Alightbreathofairblewfromthesouth，nippingtheexposedportionsoftheirbodiesanddrivingthefrost，inneedlesoffire，throughfurandfleshtothebones。So，whenthefirehadgrownlustyandthawedadampcircleinthesnowaboutit，SitkaCharleyforcedhisreluctantcomradestolendahandinpitchingafly。Itwasaprimitiveaffair，merelyablanketstretchedparallelwiththefireandtowindwardofit，atanangleofperhapsforty—fivedegrees。
Thisshutoutthechillwindandthrewtheheatbackwardanddownuponthosewhoweretohuddleinitsshelter。Thenalayerofgreenspruceboughswerespread，thattheirbodiesmightnotcomeincontactwiththesnow。Whenthistaskwascompleted，Kah—ChucteandGowheeproceededtotakecareoftheirfeet。Theiriceboundmocassinsweresadlywornbymuchtravel，andthesharpiceoftheriverjamshadcutthemtorags。TheirSiwashsocksweresimilarlyconditioned，andwhenthesehadbeenthawedandremoved，thedead—whitetipsofthetoes，inthevariousstagesofmortification，toldtheirsimpletaleofthetrail。
Leavingthetwotothedryingoftheirfootgear，SitkaCharleyturnedbackoverthecoursehehadcome。He，too，hadamightylongingtositbythefireandtendhiscomplainingflesh，butthehonorandthelawforbade。Hetoiledpainfullyoverthefrozenfield，eachstepaprotest，everymuscleinrevolt。Severaltimes，wheretheopenwaterbetweenthejamshadrecentlycrusted，hewasforcedtomiserablyacceleratehismovementsasthefragilefootingswayedandthreatenedbeneathhim。Insuchplacesdeathwasquickandeasy;butitwasnothisdesiretoendurenomore。
HisdeepeninganxietyvanishedastwoIndiansdraggedintoviewroundabendintheriver。Theystaggeredandpantedlikemenunderheavyburdens;yetthepacksontheirbackswereamatterofbutafewpounds。Hequestionedthemeagerly，andtheirrepliesseemedtorelievehim。Hehurriedon。Nextcametwowhitemen，supportingbetweenthemawoman。Theyalsobehavedasthoughdrunken，andtheirlimbsshookwithweakness。Butthewomanleanedlightlyuponthem，choosingtocarryherselfforwardwithherownstrength。AtthesightofheraflashofjoycastitsfleetinglightacrossSitkaCharley’sface。HecherishedaverygreatregardforMrs。
Eppingwell。Hehadseenmanywhitewomen，butthiswasthefirsttotravelthetrailwithhim。WhenCaptainEppingwellproposedthehazardousundertakingandmadehimanofferforhisservices，hehadshakenhisheadgravely;foritwasanunknownjourneythroughthedismalvastnessesoftheNorthland，andheknewittobeofthekindthattrytotheuttermostthesoulsofmen。Butwhenhelearnedthatthecaptain’swifewastoaccompanythem，hehadrefusedflatlytohaveanythingfurthertodowithit。Haditbeenawomanofhisownracehewouldhaveharborednoobjections;butthesewomenoftheSouthland—no，no，theyweretoosoft，tootender，forsuchenterprises。
SitkaCharleydidnotknowthiskindofwoman。Fiveminutesbefore，hedidnotevendreamoftakingchargeoftheexpedition;
butwhenshecametohimwithherwonderfulsmileandherstraightcleanEnglish，andtalkedtothepoint，withoutpleadingorpersuading，hehadincontinentlyyielded。Hadtherebeenasoftnessandappealtomercyintheeyes，atrembletothevoice，atakingadvantageofsex，hewouldhavestiffenedtosteel;insteadherclear—searchingeyesandclear—ringingvoice，herutterfranknessandtacitassumptionofequality，hadrobbedhimofhisreason。Hefelt，then，thatthiswasanewbreedofwoman;anderetheyhadbeentrailmatesformanydaysheknewwhythesonsofsuchwomenmasteredthelandandthesea，andwhythesonsofhisownwomankindcouldnotprevailagainstthem。Tenderandsoft！Dayafterdayhewatchedher，muscle—weary，exhausted，indomitable，andthewordsbeatinuponhiminaperennialrefrain。Tenderandsoft！Heknewherfeethadbeenborntoeasypathsandsunnylands，strangerstothemoccasinedpainoftheNorth，unkissedbythechilllipsofthefrost，andhewatchedandmarveledatthemtwinklingeverthroughthewearyday。
Shehadalwaysasmileandawordofcheer，fromwhichnoteventhemeanestpackerwasexcluded。Asthewaygrewdarkersheseemedtostiffenandgathergreaterstrength，andwhenKah—ChucteandGowhee，whohadbraggedthattheykneweverylandmarkofthewayasachilddidtheskinbailsofthetepee，acknowledgedthattheyknewnotwheretheywere，itwasshewhoraisedaforgivingvoiceamidthecursesofthemen。Shehadsungtothemthatnighttilltheyfeltthewearinessfallfromthemandwerereadytofacethefuturewithfreshhope。Andwhenthefoodfailedandeachscantstintwasmeasuredjealously，sheitwaswhorebelledagainstthemachinationsofherhusbandandSitkaCharley，anddemandedandreceivedashareneithergreaternorlessthanthatoftheothers。
SitkaCharleywasproudtoknowthiswoman。Anewrichness，agreaterbreadth，hadcomeintohislifewithherpresence。Hithertohehadbeenhisownmentor，hadturnedtorightorleftatnoman’sbeck;
hehadmouldedhimselfaccordingtohisowndictates，nourishedhismanhoodregardlessofallsavehisownopinion。Forthefirsttimehehadfeltacallfromwithoutforthebestthatwasinhim。justaglanceofappreciationfromtheclear—searchingeyes，awordofthanksfromtheclear—ringingvoice，justaslightwreathingofthelipsinthewonderfulsmile，andhewalkedwiththegodsforhourstocome。Itwasanewstimulanttohismanhood;forthefirsttimehethrilledwithaconsciousprideinhiswisdomofthetrail;andbetweenthetwaintheyeverliftedthesinkingheartsoftheircomrades。
Thefacesofthetwomenandthewomanbrightenedastheysawhim，forafterallhewasthestafftheyleanedupon。ButSitkaCharley，rigidaswashiswont，concealingpainandpleasureimpartiallybeneathanironexterior，askedthemthewelfareoftherest，toldthedistancetothefire，andcontinuedontheback—trip。NexthemetasingleIndian，unburdened，limping，lipscompressed，andeyessetwiththepainofafootinwhichthequickfoughtalosingbattlewiththedead。Allpossiblecarehadbeentakenofhim，butinthelastextremitytheweakandunfortunatemustperish，andSitkaCharleydeemedhisdaystobefew。Themancouldnotkeepupforlong，sohegavehimroughcheeringwords。AfterthatcametwomoreIndians，towhomhehadallottedthetaskofhelpingalongJoe，thethirdwhitemanoftheparty。Theyhaddesertedhim。SitkaCharleysawataglancethelurkingspringintheirbodies，andknewtheyhadatlastcastoffhismastery。Sohewasnottakenunawareswhenheorderedthembackinquestoftheirabandonedcharge，andsawthegleamofthehuntingknivesthattheydrewfromthesheaths。Apitifulspectacle，threeweakmenliftingtheirpunystrengthinthefaceofthemightyvastness;butthetworecoiledunderthefiercerifleblowsoftheoneandreturnedlikebeatendogstotheleash。Twohourslater，withJoereelingbetweenthemandSitkaCharleybringinguptherear，theycametothefire，wheretheremainderoftheexpeditioncrouchedintheshelterofthefly。
