TALESOFTHEKLONDYKE
　　THEGODOFHISFATHERS
　　Contents：
　　TheGodofHisFathersTheGreatInterrogationWhichMakeMenRememberSiwashTheManwiththeGashJan，theUnrepentantGritofWomenWheretheTrailForksADaughteroftheAuroraAttheRainbow’sEndTheScornofWomenTHEGODOFHISFATHERS
　　Oneveryhandstretchedtheforestprimeval，——thehomeofnoisycomedyandsilenttragedy。Herethestruggleforsurvivalcontinuedtowagewithallitsancientbrutality。BritonandRussianwerestilltooverlapintheLandoftheRainbow’sEnd——
　　andthiswastheveryheartofit——norhadYankeegoldyetpurchaseditsvastdomain。Thewolf—packstillclungtotheflankofthecariboo—herd，singlingouttheweakandthebigwithcalf，andpullingthemdownasremorselesslyaswereitathousand，thousandgenerationsintothepast。Thesparseaboriginesstillacknowledgedtheruleoftheirchiefsandmedicinemen，droveoutbadspirits，burnedtheirwitches，foughttheirneighbors，andatetheirenemieswitharelishwhichspokewelloftheirbellies。
　　Butitwasatthemomentwhenthestoneagewasdrawingtoaclose。Already，overunknowntrailsandchartlesswildernesses，weretheharbingersofthesteelarriving，——fair—faced，blue—eyed，indomitablemen，incarnationsoftheunrestoftheirrace。Byaccidentordesign，single—handedandintwosandthrees，theycamefromnooneknewwhither，andfought，ordied，orpassedon，nooneknewwhence。Thepriestsragedagainstthem，thechiefscalledforththeirfightingmen，andstoneclashedwithsteel;buttolittlepurpose。Likewaterseepingfromsomemightyreservoir，theytrickledthroughthedarkforestsandmountainpasses，threadingthehighwaysinbarkcanoes，orwiththeirmoccasinedfeetbreakingtrailforthewolf—dogs。Theycameofagreatbreed，andtheirmothersweremany;butthefur—claddenizensoftheNorthlandhadthisyettolearn。Somanyanunsungwandererfoughthislastanddiedunderthecoldfireoftheaurora，asdidhisbrothersinburningsandsandreekingjungles，andastheyshallcontinuetodotillinthefulnessoftimethedestinyoftheirracebeachieved。
　　Itwasneartwelve。Alongthenorthernhorizonarosyglow，fadingtothewestanddeepeningtotheeast，markedtheunseendipofthemidnightsun。Thegloamingandthedawnweresocommingledthattherewasnonight，——simplyaweddingofdaywithday，ascarcelyperceptibleblendingoftwocirclesofthesun。A
　　kildeetimidlychirpedgood—night;thefull，richthroatofarobinproclaimedgood—morrow。FromanislandonthebreastoftheYukonacolonyofwildfowlvoiceditsinterminablewrongs，whilealoonlaughedmockinglybackacrossastillstretchofriver。
　　Intheforeground，againstthebankofalazyeddy，birch—barkcanoeswerelinedtwoandthreedeep。Ivory—bladedspears，bone—
　　barbedarrows，buckskin—thongedbows，andsimplebasket—woventrapsbespokethefactthatinthemuddycurrentoftheriverthesalmon—runwason。Inthebackground，fromthetangleofskintentsanddryingframes，rosethevoicesofthefisherfolk。
　　Bucksskylarkedwithbucksorflirtedwiththemaidens，whiletheoldersquaws，shutoutfromthisbyvirtueofhavingfulfilledtheendoftheirexistenceinreproduction，gossipedastheybraidedropefromthegreenrootsoftrailingvines。Attheirfeettheirnakedprogenyplayedandsquabbled，orrolledinthemuckwiththetawnywolf—dogs。
　　Toonesideoftheencampment，andconspicuouslyapartfromit，stoodasecondcampoftwotents。Butitwasawhiteman’scamp。
　　Ifnothingelse，thechoiceofpositionatleastboreconvincingevidenceofthis。Incaseofoffence，itcommandedtheIndianquartersahundredyardsaway;ofdefence，arisetothegroundandtheclearedinterveningspace;andlast，ofdefeat，theswiftslopeofascoreofyardstothecanoesbelow。Fromoneofthetentscamethepetulantcryofasickchildandthecrooningsongofamother。Intheopen，overthesmoulderingembersofafire，twomenheldtalk。
　　"Eh？Ilovethechurchlikeagoodson。Bien！Sogreatalovethatmydayshavebeenspentinfleeingawayfromher，andmynightsindreamingdreamsofreckoning。Lookyou！"Thehalf—
　　breed’svoicerosetoanangrysnarl。"IamRedRiverborn。Myfatherwaswhite——aswhiteasyou。ButyouareYankee，andhewasBritishbred，andagentleman’sson。Andmymotherwasthedaughterofachief，andIwasaman。Ay，andonehadtolookthesecondtimetoseewhatmannerofbloodraninmyveins;forI
　　livedwiththewhites，andwasoneofthem，andmyfather’sheartbeatinme。Ithappenedtherewasamaiden——white——wholookedonmewithkindeyes。Herfatherhadmuchlandandmanyhorses;alsohewasabigmanamonghispeople，andhisbloodwasthebloodoftheFrench。Hesaidthegirlknewnotherownmind，andtalkedovermuchwithher，andbecamewroththatsuchthingsshouldbe。
　　"Butsheknewhermind，forwecamequickbeforethepriest。Andquickerhadcomeherfather，withlyingwords，falsepromises，I
　　knownotwhat;sothattheprieststiffenedhisneckandwouldnotmakeusthatwemightliveonewiththeother。Asatthebeginningitwasthechurchwhichwouldnotblessmybirth，sonowitwasthechurchwhichrefusedmemarriageandputthebloodofmenuponmyhands。Bien！ThushaveIcausetolovethechurch。
　　SoIstruckthepriestonhiswoman’smouth，andwetookswifthorses，thegirlandI，toFortPierre，wherewasaministerofgoodheart。Buthotonourtrailwasherfather，andbrothers，andothermenhehadgatheredtohim。Andwefought，ourhorsesontherun，tillIemptiedthreesaddlesandtherestdrewoffandwentontoFortPierre。Thenwetookeast，thegirlandI，tothehillsandforests，andwelivedonewiththeother，andwewerenotmarried，——theworkofthegoodchurchwhichIlovelikeason。
　　"Butmarkyou，forthisisthestrangenessofwoman，thewayofwhichnomanmayunderstand。OneofthesaddlesIemptiedwasthatofherfather’s，andthehoofsofthosewhocamebehindhadpoundedhimintotheearth。Thiswesaw，thegirlandI，andthisIhadforgothadshenotremembered。Andinthequietoftheevening，aftertheday’shuntweredone，itcamebetweenus，andinthesilenceofthenightwhenwelaybeneaththestarsandshouldhavebeenone。Itwastherealways。Sheneverspoke，butitsatbyourfireandhelduseverapart。Shetriedtoputitaside，butatsuchtimesitwouldriseuptillIcouldreaditinthelookofhereyes，intheveryin—takeofherbreath。
