finestworkinthatlineIeverdidinmylife。Youshouldhaveseenthechase，downtheriverandacrosstheportage。’
’Butthesquaw？’askedLouisSavoy，thetallFrenchCanadian，becominginterested;forhehadheardofthiswilddeedwhenatFortyMiletheprecedingwinter。
ThenMalemuteKid，whowasabornraconteur，toldtheunvarnishedtaleoftheNorthlandLochinvar。MorethanoneroughadventureroftheNorthfelthisheartstringsdrawcloserandexperiencedvagueyearningsforthesunnierpasturesoftheSouthland，wherelifepromisedsomethingmorethanabarrenstrugglewithcoldanddeath。
’WestrucktheYukonjustbehindthefirsticerun，’heconcluded，’andthetribeonlyaquarterofanhourbehind。Butthatsavedus;
forthesecondrunbrokethejamaboveandshutthemout。WhentheyfinallygotintoNuklukyeto，thewholepostwasreadyforthem。Andastotheforgathering，askFatherRoubeauhere：heperformedtheceremony。’
TheJesuittookthepipefromhislipsbutcouldonlyexpresshisgratificationwithpatriarchalsmiles，whileProtestantandCatholicvigorouslyapplauded。
’Bygar！’ejaculatedLouisSavoy，whoseemedovercomebytheromanceofit。’Lapetitesquaw：monMasonbrav。Bygar！’
Then，asthefirsttincupsofpunchwentround，BettlestheUnquenchablesprangtohisfeetandstruckuphisfavoritedrinkingsong：
’There’sHenryWardBeecherAndSunday—schoolteachers，Alldrinkofthesassafrasroot;
Butyoubetallthesame，Ifithaditsrightname，It’sthejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit。’
’Oh，thejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit，’
roaredoutthebacchanalianchorus，’Oh，thejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit;
Butyoubetallthesame，Ifithaditsrightname，It’sthejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit。’
MalemuteKid’sfrightfulconcoctiondiditswork;themenofthecampsandtrailsunbentinitsgenialglow，andjestandsongandtalesofpastadventurewentroundtheboard。Aliensfromadozenlands，theytoastedeachandall。ItwastheEnglishman，Prince，whopledged’UncleSam，theprecociousinfantoftheNewWorld’;theYankee，Bettles，whodrankto’TheQueen，Godblessher’;andtogether，SavoyandMeyers，theGermantrader，clangedtheircupstoAlsaceandLorraine。
ThenMalemuteKidarose，cupinhand，andglancedatthegreased—paperwindow，wherethefroststoodfullthreeinchesthick。
’Ahealthtothemanontrailthisnight;mayhisgrubholdout;mayhisdogskeeptheirlegs;mayhismatchesnevermissfire。’
Crack！Crack！heardthefamiliarmusicofthedogwhip，thewhininghowloftheMalemutes，andthecrunchofasledasitdrewuptothecabin。Conversationlanguishedwhiletheywaitedtheissue。
’Anold—timer;caresforhisdogsandthenhimself，’whisperedMalemuteKidtoPrinceastheylistenedtothesnappingjawsandthewolfishsnarlsandyelpsofpainwhichproclaimedtotheirpracticedearsthatthestrangerwasbeatingbacktheirdogswhilehefedhisown。
Thencametheexpectedknock，sharpandconfident，andthestrangerentered。Dazzledbythelight，hehesitatedamomentatthedoor，givingtoallachanceforscrutiny。Hewasastrikingpersonage，andamostpicturesqueone，inhisArcticdressofwoolandfur。Standingsixfoottwoorthree，withproportionatebreadthofshouldersanddepthofchest，hissmooth—shavenfacenippedbythecoldtoagleamingpink，hislonglashesandeyebrowswhitewithice，andtheearandneckflapsofhisgreatwolfskincaplooselyraised，heseemed，ofaverity，theFrostKing，juststeppedinoutofthenight。ClaspedoutsidehisMackinawjacket，abeadedbeltheldtwolargeColt’srevolversandahuntingknife，whilehecarried，inadditiontotheinevitabledogwhip，asmokelessrifleofthelargestboreandlatestpattern。Ashecameforward，forallhisstepwasfirmandelastic，theycouldseethatfatigueboreheavilyuponhim。
Anawkwardsilencehadfallen，buthishearty’Whatcheer，mylads？’
putthemquicklyatease，andthenextinstantMalemuteKidandhehadgrippedhands。Thoughtheyhadnevermet，eachhadheardoftheother，andtherecognitionwasmutual。Asweepingintroductionandamugofpunchwereforceduponhimbeforehecouldexplainhiserrand。
Howlongsincethatbasketsled，withthreemenandeightdogs，passed？’heasked。
’Aneventwodaysahead。Areyouafterthem？’
’Yes;myteam。Runthemoffundermyverynose，thecusses。I’vegainedtwodaysonthemalready—pickthemuponthenextrun。’
’Reckonthey’llshowspunk？’askedBelden，inordertokeepuptheconversation，forMalemuteKidalreadyhadthecoffeepotonandwasbusilyfryingbaconandmoosemeat。
Thestrangersignificantlytappedhisrevolvers。
’When’dyehleaveDawson？’
’Twelveo’clock。’
’Lastnight？’—asamatterofcourse。
’Today。’
Amurmurofsurprisepassedroundthecircle。Andwellitmight;foritwasjustmidnight，andseventy—fivemilesofroughrivertrailwasnottobesneeredatforatwelvehours’run。
