Allnodded。\"Well，then，Igotaproposition，boys。Youcantakeitorleaveit，butjustlistenkindlytoit。You’reinahurrytogetinbeforethefreeze-up。Halfthetimeiswastedoverthecookingbyoneofyouthathemightbeputtin’inpackin’outfit。
IfIdothecookin’foryou，youall’llgetonthatmuchfaster。
Also，thecookin’’llbebetter，andthat’llmakeyoupackbetter。
AndIcanpackquiteabitmyselfinbetweentimes，quiteabit，yes，sir，quiteabit。\"
BigBillandAnsonwerejustbeginningtonodtheirheadsinagreement，whenCharlesstoppedthem。
\"Whatdoyouexpectofusinreturn？\"hedemandedoftheoldman。
\"Oh，Ileaveituptotheboys。\"
\"Thatain’tbusiness，\"Charlesreprimandedsharply。\"Youmadetheproposition。Nowfinishit。\"
\"Well，it’sthisway-\"
\"Youexpectustofeedyouallwinter，eh？\"Charlesinterrupted。
\"No，siree，Idon’t。AllIreckonisapassagetoKlondikeinyourboatwouldbemightysquareofyou。\"
\"Youhaven’tanounceofgrub，oldman。You’llstarvetodeathwhenyougetthere。\"
\"I’vebeenfeedin’somelongtimeprettysuccessful，\"OldTarwaterreplied，awhimsicallightinhiseyes。\"I’mseventy，andain’tstarvedtodeathneveryet。\"
\"WillyousignapapertotheeffectthatyoushiftforyourselfassoonasyougettoDawson？\"thebusinessonedemanded。
\"Oh，sure，\"wastheresponse。
AgainCharlescheckedhistwopartners’expressionsofsatisfactionwiththearrangement。
\"Oneotherthing，oldman。We’reapartyoffour，andweallhaveavoteonquestionslikethis。YoungLiverpoolisaheadwiththemainoutfit。He’sgotasayso，andheisn’theretosayit。\"
\"Whatkindofapartymighthebe？\"Tarwaterinquired。
\"He’sarough-necksailor，andhe’sgotaquick，badtemper。\"
\"Someturbulent，\"Ansoncontributed。
\"AndthewayhecancussissimplyGod-awful，\"BigBilltestified。
\"Buthe’ssquare，\"BigBilladded。
Ansonnoddedheartilytothisappraisal。
\"Well，boys，\"Tarwatersummedup，\"IsetoutforCalifornyandI
gotthere。AndI’mgoingtogettoKlondike。Ain’tathingcanstopme，ain’tathing。I’mgoingtogetthreehundredthousandoutatheground，too。Ain’tathingcanstopme，ain’tathing，becauseIjustnaturallyneedthemoney。Idon’tmindabadtempersolong’stheboyissquare。I’lltakemychance，an’I’llworkalongwithyoutillwecatchupwithhim。Then，ifhesaysnototheproposition，IreckonI’lllose。ButsomehowIjustcan’tsee’msayin’no，becausethat’dmeantoocloseuptofreeze-upandtoolateformetofindanotherchancelikethis。And，asI’msuregoingtogettoKlondike，it’sjustplumbimpossibleforhimtosayno。\"
OldJohnTarwaterbecameastrikingfigureonatrailunusuallyrepletewithstrikingfigures。Withthousandsofmen，eachback-
trippinghalfatonofoutfit，retracingeverymileofthetrailtwentytimes，allcametoknowhimandtohailhimas\"FatherChristmas。\"And，asheworked，everheraisedhischantwithhisage-falsettovoice。Noneofthethreemenhehadjoinedcouldcomplainabouthiswork。True，hisjointswerestiff-headmittedtoatrifleofrheumatism。Hemovedslowly，andseemedtocreakandcracklewhenhemoved;buthekeptonmoving。Lastintotheblanketsatnight，hewasfirstoutinthemorning，sothattheotherthreehadhotcoffeebeforetheironebefore-breakfastpack。
And，betweenbreakfastanddinnerandbetweendinnerandsupper，healwaysmanagedtoback-tripforseveralpackshimself。Sixtypoundswasthelimitofhisburden，however。Hecouldmanageseventy-five，buthecouldnotkeepitup。Once，hetriedninety，butcollapsedonthetrailandwasseriouslyshakyforacoupleofdaysafterward。
Work！Onatrailwherehard-workingmenlearnedforthefirsttimewhatworkwas，nomanworkedharderinproportiontohisstrengththanOldTarwater。Drivendesperatelyonbythenear-thrustofwinter，andluredmadlyonbythedreamofgold，theyworkedtotheirlastounceofstrengthandfellbytheway。Others，whenfailuremadecertain，blewouttheirbrains。Somewentmad，andstillothers，undertheirkoftheman-destroyingstrain，brokepartnershipsanddissolvedlife-timefriendshipswithfellowsjustasgoodasthemselvesandjustasstrainedandmad。
Work！OldTarwatercouldshamethemall，despitehiscreakingandcracklingandthenastyhackingcoughhehaddeveloped。Earlyandlate，ontrailorincampbesidethetrailhewaseverinevidence，everbusyatsomething，everresponsivetothehailof\"FatherChristmas。\"Wearyback-tripperswouldresttheirpacksonalogorrockalongsideofwhereherestedhis，andwouldsay：\"Singusthatsongofyourn，dad，aboutForty-Nine。\"And，whenhehadwheezinglycomplied，theywouldariseundertheirloads，remarkthatitwasrealheartening，andhittheforwardtrailagain。
\"Ifeveramanworkedhispassageandearnedit，\"BigBillconfidedtohistwopartners，\"thatman’souroldSkeezicks。\"
\"Youbet，\"Ansonconfirmed。\"He’savaluableadditiontotheparty，andI，forone，ain’tatalldisagreeabletothenotionofmakinghimaregularpartner-\"
\"Noneofthat！\"CharlesCraytoncutin。\"WhenwegettoDawsonwe’requitofhim-that’stheagreement。We’donlyhavetoburyhimifwelethimstayonwithus。Besides，there’sgoingtobeafamine，andeveryounceofgrub’llcount。Remember，we’refeedinghimoutofourownsupplyallthewayin。Andifwerunshortinthepinchnextyear，you’llknowthereason。Steamboatscan’tgetupgrubtoDawsontillthemiddleofJune，andthat’sninemonthsaway。\"
\"Well，youputasmuchmoneyandoutfitinastherestofus，\"BigBillconceded，\"andyou’veasayaccording。\"
\"AndI’mgoingtohavemysay，\"Charlesassertedwithincreasingirritability。\"Andit’sluckyforyouwithyourfoolsentimentsthatyou’vegotsomebodytothinkaheadforyou，elseyou’dallstarvetodeath。Itellyouthatfamine’scoming。I’vebeenstudyingthesituation。Flourwillbetwodollarsapound，orten，andnosellers。Youmarkmywords。\"
