TALESOFTHEKLONDYKE
THEGODOFHISFATHERS
Contents：
TheGodofHisFathersTheGreatInterrogationWhichMakeMenRememberSiwashTheManwiththeGashJan，theUnrepentantGritofWomenWheretheTrailForksADaughteroftheAuroraAttheRainbow’sEndTheScornofWomenTHEGODOFHISFATHERS
Oneveryhandstretchedtheforestprimeval，——thehomeofnoisycomedyandsilenttragedy。Herethestruggleforsurvivalcontinuedtowagewithallitsancientbrutality。BritonandRussianwerestilltooverlapintheLandoftheRainbow’sEnd——
andthiswastheveryheartofit——norhadYankeegoldyetpurchaseditsvastdomain。Thewolf—packstillclungtotheflankofthecariboo—herd，singlingouttheweakandthebigwithcalf，andpullingthemdownasremorselesslyaswereitathousand，thousandgenerationsintothepast。Thesparseaboriginesstillacknowledgedtheruleoftheirchiefsandmedicinemen，droveoutbadspirits，burnedtheirwitches，foughttheirneighbors，andatetheirenemieswitharelishwhichspokewelloftheirbellies。
Butitwasatthemomentwhenthestoneagewasdrawingtoaclose。Already，overunknowntrailsandchartlesswildernesses，weretheharbingersofthesteelarriving，——fair—faced，blue—eyed，indomitablemen，incarnationsoftheunrestoftheirrace。Byaccidentordesign，single—handedandintwosandthrees，theycamefromnooneknewwhither，andfought，ordied，orpassedon，nooneknewwhence。Thepriestsragedagainstthem，thechiefscalledforththeirfightingmen，andstoneclashedwithsteel;buttolittlepurpose。Likewaterseepingfromsomemightyreservoir，theytrickledthroughthedarkforestsandmountainpasses，threadingthehighwaysinbarkcanoes，orwiththeirmoccasinedfeetbreakingtrailforthewolf—dogs。Theycameofagreatbreed，andtheirmothersweremany;butthefur—claddenizensoftheNorthlandhadthisyettolearn。Somanyanunsungwandererfoughthislastanddiedunderthecoldfireoftheaurora，asdidhisbrothersinburningsandsandreekingjungles，andastheyshallcontinuetodotillinthefulnessoftimethedestinyoftheirracebeachieved。
Itwasneartwelve。Alongthenorthernhorizonarosyglow，fadingtothewestanddeepeningtotheeast，markedtheunseendipofthemidnightsun。Thegloamingandthedawnweresocommingledthattherewasnonight，——simplyaweddingofdaywithday，ascarcelyperceptibleblendingoftwocirclesofthesun。A
kildeetimidlychirpedgood—night;thefull，richthroatofarobinproclaimedgood—morrow。FromanislandonthebreastoftheYukonacolonyofwildfowlvoiceditsinterminablewrongs，whilealoonlaughedmockinglybackacrossastillstretchofriver。
Intheforeground，againstthebankofalazyeddy，birch—barkcanoeswerelinedtwoandthreedeep。Ivory—bladedspears，bone—
barbedarrows，buckskin—thongedbows，andsimplebasket—woventrapsbespokethefactthatinthemuddycurrentoftheriverthesalmon—runwason。Inthebackground，fromthetangleofskintentsanddryingframes，rosethevoicesofthefisherfolk。
Bucksskylarkedwithbucksorflirtedwiththemaidens，whiletheoldersquaws，shutoutfromthisbyvirtueofhavingfulfilledtheendoftheirexistenceinreproduction，gossipedastheybraidedropefromthegreenrootsoftrailingvines。Attheirfeettheirnakedprogenyplayedandsquabbled，orrolledinthemuckwiththetawnywolf—dogs。
Toonesideoftheencampment，andconspicuouslyapartfromit，stoodasecondcampoftwotents。Butitwasawhiteman’scamp。
Ifnothingelse，thechoiceofpositionatleastboreconvincingevidenceofthis。Incaseofoffence，itcommandedtheIndianquartersahundredyardsaway;ofdefence，arisetothegroundandtheclearedinterveningspace;andlast，ofdefeat，theswiftslopeofascoreofyardstothecanoesbelow。Fromoneofthetentscamethepetulantcryofasickchildandthecrooningsongofamother。Intheopen，overthesmoulderingembersofafire，twomenheldtalk。
\"Eh？Ilovethechurchlikeagoodson。Bien！Sogreatalovethatmydayshavebeenspentinfleeingawayfromher，andmynightsindreamingdreamsofreckoning。Lookyou！\"Thehalf—
breed’svoicerosetoanangrysnarl。\"IamRedRiverborn。Myfatherwaswhite——aswhiteasyou。ButyouareYankee，andhewasBritishbred，andagentleman’sson。Andmymotherwasthedaughterofachief，andIwasaman。Ay，andonehadtolookthesecondtimetoseewhatmannerofbloodraninmyveins;forI
livedwiththewhites，andwasoneofthem，andmyfather’sheartbeatinme。Ithappenedtherewasamaiden——white——wholookedonmewithkindeyes。Herfatherhadmuchlandandmanyhorses;alsohewasabigmanamonghispeople，andhisbloodwasthebloodoftheFrench。Hesaidthegirlknewnotherownmind，andtalkedovermuchwithher，andbecamewroththatsuchthingsshouldbe。
\"Butsheknewhermind，forwecamequickbeforethepriest。Andquickerhadcomeherfather，withlyingwords，falsepromises，I
knownotwhat;sothattheprieststiffenedhisneckandwouldnotmakeusthatwemightliveonewiththeother。Asatthebeginningitwasthechurchwhichwouldnotblessmybirth，sonowitwasthechurchwhichrefusedmemarriageandputthebloodofmenuponmyhands。Bien！ThushaveIcausetolovethechurch。
SoIstruckthepriestonhiswoman’smouth，andwetookswifthorses，thegirlandI，toFortPierre，wherewasaministerofgoodheart。Buthotonourtrailwasherfather，andbrothers，andothermenhehadgatheredtohim。Andwefought，ourhorsesontherun，tillIemptiedthreesaddlesandtherestdrewoffandwentontoFortPierre。Thenwetookeast，thegirlandI，tothehillsandforests，andwelivedonewiththeother，andwewerenotmarried，——theworkofthegoodchurchwhichIlovelikeason。
\"Butmarkyou，forthisisthestrangenessofwoman，thewayofwhichnomanmayunderstand。OneofthesaddlesIemptiedwasthatofherfather’s，andthehoofsofthosewhocamebehindhadpoundedhimintotheearth。Thiswesaw，thegirlandI，andthisIhadforgothadshenotremembered。Andinthequietoftheevening，aftertheday’shuntweredone，itcamebetweenus，andinthesilenceofthenightwhenwelaybeneaththestarsandshouldhavebeenone。Itwastherealways。Sheneverspoke，butitsatbyourfireandhelduseverapart。Shetriedtoputitaside，butatsuchtimesitwouldriseuptillIcouldreaditinthelookofhereyes，intheveryin—takeofherbreath。