’Afewwords，mycomrades，beforewesleep，’SitkaCharleysaidaftertheyhaddevouredtheirslimrationsofunleavenedbread。HewasspeakingtotheIndiansintheirowntongue，havingalreadygiventheimporttothewhites。’Afewwords，mycomrades，foryourowngood，thatyemayyetperchancelive。Ishallgiveyouthelaw;onhisownheadbythedeathofhimthatbreaksit。WehavepassedtheHillsofSilence，andwenowtraveltheheadreachesoftheStuart。Itmaybeonesleep，itmaybeseveral，itmaybemanysleeps，butintimeweshallcomeamongthemenoftheYukon，whohavemuchgrub。
Itwerewellthatwelooktothelaw。TodayKah—ChucteandGowhee，whomIcommandedtobreaktrail，forgottheyweremen，andlikefrightenedchildrenranaway。True，theyforgot;soletusforget。Buthereafter，letthemremember。Ifitshouldhappentheydonot……’Hetouchedhisriflecarelessly，grimly。’TomorrowtheyshallcarrytheflourandseethatthewhitemanJoeliesnotdownbythetrail。Thecupsofflourarecounted;shouldsomuchasanouncebewantingatnightfall……Doyeunderstand？Todaytherewereothersthatforgot。
MooseHeadandThreeSalmonleftthewhitemanJoetolieinthesnow。
Letthemforgetnomore。Withthelightofdayshalltheygoforthandbreaktrail。Yehaveheardthelaw。Lookwell，lestyebreakit。’
SitkaCharleyfounditbeyondhimtokeepthelinecloseup。FromMooseHeadandThreeSalmon，whobroketrailinadvance，toKah—Chucte，Gowhee，andJoe，itstraggledoutoveramile。Eachstaggered，fellorrestedashesawfit。Thelineofmarchwasaprogressionthroughachainofirregularhalts。Eachdrewuponthelastremnantofhisstrengthandstumbledonwardtillitwasexpended，butinsomemiraculouswaytherewasalwaysanotherlastremnant。Eachtimeamanfellitwaswiththefirmbeliefthathewouldrisenomore;yethedidrise，andagainandagain。Thefleshyielded，thewillconquered;buteachtriumphwasatragedy。TheIndianwiththefrozenfoot，nolongererect，crawledforwardonhandandknee。Herarelyrested，forheknewthepenaltyexactedbythefrost。EvenMrs。
Eppingwell’slipswereatlastsetinastonysmile，andhereyes，seeing，sawnot。Oftenshestopped，pressingamittenedhandtoherheart，gaspinganddizzy。
Joe，thewhiteman，hadpassedbeyondthestageofsuffering。Henolongerbeggedtobeletalone，prayedtodie;butwassoothedandcontentundertheanodyneofdelirium。Kah—ChucteandGowheedraggedhimonroughly，ventinguponhimmanyasavageglanceorblow。Tothemitwastheacmeofinjustice。Theirheartswerebitterwithhate，heavywithfear。Whyshouldtheycumbertheirstrengthwithhisweakness？Todosomeantdeath;nottodoso—andtheyrememberedthelawofSitkaCharley，andtherifle。
Joefellwithgreaterfrequencyasthedaylightwaned，andsohardwashetoraisethattheydroppedfartherandfartherbehind。
Sometimesallthreepitchedintothesnow，soweakhadtheIndiansbecome。Yetontheirbackswaslife，andstrength，andwarmth。
Withinthefloursackswereallthepotentialitiesofexistence。
Theycouldnotbutthinkofthis，anditwasnotstrange，thatwhichcametopass。Theyhadfallenbythesideofagreattimberjamwhereathousandcordsoffirewoodwaitedthematch。Nearbywasanairholethroughtheice。Kah—Chuctelookedonthewoodandthewater，asdidGowhee;thentheylookedateachother。Neverawordwasspoken。Gowheestruckafire;Kah—Chuctefilledatincupwithwaterandheatedit;Joebabbledofthingsinanotherland，inatonguetheydidnotunderstand。Theymixedflourwiththewarmwatertillitwasathinpaste，andofthistheydrankmanycups。TheydidnotofferanytoJoe;buthedidnotmind。Hedidnotmindanything，notevenhismoccasins，whichscorchedandsmokedamongthecoals。
Acrystalmistofsnowfellaboutthem，softly，caressingly，wrappingtheminclingingrobesofwhite。Andtheirfeetwouldhaveyettrodmanytrailshadnotdestinybrushedthecloudsasideandclearedtheair。Nay，tenminutes’delaywouldhavebeensalvation。
SitkaCharley，lookingback，sawthepillaredsmokeoftheirfire，andguessed。Andhelookedaheadatthosewhowerefaithful，andatMrs。
Eppingwell。
’So，mygoodcomrades，yehaveagainforgottenthatyouweremen？
Good！Verygood。Therewillbefewerbelliestofeed。’
SitkaCharleyretiedtheflourashespoke，strappingthepacktotheoneonhisownback。HekickedJoetillthepainbrokethroughthepoordevil’sblissandbroughthimdodderingtohisfeet。Thenheshovedhimoutuponthetrailandstartedhimonhisway。ThetwoIndiansattemptedtoslipoff。
’Hold，Gowhee！Andthou，too，Kah—Chucte！Haththeflourgivensuchstrengthtothylegsthattheymayoutruntheswift—wingedlead？Thinknottocheatthelaw。Bemenforthelasttime，andbecontentthatyediefull—stomached。Come，stepup，backtothetimber，shouldertoshoulder。Come！’
Thetwomenobeyed，quietly，withoutfear;foritisthefuturewhichpressedupontheman，notthepresent。
’Thou，Gowhee，hastawifeandchildrenandadeerskinlodgeintheChipewyan。Whatisthywillinthematter？’
’Givethouherofthegoodswhichareminebythewordofthecaptain—theblankets，thebeads，thetobacco，theboxwhichmakesstrangesoundsafterthemannerofthewhitemen。SaythatIdiddieonthetrail，butsaynothow。’
’Andthou，Kah—Chucte，whohastnorwifenorchild？’
’Mineisasister，thewifeofthefactoratKoshim。Hebeatsher，andsheisnothappy。Givethouherthegoodswhichareminebythecontract，andtellheritwerewellshegobacktoherownpeople。
Shouldstthoumeettheman，andbesominded，itwereagooddeedthatheshoulddie。Hebeatsher，andsheisafraid。’
’Areyecontenttodiebythelaw？’
’Weare。’
’Thengood—bye，mygoodcomrades。Mayyesitbythewell—filledpot，inwarmlodges，erethedayisdone。’
Ashespokeheraisedhisrifle，andmanyechoesbrokethesilence。Hardlyhadtheydiedawaywhenotherriflesspokeinthedistance。SitkaCharleystarted。Therehadbeenmorethanoneshot，yettherewasbutoneotherrifleintheparty。Hegaveafleetingglanceatthemenwholaysoquietly，smiledviciouslyatthewisdomofthetrail，andhurriedontomeetthemenoftheYukon。
THEWIFEOFAKING。
I
