"No。"
　　"Ain’titabeute？"
　　"Yes。"Kentnoddedhisheadapprovingly，intentonhumoringthisstrangevisitor，butwhollyunpreparedfortheoutburstwhichwastofollowhisefforttobeagreeable。
　　"Youblasted，bloomin’，burgoo—eatin’son—of—a—sea—swab！Wotdoyoumean，asayin’themostonsightlythingGawdAlmightyeverputonthefaceo’manisabeute？Wotdoyoumean，you——"
　　AndthereatthisfierysonoftheseabrokeoffintoastringofOrientalprofanity，minglinggodsanddevils，lineagesandmen，metaphorsandmonsters，withsosavageavirilitythatJacobKentwasparalyzed。Heshrankback，hisarmsliftedasthoughtowardoffphysicalviolence。Soutterlyunnervedwashethattheotherpausedinthemid—swingofagorgeousperorationandburstintothunderouslaughter。
　　"Thesun’sknockedthebottomouto’thetrail，"saidtheManwiththeGash，betweendepartingparoxysmsofmirth。"An’Ionly’opeasyou’llappreciatethehoppertunityofconsortin’withamano’
　　mymug。Getsteamupinthatfire—boxo’your’n。I’mgoin’tounrigthedogsan’grub’em。An’don’tbeshyo’thewood，mylad;there’splentymorewherethatcomefrom，andit’syou’vegotthetimetoslinganaxe。An’toteupabucketo’waterwhileyou’reaboutit。Lively！orI’llrunyoudown，so’elpme！"
　　Suchathingwasunheardof。JacobKentwasmakingthefire，choppingwood，packingwater——doingmenialtasksforaguest！
　　WhenJimCardegeeleftDawson，itwaswithhisheadfilledwiththeiniquitiesofthisroadsideShylock;andallalongthetrailhisnumerousvictimshadaddedtothesumofhiscrimes。Now，JimCardegee，withthesailor’sloveforasailor’sjoke，haddetermined，whenhepulledintothecabin，tobringitsinmatedownapegorso。Thathehadsucceededbeyondexpectationhecouldnothelpbutremark，thoughhewasinthedarkastothepartthegashonhischeekhadplayedinit。Butwhilehecouldnotunderstand，hesawtheterroritcreated，andresolvedtoexploititasremorselesslyaswouldanymoderntraderachoicebitofmerchandise。
　　"Strikemeblind，butyou’rea’ustler，"hesaidadmiringly，hisheadcockedtooneside，ashishostbustledabout。"Younever’ortto’avegoneKlondiking。It’sthekeeperofapub’youwaslaidoutfor。An’it’softenasI’ave’eardtheladsupan’downtheriverspeako’you，butI’adn’tnoideayouwassojollynice。"
　　JacobKentexperiencedatremendousyearningtotryhisshotgunonhim，butthefascinationofthegashwastoopotent。ThiswastherealManwiththeGash，themanwhohadsooftenrobbedhiminthespirit。This，then，wastheembodiedentityofthebeingwhoseastralformhadbeenprojectedintohisdreams，themanwhohadsofrequentlyharboreddesignsagainsthishoard;hence——therecouldbenootherconclusion——thisManwiththeGashhadnowcomeinthefleshtodispossesshim。Andthatgash！Hecouldnomorekeephiseyesfromitthanstopthebeatingofhisheart。Tryashewould，theywanderedbacktothatonepointasinevitablyastheneedletothepole。
　　"Doit’urtyou？"JimCardegeethunderedsuddenly，lookingupfromthespreadingofhisblanketsandencounteringtheraptgazeoftheother。"Itstrikesmeas’owit’udbetheproperthingforyoutodrawyourjib，dousetheglim，an’turnin，seein’as’owitworritsyou。Jes’laytothat，youswab，orso’elpmeI’lltakeapullonyourpeak—purchases！"
　　Kentwassonervousthatittookthreepuffstoblowouttheslush—lamp，andhecrawledintohisblanketswithoutevenremovinghismoccasins。Thesailorwassoonsnoringlustilyfromhishardbedonthefloor，butKentlaystaringupintotheblackness，onehandontheshotgun，resolvednottoclosehiseyesthewholenight。Hehadnothadanopportunitytosecretehisfivepoundsofgold，anditlayintheammunitionboxattheheadofhisbunk。
　　But，tryashewould，heatlastdozedoffwiththeweightofhisdustheavyonhissoul。Hadhenotinadvertentlyfallenasleepwithhismindinsuchcondition，thesomnambulicdemonwouldnothavebeeninvoked，norwouldJimCardegeehavegoneminingnextdaywithadish—pan。
　　Thefirefoughtalosingbattle，andatlastdiedaway，whilethefrostpenetratedthemossychinksbetweenthelogsandchilledtheinneratmosphere。Thedogsoutsideceasedtheirhowling，and，curledupinthesnow，dreamedofsalmon—stockedheavenswheredog—driversandkindredtask—masterswerenot。Within，thesailorlaylikealog，whilehishosttossedrestlesslyabout，thevictimofstrangefantasies。Asmidnightdrewnearhesuddenlythrewofftheblanketsandgotup。Itwasremarkablethathecoulddowhathethendidwithouteverstrikingalight。Perhapsitwasbecauseofthedarknessthathekepthiseyesshut，andperhapsitwasforfearhewouldseetheterriblegashonthecheekofhisvisitor;
　　but，bethisasitmay，itisafactthat，unseeing，heopenedhisammunitionbox，putaheavychargeintothemuzzleoftheshotgunwithoutspillingaparticle，rammeditdownwithdoublewads，andthenputeverythingawayandgotbackintobed。
　　Justasdaylightlaiditssteel—grayfingersontheparchmentwindow，JacobKentawoke。Turningonhiselbow，heraisedthelidandpeeredintotheammunitionbox。Whateverhesaw，orwhateverhedidnotsee，exercisedaverypeculiareffectuponhim，consideringhisneurotictemperament。Heglancedatthesleepingmanonthefloor，lettheliddowngently，androlledoveronhisback。Itwasanunwontedcalmthatrestedonhisface。Notamusclequivered。Therewasnottheleastsignofexcitementorperturbation。Helaytherealongwhile，thinking，andwhenhegotupandbegantomoveabout，itwasinacool，collectedmanner，withoutnoiseandwithouthurry。
　　Ithappenedthataheavywoodenpeghadbeendrivenintotheridge—polejustaboveJimCardegee’shead。JacobKent，workingsoftly，ranapieceofhalf—inchmanilaoverit，bringingbothendstotheground。Oneendhetiedabouthiswaist，andintheotherherovearunningnoose。Thenhecockedhisshotgunandlaiditwithinreach，bythesideofnumerousmoose—hidethongs。
　　Byaneffortofwillheborethesightofthescar，slippedthenooseoverthesleeper’shead，anddrewittautbythrowingbackonhisweight，atthesametimeseizingthegunandbringingittobear。
　　JimCardegeeawoke，choking，bewildered，staringdownthetwinwellsofsteel。
　　"Whereisit？"Kentasked，atthesametimeslackingontherope。
　　"Youblasted——ugh——"
　　Kentmerelythrewbackhisweight，shuttingofftheother’swind。
　　"Bloomin’——Bur——ugh——"
　　"Whereisit？"Kentrepeated。
　　"Wot？"Cardegeeasked，assoonashehadcaughthisbreath。
　　"Thegold—dust。"