Acrosstherubble-coveredflats，upthedarkcanyontoSheepCamp，pasttheover-hangingandever-threateningglacierstotheScales，andfromtheScalesupthesteeppitchesofice-scouredrockwherepackersclimbedwithhandsandfeet，OldTarwatercamp-cookedandpackedandsang。HeblewacrossChilcootPass，abovetimberline，inthefirstswirlofautumnsnow。Thosebelow，withoutfirewood，onthebitterrimofCraterLake，heardfromthedrivingobscurityabovethemaweirdvoicechanting：
\"LikeArgusoftheancienttimes，WeleavethismodernGreece，Tum-tum，tum-tum，tum，tum，tum-tum，TosheartheGoldenFleece。\"
Andoutofthesnowflurriestheysawappearatall，gauntform，withwhiskersofflyingwhitethatblendedwiththestorm，bendingunderasixty-poundpackofcampdunnage。
\"FatherChristmas！\"wasthehail。Andthen：\"ThreerousingcheersforFatherChristmas！\"
TwomilesbeyondCraterLakelayHappyCamp-sonamedbecauseherewasfoundtheuppermostfringeofthetimberline，wheremenmightwarmthemselvesbyfireagain。Scarcelycoulditbecalledtimber，foritwasadwarfrock-sprucethatneverraiseditsloftiestbrancheshigherthanafootabovethemoss，andthattwistedandgrovelledlikeapig-vegetableunderthemoss。Here，onthetrailleadingintoHappyCamp，inthefirstsunshineofhalfadozendays，OldTarwaterrestedhispackagainstahugeboulderandcaughthisbreath。Aroundthisboulderthetrailpassed，ladenmentoilingslowlyforwardandmenwithemptypack-strapslimpingrapidlybackforfreshloads。TwiceOldTarwateressayedtoriseandgoon，andeachtime，warnedbyhisshakiness，sankbacktorecovermorestrength。Fromaroundtheboulderheheardvoicesingreeting，recognizedCharlesCrayton’svoice，andrealizedthatatlasttheyhadmetupwithYoungLiverpool。Quickly，Charlesplungedintobusiness，andTarwaterheardwithgreatdistinctnesseverywordofCharles’unflatteringdescriptionofhimandthepropositiontogivehimpassagetoDawson。
\"Adamfoolproposition，\"wasLiverpool’sjudgment，whenCharleshadconcluded。\"Anoldgranddadofseventy！Ifhe’sonhislastlegs，whyinhelldidyouhookupwithhim？Ifthere’sgoingtobeafamine，anditlookslikeit，weneedeveryounceofgrubforourselves。Weonlyout-fittedforfour，notfive。\"
\"It’sallright，\"TarwaterheardCharlesassuringtheother。
\"Don’tgetexcited。Theoldcodgeragreedtoleavethefinaldecisiontoyouwhenwecaughtupwithyou。Allyou’vegottodoisputyourfootdownandsayno。\"
\"Youmeanit’suptometoturntheoldonedown，afteryourencouraginghimandtakingadvantageofhisworkclearfromDyeahere？\"
\"It’sahardtrail，Liverpool，andonlythementhatarehardwillgetthrough，\"Charlesstrovetopalliate。
\"AndI’mtodothedirtywork？\"Liverpoolcomplained，whileTarwater’sheartsank。
\"That’sjustaboutthesizeofit，\"Charlessaid。\"You’vegotthedeciding。\"
ThenoldTarwater’sheartuproseagainastheairwasrentbyacycloneofprofanity，fromthemidstofwhichcrackledsentenceslike：-\"Dirtyskunks！……Seeyouinhellfirst！……Mymind’smadeup！……Hell’sfireandcorruption！……TheoldcodgergoesdowntheYukonwithus，stackonthat，myhearty！……
Hard？Youdon’tknowwhathardisunlessIshowyou！……I’llbustthewholeoutfittohellandgoneifanyofyoutrytoside-
trackhim！……Justtrytoside-trackhim，thatisall，andyou’llthinktheDayofJudgmentandallGod’sblastingnesshashitthecampinonechunk！\"
SuchwastheinvigoratingnessofLiverpool’sflowofspeechthat，quitewithoutconsciousnessofeffort，theoldmanaroseeasilyunderhisloadandstrodeontowardHappyCamp。
FromHappyCamptoLongLake，fromLongLaketoDeepLake，andfromDeepLakeupovertheenormoushog-backanddowntoLinderman，theman-killingraceagainstwinterkepton。Menbroketheirheartsandbacksandweptbesidethetrailinsheerexhaustion。Butwinterneverfaltered。Thefallgalesblew，andamidbittersoakingrainsandever-increasingsnowflurries，Tarwaterandthepartytowhichhewasattachedpiledthelastoftheiroutfitonthebeach。
Therewasnorest。Acrossthelake，amileabovearoaringtorrent，theylocatedapatchofspruceandbuilttheirsaw-pit。
Here，byhand，withaninadequatewhipsaw，theysawedthespruce-
trunksintolumber。Theyworkednightandday。Thrice，onthenight-shift，underneathinthesaw-pit，OldTarwaterfainted。Bydayhecookedaswell，and，inthebetweenwhiles，helpedAnsoninthebuildingoftheboatbesidethetorrentasthegreenplankscamedown。
Thedaysgrewshorter。Thewindshiftedintothenorthandblewunendinggales。InthemorningsthewearymencrawledfromtheirblanketsandintheirsocksthawedouttheirfrozenshoesbythefireTarwateralwayshadburningforthem。EverarosetheincreasingtaleoffamineontheInside。ThelastgrubsteamboatsupfromBeringSeawerestalledbylowwateratthebeginningoftheYukonFlatshundredsofmilesnorthofDawson。Infact，theylayattheoldHudsonBayCompany’spostatFortYukoninsidetheArcticCircle。FlourinDawsonwasuptotwodollarsapound，butnoonewouldsell。BonanzaandEldoradoKings，withmoneytoburn，wereleavingfortheOutsidebecausetheycouldbuynogrub。
Miners’Committeeswereconfiscatingallgrubandputtingthepopulationonstrictrations。Amanwhoheldoutanounceofgrubwasshotlikeadog。Ascorehadbeensoexecutedalready。
And，underastrainwhichhadbrokensomanyyoungermen，OldTarwaterbegantobreak。Hiscoughhadbecometerrible，andhadnothisexhaustedcomradessleptlikethedead，hewouldhavekeptthemawakenights。Also，hebegantotakechills，sothathedresseduptogotobed。Whenhehadfinishedsodressing，notaragofgarmentremainedinhisclothesbag。Allhepossessedwasonhisbackandswathedaroundhisgauntoldform。
\"Gee！\"saidBigBill。\"Ifheputsallhe’sgotonnow，whenitain’tlowerthantwentyabove，what’llhedolateronwhenitgoesdowntofiftyandsixtybelow？\"
Theylinedtherough-madeboatdownthemountaintorrent，nearlylosingitadozentimes，androwedacrossthesouthendofLakeLindermaninthethickofafallblizzard。Nextmorningtheyplannedtoloadandstart，squarelyintotheteethofthenorth，ontheirperiloustraverseofhalfathousandmilesoflakesandrapidsandboxcanyons。Butbeforehewenttobedthatnight，YoungLiverpoolwasoutoverthecamp。Hereturnedtofindhiswholepartyasleep。RousingTarwater，hetalkedwithhiminlowtones。
