Whenhediscoveredablood-blisterunderathumb-nail，whichhehadreceivedthepreviousweek，hisself-identificationbecamedoublysure，andheknewthatthoseunfamiliarhandsbelongedtoMarcusO’Brien，or，justasmuchtothepoint，thatMarcusO’Brienbelongedtothehands。Hisfirstthoughtwasthathewasill——thathehadhadriverfever。Ithurthimsomuchtoopenhiseyesthathekeptthemclosed。Asmallfloatingbranchstrucktheboatasharprap。Hethoughtitwassomeoneknockingonthecabindoor，andsaid，\"Comein。\"Hewaitedforawhile，andthensaidtestily，\"Stayout，then，damnyou。\"Butjustthesamehewishedtheywouldcomeinandtellhimabouthisillness。
Butashelaythere，thepastnightbegantoreconstructitselfinhisbrain。Hehadn’tbeensickatall，washisthought;hehadmerelybeendrunk，anditwastimeforhimtogetupandgotowork。
Worksuggestedhismine，andherememberedthathehadrefusedtenthousanddollarsforit。Hesatupabruptlyandsqueezedopenhiseyes。Hesawhimselfinaboat，floatingontheswollenbrownfloodoftheYukon。Thespruce-coveredshoresandislandswereunfamiliar。
Hewasstunnedforatime。Hecouldn’tmakeitout。Hecouldrememberthelastnight’sorgy，buttherewasnoconnectionbetweenthatandhispresentsituation。
Heclosedhiseyesandheldhisachingheadinhishands。Whathadhappened？Slowlythedreadfulthoughtaroseinhismind。Hefoughtagainstit，strovetodriveitaway，butitpersisted：hehadkilledsomebody。ThatalonecouldexplainwhyhewasinanopenboatdriftingdowntheYukon。ThelawofRedCowthathehadsolongadministeredhadnowbeenadministeredtohim。Hehadkilledsomeoneandbeensetadrift。Butwhom？Herackedhisachingbrainfortheanswer，butallthatcamewasavaguememoryofbodiesfallinguponhimandofstrikingoutatthem。Whowerethey？Maybehehadkilledmorethanone。Hereachedtohisbelt。Theknifewasmissingfromitssheath。Hehaddoneitwiththatundoubtedly。Buttheremusthavebeensomereasonforthekilling。Heopenedhiseyesandinapanicbegantosearchabouttheboat。Therewasnogrub，notanounceofgrub。Hesatdownwithagroan。Hehadkilledwithoutprovocation。Theextremerigourofthelawhadbeenvisiteduponhim。
Forhalfanhourheremainedmotionless，holdinghisachingheadandtryingtothink。Thenhecooledhisstomachwithadrinkofwaterfromoversideandfeltbetter。Hestoodup，andaloneonthewide-
stretchingYukon，withnaughtbuttheprimevalwildernesstohear，hecursedstrongdrink。Afterthathetieduptoahugefloatingpinethatwasdeepersunkinthecurrentthantheboatandthatconsequentlydriftedfaster。Hewashedhisfaceandhands，satdowninthestern-sheets，anddidsomemorethinking。ItwaslateinJune。ItwastwothousandmilestoBeringSea。Theboatwasaveragingfivemilesanhour。Therewasnodarknessinsuchhighlatitudesatthattimeoftheyear，andhecouldruntherivereveryhourofthetwenty-four。Thiswouldmean，daily，ahundredandtwentymiles。Strikeoutthetwentyforaccidents，andthereremainedahundredmilesaday。IntwentydayshewouldreachBeringSea。Andthiswouldinvolvenoexpenditureofenergy;theriverdidthework。Hecouldliedowninthebottomoftheboatandhusbandhisstrength。
Fortwodaysheatenothing。Then，driftingintotheYukonFlats，hewentashoreonthelow-lyingislandsandgatheredtheeggsofwildgeeseandducks。Hehadnomatches，andatetheeggsraw。Theywerestrong，buttheykepthimgoing。WhenhecrossedtheArcticCircle，hefoundtheHudsonBayCompany’spost。ThebrigadehadnotyetarrivedfromtheMackenzie，andthepostwascompletelyoutofgrub。
Hewasofferedwild-duckeggs，butheinformedthemthathehadabushelofthesameontheboat。Hewasalsoofferedadrinkofwhisky，whichherefusedwithanexhibitionofviolentrepugnance。
Hegotmatches，however，andafterthathecookedhiseggs。Towardthemouthoftheriverhead-windsdelayedhim，andhewastwenty-fourdaysontheeggdiet。Unfortunately，whileasleephehaddriftedbyboththemissionsofSt。PaulandHolyCross。Andhecouldsincerelysay，asheafterwarddid，thattalkaboutmissionsontheYukonwasallhumbug。Thereweren’tanymissions，andhewasthemantoknow。
OnceonBeringSeaheexchangedtheeggdietforsealdiet，andhenevercouldmakeuphismindwhichhelikedleast。InthefalloftheyearhewasrescuedbyaUnitedStatesrevenuecutter，andthefollowingwinterhemadequiteahitinSanFranciscoasatemperancelecturer。Inthisfieldhefoundhisvocation。\"Avoidthebottle\"
ishissloganandbattle-cry。Hemanagessubtlytoconveytheimpressionthatinhisownlifeagreatdisasterwaswroughtbythebottle。Hehasevenmentionedthelossofafortunethatwascausedbythathell-baitofthedevil，butbehindthatincidenthislistenersfeeltheloomofsometerribleandunguessedevilforwhichthebottleisresponsible。Hehasmadeasuccessinhisvocation，andhasgrowngreyandrespectedinthecrusadeagainststrongdrink。
ButontheYukonthepassingofMarcusO’Brienremainstradition。ItisamysterythatranksatparwiththedisappearanceofSirJohnFranklin。
THEWITOFPORPORTUK
El-SoohadbeenaMissiongirl。Hermotherhaddiedwhenshewasverysmall，andSisterAlbertahadpluckedEl-Sooasabrandfromtheburning，onesummerday，andcarriedherawaytoHolyCrossMissionanddedicatedhertoGod。El-Soowasafull-bloodedIndian，yetsheexceededallthehalf-breedandquarter-breedgirls。Neverhadthegoodsistersdealtwithagirlsoadaptableandatthesametimesospirited。
El-Soowasquick，anddeft，andintelligent;butaboveallshewasfire，thelivingflameoflife，ablazeofpersonalitythatwascompoundedofwill，sweetness，anddaring。Herfatherwasachief，andhisbloodraninherveins。Obedience，onthepartofEl-Soo，wasamatteroftermsandarrangement。Shehadapassionforequity，andperhapsitwasbecauseofthisthatsheexcelledinmathematics。
Butsheexcelledinotherthings。ShelearnedtoreadandwriteEnglishasnogirlhadeverlearnedintheMission。Sheledthegirlsinsinging，andintosongshecarriedhersenseofequity。Shewasanartist，andthefireofherflowedtowardcreation。Hadshefrombirthenjoyedamorefavourableenvironment，shewouldhavemadeliteratureormusic。
Instead，shewasEl-Soo，daughterofKlakee-Nah，achief，andshelivedintheHolyCrossMissionwherewerenoartists，butonlypure-
souledSisterswhowereinterestedincleanlinessandrighteousnessandthewelfareofthespiritinthelandofimmortalitythatlaybeyondtheskies。
