finestworkinthatlineIeverdidinmylife。Youshouldhaveseenthechase，downtheriverandacrosstheportage。’
　　’Butthesquaw？’askedLouisSavoy，thetallFrenchCanadian，becominginterested;forhehadheardofthiswilddeedwhenatFortyMiletheprecedingwinter。
　　ThenMalemuteKid，whowasabornraconteur，toldtheunvarnishedtaleoftheNorthlandLochinvar。MorethanoneroughadventureroftheNorthfelthisheartstringsdrawcloserandexperiencedvagueyearningsforthesunnierpasturesoftheSouthland，wherelifepromisedsomethingmorethanabarrenstrugglewithcoldanddeath。
　　’WestrucktheYukonjustbehindthefirsticerun，’heconcluded，’andthetribeonlyaquarterofanhourbehind。Butthatsavedus;
　　forthesecondrunbrokethejamaboveandshutthemout。WhentheyfinallygotintoNuklukyeto，thewholepostwasreadyforthem。Andastotheforgathering，askFatherRoubeauhere：heperformedtheceremony。’
　　TheJesuittookthepipefromhislipsbutcouldonlyexpresshisgratificationwithpatriarchalsmiles，whileProtestantandCatholicvigorouslyapplauded。
　　’Bygar！’ejaculatedLouisSavoy，whoseemedovercomebytheromanceofit。’Lapetitesquaw：monMasonbrav。Bygar！’
　　Then，asthefirsttincupsofpunchwentround，BettlestheUnquenchablesprangtohisfeetandstruckuphisfavoritedrinkingsong：
　　’There’sHenryWardBeecherAndSunday—schoolteachers，Alldrinkofthesassafrasroot;
　　Butyoubetallthesame，Ifithaditsrightname，It’sthejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit。’
　　’Oh，thejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit，’
　　roaredoutthebacchanalianchorus，’Oh，thejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit;
　　Butyoubetallthesame，Ifithaditsrightname，It’sthejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit。’
　　MalemuteKid’sfrightfulconcoctiondiditswork;themenofthecampsandtrailsunbentinitsgenialglow，andjestandsongandtalesofpastadventurewentroundtheboard。Aliensfromadozenlands，theytoastedeachandall。ItwastheEnglishman，Prince，whopledged’UncleSam，theprecociousinfantoftheNewWorld’;theYankee，Bettles，whodrankto’TheQueen，Godblessher’;andtogether，SavoyandMeyers，theGermantrader，clangedtheircupstoAlsaceandLorraine。
　　ThenMalemuteKidarose，cupinhand，andglancedatthegreased—paperwindow，wherethefroststoodfullthreeinchesthick。
　　’Ahealthtothemanontrailthisnight;mayhisgrubholdout;mayhisdogskeeptheirlegs;mayhismatchesnevermissfire。’
　　Crack！Crack！heardthefamiliarmusicofthedogwhip，thewhininghowloftheMalemutes，andthecrunchofasledasitdrewuptothecabin。Conversationlanguishedwhiletheywaitedtheissue。
　　’Anold—timer;caresforhisdogsandthenhimself，’whisperedMalemuteKidtoPrinceastheylistenedtothesnappingjawsandthewolfishsnarlsandyelpsofpainwhichproclaimedtotheirpracticedearsthatthestrangerwasbeatingbacktheirdogswhilehefedhisown。
　　Thencametheexpectedknock，sharpandconfident，andthestrangerentered。Dazzledbythelight，hehesitatedamomentatthedoor，givingtoallachanceforscrutiny。Hewasastrikingpersonage，andamostpicturesqueone，inhisArcticdressofwoolandfur。Standingsixfoottwoorthree，withproportionatebreadthofshouldersanddepthofchest，hissmooth—shavenfacenippedbythecoldtoagleamingpink，hislonglashesandeyebrowswhitewithice，andtheearandneckflapsofhisgreatwolfskincaplooselyraised，heseemed，ofaverity，theFrostKing，juststeppedinoutofthenight。ClaspedoutsidehisMackinawjacket，abeadedbeltheldtwolargeColt’srevolversandahuntingknife，whilehecarried，inadditiontotheinevitabledogwhip，asmokelessrifleofthelargestboreandlatestpattern。Ashecameforward，forallhisstepwasfirmandelastic，theycouldseethatfatigueboreheavilyuponhim。
　　Anawkwardsilencehadfallen，buthishearty’Whatcheer，mylads？’
　　putthemquicklyatease，andthenextinstantMalemuteKidandhehadgrippedhands。Thoughtheyhadnevermet，eachhadheardoftheother，andtherecognitionwasmutual。Asweepingintroductionandamugofpunchwereforceduponhimbeforehecouldexplainhiserrand。
　　Howlongsincethatbasketsled，withthreemenandeightdogs，passed？’heasked。
　　’Aneventwodaysahead。Areyouafterthem？’
　　’Yes;myteam。Runthemoffundermyverynose，thecusses。I’vegainedtwodaysonthemalready—pickthemuponthenextrun。’
　　’Reckonthey’llshowspunk？’askedBelden，inordertokeepuptheconversation，forMalemuteKidalreadyhadthecoffeepotonandwasbusilyfryingbaconandmoosemeat。
　　Thestrangersignificantlytappedhisrevolvers。
　　’When’dyehleaveDawson？’
　　’Twelveo’clock。’
　　’Lastnight？’—asamatterofcourse。
　　’Today。’
　　Amurmurofsurprisepassedroundthecircle。Andwellitmight;foritwasjustmidnight，andseventy—fivemilesofroughrivertrailwasnottobesneeredatforatwelvehours’run。
　　Thetalksoonbecameimpersonal，however，harkingbacktothetrailsofchildhood。AstheyoungstrangerateoftherudefareMalemuteKidattentivelystudiedhisface。Norwashelongindecidingthatitwasfair，honest，andopen，andthathelikedit。Stillyouthful，thelineshadbeenfirmlytracedbytoilandhardship。Thoughgenialinconversation，andmildwhenatrest，theblueeyesgavepromiseofthehardsteel—glitterwhichcomeswhencalledintoaction，especiallyagainstodds。Theheavyjawandsquare—cutchindemonstratedruggedpertinacityandindomitability。Nor，thoughtheattributesofthelionwerethere，wastherewantingthecertainsoftness，thehintofwomanliness，whichbespoketheemotionalnature。
