Theevanescentharvestappleswerelongsincegone，thesnowswerepasttheirbest，thepippinsweremellowingunderthesharppersuasionofthenippy，frostynightsandthebravegallantryofthesunnydays。Inthisancientwarfarebetweenthefrostynightsandthegallantsunnydaystheapplesripenedrapidly；andwellthattheyshould，forthewarfarecouldnotbeforlong。Alreadyintheearlymorninghoursthevanguardofwinter’sfiercehostswastobeseenflauntingitshoarybannersevenintheveryfaceofthegallantsunsobravelymakingstandagainstit。Butitwasthetimeoftheyearinwhichmenfeltitgoodtobealive，fortherewasintheairthattangthatgivesspeedtotheblood，springtothemuscle，edgetotheappetite，couragetothesoul，andzesttolife——theappletimeoftheyear。
　　ItwasinappletimethatCameroncamebacktothefarm。UndercompulsionofMandy，Haleyhadfounditnecessarytodriveintothecityforsomethingsforthe”womenfolk”and，beinginthecity，hehadcalledforCameronandhadbroughthimout。Undercompulsion，notatallbecauseHaleywasindifferenttotheprospectofavisitfromhisformerhiredman，notalonebecausethefallplowingwaspressingandthethreshinggangwasintheneighbourhood，butchieflybecause，throughthechannelofDr。
　　Martin，thelittlenurse，andMandy，ithadcometobeknownintheHaleyhouseholdandinthecountrysidethatthehiredmanwasa”greatswellintheoldcountry，”andHaley’ssturdyindependenceshrankfromanythingthatsavouredof”suckin’roundaswell，”ashegraphicallyputit。ButMandyscoutedthisideaandwaitedforthecomingoftheexpectedguestwithnoembarrassmentfromtheknowledgethathehadbeenintheoldcountry”agreatswell。”
　　Hencewhen，throughacrackbesidethewindowblind，shesawhim，apoor，paleshadow，descendingwearilyandpainfullyfromthebuggy，thegreatmotherheartinthegirlwelledwithpity。Shecouldhardlyforbearrushingouttocarryhimbodilyinherstrongarmstothespareroomandlayhimwhereshehadoncehelpedtolayhimthenightofthetragedysomeeightweeksbefore。Butinthismattershehadlearnedherlesson。Sherememberedthelittlenurseandherindignantscornofthelackofself-controlshehadshownontheoccasionofherlastvisittothehospital。So，insteadofrushingforth，sheclutchedthecurtainsandforcedherselftostandstill，whisperingtoherselfthewhile，”Oh，hewilldiesure！Hewilldiesure！”Butwhenshelookeduponhimseatedcomfortablyinthekitchenwithasteamingglassofgingerandwhiskey，hermother’sunfailingremedyfor”anythingwrongwiththeinsides，”sheknewhewouldnotdieandherjoyoverflowedinboisterouswelcome。
　　Forfivedaystheyall，fromHaleytoTim，gavehimoftheirverybest，seekingtoholdhimamongthemforthewinter，fortheyhadlearnedthathismindwassetupontheWest，tillCameronwasashamed，knowingthathemustgo。
　　Thelastafternoontheyallspentintheorchard。TheGravensteins，inwhichspeciesofappleHaleywasaspecialist，werebeingpicked，andpickedwiththegreatestcare，CameronpluckingthemfromthelimbsanddroppingthemintoabasketheldbyMandybelow。Itwasoneofthosesunnydayswhen，afterweeksofchillyabsence，summercomesagainandmakestheworldglowwithwarmthandkindlylifeandquickensinthehearttheblood’sflow。Cameronwasfulloftalkandfulleroflaughterthanhiswont；indeedhewasvexedtofindhimselfstrugglingtomaintainunbrokentheflowoflaughterandoftalk。ButinMandytherewasneitherspeechnorlaughter，onlyaquietdignitythatdisturbedandrebukedhim。
　　ThelasttreeofGravensteinswaspickedandthentherecamethetimeofparting。Cameron，withaman’sselfishdesireforsometokenofawoman’sadoration，evenalthoughhewellknewthathecouldmakenoreturn，lingeredinthefarewell，hopingforsomesignintheplainquietfaceandthewonderfuleyeswiththeirnewmysterythatwhenhehadgonehewouldnotbeforgotten；butthoughthelipsquiveredpitifullyandtheheavyfacegrewdrawnandoldandtheeyesglowedwithadeeperfire，thewords，whentheycame，camequietlyandtheeyeslookedsteadilyuponhim，exceptthatforonebriefmomentafireleapedinthemandquicklydieddown。Butwhenthebuggy，withTimdriving，hadpasseddownthelane，behindthecurtainofthespareroomthegirlstoodlookingthroughthecrackbesidetheblind，withbothhandspresseduponherbosom，herbreathcominginsobs，herbluelipsmurmuringbrokenly，”Good-by，good-by！Oh，whydidyoucomeatall？But，oh，I’mgladyoucame！
　　Godhelpme，I’mgladyoucame！”Then，whenthebuggyhadturneddownthesidelaneandoutofsight，shekneltbesidethebedandkissed，againandagain，withtender，reverentkisses，thepillowwherehisheadhadlain。
　　BOOKTHREE
　　CHAPTERI
　　THECAMPBYTHEGAP
　　Onthefoot-hills’sideofTheGap，onagrassyplainboundedonthreesidesbytheBowRiverandontheotherbyraggedhillsandbrokentimber，stoodSurveyorMcIvor’scamp，threewhitetents，seemingwondrouslyinsignificantintheshadowofthemightyRockies，butcosyenough。ForonthisAprildaythesunwasridinghighintheheavensinallhisnewspringglory，whereafewdaysagoandformanymonthspastthestormkingwithrelentlessrigourhadraged，searchingwithpitilessfurytheserock-ribbedhillsandthreateningthesewhitetentsandtheirdwellerswithdiredestruction。Butthreatenthoughhemightandpinthemthoughhedidbeneaththeirfrailcanvascovers，hecouldnotmakethatgangbeatretreat。McIvorwasofthekindthattakesnobacktrail。InthelatefallhehadsetouttorunthelinethroughTheGap，andaftermanywanderingsthroughthecouleesofthefoothillsandaftermanyvainattempts，hehadfinallymadechoiceofhisrouteandhadbroughthismen，burntblackwithchinookandfrostandsun，hithertoTheGap’smouth。Everychainlengthinthosewearymarcheswasabattleground，everypillar，everypicketstoodamonumentofvictory。McIvor’sadvancethroughthefoot-hillcountrytoTheGaphadbeenoneunbrokensuccessionoffiercefightswithNature’smostterrifyingforces，atriumphalmarchofheroeswhoboreontheirfacesandontheirbodiesthescarsandlaurelsofthecampaign。ButtoMcIvorandhisgangitwasallintheday’swork。
　　ToCameronthewinterhadbroughtanexperienceofalifehithertoundreamedof，butnevereveninitswildestblizzardsdidhecherishanythingbutgratitudetohisfriendMartin，whohadgothimattachedtoMcIvor’ssurveyparty。ForMcIvorwasamanto”tieto，”asMartinsaid，andtoCameronhewasacontinualcauseofwonderandadmiration。Hewasabigman，withabigman’squietstrength，patient，fearlessofmenandthings，reverenttowardNature’sforces，whichitwashislife’sbusinesstoknow，tomeasure，tocontrol，and，ifneedbe，tofight，carefulofhismen，whetheramidtheperilsofthemarch，oramidthemoredeadlyperilsoftradingpostandrailwayconstructioncamp。CameronnevercouldforgetthethrillofadmirationthatswepthissoulonenightinTaylor’sbilliardandgambling”joint”downatthepostwheretheElbowjoinstheBow，whenMcIvor，withoutblufforbluster，tookhischainmanandhisFrench-Canadiancook，thelatterfrothingmadwith”JamaicaGinger”and”Pain-killer，”outofthehandsofthegangofbadmenfromacrossthelinewhohadmarkedthemaslambsforthefleecing。ItwasnotthecourageofhisbigchiefsomuchthathadfilledCameronwithamazedrespectandadmirationasthecalmindifferencetoeveryconsiderationbutthatofgettinghismenoutofharm’sway，andthecool-headeddirectnessofthemethodheemployed。”Comealong，boys，”McIvorhadsaid，grippingthembytheircoatcollars。”Idon’tpayyougoodmoneyforthissortofthing。”Andsosayinghehadliftedthemclearfromtheirseats，upsettingthetable，ignoringutterlytheroaringoathsofthediscomfitedgamblers。Whatwouldhavebeentheresultnonecouldsay，foroneofthegamblershadwhippedouthisgunandwithsulphurousoathswasconductingavigourousdemonstrationbehindtheunconsciousbackofMcIvor，whentherestrolledintotheroomandthroughthecrowdofmenscatteringtocover，atallslimyoungsterintheredjacketandpill-boxcapofthatworld-famousbodyofmilitaryguardiansoflawandorder，theNorthWestMountedPolice。NotwhilehelivedwouldCameronforgetthescenethatfollowed。Withanairoflazynonchalancetheyoungsterstrodequietlyuptothedesperadoflourishinghisgunandaskedinatonethatindicatedcuriositymorethananythingelse，”Whatareyoudoingwiththatthing？””I’llshowyeh！”roaredthemaninhisface，continuingtopourforthatorrentofoaths。”Putitdownthere！”saidtheyoungsterinasmoothandsilkyvoice，pointingtoatablenearby。”Youdon’tneedthatinthiscountry。”
