Allnodded。"Well，then，Igotaproposition，boys。Youcantakeitorleaveit，butjustlistenkindlytoit。You’reinahurrytogetinbeforethefreeze-up。Halfthetimeiswastedoverthecookingbyoneofyouthathemightbeputtin’inpackin’outfit。
　　IfIdothecookin’foryou，youall’llgetonthatmuchfaster。
　　Also，thecookin’’llbebetter，andthat’llmakeyoupackbetter。
　　AndIcanpackquiteabitmyselfinbetweentimes，quiteabit，yes，sir，quiteabit。"
　　BigBillandAnsonwerejustbeginningtonodtheirheadsinagreement，whenCharlesstoppedthem。
　　"Whatdoyouexpectofusinreturn？"hedemandedoftheoldman。
　　"Oh，Ileaveituptotheboys。"
　　"Thatain’tbusiness，"Charlesreprimandedsharply。"Youmadetheproposition。Nowfinishit。"
　　"Well，it’sthisway-"
　　"Youexpectustofeedyouallwinter，eh？"Charlesinterrupted。
　　"No，siree，Idon’t。AllIreckonisapassagetoKlondikeinyourboatwouldbemightysquareofyou。"
　　"Youhaven’tanounceofgrub，oldman。You’llstarvetodeathwhenyougetthere。"
　　"I’vebeenfeedin’somelongtimeprettysuccessful，"OldTarwaterreplied，awhimsicallightinhiseyes。"I’mseventy，andain’tstarvedtodeathneveryet。"
　　"WillyousignapapertotheeffectthatyoushiftforyourselfassoonasyougettoDawson？"thebusinessonedemanded。
　　"Oh，sure，"wastheresponse。
　　AgainCharlescheckedhistwopartners’expressionsofsatisfactionwiththearrangement。
　　"Oneotherthing，oldman。We’reapartyoffour，andweallhaveavoteonquestionslikethis。YoungLiverpoolisaheadwiththemainoutfit。He’sgotasayso，andheisn’theretosayit。"
　　"Whatkindofapartymighthebe？"Tarwaterinquired。
　　"He’sarough-necksailor，andhe’sgotaquick，badtemper。"
　　"Someturbulent，"Ansoncontributed。
　　"AndthewayhecancussissimplyGod-awful，"BigBilltestified。
　　"Buthe’ssquare，"BigBilladded。
　　Ansonnoddedheartilytothisappraisal。
　　"Well，boys，"Tarwatersummedup，"IsetoutforCalifornyandI
　　gotthere。AndI’mgoingtogettoKlondike。Ain’tathingcanstopme，ain’tathing。I’mgoingtogetthreehundredthousandoutatheground，too。Ain’tathingcanstopme，ain’tathing，becauseIjustnaturallyneedthemoney。Idon’tmindabadtempersolong’stheboyissquare。I’lltakemychance，an’I’llworkalongwithyoutillwecatchupwithhim。Then，ifhesaysnototheproposition，IreckonI’lllose。ButsomehowIjustcan’tsee’msayin’no，becausethat’dmeantoocloseuptofreeze-upandtoolateformetofindanotherchancelikethis。And，asI’msuregoingtogettoKlondike，it’sjustplumbimpossibleforhimtosayno。"
　　OldJohnTarwaterbecameastrikingfigureonatrailunusuallyrepletewithstrikingfigures。Withthousandsofmen，eachback-
　　trippinghalfatonofoutfit，retracingeverymileofthetrailtwentytimes，allcametoknowhimandtohailhimas"FatherChristmas。"And，asheworked，everheraisedhischantwithhisage-falsettovoice。Noneofthethreemenhehadjoinedcouldcomplainabouthiswork。True，hisjointswerestiff-headmittedtoatrifleofrheumatism。Hemovedslowly，andseemedtocreakandcracklewhenhemoved;buthekeptonmoving。Lastintotheblanketsatnight，hewasfirstoutinthemorning，sothattheotherthreehadhotcoffeebeforetheironebefore-breakfastpack。
　　And，betweenbreakfastanddinnerandbetweendinnerandsupper，healwaysmanagedtoback-tripforseveralpackshimself。Sixtypoundswasthelimitofhisburden，however。Hecouldmanageseventy-five，buthecouldnotkeepitup。Once，hetriedninety，butcollapsedonthetrailandwasseriouslyshakyforacoupleofdaysafterward。
　　Work！Onatrailwherehard-workingmenlearnedforthefirsttimewhatworkwas，nomanworkedharderinproportiontohisstrengththanOldTarwater。Drivendesperatelyonbythenear-thrustofwinter，andluredmadlyonbythedreamofgold，theyworkedtotheirlastounceofstrengthandfellbytheway。Others，whenfailuremadecertain，blewouttheirbrains。Somewentmad，andstillothers，undertheirkoftheman-destroyingstrain，brokepartnershipsanddissolvedlife-timefriendshipswithfellowsjustasgoodasthemselvesandjustasstrainedandmad。
　　Work！OldTarwatercouldshamethemall，despitehiscreakingandcracklingandthenastyhackingcoughhehaddeveloped。Earlyandlate，ontrailorincampbesidethetrailhewaseverinevidence，everbusyatsomething，everresponsivetothehailof"FatherChristmas。"Wearyback-tripperswouldresttheirpacksonalogorrockalongsideofwhereherestedhis，andwouldsay："Singusthatsongofyourn，dad，aboutForty-Nine。"And，whenhehadwheezinglycomplied，theywouldariseundertheirloads，remarkthatitwasrealheartening，andhittheforwardtrailagain。
　　"Ifeveramanworkedhispassageandearnedit，"BigBillconfidedtohistwopartners，"thatman’souroldSkeezicks。"
　　"Youbet，"Ansonconfirmed。"He’savaluableadditiontotheparty，andI，forone，ain’tatalldisagreeabletothenotionofmakinghimaregularpartner-"
　　"Noneofthat！"CharlesCraytoncutin。"WhenwegettoDawsonwe’requitofhim-that’stheagreement。We’donlyhavetoburyhimifwelethimstayonwithus。Besides，there’sgoingtobeafamine，andeveryounceofgrub’llcount。Remember，we’refeedinghimoutofourownsupplyallthewayin。Andifwerunshortinthepinchnextyear，you’llknowthereason。Steamboatscan’tgetupgrubtoDawsontillthemiddleofJune，andthat’sninemonthsaway。"
　　"Well，youputasmuchmoneyandoutfitinastherestofus，"BigBillconceded，"andyou’veasayaccording。"
　　"AndI’mgoingtohavemysay，"Charlesassertedwithincreasingirritability。"Andit’sluckyforyouwithyourfoolsentimentsthatyou’vegotsomebodytothinkaheadforyou，elseyou’dallstarvetodeath。Itellyouthatfamine’scoming。I’vebeenstudyingthesituation。Flourwillbetwodollarsapound，orten，andnosellers。Youmarkmywords。"