　　"Sointheendsheboremeachild，awoman—child，anddied。ThenIwentamongmymother’speople，thatitmightnurseatawarmbreastandlive。Butmyhandswerewetwiththebloodofmen，lookyou，becauseofthechurch，wetwiththebloodofmen。AndtheRidersoftheNorthcameforme，butmymother’sbrother，whowasthenchiefinhisownright，hidmeandgavemehorsesandfood。Andwewentaway，mywoman—childandI，eventotheHudsonBayCountry，wherewhitemenwerefewandthequestionstheyaskednotmany。AndIworkedforthecompanyahunter，asaguide，asadriverofdogs，tillmywoman—childwasbecomeawoman，tall，andslender，andfairtotheeye。
　　"Youknowthewinter，longandlonely，breedingevilthoughtsandbaddeeds。TheChiefFactorwasahardman，andbold。Andhewasnotsuchthatawomanwoulddelightinlookingupon。Buthecasteyesuponmywoman—childwhowasbecomeawoman。MotherofGod！
　　hesentmeawayonalongtripwiththedogs，thathemight——youunderstand，hewasahardmanandwithoutheart。Shewasmostwhite，andhersoulwaswhite，andagoodwoman，and——well，shedied。
　　"Itwasbittercoldthenightofmyreturn，andIhadbeenawaymonths，andthedogswerelimpingsorewhenIcametothefort。
　　TheIndiansandbreedslookedonmeinsilence，andIfeltthefearofIknewnotwhat，butIsaidnothingtillthedogswerefedandIhadeatenasamanwithworkbeforehimshould。ThenI
　　spokeup，demandingtheword，andtheyshrankfromme，afraidofmyangerandwhatIshoulddo;butthestorycameout，thepitifulstory，wordforwordandactforact，andtheymarvelledthatI
　　shouldbesoquiet。
　　"WhentheyhaddoneIwenttotheFactor’shouse，calmerthannowinthetellingofit。Hehadbeenafraidandcalleduponthebreedstohelphim;buttheywerenotpleasedwiththedeed，andhadlefthimtolieonthebedhehadmade。Sohehadfledtothehouseofthepriest。ThitherIfollowed。ButwhenIwascometothatplace，theprieststoodinmyway，andspokesoftwords，andsaidamaninangershouldgoneithertotherightnorleft，butstraighttoGod。Iaskedbytherightofafather’swraththathegivemepast，buthesaidonlyoverhisbody，andbesoughtwithmetopray。Lookyou，itwasthechurch，alwaysthechurch;forI
　　passedoverhisbodyandsenttheFactortomeetmywoman—childbeforehisgod，whichisabadgod，andthegodofthewhitemen。
　　Thenwastherehueandcry，forwordwassenttothestationbelow，andIcameaway。ThroughtheLandoftheGreatSlave，downtheValleyoftheMackenzietothenever—openingice，overtheWhiteRockies，pasttheGreatCurveoftheYukon，eventothisplacedidIcome。Andfromthatdaytothis，yoursisthefirstfaceofmyfather’speopleIhavelookedupon。Mayitbethelast！Thesepeople，whicharemypeople，areasimplefolk，andI
　　havebeenraisedtohonoramongthem。Mywordistheirlaw，andtheirpriestsbutdomybidding，elsewouldInotsufferthem。
　　WhenIspeakforthemIspeakformyself。Weasktobeletalone。
　　Wedonotwantyourkind。Ifwepermityoutositbyourfires，afteryouwillcomeyourchurch，yourpriests，andyourgods。Andknowthis，foreachwhitemanwhocomestomyvillage，himwillI
　　makedenyhisgod。Youarethefirst，andIgiveyougrace。Soitwerewellyougo，andgoquickly。"
　　"Iamnotresponsibleformybrothers，"thesecondmanspokeup，fillinghispipeinameditativemanner。HayStockardwasattimesasthoughtfulofspeechashewaswantonofaction;butonlyattimes。
　　"ButIknowyourbreed，"respondedtheother。"Yourbrothersaremany，anditisyouandyourswhobreakthetrailforthemtofollow。Intimetheyshallcometopossesstheland，butnotinmytime。Already，haveIheard，aretheyonthehead—reachesoftheGreatRiver，andfarawaybelowaretheRussians。"
　　HayStockardliftedhisheadwithaquickstart。Thiswasstartlinggeographicalinformation。TheHudsonBaypostatFortYukonhadothernotionsconcerningthecourseoftheriver，believingittoflowintotheArctic。
　　"ThentheYukonemptiesintoBeringSea？"heasked。
　　"Idonotknow，butbelowthereareRussians，manyRussians。
　　Whichisneitherherenorthere。Youmaygoonandseeforyourself;youmaygobacktoyourbrothers;butuptheKoyukukyoushallnotgowhilethepriestsandfightingmendomybidding。
　　ThusdoIcommand，I，BaptistetheRed，whosewordislawandwhoamheadmanoverthispeople。"
　　"AndshouldInotgodowntotheRussians，orbacktomybrothers？"
　　"Thenshallyougoswift—footedbeforeyourgod，whichisabadgod，andthegodofthewhitemen。"
　　Theredsunshotupabovethenorthernskyline，drippingandbloody。BaptistetheRedcametohisfeet，noddedcurtly，andwentbacktohiscampamidthecrimsonshadowsandthesingingoftherobins。
　　HayStockardfinishedhispipebythefire，picturinginsmokeandcoaltheunknownupperreachesoftheKoyukuk，thestrangestreamwhichendedhereitsarctictravelsandmergeditswaterswiththemuddyYukonflood。Somewhereupthere，ifthedyingwordsofaship—wreckedsailormanwhohadmadethefearfuloverlandjourneyweretobebelieved，andifthevialofgoldengrainsinhispouchattestedanything，——somewhereupthere，inthathomeofwinter，stoodtheTreasureHouseoftheNorth。Andaskeeperofthegate，BaptistetheRed，Englishhalf—breedandrenegade，barredtheway。
　　"Bah！"Hekickedtheembersapartandrosetohisfullheight，armslazilyoutstretched，facingtheflushingnorthwithcarelesssoul。
　　II
　　HayStockardswore，harshly，intheruggedmonosyllablesofhismothertongue。Hiswifeliftedhergazefromthepotsandpans，andfollowedhisinakeenscrutinyoftheriver。ShewasawomanoftheTeslinCountry，wiseinthewaysofherhusband’svernacularwhenitgrewintensive。Fromtheslippingofasnow—
　　shoethongtotheforefrontofsuddendeath，shecouldgaugeoccasionbythepitchandvolumeofhisblasphemy。Sosheknewthepresentoccasionmeritedattention。Alongcanoe，withpaddlesflashingbacktheraysofthewesteringsun，wascrossingthecurrentfromaboveandurginginfortheeddy。HayStockardwatcheditintently。Threemenroseanddipped，roseanddipped，inrhythmicalprecision;butaredbandanna，wrappedabouttheheadofone，caughtandheldhiseye。
　　"Bill！"hecalled。"Oh，Bill！"
　　Ashambling，loose—jointedgiantrolledoutofoneofthetents，yawningandrubbingthesleepfromhiseyes。Thenhesightedthestrangecanoeandwaswideawakeontheinstant。
　　"BythejumpingMethuselah！Thatdamnedsky—pilot！"
　　HayStockardnoddedhisheadbitterly，half—reachedforhisrifle，thenshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Pot—shothim，"Billsuggested，"andsettlethethingoutofhand。
　　He’llspoilussureifwedon’t。"Buttheotherdeclinedthisdrasticmeasureandturnedaway，atthesametimebiddingthewomanreturntoherwork，andcallingBillbackfromthebank。
　　ThetwoIndiansinthecanoemooreditontheedgeoftheeddy，whileitswhiteoccupant，conspicuousbyhisgorgeoushead—gear，cameupthebank。