Theyearspassed。ShewaseightyearsoldwhensheenteredtheMission;shewassixteen，andtheSisterswerecorrespondingwiththeirsuperiorsintheOrderconcerningthesendingofEl-SoototheUnitedStatestocompletehereducation，whenamanofherowntribearrivedatHolyCrossandhadtalkwithher。El-Soowassomewhatappalledbyhim。Hewasdirty。HewasaCaliban-likecreature，primitivelyugly，withamopofhairthathadneverbeencombed。Helookedatherdisapprovinglyandrefusedtositdown。
\"Thybrotherisdead，\"hesaidshortly。
El-Soowasnotparticularlyshocked。Sherememberedlittleofherbrother。\"Thyfatherisanoldman，andalone，\"themessengerwenton。\"Hishouseislargeandempty，andhewouldhearthyvoiceandlookuponthee。\"
Himsheremembered——Klakee-Nah，theheadmanofthevillage，thefriendofthemissionariesandthetraders，alargemanthewedlikeagiant，withkindlyeyesandmasterfulways，andstridingwithaconsciousnessofcruderoyaltyinhiscarriage。
\"TellhimthatIwillcome，\"wasEl-Soo’sanswer。
MuchtothedespairoftheSisters，thebrandpluckedfromtheburningwentbacktotheburning。AllpleadingwithEl-Soowasvain。
Therewasmuchargument，expostulation，andweeping。SisterAlbertaevenrevealedtohertheprojectofsendinghertotheUnitedStates。
El-Soostaredwide-eyedintothegoldenvistathusopeneduptoher，andshookherhead。Inhereyespersistedanothervista。ItwasthemightycurveoftheYukonatTana-nawStation。WiththeSt。GeorgeMissionononeside，andthetradingpostontheother，andmidwaybetweentheIndianvillageandacertainlargeloghousewherelivedanoldmantendeduponbyslaves。
AlldwellersontheYukonbankfortwiceathousandmilesknewthelargeloghouse，theoldmanandthetendingslaves;andwelldidtheSistersknowthehouse，itsunendingrevelry，itsfeastinganditsfun。SotherewasweepingatHolyCrosswhenEl-Soodeparted。
TherewasagreatcleaningupinthelargehousewhenEl-Sooarrived。
Klakee-Nah，himselfmasterful，protestedatthismasterfulconductofhisyoungdaughter;butintheend，dreamingbarbaricallyofmagnificence，hewentforthandborrowedathousanddollarsfromoldPorportuk，thanwhomtherewasnoricherIndianontheYukon。Also，Klakee-Nahranupaheavybillatthetradingpost。El-Soore-
createdthelargehouse。Sheinvesteditwithnewsplendour，whileKlakee-Nahmaintaineditsancienttraditionsofhospitalityandrevelry。
AllthiswasunusualforaYukonIndian，butKlakee-NahwasanunusualIndian。Notalonedidheliketorenderinordinatehospitality，but，whatofbeingachiefandofacquiringmuchmoney，hewasabletodoit。Intheprimitivetradingdayshehadbeenapoweroverhispeople，andhehaddealtprofitablywiththewhitetradingcompanies。Lateron，withPorportuk，hehadmadeagold-
strikeontheKoyokukRiver。Klakee-Nahwasbytrainingandnatureanaristocrat。Porportukwasbourgeois，andPorportukboughthimoutofthegold-mine。Porportukwascontenttoplodandaccumulate。
Klakee-Nahwentbacktohislargehouseandproceededtospend。
PorportukwasknownastherichestIndianinAlaska。Klakee-Nahwasknownasthewhitest。Porportukwasamoney-lenderandausurer。
Klakee-Nahwasananachronism——amediaevalruin，afighterandafeaster，happywithwineandsong。
El-SooadaptedherselftothelargehouseanditswaysasreadilyasshehadadaptedherselftoHolyCrossMissionanditsways。ShedidnottrytoreformherfatheranddirecthisfootstepstowardGod。Itistrue，shereprovedhimwhenhedrankovermuchandprofoundly，butthatwasforthesakeofhishealthandthedirectionofhisfootstepsonsolidearth。
Thelatchstringtothelargehousewasalwaysout。Whatwiththecomingandthegoing，itwasneverstill。Theraftersofthegreatliving-roomshookwiththeroarofwassailandofsong。Attablesatmenfromalltheworldandchiefsfromdistanttribes——EnglishmenandColonials，leanYankeetradersandrotundofficialsofthegreatcompanies，cowboysfromtheWesternranges，sailorsfromthesea，huntersanddog-mushersofascoreofnationalities。
El-Soodrewbreathinacosmopolitanatmosphere。ShecouldspeakEnglishaswellasshecouldhernativetongue，andshesangEnglishsongsandballads。ThepassingIndianceremonialssheknew，andtheperishingtraditions。Thetribaldressofthedaughterofachiefsheknewhowtowearuponoccasion。Butforthemostpartshedressedaswhitewomendress。NotfornothingwasherneedleworkattheMissionandherinnateartistry。Shecarriedherclotheslikeawhitewoman，andshemadeclothesthatcouldbesocarried。
Inherwayshewasasunusualasherfather，andthepositionsheoccupiedwasasuniqueashis。ShewastheoneIndianwomanwhowasthesocialequalwiththeseveralwhitewomenatTana-nawStation。
ShewastheoneIndianwomantowhomwhitemenhonourablymadeproposalsofmarriage。AndshewastheoneIndianwomanwhomnowhitemaneverinsulted。
ForEl-Soowasbeautiful——notaswhitewomenarebeautiful，notasIndianwomenarebeautiful。Itwastheflameofher，thatdidnotdependuponfeature，thatwasherbeauty。Sofarasmerelineandfeaturewent，shewastheclassicIndiantype。Theblackhairandthefinebronzewerehers，andtheblackeyes，brilliantandbold，keenassword-light，proud;andhersthedelicateeaglenosewiththethin，quiveringnostrils，thehighcheek-bonesthatwerenotbroadapart，andthethinlipsthatwerenottoothin。Butoverallandthroughallpouredtheflameofher——theunanalysablesomethingthatwasfireandthatwasthesoulofher，thatlaymellow-warmorblazedinhereyes，thatsprayedthecheeksofher，thatdistendedthenostrils，thatcurledthelips，or，whenthelipwasinrepose，thatwasstillthereinthelip，thelippalpitantwithitspresence。
AndEl-Soohadwit——rarelysharptohurt，yetquicktosearchoutforgivableweakness。Thelaughterofhermindplayedlikelambentflameoverallabouther，andfromallaboutheraroseansweringlaughter。Yetshewasneverthecentreofthings。Thisshewouldnotpermit。Thelargehouse，andallofwhichitwassignificant，washerfather’s;andthroughit，tothelast，movedhisheroicfigure——host，masteroftherevels，andgiverofthelaw。Itistrue，asthestrengthoozedfromhim，thatshecaughtupresponsibilitiesfromhisfailinghands。Butinappearancehestillruled，dozing，ofttimesattheboard，abacchanalianruin，yetinallseemingtherulerofthefeast。
