THEWHITESILENCE。
　　’CARMENWON’TLASTMOREthanacoupleofdays。’Masonspatoutachunkoficeandsurveyedthepooranimalruefully，thenputherfootinhismouthandproceededtobiteouttheicewhichclusteredcruellybetweenthetoes。
　　’Ineversawadogwithahighfalutin’namethateverwaswortharap，’hesaid，asheconcludedhistaskandshovedheraside。’Theyjustfadeawayanddieundertheresponsibility。DidyeeverseeonegowrongwithasensiblenamelikeCassiar，Siwash，orHusky？No，sir！
　　TakealookatShookumhere，he’s—’
　　Snap！Theleanbruteflashedup，thewhiteteethjustmissingMason’sthroat。
　　’Yewill，willye？’Ashrewdcloutbehindtheearwiththebuttofthedogwhipstretchedtheanimalinthesnow，quiveringsoftly，ayellowslaverdrippingfromitsfangs。
　　’AsIwassaying，justlookatShookumhere—he’sgotthespirit。
　　BetyeheeatsCarmenbeforetheweek’sout。’
　　’I’llbankanotherpropositionagainstthat，’repliedMalemuteKid，reversingthefrozenbreadplacedbeforethefiretothaw。’We’lleatShookumbeforethetripisover。Whatd’yesay，Ruth？’
　　TheIndianwomansettledthecoffeewithapieceofice，glancedfromMalemuteKidtoherhusband，thenatthedogs，butvouchsafednoreply。Itwassuchapalpabletruismthatnonewasnecessary。Twohundredmilesofunbrokentrailinprospect，withascantsixdays’
　　grubforthemselvesandnoneforthedogs，couldadmitnootheralternative。Thetwomenandthewomangroupedaboutthefireandbegantheirmeagermeal。Thedogslayintheirharnessesforitwasamiddayhalt，andwatchedeachmouthfulenviously。
　　’Nomorelunchesaftertoday，’saidMalemuteKid。’Andwe’vegottokeepacloseeyeonthedogs—they’regettingvicious。They’djustassoonpullafellowdownasnot，iftheygetachance。’
　　’AndIwaspresidentofanEpworthonce，andtaughtintheSundayschool。’Havingirrelevantlydeliveredhimselfofthis，Masonfellintoadreamycontemplationofhissteamingmoccasins，butwasarousedbyRuthfillinghiscup。’ThankGod，we’vegotslathersoftea！I’veseenitgrowing，downinTennessee。Whatwouldn’tIgiveforahotcornponejustnow！Nevermind，Ruth;youwon’tstarvemuchlonger，norwearmoccasinseither。’
　　Thewomanthrewoffhergloomatthis，andinhereyeswelledupagreatloveforherwhitelord—thefirstwhitemanshehadeverseen—thefirstmanwhomshehadknowntotreatawomanassomethingbetterthanamereanimalorbeastofburden。
　　’Yes，Ruth，’continuedherhusband，havingrecoursetothemacaronicjargoninwhichitwasalonepossibleforthemtounderstandeachother;’waittillwecleanupandpullfortheOutside。We’lltaketheWhiteMan’scanoeandgototheSaltWater。Yes，badwater，roughwater—greatmountainsdanceupanddownallthetime。Andsobig，sofar，sofaraway—youtraveltensleep，twentysleep，fortysleep’—
　　hegraphicallyenumeratedthedaysonhisfingers—’allthetimewater，badwater。Thenyoucometogreatvillage，plentypeople，justthesamemosquitoesnextsummer。Wigwamsoh，sohigh—ten，twentypines。Hi—yuskookum！’
　　Hepausedimpotently，castanappealingglanceatMalemuteKid，thenlaboriouslyplacedthetwentypines，endonend，bysignlanguage。
　　MalemuteKidsmiledwithcheerycynicism;butRuth’seyeswerewidewithwonder，andwithpleasure;forshehalfbelievedhewasjoking，andsuchcondescensionpleasedherpoorwoman’sheart。
　　’Andthenyoustepintoa—abox，andpouf！upyougo。’Hetossedhisemptycupintheairbywayofillustrationand，ashedeftlycaughtit，cried：’Andbiff！downyoucome。Oh，greatmedicinemen！
　　YougoFortYukon。IgoArcticCity—twenty—fivesleep—bigstring，allthetime—Icatchhimstring—Isay，"Hello，Ruth！Howareye？"—
　　andyousay，"Isthatmygoodhusband？"—andIsay，"Yes"—andyousay，"Nocanbakegoodbread，nomoresoda"—thenIsay，"Lookincache，underflour;good—by。"Youlookandcatchplentysoda。AllthetimeyouFortYukon，meArcticCity。Hi—yumedicineman！’
　　Ruthsmiledsoingenuouslyatthefairystorythatbothmenburstintolaughter。ArowamongthedogscutshortthewondersoftheOutside，andbythetimethesnarlingcombatantswereseparated，shehadlashedthesledsandallwasreadyforthetrail。
　　’Mush！Baldy！Hi！Mushon！’Masonworkedhiswhipsmartlyand，asthedogswhinedlowinthetraces，brokeoutthesledwiththegeepole。Ruthfollowedwiththesecondteam，leavingMalemuteKid，whohadhelpedherstart，tobringuptherear。Strongman，brutethathewas，capableoffellinganoxatablow，hecouldnotbeartobeatthepooranimals，buthumoredthemasadogdriverrarelydoes—
　　nay，almostweptwiththemintheirmisery。
　　’Come，mushonthere，youpoorsore—footedbrutes！’hemurmured，afterseveralineffectualattemptstostarttheload。Buthispatiencewasatlastrewarded，andthoughwhimperingwithpain，theyhastenedtojointheirfellows。
　　Nomoreconversation;thetoilofthetrailwillnotpermitsuchextravagance。Andofalldeadeninglabors，thatoftheNorthlandtrailistheworst。Happyisthemanwhocanweatheraday’stravelatthepriceofsilence，andthatonabeatentrack。
　　Andofallheartbreakinglabors，thatofbreakingtrailistheworst。Ateverystepthegreatwebbedshoesinkstillthesnowislevelwiththeknee。Thenup，straightup，thedeviationofafractionofaninchbeingacertainprecursorofdisaster，thesnowshoemustbeliftedtillthesurfaceiscleared;thenforward，down，andtheotherfootisraisedperpendicularlyforthematterofhalfayard。Hewhotriesthisforthefirsttime，ifhaplyheavoidsbringinghisshoesindangerouspropinquityandmeasuresnothislengthonthetreacherousfooting，willgiveupexhaustedattheendofahundredyards;hewhocankeepoutofthewayofthedogsforawholedaymaywellcrawlintohissleepingbagwithaclearconscienceandapridewhichpassethallunderstanding;andhewhotravelstwentysleepsontheLongTrailisamanwhomthegodsmayenvy。
　　Theafternoonworeon，andwiththeawe，bornoftheWhiteSilence，thevoicelesstravelersbenttotheirwork。Naturehasmanytrickswherewithsheconvincesmanofhisfinity—theceaselessflowofthetides，thefuryofthestorm，theshockoftheearthquake，thelongrollofheaven’sartillery—butthemosttremendous，themoststupefyingofall，isthepassivephaseoftheWhiteSilence。Allmovementceases，theskyclears，theheavensareasbrass;theslightestwhisperseemssacrilege，andmanbecomestimid，affrightedatthesoundofhisownvoice。Solespeckoflifejourneyingacrosstheghostlywastesofadeadworld，hetremblesathisaudacity，realizesthathisisamaggot’slife，nothingmore。Strangethoughtsariseunsummoned，andthemysteryofallthingsstrivesforutterance。