　　"Wotgold—dust？"theperplexedsailordemanded。
　　"Youknowwellenough，——mine。"
　　"Ain’tseennothinkofit。Wotdoyetakemefor？Asafe—
　　deposit？Wot’aveIgottodowithit，any’ow？"
　　"Mebbeyouknow，andmebbeyoudon’tknow，butanyway，I’mgoingtostopyourbreathtillyoudoknow。Andifyouliftahand，I’llblowyourheadoff！"
　　"Vastheavin’！"Cardegeeroared，astheropetightened。
　　Kenteasedawayamoment，andthesailor，wrigglinghisneckasthoughfromthepressure，managedtoloosenthenooseabitandworkitupsothepointofcontactwasjustunderthechin。
　　"Well？"Kentquestioned，expectingthedisclosure。
　　ButCardegeegrinned。"Goaheadwithyour’angin’，youbloomin’
　　oldpot—wolloper！"
　　Then，asthesailorhadanticipated，thetragedybecameafarce。
　　Cardegeebeingtheheavierofthetwo，Kent，throwinghisbodybackwardanddown，couldnotlifthimclearoftheground。Strainandstrivetotheuttermost，thesailor’sfeetstillstucktothefloorandsustainedapartofhisweight。Theremainingportionwassupportedbythepointofcontactjustunderhischin。
　　Failingtoswinghimclear，Kentclungon，resolvedtoslowlythrottlehimorforcehimtotellwhathehaddonewiththehoard。
　　ButtheManwiththeGashwouldnotthrottle。Five，ten，fifteenminutespassed，andattheendofthattime，indespair，Kentlethisprisonerdown。
　　"Well，"heremarked，wipingawaythesweat，"ifyouwon’thangyou’llshoot。Somemenwasn’tborntobehanged，anyway。"
　　"An’it’saprettymessasyou’llmakeo’this’erecabinfloor。"
　　Cardegeewasfightingfortime。"Now，look’ere，I’lltellyouwotwedo;we’lllayour’eads’longsidean’reasontogether。
　　You’velostsomedust。Yousayas’owIknow，an’Isayas’owI
　　don’t。Let’sgetahobservationan’shapeacourse——"
　　"Vastheavin’！"Kentdashedin，maliciouslyimitatingtheother’senunciation。"I’mgoingtoshapeallthecoursesofthisshebang，andyouobserve;andifyoudoanythingmore，I’llboreyouassureasMoses！"
　　"Forthesakeofmymother——"
　　"WhomGodhavemercyuponifshelovesyou。Ah！Wouldyou？"Hefrustratedahostilemoveonthepartoftheotherbypressingthecoldmuzzleagainsthisforehead。"Layquiet，now！Ifyouliftasmuchasahair，you’llgetit。"
　　Itwasratheranawkwardtask，withthetriggerofthegunalwayswithinpullingdistanceofthefinger;butKentwasaweaver，andinafewminuteshadthesailortiedhandandfoot。Thenhedraggedhimwithoutandlaidhimbythesideofthecabin，wherehecouldoverlooktheriverandwatchthesunclimbtothemeridian。
　　"NowI’llgiveyoutillnoon，andthen——"
　　"Wot？"
　　"You’llbehittingthebrimstonetrail。Butifyouspeakup，I’llkeepyoutillthenextbunchofmountedpolicecomeby。"
　　"Well，Gawdblimeme，ifthisain’tago！’EreIbe，innercentasalamb，an’’ereyoube，lostallo’yourtop’amperan’outo’
　　yourreckonin’，runmefoulan’goin’torakemeinto’ell—fire。
　　Youbloomin’oldpirut！You——"
　　JimCardegeeloosedthestringsofhisprofanityandfairlyoutdidhimself。JacobKentbroughtoutastoolthathemightenjoyitincomfort。Havingexhaustedallthepossiblecombinationsofhisvocabulary，thesailorquieteddowntohardthinking，hiseyesconstantlygaugingtheprogressofthesun，whichtoreuptheeasternslopeoftheheavenswithunseemlyhaste。Hisdogs，surprisedthattheyhadnotlongsincebeenputtoharness，crowdedaroundhim。Hishelplessnessappealedtothebrutes。
　　Theyfeltthatsomethingwaswrong，thoughtheyknewnotwhat，andtheycrowdedabout，howlingtheirmournfulsympathy。
　　"Chook！Mush—on！youSiwashes！"hecried，attempting，inavermicularway，tokickatthem，anddiscoveringhimselftobetotteringontheedgeofadeclivity。Assoonastheanimalshadscattered，hedevotedhimselftothesignificanceofthatdeclivitywhichhefelttobetherebutcouldnotsee。Norwashelonginarrivingatacorrectconclusion。Inthenatureofthings，hefigured，manislazy。Hedoesnomorethanhehasto。
　　Whenhebuildsacabinhemustputdirtontheroof。Fromthesepremisesitwaslogicalthatheshouldcarrythatdirtnofurtherthanwasabsolutelynecessary。Therefore，helayupontheedgeoftheholefromwhichthedirthadbeentakentoroofJacobKent’scabin。Thisknowledge，properlyutilized，mightprolongthings，hethought;andhethenturnedhisattentiontothemoose—hidethongswhichboundhim。Hishandsweretiedbehindhim，andpressingagainstthesnow，theywerewetwiththecontact。Thismoisteningoftheraw—hideheknewwouldtendtomakeitstretch，and，withoutapparenteffort，heendeavoredtostretchitmoreandmore。
　　Hewatchedthetrailhungrily，andwheninthedirectionofSixtyMileadarkspeckappearedforamomentagainstthewhitebackgroundofanice—jam，hecastananxiouseyeatthesun。Ithadclimbednearlytothezenith。Nowandagainhecaughttheblackspeckclearingthehillsoficeandsinkingintotheinterveninghollows;buthedarednotpermithimselfmorethanthemostcursoryglancesforfearofrousinghisenemy’ssuspicion。
　　Once，whenJacobKentrosetohisfeetandsearchedthetrailwithcare，Cardegeewasfrightened，butthedog—sledhadstruckapieceoftrailrunningparallelwithajam，andremainedoutofsighttillthedangerwaspast。
　　"I’llseeyou’ungforthis，"Cardegeethreatened，attemptingtodrawtheother’sattention。"An’you’llrotin’ell，jes’youseeifyoudon’t。
　　"Isay，"hecried，afteranotherpause;"d’yeb’lieveinghosts？"
　　Kent’ssuddenstartmadehimsureofhisground，andhewenton：
　　"Nowaghost’astherightto’auntamanwotdon’tdowothesays;andyoucan’tshufflemeofftilleightbells——wotImeanistwelveo’clock——canyou？’Cosifyoudo，it’ll’appenas’owI’ll’auntyou。D’ye’ear？Aminute，asecondtooquick，an’I’ll’auntyou，so’elpme，Iwill！"
　　JacobKentlookeddubious，butdeclinedtotalk。
　　"’Ow’syourchronometer？Wot’syourlongitude？’Owdoyouknowasyourtime’scorrect？"Cardegeepersisted，vainlyhopingtobeathisexecutioneroutofafewminutes。"IsitBarrack’stimeyou’ave，orisittheCompanytime？’Cosifyoudoitbeforethestrokeo’thebell，I’llnotrest。Igiveyoufairwarnin’。I’llcomeback。An’ifyou’aven’tthetime，’owwillyouknow？
　　That’swotIwant——’owwillyoutell？"
　　"I’llsendyouoffallright，"Kentreplied。"Gotasun—dialhere。"
　　"Nogood。Thirty—twodegreesvariationo’theneedle。"
　　"Stakesareallset。"
　　"’Owdidyouset’em？Compass？"
　　"No;linedthemupwiththeNorthStar。"
　　"Sure？"
　　"Sure。"