AndthroughthelargehousemovedthefigureofPorportuk，ominous，withshakinghead，coldlydisapproving，payingforitall。Notthathereallypaid，forhecompoundedinterestinweirdways，andyearbyyearabsorbedthepropertiesofKlakee-Nah。PorportukoncetookituponhimselftochideEl-Soouponthewastefulwayoflifeinthelargehouse——itwaswhenhehadaboutabsorbedthelastofKlakee-
Nah’swealth——butheneverventuredsotochideagain。El-Soo，likeherfather，wasanaristocrat，asdisdainfulofmoneyashe，andwithanequalsenseofhonourasfinelystrung。
Porportukcontinuedgrudginglytoadvancemoney，andeverthemoneyflowedingoldenfoamaway。UpononethingEl-Soowasresolved——herfathershoulddieashehadlived。Thereshouldbeforhimnopassingfromhightolow，nodiminutionoftherevels，nolesseningofthelavishhospitality。Whentherewasfamine，asofold，theIndianscamegroaningtothelargehouseandwentawaycontent。Whentherewasfamineandnomoney，moneywasborrowedfromPorportuk，andtheIndiansstillwentawaycontent。El-Soomightwellhaverepeated，afterthearistocratsofanothertimeandplace，thatafterhercamethedeluge。InhercasethedelugewasoldPorportuk。Witheveryadvanceofmoney，helookeduponherwithamorepossessiveeye，andfeltbourgeoningwithinhimancientfires。
ButEl-Soohadnoeyesforhim。NorhadsheeyesforthewhitemenwhowantedtomarryherattheMissionwithringandpriestandbook。
ForatTana-nawStationwasayoungman，Akoon，ofherownblood，andtribe，andvillage。Hewasstrongandbeautifultohereyes，agreathunter，and，inthathehadwanderedfarandmuch，verypoor;hehadbeentoalltheunknownwastesandplaces;hehadjourneyedtoSitkaandtotheUnitedStates;hehadcrossedthecontinenttoHudsonBayandbackagain，andasseal-hunteronashiphehadsailedtoSiberiaandforJapan。
Whenhereturnedfromthegold-strikeinKlondikehecame，aswashiswont，tothelargehousetomakereporttooldKlakee-Nahofalltheworldthathehadseen;andtherehefirstsawEl-Soo，threeyearsbackfromtheMission。Thereat，Akoonwanderednomore。Herefusedawageoftwentydollarsadayaspilotonthebigsteamboats。Hehuntedsomeandfishedsome，butneverfarfromTana-nawStation，andhewasatthelargehouseoftenandlong。AndEl-Soomeasuredhimagainstmanymenandfoundhimgood。Hesangsongstoher，andwasardentandgloweduntilallTana-nawStationknewhelovedher。AndPorportukbutgrinnedandadvancedmoremoneyfortheupkeepofthelargehouse。
ThencamethedeathtableofKlakee-Nah。
Hesatatfeast，withdeathinhisthroat，thathecouldnotdrownwithwine。Andlaughterandjokeandsongwentaround，andAkoontoldastorythatmadetheraftersecho。Therewerenotearsorsighsatthattable。ItwasnomorethanfitthatKlakee-Nahshoulddieashehadlived，andnoneknewthisbetterthanEl-Soo，withherartistsympathy。Theoldroysteringcrowdwasthere，and，asofold，threefrost-bittensailorswerethere，freshfromthelongtraversefromtheArctic，survivorsofaship’scompanyofseventy-four。AtKlakee-Nah’sbackwerefouroldmen，allthatwerelefthimoftheslavesofhisyouth。Withrheumyeyestheysawtohisneeds，withpalsiedhandsfillinghisglassorstrikinghimonthebackbetweentheshoulderswhendeathstirredandhecoughedandgasped。
Itwasawildnight，andasthehourspassedandthefunlaughedandroaredalong，deathstirredmorerestlesslyinKlakee-Nah’sthroat。
ThenitwasthathesentforPorportuk。AndPorportukcameinfromtheoutsidefrosttolookwithdisapprovingeyesuponthemeatandwineonthetableforwhichhehadpaid。ButashelookeddownthelengthofflushedfacestothefarendandsawthefaceofEl-Soo，thelightinhiseyesflaredup，andforamomentthedisapprovalvanished。
PlacewasmadeforhimatKlakee-Nah’sside，andaglassplacedbeforehim。Klakee-Nah，withhisownhands，filledtheglasswithferventspirits。\"Drink！\"hecried。\"Isitnotgood？\"
AndPorportuk’seyeswateredashenoddedhisheadandsmackedhislips。
\"When，inyourownhouse，haveyouhadsuchdrink？\"Klakee-Nahdemanded。
\"Iwillnotdenythatthedrinkisgoodtothisoldthroatofmine，\"
Porportukmadeanswer，andhesitatedforthespeechtocompletethethought。
\"Butitcostsovermuch，\"Klakee-Nahroared，completingitforhim。
Porportukwincedatthelaughterthatwentdownthetable。Hiseyesburnedmalevolently。\"Wewereboystogether，ofthesameage，\"hesaid。\"Inyourthroatisdeath。Iamstillaliveandstrong。\"
Anominousmurmurarosefromthecompany。Klakee-Nahcoughedandstrangled，andtheoldslavessmotehimbetweentheshoulders。Heemergedgasping，andwavedhishandtostillthethreateningrumble。
\"Youhavegrudgedtheveryfireinyourhousebecausethewoodcostovermuch！\"hecried。\"Youhavegrudgedlife。Tolivecostovermuch，andyouhaverefusedtopaytheprice。Yourlifehasbeenlikeacabinwherethefireisoutandtherearenoblanketsonthefloor。\"
Hesignalledtoaslavetofillhisglass，whichheheldaloft。\"ButIhavelived。AndIhavebeenwarmwithlifeasyouhaveneverbeenwarm。Itistrue，youshalllivelong。Butthelongestnightsarethecoldnightswhenamanshiversandliesawake。Mynightshavebeenshort，butIhavesleptwarm。\"
Hedrainedtheglass。Theshakinghandofaslavefailedtocatchitasitcrashedtothefloor。Klakee-Nahsankback，panting，watchingtheupturnedglassesatthelipsofthedrinkers，hisownlipsslightlysmilingtotheapplause。Atasign，twoslavesattemptedtohelphimsituprightagain。Buttheywereweak，hisframewasmighty，andthefouroldmentotteredandshookastheyhelpedhimforward。
\"Butmanneroflifeisneitherherenorthere，\"hewenton。\"Wehaveotherbusiness，Porportuk，youandI，to-night。Debtsaremischances，andIaminmischancewithyou。Whatofmydebt，andhowgreatisit？\"
Porportuksearchedinhispouchandbroughtforthamemorandum。Hesippedathisglassandbegan。\"ThereisthenoteofAugust，1889，forthreehundreddollars。Theinteresthasneverbeenpaid。Andthenoteofthenextyearforfivehundreddollars。Thisnotewasincludedinthenoteoftwomonthslaterforathousanddollars。
Thenthereisthenote——\"
\"Nevermindthemanynotes！\"Klakee-Nahcriedoutimpatiently。\"Theymakemyheadgoaroundandallthethingsinsidemyhead。Thewhole！
Theroundwhole！Howmuchisit？\"
Porportukreferredtohismemorandum。\"Fifteenthousandninehundredandsixty-sevendollarsandseventy-fivecents，\"hereadwithcarefulprecision。