　　’Sothet’showmean’theol’womangotspliced，’saidBelden，concludingtheexcitingtaleofhiscourtship。’"Herewebe，Dad，"sezshe。"An’mayyehbedamned，"sezhetoher，an’thentome，’’Jim，yeh—yehgitoutenthemgooddudso’yourn;Iwantarightpeartsliceo’thetfortyacreplowed’foredinner。"An’thenhesorto’
　　sniffledan’kissedher。An’Iwasthethappy—butheseenmean’
　　roarsout，’’Yeh，Jim！’An’yehbetIdustedferthebarn。’
　　’AnykidswaitingforyoubackintheStates？’askedthestranger。
　　’Nope;Saldied’foreanycome。Thet’swhyI’mhere。’Beldenabstractedlybegantolighthispipe，whichhadfailedtogoout，andthenbrightenedupwith，’How’boutyerself，stranger—marriedman？’
　　Forreply，heopenedhiswatch，slippeditfromthethongwhichservedforachain，andpasseditover。Beldenpickeduptheslushlamp，surveyedtheinsideofthecasecritically，and，swearingadmiringlytohimself，handeditovertoLouisSavoy。Withnumerous’Bygars！’hefinallysurrenderedittoPrince，andtheynoticedthathishandstrembledandhiseyestookonapeculiarsoftness。
　　Andsoitpassedfromhornyhandtohornyhand—thepastedphotographofawoman，theclingingkindthatsuchmenfancy，withababeatthebreast。Thosewhohadnotyetseenthewonderwerekeenwithcuriosity;thosewhohadbecamesilentandretrospective。Theycouldfacethepinchoffamine，thegripofscurvy，orthequickdeathbyfieldorflood;butthepicturedsemblanceofastrangerwomanandchildmadewomenandchildrenofthemall。
　　’Neverhaveseentheyoungsteryet—he’saboy，shesays，andtwoyearsold，’saidthestrangerashereceivedthetreasureback。A
　　lingeringmomenthegazeduponit，thensnappedthecaseandturnedaway，butnotquickenoughtohidetherestrainedrushoftears。
　　MalemuteKidledhimtoabunkandbadehimturnin。
　　’Callmeatfoursharp。Don’tfailme，’werehislastwords，andamomentlaterhewasbreathingintheheavinessofexhaustedsleep。
　　’ByJove！He’sapluckychap，’commentedPrince。’Threehours’sleepafterseventy—fivemileswiththedogs，andthenthetrailagain。
　　Whoishe，Kid？’
　　’JackWestondale。Beeningoingonthreeyears，withnothingbutthenameofworkinglikeahorse，andanyamountofbadlucktohiscredit。Ineverknewhim，butSitkaCharleytoldmeabouthim。’
　　’ItseemshardthatamanwithasweetyoungwifelikehisshouldbeputtinginhisyearsinthisGodforsakenhole，whereeveryyearcountstwoontheoutside。’
　　’Thetroublewithhimiscleangritandstubbornness。He’scleaneduptwicewithastake，butlostitbothtimes。’
　　HeretheconversationwasbrokenoffbyanuproarfromBettles，fortheeffecthadbeguntowearaway。Andsoonthebleakyearsofmonotonousgrubanddeadeningtoilwerebeingforgotteninroughmerriment。MalemuteKidaloneseemedunabletolosehimself，andcastmanyananxiouslookathiswatch。Onceheputonhismittensandbeaver—skincap，and，leavingthecabin，felltorummagingaboutinthecache。
　　Norcouldhewaitthehourdesignated;forhewasfifteenminutesaheadoftimeinrousinghisguest。Theyounggianthadstiffenedbadly，andbriskrubbingwasnecessarytobringhimtohisfeet。Hetotteredpainfullyoutofthecabin，tofindhisdogsharnessedandeverythingreadyforthestart。Thecompanywishedhimgoodluckandashortchase，whileFatherRoubeau，hurriedlyblessinghim，ledthestampedeforthecabin;andsmallwonder，foritisnotgoodtofaceseventy—fourdegreesbelowzerowithnakedearsandhands。
　　MalemuteKidsawhimtothemaintrail，andthere，grippinghishandheartily，gavehimadvice。
　　’You’llfindahundredpoundsofsalmoneggsonthesled，’hesaid。’Thedogswillgoasfaronthataswithonehundredandfiftyoffish，andyoucan’tgetdogfoodatPelly，asyouprobablyexpected。’Thestrangerstarted，andhiseyesflashed，buthedidnotinterrupt。’Youcan’tgetanounceoffoodfordogormantillyoureachFiveFingers，andthat’sastifftwohundredmiles。WatchoutforopenwaterontheThirtyMileRiver，andbesureyoutakethebigcutoffaboveLeBarge。’
　　’Howdidyouknowit？Surelythenewscan’tbeaheadofmealready？’
　　’Idon’tknowit;andwhat’smore，Idon’twanttoknowit。Butyouneverownedthatteamyou’rechasing。SitkaCharleysoldittothemlastspring。Buthesizedyouuptomeassquareonce，andI
　　believehim。I’veseenyourface;Ilikeit。AndI’veseen—why，damnyou，hitthehighplacesforsaltwaterandthatwifeofyours，and—’HeretheKidunmittenedandjerkedouthissack。
　　’No;Idon’tneedit，’andthetearsfrozeonhischeeksasheconvulsivelygrippedMalemuteKid’shand。
　　’Thendon’tsparethedogs;cutthemoutofthetracesasfastastheydrop;buythem，andthinkthey’recheapattendollarsapound。
　　YoucangetthematFiveFingers，LittleSalmon，andHootalinqua。
　　Andwatchoutforwetfeet，’washispartingadvice。’Keepa—travelinguptotwenty—five，butifitgetsbelowthat，buildafireandchangeyoursocks。’