\"Sointheendsheboremeachild，awoman—child，anddied。ThenIwentamongmymother’speople，thatitmightnurseatawarmbreastandlive。Butmyhandswerewetwiththebloodofmen，lookyou，becauseofthechurch，wetwiththebloodofmen。AndtheRidersoftheNorthcameforme，butmymother’sbrother，whowasthenchiefinhisownright，hidmeandgavemehorsesandfood。Andwewentaway，mywoman—childandI，eventotheHudsonBayCountry，wherewhitemenwerefewandthequestionstheyaskednotmany。AndIworkedforthecompanyahunter，asaguide，asadriverofdogs，tillmywoman—childwasbecomeawoman，tall，andslender，andfairtotheeye。
\"Youknowthewinter，longandlonely，breedingevilthoughtsandbaddeeds。TheChiefFactorwasahardman，andbold。Andhewasnotsuchthatawomanwoulddelightinlookingupon。Buthecasteyesuponmywoman—childwhowasbecomeawoman。MotherofGod！
hesentmeawayonalongtripwiththedogs，thathemight——youunderstand，hewasahardmanandwithoutheart。Shewasmostwhite，andhersoulwaswhite，andagoodwoman，and——well，shedied。
\"Itwasbittercoldthenightofmyreturn，andIhadbeenawaymonths，andthedogswerelimpingsorewhenIcametothefort。
TheIndiansandbreedslookedonmeinsilence，andIfeltthefearofIknewnotwhat，butIsaidnothingtillthedogswerefedandIhadeatenasamanwithworkbeforehimshould。ThenI
spokeup，demandingtheword，andtheyshrankfromme，afraidofmyangerandwhatIshoulddo;butthestorycameout，thepitifulstory，wordforwordandactforact，andtheymarvelledthatI
shouldbesoquiet。
\"WhentheyhaddoneIwenttotheFactor’shouse，calmerthannowinthetellingofit。Hehadbeenafraidandcalleduponthebreedstohelphim;buttheywerenotpleasedwiththedeed，andhadlefthimtolieonthebedhehadmade。Sohehadfledtothehouseofthepriest。ThitherIfollowed。ButwhenIwascometothatplace，theprieststoodinmyway，andspokesoftwords，andsaidamaninangershouldgoneithertotherightnorleft，butstraighttoGod。Iaskedbytherightofafather’swraththathegivemepast，buthesaidonlyoverhisbody，andbesoughtwithmetopray。Lookyou，itwasthechurch，alwaysthechurch;forI
passedoverhisbodyandsenttheFactortomeetmywoman—childbeforehisgod，whichisabadgod，andthegodofthewhitemen。
Thenwastherehueandcry，forwordwassenttothestationbelow，andIcameaway。ThroughtheLandoftheGreatSlave，downtheValleyoftheMackenzietothenever—openingice，overtheWhiteRockies，pasttheGreatCurveoftheYukon，eventothisplacedidIcome。Andfromthatdaytothis，yoursisthefirstfaceofmyfather’speopleIhavelookedupon。Mayitbethelast！Thesepeople，whicharemypeople，areasimplefolk，andI
havebeenraisedtohonoramongthem。Mywordistheirlaw，andtheirpriestsbutdomybidding，elsewouldInotsufferthem。
WhenIspeakforthemIspeakformyself。Weasktobeletalone。
Wedonotwantyourkind。Ifwepermityoutositbyourfires，afteryouwillcomeyourchurch，yourpriests，andyourgods。Andknowthis，foreachwhitemanwhocomestomyvillage，himwillI
makedenyhisgod。Youarethefirst，andIgiveyougrace。Soitwerewellyougo，andgoquickly。\"
\"Iamnotresponsibleformybrothers，\"thesecondmanspokeup，fillinghispipeinameditativemanner。HayStockardwasattimesasthoughtfulofspeechashewaswantonofaction;butonlyattimes。
\"ButIknowyourbreed，\"respondedtheother。\"Yourbrothersaremany，anditisyouandyourswhobreakthetrailforthemtofollow。Intimetheyshallcometopossesstheland，butnotinmytime。Already，haveIheard，aretheyonthehead—reachesoftheGreatRiver，andfarawaybelowaretheRussians。\"
HayStockardliftedhisheadwithaquickstart。Thiswasstartlinggeographicalinformation。TheHudsonBaypostatFortYukonhadothernotionsconcerningthecourseoftheriver，believingittoflowintotheArctic。
\"ThentheYukonemptiesintoBeringSea？\"heasked。
\"Idonotknow，butbelowthereareRussians，manyRussians。
Whichisneitherherenorthere。Youmaygoonandseeforyourself;youmaygobacktoyourbrothers;butuptheKoyukukyoushallnotgowhilethepriestsandfightingmendomybidding。
ThusdoIcommand，I，BaptistetheRed，whosewordislawandwhoamheadmanoverthispeople。\"
\"AndshouldInotgodowntotheRussians，orbacktomybrothers？\"
\"Thenshallyougoswift—footedbeforeyourgod，whichisabadgod，andthegodofthewhitemen。\"
Theredsunshotupabovethenorthernskyline，drippingandbloody。BaptistetheRedcametohisfeet，noddedcurtly，andwentbacktohiscampamidthecrimsonshadowsandthesingingoftherobins。
HayStockardfinishedhispipebythefire，picturinginsmokeandcoaltheunknownupperreachesoftheKoyukuk，thestrangestreamwhichendedhereitsarctictravelsandmergeditswaterswiththemuddyYukonflood。Somewhereupthere，ifthedyingwordsofaship—wreckedsailormanwhohadmadethefearfuloverlandjourneyweretobebelieved，andifthevialofgoldengrainsinhispouchattestedanything，——somewhereupthere，inthathomeofwinter，stoodtheTreasureHouseoftheNorth。Andaskeeperofthegate，BaptistetheRed，Englishhalf—breedandrenegade，barredtheway。
\"Bah！\"Hekickedtheembersapartandrosetohisfullheight，armslazilyoutstretched，facingtheflushingnorthwithcarelesssoul。
II
HayStockardswore，harshly，intheruggedmonosyllablesofhismothertongue。Hiswifeliftedhergazefromthepotsandpans，andfollowedhisinakeenscrutinyoftheriver。ShewasawomanoftheTeslinCountry，wiseinthewaysofherhusband’svernacularwhenitgrewintensive。Fromtheslippingofasnow—
shoethongtotheforefrontofsuddendeath，shecouldgaugeoccasionbythepitchandvolumeofhisblasphemy。Sosheknewthepresentoccasionmeritedattention。Alongcanoe，withpaddlesflashingbacktheraysofthewesteringsun，wascrossingthecurrentfromaboveandurginginfortheeddy。HayStockardwatcheditintently。Threemenroseanddipped，roseanddipped，inrhythmicalprecision;butaredbandanna，wrappedabouttheheadofone，caughtandheldhiseye。
\"Bill！\"hecalled。\"Oh，Bill！\"
Ashambling，loose—jointedgiantrolledoutofoneofthetents，yawningandrubbingthesleepfromhiseyes。Thenhesightedthestrangecanoeandwaswideawakeontheinstant。
\"BythejumpingMethuselah！Thatdamnedsky—pilot！\"
HayStockardnoddedhisheadbitterly，half—reachedforhisrifle，thenshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Pot—shothim，\"Billsuggested，\"andsettlethethingoutofhand。
He’llspoilussureifwedon’t。\"Buttheotherdeclinedthisdrasticmeasureandturnedaway，atthesametimebiddingthewomanreturntoherwork，andcallingBillbackfromthebank。
ThetwoIndiansinthecanoemooreditontheedgeoftheeddy，whileitswhiteoccupant，conspicuousbyhisgorgeoushead—gear，cameupthebank。
