Contains：
LostFaceTrustToBuildaFireThatSpotFlushofGoldThePassingofMarcusO’BrienTheWitofPorportukLOSTFACE
Itwastheend。Subienkowhadtravelledalongtrailofbitternessandhorror，hominglikeadoveforthecapitalsofEurope，andhere，fartherawaythanever，inRussianAmerica，thetrailceased。Hesatinthesnow，armstiedbehindhim，waitingthetorture。HestaredcuriouslybeforehimatahugeCossack，proneinthesnow，moaninginhispain。Themenhadfinishedhandlingthegiantandturnedhimovertothewomen。Thattheyexceededthefiendishnessofthemen，theman’scriesattested。
Subienkowlookedon，andshuddered。Hewasnotafraidtodie。Hehadcarriedhislifetoolonginhishands，onthatwearytrailfromWarsawtoNulato，toshudderatmeredying。Butheobjectedtothetorture。Itoffendedhissoul。Andthisoffence，inturn，wasnotduetothemerepainhemustendure，buttothesorryspectaclethepainwouldmakeofhim。Heknewthathewouldpray，andbeg，andentreat，evenasBigIvanandtheothersthathadgonebefore。Thiswouldnotbenice。Topassoutbravelyandcleanly，withasmileandajest——ah！thatwouldhavebeentheway。Buttolosecontrol，tohavehissoulupsetbythepangsoftheflesh，toscreechandgibberlikeanape，tobecometheveriestbeast——ah，thatwaswhatwassoterrible。
Therehadbeennochancetoescape。Fromthebeginning，whenhedreamedthefierydreamofPoland’sindependence，hehadbecomeapuppetinthehandsofFate。Fromthebeginning，atWarsaw，atSt。
Petersburg，intheSiberianmines，inKamtchatka，onthecrazyboatsofthefur-thieves，Fatehadbeendrivinghimtothisend。Withoutdoubt，inthefoundationsoftheworldwasgravedthisendforhim——
forhim，whowassofineandsensitive，whosenervesscarcelyshelteredunderhisskin，whowasadreamer，andapoet，andanartist。Beforehewasdreamedof，ithadbeendeterminedthatthequiveringbundleofsensitivenessthatconstitutedhimshouldbedoomedtoliveinrawandhowlingsavagery，andtodieinthisfarlandofnight，inthisdarkplacebeyondthelastboundariesoftheworld。
Hesighed。SothatthingbeforehimwasBigIvan——BigIvanthegiant，themanwithoutnerves，themanofiron，theCossackturnedfreebooteroftheseas，whowasasphlegmaticasanox，withanervoussystemsolowthatwhatwaspaintoordinarymenwasscarcelyatickletohim。Well，well，trusttheseNulatoIndianstofindBigIvan’snervesandtracethemtotherootsofhisquiveringsoul。
Theywerecertainlydoingit。Itwasinconceivablethatamancouldsuffersomuchandyetlive。BigIvanwaspayingforhisloworderofnerves。Alreadyhehadlastedtwiceaslongasanyoftheothers。
SubienkowfeltthathecouldnotstandtheCossack’ssufferingsmuchlonger。Whydidn’tIvandie？Hewouldgomadifthatscreamingdidnotcease。Butwhenitdidcease，histurnwouldcome。AndtherewasYakagaawaitinghim，too，grinningathimevennowinanticipation——Yakaga，whomonlylastweekhehadkickedoutofthefort，anduponwhosefacehehadlaidthelashofhisdog-whip。
Yakagawouldattendtohim。DoubtlesslyYakagawassavingforhimmorerefinedtortures，moreexquisitenerve-racking。Ah！thatmusthavebeenagoodone，fromthewayIvanscreamed。Thesquawsbendingoverhimsteppedbackwithlaughterandclappingofhands。Subienkowsawthemonstrousthingthathadbeenperpetrated，andbegantolaughhysterically。TheIndianslookedathiminwondermentthatheshouldlaugh。ButSubienkowcouldnotstop。
Thiswouldneverdo。Hecontrolledhimself，thespasmodictwitchingsslowlydyingaway。Hestrovetothinkofotherthings，andbeganreadingbackinhisownlife。Herememberedhismotherandhisfather，andthelittlespottedpony，andtheFrenchtutorwhohadtaughthimdancingandsneakedhimanoldworncopyofVoltaire。
OncemorehesawParis，anddrearyLondon，andgayVienna，andRome。
Andoncemorehesawthatwildgroupofyouthswhohaddreamed，evenashe，thedreamofanindependentPolandwithakingofPolandonthethroneatWarsaw。Ah，thereitwasthatthelongtrailbegan。
Well，hehadlastedlongest。Onebyone，beginningwiththetwoexecutedatSt。Petersburg，hetookupthecountofthepassingofthosebravespirits。Hereonehadbeenbeatentodeathbyajailer，andthere，onthatbloodstainedhighwayoftheexiles，wheretheyhadmarchedforendlessmonths，beatenandmaltreatedbytheirCossackguards，anotherhaddroppedbytheway。Alwaysithadbeensavagery——
brutal，bestialsavagery。Theyhaddied——offever，inthemines，undertheknout。Thelasttwohaddiedaftertheescape，inthebattlewiththeCossacks，andhealonehadwontoKamtchatkawiththestolenpapersandthemoneyofatravellerhehadleftlyinginthesnow。
Ithadbeennothingbutsavagery。Alltheyears，withhisheartinstudios，andtheatres，andcourts，hehadbeenhemmedinbysavagery。
Hehadpurchasedhislifewithblood。Everybodyhadkilled。Hehadkilledthattravellerforhispassports。HehadprovedthathewasamanofpartsbyduellingwithtwoRussianofficersonasingleday。
Hehadhadtoprovehimselfinordertowintoaplaceamongthefur-
thieves。Hehadhadtowintothatplace。Behindhimlaythethousand-years-longroadacrossallSiberiaandRussia。Hecouldnotescapethatway。Theonlywaywasahead，acrossthedarkandicyseaofBeringtoAlaska。Thewayhadledfromsavagerytodeepersavagery。Onthescurvy-rottenshipsofthefur-thieves，outoffoodandoutofwater，buffetedbytheinterminablestormsofthatstormysea，menhadbecomeanimals。ThricehehadsailedeastfromKamtchatka。Andthrice，afterallmannerofhardshipandsuffering，thesurvivorshadcomebacktoKamtchatka。Therehadbeennooutletforescape，andhecouldnotgobackthewayhehadcome，fortheminesandtheknoutawaitedhim。
Again，thefourthandlasttime，hehadsailedeast。HehadbeenwiththosewhofirstfoundthefabledSealIslands;buthehadnotreturnedwiththemtosharethewealthoffursinthemadorgiesofKamtchatka。Hehadswornnevertogoback。HeknewthattowintothosedearcapitalsofEuropehemustgoon。Sohehadchangedshipsandremainedinthedarknewland。HiscomradeswereSlavonianhuntersandRussianadventurers，MongolsandTartarsandSiberianaborigines;andthroughthesavagesofthenewworldtheyhadcutapathofblood。Theyhadmassacredwholevillagesthatrefusedtofurnishthefur-tribute;andthey，inturn，hadbeenmassacredbyships’companies。He，withoneFinn，hadbeenthesolesurvivorofsuchacompany。TheyhadspentawinterofsolitudeandstarvationonalonelyAleutianisle，andtheirrescueinthespringbyanotherfur-shiphadbeenonechanceinathousand。