　　Cardegeegroaned，thenstoleaglanceatthetrail。Thesledwasjustclearingarise，barelyamileaway，andthedogswereinfulllope，runninglightly。
　　"’Owcloseistheshadowstotheline？"
　　Kentwalkedtotheprimitivetimepieceandstudiedit。"Threeinches，"heannounced，afteracarefulsurvey。
　　"Say，jes’singout’eightbells’aforeyoupullthegun，willyou？"
　　Kentagreed，andtheylapsedintosilence。ThethongsaboutCardegee’swristswereslowlystretching，andhehadbeguntoworkthemoverhishands。
　　"Say，’owcloseistheshadows？"
　　"Oneinch。"
　　Thesailorwriggledslightlytoassurehimselfthathewouldtoppleoverattherightmoment，andslippedthefirstturnoverhishands。
　　"’Owclose？"
　　"Halfaninch。"JustthenKentheardthejarringchurnoftherunnersandturnedhiseyestothetrail。Thedriverwaslyingflatonthesledandthedogsswingingdownthestraightstretchtothecabin。Kentwhirledback，bringinghisrifletoshoulder。
　　"Itain’teightbellsyet！"Cardegeeexpostulated。"I’ll’auntyou，sure！"
　　JacobKentfaltered。Hewasstandingbythesun—dial，perhapstenpacesfromhisvictim。Themanonthesledmusthaveseenthatsomethingunusualwastakingplace，forhehadrisentohisknees，hiswhipsingingviciouslyamongthedogs。
　　Theshadowssweptintoline。Kentlookedalongthesights。
　　"Makeready！"hecommandedsolemnly。"Eightb—"
　　Butjustafractionofasecondtoosoon，Cardegeerolledbackwardintothehole。Kentheldhisfireandrantotheedge。Bang！
　　Thegunexplodedfullinthesailor’sfaceasherosetohisfeet。
　　Butnosmokecamefromthemuzzle;instead，asheetofflameburstfromthesideofthebarrelnearitsbutt，andJacobKentwentdown。Thedogsdashedupthebank，draggingthesledoverhisbody，andthedriversprangoffasJimCardegeefreedhishandsanddrewhimselffromthehole。
　　"Jim！"Thenew—comerrecognizedhim。"What’sthematter？"
　　"Wot’sthematter？Oh，nothinkatall。Itjest’appensasIdolittlethingslikethisformy’ealth。Wot’sthematter，youbloomin’idjit？Wot’sthematter，eh？CastmelooseorI’llshowyouwot！’Urryup，orI’ll’olystonethedeckswithyou！"
　　"Huh！"headded，astheotherwenttoworkwithhissheath—knife。
　　"Wot’sthematter？Iwanttoknow。Jes’tellmethat，willyou，wot’sthematter？Hey？"
　　Kentwasquitedeadwhentheyrolledhimover。Thegun，anold—
　　fashioned，heavy—weightedmuzzle—loader，laynearhim。Steelandwoodhadpartedcompany。Nearthebuttoftheright—handbarrel，withlipspressedoutward，gapedafissureseveralinchesinlength。Thesailorpickeditup，curiously。Aglitteringstreamofyellowdustranoutthroughthecrack。ThefactsofthecasedawneduponJimCardegee。
　　"Strikemestandin’！"heroared;"’ere’sago！’Ere’s’isbloomin’dust！Gawdblimeme，an’you，too，Charley，ifyoudon’trunan’getthedish—pan！"
　　JAN，THEUNREPENTANT
　　"Forthere’sneveralawofGodormanRunsnorthofFifty—three。"
　　Janrolledover，clawingandkicking。Hewasfightinghandandfootnow，andhefoughtgrimly，silently。Twoofthethreemenwhohunguponhim，shouteddirectionstoeachother，andstrovetocurbtheshort，hairydevilwhowouldnotcurb。Thethirdmanhowled。HisfingerwasbetweenJan’steeth。
　　"Quityertantrums，Jan，an’easeup！"pantedRedBill，gettingastrangle—holdonJan’sneck。"Whyonearthcan’tyehhangdecentandpeaceable？"
　　ButJankepthisgriponthethirdman’sfinger，andsquirmedoverthefloorofthetent，intothepotsandpans。
　　"Youahnogentleman，suh，"reprovedMr。Taylor，hisbodyfollowinghisfinger，andendeavoringtoaccommodateitselftoeveryjerkofJan’shead。"YouhevkilledMistahGordon，asbraveandhonorableagentlemanaseverhitthetrailaftahthedogs。Youahamurderah，suh，andwithouthonah。"
　　"An’yernocomrade，"brokeinRedBill。"Ifyouwas，you’dhang’thoutrampin’aroundan’roarin’。Comeon，Jan，there’sagoodfellow。Don’tgiveusnomoretrouble。Jes’quit，an’we’llhangyehneatandhandy，an’bedonewithit。"
　　"Steady，all！"Lawson，thesailorman，bawled。"Jamhisheadintothebeanpotandbattendown。"
　　"Butmyfingah，suh，"Mr。Taylorprotested。
　　"Leggowithy’rfinger，then！Alwaysintheway！"
　　"ButIcan’t，MistahLawson。It’sinthecritter’sgullet，andnighchewedoffas’tis。"
　　"Standbyforstays！"AsLawsongavethewarning，Janhalfliftedhimself，andthestrugglingquartetflounderedacrossthetentintoamuddleoffursandblankets。Initspassageitclearedthebodyofaman，wholaymotionless，bleedingfromabullet—woundintheneck。
　　AllthiswasbecauseofthemadnesswhichhadcomeuponJan——themadnesswhichcomesuponamanwhohasstrippedofftherawskinofearthandgrovelledlonginprimalnakedness，andbeforewhoseeyesrisesthefatvalesofthehomeland，andintowhosenostrilsstealsthewhiffofbay，andgrass，andflower，andnew—turnedsoil。ThroughfivefrigidyearsJanhadsowntheseed。StuartRiver，FortyMile，CircleCity，Koyokuk，Kotzebue，hadmarkedhisbleakandstrenuousagriculture，andnowitwasNomethatboretheharvest，——nottheNomeofgoldenbeachesandrubysands，buttheNomeof’97，beforeAnvilCitywaslocated，orEldoradoDistrictorganized。JohnGordonwasaYankee，andshouldhaveknownbetter。ButhepassedthesharpwordatatimewhenJan’sblood—
　　shoteyesblazedandhisteethgrittedintorment。Andbecauseofthis，therewasasmellofsaltpetreinthetent，andonelayquietly，whiletheotherfoughtlikeacorneredrat，andrefusedtohanginthedecentandpeacablemannersuggestedbyhiscomrades。
　　"Ifyouwillallowme，MistahLawson，befoahwegofurtherinthisrumpus，Iwouldsayitwahagoodideatoprythishyervarmint’steethapart。Neitherwillhebiteoff，norwillheletgo。Hehasthewisdomofthesarpint，suh，thewisdomofthesarpint。"
　　"Lemmegetthehatchettohim！"vociferatedthesailor。"Lemmegetthehatchet！"HeshovedthesteeledgeclosetoMr。Taylor’sfingerandusedtheman’steethasafulcrum。Janheldonandbreathedthroughhisnose，snortinglikeagrampus。"Steady，all！
　　Nowshetakesit！"
　　"Thankyou，suh;itisapowerfulrelief。"AndMr。Taylorproceededtogatherintohisarmsthevictim’swildlywavinglegs。
　　ButJanuprearedinhisBerserkerrage;bleeding，frothing，cursing;fivefrozenyearsthawingintosuddenhell。Theyswayedbackwardandforward，panted，sweated，likesomecyclopean，many—
　　leggedmonsterrisingfromthelowerdeeps。Theslush—lampwentover，drownedinitsownfat，whilethemiddaytwilightscarcepercolatedthroughthedirtycanvasofthetent。
