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。