THEWHITESILENCE。

’CARMENWON’TLASTMOREthanacoupleofdays。’Masonspatoutachunkoficeandsurveyedthepooranimalruefully，thenputherfootinhismouthandproceededtobiteouttheicewhichclusteredcruellybetweenthetoes。

’Ineversawadogwithahighfalutin’namethateverwaswortharap，’hesaid，asheconcludedhistaskandshovedheraside。’Theyjustfadeawayanddieundertheresponsibility。DidyeeverseeonegowrongwithasensiblenamelikeCassiar，Siwash，orHusky？No，sir！

TakealookatShookumhere，he’s—’

Snap！Theleanbruteflashedup，thewhiteteethjustmissingMason’sthroat。

’Yewill，willye？’Ashrewdcloutbehindtheearwiththebuttofthedogwhipstretchedtheanimalinthesnow，quiveringsoftly，ayellowslaverdrippingfromitsfangs。

’AsIwassaying，justlookatShookumhere—he’sgotthespirit。

BetyeheeatsCarmenbeforetheweek’sout。’

’I’llbankanotherpropositionagainstthat，’repliedMalemuteKid，reversingthefrozenbreadplacedbeforethefiretothaw。’We’lleatShookumbeforethetripisover。Whatd’yesay，Ruth？’

TheIndianwomansettledthecoffeewithapieceofice，glancedfromMalemuteKidtoherhusband，thenatthedogs，butvouchsafednoreply。Itwassuchapalpabletruismthatnonewasnecessary。Twohundredmilesofunbrokentrailinprospect，withascantsixdays’

grubforthemselvesandnoneforthedogs，couldadmitnootheralternative。Thetwomenandthewomangroupedaboutthefireandbegantheirmeagermeal。Thedogslayintheirharnessesforitwasamiddayhalt，andwatchedeachmouthfulenviously。

’Nomorelunchesaftertoday，’saidMalemuteKid。’Andwe’vegottokeepacloseeyeonthedogs—they’regettingvicious。They’djustassoonpullafellowdownasnot，iftheygetachance。’

’AndIwaspresidentofanEpworthonce，andtaughtintheSundayschool。’Havingirrelevantlydeliveredhimselfofthis，Masonfellintoadreamycontemplationofhissteamingmoccasins，butwasarousedbyRuthfillinghiscup。’ThankGod，we’vegotslathersoftea！I’veseenitgrowing，downinTennessee。Whatwouldn’tIgiveforahotcornponejustnow！Nevermind，Ruth;youwon’tstarvemuchlonger，norwearmoccasinseither。’

Thewomanthrewoffhergloomatthis，andinhereyeswelledupagreatloveforherwhitelord—thefirstwhitemanshehadeverseen—thefirstmanwhomshehadknowntotreatawomanassomethingbetterthanamereanimalorbeastofburden。

’Yes，Ruth，’continuedherhusband，havingrecoursetothemacaronicjargoninwhichitwasalonepossibleforthemtounderstandeachother;’waittillwecleanupandpullfortheOutside。We’lltaketheWhiteMan’scanoeandgototheSaltWater。Yes，badwater，roughwater—greatmountainsdanceupanddownallthetime。Andsobig，sofar，sofaraway—youtraveltensleep，twentysleep，fortysleep’—

hegraphicallyenumeratedthedaysonhisfingers—’allthetimewater，badwater。Thenyoucometogreatvillage，plentypeople，justthesamemosquitoesnextsummer。Wigwamsoh，sohigh—ten，twentypines。Hi—yuskookum！’

Hepausedimpotently，castanappealingglanceatMalemuteKid，thenlaboriouslyplacedthetwentypines，endonend，bysignlanguage。

MalemuteKidsmiledwithcheerycynicism;butRuth’seyeswerewidewithwonder，andwithpleasure;forshehalfbelievedhewasjoking，andsuchcondescensionpleasedherpoorwoman’sheart。

’Andthenyoustepintoa—abox，andpouf！upyougo。’Hetossedhisemptycupintheairbywayofillustrationand，ashedeftlycaughtit，cried：’Andbiff！downyoucome。Oh，greatmedicinemen！

YougoFortYukon。IgoArcticCity—twenty—fivesleep—bigstring，allthetime—Icatchhimstring—Isay，"Hello，Ruth！Howareye？"—

andyousay，"Isthatmygoodhusband？"—andIsay，"Yes"—andyousay，"Nocanbakegoodbread，nomoresoda"—thenIsay，"Lookincache，underflour;good—by。"Youlookandcatchplentysoda。AllthetimeyouFortYukon，meArcticCity。Hi—yumedicineman！’

Ruthsmiledsoingenuouslyatthefairystorythatbothmenburstintolaughter。ArowamongthedogscutshortthewondersoftheOutside，andbythetimethesnarlingcombatantswereseparated，shehadlashedthesledsandallwasreadyforthetrail。

’Mush！Baldy！Hi！Mushon！’Masonworkedhiswhipsmartlyand，asthedogswhinedlowinthetraces，brokeoutthesledwiththegeepole。Ruthfollowedwiththesecondteam，leavingMalemuteKid，whohadhelpedherstart，tobringuptherear。Strongman，brutethathewas，capableoffellinganoxatablow，hecouldnotbeartobeatthepooranimals，buthumoredthemasadogdriverrarelydoes—

nay，almostweptwiththemintheirmisery。

’Come，mushonthere，youpoorsore—footedbrutes！’hemurmured，afterseveralineffectualattemptstostarttheload。Buthispatiencewasatlastrewarded，andthoughwhimperingwithpain，theyhastenedtojointheirfellows。

Nomoreconversation;thetoilofthetrailwillnotpermitsuchextravagance。Andofalldeadeninglabors，thatoftheNorthlandtrailistheworst。Happyisthemanwhocanweatheraday’stravelatthepriceofsilence，andthatonabeatentrack。

Andofallheartbreakinglabors，thatofbreakingtrailistheworst。Ateverystepthegreatwebbedshoesinkstillthesnowislevelwiththeknee。Thenup，straightup，thedeviationofafractionofaninchbeingacertainprecursorofdisaster，thesnowshoemustbeliftedtillthesurfaceiscleared;thenforward，down，andtheotherfootisraisedperpendicularlyforthematterofhalfayard。Hewhotriesthisforthefirsttime，ifhaplyheavoidsbringinghisshoesindangerouspropinquityandmeasuresnothislengthonthetreacherousfooting，willgiveupexhaustedattheendofahundredyards;hewhocankeepoutofthewayofthedogsforawholedaymaywellcrawlintohissleepingbagwithaclearconscienceandapridewhichpassethallunderstanding;andhewhotravelstwentysleepsontheLongTrailisamanwhomthegodsmayenvy。

Theafternoonworeon，andwiththeawe，bornoftheWhiteSilence，thevoicelesstravelersbenttotheirwork。Naturehasmanytrickswherewithsheconvincesmanofhisfinity—theceaselessflowofthetides，thefuryofthestorm，theshockoftheearthquake，thelongrollofheaven’sartillery—butthemosttremendous，themoststupefyingofall，isthepassivephaseoftheWhiteSilence。Allmovementceases，theskyclears，theheavensareasbrass;theslightestwhisperseemssacrilege，andmanbecomestimid，affrightedatthesoundofhisownvoice。Solespeckoflifejourneyingacrosstheghostlywastesofadeadworld，hetremblesathisaudacity，realizesthathisisamaggot’slife，nothingmore。Strangethoughtsariseunsummoned，andthemysteryofallthingsstrivesforutterance。