Butalwaystheterriblesavageryhadhemmedhimin。Passingfromshiptoship，andeverrefusingtoreturn，hehadcometotheshipthatexploredsouth。AlldowntheAlaskacoasttheyhadencounterednothingbuthostsofsavages。Everyanchorageamongthebeetlingislandsorunderthefrowningcliffsofthemainlandhadmeantabattleorastorm。Eitherthegalesblew，threateningdestruction，orthewarcanoescameoff，mannedbyhowlingnativeswiththewar-
paintontheirfaces，whocametolearnthebloodyvirtuesofthesea-rovers’gunpowder。South，souththeyhadcoasted，cleartothemyth-landofCalifornia。Here，itwassaid，wereSpanishadventurerswhohadfoughttheirwayupfromMexico。HehadhadhopesofthoseSpanishadventurers。Escapingtothem，therestwouldhavebeeneasy——ayearortwo，whatdiditmattermoreorless——andhewouldwintoMexico，thenaship，andEuropewouldbehis。ButtheyhadmetnoSpaniards。Onlyhadtheyencounteredthesameimpregnablewallofsavagery。Thedenizensoftheconfinesoftheworld，paintedforwar，haddriventhembackfromtheshores。Atlast，whenoneboatwascutoffandeverymankilled，thecommanderhadabandonedthequestandsailedbacktothenorth。
Theyearshadpassed。HehadservedunderTebenkoffwhenMichaelovskiRedoubtwasbuilt。HehadspenttwoyearsintheKuskokwimcountry。Twosummers，inthemonthofJune，hehadmanagedtobeattheheadofKotzebueSound。Here，atthistime，thetribesassembledforbarter;hereweretobefoundspotteddeerskinsfromSiberia，ivoryfromtheDiomedes，walrusskinsfromtheshoresoftheArctic，strangestonelamps，passingintradefromtribetotribe，nooneknewwhence，and，once，ahunting-knifeofEnglishmake;andhere，Subienkowknew，wastheschoolinwhichtolearngeography。
ForhemetEskimosfromNortonSound，fromKingIslandandSt。
LawrenceIsland，fromCapePrinceofWales，andPointBarrow。Suchplaceshadothernames，andtheirdistancesweremeasuredindays。
Itwasavastregionthesetradingsavagescamefrom，andavasterregionfromwhich，byrepeatedtrade，theirstonelampsandthatsteelknifehadcome。Subienkowbullied，andcajoled，andbribed。
Everyfar-journeyerorstrangetribesmanwasbroughtbeforehim。
Perilsunaccountableandunthinkablewerementioned，aswellaswildbeasts，hostiletribes，impenetrableforests，andmightymountainranges;butalwaysfrombeyondcametherumourandthetaleofwhite-
skinnedmen，blueofeyeandfairofhair，whofoughtlikedevilsandwhosoughtalwaysforfurs。Theyweretotheeast——far，fartotheeast。Noonehadseenthem。Itwasthewordthathadbeenpassedalong。
Itwasahardschool。Onecouldnotlearngeographyverywellthroughthemediumofstrangedialects，fromdarkmindsthatmingledfactandfableandthatmeasureddistancesby"sleeps"thatvariedaccordingtothedifficultyofthegoing。ButatlastcamethewhisperthatgaveSubienkowcourage。Intheeastlayagreatriverwhereweretheseblue-eyedmen。TheriverwascalledtheYukon。
SouthofMichaelovskiRedoubtemptiedanothergreatriverwhichtheRussiansknewastheKwikpak。Thesetworiverswereone，ranthewhisper。
SubienkowreturnedtoMichaelovski。ForayearheurgedanexpeditionuptheKwikpak。ThenaroseMalakoff，theRussianhalf-
breed，toleadthewildestandmostferociousofthehell’sbrothofmongreladventurerswhohadcrossedfromKamtchatka。Subienkowwashislieutenant。TheythreadedthemazesofthegreatdeltaoftheKwikpak，pickedupthefirstlowhillsonthenorthernbank，andforhalfathousandmiles，inskincanoesloadedtothegunwaleswithtrade-goodsandammunition，foughttheirwayagainstthefive-knotcurrentofariverthatranfromtwototenmileswideinachannelmanyfathomsdeep。MalakoffdecidedtobuildthefortatNulato。
Subienkowurgedtogofarther。ButhequicklyreconciledhimselftoNulato。Thelongwinterwascomingon。Itwouldbebettertowait。
Earlythefollowingsummer，whentheicewasgone，hewoulddisappearuptheKwikpakandworkhiswaytotheHudsonBayCompany’sposts。
MalakoffhadneverheardthewhisperthattheKwikpakwastheYukon，andSubienkowdidnottellhim。
Camethebuildingofthefort。Itwasenforcedlabour。ThetieredwallsoflogsarosetothesighsandgroansoftheNulatoIndians。
Thelashwaslaidupontheirbacks，anditwastheironhandofthefreebootersoftheseathatlaidonthelash。TherewereIndiansthatranaway，andwhentheywerecaughttheywerebroughtbackandspread-eagledbeforethefort，wheretheyandtheirtribelearnedtheefficacyoftheknout。Twodiedunderit;otherswereinjuredforlife;andtheresttookthelessontoheartandranawaynomore。
Thesnowwasflyingerethefortwasfinished，andthenitwasthetimeforfurs。Aheavytributewaslaiduponthetribe。Blowsandlashingscontinued，andthatthetributeshouldbepaid，thewomenandchildrenwereheldashostagesandtreatedwiththebarbaritythatonlythefur-thievesknew。
Well，ithadbeenasowingofblood，andnowwascometheharvest。
Thefortwasgone。Inthelightofitsburning，halfthefur-thieveshadbeencutdown。Theotherhalfhadpassedunderthetorture。
OnlySubienkowremained，orSubienkowandBigIvan，ifthatwhimpering，moaningthinginthesnowcouldbecalledBigIvan。
SubienkowcaughtYakagagrinningathim。TherewasnogainsayingYakaga。Themarkofthelashwasstillonhisface。Afterall，Subienkowcouldnotblamehim，buthedislikedthethoughtofwhatYakagawoulddotohim。HethoughtofappealingtoMakamuk，thehead-chief;buthisjudgmenttoldhimthatsuchappealwasuseless。
Then，too，hethoughtofburstinghisbondsanddyingfighting。Suchanendwouldbequick。Buthecouldnotbreakhisbonds。Caribouthongswerestrongerthanhe。Stilldevising，anotherthoughtcametohim。HesignedforMakamuk，andthataninterpreterwhoknewthecoastdialectshouldbebrought。
"Oh，Makamuk，"hesaid，"Iamnotmindedtodie。Iamagreatman，anditwerefoolishnessformetodie。Intruth，Ishallnotdie。I
amnotliketheseothercarrion。"