　　"FortheloveofGawd，Jan，getyersensesback！"pleadedRedBill。"Weain’tgoin’tohurtyeh，’rkillyeh，’ranythin’ofthatsort。Jes’wanttohangyeh，that’sall，an’youa—messin’
　　roundan’rampagin’somethin’terrible。Tothinkoftravellin’
　　trailtogetheran’thenbein’treatedthis—away。Wouldn’t’bleeveditofyeh，Jan！"
　　"He’sgottoomuchsteerage—way。Grabholthislegs，Taylor，andheave’mover！"
　　"Yes，suh，MistahLawson。Doyoupressyouahweightabove，afterIgivetheword。"TheKentuckiangropedabouthiminthemurkydarkness。"Now，suh，nowistheacceptedtime！"
　　Therewasagreatsurge，andaquarterofatonofhumanfleshtotteredandcrashedtoitsfallagainsttheside—wall。Pegsdrewandguy—ropesparted，andthetent，collapsing，wrappedthebattleinitsgreasyfolds。
　　"Yeronlymakin’itharderferyerself，"RedBillcontinued，atthesametimedrivingbothhisthumbsintoahairythroat，thepossessorofwhichhehadpinneddown。"You’vemadenuisanceenougha’ready，an’it’lltakehalfthedaytogetthingsstraightenedwhenwe’vestrungyehup。"
　　"I’llthankyoutoleavego，suh，"splutteredMr。Taylor。
　　RedBillgruntedandloosedhisgrip，andthetwaincrawledoutintotheopen。AtthesameinstantJankickedclearofthesailor，andtooktohisheelsacrossthesnow。
　　"Hi！youlazydevils！Buck！Bright！Sic’m！Pull’mdown！"sangoutLawson，lungingthroughthesnowafterthefleeingman。BuckandBright，followedbytherestofthedogs，outstrippedhimandrapidlyoverhauledthemurderer。
　　Therewasnoreasonthatthesemenshoulddothis;noreasonforJantorunaway;noreasonforthemtoattempttopreventhim。Ontheonehandstretchedthebarrensnow—land;ontheother，thefrozensea。Withneitherfoodnorshelter，hecouldnotrunfar。
　　Alltheyhadtodowastowaittillhewanderedbacktothetent，asheinevitablymust，whenthefrostandhungerlaidholdofhim。
　　Butthesemendidnotstoptothink。Therewasacertaintaintofmadnessrunningintheveinsofallofthem。Besides，bloodhadbeenspilled，anduponthemwastheblood—lust，thickandhot。
　　"Vengeanceismine，"saiththeLord，andHesaithitintemperateclimeswherethewarmsunstealsawaytheenergiesofmen。ButintheNorthlandtheyhavediscoveredthatprayerisonlyefficaciouswhenbackedbymuscle，andtheyareaccustomedtodoingthingsforthemselves。Godiseverywhere，theyhaveheard，butheflingsashadowoverthelandforhalftheyearthattheymaynotfindhim;
　　sotheygropeindarkness，anditisnottobewonderedthattheyoftendoubt，anddeemtheDecalogueoutofgear。
　　Janranblindly，reckoningnotofthewayofhisfeet，forhewasmasteredbytheverb"tolive。"Tolive！Toexist！Buckflashedgraythroughtheair，butmissed。Themanstruckmadlyathim，andstumbled。ThenthewhiteteethofBrightclosedonhismackinawjacket，andhepitchedintothesnow。TOLIVE！TO
　　EXIST！Hefoughtwildlyasever，thecentreofatossingheapofmenanddogs。Hislefthandgrippedawolf—dogbythescruffoftheback，whilethearmwaspassedaroundtheneckofLawson。
　　Everystruggleofthedoghelpedtothrottlethehaplesssailor。
　　Jan’srighthandwasburieddeepinthecurlingtendrilsofRedBill’sshaggyhead，andbeneathall，Mr。Taylorlaypinnedandhelpless。Itwasadeadlock，forthestrengthofhismadnesswasprodigious;butsuddenly，withoutapparentreason，Janloosedhisvariousgripsandrolledoverquietlyonhisback。Hisadversariesdrewawayalittle，dubiousanddisconcerted。Jangrinnedviciously。
　　"Minefriends，"hesaid，stillgrinning，"youhafaskedmetobepoliteful，undnowIampoliteful。Votpizinessvoodyoudomitme？"
　　"That’sright，Jan。Beca’m，"soothedRedBill。"Iknowedyou’dcometoyersensesaforelong。Jes’beca’mnow，an’we’lldothetrickwithneatnessanddespatch。"
　　"Votpiziness？Vottrick？"
　　"Thehangin’。An’yehoughterthankyerluckystarsforhavin’amanwhatknowshisbusiness。I’vediditaforenow，more’nonce，downintheStates，an’IcandoittoaT。"
　　"Hangwho？Me？"
　　"Yep。"
　　"Ha！ha！Shustheardermanspeakfoolishness！Gifmeahand，Bill，undIvillgetupundbehung。"Hecrawledstifflytohisfeetandlookedabouthim。"HerrGott！listentoderman！Hevoodhangme！Ho！ho！ho！Itanknot！Yes，Itanknot！"
　　"AndItankyes，youswab，"Lawsonspokeupmockingly，atthesametimecuttingasled—lashingandcoilingitupwithominouscare。
　　"JudgeLynchholdscourtthisday。"
　　"Vonliddlewhile。"Jansteppedbackfromtheprofferednoose。
　　"Ihafsomedingstoaskundtomakedergreatproposition。
　　Kentucky，youknowaboutderShudgeLynch？"
　　"Yes，suh。Itisaninstitutionoffreemenandofgentlemen，anditisanoleoneandtime—honored。Corruptionmayweartherobeofmagistracy，suh，butJudgeLynchcanalwaysbereliedupontogivejusticewithoutcourtfees。Irepeat，suh，withoutcourtfees。Lawmaybeboughtandsold，butinthisenlightenedlandjusticeisfreeastheairwebreathe，strongasthelickerwedrink，promptas——"
　　"Cutitshort！Findoutwhatthebeggarwants，"interruptedLawson，spoilingtheperoration。
　　"Vell，Kentucky，tellmedis：vonmankillvonodderman，ShudgeLynchhangdotman？"
　　"Iftheevidenceisstrongenough——yes，suh。"
　　"An’theevidenceinthisherecaseisstrongenoughtohangadozenmen，Jan，"brokeinRedBill。
　　"Neferyoumind，Bill。Italkmityounext。NowvonanodderdingIaskKentucky。IfShudgeLynchhangnotderman，votden？"
　　"IfJudgeLynchdoesnothangtheman，thenthemangoesfree，andhishandsarewashedcleanofblood。Andfurther，suh，ourgreatandgloriousconstitutionhassaid，towit：thatnomanmaytwicebeplacedinjeopardyofhislifeforoneandthesamecrime，orwordstothateffect。"
　　"Untdeycan’tshoothim，orhithimmitacluboverderheadalongside，ordonodingsmoremithim？"
　　"No，suh。"
　　"Goot！YouhearvotKentuckyspeaks，allyounoddleheads？NowI
　　talkmitBill。Youknowderpiziness，Bill，undyouhangmeupbrown，eh？Votyousay？"
　　"’Betcherlife，an’，Jan，ifyehdon’tgivenomoretroubleye’llbealmightyproudofthejob。I’maconnesoor。"
　　"Youhafdergreathead，Bill，undknowsomedingsortwo。Undyouknowtwoundonemakestree——ain’tit？"
　　Billnodded。
　　"Undwhenyouhaftwodings，youhafnottreedings——ain’tit？
　　NowyoufollowmitmecloseundIshowyou。Ittakestreedingstohang。Firstding，youhaftohafderman。Goot！Iamderman。Secondding，youhaftohafderrope。Lawsonhafderrope。
　　Goot！Undtirdding，youhaftohafsomedingtotiederropeto。