Andthefearofdeath，ofGod，oftheuniverse，comesoverhim—thehopeoftheResurrectionandtheLife，theyearningforimmortality，thevainstrivingoftheimprisonedessence—itisthen，ifever，manwalksalonewithGod。

Soworethedayaway。Therivertookagreatbend，andMasonheadedhisteamforthecutoffacrossthenarrowneckofland。Butthedogsbalkedatthehighbank。Againandagain，thoughRuthandMalemuteKidwereshovingonthesled，theyslippedback。Thencametheconcertedeffort。Themiserablecreatures，weakfromhunger，exertedtheirlaststrength。Up—up—thesledpoisedonthetopofthebank;buttheleaderswungthestringofdogsbehindhimtotheright，foulingMason’ssnowshoes。Theresultwasgrievous。Masonwaswhippedoffhisfeet;oneofthedogsfellinthetraces;andthesledtoppledback，draggingeverythingtothebottomagain。

Slash！thewhipfellamongthedogssavagely，especiallyupontheonewhichhadfallen。

’Don’t，—Mason，’entreatedMalemuteKid;’thepoordevil’sonitslastlegs。Waitandwe’llputmyteamon。’

Masondeliberatelywithheldthewhiptillthelastwordhadfallen，thenoutflashedthelonglash，completelycurlingabouttheoffendingcreature’sbody。Carmen—foritwasCarmen—coweredinthesnow，criedpiteously，thenrolledoveronherside。

Itwasatragicmoment，apitifulincidentofthetrail—adyingdog，twocomradesinanger。Ruthglancedsolicitouslyfrommantoman。

ButMalemuteKidrestrainedhimself，thoughtherewasaworldofreproachinhiseyes，and，bendingoverthedog，cutthetraces。Nowordwasspoken。Theteamsweredouble—spannedandthedifficultyovercome;thesledswereunderwayagain，thedyingdogdraggingherselfalongintherear。Aslongasananimalcantravel，itisnotshot，andthislastchanceisaccordedit—thecrawlingintocamp，ifitcan，inthehopeofamoosebeingkilled。

Alreadypenitentforhisangryaction，buttoostubborntomakeamends，Masontoiledonattheheadofthecavalcade，littledreamingthatdangerhoveredintheair。Thetimberclusteredthickintheshelteredbottom，andthroughthistheythreadedtheirway。

Fiftyfeetormorefromthetrailtoweredaloftypine。Forgenerationsithadstoodthere，andforgenerationsdestinyhadhadthisoneendinview—perhapsthesamehadbeendecreedofMason。

Hestoopedtofastentheloosenedthongofhismoccasin。Thesledscametoahalt，andthedogslaydowninthesnowwithoutawhimper。

Thestillnesswasweird;notabreathrustledthefrost—encrustedforest;thecoldandsilenceofouterspacehadchilledtheheartandsmotethetremblinglipsofnature。Asighpulsedthroughtheair—

theydidnotseemtoactuallyhearit，butratherfeltit，likethepremonitionofmovementinamotionlessvoid。Thenthegreattree，burdenedwithitsweightofyearsandsnow，playeditslastpartinthetragedyoflife。Heheardthewarningcrashandattemptedtospringupbut，almosterect，caughttheblowsquarelyontheshoulder。

Thesuddendanger，thequickdeath—howoftenhadMalemuteKidfacedit！Thepineneedleswerestillquiveringashegavehiscommandsandsprangintoaction。NordidtheIndiangirlfaintorraisehervoiceinidlewailing，asmightmanyofherwhitesisters。Athisorder，shethrewherweightontheendofaquicklyextemporizedhandspike，easingthepressureandlisteningtoherhusband’sgroans，whileMalemuteKidattackedthetreewithhisax。Thesteelrangmerrilyasitbitintothefrozentrunk，eachstrokebeingaccompaniedbyaforced，audiblerespiration，the’Huh！’’Huh！’ofthewoodsman。

AtlasttheKidlaidthepitiablethingthatwasonceamaninthesnow。Butworsethanhiscomrade’spainwasthedumbanguishinthewoman’sface，theblendedlookofhopeful，hopelessquery。Littlewassaid;thoseoftheNorthlandareearlytaughtthefutilityofwordsandtheinestimablevalueofdeeds。Withthetemperatureatsixty—fivebelowzero，amancannotliemanyminutesinthesnowandlive。Sothesledlashingswerecut，andthesufferer，rolledinfurs，laidonacouchofboughs。Beforehimroaredafire，builtoftheverywoodwhichwroughtthemishap。Behindandpartiallyoverhimwasstretchedtheprimitivefly—apieceofcanvas，whichcaughttheradiatingheatandthrewitbackanddownuponhim—atrickwhichmenmayknowwhostudyphysicsatthefount。

Andmenwhohavesharedtheirbedwithdeathknowwhenthecallissounded。Masonwasterriblycrushed。Themostcursoryexaminationrevealedit。Hisrightarm，leg，andbackwerebroken;hislimbswereparalyzedfromthehips;andthelikelihoodofinternalinjurieswaslarge。Anoccasionalmoanwashisonlysignoflife。

Nohope;nothingtobedone。Thepitilessnightcreptslowlyby—

Ruth’sportion，thedespairingstoicismofherrace，andMalemuteKidaddingnewlinestohisfaceofbronze。Infact，Masonsufferedleastofall，forhespenthistimeineasternTennessee，intheGreatSmokyMountains，livingoverthescenesofhischildhood。Andmostpatheticwasthemelodyofhislong—forgottenSouthernvernacular，asheravedofswimmingholesandcoonhuntsandwatermelonraids。

ItwasasGreektoRuth，buttheKidunderstoodandfelt—feltasonlyonecanfeelwhohasbeenshutoutforyearsfromallthatcivilizationmeans。

Morningbroughtconsciousnesstothestrickenman，andMalemuteKidbentclosertocatchhiswhispers。

’YourememberwhenweforegatheredontheTanana，fouryearscomenexticerun？Ididn’tcaresomuchforherthen。Itwasmorelikeshewaspretty，andtherewasasmackofexcitementaboutit，Ithink。Butd’yeknow，I’vecometothinkaheapofher。She’sbeenagoodwifetome，alwaysatmyshoulderinthepinch。Andwhenitcomestotrading，youknowthereisn’therequal。D’yerecollectthetimesheshottheMoosehornRapidstopullyouandmeoffthatrock，thebulletswhippingthewaterlikehailstones？—andthetimeofthefamineatNuklukyeto？—whensheracedtheiceruntobringthenews？

Yes，she’sbeenagoodwifetome，better’nthatotherone。Didn’tknowI’dbeenthere？Nevertoldyou，eh？Well，Itrieditonce，downintheStates。That’swhyI’mhere。Beenraisedtogether，too。I

cameawaytogiveherachancefordivorce。Shegotit。

’Butthat’sgotnothingtodowithRuth。IhadthoughtofcleaningupandpullingfortheOutsidenextyear—herandI—butit’stoolate。Don’tsendherbacktoherpeople，Kid。It’sbeastlyhardforawomantogoback。Thinkofit！—nearlyfouryearsonourbaconandbeansandflouranddriedfruit，andthentogobacktoherfishandcaribou。It’snotgoodforhertohavetriedourways，tocometoknowthey’rebetter’nherpeople’s，andthenreturntothem。Takecareofher，Kid—whydon’tyou—butno，youalwaysfoughtshyofthem—andyounevertoldmewhyyoucametothiscountry。Bekindtoher，andsendherbacktotheStatesassoonasyoucan。Butfixitsoshecancomeback—liabletogethomesick，youknow。

