第1章

ItwasaquietnightintheTivoli。Atthebar，whichrangedalongonesideofthelargechinked-logroom，leanedhalfadozenmen，twoofwhomwerediscussingtherelativemeritsofspruce-teaandlime-juiceasremediesforscurvy。Theyarguedwithanairofdepressionandwithintervalsofmorosesilence。Theothermenscarcelyheededthem。Inarow，againsttheoppositewall，werethegamblinggames。Thecrap-tablewasdeserted。Onelonemanwasplayingatthefaro-table。Theroulette-ballwasnotevenspinning，andthegamekeeperstoodbytheroaring，red-hotstove，talkingwiththeyoung，dark-eyedwoman，comelyoffaceandfigure，whowasknownfromJuneautoFortYukonastheVirgin。Threemensatinatstud-poker，buttheyplayedwithsmallchipsandwithoutenthusiasm，whiletherewerenoonlookers。Onthefloorofthedancing-room，whichopenedoutattherear，threecoupleswerewaltzingdrearilytothestrainsofaviolinandapiano。

CircleCitywasnotdeserted，norwasmoneytight。TheminerswereinfromMoseyedCreekandtheotherdiggingstothewest，thesummerwashinghadbeengood，andthemen’spoucheswereheavywithdustandnuggets。

TheKlondikehadnotyetbeendiscovered，norhadtheminersoftheYukonlearnedthepossibilitiesofdeepdiggingandwood-firing。Noworkwasdoneinthewinter，andtheymadeapracticeofhibernatinginthelargecampslikeCircleCityduringthelongArcticnight。Timewasheavyontheirhands，theirpoucheswerewellfilled，andtheonlysocialdiversiontobefoundwasinthesaloons。YettheShovelwaspracticallydeserted，andtheVirgin，standingbythestove，yawnedwithuncoveredmouthandsaidtoCharleyBates:-”Ifsomethingdon’thappensoon，I’mgin’tobed。What’sthematterwiththecamp，anyway？Everybodydead？”

Batesdidnoteventroubletoreply，butwentonmoodilyrollingacigarette。

DanMacDonald，pioneersaloonmanandgamblerontheupperYukon，ownerandproprietoroftheTivoliandallitsgames，wanderedforlornlyacrossthegreatvacantspaceoffloorandjoinedthetwoatthestove。”Anybodydead？”theVirginaskedhim。”Lookslikeit，”wastheanswer。”Thenitmustbethewholecamp，”shesaidwithanairoffinalityandwithanotheryawn。

MacDonaldgrinnedandnodded，andopenedhismouthtospeak，whenthefrontdoorswungwideandamanappearedinthelight。Arushoffrost，turnedtovaporbytheheatoftheroom，swirledabouthimtohiskneesandpouredonacrossthefloor，growingthinnerandthinner，andperishingadozenfeetfromthestove。Takingthewispbroomfromitsnailinsidethedoor，thenewcomerbrushedthesnowfromhismoccasinsandhighGermansocks。HewouldhaveappearedalargemanhadnotahugeFrench-Canadiansteppeduptohimfromthebarandgrippedhishand。”Hello，Daylight！”washisgreeting。”ByGar，yougoodforsoreeyes！””Hello，Louis，whendidyou-allblowin？”returnedthenewcomer。”ComeupandhaveadrinkandtellusallaboutBoneCreek。Why，dog-goneyou-all，shakeagain。Where’sthatpardnerofyours？I’mlookingforhim。”

Anotherhugemandetachedhimselffromthebartoshakehands。OlafHendersonandFrenchLouis，partnerstogetheronBoneCreek，werethetwolargestmeninthecountry，andthoughtheywerebuthalfaheadtallerthanthenewcomer，betweenthemhewasdwarfedcompletely。”Hello，Olaf，you’remymeat，savveethat，”saidtheonecalledDaylight。”To-morrow’smybirthday，andI’mgoingtoputyou-allonyourback——savvee？

Andyou，too，Louis。Icanputyou-allonyourbackonmybirthday——savvee？

Comeupanddrink，Olaf，andI’lltellyou-allaboutit。”

Thearrivalofthenewcomerseemedtosendafloodofwarmththroughtheplace。”It’sBurningDaylight，”theVirgincried，thefirsttorecognizehimashecameintothelight。CharleyBates’tightfeaturesrelaxedatthesight，andMacDonaldwentoverandjoinedthethreeatthebar。WiththeadventofBurningDaylightthewholeplacebecamesuddenlybrighterandcheerier。Thebarkeeperswereactive。Voiceswereraised。Somebodylaughed。Andwhenthefiddler，peeringintothefrontroom，remarkedtothepianist，”It’sBurningDaylight，”thewaltz-timeperceptiblyquickened，andthedancers，catchingthecontagion，begantowhirlaboutasiftheyreallyenjoyedit。ItwasknowntothemofoldtimethatnothinglanguishedwhenBurningDaylightwasaround。

Heturnedfromthebarandsawthewomanbythestoveandtheeagerlookofwelcomesheextendedhim。”Hello，Virgin，oldgirl，”hecalled。”Hello，Charley。What’sthematterwithyou-all？Whywearfaceslikethatwhencoffinscostonlythreeounces？

Comeup，you-all，anddrink。Comeup，youunburieddead，andnameyourpoison。Comeup，everybody。Thisismynight，andI’mgoingtorideit。

To-morrowI’mthirty，andthenI’llbeanoldman。It’sthelastflingofyouth。Areyou-allwithme？Surgealong，then。Surgealong。”Holdonthere，Davis，”hecalledtothefaro-dealer，whohadshovedhischairbackfromthetable。”I’mgoingyouonefluttertoseewhetheryou-alldrinkwithmeorwe-alldrinkwithyou。”

Pullingaheavysackofgold-dustfromhiscoatpocket，hedroppeditontheHIGHCARD。”Fifty，”hesaid。

Thefaro-dealerslippedtwocards。Thehighcardwon。Hescribbledtheamountonapad，andtheweigheratthebarbalancedfiftydollars’worthofdustinthegold-scalesandpoureditintoBurningDaylight’ssack。

Thewaltzinthebackroombeingfinished，thethreecouples，followedbythefiddlerandthepianistandheadingforthebar，caughtDaylight’seye。”Surgealong，you-all”hecried。”Surgealongandnameit。Thisismynight，anditain’tanightthatcomesfrequent。Surgeup，youSiwashesandSalmon-eaters。It’smynight，Itellyou-all——””Ablamemangynight，”CharleyBatesinterpolated。”You’reright，myson，”BurningDaylightwentongaily。”Amangynight，butit’sMYnight，yousee。I’mthemangyoldhe-wolf。

Listentomehowl。”

Andhowlhedid，likealonegraytimberwolf，tilltheVirginthrustherprettyfingersinherearsandshivered。Aminutelatershewaswhirledawayinhisarmstothedancing-floor，where，alongwiththeotherthreewomenandtheirpartners，arollickingVirginiareelwassooninprogress。

Menandwomendancedinmoccasins，andtheplacewassoona-roar，BurningDaylightthecentreofitandtheanimatingspark，withquipandjestandroughmerrimentrousingthemoutofthesloughofdespondinwhichhehadfoundthem。

Theatmosphereoftheplacechangedwithhiscoming。Heseemedtofillitwithhistremendousvitality。Menwhoenteredfromthestreetfeltitimmediately，andinresponsetotheirqueriesthebarkeepersnoddedatthebackroom，andsaidcomprehensively，”BurningDaylight’sonthetear。”

Andthemenwhoenteredremained，andkeptthebarkeepersbusy。Thegamblerstookheartoflife，andsoonthetableswerefilled，theclickofchipsandwhiroftheroulette-ballrisingmonotonouslyandimperiouslyabovethehoarserumbleofmen’svoicesandtheiroathsandheavylaughs。

FewmenknewElamHarnishbyanyothernamethanBurningDaylight，thenamewhichhadbeengivenhimintheearlydaysinthelandbecauseofhishabitofroutinghiscomradesoutoftheirblanketswiththecomplaintthatdaylightwasburning。OfthepioneersinthatfarArcticwilderness，whereallmenwerepioneers，hewasreckonedamongtheoldest。MenlikeAlMayoandJackMcQuestionantedatedhim；buttheyhadenteredthelandbycrossingtheRockiesfromtheHudsonBaycountrytotheeast。He，however，hadbeenthepioneerovertheChilcootandChilcatpasses。Inthespringof1883，twelveyearsbefore，astriplingofeighteen，hehadcrossedovertheChilcootwithfivecomrades。