\"Listen，dad，\"hesaid-\"You’vegotapassageinourboat，andifeveramanearnedapassageyouhave。Butyouknowyourselfyou’reprettywellalonginyears，andyourhealthrightnowain’texciting。Ifyougoonwithusyou’llcroaksurer’nhell-NowwaittillIfinish，dad。Thepriceforapassagehasjumpedtofivehundreddollars。I’vebeenthrowingmyfeetandI’vehustledapassenger。He’sanofficialoftheAlaskaCommercialandjusthastogetin。He’sbiduptosixhundredtogowithmeinourboat。Nowthepassageisyours。Yousellittohim，pokethesixhundredintoyourjeans，andpullSouthforCaliforniawhilethegoin’sgood。YoucanbeinDyeaintwodays，andinCaliforniainaweekmore。Whatd’yesay？\"
Tarwatercoughedandshiveredforaspace，erehecouldgetfreedomofbreathforspeech。
\"Son，\"hesaid，\"Ijustwanttotellyouonething。IdrovemyfouryokeofoxenacrossthePlainsinForty-nineandlostnaryaone。IdrovethemplumbtoCaliforny，andIfreightedwiththemafterwardoutofSutter’sForttoAmericanBar。NowI’mgoingtoKlondike。Ain’tnothingcanstopme，ain’tnothingatall。I’mgoingtoridethatboat，withyouatthesteeringsweep，cleantoKlondike，andI’mgoingtoshakethreehundredthousandoutofthemoss-roots。Thatbeingso，it’scontrarytoreasonandcommonsenseformetoselloutmypassage。ButIthankyoukindly，son，Ithankyoukindly。\"
Theyoungsailorshotouthishandimpulsivelyandgrippedtheoldman’s。
\"ByGod，dad！\"hecried。\"You’resuregoingtogothen。You’retherealstuff。\"HelookedwithundisguisedcontemptacrossthesleeperstowhereCharlesCraytonsnoredinhisredbeard。\"Theydon’tseemtomakeyourkindanymore，dad。\"
Intothenorththeyfoughttheirway，althoughold-timers，comingout，shooktheirheadsandprophesiedtheywouldbefrozeninonthelakes。Thatthefreeze-upmightcomeanydaywaspatent，anddelaysofsafetywerenolongerconsidered。Forthisreason，LiverpooldecidedtoshoottherapidstreamconnectingLindermantoLakeBennettwiththefullyloadedboat。Itwasthecustomtolinetheemptyboatsdownandtoportagethecargoesacross。Eventhenmanyemptyboatshadbeenwrecked。Butthetimewaspastforsuchprecaution。
\"Climbout，dad，\"Liverpoolcommandedashepreparedtoswingfromthebankandentertherapids。
OldTarwatershookhiswhitehead。
\"I’mstickingtotheoutfit，\"hedeclared。\"It’stheonlywaytogetthrough。Yousee，son，I’mgoingtoKlondike。IfIstickbytheboat，thentheboatjustnaturallygoestoKlondike，too。IfI
getout，thenmostlikelyyou’lllosetheboat。\"
\"Well，there’snouseinoverloading，\"Charlesannounced，springingabruptlyoutonthebankastheboatcastoff。
\"Nexttimeyouwaitformyorders！\"Liverpoolshoutedashoreasthecurrentgrippedtheboat。\"Andtherewon’tbeanymorewalkingaroundrapidsandlosingtimewaitingtopickyouup！\"
Whattookthemtenminutesbyriver，tookCharleshalfanhourbyland，andwhiletheywaitedforhimattheheadofLakeBennetttheypassedthetimeofdaywithseveraldilapidatedold-timersontheirwayout。Thefaminenewswasgraverthanever。TheNorth-
westMountedPolice，stationedatthefootofLakeMarshwherethegold-rushersenteredCanadianterritory，wererefusingtoletamanpastwhodidnotcarrywithhimsevenhundredpoundsofgrub。InDawsonCityathousandmen，withdog-teams，werewaitingthefreeze-uptocomeoutovertheice。Thetradingcompaniescouldnotfilltheirgrub-contracts，andpartnerswerecuttingthecardstoseewhichshouldgoandwhichshouldstayandworktheclaims。
\"Thatsettlesit，\"Charlesannounced，whenhelearnedoftheactionofthemountedpoliceontheboundary。\"OldMan，youmightaswellstartbacknow。\"
\"Climbaboard！\"Liverpoolcommanded。\"We’regoingtoKlondike，andolddadisgoingalong。\"
AshiftofgaletothesouthgavethemafairwinddownLakeBennett，beforewhichtheyranunderahugesailmadebyLiverpool。
Theheavyweightofoutfitgavesuchballastthathecrackedonasadaringsailorshouldwhenmomentscounted。Ashiftoffourpointsintothesouth-west，comingjustattherighttimeastheyentereduponCaribouCrossing，drovethemdownthatconnectinglinktolakesTagishandMarsh。Instormysunsetandtwilight-theymadethedangerouscrossingofGreatWindyArm，whereintheybeheldtwootherboat-loadsofgold-rusherscapsizeanddrown。
Charleswasforbeachingforthenight，butLiverpoolheldon，steeringdownTagishbythesoundofthesurfontheshoalsandbytheoccasionalshore-firesthatadvertisedwreckedortimidargonauts。Atfourinthemorning，hearousedCharles。OldTarwater，shiveringlyawake，heardLiverpoolorderCraytonaftbesidehimatthesteering-sweep，andalsoheardtheone-sidedconversation。
\"Justlisten，friendCharles，andkeepyourownmouthshut，\"
Liverpoolbegan。\"Iwantyoutogetonethingintoyourheadandkeepitthere：OLDDAD’SGOINGBYTHEPOLICE。UNDERSTAND？HE’S
GOINGBY。Whentheyexamineouroutfit，olddad’sgotafifthshareinit，savvee？That’llputusall’wayunderwhatweoughttohave，butwecanbluffitthrough。Nowgetthis，andgetithard：THEREAIN’TGOINGTOBEANYFALL-DOWNONTHISBLUFF-\"
\"IfyouthinkI’dgiveawayontheoldcodger-\"Charlesbeganindignantly。
\"Youthoughtthat，\"Liverpoolcheckedhim，\"becauseInevermentionedanysuchthing。Now-getmeandgetmehard：Idon’tcarewhatyou’vebeenthinking。It’swhatyou’regoingtothink。
We’llmakethepolicepostsometimethisafternoon，andwe’vegottogetreadytopullthebluffwithoutahitch，andawordtothewiseisplenty。\"
\"IfyouthinkI’vegotitinmymind-\"Charlesbeganagain。
\"Lookhere，\"Liverpoolshuthimoff。\"Idon’tknowwhat’sinyourmind。Idon’twanttoknow。Iwantyoutoknowwhat’sinmymind。
Ifthere’sanyslip-up，ifolddadgetsturnedbackbythepolice，I’mgoingtopickoutthefirstquietbitoflandscapeandtakeyouashoreonit。AndthenI’mgoingtobeatyouuptotheQueen’staste。Getme，andgetmehard。Itain’tgoingtobeanyhalf-waybeating，butareal，two-legged，two-fisted，he-manbeating。I