HelookedatthemoaningthingthathadoncebeenBigIvan，andstirreditcontemptuouslywithhistoe。
"Iamtoowisetodie。Behold，Ihaveagreatmedicine。Ialoneknowthismedicine。SinceIamnotgoingtodie，Ishallexchangethismedicinewithyou。"
"Whatisthismedicine？"Makamukdemanded。
"Itisastrangemedicine。"
Subienkowdebatedwithhimselfforamoment，asiflothtopartwiththesecret。
"Iwilltellyou。Alittlebitofthismedicinerubbedontheskinmakestheskinhardlikearock，hardlikeiron，sothatnocuttingweaponcancutit。Thestrongestblowofacuttingweaponisavainthingagainstit。Aboneknifebecomeslikeapieceofmud;anditwillturntheedgeoftheironkniveswehavebroughtamongyou。
Whatwillyougivemeforthesecretofthemedicine？"
"Iwillgiveyouyourlife，"Makamukmadeanswerthroughtheinterpreter。
Subienkowlaughedscornfully。
"Andyoushallbeaslaveinmyhouseuntilyoudie。"
ThePolelaughedmorescornfully。
"Untiemyhandsandfeetandletustalk，"hesaid。
Thechiefmadethesign;andwhenhewasloosedSubienkowrolledacigaretteandlightedit。
"Thisisfoolishtalk，"saidMakamuk。"Thereisnosuchmedicine。
Itcannotbe。Acuttingedgeisstrongerthananymedicine。"
Thechiefwasincredulous，andyethewavered。Hehadseentoomanydeviltriesoffur-thievesthatworked。Hecouldnotwhollydoubt。
"Iwillgiveyouyourlife;butyoushallnotbeaslave，"heannounced。
"Morethanthat。"
Subienkowplayedhisgameascoollyasifhewerebarteringforafoxskin。
"Itisaverygreatmedicine。Ithassavedmylifemanytimes。I
wantasledanddogs，andsixofyourhunterstotravelwithmedowntheriverandgivemesafetytooneday’ssleepfromMichaelovskiRedoubt。"
"Youmustlivehere，andteachusallofyourdeviltries，"wasthereply。
Subienkowshruggedhisshouldersandremainedsilent。Heblewcigarettesmokeoutontheicyair，andcuriouslyregardedwhatremainedofthebigCossack。
"Thatscar！"Makamuksaidsuddenly，pointingtothePole’sneck，wherealividmarkadvertisedtheslashofaknifeinaKamtchatkanbrawl。"Themedicineisnotgood。Thecuttingedgewasstrongerthanthemedicine。"
"Itwasastrongmanthatdrovethestroke。"（Subienkowconsidered。）
"Strongerthanyou，strongerthanyourstrongesthunter，strongerthanhe。"
Again，withthetoeofhismoccasin，hetouchedtheCossack——agrislyspectacle，nolongerconscious——yetinwhosedismemberedbodythepain-rackedlifeclungandwaslothtogo。
"Also，themedicinewasweak。Foratthatplacetherewerenoberriesofacertainkind，ofwhichIseeyouhaveplentyinthiscountry。Themedicineherewillbestrong。"
"Iwillletyougodownriver，"saidMakamuk;"andthesledandthedogsandthesixhunterstogiveyousafetyshallbeyours。"
"Youareslow，"wasthecoolrejoinder。"Youhavecommittedanoffenceagainstmymedicineinthatyoudidnotatonceacceptmyterms。Behold，Inowdemandmore。Iwantonehundredbeaverskins。"
（Makamuksneered。）
"Iwantonehundredpoundsofdriedfish。"（Makamuknodded，forfishwereplentifulandcheap。）"Iwanttwosleds——oneformeandoneformyfursandfish。Andmyriflemustbereturnedtome。Ifyoudonotliketheprice，inalittlewhilethepricewillgrow。"
Yakagawhisperedtothechief。
"ButhowcanIknowyourmedicineistruemedicine？"Makamukasked。
"Itisveryeasy。First，Ishallgointothewoods——"
AgainYakagawhisperedtoMakamuk，whomadeasuspiciousdissent。
"Youcansendtwentyhunterswithme，"Subienkowwenton。"Yousee，Imustgettheberriesandtherootswithwhichtomakethemedicine。
Then，whenyouhavebroughtthetwosledsandloadedonthemthefishandthebeaverskinsandtherifle，andwhenyouhavetoldoffthesixhunterswhowillgowithme——then，whenallisready，Iwillrubthemedicineonmyneck，so，andlaymyneckthereonthatlog。Thencanyourstrongesthuntertaketheaxeandstrikethreetimesonmyneck。Youyourselfcanstrikethethreetimes。"
Makamukstoodwithgapingmouth，drinkinginthislatestandmostwonderfulmagicofthefur-thieves。
"Butfirst，"thePoleaddedhastily，"betweeneachblowImustputonfreshmedicine。Theaxeisheavyandsharp，andIwantnomistakes。"
"Allthatyouhaveaskedshallbeyours，"Makamukcriedinarushofacceptance。"Proceedtomakeyourmedicine。"
Subienkowconcealedhiselation。Hewasplayingadesperategame，andtheremustbenoslips。Hespokearrogantly。
"Youhavebeenslow。Mymedicineisoffended。Tomaketheoffencecleanyoumustgivemeyourdaughter。"
Hepointedtothegirl，anunwholesomecreature，withacastinoneeyeandabristlingwolf-tooth。Makamukwasangry，butthePoleremainedimperturbable，rollingandlightinganothercigarette。
"Makehaste，"hethreatened。"Ifyouarenotquick，Ishalldemandyetmore。"
Inthesilencethatfollowed，thedrearynorthlandscenefadedbeforehim，andhesawoncemorehisnativeland，andFrance，and，once，asheglancedatthewolf-toothedgirl，herememberedanothergirl，asingerandadancer，whomhehadknownwhenfirstasayouthhecametoParis。
"Whatdoyouwantwiththegirl？"Makamukasked。
"Togodowntheriverwithme。"Subienkowglancedoverhercritically。"Shewillmakeagoodwife，anditisanhonourworthyofmymedicinetobemarriedtoyourblood。"
Againherememberedthesingeranddancerandhummedaloudasongshehadtaughthim。Helivedtheoldlifeover，butinadetached，impersonalsortofway，lookingatthememory-picturesofhisownlifeasiftheywerepicturesinabookofanybody’slife。Thechief’svoice，abruptlybreakingthesilence，startledhim"Itshallbedone，"saidMakamuk。"Thegirlshallgodowntheriverwithyou。ButbeitunderstoodthatImyselfstrikethethreeblowswiththeaxeonyourneck。"
"ButeachtimeIshallputonthemedicine，"Subienkowanswered，withashowofill-concealedanxiety。
"Youshallputthemedicineonbetweeneachblow。Herearethehunterswhoshallseeyoudonotescape。Gointotheforestandgatheryourmedicine。"
MakamukhadbeenconvincedoftheworthofthemedicinebythePole’srapacity。Surelynothinglessthanthegreatestofmedicinescouldenableamanintheshadowofdeathtostandupanddriveanold-
woman’sbargain。
"Besides，"whisperedYakaga，whenthePole，withhisguard，haddisappearedamongthesprucetrees，"whenyouhavelearnedthemedicineyoucaneasilydestroyhim。"