Inthefallhehadcrossedbackwithone。Fourhadperishedbymischanceinthebleak，unchartedvastness。AndfortwelveyearsElamHarnishhadcontinuedtogropeforgoldamongtheshadowsoftheCircle。

Andnomanhadgropedsoobstinatelynorsoenduringly。Hehadgrownupwiththeland。Heknewnootherland。Civilizationwasadreamofsomepreviouslife。CampslikeFortyMileandCircleCityweretohimmetropolises。

Andnotalonehadhegrownupwiththeland，for，rawasitwas，hehadhelpedtomakeit。Hehadmadehistoryandgeography，andthosethatfollowedwroteofhistraversesandchartedthetrailshisfeethadbroken。

Heroesareseldomgiventohero-worship，butamongthoseofthatyoungland，youngashewas，hewasaccountedanelderhero。Inpointoftimehewasbeforethem。Inpointofdeedhewasbeyondthem。Inpointofenduranceitwasacknowledgedthathecouldkillthehardiestofthem。Furthermore，hewasaccountedanervyman，asquareman，andawhiteman。

Inalllandswherelifeisahazardlightlyplayedwithandlightlyflungaside，menturn，almostautomatically，togamblingfordiversionandrelaxation。IntheYukonmengambledtheirlivesforgold，andthosethatwongoldfromthegroundgambledforitwithoneanother。NorwasElamHarnishanexception。Hewasaman’smanprimarily，andtheinstinctinhimtoplaythegameoflifewasstrong。Environmenthaddeterminedwhatformthatgameshouldtake。HewasbornonanIowafarm，andhisfatherhademigratedtoeasternOregon，inwhichminingcountryElam’sboyhoodwaslived。Hehadknownnothingbuthardknocksforbigstakes。Pluckandendurancecountedinthegame，butthegreatgodChancedealtthecards。

Honestworkforsurebutmeagrereturnsdidnotcount。Amanplayedbig。

Heriskedeverythingforeverything，andanythinglessthaneverythingmeantthathewasaloser。SofortwelveYukonyears，ElamHarnishhadbeenaloser。True，onMoosehideCreekthepastsummerhehadtakenouttwentythousanddollars，andwhatwasleftinthegroundwastwentythousandmore。But，ashehimselfproclaimed，thatwasnomorethangettinghisanteback。Hehadante’dhislifeforadozenyears，andfortythousandwasasmallpotforsuchastake——thepriceofadrinkandadanceattheTivoli，ofawinter’sflutteratCircleCity，andagrubstakefortheyeartocome。

ThemenoftheYukonreversedtheoldmaximtillitread:hardcome，easygo。Attheendofthereel，ElamHarnishcalledthehouseuptodrinkagain。Drinkswereadollarapiece，goldratedatsixteendollarsanounce；

therewerethirtyinthehousethatacceptedhisinvitation，andbetweeneverydancethehousewasElam’sguest。Thiswashisnight，andnobodywastobeallowedtopayforanything。

NotthatElamHarnishwasadrinkingman。Whiskeymeantlittletohim。

Hewastoovitalandrobust，toountroubledinmindandbody，toinclinetotheslaveryofalcohol。Hespentmonthsatatimeontrailandriverwhenhedranknothingstrongerthancoffee，whilehehadgoneayearatatimewithoutevencoffee。Buthewasgregarious，andsincethesolesocialexpressionoftheYukonwasthesaloon，heexpressedhimselfthatway。

WhenhewasaladintheminingcampsoftheWest，menhadalwaysdonethat。Tohimitwastheproperwayforamantoexpresshimselfsocially。

Heknewnootherway。

Hewasastrikingfigureofaman，despitehisgarbbeingsimilartothatofallthemenintheTivoli。Soft-tannedmoccasinsofmoose-hide，beadedinIndiandesigns，coveredhisfeet。Histrouserswereordinaryoveralls，hiscoatwasmadefromablanket。Long-gauntletedleathermittens，linedwithwool，hungbyhisside。TheywereconnectedintheYukonfashion，byaleatherthongpassedaroundtheneckandacrosstheshoulders。Onhisheadwasafurcap，theear-flapsraisedandthetying-cordsdangling。

Hisface，leanandslightlylong，withthesuggestionofhollowsunderthecheek-bones，seemedalmostIndian。Theburntskinandkeendarkeyescontributedtothiseffect，thoughthebronzeoftheskinandtheeyesthemselveswereessentiallythoseofawhiteman。Helookedolderthanthirty，andyet，smooth-shavenandwithoutwrinkles，hewasalmostboyish。

Thisimpressionofagewasbasedonnotangibleevidence。Itcamefromtheabstracterfactsoftheman，fromwhathehadenduredandsurvived，whichwasfarbeyondthatofordinarymen。Hehadlivedlifenakedandtensely，andsomethingofallthissmoulderedinhiseyes，vibratedinhisvoice，andseemedforevera-whisperonhislips。

Thelipsthemselveswerethin，andpronetoclosetightlyovertheeven，whiteteeth。Buttheirharshnesswasretrievedbytheupwardcurlatthecornersofhismouth。Thiscurlgavetohimsweetness，astheminutepuckersatthecornersoftheeyesgavehimlaughter。Thesenecessarygracessavedhimfromanaturethatwasessentiallysavageandthatotherwisewouldhavebeencruelandbitter。Thenosewaslean，full-nostrilled，anddelicate，andofasizetofittheface；whilethehighforehead，asiftoatoneforitsnarrowness，wassplendidlydomedandsymmetrical。InlinewiththeIndianeffectwashishair，verystraightandveryblack，withaglosstoitthatonlyhealthcouldgive。”BurningDaylight’sburningcandlelight，”laughedDanMacDonald，asanoutburstofexclamationsandmerrimentcamefromthedancers。”An’heisderboytodoit，eh，Louis？”saidOlafHenderson。”Yes，byGar！youbetondat，”saidFrenchLouis。”Datboyisallgold——””AndwhenGodAlmightywashesDaylight’ssouloutonthelastbigslucin’

day，”MacDonaldinterrupted，”why，GodAlmighty’llhavetoshovelgravelalongwithhimintothesluice-boxes。””Dotissgoot，”OlafHendersonmuttered，regardingthegamblerwithprofoundadmiration。”Ver’good，”affirmedFrenchLouis。”It’inkwetakeadrinkondatonetime，eh？”BurningDaylight:PartI:ChapterIIPartIChapterIIItwastwointhemorningwhenthedancers，bentongettingsomethingtoeat，adjournedthedancingforhalfanhour。AnditwasatthismomentthatJackKearnssuggestedpoker。JackKearnswasabig，bluff-featuredman，who，alongwithBettles，hadmadethedisastrousattempttofoundapostonthehead-reachesoftheKoyokuk，farinsidetheArcticCircle。

Afterthat，KearnshadfallenbackonhispostsatFortyMileandSixtyMileandchangedthedirectionofhisventuresbysendingouttotheStatesforasmallsawmillandariversteamer。TheformerwaseventhenbeingsleddedacrossChilcootPassbyIndiansanddogs，andwouldcomedowntheYukonintheearlysummeraftertheice-run。Laterinthesummer，whenBeringSeaandthemouthoftheYukonclearedofice，thesteamer，puttogetheratSt。Michaels，wastobeexpecteduptheriverloadedtotheguardswithsupplies。

JackKearnssuggestedpoker。FrenchLouis，DanMacDonald，andHalCampbell(whohadmakeastrikeonMoosehide)，allthreeofwhomwerenotdancingbecausetherewerenotgirlsenoughtogoaround，inclinedtothesuggestion。

TheywerelookingforafifthmanwhenBurningDaylightemergedfromtherearroom，theVirginonhisarm，thetrainofdancersinhiswake。Inresponsetothehailofthepoker-players，hecameovertotheirtableinthecorner。”Wantyoutositin，”saidCampbell。”How’syourluck？””Isuregotitto-night，”BurningDaylightansweredwithenthusiasm，andatthesametimefelttheVirginpresshisarmwarningly。Shewantedhimforthedancing。”Isuregotmyluckwithme，butI’dsoonerdance。