　　"LikePaulofTarsus，Igiveyougreeting。PeacebeuntoyouandgracebeforetheLord。"
　　Hisadvancesweremetsullenly，andwithoutspeech。
　　"Toyou，HayStockard，blasphemerandPhilistine，greeting。InyourheartisthelustofMammon，inyourmindcunningdevils，inyourtentthiswomanwhomyoulivewithinadultery;yetofthesediverssins，evenhereinthewilderness，I，SturgesOwen，apostletotheLord，bidyoutorepentandcastfromyouyouriniquities。"
　　"Saveyourcant！Saveyourcant！"HayStockardbrokeintestily。
　　"You’llneedallyou’vegot，andmore，forRedBaptisteoveryonder。"
　　HewavedhishandtowardtheIndiancamp，wherethehalf—breedwaslookingsteadilyacross，strivingtomakeoutthenewcomers。
　　SturgesOwen，disseminatoroflightandapostletotheLord，steppedtotheedgeofthesteepandcommandedhismentobringupthecampoutfit。Stockardfollowedhim。
　　"Lookhere，"hedemanded，pluckingthemissionarybytheshoulderandtwirlinghimabout。"Doyouvalueyourhide？"
　　"MylifeisintheLord’skeeping，andIdobutworkinHisvineyard，"herepliedsolemnly。
　　"Oh，stowthat！Areyoulookingforajobofmartyrship？"
　　"IfHesowills。"
　　"Well，you’llfinditrighthere，butI’mgoingtogiveyousomeadvicefirst。Takeitorleaveit。Ifyoustophere，you’llbecutoffinthemidstofyourlabors。Andnotyoualone，butyourmen，Bill，mywife——"
　　"WhoisadaughterofBelialandhearkenethnottothetrueGospel。"
　　"Andmyself。Notonlydoyoubringtroubleuponyourself，butuponus。Iwasfrozeninwithyoulastwinter，asyouwillwellrecollect，andIknowyouforagoodmanandafool。Ifyouthinkityourdutytostrivewiththeheathen，wellandgood;but，doexercisesomewitinthewayyougoaboutit。Thisman，RedBaptiste，isnoIndian。Hecomesofourcommonstock，isasbull—
　　neckedasIeverdaredbe，andaswildafanatictheonewayasyouaretheother。Whenyoutwocometogether，hell’llbetopay，andIdon’tcaretobemixedupinit。Understand？Sotakemyadviceandgoaway。Ifyougodown—stream，you’llfallinwiththeRussians。There’sboundtobeGreekpriestsamongthem，andthey’llseeyousafethroughtoBeringSea，——that’swheretheYukonempties，——andfromthereitwon’tbehardtogetbacktocivilization。TakemywordforitandgetoutofhereasfastasGod’llletyou。"
　　"HewhocarriestheLordinhisheartandtheGospelinhishandhathnofearofthemachinationsofmanordevil，"themissionaryansweredstoutly。"Iwillseethismanandwrestlewithhim。Onebacksliderreturnedtothefoldisagreatervictorythanathousandheathen。Hewhoisstrongforevilcanbeasmightyforgood，witnessSaulwhenhejourneyeduptoDamascustobringChristiancaptivestoJerusalem。AndthevoiceoftheSaviourcametohim，crying，’Saul，Saul，whypersecutestthoume？’AndtherewithPaularrayedhimselfonthesideoftheLord，andthereafterwasmostmightyinthesavingofsouls。Andevenasthou，PaulofTarsus，evensodoIworkinthevineyardoftheLord，bearingtrialsandtribulations，scoffsandsneers，stripesandpunishments，forHisdearsake。"
　　"Bringupthelittlebagwiththeteaandakettleofwater，"hecalledthenextinstanttohisboatmen;"notforgettingthehaunchofcaribooandthemixing—pan。"
　　Whenhismen，convertsbyhisownhand，hadgainedthebank，thetriofelltotheirknees，handsandbacksburdenedwithcampequipage，andofferedupthanksfortheirpassagethroughthewildernessandtheirsafearrival。HayStockardlookeduponthefunctionwithsneeringdisapproval，theromanceandsolemnityofitlosttohismatter—of—factsoul。BaptistetheRed，stillgazingacross，recognizedthefamiliarpostures，andrememberedthegirlwhohadsharedhisstar—roofedcouchinthehillsandforests，andthewoman—childwholaysomewherebybleakHudson’sBay。
　　III
　　"Confoundit，Baptiste，couldn’tthinkofit。Notforamoment。
　　Grantthatthismanisafoolandofsmalluseinthenatureofthings，butstill，youknow，Ican’tgivehimup。"
　　HayStockardpaused，strivingtoputintospeechtherudeethicsofhisheart。
　　"He’sworriedme，Baptiste，inthepastandnow，andcausedmeallmanneroftroubles;butcan’tyousee，he’smyownbreed——white——
　　and——and——why，Icouldn’tbuymylifewithhis，notifhewasanigger。"
　　"Sobeit，"BaptistetheRedmadeanswer。"Ihavegivenyougraceandchoice。Ishallcomepresently，withmypriestsandfightingmen，andeithershallIkillyou，oryoudenyyourgod。Giveupthepriesttomypleasure，andyoushalldepartinpeace。
　　Otherwiseyourtrailendshere。Mypeopleareagainstyoutothebabies。Evennowhavethechildrenstolenawayyourcanoes。"Hepointeddowntotheriver。Nakedboyshadslippeddownthewaterfromthepointabove，castloosethecanoes，andbythenhadworkedthemintothecurrent。Whentheyhaddriftedoutofrifle—
　　shottheyclamberedoverthesidesandpaddledashore。
　　"Givemethepriest，andyoumayhavethembackagain。Come！
　　Speakyourmind，butwithouthaste。"
　　Stockardshookhishead。HisglancedroppedtothewomanoftheTeslinCountrywithhisboyatherbreast，andhewouldhavewaveredhadhenotliftedhiseyestothemenbeforehim。
　　"Iamnotafraid，"SturgesOwenspokeup。"TheLordbearsmeinhisrighthand，andaloneamIreadytogointothecampoftheunbeliever。Itisnottoolate。Faithmaymovemountains。EvenintheeleventhhourmayIwinhissoultothetruerighteousness。"
　　"Tripthebeggarupandmakehimfast，"Billwhisperedhoarselyintheearofhisleader，whilethemissionarykeptthefloorandwrestledwiththeheathen。"Makehimhostage，andborehimiftheygetugly。"
　　"No，"Stockardanswered。"Igavehimmywordthathecouldspeakwithusunmolested。Rulesofwarfare，Bill;rulesofwarfare。
　　He’sbeenonthesquare，givenuswarning，andallthat，and——why，damnit，man，Ican’tbreakmyword！"
　　"He’llkeephis，neverfear。"
　　"Don’tdoubtit，butIwon’tletahalf—breedoutdomeinfairdealing。Whynotdowhathewants，——givehimthemissionaryandbedonewithit？"
　　"N—no，"Billhesitateddoubtfully。
　　"Shoepinches，eh？"
　　Billflushedalittleanddroppedthediscussion。BaptistetheRedwasstillwaitingthefinaldecision。Stockardwentuptohim。
　　"It’sthisway，Baptiste。IcametoyourvillagemindedtogouptheKoyukuk。Iintendednowrong。Myheartwascleanofevil。
　　Itisstillclean。Alongcomesthispriest，asyoucallhim。I
　　didn’tbringhimhere。He’dhavecomewhetherIwashereornot。
　　Butnowthatheishere，beingofmypeople，I’vegottostandbyhim。AndI’mgoingto。Further，itwillbenochild’splay。