　　Slingyoureyesoverderlandscapeundfinddertirddingtotiederropeto？Eh？Votyousay？"
　　Mechanicallytheyswepttheiceandsnowwiththeireyes。Itwasahomogeneousscene，devoidofcontrastsorboldcontours，dreary，desolate，andmonotonous，——theice—packedsea，theslowslopeofthebeach，thebackgroundoflow—lyinghills，andoverallthrowntheendlessmantleofsnow。"Notrees，nobluffs，nocabins，notelegraphpoles，nothin’，"moanedRedBill;"nothin’respectableenoughnorbigenoughtoswingthetoesofafive—footmanclearo’theground。Igiveitup。"HelookedyearninglyatthatportionofJan’sanatomywhichjoinstheheadandshoulders。
　　"Giveitup，"herepeatedsadlytoLawson。"Throwtheropedown。
　　Gawdneverintendedthisherecountryforlivin’purposes，an’
　　that’sacoldfrozenfact。"
　　Jangrinnedtriumphantly。"ItankIgomitdertentundhafasmoke。"
　　"Ostensibleey’rcorrect，Bill，meson，"spokeupLawson;"buty’radummy，andyoucanlaytothatforanothercoldfrozenfact。
　　Takesaseafarmertolearnyoulandsmenthings。Everhearofapairofshears？Thenclapy’reyestothis。"
　　Thesailorworkedrapidly。Fromthepileofdunnagewheretheyhadpulleduptheboattheprecedingfall，heunearthedapairoflongoars。Thesehelashedtogether，atnearlyrightangles，closetotheendsoftheblades。Wherethehandlesrestedhekickedholesthroughthesnowtothesand。Atthepointofintersectionheattachedtwoguy—ropes，makingtheendofonefasttoacakeofbeach—ice。TheotherguyhepassedovertoRedBill。
　　"Here，meson，layholto’thatandrunitout。"
　　Andtohishorror，Jansawhisgallowsriseintheair。"No！no！"
　　hecried，recoilingandputtinguphisfists。"Itisnotgoot！I
　　villnothang！Come，younoddleheads！Ivilllickyou，alltogether，vonafterderodder！Ivillblayhell！Ivilldoeferydings！UndIvilldiepeforeIhang！"
　　Thesailorpermittedthetwoothermentoclinchwiththemadcreature。Theyrolledandtossedaboutfuriously，tearingupsnowandtundra，theirfiercestrugglewritingatragedyofhumanpassiononthewhitesheetspreadbynature。AndeverandanonahandorfootofJanemergedfromthetangle，tobegrippedbyLawsonandlashedfastwithrope—yarns。Pawing，clawing，blaspheming，hewasconqueredandbound，inchbyinch，anddrawntowheretheinexorableshearslaylikeapairofgiganticdividersonthesnow。RedBilladjustedthenoose，placingthehangman’sknotproperlyundertheleftear。Mr。TaylorandLawsontailedontotherunning—guy，readyatthewordtoelevatethegallows。Billlingered，contemplatinghisworkwithartisticappreciation。
　　"HerrGott！Voodyoulookatit！"
　　ThehorrorinJan’svoicecausedtheresttodesist。Thefallententhaduprisen，andinthegatheringtwilightitflappedghostlyarmsaboutandtitubatedtowardthemdrunkenly。ButthenextinstantJohnGordonfoundtheopeningandcrawledforth。
　　"Whattheflaming——！"Forthemomenthisvoicediedawayinhisthroatashiseyestookinthetableau。"Holdon！I’mnotdead！"
　　hecriedout，cominguptothegroupwithstormycountenance。
　　"Allowme，MistahGordon，tocongratulateyouuponyouahescape，"
　　Mr。Taylorventured。"Acloseshave，suh，apowahfulcloseshave。"
　　"Congratulatehell！Imighthavebeendeadandrottenandnothankstoyou，you——！"AndthereatJohnGordondeliveredhimselfofavigorousfloodofEnglish，terse，intensive，denunciative，andcomposedsolelyofexpletivesandadjectives。
　　"Simplycreasedme，"hewentonwhenhehadeasedhimselfsufficiently。"Evercreasecattle，Taylor？"
　　"Yes，suh，manyatimedowninGod’scountry。"
　　"Justso。That’swhathappenedtome。Bulletjustgrazedthebaseofmyskullatthetopoftheneck。Stunnedmebutnoharmdone。"Heturnedtotheboundman。"Getup，Jan。I’mgoingtolickyoutoastandstilloryou’regoingtoapologize。Therestofyouladsstandclear。"
　　"Itanknot。Shusttiemelooseundyousee，"repliedJan，theUnrepentant，thedevilwithinhimstillunconquered。"UndafterasIlickyou，Itakederrestofdernoddleheads，vonafterderodder，altogedder！"
　　GRITOFWOMEN
　　Awolfishhead，wistful—eyedandfrost—rimed，thrustasidethetent—flaps。
　　"Hi！Chook！Siwash！Chook，youlimbofSatan！"chorusedtheprotestinginmates。Bettlesrappedthedogsharplywithatinplate，anditwithdrewhastily。LouisSavoyrefastenedtheflaps，kickedafrying—panoveragainstthebottom，andwarmedhishands。
　　Itwasverycoldwithout。Forty—eighthoursgone，thespiritthermometerhadburstatsixty—eightbelow，andsincethattimeithadgrownsteadilyandbitterlycolder。Therewasnotellingwhenthesnapwouldend。Anditispoorpolicy，unlessthegodswillit，toventurefarfromastoveatsuchtimes，ortoincreasethequantityofcoldatmosphereonemustbreathe。Mensometimesdoit，andsometimestheychilltheirlungs。Thisleadsuptoadry，hackingcough，noticeablyirritablewhenbaconisbeingfried。
　　Afterthat，somewherealonginthespringorsummer，aholeisburnedinthefrozenmuck。Intothisaman’scarcassisdumped，coveredoverwithmoss，andleftwiththeassurancethatitwillriseonthecrackofDoom，whollyandfrigidlyintact。Forthoseoflittlefaith，scepticalofmaterialintegrationonthatfatefulday，nofittercountrythantheKlondikecanberecommendedtodiein。Butitisnottobeinferredfromthisthatitisafitcountryforlivingpurposes。
　　Itwasverycoldwithout，butitwasnotover—warmwithin。Theonlyarticlewhichmightbedesignatedfurniturewasthestove，andforthisthemenwerefrankindisplayingtheirpreference。
　　Uponhalfofthefloorpineboughshadbeencast;abovethiswerespreadthesleeping—furs，beneathlaythewinter’ssnowfall。Theremainderofthefloorwasmoccasin—packedsnow，litteredwithpotsandpansandthegeneralimpedimentaofanArcticcamp。Thestovewasredandroaringhot，butonlyabarethreefeetawaylayablockofice，assharp—edgedanddryaswhenfirstquarriedfromthecreekbottom。Thepressureoftheoutsidecoldforcedtheinnerheatupward。Justabovethestove，wherethepipepenetratedtheroof，wasatinycircleofdrycanvas;next，withthepipealwaysascentre，acircleofsteamingcanvas;nextadampandmoisture—exudingring;andfinally，therestofthetent，sidewallsandtop，coatedwithahalf—inchofdry，white，crystal—
　　encrustedfrost。
　　"Oh！OH！OH！"Ayoungfellow，lyingasleepinthefurs，beardedandwanandweary，raisedamoanofpain，andwithoutwakingincreasedthepitchandintensityofhisanguish。Hisbodyhalf—