\"LikePaulofTarsus，Igiveyougreeting。PeacebeuntoyouandgracebeforetheLord。\"
Hisadvancesweremetsullenly，andwithoutspeech。
\"Toyou，HayStockard，blasphemerandPhilistine，greeting。InyourheartisthelustofMammon，inyourmindcunningdevils，inyourtentthiswomanwhomyoulivewithinadultery;yetofthesediverssins，evenhereinthewilderness，I，SturgesOwen，apostletotheLord，bidyoutorepentandcastfromyouyouriniquities。\"
\"Saveyourcant！Saveyourcant！\"HayStockardbrokeintestily。
\"You’llneedallyou’vegot，andmore，forRedBaptisteoveryonder。\"
HewavedhishandtowardtheIndiancamp，wherethehalf—breedwaslookingsteadilyacross，strivingtomakeoutthenewcomers。
SturgesOwen，disseminatoroflightandapostletotheLord，steppedtotheedgeofthesteepandcommandedhismentobringupthecampoutfit。Stockardfollowedhim。
\"Lookhere，\"hedemanded，pluckingthemissionarybytheshoulderandtwirlinghimabout。\"Doyouvalueyourhide？\"
\"MylifeisintheLord’skeeping，andIdobutworkinHisvineyard，\"herepliedsolemnly。
\"Oh，stowthat！Areyoulookingforajobofmartyrship？\"
\"IfHesowills。\"
\"Well，you’llfinditrighthere，butI’mgoingtogiveyousomeadvicefirst。Takeitorleaveit。Ifyoustophere，you’llbecutoffinthemidstofyourlabors。Andnotyoualone，butyourmen，Bill，mywife——\"
\"WhoisadaughterofBelialandhearkenethnottothetrueGospel。\"
\"Andmyself。Notonlydoyoubringtroubleuponyourself，butuponus。Iwasfrozeninwithyoulastwinter，asyouwillwellrecollect，andIknowyouforagoodmanandafool。Ifyouthinkityourdutytostrivewiththeheathen，wellandgood;but，doexercisesomewitinthewayyougoaboutit。Thisman，RedBaptiste，isnoIndian。Hecomesofourcommonstock，isasbull—
neckedasIeverdaredbe，andaswildafanatictheonewayasyouaretheother。Whenyoutwocometogether，hell’llbetopay，andIdon’tcaretobemixedupinit。Understand？Sotakemyadviceandgoaway。Ifyougodown—stream，you’llfallinwiththeRussians。There’sboundtobeGreekpriestsamongthem，andthey’llseeyousafethroughtoBeringSea，——that’swheretheYukonempties，——andfromthereitwon’tbehardtogetbacktocivilization。TakemywordforitandgetoutofhereasfastasGod’llletyou。\"
\"HewhocarriestheLordinhisheartandtheGospelinhishandhathnofearofthemachinationsofmanordevil，\"themissionaryansweredstoutly。\"Iwillseethismanandwrestlewithhim。Onebacksliderreturnedtothefoldisagreatervictorythanathousandheathen。Hewhoisstrongforevilcanbeasmightyforgood，witnessSaulwhenhejourneyeduptoDamascustobringChristiancaptivestoJerusalem。AndthevoiceoftheSaviourcametohim，crying，’Saul，Saul，whypersecutestthoume？’AndtherewithPaularrayedhimselfonthesideoftheLord，andthereafterwasmostmightyinthesavingofsouls。Andevenasthou，PaulofTarsus，evensodoIworkinthevineyardoftheLord，bearingtrialsandtribulations，scoffsandsneers，stripesandpunishments，forHisdearsake。\"
\"Bringupthelittlebagwiththeteaandakettleofwater，\"hecalledthenextinstanttohisboatmen;\"notforgettingthehaunchofcaribooandthemixing—pan。\"
Whenhismen，convertsbyhisownhand，hadgainedthebank，thetriofelltotheirknees，handsandbacksburdenedwithcampequipage，andofferedupthanksfortheirpassagethroughthewildernessandtheirsafearrival。HayStockardlookeduponthefunctionwithsneeringdisapproval，theromanceandsolemnityofitlosttohismatter—of—factsoul。BaptistetheRed，stillgazingacross，recognizedthefamiliarpostures，andrememberedthegirlwhohadsharedhisstar—roofedcouchinthehillsandforests，andthewoman—childwholaysomewherebybleakHudson’sBay。
III
\"Confoundit，Baptiste，couldn’tthinkofit。Notforamoment。
Grantthatthismanisafoolandofsmalluseinthenatureofthings，butstill，youknow，Ican’tgivehimup。\"
HayStockardpaused，strivingtoputintospeechtherudeethicsofhisheart。
\"He’sworriedme，Baptiste，inthepastandnow，andcausedmeallmanneroftroubles;butcan’tyousee，he’smyownbreed——white——
and——and——why，Icouldn’tbuymylifewithhis，notifhewasanigger。\"
\"Sobeit，\"BaptistetheRedmadeanswer。\"Ihavegivenyougraceandchoice。Ishallcomepresently，withmypriestsandfightingmen，andeithershallIkillyou，oryoudenyyourgod。Giveupthepriesttomypleasure，andyoushalldepartinpeace。
Otherwiseyourtrailendshere。Mypeopleareagainstyoutothebabies。Evennowhavethechildrenstolenawayyourcanoes。\"Hepointeddowntotheriver。Nakedboyshadslippeddownthewaterfromthepointabove，castloosethecanoes，andbythenhadworkedthemintothecurrent。Whentheyhaddriftedoutofrifle—
shottheyclamberedoverthesidesandpaddledashore。
\"Givemethepriest，andyoumayhavethembackagain。Come！
Speakyourmind，butwithouthaste。\"
Stockardshookhishead。HisglancedroppedtothewomanoftheTeslinCountrywithhisboyatherbreast，andhewouldhavewaveredhadhenotliftedhiseyestothemenbeforehim。
\"Iamnotafraid，\"SturgesOwenspokeup。\"TheLordbearsmeinhisrighthand，andaloneamIreadytogointothecampoftheunbeliever。Itisnottoolate。Faithmaymovemountains。EvenintheeleventhhourmayIwinhissoultothetruerighteousness。\"
\"Tripthebeggarupandmakehimfast，\"Billwhisperedhoarselyintheearofhisleader，whilethemissionarykeptthefloorandwrestledwiththeheathen。\"Makehimhostage，andborehimiftheygetugly。\"
\"No，\"Stockardanswered。\"Igavehimmywordthathecouldspeakwithusunmolested。Rulesofwarfare，Bill;rulesofwarfare。
He’sbeenonthesquare，givenuswarning，andallthat，and——why，damnit，man，Ican’tbreakmyword！\"
\"He’llkeephis，neverfear。\"
\"Don’tdoubtit，butIwon’tletahalf—breedoutdomeinfairdealing。Whynotdowhathewants，——givehimthemissionaryandbedonewithit？\"
\"N—no，\"Billhesitateddoubtfully。
\"Shoepinches，eh？\"
Billflushedalittleanddroppedthediscussion。BaptistetheRedwasstillwaitingthefinaldecision。Stockardwentuptohim。
\"It’sthisway，Baptiste。IcametoyourvillagemindedtogouptheKoyukuk。Iintendednowrong。Myheartwascleanofevil。
Itisstillclean。Alongcomesthispriest，asyoucallhim。I
didn’tbringhimhere。He’dhavecomewhetherIwashereornot。
Butnowthatheishere，beingofmypeople，I’vegottostandbyhim。AndI’mgoingto。Further，itwillbenochild’splay。