　　Andthefearofdeath，ofGod，oftheuniverse，comesoverhim—thehopeoftheResurrectionandtheLife，theyearningforimmortality，thevainstrivingoftheimprisonedessence—itisthen，ifever，manwalksalonewithGod。
　　Soworethedayaway。Therivertookagreatbend，andMasonheadedhisteamforthecutoffacrossthenarrowneckofland。Butthedogsbalkedatthehighbank。Againandagain，thoughRuthandMalemuteKidwereshovingonthesled，theyslippedback。Thencametheconcertedeffort。Themiserablecreatures，weakfromhunger，exertedtheirlaststrength。Up—up—thesledpoisedonthetopofthebank;buttheleaderswungthestringofdogsbehindhimtotheright，foulingMason’ssnowshoes。Theresultwasgrievous。Masonwaswhippedoffhisfeet;oneofthedogsfellinthetraces;andthesledtoppledback，draggingeverythingtothebottomagain。
　　Slash！thewhipfellamongthedogssavagely，especiallyupontheonewhichhadfallen。
　　’Don’t，—Mason，’entreatedMalemuteKid;’thepoordevil’sonitslastlegs。Waitandwe’llputmyteamon。’
　　Masondeliberatelywithheldthewhiptillthelastwordhadfallen，thenoutflashedthelonglash，completelycurlingabouttheoffendingcreature’sbody。Carmen—foritwasCarmen—coweredinthesnow，criedpiteously，thenrolledoveronherside。
　　Itwasatragicmoment，apitifulincidentofthetrail—adyingdog，twocomradesinanger。Ruthglancedsolicitouslyfrommantoman。
　　ButMalemuteKidrestrainedhimself，thoughtherewasaworldofreproachinhiseyes，and，bendingoverthedog，cutthetraces。Nowordwasspoken。Theteamsweredouble—spannedandthedifficultyovercome;thesledswereunderwayagain，thedyingdogdraggingherselfalongintherear。Aslongasananimalcantravel，itisnotshot，andthislastchanceisaccordedit—thecrawlingintocamp，ifitcan，inthehopeofamoosebeingkilled。
　　Alreadypenitentforhisangryaction，buttoostubborntomakeamends，Masontoiledonattheheadofthecavalcade，littledreamingthatdangerhoveredintheair。Thetimberclusteredthickintheshelteredbottom，andthroughthistheythreadedtheirway。
　　Fiftyfeetormorefromthetrailtoweredaloftypine。Forgenerationsithadstoodthere，andforgenerationsdestinyhadhadthisoneendinview—perhapsthesamehadbeendecreedofMason。
　　Hestoopedtofastentheloosenedthongofhismoccasin。Thesledscametoahalt，andthedogslaydowninthesnowwithoutawhimper。
　　Thestillnesswasweird;notabreathrustledthefrost—encrustedforest;thecoldandsilenceofouterspacehadchilledtheheartandsmotethetremblinglipsofnature。Asighpulsedthroughtheair—
　　theydidnotseemtoactuallyhearit，butratherfeltit，likethepremonitionofmovementinamotionlessvoid。Thenthegreattree，burdenedwithitsweightofyearsandsnow，playeditslastpartinthetragedyoflife。Heheardthewarningcrashandattemptedtospringupbut，almosterect，caughttheblowsquarelyontheshoulder。
　　Thesuddendanger，thequickdeath—howoftenhadMalemuteKidfacedit！Thepineneedleswerestillquiveringashegavehiscommandsandsprangintoaction。NordidtheIndiangirlfaintorraisehervoiceinidlewailing，asmightmanyofherwhitesisters。Athisorder，shethrewherweightontheendofaquicklyextemporizedhandspike，easingthepressureandlisteningtoherhusband’sgroans，whileMalemuteKidattackedthetreewithhisax。Thesteelrangmerrilyasitbitintothefrozentrunk，eachstrokebeingaccompaniedbyaforced，audiblerespiration，the’Huh！’’Huh！’ofthewoodsman。
　　AtlasttheKidlaidthepitiablethingthatwasonceamaninthesnow。Butworsethanhiscomrade’spainwasthedumbanguishinthewoman’sface，theblendedlookofhopeful，hopelessquery。Littlewassaid;thoseoftheNorthlandareearlytaughtthefutilityofwordsandtheinestimablevalueofdeeds。Withthetemperatureatsixty—fivebelowzero，amancannotliemanyminutesinthesnowandlive。Sothesledlashingswerecut，andthesufferer，rolledinfurs，laidonacouchofboughs。Beforehimroaredafire，builtoftheverywoodwhichwroughtthemishap。Behindandpartiallyoverhimwasstretchedtheprimitivefly—apieceofcanvas，whichcaughttheradiatingheatandthrewitbackanddownuponhim—atrickwhichmenmayknowwhostudyphysicsatthefount。
　　Andmenwhohavesharedtheirbedwithdeathknowwhenthecallissounded。Masonwasterriblycrushed。Themostcursoryexaminationrevealedit。Hisrightarm，leg，andbackwerebroken;hislimbswereparalyzedfromthehips;andthelikelihoodofinternalinjurieswaslarge。Anoccasionalmoanwashisonlysignoflife。
　　Nohope;nothingtobedone。Thepitilessnightcreptslowlyby—
　　Ruth’sportion，thedespairingstoicismofherrace，andMalemuteKidaddingnewlinestohisfaceofbronze。Infact，Masonsufferedleastofall，forhespenthistimeineasternTennessee，intheGreatSmokyMountains，livingoverthescenesofhischildhood。Andmostpatheticwasthemelodyofhislong—forgottenSouthernvernacular，asheravedofswimmingholesandcoonhuntsandwatermelonraids。
　　ItwasasGreektoRuth，buttheKidunderstoodandfelt—feltasonlyonecanfeelwhohasbeenshutoutforyearsfromallthatcivilizationmeans。
　　Morningbroughtconsciousnesstothestrickenman，andMalemuteKidbentclosertocatchhiswhispers。
　　’YourememberwhenweforegatheredontheTanana，fouryearscomenexticerun？Ididn’tcaresomuchforherthen。Itwasmorelikeshewaspretty，andtherewasasmackofexcitementaboutit，Ithink。Butd’yeknow，I’vecometothinkaheapofher。She’sbeenagoodwifetome，alwaysatmyshoulderinthepinch。Andwhenitcomestotrading，youknowthereisn’therequal。D’yerecollectthetimesheshottheMoosehornRapidstopullyouandmeoffthatrock，thebulletswhippingthewaterlikehailstones？—andthetimeofthefamineatNuklukyeto？—whensheracedtheiceruntobringthenews？
　　Yes，she’sbeenagoodwifetome，better’nthatotherone。Didn’tknowI’dbeenthere？Nevertoldyou，eh？Well，Itrieditonce，downintheStates。That’swhyI’mhere。Beenraisedtogether，too。I
　　cameawaytogiveherachancefordivorce。Shegotit。
　　’Butthat’sgotnothingtodowithRuth。IhadthoughtofcleaningupandpullingfortheOutsidenextyear—herandI—butit’stoolate。Don’tsendherbacktoherpeople，Kid。It’sbeastlyhardforawomantogoback。Thinkofit！—nearlyfouryearsonourbaconandbeansandflouranddriedfruit，andthentogobacktoherfishandcaribou。It’snotgoodforhertohavetriedourways，tocometoknowthey’rebetter’nherpeople’s，andthenreturntothem。Takecareofher，Kid—whydon’tyou—butno，youalwaysfoughtshyofthem—andyounevertoldmewhyyoucametothiscountry。Bekindtoher，andsendherbacktotheStatesassoonasyoucan。Butfixitsoshecancomeback—liabletogethomesick，youknow。