Thetalksoonbecameimpersonal，however，harkingbacktothetrailsofchildhood。AstheyoungstrangerateoftherudefareMalemuteKidattentivelystudiedhisface。Norwashelongindecidingthatitwasfair，honest，andopen，andthathelikedit。Stillyouthful，thelineshadbeenfirmlytracedbytoilandhardship。Thoughgenialinconversation，andmildwhenatrest，theblueeyesgavepromiseofthehardsteel—glitterwhichcomeswhencalledintoaction，especiallyagainstodds。Theheavyjawandsquare—cutchindemonstratedruggedpertinacityandindomitability。Nor，thoughtheattributesofthelionwerethere，wastherewantingthecertainsoftness，thehintofwomanliness，whichbespoketheemotionalnature。
’Sothet’showmean’theol’womangotspliced，’saidBelden，concludingtheexcitingtaleofhiscourtship。’\"Herewebe，Dad，\"sezshe。\"An’mayyehbedamned，\"sezhetoher，an’thentome，’’Jim，yeh—yehgitoutenthemgooddudso’yourn;Iwantarightpeartsliceo’thetfortyacreplowed’foredinner。\"An’thenhesorto’
sniffledan’kissedher。An’Iwasthethappy—butheseenmean’
roarsout，’’Yeh，Jim！’An’yehbetIdustedferthebarn。’
’AnykidswaitingforyoubackintheStates？’askedthestranger。
’Nope;Saldied’foreanycome。Thet’swhyI’mhere。’Beldenabstractedlybegantolighthispipe，whichhadfailedtogoout，andthenbrightenedupwith，’How’boutyerself，stranger—marriedman？’
Forreply，heopenedhiswatch，slippeditfromthethongwhichservedforachain，andpasseditover。Beldenpickeduptheslushlamp，surveyedtheinsideofthecasecritically，and，swearingadmiringlytohimself，handeditovertoLouisSavoy。Withnumerous’Bygars！’hefinallysurrenderedittoPrince，andtheynoticedthathishandstrembledandhiseyestookonapeculiarsoftness。
Andsoitpassedfromhornyhandtohornyhand—thepastedphotographofawoman，theclingingkindthatsuchmenfancy，withababeatthebreast。Thosewhohadnotyetseenthewonderwerekeenwithcuriosity;thosewhohadbecamesilentandretrospective。Theycouldfacethepinchoffamine，thegripofscurvy，orthequickdeathbyfieldorflood;butthepicturedsemblanceofastrangerwomanandchildmadewomenandchildrenofthemall。
’Neverhaveseentheyoungsteryet—he’saboy，shesays，andtwoyearsold，’saidthestrangerashereceivedthetreasureback。A
lingeringmomenthegazeduponit，thensnappedthecaseandturnedaway，butnotquickenoughtohidetherestrainedrushoftears。
MalemuteKidledhimtoabunkandbadehimturnin。
’Callmeatfoursharp。Don’tfailme，’werehislastwords，andamomentlaterhewasbreathingintheheavinessofexhaustedsleep。
’ByJove！He’sapluckychap，’commentedPrince。’Threehours’sleepafterseventy—fivemileswiththedogs，andthenthetrailagain。
Whoishe，Kid？’
’JackWestondale。Beeningoingonthreeyears，withnothingbutthenameofworkinglikeahorse，andanyamountofbadlucktohiscredit。Ineverknewhim，butSitkaCharleytoldmeabouthim。’
’ItseemshardthatamanwithasweetyoungwifelikehisshouldbeputtinginhisyearsinthisGodforsakenhole，whereeveryyearcountstwoontheoutside。’
’Thetroublewithhimiscleangritandstubbornness。He’scleaneduptwicewithastake，butlostitbothtimes。’
HeretheconversationwasbrokenoffbyanuproarfromBettles，fortheeffecthadbeguntowearaway。Andsoonthebleakyearsofmonotonousgrubanddeadeningtoilwerebeingforgotteninroughmerriment。MalemuteKidaloneseemedunabletolosehimself，andcastmanyananxiouslookathiswatch。Onceheputonhismittensandbeaver—skincap，and，leavingthecabin，felltorummagingaboutinthecache。
Norcouldhewaitthehourdesignated;forhewasfifteenminutesaheadoftimeinrousinghisguest。Theyounggianthadstiffenedbadly，andbriskrubbingwasnecessarytobringhimtohisfeet。Hetotteredpainfullyoutofthecabin，tofindhisdogsharnessedandeverythingreadyforthestart。Thecompanywishedhimgoodluckandashortchase，whileFatherRoubeau，hurriedlyblessinghim，ledthestampedeforthecabin;andsmallwonder，foritisnotgoodtofaceseventy—fourdegreesbelowzerowithnakedearsandhands。
MalemuteKidsawhimtothemaintrail，andthere，grippinghishandheartily，gavehimadvice。
’You’llfindahundredpoundsofsalmoneggsonthesled，’hesaid。’Thedogswillgoasfaronthataswithonehundredandfiftyoffish，andyoucan’tgetdogfoodatPelly，asyouprobablyexpected。’Thestrangerstarted，andhiseyesflashed，buthedidnotinterrupt。’Youcan’tgetanounceoffoodfordogormantillyoureachFiveFingers，andthat’sastifftwohundredmiles。WatchoutforopenwaterontheThirtyMileRiver，andbesureyoutakethebigcutoffaboveLeBarge。’
’Howdidyouknowit？Surelythenewscan’tbeaheadofmealready？’
’Idon’tknowit;andwhat’smore，Idon’twanttoknowit。Butyouneverownedthatteamyou’rechasing。SitkaCharleysoldittothemlastspring。Buthesizedyouuptomeassquareonce，andI
believehim。I’veseenyourface;Ilikeit。AndI’veseen—why，damnyou，hitthehighplacesforsaltwaterandthatwifeofyours，and—’HeretheKidunmittenedandjerkedouthissack。
’No;Idon’tneedit，’andthetearsfrozeonhischeeksasheconvulsivelygrippedMalemuteKid’shand。
’Thendon’tsparethedogs;cutthemoutofthetracesasfastastheydrop;buythem，andthinkthey’recheapattendollarsapound。
YoucangetthematFiveFingers，LittleSalmon，andHootalinqua。
Andwatchoutforwetfeet，’washispartingadvice。’Keepa—travelinguptotwenty—five，butifitgetsbelowthat，buildafireandchangeyoursocks。’