don’texpectI’llkillyou，butI’llcomedamnneartohalf-killingyou。\"
\"ButwhatcanIdo？\"Charlesalmostwhimpered。
\"Justonething，\"wasLiverpool’sfinalword。\"Youjustpray。Youpraysohardthatolddadgetsbythepolicethathedoesgetby。
That’sall。Gobacktoyourblankets。\"
BeforetheygainedLakeLeBarge，thelandwassheetedwithsnowthatwouldnotmeltforhalfayear。Norcouldtheylaytheirboatatwillagainstthebank，fortherim-icewasalreadyforming。
Insidethemouthoftheriver，justereitenteredLakeLeBarge，theyfoundahundredstorm-boundboatsoftheargonauts。Outofthenorth，acrossthefullsweepofthegreatlake，blewanunendingsnowgale。Threemorningstheyputoutandfoughtitandthecrestingseasitdrovethatturnedtoiceastheyfellin-
board。Whiletheothersbroketheirheartsattheoars，OldTarwatermanagedtokeepupjustsufficientcirculationtosurvivebychoppingiceandthrowingitoverboard。
Eachdayforthreedays，beatentohelplessness，theyturnedtailonthebattleandranbackintotheshelteringriver。Bythefourthday，thehundredboatshadincreasedtothreehundred，andthetwothousandargonautsonboardknewthatthegreatgaleheraldedthefreeze-upofLeBarge。Beyond，therapidriverswouldcontinuetorunfordays，butunlesstheygotbeyond，andimmediately，theyweredoomedtobefrozeninforsixmonthstocome。
\"Thisdaywegothrough，\"Liverpoolannounced。\"Weturnbackfornothing。Andthoseofusthatdiesattheoarswillliveagainandgoonpulling。\"
Andtheywentthrough，winninghalfthelengthofthelakebynightfallandpullingonthroughallthenighthoursasthewindwentdown，fallingasleepattheoarsandbeingrappedawakebyLiverpool，toilingonthroughanage-longnightmarewhilethestarscameoutandthesurfaceofthelaketurnedtotheunrufflednessofasheetofpaperandfrozeskin-icethattinkledlikebrokenglassastheiroar-bladesshatteredit。
Asdaybrokeclearandcold，theyenteredtheriver，withbehindthemaseaofice。Liverpoolexaminedhisagedpassengerandfoundhimhelplessandalmostgone。Whenheroundedtheboattoagainsttherim-icetobuildafireandwarmupTarwaterinsideandout，Charlesprotestedagainstsuchlossoftime。
\"Thisain’tbusiness，sodon’tyoucomehorningin，\"Liverpoolinformedhim。\"I’mrunningtheboattrip。Soyoujustclimboutandchopfirewood，andplentyofit。I’lltakecareofdad。You，Anson，makeafireonthebank。Andyou，Bill，setuptheYukonstoveintheboat。Olddadain’tasyoungastherestofus，andfortherestofthisvoyagehe’sgoingtohaveafireonboardtositby。\"
Allofwhichcametopass;andtheboat，inthegripofthecurrent，likeariversteamerwithsmokerisingfromthetwojointsofstove-pipe，groundedonshoals，hunguponsplitcurrents，andchargedrapidsandcanyons，asitdrovedeeperintotheNorthlandwinter。TheBigandLittleSalmonriverswerethrowingmush-iceintothemainriverastheypassed，and，belowtheriffles，anchor-
icearosefromtheriverbottomandcoatedthesurfacewithcrystalscum。Nightanddaytherim-icegrew，till，inquietplaces，itextendedoutahundredyardsfromshore。AndOldTarwater，withallhisclotheson，satbythestoveandkeptthefiregoing。
Nightandday，notdaringtostopforfearoftheimminentfreeze-
up，theydaredtorun，anincreasingmushinessoficerunningwiththem。
\"Whatho，oldhearty？\"Liverpoolwouldcalloutattimes。
\"CheerO，\"OldTarwaterhadlearnedtorespond。
\"WhatcanIeverdoforyou，son，inpayment？\"Tarwater，stokingthefire，wouldsometimesaskLiverpool，beatingnowonereleasedhandandnowtheotherashefoughtforcirculationwherehesteeredinthefreezingstern-sheets。
\"Justbreakoutthatregularsongofyours，oldForty-Niner，\"wastheinvariablereply。
AndTarwaterwouldlifthisvoiceinthecacklingchant，ashelifteditattheend，whentheboatswunginthroughdrivingcake-
iceandmooredtotheDawsonCitybank，andallwaterfrontDawsonprickeditsearstohearthetriumphantpaean：
LikeArgusoftheancienttimes，WeleavethismodernGreece，Tum-tum，tum-tum，tum，tum，tum-tum，TosheartheGoldenFleece，Charlesdidit，buthediditsodiscreetlythatnoneofhisparty，leastofallthesailor，everlearnedofit。Hesawtwogreatopenbargesbeingfilledupwithmen，and，oninquiry，learnedthattheseweregrublessonesbeingroundedupandsentdowntheYukonbytheCommitteeofSafety。ThebargesweretobetowedbythelastlittlesteamboatinDawson，andthehopewasthatFortYukon，wherelaythestrandedsteamboats，wouldbegainedbeforetheriverfroze。Atanyrate，nomatterwhathappenedtothem，Dawsonwouldberelievedoftheirgrub-consumingpresence。SototheCommitteeofSafetyCharleswent，privilytodropafleainitsearconcerningTarwater’sgrubless，moneyless，andagedcondition。
Tarwaterwasoneofthelastgatheredin，andwhenYoungLiverpoolreturnedtotheboat，fromthebankhesawthebargesinarunofcake-ice，disappearingaroundthebendbelowMoose-hideMountain。
Runningincake-icealltheway，andseveraltimesescapingjamsintheYukonFlats，thebargesmadetheirhundredsofmilesofprogressfartherintothenorthandfrozeupcheekbyjowlwiththegrub-fleet。Here，insidetheArcticCircle，OldTarwatersettleddowntopassthelongwinter。Severalhours’workaday，choppingfirewoodforthesteamboatcompanies，sufficedtokeephiminfood。
Fortherestofthetimetherewasnothingtodobuthibernateinhislogcabin。
Warmth，rest，andplentytoeat，curedhishackingcoughandputhiminasgoodphysicalconditionaswaspossibleforhisadvancedyears。But，evenbeforeChristmas，thelackoffreshvegetablescausedscurvytobreakout，anddisappointedadventurerafterdisappointedadventurertooktohisbunkinabjectsurrendertothisculminatingmisfortune。NotsoTarwater。Evenbeforethefirstsymptomsappearedonhim，hewasputtingintopracticehisoneprescription，namely，exercise。Fromthejunkoftheoldtradingpostheresurrectedanumberofrustytraps，andfromoneofthesteamboatcaptainsheborrowedarifle。