　　’Andtheyoungster—it’sdrawnuscloser，Kid。Ionlyhopeitisaboy。Thinkofit！—fleshofmyflesh，Kid。Hemustn’tstopinthiscountry。Andifit’sagirl，why，shecan’t。Sellmyfurs;they’llfetchatleastfivethousand，andI’vegotasmuchmorewiththecompany。Andhandlemyinterestswithyours。Ithinkthatbenchclaimwillshowup。Seethathegetsagoodschooling;andKid，aboveall，don’tlethimcomeback。Thiscountrywasnotmadeforwhitemen。
　　’I’magoneman，Kid。Threeorfoursleepsatthebest。You’vegottogoon。Youmustgoon！Remember，it’smywife，it’smyboy—O
　　God！Ihopeit’saboy！Youcan’tstaybyme—andIchargeyou，adyingman，topullon。’
　　’Givemethreedays，’pleadedMalemuteKid。’Youmaychangeforthebetter;somethingmayturnup。’
　　’No。’
　　’Justthreedays。’
　　’Youmustpullon。’
　　’Twodays。’
　　’It’smywifeandmyboy，Kid。Youwouldnotaskit。’
　　’Oneday。’
　　’No，no！Icharge—’
　　’Onlyoneday。Wecanshaveitthroughonthegrub，andImightknockoveramoose。’
　　’No—allright;oneday，butnotaminutemore。And，Kid，don’t—
　　don’tleavemetofaceitalone。Justashot，onepullonthetrigger。
　　Youunderstand。Thinkofit！Thinkofit！Fleshofmyflesh，andI’llneverlivetoseehim！
　　’SendRuthhere。Iwanttosaygood—byandtellherthatshemustthinkoftheboyandnotwaittillI’mdead。ShemightrefusetogowithyouifIdidn’t。Good—by，oldman;good—by。
　　’Kid！Isay—a—sinkaholeabovethepup，nexttotheslide。I
　　pannedoutfortycentsonmyshovelthere。
　　’And，Kid！’Hestoopedlowertocatchthelastfaintwords，thedyingman’ssurrenderofhispride。’I’msorry—for—youknow—
　　Carmen。’
　　Leavingthegirlcryingsoftlyoverherman，MalemuteKidslippedintohisparkaandsnowshoes，tuckedhisrifleunderhisarm，andcreptawayintotheforest。HewasnotyrointhesternsorrowsoftheNorthland，butneverhadhefacedsostiffaproblemasthis。Intheabstract，itwasaplain，mathematicalproposition—threepossiblelivesasagainstonedoomedone。Butnowhehesitated。Forfiveyears，shouldertoshoulder，ontheriversandtrails，inthecampsandmines，facingdeathbyfieldandfloodandfamine，hadtheyknittedthebondsoftheircomradeship。SoclosewasthetiethathehadoftenbeenconsciousofavaguejealousyofRuth，fromthefirsttimeshehadcomebetween。Andnowitmustbeseveredbyhisownhand。
　　Thoughheprayedforamoose，justonemoose，allgameseemedtohavedesertedtheland，andnightfallfoundtheexhaustedmancrawlingintocamp，lighthanded，heavyhearted。AnuproarfromthedogsandshrillcriesfromRuthhastenedhim。
　　Burstingintothecamp，hesawthegirlinthemidstofthesnarlingpack，layingaboutherwithanax。Thedogshadbrokentheironruleoftheirmastersandwererushingthegrub。Hejoinedtheissuewithhisriflereversed，andthehoarygameofnaturalselectionwasplayedoutwithalltheruthlessnessofitsprimevalenvironment。Rifleandaxwentupanddown，hitormissedwithmonotonousregularity;lithebodiesflashed，withwildeyesanddrippingfangs;andmanandbeastfoughtforsupremacytothebitterestconclusion。Thenthebeatenbrutescrepttotheedgeofthefirelight，lickingtheirwounds，voicingtheirmiserytothestars。
　　Thewholestockofdriedsalmonhadbeendevoured，andperhapsfivepoundsofflourremainedtotidethemovertwohundredmilesofwilderness。Ruthreturnedtoherhusband，whileMalemuteKidcutupthewarmbodyofoneofthedogs，theskullofwhichhadbeencrushedbytheax。Everyportionwascarefullyputaway，savethehideandoffal，whichwerecasttohisfellowsofthemomentbefore。
　　Morningbroughtfreshtrouble。Theanimalswereturningoneachother。Carmen，whostillclungtoherslenderthreadoflife，wasdownedbythepack。Thelashfellamongthemunheeded。Theycringedandcriedundertheblows，butrefusedtoscattertillthelastwretchedbithaddisappeared—bones，hide，hair，everything。
　　MalemuteKidwentabouthiswork，listeningtoMason，whowasbackinTennessee，deliveringtangleddiscoursesandwildexhortationstohisbrethrenofotherdays。
　　Takingadvantageofneighboringpines，heworkedrapidly，andRuthwatchedhimmakeacachesimilartothosesometimesusedbyhunterstopreservetheirmeatfromthewolverinesanddogs。Oneaftertheother，hebentthetopsoftwosmallpinestowardeachotherandnearlytotheground，makingthemfastwiththongsofmoosehide。Thenhebeatthedogsintosubmissionandharnessedthemtotwoofthesleds，loadingthesamewitheverythingbutthefurswhichenvelopedMason。
　　Thesehewrappedandlashedtightlyabouthim，fasteningeitherendoftherobestothebentpines。Asinglestrokeofhishuntingknifewouldreleasethemandsendthebodyhighintheair。
　　Ruthhadreceivedherhusband’slastwishesandmadenostruggle。
　　Poorgirl，shehadlearnedthelessonofobediencewell。Fromachild，shehadbowed，andseenallwomenbow，tothelordsofcreation，anditdidnotseeminthenatureofthingsforwomantoresist。TheKidpermittedheroneoutburstofgrief，asshekissedherhusband—herownpeoplehadnosuchcustom—thenledhertotheforemostsledandhelpedherintohersnowshoes。Blindly，instinctively，shetookthegeepoleandwhip，and’mushed’thedogsoutonthetrail。ThenhereturnedtoMason，whohadfallenintoacoma，andlongaftershewasoutofsightcrouchedbythefire，waiting，hoping，prayingforhiscomradetodie。
　　ItisnotpleasanttobealonewithpainfulthoughtsintheWhiteSilence。Thesilenceofgloomismerciful，shroudingoneaswithprotectionandbreathingathousandintangiblesympathies;butthebrightWhiteSilence，clearandcold，understeelyskies，ispitiless。
　　Anhourpassed—twohours—butthemanwouldnotdie。Athighnoonthesun，withoutraisingitsrimabovethesouthernhorizon，threwasuggestionoffireathwarttheheavens，thenquicklydrewitback。
　　MalemuteKidrousedanddraggedhimselftohiscomrade’sside。Hecastoneglanceabouthim。TheWhiteSilenceseemedtosneer，andagreatfearcameuponhim。Therewasasharpreport;Masonswungintohisaerialsepulcher，andMalemuteKidlashedthedogsintoawildgallopashefledacrossthesnow。
　　THESONOFTHEWOLF。
　　MANRARELYPLACESAPROPERvaluationuponhiswomankind，atleastnotuntildeprivedofthem。Hehasnoconceptionofthesubtleatmosphereexhaledbythesexfeminine，solongashebathesinit;