’Andtheyoungster—it’sdrawnuscloser，Kid。Ionlyhopeitisaboy。Thinkofit！—fleshofmyflesh，Kid。Hemustn’tstopinthiscountry。Andifit’sagirl，why，shecan’t。Sellmyfurs;they’llfetchatleastfivethousand，andI’vegotasmuchmorewiththecompany。Andhandlemyinterestswithyours。Ithinkthatbenchclaimwillshowup。Seethathegetsagoodschooling;andKid，aboveall，don’tlethimcomeback。Thiscountrywasnotmadeforwhitemen。

’I’magoneman，Kid。Threeorfoursleepsatthebest。You’vegottogoon。Youmustgoon！Remember，it’smywife，it’smyboy—O

God！Ihopeit’saboy！Youcan’tstaybyme—andIchargeyou，adyingman，topullon。’

’Givemethreedays，’pleadedMalemuteKid。’Youmaychangeforthebetter;somethingmayturnup。’

’No。’

’Justthreedays。’

’Youmustpullon。’

’Twodays。’

’It’smywifeandmyboy，Kid。Youwouldnotaskit。’

’Oneday。’

’No，no！Icharge—’

’Onlyoneday。Wecanshaveitthroughonthegrub，andImightknockoveramoose。’

’No—allright;oneday，butnotaminutemore。And，Kid，don’t—

don’tleavemetofaceitalone。Justashot，onepullonthetrigger。

Youunderstand。Thinkofit！Thinkofit！Fleshofmyflesh，andI’llneverlivetoseehim！

’SendRuthhere。Iwanttosaygood—byandtellherthatshemustthinkoftheboyandnotwaittillI’mdead。ShemightrefusetogowithyouifIdidn’t。Good—by，oldman;good—by。

’Kid！Isay—a—sinkaholeabovethepup，nexttotheslide。I

pannedoutfortycentsonmyshovelthere。

’And，Kid！’Hestoopedlowertocatchthelastfaintwords，thedyingman’ssurrenderofhispride。’I’msorry—for—youknow—

Carmen。’

Leavingthegirlcryingsoftlyoverherman，MalemuteKidslippedintohisparkaandsnowshoes，tuckedhisrifleunderhisarm，andcreptawayintotheforest。HewasnotyrointhesternsorrowsoftheNorthland，butneverhadhefacedsostiffaproblemasthis。Intheabstract，itwasaplain，mathematicalproposition—threepossiblelivesasagainstonedoomedone。Butnowhehesitated。Forfiveyears，shouldertoshoulder，ontheriversandtrails，inthecampsandmines，facingdeathbyfieldandfloodandfamine，hadtheyknittedthebondsoftheircomradeship。SoclosewasthetiethathehadoftenbeenconsciousofavaguejealousyofRuth，fromthefirsttimeshehadcomebetween。Andnowitmustbeseveredbyhisownhand。

Thoughheprayedforamoose，justonemoose，allgameseemedtohavedesertedtheland，andnightfallfoundtheexhaustedmancrawlingintocamp，lighthanded，heavyhearted。AnuproarfromthedogsandshrillcriesfromRuthhastenedhim。

Burstingintothecamp，hesawthegirlinthemidstofthesnarlingpack，layingaboutherwithanax。Thedogshadbrokentheironruleoftheirmastersandwererushingthegrub。Hejoinedtheissuewithhisriflereversed，andthehoarygameofnaturalselectionwasplayedoutwithalltheruthlessnessofitsprimevalenvironment。Rifleandaxwentupanddown，hitormissedwithmonotonousregularity;lithebodiesflashed，withwildeyesanddrippingfangs;andmanandbeastfoughtforsupremacytothebitterestconclusion。Thenthebeatenbrutescrepttotheedgeofthefirelight，lickingtheirwounds，voicingtheirmiserytothestars。

Thewholestockofdriedsalmonhadbeendevoured，andperhapsfivepoundsofflourremainedtotidethemovertwohundredmilesofwilderness。Ruthreturnedtoherhusband，whileMalemuteKidcutupthewarmbodyofoneofthedogs，theskullofwhichhadbeencrushedbytheax。Everyportionwascarefullyputaway，savethehideandoffal，whichwerecasttohisfellowsofthemomentbefore。

Morningbroughtfreshtrouble。Theanimalswereturningoneachother。Carmen，whostillclungtoherslenderthreadoflife，wasdownedbythepack。Thelashfellamongthemunheeded。Theycringedandcriedundertheblows，butrefusedtoscattertillthelastwretchedbithaddisappeared—bones，hide，hair，everything。

MalemuteKidwentabouthiswork，listeningtoMason，whowasbackinTennessee，deliveringtangleddiscoursesandwildexhortationstohisbrethrenofotherdays。

Takingadvantageofneighboringpines，heworkedrapidly，andRuthwatchedhimmakeacachesimilartothosesometimesusedbyhunterstopreservetheirmeatfromthewolverinesanddogs。Oneaftertheother，hebentthetopsoftwosmallpinestowardeachotherandnearlytotheground，makingthemfastwiththongsofmoosehide。Thenhebeatthedogsintosubmissionandharnessedthemtotwoofthesleds，loadingthesamewitheverythingbutthefurswhichenvelopedMason。

Thesehewrappedandlashedtightlyabouthim，fasteningeitherendoftherobestothebentpines。Asinglestrokeofhishuntingknifewouldreleasethemandsendthebodyhighintheair。

Ruthhadreceivedherhusband’slastwishesandmadenostruggle。

Poorgirl，shehadlearnedthelessonofobediencewell。Fromachild，shehadbowed，andseenallwomenbow，tothelordsofcreation，anditdidnotseeminthenatureofthingsforwomantoresist。TheKidpermittedheroneoutburstofgrief，asshekissedherhusband—herownpeoplehadnosuchcustom—thenledhertotheforemostsledandhelpedherintohersnowshoes。Blindly，instinctively，shetookthegeepoleandwhip，and’mushed’thedogsoutonthetrail。ThenhereturnedtoMason，whohadfallenintoacoma，andlongaftershewasoutofsightcrouchedbythefire，waiting，hoping，prayingforhiscomradetodie。

ItisnotpleasanttobealonewithpainfulthoughtsintheWhiteSilence。Thesilenceofgloomismerciful，shroudingoneaswithprotectionandbreathingathousandintangiblesympathies;butthebrightWhiteSilence，clearandcold，understeelyskies，ispitiless。

Anhourpassed—twohours—butthemanwouldnotdie。Athighnoonthesun，withoutraisingitsrimabovethesouthernhorizon，threwasuggestionoffireathwarttheheavens，thenquicklydrewitback。

MalemuteKidrousedanddraggedhimselftohiscomrade’sside。Hecastoneglanceabouthim。TheWhiteSilenceseemedtosneer，andagreatfearcameuponhim。Therewasasharpreport;Masonswungintohisaerialsepulcher，andMalemuteKidlashedthedogsintoawildgallopashefledacrossthesnow。