\"Makeitsixteenthousand，makeitsixteenthousand，\"Klakee-Nahsaidgrandly。\"Oddnumberswereeveraworry。Andnow——anditisforthisthatIhavesentforyou——makemeoutanewnoteforsixteenthousand，whichIshallsign。Ihavenothoughtoftheinterest。
Makeitaslargeasyouwill，andmakeitpayableinthenextworld，whenIshallmeetyoubythefireoftheGreatFatherofallIndians。
Thenthenotewillbepaid。ThisIpromiseyou。ItisthewordofKlakee-Nah。\"
Porportuklookedperplexed，andloudlythelaughteraroseandshooktheroom。Klakee-Nahraisedhishands。\"Nay，\"hecried。\"Itisnotajoke。Ibutspeakinfairness。ItwasforthisIsentforyou，Porportuk。Makeoutthenote。\"
\"Ihavenodealingswiththenextworld，\"Porportukmadeanswerslowly。
\"HaveyounothoughttomeetmebeforetheGreatFather！\"Klakee-Nahdemanded。Thenheadded，\"Ishallsurelybethere。\"
\"Ihavenodealingswiththenextworld，\"Porportukrepeatedsourly。
Thedyingmanregardedhimwithfrankamazement。
\"Iknownaughtofthenextworld，\"Porportukexplained。\"Idobusinessinthisworld。\"
Klakee-Nah’sfacecleared。\"Thiscomesofsleepingcoldofnights，\"
helaughed。Heponderedforaspace，thensaid，\"Itisinthisworldthatyoumustbepaid。Thereremainstomethishouse。Takeit，andburnthedebtinthecandlethere。\"
\"Itisanoldhouseandnotworththemoney，\"Porportukmadeanswer。
\"TherearemyminesontheTwistedSalmon。\"
\"Theyhaveneverpaidtowork，\"wasthereply。
\"ThereismyshareinthesteamerKoyokuk。Iamhalfowner。\"
\"SheisatthebottomoftheYukon。\"
Klakee-Nahstarted。\"True，Iforgot。Itwaslastspringwhentheicewentout。\"Hemusedforatimewhiletheglassesremaineduntasted，andallthecompanywaiteduponhisutterance。
\"ThenitwouldseemIoweyouasumofmoneywhichIcannotpay……
inthisworld？\"Porportuknoddedandglanceddownthetable。
\"Thenitwouldseemthatyou，Porportuk，areapoorbusinessman，\"
Klakee-Nahsaidslyly。AndboldlyPorportukmadeanswer，\"No;thereissecurityyetuntouched。\"
\"What！\"criedKlakee-Nah。\"HaveIstillproperty？Nameit，anditisyours，andthedebtisnomore。\"
\"Thereitis。\"PorportukpointedatEl-Soo。
Klakee-Nahcouldnotunderstand。Hepeereddownthetable，brushedhiseyes，andpeeredagain。
\"Yourdaughter，El-Soo——herwillItakeandthedebtbenomore。I
willburnthedebtthereinthecandle。\"
Klakee-Nah’sgreatchestbegantoheave。\"Ho！ho！——ajoke。Ho！ho！
ho！\"helaughedHomerically。\"AndwithyourcoldbedanddaughtersoldenoughtobethemotherofEl-Soo！Ho！ho！ho！\"Hebegantocoughandstrangle，andtheoldslavessmotehimontheback。\"Ho！
ho！\"hebeganagain，andwentoffintoanotherparoxysm。
Porportukwaitedpatiently，sippingfromhisglassandstudyingthedoublerowoffacesdowntheboard。\"Itisnojoke，\"hesaidfinally。\"Myspeechiswellmeant。\"
Klakee-Nahsoberedandlookedathim，thenreachedforhisglass，butcouldnottouchit。Aslavepassedittohim，andglassandliquorheflungintothefaceofPorportuk。
\"Turnhimout！\"Klakee-Nahthunderedtothewaitingtablethatstrainedlikeapackofhoundsinleash。\"Androllhiminthesnow！\"
Asthemadriotsweptpasthimandoutofdoors，hesignalledtotheslaves，andthefourtotteringoldmensupportedhimonhisfeetashemetthereturningrevellers，upright，glassinhand，pledgingthematoasttotheshortnightwhenamansleepswarm。
ItdidnottakelongtosettletheestateofKlakee-Nah。Tommy，thelittleEnglishman，clerkatthetradingpost，wascalledinbyEl-Sootohelp。Therewasnothingbutdebts，notesoverdue，mortgagedproperties，andpropertiesmortgagedbutworthless。NotesandmortgageswereheldbyPorportuk。Tommycalledhimarobbermanytimesasheponderedthecompoundingoftheinterest。
\"Isitadebt，Tommy？\"El-Sooasked。
\"Itisarobbery，\"Tommyanswered。
\"Nevertheless，itisadebt，\"shepersisted。
Thewinterworeaway，andtheearlyspring，andstilltheclaimsofPorportukremainedunpaid。HesawEl-Soooftenandexplainedtoheratlength，ashehadexplainedtoherfather，thewaythedebtcouldbecancelled。Also，hebroughtwithhimoldmedicine-men，whoelaboratedtohertheeverlastingdamnationofherfatherifthedebtwerenotpaid。Oneday，aftersuchanelaboration，El-SoomadefinalannouncementtoPorportuk。
\"Ishalltellyoutwothings，\"shesaid。\"FirstIshallnotbeyourwife。Willyourememberthat？Second，youshallbepaidthelastcentofthesixteenthousanddollars——\"
\"Fifteenthousandninehundredandsixty-sevendollarsandseventy-
fivecents，\"Porportukcorrected。
\"Myfathersaidsixteenthousand，\"washerreply。\"Youshallbepaid。\"
\"How？\"
\"Iknownothow，butIshallfindouthow。Nowgo，andbothermenomore。Ifyoudo\"——shehesitatedtofindfittingpenalty——\"ifyoudo，Ishallhaveyourolledinthesnowagainassoonasthefirstsnowflies。\"
Thiswasstillintheearlyspring，andalittlelaterEl-Soosurprisedthecountry。WordwentupanddowntheYukonfromChilcoottotheDelta，andwascarriedfromcamptocamptothefarthermostcamps，thatinJune，whenthefirstsalmonran，El-Soo，daughterofKlakee-Nah，wouldsellherselfatpublicauctiontosatisfytheclaimsofPorportuk。Vainweretheattemptstodissuadeher。ThemissionaryatSt。Georgewrestledwithher，butshereplied——OnlythedebtstoGodaresettledinthenextworld。Thedebtsofmenareofthisworld，andinthisworldaretheysettled。\"
Akoonwrestledwithher，butshereplied，\"Idolovethee，Akoon;buthonourisgreaterthanlove，andwhoamIthatIshouldblackenmyfather？\"SisterAlbertajourneyedallthewayupfromHolyCrossonthefirststeamer，andtonobetterend。
\"Myfatherwandersinthethickandendlessforests，\"saidEl-Soo。
\"Andtherewillhewander，withthelostsoulscrying，tillthedebtbepaid。Then，andnotuntilthen，mayhegoontothehouseoftheGreatFather。\"
\"Andyoubelievethis？\"SisterAlbertaasked。
\"Idonotknow，\"El-Soomadeanswer。\"Itwasmyfather’sbelief。\"
SisterAlbertashruggedhershouldersincredulously。
\"Whoknowsbutthatthethingswebelievecometrue？\"El-Soowenton。
\"Whynot？Thenextworldtoyoumaybeheavenandharps……
becauseyouhavebelievedheavenandharps;tomyfatherthenextworldmaybealargehousewherehewillsitalwaysattablefeastingwithGod。\"
\"Andyou？\"SisterAlbertaasked。\"Whatisyournextworld？\"
El-Soohesitatedbutforamoment。\"Ishouldlikealittleofboth，\"
shesaid。\"Ishouldliketoseeyourfaceaswellasthefaceofmyfather。\"