Thusequipped，heceasedfromwood-chopping，andbegantomakemorethanamereliving。Norwashedownheartedwhenthescurvybrokeoutonhisownbody。Everheranhistrap-linesandsanghisancientchant。NorcouldthepessimistshakehissuretyofthethreehundredthousandofAlaskangoldheasgoingtoshakeoutofthemoss-roots。
\"Butthisain’tgold-country，\"theytoldhim。
\"Goldiswhereyoufindit，son，asIshouldknowwhowasminingbeforeyouwasborn，’waybackinForty-Nine，\"washisreply。
\"WhatwasBonanzaCreekbutamoose-pasture？Nominer’dlookatit;yettheywashedfive-hundred-dollarpansandtookoutfiftymilliondollars。Eldoradowasjustasbad。Forallyouknow，rightunderthisherecabin，orrightoverthenexthill，ismillionsjustwaitingforaluckyonelikemetocomeandshakeitout。\"
AttheendofJanuarycamehisdisaster。Somepowerfulanimalthathedecidedwasabob-cat，managingtogetcaughtinoneofhissmallertraps，draggeditaway。Aheavysnow-fallputastopmidwaytohispursuit，losingthetrailforhimandlosinghimself。
Therewerebutseveralhoursofdaylighteachdaybetweenthetwentyhoursofinterveningdarkness，andhiseffortsinthegreylightandcontinuallyfallingsnowsucceededonlyinlosinghimmorethoroughly。Fortunately，whenwintersnowfallsintheNorthlandthethermometerinvariablyrises;so，insteadofthecustomaryfortyandfiftyandevensixtydegreesbelowzero，thetemperatureremainedfifteenbelow。Also，hewaswarmlycladandhadafullmatchbox。Furthertomitigatehispredicament，onthefifthdayhekilledawoundedmoosethatweighedoverhalfaton。
Makinghiscampbesideitonaspruce-bottom，hewaspreparedtolastoutthewinter，unlessasearchingpartyfoundhimorhisscurvygrewworse。
Butattheendoftwoweekstherehadbeennosignofsearch，whilehisscurvyhadundeniablygrownworse。Againsthisfire，bankedfromoutercoldbyashelter-wallofspruce-boughs，hecrouchedlonghoursinsleepandlonghoursinwaking。Butthewakinghoursgrewless，becomingsemi-wakingorhalf-dreaminghoursastheprocessofhibernationworkedtheirwaywithhim。SlowlythesparklepointofconsciousnessandidentitythatwasJohnTarwatersank，deeperanddeeper，intotheprofoundsofhisbeingthathadbeencompoundederemanwasman，andwhilehewasbecomingman，whenhe，firstofallanimals，regardedhimselfwithanintrospectiveeyeandlaidthebeginningsofmoralityinfoundationsofnightmarepeopledbythemonstersofhisownethic-
thwarteddesires。
Likeamaninfever，wakingtointervalsofconsciousness，soOldTarwaterawoke，cookedhismoose-meat，andfedthefire;butmoreandmoretimehespentinhistorpor，unawareofwhatwasday-dreamandwhatwassleep-dreaminthecontentofhisunconsciousness。
Andhere，intheunforgetablecryptsofman’sunwrittenhistory，unthinkableandunrealizable，likepassagesofnightmareorimpossibleadventuresoflunacy，heencounteredthemonsterscreatedofman’sfirstmoralitythateversincehavevexedhimintothespinningoffantasiestoeludethemordobattlewiththem。
Inshort，weightedbyhisseventyyears，inthevastandsilentlonelinessoftheNorth，OldTarwater，asinthedeliriumofdrugoranaesthetic，recoveredwithinhimself，theinfantilemindofthechild-manoftheearlyworld。ItwasintheduskofDeath’sflutterywingsthatTarwaterthuscrouched，and，likehisremoteforebear，thechild-man，wenttomyth-making，andsun-heroizing，himselfhero-makerandtheheroinquestoftheimmemorabletreasuredifficultofattainment。
Eithermustheattainthetreasure-forsorantheinexorablelogicoftheshadow-landoftheunconscious-orelsesinkintotheall-devouringsea，theblacknesseaterofthelightthatswallowedtoextinctionthesuneachnight……thesunthataroseeverinrebirthnextmorningintheeast，andthathadbecometomanman’sfirstsymbolofimmortalitythroughrebirth。Allthis，inthedeepsofhisunconsciousness（theshadowywesternlandofdescendinglight），wasthenearduskofDeathdownintowhichheslowlyebbed。
Buthowtoescapethismonsterofthedarkthatfromwithinhimslowlyswallowedhim？Toodeep-sunkwashetodreamofescapeorfeeltheprodofdesiretoescape。Forhimrealityhadceased。
Norfromwithinthedarkenedchamberofhimselfcouldrealityrecrudesce。Hisyearsweretooheavyuponhim，thedebilityofdiseaseandthelethargyandtorporofthesilenceandthecoldweretooprofound。Onlyfromwithoutcouldrealityimpactuponhimandreawakewithinhimanawarenessofreality。Otherwisehewouldoozedownthroughtheshadow-realmoftheunconsciousintotheall-
darknessofextinction。
Butitcame，thesmashofrealityfromwithout，crashinguponhiseardrumsinaloud，explosivesnort。Fortwentydays，inatemperaturethathadneverrisenabovefiftybelow，nobreathofwindhadblownmovement，noslightestsoundhadbrokenthesilence。
Likethesmokerontheopiumcouchrefocusinghiseyesfromthespaciouswallsofdreamtothenarrowconfinesofthemeanlittleroom，soOldTarwaterstaredvague-eyedbeforehimacrosshisdyingfire，atahugemoosethatstaredathiminstartlement，draggingawoundedleg，manifestingallsignsofextremeexhaustion;it，too，hadbeenstrayingblindlyintheshadow-land，andhadwakenedtorealityonlyjustereitsteppedintoTarwater’sfire。
Hefeeblyslippedthelargefurmittenlinedwiththicknessofwoolfromhisrighthand。Upontrialhefoundthetriggerfingertoonumbformovement。Carefully，slowly，throughlongminutes，heworkedthebarehandinsidehisblankets，upunderhisfurPARKA，throughthechestopeningsofhisshirts，andintotheslightlywarmhollowofhisleftarm-pit。Longminutespassederethefingercouldmove，when，withequalslownessofcaution，hegatheredhisrifletohisshoulderanddrewbeaduponthegreatanimalacrossthefire。