Iain’thankerin’totakethemoneyawayfromyou-all。”

Nobodyurged。Theytookhisrefusalasfinal，andtheVirginwaspressinghisarmtoturnhimawayinpursuitofthesupper-seekers，whenheexperiencedachangeofheart。Itwasnotthathedidnotwanttodance，northathewantedtohurther；butthatinsistentpressureonhisarmputhisfreeman-natureinrevolt。Thethoughtinhismindwasthathedidnotwantanywomanrunninghim。Himselfafavoritewithwomen，neverthelesstheydidnotbulkbigwithhim。Theyweretoys，playthings，partoftherelaxationfromthebiggergameoflife。Hemetwomenalongwiththewhiskeyandgambling，andfromobservationhehadfoundthatitwasfareasiertobreakawayfromthedrinkandthecardsthanfromawomanoncethemanwasproperlyentangled。

Hewasaslavetohimself，whichwasnaturalinonewithahealthyego，butherebelledinwayseithermurderousorpanickyatbeingaslavetoanybodyelse。Love’ssweetservitudewasathingofwhichhehadnocomprehension。

Menhehadseeninloveimpressedhimaslunatics，andlunacywasathinghehadneverconsideredworthanalyzing。Butcomradeshipwithmenwasdifferentfromlovewithwomen。Therewasnoservitudeincomradeship。Itwasabusinessproposition，asquaredealbetweenmenwhodidnotpursueeachother，butwhosharedtherisksoftrailandriverandmountaininthepursuitoflifeandtreasure。Menandwomenpursuedeachother，andonemustneedsbendtheothertohiswillorhers。Comradeshipwasdifferent。Therewasnoslaveryaboutit；andthoughhe，astrongmanbeyondstrength’sseeming，gavefarmorethanhereceived，hegavenotsomethingduebutinroyallargess，hisgiftsoftoilorheroiceffortfallinggenerouslyfromhishands。Topackfordaysoverthegale-sweptpassesoracrossthemosquito-riddenmarshes，andtopackdoubletheweighthiscomradepacked，didnotinvolveunfairnessorcompulsion。Eachdidhisbest。Thatwasthebusinessessenceofit。Somemenwerestrongerthanothers——true；butsolongaseachmandidhisbestitwasfairexchange，thebusinessspiritwasobserved，andthesquaredealobtained。

Butwithwomen——no。Womengavelittleandwantedall。Womenhadapron-stringsandwerepronetotiethemaboutanymanwholookedtwiceintheirdirection。

TherewastheVirgin，yawningherheadoffwhenhecameinandmightilypleasedthatheaskedhertodance。Onedancewasallverywell，butbecausehedancedtwiceandthricewithherandseveraltimesmore，shesqueezedhisarmwhentheyaskedhimtositinatpoker。Itwastheobnoxiousapron-string，thefirstofthemanycompulsionsshewouldexertuponhimifhegavein。

Notthatshewasnotanicebitofawoman，healthyandstrappingandgoodtolookupon，alsoaveryexcellentdancer，butthatshewasawomanwithallawoman’sdesiretoropehimwithherapron-stringsandtiehimhandandfootforthebranding。Betterpoker。Besides，helikedpokeraswellashediddancing。

Heresistedthepullonhisarmbythemerenegativemassofhim，andsaid:-”Isortoffeelahankeringtogiveyou-allaflutter。”

Againcamethepullonhisarm。Shewastryingtopasstheapron-stringaroundhim。Forthefractionofaninstanthewasasavage，dominatedbythewaveoffearandmurderthatroseupinhim。Forthatinfinitesimalspaceoftimehewastoallpurposesafrightenedtigerfilledwithrageandterrorattheapprehensionofthetrap。Hadhebeennomorethanasavage，hewouldhaveleaptwildlyfromtheplaceorelsesprunguponheranddestroyedher。Butinthatsameinstanttherestirredinhimthegenerationsofdisciplinebywhichmanhadbecomeaninadequatesocialanimal。Tactandsympathystrovewithhim，andhesmiledwithhiseyesintotheVirgin’seyesashesaid:-”You-allgoandgetsomegrub。Iain’thungry。Andwe’lldancesomemorebyandby。Thenight’syoungyet。Gotoit，oldgirl。”

Hereleasedhisarmandthrustherplayfullyontheshoulder，atthesametimeturningtothepoker-players。”TakeoffthelimitandI’llgoyou-all。””Limit’stheroof，”saidJackKearns。”Takeofftheroof。”

Theplayersglancedatoneanother，andKearnsannounced，”Theroof’soff。”

ElamHarnishdroppedintothewaitingchair，startedtopullouthisgold-sack，andchangedhismind。TheVirginpoutedamoment，thenfollowedinthewakeoftheotherdancers。”I’llbringyouasandwich，Daylight，”shecalledbackoverhershoulder。

Henodded。Shewassmilingherforgiveness。Hehadescapedtheapron-string，andwithouthurtingherfeelingstooseverely。”Let’splaymarkers，”hesuggested。”Chipsdoeverlastinglyclutterupthetable……Ifit’sagreeabletoyou-all？””I’mwilling，”answeredHalCampbell。”Letminerunatfivehundred。””Mine，too，”answeredHarnish，whiletheothersstatedthevaluestheyputontheirownmarkers，FrenchLouis，themostmodest，issuinghisatahundreddollarseach。

InAlaska，atthattime，therewerenorascalsandnotin-horngamblers。

Gameswereconductedhonestly，andmentrustedoneanother。Aman’swordwasasgoodashisgoldintheblower。Amarkerwasaflat，oblongcompositionchipworth，perhaps，acent。Butwhenamanbettedamarkerinagameandsaiditwasworthfivehundreddollars，itwasacceptedasworthfivehundreddollars。Whoeverwonitknewthatthemanwhoissueditwouldredeemitwithfivehundreddollars’worthofdustweighedoutonthescales。Themarkersbeingofdifferentcolors，therewasnodifficultyinidentifyingtheowners。Also，inthatearlyYukonday，noonedreamedofplayingtable-stakes。

Amanwasgoodinagameforallthathepossessed，nomatterwherehispossessionswereorwhatwastheirnature。

Harnishcutandgotthedeal。Atthisgoodaugury，andwhileshufflingthedeck，hecalledtothebarkeeperstosetupthedrinksforthehouse。

AshedealtthefirstcardtoDanMacDonald，onhisleft，hecalledout:”Getdowntotheground，you-all，Malemutes，huskies，andSiwashpurps！

Getdownanddigin！Tightenupthemtraces！Putyourweightintotheharnessandbustthebreast-bands！Whoop-la！Yow！We’reoffandboundforHelenBreakfast！AndItellyou-allclearandplainthere’sgoin’tobestiffgradesandfastgoin’to-nightbeforewewintothatsamelady。Andsomebody’sgoin’tobump……hard。”

Oncestarted，itwasaquietgame，withlittleornoconversation，thoughallabouttheplayerstheplacewasa-roar。ElamHarnishhadignitedthespark。MoreandmoreminersdroppedintotheTivoliandremained。WhenBurningDaylightwentonthetear，nomancaredtomissit。Thedancing-floorwasfull。Owingtotheshortageofwomen，manyofthementiedbandannahandkerchiefsaroundtheirarmsintokenoffemininityanddancedwithothermen。Allthegameswerecrowded，andthevoicesofthementalkingatthelongbarandgroupedaboutthestovewereaccompaniedbythesteadyclickofchipsandthesharpwhir，risingandfalling，oftheroulette-ball。

AllthematerialsofaproperYukonnightwereathandandmixing。

Theluckatthetablevariedmonotonously，nobighandsbeingout。Asaresult，highplaywentonwithsmallhandsthoughnoplaylastedlong。

AfilledstraightbelongingtoFrenchLouisgavehimapotoffivethousandagainsttwosetsofthreesheldbyCampbellandKearns。Onepotofeighthundreddollarswaswonbyapairoftraysonashowdown。AndonceHarnishcalledKearnsfortwothousanddollarsonacoldsteal。WhenKearnslaiddownhishanditshowedabobtailflush，whileHarnish’shandprovedthathehadhadthenervetocallonapairoftens。