Fifteenminuteshadbarelyelapsedwhenthejingleofbellsannouncednewarrivals。Thedooropened，andamountedpolicemanoftheNorthwestTerritoryentered，followedbytwohalf—breeddogdrivers。LikeWestondale，theywereheavilyarmedandshowedsignsoffatigue。Thehalf—breedshadbeenbornetothetrailandboreiteasily;buttheyoungpolicemanwasbadlyexhausted。Still，thedoggedobstinacyofhisraceheldhimtothepacehehadset，andwouldholdhimtillhedroppedinhistracks。
’WhendidWestondalepullout？’heasked。’Hestoppedhere，didn’the？’Thiswassupererogatory，forthetrackstoldtheirowntaletoowell。
MalemuteKidhadcaughtBelden’seye，andhe，scentingthewind，repliedevasively，’Arightpeartwhileback。’
’Come，myman;speakup，’thepolicemanadmonished。
’Yehseemtowanthimrightsmart。Hezhebengittin’cantankerousdownDawsonway？’
’HeldupHarryMcFarland’sforfortythousand;exchangeditattheP。C。storeforacheckonSeattle;andwho’stostopthecashingofitifwedon’tovertakehim？Whendidhepullout？’
Everyeyesuppresseditsexcitement，forMalemuteKidhadgiventhecue，andtheyoungofficerencounteredwoodenfacesoneveryhand。
StridingovertoPrince，heputthequestiontohim。Thoughithurthim，gazingintothefrank，earnestface。ofhisfellowcountryman，herepliedinconsequentiallyonthestateofthetrail。
ThenheespiedFatherRoubeau，whocouldnotlie。’Aquarterofanhourago，’thepriestanswered;’buthehadfourhours’restforhimselfanddogs。’
’Fifteenminutes’start，andhe’sfresh！MyGod！’Thepoorfellowstaggeredback，halffaintingfromexhaustionanddisappointment，murmuringsomethingabouttherunfromDawsonintenhoursandthedogsbeingplayedout。
MalemuteKidforcedamugofpunchuponhim;thenheturnedforthedoor，orderingthedogdriverstofollow。Butthewarmthandpromiseofrestweretootempting，andtheyobjectedstrenuously。
TheKidwasconversantwiththeirFrenchpatois，andfolloweditanxiously。
Theysworethatthedogsweregoneup;thatSiwashandBabettewouldhavetobeshotbeforethefirstmilewascovered;thattherestwerealmostasbad;andthatitwouldbebetterforallhandstorestup。
’Lendmefivedogs？’heasked，turningtoMalemuteKid。
ButtheKidshookhishead。
’I’llsignacheckonCaptainConstantineforfivethousand—
here’smypapers—I’mauthorizedtodrawatmyowndiscretion。’
Againthesilentrefusal。
’ThenI’llrequisitiontheminthenameoftheQueen。’
Smilingincredulously，theKidglancedathiswell—stockedarsenal，andtheEnglishman，realizinghisimpotency，turnedforthedoor。Butthedogdriversstillobjecting，hewhirleduponthemfiercely，callingthemwomenandcurs。Theswartfaceoftheolderhalf—breedflushedangrilyashedrewhimselfupandpromisedingood，roundtermsthathewouldtravelhisleaderoffhislegs，andwouldthenbedelightedtoplanthiminthesnow。
Theyoungofficer—anditrequiredhiswholewill—walkedsteadilytothedoor，exhibitingafreshnesshedidnotpossess。Buttheyallknewandappreciatedhisproudeffort;norcouldheveilthetwingesofagonythatshotacrosshisface。Coveredwithfrost，thedogswerecurledupinthesnow，anditwasalmostimpossibletogetthemtotheirfeet。Thepoorbruteswhinedunderthestinginglash，forthedogdriverswereangryandcruel;nortillBabette，theleader，wascutfromthetraces，couldtheybreakoutthesledandgetunderway。
’Adirtyscoundrelandaliar！’’Bygar！Himnogood！’’Athief！’
’WorsethananIndian！’Itwasevidentthattheywereangry—firstatthewaytheyhadbeendeceived;andsecondattheoutragedethicsoftheNorthland，wherehonesty，aboveall，wasman’sprimejewel。
’An’wegavethecussahand，afterknowin’whathe’ddid。’AlleyesturnedaccusinglyuponMalemuteKid，whorosefromthecornerwherehehadbeenmakingBabettecomfortable，andsilentlyemptiedthebowlforafinalroundofpunch。
’It’sacoldnight，boys—abittercoldnight，’wastheirrelevantcommencementofhisdefense。’You’vealltraveledtrail，andknowwhatthatstandsfor。Don’tjumpadogwhenhe’sdown。You’veonlyheardoneside。AwhitermanthanJackWestondaleneveratefromthesamepotnorstretchedblanketwithyouorme。Lastfallhegavehiswholeclean—up，fortythousand，toJoeCastrell，tobuyinonDominion。Todayhe’dbeamillionaire。But，whilehestayedbehindatCircleCity，takingcareofhispartnerwiththescurvy，whatdoesCastelldo？GoesintoMcFarland’s，jumpsthelimit，anddropsthewholesack。Foundhimdeadinthesnowthenextday。AndpoorJacklayinghisplanstogooutthiswintertohiswifeandtheboyhe’sneverseen。You’llnoticehetookexactlywhathispartnerlost—fortythousand。Well，he’sgoneout;andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？’
TheKidglancedroundthecircleofhisjudges，notedthesofteningoftheirfaces，thenraisedhismugaloft。’Soahealthtothemanontrailthisnight;mayhisgrubholdout;mayhisdogskeeptheirlegs;mayhismatchesnevermissfire。Godprosperhim;
goodluckgowithhim;and—’
’ConfusiontotheMountedPolice！’criedBettles，tothecrashoftheemptycups。
THEPRIESLTYPREROGATIVE。
THISISTHESTORYOFAMANwhodidnotappreciatehiswife;also，ofawomanwhodidhimtoogreatanhonorwhenshegaveherselftohim。