　　butletitbewithdrawn，andanever—growingvoidbeginstomanifestitselfinhisexistence，andhebecomeshungry，inavaguesortofway，forasomethingsoindefinitethathecannotcharacterizeit。
　　Ifhiscomradeshavenomoreexperiencethanhimself，theywillshaketheirheadsdubiouslyanddosehimwithstrongphysic。Butthehungerwillcontinueandbecomestronger;hewillloseinterestinthethingsofhiseverydaylifeandwaxmorbid;andoneday，whentheemptinesshasbecomeunbearable，arevelationwilldawnuponhim。
　　IntheYukoncountry，whenthiscomestopass，themanusuallyprovisionsapolingboat，ifitissummer，andifwinter，harnesseshisdogs，andheadsfortheSouthland。Afewmonthslater，supposinghimtobepossessedofafaithinthecountry，hereturnswithawifetosharewithhiminthatfaith，andincidentallyinhishardships。Thisbutservestoshowtheinnateselfishnessofman。Italsobringsustothetroubleof’Scruff’Mackenzie，whichoccurredintheolddays，beforethecountrywasstampededandstakedbyatidal—waveoftheche—cha—quas，andwhentheKlondike’sonlyclaimtonoticewasitssalmonfisheries。
　　’Scruff’Mackenzieboretheearmarksofafrontierbirthandafrontierlife。Hisfacewasstampedwithtwenty—fiveyearsofincessantstrugglewithNatureinherwildestmoods，—thelasttwo，thewildestandhardestofall，havingbeenspentingropingforthegoldwhichliesintheshadowoftheArcticCircle。Whentheyearningsicknesscameuponhim，hewasnotsurprised，forhewasapracticalmanandhadseenothermenthusstricken。Butheshowednosignofhismalady，savethatheworkedharder。Allsummerhefoughtmosquitoesandwashedthesure—thingbarsoftheStuartRiverforadoublegrubstake。ThenhefloatedaraftofhouselogsdowntheYukontoFortyMile，andputtogetherascomfortableacabinasanythecampcouldboastof。Infact，itshowedsuchcozypromisethatmanymenelectedtobehispartnerandtocomeandlivewithhim。Buthecrushedtheiraspirationswithroughspeech，peculiarforitsstrengthandbrevity，andboughtadoublesupplyofgrubfromthetrading—post。
　　Ashasbeennoted，’Scruff’Mackenziewasapracticalman。Ifhewantedathingheusuallygotit，butindoingso，wentnofartheroutofhiswaythanwasnecessary。Thoughasonoftoilandhardship，hewasaversetoajourneyofsixhundredmilesontheice，asecondoftwothousandmilesontheocean，andstillathirdthousandmilesorsotohislaststamping—grounds，—allinthemerequestofawife。
　　Lifewastooshort。Soheroundeduphisdogs，lashedacuriousfreighttohissled，andfacedacrossthedividewhosewestwardslopesweredrainedbythehead—reachesoftheTanana。
　　Hewasasturdytraveler，andhiswolf—dogscouldworkharderandtravelfartheronlessgrubthananyotherteamintheYukon。Threeweekslaterhestrodeintoahunting—campoftheUpperTananaSticks。Theymarveledathistemerity;fortheyhadabadnameandhadbeenknowntokillwhitemenforastriflingathingasasharpaxorabrokenrifle。Buthewentamongthemsingle—handed，hisbearingbeingadeliciouscompositeofhumility，familiarity，sang—froid，andinsolence。Itrequiredadefthandanddeepknowledgeofthebarbaricmindeffectuallytohandlesuchdiverseweapons;buthewasapast—masterintheart，knowingwhentoconciliateandwhentothreatenwithJove—likewrath。
　　HefirstmadeobeisancetotheChiefThling—Tinneh，presentinghimwithacoupleofpoundsofblackteaandtobacco，andtherebywinninghismostcordialregard。Thenhemingledwiththemenandmaidens，andthatnightgaveapotlach。Thesnowwasbeatendownintheformofanoblong，perhapsahundredfeetinlengthandquarterasmanyacross。Downthecenteralongfirewasbuilt，whileeithersidewascarpetedwithspruceboughs。Thelodgeswereforsaken，andthefivescoreorsomembersofthetribegavetonguetotheirfolk—chantsinhonoroftheirguest。
　　’Scruff’Mackenzie’stwoyearshadtaughthimthenotmanyhundredwordsoftheirvocabulary，andhehadlikewiseconqueredtheirdeepgutturals，theirJapaneseidioms，constructions，andhonorificandagglutinativeparticles。Sohemadeorationaftertheirmanner，satisfyingtheirinstinctivepoetry—lovewithcrudeflightsofeloquenceandmetaphoricalcontortions。AfterThling—TinnehandtheShamanhadrespondedinkind，hemadetriflingpresentstothemenfolk，joinedintheirsinging，andprovedanexpertintheirfifty—two—stickgamblinggame。
　　Andtheysmokedhistobaccoandwerepleased。Butamongtheyoungermentherewasadefiantattitude，aspiritofbraggadocio，easilyunderstoodbytherawinsinuationsofthetoothlesssquawsandthegigglingofthemaidens。Theyhadknownfewwhitemen，’SonsoftheWolf，’butfromthosefewtheyhadlearnedstrangelessons。
　　Norhad’Scruff’Mackenzie，forallhisseemingcarelessness，failedtonotethesephenomena。Intruth，rolledinhissleeping—furs，hethoughtitallover，thoughtseriously，andemptiedmanypipesinmappingoutacampaign。Onemaidenonlyhadcaughthisfancy，—noneotherthanZarinska，daughtertothechief。Infeatures，form，andpoise，answeringmorenearlytothewhiteman’stypeofbeauty，shewasalmostananomalyamonghertribalsisters。Hewouldpossessher，makeherhiswife，andnameher—ah，hewouldnameherGertrude！Havingthusdecided，herolledoveronhissideanddroppedofftosleep，atruesonofhisall—conqueringrace，aSamsonamongthePhilistines。
　　Itwasslowworkandastiffgame;but’Scruff’Mackenziemaneuveredcunningly，withanunconcernwhichservedtopuzzletheSticks。Hetookgreatcaretoimpressthementhathewasasureshotandamightyhunter，andthecamprangwithhisplauditswhenhebroughtdownamooseatsixhundredyards。OfanighthevisitedinChiefThling—Tinneh’slodgeofmooseandcaribooskins，talkingbiganddispensingtobaccowithalavishhand。NordidhefailtolikewisehonortheShaman;forherealizedthemedicine—man’sinfluencewithhispeople，andwasanxioustomakeofhimanally。Butthatworthywashighandmighty，refusedtobepropitiated，andwasunerringlymarkeddownasaprospectiveenemy。
　　ThoughnoopeningpresentedforaninterviewwithZarinska，Mackenziestolemanyaglancetoher，givingfairwarningofhisintent。Andwellsheknew，yetcoquettishlysurroundedherselfwitharingofwomenwheneverthemenwereawayandhehadachance。Buthewasinnohurry;besides，heknewshecouldnothelpbutthinkofhim，andafewdaysofsuchthoughtwouldonlybetterhissuit。