"ButhowcanIdestroyhim？"Makamukargued。"Hismedicinewillnotletmedestroyhim。"
"Therewillbesomepartwherehehasnotrubbedthemedicine，"wasYakaga’sreply。"Wewilldestroyhimthroughthatpart。Itmaybehisears。Verywell;wewillthrustaspearinoneearandouttheother。Oritmaybehiseyes。Surelythemedicinewillbemuchtoostrongtorubonhiseyes。"
Thechiefnodded。"Youarewise，Yakaga。Ifhepossessesnootherdevil-things，wewillthendestroyhim。"
Subienkowdidnotwastetimeingatheringtheingredientsforhismedicine，heselectedwhatsoevercametohandsuchasspruceneedles，theinnerbarkofthewillow，astripofbirchbark，andaquantityofmoss-berries，whichhemadethehuntersdigupforhimfrombeneaththesnow。Afewfrozenrootscompletedhissupply，andheledthewaybacktocamp。
MakamukandYakagacrouchedbesidehim，notingthequantitiesandkindsoftheingredientshedroppedintothepotofboilingwater。
"Youmustbecarefulthatthemoss-berriesgoinfirst，"heexplained。
"And——oh，yes，oneotherthing——thefingerofaman。Here，Yakaga，letmecutoffyourfinger。"
ButYakagaputhishandsbehindhimandscowled。
"Justasmallfinger，"Subienkowpleaded。
"Yakaga，givehimyourfinger，"Makamukcommanded。
"Therebeplentyoffingerslyingaround，"Yakagagrunted，indicatingthehumanwreckageinthesnowofthescoreofpersonswhohadbeentorturedtodeath。
"Itmustbethefingerofaliveman，"thePoleobjected。
"Thenshallyouhavethefingerofaliveman。"YakagastrodeovertotheCossackandslicedoffafinger。
"Heisnotyetdead，"heannounced，flingingthebloodytrophyinthesnowatthePole’sfeet。"Also，itisagoodfinger，becauseitislarge。"
Subienkowdroppeditintothefireunderthepotandbegantosing。
ItwasaFrenchlove-songthatwithgreatsolemnityhesangintothebrew。
"WithoutthesewordsIutterintoit，themedicineisworthless，"heexplained。"Thewordsarethechiefeststrengthofit。Behold，itisready。"
"Namethewordsslowly，thatImayknowthem，"Makamukcommanded。
"Notuntilafterthetest。Whentheaxefliesbackthreetimesfrommyneck，thenwillIgiveyouthesecretofthewords。"
"Butifthemedicineisnotgoodmedicine？"Makamukqueriedanxiously。
Subienkowturneduponhimwrathfully。
"Mymedicineisalwaysgood。However，ifitisnotgood，thendobymeasyouhavedonetotheothers。Cutmeupabitatatime，evenasyouhavecuthimup。"HepointedtotheCossack。"Themedicineisnowcool。Thus，Irubitonmyneck，sayingthisfurthermedicine。"
Withgreatgravityheslowlyintonedalineofthe"Marseillaise，"atthesametimerubbingthevillainousbrewthoroughlyintohisneck。
Anoutcryinterruptedhisplay-acting。ThegiantCossack，withalastresurgenceofhistremendousvitality，hadarisentohisknees。
LaughterandcriesofsurpriseandapplausearosefromtheNulatos，asBigIvanbeganflinginghimselfaboutinthesnowwithmightyspasms。
Subienkowwasmadesickbythesight，buthemasteredhisqualmsandmadebelievetobeangry。
"Thiswillnotdo，"hesaid。"Finishhim，andthenwewillmakethetest。Here，you，Yakaga，seethathisnoiseceases。"
Whilethiswasbeingdone，SubienkowturnedtoMakamuk。
"Andremember，youaretostrikehard。Thisisnotbaby-work。Here，taketheaxeandstrikethelog，sothatIcanseeyoustrikelikeaman。"
Makamukobeyed，strikingtwice，preciselyandwithvigour，cuttingoutalargechip。
"Itiswell。"SubienkowlookedabouthimatthecircleofsavagefacesthatsomehowseemedtosymbolizethewallofsavagerythathadhemmedhimabouteversincetheCzar’spolicehadfirstarrestedhiminWarsaw。"Takeyouraxe，Makamuk，andstandso。Ishallliedown。
WhenIraisemyhand，strike，andstrikewithallyourmight。Andbecarefulthatnoonestandsbehindyou。Themedicineisgood，andtheaxemaybouncefromoffmyneckandrightoutofyourhands。"
Helookedatthetwosleds，withthedogsinharness，loadedwithfursandfish。Hisriflelayontopofthebeaverskins。Thesixhunterswhoweretoactashisguardstoodbythesleds。"
"Whereisthegirl？"thePoledemanded。"Bringheruptothesledsbeforethetestgoeson。"
Whenthishadbeencarriedout，Subienkowlaydowninthesnow，restinghisheadontheloglikeatiredchildabouttosleep。Hehadlivedsomanydrearyyearsthathewasindeedtired。
"Ilaughatyouandyourstrength，OMakamuk，"hesaid。"Strike，andstrikehard。"
Heliftedhishand。Makamukswungtheaxe，abroadaxeforthesquaringoflogs。Thebrightsteelflashedthroughthefrostyair，poisedforaperceptibleinstantaboveMakamuk’shead，thendescendeduponSubienkow’sbareneck。Clearthroughfleshandboneitcutitsway，bitingdeeplyintothelogbeneath。Theamazedsavagessawtheheadbounceayardawayfromtheblood-spoutingtrunk。
Therewasagreatbewildermentandsilence，whileslowlyitbegantodawnintheirmindsthattherehadbeennomedicine。Thefur-thiefhadoutwittedthem。Alone，ofalltheirprisoners，hehadescapedthetorture。Thathadbeenthestakeforwhichheplayed。Agreatroaroflaughterwentup。Makamukbowedhisheadinshame。Thefur-
thiefhadfooledhim。Hehadlostfacebeforeallhispeople。Stilltheycontinuedtoroarouttheirlaughter。Makamukturned，andwithbowedheadstalkedaway。HeknewthatthenceforthhewouldbenolongerknownasMakamuk。HewouldbeLostFace;therecordofhisshamewouldbewithhimuntilhedied;andwheneverthetribesgatheredinthespringforthesalmon，orinthesummerforthetrading，thestorywouldpassbackandforthacrossthecamp-firesofhowthefur-thiefdiedpeaceably，atasinglestroke，bythehandofLostFace。
"WhowasLostFace？"hecouldhear，inanticipation，someinsolentyoungbuckdemand，"Oh，LostFace，"wouldbetheanswer，"hewhooncewasMakamukinthedaysbeforehecutoffthefur-thief’shead。"
TRUST
Alllineshadbeencastoff，andtheSeattleNo。4waspullingslowlyoutfromtheshore。Herdeckswerepiledhighwithfreightandbaggage，andswarmedwithaheterogeneouscompanyofIndians，dogs，anddog-mushers，prospectors，traders，andhomeward-boundgold-