　　liftedfromtheblankets，andquiveredandshrankspasmodically，asthoughdrawingawayfromabedofnettles。
　　"Roll’mover！"orderedBettles。"He’scrampin’。"
　　Andthereat，withpitilessgood—will，hewaspitcheduponandrolledandthumpedandpoundedbyhalf—a—dozenwillingcomrades。
　　"Damnthetrail，"hemutteredsoftly，ashethrewofftherobesandsatup。"I’verunacrosscountry，playedquarterthreeseasonshand—running，andhardenedmyselfinallmannerofways;
　　andthenIpilgrimitintothisGod—forsakenlandandfindmyselfaneffeminateAthenianwithoutthesimplestrudimentsofmanhood！"
　　Hehuncheduptothefireandrolledacigarette。"Oh，I’mnotwhining。Icantakemymedicineallright，allright;butI’mjustdecentlyashamedofmyself，that’sall。HereIam，ontopofadirtythirtymiles，asknockedupandstiffandsoreasapink—
　　teadegenerateafterafive—milewalkonacountryturn—pike。
　　Bah！Itmakesmesick！Gotamatch？""Don’tgitthetantrums，youngster。"Bettlespassedovertherequiredfire—stickandwaxedpatriarchal。"Ye’vegotter’lowsomeforthebreakin’—in。
　　Sufferin’cracky！don’tIrecollectthefirsttimeIhitthetrail！Stiff？I’veseenthetimeit’dtakemetenminutestogitmymouthfromthewaterholean’cometomyfeet——everyjintcrackin’an’kickin’fittokill。Cramp？Insechknotsit’dtakethecamphalfadaytountangleme。You’reallright，foracub，anyye’vethetruesperrit。Comethisdayyear，you’llwalkallusoldbucksintothegroundanytime。An’bestinyourfavor，youhain’tgotthatstreakoffatinyourmake—upwhichhassentmanyahuskymantothebosomofAbrahamaforehisrightandpropertime。"
　　"Streakoffat？"
　　"Yep。Comesalongofbulk。’Tain’tthebigmenasisthebestwhenitcomestothetrail。"
　　"Neverheardofit。"
　　"Neverheeredofit，eh？Well，it’sadeadstraight，open—an’—
　　shutfact，an’nogittin’round。Bulk’sallwellenoughforamightybigeffort，but’thoutstayin’powersitain’tworthacontinentalwhoop;an’stayin’powersan’bulkain’trunnin’
　　mates。Takesthesmall，wiryfellowswhenitcomestogittin’
　　rightdownan’hangin’onlikealean—jowleddogtoabone。Why，hell’sfire，thebigmentheyain’tinit！"
　　"Bygar！"brokeinLouisSavoy，"datisno，votyoucall，josh！I
　　knowonemans，sovairebeeglikezebuffalo。Withim，onzeSulphurCreekstampede，goonesmallmans，LonMcFane。YouknowdatLonMcFane，datleetleIrisherwitzeredhairandzegrin。
　　An’deywalkan’walkan’walk，allzedaylongan’zenightlong。
　　Andbeegmans，himbecomevairetired，an’laydownmoochinzesnow。Andleetlemanskeekbeegmans，an’himcrylike，votyoucall——ah！votyoucallzekid。Andleetlemanskeekan’keekan’
　　keek，an’bimeby，longtime，longway，keekbeegmansintomycabin。Treedays’forehimcrawloutmyblankets。NevaireIseebeegsquawlikehim。Nonevaire。Himhafvotyoucallzestreakoffat。Youbet。"
　　"ButtherewasAxelGunderson，"Princespokeup。ThegreatScandinavian，withthetragiceventswhichshadowedhispassing，hadmadeadeepmarkontheminingengineer。"Heliesupthere，somewhere。"Heswepthishandinthevaguedirectionofthemysteriouseast。
　　"BiggestmanthateverturnedhisheelstoSaltWater，orrunamoosedownwithsheergrit，"supplementedBettles;"buthe’stheprove—the—ruleexception。Lookathiswoman，Unga，——tipthescalesatahundredan’ten，cleanmeatan’naryouncetospare。
　　She’dbankgrit’gainsthisforalltherewasinhim，an’seehim，an’gohimbetterifitwaspossible。Nothingovertheearth，orinit，orunderit，shewouldn’t’a’done。"
　　"Butshelovedhim，"objectedtheengineer。
　　"’Tain’tthat。It——"
　　"Lookyou，brothers，"brokeinSitkaCharleyfromhisseatonthegrub—box。"Yehavespokenofthestreakoffatthatrunsinbigmen’smuscles，ofthegritofwomenandthelove，andyehavespokenfair;butIhaveinmindthingswhichhappenedwhenthelandwasyoungandthefiresofmenapartasthestars。ItwasthenIhadconcernwithabigman，andastreakoffat，andawoman。Andthewomanwassmall;butherheartwasgreaterthanthebeef—heartoftheman，andshehadgrit。Andwetraveledawearytrail，eventotheSaltWater，andthecoldwasbitter，thesnowdeep，thehungergreat。Andthewoman’slovewasamightylove——nomorecanmansaythanthis。"
　　Hepaused，andwiththehatchetbrokepiecesoficefromthelargechunkbesidehim。Thesehethrewintothegoldpanonthestove，wherethedrinking—waterthawed。Themendrewupcloser，andheofthecrampssoughtgreatercomfortvainlyforhisstiffenedbody。
　　"Brothers，mybloodisredwithSiwash，butmyheartiswhite。TothefaultsofmyfathersIowetheone，tothevirtuesofmyfriendstheother。AgreattruthcametomewhenIwasyetaboy。
　　Ilearnedthattoyourkindandyouwasgiventheearth;thattheSiwashcouldnotwithstandyou，andlikethecaribouandthebear，mustperishinthecold。SoIcameintothewarmandsatamongyou，byyourfires，andbehold，Ibecameoneofyou，Ihaveseenmuchinmytime。Ihaveknownstrangethings，andbuckedbig，onbigtrails，withmenofmanybreeds。Andbecauseofthesethings，Imeasuredeedsafteryourmanner，andjudgemen，andthinkthoughts。Wherefore，whenIspeakharshlyofoneofyourownkind，Iknowyouwillnottakeitamiss;andwhenIspeakhighofoneofmyfather’speople，youwillnottakeituponyoutosay，’SitkaCharleyisSiwash，andthereisacrookedlightinhiseyesandsmallhonortohistongue。’Isitnotso？"
　　Deepdowninthroat，thecirclevouchsafeditsassent。
　　"ThewomanwasPassuk。Igotherinfairtradefromherpeople，whowereoftheCoastandwhoseChilcattotemstoodattheheadofasaltarmofthesea。Myheartdidnotgoouttothewoman，nordidItakestockofherlooks。Forshescarcetookhereyesfromtheground，andshewastimidandafraid，asgirlswillbewhencastintoastranger’sarmswhomtheyhaveneverseenbefore。AsIsay，therewasnoplaceinmyheartforhertocreep，forIhadagreatjourneyinmind，andstoodinneedofonetofeedmydogsandtoliftapaddlewithmethroughthelongriverdays。Oneblanketwouldcoverthetwain;soIchosePassuk。
　　"HaveInotsaidIwasaservanttotheGovernment？Ifnot，itiswellthatyeknow。SoIwastakenonawarship，sledsanddogsandevaporatedfoods，andwithmecamePassuk。Andwewentnorth，tothewinterice—rimofBeringSea，wherewewerelanded，——
　　myself，andPassuk，andthedogs。IwasalsogivenmoneysoftheGovernment，forIwasitsservant，andchartsoflandswhichtheeyesofmanhadneverdweltupon，andmessages。Thesemessagesweresealed，andprotectedshrewdlyfromtheweather，andIwastodeliverthemtothewhale—shipsoftheArctic，ice—boundbythegreatMackenzie。Neverwastheresogreatariver，forgettingonlyourownYukon，theMotherofallRivers。