THESONOFTHEWOLF。

MANRARELYPLACESAPROPERvaluationuponhiswomankind，atleastnotuntildeprivedofthem。Hehasnoconceptionofthesubtleatmosphereexhaledbythesexfeminine，solongashebathesinit;

butletitbewithdrawn，andanever—growingvoidbeginstomanifestitselfinhisexistence，andhebecomeshungry，inavaguesortofway，forasomethingsoindefinitethathecannotcharacterizeit。

Ifhiscomradeshavenomoreexperiencethanhimself，theywillshaketheirheadsdubiouslyanddosehimwithstrongphysic。Butthehungerwillcontinueandbecomestronger;hewillloseinterestinthethingsofhiseverydaylifeandwaxmorbid;andoneday，whentheemptinesshasbecomeunbearable，arevelationwilldawnuponhim。

IntheYukoncountry，whenthiscomestopass，themanusuallyprovisionsapolingboat，ifitissummer，andifwinter，harnesseshisdogs，andheadsfortheSouthland。Afewmonthslater，supposinghimtobepossessedofafaithinthecountry，hereturnswithawifetosharewithhiminthatfaith，andincidentallyinhishardships。Thisbutservestoshowtheinnateselfishnessofman。Italsobringsustothetroubleof’Scruff’Mackenzie，whichoccurredintheolddays，beforethecountrywasstampededandstakedbyatidal—waveoftheche—cha—quas，andwhentheKlondike’sonlyclaimtonoticewasitssalmonfisheries。

’Scruff’Mackenzieboretheearmarksofafrontierbirthandafrontierlife。Hisfacewasstampedwithtwenty—fiveyearsofincessantstrugglewithNatureinherwildestmoods，—thelasttwo，thewildestandhardestofall，havingbeenspentingropingforthegoldwhichliesintheshadowoftheArcticCircle。Whentheyearningsicknesscameuponhim，hewasnotsurprised，forhewasapracticalmanandhadseenothermenthusstricken。Butheshowednosignofhismalady，savethatheworkedharder。Allsummerhefoughtmosquitoesandwashedthesure—thingbarsoftheStuartRiverforadoublegrubstake。ThenhefloatedaraftofhouselogsdowntheYukontoFortyMile，andputtogetherascomfortableacabinasanythecampcouldboastof。Infact，itshowedsuchcozypromisethatmanymenelectedtobehispartnerandtocomeandlivewithhim。Buthecrushedtheiraspirationswithroughspeech，peculiarforitsstrengthandbrevity，andboughtadoublesupplyofgrubfromthetrading—post。

Ashasbeennoted，’Scruff’Mackenziewasapracticalman。Ifhewantedathingheusuallygotit，butindoingso，wentnofartheroutofhiswaythanwasnecessary。Thoughasonoftoilandhardship，hewasaversetoajourneyofsixhundredmilesontheice，asecondoftwothousandmilesontheocean，andstillathirdthousandmilesorsotohislaststamping—grounds，—allinthemerequestofawife。

Lifewastooshort。Soheroundeduphisdogs，lashedacuriousfreighttohissled，andfacedacrossthedividewhosewestwardslopesweredrainedbythehead—reachesoftheTanana。

Hewasasturdytraveler，andhiswolf—dogscouldworkharderandtravelfartheronlessgrubthananyotherteamintheYukon。Threeweekslaterhestrodeintoahunting—campoftheUpperTananaSticks。Theymarveledathistemerity;fortheyhadabadnameandhadbeenknowntokillwhitemenforastriflingathingasasharpaxorabrokenrifle。Buthewentamongthemsingle—handed，hisbearingbeingadeliciouscompositeofhumility，familiarity，sang—froid，andinsolence。Itrequiredadefthandanddeepknowledgeofthebarbaricmindeffectuallytohandlesuchdiverseweapons;buthewasapast—masterintheart，knowingwhentoconciliateandwhentothreatenwithJove—likewrath。

HefirstmadeobeisancetotheChiefThling—Tinneh，presentinghimwithacoupleofpoundsofblackteaandtobacco，andtherebywinninghismostcordialregard。Thenhemingledwiththemenandmaidens，andthatnightgaveapotlach。Thesnowwasbeatendownintheformofanoblong，perhapsahundredfeetinlengthandquarterasmanyacross。Downthecenteralongfirewasbuilt，whileeithersidewascarpetedwithspruceboughs。Thelodgeswereforsaken，andthefivescoreorsomembersofthetribegavetonguetotheirfolk—chantsinhonoroftheirguest。

’Scruff’Mackenzie’stwoyearshadtaughthimthenotmanyhundredwordsoftheirvocabulary，andhehadlikewiseconqueredtheirdeepgutturals，theirJapaneseidioms，constructions，andhonorificandagglutinativeparticles。Sohemadeorationaftertheirmanner，satisfyingtheirinstinctivepoetry—lovewithcrudeflightsofeloquenceandmetaphoricalcontortions。AfterThling—TinnehandtheShamanhadrespondedinkind，hemadetriflingpresentstothemenfolk，joinedintheirsinging，andprovedanexpertintheirfifty—two—stickgamblinggame。

Andtheysmokedhistobaccoandwerepleased。Butamongtheyoungermentherewasadefiantattitude，aspiritofbraggadocio，easilyunderstoodbytherawinsinuationsofthetoothlesssquawsandthegigglingofthemaidens。Theyhadknownfewwhitemen，’SonsoftheWolf，’butfromthosefewtheyhadlearnedstrangelessons。

Norhad’Scruff’Mackenzie，forallhisseemingcarelessness，failedtonotethesephenomena。Intruth，rolledinhissleeping—furs，hethoughtitallover，thoughtseriously，andemptiedmanypipesinmappingoutacampaign。Onemaidenonlyhadcaughthisfancy，—noneotherthanZarinska，daughtertothechief。Infeatures，form，andpoise，answeringmorenearlytothewhiteman’stypeofbeauty，shewasalmostananomalyamonghertribalsisters。Hewouldpossessher，makeherhiswife，andnameher—ah，hewouldnameherGertrude！Havingthusdecided，herolledoveronhissideanddroppedofftosleep，atruesonofhisall—conqueringrace，aSamsonamongthePhilistines。

Itwasslowworkandastiffgame;but’Scruff’Mackenziemaneuveredcunningly，withanunconcernwhichservedtopuzzletheSticks。Hetookgreatcaretoimpressthementhathewasasureshotandamightyhunter，andthecamprangwithhisplauditswhenhebroughtdownamooseatsixhundredyards。OfanighthevisitedinChiefThling—Tinneh’slodgeofmooseandcaribooskins，talkingbiganddispensingtobaccowithalavishhand。NordidhefailtolikewisehonortheShaman;forherealizedthemedicine—man’sinfluencewithhispeople，andwasanxioustomakeofhimanally。Butthatworthywashighandmighty，refusedtobepropitiated，andwasunerringlymarkeddownasaprospectiveenemy。

ThoughnoopeningpresentedforaninterviewwithZarinska，Mackenziestolemanyaglancetoher，givingfairwarningofhisintent。Andwellsheknew，yetcoquettishlysurroundedherselfwitharingofwomenwheneverthemenwereawayandhehadachance。Buthewasinnohurry;besides，heknewshecouldnothelpbutthinkofhim，andafewdaysofsuchthoughtwouldonlybetterhissuit。

Atlast，onenight，whenhedeemedthetimetoberipe，heabruptlyleftthechief’ssmokydwellingandhastenedtoaneighboringlodge。Asusual，shesatwithsquawsandmaidensabouther，allengagedinsewingmoccasinsandbeadwork。Theylaughedathisentrance，andbadinage，whichlinkedZarinskatohim，ranhigh。Butoneaftertheothertheywereunceremoniouslybundledintotheoutersnow，whencetheyhurriedtospreadthetalethroughallthecamp。