　　Acrosstherubble-coveredflats，upthedarkcanyontoSheepCamp，pasttheover-hangingandever-threateningglacierstotheScales，andfromtheScalesupthesteeppitchesofice-scouredrockwherepackersclimbedwithhandsandfeet，OldTarwatercamp-cookedandpackedandsang。HeblewacrossChilcootPass，abovetimberline，inthefirstswirlofautumnsnow。Thosebelow，withoutfirewood，onthebitterrimofCraterLake，heardfromthedrivingobscurityabovethemaweirdvoicechanting：
　　"LikeArgusoftheancienttimes，WeleavethismodernGreece，Tum-tum，tum-tum，tum，tum，tum-tum，TosheartheGoldenFleece。"
　　Andoutofthesnowflurriestheysawappearatall，gauntform，withwhiskersofflyingwhitethatblendedwiththestorm，bendingunderasixty-poundpackofcampdunnage。
　　"FatherChristmas！"wasthehail。Andthen："ThreerousingcheersforFatherChristmas！"
　　TwomilesbeyondCraterLakelayHappyCamp-sonamedbecauseherewasfoundtheuppermostfringeofthetimberline，wheremenmightwarmthemselvesbyfireagain。Scarcelycoulditbecalledtimber，foritwasadwarfrock-sprucethatneverraiseditsloftiestbrancheshigherthanafootabovethemoss，andthattwistedandgrovelledlikeapig-vegetableunderthemoss。Here，onthetrailleadingintoHappyCamp，inthefirstsunshineofhalfadozendays，OldTarwaterrestedhispackagainstahugeboulderandcaughthisbreath。Aroundthisboulderthetrailpassed，ladenmentoilingslowlyforwardandmenwithemptypack-strapslimpingrapidlybackforfreshloads。TwiceOldTarwateressayedtoriseandgoon，andeachtime，warnedbyhisshakiness，sankbacktorecovermorestrength。Fromaroundtheboulderheheardvoicesingreeting，recognizedCharlesCrayton’svoice，andrealizedthatatlasttheyhadmetupwithYoungLiverpool。Quickly，Charlesplungedintobusiness，andTarwaterheardwithgreatdistinctnesseverywordofCharles’unflatteringdescriptionofhimandthepropositiontogivehimpassagetoDawson。
　　"Adamfoolproposition，"wasLiverpool’sjudgment，whenCharleshadconcluded。"Anoldgranddadofseventy！Ifhe’sonhislastlegs，whyinhelldidyouhookupwithhim？Ifthere’sgoingtobeafamine，anditlookslikeit，weneedeveryounceofgrubforourselves。Weonlyout-fittedforfour，notfive。"
　　"It’sallright，"TarwaterheardCharlesassuringtheother。
　　"Don’tgetexcited。Theoldcodgeragreedtoleavethefinaldecisiontoyouwhenwecaughtupwithyou。Allyou’vegottodoisputyourfootdownandsayno。"
　　"Youmeanit’suptometoturntheoldonedown，afteryourencouraginghimandtakingadvantageofhisworkclearfromDyeahere？"
　　"It’sahardtrail，Liverpool，andonlythementhatarehardwillgetthrough，"Charlesstrovetopalliate。
　　"AndI’mtodothedirtywork？"Liverpoolcomplained，whileTarwater’sheartsank。
　　"That’sjustaboutthesizeofit，"Charlessaid。"You’vegotthedeciding。"
　　ThenoldTarwater’sheartuproseagainastheairwasrentbyacycloneofprofanity，fromthemidstofwhichcrackledsentenceslike：-"Dirtyskunks！……Seeyouinhellfirst！……Mymind’smadeup！……Hell’sfireandcorruption！……TheoldcodgergoesdowntheYukonwithus，stackonthat，myhearty！……
　　Hard？Youdon’tknowwhathardisunlessIshowyou！……I’llbustthewholeoutfittohellandgoneifanyofyoutrytoside-
　　trackhim！……Justtrytoside-trackhim，thatisall，andyou’llthinktheDayofJudgmentandallGod’sblastingnesshashitthecampinonechunk！"
　　SuchwastheinvigoratingnessofLiverpool’sflowofspeechthat，quitewithoutconsciousnessofeffort，theoldmanaroseeasilyunderhisloadandstrodeontowardHappyCamp。
　　FromHappyCamptoLongLake，fromLongLaketoDeepLake，andfromDeepLakeupovertheenormoushog-backanddowntoLinderman，theman-killingraceagainstwinterkepton。Menbroketheirheartsandbacksandweptbesidethetrailinsheerexhaustion。Butwinterneverfaltered。Thefallgalesblew，andamidbittersoakingrainsandever-increasingsnowflurries，Tarwaterandthepartytowhichhewasattachedpiledthelastoftheiroutfitonthebeach。
　　Therewasnorest。Acrossthelake，amileabovearoaringtorrent，theylocatedapatchofspruceandbuilttheirsaw-pit。
　　Here，byhand，withaninadequatewhipsaw，theysawedthespruce-
　　trunksintolumber。Theyworkednightandday。Thrice，onthenight-shift，underneathinthesaw-pit，OldTarwaterfainted。Bydayhecookedaswell，and，inthebetweenwhiles，helpedAnsoninthebuildingoftheboatbesidethetorrentasthegreenplankscamedown。
　　Thedaysgrewshorter。Thewindshiftedintothenorthandblewunendinggales。InthemorningsthewearymencrawledfromtheirblanketsandintheirsocksthawedouttheirfrozenshoesbythefireTarwateralwayshadburningforthem。EverarosetheincreasingtaleoffamineontheInside。ThelastgrubsteamboatsupfromBeringSeawerestalledbylowwateratthebeginningoftheYukonFlatshundredsofmilesnorthofDawson。Infact，theylayattheoldHudsonBayCompany’spostatFortYukoninsidetheArcticCircle。FlourinDawsonwasuptotwodollarsapound，butnoonewouldsell。BonanzaandEldoradoKings，withmoneytoburn，wereleavingfortheOutsidebecausetheycouldbuynogrub。
　　Miners’Committeeswereconfiscatingallgrubandputtingthepopulationonstrictrations。Amanwhoheldoutanounceofgrubwasshotlikeadog。Ascorehadbeensoexecutedalready。
　　And，underastrainwhichhadbrokensomanyyoungermen，OldTarwaterbegantobreak。Hiscoughhadbecometerrible，andhadnothisexhaustedcomradessleptlikethedead，hewouldhavekeptthemawakenights。Also，hebegantotakechills，sothathedresseduptogotobed。Whenhehadfinishedsodressing，notaragofgarmentremainedinhisclothesbag。Allhepossessedwasonhisbackandswathedaroundhisgauntoldform。
　　"Gee！"saidBigBill。"Ifheputsallhe’sgotonnow，whenitain’tlowerthantwentyabove，what’llhedolateronwhenitgoesdowntofiftyandsixtybelow？"
　　Theylinedtherough-madeboatdownthemountaintorrent，nearlylosingitadozentimes，androwedacrossthesouthendofLakeLindermaninthethickofafallblizzard。Nextmorningtheyplannedtoloadandstart，squarelyintotheteethofthenorth，ontheirperiloustraverseofhalfathousandmilesoflakesandrapidsandboxcanyons。Butbeforehewenttobedthatnight，YoungLiverpoolwasoutoverthecamp。Hereturnedtofindhiswholepartyasleep。RousingTarwater，hetalkedwithhiminlowtones。
