuingcanoe。Inthelattersixpaddleswereflashing，whilethesquawpaddledslowly。
"You’llbeaground，"thecaptainprotested，seizingthewheel。
ButAkooncounteredhisstrengthonthewheelandlookedhimintheeyes。Thecaptainslowlyreleasedthespokes。
"Queerbeggar，"hesniffedtohimself。
AkoonheldtheSeattleontheedgeoftheshoalwaterandwaitedtillhesawthesquaw’sfingersclutchtheforwardrail。Thenhesignalledforfullspeedaheadandgroundthewheelover。Thelargecanoewasverynear，butthegapbetweenitandthesteamerwaswidening。
Thesquawlaughedandleanedovertherail。
"Thencatchme，Porportuk！"shecried。
AkoonleftthesteameratFortYukon。Heoutfittedasmallpoling-
boatandwentupthePorcupineRiver。AndwithhimwentEl-Soo。Itwasawearyjourney，andthewayledacrossthebackboneoftheworld;butAkoonhadtravelleditbefore。Whentheycametothehead-watersofthePorcupine，theylefttheboatandwentonfootacrosstheRockyMountains。
AkoongreatlylikedtowalkbehindEl-Sooandwatchthemovementsofher。Therewasamusicinitthatheloved。Andespeciallyhelovedthewell-roundedcalvesintheirsheathsofsoft-tannedleather，theslimankles，andthesmallmoccasinedfeetthatweretirelessthroughthelongestdays。
"Youarelightasair，"hesaid，lookingupather。"Itisnolabourforyoutowalk。Youalmostfloat，solightlydoyourfeetriseandfall。Youarelikeadeer，El-Soo;youarelikeadeer，andyoureyesarelikedeer’seyes，sometimeswhenyoulookatme，orwhenyouhearaquicksoundandwonderifitbedangerthatstirs。Youreyesarelikeadeer’seyesnowasyoulookatme。"
AndEl-Soo，luminousandmelting，bentandkissedAkoon。
"WhenwereachtheMackenzie，wewillnotdelay，"Akoonsaidlater。
"Wewillgosouthbeforethewintercatchesus。Wewillgotothesunlandswherethereisnosnow。Butwewillreturn。Ihaveseenmuchoftheworld，andthereisnolandlikeAlaska，nosunlikeoursun，andthesnowisgoodafterthelongsummer。"
"Andyouwilllearntoread，"saidEl-Soo。
AndAkoonsaid，"Iwillsurelylearntoread。"ButtherewasdelaywhentheyreachedtheMackenzie。TheyfellinwithabandofMackenzieIndians，and，hunting，Akoonwasshotbyaccident。Theriflewasinthehandsofayouth。ThebulletbrokeAkoon’srightarmand，rangingfarther，broketwoofhisribs。Akoonknewroughsurgery，whileEl-SoohadlearnedsomerefinementsatHolyCross。
Theboneswerefinallyset，andAkoonlaybythefireforthemtoknit。Also，helaybythefiresothatthesmokewouldkeepthemosquitoesaway。
ThenitwasthatPorportuk，withhissixyoungmen，arrived。AkoongroanedinhishelplessnessandmadeappealtotheMackenzies。ButPorportukmadedemand，andtheMackenzieswereperplexed。PorportukwasforseizinguponEl-Soo，butthistheywouldnotpermit。
Judgmentmustbegiven，and，asitwasanaffairofmanandwoman，thecounciloftheoldmenwascalled——thisthatwarmjudgmentmightnotbegivenbytheyoungmen，whowerewarmofheart。
Theoldmensatinacircleaboutthesmudge-fire。Theirfaceswereleanandwrinkled，andtheygaspedandpantedforair。Thesmokewasnotgoodforthem。Occasionallytheystruckwithwitheredhandsatthemosquitoesthatbravedthesmoke。Aftersuchexertiontheycoughedhollowlyandpainfully。Somespatblood，andoneofthemsatabitapartwithheadbowedforward，andbledslowlyandcontinuouslyatthemouth;thecoughingsicknesshadgrippedthem。Theywereasdeadmen;theirtimewasshort。Itwasajudgmentofthedead。
"AndIpaidforheraheavyprice，"Porportukconcludedhiscomplaint。"Suchapriceyouhaveneverseen。Sellallthatisyours——sellyourspearsandarrowsandrifles，sellyourskinsandfurs，sellyourtentsandboatsanddogs，selleverything，andyouwillnothavemaybeathousanddollars。YetdidIpayforthewoman，El-Soo，twenty-sixtimesthepriceofallyourspearsandarrowsandrifles，yourskinsandfurs，yourtentsandboatsanddogs。Itwasaheavyprice。"
Theoldmennoddedgravely，thoughtheirweazenedeye-slitswidenedwithwonderthatanywomanshouldbeworthsuchaprice。Theonethatbledatthemouthwipedhislips。"Isittruetalk？"heaskedeachofPorportuk’ssixyoungmen。Andeachansweredthatitwastrue。
"Isittruetalk？"heaskedEl-Soo，andsheanswered，"Itistrue。"
"ButPorportukhasnottoldthatheisanoldman，"Akoonsaid，"andthathehasdaughtersolderthanEl-Soo。"
"Itistrue，Porportukisanoldman，"saidEl-Soo。
"ItisforPorportuktomeasurethestrengthhisage，"saidhewhobledatthemouth。"Webeoldmen。Behold！Ageisneversooldasyouthwouldmeasureit。"
Andthecircleofoldmenchampedtheirgums，andnoddedapprovingly，andcoughed。