Incidentally，itconcernsaJesuitpriestwhohadneverbeenknowntolie。Hewasanappurtenance，andaverynecessaryone，totheYukoncountry;butthepresenceoftheothertwowasmerelyaccidental。Theywerespecimensofthemanystrangewaifswhichridethebreastofagoldrushorcometailingalongbehind。
EdwinBenthamandGraceBenthamwerewaifs;theywerealsotailingalongbehind，fortheKlondikerushof’97hadlongsincesweptdownthegreatriverandsubsidedintothefamine—strickencityofDawson。WhentheYukonshutupshopandwenttosleepunderathree—footice—sheet，thisperipateticcouplefoundthemselvesattheFiveFingerRapids，withtheCityofGoldstillajourneyofmanysleepstothenorth。
Manycattlehadbeenbutcheredatthisplaceinthefalloftheyear，andtheoffalmadeagoodlyheap。Thethreefellow—voyagersofEdwinBenthamandwifegazeduponthisdeposit，didalittlementalarithmetic，caughtacertainglimpseofabonanza，anddecidedtoremain。Andallwintertheysoldsacksofbonesandfrozenhidestothefamisheddog—teams。Itwasamodestpricetheyasked，adollarapound，justasitcame。Sixmonthslater，whenthesuncamebackandtheYukonawoke，theybuckledontheirheavymoneybeltsandjourneyedbacktotheSouthland，wheretheyyetliveandliemightilyabouttheKlondiketheyneversaw。
ButEdwinBentham—hewasanindolentfellow，andhadhenotbeenpossessedofawife，wouldhavegladlyjoinedissuedinthedog—meatspeculation。Asitwas，sheplayeduponhisvanity，toldhimhowgreatandstronghewas，howamansuchashecertainlywascouldovercomeallobstaclesandofasuretyobtaintheGoldenFleece。Sohesquaredhisjaw，soldhisshareinthebonesandhidesforasledandonedog，andturnedhissnowshoestothenorth。Needlesstostate，GraceBentham’ssnowshoesneverallowedhistrackstogrowcold。
Nay，eretheirtribulationshadseenthreedays，itwasthemanwhofollowedintherear，andthewomanwhobroketrailinadvance。Ofcourse，ifanybodyhoveinsight，thepositionwasinstantlyreversed。
Thusdidhismanhoodremainvirgintothetravelerswhopassedlikeghostsonthesilenttrail。Therearesuchmeninthisworld。
Howsuchamanandsuchawomancametotakeeachotherforbetterandforworseisunimportanttothisnarrative。Thesethingsarefamiliartousall，andthosepeoplewhodothem，orevenquestionthemtooclosely，areapttoloseabeautifulfaithwhichisknownasEternalFitness。
EdwinBenthamwasaboy，thrustbymischanceintoaman’sbody，—aboywhocouldcomplacentlypluckabutterfly，wingfromwing，orcowerinabjectterrorbeforealean，nervyfellow，nothalfhissize。Hewasaselfishcry—baby，hiddenbehindaman’smustacheandstature，andglossedoverwithaskin—deepveneerofcultureandconventionality。Yes;hewasaclubmanandasocietyman，—thesortthatgracesocialfunctionsandutterinanitieswithacharmandunctionwhichisindescribable;thesortthattalkbig，andcryoveratoothache;thesortthatputmorehellintoawoman’slifebymarryingherthancanthemostgracelesslibertinethateverbrowsedinforbiddenpastures。Wemeetthesemeneveryday，butwerarelyknowthemforwhattheyare。Secondtomarryingthem，thebestwaytogetthisknowledgeistoeatoutofthesamepotandcrawlunderthesameblanketwiththemfor—well，sayaweek;nogreatermarginisnecessary。
ToseeGraceBentham，wastoseeaslender，girlishcreature;toknowher，wastoknowasoulwhichdwarfedyourown，yetretainedalltheelementsoftheeternalfeminine。ThiswasthewomanwhourgedandencouragedherhusbandinhisNorthlandquest，whobroketrailforhimwhennoonewaslooking，andcriedinsecretoverherweaklingwoman’sbody。
SojourneyedthisstrangelyassortedcoupledowntooldFortSelkirk，thenthroughfivescoremilesofdismalwildernesstoStuartRiver。Andwhentheshortdayleftthem，andthemanlaydowninthesnowandblubbered，itwasthewomanwholashedhimtothesled，bitherlipswiththepainofherachinglimbs，andhelpedthedoghaulhimtoMalemuteKid’scabin。MalemuteKidwasnotathome，butMeyers，theGermantrader，cookedgreatmoose—steaksandshookupabedoffreshpineboughs。
Lake，Langham，andParker，wereexcited，andnotundulysowhenthecausewastakenintoaccount。
’Oh，Sandy！Say，canyoutellaporterhousefromaround？Comeoutandlendusahand，anyway！’Thisappealemanatedfromthecache，whereLanghamwasvainlystrugglingwithdiversquartersoffrozenmoose。
’Don’tyoubudgefromthosedishes！’commandedParker。
’Isay，Sandy;there’sagoodfellow—justrundowntotheMissouriCampandborrowsomecinnamon，’beggedLake。
’Oh！oh！hurryup！Whydon’t—’Butthecrashofmeatandboxes，inthecache，abruptlyquenchedthisperemptorysummons。
’Comenow，Sandy;itwon’ttakeaminutetogodowntotheMissouri—’
’Youleavehimalone，’interruptedParker。’HowamItomixthebiscuitsifthetableisn’tclearedoff？’
Sandypausedinindecision，tillsuddenlythefactthathewasLangham’s’man’dawneduponhim。Thenheapologeticallythrewdownthegreasydishcloth，andwenttohismaster’srescue。
ThesepromisingscionsofwealthyprogenitorshadcometotheNorthlandinsearchoflaurels，withmuchmoneytoburn，anda’man’