　　"Listen，dad，"hesaid-"You’vegotapassageinourboat，andifeveramanearnedapassageyouhave。Butyouknowyourselfyou’reprettywellalonginyears，andyourhealthrightnowain’texciting。Ifyougoonwithusyou’llcroaksurer’nhell-NowwaittillIfinish，dad。Thepriceforapassagehasjumpedtofivehundreddollars。I’vebeenthrowingmyfeetandI’vehustledapassenger。He’sanofficialoftheAlaskaCommercialandjusthastogetin。He’sbiduptosixhundredtogowithmeinourboat。Nowthepassageisyours。Yousellittohim，pokethesixhundredintoyourjeans，andpullSouthforCaliforniawhilethegoin’sgood。YoucanbeinDyeaintwodays，andinCaliforniainaweekmore。Whatd’yesay？"
　　Tarwatercoughedandshiveredforaspace，erehecouldgetfreedomofbreathforspeech。
　　"Son，"hesaid，"Ijustwanttotellyouonething。IdrovemyfouryokeofoxenacrossthePlainsinForty-nineandlostnaryaone。IdrovethemplumbtoCaliforny，andIfreightedwiththemafterwardoutofSutter’sForttoAmericanBar。NowI’mgoingtoKlondike。Ain’tnothingcanstopme，ain’tnothingatall。I’mgoingtoridethatboat，withyouatthesteeringsweep，cleantoKlondike，andI’mgoingtoshakethreehundredthousandoutofthemoss-roots。Thatbeingso，it’scontrarytoreasonandcommonsenseformetoselloutmypassage。ButIthankyoukindly，son，Ithankyoukindly。"
　　Theyoungsailorshotouthishandimpulsivelyandgrippedtheoldman’s。
　　"ByGod，dad！"hecried。"You’resuregoingtogothen。You’retherealstuff。"HelookedwithundisguisedcontemptacrossthesleeperstowhereCharlesCraytonsnoredinhisredbeard。"Theydon’tseemtomakeyourkindanymore，dad。"
　　Intothenorththeyfoughttheirway，althoughold-timers，comingout，shooktheirheadsandprophesiedtheywouldbefrozeninonthelakes。Thatthefreeze-upmightcomeanydaywaspatent，anddelaysofsafetywerenolongerconsidered。Forthisreason，LiverpooldecidedtoshoottherapidstreamconnectingLindermantoLakeBennettwiththefullyloadedboat。Itwasthecustomtolinetheemptyboatsdownandtoportagethecargoesacross。Eventhenmanyemptyboatshadbeenwrecked。Butthetimewaspastforsuchprecaution。
　　"Climbout，dad，"Liverpoolcommandedashepreparedtoswingfromthebankandentertherapids。
　　OldTarwatershookhiswhitehead。
　　"I’mstickingtotheoutfit，"hedeclared。"It’stheonlywaytogetthrough。Yousee，son，I’mgoingtoKlondike。IfIstickbytheboat，thentheboatjustnaturallygoestoKlondike，too。IfI
　　getout，thenmostlikelyyou’lllosetheboat。"
　　"Well，there’snouseinoverloading，"Charlesannounced，springingabruptlyoutonthebankastheboatcastoff。
　　"Nexttimeyouwaitformyorders！"Liverpoolshoutedashoreasthecurrentgrippedtheboat。"Andtherewon’tbeanymorewalkingaroundrapidsandlosingtimewaitingtopickyouup！"
　　Whattookthemtenminutesbyriver，tookCharleshalfanhourbyland，andwhiletheywaitedforhimattheheadofLakeBennetttheypassedthetimeofdaywithseveraldilapidatedold-timersontheirwayout。Thefaminenewswasgraverthanever。TheNorth-
　　westMountedPolice，stationedatthefootofLakeMarshwherethegold-rushersenteredCanadianterritory，wererefusingtoletamanpastwhodidnotcarrywithhimsevenhundredpoundsofgrub。InDawsonCityathousandmen，withdog-teams，werewaitingthefreeze-uptocomeoutovertheice。Thetradingcompaniescouldnotfilltheirgrub-contracts，andpartnerswerecuttingthecardstoseewhichshouldgoandwhichshouldstayandworktheclaims。
　　"Thatsettlesit，"Charlesannounced，whenhelearnedoftheactionofthemountedpoliceontheboundary。"OldMan，youmightaswellstartbacknow。"
　　"Climbaboard！"Liverpoolcommanded。"We’regoingtoKlondike，andolddadisgoingalong。"
　　AshiftofgaletothesouthgavethemafairwinddownLakeBennett，beforewhichtheyranunderahugesailmadebyLiverpool。
　　Theheavyweightofoutfitgavesuchballastthathecrackedonasadaringsailorshouldwhenmomentscounted。Ashiftoffourpointsintothesouth-west，comingjustattherighttimeastheyentereduponCaribouCrossing，drovethemdownthatconnectinglinktolakesTagishandMarsh。Instormysunsetandtwilight-theymadethedangerouscrossingofGreatWindyArm，whereintheybeheldtwootherboat-loadsofgold-rusherscapsizeanddrown。
　　Charleswasforbeachingforthenight，butLiverpoolheldon，steeringdownTagishbythesoundofthesurfontheshoalsandbytheoccasionalshore-firesthatadvertisedwreckedortimidargonauts。Atfourinthemorning，hearousedCharles。OldTarwater，shiveringlyawake，heardLiverpoolorderCraytonaftbesidehimatthesteering-sweep，andalsoheardtheone-sidedconversation。
　　"Justlisten，friendCharles，andkeepyourownmouthshut，"
　　Liverpoolbegan。"Iwantyoutogetonethingintoyourheadandkeepitthere：OLDDAD’SGOINGBYTHEPOLICE。UNDERSTAND？HE’S
　　GOINGBY。Whentheyexamineouroutfit，olddad’sgotafifthshareinit，savvee？That’llputusall’wayunderwhatweoughttohave，butwecanbluffitthrough。Nowgetthis，andgetithard：THEREAIN’TGOINGTOBEANYFALL-DOWNONTHISBLUFF-"
　　"IfyouthinkI’dgiveawayontheoldcodger-"Charlesbeganindignantly。
　　"Youthoughtthat，"Liverpoolcheckedhim，"becauseInevermentionedanysuchthing。Now-getmeandgetmehard：Idon’tcarewhatyou’vebeenthinking。It’swhatyou’regoingtothink。
　　We’llmakethepolicepostsometimethisafternoon，andwe’vegottogetreadytopullthebluffwithoutahitch，andawordtothewiseisplenty。"
　　"IfyouthinkI’vegotitinmymind-"Charlesbeganagain。
　　"Lookhere，"Liverpoolshuthimoff。"Idon’tknowwhat’sinyourmind。Idon’twanttoknow。Iwantyoutoknowwhat’sinmymind。
　　Ifthere’sanyslip-up，ifolddadgetsturnedbackbythepolice，I’mgoingtopickoutthefirstquietbitoflandscapeandtakeyouashoreonit。AndthenI’mgoingtobeatyouuptotheQueen’staste。Getme，andgetmehard。Itain’tgoingtobeanyhalf-waybeating，butareal，two-legged，two-fisted，he-manbeating。I