　　Themanpausedinhisdemonstrationandforamomentortwostoodinamazedsilence。Theaudacityoftheyoungsterappearedtoparalysehispowersofspeechandaction。”Putitdownthere，myman。Doyouhear？”Thevoicewasstillsmooth，butthroughthesilkytonesthereranafibreofsteel。
　　Stillthedesperadostoodgazingathim。”Quick，doyouhear？”
　　Therewasasuddensharpringofimperious，ofoverwhelmingauthority，and，totheamazementofthecrowdofmenwhostoodbreathlessandsilentabout，therefollowedoneofthosephenomenawhichexpertsinpsychologydelighttoexplain，butwhichnomancanunderstand。Withoutawordthegamblerslowlylaiduponthetablehisgun，uponwhosehandleweremanynotches，thetallyofhumanlivesithadaccountedforinthehandsofthissamedesperado。”Whatisthisfor？”continuedtheyoungman，gentlytouchingthebeltofcartridges。”Takeitoff！”
　　Thebeltfounditsplacebesidethegun。”Now，listen！”gravelycontinuedtheyoungster。”Igiveyoutwenty-fourhourstoleavethispost，andifaftertwenty-fourhoursyouarefoundhereitwillbebadforyou。Getout！”
　　Theman，stillsilent，slunkoutfromtheroom。Irresistibleauthorityseemedtogowiththewordthatsenthimforth，andrightlyso，forbehindthatwordlaythefullweightofGreatBritain’smightyempire。ItwasCameron’sfirstexperienceoftheNorthWestMountedPolice，thatfamouscorpsoffrontierriderswhoformorethanaquarterofacenturyhaveriddenthemarchesofGreatBritain’sterritoriesinthefarnorthwestland，keepingintactthePaxBritannicaamidthewildturmoilofpioneerdays。
　　TotheNorthWestMountedPoliceandtothepioneermissionaryitisduethatCanadahasneverhadwithinherborderswhatisknownasa”wildandwickedWest。”Itwasdoubtlessowingtothepresenceofthatslimyoungsterinhisscarletjacketandpill-boxcapthatMcIvorgothismensafelyawaywithoutaholeinhisbackandthathisgangwerequietlyfinishingtheirmorningmealthisshiningAprilday，intheircampbytheBowRiverintheshadowofthebigwhitepeaksthatguardTheGap。
　　Breakfastover，McIvorheavedhisgreatformtotheperpendicular。”Howisthefoot，Cameron？”heasked，fillinghispipepreparatorytothemarch。”Justaboutfit，”repliedCameron。”Bettertakeanotherday，”repliedthechief。”Youcangetupwoodandgetsupperready。Benoitwillbegladenoughtogooutandtakeyourplaceforanotherdayontheline。””Sureting，”criedBenoit，thejollyFrench-Canadiancook。”Goodformyhealt。He’stakoffmyfrontporschhere。”Andthecookpattedaffectionatelythelittleroundpaunchthatmarredthesymmetryofhisfigure。”YououghttogetCamerontoswapjobswithyou，Benny，”saidoneoftheaxemen。”Youwouldbeadandyinaboutanothermonth。”
　　Benoitlethiseyeruncriticallyoverthelineofhisperson。”Bon！Dat’strue，forsure。Intree，fourmontImakdebeegsparkondegirl，me。””Youbet，Benny！”criedtheaxeman。”You’llbreak’emallup。””Sureting！”criedBenny，catchingupacoalforhispipe。”Byby，Cameron。Aurevoir。Igofortaksomemoreslicefrommyporsch。””Good-bye，Benny，”criedCameron。”Itisyourlastchance，forto-morrowIgiveyoubackyourjob。Idon’twantany’frontporsch’
　　onme。””Ho！ho！”laughedBennyscornfully，asheturnedtohurryafterhischief。”Dat’snotmochfrontporschonyou。Dat’sonerailfence——
　　clabbord。”
　　AndindeedBenoitwasright，fortherewasno”porsch”orsignofoneonCameron’sleanandmuscularframe。Thedailybattlewithwinter’sfiercefrostsandblizzards，thestrenuoustoil，thehardfoodhaddonetheirworkonhim。Strong，firm-knit，cleanandsound，hardandfit，hehadcomethroughhisfirstCanadianwinter。
　　Nomaninthecamp，noteventhechiefhimself，could”bush”himinaday’swork。Hehadgainedenormouslyinstrengthlately，andthoughthelinesofhisframestillrantoangles，hehadgainedinweightaswell。Neverinthedaysofhisfinesttrainingwasheasfittogetthebestoutofhimselfasnow。Aninjuredfoothadheldhimincampforaweek，buttheinjurywasnowalmostcompletelyrepairedandtheweek’schangeofworkonlyservedtoreplenishhisstoreofsnapandvim。
　　AnhourortwosufficedtoputthecampintheperfectorderthatheknewBenoitwouldconsideridealandtogetallinreadinessfortheeveningmealwhenthegangshouldreturn。Hehadthedaybeforehimandwhatadayitwas！Cameronlayuponabuffaloskininfrontofthecook-tent，contentwithalltheworldandforthemomentwithhimself。Sixmonthsagohehadengagedasanaxemaninthesurveyors’gangat$30permonthand”found，”beingregardedmoreinthelightofasupernumeraryandmoreorlessofaburdenthananythingelse。Nowhewasdrawingdoublethewageasrodman，and，ofallthegang，stoodsecondtononeinMcIvor’sregard。Inthisnewventurehehadcomenearertomakinggoodthaneverbeforeinhislife。SoinfullcontentwithhimselfheallowedhiseyestoroamoverthebrowngrassyplainthatslopedtotheBowinfront，andovertheBowtothesuccessivelinesofhills，roundedexceptwheretheblackrocksbrokejaggedthroughtheturf，andupwardovertheroundedhillstothegreysidesofthemightymassesofthemountains，andstillupwardtowherethewhitepeakslostthemselvesintheshiningblueofthesky。Behindhimacouleeranbackbetweenhillstoalineoftimber，andbeyondthetimbermorehillsandmorevalleys，andevergrowinghigheranddeepertilltheyranintothebasesofthegreatRockies。
　　AsCameronlaythusluxuriatinguponhisbuffaloskinandlazilywatchingthehillsacrosstheriverthroughthecurlingwreathsthatgracefullyandfragrantlyrosefromhisbriarroot，therebrokefromthelineoftimbertwojumpingdeer，buckanddoe，thelatterslow-footedbecauseheavywithyoung。Behindtheminhotpursuitcameapackofyelpingcoyotes。Thedoewasevidentlyhardpressed。Thebuckwasrunningeasily，butgallantlyrefusingtoabandonhismatetohercowardlyfoes。Straightfortheicyrivertheymade，plungedin，and，makingthecrossing，weresafefromtheirpursuingenemy。Cameron，intentuponfreshmeat，ranforMcIvor’sWinchester，buterehecouldbuckleroundhimacartridgebeltandthrowonhishuntingjacketthedeerhaddisappearedovertheroundedtopofthenearesthill。Upthecouleeherantothetimberandtherewaited，buttherewasnosignofhisgame。