Butatthreeinthemorningthebigcombinationofhandsarrived。

Itwasthemomentofmomentsthatmenwaitweeksforinapokergame。

ThenewsofittingledovertheTivoli。Theonlookersbecamequiet。Themenfartherawayceasedtalkingandmovedovertothetable。Theplayersdesertedtheothergames，andthedancing-floorwasforsaken，sothatallstoodatlast，fivescoreandmore，inacompactandsilentgroup，aroundthepoker-table。Thehighbettinghadbegunbeforethedraw，andstillthehighbettingwenton，withthedrawnotinsight。Kearnshaddealt，andFrenchLouishadopenedthepotwithonemarker——inhiscaseonehundreddollars。Campbellhadmerely”seen”it，butElamHarnish，corningnext，hadtossedinfivehundreddollars，withtheremarktoMacDonaldthathewaslettinghimineasy。

MacDonald，glancingagainathishand，putinathousandinmarkers。

Kearns，debatingalongtimeoverhishand，finally”saw。”ItthencostFrenchLouisninehundredtoremaininthegame，whichhecontributedafterasimilardebate。ItcostCampbelllikewiseninehundredtoremainanddrawcards，buttothesurpriseofallhesawtheninehundredandraisedanotherthousand。”You-allareonthegradeatlast，”Harnishremarked，ashesawthefifteenhundredandraisedathousandinturn。”HelenBreakfast’ssureontopthisdivide，andyou-allhadbestlookoutforbustin’harness。””Meforthatsamelady，”accompaniedMacDonald’smarkersfortwothousandandforanadditionalthousand-dollarraise。

Itwasatthisstagethattheplayerssatupandknewbeyondperadventurethatbighandswereout。Thoughtheirfeaturesshowednothing，eachmanwasbeginningunconsciouslytotense。Eachmanstrovetoappearhisnaturalself，andeachnaturalselfwasdifferent。HalCampbellaffectedhiscustomarycautiousness。

FrenchLouisbetrayedinterest。MacDonaldretainedhiswhole-souledbenevolence，thoughitseemedtotakeonaslightlyexaggeratedtone。Kearnswascoollydispassionateandnoncommittal，whileElamHarnishappearedasquizzicalandjocularasever。Eleventhousanddollarswerealreadyinthepot，andthemarkerswereheapedinaconfusedpileinthecentreofthetable。”Iain’tgonomoremarkers，”Kearnsremarkedplaintively。”We’dbestbeginI。O。U。’s。””Gladyou’regoingtostay，”wasMacDonald’scordialresponse。”Iain’tstayedyet。I’vegotathousandinalready。How’sitstandnow？””It’llcostyouthreethousandforalookin，butnobodywillstopyoufromraising。””Raise——hell。YoumustthinkIgotapatlikeyourself。”Kearnslookedathishand。”ButI’lltellyouwhatI’lldo，Mac。

I’vegotahunch，andI’lljustseethatthreethousand。”

Hewrotethesumonaslipofpaper，signedhisname，andconsignedittothecentreofthetable。

FrenchLouisbecamethefocusofalleyes。Hefingeredhiscardsnervouslyforaspace。Then，witha”ByGar！Ahgotnotoneleetlebeethunch，”heregretfullytossedhishandintothediscards。

ThenextmomentthehundredandoddpairsofeyesshiftedtoCampbell。”Iwon’thumpyou，Jack，”hesaid，contentinghimselfwithcallingtherequisitetwothousand。

TheeyesshiftedtoHarnish，whoscribbledonapieceofpaperandshoveditforward。”I’lljustletyou-allknowthisain’tnoSunday-schoolsocietyofphilanthropy，”

hesaid。”Iseeyou，Jack，andIraiseyouathousand。Here’swhereyou-allgetactiononyourpat，Mac。””Action’swhatIfattenon，andIliftanotherthousand，”wasMacDonald’srejoinder。”Stillgotthathunch，Jack？””Istillgotthehunch。”Kearnsfingeredhiscardsalongtime。”AndI’llplayit，butyou’vegottoknowhowIstand。There’smysteamer，theBella——worthtwentythousandifshe’sworthanounce。There’sSixtyMilewithfivethousandinstockontheshelves。AndyouknowIgotasawmillcomingin。It’satLindermannow，andthescowisbuilding。AmIgood？””Digin；you’resuregood，”wasDaylight’sanswer。”Andwhilewe’reaboutit，ImaymentioncasualthatIgottwentythousandinMac’ssafe，there，andthere’stwentythousandmoreinthegroundonMoosehide。Youknowtheground，Campbell。Istheythat-allinthedirt？””Theresureis，Daylight。””Howmuchdoesitcostnow？”Kearnsasked。”Twothousandtosee。””We’llsurehumpyouifyou-allcomein，”Daylightwarnedhim。”It’sanalmightygoodhunch，”Kearnssaid，addinghisslipfortwothousandtothegrowingheap。”Icanfeelhercrawlin’upanddownmyback。””Iain’tgotahunch，butIgotatolerablelikeablehand，”Campbellannounced，asheslidinhisslip；”butit’snotaraisinghand。””Mineis，”Daylightpausedandwrote。”Iseethatthousandandraiseherthesameoldthousand。”

TheVirgin，standingbehindhim，thendidwhataman’sbestfriendwasnotprivilegedtodo。ReachingoverDaylight’sshoulder，shepickeduphishandandreadit，atthesametimeshieldingthefacesofthefivecardsclosetohischest。Whatshesawwerethreequeensandapairofeights，butnobodyguessedwhatshesaw。Everyplayer’seyeswereonherfaceasshescannedthecards，butnosigndidshegive。Herfeaturesmighthavebeencarvedfromice，forherexpressionwaspreciselythesamebefore，during，andafter。Notamusclequivered；norwastheretheslightestdilationofanostril，northeslightestincreaseoflightintheeyes。Shelaidthehandfacedownagainonthetable，andslowlythelingeringeyeswithdrewfromher，havinglearnednothing。

MacDonaldsmiledbenevolently。”Iseeyou，Daylight，andIhumpthistimefortwothousand。How’sthathunch，Jack？””Stilla-crawling，Mac。Yougotmenow，butthathunchisarip-snorterpersuadin’sortofacritter，andit’smyplaindutytorideit。Icallforthreethousand。AndIgotanotherhunch:Daylight’sgoingtocall，too。””Hesureis，”Daylightagreed，afterCampbellhadthrownuphishand。”Heknowswhenhe’supagainstit，andheplaysaccordin’。

Iseethattwothousand，andthenI’llseethedraw。”

Inadeadsilence，saveforthelowvoicesofthethreeplayers，thedrawwasmade。Thirty-fourthousanddollarswerealreadyinthepot，andtheplaypossiblynothalfover。TotheVirgin’samazement，Daylighthelduphisthreequeens，discardinghiseightsandcallingfortwocards。Andthistimenotevenshedaredlookatwhathehaddrawn。Sheknewherlimitofcontrol。Nordidhelook。Thetwonewcardslayfacedownonthetablewheretheyhadbeendealttohim。”Cards？”KearnsaskedofMacDonald。”Gotenough，”wasthereply。”Youcandrawifyouwantto，youknow，”Kearnswarnedhim。”Nope；this’lldome。”

Kearnshimselfdrewtwocards，butdidnotlookatthem。

StillHarnishlethiscardslie。”Ineverbetintheteethofapathand，”hesaidslowly，lookingatthesaloon-keeper。”You-allstartherrolling，Mac。”

MacDonaldcountedhiscardscarefully，tomakedoublessureitwasnotafoulhand，wroteasumonapaperslip，andsliditintothepot，withthesimpleutterance:-”Fivethousand。”

Kearns，witheveryeyeuponhim，lookedathistwo-carddraw，countedtheotherthreetodispelanydoubtofholdingmorethanfivecards，andwroteonabettingslip。”Iseeyou，Mac，”hesaid，”andIraiseheralittlethousandjustsoasnottokeepDaylightout。”

TheconcentratedgazeshiftedtoDaylight。Helikewiseexaminedhisdrawandcountedhisfivecards。”Iseethatsixthousand，andIraiseherfivethousand……justtotryandkeepyouout，Jack。””AndIraiseyoufivethousandjusttolendahandatkeepingJackout，”

MacDonaldsaid，inturn。

Hisvoicewasslightlyhuskyandstrained，andanervoustwitchinthecornerofhismouthfollowedspeech。