　　Whenyouhavedone，yourvillagewillbesilentandempty，yourpeoplewastedasafterafamine。True，wewillhegone;likewisethepickofyourfightingmen——"
　　"Butthosewhoremainshallbeinpeace，norshallthewordofstrangegodsandthetonguesofstrangepriestsbebuzzingintheirears。"
　　Bothmenshruggedtheirshoulderandturnedaway，thehalf—breedgoingbacktohisowncamp。Themissionarycalledhistwomentohim，andtheyfellintoprayer。StockardandBillattackedthefewstandingpineswiththeiraxes，fellingthemintoconvenientbreastworks。Thechildhadfallenasleep，sothewomanplaceditonaheapoffursandlentahandinfortifyingthecamp。Threesideswerethusdefended，thesteepdeclivityattherearprecludingattackfromthatdirection。Whenthesearrangementshadbeencompleted，thetwomenstalkedintotheopen，clearingaway，hereandthere，thescatteredunderbrush。Fromtheopposingcampcametheboomingofwar—drumsandthevoicesofthepriestsstirringthepeopletoanger。
　　"Worstofitisthey’llcomeinrushes，"Billcomplainedastheywalkedbackwithshoulderedaxes。
　　"Andwaittillmidnight，whenthelightgetsdimforshooting。"
　　"Can’tstarttheballa—rollingtooearly，then。"Billexchangedtheaxeforarifle，andtookacarefulrest。Oneofthemedicine—men，toweringabovehistribesmen，stoodoutdistinctly。
　　Billdrewabeadonhim。
　　"Allready？"heasked。
　　Stockardopenedtheammunitionbox，placedthewomanwhereshecouldreloadinsafety，andgavetheword。Themedicine—mandropped。Foramomenttherewassilence，thenawildhowlwentupandaflightofbonearrowsfellshort。
　　"I’dliketotakealookatthebeggar，"Billremarked，throwingafreshshellintoplace。"I’llswearIdrilledhimcleanbetweentheeyes。"
　　"Didn’twork。"Stockardshookhisheadgloomily。Baptistehadevidentlyquelledthemorewarlikeofhisfollowers，andinsteadofprecipitatinganattackinthebrightlightofday，theshothadcausedahastyexodus，theIndiansdrawingoutofthevillagebeyondthezoneoffire。
　　Inthefulltideofhisproselytingfervor，bornealongbythehandofGod，SturgesOwenwouldhaveventuredaloneintothecampoftheunbeliever，equallypreparedformiracleormartyrdom;butinthewaitingwhichensued，thefeverofconvictiondiedawaygradually，asthenaturalmanasserteditself。Physicalfearreplacedspiritualhope;theloveoflife，theloveofGod。Itwasnonewexperience。Hecouldfeelhisweaknesscomingon，andknewitofoldtime。Hehadstruggledagainstitandbeenovercomebyitbefore。Herememberedwhentheothermenhaddriventheirpaddleslikemadinthevanofaroaringice—flood，how，atthecriticalmoment，inapanicofworldlyterror，hehaddroppedhispaddleandbesoughtwildlywithhisGodforpity。Andtherewereothertimes。Therecollectionwasnotpleasant。Itbroughtshametohimthathisspiritshouldbesoweakandhisfleshsostrong。Buttheloveoflife！theloveoflife！Hecouldnotstripitfromhim。Becauseofithadhisdimancestorsperpetuatedtheirline;becauseofitwashedestinedtoperpetuatehis。Hiscourage，ifcourageitmightbecalled，wasbredoffanaticism。ThecourageofStockardandBillwastheadherencetodeep—rootedideals。Notthattheloveoflifewasless，buttheloveofracetraditionmore;notthattheywereunafraidtodie，butthattheywerebraveenoughnottoliveatthepriceofshame。
　　Themissionaryrose，forthemomentswayedbythemoodofsacrifice。Hehalfcrawledoverthebarricadetoproceedtotheothercamp，butsankback，atremblingmass，wailing："Asthespiritmoves！Asthespiritmoves！WhoamIthatIshouldsetasidethejudgmentsofGod？Beforethefoundationsoftheworldwereallthingswritteninthebookoflife。WormthatIam，shallIerasethepageoranyportionthereof？AsGodwills，soshallthespiritmove！"
　　Billreachedover，pluckedhimtohisfeet，andshookhim，fiercely，silently。Thenhedroppedthebundleofquiveringnervesandturnedhisattentiontothetwoconverts。Buttheyshowedlittlefrightandacheerfulalacrityinpreparingforthecomingpassageatarms。
　　Stockard，whohadbeentalkinginundertoneswiththeTeslinwoman，nowturnedtothemissionary。
　　"Fetchhimoverhere，"hecommandedofBill。
　　"Now，"heordered，whenSturgesOwenhadbeendulydepositedbeforehim，"makeusmanandwife，andbelivelyaboutit。"ThenheaddedapologeticallytoBill："Notellinghowit’stoend，soIjustthoughtI’dgetmyaffairsstraightenedup。"
　　Thewomanobeyedthebehestofherwhitelord。Tohertheceremonywasmeaningless。Byherlightsshewashiswife，andhadbeenfromthedaytheyfirstforegathered。Theconvertsservedaswitnesses。Billstoodoverthemissionary，promptinghimwhenhestumbled。Stockardputtheresponsesinthewoman’smouth，andwhenthetimecame，forwantofbetter，ringedherfingerwiththumbandforefingerofhisown。
　　"Kissthebride！"Billthundered，andSturgesOwenwastooweaktodisobey。
　　"Nowbaptizethechild！"
　　"Neatandtidy，"Billcommented。
　　"Gatheringtheproperoutfitforanewtrail，"thefatherexplained，takingtheboyfromthemother’sarms。"Iwasgrub—
　　staked，once，intotheCascades，andhadeverythinginthekitexceptsalt。Nevershallforgetit。Andifthewomanandthekidcrossthedivideto—nighttheymightaswellbepreparedforpot—
　　luck。Alongshot，Bill，betweenourselves，butnothinglostifitmisses。"
　　Acupofwaterservedthepurpose，andthechildwaslaidawayinasecurecornerofthebarricade。Themenbuiltthefire，andtheeveningmealwascooked。
　　Thesunhurriedroundtothenorth，sinkingclosertothehorizon。
　　Theheavensinthatquartergrewredandbloody。Theshadowslengthened，thelightdimmed，andinthesombrerecessesoftheforestlifeslowlydiedaway。Eventhewildfowlintheriversoftenedtheirraucouschatterandfeignedthenightlyfarceofgoingtobed。Onlythetribesmenincreasedtheirclamor，war—
　　drumsboomingandvoicesraisedinsavagefolksongs。Butasthesundippedtheyceasedtheirtumult。Theroundedhushofmidnightwascomplete。Stockardrosetohiskneesandpeeredoverthelogs。Oncethechildwailedinpainanddisconcertedhim。Themotherbentoverit，butitsleptagain。Thesilencewasinterminable，profound。Then，ofasudden，therobinsburstintofull—throatedsong。Thenighthadpassed。
　　Afloodofdarkfiguresboiledacrosstheopen。Arrowswhistledandbow—thongssang。Theshrill—tonguedriflesansweredback。A
　　spear，andamightycast，transfixedtheTeslinwomanasshehoveredabovethechild。Aspentarrow，divingbetweenthelogs，lodgedinthemissionary’sarm。