Thedayoftheauctioncame。Tana-nawStationwaspopulous。Aswastheircustom，thetribeshadgatheredtoawaitthesalmon-run，andinthemeantimespentthetimeindancingandfrolicking，tradingandgossiping。Thentherewastheordinarysprinklingofwhiteadventurers，traders，andprospectors，and，inaddition，alargenumberofwhitemenwhohadcomebecauseofcuriosityorinterestintheaffair。
Ithadbeenabackwardspring，andthesalmonwerelateinrunning。
Thisdelaybutkeyeduptheinterest。Then，onthedayoftheauction，thesituationwasmadetensebyAkoon。HearoseandmadepublicandsolemnannouncementthatwhosoeverboughtEl-Soowouldforthwithandimmediatelydie。HeflourishedtheWinchesterinhishandtoindicatethemannerofthetaking-off。El-Soowasangeredthereat;butherefusedtospeakwithher，andwenttothetradingposttolayinextraammunition。
Thefirstsalmonwascaughtatteno’clockintheevening，andatmidnighttheauctionbegan。IttookplaceontopofthehighbankalongsidetheYukon。Thesunwasduenorthjustbelowthehorizon，andtheskywasluridred。Agreatcrowdgatheredaboutthetableandthetwochairsthatstoodneartheedgeofthebank。Totheforeweremanywhitemenandseveralchiefs。Andmostprominentlytothefore，rifleinhand，stoodAkoon。Tommy，atEl-Soo’srequest，servedasauctioneer，butshemadetheopeningspeechanddescribedthegoodsabouttobesold。Shewasinnativecostume，inthedressofachief’sdaughter，splendidandbarbaric，andshestoodonachair，thatshemightbeseentoadvantage。
\"Whowillbuyawife？\"sheasked。\"Lookatme。Iamtwentyyearsoldandamaid。Iwillbeagoodwifetothemanwhobuysme。Ifheisawhiteman，Ishalldressinthefashionofwhitewomen;ifheisanIndian，Ishalldressas\"——shehesitatedamoment——\"asquaw。I
canmakemyownclothes，andsew，andwash，andmend。IwastaughtforeightyearstodothesethingsatHolyCrossMission。IcanreadandwriteEnglish，andIknowhowtoplaytheorgan。AlsoIcandoarithmeticandsomealgebra——alittle。Ishallbesoldtothehighestbidder，andtohimIwillmakeoutabillofsaleofmyself。
IforgottosaythatIcansingverywell，andthatIhaveneverbeensickinmylife。Iweighonehundredandthirty-twopounds;myfatherisdeadandIhavenorelatives。Whowantsme？\"
Shelookedoverthecrowdwithflamingaudacityandsteppeddown。AtTommy’srequestshestooduponthechairagain，whilehemountedthesecondchairandstartedthebidding。
SurroundingEl-Soostoodthefouroldslavesofherfather。Theywereage-twistedandpalsied，faithfultotheirmeat，agenerationoutofthepastthatwatchedunmovedtheanticsofyoungerlife。InthefrontofthecrowdwereseveralEldoradoandBonanzakingsfromtheUpperYukon，andbesidethem，oncrutches，swollenwithscurvy，weretwobrokenprospectors。Fromthemidstofthecrowd，thrustoutbyitsownvividness，appearedthefaceofawild-eyedsquawfromtheremoteregionsoftheUpperTana-naw;astrayedSitkanfromthecoaststoodsidebysidewithaStickfromLakeLeBarge，and，beyond，ahalf-dozenFrench-Canadianvoyageurs，groupedbythemselves。Fromafarcamethefaintcriesofmyriadsofwild-fowlonthenesting-
grounds。SwallowswereskimmingupoverheadfromtheplacidsurfaceoftheYukon，androbinsweresinging。Theobliqueraysofthehiddensunshotthroughthesmoke，high-dissipatedfromforestfiresathousandmilesaway，andturnedtheheavenstosombrered，whiletheearthshoneredinthereflectedglow。Thisredglowshoneinthefacesofall，andmadeeverythingseemunearthlyandunreal。
Thebiddingbeganslowly。TheSitkan，whowasastrangerinthelandandwhohadarrivedonlyhalfanhourbefore，offeredonehundreddollarsinaconfidentvoice，andwassurprisedwhenAkoonturnedthreateninglyuponhimwiththerifle。Thebiddingdragged。AnIndianfromtheTozikakat，apilot，bidonehundredandfifty，andaftersometimeagambler，whohadbeenorderedoutoftheUpperCountry，raisedthebidtotwohundred。El-Soowassaddened;herpridewashurt;buttheonlyeffectwasthatsheflamedmoreaudaciouslyuponthecrowd。
TherewasadisturbanceamongtheonlookersasPorportukforcedhiswaytothefront。\"Fivehundreddollars！\"hebidinaloudvoice，thenlookedabouthimproudlytonotetheeffect。
Hewasmindedtousehisgreatwealthasabludgeonwithwhichtostunallcompetitionatthestart。Butoneofthevoyageurs，lookingonEl-Soowithsparklingeyes，raisedthebidahundred。
\"Sevenhundred！\"Porportukreturnedpromptly。
Andwithequalpromptnesscamethe\"Eighthundred\"ofthevoyageur。
ThenPorportukswunghisclubagain。
\"Twelvehundred！\"heshouted。
Withalookofpoignantdisappointment，thevoyageursuccumbed。
Therewasnofurtherbidding。Tommyworkedhard，butcouldnotelicitabid。
El-SoospoketoPorportuk。\"Itweregood，Porportuk，foryoutoweighwellyourbid。HaveyouforgottenthethingItoldyou——thatI
wouldnevermarryyou！\"
\"Itisapublicauction，\"heretorted。\"Ishallbuyyouwithabillofsale。Ihaveofferedtwelvehundreddollars。Youcomecheap。\"
\"Toodamnedcheap！\"Tommycried。\"WhatifIamauctioneer？Thatdoesnotpreventmefrombidding。I’llmakeitthirteenhundred。\"
\"Fourteenhundred，\"fromPorportuk。
\"I’llbuyyouintobemy——mysister，\"TommywhisperedtoEl-Soo，thencalledaloud，\"Fifteenhundred！\"
AttwothousandoneoftheEldoradokingstookahand，andTommydroppedout。
AthirdtimePorportukswungtheclubofhiswealth，makingacleanraiseoffivehundreddollars。ButtheEldoradoking’spridewastouched。Nomancouldclubhim。Andheswungbackanotherfivehundred。
El-Soostoodatthreethousand。Porportukmadeitthirty-fivehundred，andgaspedwhentheEldoradokingraiseditathousanddollars。Porportukagainraiseditfivehundred，andagaingaspedwhenthekingraisedathousandmore。
Porportukbecameangry。Hispridewastouched;hisstrengthwaschallenged，andwithhimstrengthtooktheformofwealth。Hewouldnotbeashamedforweaknessbeforetheworld。El-Soobecameincidental。Thesavingsandscrimpingsfromthecoldnightsofallhisyearswereripetobesquandered。El-Soostoodatsixthousand。
Hemadeitseventhousand。Andthen，inthousand-dollarbids，asfastastheycouldbeuttered，herpricewentup。Atfourteenthousandthetwomenstoppedforbreath。
Thentheunexpectedhappened。Astillheavierclubwasswung。Inthepausethatensued，thegambler，whohadscentedaspeculationandformedasyndicatewithseveralofhisfellows，bidsixteenthousanddollars。
\"Seventeenthousand，\"Porportuksaidweakly。