apiece。Luckilyfortheirsouls，theothertwomenwereuptheWhiteRiverinsearchofamythicalquartz—ledge;soSandyhadtogrinundertheresponsibilityofthreehealthymasters，eachofwhomwaspossessedofpeculiarcookeryideas。Twicethatmorninghadadisruptionofthewholecampbeenimminent，onlyavertedbyimmenseconcessionsfromoneortheotheroftheseknightsofthechafing—dish。Butatlasttheirmutualcreation，areallydaintydinner，wascompleted。Thentheysatdowntoathree—corneredgameof’cut—throat，’—aproceedingwhichdidawaywithallcasusbelliforfuturehostilities，andpermittedthevictortodepartonamostimportantmission。
ThisfortunefelltoParker，whopartedhishairinthemiddle，putonhismittensandbearskincap，andsteppedovertoMalemuteKid’scabin。Andwhenhereturned，itwasinthecompanyofGraceBenthamandMalemuteKid，—theformerverysorryherhusbandcouldnotsharewithhertheirhospitality，forhehadgoneuptolookattheHendersonCreekmines，andthelatterstillatriflestifffrombreakingtraildowntheStuartRiver。Meyershadbeenasked，buthaddeclined，beingdeeplyengrossedinanexperimentofraisingbreadfromhops。
Well，theycoulddowithoutthehusband;butawoman—whytheyhadnotseenoneallwinter，andthepresenceofthisonepromisedaneweraintheirlives。Theywerecollegemenandgentlemen，thesethreeyoungfellows，yearningfortheflesh—potstheyhadbeensolongdenied。ProbablyGraceBenthamsufferedfromasimilarhunger;atleast，itmeantmuchtoher，thefirstbrighthourinmanyweeksofdarkness。
Butthatwonderfulfirstcourse，whichclaimedtheversatileLakeforitsparent，hadnosoonerbeenservedthantherecamealoudknockatthedoor。
’Oh！Ah！Won’tyoucomein，Mr。Bentham？’saidParker，whohadsteppedtoseewhothenewcomermightbe。
’Ismywifehere？’grufflyrespondedthatworthy。
’Why，yes。WeleftwordwithMr。Meyers。’Parkerwasexertinghismostdulcettones，inwardlywonderingwhatthedeuceitallmeant。
’Won’tyoucomein？Expectingyouatanymoment，wereservedaplace。Andjustintimeforthefirstcourse，too。’
’Comein，Edwin，dear，’chirpedGraceBenthamfromherseatatthetable。
Parkernaturallystoodaside。
’Iwantmywife，’reiteratedBenthamhoarsely，theintonationsavoringdisagreeablyofownership。
Parkergasped，waswithinanaceofdrivinghisfistintothefaceofhisboorishvisitor，butheldhimselfawkwardlyincheck。Everybodyrose。Lakelosthisheadandcaughthimselfonthevergeofsaying，’Mustyougo？’
Thenbeganthefarragoofleave—taking。’Soniceofyou—’’Iamawfullysorry—’’ByJove！howthingsdidbrighten—’’Reallynow，you—’
’Thankyoueversomuch—’’NicetriptoDawson—’etc。，etc。
Inthiswisethelambwashelpedintoherjacketandledtotheslaughter。Thenthedoorslammed，andtheygazedwoefullyuponthedesertedtable。
’Damn！’Langhamhadsuffereddisadvantagesinhisearlytraining，andhisoathswereweakandmonotonous。’Damn！’herepeated，vaguelyconsciousoftheincompletenessandvainlystrugglingforamorevirileterm。
Itisacleverwomanwhocanfilloutthemanyweakplacesinaninefficientman，byherownindomitability，re—enforcehisvacillatingnature，infuseherambitioussoulintohis，andspurhimontogreatachievements。Anditisindeedaverycleverandtactfulwomanwhocandoallthis，anddoitsosubtlythatthemanreceivesallthecreditandbelievesinhisinmostheartthateverythingisduetohimandhimalone。
ThisiswhatGraceBenthamproceededtodo。ArrivinginDawsonwithafewpoundsofflourandseverallettersofintroduction，sheatonceappliedherselftothetaskofpushingherbigbabytothefore。ItwasshewhomeltedthestonyheartandwrungcreditfromtherudebarbarianwhopresidedoverthedestinyoftheP。C。Company;
yetitwasEdwinBenthamtowhomtheconcessionwasostensiblygranted。Itwasshewhodraggedherbabyupanddowncreeks，overbenchesanddivides，andonadozenwildstampedes;yeteverybodyremarkedwhatanenergeticfellowthatBenthamwas。Itwasshewhostudiedmaps，andcatechisedminers，andhammeredgeographyandlocationsintohishollowhead，tilleverybodymarveledathisbroadgraspofthecountryandknowledgeofitsconditions。Ofcourse，theysaidthewifewasabrick，andonlyafewwiseonesappreciatedandpitiedthebravelittlewoman。
Shedidthework;hegotthecreditandreward。IntheNorthwestTerritoryamarriedwomancannotstakeorrecordacreek，bench，orquartzclaim;soEdwinBenthamwentdowntotheGoldCommissionerandfiledonBenchClaim23，secondtier，ofFrenchHill。AndwhenAprilcametheywerewashingoutathousanddollarsaday，withmany，manysuchdaysinprospect。
AtthebaseofFrenchHilllayEldoradoCreek，andonacreekclaimstoodthecabinofClydeWharton。Atpresenthewasnotwashingoutadiurnalthousanddollars;buthisdumpsgrew，shiftbyshift，andtherewouldcomeatimewhenthosedumpswouldpassthroughhissluice—boxes，depositingintheriffles，inthecourseofhalfadozendays，severalhundredthousanddollars。Heoftensatinthatcabin，smokedhispipe，anddreamedbeautifullittledreams，—dreamsinwhichneitherthedumpsnorthehalf—tonofdustintheP。C。
Company’sbigsafe，playedapart。
AndGraceBentham，asshewashedtindishesinherhillsidecabin，oftenglanceddownintoEldoradoCreek，anddreamed，—notofdumpsnordust，however。Theymetfrequently，asthetrailtotheoneclaimcrossedtheother，andthereismuchtotalkaboutintheNorthlandspring;butneveronce，bythelightofaneyenortheslipofatongue，didtheyspeaktheirhearts。
Thisisasitwasatfirst。ButonedayEdwinBenthamwasbrutal。