Whenyouhavedone，yourvillagewillbesilentandempty，yourpeoplewastedasafterafamine。True，wewillhegone;likewisethepickofyourfightingmen——\"
\"Butthosewhoremainshallbeinpeace，norshallthewordofstrangegodsandthetonguesofstrangepriestsbebuzzingintheirears。\"
Bothmenshruggedtheirshoulderandturnedaway，thehalf—breedgoingbacktohisowncamp。Themissionarycalledhistwomentohim，andtheyfellintoprayer。StockardandBillattackedthefewstandingpineswiththeiraxes，fellingthemintoconvenientbreastworks。Thechildhadfallenasleep，sothewomanplaceditonaheapoffursandlentahandinfortifyingthecamp。Threesideswerethusdefended，thesteepdeclivityattherearprecludingattackfromthatdirection。Whenthesearrangementshadbeencompleted，thetwomenstalkedintotheopen，clearingaway，hereandthere，thescatteredunderbrush。Fromtheopposingcampcametheboomingofwar—drumsandthevoicesofthepriestsstirringthepeopletoanger。
\"Worstofitisthey’llcomeinrushes，\"Billcomplainedastheywalkedbackwithshoulderedaxes。
\"Andwaittillmidnight，whenthelightgetsdimforshooting。\"
\"Can’tstarttheballa—rollingtooearly，then。\"Billexchangedtheaxeforarifle，andtookacarefulrest。Oneofthemedicine—men，toweringabovehistribesmen，stoodoutdistinctly。
Billdrewabeadonhim。
\"Allready？\"heasked。
Stockardopenedtheammunitionbox，placedthewomanwhereshecouldreloadinsafety，andgavetheword。Themedicine—mandropped。Foramomenttherewassilence，thenawildhowlwentupandaflightofbonearrowsfellshort。
\"I’dliketotakealookatthebeggar，\"Billremarked，throwingafreshshellintoplace。\"I’llswearIdrilledhimcleanbetweentheeyes。\"
\"Didn’twork。\"Stockardshookhisheadgloomily。Baptistehadevidentlyquelledthemorewarlikeofhisfollowers，andinsteadofprecipitatinganattackinthebrightlightofday，theshothadcausedahastyexodus，theIndiansdrawingoutofthevillagebeyondthezoneoffire。
Inthefulltideofhisproselytingfervor，bornealongbythehandofGod，SturgesOwenwouldhaveventuredaloneintothecampoftheunbeliever，equallypreparedformiracleormartyrdom;butinthewaitingwhichensued，thefeverofconvictiondiedawaygradually，asthenaturalmanasserteditself。Physicalfearreplacedspiritualhope;theloveoflife，theloveofGod。Itwasnonewexperience。Hecouldfeelhisweaknesscomingon，andknewitofoldtime。Hehadstruggledagainstitandbeenovercomebyitbefore。Herememberedwhentheothermenhaddriventheirpaddleslikemadinthevanofaroaringice—flood，how，atthecriticalmoment，inapanicofworldlyterror，hehaddroppedhispaddleandbesoughtwildlywithhisGodforpity。Andtherewereothertimes。Therecollectionwasnotpleasant。Itbroughtshametohimthathisspiritshouldbesoweakandhisfleshsostrong。Buttheloveoflife！theloveoflife！Hecouldnotstripitfromhim。Becauseofithadhisdimancestorsperpetuatedtheirline;becauseofitwashedestinedtoperpetuatehis。Hiscourage，ifcourageitmightbecalled，wasbredoffanaticism。ThecourageofStockardandBillwastheadherencetodeep—rootedideals。Notthattheloveoflifewasless，buttheloveofracetraditionmore;notthattheywereunafraidtodie，butthattheywerebraveenoughnottoliveatthepriceofshame。
Themissionaryrose，forthemomentswayedbythemoodofsacrifice。Hehalfcrawledoverthebarricadetoproceedtotheothercamp，butsankback，atremblingmass，wailing：\"Asthespiritmoves！Asthespiritmoves！WhoamIthatIshouldsetasidethejudgmentsofGod？Beforethefoundationsoftheworldwereallthingswritteninthebookoflife。WormthatIam，shallIerasethepageoranyportionthereof？AsGodwills，soshallthespiritmove！\"
Billreachedover，pluckedhimtohisfeet，andshookhim，fiercely，silently。Thenhedroppedthebundleofquiveringnervesandturnedhisattentiontothetwoconverts。Buttheyshowedlittlefrightandacheerfulalacrityinpreparingforthecomingpassageatarms。
Stockard，whohadbeentalkinginundertoneswiththeTeslinwoman，nowturnedtothemissionary。
\"Fetchhimoverhere，\"hecommandedofBill。
\"Now，\"heordered，whenSturgesOwenhadbeendulydepositedbeforehim，\"makeusmanandwife，andbelivelyaboutit。\"ThenheaddedapologeticallytoBill：\"Notellinghowit’stoend，soIjustthoughtI’dgetmyaffairsstraightenedup。\"
Thewomanobeyedthebehestofherwhitelord。Tohertheceremonywasmeaningless。Byherlightsshewashiswife，andhadbeenfromthedaytheyfirstforegathered。Theconvertsservedaswitnesses。Billstoodoverthemissionary，promptinghimwhenhestumbled。Stockardputtheresponsesinthewoman’smouth，andwhenthetimecame，forwantofbetter，ringedherfingerwiththumbandforefingerofhisown。
\"Kissthebride！\"Billthundered，andSturgesOwenwastooweaktodisobey。
\"Nowbaptizethechild！\"
\"Neatandtidy，\"Billcommented。
\"Gatheringtheproperoutfitforanewtrail，\"thefatherexplained，takingtheboyfromthemother’sarms。\"Iwasgrub—
staked，once，intotheCascades，andhadeverythinginthekitexceptsalt。Nevershallforgetit。Andifthewomanandthekidcrossthedivideto—nighttheymightaswellbepreparedforpot—
luck。Alongshot，Bill，betweenourselves，butnothinglostifitmisses。\"
Acupofwaterservedthepurpose，andthechildwaslaidawayinasecurecornerofthebarricade。Themenbuiltthefire，andtheeveningmealwascooked。
Thesunhurriedroundtothenorth，sinkingclosertothehorizon。
Theheavensinthatquartergrewredandbloody。Theshadowslengthened，thelightdimmed，andinthesombrerecessesoftheforestlifeslowlydiedaway。Eventhewildfowlintheriversoftenedtheirraucouschatterandfeignedthenightlyfarceofgoingtobed。Onlythetribesmenincreasedtheirclamor，war—
drumsboomingandvoicesraisedinsavagefolksongs。Butasthesundippedtheyceasedtheirtumult。Theroundedhushofmidnightwascomplete。Stockardrosetohiskneesandpeeredoverthelogs。Oncethechildwailedinpainanddisconcertedhim。Themotherbentoverit，butitsleptagain。Thesilencewasinterminable，profound。Then，ofasudden，therobinsburstintofull—throatedsong。Thenighthadpassed。
Afloodofdarkfiguresboiledacrosstheopen。Arrowswhistledandbow—thongssang。Theshrill—tonguedriflesansweredback。A
spear，andamightycast，transfixedtheTeslinwomanasshehoveredabovethechild。Aspentarrow，divingbetweenthelogs，lodgedinthemissionary’sarm。