Kearnswaspale，andthosewholookedonnotedthathishandtrembledashewrotehisslip。Buthisvoicewasunchanged。”Iliftheralongforfivethousand，”hesaid。

Daylightwasnowthecentre。Thekerosenelampsaboveflunghighlightsfromtherashofsweatonhisforehead。Thebronzeofhischeekswasdarkenedbytheaccessionofblood。Hisblackeyesglittered，andhisnostrilsweredistendedandeager。Theywerelargenostrils，tokeninghisdescentfromsavageancestorswhohadsurvivedbyvirtueofdeeplungsandgenerousair-passages。Yet，unlikeMacDonald，hisvoicewasfirmandcustomary，and，unlikeKearns，hishanddidnottremblewhenhewrote。”Icall，fortenthousand，”hesaid。”NotthatI’mafraidofyou-all，Mac。It’sthathunchofJack’s。””Ihumphishunchforfivethousandjustthesame，”saidMacDonald。”Ihadthebesthandbeforethedraw，andIstillguessIgotit。””Mebbethisisacasewhereahunchafterthedrawisbetter’nthehunchbefore，”Kearnsremarked；”whereforedutysays，’Lifther，Jack，lifther，’

andsoIliftheranotherfivethousand。”

Daylightleanedbackinhischairandgazedupatthekerosenelampswhilehecomputedaloud。”Iwasinninethousandbeforethedraw，andIsawandraisedeleventhousand——thatmakesthirty。I’monlygoodfortenmore。”

HeleanedforwardandlookedatKearns。”SoIcallthattenthousand。””Youcanraiseifyouwant，”Kearnsanswered。”Yourdogsaregoodforfivethousandinthisgame。””Narydawg。You-allcanwinmydustanddirt，butnaryoneofmydawgs。

Ijustcall。”

MacDonaldconsideredforalongtime。Noonemovedorwhispered。

Notamusclewasrelaxedonthepartoftheonlookers。Nottheweightofabodyshiftedfromonelegtotheother。Itwasasacredsilence。Onlycouldbeheardtheroaringdraftofthehugestove，andfromwithout，muffledbythelog-walls，thehowlingofdogs。ItwasnoteverynightthathighstakeswereplayedontheYukon，andforthatmatter，thiswasthehighestinthehistoryofthecountry。Thesaloon-keeperfinallyspoke。”Ifanybodyelsewins，they’llhavetotakeamortgageontheTivoli。”

Thetwootherplayersnodded。”SoIcall，too。”MacDonaldaddedhisslipforfivethousand。

Notoneofthemclaimedthepot，andnotoneofthemcalledthesizeofhishand。Simultaneouslyandinsilencetheyfacedtheircardsonthetable，whileageneraltiptoeingandcraningofneckstookplaceamongtheonlookers。Daylightshowedfourqueensandanace；MacDonaldfourjacksandanace；andKearnsfourkingsandatrey。Kearnsreachedforwardwithanencirclingmovementofhisarmanddrewthepotintohim，hisarmshakingashedidso。

DaylightpickedtheacefromhishandandtosseditoveralongsideMacDonald’sace，saying:-”That’swhatcheeredmealong，Mac。Iknoweditwasonlykingsthatcouldbeatme，andhehadthem。”Whatdidyou-allhave？”heasked，allinterest，turningtoCampbell。”Straightflushoffour，openatbothends——agooddrawinghand。””Youbet！Youcoulda’madeastraight，astraightflush，oraflushoutofit。””That’swhatIthought，”Campbellsaidsadly。”ItcostmesixthousandbeforeIquit。””Iwishtyou-all’ddrawn，”Daylightlaughed。”ThenIwouldn’ta’caughtthatfourthqueen。NowI’vegottotakeBillyRawlins’mailcontractandmushforDyea。What’sthesizeofthekilling，Jack？”

Kearnsattemptedtocountthepot，butwastooexcited。Daylightdrewitacrosstohim，withfirmfingersseparatingandstackingthemarkersandI。O。U。’sandwithclearbrainaddingthesum。”Onehundredandtwenty-seventhousand，”heannounced。”You-allcanselloutnow，Jack，andheadforhome。”

Thewinnersmiledandnodded，butseemedincapableofspeech。”I’dshoutthedrinks，”MacDonaldsaid，”onlythehousedon’tbelongtomeanymore。””Yes，itdoes，”Kearnsreplied，firstwettinghislipswithhistongue。”Yournote’sgoodforanylengthoftime。Butthedrinksareonme。””Nameyoursnake-juice，you-all——thewinnerpays！”Daylightcalledoutloudlytoallabouthim，atthesametimerisingfromhischairandcatchingtheVirginbythearm。”Comeonforareel，you-alldancers。Thenight’syoungyet，andit’sHelenBreakfastandthemailcontractformeinthemorning。Here，you-allRawlins，you——Iherebydotakeoverthatsamecontract，andIstartforsaltwateratnineA。M——savvee？Comeon，you-all！Where’sthatfiddler？”BurningDaylight:PartI:ChapterIIIPartIChapterIIIItwasDaylight’snight。Hewasthecentreandtheheadoftherevel，unquenchablyjoyous，acontagionoffun。Hemultipliedhimself，andinsodoingmultipliedtheexcitement。Noprankhesuggestedwastoowildforhisfollowers，andallfollowedsavethosethatdevelopedintosingingimbecilesandfellwarblingbythewayside。Yetneverdidtroubleintrude。ItwasknownontheYukonthatwhenBurningDaylightmadeanightofit，wrathandevilwereforbidden。Onhisnightsmendarednotquarrel。

Intheyoungerdayssuchthingshadhappened，andthenmenhadknownwhatrealwrathwas，andbeenman-handledasonlyBurningDaylightcouldman-handle。

Onhisnightsmenmustlaughandbehappyorgohome。Daylightwasinexhaustible。

InbetweendanceshepaidovertoKearnsthetwentythousandindustandtransferredtohimhisMoosehideclaim。LikewisehearrangedthetakingoverofBillyRawlins’mailcontract，andmadehispreparationsforthestart。HedespatchedamessengertoroutoutKama，hisdog-driver——aTananawIndian，far-wanderedfromhistribalhomeintheserviceoftheinvadingwhites。KamaenteredtheTivoli，tall，lean，muscular，andfur-clad，thepickofhisbarbaricraceandbarbaricstill，unshakenandunabashedbytherevellersthatriotedabouthimwhileDaylightgavehisorders。”Um，”

saidKama，tablinghisinstructionsonhisfingers。”GetumlettersfromRawlins。Loadumonsled。GrubforSelkirk——youthinkumplentydog-grubstopSelkirk？””Plentydog-grub，Kama。””Um，bringsledthisplacenineumclock。Bringumsnowshoes。Nobringumtent。Mebbebringumfly？umlittlefly？””Nofly，”Daylightanswereddecisively。”Ummuchcold。””Wetravellight——savvee？Wecarryplentylettersout，plentylettersback。Youarestrongman。Plentycold，plentytravel，allright。””Sureallright，”Kamamuttered，withresignation。”Muchcold，nocareadamn。Umreadynineumclock。”

Heturnedonhismoccasinedheelandwalkedout，imperturbable，sphinx-like，neithergivingnorreceivinggreetingsnorlookingtorightorleft。TheVirginledDaylightawayintoacorner。”Lookhere，Daylight，”shesaid，inalowvoice，”you’rebusted。””Higher’nakite。””I’veeightthousandinMac’ssafe——”shebegan。

ButDaylightinterrupted。Theapron-stringloomednearandheshiedlikeanunbrokencolt。”Itdon’tmatter，”hesaid。”BustedIcameintotheworld，bustedI

goout，andI’vebeenbustedmostofthetimesinceIarrived。Comeon；

let’swaltz。””Butlisten，”sheurged。”Mymoney’sdoingnothing。Icouldlendittoyou——agrub-stake，”sheaddedhurriedly，atsightofthealarminhisface。”Nobodygrub-stakesme，”wastheanswer。”Istakemyself，andwhenI

makeakillingit’ssureallmine。Nothankyou，oldgirl。Muchobliged。

I’llgetmystakebyrunningthemailoutandin。””Daylight，”shemurmured，intenderprotest。

Butwithasuddenwell-assumedebullitionofspiritshedrewhertowardthedancing-floor，andastheyswungaroundandaroundinawaltzsheponderedontheironheartofthemanwhoheldherinhisarmsandresistedallherwiles。