seekers。AgoodlyportionofDawsonwaslineduponthebank，sayinggood-bye。Asthegang-plankcameinandthesteamernosedintothestream，theclamouroffarewellbecamedeafening。Also，inthateleventhmoment，everybodybegantorememberfinalfarewellmessagesandtoshoutthembackandforthacrossthewideningstretchofwater。LouisBondell，curlinghisyellowmoustachewithonehandandlanguidlywavingtheotherhandtohisfriendsonshore，suddenlyrememberedsomethingandsprangtotherail。
"Oh，Fred！"hebawled。"Oh，Fred！
The"Fred"desiredthrustastrappingpairofshouldersthroughtheforefrontofthecrowdonthebankandtriedtocatchLouisBondell’smessage。Thelattergrewredinthefacewithvainvociferation。
Stillthewaterwidenedbetweensteamboatandshore。
"Hey，you，CaptainScott！"heyelledatthepilot-house。"Stoptheboat！"
Thegongsclanged，andthebigsternwheelreversed，thenstopped。
Allhandsonsteamboatandonbanktookadvantageofthisrespitetoexchangefinal，new，andimperativefarewells。MorefutilethaneverwasLouisBondell’sefforttomakehimselfheard。TheSeattleNo。4
lostwayanddrifteddown-stream，andCaptainScotthadtogoaheadandreverseasecondtime。Hisheaddisappearedinsidethepilot-
house，comingintoviewamomentlaterbehindabigmegaphone。
NowCaptainScotthadaremarkablevoice，andthe"Shutup！"helaunchedatthecrowdondeckandonshorecouldhavebeenheardatthetopofMoosehideMountainandasfarasKlondikeCity。Thisofficialremonstrancefromthepilot-housespreadafilmofsilenceoverthetumult。
"Now，whatdoyouwanttosay？"CaptainScottdemanded。
"TellFredChurchill——he’sonthebankthere——tellhimtogotoMacdonald。It’sinhissafe——asmallgripsackofmine。Tellhimtogetitandbringitoutwhenhecomes。"
InthesilenceCaptainScottbellowedthemessageashorethroughthemegaphone"You，FredChurchill，gotoMacdonald——inhissafe——smallgripsack——
belongstoLouisBondell——important！Bringitoutwhenyoucome！
Gotit！"
Churchillwavedhishandintokenthathehadgotit。Intruth，hadMacdonald，halfamileaway，openedhiswindow，he’dhavegotit，too。Thetumultoffarewellroseagain，thegongsclanged，andtheSeattleNo。4wentahead，swungoutintothestream，turnedonherheel，andheadeddowntheYukon，BondellandChurchillwavingfarewellandmutualaffectiontothelast。
Thatwasinmidsummer。Inthefalloftheyear，theW。H。WillisstarteduptheYukonwithtwohundredhomeward-boundpilgrimsonboard。AmongthemwasChurchill。Inhisstate-room，inthemiddleofaclothes-bag，wasLouisBondell’sgrip。Itwasasmall，stoutleatheraffair，anditsweightoffortypoundsalwaysmadeChurchillnervouswhenhewanderedtoofarfromit。Themanintheadjoiningstate-roomhadatreasureofgold-dusthiddensimilarlyinaclothes-
bag，andthepairofthemultimatelyarrangedtostandwatchandwatch。Whileonewentdowntoeat，theotherkeptaneyeonthetwostate-roomdoors。WhenChurchillwantedtotakeahandatwhist，theothermanmountedguard，andwhentheothermanwantedtorelaxhissoul，Churchillreadfour-months’oldnewspapersonacampstoolbetweenthetwodoors。
Thereweresignsofanearlywinter，andthequestionthatwasdiscussedfromdawntilldark，andfarintothedark，waswhethertheywouldgetoutbeforethefreeze-uporbecompelledtoabandonthesteamboatandtrampoutovertheice。Therewereirritatingdelays。Twicetheenginesbrokedownandhadtobetinkeredup，andeachtimethereweresnowflurriestowarnthemoftheimminenceofwinter。NinetimestheW。H。WillisessayedtoascendtheFive-
FingerRapidswithherimpairedmachinery，andwhenshesucceeded，shewasfourdaysbehindherveryliberalschedule。ThequestionthatthenarosewaswhetherornotthesteamboatFlorawouldwaitforherabovetheBoxCanon。ThestretchofwaterbetweentheheadoftheBoxCanonandthefootoftheWhiteHorseRapidswasunnavigableforsteamboats，andpassengersweretranshippedatthatpoint，walkingaroundtherapidsfromonesteamboattotheother。Therewerenotelephonesinthecountry，hencenowayofinformingthewaitingFlorathattheWilliswasfourdayslate，butcoming。
WhentheW。H。WillispulledintoWhiteHorse，itwaslearnedthattheFlorahadwaitedthreedaysoverthelimit，andhaddepartedonlyafewhoursbefore。Also，itwaslearnedthatshewouldtieupatTagishPosttillnineo’clock，Sundaymorning。Itwasthenfouro’clock，Saturdayafternoon。Thepilgrimscalledameeting。OnboardwasalargePeterboroughcanoe，consignedtothepolicepostattheheadofLakeBennett。Theyagreedtoberesponsibleforitandtodeliverit。Next，theycalledforvolunteers。TwomenwereneededtomakearacefortheFlora。Ascoreofmenvolunteeredontheinstant。AmongthemwasChurchill，suchbeinghisnaturethathevolunteeredbeforehethoughtofBondell’sgripsack。Whenthisthoughtcametohim，hebegantohopethathewouldnotbeselected;
butamanwhohadmadeanameascaptainofacollegefootballeleven，asapresidentofanathleticclub，asadog-musherandastampederintheYukon，and，moreover，whopossessedsuchshouldersashe，hadnorighttoavoidthehonour。ItwasthrustuponhimanduponagiganticGerman，NickAntonsen。
Whileacrowdofthepilgrims，thecanoeontheirshoulders，startedonatrotovertheportage，Churchillrantohisstate-room。Heturnedthecontentsoftheclothes-bagonthefloorandcaughtupthegrip，withtheintentionofentrustingittothemannextdoor。Thenthethoughtsmotehimthatitwasnothisgrip，andthathehadnorighttoletitoutofhispossession。Sohedashedashorewithitandranuptheportagechangingitoftenfromonehandtotheother，andwonderingifitreallydidnotweighmorethanfortypounds。
Itwashalf-pastfourintheafternoonwhenthetwomenstarted。ThecurrentoftheThirtyMileRiverwassostrongthatrarelycouldtheyusethepaddles。Itwasoutononebankwithatow-lineovertheshoulders，stumblingovertherocks，forcingawaythroughtheunderbrush，slippingattimesandfallingintothewater，wadingoftenuptothekneesandwaist;andthen，whenaninsurmountablebluffwasencountered，itwasintothecanoe，outpaddles，andawildandlosingdashacrossthecurrenttotheotherbank，inpaddles，overtheside，andouttow-lineagain。Itwasexhaustingwork。
Antonsentoiledlikethegianthewas，uncomplaining，persistent，butdriventohisutmostbythepowerfulbodyandindomitablebrainofChurchill。Theyneverpausedforrest。Itwasgo，go，andkeepongoing。Acrispwindblewdowntheriver，freezingtheirhandsandmakingitimperative，fromtimetotime，tobeatthebloodbackintothenumbedfingers。