　　Fifteenminuteshadbarelyelapsedwhenthejingleofbellsannouncednewarrivals。Thedooropened，andamountedpolicemanoftheNorthwestTerritoryentered，followedbytwohalf—breeddogdrivers。LikeWestondale，theywereheavilyarmedandshowedsignsoffatigue。Thehalf—breedshadbeenbornetothetrailandboreiteasily;buttheyoungpolicemanwasbadlyexhausted。Still，thedoggedobstinacyofhisraceheldhimtothepacehehadset，andwouldholdhimtillhedroppedinhistracks。
　　’WhendidWestondalepullout？’heasked。’Hestoppedhere，didn’the？’Thiswassupererogatory，forthetrackstoldtheirowntaletoowell。
　　MalemuteKidhadcaughtBelden’seye，andhe，scentingthewind，repliedevasively，’Arightpeartwhileback。’
　　’Come，myman;speakup，’thepolicemanadmonished。
　　’Yehseemtowanthimrightsmart。Hezhebengittin’cantankerousdownDawsonway？’
　　’HeldupHarryMcFarland’sforfortythousand;exchangeditattheP。C。storeforacheckonSeattle;andwho’stostopthecashingofitifwedon’tovertakehim？Whendidhepullout？’
　　Everyeyesuppresseditsexcitement，forMalemuteKidhadgiventhecue，andtheyoungofficerencounteredwoodenfacesoneveryhand。
　　StridingovertoPrince，heputthequestiontohim。Thoughithurthim，gazingintothefrank，earnestface。ofhisfellowcountryman，herepliedinconsequentiallyonthestateofthetrail。
　　ThenheespiedFatherRoubeau，whocouldnotlie。’Aquarterofanhourago，’thepriestanswered;’buthehadfourhours’restforhimselfanddogs。’
　　’Fifteenminutes’start，andhe’sfresh！MyGod！’Thepoorfellowstaggeredback，halffaintingfromexhaustionanddisappointment，murmuringsomethingabouttherunfromDawsonintenhoursandthedogsbeingplayedout。
　　MalemuteKidforcedamugofpunchuponhim;thenheturnedforthedoor，orderingthedogdriverstofollow。Butthewarmthandpromiseofrestweretootempting，andtheyobjectedstrenuously。
　　TheKidwasconversantwiththeirFrenchpatois，andfolloweditanxiously。
　　Theysworethatthedogsweregoneup;thatSiwashandBabettewouldhavetobeshotbeforethefirstmilewascovered;thattherestwerealmostasbad;andthatitwouldbebetterforallhandstorestup。
　　’Lendmefivedogs？’heasked，turningtoMalemuteKid。
　　ButtheKidshookhishead。
　　’I’llsignacheckonCaptainConstantineforfivethousand—
　　here’smypapers—I’mauthorizedtodrawatmyowndiscretion。’
　　Againthesilentrefusal。
　　’ThenI’llrequisitiontheminthenameoftheQueen。’
　　Smilingincredulously，theKidglancedathiswell—stockedarsenal，andtheEnglishman，realizinghisimpotency，turnedforthedoor。Butthedogdriversstillobjecting，hewhirleduponthemfiercely，callingthemwomenandcurs。Theswartfaceoftheolderhalf—breedflushedangrilyashedrewhimselfupandpromisedingood，roundtermsthathewouldtravelhisleaderoffhislegs，andwouldthenbedelightedtoplanthiminthesnow。
　　Theyoungofficer—anditrequiredhiswholewill—walkedsteadilytothedoor，exhibitingafreshnesshedidnotpossess。Buttheyallknewandappreciatedhisproudeffort;norcouldheveilthetwingesofagonythatshotacrosshisface。Coveredwithfrost，thedogswerecurledupinthesnow，anditwasalmostimpossibletogetthemtotheirfeet。Thepoorbruteswhinedunderthestinginglash，forthedogdriverswereangryandcruel;nortillBabette，theleader，wascutfromthetraces，couldtheybreakoutthesledandgetunderway。
　　’Adirtyscoundrelandaliar！’’Bygar！Himnogood！’’Athief！’
　　’WorsethananIndian！’Itwasevidentthattheywereangry—firstatthewaytheyhadbeendeceived;andsecondattheoutragedethicsoftheNorthland，wherehonesty，aboveall，wasman’sprimejewel。
　　’An’wegavethecussahand，afterknowin’whathe’ddid。’AlleyesturnedaccusinglyuponMalemuteKid，whorosefromthecornerwherehehadbeenmakingBabettecomfortable，andsilentlyemptiedthebowlforafinalroundofpunch。
　　’It’sacoldnight，boys—abittercoldnight，’wastheirrelevantcommencementofhisdefense。’You’vealltraveledtrail，andknowwhatthatstandsfor。Don’tjumpadogwhenhe’sdown。You’veonlyheardoneside。AwhitermanthanJackWestondaleneveratefromthesamepotnorstretchedblanketwithyouorme。Lastfallhegavehiswholeclean—up，fortythousand，toJoeCastrell，tobuyinonDominion。Todayhe’dbeamillionaire。But，whilehestayedbehindatCircleCity，takingcareofhispartnerwiththescurvy，whatdoesCastelldo？GoesintoMcFarland’s，jumpsthelimit，anddropsthewholesack。Foundhimdeadinthesnowthenextday。AndpoorJacklayinghisplanstogooutthiswintertohiswifeandtheboyhe’sneverseen。You’llnoticehetookexactlywhathispartnerlost—fortythousand。Well，he’sgoneout;andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？’
　　TheKidglancedroundthecircleofhisjudges，notedthesofteningoftheirfaces，thenraisedhismugaloft。’Soahealthtothemanontrailthisnight;mayhisgrubholdout;mayhisdogskeeptheirlegs;mayhismatchesnevermissfire。Godprosperhim;
　　goodluckgowithhim;and—’
　　’ConfusiontotheMountedPolice！’criedBettles，tothecrashoftheemptycups。
　　THEPRIESLTYPREROGATIVE。
　　THISISTHESTORYOFAMANwhodidnotappreciatehiswife;also，ofawomanwhodidhimtoogreatanhonorwhenshegaveherselftohim。
　　Incidentally，itconcernsaJesuitpriestwhohadneverbeenknowntolie。Hewasanappurtenance，andaverynecessaryone，totheYukoncountry;butthepresenceoftheothertwowasmerelyaccidental。Theywerespecimensofthemanystrangewaifswhichridethebreastofagoldrushorcometailingalongbehind。