Atsixthenextmorning，scorchingwithwhiskey，yeteverhimself，hestoodatthebarputtingeveryman’shanddown。Thewayofitwasthattwomenfacedeachotheracrossacorner，theirrightelbowsrestingonthebar，theirrighthandsgrippedtogether，whileeachstrovetopresstheother’shanddown。Manaftermancameagainsthim，butnomanputhishanddown，evenOlafHendersonandFrenchLouisfailingdespitetheirhugeness。

Whentheycontendeditwasatrick，atrainedmuscularknack，hechallengedthemtoanothertest。”Lookhere，you-all”hecried。”I’mgoingtodotwothings:first，weighmysack；andsecond，betitthatafteryou-allhaveliftedcleanfromthefloorallthesacksofflouryou-allareable，I’llputontwomoresacksandliftthewholecaboodleclean。””ByGar！Ahtakedat！”FrenchLouisrumbledabovethecheers。”Holdon！”OlafHendersoncried。”Ibanyustasgoodasyou，Louis。

Iyumphalfthatbet。”

Putonthescales，Daylight’ssackwasfoundtobalanceanevenfourhundreddollars，andLouisandOlafdividedthebetbetweenthem。Fifty-poundsacksofflourwerebroughtinfromMacDonald’scache。Othermentestedtheirstrengthfirst。Theystraddledontwochairs，thefloursacksbeneaththemonthefloorandheldtogetherbyrope-lashings。Manyofthemenwereable，inthismanner，toliftfourorfivehundredpounds，whilesomesucceededwithashighassixhundred。Thenthetwogiantstookahand，tyingatsevenhundred。FrenchLouisthenaddedanothersack，andswungsevenhundredandfiftyclear。Olafduplicatedtheperformance，whereuponbothfailedtocleareighthundred。Againandagaintheystrove，theirforeheadsbeadedwithsweat，theirframescracklingwiththeeffort。Bothwereabletoshifttheweightandtobumpit，butclearthefloorwithittheycouldnot。”ByGar！Daylight，distamyoumekonebeegmeestake，”FrenchLouissaid，straighteningupandsteppingdownfromthechairs。”Onlyonedamnironmancandodat。Onehundredpun’more——myfrien’，nottenpoun’more。”

Thesackswereunlashed，butwhentwosackswereadded，Kearnsinterfered。”Onlyonesackmore。””Two！”someonecried。”Twowasthebet。””Theydidn’tliftthatlastsack，”Kearnsprotested。”Theyonlyliftedsevenhundredandfifty。”

ButDaylightgrandlybrushedasidetheconfusion。”What’sthegoodofyou-allbotherin’aroundthatway？What’sonemoresack？IfIcan’tliftthreemore，Isurecan’tlifttwo。Put’emin。”

Hestooduponthechairs，squatted，andbenthisshouldersdowntillhishandsclosedontherope。Heshiftedhisfeetslightly，tautenedhismuscleswithatentativepull，thenrelaxedagain，questingforaperfectadjustmentofalltheleversofhisbody。

FrenchLouis，lookingonsceptically，criedout，”Poollakhell，Daylight！Poollakhell！”

Daylight’smusclestautenedasecondtime，andthistimeinearnest，untilsteadilyalltheenergyofhissplendidbodywasapplied，andquiteimperceptibly，withoutjerkorstrain，thebulkyninehundredpoundsrosefromthedoorandswungbackandforth，pendulumlike，betweenhislegs。

OlafHendersonsighedavastaudiblesigh。TheVirgin，whohadtensedunconsciouslytillhermuscleshurther，relaxed。WhileFrenchLouismurmuredreverently:-”M’sieuDaylight，salut！Ayamonebeegbaby。Youareonebeegman。”

Daylightdroppedhisburden，leapedtothefloor，andheadedforthebar。”Weighin！”hecried，tossinghissacktotheweigher，whotransferredtoitfourhundreddollarsfromthesacksofthetwolosers。”Surgeup，everybody！”Daylightwenton。”Nameyoursnake-juice！Thewinnerpays！””Thisismynight！”hewasshouting，tenminuteslater。”I’mthelonehe-wolf，andI’veseenthirtywinters。Thisismybirthday，myonedayintheyear，andIcanputanymanonhisback。Comeon，you-all！I’mgoingtoputyou-allinthesnow。Comeon，youchechaquos[1]andsourdoughs[2]，andgetyourbaptism！”

[1]Tenderfeet。[2]Old-timers。

Theroutstreamedoutofdoors，allsavethebarkeepersandthesingingBacchuses。SomefleetingthoughtofsavinghisowndignityenteredMacDonald’shead，forheapproachedDaylightwithoutstretchedhand。”What？Youfirst？”Daylightlaughed，claspingtheother’shandasifingreeting。”No，no，”theotherhurriedlydisclaimed。”Justcongratulationsonyourbirthday。Ofcourseyoucanputmeinthesnow。WhatchancehaveIagainstamanthatliftsninehundredpounds？”

MacDonaldweighedonehundredandeightypounds，andDaylighthadhimgrippedsolelybyhishand；yet，byasheerabruptjerk，hetookthesaloon-keeperoffhisfeetandflunghimfacedownwardinthesnow。Inquicksuccession，seizingthemennearesthim，hethrewhalfadozenmore。Resistancewasuseless。Theyflewhelter-skelteroutofhisgrips，landinginallmannerofattitudes，grotesquelyandharmlessly，inthesoftsnow。Itsoonbecamedifficult，inthedimstarlight，todistinguishbetweenthosethrownandthosewaitingtheirturn，andhebeganfeelingtheirbacksandshoulders，determiningtheirstatusbywhetherornothefoundthempowderedwithsnow。”Baptizedyet？”becamehisstereotypedquestion，ashereachedouthisterriblehands。

Severalscorelaydowninthesnowinalongrow，whilemanyotherskneltinmockhumility，scoopingsnowupontheirheadsandclaimingtheriteaccomplished。Butagroupoffivestoodupright，backwoodsmenandfrontiersmen，they，eagertocontestanyman’sbirthday。

Graduatesofthehardestofman-handlingschools，veteransofmultitudesofrough-and-tumblebattles，menofbloodandsweatandendurance，theyneverthelesslackedonethingthatDaylightpossessedinhighdegree——namely，analmostperfectbrainandmuscularcoordination。Itwassimple，initsway，andnovirtueofhis。Hehadbeenbornwiththisendowment。Hisnervescarriedmessagesmorequicklythantheirs；hismentalprocesses，culminatinginactsofwill，werequickerthantheirs；hismusclesthemselves，bysomeimmediacyofchemistry，obeyedthemessagesofhiswillquickerthantheirs。

Hewassomade，hismuscleswerehigh-powerexplosives。Theleversofhisbodysnappedintoplaylikethejawsofsteeltraps。Andinadditiontoallthis，hiswasthatsuper-strengththatisthedowerofbutonehumaninmillions——astrengthdependingnotonsizebutondegree，asupremeorganicexcellenceresidinginthestuffofthemusclesthemselves。Thus，soswiftlycouldheapplyastress，that，beforeanopponentcouldbecomeawareandresist，theaimofthestresshadbeenaccomplished。Inturn，soswiftlydidhebecomeawareofastressappliedtohim，thathesavedhimselfbyresistanceorbydeliveringalightningcounter-stress。”Itain’tnouseyou-allstandingthere，”Daylightaddressedthewaitinggroup。”You-allmightaswellgetrightdownandtakeyourbaptizing。You-allmightdownmeanyotherdayintheyear，butonmybirthdayIwantyou-alltoknowI’mthebestman。IsthatPatHanrahan’smuglookinghungryandwilling？Comeon，Pat。”PatHanrahan，ex-bare-knuckle-prizefighterandroughhouse-expert，steppedforth。Thetwomencameagainsteachotheringrips，andalmostbeforehehadexertedhimselftheIrishmanfoundhimselfinthemercilessviseofahalf-Nelsonthatburiedhimheadandshouldersinthesnow。JoeHines，ex-lumber-jack，camedownwithanimpactequaltoafallfromatwo-storybuilding——hisoverthrowaccomplishedbyacross-buttock，delivered，heclaimed，beforehewasready。TherewasnothingexhaustinginallthistoDaylight。Hedidnotheaveandstrainthroughlongminutes。