　　Cautiouslyhemadehiswaythroughthetimberanddroppedintothenextvalleycirclingwestwardtowardsthemountains。Thedeer，however，hadcompletelyvanished。Turningbackuponhistracks，heoncemorepiercedthethinlineoftimber，whenjustacrossthecoulee，somethreehundredyardsaway，ontheskyline，headupandsniffingthewind，stoodthebuckinclearview。TakinghurriedaimCameronfired。Thebuckdroppedasifdead。Markingthespot，Cameronhurriedforward，buttohissurprisefoundonlyatrailofblood。”He’sbadlyhitthough，”hesaidtohimself。”Imustgetthepoorchapnowatallcosts。”Swiftlyhetookupthetrail，butthoughthebloodstainscontinuedclearandfreshhecouldgetnosightofthewoundedanimal。Hourafterhourhekeptupthechase，forgetfulofeverythingbuthisdeterminationtobringbackhisgametocamp。Fromthefreshnessofthestainsheknewthatthebuckcouldnotbefaraheadandfromthefootprintsitwasclearthattheanimalwasgoingonthreelegs。”Thebeggarishearingmeandsokeepsoutofsight，”saidCameronashepausedtolisten。Heresolvedtoproceedmoreslowlyandwithgreatercaution，butthoughhefollowedthisplanforanotherhalfhouritbroughthimnobettersuccess。Thedaywasfastpassingandhecouldnotmuchlongercontinuehispursuit。Hebecameconsciousofpaininhisinjuredfoot。Hesatdowntorestandtoreviewhissituation。Forthefirsttimeheobservedthatthebrightskyofthemorninghadbecomeovercastwithafilmofhazycloudandthatthetemperaturewasrapidlyfalling。Prudencesuggestedthatheshouldatoncemakehiswaybacktocamp，butwiththeinstinctofthetruehunterhewasloathtoabandonthepoorwoundedbeasttoitsunhappyfate。Heresolvedtomakeonefurtherattempt。Refreshedbyhisbriefrest，butwithanincreasingsenseofpaininhisfoot，heclimbedtheslightrisinggroundbeforehim，cautiouslypushedhiswaythroughsomescrub，andthere，withineasyshot，stoodthebuck，withdroopingheadandevidentlywithstrengthnearlydone。Camerontookcarefulaim——
　　theremustbenomistakethistime——andfired。Thebuckleapedhighintheair，droppedandlaystill。Thefirstshothadbrokenhisleg，thesecondhadpiercedhisheart。
　　Cameronhurriedforwardandproceededtoskintheanimal。Butsoonheabandonedthisoperation。”We’llcomeandgethimto-morrow，”
　　hemuttered，”andheisbetterwithhisskinon。Meantimewe’llhaveasteak，however。”Hehungabitofskinfromapoletokeepoffthewolvesandselectedachoicecutforthesupper。Heworkedhurriedly，forthesuddendropinthetemperaturewasominousofaseriousdisturbanceintheweather，butbeforehehadfinishedhewasstartledtoobservealargesnowflakelazilyfluttertothegroundbesidehim。Heglancedtowardstheskyandfoundthatthefilmycloudswererapidlyassumingdefiniteshapeandthatthesunhadalmostdisappeared。Hurriedlyhetookhisbearingsand，calculatingasbesthecouldthedirectionofthecamp，setoff，wellsatisfiedwiththeoutcomeofhisexpeditionandfilledwiththepleasinganticipationofavenisonsupperforhimselfandtherestofthegang。
　　Thecountrywasforthemostpartopenexceptforpatchesoftimberhereandthere，andwithaclearskythedifficultyofmaintainingdirectionwouldhavebeenbutslight。Withtheskyovercast，however，thisdifficultywassensiblyincreased。Hehadnotkeptanaccuratereckoningofhiscourse，butfromthecharacterofthegroundheknewthathemustbeaconsiderabledistancewestwardofthelineofthecamp。Histrainingduringthewinterinholdingalineofmarchhelpedhimnowtomaintainhiscoursesteadilyinonedirection。Thetemperaturewasstilldroppingrapidly。Overthewoodshungadeadstillness，exceptforthelonelycallofanoccasionalcroworforthescreamoftheimpudentwhiskey-jack。
　　Butsooneventhesebecamesilent。AshesurmountedeachhilltopCamerontookhisbearingsafreshandanxiouslyscannedtheskyforweathersigns。Inspiteofhimselftherecreptoverhimasenseofforeboding，whichheimpatientlytriedtoshakeoff。”Ican’tbesoveryfarfromcampnow，”hesaidtohimself，lookingathiswatch。”Itisjustfour。Therearethreegoodhourstilldark。”
　　Alittletothewestofhislineofmarchstoodahighhillwhichappearedtodominatethesurroundingcountryandonitstopaloftypine。”I’lljustshinupthattree，”saidhe。”IoughttogetasightoftheBowfromthetop。”Inafewminuteshehadreachedthetopofthehill，buteveninthoseminutestheatmospherehadthickened。”Jove，it’sgettingdark！”heexclaimed。”Itcan’tbenearsundownyet。DidImakeamistakeinthetime？”Helookedathiswatchagain。Itshowedaquarterafterfour。”Imustgetalookatthiscountry。”Hurriedlyhethrewoffhisjacketandproceededtoclimbthebigpine，which，fortunately，waslimbedtotheground。Fromtheloftytophiseyecouldsweepthecountryformanymilesaround。OverthegreatpeaksoftheRockiestothewestdarkmassesofblackcloudshotwithpurpleandliver-colouredbarshunglikeapall。Tothenorthalineofclearlightwasstillvisible，butoverthefoot-hillstowardseastandsouththerelayalmostinvisibleashimmeringhaze，softandtranslucent，andabovethehazeaheavycurtain，whileovertheimmediatelandscapethereshoneastrangeweirdlight，throughwhichtherefloateddowntoearthlargewhitesnowflakes。Notabreathofairmovedacrossthefaceofthehills，butstillasthedeadtheylayinsolemnoppressivesilence。FartothenorthCameroncaughtthegleamofwater。”ThatmustbetheBow，”hesaidtohimself。”Iammilestoofartowardthemountains。Idon’tlikethelookofthathazeandthatcloudbank。Thereisablizzardonthemoveifthiswinter’sexperienceteachesmeanything。”
　　Hehadoncebeencaughtinablizzard，butonthatoccasionhewaswithMcIvor。Hewasconsciousnowofalittleclutchathisheartasherememberedthatdesperatestruggleforbreath，forlifeitseemedtohim，behindMcIvor’sbroadback。Thecountrywasfullofstoriesofmenbeingoverwhelmedbythechoking，driftingwhirlofsnow。Heknewhowswiftattimestheon-falloftheblizzardcouldbe，howlongthestormcouldlast，howappallingthecoldcouldbecome。Whatshouldhedo？Hemustthinkandactswiftly。Thatgleamingwaternearwhichhiscamplaywas，attheverybestgoing，twohoursdistant。Theblizzardmightstrikeatanymomentandonceitstruckallhopeofadvancewouldbecutoff。Heresolvedtoseekthebestcoveravailableandwaittillthestormshouldpass。Hehadhisdeermeatwithhimandmatches。Couldhebutmakeshelterhedoubtednotbuthecouldweatherthestorm。
　　Swiftlyhesweptthelandscapeforaspottocamp。Halfamileawayhespiedalittlecouleewhereseveralvalleysappearedtolosethemselvesinthickunderbrush。Heresolvedtomakeforthatspot。Hurriedlyheslippeddownthetree，donnedbeltandjacketand，pickingupgunandvenison，setoffatarunforthespothehadselected。Apuffofwindtouchedhischeek。Heglancedupandabouthim。Theflakesofsnowwerenolongerfloatinggentlydown，butwereslantinginlongstraightlinesacrossthelandscape。Hishearttookaquickerbeat。”Itiscoming，sureenough，”hesaidtohimselfbetweenhisteeth，”andabadonetooatthat。”Hequickenedhispacetoracingspeed。Downthehill，acrossthevalleyandupthenextslopeheranwithoutpause，butashereachedthetopoftheslopeasoundarrestedhim，adeep，muffled，hissingroar，andmingledwithitthebeatingofathousandwings。Beyondthetopofthenexthilltherehungfromskytoearththecurtain，thick，black，portentous，andswiftlymakingapproach，devouringthelandscapeasitcameandfillinghisearswithitsmuffled，hissingroar。