ONCE，WHENTHENORTHLANDwasveryyoung，thesocialandcivicvirtueswereremarkablyalikefortheirpaucityandtheirsimplicity。Whentheburdenofdomesticdutiesgrewgrievous，andthefiresidemoodexpandedtoaconstantprotestagainstitsbleakloneliness，theadventurersfromtheSouthland，inlieuofbetter，paidthestipulatedpricesandtookuntothemselvesnativewives。ItwasaforetasteofParadisetothewomen，foritmustbeconfessedthatthewhiteroversgavefarbettercareandtreatmentofthemthandidtheirIndiancopartners。Ofcourse，thewhitementhemselvesweresatisfiedwithsuchdeals，aswerealsotheIndianmenforthatmatter。Havingsoldtheirdaughtersandsistersforcottonblanketsandobsoleteriflesandtradedtheirwarmfursforflimsycalicoandbadwhisky，thesonsofthesoilpromptlyandcheerfullysuccumbedtoquickconsumptionandotherswiftdiseasescorrelatedwiththeblessingsofasuperiorcivilization。
ItwasinthesedaysofArcadiansimplicitythatCalGalbraithjourneyedthroughthelandandfellsickontheLowerRiver。ItwasarefreshingadventinthelivesofthegoodSistersoftheHolyCross，whogavehimshelterandmedicine;thoughtheylittledreamedofthehotelixirinfusedintohisveinsbythetouchoftheirsofthandsandtheirgentleministrations。CalGalbraith，becametroubledwithstrangethoughtswhichclamoredforattentiontillhelaideyesontheMissiongirl，Madeline。Yethegavenosign，bidinghistimepatiently。Hestrengthenedwiththecomingspring，andwhenthesunrodetheheavensinagoldencircle，andthejoyandthroboflifewasinalltheland，hegatheredhisstillweakbodytogetheranddeparted。
Now，Madeline，theMissiongirl，wasanorphan。Herwhitefatherhadfailedtogiveabald—facedgrizzlythetrailoneday，andhaddiedquickly。ThenherIndianmother，havingnomantofillthewintercache，hadtriedthehazardousexperimentofwaitingtillthesalmon—runonfiftypoundsofflourandhalfasmanyofbacon。Afterthat，thebaby，Chook—ra，wenttolivewiththegoodSisters，andtobethenceforthknownbyanothername。
ButMadelinestillhadkinsfolk，thenearestbeingadissoluteunclewhooutragedhisvitalswithinordinatequantitiesofthewhiteman’swhisky。Hestrovedailytowalkwiththegods，andincidentally，hisfeetsoughtshortertrailstothegrave。Whensoberhesufferedexquisitetorture。Hehadnoconscience。TothisancientvagabondCalGalbraithdulypresentedhimself，andtheyconsumedmanywordsandmuchtobaccointheconversationthatfollowed。Promiseswerealsomade;andintheendtheoldheathentookafewpoundsofdriedsalmonandhisbirch—barkcanoe，andpaddledawaytotheMissionoftheHolyCross。
Itisnotgiventheworldtoknowwhatpromiseshemadeandwhatlieshetold—theSistersnevergossip;butwhenhereturned，uponhisswarthychesttherewasabrasscrucifix，andinhiscanoehisnieceMadeline。Thatnighttherewasagrandweddingandapotlach;sothatfortwodaystofollowtherewasnofishingdonebythevillage。ButinthemorningMadelineshookthedustoftheLowerRiverfromhermoccasins，andwithherhusband，inapoling—boat，wenttoliveontheUpperRiverinaplaceknownastheLowerCountry。Andintheyearswhichfollowedshewasagoodwife，sharingherhusband’shardshipsandcookinghisfood。Andshekepthiminstraighttrails，tillhelearnedtosavehisdustandtoworkmightily。Intheend，hestruckitrichandbuiltacabininCircleCity;andhishappinesswassuchthatmenwhocametovisithiminhishome—circlebecamerestlessatthesightofitandenviedhimgreatly。
ButtheNorthlandbegantomatureandsocialamenitiestomaketheirappearance。Hitherto，theSouthlandhadsentforthitssons;butitnowbelchedforthanewexodus—thistimeofitsdaughters。Sistersandwivestheywerenot;buttheydidnotfailtoputnewideasintheheadsofthemen，andtoelevatethetoneofthingsinwayspeculiarlytheirown。Nomoredidthesquawsgatheratthedances，goroaringdownthecenterinthegood，oldVirginiareels，ormakemerrywithjolly’DanTucker。’Theyfellbackontheirnaturalstoicismanduncomplaininglywatchedtheruleoftheirwhitesistersfromtheircabins。
ThenanotherexoduscameoverthemountainsfromtheprolificSouthland。Thistimeitwasofwomenthatbecamemightyintheland。
Theirwordwaslaw;theirlawwassteel。TheyfrownedupontheIndianwives，whiletheotherwomenbecamemildandwalkedhumbly。
Therewerecowardswhobecameashamedoftheirancientcovenantswiththedaughtersofthesoil，wholookedwithanewdistasteupontheirdark—skinnedchildren;buttherewerealsoothers—men—whoremainedtrueandproudoftheiraboriginalvows。Whenitbecamethefashiontodivorcethenativewives。CalGalbraithretainedhismanhood，andinsodoingfelttheheavyhandofthewomenwhohadcomelast，knewleast，butwhoruledtheland。
Oneday，theUpperCountry，whichliesfaraboveCircleCity，waspronouncedrich。Dog—teamscarriedthenewstoSaltWater;goldenargosiesfreightedthelureacrosstheNorthPacific;wiresandcablessangwiththetidings;andtheworldheardforthefirsttimeoftheKlondikeRiverandtheYukonCountry。
CalGalbraithhadlivedtheyearsquietly。HehadbeenagoodhusbandtoMadeline，andshehadblessedhim。Butsomehowdiscontentfelluponhim;hefeltvagueyearningsforhisownkind，forthelifehehadbeenshutoutfrom—ageneralsortofdesire，whichmensometimesfeel，tobreakoutandtastetheprimeofliving。Besides，theredrifteddowntheriverwildrumorsofthewonderfulElDorado，glowingdescriptionsofthecityoflogsandtents，andludicrousaccountsoftheche—cha—quaswhohadrushedinandwerestampedingthewholecountry。CircleCitywasdead。Theworldhadmovedonupriverandbecomeanewandmostmarvelousworld。
CalGalbraithgrewrestlessontheedgeofthings，andwishedtoseewithhisowneyes。So，afterthewash—up，heweighedinacoupleofhundredpoundsofdustontheCompany’sbigscales，andtookadraftforthesameonDawson。ThenheputTomDixoninchargeofhismines，kissedMadelinegood—by，promisedtobebackbeforethefirstmush—iceran，andtookpassageonanup—riversteamer。
Madelinewaited，waitedthroughallthethreemonthsofdaylight。
Shefedthedogs，gavemuchofhertimetoYoungCal，watchedtheshortsummerfadeawayandthesunbeginitslongjourneytothesouth。AndsheprayedmuchinthemanneroftheSistersoftheHolyCross。Thefallcame，andwithittherewasmush—iceontheYukon，andCircleCitykingsreturningtothewinter’sworkattheirmines，butnoCalGalbraith。TomDixonreceivedaletter，however，forhismensleddedupherwinter’ssupplyofdrypine。TheCompanyreceivedaletterforitsdog—teamsfilledhercachewiththeirbestprovisions，andshewastoldthathercreditwaslimitless。