Hiscausewaswellpleaded，inhertongue，forshedidnotknowhis，andattheendoftwohoursherosetogo。

’SoZarinskawillcometotheWhiteMan’slodge？Good！Igonowtohavetalkwiththyfather，forhemaynotbesominded。AndIwillgivehimmanytokens;buthemustnotasktoomuch。Ifhesayno？

Good！ZarinskashallyetcometotheWhiteMan’slodge。’

Hehadalreadyliftedtheskinflaptodepart，whenalowexclamationbroughthimbacktothegirl’sside。Shebroughtherselftoherkneesonthebearskinmat，herfaceaglowwithtrueEve—light，andshylyunbuckledhisheavybelt。Helookeddown，perplexed，suspicious，hisearsalertfortheslightestsoundwithout。

Buthernextmovedisarmedhisdoubt，andhesmiledwithpleasure。Shetookfromhersewingbagamoosehidesheath，bravewithbrightbeadwork，fantasticallydesigned。Shedrewhisgreathunting—knife，gazedreverentlyalongthekeenedge，halftemptedtotryitwithherthumb，andshotitintoplaceinitsnewhome。Thensheslippedthesheathalongthebelttoitscustomaryresting—place，justabovethehip。

Foralltheworld，itwaslikeasceneofoldentime，—aladyandherknight。Mackenziedrewherupfullheightandsweptherredlipswithhismoustache，—the，toher，foreigncaressoftheWolf。Itwasameetingofthestoneageandthesteel;butshewasnonethelessawoman，ashercrimsoncheeksandtheluminoussoftnessofhereyesattested。

Therewasathrillofexcitementintheairas’Scruff’Mackenzie，abulkybundleunderhisarm，threwopentheflapofThling—Tinneh’stent。Childrenwererunningaboutintheopen，draggingdrywoodtothesceneofthepotlach，ababbleofwomen’svoiceswasgrowinginintensity，theyoungmenwereconsultinginsullengroups，whilefromtheShaman’slodgerosetheeeriesoundsofanincantation。

Thechiefwasalonewithhisblear—eyedwife，butaglancesufficedtotellMackenziethatthenewswasalreadytold。Soheplungedatonceintothebusiness，shiftingthebeadedsheathprominentlytotheforeasadvertisementofthebetrothal。

’OThling—Tinneh，mightychiefoftheSticksAndthelandoftheTanana，rulerofthesalmonandthebear，themooseandthecariboo！

TheWhiteManisbeforetheewithagreatpurpose。Manymoonshashislodgebeenempty，andheislonely。Andhishearthaseatenitselfinsilence，andgrownhungryforawomantositbesidehiminhislodge，tomeethimfromthehuntwithwarmfireandgoodfood。Hehasheardstrangethings，thepatterofbabymoccasinsandthesoundofchildren’svoices。Andonenightavisioncameuponhim，andhebeheldtheRaven，whoisthyfather，thegreatRaven，whoisthefatherofalltheSticks。AndtheRavenspaketothelonelyWhiteMan，saying："Bindthouthymoccasinsuponthee，andgirdthysnow—shoeson，andlashthysledwithfoodformanysleepsandfinetokensfortheChiefThling—Tinneh。Forthoushaltturnthyfacetowherethemidspringsuniswonttosinkbelowthelandandjourneytothisgreatchief’shunting—grounds。Therethoushaltmakebigpresents，andThling—Tinneh，whoismyson，shallbecometotheeasafather。InhislodgethereisamaidenintowhomIbreathedthebreathoflifeforthee。Thismaidenshaltthoutaketowife。"

’OChief，thusspakethegreatRaven;thusdoIlaymanypresentsatthyfeet;thusamIcometotakethydaughter！’

Theoldmandrewhisfursabouthimwithcrudeconsciousnessofroyalty，butdelayedreplywhileayoungstercreptin，deliveredaquickmessagetoappearbeforethecouncil，andwasgone。

’OWhiteMan，whomwehavenamedMoose—Killer，alsoknownastheWolf，andtheSonoftheWolf！Weknowthoucomestofamightyrace;

weareproudtohavetheeourpotlach—guest;buttheking—salmondoesnotmatewiththedog—salmon，northeRavenwiththeWolf。’

’Notso！’criedMackenzie。’ThedaughtersoftheRavenhaveImetinthecampsoftheWolf，—thesquawofMortimer，thesquawofTregidgo，thesquawofBarnaby，whocametwoice—runsback，andIhaveheardofothersquaws，thoughmyeyesbeheldthemnot。’

’Son，yourwordsaretrue;butitwereevilmating，likethewaterwiththesand，likethesnow—flakewiththesun。ButmetyouoneMasonandhissquaw’No？Hecametenice—runsago，—thefirstofalltheWolves。Andwithhimtherewasamightyman，straightasawillow—shoot，andtall;strongasthebald—facedgrizzly，withaheartlikethefullsummermoon;his—’

’Oh！’interruptedMackenzie，recognizingthewell—knownNorthlandfigure，’MalemuteKid！’

’Thesame，—amightyman。Butsawyouaughtofthesquaw？ShewasfullsistertoZarinska。’

’Nay，Chief;butIhaveheard。Mason—far，fartothenorth，aspruce—tree，heavywithyears，crushedouthislifebeneath。Buthislovewasgreat，andhehadmuchgold。Withthis，andherboy，shejourneyedcountlesssleepstowardthewinter’snoondaysun，andtheresheyetlives，—nobitingfrost，nosnow，nosummer’smidnightsun，nowinter’snoondaynight。’

Asecondmessengerinterruptedwithimperativesummonsfromthecouncil。AsMackenziethrewhimintothesnow，hecaughtaglimpseoftheswayingformsbeforethecouncil—fire，heardthedeepbassesofthemeninrhythmicchant，andknewtheShamanwasfanningtheangerofhispeople。Timepressed。Heturneduponthechief。

’Come！Iwishthychild。Andnow，see！Herearetobacco，tea，manycupsofsugar，warmblankets，handkerchiefs，bothgoodandlarge;

andhere，atruerifle，withmanybulletsandmuchpowder。’

’Nay，’repliedtheoldman，strugglingagainstthegreatwealthspreadbeforehim。’Evennowaremypeoplecometogether。Theywillnothavethismarriage。’

’Butthouartchief。’

’YetdomyyoungmenragebecausetheWolveshavetakentheirmaidenssothattheymaynotmarry。’

’Listen，OThling—Tinneh！Erethenighthaspassedintotheday，theWolfshallfacehisdogstotheMountainsoftheEastandfareforthtotheCountryoftheYukon。AndZarinskashallbreaktrailforhisdogs。’

’Anderethenighthasgaineditsmiddle，myyoungmenmayflingtothedogsthefleshoftheWolf，andhisbonesbescatteredinthesnowtillthespringtimelaythembare。’

Itwasthreatandcounter—threat。Mackenzie’sbronzedfaceflusheddarkly。Heraisedhisvoice。Theoldsquaw，whotillnowhadsatanimpassivespectator，madetocreepbyhimforthedoor。Thesongofthemenbrokesuddenlyandtherewasahubbubofmanyvoicesashewhirledtheoldwomanroughlytohercouchofskins。