\"Eighteenthousand，\"saidtheking。
Porportukgatheredhisstrength。\"Twentythousand。\"
Thesyndicatedroppedout。TheEldoradokingraisedathousand，andPorportukraisedback;andastheybid，Akoonturnedfromonetotheother，halfmenacingly，halfcuriously，asthoughtoseewhatmannerofmanitwasthathewouldhavetokill。Whenthekingpreparedtomakehisnextbid，Akoonhavingpressedcloser，thekingfirstloosedtherevolverathiship，thensaid：
\"Twenty-threethousand。\"
\"Twenty-fourthousand，\"saidPorportuk。Hegrinnedviciously，forthecertitudeofhisbiddinghadatlastshakentheking。ThelattermovedoverclosetoEl-Soo。Hestudiedhercarefullyforalongwhile。
\"Andfivehundred，\"hesaidatlast。
\"Twenty-fivethousand，\"camePorportuk’sraise。
Thekinglookedforalongspace，andshookhishead。Helookedagain，andsaidreluctantly，\"Andfivehundred。\"
\"Twenty-sixthousand，\"Porportuksnapped。
ThekingshookhisheadandrefusedtomeetTommy’spleadingeye。InthemeantimeAkoonhadedgedclosetoPorportuk。El-Soo’squickeyenotedthis，and，whileTommywrestledwiththeEldoradokingforanotherbid，shebent，andspokeinalowvoiceintheearofaslave。AndwhileTommy’s\"Going——going——going——\"dominatedtheair，theslavewentuptoAkoonandspokeinalowvoiceinhisear。
Akoonmadenosignthathehadheard，thoughEl-Soowatchedhimanxiously。
\"Gone！\"Tommy’svoicerangout。\"ToPorportuk，fortwenty-sixthousanddollars。\"
PorportukglanceduneasilyatAkoon。AlleyeswerecentreduponAkoon，buthedidnothing。
\"Letthescalesbebrought，\"saidEl-Soo。
\"Ishallmakepaymentatmyhouse，\"saidPorportuk。
\"Letthescalesbebrought，\"El-Soorepeated。\"Paymentshallbemadeherewhereallcansee。\"
Sothegoldscaleswerebroughtfromthetradingpost，whilePorportukwentawayandcamebackwithamanathisheels，onwhoseshoulderswasaweightofgold-dustinmoose-hidesacks。Also，atPorportuk’sback，walkedanothermanwitharifle，whohadeyesonlyforAkoon。
\"Herearethenotesandmortgages，\"saidPorportuk，\"forfifteenthousandninehundredandsixty-sevendollarsandseventy-fivecents。\"
El-SooreceivedthemintoherhandsandsaidtoTommy，\"Letthembereckonedassixteenthousand。\"
\"Thereremainstenthousanddollarstobepaidingold，\"Tommysaid。
Porportuknodded，anduntiedthemouthsofthesacks。El-Soo，standingattheedgeofthebank，torethepaperstoshredsandsentthemflutteringoutovertheYukon。Theweighingbegan，buthalted。
\"Ofcourse，atseventeendollars，\"PorportukhadsaidtoTommy，asheadjustedthescales。
\"Atsixteendollars，\"El-Soosaidsharply。
\"Itisthecustomofallthelandtoreckongoldatseventeendollarsforeachounce，\"Porportukreplied。\"Andthisisabusinesstransaction。\"
El-Soolaughed。\"Itisanewcustom，\"shesaid。\"Itbeganthisspring。Lastyear，andtheyearsbefore，itwassixteendollarsanounce。Whenmyfather’sdebtwasmade，itwassixteendollars。Whenhespentatthestorethemoneyhegotfromyou，foroneouncehewasgivensixteendollars’worthofflour，notseventeen。Wherefore，shallyoupayformeatsixteen，andnotatseventeen。\"Porportukgruntedandallowedtheweighingtoproceed。
\"Weighitinthreepiles，Tommy，\"shesaid。\"Athousanddollarshere，threethousandhere，andheresixthousand。\"
Itwasslowwork，and，whiletheweighingwenton，Akoonwascloselywatchedbyall。
\"Hebutwaitstillthemoneyispaid，\"onesaid;andthewordwentaroundandwasaccepted，andtheywaitedforwhatAkoonshoulddowhenthemoneywaspaid。AndPorportuk’smanwiththeriflewaitedandwatchedAkoon。
Theweighingwasfinished，andthegold-dustlayonthetableinthreedark-yellowheaps。\"ThereisadebtofmyfathertotheCompanyforthreethousanddollars，\"saidEl-Soo。\"Takeit，Tommy，fortheCompany。Andherearefouroldmen，Tommy。Youknowthem。
Andhereisonethousanddollars。Takeit，andseethattheoldmenareneverhungryandneverwithouttobacco。\"
Tommyscoopedthegoldintoseparatesacks。Sixthousanddollarsremainedonthetable。El-Soothrustthescoopintotheheap，andwithasuddenturnwhirledthecontentsoutanddowntotheYukoninagoldenshower。Porportukseizedherwristasshethrustthescoopasecondtimeintotheheap。
\"Itismine，\"shesaidcalmly。Porportukreleasedhisgrip，buthegrittedhisteethandscowleddarklyasshecontinuedtoscoopthegoldintotherivertillnonewasleft。
ThecrowdhadeyesfornaughtbutAkoon，andtherifleofPorportuk’smanlayacrossthehollowofhisarm，themuzzledirectedatAkoonayardaway，theman’sthumbonthehammer。ButAkoondidnothing。
\"Makeoutthebillofsale，\"Porportuksaidgrimly。
AndTommymadeoutthetillofsale，whereinallrightandtitleinthewomanEl-SoowasvestedinthemanPorportuk。El-Soosignedthedocument，andPorportukfoldeditandputitawayinhispouch。
Suddenlyhiseyesflashed，andinsuddenspeechheaddressedEl-Soo。
\"Butitwasnotyourfather’sdebt，\"hesaid，\"WhatIpaidwasthepriceforyou。Yoursaleisbusinessofto-dayandnotoflastyearandtheyearsbefore。Theouncespaidforyouwillbuyatthepostto-dayseventeendollarsofflour，andnotsixteen。Ihavelostadollaroneachounce。Ihavelostsixhundredandtwenty-fivedollars。\"
El-Soothoughtforamoment，andsawtheerrorshehadmade。Shesmiled，andthenshelaughed。
\"Youareright，\"shelaughed，\"Imadeamistake。Butitistoolate。
Youhavepaid，andthegoldisgone。Youdidnotthinkquick。Itisyourloss。Yourwitisslowthesedays，Porportuk。Youaregettingold。\"
Hedidnotanswer。HeglanceduneasilyatAkoon，andwasreassured。
Hislipstightened，andahintofcrueltycameintohisface。
\"Come，\"hesaid，\"wewillgotomyhouse。\"
\"DoyourememberthetwothingsItoldyouinthespring？\"El-Sooasked，makingnomovementtoaccompanyhim。
\"Myheadwouldbefullwiththethingswomensay，didIheedthem，\"
heanswered。
\"Itoldyouthatyouwouldbepaid，\"El-Soowentoncarefully。\"AndItoldyouthatIwouldneverbeyourwife。\"
\"Butthatwasbeforethebillofsale。\"Porportukcrackledthepaperbetweenhisfingersinsidethepouch。\"Ihaveboughtyoubeforealltheworld。Youbelongtome。Youwillnotdenythatyoubelongtome。\"
\"Ibelongtoyou，\"El-Soosaidsteadily。
\"Iownyou。\"
\"Youownme。\"
Porportuk’svoiceroseslightlyandtriumphantly。\"Asadog，Iownyou。\"