Notime，practically，wasoccupied。Hisbodyexplodedabruptlyandterrificallyinoneinstant，andonthenextinstantwasrelaxed。Thus，DocWatson，thegray-bearded，ironbodiedmanwithoutapast，afightingterrorhimself，wasoverthrowninthefractionofasecondprecedinghisownonslaught。

Ashewasintheactofgatheringhimselfforaspring，Daylightwasuponhim，andwithsuchfearfulsuddennessastocrushhimbackwardanddown。

OlafHenderson，receivinghiscuefromthis，attemptedtotakeDaylightunaware，rushinguponhimfromonesideashestoopedwithextendedhandtohelpDocWatsonup。Daylightdroppedonhishandsandknees，receivinginhissideOlaf’sknees。Olaf’smomentumcarriedhimclearovertheobstructioninalong，flyingfall。Beforehecouldrise，Daylighthadwhirledhimoveronhisbackandwasrubbinghisfaceandearswithsnowandshovinghandfulsdownhisneck。”Aybanyustasgoodamanasyouban，Daylight，”

Olafspluttered，ashepulledhimselftohisfeet；”butbyYupiter，Ibannavverseeagriplikethat。”FrenchLouiswasthelastofthefive，andhehadseenenoughtomakehimcautious。Hecircledandbaffledforafullminutebeforecomingtogrips；andforanotherfullminutetheystrainedandreeledwithouteitherwinningtheadvantage。Andthen，justasthecontestwasbecominginteresting，Daylighteffectedoneofhislightningshifts，changingallstressesandleveragesandatthesametimedeliveringoneofhismuscularexplosions。FrenchLouisresistedtillhishugeframecrackled，andthen，slowly，wasforcedoverandunderanddownward。”Thewinnerpays！”Daylightcried；ashesprangtohisfeetandledthewaybackintotheTivoli。”Surgealongyou-all！Thiswaytothesnake-room！”

Theylinedupagainstthelongbar，inplacestwoorthreedeep，stampingthefrostfromtheirmoccasinedfeet，foroutsidethetemperaturewassixtybelow。Bettles，himselfoneofthegamestoftheold-timersindeedsanddaringceasedfromhisdrunkenlayofthe”SassafrasRoot，”andtitubatedovertocongratulateDaylight。Butinthemidstofithefeltimpelledtomakeaspeech，andraisedhisvoiceoratorically。”ItellyoufellersI’mplumproudtocallDaylightmyfriend。We’vehitthetrailtogetheraforenow，andhe’seighteencaratfromhismoccasinsup，damnhismangyoldhide，anyway。Hewasashaverwhenhefirsthitthiscountry。Whenyoufellerswashisage，youwa’n’tdrybehindtheearsyet。Heneverwasnokid。Hewasbornafull-grownman。An’Itellyouamanhadtobeamaninthemdays。Thiswa’n’tnoeffetecivilizationlikeit’scometobenow。”Bettlespausedlongenoughtoputhisarminaproperbear-hugaroundDaylight’sneck。”Whenyouan’memushedintotheYukoninthegoodoledays，itdidn’trainsoupandtheywa’n’tnofree-lunchjoints。Ourcampfireswaslitwherewekilledourgame，andmostofthetimewelivedonsalmon-tracksandrabbit-bellies——ain’tI

right？”

Butattheroaroflaughterthatgreetedhisinversion，Bettlesreleasedthebear-hugandturnedfiercelyonthem。”Laugh，youmangyshort-horns，laugh！ButItellyouplainandsimple，thebestofyouain’tknee-highfittotieDaylight’smoccasinstrings。

Ain’tIright，Campbell？Ain’tIright，Mac？Daylight’soneoftheoldguard，oneoftherealsour-doughs。Andinthemdaystheywa’n’taryasteamboatoraryatrading-post，andwecusseshadtoliveoffensalmon-belliesandrabbit-tracks。”

Hegazedtriumphantlyaround，andintheapplausethatfollowedarosecriesforaspeechfromDaylight。Hesignifiedhisconsent。Achairwasbrought，andhewashelpedtostanduponit。Hewasnomoresoberthanthecrowdabovewhichhenowtowered——awildcrowd，uncouthlygarmented，everyfootmoccasinedormuc-lucked[3]，withmittensdanglingfromnecksandwithfurryear-flapsraisedsothattheytookontheseemingofthewingedhelmetsoftheNorsemen。Daylight’sblackeyeswereflashing，andtheflushofstrongdrinkfloodeddarklyunderthebronzeofhischeeks。

Hewasgreetedwithroundonroundofaffectionatecheers，whichbroughtasuspiciousmoisturetohiseyes，albeitmanyofthevoiceswereinarticulateandinebriate。Andyet，menhavesobehavedsincetheworldbegan，feasting，fighting，andcarousing，whetherinthedarkcave-mouthorbythefireofthesquatting-place，inthepalacesofimperialRomeandtherockstrongholdsofrobberbarons，orinthesky-aspiringhotelsofmoderntimesandintheboozing-kensofsailor-town。Justsowerethesemen，empire-buildersintheArcticLight，boastfulanddrunkenandclamorous，winningsurceaseforafewwildmomentsfromthegrimrealityoftheirheroictoil。Modernheroesthey，andinnowisedifferentfromtheheroesofoldtime。”Well，fellows，Idon’tknowwhattosaytoyou-all，”Daylightbeganlamely，strivingstilltocontrolhiswhirlingbrain。”IthinkI’lltellyou-allastory。

Ihadapardnerwunst，downinJuneau。HecomefromNorthCaroliney，andheusedtotellthissamestorytome。Itwasdowninthemountainsinhiscountry，anditwasawedding。Theretheywas，thefamilyandallthefriends。Theparsonwasjustputtin’onthelasttouches，andhesays，’TheyastheLordhavejoinedletnomanputasunder。’[3]Muc-luc:awater-tight，Eskimoboot，madefromwalrus-hideandtrimmedwithfur。”’Parson，’saysthebridegroom，’Irisestoquestionyourgrammarinthattheresentence。Iwantthisweddin’doneright。’”Whenthesmokeclearsaway，thebrideshelooksaroundandseesadeadparson，adeadbridegroom，adeadbrother，twodeaduncles，andfivedeadwedding-guests。”Sosheheavesamightystrongsighandsays，’Themnew-fangled，self-cockingrevolverssurehasplayedhellwithmyprospects。’”AndsoIsaytoyou-all，”Daylightadded，astheroaroflaughterdieddown，”thatthemfourkingsofJackKearnssurehasplayedhellwithmyprospects。I’mbustedhigher’nakite，andI’mhittin’thetrailforDyea——””Goin’out？”someonecalled。Aspasmofangerwroughtonhisfaceforaflashinginstant，butinthenexthisgood-humorwasbackagain。”Iknowyou-allareonlypokin’funaskingsuchaquestion，”hesaid，withasmile。”OfcourseIain’tgoingout。””Taketheoathagain，Daylight，”thesamevoicecried。”Isurewill。IfirstcomeoverChilcootin’83。IwentoutoverthePassinafallblizzard，witharagofashirtandacupofrawflour。

Igotmygrub-stakeinJuneauthatwinter，andinthespringIwentoverthePassoncemore。Andoncemorethefaminedrewmeout。NextspringI

wentinagain，andIsworethenthatI’dnevercomeouttillImademystake。Well，Iain’tmadeit，andhereIam。AndIain’tgoingoutnow。

IgetthemailandIcomerightback。Iwon’tstopthenightatDyea。I’llhitupChilcootsoonasIchangethedogsandgetthemailandgrub。AndsoIswearoncemore，bythemill-tailsofhellandtheheadofJohntheBaptist，I’llneverhitfortheOutsidetillImakemypile。AndItellyou-all，hereandnow，it’sgottobeanalmightybigpile。””Howmuchmightyoucallapile？”Bettlesdemandedfrombeneath，hisarmsclutchedlovinglyaroundDaylight’slegs。”Yes，howmuch？Whatdoyoucallapile？”otherscried。