　　Therewasnostoppingtherush。Themiddledistancewascumberedwithbodies，buttherestsurgedon，breakingagainstandoverthebarricadelikeanoceanwave。SturgesOwenfledtothetent，whilethemenweresweptfromtheirfeet，buriedbeneaththehumantide。HayStockardaloneregainedthesurface，flingingthetribesmenasidelikeyelpingcurs。Hehadmanagedtoseizeanaxe。Adarkhandgraspedthechildbyanakedfoot，anddrewitfrombeneathitsmother。Atarm’slengthitspunybodycircledthroughtheair，dashingtodeathagainstthelogs。Stockardclovethemantothechinandfelltoclearingspace。Theringofsavagefacesclosedin，raininguponhimspear—thrustsandbone—
　　barbedarrows。Thesunshotup，andtheyswayedbackandforthinthecrimsonshadows。Twice，withhisaxeblockedbytoodeepablow，theyrushedhim;buteachtimeheflungthemclear。Theyfellunderfootandhetrampleddeadanddying，thewayslipperywithblood。Andstillthedaybrightenedandtherobinssang。
　　Thentheydrewbackfromhiminawe，andheleanedbreathlessuponhisaxe。
　　"Bloodofmysoul！"criedBaptistetheRed。"Butthouartaman。
　　Denythygod，andthoushaltyetlive。"
　　Stockardsworehisrefusal，feeblybutwithgrace。
　　"Behold！Awoman！"SturgesOwenhadbeenbroughtbeforethehalf—breed。
　　Beyondascratchonthearm，hewasuninjured，buthiseyesrovedabouthiminanecstasyoffear。Theheroicfigureoftheblasphemer，bristlingwithwoundsandarrows，leaningdefiantlyuponhisaxe，indifferent，indomitable，superb，caughthiswaveringvision。Andhefeltagreatenvyofthemanwhocouldgodownserenelytothedarkgatesofdeath。SurelyChrist，andnothe，SturgesOwen，hadbeenmouldedinsuchmanner。Andwhynothe？Hefeltdimlythecurseofancestry，thefeeblenessofspiritwhichhadcomedowntohimoutofthepast，andhefeltanangeratthecreativeforce，symbolizeitashewould，whichhadformedhim，itsservant，soweakly。Forevenastrongerman，thisangerandthestressofcircumstanceweresufficienttobreedapostasy，andforSturgesOwenitwasinevitable。Inthefearofman’sangerhewoulddarethewrathofGod。HehadbeenraiseduptoservetheLordonlythathemightbecastdown。Hehadbeengivenfaithwithoutthestrengthoffaith;hehadbeengivenspiritwithoutthepowerofspirit。Itwasunjust。
　　"Wherenowisthygod？"thehalf—breeddemanded。
　　"Idonotknow。"Hestoodstraightandrigid，likeachildrepeatingacatechism。
　　"Hastthouthenagodatall？"
　　"Ihad。"
　　"Andnow？"
　　"No。"
　　HayStockardsweptthebloodfromhiseyesandlaughed。Themissionarylookedathimcuriously，asinadream。Afeelingofinfinitedistancecameoverhim，asthoughofagreatremove。Inthatwhichhadtranspired，andwhichwastotranspire，hehadnopart。Hewasaspectator——atadistance，yes，atadistance。ThewordsofBaptistecametohimfaintly：—
　　"Verygood。Seethatthismangofree，andthatnoharmbefallhim。Lethimdepartinpeace。Givehimacanoeandfood。SethisfacetowardtheRussians，thathemaytelltheirpriestsofBaptistetheRed，inwhosecountrythereisnogod。"
　　Theyledhimtotheedgeofthesteep，wheretheypausedtowitnessthefinaltragedy。Thehalf—breedturnedtoHayStockard。
　　"Thereisnogod，"heprompted。
　　Themanlaughedinreply。Oneoftheyoungmenpoisedawar—spearforthecast。
　　"Hastthouagod？"
　　"Ay，theGodofmyfathers。"
　　Heshiftedtheaxeforabettergrip。BaptistetheRedgavethesign，andthespearhurtledfullagainsthisbreast。SturgesOwensawtheivoryheadstandoutbeyondhisback，sawthemansway，laughing，andsnaptheshaftshortashefelluponit。Thenhewentdowntotheriver，thathemightcarrytotheRussiansthemessageofBaptistetheRed，inwhosecountrytherewasnogod。
　　THEGREATINTERROGATION
　　Tosaytheleast，Mrs。Sayther’scareerinDawsonwasmeteoric。
　　Shearrivedinthespring，withdogsledsandFrench—Canadianvoyageurs，blazedgloriouslyforabriefmonth，anddeparteduptheriverassoonasitwasfreeofice。NowwomanlessDawsonneverquiteunderstoodthishurrieddeparture，andthelocalFourHundredfeltaggrievedandlonelytilltheNomestrikewasmadeandoldsensationsgavewaytonew。ForithaddelightedinMrs。
　　Sayther，andreceivedherwide—armed。Shewaspretty，charming，and，moreover，awidow。AndbecauseofthissheatoncehadatheelanynumberofEldoradoKings，officials，andadventuringyoungersons，whoseearswereyearningforthefrou—frouofawoman’sskirts。
　　Theminingengineersreveredthememoryofherhusband，thelateColonelSayther，whilethesyndicateandpromoterrepresentativesspokeawesomelyofhisdealsandmanipulations;forhewasknowndownintheStatesasagreatminingman，andasevenagreateroneinLondon。Whyhiswidow，ofallwomen，shouldhavecomeintothecountry，wasthegreatinterrogation。Buttheywereapracticalbreed，themenoftheNorthland，withawholesomedisregardfortheoriesandafirmgriponfacts。AndtonotafewofthemKarenSaytherwasamostessentialfact。Thatshedidnotregardthematterinthislight，isevidencedbytheneatnessandceleritywithwhichrefusalandproposaltalliedoffduringherfourweeks’stay。Andwithhervanishedthefact，andonlytheinterrogationremained。
　　Tothesolution，Chancevouchsafedoneclew。Herlastvictim，JackCoughran，havingfruitlesslylaidatherfeetbothhisheartandafive—hundred—footcreekclaimonBonanza，celebratedthemisfortunebywalkingallofanightwiththegods。InthemidwatchofthisnighthehappenedtorubshoulderswithPierreFontaine，noneotherthanheadmanofKarenSayther’svoyageurs。
　　Thisrubbingofshouldersledtorecognitionanddrinks，andultimatelyinvolvedbothmeninacommonmuddleofinebriety。
　　"Heh？"PierreFontainelaterongurgledthickly。"VotforMadameSaythermakvisitationtotheescountry？Morebetteryouspikwither。Iknownot’ing’tall，onlyalldetamheraskoneman’sname。’Pierre，’herspikwitme;’Pierre，youmoos’findtheesmans，andIgifyoumooch——onethousanddollaryoufindtheesmans。’Theesmans？Ah，oui。Theesman’sname——votyoucall——
　　DaveedPayne。Oui，m’sieu，DaveedPayne。Alldetamherspikdasname。AndalldetamIlookrountvairemooch，worklakhell，butnocanfinddasdammans，andnogetonethousanddollar’tall。
　　Bydam！
　　"Heh？Ah，oui。OnetamdosemensvotcomefromCircleCity，dosemensknowtheesmans。HimBirchCreek，deyspik。Andmadame？
　　Hersay’Bon！’andlookhappylakanyt’ing。Andherspikwitme。
　　’Pierre，’herspik，’harnessdedogs。Wegoqueek。WefindtheesmansIgifyouonethousanddollarmore。’AndIsay，’Oui，queek！
　　Allons，madame！’