　　don’texpectI’llkillyou，butI’llcomedamnneartohalf-killingyou。"
　　"ButwhatcanIdo？"Charlesalmostwhimpered。
　　"Justonething，"wasLiverpool’sfinalword。"Youjustpray。Youpraysohardthatolddadgetsbythepolicethathedoesgetby。
　　That’sall。Gobacktoyourblankets。"
　　BeforetheygainedLakeLeBarge，thelandwassheetedwithsnowthatwouldnotmeltforhalfayear。Norcouldtheylaytheirboatatwillagainstthebank，fortherim-icewasalreadyforming。
　　Insidethemouthoftheriver，justereitenteredLakeLeBarge，theyfoundahundredstorm-boundboatsoftheargonauts。Outofthenorth，acrossthefullsweepofthegreatlake，blewanunendingsnowgale。Threemorningstheyputoutandfoughtitandthecrestingseasitdrovethatturnedtoiceastheyfellin-
　　board。Whiletheothersbroketheirheartsattheoars，OldTarwatermanagedtokeepupjustsufficientcirculationtosurvivebychoppingiceandthrowingitoverboard。
　　Eachdayforthreedays，beatentohelplessness，theyturnedtailonthebattleandranbackintotheshelteringriver。Bythefourthday，thehundredboatshadincreasedtothreehundred，andthetwothousandargonautsonboardknewthatthegreatgaleheraldedthefreeze-upofLeBarge。Beyond，therapidriverswouldcontinuetorunfordays，butunlesstheygotbeyond，andimmediately，theyweredoomedtobefrozeninforsixmonthstocome。
　　"Thisdaywegothrough，"Liverpoolannounced。"Weturnbackfornothing。Andthoseofusthatdiesattheoarswillliveagainandgoonpulling。"
　　Andtheywentthrough，winninghalfthelengthofthelakebynightfallandpullingonthroughallthenighthoursasthewindwentdown，fallingasleepattheoarsandbeingrappedawakebyLiverpool，toilingonthroughanage-longnightmarewhilethestarscameoutandthesurfaceofthelaketurnedtotheunrufflednessofasheetofpaperandfrozeskin-icethattinkledlikebrokenglassastheiroar-bladesshatteredit。
　　Asdaybrokeclearandcold，theyenteredtheriver，withbehindthemaseaofice。Liverpoolexaminedhisagedpassengerandfoundhimhelplessandalmostgone。Whenheroundedtheboattoagainsttherim-icetobuildafireandwarmupTarwaterinsideandout，Charlesprotestedagainstsuchlossoftime。
　　"Thisain’tbusiness，sodon’tyoucomehorningin，"Liverpoolinformedhim。"I’mrunningtheboattrip。Soyoujustclimboutandchopfirewood，andplentyofit。I’lltakecareofdad。You，Anson，makeafireonthebank。Andyou，Bill，setuptheYukonstoveintheboat。Olddadain’tasyoungastherestofus，andfortherestofthisvoyagehe’sgoingtohaveafireonboardtositby。"
　　Allofwhichcametopass;andtheboat，inthegripofthecurrent，likeariversteamerwithsmokerisingfromthetwojointsofstove-pipe，groundedonshoals，hunguponsplitcurrents，andchargedrapidsandcanyons，asitdrovedeeperintotheNorthlandwinter。TheBigandLittleSalmonriverswerethrowingmush-iceintothemainriverastheypassed，and，belowtheriffles，anchor-
　　icearosefromtheriverbottomandcoatedthesurfacewithcrystalscum。Nightanddaytherim-icegrew，till，inquietplaces，itextendedoutahundredyardsfromshore。AndOldTarwater，withallhisclotheson，satbythestoveandkeptthefiregoing。
　　Nightandday，notdaringtostopforfearoftheimminentfreeze-
　　up，theydaredtorun，anincreasingmushinessoficerunningwiththem。
　　"Whatho，oldhearty？"Liverpoolwouldcalloutattimes。
　　"CheerO，"OldTarwaterhadlearnedtorespond。
　　"WhatcanIeverdoforyou，son，inpayment？"Tarwater，stokingthefire，wouldsometimesaskLiverpool，beatingnowonereleasedhandandnowtheotherashefoughtforcirculationwherehesteeredinthefreezingstern-sheets。
　　"Justbreakoutthatregularsongofyours，oldForty-Niner，"wastheinvariablereply。
　　AndTarwaterwouldlifthisvoiceinthecacklingchant，ashelifteditattheend，whentheboatswunginthroughdrivingcake-
　　iceandmooredtotheDawsonCitybank，andallwaterfrontDawsonprickeditsearstohearthetriumphantpaean：
　　LikeArgusoftheancienttimes，WeleavethismodernGreece，Tum-tum，tum-tum，tum，tum，tum-tum，TosheartheGoldenFleece，Charlesdidit，buthediditsodiscreetlythatnoneofhisparty，leastofallthesailor，everlearnedofit。Hesawtwogreatopenbargesbeingfilledupwithmen，and，oninquiry，learnedthattheseweregrublessonesbeingroundedupandsentdowntheYukonbytheCommitteeofSafety。ThebargesweretobetowedbythelastlittlesteamboatinDawson，andthehopewasthatFortYukon，wherelaythestrandedsteamboats，wouldbegainedbeforetheriverfroze。Atanyrate，nomatterwhathappenedtothem，Dawsonwouldberelievedoftheirgrub-consumingpresence。SototheCommitteeofSafetyCharleswent，privilytodropafleainitsearconcerningTarwater’sgrubless，moneyless，andagedcondition。
　　Tarwaterwasoneofthelastgatheredin，andwhenYoungLiverpoolreturnedtotheboat，fromthebankhesawthebargesinarunofcake-ice，disappearingaroundthebendbelowMoose-hideMountain。
　　Runningincake-icealltheway，andseveraltimesescapingjamsintheYukonFlats，thebargesmadetheirhundredsofmilesofprogressfartherintothenorthandfrozeupcheekbyjowlwiththegrub-fleet。Here，insidetheArcticCircle，OldTarwatersettleddowntopassthelongwinter。Severalhours’workaday，choppingfirewoodforthesteamboatcompanies，sufficedtokeephiminfood。
　　Fortherestofthetimetherewasnothingtodobuthibernateinhislogcabin。
　　Warmth，rest，andplentytoeat，curedhishackingcoughandputhiminasgoodphysicalconditionaswaspossibleforhisadvancedyears。But，evenbeforeChristmas，thelackoffreshvegetablescausedscurvytobreakout，anddisappointedadventurerafterdisappointedadventurertooktohisbunkinabjectsurrendertothisculminatingmisfortune。NotsoTarwater。Evenbeforethefirstsymptomsappearedonhim，hewasputtingintopracticehisoneprescription，namely，exercise。Fromthejunkoftheoldtradingpostheresurrectedanumberofrustytraps，andfromoneofthesteamboatcaptainsheborrowedarifle。