Daylightsteadiedhimselfforamomentanddebated。”Fourorfivemillions，”

hesaidslowly，andhelduphishandforsilenceashisstatementwasreceivedwithderisiveyells。”I’llberealconservative，andputthebottomnotchatamillion。Andfornotanounceless’nthatwillIgooutofthecountry。”

Againhisstatementwasreceivedwithanoutburstofderision。NotonlyhadthetotalgoldoutputoftheYukonuptodatebeenbelowfivemillions，butnomanhadevermadeastrikeofahundredthousand，muchlessofamillion。”You-alllistentome。YouseenJackKearnsgetahunchto-night。Wehadhimsurebeatbeforethedraw。Hisornerythreekingswasnogood。

Buthejustknewtherewasanotherkingcoming——thatwashishunch——andhegotit。AndItellyou-allIgotahunch。There’sabigstrikecomingontheYukon，andit’sjustaboutdue。Idon’tmeannoorneryMoosehide，Birch-Creekkindofastrike。Imeanarealrip-snorterhair-raiser。I

tellyou-allshe’sintheairandhell-bentforelection。Nothingcanstopher，andshe’llcomeupriver。There’swhereyou-alltrackmymoccasinsinthenearfutureifyou-allwanttofindme——somewhereinthecountryaroundStewartRiver，IndianRiver，andKlondikeRiver。WhenIgetbackwiththemail，I’llheadthatwaysofastyou-allwon’tseemytrailforsmoke。She’sa-coming，fellows，goldfromthegrassrootsdown，ahundreddollarstothepan，andastampedeinfromtheOutsidefiftythousandstrong。

You-all’llthinkallhell’sbustedloosewhenthatstrikeismade。”

Heraisedhisglasstohislips。”Here’skindness，andhopingyou-allwillbeinonit。”

Hedrankandsteppeddownfromthechair，fallingintoanotheroneofBettles’bear-hugs。”IfIwasyou，Daylight，Iwouldn’tmushto-day，”JoeHinescounselled，cominginfromconsultingthespiritthermometeroutsidethedoor。”We’reinforagoodcoldsnap。It’ssixty-twobelownow，andstillgoin’down。

Betterwaittillshebreaks。”

Daylightlaughed，andtheoldsour-doughsaroundhimlaughed。”Justlikeyoushort-horns，”Bettlescried，”afeardofalittlefrost。

AndblamedlittleyouknowDaylight，ifyouthinkfrostkinstop’m。””Freezehislungsifhetravelsinit，”wasthereply。”Freezepapandlollypop！Lookhere，Hines，youonlybeninthisherecountrythreeyears。Youain’tseasonedyet。I’veseenDaylightdofiftymilesupontheKoyokukonadaywhenthethermometerbustedatseventy-two。”

Hinesshookhisheaddolefully。”Them’sthekindthatdoesfreezetheirlungs，”helamented。”IfDaylightpullsoutbeforethissnapbreaks，he’llnevergetthrough——an’himtravelin’

withouttentorfly。””It’sathousandmilestoDyea，”Bettlesannounced，climbingonthechairandsupportinghisswayingbodybyanarmpassedaroundDaylight’sneck。”It’sathousandmiles，I’msayin’an’mostofthetrailunbroke，butIbetanychechaquo——anythinghewants——thatDaylightmakesDyeainthirtydays。””That’sanaverageofoverthirty-threemilesaday，”DocWatsonwarned，”andI’vetravelledsomemyself。AblizzardonChilcootwouldtiehimupforaweek。””Yep，”Bettlesretorted，”an’Daylight’lldothesecondthousandbackagainonendinthirtydaysmore，andIgotfivehundreddollarsthatsaysso，anddamntheblizzards。”

Toemphasizehisremarks，hepulledoutagold-sackthesizeofabolognasausageandthumpeditdownonthebar。DocWatsonthumpedhisownsackalongside。”Holdon！”Daylightcried。”Bettles’sright，andIwantinonthis。

IbetfivehundredthatsixtydaysfromnowIpullupattheTivolidoorwiththeDyeamail。”

Ascepticalroarwentup，andadozenmenpulledouttheirsacks。

JackKearnscrowdedincloseandcaughtDaylight’sattention。”Itakeyou，Daylight，”hecried。”Twotooneyoudon’t——notinseventy-fivedays。””Nocharity，Jack，”wasthereply。”Thebettin’seven，andthetimeissixtydays。””Seventy-fivedays，andtwotooneyoudon’t，”Kearnsinsisted。”FiftyMile’llbewideopenandtherim-icerotten。””Whatyouwinfrommeisyours，”Daylightwenton。”And，bythunder，Jack，youcan’tgiveitbackthatway。Iwon’tbetwithyou。You’retryingtogivememoney。ButItellyou-allonething，Jack，Igotanotherhunch。

I’mgoin’towinitbacksomeoneofthesedays。You-alljustwaittillthebigstrikeupriver。Thenyouandme’lltaketheroofoffandsitinagamethat’llbefullman’ssize。Isitago？”

Theyshookhands。”Ofcoursehe’llmakeit，”KearnswhisperedinBettles’ear。”Andthere’sfivehundredDaylight’sbackinsixtydays，”headdedaloud。

BillyRawlinsclosedwiththewager，andBettleshuggedKearnsecstatically。”ByYupiter，Ibantakethatbet，”OlafHendersonsaid，draggingDaylightawayfromBettlesandKearns。”Winnerpays！”Daylightshouted，closingthewager。”AndI’msuregoingtowin，andsixtydaysisalongtimebetweendrinks，soIpaynow。Nameyourbrand，youhoochinoos！Nameyourbrand！”

Bettles，aglassofwhiskeyinhand，climbedbackonhischair，andswayingbackandforth，sangtheonesongheknew:-”O，it’sHenryWardBeecherAndSunday-schoolteachersAllsingofthesassafras-root；Butyoubetallthesame，IfithaditsrightnameIt’sthejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit。”

Thecrowdroaredoutthechorus:-”ButyoubetallthesameIfithaditsrightnameIt’sthejuiceoftheforbiddenfruit。”

Somebodyopenedtheouterdoor。Avaguegraylightfilteredin。”Burningdaylight，burningdaylight，”someonecalledwarningly。

Daylightpausedfornothing，headingforthedoorandpullingdownhisear-flaps。Kamastoodoutsidebythesled，along，narrowaffair，sixteenincheswideandsevenandahalffeetinlength，itsslattedbottomraisedsixinchesabovethesteel-shodrunners。Onit，lashedwiththongsofmoose-hide，werethelightcanvasbagsthatcontainedthemail，andthefoodandgearfordogsandmen。Infrontofit，inasingleline，laycurledfivefrost-rimeddogs。Theywerehuskies，matchedinsizeandcolor，allunusuallylargeandallgray。Fromtheircrueljawstotheirbushytailstheywereaslikeaspeasintheirlikenesstotimber-wolves。Wolvestheywere，domesticated，itwastrue，butwolvesinappearanceandinalltheircharacteristics。

Ontopthesledload，thrustunderthelashingsandreadyforimmediateuse，weretwopairsofsnowshoes。

BettlespointedtoarobeofArctichareskins，theendofwhichshowedinthemouthofabag。”That’shisbed，”hesaid。”Sixpoundsofrabbitskins。Warmestthingheeversleptunder，butI’mdamnedifitcouldkeepmewarm，andIcangosomemyself。Daylight’sahell-firefurnace，that’swhatheis。””I’dhatetobethatIndian，”DocWatsonremarked。”He’llkill’m，he’llkill’msure，”Bettleschantedexultantly。”Iknow。

I’vebenwithDaylightontrail。Thatmanain’tneverbentiredinhislife。Don’tknowwhatitmeans。Iseenhimtravelalldaywithwetsocksatfortyfivebelow。Thereain’tanothermanlivingcandothat。”

Whilethistalkwenton，Daylightwassayinggood-bytothosethatclusteredaroundhim。TheVirginwantedtokisshim，and，fuddledslightlythoughhewaswiththewhiskey，hesawhiswayoutwithoutcompromisingwiththeapron-string。HekissedtheVirgin，buthekissedtheotherthreewomenwithequalpartiality。Hepulledonhislongmittens，rousedthedogstotheirfeet，andtookhisPlaceatthegeepole。[4]

[4]Agee-pole:stoutpoleprojectingforwardfromonesideofthefrontendofthesled，bywhichthesledissteered。”Mush，youbeauties！”hecried。