Attheshot，ofthetwoshadow-wanderers，theonereeleddownwardtothedarkandtheotherreeledupwardtothelight，swayingdrunkenlyonhisscurvy-ravagedlegs，shiveringwithnervousnessandcold，rubbingswimmingeyeswithshakingfingers，andstaringattherealworldallabouthimthathadreturnedtohimwithsuchsickeningsuddenness。Heshookhimselftogether，andrealizedthatforlong，howlonghedidnotknow，hehadbeddedinthearmsofDeath。Hespat，withdefiniteintention，heardthespittlecrackleinthefrost，andjudgeditmustbebelowandfarbelowsixtybelow。Intruth，thatdayatFortYukon，thespiritthermometerregisteredseventy-fivedegreesbelowzero，which，sincefreezing-
pointisthirty-twoabove，wasequivalenttoonehundredandsevendegreesoffrost。
SlowlyTarwater’sbrainreasonedtoaction。Here，inthevastalone，dweltDeath。Herehadcometwowoundedmoose。Withtheclearingoftheskyafterthegreatcoldcameon，hehadlocatedhisbearings，andheknewthatbothwoundedmoosehadtrailedtohimfromtheeast。Therefore，intheeast，weremen-whitesorIndianshecouldnottell，butatanyratemenwhomightstandbyhiminhisneedandhelpmoorhimtorealityabovetheseaofdark。
Hemovedslowly，buthemovedinreality，girdinghimselfwithrifle，ammunition，matches，andapackoftwentypoundsofmoose-
meat。Then，anArgusrejuvenated，albeitlameofbothlegsandtottery，heturnedhisbackontheperilouswestandlimpedintothesun-arising，re-birthingeast……
Dayslater-howmanydayslaterhewasnevertoknow-dreamingdreamsandseeingvisions，cacklinghisoldgold-chantofForty-
Nine，likeonedrowningandswimmingfeeblytokeephisconsciousnessabovetheengulfingdark，hecameoutuponthesnow-
slopetoacanyonandsawbelowsmokerisingandmenwhoceasedfromworktogazeathim。Hetottereddownthehilltothem，stillsinging;andwhenheceasedfromlackofbreaththeycalledhimvariously：SantaClaus，OldChristmas，Whiskers，theLastoftheMohicans，andFatherChristmas。Andwhenhestoodamongthemhestoodverystill，withoutspeech，whilegreattearswelledoutofhiseyes。Hecriedsilently，alongtime，till，asifsuddenlybethinkinghimself，hesatdowninthesnowwithmuchcreakingandcracklingofhisjoints，andfromthislowvantagepointtoppledsidewiseandfaintedcalmlyandeasilyaway。
InlessthanaweekOldTarwaterwasupandlimpingaboutthehouseworkofthecabin，cookinganddish-washingforthefivemenofthecreek。Genuinesourdoughs（pioneers）theywere，toughandhard-bitten，whohadbeenburiedsodeeplyinsidetheCirclethattheydidnotknowtherewasaKlondikeStrike。Thenewshebroughtthemwastheirfirstwordofit。Theylivedonanalmoststraight-
meatdietofmoose，caribou，andsmokedsalmon，ekedoutwithwildberriesandsomewhatsucculentwildrootstheyhadstockedupwithinthesummer。Theyhadforgottenthetasteofcoffee，madefirewithaburningglass，carriedlivefire-stickswiththemwherevertheytravelled，andintheirpipessmokeddryleavesthatbitthetongueandwerepungenttothenostrils。
Threeyearsbefore，theyhadprospectedfromthehead-reachesoftheKoyokuknorthwardandclearacrosstothemouthoftheMackenzieontheArcticOcean。Here，onthewhaleships，theyhadbeheldtheirlastwhitemenandequippedthemselveswiththelastwhiteman’sgrub，consistingprincipallyofsaltandsmokingtobacco。StrikingsouthandwestonthelongtraversetothejunctionoftheYukonandPorcupineatFortYukon，theyhadfoundgoldonthiscreekandremainedovertoworktheground。
TheyhailedtheadventofTarwaterwithjoy，nevertiredoflisteningtohistalesofForty-Nine，andrechristenedhimOldHero。Also，withteamadefromspruceneedles，withconcoctionsbrewedfromtheinnerwillowbark，andwithsourandbitterrootsandbulbsfromtheground，theydosedhisscurvyoutofhim，sothatheceasedlimpingandbegantolayonfleshoverhisbonyframework。Further，theysawnoreasonatallwhyheshouldnotgatherarichtreasureofgoldfromtheground。
\"Don’tknowaboutallofthreehundredthousand，\"theytoldhimonemorning，atbreakfast，eretheydepartedtotheirwork，\"buthow’dahundredthousanddo，OldHero？That’swhatwefigureaclaimisworth，thegroundbeingbadlyspotted，andwe’vealreadystakedyourlocationnotices。\"
\"Well，boys，\"OldTarwateranswered，\"andthankingyoukindly，allIcansayisthatahundredthousandwilldonicely，andverynicely，forastarter。Ofcourse，Iain’tgoin’tostoptillIgetthefullthreehundredthousand。That’swhatIcomeintothecountryfor。\"
Theylaughedandapplaudedhisambitionandreckonedthey’dhavetohuntarichercreekforhim。AndOldHeroreckonedthatasthespringcameonandhegrewspryer，he’dhavetogetoutanddoalittlesnoopingaroundhimself。
\"Forallanybodyknows，\"hesaid，pointingtoahillsideacrossthecreekbottom，\"themossunderthesnowtheremaybeplumbrootedinnuggetgold。\"
Hesaidnomore，butasthesunrosehigherandthedaysgrewlongerandwarmer，hegazedoftenacrossthecreekatthedefinitebench-formationhalfwayupthehill。And，oneday，whenthethawwasinfullswing，hecrossedthestreamandclimbedtothebench。
Exposedpatchesofgroundhadalreadythawedaninchdeep。Ononesuchpatchhestopped，gatheredabunchofmossinhisbiggnarledhands，andrippeditoutbytheroots。Thesunsmoulderedondullyglisteningyellow。Heshookthehandfulofmoss，andcoarsenuggets，likegravel，felltotheground。ItwastheGoldenFleecereadyfortheshearing。
NotentirelyunrememberedinAlaskanannalsisthesummerstampedeof1898fromFortYukontothebenchdiggingsofTarwaterHill。
AndwhenTarwatersoldhisholdingstotheBowdieinterestsforasheerhalf-millionandfacedforCalifornia，herodeamuleoveranew-cuttrail，withconvenientroadhousesalongtheway，cleartothesteamboatlandingatFortYukon。
Atthefirstmealontheocean-goingsteamshipoutofSt。Michaels，awaiter，greyish-haired，pain-ravagedofface，scurvy-twistedofbody，servedhim。OldTarwaterwascompelledtolookhimovertwiceinordertomakecertainhewasCharlesCrayton。
\"Gotitbad，eh，son？\"Tarwaterqueried。