　　"Forsure，It’ink，dastwothousanddollarmine。Bullyboy！DenmoremenscomefromCircleCity，anddeysayno，dastheesmans，DaveedPayne，comeDawsonleeltamback。SomadameandIgonot’tall。
　　"Oui，m’sieu。Theesdaymadamespik。’Pierre，’herspik，andgifmefivehundreddollar，’gobuypoling—boat。To—morrowwegoupderiver。’Ah，oui，to—morrow，upderiver，anddasdamSitkaCharleymakmepayfordepoling—boatfivehundreddollar。Dam！"
　　Thusitwas，whenJackCoughranunburdenedhimselfnextday，thatDawsonfelltowonderingwhowasthisDavidPayne，andinwhatwayhisexistenceboreuponKarenSayther’s。Butthatveryday，asPierreFontainehadsaid，Mrs。SaytherandherbarbariccrewofvoyageurstoweduptheeastbanktoKlondikeCity，shotacrosstothewestbanktoescapethebluffs，anddisappearedamidthemazeofislandstothesouth。
　　II
　　"Oui，madame，theesisdeplace。One，two，t’reeislandbelowStuartRiver。Theesist’reeisland。"
　　Ashespoke，PierreFontainedrovehispoleagainstthebankandheldthesternoftheboatagainstthecurrent。Thisthrustthebowin，tillanimblebreedclimbedashorewiththepainterandmadefast。
　　"Oneleeltam，madame，Igolooksee。"
　　Achorusofdogsmarkedhisdisappearanceovertheedgeofthebank，butaminutelaterhewasbackagain。
　　"Oui，madame，theesisdecabin。Imakinvestigation。Nocanfindmansathome。Buthimnogovairefar，vairelong，orhimnoleavedogs。Himcomequeek，youbet！"
　　"Helpmeout，Pierre。I’mtiredalloverfromtheboat。Youmighthavemadeitsofter，youknow。"
　　Fromanestoffursamidships，KarenSaytherrosetoherfullheightofslenderfairness。Butifshelookedlily—frailinherelementalenvironment，shewasbeliedbythegripsheputuponPierre’shand，bytheknottingofherwoman’sbicepsasittooktheweightofherbody，bythesplendideffortofherlimbsastheyheldheroutfromtheperpendicularbankwhileshemadetheascent。Thoughshapelyfleshclotheddelicateframe，herbodywasaseatofstrength。
　　Still，forallthecarelesseasewithwhichshehadmadethelanding，therewasawarmercolorthanusualtoherface，andaperceptiblyextrabeattoherheart。Butthen，also，itwaswithacertainreverentcuriousnessthatsheapproachedthecabin，whiletheHushonhercheekshowedayetripermellowness。
　　"Look，see！"Pierrepointedtothescatteredchipsbythewoodpile。"Himfresh——two，t’reeday，nomore。"
　　Mrs。Saythernodded。Shetriedtopeerthroughthesmallwindow，butitwasmadeofgreasedparchmentwhichadmittedlightwhileitblockedvision。Failingthis，shewentroundtothedoor，halfliftedtherudelatchtoenter，butchangedhermindandletitfallbackintoplace。Thenshesuddenlydroppedononekneeandkissedtherough—hewnthreshold。IfPierreFontainesaw，hegavenosign，andthememoryinthetimetocomewasnevershared。Butthenextinstant，oneoftheboatmen，placidlylightinghispipe，wasstartledbyanunwontedharshnessinhiscaptain’svoice。
　　"Hey！You！LeGoire！Youmak’msoftmorebetter，"Pierrecommanded。"Plentybear—skin;plentyblanket。Dam！"
　　Butthenestwassoonafterdisrupted，andthemajorportiontosseduptothecrestoftheshore，whereMrs。Saytherlaydowntowaitincomfort。
　　Recliningonherside，shelookedoutandoverthewide—stretchingYukon。Abovethemountainswhichlaybeyondthefurthershore，theskywasmurkywiththesmokeofunseenforestfires，andthroughthistheafternoonsunbrokefeebly，throwingavagueradiancetoearth，andunrealshadows。Tothesky—lineofthefourquarters——spruce—shroudedislands，darkwaters，andice—
　　scarredrockyridges——stretchedtheimmaculatewilderness。Nosignofhumanexistencebrokethesolitude;nosoundthestillness。Thelandseemedboundundertheunrealityoftheunknown，wrappedinthebroodingmysteryofgreatspaces。
　　PerhapsitwasthiswhichmadeMrs。Saythernervous;forshechangedherpositionconstantly，nowtolookuptheriver，nowdown，ortoscanthegloomyshoresforthehalf—hiddenmouthsofbackchannels。Afteranhourorsotheboatmenweresentashoretopitchcampforthenight，butPierreremainedwithhismistresstowatch。
　　"Ah！himcometheestam，"hewhispered，afteralongsilence，hisgazebentuptherivertotheheadoftheisland。
　　Acanoe，withapaddleflashingoneitherside，wasslippingdownthecurrent。Inthesternaman’sform，andinthebowawoman’s，swungrhythmicallytothework。Mrs。Saytherhadnoeyesforthewomantillthecanoedroveincloserandherbizarrebeautyperemptorilydemandednotice。Aclose—fittingblouseofmoose—
　　skin，fantasticallybeaded，outlinedfaithfullythewell—roundedlinesofherbody，whileasilkenkerchief，gayofcolorandpicturesquelydraped，partlycoveredgreatmassesofblue—blackhair。Butitwastheface，castbelikeincopperbronze，whichcaughtandheldMrs。Sayther’sfleetingglance。Eyes，piercingandblackandlarge，withatraditionaryhintofobliqueness，lookedforthfromunderclear—stencilled，clean—archingbrows。
　　Withoutsuggestingcadaverousness，thoughhigh—bonedandprominent，thecheeksfellawayandmetinamouth，thin—lippedandsoftlystrong。ItwasafacewhichadvertisedthedimmesttraceofancientMongolblood，areversion，afterlongcenturiesofwandering，totheparentstem。Thiseffectwasheightenedbythedelicatelyaquilinenosewithitsthintremblingnostrils，andbythegeneralairofeaglewildnesswhichseemedtocharacterizenotonlythefacebutthecreatureherself。Shewas，infact，theTartartypemodifiedtoidealization，andthetribeofRedIndianisluckythatbreedssuchauniquebodyonceinascoreofgenerations。
　　Dippinglongstrokesandstrong，thegirl，inconcertwiththeman，suddenlywhirledthetinycraftaboutagainstthecurrentandbroughtitgentlytotheshore。Anotherinstantandshestoodatthetopofthebank，heavingupbyrope，handunderhand，aquarteroffresh—killedmoose。Thenthemanfollowedher，andtogether，withaswiftrush，theydrewupthecanoe。Thedogswereinawhiningmassaboutthem，andasthegirlstoopedamongthemcaressingly，theman’sgazefelluponMrs。Sayther，whohadarisen。Helooked，brushedhiseyesunconsciouslyasthoughhissightweredeceivinghim，andlookedagain。
　　"Karen，"hesaidsimply，comingforwardandextendinghishand，"I
　　thoughtforthemomentIwasdreaming。Iwentsnow—blindforatime，thisspring，andsincethenmyeyeshavebeenplayingtrickswithme。"
　　Mrs。Sayther，whoseflushhaddeepenedandwhoseheartwasurgingpainfully，hadbeenpreparedforalmostanythingsavethiscoollyextendedhand;butshetactfullycurbedherselfandgraspeditheartilywithherown。