Allboysarethus;besides，beingaFrenchHillkingnow，hebegantothinkagreatdealofhimselfandtoforgetallheowedtohiswife。Onthisday，Whartonheardofit，andwaylaidGraceBentham，andtalkedwildly。Thismadeherveryhappy，thoughshewouldnotlisten，andmadehimpromisetonotsaysuchthingsagain。Herhourhadnotcome。
Butthesunsweptbackonitsnorthernjourney，theblackofmidnightchangedtothesteelycolorofdawn，thesnowslippedaway，thewaterdashedagainovertheglacialdrift，andthewash—upbegan。Dayandnighttheyellowclayandscrapedbedrockhurriedthroughtheswiftsluices，yieldingupitsransomtothestrongmenfromtheSouthland。AndinthattimeoftumultcameGraceBentham’shour。
Toallofussuchhoursatsometimecome，—thatis，touswhoarenottoophlegmatic。Somepeoplearegood，notfrominherentloveofvirtue，butfromsheerlaziness。Butthoseofuswhoknowweakmomentsmayunderstand。
EdwinBenthamwasweighingdustoverthebarofthesaloonattheForks—altogethertoomuchofhisdustwentoverthatpineboard—whenhiswifecamedownthehillandslippedintoClydeWharton’scabin。
Whartonwasnotexpectingher，butthatdidnotalterthecase。Andmuchsubsequentmiseryandidlewaitingmighthavebeenavoided，hadnotFatherRoubeauseenthisandturnedasidefromthemaincreektrail。
’Mychild，—’
’Holdon，FatherRoubeau！ThoughI’mnotofyourfaith，Irespectyou;butyoucan’tcomeinbetweenthiswomanandme！’
’Youknowwhatyouaredoing？’
’Know！WereyouGodAlmighty，readytoflingmeintoeternalfire，I’dbankmywillagainstyoursinthismatter。’
WhartonhadplacedGraceonastoolandstoodbelligerentlybeforeher。
’Yousitdownonthatchairandkeepquiet，’hecontinued，addressingtheJesuit。’I’lltakemyinningsnow。Youcanhaveyoursafter。’
FatherRoubeaubowedcourteouslyandobeyed。Hewasaneasy—goingmanandhadlearnedtobidehistime。Whartonpulledastoolalongsidethewoman’s，smotheringherhandinhis。
’Thenyoudocareforme，andwilltakemeaway？’Herfaceseemedtoreflectthepeaceofthisman，againstwhomshemightdrawcloseforshelter。
’Dear，don’tyourememberwhatIsaidbefore？OfcourseI—’
’Buthowcanyou？—thewash—up？’
’Doyouthinkthatworries？Anyway，I’llgivethejobtoFatherRoubeau，here。Icantrusthimtosafelybankthedustwiththecompany。’
’Tothinkofit！—I’llneverseehimagain。’
’Ablessing！’
’Andtogo—O，Clyde，Ican’t！Ican’t！’
’There，there;ofcourseyoucan。justletmeplanit。—Yousee，assoonaswegetafewtrapstogether，we’llstart，and—’
’Supposehecomesback？’
’I’llbreakevery—’
’No，no！Nofighting，Clyde！Promisemethat。’
’Allright！I’lljusttellthementothrowhimofftheclaim。
They’veseenhowhe’streatedyou，andhaven’tmuchloveforhim。’
’Youmustn’tdothat。Youmustn’thurthim。’
’Whatthen？Lethimcomerightinhereandtakeyouawaybeforemyeyes？’
’No—o，’shehalfwhispered，strokinghishandsoftly。
’Thenletmerunit，anddon’tworry。I’llseehedoesn’tgethurt。Preciouslothecaredwhetheryougothurtornot！Wewon’tgobacktoDawson。I’llsendworddownforacoupleoftheboystooutfitandpoleaboatuptheYukon。We’llcrossthedivideandraftdowntheIndianRivertomeetthem。Then—’
’Andthen？’
Herheadwasonhisshoulder。Theirvoicessanktosoftercadences，eachwordacaress。TheJesuitfidgetednervously。
’Andthen？’sherepeated。
’Whywe’llpoleup，andup，andup，andportagetheWhiteHorseRapidsandtheBoxCanon。’
’Yes？’
’AndtheSixty—MileRiver;thenthelakes，Chilcoot，Dyea，andSaltWater。’
’But，dear，Ican’tpoleaboat。’
’Youlittlegoose！I’llgetSitkaCharley;heknowsallthegoodwaterandbestcamps，andheisthebesttravelerIevermet，ifheisanIndian。Allyou’llhavetodo，istositinthemiddleoftheboat，andsingsongs，andplayCleopatra，andfight—no，we’reinluck;
tooearlyformosquitoes。’
’Andthen，OmyAntony？’
’Andthenasteamer，SanFrancisco，andtheworld！Nevertocomebacktothiscursedholeagain。Thinkofit！Theworld，andourstochoosefrom！I’llsellout。Why，we’rerich！TheWaldworthSyndicatewillgivemehalfamillionforwhat’sleftintheground，andI’vegottwiceasmuchinthedumpsandwiththeP。C。Company。We’llgototheFairinParisin1900。We’llgotoJerusalem，ifyousayso。We’llbuyanItalianpalace，andyoucanplayCleopatratoyourheart’scontent。No，youshallbeLucretia，Acte，oranybodyyourlittleheartseesfittobecome。Butyoumustn’t，youreallymustn’t—’
’ThewifeofCaesarshallbeabovereproach。’
’Ofcourse，but—’
’ButIwon’tbeyourwife，willI，dear？’
’Ididn’tmeanthat。’
’Butyou’lllovemejustasmuch，andnevereventhink—oh！Iknowyou’llbelikeothermen;you’llgrowtired，and—and—’
’Howcanyou？I—’
’Promiseme。’
’Yes，yes;Idopromise。’
’Yousayitsoeasily，dear;buthowdoyouknow？—orIknow？Ihavesolittletogive，yetitissomuch，andallIhave。O，Clyde！
promisemeyouwon’t？’
’There，there！Youmusn’tbegintodoubtalready。Tilldeathdouspart，youknow。’
’Think！Ioncesaidthatto—tohim，andnow？’
’Andnow，littlesweetheart，you’renottobotheraboutsuchthingsanymore。Ofcourse，Inever，neverwill，and—’
Andforthefirsttime，lipstrembledagainstlips。FatherRoubeauhadbeenwatchingthemaintrailthroughthewindow，butcouldstandthestrainnolonger。Heclearedhisthroatandturnedaround。