Therewasnostoppingtherush。Themiddledistancewascumberedwithbodies，buttherestsurgedon，breakingagainstandoverthebarricadelikeanoceanwave。SturgesOwenfledtothetent，whilethemenweresweptfromtheirfeet，buriedbeneaththehumantide。HayStockardaloneregainedthesurface，flingingthetribesmenasidelikeyelpingcurs。Hehadmanagedtoseizeanaxe。Adarkhandgraspedthechildbyanakedfoot，anddrewitfrombeneathitsmother。Atarm’slengthitspunybodycircledthroughtheair，dashingtodeathagainstthelogs。Stockardclovethemantothechinandfelltoclearingspace。Theringofsavagefacesclosedin，raininguponhimspear—thrustsandbone—
barbedarrows。Thesunshotup，andtheyswayedbackandforthinthecrimsonshadows。Twice，withhisaxeblockedbytoodeepablow，theyrushedhim;buteachtimeheflungthemclear。Theyfellunderfootandhetrampleddeadanddying，thewayslipperywithblood。Andstillthedaybrightenedandtherobinssang。
Thentheydrewbackfromhiminawe，andheleanedbreathlessuponhisaxe。
\"Bloodofmysoul！\"criedBaptistetheRed。\"Butthouartaman。
Denythygod，andthoushaltyetlive。\"
Stockardsworehisrefusal，feeblybutwithgrace。
\"Behold！Awoman！\"SturgesOwenhadbeenbroughtbeforethehalf—breed。
Beyondascratchonthearm，hewasuninjured，buthiseyesrovedabouthiminanecstasyoffear。Theheroicfigureoftheblasphemer，bristlingwithwoundsandarrows，leaningdefiantlyuponhisaxe，indifferent，indomitable，superb，caughthiswaveringvision。Andhefeltagreatenvyofthemanwhocouldgodownserenelytothedarkgatesofdeath。SurelyChrist，andnothe，SturgesOwen，hadbeenmouldedinsuchmanner。Andwhynothe？Hefeltdimlythecurseofancestry，thefeeblenessofspiritwhichhadcomedowntohimoutofthepast，andhefeltanangeratthecreativeforce，symbolizeitashewould，whichhadformedhim，itsservant，soweakly。Forevenastrongerman，thisangerandthestressofcircumstanceweresufficienttobreedapostasy，andforSturgesOwenitwasinevitable。Inthefearofman’sangerhewoulddarethewrathofGod。HehadbeenraiseduptoservetheLordonlythathemightbecastdown。Hehadbeengivenfaithwithoutthestrengthoffaith;hehadbeengivenspiritwithoutthepowerofspirit。Itwasunjust。
\"Wherenowisthygod？\"thehalf—breeddemanded。
\"Idonotknow。\"Hestoodstraightandrigid，likeachildrepeatingacatechism。
\"Hastthouthenagodatall？\"
\"Ihad。\"
\"Andnow？\"
\"No。\"
HayStockardsweptthebloodfromhiseyesandlaughed。Themissionarylookedathimcuriously，asinadream。Afeelingofinfinitedistancecameoverhim，asthoughofagreatremove。Inthatwhichhadtranspired，andwhichwastotranspire，hehadnopart。Hewasaspectator——atadistance，yes，atadistance。ThewordsofBaptistecametohimfaintly：—
\"Verygood。Seethatthismangofree，andthatnoharmbefallhim。Lethimdepartinpeace。Givehimacanoeandfood。SethisfacetowardtheRussians，thathemaytelltheirpriestsofBaptistetheRed，inwhosecountrythereisnogod。\"
Theyledhimtotheedgeofthesteep，wheretheypausedtowitnessthefinaltragedy。Thehalf—breedturnedtoHayStockard。
\"Thereisnogod，\"heprompted。
Themanlaughedinreply。Oneoftheyoungmenpoisedawar—spearforthecast。
\"Hastthouagod？\"
\"Ay，theGodofmyfathers。\"
Heshiftedtheaxeforabettergrip。BaptistetheRedgavethesign，andthespearhurtledfullagainsthisbreast。SturgesOwensawtheivoryheadstandoutbeyondhisback，sawthemansway，laughing，andsnaptheshaftshortashefelluponit。Thenhewentdowntotheriver，thathemightcarrytotheRussiansthemessageofBaptistetheRed，inwhosecountrytherewasnogod。
THEGREATINTERROGATION
Tosaytheleast，Mrs。Sayther’scareerinDawsonwasmeteoric。
Shearrivedinthespring，withdogsledsandFrench—Canadianvoyageurs，blazedgloriouslyforabriefmonth，anddeparteduptheriverassoonasitwasfreeofice。NowwomanlessDawsonneverquiteunderstoodthishurrieddeparture，andthelocalFourHundredfeltaggrievedandlonelytilltheNomestrikewasmadeandoldsensationsgavewaytonew。ForithaddelightedinMrs。
Sayther，andreceivedherwide—armed。Shewaspretty，charming，and，moreover，awidow。AndbecauseofthissheatoncehadatheelanynumberofEldoradoKings，officials，andadventuringyoungersons，whoseearswereyearningforthefrou—frouofawoman’sskirts。
Theminingengineersreveredthememoryofherhusband，thelateColonelSayther，whilethesyndicateandpromoterrepresentativesspokeawesomelyofhisdealsandmanipulations;forhewasknowndownintheStatesasagreatminingman，andasevenagreateroneinLondon。Whyhiswidow，ofallwomen，shouldhavecomeintothecountry，wasthegreatinterrogation。Buttheywereapracticalbreed，themenoftheNorthland，withawholesomedisregardfortheoriesandafirmgriponfacts。AndtonotafewofthemKarenSaytherwasamostessentialfact。Thatshedidnotregardthematterinthislight，isevidencedbytheneatnessandceleritywithwhichrefusalandproposaltalliedoffduringherfourweeks’stay。Andwithhervanishedthefact，andonlytheinterrogationremained。
Tothesolution，Chancevouchsafedoneclew。Herlastvictim，JackCoughran，havingfruitlesslylaidatherfeetbothhisheartandafive—hundred—footcreekclaimonBonanza，celebratedthemisfortunebywalkingallofanightwiththegods。InthemidwatchofthisnighthehappenedtorubshoulderswithPierreFontaine，noneotherthanheadmanofKarenSayther’svoyageurs。
Thisrubbingofshouldersledtorecognitionanddrinks，andultimatelyinvolvedbothmeninacommonmuddleofinebriety。
\"Heh？\"PierreFontainelaterongurgledthickly。\"VotforMadameSaythermakvisitationtotheescountry？Morebetteryouspikwither。Iknownot’ing’tall，onlyalldetamheraskoneman’sname。’Pierre，’herspikwitme;’Pierre，youmoos’findtheesmans，andIgifyoumooch——onethousanddollaryoufindtheesmans。’Theesmans？Ah，oui。Theesman’sname——votyoucall——
DaveedPayne。Oui，m’sieu，DaveedPayne。Alldetamherspikdasname。AndalldetamIlookrountvairemooch，worklakhell，butnocanfinddasdammans，andnogetonethousanddollar’tall。
Bydam！
\"Heh？Ah，oui。OnetamdosemensvotcomefromCircleCity，dosemensknowtheesmans。HimBirchCreek，deyspik。Andmadame？
Hersay’Bon！’andlookhappylakanyt’ing。Andherspikwitme。
’Pierre，’herspik，’harnessdedogs。Wegoqueek。WefindtheesmansIgifyouonethousanddollarmore。’AndIsay，’Oui，queek！
Allons，madame！’