　　EdwinBenthamandGraceBenthamwerewaifs;theywerealsotailingalongbehind，fortheKlondikerushof’97hadlongsincesweptdownthegreatriverandsubsidedintothefamine—strickencityofDawson。WhentheYukonshutupshopandwenttosleepunderathree—footice—sheet，thisperipateticcouplefoundthemselvesattheFiveFingerRapids，withtheCityofGoldstillajourneyofmanysleepstothenorth。
　　Manycattlehadbeenbutcheredatthisplaceinthefalloftheyear，andtheoffalmadeagoodlyheap。Thethreefellow—voyagersofEdwinBenthamandwifegazeduponthisdeposit，didalittlementalarithmetic，caughtacertainglimpseofabonanza，anddecidedtoremain。Andallwintertheysoldsacksofbonesandfrozenhidestothefamisheddog—teams。Itwasamodestpricetheyasked，adollarapound，justasitcame。Sixmonthslater，whenthesuncamebackandtheYukonawoke，theybuckledontheirheavymoneybeltsandjourneyedbacktotheSouthland，wheretheyyetliveandliemightilyabouttheKlondiketheyneversaw。
　　ButEdwinBentham—hewasanindolentfellow，andhadhenotbeenpossessedofawife，wouldhavegladlyjoinedissuedinthedog—meatspeculation。Asitwas，sheplayeduponhisvanity，toldhimhowgreatandstronghewas，howamansuchashecertainlywascouldovercomeallobstaclesandofasuretyobtaintheGoldenFleece。Sohesquaredhisjaw，soldhisshareinthebonesandhidesforasledandonedog，andturnedhissnowshoestothenorth。Needlesstostate，GraceBentham’ssnowshoesneverallowedhistrackstogrowcold。
　　Nay，eretheirtribulationshadseenthreedays，itwasthemanwhofollowedintherear，andthewomanwhobroketrailinadvance。Ofcourse，ifanybodyhoveinsight，thepositionwasinstantlyreversed。
　　Thusdidhismanhoodremainvirgintothetravelerswhopassedlikeghostsonthesilenttrail。Therearesuchmeninthisworld。
　　Howsuchamanandsuchawomancametotakeeachotherforbetterandforworseisunimportanttothisnarrative。Thesethingsarefamiliartousall，andthosepeoplewhodothem，orevenquestionthemtooclosely，areapttoloseabeautifulfaithwhichisknownasEternalFitness。
　　EdwinBenthamwasaboy，thrustbymischanceintoaman’sbody，—aboywhocouldcomplacentlypluckabutterfly，wingfromwing，orcowerinabjectterrorbeforealean，nervyfellow，nothalfhissize。Hewasaselfishcry—baby，hiddenbehindaman’smustacheandstature，andglossedoverwithaskin—deepveneerofcultureandconventionality。Yes;hewasaclubmanandasocietyman，—thesortthatgracesocialfunctionsandutterinanitieswithacharmandunctionwhichisindescribable;thesortthattalkbig，andcryoveratoothache;thesortthatputmorehellintoawoman’slifebymarryingherthancanthemostgracelesslibertinethateverbrowsedinforbiddenpastures。Wemeetthesemeneveryday，butwerarelyknowthemforwhattheyare。Secondtomarryingthem，thebestwaytogetthisknowledgeistoeatoutofthesamepotandcrawlunderthesameblanketwiththemfor—well，sayaweek;nogreatermarginisnecessary。
　　ToseeGraceBentham，wastoseeaslender，girlishcreature;toknowher，wastoknowasoulwhichdwarfedyourown，yetretainedalltheelementsoftheeternalfeminine。ThiswasthewomanwhourgedandencouragedherhusbandinhisNorthlandquest，whobroketrailforhimwhennoonewaslooking，andcriedinsecretoverherweaklingwoman’sbody。
　　SojourneyedthisstrangelyassortedcoupledowntooldFortSelkirk，thenthroughfivescoremilesofdismalwildernesstoStuartRiver。Andwhentheshortdayleftthem，andthemanlaydowninthesnowandblubbered，itwasthewomanwholashedhimtothesled，bitherlipswiththepainofherachinglimbs，andhelpedthedoghaulhimtoMalemuteKid’scabin。MalemuteKidwasnotathome，butMeyers，theGermantrader，cookedgreatmoose—steaksandshookupabedoffreshpineboughs。
　　Lake，Langham，andParker，wereexcited，andnotundulysowhenthecausewastakenintoaccount。
　　’Oh，Sandy！Say，canyoutellaporterhousefromaround？Comeoutandlendusahand，anyway！’Thisappealemanatedfromthecache，whereLanghamwasvainlystrugglingwithdiversquartersoffrozenmoose。
　　’Don’tyoubudgefromthosedishes！’commandedParker。
　　’Isay，Sandy;there’sagoodfellow—justrundowntotheMissouriCampandborrowsomecinnamon，’beggedLake。
　　’Oh！oh！hurryup！Whydon’t—’Butthecrashofmeatandboxes，inthecache，abruptlyquenchedthisperemptorysummons。
　　’Comenow，Sandy;itwon’ttakeaminutetogodowntotheMissouri—’
　　’Youleavehimalone，’interruptedParker。’HowamItomixthebiscuitsifthetableisn’tclearedoff？’
　　Sandypausedinindecision，tillsuddenlythefactthathewasLangham’s’man’dawneduponhim。Thenheapologeticallythrewdownthegreasydishcloth，andwenttohismaster’srescue。
　　ThesepromisingscionsofwealthyprogenitorshadcometotheNorthlandinsearchoflaurels，withmuchmoneytoburn，anda’man’
　　apiece。Luckilyfortheirsouls，theothertwomenwereuptheWhiteRiverinsearchofamythicalquartz—ledge;soSandyhadtogrinundertheresponsibilityofthreehealthymasters，eachofwhomwaspossessedofpeculiarcookeryideas。Twicethatmorninghadadisruptionofthewholecampbeenimminent，onlyavertedbyimmenseconcessionsfromoneortheotheroftheseknightsofthechafing—dish。Butatlasttheirmutualcreation，areallydaintydinner，wascompleted。Thentheysatdowntoathree—corneredgameof’cut—throat，’—aproceedingwhichdidawaywithallcasusbelliforfuturehostilities，andpermittedthevictortodepartonamostimportantmission。