　　Atlast，onenight，whenhedeemedthetimetoberipe，heabruptlyleftthechief’ssmokydwellingandhastenedtoaneighboringlodge。Asusual，shesatwithsquawsandmaidensabouther，allengagedinsewingmoccasinsandbeadwork。Theylaughedathisentrance，andbadinage，whichlinkedZarinskatohim，ranhigh。Butoneaftertheothertheywereunceremoniouslybundledintotheoutersnow，whencetheyhurriedtospreadthetalethroughallthecamp。
　　Hiscausewaswellpleaded，inhertongue，forshedidnotknowhis，andattheendoftwohoursherosetogo。
　　’SoZarinskawillcometotheWhiteMan’slodge？Good！Igonowtohavetalkwiththyfather，forhemaynotbesominded。AndIwillgivehimmanytokens;buthemustnotasktoomuch。Ifhesayno？
　　Good！ZarinskashallyetcometotheWhiteMan’slodge。’
　　Hehadalreadyliftedtheskinflaptodepart，whenalowexclamationbroughthimbacktothegirl’sside。Shebroughtherselftoherkneesonthebearskinmat，herfaceaglowwithtrueEve—light，andshylyunbuckledhisheavybelt。Helookeddown，perplexed，suspicious，hisearsalertfortheslightestsoundwithout。
　　Buthernextmovedisarmedhisdoubt，andhesmiledwithpleasure。Shetookfromhersewingbagamoosehidesheath，bravewithbrightbeadwork，fantasticallydesigned。Shedrewhisgreathunting—knife，gazedreverentlyalongthekeenedge，halftemptedtotryitwithherthumb，andshotitintoplaceinitsnewhome。Thensheslippedthesheathalongthebelttoitscustomaryresting—place，justabovethehip。
　　Foralltheworld，itwaslikeasceneofoldentime，—aladyandherknight。Mackenziedrewherupfullheightandsweptherredlipswithhismoustache，—the，toher，foreigncaressoftheWolf。Itwasameetingofthestoneageandthesteel;butshewasnonethelessawoman，ashercrimsoncheeksandtheluminoussoftnessofhereyesattested。
　　Therewasathrillofexcitementintheairas’Scruff’Mackenzie，abulkybundleunderhisarm，threwopentheflapofThling—Tinneh’stent。Childrenwererunningaboutintheopen，draggingdrywoodtothesceneofthepotlach，ababbleofwomen’svoiceswasgrowinginintensity，theyoungmenwereconsultinginsullengroups，whilefromtheShaman’slodgerosetheeeriesoundsofanincantation。
　　Thechiefwasalonewithhisblear—eyedwife，butaglancesufficedtotellMackenziethatthenewswasalreadytold。Soheplungedatonceintothebusiness，shiftingthebeadedsheathprominentlytotheforeasadvertisementofthebetrothal。
　　’OThling—Tinneh，mightychiefoftheSticksAndthelandoftheTanana，rulerofthesalmonandthebear，themooseandthecariboo！
　　TheWhiteManisbeforetheewithagreatpurpose。Manymoonshashislodgebeenempty，andheislonely。Andhishearthaseatenitselfinsilence，andgrownhungryforawomantositbesidehiminhislodge，tomeethimfromthehuntwithwarmfireandgoodfood。Hehasheardstrangethings，thepatterofbabymoccasinsandthesoundofchildren’svoices。Andonenightavisioncameuponhim，andhebeheldtheRaven，whoisthyfather，thegreatRaven，whoisthefatherofalltheSticks。AndtheRavenspaketothelonelyWhiteMan，saying："Bindthouthymoccasinsuponthee，andgirdthysnow—shoeson，andlashthysledwithfoodformanysleepsandfinetokensfortheChiefThling—Tinneh。Forthoushaltturnthyfacetowherethemidspringsuniswonttosinkbelowthelandandjourneytothisgreatchief’shunting—grounds。Therethoushaltmakebigpresents，andThling—Tinneh，whoismyson，shallbecometotheeasafather。InhislodgethereisamaidenintowhomIbreathedthebreathoflifeforthee。Thismaidenshaltthoutaketowife。"
　　’OChief，thusspakethegreatRaven;thusdoIlaymanypresentsatthyfeet;thusamIcometotakethydaughter！’
　　Theoldmandrewhisfursabouthimwithcrudeconsciousnessofroyalty，butdelayedreplywhileayoungstercreptin，deliveredaquickmessagetoappearbeforethecouncil，andwasgone。
　　’OWhiteMan，whomwehavenamedMoose—Killer，alsoknownastheWolf，andtheSonoftheWolf！Weknowthoucomestofamightyrace;
　　weareproudtohavetheeourpotlach—guest;buttheking—salmondoesnotmatewiththedog—salmon，northeRavenwiththeWolf。’
　　’Notso！’criedMackenzie。’ThedaughtersoftheRavenhaveImetinthecampsoftheWolf，—thesquawofMortimer，thesquawofTregidgo，thesquawofBarnaby，whocametwoice—runsback，andIhaveheardofothersquaws，thoughmyeyesbeheldthemnot。’
　　’Son，yourwordsaretrue;butitwereevilmating，likethewaterwiththesand，likethesnow—flakewiththesun。ButmetyouoneMasonandhissquaw’No？Hecametenice—runsago，—thefirstofalltheWolves。Andwithhimtherewasamightyman，straightasawillow—shoot，andtall;strongasthebald—facedgrizzly，withaheartlikethefullsummermoon;his—’
　　’Oh！’interruptedMackenzie，recognizingthewell—knownNorthlandfigure，’MalemuteKid！’
　　’Thesame，—amightyman。Butsawyouaughtofthesquaw？ShewasfullsistertoZarinska。’
　　’Nay，Chief;butIhaveheard。Mason—far，fartothenorth，aspruce—tree，heavywithyears，crushedouthislifebeneath。Buthislovewasgreat，andhehadmuchgold。Withthis，andherboy，shejourneyedcountlesssleepstowardthewinter’snoondaysun，andtheresheyetlives，—nobitingfrost，nosnow，nosummer’smidnightsun，nowinter’snoondaynight。’
　　Asecondmessengerinterruptedwithimperativesummonsfromthecouncil。AsMackenziethrewhimintothesnow，hecaughtaglimpseoftheswayingformsbeforethecouncil—fire，heardthedeepbassesofthemeninrhythmicchant，andknewtheShamanwasfanningtheangerofhispeople。Timepressed。Heturneduponthechief。
　　’Come！Iwishthychild。Andnow，see！Herearetobacco，tea，manycupsofsugar，warmblankets，handkerchiefs，bothgoodandlarge;
　　andhere，atruerifle，withmanybulletsandmuchpowder。’
　　’Nay，’repliedtheoldman，strugglingagainstthegreatwealthspreadbeforehim。’Evennowaremypeoplecometogether。Theywillnothavethismarriage。’
　　’Butthouartchief。’
　　’YetdomyyoungmenragebecausetheWolveshavetakentheirmaidenssothattheymaynotmarry。’
　　’Listen，OThling—Tinneh！Erethenighthaspassedintotheday，theWolfshallfacehisdogstotheMountainsoftheEastandfareforthtotheCountryoftheYukon。AndZarinskashallbreaktrailforhisdogs。’
　　’Anderethenighthasgaineditsmiddle，myyoungmenmayflingtothedogsthefleshoftheWolf，andhisbonesbescatteredinthesnowtillthespringtimelaythembare。’
　　Itwasthreatandcounter—threat。Mackenzie’sbronzedfaceflusheddarkly。Heraisedhisvoice。Theoldsquaw，whotillnowhadsatanimpassivespectator，madetocreepbyhimforthedoor。Thesongofthemenbrokesuddenlyandtherewasahubbubofmanyvoicesashewhirledtheoldwomanroughlytohercouchofskins。
