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