　　Thusequipped，heceasedfromwood-chopping，andbegantomakemorethanamereliving。Norwashedownheartedwhenthescurvybrokeoutonhisownbody。Everheranhistrap-linesandsanghisancientchant。NorcouldthepessimistshakehissuretyofthethreehundredthousandofAlaskangoldheasgoingtoshakeoutofthemoss-roots。
　　"Butthisain’tgold-country，"theytoldhim。
　　"Goldiswhereyoufindit，son，asIshouldknowwhowasminingbeforeyouwasborn，’waybackinForty-Nine，"washisreply。
　　"WhatwasBonanzaCreekbutamoose-pasture？Nominer’dlookatit;yettheywashedfive-hundred-dollarpansandtookoutfiftymilliondollars。Eldoradowasjustasbad。Forallyouknow，rightunderthisherecabin，orrightoverthenexthill，ismillionsjustwaitingforaluckyonelikemetocomeandshakeitout。"
　　AttheendofJanuarycamehisdisaster。Somepowerfulanimalthathedecidedwasabob-cat，managingtogetcaughtinoneofhissmallertraps，draggeditaway。Aheavysnow-fallputastopmidwaytohispursuit，losingthetrailforhimandlosinghimself。
　　Therewerebutseveralhoursofdaylighteachdaybetweenthetwentyhoursofinterveningdarkness，andhiseffortsinthegreylightandcontinuallyfallingsnowsucceededonlyinlosinghimmorethoroughly。Fortunately，whenwintersnowfallsintheNorthlandthethermometerinvariablyrises;so，insteadofthecustomaryfortyandfiftyandevensixtydegreesbelowzero，thetemperatureremainedfifteenbelow。Also，hewaswarmlycladandhadafullmatchbox。Furthertomitigatehispredicament，onthefifthdayhekilledawoundedmoosethatweighedoverhalfaton。
　　Makinghiscampbesideitonaspruce-bottom，hewaspreparedtolastoutthewinter，unlessasearchingpartyfoundhimorhisscurvygrewworse。
　　Butattheendoftwoweekstherehadbeennosignofsearch，whilehisscurvyhadundeniablygrownworse。Againsthisfire，bankedfromoutercoldbyashelter-wallofspruce-boughs，hecrouchedlonghoursinsleepandlonghoursinwaking。Butthewakinghoursgrewless，becomingsemi-wakingorhalf-dreaminghoursastheprocessofhibernationworkedtheirwaywithhim。SlowlythesparklepointofconsciousnessandidentitythatwasJohnTarwatersank，deeperanddeeper，intotheprofoundsofhisbeingthathadbeencompoundederemanwasman，andwhilehewasbecomingman，whenhe，firstofallanimals，regardedhimselfwithanintrospectiveeyeandlaidthebeginningsofmoralityinfoundationsofnightmarepeopledbythemonstersofhisownethic-
　　thwarteddesires。
　　Likeamaninfever，wakingtointervalsofconsciousness，soOldTarwaterawoke，cookedhismoose-meat，andfedthefire;butmoreandmoretimehespentinhistorpor，unawareofwhatwasday-dreamandwhatwassleep-dreaminthecontentofhisunconsciousness。
　　Andhere，intheunforgetablecryptsofman’sunwrittenhistory，unthinkableandunrealizable，likepassagesofnightmareorimpossibleadventuresoflunacy，heencounteredthemonsterscreatedofman’sfirstmoralitythateversincehavevexedhimintothespinningoffantasiestoeludethemordobattlewiththem。
　　Inshort，weightedbyhisseventyyears，inthevastandsilentlonelinessoftheNorth，OldTarwater，asinthedeliriumofdrugoranaesthetic，recoveredwithinhimself，theinfantilemindofthechild-manoftheearlyworld。ItwasintheduskofDeath’sflutterywingsthatTarwaterthuscrouched，and，likehisremoteforebear，thechild-man，wenttomyth-making，andsun-heroizing，himselfhero-makerandtheheroinquestoftheimmemorabletreasuredifficultofattainment。
　　Eithermustheattainthetreasure-forsorantheinexorablelogicoftheshadow-landoftheunconscious-orelsesinkintotheall-devouringsea，theblacknesseaterofthelightthatswallowedtoextinctionthesuneachnight……thesunthataroseeverinrebirthnextmorningintheeast，andthathadbecometomanman’sfirstsymbolofimmortalitythroughrebirth。Allthis，inthedeepsofhisunconsciousness（theshadowywesternlandofdescendinglight），wasthenearduskofDeathdownintowhichheslowlyebbed。
　　Buthowtoescapethismonsterofthedarkthatfromwithinhimslowlyswallowedhim？Toodeep-sunkwashetodreamofescapeorfeeltheprodofdesiretoescape。Forhimrealityhadceased。
　　Norfromwithinthedarkenedchamberofhimselfcouldrealityrecrudesce。Hisyearsweretooheavyuponhim，thedebilityofdiseaseandthelethargyandtorporofthesilenceandthecoldweretooprofound。Onlyfromwithoutcouldrealityimpactuponhimandreawakewithinhimanawarenessofreality。Otherwisehewouldoozedownthroughtheshadow-realmoftheunconsciousintotheall-
　　darknessofextinction。
　　Butitcame，thesmashofrealityfromwithout，crashinguponhiseardrumsinaloud，explosivesnort。Fortwentydays，inatemperaturethathadneverrisenabovefiftybelow，nobreathofwindhadblownmovement，noslightestsoundhadbrokenthesilence。
　　Likethesmokerontheopiumcouchrefocusinghiseyesfromthespaciouswallsofdreamtothenarrowconfinesofthemeanlittleroom，soOldTarwaterstaredvague-eyedbeforehimacrosshisdyingfire，atahugemoosethatstaredathiminstartlement，draggingawoundedleg，manifestingallsignsofextremeexhaustion;it，too，hadbeenstrayingblindlyintheshadow-land，andhadwakenedtorealityonlyjustereitsteppedintoTarwater’sfire。
　　Hefeeblyslippedthelargefurmittenlinedwiththicknessofwoolfromhisrighthand。Upontrialhefoundthetriggerfingertoonumbformovement。Carefully，slowly，throughlongminutes，heworkedthebarehandinsidehisblankets，upunderhisfurPARKA，throughthechestopeningsofhisshirts，andintotheslightlywarmhollowofhisleftarm-pit。Longminutespassederethefingercouldmove，when，withequalslownessofcaution，hegatheredhisrifletohisshoulderanddrewbeaduponthegreatanimalacrossthefire。