’Yourturnnow，Father！’Wharton’sfacewasflushedwiththefireofhisfirstembrace。Therewasanexultantringtohisvoiceasheabdicatedintheother’sfavor。Hehadnodoubtastotheresult。
NeitherhadGrace，forasmileplayedabouthermouthasshefacedthepriest。
’Mychild，’hebegan，’myheartbleedsforyou。Itisaprettydream，butitcannotbe。’
’Andwhy，Father？Ihavesaidyes。’
’Youknewnotwhatyoudid。Youdidnotthinkoftheoathyoutook，beforeyourGod，tothatmanwhoisyourhusband。Itremainsformetomakeyourealizethesanctityofsuchapledge。’
’AndifIdorealize，andyetrefuse？’
’ThenGod—’
’WhichGod？MyhusbandhasaGodwhichIcarenottoworship。
Theremustbemanysuch。’
’Child！unsaythosewords！Ah！youdonotmeanthem。Iunderstand。
I，too，havehadsuchmoments。’ForaninstanthewasbackinhisnativeFrance，andawistful，sad—eyedfacecameasamistbetweenhimandthewomanbeforehim。
’Then，Father，hasmyGodforsakenme？Iamnotwickedabovewomen。Mymiserywithhimhasbeengreat。Whyshoulditbegreater？
WhyshallInotgraspathappiness？Icannot，willnot，gobacktohim！’
’RatherisyourGodforsaken。Return。ThrowyourburdenuponHim，andthedarknessshallbelifted。Omychild，—’
’No;itisuseless;IhavemademybedandsoshallIlie。Iwillgoon。AndifGodpunishesme，Ishallbearitsomehow。Youdonotunderstand。Youarenotawoman。’
’Mymotherwasawoman。’
’But—’
’AndChristwasbornofawoman。’
Shedidnotanswer。Asilencefell。Whartonpulledhismustacheimpatientlyandkeptaneyeonthetrail。Graceleanedherelbowonthetable，herfacesetwithresolve。Thesmilehaddiedaway。
FatherRoubeaushiftedhisground。
’Youhavechildren？’
’AtonetimeIwished—butnow—no。AndIamthankful。’
’Andamother？’
’Yes。’
’Shelovesyou？’
’Yes。’Herreplieswerewhispers。
Andabrother？—nomatter，heisaman。Butasister？’
Herheaddroopedaquavering’Yes。’
’Younger？Verymuch？’
’Sevenyears。’
’Andyouhavethoughtwellaboutthismatter？Aboutthem？Aboutyourmother？Andyoursister？Shestandsonthethresholdofherwoman’slife，andthiswildnessofyoursmaymeanmuchtoher。Couldyougobeforeher，lookuponherfreshyoungface，holdherhandinyours，ortouchyourcheektohers？’
Tohiswords，herbrainformedvividimages，tillshecriedout，’Don’t！don’t！’andshrankawayasdothewolf—dogsfromthelash。
’Butyoumustfaceallthis;andbetteritistodoitnow。’
Inhiseyes，whichshecouldnotsee，therewasagreatcompassion，buthisface，tenseandquivering，showednorelenting。
Sheraisedherheadfromthetable，forcedbackthetears，struggledforcontrol。
’Ishallgoaway。Theywillneverseeme，andcometoforgetme。I
shallbetothemasdead。And—andIwillgowithClyde—today。’
Itseemedfinal。Whartonsteppedforward，butthepriestwavedhimback。
’Youhavewishedforchildren？’
Asilent’Yes。’
’Andprayedforthem？’
’Often。’
’Andhaveyouthought，ifyoushouldhavechildren？’FatherRoubeau’seyesrestedforamomentonthemanbythewindow。
Aquicklightshotacrossherface。Thenthefullimportdawneduponher。Sheraisedherhandappealingly，buthewenton。
’Canyoupictureaninnocentbabeinyourarms，’Aboy？Theworldisnotsoharduponagirl。Why，yourverybreastwouldturntogall！Andyoucouldbeproudandhappyofyourboy，asyoulookedonotherchildren？—’
’O，havepity！Hush！’
’Ascapegoat—’
’Don’t！don’t！Iwillgoback！’Shewasathisfeet。
’Achildtogrowupwithnothoughtofevil，andonedaytheworldtoflingatendernameinhisface。Achildtolookbackandcurseyoufromwhoseloinshesprang！’
’OmyGod！myGod！’
Shegroveledonthefloor。Thepriestsighedandraisedhertoherfeet。
Whartonpressedforward，butshemotionedhimaway。
’Don’tcomenearme，Clyde！Iamgoingback！’Thetearswerecoursingpitifullydownherface，butshemadenoefforttowipethemaway。
’Afterallthis？Youcannot！Iwillnotletyou！’
’Don’ttouchme！’Sheshiveredanddrewback。
’Iwill！Youaremine！Doyouhear？Youaremine！’Thenhewhirleduponthepriest。’OwhatafoolIwastoeverletyouwagyoursillytongue！ThankyourGodyouarenotacommonman，forI’d—butthepriestlyprerogativemustbeexercised，eh？Well，youhaveexercisedit。Nowgetoutofmyhouse，orI’llforgetwhoandwhatyouare！’
FatherRoubeaubowed，tookherhand，andstartedforthedoor。ButWhartoncutthemoff。
’Grace！Yousaidyoulovedme？’
’Idid。’
’Andyoudonow？’
’Ido。’
’Sayitagain。’
’Idoloveyou，Clyde;Ido。’
’There，youpriest！’hecried。’Youhaveheardit，andwiththosewordsonherlipsyouwouldsendherbacktolivealieandahellwiththatman？’
ButFatherRoubeauwhiskedthewomanintotheinnerroomandclosedthedoor。’Nowords！’hewhisperedtoWharton，ashestruckacasualpostureonastool。’Remember，forhersake，’headded。
Theroomechoedtoaroughknockatthedoor;thelatchraisedandEdwinBenthamsteppedin。
’Seenanythingofmywife？’heaskedassoonassalutationshadbeenexchanged。
Twoheadsnoddednegatively。
’Isawhertracksdownfromthecabin，’hecontinuedtentatively，’andtheybrokeoff，justoppositehere，onthemaintrail。’
Hislistenerslookedbored。
’AndI—Ithough—’
’Shewashere！’thunderedWharton。
Thepriestsilencedhimwithalook。’Didyouseehertracksleadinguptothiscabin，myson？’WilyFatherRoubeau—hehadtakengoodcaretoobliteratethemashecameupthesamepathanhourbefore。