　　ThisfortunefelltoParker，whopartedhishairinthemiddle，putonhismittensandbearskincap，andsteppedovertoMalemuteKid’scabin。Andwhenhereturned，itwasinthecompanyofGraceBenthamandMalemuteKid，—theformerverysorryherhusbandcouldnotsharewithhertheirhospitality，forhehadgoneuptolookattheHendersonCreekmines，andthelatterstillatriflestifffrombreakingtraildowntheStuartRiver。Meyershadbeenasked，buthaddeclined，beingdeeplyengrossedinanexperimentofraisingbreadfromhops。
　　Well，theycoulddowithoutthehusband;butawoman—whytheyhadnotseenoneallwinter，andthepresenceofthisonepromisedaneweraintheirlives。Theywerecollegemenandgentlemen，thesethreeyoungfellows，yearningfortheflesh—potstheyhadbeensolongdenied。ProbablyGraceBenthamsufferedfromasimilarhunger;atleast，itmeantmuchtoher，thefirstbrighthourinmanyweeksofdarkness。
　　Butthatwonderfulfirstcourse，whichclaimedtheversatileLakeforitsparent，hadnosoonerbeenservedthantherecamealoudknockatthedoor。
　　’Oh！Ah！Won’tyoucomein，Mr。Bentham？’saidParker，whohadsteppedtoseewhothenewcomermightbe。
　　’Ismywifehere？’grufflyrespondedthatworthy。
　　’Why，yes。WeleftwordwithMr。Meyers。’Parkerwasexertinghismostdulcettones，inwardlywonderingwhatthedeuceitallmeant。
　　’Won’tyoucomein？Expectingyouatanymoment，wereservedaplace。Andjustintimeforthefirstcourse，too。’
　　’Comein，Edwin，dear，’chirpedGraceBenthamfromherseatatthetable。
　　Parkernaturallystoodaside。
　　’Iwantmywife，’reiteratedBenthamhoarsely，theintonationsavoringdisagreeablyofownership。
　　Parkergasped，waswithinanaceofdrivinghisfistintothefaceofhisboorishvisitor，butheldhimselfawkwardlyincheck。Everybodyrose。Lakelosthisheadandcaughthimselfonthevergeofsaying，’Mustyougo？’
　　Thenbeganthefarragoofleave—taking。’Soniceofyou—’’Iamawfullysorry—’’ByJove！howthingsdidbrighten—’’Reallynow，you—’
　　’Thankyoueversomuch—’’NicetriptoDawson—’etc。，etc。
　　Inthiswisethelambwashelpedintoherjacketandledtotheslaughter。Thenthedoorslammed，andtheygazedwoefullyuponthedesertedtable。
　　’Damn！’Langhamhadsuffereddisadvantagesinhisearlytraining，andhisoathswereweakandmonotonous。’Damn！’herepeated，vaguelyconsciousoftheincompletenessandvainlystrugglingforamorevirileterm。
　　Itisacleverwomanwhocanfilloutthemanyweakplacesinaninefficientman，byherownindomitability，re—enforcehisvacillatingnature，infuseherambitioussoulintohis，andspurhimontogreatachievements。Anditisindeedaverycleverandtactfulwomanwhocandoallthis，anddoitsosubtlythatthemanreceivesallthecreditandbelievesinhisinmostheartthateverythingisduetohimandhimalone。
　　ThisiswhatGraceBenthamproceededtodo。ArrivinginDawsonwithafewpoundsofflourandseverallettersofintroduction，sheatonceappliedherselftothetaskofpushingherbigbabytothefore。ItwasshewhomeltedthestonyheartandwrungcreditfromtherudebarbarianwhopresidedoverthedestinyoftheP。C。Company;
　　yetitwasEdwinBenthamtowhomtheconcessionwasostensiblygranted。Itwasshewhodraggedherbabyupanddowncreeks，overbenchesanddivides，andonadozenwildstampedes;yeteverybodyremarkedwhatanenergeticfellowthatBenthamwas。Itwasshewhostudiedmaps，andcatechisedminers，andhammeredgeographyandlocationsintohishollowhead，tilleverybodymarveledathisbroadgraspofthecountryandknowledgeofitsconditions。Ofcourse，theysaidthewifewasabrick，andonlyafewwiseonesappreciatedandpitiedthebravelittlewoman。
　　Shedidthework;hegotthecreditandreward。IntheNorthwestTerritoryamarriedwomancannotstakeorrecordacreek，bench，orquartzclaim;soEdwinBenthamwentdowntotheGoldCommissionerandfiledonBenchClaim23，secondtier，ofFrenchHill。AndwhenAprilcametheywerewashingoutathousanddollarsaday，withmany，manysuchdaysinprospect。
　　AtthebaseofFrenchHilllayEldoradoCreek，andonacreekclaimstoodthecabinofClydeWharton。Atpresenthewasnotwashingoutadiurnalthousanddollars;buthisdumpsgrew，shiftbyshift，andtherewouldcomeatimewhenthosedumpswouldpassthroughhissluice—boxes，depositingintheriffles，inthecourseofhalfadozendays，severalhundredthousanddollars。Heoftensatinthatcabin，smokedhispipe，anddreamedbeautifullittledreams，—dreamsinwhichneitherthedumpsnorthehalf—tonofdustintheP。C。
　　Company’sbigsafe，playedapart。
　　AndGraceBentham，asshewashedtindishesinherhillsidecabin，oftenglanceddownintoEldoradoCreek，anddreamed，—notofdumpsnordust，however。Theymetfrequently，asthetrailtotheoneclaimcrossedtheother，andthereismuchtotalkaboutintheNorthlandspring;butneveronce，bythelightofaneyenortheslipofatongue，didtheyspeaktheirhearts。
　　Thisisasitwasatfirst。ButonedayEdwinBenthamwasbrutal。