\"Forsure，It’ink，dastwothousanddollarmine。Bullyboy！DenmoremenscomefromCircleCity，anddeysayno，dastheesmans，DaveedPayne，comeDawsonleeltamback。SomadameandIgonot’tall。
\"Oui，m’sieu。Theesdaymadamespik。’Pierre，’herspik，andgifmefivehundreddollar，’gobuypoling—boat。To—morrowwegoupderiver。’Ah，oui，to—morrow，upderiver，anddasdamSitkaCharleymakmepayfordepoling—boatfivehundreddollar。Dam！\"
Thusitwas，whenJackCoughranunburdenedhimselfnextday，thatDawsonfelltowonderingwhowasthisDavidPayne，andinwhatwayhisexistenceboreuponKarenSayther’s。Butthatveryday，asPierreFontainehadsaid，Mrs。SaytherandherbarbariccrewofvoyageurstoweduptheeastbanktoKlondikeCity，shotacrosstothewestbanktoescapethebluffs，anddisappearedamidthemazeofislandstothesouth。
II
\"Oui，madame，theesisdeplace。One，two，t’reeislandbelowStuartRiver。Theesist’reeisland。\"
Ashespoke，PierreFontainedrovehispoleagainstthebankandheldthesternoftheboatagainstthecurrent。Thisthrustthebowin，tillanimblebreedclimbedashorewiththepainterandmadefast。
\"Oneleeltam，madame，Igolooksee。\"
Achorusofdogsmarkedhisdisappearanceovertheedgeofthebank，butaminutelaterhewasbackagain。
\"Oui，madame，theesisdecabin。Imakinvestigation。Nocanfindmansathome。Buthimnogovairefar，vairelong，orhimnoleavedogs。Himcomequeek，youbet！\"
\"Helpmeout，Pierre。I’mtiredalloverfromtheboat。Youmighthavemadeitsofter，youknow。\"
Fromanestoffursamidships，KarenSaytherrosetoherfullheightofslenderfairness。Butifshelookedlily—frailinherelementalenvironment，shewasbeliedbythegripsheputuponPierre’shand，bytheknottingofherwoman’sbicepsasittooktheweightofherbody，bythesplendideffortofherlimbsastheyheldheroutfromtheperpendicularbankwhileshemadetheascent。Thoughshapelyfleshclotheddelicateframe，herbodywasaseatofstrength。
Still，forallthecarelesseasewithwhichshehadmadethelanding，therewasawarmercolorthanusualtoherface，andaperceptiblyextrabeattoherheart。Butthen，also，itwaswithacertainreverentcuriousnessthatsheapproachedthecabin，whiletheHushonhercheekshowedayetripermellowness。
\"Look，see！\"Pierrepointedtothescatteredchipsbythewoodpile。\"Himfresh——two，t’reeday，nomore。\"
Mrs。Saythernodded。Shetriedtopeerthroughthesmallwindow，butitwasmadeofgreasedparchmentwhichadmittedlightwhileitblockedvision。Failingthis，shewentroundtothedoor，halfliftedtherudelatchtoenter，butchangedhermindandletitfallbackintoplace。Thenshesuddenlydroppedononekneeandkissedtherough—hewnthreshold。IfPierreFontainesaw，hegavenosign，andthememoryinthetimetocomewasnevershared。Butthenextinstant，oneoftheboatmen，placidlylightinghispipe，wasstartledbyanunwontedharshnessinhiscaptain’svoice。
\"Hey！You！LeGoire！Youmak’msoftmorebetter，\"Pierrecommanded。\"Plentybear—skin;plentyblanket。Dam！\"
Butthenestwassoonafterdisrupted，andthemajorportiontosseduptothecrestoftheshore，whereMrs。Saytherlaydowntowaitincomfort。
Recliningonherside，shelookedoutandoverthewide—stretchingYukon。Abovethemountainswhichlaybeyondthefurthershore，theskywasmurkywiththesmokeofunseenforestfires，andthroughthistheafternoonsunbrokefeebly，throwingavagueradiancetoearth，andunrealshadows。Tothesky—lineofthefourquarters——spruce—shroudedislands，darkwaters，andice—
scarredrockyridges——stretchedtheimmaculatewilderness。Nosignofhumanexistencebrokethesolitude;nosoundthestillness。Thelandseemedboundundertheunrealityoftheunknown，wrappedinthebroodingmysteryofgreatspaces。
PerhapsitwasthiswhichmadeMrs。Saythernervous;forshechangedherpositionconstantly，nowtolookuptheriver，nowdown，ortoscanthegloomyshoresforthehalf—hiddenmouthsofbackchannels。Afteranhourorsotheboatmenweresentashoretopitchcampforthenight，butPierreremainedwithhismistresstowatch。
\"Ah！himcometheestam，\"hewhispered，afteralongsilence，hisgazebentuptherivertotheheadoftheisland。
Acanoe，withapaddleflashingoneitherside，wasslippingdownthecurrent。Inthesternaman’sform，andinthebowawoman’s，swungrhythmicallytothework。Mrs。Saytherhadnoeyesforthewomantillthecanoedroveincloserandherbizarrebeautyperemptorilydemandednotice。Aclose—fittingblouseofmoose—
skin，fantasticallybeaded，outlinedfaithfullythewell—roundedlinesofherbody，whileasilkenkerchief，gayofcolorandpicturesquelydraped，partlycoveredgreatmassesofblue—blackhair。Butitwastheface，castbelikeincopperbronze，whichcaughtandheldMrs。Sayther’sfleetingglance。Eyes，piercingandblackandlarge，withatraditionaryhintofobliqueness，lookedforthfromunderclear—stencilled，clean—archingbrows。
Withoutsuggestingcadaverousness，thoughhigh—bonedandprominent，thecheeksfellawayandmetinamouth，thin—lippedandsoftlystrong。ItwasafacewhichadvertisedthedimmesttraceofancientMongolblood，areversion，afterlongcenturiesofwandering，totheparentstem。Thiseffectwasheightenedbythedelicatelyaquilinenosewithitsthintremblingnostrils，andbythegeneralairofeaglewildnesswhichseemedtocharacterizenotonlythefacebutthecreatureherself。Shewas，infact，theTartartypemodifiedtoidealization，andthetribeofRedIndianisluckythatbreedssuchauniquebodyonceinascoreofgenerations。
Dippinglongstrokesandstrong，thegirl，inconcertwiththeman，suddenlywhirledthetinycraftaboutagainstthecurrentandbroughtitgentlytotheshore。Anotherinstantandshestoodatthetopofthebank，heavingupbyrope，handunderhand，aquarteroffresh—killedmoose。Thenthemanfollowedher，andtogether，withaswiftrush，theydrewupthecanoe。Thedogswereinawhiningmassaboutthem，andasthegirlstoopedamongthemcaressingly，theman’sgazefelluponMrs。Sayther，whohadarisen。Helooked，brushedhiseyesunconsciouslyasthoughhissightweredeceivinghim，andlookedagain。
\"Karen，\"hesaidsimply，comingforwardandextendinghishand，\"I
thoughtforthemomentIwasdreaming。Iwentsnow—blindforatime，thisspring，andsincethenmyeyeshavebeenplayingtrickswithme。\"
Mrs。Sayther，whoseflushhaddeepenedandwhoseheartwasurgingpainfully，hadbeenpreparedforalmostanythingsavethiscoollyextendedhand;butshetactfullycurbedherselfandgraspeditheartilywithherown。