’Ididn’tstoptolook，I—’Hiseyesrestedsuspiciouslyonthedoortotheotherroom，theninterrogatedthepriest。Thelattershookhishead;butthedoubtseemedtolinger。
FatherRoubeaubreathedaswift，silentprayer，androsetohisfeet。’Ifyoudoubtme，why—’Hemadeasthoughtoopenthedoor。
Apriestcouldnotlie。EdwinBenthamhadheardthisoften，andbelievedit。’Ofcoursenot，Father，’heinterposedhurriedly。’I
wasonlywonderingwheremywifehadgone，andthoughtmaybe—I
guessshe’supatMrs。Stanton’sonFrenchGulch。Niceweather，isn’tit？Heardthenews？Flour’sgonedowntofortydollarsahundred，andtheysaytheche—cha—quasareflockingdowntheriverindroves。ButImustbegoing;sogood—by。’
Thedoorslammed，andfromthewindowtheywatchedhimtakehisquestupFrenchGulch。
Afewweekslater，justaftertheJunehigh—water，twomenshotacanoeintomid—streamandmadefasttoaderelictpine。Thistightenedthepainterandjerkedthefrailcraftalongaswouldatow—boat。
FatherRoubeauhadbeendirectedtoleavetheUpperCountryandreturntohisswarthychildrenatMinook。Thewhitemenhadcomeamongthem，andtheyweredevotingtoolittletimetofishing，andtoomuchtoacertaindeitywhosetransienthabitatwasincountlessblackbottles。MalemuteKidalsohadbusinessintheLowerCountry，sotheyjourneyedtogether。
Butone，inalltheNorthland，knewthemanPaulRoubeau，andthatmanwasMalemuteKid。Beforehimalonedidthepriestcastoffthesacerdotalgarbandstandnaked。Andwhynot？Thesetwomenkneweachother。Hadtheynotsharedthelastmorseloffish，thelastpinchoftobacco，thelastandinmostthought，onthebarrenstretchesofBeringSea，intheheartbreakingmazesoftheGreatDelta，ontheterriblewinterjourneyfromPointBarrowtothePorcupine？
FatherRoubeaupuffedheavilyathistrail—wornpipe，andgazedonthered—diskedsun，poisedsomberlyontheedgeofthenorthernhorizon。MalemuteKidwounduphiswatch。Itwasmidnight。
’Cheerup，oldman！’TheKidwasevidentlygatheringupabrokenthread。’Godsurelywillforgivesuchalie。Letmegiveyouthewordofamanwhostrikesatruenote：
IfShehavespokenaword，rememberthylipsaresealed，AndthebrandoftheDogisuponhimbywhomisthesecretrevealed。
IftherebetroubletoHerward，andalieoftheblackestcanclear，Lie，whilethylipscanmoveoramanisalivetohear。’
FatherRoubeauremovedhispipeandreflected。’Themanspeakstrue，butmysoulisnotvexedwiththat。ThelieandthepenancestandwithGod;but—but—’
’Whatthen？Yourhandsareclean。’
’Notso。Kid，Ihavethoughtmuch，andyetthethingremains。I
knew，andmadehergoback。’
Theclearnoteofarobinrangoutfromthewoodenbank，apartridgedrummedthecallinthedistance，amooselungednoisilyintheeddy;butthetwainsmokedoninsilence。
THEWISDOMOFTHETRAIL。
SITKACHARLEYHADACHIEVEDtheimpossible。OtherIndiansmighthaveknownasmuchofthewisdomofthetrailashedid;buthealoneknewthewhiteman’swisdom，thehonorofthetrail，andthelaw。Butthesethingshadnotcometohiminaday。Theaboriginalmindisslowtogeneralize，andmanyfacts，repeatedoften，arerequiredtocompassanunderstanding。SitkaCharley，fromboyhood，hadbeenthrowncontinuallywithwhitemen，andasamanhehadelectedtocasthisfortuneswiththem，expatriatinghimself，onceandforall，fromhisownpeople。Eventhen，respecting，almostveneratingtheirpower，andponderingoverit，hehadyettodivineitssecretessence—
thehonorandthelaw。Anditwasonlybythecumulativeevidenceofyearsthathehadfinallycometounderstand。Beinganalien，whenhedidknow，heknewitbetterthanthewhitemanhimself;beinganIndian，hehadachievedtheimpossible。
Andofthesethingshadbeenbredacertaincontemptforhisownpeople—acontemptwhichhehadmadeitacustomtoconceal，butwhichnowburstforthinapolyglotwhirlwindofcursesupontheheadsofKah—ChucteandGowhee。Theycringedbeforehimlikeabraceofsnarlingwolfdogs，toocowardlytospring，toowolfishtocovertheirfangs。Theywerenothandsomecreatures。NeitherwasSitkaCharley。
Allthreewerefrightful—looking。Therewasnofleshtotheirfaces;
theircheekbonesweremassedwithhideousscabswhichhadcrackedandfrozenalternatelyundertheintensefrost;whiletheireyesburnedluridlywiththelightwhichisbornofdesperationandhunger。
Mensosituated，beyondthepaleofthehonorandthelaw，arenottobetrusted。SitkaCharleyknewthis;andthiswaswhyhehadforcedthemtoabandontheirrifleswiththerestofthecampoutfittendaysbefore。HisrifleandCaptainEppingwell’sweretheonlyonesthatremained。
’Come，getafirestarted，’hecommanded，drawingoutthepreciousmatchboxwithitsattendantstripsofdrybirchbark。
ThetwoIndiansfellsullenlytothetaskofgatheringdeadbranchesandunderwood。Theywereweakandpausedoften，catchingthemselves，intheactofstooping，withgiddymotions，orstaggeringtothecenterofoperationswiththeirkneesshakinglikecastanets。Aftereachtriptheyrestedforamoment，asthoughsickanddeadlyweary。
Attimestheireyestookonthepatientstoicismofdumbsuffering;
andagaintheegoseemedalmostburstforthwithitswildcry，’I，I，Iwanttoexist！’—thedominantnoteofthewholelivinguniverse。