　　Allboysarethus;besides，beingaFrenchHillkingnow，hebegantothinkagreatdealofhimselfandtoforgetallheowedtohiswife。Onthisday，Whartonheardofit，andwaylaidGraceBentham，andtalkedwildly。Thismadeherveryhappy，thoughshewouldnotlisten，andmadehimpromisetonotsaysuchthingsagain。Herhourhadnotcome。
　　Butthesunsweptbackonitsnorthernjourney，theblackofmidnightchangedtothesteelycolorofdawn，thesnowslippedaway，thewaterdashedagainovertheglacialdrift，andthewash—upbegan。Dayandnighttheyellowclayandscrapedbedrockhurriedthroughtheswiftsluices，yieldingupitsransomtothestrongmenfromtheSouthland。AndinthattimeoftumultcameGraceBentham’shour。
　　Toallofussuchhoursatsometimecome，—thatis，touswhoarenottoophlegmatic。Somepeoplearegood，notfrominherentloveofvirtue，butfromsheerlaziness。Butthoseofuswhoknowweakmomentsmayunderstand。
　　EdwinBenthamwasweighingdustoverthebarofthesaloonattheForks—altogethertoomuchofhisdustwentoverthatpineboard—whenhiswifecamedownthehillandslippedintoClydeWharton’scabin。
　　Whartonwasnotexpectingher，butthatdidnotalterthecase。Andmuchsubsequentmiseryandidlewaitingmighthavebeenavoided，hadnotFatherRoubeauseenthisandturnedasidefromthemaincreektrail。
　　’Mychild，—’
　　’Holdon，FatherRoubeau！ThoughI’mnotofyourfaith，Irespectyou;butyoucan’tcomeinbetweenthiswomanandme！’
　　’Youknowwhatyouaredoing？’
　　’Know！WereyouGodAlmighty，readytoflingmeintoeternalfire，I’dbankmywillagainstyoursinthismatter。’
　　WhartonhadplacedGraceonastoolandstoodbelligerentlybeforeher。
　　’Yousitdownonthatchairandkeepquiet，’hecontinued，addressingtheJesuit。’I’lltakemyinningsnow。Youcanhaveyoursafter。’
　　FatherRoubeaubowedcourteouslyandobeyed。Hewasaneasy—goingmanandhadlearnedtobidehistime。Whartonpulledastoolalongsidethewoman’s，smotheringherhandinhis。
　　’Thenyoudocareforme，andwilltakemeaway？’Herfaceseemedtoreflectthepeaceofthisman，againstwhomshemightdrawcloseforshelter。
　　’Dear，don’tyourememberwhatIsaidbefore？OfcourseI—’
　　’Buthowcanyou？—thewash—up？’
　　’Doyouthinkthatworries？Anyway，I’llgivethejobtoFatherRoubeau，here。Icantrusthimtosafelybankthedustwiththecompany。’
　　’Tothinkofit！—I’llneverseehimagain。’
　　’Ablessing！’
　　’Andtogo—O，Clyde，Ican’t！Ican’t！’
　　’There，there;ofcourseyoucan。justletmeplanit。—Yousee，assoonaswegetafewtrapstogether，we’llstart，and—’
　　’Supposehecomesback？’
　　’I’llbreakevery—’
　　’No，no！Nofighting，Clyde！Promisemethat。’
　　’Allright！I’lljusttellthementothrowhimofftheclaim。
　　They’veseenhowhe’streatedyou，andhaven’tmuchloveforhim。’
　　’Youmustn’tdothat。Youmustn’thurthim。’
　　’Whatthen？Lethimcomerightinhereandtakeyouawaybeforemyeyes？’
　　’No—o，’shehalfwhispered，strokinghishandsoftly。
　　’Thenletmerunit，anddon’tworry。I’llseehedoesn’tgethurt。Preciouslothecaredwhetheryougothurtornot！Wewon’tgobacktoDawson。I’llsendworddownforacoupleoftheboystooutfitandpoleaboatuptheYukon。We’llcrossthedivideandraftdowntheIndianRivertomeetthem。Then—’
　　’Andthen？’
　　Herheadwasonhisshoulder。Theirvoicessanktosoftercadences，eachwordacaress。TheJesuitfidgetednervously。
　　’Andthen？’sherepeated。
　　’Whywe’llpoleup，andup，andup，andportagetheWhiteHorseRapidsandtheBoxCanon。’
　　’Yes？’
　　’AndtheSixty—MileRiver;thenthelakes，Chilcoot，Dyea，andSaltWater。’
　　’But，dear，Ican’tpoleaboat。’
　　’Youlittlegoose！I’llgetSitkaCharley;heknowsallthegoodwaterandbestcamps，andheisthebesttravelerIevermet，ifheisanIndian。Allyou’llhavetodo，istositinthemiddleoftheboat，andsingsongs，andplayCleopatra，andfight—no，we’reinluck;
　　tooearlyformosquitoes。’
　　’Andthen，OmyAntony？’
　　’Andthenasteamer，SanFrancisco，andtheworld！Nevertocomebacktothiscursedholeagain。Thinkofit！Theworld，andourstochoosefrom！I’llsellout。Why，we’rerich！TheWaldworthSyndicatewillgivemehalfamillionforwhat’sleftintheground，andI’vegottwiceasmuchinthedumpsandwiththeP。C。Company。We’llgototheFairinParisin1900。We’llgotoJerusalem，ifyousayso。We’llbuyanItalianpalace，andyoucanplayCleopatratoyourheart’scontent。No，youshallbeLucretia，Acte，oranybodyyourlittleheartseesfittobecome。Butyoumustn’t，youreallymustn’t—’
　　’ThewifeofCaesarshallbeabovereproach。’
　　’Ofcourse，but—’
　　’ButIwon’tbeyourwife，willI，dear？’
　　’Ididn’tmeanthat。’
　　’Butyou’lllovemejustasmuch，andnevereventhink—oh！Iknowyou’llbelikeothermen;you’llgrowtired，and—and—’
　　’Howcanyou？I—’
　　’Promiseme。’
　　’Yes，yes;Idopromise。’
　　’Yousayitsoeasily，dear;buthowdoyouknow？—orIknow？Ihavesolittletogive，yetitissomuch，andallIhave。O，Clyde！
　　promisemeyouwon’t？’
　　’There，there！Youmusn’tbegintodoubtalready。Tilldeathdouspart，youknow。’
　　’Think！Ioncesaidthatto—tohim，andnow？’
　　’Andnow，littlesweetheart，you’renottobotheraboutsuchthingsanymore。Ofcourse，Inever，neverwill，and—’
　　Andforthefirsttime，lipstrembledagainstlips。FatherRoubeauhadbeenwatchingthemaintrailthroughthewindow，butcouldstandthestrainnolonger。Heclearedhisthroatandturnedaround。