Asnightcameon，theywerecompelledtotrusttoluck。Theyfellrepeatedlyontheuntravelledbanksandtoretheirclothingtoshedsintheunderbrushtheycouldnotsee。Bothmenwerebadlyscratchedandbleeding。Adozentimes，intheirwilddashesfrombanktobank，theystrucksnagsandwerecapsized。Thefirsttimethishappened，Churchilldivedandgropedinthreefeetofwaterforthegripsack。
Helosthalfanhourinrecoveringit，andafterthatitwascarriedsecurelylashedtothecanoe。Aslongasthecanoefloateditwassafe。Antonsenjeeredatthegrip，andtowardmorningbegantocurseit;butChurchillvouchsafednoexplanations。
Theirdelaysandmischanceswereendless。Ononeswiftbend，aroundwhichpouredahealthyyoungrapid，theylosttwohours，makingascoreofattemptsandcapsizingtwice。Atthispoint，onbothbanks，wereprecipitousbluffs，risingoutofdeepwater，andalongwhichtheycouldneithertownorpole，whiletheycouldnotgainwiththepaddlesagainstthecurrent。Ateachattempttheystrainedtotheutmostwiththepaddles，andeachtime，withheadsnightoburstingfromtheeffort，theywereplayedoutandsweptback。Theysucceededfinallybyanaccident。Intheswiftestcurrent，neartheendofanotherfailure，afreakofthecurrentsheeredthecanoeoutofChurchill’scontrolandflungitagainstthebluff。Churchillmadeablindleapatthebluffandlandedinacrevice。Holdingonwithonehand，heheldtheswampedcanoewiththeothertillAntonsendraggedhimselfoutofthewater。Thentheypulledthecanoeoutandrested。
Afreshstartatthiscrucialpointtookthemby。Theylandedonthebankaboveandplungedimmediatelyashoreandintothebrushwiththetow-line。
DaylightfoundthemfarbelowTagishPost。Atnineo’clockSundaymorningtheycouldheartheFlorawhistlingherdeparture。Andwhen，atteno’clock，theydraggedthemselvesintothePost，theycouldbarelyseetheFlora’ssmokefartothesouthward。Itwasapairofworn-outtatterdemalionsthatCaptainJonesoftheMountedPolicewelcomedandfed，andheafterwardaverredthattheypossessedtwoofthemosttremendousappetiteshehadeverobserved。Theylaydownandsleptintheirwetragsbythestove。AttheendoftwohoursChurchillgotup，carriedBondell’sgrip，whichhehadusedforapillow，downtothecanoe，kickedAntonsenawake，andstartedinpursuitoftheFlora。
"There’snotellingwhatmighthappen——machinerybreakdown，orsomething，"washisreplytoCaptainJones’sexpostulations。"I’mgoingtocatchthatsteamerandsendherbackfortheboys。"
TagishLakewaswhitewithafallgalethatblewintheirteeth。
Big，swingingseasrusheduponthecanoe，compellingonemantobaleandleavingonemantopaddle。Headwaycouldnotbemade。Theyranalongtheshallowshoreandwentoverboard，onemanaheadonthetow-
line，theothershovingonthecanoe。Theyfoughtthegaleuptotheirwaistsintheicywater，oftenuptotheirnecks，oftenovertheirheadsandburiedbythebig，crestedwaves。Therewasnorest，neveramoment’spausefromthecheerless，heart-breakingbattle。
Thatnight，attheheadofTagishLake，inthethickofadrivingsnow-squall，theyoverhauledtheFlora。Antonsenfellonboard，laywherehehadfallen，andsnored。Churchilllookedlikeawildman。
Hisclothesbarelyclungtohim。Hisfacewasicedupandswollenfromtheprotractedeffortoftwenty-fourhours，whilehishandsweresoswollenthathecouldnotclosethefingers。Asforhisfeet，itwasanagonytostanduponthem。
ThecaptainoftheFlorawaslothtogobacktoWhiteHorse。
Churchillwaspersistentandimperative;thecaptainwasstubborn。
Hepointedoutfinallythatnothingwastobegainedbygoingback，becausetheonlyoceansteameratDyea，theAthenian，wastosailonTuesdaymorning，andthathecouldnotmakethebacktriptoWhiteHorseandbringupthestrandedpilgrimsintimetomaketheconnection。
"WhattimedoestheAtheniansail？"Churchilldemanded。
"Seveno’clock，Tuesdaymorning。"
"Allright，"Churchillsaid，atthesametimekickingatattooontheribsofthesnoringAntonsen。"YougobacktoWhiteHome。We’llgoaheadandholdtheAthenian。"
Antonsen，stupidwithsleep，notyetclothedinhiswakingmind，wasbundledintothecanoe，anddidnotrealizewhathadhappenedtillhewasdrenchedwiththeicysprayofabigsea，andheardChurchillsnarlingathimthroughthedarkness：-
"Paddle，can’tyou！Doyouwanttobeswamped？"
DaylightfoundthematCaribouCrossing，thewinddyingdown，andAntonsentoofargonetodipapaddle。Churchillgroundedthecanoeonaquietbeach，wheretheyslept。Hetooktheprecautionoftwistinghisarmundertheweightofhishead。Everyfewminutesthepainofthepentcirculationarousedhim，whereuponhewouldlookathiswatchandtwisttheotherarmunderhishead。AttheendoftwohourshefoughtwithAntonsentorousehim。Thentheystarted。LakeBennett，thirtymilesinlength，waslikeamillpond;but，halfwayacross，agalefromthesouthsmotethemandturnedthewaterwhite。
HourafterhourtheyrepeatedthestruggleonTagish，overtheside，pullingandshovingonthecanoe，uptotheirwaistsandnecks，andovertheirheads，intheicywater;towardthelastthegood-naturedgiantplayedcompletelyout。Churchilldrovehimmercilessly;butwhenhepitchedforwardandbadefairtodrowninthreefeetofwater，theotherdraggedhimintothecanoe。Afterthat，Churchillfoughtonalone，arrivingatthepolicepostattheheadofBennettintheearlyafternoon。HetriedtohelpAntonsenoutofthecanoe，butfailed。Helistenedtotheexhaustedman’sheavybreathing，andenviedhimwhenhethoughtofwhathehimselfhadyettoundergo。
Antonsencouldliethereandsleep;buthe，behindtime，mustgoonovermightyChilcootanddowntothesea。Therealstrugglelaybeforehim，andhealmostregrettedthestrengththatresidedinhisframebecauseofthetormentitcouldinflictuponthatframe。
Churchillpulledthecanoeuponthebeach，seizedBondell’sgrip，andstartedonalimpingdog-trotforthepolicepost。
"There’sacanoedownthere，consignedtoyoufromDawson，"hehurledattheofficerwhoansweredhisknock。"Andthere’samaninitprettyneardead。Nothingserious;onlyplayedout。Takecareofhim。I’vegottorush。Good-bye。WanttocatchtheAthenian。"