　　’AgainIcry—listen，OThling—Tinneh！TheWolfdieswithteethfast—locked，andwithhimthereshallsleeptenofthystrongestmen，—
　　menwhoareneeded，forthehuntingisnotbegun，andthefishingisnotmanymoonsaway。Andagain，ofwhatprofitshouldIdie？Iknowthecustomofthypeople;thyshareofmywealthshallbeverysmall。Grantmethychild，anditshallallbethine。Andyetagain，mybrotherswillcome，andtheyaremany，andtheirmawsareneverfilled;andthedaughtersoftheRavenshallbearchildreninthelodgesoftheWolf。Mypeoplearegreaterthanthypeople。Itisdestiny。Grant，andallthiswealthisthine。’
　　Moccasinswerecrunchingthesnowwithout。Mackenziethrewhisrifletocock，andloosenedthetwinColtsinhisbelt。
　　’Grant，OChief！’
　　’Andyetwillmypeoplesayno。’
　　’Grant，andthewealthisthine。ThenshallIdealwiththypeopleafter。’
　　’TheWolfwillhaveitso。Iwilltakehistokens，—butIwouldwarnhim。’
　　Mackenziepassedoverthegoods，takingcaretoclogtherifle’sejector，andcappingthebargainwithakaleidoscopicsilkkerchief。
　　TheShamanandhalfadozenyoungbravesentered，butheshoulderedboldlyamongthemandpassedout。
　　’Pack！’washislaconicgreetingtoZarinskaashepassedherlodgeandhurriedtoharnesshisdogs。Afewminuteslaterhesweptintothecouncilattheheadoftheteam，thewomanbyhisside。Hetookhisplaceattheupperendoftheoblong，bythesideofthechief。Tohisleft，asteptotherear，hestationedZarinska，—herproperplace。Besides，thetimewasripeformischief，andtherewasneedtoguardhisback。
　　Oneitherside，themencrouchedtothefire，theirvoicesliftedinafolk—chantoutoftheforgottenpast。Fullofstrange，haltingcadencesandhauntingrecurrences，itwasnotbeautiful。’Fearful’mayinadequatelyexpressit。Atthelowerend，undertheeyeoftheShaman，dancedhalfascoreofwomen。Sternwerehisreproofsofthosewhodidnotwhollyabandonthemselvestotheecstasyoftherite。Halfhiddenintheirheavymassesofravenhair，alldishevelledandfallingtotheirwaists，theyslowlyswayedtoandfro，theirformsripplingtoanever—changingrhythm。
　　Itwasaweirdscene;ananachronism。Tothesouth，thenineteenthcenturywasreelingoffthefewyearsofitslastdecade;hereflourishedmanprimeval，ashaderemovedfromtheprehistoriccave—dweller，forgottenfragmentoftheElderWorld。Thetawnywolf—dogssatbetweentheirskin—cladmastersorfoughtforroom，thefirelightcastbackwardfromtheirredeyesanddrippingfangs。
　　Thewoods，inghostlyshroud，sleptonunheeding。TheWhiteSilence，forthemomentdriventotherimmingforest，seemedevercrushinginward;thestarsdancedwithgreatleaps，asistheirwontinthetimeoftheGreatCold;whiletheSpiritsofthePoletrailedtheirrobesofgloryathwarttheheavens。
　　’Scruff’Mackenziedimlyrealizedthewildgrandeurofthesettingashiseyesrangeddownthefur—fringedsidesinquestofmissingfaces。Theyrestedforamomentonanewbornbabe，sucklingatitsmother’snakedbreast。Itwasfortybelow，—sevenandodddegreesoffrost。Hethoughtofthetenderwomenofhisownraceandsmiledgrimly。Yetfromtheloinsofsomesuchtenderwomanhadhesprungwithakinglyinheritance，—aninheritancewhichgavetohimandhisdominanceoverthelandandsea，overtheanimalsandthepeoplesofallthezones。Single—handedagainstfivescore，girtbytheArcticwinter，farfromhisown，hefeltthepromptingofhisheritage，thedesiretopossess，thewilddanger—love，thethrillofbattle，thepowertoconquerortodie。
　　Thesingingandthedancingceased，andtheShamanflaredupinrudeeloquence。Throughthesinuositiesoftheirvastmythology，heworkedcunninglyuponthecredulityofhispeople。Thecasewasstrong。OpposingthecreativeprinciplesasembodiedintheCrowandtheRaven，hestigmatizedMackenzieastheWolf，thefightingandthedestructiveprinciple。Notonlywasthecombatoftheseforcesspiritual，butmenfought，eachtohistotem。TheywerethechildrenofJelchs，theRaven，thePrometheanfire—bringer;MackenziewasthechildoftheWolf，orinotherwords，theDevil。Forthemtobringatrucetothisperpetualwarfare，tomarrytheirdaughterstothearch—enemy，weretreasonandblasphemyofthehighestorder。NophrasewasharshnorfigurevileenoughinbrandingMackenzieasasneakinginterloperandemissaryofSatan。Therewasasubdued，savageroarinthedeepchestsofhislistenersashetooktheswingofhisperoration。
　　’Aye，mybrothers，Jelchsisall—powerful！Didhenotbringheaven—bornefirethatwemightbewarm？Didhenotdrawthesun，moon，andstars，fromtheirholesthatwemightsee？DidhenotteachusthatwemightfighttheSpiritsofFamineandofFrost？ButnowJelchsisangrywithhischildren，andtheyaregrowntoahandful，andhewillnothelp。Fortheyhaveforgottenhim，anddoneevilthings，andtrodbadtrails，andtakenhisenemiesintotheirlodgestositbytheirfires。AndtheRavenissorrowfulatthewickednessofhischildren;butwhentheyshallriseupandshowtheyhavecomeback，hewillcomeoutofthedarknesstoaidthem。O
　　brothers！theFire—BringerhaswhisperedmessagestothyShaman;thesameshallyehear。Lettheyoungmentaketheyoungwomentotheirlodges;letthemflyatthethroatoftheWolf;letthembeundyingintheirenmity！Thenshalltheirwomenbecomefruitfulandtheyshallmultiplyintoamightypeople！AndtheRavenshallleadgreattribesoftheirfathersandtheirfathers’fathersfromoutoftheNorth;andtheyshallbeatbacktheWolvestilltheyareaslastyear’scampfires;andtheyshallagaincometoruleoveralltheland！’TisthemessageofJelchs，theRaven。’
　　ThisforeshadowingoftheMessiah’scomingbroughtahoarsehowlfromtheSticksastheyleapedtotheirfeet。Mackenzieslippedthethumbsofhismittensandwaited。Therewasaclamorforthe’Fox，’
　　nottobestilledtilloneoftheyoungmensteppedforwardtospeak。
　　’Brothers！TheShamanhasspokenwisely。TheWolveshavetakenourwomen，andourmenarechildless。Wearegrowntoahandful。TheWolveshavetakenourwarmfursandgivenforthemevilspiritswhichdwellinbottles，andclotheswhichcomenotfromthebeaverorthelynx，butaremadefromthegrass。Andtheyarenotwarm，andourmendieofstrangesicknesses。I，theFox，havetakennowomantowife;andwhy？TwicehavethemaidenswhichpleasedmegonetothecampsoftheWolf。EvennowhaveIlaidbyskinsofthebeaver，ofthemoose，ofthecariboo，thatImightwinfavorintheeyesofThling—Tinneh，thatImightmarryZarinska，hisdaughter。Evennowarehersnow—shoesboundtoherfeet，readytobreaktrailforthedogsoftheWolf。NordoIspeakformyselfalone。AsIhavedone，sohastheBear。He，too，hadfainbeenthefatherofherchildren，andmanyskinshashecuredthereto。Ispeakforalltheyoungmenwhoknownotwives。TheWolvesareeverhungry。Alwaysdotheytakethechoicemeatatthekilling。TotheRavensarelefttheleavings。