\"Justmyluck，\"theothercomplained，afterrecognitionandgreeting。\"Onlyoneofthepartythatthescurvyattacked。I’vebeenthroughhell。Theotherthreeareallatworkandhealthy，gettinggrub-staketoprospectupWhiteRiverthiswinter。Anson’searningtwenty-fiveadayatcarpentering，Liverpoolgettingtwentyloggingforthesaw-mill，andBigBill’sgettingfortyadayaschiefsawyer。Itriedmybest，andifithadn’tbeenforscurvy……\"
\"Sure，son，youdoneyourbest，whichain’tmuch，youbeingnaturallyirritableandhardfromtoomuchbusiness。NowI’lltellyouwhat。Youain’tfittoworkcrippledupthisway。I’llpayyourpassagewiththecaptaininkindremembranceofthevoyageyougaveme，andyoucanlayupandtakeiteasytherestofthetrip。
AndwhatareyourcircumstanceswhenyoulandatSanFrancisco？\"
CharlesCraytonshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Tellyouwhat，\"Tarwatercontinued。\"There’sworkontheranchforyoutillyoucanstartbusinessagain。\"
\"Icouldmanageyourbusinessforyou-\"Charlesbeganeagerly。
\"No，siree，\"Tarwaterdeclaredemphatically。\"Butthere’salwayspost-holestodig，andcordwoodtochop，andtheclimate’sfine……\"
Tarwaterarrivedhomeatrueprodigalgrandfatherforwhomthefattedcalfwaskilledandready。Butfirst，erehesatdownattable，hemuststrolloutandaround。Andsonsanddaughtersofhisfleshandofthelawneedsmustgowithhimfulsomelyeatingoutofthegnarledoldhandthathadhalfamilliontodisburse。
Heledtheway，andnoopinionheslylyutteredwaspreposterousorimpossibleenoughtodrawdissentfromhisfollowing。Pausingbytheruinedwaterwheelwhichhehadbuiltfromthestandingtimber，hisfacebeamedashegazedacrossthestretchesofTarwaterValley，andonandupthefarheightstothesummitofTarwaterMountain-nowallhisagain。
Athoughtcametohimthatmadehimaverthisfaceandblowhisnoseinordertohidethetwinkleinhiseyes。Stillattendedbytheentirefamily，hestrolledontothedilapidatedbarn。Hepickedupanage-weatheredsingle-treefromtheground。
\"William，\"hesaid。\"RememberthatlittleconversationwehadjustbeforeIstartedtoKlondike？Sure，William，youremember。YoutoldmeIwascrazy。AndIsaidmyfather’dhavewallopedthetaroutofmewithasingle-treeifI’dspoketohimthatway。\"
\"Aw，butthatwasonlyfoolin’，\"Williamtemporized。
Williamwasagrizzledmanofforty-five，andhiswifeandgrownsonsstoodinthegroup，curiouslywatchingGrandfatherTarwatertakeoffhiscoatandhandittoMarytohold。
\"William-comehere，\"hecommandedimperatively。
Nomatterhowreluctantly，Williamcame。
\"Justataste，William，son，ofwhatmyfathergivemeoftenenough，\"OldTarwatercrooned，ashelaidonhisson’sbackandshoulderswiththesingle-tree。\"Observe，Iain’thittingyouonthehead。Myfatherhadagosh-wollickin’temperandneverdrewthelineatheadswhenhewentaftertar-Don’tjerkyourelbowsbackthatway！You’relikelytogetacrackononebyaccident。
Andjusttellmeonething，William，son：istherenarynotioninyourheadthatI’mcrazy？\"
\"No！\"Williamyelpedoutinpain，ashedancedabout。\"Youain’tcrazy，fatherofcourseyouain’tcrazy！\"
\"Yousaidit，\"OldTarwaterremarkedsententiously，tossingthesingle-treeasideandstartingtostruggleintohiscoat。
\"Nowlet’sallgoinandeat。\"
GlenEllen，California，SEPTEMBER14，1916。
STORY：THEPRINCESS
AFIREburnedcheerfullyinthejunglecamp，andbesidethefirelolledacheerful-seemingthoughhorrible-appearingman。Thiswasahobojungle，pitchedinathinstripofwoodsthatlaybetweenarailroadembankmentandthebankofariver。Butnohobowastheman。Sodeep-sunkwasheinthesocialabyssthataproperhobowouldnotsitbythesamefirewithhim。Agay-cat，whoisanignorantnew-comeronthe\"Road，\"mightsitwithsuchashe，butonlylongenoughtolearnbetter。Evenlowdownbindle-stiffsandstew-bums，afteraonce-over，wouldhavepassedthismanby。A
genuinehobo，acoupleofpunks，orabunchoftender-yearedroad-
kidsmighthavegonethroughhisragsforanystraypenniesornickelsandkickedhimoutintothedarkness。Evenanalki-stiffwouldhavereckonedhimselfimmeasurablysuperior。
Forthismanwasthathybridoftramp-land，analki-stiffthathasdegeneratedintoastew-bum，withsolittleself-respectthathewillnever\"boil-up，\"andwithsolittlepridethathewilleatoutofagarbagecan。Hewastrulyhorrible-appearing。Hemighthavebeensixtyyearsofage;hemighthavebeenninety。Hisgarmentsmighthavebeendiscardedbyarag-picker。Besidehim，anunrolledbundleshoweditselfasconsistingofaraggedovercoatandcontaininganemptyandsmoke-blackenedtomatocan，anemptyandbatteredcondensedmilkcan，somedog-meatpartlywrappedinbrownpaperandevidentlybeggedfromsomebutcher-shop，acarrotthathadbeenrunoverinthestreetbyawagon-wheel，threegreenish-
cankeredanddecayedpotatoes，andasugar-bunwithamouthfulbittenfromitandrescuedfromthegutter，aswasmadepatentbythegutter-filththatstillencrustedit。
Aprodigiousgrowthofwhiskers，greyish-dirtyanduntrimmedforyears，sproutedfromhisface。Thishirsutegrowthshouldhavebeenwhite，buttheseasonwassummerandithadnotbeenexposedtoarain-showerforsometime。Whatwasvisibleofthefacelookedasifatsomeperiodithadstoppedahand-grenade。Thenosewassovariouslymalformedinitshealedbrokennessthattherewasnobridge，whileonenostril，thesizeofapea，openeddownward，andtheother，thesizeofarobin’segg，tiltedupwardtothesky。Oneeye，ofnormalsize，dim-brownandmisty，bulgedtothevergeofpoppingout，andasiffromsenilityweptcopiouslyandcontinuously。Theothereye，scarcelylargerthanasquirrel’sandasuncannilybright，twistedupobliquelyintothehairyscarofabone-crushedeyebrow。Andhehadbutonearm。
Yetwashecheerful。Onhisface，inmilddegree，wasdepictedsensuouspleasureashelethargicallyscratchedhisribswithhisonehand。Hepawedoverhisfood-scraps，debated，thendrewatwelve-ouncedruggistbottlefromhisinsidecoat-pocket。Thebottlewasfullofacolourlessliquid，thecontemplationofwhichmadehislittleeyeburnbrighterandquickenedhismovements。