AmileportageconnectedLakeBennettandLakeLinderman，andhislastwordsheflungbackafterhimasheresumedthetrot。Itwasaverypainfultrot，butheclenchedhisteethandkepton，forgettinghispainmostofthetimeintheferventheatwithwhichheregardedthegripsack。Itwasaseverehandicap。Heswungitfromonehandtotheother，andbackagain。Hetuckeditunderhisarm。Hethrewonehandovertheoppositeshoulder，andthebagbumpedandpoundedonhisbackasheranalong。Hecouldscarcelyholditinhisbruisedandswollenfingers，andseveraltimeshedroppedit。Once，inchangingfromonehandtotheother，itescapedhisclutchandfellinfrontofhim，trippedhimup，andthrewhimviolentlytotheground。
Atthefarendoftheportageheboughtanoldsetofpack-strapsforadollar，andinthemheswungthegrip。Also，hecharteredalaunchtorunhimthesixmilestotheupperendofLakeLinderman，wherehearrivedatfourintheafternoon。TheAthenianwastosailfromDyeanextmorningatseven。Dyeawastwenty-eightmilesaway，andbetweentoweredChilcoot。Hesatdowntoadjusthisfoot-gearforthelongclimb，andwokeup。Hehaddozedtheinstanthesatdown，thoughhehadnotsleptthirtyseconds。Hewasafraidhisnextdozemightbelonger，sohefinishedfixinghisfoot-gearstandingup。Eventhenhewasoverpoweredforafleetingmoment。Heexperiencedtheflashofunconsciousness;becomingawareofit，inmid-air，ashisrelaxedbodywassinkingtothegroundandashecaughthimselftogether，hestiffenedhismuscleswithaspasmodicwrench，andescapedthefall。
Thesuddenjerkbacktoconsciousnesslefthimsickandtrembling。
Hebeathisheadwiththeheelofhishand，knockingwakefulnessintothenumbedbrain。
JackBurns’spack-trainwasstartingbacklightforCraterLake，andChurchillwasinvitedtoamule。Burnswantedtoputthegripsackonanotheranimal，butChurchillheldontoit，carryingitonhissaddle-pommel。Buthedozed，andthegrippersistedindroppingoffthepommel，onesideortheother，eachtimewakeninghimwithasickeningstart。Then，intheearlydarkness，Churchill’smulebrushedhimagainstaprojectingbranchthatlaidhischeekopen。Tocapit，themuleblunderedoffthetrailandfell，throwingriderandgripsackoutupontherocks。Afterthat，Churchillwalked，orstumbledrather，overtheapologyforatrail，leadingthemule。
Strayandawfulodours，driftingfromeachsideofthetrail，toldofthehorsesthathaddiedintherushforgold。Buthedidnotmind。
Hewastoosleepy。BythetimeLongLakewasreached，however，hehadrecoveredfromhissleepiness;andatDeepLakeheresignedthegripsacktoBurns。Butthereafter，bythelightofthedimstars，hekepthiseyesonBurns。Therewerenotgoingtobeanyaccidentswiththatbag。
AtCraterLake，thepack-trainwentintocamp，andChurchill，slingingthegriponhisback，startedthesteepclimbforthesummit。Forthefirsttime，onthatprecipitouswall，herealizedhowtiredhewas。Hecreptandcrawledlikeacrab，burdenedbytheweightofhislimbs。Adistinctandpainfuleffortofwillwasrequiredeachtimeheliftedafoot。Anhallucinationcametohimthathewasshodwithlead，likeadeep-seadiver，anditwasallhecoulddotoresistthedesiretoreachdownandfeelthelead。AsforBondell’sgripsack，itwasinconceivablethatfortypoundscouldweighsomuch。Itpressedhimdownlikeamountain，andhelookedbackwithunbelieftotheyearbefore，whenhehadclimbedthatsamepasswithahundredandfiftypoundsonhisback。Ifthoseloadshadweighedahundredandfiftypounds，thenBondell’sgripweighedfivehundred。
ThefirstriseofthedividefromCraterLakewasacrossasmallglacier。Herewasawell-definedtrail。Butabovetheglacier，whichwasalsoabovetimber-line，wasnaughtbutachaosofnakedrockandenormousboulders。Therewasnowayofseeingthetrailinthedarkness，andheblunderedon，payingthricetheordinaryexertionforallthatheaccomplished。Hewonthesummitinthethickofhowlingwindanddrivingsnow，providentiallystumblinguponasmall，desertedtent，intowhichhecrawled。Therehefoundandboltedsomeancientfriedpotatoesandhalfadozenraweggs。
Whenthesnowceasedandthewindeaseddown，hebeganthealmostimpossibledescent。Therewasnotrail，andhestumbledandblundered，oftenfindinghimself，atthelastmoment，ontheedgeofrockywallsandsteepslopesthedepthofwhichhehadnowayofjudging。Partwaydown，thestarscloudedoveragain，andintheconsequentobscurityheslippedandrolledandslidforahundredfeet，landingbruisedandbleedingonthebottomofalargeshallowhole。Fromallabouthimarosethestenchofdeadhorses。Theholewashandytothetrail，andthepackershadmadeapracticeoftumblingintoittheirbrokenanddyinganimals。Thestenchoverpoweredhim，makinghimdeadlysick，andasinanightmarehescrambledout。Half-wayup，herecollectedBondell’sgripsack。Ithadfallenintotheholewithhim;thepack-straphadevidentlybroken，andhehadforgottenit。Backhewentintothepestilentialcharnel-pit，wherehecrawledaroundonhandsandkneesandgropedforhalfanhour。Altogetherheencounteredandcountedseventeendeadhorses（andonehorsestillalivethatheshotwithhisrevolver）beforehefoundBondell’sgrip。Lookingbackuponalifethathadnotbeenwithoutvalourandachievement，heunhesitatinglydeclaredtohimselfthatthisreturnafterthegripwasthemostheroicacthehadeverperformed。Soheroicwasitthathewastwiceonthevergeoffaintingbeforehecrawledoutofthehole。
BythetimehehaddescendedtotheScales，thesteeppitchofChilcootwaspast，andthewaybecameeasier。Notthatitwasaneasyway，however，inthebestofplaces;butitbecameareallypossibletrail，alongwhichhecouldhavemadegoodtimeifhehadnotbeenwornout，ifhehadhadlightwithwhichtopickhissteps，andifithadnotbeenforBondell’sgripsack。Tohim，inhisexhaustedcondition，itwasthelaststraw。Havingbarelystrengthtocarryhimselfalong，theadditionalweightofthegripwassufficienttothrowhimnearlyeverytimehetrippedorstumbled。
Andwhenheescapedtripping，branchesreachedoutinthedarkness，hookedthegripbetweenhisshoulders，andheldhimback。