　　Inthecouleebeyondthathillwasthespothehadmarkedforhisshelter。Itwasstillsomethreehundredyardsaway。Couldhebeatthatroaring，hissing，portentouscloudmass？Itwasextremelydoubtful。Downthehillheran，slipping，skating，pitching，tillhestruckthebottom，thenuptheoppositeslopehestruggled，strainingeverynerveandmuscle。Heglancedupwardtowardsthetopofthehill。Mercifulheaven！Thereitwas，thatportentouscloudmass，roaringdownuponhim。Couldheevermakethattop？Heranafewstepsfurther，then，droppinghisgun，heclutchedasmallpoplarandhungfast。Adriving，blinding，choking，whirlingmassofwhitenesshurleditselfathim，buffetinghimheavily，fillingeyes，ears，nose，andmouth，clutchingathisarmsandlegsandbodywithathousandimpalpableinsistentclaws。
　　Foramomentortwohelostallsenseofdirection，allthoughtofadvance。Oneinstinctonlyheobeyed——toholdonfordearlifetotheswayingquiveringpoplar。Theicycoldstruckhimtotheheart，hisbarefingerswerefastfreezing。Afewmomentshehung，hopingforalullinthefuryoftheblizzard，butlulltherewasnone，onlythatchoking，blinding，terrifyingThingthatclutchedandtoreathim。Hisheartsankwithinhim。This，then，wastobetheendofhim。Avisionofhisownbody，starkandstiff，lyingunderamoundofdriftingsnow，swiftlypassedbeforehismind。Hethrewitoffwrathfully。”Notyet！Notjustyet！”heshoutedindefianceintothefaceofthehowlingstorm。
　　Throughthetumultandconfusionofhisthoughtsoneideadominated——
　　hemustmakethehill-top。Slidinghishandsdownthetrunkofthelittlepoplarheoncemorefoundhisrifleand，layingitinthehollowofhisarm，hehuggeditclosetohisside，shovedhisfreezinghandsintohispocketsand，leaninghardagainstthedrivingblizzard，setofftowardsthehill-top。Afewpaceshemade，thenturningaroundleanedbackuponthesolidmassiveforceofthewindtillhecouldgetbreath。Againafewstepsupwardandagainarestagainstthewind。Hiscouragebegantocomeback。”Aha！”heshoutedatthestorm。”Notyet！Notyet！”Gradually，andwithgrowingcourage，hefoughthiswaytothetop。Atlengthhestooduponthestorm-sweptsummit。”Isay，”hecried，hearteninghimselfwithhisspeech，”thisissomuchtothegoodanyway。Nowforthecoulee。”Butexactlywherediditlie？
　　Absolutelynothingcouldheseebeforehimbutthisblinding，chokingmassofwhirlingsnow。Hetriedtorecallthedirectioninrelationtothehillashehadtakenitfromthetopofthetree。
　　Howlongagothatseemed！Wasitminutesorhours？Downwardandtowardstheleftlaythecoulee。Hecouldhardlyfailtostrikeit。Plungingheadlongintotheblizzard，hefoughthiswayoncemore，stepbystep。”Itwasjollywelllikeascrimmage，”hesaidgrimlytothestormwhichbeganinhisimaginationtoassumeakindofmonstrousandsavagepersonality。Itheartenedhimmuchtorememberhissensationsinmanyadesperatestruggleagainstthestrainingsteamingmassofmuscleandboneintheoldfiercefootballfights。
　　Herecalled，too，awordofhisoldcaptain，”Neversaydie！Thenextminutemaybebetter。””Neversaydie！”hecriedaloudinthefaceofhisenemy。”ButI
　　wishtoheavenIcouldgetupsomeofthatheatjustnow。Thiscoldisgoingtobethedeathofme。”
　　Ashespokehebumpedintoasmallbushysprucetree。”Hello！
　　Hereyouare，eh！”hecried，determinedtobecheerful。”Gladtomeetyou。Hopetherearelotsmoreofyou。”Hishopewasrealised！Afewmorestepsandhefoundhimselfintheheartofasprucethicket。”ThankGod！”heexclaimed。Thenagain——”Yes，thankGoditis！”
　　Itsteadiedhisheartnotalittletorememberthepictureinhismother’sBiblethathadsooftenstirredhisyouthfulimaginationofOnestandinginthefishingboatandbiddingthestormbestill。
　　Inthesprucethickethestoodsomemomentstoregainhisbreathandstrength。”Nowwhatnext？”heaskedhimself。Althoughthethicketbroketheforceofthewind，somethingmustbedone，andquickly。Nightwascomingonandthatmeantanevenintensercold。Hishandswerenumb。Hishuntingjacketwasbutslightprotectionagainstthedrivingwindandthebittercold。Ifhecouldonlylightafire！
　　Adifficultbusinessinthistumultuouswhirlwindandsnow。Hehadlearnedsomethingofthisart，however，fromhiswinter’sexperience。
　　Hebeganbreakingfromthesprucetreesthedeaddrytwigs。Ohforsomebirchbark！Likeaforgottendreamitcametohimthatfromthetreetophehadseenabovethesprucethicketthetopsofsomewhitebirchtreespurplingunderthetouchofspring。”Let’ssee！Thosebirchesmustbefurthertomyleft，”hesaid，recallingtheirposition。Painfullyheforcedhiswaythroughthescrubbyunderbrush。Hisfootstruckhardagainstanobstructionthatnearlythrewhimtotheground。Itwasajuttingrock。
　　Peeringthroughthewhitemassbeforehiseyes，hecouldmakeoutagreatblack，loomingmass。Eagerlyhepushedforward。Itwasatoweringslabofrock。Followingitroundontheleeside，hesuddenlyhaltedwithashoutofgratefultriumph。Agreatsectionhadfallenoutoftherock，formingalittlecave，storm-proofanddry。”ThankGodoncemore！”hesaid，andthistimewithevendeeperreverence。”Nowforafire。IfIcouldonlygetsomebirchbark。”
　　Heplacedhisrifleinacornerofthecaveandwentoutonhishunt。”ByJove，Imusthurry，ormyhandswillbegonesure。”
　　Lookingupwardsintheshelteroftherockthroughthedrivingsnowhesawthebaretopsoftrees。”Birch，too，asIamalive！”hecried，andplungingthroughthebushescameuponaclumpofwhitebirches。
　　Withfingersthatcouldhardlyholdthecurlingbarkhegatheredafewbunchesandhurriedbacktothecave。Againhewentforthandgatheredfromthestandingtreesanarmfulofdeaddrylimbs。”Good！”hecriedaloudintriumph。”We’renotbeatenyet。Nowforthefireandsupper。”Hedrewforthhissteelmatchboxwithnumbandshakingfingers，openeditandstoodstrickendumb。Therewereonlythreematchesinthebox。Unreasoningterrorseizedhim。
　　Threechancesforlife！Hechoseamatch，struckit，butinhisnumbandnervelessfingersthematchsnappednearthehead。Withanewterrorseizinghimhetookasecondmatchandstruckit。Thematchflared，sputtering。Eagerlyhethrustthebirchbarkatit；
　　tooeagerly，alas，forthebarkrubbedoutthetinyflame。Hehadonematchleft！Onehopeoflife！Heclosedhismatchbox。Hishandsweretremblingwiththecoldandmorewithnervousfearthatshookhimineverylimb。Hecouldnotbringhimselftomakethelastattempt。Upanddownthecaveandoutandinhestamped，beatinghishandstobringbackthebloodandfightinghardtogetbackhisnerve。”Thisisallrottenfunk！”hecriedaloud，ragingathimself。”I
　　shallnotbebeaten。”
　　Summoningallhispowers，heoncemorepulledouthismatchbox，rubbedhisbirchbarkfineand，kneelingdown，placeditbetweenhiskneesundertheshelterofhishuntingjacket。Kneelingtherewiththematchboxinhishand，therefelluponhisspiritagreatcalm。”Oh，God！”hesaidquietlyandwiththeconvictioninhissoulthattherewasOnelistening，”helpmenow。”Heopenedthematchbox，tookoutthematch，struckitcarefullyandlaiditamongthebirchbark。Foroneheart-rackingmomentitflickeredunsteadily，then，catchingaresinousfibreofthebark，itflaredup，shotoutatinytonguetooneoftheheavierbunches，caughthold，sputtered，smoked，burstintoflame。Withtheprayerstillgoinginhisheart，”Godhelpmenow，”Cameronfedtheflamewithbitsofbarkandtinytwigs，addingmoreandmoretillthefirebegantoleap，dance，andsnap，andatlengthgainingstrengthitroareditstriumphoverthegrimterrorsorecentlythreatened。
　　Forthepresentatleasttheblizzardwasbeaten。”NowGodbethankedforthat，”saidCameron。”Foritwaspastmydoing。”
　　CHAPTERII
　　ONTHEWINGSOFTHESTORM