’AgainIcry—listen，OThling—Tinneh！TheWolfdieswithteethfast—locked，andwithhimthereshallsleeptenofthystrongestmen，—

menwhoareneeded，forthehuntingisnotbegun，andthefishingisnotmanymoonsaway。Andagain，ofwhatprofitshouldIdie？Iknowthecustomofthypeople;thyshareofmywealthshallbeverysmall。Grantmethychild，anditshallallbethine。Andyetagain，mybrotherswillcome，andtheyaremany，andtheirmawsareneverfilled;andthedaughtersoftheRavenshallbearchildreninthelodgesoftheWolf。Mypeoplearegreaterthanthypeople。Itisdestiny。Grant，andallthiswealthisthine。’

Moccasinswerecrunchingthesnowwithout。Mackenziethrewhisrifletocock，andloosenedthetwinColtsinhisbelt。

’Grant，OChief！’

’Andyetwillmypeoplesayno。’

’Grant，andthewealthisthine。ThenshallIdealwiththypeopleafter。’

’TheWolfwillhaveitso。Iwilltakehistokens，—butIwouldwarnhim。’

Mackenziepassedoverthegoods，takingcaretoclogtherifle’sejector，andcappingthebargainwithakaleidoscopicsilkkerchief。

TheShamanandhalfadozenyoungbravesentered，butheshoulderedboldlyamongthemandpassedout。

’Pack！’washislaconicgreetingtoZarinskaashepassedherlodgeandhurriedtoharnesshisdogs。Afewminuteslaterhesweptintothecouncilattheheadoftheteam，thewomanbyhisside。Hetookhisplaceattheupperendoftheoblong，bythesideofthechief。Tohisleft，asteptotherear，hestationedZarinska，—herproperplace。Besides，thetimewasripeformischief，andtherewasneedtoguardhisback。

Oneitherside，themencrouchedtothefire，theirvoicesliftedinafolk—chantoutoftheforgottenpast。Fullofstrange，haltingcadencesandhauntingrecurrences，itwasnotbeautiful。’Fearful’mayinadequatelyexpressit。Atthelowerend，undertheeyeoftheShaman，dancedhalfascoreofwomen。Sternwerehisreproofsofthosewhodidnotwhollyabandonthemselvestotheecstasyoftherite。Halfhiddenintheirheavymassesofravenhair，alldishevelledandfallingtotheirwaists，theyslowlyswayedtoandfro，theirformsripplingtoanever—changingrhythm。

Itwasaweirdscene;ananachronism。Tothesouth，thenineteenthcenturywasreelingoffthefewyearsofitslastdecade;hereflourishedmanprimeval，ashaderemovedfromtheprehistoriccave—dweller，forgottenfragmentoftheElderWorld。Thetawnywolf—dogssatbetweentheirskin—cladmastersorfoughtforroom，thefirelightcastbackwardfromtheirredeyesanddrippingfangs。

Thewoods，inghostlyshroud，sleptonunheeding。TheWhiteSilence，forthemomentdriventotherimmingforest，seemedevercrushinginward;thestarsdancedwithgreatleaps，asistheirwontinthetimeoftheGreatCold;whiletheSpiritsofthePoletrailedtheirrobesofgloryathwarttheheavens。

’Scruff’Mackenziedimlyrealizedthewildgrandeurofthesettingashiseyesrangeddownthefur—fringedsidesinquestofmissingfaces。Theyrestedforamomentonanewbornbabe，sucklingatitsmother’snakedbreast。Itwasfortybelow，—sevenandodddegreesoffrost。Hethoughtofthetenderwomenofhisownraceandsmiledgrimly。Yetfromtheloinsofsomesuchtenderwomanhadhesprungwithakinglyinheritance，—aninheritancewhichgavetohimandhisdominanceoverthelandandsea，overtheanimalsandthepeoplesofallthezones。Single—handedagainstfivescore，girtbytheArcticwinter，farfromhisown，hefeltthepromptingofhisheritage，thedesiretopossess，thewilddanger—love，thethrillofbattle，thepowertoconquerortodie。

Thesingingandthedancingceased，andtheShamanflaredupinrudeeloquence。Throughthesinuositiesoftheirvastmythology，heworkedcunninglyuponthecredulityofhispeople。Thecasewasstrong。OpposingthecreativeprinciplesasembodiedintheCrowandtheRaven，hestigmatizedMackenzieastheWolf，thefightingandthedestructiveprinciple。Notonlywasthecombatoftheseforcesspiritual，butmenfought，eachtohistotem。TheywerethechildrenofJelchs，theRaven，thePrometheanfire—bringer;MackenziewasthechildoftheWolf，orinotherwords，theDevil。Forthemtobringatrucetothisperpetualwarfare，tomarrytheirdaughterstothearch—enemy，weretreasonandblasphemyofthehighestorder。NophrasewasharshnorfigurevileenoughinbrandingMackenzieasasneakinginterloperandemissaryofSatan。Therewasasubdued，savageroarinthedeepchestsofhislistenersashetooktheswingofhisperoration。

’Aye，mybrothers，Jelchsisall—powerful！Didhenotbringheaven—bornefirethatwemightbewarm？Didhenotdrawthesun，moon，andstars，fromtheirholesthatwemightsee？DidhenotteachusthatwemightfighttheSpiritsofFamineandofFrost？ButnowJelchsisangrywithhischildren，andtheyaregrowntoahandful，andhewillnothelp。Fortheyhaveforgottenhim，anddoneevilthings，andtrodbadtrails，andtakenhisenemiesintotheirlodgestositbytheirfires。AndtheRavenissorrowfulatthewickednessofhischildren;butwhentheyshallriseupandshowtheyhavecomeback，hewillcomeoutofthedarknesstoaidthem。O

brothers！theFire—BringerhaswhisperedmessagestothyShaman;thesameshallyehear。Lettheyoungmentaketheyoungwomentotheirlodges;letthemflyatthethroatoftheWolf;letthembeundyingintheirenmity！Thenshalltheirwomenbecomefruitfulandtheyshallmultiplyintoamightypeople！AndtheRavenshallleadgreattribesoftheirfathersandtheirfathers’fathersfromoutoftheNorth;andtheyshallbeatbacktheWolvestilltheyareaslastyear’scampfires;andtheyshallagaincometoruleoveralltheland！’TisthemessageofJelchs，theRaven。’

ThisforeshadowingoftheMessiah’scomingbroughtahoarsehowlfromtheSticksastheyleapedtotheirfeet。Mackenzieslippedthethumbsofhismittensandwaited。Therewasaclamorforthe’Fox，’

nottobestilledtilloneoftheyoungmensteppedforwardtospeak。

’Brothers！TheShamanhasspokenwisely。TheWolveshavetakenourwomen，andourmenarechildless。Wearegrowntoahandful。TheWolveshavetakenourwarmfursandgivenforthemevilspiritswhichdwellinbottles，andclotheswhichcomenotfromthebeaverorthelynx，butaremadefromthegrass。Andtheyarenotwarm，andourmendieofstrangesicknesses。I，theFox，havetakennowomantowife;andwhy？TwicehavethemaidenswhichpleasedmegonetothecampsoftheWolf。EvennowhaveIlaidbyskinsofthebeaver，ofthemoose，ofthecariboo，thatImightwinfavorintheeyesofThling—Tinneh，thatImightmarryZarinska，hisdaughter。Evennowarehersnow—shoesboundtoherfeet，readytobreaktrailforthedogsoftheWolf。NordoIspeakformyselfalone。AsIhavedone，sohastheBear。He，too，hadfainbeenthefatherofherchildren，andmanyskinshashecuredthereto。Ispeakforalltheyoungmenwhoknownotwives。TheWolvesareeverhungry。Alwaysdotheytakethechoicemeatatthekilling。TotheRavensarelefttheleavings。