Throughalltheagesmanhasbeenheldthechiefinstigatorofthewoesofwoman;butinthiscasethemenheldtheirtonguesandsworeharshlyatoneoftheirnumberwhowasaway，whilethewomenfailedutterlytoemulatethem。So，withoutneedlessdelay，MadelineheardstrangetalesofCalGalbraith’sdoings;also，ofacertainGreekdancerwhoplayedwithmenaschildrendidwithbubbles。NowMadelinewasanIndianwoman，andfurther，shehadnowomanfriendtowhomtogoforwisecounsel。Sheprayedandplannedbyturns，andthatnight，beingquickofresolveandaction，sheharnessedthedogs，andwithYoungCalsecurelylashedtothesled，stoleaway。
ThoughtheYukonstillranfree，theeddy—icewasgrowing，andeachdaysawtheriverdwindlingtoaslushythread。Savehimwhohasdonethelike，nomanmayknowwhatsheenduredintravelingahundredmilesontherim—ice;normaytheyunderstandthetoilandhardshipofbreakingthetwohundredmilesofpackedicewhichremainedaftertheriverfrozeforgood。ButMadelinewasanIndianwoman，soshedidthesethings，andonenighttherecameaknockatMalemuteKid’sdoor。Thereathefedateamofstarvingdogs，putahealthyyoungstertobed，andturnedhisattentiontoanexhaustedwoman。Heremovedherice—boundmoccasinswhilehelistenedtohertale，andstuckthepointofhisknifeintoherfeetthathemightseehowfartheywerefrozen。
Despitehistremendousvirility，MalemuteKidwaspossessedofasofter，womanlyelement，whichcouldwintheconfidenceofasnarlingwolf—dogordrawconfessionsfromthemostwintryheart。
Nordidheseekthem。Heartsopenedtohimasspontaneouslyasflowerstothesun。Eventhepriest，FatherRoubeau，hadbeenknowntoconfesstohim，whilethemenandwomenoftheNorthlandwereeverknockingathisdoor—adoorfromwhichthelatch—stringhungalwaysout。ToMadeline，hecoulddonowrong，makenomistake。Shehadknownhimfromthetimeshefirstcastherlotamongthepeopleofherfather’srace;andtoherhalf—barbaricminditseemedthatinhimwascenteredthewisdomoftheages，thatbetweenhisvisionandthefuturetherecouldbenointerveningveil。
Therewerefalseidealsintheland。ThesocialstricturesofDawsonwerenotsynonymouswiththoseofthepreviousera，andtheswiftmaturityoftheNorthlandinvolvedmuchwrong。MalemuteKidwasawareofthis，andhehadCalGalbraith’smeasureaccurately。Heknewahastywordwasthefatherofmuchevil;besides，hewasmindedtoteachagreatlessonandbringshameupontheman。SoStanleyPrince，theyoungminingexpert，wascalledintotheconferencethefollowingnightaswasalsoLuckyJackHarringtonandhisviolin。Thatsamenight，Bettles，whoowedagreatdebttoMalemuteKid，harnessedupCalGalbraith’sdogs，lashedCalGalbraith，Junior，tothesled，andslippedawayinthedarkforStuartRiver。
II
’So;one—two—three，one—two—three。Nowreverse！No，no！Startupagain，Jack。See—thisway。’Princeexecutedthemovementasoneshouldwhohasledthecotillion。
’Now;one—two—three，one—two—three。Reverse！Ah！that’sbetter。Tryitagain。Isay，youknow，youmustn’tlookatyourfeet。One—two—three，one—two—three。Shortersteps！Youarenothangingtothegee—polejustnow。Tryitover。There！that’stheway。One—two—three，one—two—three。’
RoundandroundwentPrinceandMadelineinaninterminablewaltz。
Thetableandstoolshadbeenshovedoveragainstthewalltoincreasetheroom。MalemuteKidsatonthebunk，chintoknees，greatlyinterested。JackHarringtonsatbesidehim，scrapingawayonhisviolinandfollowingthedancers。
Itwasauniquesituation，theundertakingofthesethreemenwiththewoman。Themostpatheticpart，perhaps，wasthebusinesslikewayinwhichtheywentaboutit。Noathletewasevertrainedmorerigidlyforacomingcontest，norwolf—dogfortheharness，thanwasshe。Buttheyhadgoodmaterial，forMadeline，unlikemostwomenofherrace，inherchildhoodhadescapedthecarryingofheavyburdensandthetoilofthetrail。Besides，shewasaclean—limbed，willowycreature，possessedofmuchgracewhichhadnothithertobeenrealized。Itwasthisgracewhichthemenstrovetobringoutandknockintoshape。
’Troublewithhershelearnedtodanceallwrong，’Princeremarkedtothebunkafterhavingdepositedhisbreathlesspupilonthetable。’She’squickatpickingup;yetIcoulddobetterhadsheneverdancedastep。Butsay，Kid，Ican’tunderstandthis。’Princeimitatedapeculiarmovementoftheshouldersandhead—aweaknessMadelinesufferedfrominwalking。
’LuckyforhershewasraisedintheMission，’MalemuteKidanswered。’Packing，youknow，—thehead—strap。OtherIndianwomenhaveitbad，butshedidn’tdoanypackingtillaftershemarried，andthenonlyatfirst。Sawhardlineswiththathusbandofhers。TheywentthroughtheForty—Milefaminetogether。’
’Butcanwebreakit？’
’Don’tknow。Perhapslongwalkswithhertrainerswillmaketheriffle。Anyway，they’lltakeitoutsome，won’tthey，Madeline？’
Thegirlnoddedassent。IfMalemuteKid，whoknewallthings，saidso，whyitwasso。Thatwasalltherewasaboutit。
Shehadcomeovertothem，anxioustobeginagain。Harringtonsurveyedherinquestofherpointsmuchinthesamemannermenusuallydohorses。Itcertainlywasnotdisappointing，forheaskedwithsuddeninterest，’Whatdidthatbeggarlyuncleofyoursgetanyway？’
’Onerifle，oneblanket，twentybottlesofhooch。Riflebroke。’
Shesaidthislastscornfully，asthoughdisgustedathowlowhermaiden—valuehadbeenrated。
ShespokefairEnglish，withmanypeculiaritiesofherhusband’sspeech，buttherewasstillperceptibletheIndianaccent，thetraditionalgropingafterstrangegutturals。Eventhisherinstructorshadtakeninhand，andwithnosmallsuccess，too。
Atthenextintermission，Princediscoveredanewpredicament。
’Isay，Kid，’hesaid，’we’rewrong，allwrong。Shecan’tlearninmoccasins。Putherfeetintoslippers，andthenontothatwaxedfloor—
phew！’
Madelineraisedafootandregardedhershapelesshouse—moccasinsdubiously。Inpreviouswinters，bothatCircleCityandForty—Mile，shehaddancedmanyanightawaywithsimilarfootgear，andtherehadbeennothingthematter。Butnow—well，iftherewasanythingwrongitwasforMalemuteKidtoknow，nother。
ButMalemuteKiddidknow，andhehadagoodeyeformeasures;soheputonhiscapandmittensandwentdownthehilltopayMrs。
Eppingwellacall。Herhusband，CloveEppingwell，wasprominentinthecommunityasoneofthegreatGovernmentofficials。TheKidhadnotedherslenderlittlefootonenight，attheGovernor’sBall。Andashealsoknewhertobeassensibleasshewaspretty，itwasnotasktoaskofheracertainsmallfavor。
Onhisreturn，Madelinewithdrewforamomenttotheinnerroom。
WhenshereappearedPrincewasstartled。
