"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。