’ThereisGugkla，’hecried，brutallypointingoutoneofthewomen，whowasacripple。’Herlegsarebentliketheribsofabirchcanoe。Shecannotgatherwoodnorcarrythemeatofthehunters。DidtheWolveschooseher？’

’Ai！ai！’vociferatedhistribesmen。

’ThereisMoyri，whoseeyesarecrossedbytheEvilSpirit。Eventhebabesareaffrightedwhentheygazeuponher，anditissaidthebald—facegivesherthetrail。Wasshechosen？’

Againthecruelapplauserangout。

’AndtheresitsPischet。Shedoesnothearkentomywords。Neverhassheheardthecryofthechit—chat，thevoiceofherhusband，thebabbleofherchild。ShelivesintheWhiteSilence。CaredtheWolvesaughtforher？No！Theirsisthechoiceofthekill;oursistheleavings。

’Brothers，itshallnotbe！NomoreshalltheWolvesslinkamongourcampfires。Thetimeiscome。’

Agreatstreameroffire，theauroraborealis，purple，green，andyellow，shotacrossthezenith，bridginghorizontohorizon。Withheadthrownbackandarmsextended，heswayedtohisclimax。

’Behold！Thespiritsofourfathershavearisenandgreatdeedsareafootthisnight！’

Hesteppedback，andanotheryoungmansomewhatdiffidentlycameforward，pushedonbyhiscomrades。Hetoweredafullheadabovethem，hisbroadchestdefiantlybaredtothefrost。Heswungtentativelyfromonefoottotheother。Wordshalteduponhistongue，andhewasillatease。Hisfacewashorribletolookupon，forithadatonetimebeenhalftornawaybysometerrificblow。Atlasthestruckhisbreastwithhisclenchedfist，drawingsoundasfromadrum，andhisvoicerumbledforthasdoesthesurffromanoceancavern。

’IamtheBear，—theSilver—TipandtheSonoftheSilver—Tip！

Whenmyvoicewasyetasagirl’s，Islewthelynx，themoose，andthecariboo;whenitwhistledlikethewolverinesfromunderacache，I

crossedtheMountainsoftheSouthandslewthreeoftheWhiteRivers;

whenitbecameastheroaroftheChinook，Imetthebald—facedgrizzly，butgavenotrail。’

Atthishepaused，hishandsignificantlysweepingacrosshishideousscars。

’IamnotastheFox。Mytongueisfrozenliketheriver。Icannotmakegreattalk。Mywordsarefew。TheFoxsaysgreatdeedsareafootthisnight。Good！Talkflowsfromhistonguelikethefreshetsofthespring，butheischaryofdeeds。ThisnightshallIdobattlewiththeWolf。Ishallslayhim，andZarinskashallsitbymyfire。TheBearhasspoken。’

Thoughpandemoniumragedabouthim，’Scruff’Mackenzieheldhisground。Awarehowuselesswastherifleatclosequarters，heslippedbothholsterstothefore，readyforaction，anddrewhismittenstillhishandswerebarelyshieldedbytheelbowgauntlets。Heknewtherewasnohopeinattackenmasse，buttruetohisboast，waspreparedtodiewithteethfast—locked。ButtheBearrestrainedhiscomrades，beatingbackthemoreimpetuouswithhisterriblefist。Asthetumultbegantodieaway，MackenzieshotaglanceinthedirectionofZarinska。Itwasasuperbpicture。Shewasleaningforwardonhersnow—shoes，lipsapartandnostrilsquivering，likeatigressabouttospring。Hergreatblackeyeswerefixeduponhertribesmen，infearanddefiance。Soextremethetension，shehadforgottentobreathe。Withonehandpressedspasmodicallyagainstherbreastandtheotherastightlygrippedaboutthedog—whip，shewasasturnedtostone。Evenashelooked，reliefcametoher。Hermusclesloosened;withaheavysighshesettledback，givinghimalookofmorethanlove—ofworship。

Thling—Tinnehwastryingtospeak，buthispeopledrownedhisvoice。

ThenMackenziestrodeforward。TheFoxopenedhismouthtoapiercingyell，butsosavagelydidMackenziewhirluponhimthatheshrankback，hislarynxallagurglewithsuppressedsound。Hisdiscomfiturewasgreetedwithroarsoflaughter，andservedtosoothehisfellowstoalisteningmood。

’Brothers！TheWhiteMan，whomyehavechosentocalltheWolf，cameamongyouwithfairwords。HewasnotliketheInnuit;hespokenotlies。Hecameasafriend，asonewhowouldbeabrother。Butyourmenhavehadtheirsay，andthetimeforsoftwordsispast。First，IwilltellyouthattheShamanhasaneviltongueandisafalseprophet，thatthemessageshespakearenotthoseoftheFire—Bringer。HisearsarelockedtothevoiceoftheRaven，andoutofhisownheadheweavescunningfancies，andhehasmadefoolsofyou。Hehasnopower。

Whenthedogswerekilledandeaten，andyourstomachswereheavywithuntannedhideandstripsofmoccasins;whentheoldmendied，andtheoldwomendied，andthebabesatthedrydugsofthemothersdied;

whenthelandwasdark，andyeperishedasdothesalmoninthefall;aye，whenthefaminewasuponyou，didtheShamanbringrewardtoyourhunters？didtheShamanputmeatinyourbellies？AgainIsay，theShamaniswithoutpower。ThusIspituponhisface！’

Thoughtakenabackbythesacrilege，therewasnouproar。Someofthewomenwereevenfrightened，butamongthementherewasanuplifting，asthoughinpreparationoranticipationofthemiracle。

Alleyeswereturneduponthetwocentralfigures。Thepriestrealizedthecrucialmoment，felthispowertottering，openedhismouthindenunciation，butfledbackwardbeforethetruculentadvance，upraisedfist，andflashingeyes，ofMackenzie。Hesneeredandresumed。

WasIstrickendead？Didthelightningburnme？Didthestarsfallfromtheskyandcrushme？Pish！Ihavedonewiththedog。NowwillItellyouofmypeople，whoarethemightiestofallthepeoples，whoruleinallthelands。AtfirstwehuntasIhunt，alone。Afterthatwehuntinpacks;andatlast，likethecariboo—run，wesweepacrossalltheland。Thosewhomwetakeintoourlodgeslive;thosewhowillnotcomedie。Zarinskaisacomelymaiden，fullandstrong，fittobecomethemotherofWolves。ThoughIdie，suchshallshebecome;

formybrothersaremany，andtheywillfollowthescentofmydogs。

ListentotheLawoftheWolf：WhosotakeththelifeofoneWolf，theforfeitshalltenofhispeoplepay。Inmanylandshasthepricebeenpaid;inmanylandsshallityetbepaid。

’NowwillIdealwiththeFoxandtheBear。Itseemstheyhavecasteyesuponthemaiden。So？Behold，Ihaveboughther！