’ByJove！’hegasped。’Who’da’thoughtit！Thelittlewitch！Whymysister—’
’IsanEnglishgirl，’interruptedMalemuteKid，’withanEnglishfoot。Thisgirlcomesofasmall—footedrace。Moccasinsjustbroadenedherfeethealthily，whileshedidnotmisshapethembyrunningwiththedogsinherchildhood。’
ButthisexplanationfailedutterlytoallayPrince’sadmiration。
Harrington’scommercialinstinctwastouched，andashelookedupontheexquisitelyturnedfootandankle，thereranthroughhismindthesordidlist—’Onerifle，oneblanket，twentybottlesofhooch。’
Madelinewasthewifeofaking，akingwhoseyellowtreasurecouldbuyoutrightascoreoffashion’spuppets;yetinallherlifeherfeethadknownnogearsavered—tannedmoosehide。Atfirstshehadlookedinaweatthetinywhite—satinslippers;butshehadquicklyunderstoodtheadmirationwhichshone，manlike，intheeyesofthemen。Herfaceflushedwithpride。Forthemomentshewasdrunkenwithherwoman’sloveliness;thenshemurmured，withincreasedscorn，’Andonerifle，broke！’
Sothetrainingwenton。EverydayMalemuteKidledthegirloutonlongwalksdevotedtothecorrectionofhercarriageandtheshorteningofherstride。Therewaslittlelikelihoodofheridentitybeingdiscovered，forCalGalbraithandtherestoftheOld—Timerswerelikelostchildrenamongthemanystrangerswhohadrushedintotheland。Besides，thefrostoftheNorthhasabittertongue，andthetenderwomenoftheSouth，toshieldtheircheeksfromitsbitingcaresses，werepronetotheuseofcanvasmasks。Withfacesobscuredandbodieslostinsquirrel—skinparkas，amotheranddaughter，meetingontrail，wouldpassasstrangers。
Thecoachingprogressedrapidly。Atfirstithadbeenslow，butlaterasuddenaccelerationhadmanifesteditself。ThisbeganfromthemomentMadelinetriedonthewhite—satinslippers，andinsodoingfoundherself。Theprideofherrenegadefather，apartfromanynaturalself—esteemshemightpossess，atthatinstantreceiveditsbirth。Hitherto，shehaddeemedherselfawomanofanalienbreed，ofinferiorstock，purchasedbyherlord’sfavor。Herhusbandhadseemedtoheragod，whohadliftedher，throughnoessentialvirtuesonherpart，tohisowngodlikelevel。Butshehadneverforgotten，evenwhenYoungCalwasborn，thatshewasnotofhispeople。Ashehadbeenagod，sohadhiswomenkindbeengoddesses。Shemighthavecontrastedherselfwiththem，butshehadnevercompared。
Itmighthavebeenthatfamiliaritybredcontempt;however，bethatasitmay，shehadultimatelycometounderstandtheserovingwhitemen，andtoweighthem。True，hermindwasdarktodeliberateanalysis，butsheyetpossessedherwoman’sclarityofvisioninsuchmatters。Onthenightoftheslippersshehadmeasuredthebold，openadmirationofherthreeman—friends;andforthefirsttimecomparisonhadsuggesteditself。Itwasonlyafootandanankle，but—
butcomparisoncouldnot，inthenatureofthings，ceaseatthatpoint。Shejudgedherselfbytheirstandardstillthedivinityofherwhitesisterswasshattered。Afterall，theywereonlywomen，andwhyshouldshenotexaltherselftotheirmidst？Indoingthesethingsshelearnedwhereshelackedandwiththeknowledgeofherweaknesscameherstrength。Andsomightilydidshestrivethatherthreetrainersoftenmarveledlateintothenightovertheeternalmysteryofwoman。
InthiswayThanksgivingNightdrewnear。AtirregularintervalsBettlessentworddownfromStuartRiverregardingthewelfareofYoungCal。Thetimeoftheirreturnwasapproaching。Morethanonceacasualcaller，hearingdance—musicandtherhythmicpulseoffeet，entered，onlytofindHarringtonscrapingawayandtheothertwobeatingtimeorarguingnoisilyoveramootedstep。Madelinewasneverinevidence，havingprecipitatelyfledtotheinnerroom。
OnoneofthesenightsCalGalbraithdroppedin。EncouragingnewshadjustcomedownfromStuartRiver，andMadelinehadsurpassedherself—notinwalkalone，andcarriageandgrace，butinwomanlyroguishness。Theyhadindulgedinsharpreparteeandshehaddefendedherselfbrilliantly;andthen，yieldingtotheintoxicationofthemoment，andofherownpower，shehadbullied，andmastered，andwheedled，andpatronizedthemwithmostastonishingsuccess。Andinstinctively，involuntarily，theyhadbowed，nottoherbeauty，herwisdom，herwit，buttothatindefinablesomethinginwomantowhichmanyieldsyetcannotname。TheroomwasdizzywithsheerdelightassheandPrincewhirledthroughthelastdanceoftheevening。
Harringtonwasthrowingininconceivableflourishes，whileMalemuteKid，utterlyabandoned，hadseizedthebroomandwasexecutingmadgyrationsonhisownaccount。
Atthisinstantthedoorshookwithaheavyrap—rap，andtheirquickglancesnotedtheliftingofthelatch。Buttheyhadsurvivedsimilarsituationsbefore。Harringtonneverbrokeanote。Madelineshotthroughthewaitingdoortotheinnerroom。Thebroomwenthurtlingunderthebunk，andbythetimeCalGalbraithandLouisSavoygottheirheadsin，MalemuteKidandPrincewereineachother’sarms，wildlyschottischingdowntheroom。
Asarule，Indianwomendonotmakeapracticeoffaintingonprovocation，butMadelinecameasneartoitassheeverhadinherlife。Foranhourshecrouchedonthefloor，listeningtotheheavyvoicesofthemenrumblingupanddowninmimicthunder。Likefamiliarchordsofchildhoodmelodies，everyintonation，everytrickofherhusband’svoicesweptinuponher，flutteringherheartandweakeningherkneestillshelayhalf—faintingagainstthedoor。Itwaswellshecouldneitherseenorhearwhenhetookhisdeparture。
’WhendoyouexpecttogobacktoCircleCity？’MalemuteKidaskedsimply。
’Haven’tthoughtmuchaboutit，’hereplied。’Don’tthinktillaftertheicebreaks。’
’AndMadeline？’
Heflushedatthequestion，andtherewasaquickdrooptohiseyes。
MalemuteKidcouldhavedespisedhimforthat，hadheknownmenless。Asitwas，hisgorgeroseagainstthewivesanddaughterswhohadcomeintotheland，andnotsatisfiedwithusurpingtheplaceofthenativewomen，hadputuncleanthoughtsintheheadsofthemenandmadethemashamed。
’Iguessshe’sallright，’theCircleCityKingansweredhastily，andinanapologeticmanner。’TomDixon’sgotchargeofmyinterests，youknow，andheseestoitthatshehaseverythingshewants。’