　　Shiveringandhungryandfightingwithsleep，Cameronstampedupanddownhiscave，makingnowandthenexcursionsintothestormtoreplenishhisfire。Onsharpenedsticksslicesofvenisonwerecookingforhissupper。Outsidethestormragedwithgreaterviolencethaneverandintothecavethebittercoldpenetrated，effectuallyneutralizingthewarmthofthelittlefire，forthewoodwashardtogetandalargerfirehecouldnotafford。
　　Helookedathiswatchandwasamazedtofinditonlyfiveo’clock。
　　Howlongcouldhemaintainthisfight？Hisheartsankattheprospectofthelongnightbeforehim。Hesatdownupontherockclosebesidehiscookingvenisonandinafewmomentswasfastasleep。
　　Heawokewithastartandfoundthatthefirehadcreptalongajuttingbranchandhadreachedhisfingers。Hesprangtohisfeet。
　　Thefirelayinsmoulderingembers，forthesticksweremerebrushwood。Aterriblefearseizedhim。Hislifedependeduponthemaintainingofthisfire。Carefullyheassembledtheembersandnursedthemintobrightflame。Atallcostshemustkeepawake。
　　Afurtherexcursionintothewoodsforfuelthoroughlyrousedhimfromhissleep。Soonhisfirewasblazingbrightlyagain。
　　Consultinghiswatch，hefoundthathemusthaveslepthalfanhour。Hedeterminedthatinordertokeephimselfawakeandtoprovideagainstthegrowingcoldhewouldlayinastockoffirewood，andsohebeganasystematicsearchforfallentreesthathemightdragtohisshelter。
　　Ashewassettingforthuponhissearchhebecameawareofanewsoundminglingwiththeroaringofthestormabouthim，asoft，pounding，rhythmicsound。Witheverynervestrainedhelistened。
　　Itwaslikethebeatingofhoofs。Heranoutintothestormand，holdinghishandstohisears，bentforwardtolisten。Faintlyovertheroaringoftheblizzard，andrisingandfallingwithit，therecamethesoundofsinging。”AmImad？”hesaidtohimself，beatinghisheadwithhishands。
　　Herushedintothecave，threwuponthefireallthebrushwoodhehadgathered，untilitsprangupintoagreatglare，lightingupthecaveanditssurroundings。Thenherushedforthoncemoretotheturnoftherock。Thesingingcouldnowbeplainlyheard。”Threecheersforthered，white——Getonthere，youvariouslycolouredandmultitudinouslycursedbrutes！——Threecheersforthered——Hiethere，lookout，LittleThunder！Theyareofftotheleft。””Hello！”yelledCameronatthetopofhisvoice。”Hello，there！””Whoa！”yelledavoicesharply。Thesoundofhoofbeatsceasedandonlytheroaringoftheblizzardcouldbeheard。”Hello！”criedCameronagain。”Whoareyou？”Butonlythegaleansweredhim。
　　Againandagainhecalled，butnovoicereplied。Oncemoreherushedintothecave，seizedhisrifleandfiredashotintotheair。”Crack-crack，”twobulletsspatagainsttherockoverhishead。”Holdonthere，youfool！”yelledCameron，dodgingbackbehindtherock。”Whatareyoushootingat？Hellothere！”Stilltherewasnoreply。
　　Longhewaitedtill，desperatewithanxietylesthisunknownvisitorsshouldabandonhim，heranforwardoncemorebeyondtheledgeoftherock，shouting，”Hello！Hello！Don’tshoot！I’mcomingouttoyou。”
　　Attheturnoftherockyledgehepaused，concentratinghispowerstocatchsomesoundotherthanthedullboomandhissoftheblizzard。Suddenlyathissidesomethingmoved。”Putupyourhands，quick！”
　　Adarkshape，witharmthruststraightbeforeit，loomedthroughthedriftofsnow。”Oh，Isay——”beganCameron。”Quick！”saidthevoice，withaterribleoath，”orIdropyouwhereyoustand。””Allright！”saidCameron，liftinguphishandswithhisriflehighabovehishead。”Buthurryup！Ican’tstandthislong。Iamnearlyfrozenasitis。”
　　Themancameforward，stillcoveringhimwithhispistol。HeranhisfreehandoverCameron’sperson。”Howmanyofyou？”heasked，inavoicesharpandcrisp。”Iamallalone。Buthurryup！Iamaboutallin。””Leadontoyourfire！”saidthestranger。”Butifyouwanttolive，nomonkeywork。I’vegotyoulined。”
　　Cameronledthewaytothefire。Thestrangerthrewaswiftglancearoundthecave，then，witheyesstillholdingCameron，hewhistledshrillyonhisfingers。Almostimmediately，itseemedtoCameron，therecameintothelightanothermanwhoprovedtobeanIndian，short，heavilybuilt，withafacehideouslyuglyandrenderedmorerepulsivebythesmall，red-rimmed，blood-shoteyesthatseemedtoCamerontopeerlikegimletsintohisverysoul。
　　AtawordofcommandtheIndianpossessedhimselfofCameron’srifleandstoodattheentrance。”Now，”saidthestranger，”talkquick。Whoareyou？Howdidyoucomehere？Quickandtothepoint。””Iamasurveyor，”saidCameronbriefly。”McIvor’sgang。Iwasleftatcamptocook，sawadeer，woundedit，followeditup，lostmyway，thestormcaughtme，but，thankGod，Ifoundthiscave，andwithmylastmatchlitthefire。IwastryingtocookmyvenisonwhenIheardyoucoming。”
　　Thegrey-browneyesofthestrangerneverleftCameron’sfacewhilehewasspeaking。”You’realiar！”hesaidwithcoldinsolencewhenCameronhadfinishedhistale。”Youlooktomelikeablankblankhorsethieforwhiskeytrader。”
　　Faintashewaswithcoldandhunger，thedeliberateinsolenceofthemanstirredCamerontosuddenrage。Thebloodfloodedhispaleface。”Youcoward！”hecriedinachokingvoice，gatheringhimselftospringattheman’sthroat。
　　Butthestrangeronlylaughedand，steppingbackward，spokeawordtotheIndianbehindhim。BeforehecouldmoveCameronfoundhimselfcoveredbytheriflewiththemalignanteyeoftheIndianbehindit。”Holdon，LittleThunder，dropit！”saidthestrangerwithaslightlaugh。
　　Reluctantlytheriflecamedown。”Allright，Mr。Surveyor，”saidthestrangerwithagood-naturedlaugh。”Pardonmyabruptness。Iwasmerelytestingyou。Onecannotbetoocarefulinthesepartsnowadayswhenthewoodsarefullofhorsethievesandwhiskeyrunners。Oh，comeon，”hecontinued，glancingatCameron’sface，”Iapologise。Soyou’relost，eh？Hungrytoo？Well，soamI，andthoughIwasnotgoingtofeedjustyetwemayaswellgrubtogether。Bringthecattleintoshelterhere，”hesaidtoLittleThunder。”Theywillstandrightenough。Andgetbusywiththegrub。”
　　TheIndiangruntedaremonstrance。”Oh，that’sallright，”repliedthestranger。”Handitover。”HetookCameron’sriflefromtheIndianandsetitinthecorner。”Nowgetamoveon！Wehavenotimetowaste。”
　　Sosayinghehurriedouthimselfintothestorm。InafewminutesCameroncouldheartheblowsofanaxe，andsoonthestrangerappearedwithaloadofdrywoodwithwhichhebuiltupablazingfire。HewasfollowedshortlybytheIndian，whofromasackdrewoutbacon，hardtack，andtea，and，withcookingutensilsproducedfromanothersack，speedilypreparedsupper。”Pilein，”saidthestrangertoCameron，passinghimthepaninwhichthebaconandvenisonhadbeenfried。”Passthetea，LittleThunder。Notimetowaste。We’vegottohustle。”
　　Cameronwasonlytooeagertoobeytheseorders，andinthegenerouswarmthofthebigfireandunderthestimulusoftheboilingteahisstrengthandnervebegantocomebacktohim。
　　Forsomeminuteshewastoointentonsatisfyinghisravenoushungertoindulgeinconversationwithhishost，butashishungerbecameappeasedhebegantogivehisattentiontothemanwhohadsomysteriouslyblowninuponhimoutoftheblizzard。Therewassomethingfascinatingaboutthelean，clean-cutfacewithitsfirmlinesaboutthemouthandchinanditsdeepsetbrown-greyeyesthatglitteredlikesteelorshonelikelimpidpoolsoflightaccordingtothemoodoftheman。Theywereextraordinaryeyes。