\"Youknow，Dave，Ithreatenedoftentocome，andIwouldhave，too，only——only——\"
\"OnlyIdidn’tgivetheword。\"DavidPaynelaughedandwatchedtheIndiangirldisappearingintothecabin。
\"Oh，Iunderstand，Dave，andhadIbeeninyourplaceI’dmostprobablyhavedonethesame。ButIhavecome——now。\"
\"Thencomealittlebitfarther，intothecabinandgetsomethingtoeat，\"hesaidgenially，ignoringormissingthefemininesuggestionofappealinhervoice。\"Andyoumustbetiredtoo。
Whichwayareyoutravelling？Up？ThenyouwinteredinDawson，orcameinonthelastice。Yourcamp？\"Heglancedatthevoyageurscircledaboutthefireintheopen，andheldbackthedoorforhertoenter。
\"IcameupontheicefromCircleCitylastwinter，\"hecontinued，\"andsettleddownhereforawhile。AmprospectingsomeonHendersonCreek，andifthatfails，havebeenthinkingoftryingmyhandthisfalluptheStuartRiver。\"
\"Youaren’tchangedmuch，areyou？\"sheaskedirrelevantly，strivingtothrowtheconversationuponamorepersonalbasis。
\"Alittlelessflesh，perhaps，andalittlemoremuscle。HowdidYOUmean？\"
ButsheshruggedhershouldersandpeeredIthroughthedimlightattheIndiangirl，whohadlightedthefireandwasfryinggreatchunksofmoosemeat，alternatedwiththinribbonsofbacon。
\"DidyoustopinDawsonlong？\"Themanwaswhittlingastaveofbirchwoodintoarudeaxe—handle，andaskedthequestionwithoutraisinghishead。
\"Oh，afewdays，\"sheanswered，followingthegirlwithhereyes，andhardlyhearing。\"Whatwereyousaying？InDawson？Amonth，infact，andgladtogetaway。Thearcticmaleiselemental，youknow，andsomewhatstrenuousinhisfeelings。\"
\"Boundtobewhenhegetsrightdowntothesoil。Heleavesconventionwiththespringbedatborne。Butyouwerewiseinyourchoiceoftimeforleaving。You’llbeoutofthecountrybeforemosquitoseason，whichisablessingyourlackofexperiencewillnotpermityoutoappreciate。\"
\"Isupposenot。Buttellmeaboutyourself，aboutyourlife。
Whatkindofneighborshaveyou？Orhaveyouany？\"
Whileshequeriedshewatchedthegirlgrindingcoffeeinthecornerofaflowersackuponthehearthstone。Withasteadinessandskillwhichpredicatednervesasprimitiveasthemethod，shecrushedtheimprisonedberrieswithaheavyfragmentofquartz。
DavidPaynenotedhisvisitor’sgaze，andtheshadowofasmiledriftedoverhislips。
\"Ididhavesome，\"hereplied。\"Missourianchaps，andacoupleofCornishmen，buttheywentdowntoEldoradotoworkatwagesforagrubstake。\"
Mrs。Saythercastalookofspeculativeregarduponthegirl。
\"ButofcoursethereareplentyofIndiansabout？\"
\"Everymother’ssonofthemdowntoDawsonlongago。Notanativeinthewholecountry，barringWinapiehere，andshe’saKoyokuklass，——comesfromathousandmilesorsodowntheriver。\"
Mrs。Saytherfeltsuddenlyfaint;andthoughthesmileofinterestinnowisewaned，thefaceofthemanseemedtodrawawaytoatelescopicdistance，andthetieredlogsofthecabintowhirldrunkenlyabout。Butshewasbiddendrawuptothetable，andduringthemealdiscoveredtimeandspaceinwhichtofindherself。Shetalkedlittle，andthatprincipallyaboutthelandandweather，whilethemanwanderedoffintoalongdescriptionofthedifferencebetweentheshallowsummerdiggingsoftheLowerCountryandthedeepwinterdiggingsoftheUpperCountry。
\"YoudonotaskwhyIcamenorth？\"sheasked。\"Surelyyouknow。\"
Theyhadmovedbackfromthetable，andDavidPaynehadreturnedtohisaxe—handle。\"Didyougetmyletter？\"
\"Alastone？No，Idon’tthinkso。Mostprobablyit’strailingaroundtheBirchCreekCountryorlyinginsometrader’sshackontheLowerRiver。Thewaytheyrunthemailsinhereisshameful。
Noorder，nosystem，no——\"
\"Don’tbewooden，Dave！Helpme！\"Shespokesharplynow，withanassumptionofauthoritywhichresteduponthepast。\"Whydon’tyouaskmeaboutmyself？Aboutthoseweknewintheoldtimes？
Haveyounolongeranyinterestintheworld？Doyouknowthatmyhusbandisdead？\"
\"Indeed，Iamsorry。Howlong——\"
\"David！\"Shewasreadytocrywithvexation，butthereproachshethrewintohervoiceeasedher。
\"Didyougetanyofmyletters？Youmusthavegotsomeofthem，thoughyouneveranswered。\"
\"Well，Ididn’tgetthelastone，announcing，evidently，thedeathofyourhusband，andmostlikelyotherswentastray;butIdidgetsome。I——er——readthemaloudtoWinapieasawarning——thatis，youknow，toimpressuponherthewickednessofherwhitesisters。
AndI——er——thinksheprofitedbyit。Don’tyou？\"
Shedisregardedthesting，andwenton。\"Inthelastletter，whichyoudidnotreceive，Itold，asyouhaveguessed，ofColonelSayther’sdeath。Thatwasayearago。Ialsosaidthatifyoudidnotcomeouttome，Iwouldgointoyou。AndasIhadoftenpromised，Icame。\"
\"Iknowofnopromise。\"
\"Intheearlierletters？\"
\"Yes，youpromised，butasIneitheraskednoranswered，itwasunratified。SoIdonotknowofanysuchpromise。ButIdoknowofanother，whichyou，too，mayremember。Itwasverylongago。\"
Hedroppedtheaxe—handletothefloorandraisedhishead。\"Itwassoverylongago，yetIrememberitdistinctly，theday，thetime，everydetail。Wewereinarosegarden，youandI，——yourmother’srosegarden。Allthingswerebudding，blossoming，andthesapofspringwasinourblood。AndIdrewyouover——itwasthefirst——andkissedyoufullonthelips。Don’tyouremember？\"
\"Don’tgooverit，Dave，don’t！Iknoweveryshamefullineofit。
HowoftenhaveIwept！IfyouonlyknewhowIhavesuffered——\"
\"Youpromisedmethen——ay，andathousandtimesinthesweetdaysthatfollowed。Eachlookofyoureyes，eachtouchofyourhand，eachsyllablethatfellfromyourlips，wasapromise。Andthen——
howshallIsay？——therecameaman。Hewasold——oldenoughtohavebegottenyou——andnotnicetolookupon，butastheworldgoes，clean。Hehaddonenowrong，followedtheletterofthelaw，wasrespectable。Further，andtothepoint，hepossessedsomeseveralpaltrymines，——ascore;itdoesnotmatter：andheownedafewmilesoflands，andengineereddeals，andclippedcoupons。He——\"
\"Buttherewereotherthings，\"sheinterrupted，\"Itoldyou。
Pressure——moneymatters——want——mypeople——trouble。Youunderstoodthewholesordidsituation。Icouldnothelpit。Itwasnotmywill。Iwassacrificed，orIsacrificed，haveitasyouwish。
But，myGod！Dave，Igaveyouup！YouneverdidMEjustice。
ThinkwhatIhavegonethrough！\"
\"Itwasnotyourwill？Pressure？Underhighheaventherewasnothingtowillyoutothisman’sbedorthat。\"