MalemuteKidlaidhanduponhisarmandhushedhimsuddenly。Theyhadsteppedwithout。Overhead，theaurora，agorgeouswanton，flauntedmiraclesofcolor;beneathlaythesleepingtown。Farbelow，asolitarydoggavetongue。TheKingagainbegantospeak，buttheKidpressedhishandforsilence。Thesoundmultiplied。Dogafterdogtookupthestraintillthefull—throatedchorusswayedthenight。Tohimwhohearsforthefirsttimethisweirdsong，istoldthefirstandgreatestsecretoftheNorthland;tohimwhohashearditoften，itisthesolemnknelloflostendeavor。Itistheplaintoftorturedsouls，forinitisinvestedtheheritageoftheNorth，thesufferingofcountlessgenerations—thewarningandtherequiemtotheworld’sestrays。
CalGalbraithshiveredslightlyasitdiedawayinhalf—caughtsobs。
TheKidreadhisthoughtsopenly，andwanderedbackwithhimthroughallthewearydaysoffamineanddisease;andwithhimwasalsothepatientMadeline，sharinghispainsandperils，neverdoubting，nevercomplaining。Hismind’sretinavibratedtoascoreofpictures，stern，clear—cut，andthehandofthepastdrewbackwithheavyfingersonhisheart。Itwasthepsychologicalmoment。
MalemuteKidwashalf—temptedtoplayhisreservecardandwinthegame;butthelessonwastoomildasyet，andheletitpass。Thenextinstanttheyhadgrippedhands，andtheKing’sbeadedmoccasinsweredrawingprotestsfromtheoutragedsnowashecruncheddownthehill。
Madelineincollapsewasanotherwomantothemischievouscreatureofanhourbefore，whoselaughterhadbeensoinfectiousandwhoseheightenedcolorandflashingeyeshadmadeherteachersforthewhileforget。Weakandnerveless，shesatinthechairjustasshehadbeendroppedtherebyPrinceandHarrington。MalemuteKidfrowned。
Thiswouldneverdo。Whenthetimeofmeetingherhusbandcametohand，shemustcarrythingsoffwithhigh—handedimperiousness。Itwasverynecessarysheshoulddoitafterthemannerofwhitewomen，elsethevictorywouldbenovictoryatall。Sohetalkedtoher，sternly，withoutmincingofwords，andinitiatedherintotheweaknessesofhisownsex，tillshecametounderstandwhatsimpletonsmenwereafterall，andwhythewordoftheirwomenwaslaw。
AfewdaysbeforeThanksgivingNight，MalemuteKidmadeanothercallonMrs。Eppingwell。Shepromptlyoverhauledherfemininefripperies，paidaprotractedvisittothedry—goodsdepartmentoftheP。C。
Company，andreturnedwiththeKidtomakeMadeline’sacquaintance。
Afterthatcameaperiodsuchasthecabinhadneverseenbefore，andwhatwithcutting，andfitting，andbasting，andstitching，andnumerousotherwonderfulandunknowablethings，themaleconspiratorsweremoreoftenbanishedthepremisesthannot。AtsuchtimestheOperaHouseopeneditsdoublestorm—doorstothem。Sooftendidtheyputtheirheadstogether，andsodeeplydidtheydrinktocurioustoasts，thattheloungersscentedunknowncreeksofincalculablerichness，anditisknownthatseveralche—cha—quasandatleastoneOld—Timerkepttheirstampedingpacksstoredbehindthebar，readytohitthetrailatamoment’snotice。
Mrs。Eppingwellwasawomanofcapacity;so，whensheturnedMadelineovertohertrainersonThanksgivingNightshewassotransformedthattheywerealmostafraidofher。PrincewrappedaHudsonBayblanketaboutherwithamockreverencemorerealthanfeigned，whileMalemuteKid，whosearmshehadtaken，founditaseveretrialtoresumehiswontedmentorship。Harrington，withthelistofpurchasesstillrunningthroughhishead，draggedalongintherear，noropenedhismouthonceallthewaydownintothetown。WhentheycametothebackdooroftheOperaHousetheytooktheblanketfromMadeline’sshouldersandspreaditonthesnow。SlippingoutofPrince’smoccasins，shesteppeduponitinnewsatinslippers。Themasqueradewasatitsheight。Shehesitated，buttheyjerkedopenthedoorandshovedherin。Thentheyranaroundtocomeinbythefrontentrance。
III
’WhereisFreda？’theOld—Timersquestioned，whiletheche—cha—quaswereequallyenergeticinaskingwhoFredawas。Theballroombuzzedwithhername。Itwasoneverybody’slips。Grizzled’sour—doughboys，’day—laborersattheminesbutproudoftheirdegree，eitherpatronizedthespruce—lookingtenderfeetandliedeloquently—the’sour—doughboys’beingspeciallycreatedtotoywithtruth—orgavethemsavagelooksofindignationbecauseoftheirignorance。PerhapsfortykingsoftheUpperandLowerCountrieswereonthefloor，eachdeeminghimselfhotonthetrailandsturdilybackinghisjudgmentwiththeyellowdustoftherealm。Anassistantwassenttothemanatthescales，uponwhomhadfallentheburdenofweighingupthesacks，whileseveralofthegamblers，withtherulesofchanceattheirfinger—ends，madeupalluringbooksonthefieldandfavorites。
WhichwasFreda？Timeandagainthe’GreekDancer’wasthoughttohavebeendiscovered，buteachdiscoverybroughtpanictothebettingringandafranticregisteringofnewwagersbythosewhowishedtohedge。MalemuteKidtookaninterestinthehunt，hisadventbeinghaileduproariouslybytherevelers，whoknewhimtoaman。
TheKidhadagoodeyeforthetrickofastep，andearfortheliltofavoice，andhisprivatechoicewasamarvelouscreaturewhoscintillatedasthe’AuroraBorealis。’ButtheGreekdancerwastoosubtleforevenhispenetration。Themajorityofthegold—huntersseemedtohavecenteredtheirverdictonthe’RussianPrincess，’whowasthemostgracefulintheroom，andhencecouldbenootherthanFredaMoloof。
Duringaquadrillearoarofsatisfactionwentup。Shewasdiscovered。Atpreviousballs，inthefigure，’allhandsround，’Fredahaddisplayedaninimitablestepandvariationpeculiarlyherown。
Asthefigurewascalled，the’RussianPrincess’gavetheuniquerhythmtolimbandbody。AchorusofI—told—you—so’sshookthesquaredroof—beams，whenlo！itwasnoticedthat’AuroraBorealis’andanothermasque，the’SpiritofthePole，’wereperformingthesametrickequallywell。Andwhentwotwin’Sun—Dogs’anda’FrostQueen’
followedsuit，asecondassistantwasdispatchedtotheaidofthemanatthescales。
Bettlescameofftrailinthemidstoftheexcitement，descendingupontheminahurricaneoffrost。Hisrimedbrowsturnedtocataractsashewhirledabout;hismustache，stillfrozen，seemedgemmedwithdiamondsandturnedthelightinvaricoloredrays;whiletheflyingfeetslippedonthechunksoficewhichrattledfromhismoccasinsandGermansocks。ANorthlanddanceisquiteaninformalaffair，themenofthecreeksandtrailshavinglostwhateverfastidiousnesstheymighthaveatonetimepossessed;andonlyinthehighofficialcirclesareconventionsatallobserved。Here，castecarriednosignificance。Millionairesandpaupers，dog—driversandmountedpolicemenjoinedhandswith’ladiesinthecenter，’andsweptaroundthecircleperformingmostremarkablecapers。Primitiveintheirpleasure，boisterousandrough，theydisplayednorudeness，butratheracrudechivalrymoregenuinethanthemostpolishedcourtesy。