　　Cameronrememberedthemlikedaggerpointsbehindthepistolandthenlikekindlylightsinadarkwindowwhenhehadsmiled。Justnowashesateatingwitheagerhastetheeyeswerestaringforwardintothefireoutofdeepsockets，withafar-away，reminiscent，kindlylookinthem。Thelumberman’sheavyskin-linedjacketandtheoverallstuckedintobootscouldnothidetheathleticlinesofthelithemuscularfigure。Cameronlookedathishandswiththeirlong，sinewyfingers。”Thehandsofagentleman，”thoughthe。”Whatishishistory？Andwheredoeshecomefrom？””London’smyhome，”saidthestranger，answeringCameron’smentalqueries。”Name，Raven——RichardColebrookeRaven——Dickforshort；
　　rancher，horseandcattletrader；EastKootenay；atpresentrunninginastockofgoodsandhorses；andcaughtlikeyourselfinthisbeastlyblizzard。””Myname’sCameron，andI’mfromEdinburghayearago，”repliedCameronbriefly。”Edinburgh？Knewittenyearsago。Quietoldtown，quaintfolk。
　　Neverknowwhattheyarethinkingaboutyou。”
　　Cameronsmiled。Howwellherememberedthecalm，detached，criticalbutuncuriousgazewithwhichthedwellersofthemodernAthenswerewonttoregardmereoutsiders。”Iknow，”hesaid。”IcamefromtheNorthmyself。”
　　Thestrangerhadapparentlyforgottenhimandwasgazingsteadilyintothefire。Suddenly，withextraordinaryenergy，hesprangfromthegroundwherehehadbeensitting。”Now，”hecried，”enavant！””Whereto？”askedCameron，risingtohisfeet。”EastKootenay，alltheway，andhustle’stheword。””Notme，”saidCameron。”Imustgetbacktomycamp。IfyouwillkindlyleavemesomegrubandsomematchesIshallbeallrightandverymuchobliged。McIvorwillbesearchingformeto-morrow。””Ha！”burstforththestrangerinvehementexpletive。”Searchingforyou，heh？”Hestoodforafewmomentsindeepthought，thenspoketotheIndianafewwordsinhisownlanguage。Thatindividual，withafierceglancetowardsCameron，gruntedagruffreply。”No，no，”saidRaven，alsoglancingatCameron。AgaintheIndianspoke，thistimewithinsistentfierceness。”No！no！youcold-
　　bloodeddevil，”repliedthetrader。”No！But，”headdedwithemphasis，”wewilltakehimwithus。Pack！Here，bringincoat，mitts，socks，LittleThunder。Andmovequick，doyouhear？”Hisvoicerangoutinimperiouscommand。
　　LittleThunder，growlingthoughhemight，nolongerdelayed，butdivedintothestormandinafewmomentsreturnedbearingabagfromwhichhedrewthearticlesofclothingdesired。”ButIamnotgoingwithyou，”saidCameronfirmly。”Icannotdesertmychiefthisway。Itwouldgivehimnoendoftrouble。
　　Leavemesomematchesand，ifyoucanspareit，alittlegrub，andIshalldofinely。””Getthesethingson，”repliedRaven，”andquittalking。Don’tbeafool！wesimplycan’tleaveyoubehind。Ifyouonlyknewthealternative，you’d——”
　　CameronglancedattheIndian。Theeagerfiercelookonthathideousfacestartledhim。”Wewillsendyoubackallsafeinafewdays，”continuedthetraderwithasmile。”Come，don’tdelay！Marchistheword。””Iwon’tgo！”saidCameronresolutely。”I’llstaywhereIam。””Allright，youfool！”repliedRavenwithasavageoath。”Takeyourmedicinethen。”
　　HenoddedtotheIndian。Withaswiftgleamofjoyinhisred-
　　rimmedeyestheIndianreachedswiftlyforCameron’srifle。”No，toomuchnoise，”saidRaven，coollyfinishingthepacking。
　　Aswiftflashofaknifeinthefirelight，andtheIndianhurledhimselfupontheunsuspectingCameron。ButquickaswastheattackCameronwasquicker。GrippingtheIndian’supliftedwristwithhislefthand，hebroughthisrightwithterrificforceuponthepointofhisassailant’schin。TheIndianspunroundlikeatopandpitchedoutintothedark。”Neatlydone！”criedthetraderwithagreatoathandalaugh。”Holdon，LittleThunder！”hecontinued，astheIndianreappeared，knifeinhand，”He’llcomenow。Quiet，youbeast！Ah-h-h！Wouldyou？”HeseizedbythethroatandwristtheIndian，who，frothingwithrageandsnarlinglikeawildanimal，wasstrugglingtoreachCameronagain。”Down，youdog！Doyouhearme？”
　　WithatwistofhisarmshebroughttheIndiantohiskneesandheldhimashemightachild。QuitesuddenlytheIndiangrewstill。”Good！”saidRaven。”Now，nomoreofthis。Packup。”
　　WithoutafurtherwordorglanceatCameron，LittleThundergatheredupthestuffandvanished。”Now，”continuedthetrader，”youperhapsseethatitwouldbewiseforyoutocomealongwithoutfurtherdelay。””Allright，”saidCameron，tremblingwithindignantrage，”butremember，you’llpayforthis。”
　　Thetradersmiledkindlyuponhim。”Bettergetthesethingson，”hesaid，pointingtothearticlesofclothinguponthecavefloor。”Theblizzardisgatheringforceandwehavestillsomehourstoride。But，”hecontinued，steppingclosetoCameronandlookinghimintheeyes，”theremustbenomorenonsense。Youcanseemymanissomewhatshortintemper；andindeedmineisratherbrittleattimes。”
　　Forasingleinstantasmilecurledthefirmlipsandhalfclosedthesteelyeyesofthespeaker，and，notingthesmileandthesteelygleaminthegrey-browneyes，Cameronhastilydecidedthathewouldnolongerresist。
　　Warmedandfedandprotectedagainsttheblizzard，butwithhisheartfullofindignantwrath，Cameronfoundhimselfridingonawretchedcayusebeforethetraderwhosehorsecouldbutdimlybeseenthroughthestorm，butwhichfromhisanticsappearedtobepossessedofathousanddemons。”Steady，Nighthawk，oldboy！We’llget’emmovingafterabit，”
　　saidhismaster，soothingthekickingbeast。”Aha，thatwasjustashadeviolent，”heremonstrated，asthehorsewithascreamrushedopenmouthedatablunderingponyandsenthimscuttlingforwardinwildterrorafterthebunchalreadydisappearingdownthetrail，followingLittleThunderuponhisbroncho。
　　Theblizzardwasnowintheirbackand，thoughitsforcewastherebygreatlylessened，theblacknightwasstillthickwithwhirlingsnowandthecoldgrewmoreintenseeverymoment。Cameroncouldhardlyseehispony’sears，but，lopingeasilyalongthelevels，scramblingwildlyupthehills，andslitheringrecklesslydowntheslopes，thelittlebrutefollowedwithoutpausethecavalcadeinfront。HowtheykeptthetrailCameroncouldnotimagine，but，withtheinstinctoftheirbreed，theponiesneverfaltered。FarbeforeintheblackblindingstormcouldbeheardthevoiceofLittleThunder，risingandfallinginakindofsingingchant，achantwhichCameronwasafterwardstoknowrightwell。”Kai-yai，hai-yah！Hai！Hai！！Hai！！！
　　Kai-yai，hai-yah！Hai！Hai！！Hai！！！”
　　Behindhimcamethetrader，ridingeasilyhisdemon-spiritedbroncho，andsinginginfullbaritonethepatrioticodedeartoBritisherstheworldover：”Threecheersforthered，whiteandblue！
　　Threecheersforthered，whiteandblue！
　　Thearmyandnavyforever，Threecheersforthered，whiteandblue！”
　　AsCameronwentpoundingalongthroughthehowlingblizzard，halfasleepuponhisloping，scrambling，slitheringpony，withthe”Kai-
　　yai，hai-yah”ofLittleThunderwailingdownthestormfrombeforehimandthemartialnotesofthetraderbehindhimdemandingcheersforHerMajesty’snavalandmilitaryforces，heseemedtohimselftobeinthegripofsomeghastlynightmarewhich，tryashemight，hewasunabletoshakeoff。
　　Theghastlyunrealityofthenightmarewasdispelledbythesuddenhaltofthebunchofponiesinfront。”Alloff！”criedthetrader，ridingforwarduponhisbroncho，which，apparentlyquiteuntiredbythelongnightride，dancedforwardthroughthebunchgailybitingandslashingashewent。”Alloff！Getthemintothe’bunk-house’there，LittleThunder。
　　Comealong，Mr。Cameron，wehavereachedourcamp。Takeoffthebridleandblanketandletyourponygo。”