　　Attheshot，ofthetwoshadow-wanderers，theonereeleddownwardtothedarkandtheotherreeledupwardtothelight，swayingdrunkenlyonhisscurvy-ravagedlegs，shiveringwithnervousnessandcold，rubbingswimmingeyeswithshakingfingers，andstaringattherealworldallabouthimthathadreturnedtohimwithsuchsickeningsuddenness。Heshookhimselftogether，andrealizedthatforlong，howlonghedidnotknow，hehadbeddedinthearmsofDeath。Hespat，withdefiniteintention，heardthespittlecrackleinthefrost，andjudgeditmustbebelowandfarbelowsixtybelow。Intruth，thatdayatFortYukon，thespiritthermometerregisteredseventy-fivedegreesbelowzero，which，sincefreezing-
　　pointisthirty-twoabove，wasequivalenttoonehundredandsevendegreesoffrost。
　　SlowlyTarwater’sbrainreasonedtoaction。Here，inthevastalone，dweltDeath。Herehadcometwowoundedmoose。Withtheclearingoftheskyafterthegreatcoldcameon，hehadlocatedhisbearings，andheknewthatbothwoundedmoosehadtrailedtohimfromtheeast。Therefore，intheeast，weremen-whitesorIndianshecouldnottell，butatanyratemenwhomightstandbyhiminhisneedandhelpmoorhimtorealityabovetheseaofdark。
　　Hemovedslowly，buthemovedinreality，girdinghimselfwithrifle，ammunition，matches，andapackoftwentypoundsofmoose-
　　meat。Then，anArgusrejuvenated，albeitlameofbothlegsandtottery，heturnedhisbackontheperilouswestandlimpedintothesun-arising，re-birthingeast……
　　Dayslater-howmanydayslaterhewasnevertoknow-dreamingdreamsandseeingvisions，cacklinghisoldgold-chantofForty-
　　Nine，likeonedrowningandswimmingfeeblytokeephisconsciousnessabovetheengulfingdark，hecameoutuponthesnow-
　　slopetoacanyonandsawbelowsmokerisingandmenwhoceasedfromworktogazeathim。Hetottereddownthehilltothem，stillsinging;andwhenheceasedfromlackofbreaththeycalledhimvariously：SantaClaus，OldChristmas，Whiskers，theLastoftheMohicans，andFatherChristmas。Andwhenhestoodamongthemhestoodverystill，withoutspeech，whilegreattearswelledoutofhiseyes。Hecriedsilently，alongtime，till，asifsuddenlybethinkinghimself，hesatdowninthesnowwithmuchcreakingandcracklingofhisjoints，andfromthislowvantagepointtoppledsidewiseandfaintedcalmlyandeasilyaway。
　　InlessthanaweekOldTarwaterwasupandlimpingaboutthehouseworkofthecabin，cookinganddish-washingforthefivemenofthecreek。Genuinesourdoughs（pioneers）theywere，toughandhard-bitten，whohadbeenburiedsodeeplyinsidetheCirclethattheydidnotknowtherewasaKlondikeStrike。Thenewshebroughtthemwastheirfirstwordofit。Theylivedonanalmoststraight-
　　meatdietofmoose，caribou，andsmokedsalmon，ekedoutwithwildberriesandsomewhatsucculentwildrootstheyhadstockedupwithinthesummer。Theyhadforgottenthetasteofcoffee，madefirewithaburningglass，carriedlivefire-stickswiththemwherevertheytravelled，andintheirpipessmokeddryleavesthatbitthetongueandwerepungenttothenostrils。
　　Threeyearsbefore，theyhadprospectedfromthehead-reachesoftheKoyokuknorthwardandclearacrosstothemouthoftheMackenzieontheArcticOcean。Here，onthewhaleships，theyhadbeheldtheirlastwhitemenandequippedthemselveswiththelastwhiteman’sgrub，consistingprincipallyofsaltandsmokingtobacco。StrikingsouthandwestonthelongtraversetothejunctionoftheYukonandPorcupineatFortYukon，theyhadfoundgoldonthiscreekandremainedovertoworktheground。
　　TheyhailedtheadventofTarwaterwithjoy，nevertiredoflisteningtohistalesofForty-Nine，andrechristenedhimOldHero。Also，withteamadefromspruceneedles，withconcoctionsbrewedfromtheinnerwillowbark，andwithsourandbitterrootsandbulbsfromtheground，theydosedhisscurvyoutofhim，sothatheceasedlimpingandbegantolayonfleshoverhisbonyframework。Further，theysawnoreasonatallwhyheshouldnotgatherarichtreasureofgoldfromtheground。
　　"Don’tknowaboutallofthreehundredthousand，"theytoldhimonemorning，atbreakfast，eretheydepartedtotheirwork，"buthow’dahundredthousanddo，OldHero？That’swhatwefigureaclaimisworth，thegroundbeingbadlyspotted，andwe’vealreadystakedyourlocationnotices。"
　　"Well，boys，"OldTarwateranswered，"andthankingyoukindly，allIcansayisthatahundredthousandwilldonicely，andverynicely，forastarter。Ofcourse，Iain’tgoin’tostoptillIgetthefullthreehundredthousand。That’swhatIcomeintothecountryfor。"
　　Theylaughedandapplaudedhisambitionandreckonedthey’dhavetohuntarichercreekforhim。AndOldHeroreckonedthatasthespringcameonandhegrewspryer，he’dhavetogetoutanddoalittlesnoopingaroundhimself。
　　"Forallanybodyknows，"hesaid，pointingtoahillsideacrossthecreekbottom，"themossunderthesnowtheremaybeplumbrootedinnuggetgold。"
　　Hesaidnomore，butasthesunrosehigherandthedaysgrewlongerandwarmer，hegazedoftenacrossthecreekatthedefinitebench-formationhalfwayupthehill。And，oneday，whenthethawwasinfullswing，hecrossedthestreamandclimbedtothebench。
　　Exposedpatchesofgroundhadalreadythawedaninchdeep。Ononesuchpatchhestopped，gatheredabunchofmossinhisbiggnarledhands，andrippeditoutbytheroots。Thesunsmoulderedondullyglisteningyellow。Heshookthehandfulofmoss，andcoarsenuggets，likegravel，felltotheground。ItwastheGoldenFleecereadyfortheshearing。
　　NotentirelyunrememberedinAlaskanannalsisthesummerstampedeof1898fromFortYukontothebenchdiggingsofTarwaterHill。
　　AndwhenTarwatersoldhisholdingstotheBowdieinterestsforasheerhalf-millionandfacedforCalifornia，herodeamuleoveranew-cuttrail，withconvenientroadhousesalongtheway，cleartothesteamboatlandingatFortYukon。
　　Atthefirstmealontheocean-goingsteamshipoutofSt。Michaels，awaiter，greyish-haired，pain-ravagedofface，scurvy-twistedofbody，servedhim。OldTarwaterwascompelledtolookhimovertwiceinordertomakecertainhewasCharlesCrayton。
　　"Gotitbad，eh，son？"Tarwaterqueried。