　　"Allofwhichisneitherherenorthere，formystorydealsnotwiththewhale—ships，northeberg—boundwinterIspentbytheMackenzie。Afterward，inthespring，whenthedayslengthenedandtherewasacrusttothesnow，wecamesouth，PassukandI，totheCountryoftheYukon。Awearyjourney，butthesunpointedoutthewayofourfeet。Itwasanakedlandthen，asIhavesaid，andweworkedupthecurrent，withpoleandpaddle，tillwecametoFortyMile。Gooditwastoseewhitefacesonceagain，soweputintothebank。Andthatwinterwasahardwinter。Thedarknessandthecolddrewdownuponus，andwiththemthefamine。
　　ToeachmantheagentoftheCompanygavefortypoundsofflourandtwentyofbacon。Therewerenobeans。And，thedogshowledalways，andtherewereflatbelliesanddeep—linedfaces，andstrongmenbecameweak，andweakmendied。Therewasalsomuchscurvy。
　　"Thencamewetogetherinthestoreonenight，andtheemptyshelvesmadeusfeelourownemptinessthemore。Wetalkedlow，bythelightofthefire，forthecandleshadbeensetasideforthosewhomightyetgaspinthespring。Discussionwasheld，anditwassaidthatamanmustgoforthtotheSaltWaterandtelltotheworldourmisery。Atthisalleyesturnedtome，foritwasunderstoodthatIwasagreattraveler。’Itissevenhundredmiles，’saidI，’toHainesMissionbythesea，andeveryinchofitsnowshoework。Givemethepickofyourdogsandthebestofyourgrub，andIwillgo。AndwithmeshallgoPassuk。’
　　"Tothistheywereagreed。Buttherearoseone，LongJeff，aYankee—man，big—bonedandbig—muscled。Alsohistalkwasbig。
　　He，too，wasamightytraveler，hesaid，borntothesnowshoeandbreduponbuffalomilk。Hewouldgowithme，incaseIfellbythetrail，thathemightcarrythewordontotheMission。Iwasyoung，andIknewnotYankee—men。HowwasItoknowthatbigtalkbetokenedthestreakoffat，orthatYankee—menwhodidgreatthingskepttheirteethtogether？Sowetookthepickofthedogsandthebestofthegrub，andstruckthetrail，wethree，——Passuk，LongJeff，andI。
　　"Well，yehavebrokenvirginsnow，laboredatthegee—pole，andarenotunusedtothepackedriver—jams;soIwilltalklittleofthetoil，savethatonsomedayswemadetenmiles，andonothersthirty，butmoreoftenten。Andthebestofthegrubwasnotgood，whilewewentonstintfromthestart。Likewisethepickofthedogswaspoor，andwewerehardputtokeepthemontheirlegs。AttheWhiteRiverourthreesledsbecametwosleds，andwehadonlycometwohundredmiles。Butwelostnothing;thedogsthatleftthetraceswentintothebelliesofthosethatremained。
　　"Notagreeting，notacurlofsmoke，tillwemadePelly。HereI
　　hadcountedongrub;andhereIhadcountedonleavingLongJeff，whowaswhiningandtrail—sore。Butthefactor’slungswerewheezing，hiseyesbright，hiscachenighempty;andheshowedustheemptycacheofthemissionary，alsohisgravewiththerockspiledhightokeepoffthedogs。TherewasabunchofIndiansthere，butbabiesandoldmentherewerenone，anditwasclearthatfewwouldseethespring。
　　"Sowepulledon，light—stomachedandheavy—hearted，withhalfathousandmilesofsnowandsilencebetweenusandHainesMissionbythesea。Thedarknesswasatitsworst，andatmiddaythesuncouldnotclearthesky—linetothesouth。Buttheice—jamsweresmaller，thegoingbetter;soIpushedthedogshardandtraveledlateandearly。AsIsaidatFortyMile，everyinchofitwassnow—shoework。Andtheshoesmadegreatsoresonourfeet，whichcrackedandscabbedbutwouldnotheal。Andeverydaythesesoresgrewmoregrievous，tillinthemorning，whenwegirdedontheshoes，LongJeffcriedlikeachild。Iputhimattheforeofthelightsledtobreaktrail，butheslippedofftheshoesforcomfort。Becauseofthisthetrailwasnotpacked，hismoccasinsmadegreatholes，andintotheseholesthedogswallowed。Thebonesofthedogswerereadytobreakthroughtheirhides，andthiswasnotgoodforthem。SoIspokehardwordstotheman，andhepromised，andbrokehisword。ThenIbeathimwiththedog—
　　whip，andafterthatthedogswallowednomore。Hewasachild，whatofthepainandthestreakoffat。
　　"ButPassuk。Whilethemanlaybythefireandwept，shecooked，andinthemorninghelpedlashthesleds，andintheeveningtounlashthem。Andshesavedthedogs。Everwasshetothefore，liftingthewebbedshoesandmakingthewayeasy。Passuk——howshallIsay？——Itookitforgrantedthatsheshoulddothesethings，andthoughtnomoreaboutit。Formymindwasbusywithothermatters，andbesides，Iwasyounginyearsandknewlittleofwoman。ItwasonlyonlookingbackthatIcametounderstand。
　　"Andthemanbecameworthless。Thedogshadlittlestrengthinthem，buthestoleridesonthesledwhenhelaggedbehind。
　　Passuksaidshewouldtaketheonesled，sothemanhadnothingtodo。InthemorningIgavehimhisfairshareofgrubandstartedhimonthetrailalone。ThenthewomanandIbrokecamp，packedthesleds，andharnessedthedogs。Bymidday，whenthesunmockedus，wewouldovertaketheman，withthetearsfrozenonhischeeks，andpasshim。Inthenightwemadecamp，setasidehisfairshareofgrub，andspreadhisfurs。Alsowemadeabigfire，thathemightsee。Andhoursafterwardhewouldcomelimpingin，andeathisgrubwithmoansandgroans，andsleep。Hewasnotsick，thisman。Hewasonlytrail—soreandtired，andweakwithhunger。ButPassukandIweretrail—soreandtired，andweakwithhunger;andwedidalltheworkandhedidnone。ButhehadthestreakoffatofwhichourbrotherBettleshasspoken。Further，wegavethemanalwayshisfairshareofgrub。
　　"ThenonedaywemettwoghostsjourneyingthroughtheSilence。
　　Theywereamanandaboy，andtheywerewhite。TheicehadopenedonLakeLeBarge，andthroughithadgonetheirmainoutfit。Oneblanketeachcarriedabouthisshoulders。Atnighttheybuiltafireandcrouchedoverittillmorning。Theyhadalittleflour。Thistheystirredinwarmwateranddrank。Themanshowedmeeightcupsofflour——alltheyhad，andPelly，strickenwithfamine，twohundredmilesaway。Theysaid，also，thattherewasanIndianbehind;thattheyhadwhackedfair，butthathecouldnotkeepup。Ididnotbelievetheyhadwhackedfair，elsewouldtheIndianhavekeptup。ButIcouldgivethemnogrub。
　　Theystrovetostealadog——thefattest，whichwasverythin——butIshovedmypistolintheirfacesandtoldthembegone。Andtheywentaway，likedrunkenmen，throughtheSilencetowardPelly。