　　’ThereisGugkla，’hecried，brutallypointingoutoneofthewomen，whowasacripple。’Herlegsarebentliketheribsofabirchcanoe。Shecannotgatherwoodnorcarrythemeatofthehunters。DidtheWolveschooseher？’
　　’Ai！ai！’vociferatedhistribesmen。
　　’ThereisMoyri，whoseeyesarecrossedbytheEvilSpirit。Eventhebabesareaffrightedwhentheygazeuponher，anditissaidthebald—facegivesherthetrail。Wasshechosen？’
　　Againthecruelapplauserangout。
　　’AndtheresitsPischet。Shedoesnothearkentomywords。Neverhassheheardthecryofthechit—chat，thevoiceofherhusband，thebabbleofherchild。ShelivesintheWhiteSilence。CaredtheWolvesaughtforher？No！Theirsisthechoiceofthekill;oursistheleavings。
　　’Brothers，itshallnotbe！NomoreshalltheWolvesslinkamongourcampfires。Thetimeiscome。’
　　Agreatstreameroffire，theauroraborealis，purple，green，andyellow，shotacrossthezenith，bridginghorizontohorizon。Withheadthrownbackandarmsextended，heswayedtohisclimax。
　　’Behold！Thespiritsofourfathershavearisenandgreatdeedsareafootthisnight！’
　　Hesteppedback，andanotheryoungmansomewhatdiffidentlycameforward，pushedonbyhiscomrades。Hetoweredafullheadabovethem，hisbroadchestdefiantlybaredtothefrost。Heswungtentativelyfromonefoottotheother。Wordshalteduponhistongue，andhewasillatease。Hisfacewashorribletolookupon，forithadatonetimebeenhalftornawaybysometerrificblow。Atlasthestruckhisbreastwithhisclenchedfist，drawingsoundasfromadrum，andhisvoicerumbledforthasdoesthesurffromanoceancavern。
　　’IamtheBear，—theSilver—TipandtheSonoftheSilver—Tip！
　　Whenmyvoicewasyetasagirl’s，Islewthelynx，themoose，andthecariboo;whenitwhistledlikethewolverinesfromunderacache，I
　　crossedtheMountainsoftheSouthandslewthreeoftheWhiteRivers;
　　whenitbecameastheroaroftheChinook，Imetthebald—facedgrizzly，butgavenotrail。’
　　Atthishepaused，hishandsignificantlysweepingacrosshishideousscars。
　　’IamnotastheFox。Mytongueisfrozenliketheriver。Icannotmakegreattalk。Mywordsarefew。TheFoxsaysgreatdeedsareafootthisnight。Good！Talkflowsfromhistonguelikethefreshetsofthespring，butheischaryofdeeds。ThisnightshallIdobattlewiththeWolf。Ishallslayhim，andZarinskashallsitbymyfire。TheBearhasspoken。’
　　Thoughpandemoniumragedabouthim，’Scruff’Mackenzieheldhisground。Awarehowuselesswastherifleatclosequarters，heslippedbothholsterstothefore，readyforaction，anddrewhismittenstillhishandswerebarelyshieldedbytheelbowgauntlets。Heknewtherewasnohopeinattackenmasse，buttruetohisboast，waspreparedtodiewithteethfast—locked。ButtheBearrestrainedhiscomrades，beatingbackthemoreimpetuouswithhisterriblefist。Asthetumultbegantodieaway，MackenzieshotaglanceinthedirectionofZarinska。Itwasasuperbpicture。Shewasleaningforwardonhersnow—shoes，lipsapartandnostrilsquivering，likeatigressabouttospring。Hergreatblackeyeswerefixeduponhertribesmen，infearanddefiance。Soextremethetension，shehadforgottentobreathe。Withonehandpressedspasmodicallyagainstherbreastandtheotherastightlygrippedaboutthedog—whip，shewasasturnedtostone。Evenashelooked，reliefcametoher。Hermusclesloosened;withaheavysighshesettledback，givinghimalookofmorethanlove—ofworship。
　　Thling—Tinnehwastryingtospeak，buthispeopledrownedhisvoice。
　　ThenMackenziestrodeforward。TheFoxopenedhismouthtoapiercingyell，butsosavagelydidMackenziewhirluponhimthatheshrankback，hislarynxallagurglewithsuppressedsound。Hisdiscomfiturewasgreetedwithroarsoflaughter，andservedtosoothehisfellowstoalisteningmood。
　　’Brothers！TheWhiteMan，whomyehavechosentocalltheWolf，cameamongyouwithfairwords。HewasnotliketheInnuit;hespokenotlies。Hecameasafriend，asonewhowouldbeabrother。Butyourmenhavehadtheirsay，andthetimeforsoftwordsispast。First，IwilltellyouthattheShamanhasaneviltongueandisafalseprophet，thatthemessageshespakearenotthoseoftheFire—Bringer。HisearsarelockedtothevoiceoftheRaven，andoutofhisownheadheweavescunningfancies，andhehasmadefoolsofyou。Hehasnopower。
　　Whenthedogswerekilledandeaten，andyourstomachswereheavywithuntannedhideandstripsofmoccasins;whentheoldmendied，andtheoldwomendied，andthebabesatthedrydugsofthemothersdied;
　　whenthelandwasdark，andyeperishedasdothesalmoninthefall;aye，whenthefaminewasuponyou，didtheShamanbringrewardtoyourhunters？didtheShamanputmeatinyourbellies？AgainIsay，theShamaniswithoutpower。ThusIspituponhisface！’
　　Thoughtakenabackbythesacrilege，therewasnouproar。Someofthewomenwereevenfrightened，butamongthementherewasanuplifting，asthoughinpreparationoranticipationofthemiracle。
　　Alleyeswereturneduponthetwocentralfigures。Thepriestrealizedthecrucialmoment，felthispowertottering，openedhismouthindenunciation，butfledbackwardbeforethetruculentadvance，upraisedfist，andflashingeyes，ofMackenzie。Hesneeredandresumed。
　　WasIstrickendead？Didthelightningburnme？Didthestarsfallfromtheskyandcrushme？Pish！Ihavedonewiththedog。NowwillItellyouofmypeople，whoarethemightiestofallthepeoples，whoruleinallthelands。AtfirstwehuntasIhunt，alone。Afterthatwehuntinpacks;andatlast，likethecariboo—run，wesweepacrossalltheland。Thosewhomwetakeintoourlodgeslive;thosewhowillnotcomedie。Zarinskaisacomelymaiden，fullandstrong，fittobecomethemotherofWolves。ThoughIdie，suchshallshebecome;
　　formybrothersaremany，andtheywillfollowthescentofmydogs。
　　ListentotheLawoftheWolf：WhosotakeththelifeofoneWolf，theforfeitshalltenofhispeoplepay。Inmanylandshasthepricebeenpaid;inmanylandsshallityetbepaid。
　　’NowwillIdealwiththeFoxandtheBear。Itseemstheyhavecasteyesuponthemaiden。So？Behold，Ihaveboughther！