　　Camerondidashewastold，andguidedbythesoundofthetrader’svoicemadehiswaytoalowlogbuildingwhichturnedouttobethedeserted”grub-house”ofanoldlumbercamp。”Comealong，”criedthetraderheartily。”WelcometoFiftyMileCamp。Itsaccommodationissomewhatlimited，butwecanatleastofferyouabunk，grub，andfire，andtheseonanightlikethisarenottobedespised。”Hefumbledaroundinthedarkforafewmomentsandfoundandlitacandlestuckinanemptybottle。”There，”hecriedinatoneofgenialhospitalityandwithakindlysmile，”getafireonhereandmakeyourselfathome。Nighthawkdemandsmyattentionforthepresent。Don’tlooksoglum，oldboy，”headded，slappingCamerongailyontheback。”Theworstisover。”Sosaying，hedisappearedintotheblizzard，singingatthetopofhisvoiceinthecheeriestpossibletones：”Thearmyandnavyforever，Threecheersforthered，whiteandblue！”
　　andleavingCameronsorelyperplexedastowhatmannerofmanthismightbe；whoonemomentcouldsmilewithallthemalevolenceofafiendandagaincouldwelcomehimwithallthegenerousandgenialhospitalityhemightshowtoalovedandlong-lostfriend。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THESTONIES
　　TheicycoldwokeCameronasthegreylightcameinthroughthedirtywindowsandthecracksbetweenthelogsofthegrub-house。
　　AlreadyLittleThunderwasawakeandbusywiththefireinthecrackedandrustystove。Cameronlaystillandwatched。Silently，swiftlytheIndianmovedabouthisworktillthefirebegantoroarandthepotofsnowonthetoptomelt。Thenthetraderawoke。
　　Withasinglemovementhewasoutuponthefloor。”Allhandsawake！”heshouted。”Aha，Mr。Cameron！Goodsleep，eh？
　　Sleptlikeabearmyself。Nowgrub，andoff！Stillblowing，eh？
　　Well，somuchthebetter。Thereisaspotthirtymilesonwherewewillbesnugenough。How’sbreakfast，LittleThunder？Thisisouronlychanceto-day，sodon’tsparethegrub。”
　　Cameronmadebutslightreply。Hewasstiffandsorewiththecoldandthelongrideofthedaybefore。This，however，hemindedbutlittle。Ifhecouldonlyguesswhatlaybeforehim。Hewastornbetweenanxietyandindignation。Hecouldhardlymakehimselfbelievethathewasaliveandinhiswakingsenses。Twenty-fourhoursagohewasbreakfastingwithMcIvorandhisganginthecampbyTheBow；nowhewastwentyorthirtymilesawayintheheartofthemountainsandpracticallyaprisonerinthehandsofasblood-
　　thirstyalookingIndianashehadeverseen，andamanwhoremainedtohimaninexplicablemystery。Whoandwhatwasthisman？Hescannedhisfaceinthegrowinglight。Strength，daring，alertness，yes，andkindliness，hereadinthehandsome，brown，leanfaceofthisstranger，litbyitsgrey-brownhazeleyesandsetoffwithbrownwavyhairwhichtheabsenceofacapnowforthefirsttimerevealed。”Helooksallright，”Cameronsaidtohimself。Andyetwhenherecalledthesmilethathadcurledthesethinlipsandhalfclosedthesehazeleyesinthecavethenightbefore，andwhenhethoughtofthatmurderousattackofhisIndiancompanion，hefounditdifficultwhollytotrustthemanwhowasatoncehisrescuerandhiscaptor。
　　InthedaysoftheearlyeightiestherewereweirdstoriesfloatingaboutthroughtheWesterncountryofoutlawIndiantraderswhosechiefstockforbarterwasaconcoctionwhichpassedforwhiskey，buttheingredientsofwhichwereprincipallyhighwinesandtobaccojuice，withalittlemolassestosweetenitandatouchofbluestonetogiveitbite。Menofrecklessdaringwerethesetraders，resourcefulandrelentless。Forabottleoftheir”hell-
　　firefluid”theywouldbuyabuffalohide，apackofbeaverskins，oracayusefromanIndianwithouthesitationorremorse。Withakegortwooftheirdeadlybrewtheywouldapproachatribeandstripitbareofayear’scatchoffurs。
　　Inthefiercefightsthatoftenfollowed，theIndian，poorlyarmedandhalfdeadwiththepoisonhehaddrunk，wouldcomeoffsecondbestandmanyawretchednativewaslefttoburnandblisterupontheplainsoramongthecouleesatthefoothillstomarkthetrailofthewhiskeyrunners。
　　InBritishterritoryallthisstyleofbarterwasofcourseunlawful。
　　Thegiving，selling，ortradingofanysortofintoxicanttotheIndianswasabsolutelyprohibited。Butitwasalandofvastandmightyspaces，andeverywherewerehidingplaceswherearmiescouldbesafelydisposed，andthereforetherewassmallchancefortheenforcementofthelawsoftheDominion。Therewaslittlerisktothewhiskeyrunners；and，indeed，howevergreattherisk，theimmenseprofitsoftheirtradewouldhavemadethemwillingtotakeit。
　　HenceallthroughtheWesternplainsthewhiskeyrunnershadtheirwaytothedegradationanddemoralizationoftheunhappynativesandtotherapiddecimationoftheirnumbers。Horsethieves，too，andcattle”rustlers”operatingonbothsidesof”theline”addedtothegeneralconfusionandlawlessnessthatprevailedandrenderedthelivesandpropertyofthefewpioneersettlersinsecure。
　　ItwastodealwiththissituationthattheDominionGovernmentorganisedanddespatchedtheNorthWestMountedPolicetoWesternCanada。Immediatelyupontheadventofthisfamouscorpsmattersbegantoimprove。Theopenravagesofthewhiskeyrunnersceasedandthesedaringoutlawswereforcedtocarryontheirfiendishbusinessbymidnightmarchesandthroughthesecrettrailsandcouleesofthefoothills。Theprofitsofthetrade，however，werestillgreatenoughtotemptthemorerecklessanddaringofthesemen。Cattlerustlingandhorsestealingstillcontinued，butonamuchsmallerscale。Tothewholecountrytheadventofthepoliceprovedanincalculableblessing。ButtotheIndiantribesespeciallywasthisthecase。Thenativessoonlearnedtoregardthepoliceofficersastheirfriends。Inthemtheyfoundprotectionfromtheunscrupuloustraderswhohadhithertocheatedthemwithoutmercyorconscience，aswellasfromthewhiskeyrunnersthroughwhosedevilishactivitiestheirpeoplehadsufferedirreparableloss。
　　Theadministrationofthelawbytheofficersofthepolicewithfirmandpatientjusticeputanendalsotothefrequentandbloodywarsthathadprevailedpreviouslybetweenthevarioustribes，till，bythesewildandsavagepeopletheredcoatcametoberegardedwithmingledaweandconfidence，aterrortoevil-doersandaprotectiontothosethatdidwell。
　　Towhichclassdidthismanbelong？ThisCameronwasutterlyunabletodecide。
　　Withthisproblemvexinghismindheatehisbreakfastinalmostcompletesilence，makingonlymonosyllabicrepliestothetrader’scheerfulattemptsatconversation。
　　Suddenly，withdisconcertingaccuracy，thetraderseemedtoreadhismind。”Now，Mr。Cameron，”hesaid，pullingouthispipe，”wewillhaveasmokeandachat。Fillup。”HepassedCameronhislittlebagoftobacco。”Lastnightthingsweresomewhatstrained，”hecontinued。”Frankly，Iconfess，Itookyouatfirstforawhiskeyrunnerandahorsethief，andhavingsufferedfromthesegentlemenconsiderablyIwastakingnochances。””Whyforcemetogowithyou，then？”askedCameronangrily。”Why？Foryourgood。Thereislessdangerbothtoyou——andtome——
　　withyouundermyeye，”repliedthetraderwithasmile。”Yetyourmanwouldhavemurderedme？””Well，youseeLittleThunderisoneoftheBloodTribeandratherswiftwithhisknifeattimes，Iconfess。Besides，hisfamilyhassufferedatthehandsofthewhiskeyrunners。Heisachiefandheowesittothesedevilsthatheisoutofajobjustnow。Youmayimagineheissomewhattouchyonthepointofwhiskeytraders。”Itwasyousethimonme，”saidCameron，stillwrathful。”No，no，”saidthetrader，laughingquietly。”Thatwasmerelytostartleyououtofyour，pardonme，unreasonableobstinacy。Youmustbelievemeitwastheonlythingpossiblethatyoushouldaccompanyus，forifyouwereawhiskeyrunnerthenitwasbetterforusthatyoushouldbeunderguard，andifyouwereasurveyoritwasbetterforyouthatyoushouldbeinourcare。Why，man，thisstormmaygoforthreedays，andyouwouldbestifflongbeforeanyonecouldfindyou。No，no，Iconfessourmeasuresmayhaveseemedsomewhat——ah——abrupt，but，believeme，theywerenecessary，andinadayortwoyouwillacknowledgethatIamintherightofit。Meantimelet’strusteachother，andthereismyhandonit，Cameron。”