　　’Yourturnnow，Father！’Wharton’sfacewasflushedwiththefireofhisfirstembrace。Therewasanexultantringtohisvoiceasheabdicatedintheother’sfavor。Hehadnodoubtastotheresult。
　　NeitherhadGrace，forasmileplayedabouthermouthasshefacedthepriest。
　　’Mychild，’hebegan，’myheartbleedsforyou。Itisaprettydream，butitcannotbe。’
　　’Andwhy，Father？Ihavesaidyes。’
　　’Youknewnotwhatyoudid。Youdidnotthinkoftheoathyoutook，beforeyourGod，tothatmanwhoisyourhusband。Itremainsformetomakeyourealizethesanctityofsuchapledge。’
　　’AndifIdorealize，andyetrefuse？’
　　’ThenGod—’
　　’WhichGod？MyhusbandhasaGodwhichIcarenottoworship。
　　Theremustbemanysuch。’
　　’Child！unsaythosewords！Ah！youdonotmeanthem。Iunderstand。
　　I，too，havehadsuchmoments。’ForaninstanthewasbackinhisnativeFrance，andawistful，sad—eyedfacecameasamistbetweenhimandthewomanbeforehim。
　　’Then，Father，hasmyGodforsakenme？Iamnotwickedabovewomen。Mymiserywithhimhasbeengreat。Whyshoulditbegreater？
　　WhyshallInotgraspathappiness？Icannot，willnot，gobacktohim！’
　　’RatherisyourGodforsaken。Return。ThrowyourburdenuponHim，andthedarknessshallbelifted。Omychild，—’
　　’No;itisuseless;IhavemademybedandsoshallIlie。Iwillgoon。AndifGodpunishesme，Ishallbearitsomehow。Youdonotunderstand。Youarenotawoman。’
　　’Mymotherwasawoman。’
　　’But—’
　　’AndChristwasbornofawoman。’
　　Shedidnotanswer。Asilencefell。Whartonpulledhismustacheimpatientlyandkeptaneyeonthetrail。Graceleanedherelbowonthetable，herfacesetwithresolve。Thesmilehaddiedaway。
　　FatherRoubeaushiftedhisground。
　　’Youhavechildren？’
　　’AtonetimeIwished—butnow—no。AndIamthankful。’
　　’Andamother？’
　　’Yes。’
　　’Shelovesyou？’
　　’Yes。’Herreplieswerewhispers。
　　Andabrother？—nomatter，heisaman。Butasister？’
　　Herheaddroopedaquavering’Yes。’
　　’Younger？Verymuch？’
　　’Sevenyears。’
　　’Andyouhavethoughtwellaboutthismatter？Aboutthem？Aboutyourmother？Andyoursister？Shestandsonthethresholdofherwoman’slife，andthiswildnessofyoursmaymeanmuchtoher。Couldyougobeforeher，lookuponherfreshyoungface，holdherhandinyours，ortouchyourcheektohers？’
　　Tohiswords，herbrainformedvividimages，tillshecriedout，’Don’t！don’t！’andshrankawayasdothewolf—dogsfromthelash。
　　’Butyoumustfaceallthis;andbetteritistodoitnow。’
　　Inhiseyes，whichshecouldnotsee，therewasagreatcompassion，buthisface，tenseandquivering，showednorelenting。
　　Sheraisedherheadfromthetable，forcedbackthetears，struggledforcontrol。
　　’Ishallgoaway。Theywillneverseeme，andcometoforgetme。I
　　shallbetothemasdead。And—andIwillgowithClyde—today。’
　　Itseemedfinal。Whartonsteppedforward，butthepriestwavedhimback。
　　’Youhavewishedforchildren？’
　　Asilent’Yes。’
　　’Andprayedforthem？’
　　’Often。’
　　’Andhaveyouthought，ifyoushouldhavechildren？’FatherRoubeau’seyesrestedforamomentonthemanbythewindow。
　　Aquicklightshotacrossherface。Thenthefullimportdawneduponher。Sheraisedherhandappealingly，buthewenton。
　　’Canyoupictureaninnocentbabeinyourarms，’Aboy？Theworldisnotsoharduponagirl。Why，yourverybreastwouldturntogall！Andyoucouldbeproudandhappyofyourboy，asyoulookedonotherchildren？—’
　　’O，havepity！Hush！’
　　’Ascapegoat—’
　　’Don’t！don’t！Iwillgoback！’Shewasathisfeet。
　　’Achildtogrowupwithnothoughtofevil，andonedaytheworldtoflingatendernameinhisface。Achildtolookbackandcurseyoufromwhoseloinshesprang！’
　　’OmyGod！myGod！’
　　Shegroveledonthefloor。Thepriestsighedandraisedhertoherfeet。
　　Whartonpressedforward，butshemotionedhimaway。
　　’Don’tcomenearme，Clyde！Iamgoingback！’Thetearswerecoursingpitifullydownherface，butshemadenoefforttowipethemaway。
　　’Afterallthis？Youcannot！Iwillnotletyou！’
　　’Don’ttouchme！’Sheshiveredanddrewback。
　　’Iwill！Youaremine！Doyouhear？Youaremine！’Thenhewhirleduponthepriest。’OwhatafoolIwastoeverletyouwagyoursillytongue！ThankyourGodyouarenotacommonman，forI’d—butthepriestlyprerogativemustbeexercised，eh？Well，youhaveexercisedit。Nowgetoutofmyhouse，orI’llforgetwhoandwhatyouare！’
　　FatherRoubeaubowed，tookherhand，andstartedforthedoor。ButWhartoncutthemoff。
　　’Grace！Yousaidyoulovedme？’
　　’Idid。’
　　’Andyoudonow？’
　　’Ido。’
　　’Sayitagain。’
　　’Idoloveyou，Clyde;Ido。’
　　’There，youpriest！’hecried。’Youhaveheardit，andwiththosewordsonherlipsyouwouldsendherbacktolivealieandahellwiththatman？’
　　ButFatherRoubeauwhiskedthewomanintotheinnerroomandclosedthedoor。’Nowords！’hewhisperedtoWharton，ashestruckacasualpostureonastool。’Remember，forhersake，’headded。
　　Theroomechoedtoaroughknockatthedoor;thelatchraisedandEdwinBenthamsteppedin。
　　’Seenanythingofmywife？’heaskedassoonassalutationshadbeenexchanged。
　　Twoheadsnoddednegatively。
　　’Isawhertracksdownfromthecabin，’hecontinuedtentatively，’andtheybrokeoff，justoppositehere，onthemaintrail。’
　　Hislistenerslookedbored。
　　’AndI—Ithough—’
　　’Shewashere！’thunderedWharton。
　　Thepriestsilencedhimwithalook。’Didyouseehertracksleadinguptothiscabin，myson？’WilyFatherRoubeau—hehadtakengoodcaretoobliteratethemashecameupthesamepathanhourbefore。