Inhisquestforthe’GreekDancer，’CalGalbraithmanagedtogetintothesamesetwiththe’RussianPrincess，’towardwhompopularsuspicionhadturned。Butbythetimehehadguidedherthroughonedance，hewaswillingnotonlytostakehismillionsthatshewasnotFreda，butthathehadhadhisarmaboutherwaistbefore。Whenorwherehecouldnottell，butthepuzzlingsenseoffamiliaritysowroughtuponhimthatheturnedhisattentiontothediscoveryofheridentity。MalemuteKidmighthaveaidedhiminsteadofoccasionallytakingthePrincessforafewturnsandtalkingearnestlytoherinlowtones。ButitwasJackHarringtonwhopaidthe’RussianPrincess’themostassiduouscourt。OncehedrewCalGalbraithasideandhazardedwildguessesastowhoshewas，andexplainedtohimthathewasgoingintowin。ThatrankledtheCircleCityKing，formanisnotbynaturemonogamic，andheforgotbothMadelineandFredainthenewquest。
Itwassoonnoisedaboutthatthe’RussianPrincess’wasnotFredaMoloof。Interestdeepened。Herewasafreshenigma。TheyknewFredathoughtheycouldnotfindher，butherewassomebodytheyhadfoundanddidnotknow。Eventhewomencouldnotplaceher，andtheykneweverygooddancerinthecamp。Manytookherforoneoftheofficialclique，indulginginasillyescapade。Notafewassertedshewoulddisappearbeforetheunmasking。Otherswereequallypositivethatshewasthewoman—reporteroftheKansasCityStar，cometowritethemupatninetydollarspercolumn。Andthemenatthescalesworkedbusily。
Atoneo’clockeverycoupletooktothefloor。Theunmaskingbeganamidlaughteranddelight，likethatofcarefreechildren。TherewasnoendofOh’sandAh’sasmaskaftermaskwaslifted。Thescintillating’AuroraBorealis’becamethebrawnynegresswhoseincomefromwashingthecommunity’sclothesranataboutfivehundredamonth。Thetwin’Sun—Dogs’discoveredmustachesontheirupperlips，andwererecognizedasbrotherFraction—KingsofElDorado。Inoneofthemostprominentsets，andtheslowestinuncovering，wasCalGalbraithwiththe’SpiritofthePole。’OppositehimwasJackHarringtonandthe’RussianPrincess。’Theresthaddiscoveredthemselves，yetthe’GreekDancer’wasstillmissing。Alleyeswereuponthegroup。CalGalbraith，inresponsetotheircries，liftedhispartner’smask。Freda’swonderfulfaceandbrillianteyesflashedoutuponthem。Aroarwentup，tobesquelchedsuddenlyinthenewandabsorbingmysteryofthe’RussianPrincess。’Herfacewasstillhidden，andJackHarringtonwasstrugglingwithher。Thedancerstitteredonthetiptoesofexpectancy。Hecrushedherdaintycostumeroughly，andthen—andthentherevelersexploded。Thejokewasonthem。Theyhaddancedallnightwithatabooednativewoman。
Butthosethatknew，andtheyweremany，ceasedabruptly，andahushfellupontheroom。CalGalbraithcrossedoverwithgreatstrides，angrily，andspoketoMadelineinpolyglotChinook。Butsheretainedhercomposure，apparentlyoblivioustothefactthatshewasthecynosureofalleyes，andansweredhiminEnglish。Sheshowedneitherfrightnoranger，andMalemuteKidchuckledatherwell—bredequanimity。TheKingfeltbaffled，defeated;hiscommonSiwashwifehadpassedbeyondhim。
’Come！’hesaidfinally。’Comeonhome。’
’Ibegpardon，’shereplied;’IhaveagreedtogotosupperwithMr。
Harrington。Besides，there’snoendofdancespromised。’
Harringtonextendedhisarmtoleadheraway。Heevincednottheslightestdisinclinationtowardshowinghisback，butMalemuteKidhadbythistimeedgedincloser。TheCircleCityKingwasstunned。
Twicehishanddroppedtohisbelt，andtwicetheKidgatheredhimselftospring;buttheretreatingcouplepassedthroughthesupper—roomdoorwherecannedoysterswerespreadatfivedollarstheplate。Thecrowdsighedaudibly，brokeupintocouples，andfollowedthem。
FredapoutedandwentinwithCalGalbraith;butshehadagoodheartandasuretongue，andshespoiledhisoystersforhim。Whatshesaidisofnoimportance，buthisfacewentredandwhiteatintervals，andhesworerepeatedlyandsavagelyathimself。
Thesupper—roomwasfilledwithapandemoniumofvoices，whichceasedsuddenlyasCalGalbraithsteppedovertohiswife’stable。
Sincetheunmaskingconsiderableweightsofdusthadbeenplacedastotheoutcome。Everybodywatchedwithbreathlessinterest。
Harrington’sblueeyesweresteady，butundertheoverhangingtableclothaSmith&Wessonbalancedonhisknee。Madelinelookedup，casually，withlittleinterest。
’May—mayIhavethenextrounddancewithyou？’theKingstuttered。
ThewifeoftheKingglancedathercardandinclinedherhead。
ANODYSSEYOFTHENORTH。
I
THESLEDSWERESINGINGtheireternallamenttothecreakingoftheharnessandthetinklingbellsoftheleaders;butthemenanddogsweretiredandmadenosound。Thetrailwasheavywithnew—fallensnow，andtheyhadcomefar，andtherunners，burdenedwithflint—likequartersoffrozenmoose，clungtenaciouslytotheunpackedsurfaceandheldbackwithastubbornnessalmosthuman。Darknesswascomingon，buttherewasnocamptopitchthatnight。Thesnowfellgentlythroughthepulselessair，notinflakes，butintinyfrostcrystalsofdelicatedesign。Itwasverywarm—barelytenbelowzero—andthemendidnotmind。MeyersandBettleshadraisedtheirearflaps，whileMalemuteKidhadeventakenoffhismittens。
Thedogshadbeenfaggedoutearlyintheafternoon，buttheynowbegantoshownewvigor。Amongthemoreastutetherewasacertainrestlessness—animpatienceattherestraintofthetraces，anindecisivequicknessofmovement，asniffingofsnoutsandprickingofears。Thesebecameincensedattheirmorephlegmaticbrothers，urgingthemonwithnumerousslynipsontheirhinderquarters。Those，thuschidden，alsocontractedandhelpedspreadthecontagion。Atlasttheleaderoftheforemostsledutteredasharpwhineofsatisfaction，crouchinglowerinthesnowandthrowinghimselfagainstthecollar。
Therestfollowedsuit。Therewasaningatheringofbackhands，atighteningoftraces;thesledsleapedforward，andthemenclungtothegeepoles，violentlyacceleratingtheupliftoftheirfeetthattheymightescapegoingundertherunners。Thewearinessofthedayfellfromthem，andtheywhoopedencouragementtothedogs。Theanimalsrespondedwithjoyousyelps。Theywereswingingthroughthegatheringdarknessatarattlinggallop。
’Gee！Gee！’themencried，eachinturn，astheirsledsabruptlyleftthemaintrail，heelingoveronsinglerunnerslikeluggersonthewind。
