"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。
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