　　"Youknow，Dave，Ithreatenedoftentocome，andIwouldhave，too，only——only——"
　　"OnlyIdidn’tgivetheword。"DavidPaynelaughedandwatchedtheIndiangirldisappearingintothecabin。
　　"Oh，Iunderstand，Dave，andhadIbeeninyourplaceI’dmostprobablyhavedonethesame。ButIhavecome——now。"
　　"Thencomealittlebitfarther，intothecabinandgetsomethingtoeat，"hesaidgenially，ignoringormissingthefemininesuggestionofappealinhervoice。"Andyoumustbetiredtoo。
　　Whichwayareyoutravelling？Up？ThenyouwinteredinDawson，orcameinonthelastice。Yourcamp？"Heglancedatthevoyageurscircledaboutthefireintheopen，andheldbackthedoorforhertoenter。
　　"IcameupontheicefromCircleCitylastwinter，"hecontinued，"andsettleddownhereforawhile。AmprospectingsomeonHendersonCreek，andifthatfails，havebeenthinkingoftryingmyhandthisfalluptheStuartRiver。"
　　"Youaren’tchangedmuch，areyou？"sheaskedirrelevantly，strivingtothrowtheconversationuponamorepersonalbasis。
　　"Alittlelessflesh，perhaps，andalittlemoremuscle。HowdidYOUmean？"
　　ButsheshruggedhershouldersandpeeredIthroughthedimlightattheIndiangirl，whohadlightedthefireandwasfryinggreatchunksofmoosemeat，alternatedwiththinribbonsofbacon。
　　"DidyoustopinDawsonlong？"Themanwaswhittlingastaveofbirchwoodintoarudeaxe—handle，andaskedthequestionwithoutraisinghishead。
　　"Oh，afewdays，"sheanswered，followingthegirlwithhereyes，andhardlyhearing。"Whatwereyousaying？InDawson？Amonth，infact，andgladtogetaway。Thearcticmaleiselemental，youknow，andsomewhatstrenuousinhisfeelings。"
　　"Boundtobewhenhegetsrightdowntothesoil。Heleavesconventionwiththespringbedatborne。Butyouwerewiseinyourchoiceoftimeforleaving。You’llbeoutofthecountrybeforemosquitoseason，whichisablessingyourlackofexperiencewillnotpermityoutoappreciate。"
　　"Isupposenot。Buttellmeaboutyourself，aboutyourlife。
　　Whatkindofneighborshaveyou？Orhaveyouany？"
　　Whileshequeriedshewatchedthegirlgrindingcoffeeinthecornerofaflowersackuponthehearthstone。Withasteadinessandskillwhichpredicatednervesasprimitiveasthemethod，shecrushedtheimprisonedberrieswithaheavyfragmentofquartz。
　　DavidPaynenotedhisvisitor’sgaze，andtheshadowofasmiledriftedoverhislips。
　　"Ididhavesome，"hereplied。"Missourianchaps，andacoupleofCornishmen，buttheywentdowntoEldoradotoworkatwagesforagrubstake。"
　　Mrs。Saythercastalookofspeculativeregarduponthegirl。
　　"ButofcoursethereareplentyofIndiansabout？"
　　"Everymother’ssonofthemdowntoDawsonlongago。Notanativeinthewholecountry，barringWinapiehere，andshe’saKoyokuklass，——comesfromathousandmilesorsodowntheriver。"
　　Mrs。Saytherfeltsuddenlyfaint;andthoughthesmileofinterestinnowisewaned，thefaceofthemanseemedtodrawawaytoatelescopicdistance，andthetieredlogsofthecabintowhirldrunkenlyabout。Butshewasbiddendrawuptothetable，andduringthemealdiscoveredtimeandspaceinwhichtofindherself。Shetalkedlittle，andthatprincipallyaboutthelandandweather，whilethemanwanderedoffintoalongdescriptionofthedifferencebetweentheshallowsummerdiggingsoftheLowerCountryandthedeepwinterdiggingsoftheUpperCountry。
　　"YoudonotaskwhyIcamenorth？"sheasked。"Surelyyouknow。"
　　Theyhadmovedbackfromthetable，andDavidPaynehadreturnedtohisaxe—handle。"Didyougetmyletter？"
　　"Alastone？No，Idon’tthinkso。Mostprobablyit’strailingaroundtheBirchCreekCountryorlyinginsometrader’sshackontheLowerRiver。Thewaytheyrunthemailsinhereisshameful。
　　Noorder，nosystem，no——"
　　"Don’tbewooden，Dave！Helpme！"Shespokesharplynow，withanassumptionofauthoritywhichresteduponthepast。"Whydon’tyouaskmeaboutmyself？Aboutthoseweknewintheoldtimes？
　　Haveyounolongeranyinterestintheworld？Doyouknowthatmyhusbandisdead？"
　　"Indeed，Iamsorry。Howlong——"
　　"David！"Shewasreadytocrywithvexation，butthereproachshethrewintohervoiceeasedher。
　　"Didyougetanyofmyletters？Youmusthavegotsomeofthem，thoughyouneveranswered。"
　　"Well，Ididn’tgetthelastone，announcing，evidently，thedeathofyourhusband，andmostlikelyotherswentastray;butIdidgetsome。I——er——readthemaloudtoWinapieasawarning——thatis，youknow，toimpressuponherthewickednessofherwhitesisters。
　　AndI——er——thinksheprofitedbyit。Don’tyou？"
　　Shedisregardedthesting，andwenton。"Inthelastletter，whichyoudidnotreceive，Itold，asyouhaveguessed，ofColonelSayther’sdeath。Thatwasayearago。Ialsosaidthatifyoudidnotcomeouttome，Iwouldgointoyou。AndasIhadoftenpromised，Icame。"
　　"Iknowofnopromise。"
　　"Intheearlierletters？"
　　"Yes，youpromised，butasIneitheraskednoranswered，itwasunratified。SoIdonotknowofanysuchpromise。ButIdoknowofanother，whichyou，too，mayremember。Itwasverylongago。"
　　Hedroppedtheaxe—handletothefloorandraisedhishead。"Itwassoverylongago，yetIrememberitdistinctly，theday，thetime，everydetail。Wewereinarosegarden，youandI，——yourmother’srosegarden。Allthingswerebudding，blossoming，andthesapofspringwasinourblood。AndIdrewyouover——itwasthefirst——andkissedyoufullonthelips。Don’tyouremember？"
　　"Don’tgooverit，Dave，don’t！Iknoweveryshamefullineofit。
　　HowoftenhaveIwept！IfyouonlyknewhowIhavesuffered——"
　　"Youpromisedmethen——ay，andathousandtimesinthesweetdaysthatfollowed。Eachlookofyoureyes，eachtouchofyourhand，eachsyllablethatfellfromyourlips，wasapromise。Andthen——
　　howshallIsay？——therecameaman。Hewasold——oldenoughtohavebegottenyou——andnotnicetolookupon，butastheworldgoes，clean。Hehaddonenowrong，followedtheletterofthelaw，wasrespectable。Further，andtothepoint，hepossessedsomeseveralpaltrymines，——ascore;itdoesnotmatter：andheownedafewmilesoflands，andengineereddeals，andclippedcoupons。He——"
　　"Buttherewereotherthings，"sheinterrupted，"Itoldyou。
　　Pressure——moneymatters——want——mypeople——trouble。Youunderstoodthewholesordidsituation。Icouldnothelpit。Itwasnotmywill。Iwassacrificed，orIsacrificed，haveitasyouwish。
　　But，myGod！Dave，Igaveyouup！YouneverdidMEjustice。
　　ThinkwhatIhavegonethrough！"
　　"Itwasnotyourwill？Pressure？Underhighheaventherewasnothingtowillyoutothisman’sbedorthat。"