　　Therewasnoresistingthefranksmile，theopenmanneroftheman，andCamerontooktheofferedhandwithalighterheartthanhehadknownforthelasttwelvehours。”Now，then，that’ssettled，”criedthetrader，springingtohisfeet。”Cameron，youcanpackthisstufftogetherwhileLittleThunderandIdigoutourbunchofhorses。Theywillbehalffrozenanditwillbehardtoknockanylifeintothem。”
　　ItwashalfanhourbeforeCameronhadhispacksready，and，therebeingnosignofthetrader，heputonhisheavycoat，mitts，andcapandfoughthiswaythroughtheblizzard，whichwasstillraginginfullforce，tothebunk-house，alogbuildingaboutthirtyfeetlongandhalfaswide，inwhichwerehuddledthehorsesandponiestothenumberofabouttwenty。Eightoftheponiescarriedpacksaddles，andsobusywereRavenandtheIndianwiththesomewhatdelicateoperationofassemblingthepacksthathewascloseuponthembeforetheywereaware。Boxesandbagswerestrewnaboutinorderlydisorder，andononesidewereseveralsmallkegs。AsCamerondrewnear，theIndian，whowasthefirsttonoticehim，gaveagrunt。”Whattheblankblankareyoudoinghere？”criedRavenwithastringofoaths，flingingabuffalorobeoverthekegs。”Myword！
　　Youstartledme，”headdedwithashortlaugh。”Ihaven’tgotusedtoyouyet。Allright，LittleThunder，gettheseboxestogether。
　　Bringthatgreycayusehere，Cameron，theonewiththeropeonnearthedoor。”
　　Thiswaseasiersaidthandone，forthehalf-brokenbrutesnortedandplungedtillCameron，takingaturnoftheroperoundhisnose，forcedhimupthroughthetrembling，crowdingbunch。”Good！”saidthetrader。”Youareallright。Youdidn’tlearntoropeacayuseinEdinburgh，Iguess。Here’shissaddle。Cinchiton。”
　　WhileCameronwasengagedincarryingouttheseordersLittleThunderandthetraderwerebusyropingboxesandkegsintopackloadswithaskillanddexteritythatcouldonlybetheresultoflongpractice。”Now，then，Cameron，we’llloadsomeofthismolassesonyourpony。”
　　Sosaying，Ravenpickeduponeofthekegs。”Hello，LittleThunder，thiskeg’sleaking。It’slosttheplug，asI’masinner。”
　　Sureenough，fromasmallaugerholegoldensyrupwasstreamingovertheedgeofthekeg。”IamcertainIputthatpluginyesterday，”saidRaven。”Musthavebeenknockedoutlastnight。Fortunatelyitstoodrightenduporweshouldhavelostthewholekeg。”
　　Whilehewasspeakinghewasshapingasmallstickintoasmallplug，whichhedrovetightintothekeg。”Thatwillfixit，”hesaid。”Nowthen，puttheseboxesontheotherside。Thatwilldo。Takeyourponytowardthedoorandtiehimthere。LittleThunderandIwillloadtherestandbringthemup。”
　　Inaveryshorttimealltheremaininggoodswerepackedintoneatloadsandlasheduponthepackponiesinsuchacarefulmannerthatneitherboxnorkegcouldbeseenoutsidethecoverofblanketsandbuffaloskins。”Nowthen，”criedRaven。”Bootsandsaddles！Wewillgiveyouabettermountto-day，”hecontinued，selectingastoutbuiltsorrelpony。”Thereyouare！Andadandyheis，sure-footedasagoatandeasyasacradle。Nowthen，Nighthawk，weshalljustclearoutthisbunch。”
　　Ashespokehewhippedtheblanketoffhishorse。CameroncouldnotforbearanexclamationofwonderandadmirationashiseyesfelluponRaven’shorse。Andnotwithoutreason，forNighthawkwasasnearperfectionasanythinginhorsefleshofhissizecouldbe。
　　Hiscoal-blacksatinskin，hisfineflatlegs，smalldelicatehead，slopinghips，roundandwellribbedbarrel，allshowedhisbreed。
　　Rollinguptheblanket，Ravenstrappedittohissaddleand，flinginghimselfastridehishorse，gaveayellthatgalvanisedthewretched，shivering，dispiritedbunchintoimmediatelifeandactivity。”Getoutthepackersthere，LittleThunder。Hurryup！Don’tbeallday。Cameron，fallbehindwithme。”
　　LittleThunderseizedtheleadinglineofthefirstpacker，leapedastridehisownpony，andpushedoutintothestorm。Buttherestoftheanimalsheldbackandrefusedtofacetheblizzard。Thetraditionsofthecayuseareunheroicinthematterofblizzardsandareallinfavorofturningtailtoeverystormthatblows。
　　ButNighthawksoonovercametheirreluctance，whethertraditionalorotherwise。Withafurynothinglessthandemoniacalhefellupontheanimalsnexthimandinspiredthemwithsuchterrorthat，plungingforward，theycarriedthebunchcrowdingthroughthedoor。
　　Itwasnosmallachievementtoturnsometwentyshivering，balky，stubborncayusesandbronchosoutoftheirshelterandswingthemthroughthemazesoftheoldlumbercampintothetrailagain。ButwithLittleThunderbreakingthetrailandchantinghisencouragingrefraininfrontandthetraderandhisdemoniacstalliondynamicallybringinguptherear，thisachievementwaseffectedwithoutthestrayingofasingleanimal。Ravenwasingreatspirits，singing，shouting，andoccasionallysendingNighthawkopen-mouthedinafiercechargeuponthelaggardshustlingthelongstragglinglineonwardsthroughthewhirlingdriftswithoutpauseorfalter。
　　OccasionallyhedroppedbackbesideCameron，whobroughtuptherear，bringingawordofencouragementorapproval。”Howdotheyeverkeepthetrail？”askedCameronononeoftheseoccasions。”LittleThunderdoesthetrick。Heisthegreatesttrackerinthiscountry，unlessitishiscayuse，whichhasanoselikeabloodhoundandwillkeepthetrailthroughthreefeetofsnow。Therestofthebunchfollow。Theyareafraidtodoanythingelseinablizzardlikethis。”
　　Sohourafterhour，upwardalongmountainsides，forbythistimetheywerefarintotheRockies，anddownagainthroughthickstandingforestsinthevalleys，acrossravinesandroaringtorrentswhichthewarmweatherofthepreviousdayshadreleasedfromtheglaciers，andoverbenchesofopencountry，wherethegrasslayburieddeepbeneaththesnow，theypoundedalong。ThecloudsofsnoweverwhirlingaboutCameron’sheadandinfrontofhiseyeshidthedistantlandscapeandengulfedtheheadofthecavalcadebeforehim。Withoutinitiativeandwithoutvolition，butinadreamyhaze，hesathisponytowhichheentrustedhislifeandfortuneandwaitedforthewillofhismysteriouscompaniontodevelope。
　　Aboutmid-dayNighthawkdancedbackoutofthestormaheadanddroppedinbesideCameron’spony。”Achinookcoming，”saidRaven。”Gettingwarmer，don’tyounotice？””No，Ididn’tnotice，butnowthatyoucallattentiontoitIdofeelalittlemorecomfortable，”repliedCameron。”Surething。Raininanhour。””Anhour？Insixperhaps。””Inlessthananhour，”repliedRaven，”thechinookwillbehere。
　　We’reridingintoit。Itblowsdownthroughthepassbeforeusanditwilllickupthissnowinnotime。You’llseethegrassallaboutyoubeforethreehoursarepassed。”
　　TheeventprovedthetruthofRaven’sprediction。Withincrediblerapiditythetemperaturecontinuedtorise。InhalfanhourCamerondiscardedhismittsandunbuttonedhisskin-linedjacket。
　　Thewinddroppedtoagentlebreeze，swingingmoreandmoreintothesouthwest，andbeforethehourwasgonethesunwasshiningfitfullyagainandthesnowhadchangedintoadrizzlingrain。