　　"Justmyluck，"theothercomplained，afterrecognitionandgreeting。"Onlyoneofthepartythatthescurvyattacked。I’vebeenthroughhell。Theotherthreeareallatworkandhealthy，gettinggrub-staketoprospectupWhiteRiverthiswinter。Anson’searningtwenty-fiveadayatcarpentering，Liverpoolgettingtwentyloggingforthesaw-mill，andBigBill’sgettingfortyadayaschiefsawyer。Itriedmybest，andifithadn’tbeenforscurvy……"
　　"Sure，son，youdoneyourbest，whichain’tmuch，youbeingnaturallyirritableandhardfromtoomuchbusiness。NowI’lltellyouwhat。Youain’tfittoworkcrippledupthisway。I’llpayyourpassagewiththecaptaininkindremembranceofthevoyageyougaveme，andyoucanlayupandtakeiteasytherestofthetrip。
　　AndwhatareyourcircumstanceswhenyoulandatSanFrancisco？"
　　CharlesCraytonshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Tellyouwhat，"Tarwatercontinued。"There’sworkontheranchforyoutillyoucanstartbusinessagain。"
　　"Icouldmanageyourbusinessforyou-"Charlesbeganeagerly。
　　"No，siree，"Tarwaterdeclaredemphatically。"Butthere’salwayspost-holestodig，andcordwoodtochop，andtheclimate’sfine……"
　　Tarwaterarrivedhomeatrueprodigalgrandfatherforwhomthefattedcalfwaskilledandready。Butfirst，erehesatdownattable，hemuststrolloutandaround。Andsonsanddaughtersofhisfleshandofthelawneedsmustgowithhimfulsomelyeatingoutofthegnarledoldhandthathadhalfamilliontodisburse。
　　Heledtheway，andnoopinionheslylyutteredwaspreposterousorimpossibleenoughtodrawdissentfromhisfollowing。Pausingbytheruinedwaterwheelwhichhehadbuiltfromthestandingtimber，hisfacebeamedashegazedacrossthestretchesofTarwaterValley，andonandupthefarheightstothesummitofTarwaterMountain-nowallhisagain。
　　Athoughtcametohimthatmadehimaverthisfaceandblowhisnoseinordertohidethetwinkleinhiseyes。Stillattendedbytheentirefamily，hestrolledontothedilapidatedbarn。Hepickedupanage-weatheredsingle-treefromtheground。
　　"William，"hesaid。"RememberthatlittleconversationwehadjustbeforeIstartedtoKlondike？Sure，William，youremember。YoutoldmeIwascrazy。AndIsaidmyfather’dhavewallopedthetaroutofmewithasingle-treeifI’dspoketohimthatway。"
　　"Aw，butthatwasonlyfoolin’，"Williamtemporized。
　　Williamwasagrizzledmanofforty-five，andhiswifeandgrownsonsstoodinthegroup，curiouslywatchingGrandfatherTarwatertakeoffhiscoatandhandittoMarytohold。
　　"William-comehere，"hecommandedimperatively。
　　Nomatterhowreluctantly，Williamcame。
　　"Justataste，William，son，ofwhatmyfathergivemeoftenenough，"OldTarwatercrooned，ashelaidonhisson’sbackandshoulderswiththesingle-tree。"Observe，Iain’thittingyouonthehead。Myfatherhadagosh-wollickin’temperandneverdrewthelineatheadswhenhewentaftertar-Don’tjerkyourelbowsbackthatway！You’relikelytogetacrackononebyaccident。
　　Andjusttellmeonething，William，son：istherenarynotioninyourheadthatI’mcrazy？"
　　"No！"Williamyelpedoutinpain，ashedancedabout。"Youain’tcrazy，fatherofcourseyouain’tcrazy！"
　　"Yousaidit，"OldTarwaterremarkedsententiously，tossingthesingle-treeasideandstartingtostruggleintohiscoat。
　　"Nowlet’sallgoinandeat。"
　　GlenEllen，California，SEPTEMBER14，1916。
　　STORY：THEPRINCESS
　　AFIREburnedcheerfullyinthejunglecamp，andbesidethefirelolledacheerful-seemingthoughhorrible-appearingman。Thiswasahobojungle，pitchedinathinstripofwoodsthatlaybetweenarailroadembankmentandthebankofariver。Butnohobowastheman。Sodeep-sunkwasheinthesocialabyssthataproperhobowouldnotsitbythesamefirewithhim。Agay-cat，whoisanignorantnew-comeronthe"Road，"mightsitwithsuchashe，butonlylongenoughtolearnbetter。Evenlowdownbindle-stiffsandstew-bums，afteraonce-over，wouldhavepassedthismanby。A
　　genuinehobo，acoupleofpunks，orabunchoftender-yearedroad-
　　kidsmighthavegonethroughhisragsforanystraypenniesornickelsandkickedhimoutintothedarkness。Evenanalki-stiffwouldhavereckonedhimselfimmeasurablysuperior。
　　Forthismanwasthathybridoftramp-land，analki-stiffthathasdegeneratedintoastew-bum，withsolittleself-respectthathewillnever"boil-up，"andwithsolittlepridethathewilleatoutofagarbagecan。Hewastrulyhorrible-appearing。Hemighthavebeensixtyyearsofage;hemighthavebeenninety。Hisgarmentsmighthavebeendiscardedbyarag-picker。Besidehim，anunrolledbundleshoweditselfasconsistingofaraggedovercoatandcontaininganemptyandsmoke-blackenedtomatocan，anemptyandbatteredcondensedmilkcan，somedog-meatpartlywrappedinbrownpaperandevidentlybeggedfromsomebutcher-shop，acarrotthathadbeenrunoverinthestreetbyawagon-wheel，threegreenish-
　　cankeredanddecayedpotatoes，andasugar-bunwithamouthfulbittenfromitandrescuedfromthegutter，aswasmadepatentbythegutter-filththatstillencrustedit。
　　Aprodigiousgrowthofwhiskers，greyish-dirtyanduntrimmedforyears，sproutedfromhisface。Thishirsutegrowthshouldhavebeenwhite，buttheseasonwassummerandithadnotbeenexposedtoarain-showerforsometime。Whatwasvisibleofthefacelookedasifatsomeperiodithadstoppedahand-grenade。Thenosewassovariouslymalformedinitshealedbrokennessthattherewasnobridge，whileonenostril，thesizeofapea，openeddownward，andtheother，thesizeofarobin’segg，tiltedupwardtothesky。Oneeye，ofnormalsize，dim-brownandmisty，bulgedtothevergeofpoppingout，andasiffromsenilityweptcopiouslyandcontinuously。Theothereye，scarcelylargerthanasquirrel’sandasuncannilybright，twistedupobliquelyintothehairyscarofabone-crushedeyebrow。Andhehadbutonearm。
　　Yetwashecheerful。Onhisface，inmilddegree，wasdepictedsensuouspleasureashelethargicallyscratchedhisribswithhisonehand。Hepawedoverhisfood-scraps，debated，thendrewatwelve-ouncedruggistbottlefromhisinsidecoat-pocket。Thebottlewasfullofacolourlessliquid，thecontemplationofwhichmadehislittleeyeburnbrighterandquickenedhismovements。