\"Asadogyouownme，\"El-Soocontinuedcalmly。\"But，Porportuk，youforgetthethingItoldyou。Hadanyothermanboughtme，Ishouldhavebeenthatman’swife。Ishouldhavebeenagoodwifetothatman。Suchwasmywill。ButmywillwithyouwasthatIshouldneverbeyourwife。Wherefore，Iamyourdog。\"
Porportukknewthatheplayedwithfire，andheresolvedtoplayfirmly。\"ThenIspeaktoyou，notasEl-Soo，butasadog，\"hesaid;
\"andItellyoutocomewithme。\"Hehalfreachedtogripherarm，butwithagesturesheheldhimback。
\"Notsofast，Porportuk。Youbuyadog。Thedogrunsaway。Itisyourloss。Iamyourdog。WhatifIrunaway？\"
\"Astheownerofthedog，Ishallbeatyou——\"
\"Whenyoucatchme？\"
\"WhenIcatchyou。\"
\"Thencatchme。\"
Hereachedswiftlyforher，butsheeludedhim。Shelaughedasshecircledaroundthetable。\"Catchher！\"PorportukcommandedtheIndianwiththerifle，whostoodneartoher。ButastheIndianstretchedforthhisarmtoher，theEldoradokingfelledhimwithafistblowundertheear。Therifleclatteredtotheground。ThenwasAkoon’schance。Hiseyesglittered，buthedidnothing。
Porportukwasanoldman，buthiscoldnightsretainedforhimhisactivity。Hedidnotcirclethetable。Hecameacrosssuddenly，overthetopofthetable。El-Soowastakenoffherguard。Shesprangbackwithasharpcryofalarm，andPorportukwouldhavecaughtherhaditnotbeenforTommy。Tommy’slegwentout，Porportuktrippedandpitchedforwardontheground。El-Soogotherstart。
\"Thencatchme，\"shelaughedoverhershoulder，asshefledaway。
Sheranlightlyandeasily，butPorportukranswiftlyandsavagely。
Heoutranher。Inhisyouthhehadbeenswiftestofalltheyoungmen。ButEl-Soododgedinawillowy，elusiveway。Beinginnativedress，herfeetwerenotclutteredwithskirts，andherpliantbodycurvedaflightthatdefiedthegrippingfingersofPorportuk。
Withlaughterandtumult，thegreatcrowdscatteredouttoseethechase。ItledthroughtheIndianencampment;andeverdodging，circling，andreversing，El-SooandPorportukappearedanddisappearedamongthetents。El-Sooseemedtobalanceherselfagainsttheairwithherarms，nowoneside，nowontheother，andsometimesherbody，too，leanedoutupontheairfarfromtheperpendicularassheachievedhersharpestcurves。AndPorportuk，alwaysaleapbehind，oraleapthissideorthat，likealeanhoundstrainedafterher。
Theycrossedtheopengroundbeyondtheencampmentanddisappearedintheforest。Tana-nawStationwaitedtheirreappearance，andlongandvainlyitwaited。
InthemeantimeAkoonateandslept，andlingeredmuchatthesteamboatlanding，deaftotherisingresentmentofTana-nawStationinthathedidnothing。Twenty-fourhourslaterPorportukreturned。
Hewastiredandsavage。HespoketonoonebutAkoon，andwithhimtriedtopickaquarrel。ButAkoonshruggedhisshouldersandwalkedaway。Porportukdidnotwastetime。Heoutfittedhalfadozenoftheyoungmen，selectingthebesttrackersandtravellers，andattheirheadplungedintotheforest。
NextdaythesteamerSeattle，boundupriver，pulledintotheshoreandwoodedup。Whenthelineswerecastoffandshechurnedoutfromthebank，Akoonwasonboardinthepilot-house。Notmanyhoursafterward，whenitwashisturnatthewheel，hesawasmallbirchbarkcanoeputofffromtheshore。Therewasonlyonepersoninit。Hestudieditcarefully，putthewheelover，andsloweddown。
Thecaptainenteredthepilot-house。\"What’sthematter？\"hedemanded。\"Thewater’sgood。\"
Akoongrunted。Hesawalargercanoeleavingthebank，andinitwereanumberofpersons。AstheSeattlelostheadway，heputthewheeloversomemore。
Thecaptainfumed。\"It’sonlyasquaw，\"heprotested。
Akoondidnotgrunt。Hewasalleyesforthesquawandthepursuingcanoe。Inthelattersixpaddleswereflashing，whilethesquawpaddledslowly。
\"You’llbeaground，\"thecaptainprotested，seizingthewheel。
ButAkooncounteredhisstrengthonthewheelandlookedhimintheeyes。Thecaptainslowlyreleasedthespokes。
\"Queerbeggar，\"hesniffedtohimself。
AkoonheldtheSeattleontheedgeoftheshoalwaterandwaitedtillhesawthesquaw’sfingersclutchtheforwardrail。Thenhesignalledforfullspeedaheadandgroundthewheelover。Thelargecanoewasverynear，butthegapbetweenitandthesteamerwaswidening。
Thesquawlaughedandleanedovertherail。
\"Thencatchme，Porportuk！\"shecried。
AkoonleftthesteameratFortYukon。Heoutfittedasmallpoling-
boatandwentupthePorcupineRiver。AndwithhimwentEl-Soo。Itwasawearyjourney，andthewayledacrossthebackboneoftheworld;butAkoonhadtravelleditbefore。Whentheycametothehead-watersofthePorcupine，theylefttheboatandwentonfootacrosstheRockyMountains。
AkoongreatlylikedtowalkbehindEl-Sooandwatchthemovementsofher。Therewasamusicinitthatheloved。Andespeciallyhelovedthewell-roundedcalvesintheirsheathsofsoft-tannedleather，theslimankles，andthesmallmoccasinedfeetthatweretirelessthroughthelongestdays。
\"Youarelightasair，\"hesaid，lookingupather。\"Itisnolabourforyoutowalk。Youalmostfloat，solightlydoyourfeetriseandfall。Youarelikeadeer，El-Soo;youarelikeadeer，andyoureyesarelikedeer’seyes，sometimeswhenyoulookatme，orwhenyouhearaquicksoundandwonderifitbedangerthatstirs。Youreyesarelikeadeer’seyesnowasyoulookatme。\"
AndEl-Soo，luminousandmelting，bentandkissedAkoon。
\"WhenwereachtheMackenzie，wewillnotdelay，\"Akoonsaidlater。
\"Wewillgosouthbeforethewintercatchesus。Wewillgotothesunlandswherethereisnosnow。Butwewillreturn。Ihaveseenmuchoftheworld，andthereisnolandlikeAlaska，nosunlikeoursun，andthesnowisgoodafterthelongsummer。\"
\"Andyouwilllearntoread，\"saidEl-Soo。
AndAkoonsaid，\"Iwillsurelylearntoread。\"ButtherewasdelaywhentheyreachedtheMackenzie。TheyfellinwithabandofMackenzieIndians，and，hunting，Akoonwasshotbyaccident。Theriflewasinthehandsofayouth。ThebulletbrokeAkoon’srightarmand，rangingfarther，broketwoofhisribs。Akoonknewroughsurgery，whileEl-SoohadlearnedsomerefinementsatHolyCross。
Theboneswerefinallyset，andAkoonlaybythefireforthemtoknit。Also，helaybythefiresothatthesmokewouldkeepthemosquitoesaway。
ThenitwasthatPorportuk，withhissixyoungmen，arrived。AkoongroanedinhishelplessnessandmadeappealtotheMackenzies。ButPorportukmadedemand，andtheMackenzieswereperplexed。PorportukwasforseizinguponEl-Soo，butthistheywouldnotpermit。