　　"ButIcaredforyouallthetime，"shepleaded。
　　"Iwasunusedtoyourwayofmeasuringlove。Iamstillunused。
　　Idonotunderstand。"
　　"Butnow！now！"
　　"Wewerespeakingofthismanyousawfittomarry。Whatmannerofmanwashe？Whereindidhecharmyoursoul？Whatpotentvirtueswerehis？True，hehadagoldengrip，——analmightygoldengrip。Heknewtheodds。Hewasversedincentpercent。Hehadanarrowwitandexcellentjudgmentofthevilerparts，wherebyhetransferredthisman’smoneytohispockets，andthatman’smoney，andthenextman’s。Andthelawsmiled。Inthatitdidnotcondemn，ourChristianethicsapproved。Bysocialmeasurehewasnotabadman。Butbyyourmeasure，Karen，bymine，byoursoftherosegarden，whatwashe？"
　　"Remember，heisdead。"
　　"Thefactisnotalteredthereby。Whatwashe？Agreat，gross，materialcreature，deaftosong，blindtobeauty，deadtothespirit。Hewasfatwithlaziness，andflabby—cheeked，andtheroundofhisbellywitnessedhisgluttony——"
　　"Butheisdead。Itiswewhoarenow——now！now！Don’tyouhear？
　　Asyousay，Ihavebeeninconstant。Ihavesinned。Good。Butshouldnotyou，too，crypeccavi？IfIhavebrokenpromises，havenotyou？Yourloveoftherosegardenwasofalltime，orsoyousaid。Whereisitnow？"
　　"Itishere！now！"hecried，strikinghisbreastpassionatelywithclenchedhand。"Ithasalwaysbeen。"
　　"Andyourlovewasagreatlove;therewasnonegreater，"shecontinued;"orsoyousaidintherosegarden。Yetitisnotfineenough，largeenough，toforgivemehere，cryingnowatyourfeet？"
　　Themanhesitated。Hismouthopened;wordsshapedvainlyonhislips。Shehadforcedhimtobarehisheartandspeaktruthswhichhehadhiddenfromhimself。Andshewasgoodtolookupon，standingthereinagloryofpassion，callingbackoldassociationsandwarmerlife。Heturnedawayhisheadthathemightnotsee，butshepassedaroundandfrontedhim。
　　"Lookatme，Dave！Lookatme！Iamthesame，afterall。Andsoareyou，ifyouwouldbutsee。Wearenotchanged。"
　　Herhandrestedonhisshoulder，andhishadhalf—passed，roughly，abouther，whenthesharpcrackleofamatchstartledhimtohimself。Winapie，alientothescene，waslightingtheslowwickoftheslushlamp。Sheappearedtostartoutagainstabackgroundofutterblack，andtheflame，flaringsuddenlyup，lightedherbronzebeautytoroyalgold。
　　"Yousee，itisimpossible，"hegroaned，thrustingthefair—hairedwomangentlyfromhim。"Itisimpossible，"herepeated。"Itisimpossible。"
　　"Iamnotagirl，Dave，withagirl’sillusions，"shesaidsoftly，thoughnotdaringtocomebacktohim。"ItisasawomanthatI
　　understand。Menaremen。Acommoncustomofthecountry。Iamnotshocked。Idivineditfromthefirst。But——ah！——itisonlyamarriageofthecountry——notarealmarriage？"
　　"WedonotasksuchquestionsinAlaska，"heinterposedfeebly。
　　"Iknow，but——"
　　"Well，then，itisonlyamarriageofthecountry——nothingelse。"
　　"Andtherearenochildren？"
　　"No。"
　　"Nor——"
　　"No，no;nothing——butitisimpossible。"
　　"Butitisnot。"Shewasathissideagain，herhandtouchinglightly，caressingly，thesunburnedbackofhis。"Iknowthecustomofthelandtoowell。Mendoiteveryday。Theydonotcaretoremainhere，shutoutfromtheworld，foralltheirdays;
　　sotheygiveanorderontheP。C。C。Companyforayear’sprovisions，somemoneyinhand，andthegirliscontent。Bytheendofthattime，aman——"Sheshruggedhershoulders。"Andsowiththegirlhere。Wewillgiveheranorderuponthecompany，notforayear，butforlife。Whatwasshewhenyoufoundher？A
　　raw，meat—eatingsavage;fishinsummer，mooseinwinter，feastinginplenty，starvinginfamine。Butforyouthatiswhatshewouldhaveremained。Foryourcomingshewashappier;foryourgoing，surely，withalifeofcomparativesplendorassured，shewillbehappierthanifyouhadneverbeen。"
　　"No，no，"heprotested。"Itisnotright。"
　　"Come，Dave，youmustsee。Sheisnotyourkind。Thereisnoraceaffinity。Sheisanaborigine，sprungfromthesoil，yetclosetothesoil，andimpossibletoliftfromthesoil。Bornsavage，savageshewilldie。Butwe——youandI——thedominant，evolvedrace——thesaltoftheearthandthemastersthereof！Wearemadeforeachother。Thesupremecallisofkind，andweareofkind。Reasonandfeelingdictateit。Yourveryinstinctdemandsit。Thatyoucannotdeny。Youcannotescapethegenerationsbehindyou。Yoursisanancestrywhichhassurvivedforathousandcenturies，andforahundredthousandcenturies，andyourlinemustnotstophere。Itcannot。Yourancestrywillnotpermitit。Instinctisstrongerthanthewill。Theraceismightierthanyou。Come，Dave，letusgo。Weareyoungyet，andlifeisgood。Come。"
　　Winapie，passingoutofthecabintofeedthedogs，caughthisattentionandcausedhimtoshakehisheadandweaklytoreiterate。Butthewoman’shandslippedabouthisneck，andhercheekpressedtohis。Hisbleakliferoseupandsmotehim，——thevainstrugglewithpitilessforces;thedrearyyearsoffrostandfamine;theharshandjarringcontactwithelementallife;theachingvoidwhichmereanimalexistencecouldnotfill。Andthere，seductionbyhisside，whisperingofbrighter，warmerlands，ofmusic，light，andjoy，calledtheoldtimesbackagain。
　　Hevisioneditunconsciously。Facesrushedinuponhim;glimpsesofforgottenscenes，memoriesofmerryhours;strainsofsongandtrillsoflaughter—
　　"Come，Dave，Come。Ihaveforboth。Thewayissoft。"Shelookedaboutheratthebarefurnishingsofthecabin。"Ihaveforboth。Theworldisatourfeet，andalljoyisours。Come！
　　come！"
　　Shewasinhisarms，trembling，andheheldhertightly。Herosetohisfeet……Butthesnarlingofhungrydogs，andtheshrillcriesofWinapiebringingaboutpeacebetweenthecombatants，camemuffledtohisearthroughtheheavylogs。Andanothersceneflashedbeforehim。Astruggleintheforest，——abald—facegrizzly，broken—legged，terrible;thesnarlingofthedogsandtheshrillcriesofWinapieassheurgedthemtotheattack;himselfinthemidstofthecrush，breathless，panting，strivingtoholdoffreddeath;broken—backed，entrail—rippeddogshowlinginimpotentanguishanddesecratingthesnow;thevirginwhiterunningscarletwiththebloodofmanandbeast;thebear，ferocious，irresistible，crunching，crunchingdowntothecoreofhislife;andWinapie，atthelast，inthethickofthefrightfulmuddle，hairflying，eyesflashing，furyincarnate，passingthelonghuntingknifeagainandagain——Sweatstartedtohisforehead。
　　Heshookofftheclingingwomanandstaggeredbacktothewall。