"ItoldhimthatIwouldneverbehiswife，"saidEl-Soo。
"Yetyoutookfromhimtwenty-sixtimesallthatwepossess？"askedaone-eyedoldman。
El-Soowassilent。
"Itistrue？"Andhisoneeyeburnedandboredintoherlikeafierygimlet。
"Itistrue，"shesaid。
"ButIwillrunawayagain，"shebrokeoutpassionately，amomentlater。"AlwayswillIrunaway。"
"ThatisforPorportuktoconsider，"saidanotheroftheoldmen。
"Itisforustoconsiderthejudgment。"
"Whatpricedidyoupayforher？"wasdemandedofAkoon。
"NopricedidIpayforher，"heanswered。"Shewasaboveprice。I
didnotmeasureheringold-dust，norindogs，andtents，andfurs。"
Theoldmendebatedamongthemselvesandmumbledinundertones。
"Theseoldmenareice，"AkoonsaidinEnglish。"Iwillnotlistentotheirjudgment，Porportuk。IfyoutakeEl-Soo，Iwillsurelykillyou。"
Theoldmenceasedandregardedhimsuspiciously。"Wedonotknowthespeechyoumake，"onesaid。
"Hebutsaidthathewouldkillme，"Porportukvolunteered。"Soitwerewelltotakefromhimhisrifle，andtohavesomeofyouryoungmensitbyhim，thathemaynotdomehurt。Heisayoungman，andwhatarebrokenbonestoyouth！"
Akoon，lyinghelpless，hadrifleandknifetakenfromhim，andtoeithersideofhisshoulderssatyoungmenoftheMackenzies。Theone-eyedoldmanaroseandstoodupright。"Wemarvelatthepricepaidforonemerewoman，"hebegan;"butthewisdomofthepriceisnoconcernofours。Weareheretogivejudgment，andjudgmentwegive。Wehavenodoubt。ItisknowntoallthatPorportukpaidaheavypriceforthewomanEl-Soo。WhereforedoesthewomanEl-SoobelongtoPorportukandnoneother。"Hesatdownheavily，andcoughed。Theoldmennoddedandcoughed。
"Iwillkillyou，"AkooncriedinEnglish。
Porportuksmiledandstoodup。"Youhavegiventruejudgment，"hesaidtothecouncil，"andmyyoungmenwillgivetoyoumuchtobacco。
Nowletthewomanbebroughttome。"
Akoongrittedhisteeth。TheyoungmentookEl-Soobythearms。Shedidnotresist，andwasled，herfaceasullenflame，toPorportuk。
"SitthereatmyfeettillIhavemademytalk，"hecommanded。Hepausedamoment。"Itistrue，"hesaid，"Iamanoldman。YetcanI
understandthewaysofyouth。Thefirehasnotallgoneoutofme。
YetamInolongeryoung，noramImindedtoruntheseoldlegsofminethroughalltheyearsthatremaintome。El-Soocanrunfastandwell。Sheisadeer。ThisIknow，forIhaveseenandrunafterher。Itisnotgoodthatawifeshouldrunsofast。Ipaidforheraheavyprice，yetdoessherunawayfromme。Akoonpaidnopriceatall，yetdoessheruntohim。
"WhenIcameamongyoupeopleoftheMackenzie，Iwasofonemind。
AsIlistenedinthecouncilandthoughtoftheswiftlegsofEl-Soo，Iwasofmanyminds。NowamIofonemindagainbutitisadifferentmindfromtheoneIbroughttothecouncil。Letmetellyoumymind。Whenadogrunsonceawayfromamaster，itwillrunawayagain。Nomatterhowmanytimesitisbroughtback，eachtimeitwillrunawayagain。Whenwehavesuchdogs，wesellthem。El-
Sooislikeadogthatrunsaway。Iwillsellher。Isthereanymanofthecouncilthatwillbuy？"
Theoldmencoughedandremainedsilent"Akoonwouldbuy，"Porportukwenton，"buthehasnomoney。
WhereforeIwillgiveEl-Sootohim，ashesaid，withoutprice。EvennowwillIgivehertohim。"
Reachingdown，hetookEl-SoobythehandandledheracrossthespacetowhereAkoonlayonhisback。
"Shehasabadhabit，Akoon，"hesaid，seatingheratAkoon’sfeet。
"Asshehasrunawayfrommeinthepast，inthedaystocomeshemayrunawayfromyou。Butthereisnoneedtofearthatshewilleverrunaway，Akoon。Ishallseetothat。Neverwillsherunawayfromyou——thisisthewordofPorportuk。Shehasgreatwit。Iknow，foroftenhasitbittenintome。YetamImindedmyselftogivemywitplayforonce。AndbymywitwillIsecurehertoyou，Akoon。"
Stooping，PorportukcrossedEl-Soo’sfeet，sothattheinstepofonelayoverthatoftheother;andthen，beforehispurposecouldbedivined，hedischargedhisriflethroughthetwoankles。AsAkoonstruggledtoriseagainsttheweightoftheyoungmen，therewasheardthecrunchofthebrokenbonerebroken。
"Itisjust，"saidtheoldmen，onetoanother。
El-Soomadenosound。Shesatandlookedathershatteredankles，onwhichshewouldneverwalkagain。
"Mylegsarestrong，El-Soo，"Akoonsaid。"Butneverwilltheybearmeawayfromyou。"
El-Soolookedathim，andforthefirsttimeinallthetimehehadknownher，Akoonsawtearsinhereyes。
"Youreyesarelikedeer’seyes，El-Soo，"hesaid。
"Isitjust？"Porportukasked，andgrinnedfromtheedgeofthesmokeashepreparedtodepart。
"Itisjust，"theoldmensaid。Andtheysatoninthesilence。