Thencameahundredyards’dashtothelightedparchmentwindow，whichtolditsownstoryofthehomecabin，theroaringYukonstove，andthesteamingpotsoftea。Butthehomecabinhadbeeninvaded。
Threescorehuskieschoruseddefiance，andasmanyfurryformsprecipitatedthemselvesuponthedogswhichdrewthefirstsled。Thedoorwasflungopen，andaman，cladinthescarlettunicoftheNorthwestPolice，wadedknee—deepamongthefuriousbrutes，calmlyandimpartiallydispensingsoothingjusticewiththebuttendofadogwhip。Afterthatthemenshookhands;andinthiswisewasMalemuteKidwelcomedtohisowncabinbyastranger。
StanleyPrince，whoshouldhavewelcomedhim，andwhowasresponsiblefortheYukonstoveandhotteaaforementioned，wasbusywithhisguests。Therewereadozenorsoofthem，asnondescriptacrowdaseverservedtheQueenintheenforcementofherlawsorthedeliveryofhermails。Theywereofmanybreeds，buttheircommonlifehadformedofthemacertaintype—aleanandwirytype，withtrail—hardenedmuscles，andsun—brownedfaces，anduntroubledsoulswhichgazedfranklyforth，clear—eyedandsteady。TheydrovethedogsoftheQueen，wroughtfearintheheartsofherenemies，ateofhermeagerfare，andwerehappy。Theyhadseenlife，anddonedeeds，andlivedromances;buttheydidnotknowit。
Andtheywereverymuchathome。TwoofthemweresprawleduponMalemuteKid’sbunk，singingchansonswhichtheirFrenchforebearssanginthedayswhenfirsttheyenteredtheNorthwestlandandmatedwithitsIndianwomen。Bettles’bunkhadsufferedasimilarinvasion，andthreeorfourlustyvoyageursworkedtheirtoesamongitsblanketsastheylistenedtothetaleofonewhohadservedontheboatbrigadewithWolseleywhenhefoughthiswaytoKhartoum。Andwhenhetired，acowboytoldofcourtsandkingsandlordsandladieshehadseenwhenBuffaloBilltouredthecapitalsofEurope。Inacornertwohalf—breeds，ancientcomradesinalostcampaign，mendedharnessesandtalkedofthedayswhentheNorthwestflamedwithinsurrectionandLouisRielwasking。
Roughjestsandrougherjokeswentupanddown，andgreathazardsbytrailandriverwerespokenofinthelightofcommonplaces，onlytoberecalledbyvirtueofsomegrainofhumororludicroushappening。
Princewasledawaybytheseuncrownedheroeswhohadseenhistorymade，whoregardedthegreatandtheromanticasbuttheordinaryandtheincidentalintheroutineoflife。Hepassedhisprecioustobaccoamongthemwithlavishdisregard，andrustychainsofreminiscencewereloosened，andforgottenodysseysresurrectedforhisespecialbenefit。
Whenconversationdroppedandthetravelersfilledthelastpipesandlashedtheirtight—rolledsleepingfurs。Princefellbackuponhiscomradeforfurtherinformation。
’Well，youknowwhatthecowboyis，’MalemuteKidanswered，beginningtounlacehismoccasins;’andit’snothardtoguesstheBritishbloodinhisbedpartner。Asfortherest，they’reallchildrenofthecoureursdubois，mingledwithGodknowshowmanyotherbloods。Thetwoturninginbythedooraretheregulation’breeds’orBoisbrules。Thatladwiththeworstedbreechscarf—noticehiseyebrowsandtheturnofhisjaw—showsaScotchmanweptinhismother’ssmokytepee。AndthathandsomelookingfellowputtingthecapoteunderhisheadisaFrenchhalf—breed—youheardhimtalking;
hedoesn’tlikethetwoIndiansturninginnexttohim。Yousee，whenthe’breeds’roseundertheRielthefull—bloodskeptthepeace，andthey’venotlostmuchloveforoneanothersince。’
’ButIsay，what’sthatglum—lookingfellowbythestove？I’llswearhecan’ttalkEnglish。Hehasn’topenedhismouthallnight。’
’You’rewrong。HeknowsEnglishwellenough。Didyoufollowhiseyeswhenhelistened？Idid。Buthe’sneitherkithnorkintotheothers。Whentheytalkedtheirownpatoisyoucouldseehedidn’tunderstand。I’vebeenwonderingmyselfwhatheis。Let’sfindout。’
’Fireacoupleofsticksintothestove！’MalemuteKidcommanded，raisinghisvoiceandlookingsquarelyatthemaninquestion。
Heobeyedatonce。
’Haddisciplineknockedintohimsomewhere。’Princecommentedinalowtone。
MalemuteKidnodded，tookoffhissocks，andpickedhiswayamongrecumbentmentothestove。Therehehunghisdampfootgearamongascoreorsoofmates。
’WhendoyouexpecttogettoDawson？’heaskedtentatively。
Themanstudiedhimamomentbeforereplying。’Theysayseventy—fivemile。So？Maybetwodays。’
Theveryslightestaccentwasperceptible，whiletherewasnoawkwardhesitancyorgropingforwords。
’Beeninthecountrybefore？’
’No。’
’NorthwestTerritory？’
’Yes。’
’Bornthere？’
’No。’
’Well，wherethedevilwereyouborn？You’renoneofthese。’
MalemuteKidswepthishandoverthedogdrivers，evenincludingthetwopolicemenwhohadturnedintoPrince’sbunk。’Wheredidyoucomefrom？I’veseenfaceslikeyoursbefore，thoughIcan’trememberjustwhere。’
’Iknowyou，’heirrelevantlyreplied，atonceturningthedriftofMalemuteKid’squestions。
’Where？Everseeme？’
’No;yourpartner，himpriest，Pastilik，longtimeago。HimaskmeifIseeyou，MalemuteKid。Himgivemegrub。Inostoplong。Youhearhimspeak’boutme？’
’Oh！you’rethefellowthattradedtheotterskinsforthedogs？’
Themannodded，knockedouthispipe，andsignifiedhisdisinclinationforconversationbyrollingupinhisfurs。MalemuteKidblewouttheslushlampandcrawledundertheblanketswithPrince。
’Well，whatishe？’
’Don’tknow—turnedmeoff，somehow，andthenshutuplikeaclam。
Buthe’safellowtowhetyourcuriosity。I’veheardofhim。Allthecoastwonderedabouthimeightyearsago。Sortofmysterious，youknow。HecamedownoutoftheNorthinthedeadofwinter，manyathousandmilesfromhere，skirtingBeringSeaandtravelingasthoughthedevilwereafterhim。Nooneeverlearnedwherehecamefrom，buthemusthavecomefar。Hewasbadlytravel—wornwhenhegotfoodfromtheSwedishmissionaryonGolovinBayandaskedthewaysouth。Weheardofallthisafterward。Thenheabandonedtheshoreline，headingrightacrossNortonSound。Terribleweather，snowstormsandhighwinds，buthepulledthroughwhereathousandothermenwouldhavedied，missingSt。MichaelsandmakingthelandatPastilik。He’dlostallbuttwodogs，andwasnearlygonewithstarvation。
’HewassoanxioustogoonthatFatherRoubeaufittedhimoutwithgrub;buthecouldn’tlethimhaveanydogs，forhewasonlywaitingmyarrival，togoonatriphimself。Mr。Ulyssesknewtoomuchtostartonwithoutanimals，andfrettedaroundforseveraldays。Hehadonhissledabunchofbeautifullycuredotterskins，seaotters，youknow，worththeirweightingold。TherewasalsoatPastilikanoldShylockofaRussiantrader，whohaddogstokill。