Pickingupthetomatocan，hearose，wentdowntheshortpathtotheriver，andreturnedwiththecanfilledwithnot-niceriverwater。Inthecondensedmilkcanhemixedonepartofwaterwithtwopartsoffluidfromthebottle。Thiscolourlessfluidwasdruggist’salcohol，andassuchisknownintramp-landas\"alki。\"
Slowfootsteps，comingdownthesideoftherailroadembankment，alarmedhimerehecoulddrink。Placingthecancarefullyuponthegroundbetweenhislegs，hecovereditwithhishatandwaitedanxiouslywhateverimpended。
Outofthedarknessemergedamanasfilthyraggedashe。Thenew-
comer，whomighthavebeenfifty，andmighthavebeensixty，wasgrotesquelyfat。Hebulgedeverywhere。Hewascomposedofbulges。
Hisbulbousnosewasthesizeandshapeofaturnip。Hiseyelidsbulgedandhisblueeyesbulgedincompetitionwiththem。Inmanyplacestheseamsofhisgarmentshadpartedacrossthebulgesofbody。Hiscalvesgrewintohisfeet，forthebrokenelasticsidesofhisCongressgaiterswereswelledfullwiththefatofhim。Onearmonlyhesported，fromtheshoulderofwhichwassuspendedasmallandtatteredbundlewiththemudcakeddryontheoutercoveringfromthelastplacehehadpitchedhisdoss。Headvancedwithtentativecaution，madesureoftheharmlessnessofthemanbesidethefire，andjoinedhim。
\"Hello，grandpa，\"thenew-comergreeted，thenpausedtostareattheother’sflaring，sky-opennostril。\"Say，Whiskers，how’dyekeepthenightdewoutofthatnoseo’yourn？\"
Whiskersgrowledanincoherencedeepinhisthroatandspatintothefireintokenthathewasnotpleasedbythequestion。
\"FortheloveofMike，\"thefatmanchuckled，\"ifyougotcaughtoutinarainstormwithoutanumbrellayou’dsuredrown，wouldn’tyou？\"
\"Canit，Fatty，canit，\"Whiskersmutteredwearily。\"Theyain’tnothin’newinthatlineofchatter。Eventhebullshanditouttome。\"
\"Butyoucanstilldrink，Ihope\";Fattyatthesametimemollifiedandinvited，withhisonehanddeftlypullingtheslip-knotsthatfastenedhisbundle。
Fromwithinthebundlehebroughttolightatwelve-ouncebottleofalki。Footstepscomingdowntheembankmentalarmedhim，andhehidthebottleunderhishatonthegroundbetweenhislegs。
Butthenextcomerprovedtobenotmerelyoneoftheirownilk，butlikewisetohaveonlyonearm。Soforbiddingofaspectwashethatgreetingsconsistedofnomorethangrunts。Huge-boned，tall，gaunttocadaverousness，hisfaceadirtydeath’shead，hewasasrepellentanightmareofoldageaseverDoreimagined。Histoothless，thin-lippedmouthwasacruelandbitterslashunderagreatcurvednosethatalmostmetthechinandthatwaslikeabuzzard’sbeak。Hisonehand，leanandcrooked，wasatalon。Thebeadygreyeyes，unblinkingandunwavering，werebitterasdeath，asbleakasabsolutezeroandasmerciless。Hispresencewasachill，andWhiskersandFattyinstinctivelydrewtogetherforprotectionagainsttheunguessedthreatofhim。Watchinghischance，privily，Whiskerssnuggledachunkofrockseveralpoundsinweighclosetohishandifneedforactionshouldarise。Fattyduplicatedtheperformance。
Thenbothsatlickingtheirlips，guiltilyembarrassed，whiletheunblinkingeyesoftheterribleoneboredintothem，nowintoone，nowintoanother，andthendownattherock-chunksoftheirpreparedness。
\"Huh！\"sneeredtheterribleone，withsuchdreadfulnessofmenaceastocauseWhiskersandFattyinvoluntarilytoclosetheirhandsdownontheircave-man’sweapons。
\"Huh！\"theotherrepeated，reachinghisonetalonintohissidecoatpocketwithswiftdefiniteness。\"Ahellofachanceyoutwocheapbums’dhavewithme。\"
Thetalonemerged，clutchingreadyforactionasix-poundironquoit。
\"Weain’tlookin’fortrouble，Slim，\"Fattyquavered。
\"Whoinhellareyoutocallme’Slim’？\"camethesnarlinganswer。
\"Me？I’mjustFatty，an’seein’’sIneverseenyoubefore-\"
\"An’Isupposethat’sWhiskers，there，withthegayan’festivelamptan-goingintohiseyebrowan’theGod-forgive-usnosejoy-
ridingalloverhismug？\"
\"It’lldo，it’lldo，\"Whiskersmuttereduncomfortably。\"Onemonica’sasgoodasanother，Ifind，atmytimeoflife。Andeverybodyhandsitouttomeanyway。AndIneedanumbrellawhenitrainstokeepfromgettingdrowned，an’alltherestofit。\"
\"Iain’tusedtocompany-don’tlikeit，\"Slimgrowled。\"Soifyouguyswanttostickaround，mindyourstep，that’sall，mindyourstep。\"
Hefishedfromhispocketacigarstump，self-evidentlyshotfromthegutter，andpreparedtoputitinhismouthtochew。Thenhechangedhismind，glaredathiscompanionssavagely，andunrolledhisbundle。Appearedinhishandadruggist’sbottleofalki。
\"Well，\"hesnarled，\"IsupposeIgottagiveyoucheapskatesadrinkwhenIain’tgotmore’nenoughforagoodpetrificationformyself。\"
Almostasofteningflickeroflightwasimminentinhiswitheredfaceashebeheldtheothersproudlylifttheirhatsandexhibittheirownsupplies。
\"Here’ssomewaterforthemixin’s，\"Whiskerssaid，profferinghistomato-canofriverslush。\"Stockyardsjustabove，\"headdedapologetically。\"Buttheysay-\"
\"Huh！\"Slimsnappedshort，mixingthedrink。\"I’vedrunkworse’nstockyardsinmytime。\"
Yetwhenallwasready，cansofalkiintheirsolitaryhands，thethreethingsthathadoncebeenmenhesitated，asifofoldhabit，andnextbetrayedshameasifatself-exposure。
Whiskerswasthefirsttobrazenit。
\"I’vesatinatmanyafinerdrinking，\"hebragged。
\"Withthepewter，\"Slimsneered。
\"Withthesilver，\"Whiskerscorrected。
Slimturnedascorchingeye-interrogationonFatty。
Fattynodded。
\"Beneaththesalt，\"saidSlim。
\"Aboveit，\"cameFatty’scorrection。\"Iwasbornaboveit，andI’venevertravelledsecondclass。Firstorsteerage，butnointermediateinmine。\"
\"Yourself？\"WhiskersqueriedofSlim。
\"InbrokenglasstotheQueen，Godblessher，\"Slimanswered，solemnly，withoutsnarlorsneer。
\"Inthepantry？\"Fattyinsinuated。
SimultaneouslySlimreachedforhisquoit，andWhiskersandFattyfortheirrocks。