　　Pickingupthetomatocan，hearose，wentdowntheshortpathtotheriver，andreturnedwiththecanfilledwithnot-niceriverwater。Inthecondensedmilkcanhemixedonepartofwaterwithtwopartsoffluidfromthebottle。Thiscolourlessfluidwasdruggist’salcohol，andassuchisknownintramp-landas"alki。"
　　Slowfootsteps，comingdownthesideoftherailroadembankment，alarmedhimerehecoulddrink。Placingthecancarefullyuponthegroundbetweenhislegs，hecovereditwithhishatandwaitedanxiouslywhateverimpended。
　　Outofthedarknessemergedamanasfilthyraggedashe。Thenew-
　　comer，whomighthavebeenfifty，andmighthavebeensixty，wasgrotesquelyfat。Hebulgedeverywhere。Hewascomposedofbulges。
　　Hisbulbousnosewasthesizeandshapeofaturnip。Hiseyelidsbulgedandhisblueeyesbulgedincompetitionwiththem。Inmanyplacestheseamsofhisgarmentshadpartedacrossthebulgesofbody。Hiscalvesgrewintohisfeet，forthebrokenelasticsidesofhisCongressgaiterswereswelledfullwiththefatofhim。Onearmonlyhesported，fromtheshoulderofwhichwassuspendedasmallandtatteredbundlewiththemudcakeddryontheoutercoveringfromthelastplacehehadpitchedhisdoss。Headvancedwithtentativecaution，madesureoftheharmlessnessofthemanbesidethefire，andjoinedhim。
　　"Hello，grandpa，"thenew-comergreeted，thenpausedtostareattheother’sflaring，sky-opennostril。"Say，Whiskers，how’dyekeepthenightdewoutofthatnoseo’yourn？"
　　Whiskersgrowledanincoherencedeepinhisthroatandspatintothefireintokenthathewasnotpleasedbythequestion。
　　"FortheloveofMike，"thefatmanchuckled，"ifyougotcaughtoutinarainstormwithoutanumbrellayou’dsuredrown，wouldn’tyou？"
　　"Canit，Fatty，canit，"Whiskersmutteredwearily。"Theyain’tnothin’newinthatlineofchatter。Eventhebullshanditouttome。"
　　"Butyoucanstilldrink，Ihope";Fattyatthesametimemollifiedandinvited，withhisonehanddeftlypullingtheslip-knotsthatfastenedhisbundle。
　　Fromwithinthebundlehebroughttolightatwelve-ouncebottleofalki。Footstepscomingdowntheembankmentalarmedhim，andhehidthebottleunderhishatonthegroundbetweenhislegs。
　　Butthenextcomerprovedtobenotmerelyoneoftheirownilk，butlikewisetohaveonlyonearm。Soforbiddingofaspectwashethatgreetingsconsistedofnomorethangrunts。Huge-boned，tall，gaunttocadaverousness，hisfaceadirtydeath’shead，hewasasrepellentanightmareofoldageaseverDoreimagined。Histoothless，thin-lippedmouthwasacruelandbitterslashunderagreatcurvednosethatalmostmetthechinandthatwaslikeabuzzard’sbeak。Hisonehand，leanandcrooked，wasatalon。Thebeadygreyeyes，unblinkingandunwavering，werebitterasdeath，asbleakasabsolutezeroandasmerciless。Hispresencewasachill，andWhiskersandFattyinstinctivelydrewtogetherforprotectionagainsttheunguessedthreatofhim。Watchinghischance，privily，Whiskerssnuggledachunkofrockseveralpoundsinweighclosetohishandifneedforactionshouldarise。Fattyduplicatedtheperformance。
　　Thenbothsatlickingtheirlips，guiltilyembarrassed，whiletheunblinkingeyesoftheterribleoneboredintothem，nowintoone，nowintoanother，andthendownattherock-chunksoftheirpreparedness。
　　"Huh！"sneeredtheterribleone，withsuchdreadfulnessofmenaceastocauseWhiskersandFattyinvoluntarilytoclosetheirhandsdownontheircave-man’sweapons。
　　"Huh！"theotherrepeated，reachinghisonetalonintohissidecoatpocketwithswiftdefiniteness。"Ahellofachanceyoutwocheapbums’dhavewithme。"
　　Thetalonemerged，clutchingreadyforactionasix-poundironquoit。
　　"Weain’tlookin’fortrouble，Slim，"Fattyquavered。
　　"Whoinhellareyoutocallme’Slim’？"camethesnarlinganswer。
　　"Me？I’mjustFatty，an’seein’’sIneverseenyoubefore-"
　　"An’Isupposethat’sWhiskers，there，withthegayan’festivelamptan-goingintohiseyebrowan’theGod-forgive-usnosejoy-
　　ridingalloverhismug？"
　　"It’lldo，it’lldo，"Whiskersmuttereduncomfortably。"Onemonica’sasgoodasanother，Ifind，atmytimeoflife。Andeverybodyhandsitouttomeanyway。AndIneedanumbrellawhenitrainstokeepfromgettingdrowned，an’alltherestofit。"
　　"Iain’tusedtocompany-don’tlikeit，"Slimgrowled。"Soifyouguyswanttostickaround，mindyourstep，that’sall，mindyourstep。"
　　Hefishedfromhispocketacigarstump，self-evidentlyshotfromthegutter，andpreparedtoputitinhismouthtochew。Thenhechangedhismind，glaredathiscompanionssavagely，andunrolledhisbundle。Appearedinhishandadruggist’sbottleofalki。
　　"Well，"hesnarled，"IsupposeIgottagiveyoucheapskatesadrinkwhenIain’tgotmore’nenoughforagoodpetrificationformyself。"
　　Almostasofteningflickeroflightwasimminentinhiswitheredfaceashebeheldtheothersproudlylifttheirhatsandexhibittheirownsupplies。
　　"Here’ssomewaterforthemixin’s，"Whiskerssaid，profferinghistomato-canofriverslush。"Stockyardsjustabove，"headdedapologetically。"Buttheysay-"
　　"Huh！"Slimsnappedshort，mixingthedrink。"I’vedrunkworse’nstockyardsinmytime。"
　　Yetwhenallwasready，cansofalkiintheirsolitaryhands，thethreethingsthathadoncebeenmenhesitated，asifofoldhabit，andnextbetrayedshameasifatself-exposure。
　　Whiskerswasthefirsttobrazenit。
　　"I’vesatinatmanyafinerdrinking，"hebragged。
　　"Withthepewter，"Slimsneered。
　　"Withthesilver，"Whiskerscorrected。
　　Slimturnedascorchingeye-interrogationonFatty。
　　Fattynodded。
　　"Beneaththesalt，"saidSlim。
　　"Aboveit，"cameFatty’scorrection。"Iwasbornaboveit，andI’venevertravelledsecondclass。Firstorsteerage，butnointermediateinmine。"
　　"Yourself？"WhiskersqueriedofSlim。
　　"InbrokenglasstotheQueen，Godblessher，"Slimanswered，solemnly，withoutsnarlorsneer。
　　"Inthepantry？"Fattyinsinuated。
　　SimultaneouslySlimreachedforhisquoit，andWhiskersandFattyfortheirrocks。