　　Thling—Tinnehleansupontherifle;thegoodsofpurchasearebyhisfire。YetwillIbefairtotheyoungmen。TotheFox，whosetongueisdrywithmanywords，willIgiveoftobaccofivelongplugs。Thuswillhismouthbewettedthathemaymakemuchnoiseinthecouncil。ButtotheBear，ofwhomIamwellproud，willIgiveofblanketstwo;offlour，twentycups;oftobacco，doublethatoftheFox;andifhefarewithmeovertheMountainsoftheEast，thenwillIgivehimarifle，matetoThling—Tinneh’s。Ifnot？Good！TheWolfiswearyofspeech。YetonceagainwillhesaytheLaw：WhosotakeththelifeofoneWolf，theforfeitshalltenofhispeoplepay。’
　　Mackenziesmiledashesteppedbacktohisoldposition，butathearthewasfulloftrouble。Thenightwasyetdark。Thegirlcametohisside，andhelistenedcloselyasshetoldoftheBear’sbattle—trickswiththeknife。
　　Thedecisionwasforwar。Inatrice，scoresofmoccasinswerewideningthespaceofbeatensnowbythefire。TherewasmuchchatterabouttheseemingdefeatoftheShaman;someaverredhehadbutwithheldhispower，whileothersconnedpasteventsandagreedwiththeWolf。TheBearcametothecenterofthebattle—ground，alongnakedhunting—knifeofRussianmakeinhishand。TheFoxcalledattentiontoMackenzie’srevolvers;sohestrippedhisbelt，bucklingitaboutZarinska，intowhosehandshealsoentrustedhisrifle。Sheshookherheadthatshecouldnotshoot，—smallchancehadawomantohandlesuchpreciousthings。
　　’Then，ifdangercomebymyback，cryaloud，"Myhusband！"No;thus，"Myhusband！"’
　　Helaughedassherepeatedit，pinchedhercheek，andreenteredthecircle。NotonlyinreachandstaturehadtheBeartheadvantageofhim，buthisbladewaslongerbyagoodtwoinches。’Scruff’
　　Mackenziehadlookedintotheeyesofmenbefore，andheknewitwasamanwhostoodagainsthim;yethequickenedtotheglintoflightonthesteel，tothedominantpulseofhisrace。
　　Timeandagainhewasforcedtotheedgeofthefireorthedeepsnow，andtimeandagain，withthefoottacticsofthepugilist，heworkedbacktothecenter。Notavoicewasliftedinencouragement，whilehisantagonistwasheartenedwithapplause，suggestions，andwarnings。Buthisteethonlyshutthetighterastheknivesclashedtogether，andhethrustoreludedwithacoolnessbornofconsciousstrength。Atfirsthefeltcompassionforhisenemy;butthisfledbeforetheprimalinstinctoflife，whichinturngavewaytothelustofslaughter。Thetenthousandyearsofculturefellfromhim，andhewasacave—dweller，doingbattleforhisfemale。
　　TwiceheprickedtheBear，gettingawayunscathed;butthethirdtimecaught，andtosavehimself，freehandsclosedonfightinghands，andtheycametogether。Thendidherealizethetremendousstrengthofhisopponent。Hismuscleswereknottedinpainfullumps，andcordsandtendonsthreatenedtosnapwiththestrain;yetnearerandnearercametheRussiansteel。Hetriedtobreakaway，butonlyweakenedhimself。Thefur—cladcircleclosedin，certainofandanxioustoseethefinalstroke。Butwithwrestler’strick，swingingpartlytotheside，hestruckathisadversarywithhishead。InvoluntarilytheBearleanedback，disturbinghiscenterofgravity。Simultaneouswiththis，Mackenzietrippedproperlyandthrewhiswholeweightforward，hurlinghimclearthroughthecircleintothedeepsnow。
　　TheBearflounderedoutandcamebackfulltilt。
　　’Omyhusband！’Zarinska’svoicerangout，vibrantwithdanger。
　　Tothetwangofabow—string，Mackenziesweptlowtotheground，andabone—barbedarrowpassedoverhimintothebreastoftheBear，whosemomentumcarriedhimoverhiscrouchingfoe。ThenextinstantMackenziewasupandabout。Thebearlaymotionless，butacrossthefirewastheShaman，drawingasecondarrow。
　　Mackenzie’sknifeleapedshortintheair。Hecaughttheheavybladebythepoint。Therewasaflashoflightasitspannedthefire。
　　ThentheShaman，thehiltaloneappearingwithouthisthroat，swayedandpitchedforwardintotheglowingembers。
　　Click！Click！—theFoxhadpossessedhimselfofThling—Tinneh’srifleandwasvainlytryingtothrowashellintoplace。ButhedroppeditatthesoundofMackenzie’slaughter。
　　’SotheFoxhasnotlearnedthewayoftheplaything？Heisyetawoman。Come！Bringit，thatImayshowthee！’
　　TheFoxhesitated。
　　’Come，Isay！’
　　Heslouchedforwardlikeabeatencur。
　　’Thus，andthus;sothethingisdone。’AshellflewintoplaceandthetriggerwasatcockasMackenziebroughtittoshoulder。
　　’TheFoxhassaidgreatdeedswereafootthisnight，andhespoketrue。Therehavebeengreatdeeds，yetleastamongthemwerethoseoftheFox。IshestillintenttotakeZarinskatohislodge？IshemindedtotreadthetrailalreadybrokenbytheShamanandtheBear？
　　No？Good！’
　　Mackenzieturnedcontemptuouslyanddrewhisknifefromthepriest’sthroat。
　　’Areanyoftheyoungmensominded？Ifso，theWolfwilltakethembytwoandthreetillnoneareleft。No？Good！Thling—Tinneh，I
　　nowgivetheethisrifleasecondtime。If，inthedaystocome，thoushouldstjourneytotheCountryoftheYukon，knowthouthatthereshallalwaysbeaplaceandmuchfoodbythefireoftheWolf。
　　Thenightisnowpassingintotheday。Igo，butImaycomeagain。Andforthelasttime，remembertheLawoftheWolf！’
　　HewassupernaturalintheirsightasherejoinedZarinska。Shetookherplaceattheheadoftheteam，andthedogsswungintomotion。A
　　fewmomentslatertheywereswallowedupbytheghostlyforest。TillnowMackenziehadwaited;heslippedintohissnow—shoestofollow。
　　’HastheWolfforgottenthefivelongplugs？’
　　MackenzieturnedupontheFoxangrily;thenthehumorofitstruckhim。
　　’Iwillgivetheeoneshortplug。’
　　’AstheWolfseesfit，’meeklyrespondedtheFox，stretchingouthishand。
　　THEMENOFFORTY—MILE。
　　WHENBIGJIMBELDENventuredtheapparentlyinnocuouspropositionthatmush—icewas’ratherpecooliar，’helittledreamedofwhatitwouldleadto。NeitherdidLonMcFane，whenheaffirmedthatanchor—icewasevenmoreso;nordidBettles，asheinstantlydisagreed，declaringtheveryexistenceofsuchaformtobeabugaboo。
　　’An’ye’dbetellin’methis，’criedLon，’aftertheyearsye’vespintintheland！An’weatin’outthesamepotthismany’stheday！’
　　’Butthething’saginreasin，’insistedBettles。’Lookyou，water’swarmerthanice—’
　　’An’littlethedifference，onceyebreakthrough。’
　　’Stillit’swarmer，becauseitain’tfroze。An’yousayitfreezesonthebottom？’
　　’Onlytheanchor—ice，David，onlytheanchor—ice。An’haveyeniverdriftedalong，thewaterclearasglass，whinsuddin，belikeacloudoverthesun，themushy—icecomesbubblin’upan’uptillfrombanktobankan’bindtobindit’sdrapin’theriverlikeafirstsnowfall？’
　　’Unh，hunh！more’noncewhenItookadozeatthesteering—oar。