HismindwasmadeupthatifhemissedtheAthenianitwouldbethefaultofthegripsack。Infact，onlytwothingsremainedinhisconsciousness——Bondell’sgripandthesteamer。Heknewonlythosetwothings，andtheybecameidentified，inaway，withsomesternmissionuponwhichhehadjourneyedandtoiledforcenturies。Hewalkedandstruggledonasinadream。AspartofthedreamwashisarrivalatSheepCamp。Hestumbledintoasaloon，slidhisshouldersoutofthestraps，andstartedtodepositthegripathisfeet。Butitslippedfromhisfingersandstruckthefloorwithaheavythudthatwasnotunnoticedbytwomenwhowerejustleaving。Churchilldrankaglassofwhisky，toldthebarkeepertocallhimintenminutes，andsatdown，hisfeetonthegrip，hisheadonhisknees。
Sobadlydidhismisusedbodystiffen，thatwhenhewascalleditrequiredanothertenminutesandasecondglassofwhiskytounbendhisjointsandlimberupthemuscles。
"Heynotthatway！"thebarkeepershouted，andthenwentafterhimandstartedhimthroughthedarknesstowardCanyonCity。SomelittlehuskofinnerconsciousnesstoldChurchillthatthedirectionwasright，and，stillasinadream，hetookthecanontrail。Hedidnotknowwhatwarnedhim，butafterwhatseemedseveralcenturiesoftravelling，hesenseddangeranddrewhisrevolver。Stillinthedream，hesawtwomenstepoutandheardthemhalthim。Hisrevolverwentofffourtimes，andhesawtheflashesandheardtheexplosionsoftheirrevolvers。Also，hewasawarethathehadbeenhitinthethigh。Hesawonemangodown，and，astheothercameforhim，hesmashedhimastraightblowwiththeheavyrevolverfullintheface。
Thenheturnedandran。Hecamefromthedreamshortlyafterward，tofindhimselfplungingdownthetrailatalimpinglope。Hisfirstthoughtwasforthegripsack。Itwasstillonhisback。Hewasconvincedthatwhathadhappenedwasadreamtillhefeltforhisrevolverandfounditgone。Nexthebecameawareofasharpstingingofhisthigh，andafterinvestigating，hefoundhishandwarmwithblood。Itwasasuperficialwound，butitwasincontestable。Hebecamewiderawake，andkeptupthelumberingruntoCanyonCity。
Hefoundaman，withateamofhorsesandawagon，whogotoutofbedandharnessedupfortwentydollars。Churchillcrawledinonthewagon-bedandslept，thegripsackstillonhisback。Itwasaroughride，overwater-washedbouldersdowntheDyeaValley;butherousedonlywhenthewagonhitthehighestplaces。Anyaltitudeofhisbodyabovethewagon-bedoflessthanafootdidnotfazehim。Thelastmilewassmoothgoing，andhesleptsoundly。
Hecametointhegreydawn，thedrivershakinghimsavagelyandhowlingintohisearthattheAthenianwasgone。Churchilllookedblanklyatthedesertedharbour。
"There’sasmokeoveratSkaguay，"themansaid。
Churchill’seyesweretooswollentoseethatfar，buthesaid：
"It’sshe。Getmeaboat。"
Thedriverwasobligingandfoundaskiff，andamantorowitfortendollars，paymentinadvance。Churchillpaid，andwashelpedintotheskiff。Itwasbeyondhimtogetinbyhimself。ItwassixmilestoSkaguay，andhehadablissfulthoughtofsleepingthosesixmiles。Butthemandidnotknowhowtorow，andChurchilltooktheoarsandtoiledforafewmorecenturies。Heneverknewsixlongerandmoreexcruciatingmiles。Asnappylittlebreezeblewuptheinletandheldhimback。Hehadagonefeelingatthepitofthestomach，andsufferedfromfaintnessandnumbness。Athiscommand，themantookthebalerandthrewsaltwaterintohisface。
TheAthenian’sanchorwasup-and-downwhentheycamealongside，andChurchillwasattheendofhislastremnantofstrength。
"Stopher！Stopher！"heshoutedhoarsely。
"Importantmessage！Stopher！"
Thenhedroppedhischinonhischestandslept。Whenhalfadozenmenstartedtocarryhimupthegang-plank，heawoke，reachedforthegrip，andclungtoitlikeadrowningman。
Ondeckhebecameacentreofhorrorandcuriosity。TheclothinginwhichhehadleftWhiteHorsewasrepresentedbyafewrags，andhewasasfrayedashisclothing。Hehadtravelledforfifty-fivehoursatthetopnotchofendurance。Hehadsleptsixhoursinthattime，andhewastwentypoundslighterthanwhenhestarted。Faceandhandsandbodywerescratchedandbruised，andhecouldscarcelysee。
Hetriedtostandup，butfailed，sprawlingoutonthedeck，hangingontothegripsack，anddeliveringhismessage。
"Now，putmetobed，"hefinished;"I’lleatwhenIwakeup。"
Theydidhimhonour，carryinghimdowninhisragsanddirtanddepositinghimandBondell’sgripinthebridalchamber，whichwasthebiggestandmostluxuriousstate-roomintheship。Twiceheslepttheclockaround，andhehadbathedandshavedandeatenandwasleaningovertherailsmokingacigarwhenthetwohundredpilgrimsfromWhiteHorsecamealongside。
BythetimetheAthenianarrivedinSeattle，Churchillhadfullyrecuperated，andhewentashorewithBondell’sgripinhishand。Hefeltproudofthatgrip。Tohimitstoodforachievementandintegrityandtrust。"I’vedeliveredthegoods，"wasthewayheexpressedthesevarioushightermstohimself。Itwasearlyintheevening，andhewentstraighttoBondell’shome。LouisBondellwasgladtoseehim，shakinghandswithbothhandsatthesametimeanddragginghimintothehouse。
"Oh，thanks，oldman;itwasgoodofyoutobringitout，"Bondellsaidwhenhereceivedthegripsack。
Hetosseditcarelesslyuponacouch，andChurchillnotedwithanappreciativeeyethereboundofitsweightfromthesprings。Bondellwasvolleyinghimwithquestions。
"Howdidyoumakeout？How’retheboys？WhatbecameofBillSmithers？IsDelBishopstillwithPierce？Didhesellmydogs？
HowdidSulphurBottomshowup？You’relookingfine。Whatsteamerdidyoucomeouton？"
ToallofwhichChurchillgaveanswer，tillhalfanhourhadgonebyandthefirstlullintheconversationhadarrived。
"Hadn’tyoubettertakealookatit？"hesuggested，noddinghisheadatthegripsack"Oh，it’sallright，"Bondellanswered。"DidMitchell’sdumpturnoutasmuchasheexpected？"
"Ithinkyou’dbetterlookatit，"Churchillinsisted。"WhenI
deliverathing，Iwanttobesatisfiedthatit’sallright。There’salwaysthechancethatsomebodymighthavegotintoitwhenIwasasleep，orsomething。"
"It’snothingimportant，oldman，"Bondellanswered，withalaugh。
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