　　’Ididn’tstoptolook，I—’Hiseyesrestedsuspiciouslyonthedoortotheotherroom，theninterrogatedthepriest。Thelattershookhishead;butthedoubtseemedtolinger。
　　FatherRoubeaubreathedaswift，silentprayer，androsetohisfeet。’Ifyoudoubtme，why—’Hemadeasthoughtoopenthedoor。
　　Apriestcouldnotlie。EdwinBenthamhadheardthisoften，andbelievedit。’Ofcoursenot，Father，’heinterposedhurriedly。’I
　　wasonlywonderingwheremywifehadgone，andthoughtmaybe—I
　　guessshe’supatMrs。Stanton’sonFrenchGulch。Niceweather，isn’tit？Heardthenews？Flour’sgonedowntofortydollarsahundred，andtheysaytheche—cha—quasareflockingdowntheriverindroves。ButImustbegoing;sogood—by。’
　　Thedoorslammed，andfromthewindowtheywatchedhimtakehisquestupFrenchGulch。
　　Afewweekslater，justaftertheJunehigh—water，twomenshotacanoeintomid—streamandmadefasttoaderelictpine。Thistightenedthepainterandjerkedthefrailcraftalongaswouldatow—boat。
　　FatherRoubeauhadbeendirectedtoleavetheUpperCountryandreturntohisswarthychildrenatMinook。Thewhitemenhadcomeamongthem，andtheyweredevotingtoolittletimetofishing，andtoomuchtoacertaindeitywhosetransienthabitatwasincountlessblackbottles。MalemuteKidalsohadbusinessintheLowerCountry，sotheyjourneyedtogether。
　　Butone，inalltheNorthland，knewthemanPaulRoubeau，andthatmanwasMalemuteKid。Beforehimalonedidthepriestcastoffthesacerdotalgarbandstandnaked。Andwhynot？Thesetwomenkneweachother。Hadtheynotsharedthelastmorseloffish，thelastpinchoftobacco，thelastandinmostthought，onthebarrenstretchesofBeringSea，intheheartbreakingmazesoftheGreatDelta，ontheterriblewinterjourneyfromPointBarrowtothePorcupine？
　　FatherRoubeaupuffedheavilyathistrail—wornpipe，andgazedonthered—diskedsun，poisedsomberlyontheedgeofthenorthernhorizon。MalemuteKidwounduphiswatch。Itwasmidnight。
　　’Cheerup，oldman！’TheKidwasevidentlygatheringupabrokenthread。’Godsurelywillforgivesuchalie。Letmegiveyouthewordofamanwhostrikesatruenote：
　　IfShehavespokenaword，rememberthylipsaresealed，AndthebrandoftheDogisuponhimbywhomisthesecretrevealed。
　　IftherebetroubletoHerward，andalieoftheblackestcanclear，Lie，whilethylipscanmoveoramanisalivetohear。’
　　FatherRoubeauremovedhispipeandreflected。’Themanspeakstrue，butmysoulisnotvexedwiththat。ThelieandthepenancestandwithGod;but—but—’
　　’Whatthen？Yourhandsareclean。’
　　’Notso。Kid，Ihavethoughtmuch，andyetthethingremains。I
　　knew，andmadehergoback。’
　　Theclearnoteofarobinrangoutfromthewoodenbank，apartridgedrummedthecallinthedistance，amooselungednoisilyintheeddy;butthetwainsmokedoninsilence。
　　THEWISDOMOFTHETRAIL。
　　SITKACHARLEYHADACHIEVEDtheimpossible。OtherIndiansmighthaveknownasmuchofthewisdomofthetrailashedid;buthealoneknewthewhiteman’swisdom，thehonorofthetrail，andthelaw。Butthesethingshadnotcometohiminaday。Theaboriginalmindisslowtogeneralize，andmanyfacts，repeatedoften，arerequiredtocompassanunderstanding。SitkaCharley，fromboyhood，hadbeenthrowncontinuallywithwhitemen，andasamanhehadelectedtocasthisfortuneswiththem，expatriatinghimself，onceandforall，fromhisownpeople。Eventhen，respecting，almostveneratingtheirpower，andponderingoverit，hehadyettodivineitssecretessence—
　　thehonorandthelaw。Anditwasonlybythecumulativeevidenceofyearsthathehadfinallycometounderstand。Beinganalien，whenhedidknow，heknewitbetterthanthewhitemanhimself;beinganIndian，hehadachievedtheimpossible。
　　Andofthesethingshadbeenbredacertaincontemptforhisownpeople—acontemptwhichhehadmadeitacustomtoconceal，butwhichnowburstforthinapolyglotwhirlwindofcursesupontheheadsofKah—ChucteandGowhee。Theycringedbeforehimlikeabraceofsnarlingwolfdogs，toocowardlytospring，toowolfishtocovertheirfangs。Theywerenothandsomecreatures。NeitherwasSitkaCharley。
　　Allthreewerefrightful—looking。Therewasnofleshtotheirfaces;
　　theircheekbonesweremassedwithhideousscabswhichhadcrackedandfrozenalternatelyundertheintensefrost;whiletheireyesburnedluridlywiththelightwhichisbornofdesperationandhunger。
　　Mensosituated，beyondthepaleofthehonorandthelaw，arenottobetrusted。SitkaCharleyknewthis;andthiswaswhyhehadforcedthemtoabandontheirrifleswiththerestofthecampoutfittendaysbefore。HisrifleandCaptainEppingwell’sweretheonlyonesthatremained。
　　’Come，getafirestarted，’hecommanded，drawingoutthepreciousmatchboxwithitsattendantstripsofdrybirchbark。
　　ThetwoIndiansfellsullenlytothetaskofgatheringdeadbranchesandunderwood。Theywereweakandpausedoften，catchingthemselves，intheactofstooping，withgiddymotions，orstaggeringtothecenterofoperationswiththeirkneesshakinglikecastanets。Aftereachtriptheyrestedforamoment，asthoughsickanddeadlyweary。
　　Attimestheireyestookonthepatientstoicismofdumbsuffering;
　　andagaintheegoseemedalmostburstforthwithitswildcry，’I，I，Iwanttoexist！’—thedominantnoteofthewholelivinguniverse。