　　"Ihadthreedogsnow，andonesled，andthedogswereonlybonesandhair。Whenthereislittlewood，thefireburnslowandthecabingrowscold。Sowithus。Withlittlegrubthefrostbitessharp，andourfaceswereblackandfrozentillourownmotherswouldnothaveknownus。Andourfeetwereverysore。Inthemorning，whenIhitthetrail，Isweatedtokeepdownthecrywhenthepainofthesnowshoessmoteme。Passukneveropenedherlips，butsteppedtotheforetobreaktheway。Themanhowled。
　　"TheThirtyMilewasswift，andthecurrentateawaytheicefrombeneath，andthereweremanyair—holesandcracks，andmuchopenwater。Onedaywecameupontheman，resting，forhehadgoneahead，aswashiswont，inthemorning。Butbetweenuswasopenwater。Thishehadpassedaroundbytakingtotherim—icewhereitwastoonarrowforasled。Sowefoundanice—bridge。Passukweighedlittle，andwentfirst，withalongpolecrosswiseinherhandsinchanceshebrokethrough。Butshewaslight，andhershoeslarge，andshepassedover。Thenshecalledthedogs。Buttheyhadneitherpolesnorshoes，andtheybrokethroughandweresweptunderbythewater。Iheldtighttothesledfrombehind，tillthetracesbrokeandthedogswentondownundertheice。
　　Therewaslittlemeattothem，butIhadcountedonthemforaweek’sgrub，andtheyweregone。
　　"ThenextmorningIdividedallthegrub，whichwaslittle，intothreeportions。AndItoldLongJeffthathecouldkeepupwithus，ornot，ashesawfit;forweweregoingtotravellightandfast。Butheraisedhisvoiceandcriedoverhissorefeetandhistroubles，andsaidharshthingsagainstcomradeship。Passuk’sfeetweresore，andmyfeetweresore——ay，sorerthanhis，forwehadworkedwiththedogs;also，welookedtosee。LongJeffsworehewoulddiebeforehehitthetrailagain;soPassuktookafurrobe，andIacookingpotandanaxe，andwemadereadytogo。
　　Butshelookedontheman’sportion，andsaid，’Itiswrongtowastegoodfoodonababy。Heisbetterdead。’Ishookmyheadandsaidno——thatacomradeoncewasacomradealways。ThenshespokeofthemenofFortyMile;thattheyweremanymenandgood;
　　andthattheylookedtomeforgrubinthespring。ButwhenI
　　stillsaidno，shesnatchedthepistolfrommybelt，quick，andasourbrotherBettleshasspoken，LongJeffwenttothebosomofAbrahambeforehistime。IchidedPassukforthis;butsheshowednosorrow，norwasshesorrowful。AndinmyheartIknewshewasright。"
　　SitkaCharleypausedandthrewpiecesoficeintothegoldpanonthestove。Themenweresilent，andtheirbackschilledtothesobbingcriesofthedogsastheygavetonguetotheirmiseryintheoutercold。
　　"Anddaybydaywepassedinthesnowthesleeping—placesofthetwoghosts——PassukandI——andweknewwewouldbegladforsucherewemadeSaltWater。ThenwecametotheIndian，likeanotherghost，withhisfacesettowardPelly。Theyhadnotwhackedupfair，themanandtheboy，hesaid，andhehadhadnoflourforthreedays。Eachnightheboiledpiecesofhismoccasinsinacup，andatethem。Hedidnothavemuchmoccasinsleft。AndhewasaCoastIndian，andtoldusthesethingsthroughPassuk，whotalkedhistongue。HewasastrangerintheYukon，andheknewnottheway，buthisfacewassettoPelly。Howfarwasit？Twosleeps？ten？ahundred——hedidnotknow，buthewasgoingtoPelly。Itwastoofartoturnback;hecouldonlykeepon。
　　"Hedidnotaskforgrub，forhecouldseewe，too，werehardput。
　　Passuklookedattheman，andatme，asthoughshewereoftwominds，likeamotherpartridgewhoseyoungareintrouble。SoI
　　turnedtoherandsaid，’Thismanhasbeendealtunfair。ShallI
　　givehimofourgrubaportion？’Isawhereyeslight，aswithquickpleasure;butshelookedlongatthemanandatme，andhermouthdrewcloseandhard，andshesaid，’No。TheSaltWaterisafaroff，andDeathliesinwait。BetteritisthathetakethisstrangermanandletmymanCharleypass。’SothemanwentawayintheSilencetowardPelly。Thatnightshewept。NeverhadI
　　seenherweepbefore。Norwasitthesmokeofthefire，forthewoodwasdrywood。SoImarveledathersorrow，andthoughtherwoman’shearthadgrownsoftatthedarknessofthetrailandthepain。
　　"Lifeisastrangething。MuchhaveIthoughtonit，andponderedlong，yetdailythestrangenessofitgrowsnotless，butmore。
　　WhythislongingforLife？Itisagamewhichnomanwins。Toliveistotoilhard，andtosuffersore，tillOldAgecreepsheavilyuponusandwethrowdownourhandsonthecoldashesofdeadfires。Itishardtolive。Inpainthebabesuckshisfirstbreath，inpaintheoldmangaspshislast，andallhisdaysarefulloftroubleandsorrow;yethegoesdowntotheopenarmsofDeath，stumbling，falling，withheadturnedbackward，fightingtothelast。AndDeathiskind。ItisonlyLife，andthethingsofLifethathurt。YetweloveLife，andwehateDeath。Itisverystrange。
　　"Wespokelittle，PassukandI，inthedayswhichcame。Inthenightwelayinthesnowlikedeadpeople，andinthemorningwewentonourway，walkinglikedeadpeople。Andallthingsweredead。Therewerenoptarmigan，nosquirrels，nosnowshoerabbits，——nothing。Therivermadenosoundbeneathitswhiterobes。Thesapwasfrozenintheforest。Anditbecamecold，asnow;andinthenightthestarsdrewnearandlarge，andleapedanddanced;andinthedaythesun—dogsmockedustillwesawmanysuns，andalltheairflashedandsparkled，andthesnowwasdiamonddust。Andtherewasnoheat，nosound，onlythebittercoldandtheSilence。AsIsay，wewalkedlikedeadpeople，asinadream，andwekeptnocountoftime。OnlyourfacesweresettoSaltWater，oursoulsstrainedforSaltWater，andourfeetcarriedustowardSaltWater。WecampedbytheTahkeena，andknewitnot。OureyeslookedupontheWhiteHorse，butwesawitnot。
　　OurfeettrodtheportageoftheCanyon，buttheyfeltitnot。Wefeltnothing。Andwefelloftenbytheway，butwefell，always，withourfacestowardSaltWater。
　　"Ourlastgrubwent，andwehadsharedfair，PassukandI，butshefellmoreoften，andatCaribouCrossingherstrengthlefther。
　　Andinthemorningwelaybeneaththeonerobeanddidnottakethetrail。ItwasinmymindtostaythereandmeetDeathhand—
　　in—handwithPassuk;forIhadgrownold，andhadlearnedtheloveofwoman。Also，itwaseightymilestoHainesMission，andthegreatChilcoot，farabovethetimber—line，rearedhisstorm—sweptheadbetween。ButPassukspoketome，low，withmyearagainstherlipsthatImighthear。Andnow，becausesheneednotfearmyanger，shespokeherheart，andtoldmeofherlove，andofmanythingswhichIdidnotunderstand。