\"ButIcaredforyouallthetime，\"shepleaded。
\"Iwasunusedtoyourwayofmeasuringlove。Iamstillunused。
Idonotunderstand。\"
\"Butnow！now！\"
\"Wewerespeakingofthismanyousawfittomarry。Whatmannerofmanwashe？Whereindidhecharmyoursoul？Whatpotentvirtueswerehis？True，hehadagoldengrip，——analmightygoldengrip。Heknewtheodds。Hewasversedincentpercent。Hehadanarrowwitandexcellentjudgmentofthevilerparts，wherebyhetransferredthisman’smoneytohispockets，andthatman’smoney，andthenextman’s。Andthelawsmiled。Inthatitdidnotcondemn，ourChristianethicsapproved。Bysocialmeasurehewasnotabadman。Butbyyourmeasure，Karen，bymine，byoursoftherosegarden，whatwashe？\"
\"Remember，heisdead。\"
\"Thefactisnotalteredthereby。Whatwashe？Agreat，gross，materialcreature，deaftosong，blindtobeauty，deadtothespirit。Hewasfatwithlaziness，andflabby—cheeked，andtheroundofhisbellywitnessedhisgluttony——\"
\"Butheisdead。Itiswewhoarenow——now！now！Don’tyouhear？
Asyousay，Ihavebeeninconstant。Ihavesinned。Good。Butshouldnotyou，too，crypeccavi？IfIhavebrokenpromises，havenotyou？Yourloveoftherosegardenwasofalltime，orsoyousaid。Whereisitnow？\"
\"Itishere！now！\"hecried，strikinghisbreastpassionatelywithclenchedhand。\"Ithasalwaysbeen。\"
\"Andyourlovewasagreatlove;therewasnonegreater，\"shecontinued;\"orsoyousaidintherosegarden。Yetitisnotfineenough，largeenough，toforgivemehere，cryingnowatyourfeet？\"
Themanhesitated。Hismouthopened;wordsshapedvainlyonhislips。Shehadforcedhimtobarehisheartandspeaktruthswhichhehadhiddenfromhimself。Andshewasgoodtolookupon，standingthereinagloryofpassion，callingbackoldassociationsandwarmerlife。Heturnedawayhisheadthathemightnotsee，butshepassedaroundandfrontedhim。
\"Lookatme，Dave！Lookatme！Iamthesame，afterall。Andsoareyou，ifyouwouldbutsee。Wearenotchanged。\"
Herhandrestedonhisshoulder，andhishadhalf—passed，roughly，abouther，whenthesharpcrackleofamatchstartledhimtohimself。Winapie，alientothescene，waslightingtheslowwickoftheslushlamp。Sheappearedtostartoutagainstabackgroundofutterblack，andtheflame，flaringsuddenlyup，lightedherbronzebeautytoroyalgold。
\"Yousee，itisimpossible，\"hegroaned，thrustingthefair—hairedwomangentlyfromhim。\"Itisimpossible，\"herepeated。\"Itisimpossible。\"
\"Iamnotagirl，Dave，withagirl’sillusions，\"shesaidsoftly，thoughnotdaringtocomebacktohim。\"ItisasawomanthatI
understand。Menaremen。Acommoncustomofthecountry。Iamnotshocked。Idivineditfromthefirst。But——ah！——itisonlyamarriageofthecountry——notarealmarriage？\"
\"WedonotasksuchquestionsinAlaska，\"heinterposedfeebly。
\"Iknow，but——\"
\"Well，then，itisonlyamarriageofthecountry——nothingelse。\"
\"Andtherearenochildren？\"
\"No。\"
\"Nor——\"
\"No，no;nothing——butitisimpossible。\"
\"Butitisnot。\"Shewasathissideagain，herhandtouchinglightly，caressingly，thesunburnedbackofhis。\"Iknowthecustomofthelandtoowell。Mendoiteveryday。Theydonotcaretoremainhere，shutoutfromtheworld，foralltheirdays;
sotheygiveanorderontheP。C。C。Companyforayear’sprovisions，somemoneyinhand，andthegirliscontent。Bytheendofthattime，aman——\"Sheshruggedhershoulders。\"Andsowiththegirlhere。Wewillgiveheranorderuponthecompany，notforayear，butforlife。Whatwasshewhenyoufoundher？A
raw，meat—eatingsavage;fishinsummer，mooseinwinter，feastinginplenty，starvinginfamine。Butforyouthatiswhatshewouldhaveremained。Foryourcomingshewashappier;foryourgoing，surely，withalifeofcomparativesplendorassured，shewillbehappierthanifyouhadneverbeen。\"
\"No，no，\"heprotested。\"Itisnotright。\"
\"Come，Dave，youmustsee。Sheisnotyourkind。Thereisnoraceaffinity。Sheisanaborigine，sprungfromthesoil，yetclosetothesoil，andimpossibletoliftfromthesoil。Bornsavage，savageshewilldie。Butwe——youandI——thedominant，evolvedrace——thesaltoftheearthandthemastersthereof！Wearemadeforeachother。Thesupremecallisofkind，andweareofkind。Reasonandfeelingdictateit。Yourveryinstinctdemandsit。Thatyoucannotdeny。Youcannotescapethegenerationsbehindyou。Yoursisanancestrywhichhassurvivedforathousandcenturies，andforahundredthousandcenturies，andyourlinemustnotstophere。Itcannot。Yourancestrywillnotpermitit。Instinctisstrongerthanthewill。Theraceismightierthanyou。Come，Dave，letusgo。Weareyoungyet，andlifeisgood。Come。\"
Winapie，passingoutofthecabintofeedthedogs，caughthisattentionandcausedhimtoshakehisheadandweaklytoreiterate。Butthewoman’shandslippedabouthisneck，andhercheekpressedtohis。Hisbleakliferoseupandsmotehim，——thevainstrugglewithpitilessforces;thedrearyyearsoffrostandfamine;theharshandjarringcontactwithelementallife;theachingvoidwhichmereanimalexistencecouldnotfill。Andthere，seductionbyhisside，whisperingofbrighter，warmerlands，ofmusic，light，andjoy，calledtheoldtimesbackagain。
Hevisioneditunconsciously。Facesrushedinuponhim;glimpsesofforgottenscenes，memoriesofmerryhours;strainsofsongandtrillsoflaughter—
\"Come，Dave，Come。Ihaveforboth。Thewayissoft。\"Shelookedaboutheratthebarefurnishingsofthecabin。\"Ihaveforboth。Theworldisatourfeet，andalljoyisours。Come！
come！\"
Shewasinhisarms，trembling，andheheldhertightly。Herosetohisfeet……Butthesnarlingofhungrydogs，andtheshrillcriesofWinapiebringingaboutpeacebetweenthecombatants，camemuffledtohisearthroughtheheavylogs。Andanothersceneflashedbeforehim。Astruggleintheforest，——abald—facegrizzly，broken—legged，terrible;thesnarlingofthedogsandtheshrillcriesofWinapieassheurgedthemtotheattack;himselfinthemidstofthecrush，breathless，panting，strivingtoholdoffreddeath;broken—backed，entrail—rippeddogshowlinginimpotentanguishanddesecratingthesnow;thevirginwhiterunningscarletwiththebloodofmanandbeast;thebear，ferocious，irresistible，crunching，crunchingdowntothecoreofhislife;andWinapie，atthelast，inthethickofthefrightfulmuddle，hairflying，eyesflashing，furyincarnate，passingthelonghuntingknifeagainandagain——Sweatstartedtohisforehead。
Heshookofftheclingingwomanandstaggeredbacktothewall。