Thling—Tinnehleansupontherifle;thegoodsofpurchasearebyhisfire。YetwillIbefairtotheyoungmen。TotheFox，whosetongueisdrywithmanywords，willIgiveoftobaccofivelongplugs。Thuswillhismouthbewettedthathemaymakemuchnoiseinthecouncil。ButtotheBear，ofwhomIamwellproud，willIgiveofblanketstwo;offlour，twentycups;oftobacco，doublethatoftheFox;andifhefarewithmeovertheMountainsoftheEast，thenwillIgivehimarifle，matetoThling—Tinneh’s。Ifnot？Good！TheWolfiswearyofspeech。YetonceagainwillhesaytheLaw：WhosotakeththelifeofoneWolf，theforfeitshalltenofhispeoplepay。’

Mackenziesmiledashesteppedbacktohisoldposition，butathearthewasfulloftrouble。Thenightwasyetdark。Thegirlcametohisside，andhelistenedcloselyasshetoldoftheBear’sbattle—trickswiththeknife。

Thedecisionwasforwar。Inatrice，scoresofmoccasinswerewideningthespaceofbeatensnowbythefire。TherewasmuchchatterabouttheseemingdefeatoftheShaman;someaverredhehadbutwithheldhispower，whileothersconnedpasteventsandagreedwiththeWolf。TheBearcametothecenterofthebattle—ground，alongnakedhunting—knifeofRussianmakeinhishand。TheFoxcalledattentiontoMackenzie’srevolvers;sohestrippedhisbelt，bucklingitaboutZarinska，intowhosehandshealsoentrustedhisrifle。Sheshookherheadthatshecouldnotshoot，—smallchancehadawomantohandlesuchpreciousthings。

’Then，ifdangercomebymyback，cryaloud，"Myhusband！"No;thus，"Myhusband！"’

Helaughedassherepeatedit，pinchedhercheek，andreenteredthecircle。NotonlyinreachandstaturehadtheBeartheadvantageofhim，buthisbladewaslongerbyagoodtwoinches。’Scruff’

Mackenziehadlookedintotheeyesofmenbefore，andheknewitwasamanwhostoodagainsthim;yethequickenedtotheglintoflightonthesteel，tothedominantpulseofhisrace。

Timeandagainhewasforcedtotheedgeofthefireorthedeepsnow，andtimeandagain，withthefoottacticsofthepugilist，heworkedbacktothecenter。Notavoicewasliftedinencouragement，whilehisantagonistwasheartenedwithapplause，suggestions，andwarnings。Buthisteethonlyshutthetighterastheknivesclashedtogether，andhethrustoreludedwithacoolnessbornofconsciousstrength。Atfirsthefeltcompassionforhisenemy;butthisfledbeforetheprimalinstinctoflife，whichinturngavewaytothelustofslaughter。Thetenthousandyearsofculturefellfromhim，andhewasacave—dweller，doingbattleforhisfemale。

TwiceheprickedtheBear，gettingawayunscathed;butthethirdtimecaught，andtosavehimself，freehandsclosedonfightinghands，andtheycametogether。Thendidherealizethetremendousstrengthofhisopponent。Hismuscleswereknottedinpainfullumps，andcordsandtendonsthreatenedtosnapwiththestrain;yetnearerandnearercametheRussiansteel。Hetriedtobreakaway，butonlyweakenedhimself。Thefur—cladcircleclosedin，certainofandanxioustoseethefinalstroke。Butwithwrestler’strick，swingingpartlytotheside，hestruckathisadversarywithhishead。InvoluntarilytheBearleanedback，disturbinghiscenterofgravity。Simultaneouswiththis，Mackenzietrippedproperlyandthrewhiswholeweightforward，hurlinghimclearthroughthecircleintothedeepsnow。

TheBearflounderedoutandcamebackfulltilt。

’Omyhusband！’Zarinska’svoicerangout，vibrantwithdanger。

Tothetwangofabow—string，Mackenziesweptlowtotheground，andabone—barbedarrowpassedoverhimintothebreastoftheBear，whosemomentumcarriedhimoverhiscrouchingfoe。ThenextinstantMackenziewasupandabout。Thebearlaymotionless，butacrossthefirewastheShaman，drawingasecondarrow。

Mackenzie’sknifeleapedshortintheair。Hecaughttheheavybladebythepoint。Therewasaflashoflightasitspannedthefire。

ThentheShaman，thehiltaloneappearingwithouthisthroat，swayedandpitchedforwardintotheglowingembers。

Click！Click！—theFoxhadpossessedhimselfofThling—Tinneh’srifleandwasvainlytryingtothrowashellintoplace。ButhedroppeditatthesoundofMackenzie’slaughter。

’SotheFoxhasnotlearnedthewayoftheplaything？Heisyetawoman。Come！Bringit，thatImayshowthee！’

TheFoxhesitated。

’Come，Isay！’

Heslouchedforwardlikeabeatencur。

’Thus，andthus;sothethingisdone。’AshellflewintoplaceandthetriggerwasatcockasMackenziebroughtittoshoulder。

’TheFoxhassaidgreatdeedswereafootthisnight，andhespoketrue。Therehavebeengreatdeeds，yetleastamongthemwerethoseoftheFox。IshestillintenttotakeZarinskatohislodge？IshemindedtotreadthetrailalreadybrokenbytheShamanandtheBear？

No？Good！’

Mackenzieturnedcontemptuouslyanddrewhisknifefromthepriest’sthroat。

’Areanyoftheyoungmensominded？Ifso，theWolfwilltakethembytwoandthreetillnoneareleft。No？Good！Thling—Tinneh，I

nowgivetheethisrifleasecondtime。If，inthedaystocome，thoushouldstjourneytotheCountryoftheYukon，knowthouthatthereshallalwaysbeaplaceandmuchfoodbythefireoftheWolf。

Thenightisnowpassingintotheday。Igo，butImaycomeagain。Andforthelasttime，remembertheLawoftheWolf！’

HewassupernaturalintheirsightasherejoinedZarinska。Shetookherplaceattheheadoftheteam，andthedogsswungintomotion。A

fewmomentslatertheywereswallowedupbytheghostlyforest。TillnowMackenziehadwaited;heslippedintohissnow—shoestofollow。

’HastheWolfforgottenthefivelongplugs？’

MackenzieturnedupontheFoxangrily;thenthehumorofitstruckhim。

’Iwillgivetheeoneshortplug。’

’AstheWolfseesfit，’meeklyrespondedtheFox，stretchingouthishand。

THEMENOFFORTY—MILE。

WHENBIGJIMBELDENventuredtheapparentlyinnocuouspropositionthatmush—icewas’ratherpecooliar，’helittledreamedofwhatitwouldleadto。NeitherdidLonMcFane，whenheaffirmedthatanchor—icewasevenmoreso;nordidBettles，asheinstantlydisagreed，declaringtheveryexistenceofsuchaformtobeabugaboo。

’An’ye’dbetellin’methis，’criedLon，’aftertheyearsye’vespintintheland！An’weatin’outthesamepotthismany’stheday！’

’Butthething’saginreasin，’insistedBettles。’Lookyou，water’swarmerthanice—’

’An’littlethedifference，onceyebreakthrough。’

’Stillit’swarmer，becauseitain’tfroze。An’yousayitfreezesonthebottom？’

’Onlytheanchor—ice，David，onlytheanchor—ice。An’haveyeniverdriftedalong，thewaterclearasglass，whinsuddin，belikeacloudoverthesun，themushy—icecomesbubblin’upan’uptillfrombanktobankan’bindtobindit’sdrapin’theriverlikeafirstsnowfall？’

’Unh，hunh！more’noncewhenItookadozeatthesteering—oar。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读