Judgmentmustbegiven，and，asitwasanaffairofmanandwoman，thecounciloftheoldmenwascalled——thisthatwarmjudgmentmightnotbegivenbytheyoungmen，whowerewarmofheart。
Theoldmensatinacircleaboutthesmudge-fire。Theirfaceswereleanandwrinkled，andtheygaspedandpantedforair。Thesmokewasnotgoodforthem。Occasionallytheystruckwithwitheredhandsatthemosquitoesthatbravedthesmoke。Aftersuchexertiontheycoughedhollowlyandpainfully。Somespatblood，andoneofthemsatabitapartwithheadbowedforward，andbledslowlyandcontinuouslyatthemouth;thecoughingsicknesshadgrippedthem。Theywereasdeadmen;theirtimewasshort。Itwasajudgmentofthedead。
\"AndIpaidforheraheavyprice，\"Porportukconcludedhiscomplaint。\"Suchapriceyouhaveneverseen。Sellallthatisyours——sellyourspearsandarrowsandrifles，sellyourskinsandfurs，sellyourtentsandboatsanddogs，selleverything，andyouwillnothavemaybeathousanddollars。YetdidIpayforthewoman，El-Soo，twenty-sixtimesthepriceofallyourspearsandarrowsandrifles，yourskinsandfurs，yourtentsandboatsanddogs。Itwasaheavyprice。\"
Theoldmennoddedgravely，thoughtheirweazenedeye-slitswidenedwithwonderthatanywomanshouldbeworthsuchaprice。Theonethatbledatthemouthwipedhislips。\"Isittruetalk？\"heaskedeachofPorportuk’ssixyoungmen。Andeachansweredthatitwastrue。
\"Isittruetalk？\"heaskedEl-Soo，andsheanswered，\"Itistrue。\"
\"ButPorportukhasnottoldthatheisanoldman，\"Akoonsaid，\"andthathehasdaughtersolderthanEl-Soo。\"
\"Itistrue，Porportukisanoldman，\"saidEl-Soo。
\"ItisforPorportuktomeasurethestrengthhisage，\"saidhewhobledatthemouth。\"Webeoldmen。Behold！Ageisneversooldasyouthwouldmeasureit。\"
Andthecircleofoldmenchampedtheirgums，andnoddedapprovingly，andcoughed。
\"ItoldhimthatIwouldneverbehiswife，\"saidEl-Soo。
\"Yetyoutookfromhimtwenty-sixtimesallthatwepossess？\"askedaone-eyedoldman。
El-Soowassilent。
\"Itistrue？\"Andhisoneeyeburnedandboredintoherlikeafierygimlet。
\"Itistrue，\"shesaid。
\"ButIwillrunawayagain，\"shebrokeoutpassionately，amomentlater。\"AlwayswillIrunaway。\"
\"ThatisforPorportuktoconsider，\"saidanotheroftheoldmen。
\"Itisforustoconsiderthejudgment。\"
\"Whatpricedidyoupayforher？\"wasdemandedofAkoon。
\"NopricedidIpayforher，\"heanswered。\"Shewasaboveprice。I
didnotmeasureheringold-dust，norindogs，andtents，andfurs。\"
Theoldmendebatedamongthemselvesandmumbledinundertones。
\"Theseoldmenareice，\"AkoonsaidinEnglish。\"Iwillnotlistentotheirjudgment，Porportuk。IfyoutakeEl-Soo，Iwillsurelykillyou。\"
Theoldmenceasedandregardedhimsuspiciously。\"Wedonotknowthespeechyoumake，\"onesaid。
\"Hebutsaidthathewouldkillme，\"Porportukvolunteered。\"Soitwerewelltotakefromhimhisrifle，andtohavesomeofyouryoungmensitbyhim，thathemaynotdomehurt。Heisayoungman，andwhatarebrokenbonestoyouth！\"
Akoon，lyinghelpless，hadrifleandknifetakenfromhim，andtoeithersideofhisshoulderssatyoungmenoftheMackenzies。Theone-eyedoldmanaroseandstoodupright。\"Wemarvelatthepricepaidforonemerewoman，\"hebegan;\"butthewisdomofthepriceisnoconcernofours。Weareheretogivejudgment，andjudgmentwegive。Wehavenodoubt。ItisknowntoallthatPorportukpaidaheavypriceforthewomanEl-Soo。WhereforedoesthewomanEl-SoobelongtoPorportukandnoneother。\"Hesatdownheavily，andcoughed。Theoldmennoddedandcoughed。
\"Iwillkillyou，\"AkooncriedinEnglish。
Porportuksmiledandstoodup。\"Youhavegiventruejudgment，\"hesaidtothecouncil，\"andmyyoungmenwillgivetoyoumuchtobacco。
Nowletthewomanbebroughttome。\"
Akoongrittedhisteeth。TheyoungmentookEl-Soobythearms。Shedidnotresist，andwasled，herfaceasullenflame，toPorportuk。
\"SitthereatmyfeettillIhavemademytalk，\"hecommanded。Hepausedamoment。\"Itistrue，\"hesaid，\"Iamanoldman。YetcanI
understandthewaysofyouth。Thefirehasnotallgoneoutofme。
YetamInolongeryoung，noramImindedtoruntheseoldlegsofminethroughalltheyearsthatremaintome。El-Soocanrunfastandwell。Sheisadeer。ThisIknow，forIhaveseenandrunafterher。Itisnotgoodthatawifeshouldrunsofast。Ipaidforheraheavyprice，yetdoessherunawayfromme。Akoonpaidnopriceatall，yetdoessheruntohim。
\"WhenIcameamongyoupeopleoftheMackenzie，Iwasofonemind。
AsIlistenedinthecouncilandthoughtoftheswiftlegsofEl-Soo，Iwasofmanyminds。NowamIofonemindagainbutitisadifferentmindfromtheoneIbroughttothecouncil。Letmetellyoumymind。Whenadogrunsonceawayfromamaster，itwillrunawayagain。Nomatterhowmanytimesitisbroughtback，eachtimeitwillrunawayagain。Whenwehavesuchdogs，wesellthem。El-
Sooislikeadogthatrunsaway。Iwillsellher。Isthereanymanofthecouncilthatwillbuy？\"
Theoldmencoughedandremainedsilent\"Akoonwouldbuy，\"Porportukwenton，\"buthehasnomoney。
WhereforeIwillgiveEl-Sootohim，ashesaid，withoutprice。EvennowwillIgivehertohim。\"
Reachingdown，hetookEl-SoobythehandandledheracrossthespacetowhereAkoonlayonhisback。
\"Shehasabadhabit，Akoon，\"hesaid，seatingheratAkoon’sfeet。
\"Asshehasrunawayfrommeinthepast，inthedaystocomeshemayrunawayfromyou。Butthereisnoneedtofearthatshewilleverrunaway，Akoon。Ishallseetothat。Neverwillsherunawayfromyou——thisisthewordofPorportuk。Shehasgreatwit。Iknow，foroftenhasitbittenintome。YetamImindedmyselftogivemywitplayforonce。AndbymywitwillIsecurehertoyou，Akoon。\"
Stooping，PorportukcrossedEl-Soo’sfeet，sothattheinstepofonelayoverthatoftheother;andthen，beforehispurposecouldbedivined，hedischargedhisriflethroughthetwoankles。AsAkoonstruggledtoriseagainsttheweightoftheyoungmen，therewasheardthecrunchofthebrokenbonerebroken。
\"Itisjust，\"saidtheoldmen，onetoanother。
El-Soomadenosound。Shesatandlookedathershatteredankles，onwhichshewouldneverwalkagain。
\"Mylegsarestrong，El-Soo，\"Akoonsaid。\"Butneverwilltheybearmeawayfromyou。\"
El-Soolookedathim，andforthefirsttimeinallthetimehehadknownher，Akoonsawtearsinhereyes。
\"Youreyesarelikedeer’seyes，El-Soo，\"hesaid。
\"Isitjust？\"Porportukasked，andgrinnedfromtheedgeofthesmokeashepreparedtodepart。
\"Itisjust，\"theoldmensaid。Andtheysatoninthesilence。