第2章

Theanimalsthrewtheirweightsagainsttheirbreastbandsontheinstant，crouchinglowtothesnow，anddiggingintheirclaws。Theywhinedeagerly，andbeforethesledhadgonehalfadozenlengthsbothDaylightandKama(intherear)wererunningtokeepup。Andso，running，mananddogsdippedoverthebankanddowntothefrozenbedoftheYukon，andinthegraylightweregone。BurningDaylight:PartI:ChapterIVPartIChapterIVOntheriver，wherewasapackedtrailandwheresnowshoeswereunnecessary，thedogsaveragedsixmilesanhour。Tokeepupwiththem，thetwomenwerecompelledtorun。DaylightandKamarelievedeachotherregularlyatthegee-pole，forherewasthehardworkofsteeringtheflyingsledandofkeepinginadvanceofit。Themanrelieveddroppedbehindthesled，occasionallyleapinguponitandresting。

Itwasseverework，butofthesortthatwasexhilarating。

Theywereflying，gettingovertheground，makingthemostofthepackedtrail。Laterontheywouldcometotheunbrokentrail，wherethreemilesanhourwouldconstitutegoodgoing。Thentherewouldbenoridingandresting，andnorunning。Thenthegee-polewouldbetheeasiertask，andamanwouldcomebacktoittorestafterhavingcompletedhisspelltothefore，breakingtrailwiththesnowshoesforthedogs。Suchworkwasfarfromexhilaratingalso，theymustexpectplaceswhereformilesatatimetheymusttoiloverchaoticice-jams，wheretheywouldbefortunateiftheymadetwomilesanhour。Andtherewouldbetheinevitablebadjams，shortones，itwastrue，butsobadthatamileanhourwouldrequireterrificeffort。KamaandDaylightdidnottalk。Inthenatureoftheworktheycouldnot，norintheirownnaturesweretheygiventotalkingwhiletheyworked。Atrareintervals，whennecessary，theyaddressedeachotherinmonosyllables，Kama，forthemostpart，contentinghimselfwithgrunts。

Occasionallyadogwhinedorsnarled，butinthemaintheteamkeptsilent。

Onlycouldbeheardthesharp，jarringgrateofthesteelrunnersoverthehardsurfaceandthecreakofthestrainingsled。

Asifthroughawall，DaylighthadpassedfromthehumandroaroftheTivoliintoanotherworld——aworldofsilenceandimmobility。Nothingstirred。

TheYukonsleptunderacoatoficethreefeetthick。Nobreathofwindblew。Nordidthesapmoveintheheartsofthesprucetreesthatforestedtheriverbanksoneitherhand。Thetrees，burdenedwiththelastinfinitesimalpennyweightofsnowtheirbranchescouldhold，stoodinabsolutepetrifaction。

Theslightesttremorwouldhavedislodgedthesnow，andnosnowwasdislodged。

Thesledwastheonepointoflifeandmotioninthemidstofthesolemnquietude，andtheharshchurnofitsrunnersbutemphasizedthesilencethroughwhichitmoved。

Itwasadeadworld，andfurthermore，agrayworld。Theweatherwassharpandclear；therewasnomoistureintheatmosphere，nofognorhaze；

yettheskywasagraypall。Thereasonforthiswasthat，thoughtherewasnocloudintheskytodimthebrightnessofday，therewasnosuntogivebrightness。Fartothesouththesunclimbedsteadilytomeridian，butbetweenitandthefrozenYukonintervenedthebulgeoftheearth。

TheYukonlayinanightshadow，andthedayitselfwasinrealityalongtwilight-light。Ataquarterbeforetwelve，whereawidebendoftherivergavealongvistasouth，thesunshoweditsupperrimabovethesky-line。

Butitdidnotriseperpendicularly。Instead，itroseonaslant，sothatbyhighnoonithadbarelylifteditslowerrimclearofthehorizon。Itwasadim，wansun。Therewasnoheattoitsrays，andamancouldgazesquarelyintothefullorbofitwithouthurttohiseyes。Nosoonerhaditreachedmeridianthanitbeganitsslantbackbeneaththehorizon，andatquarterpasttwelvetheearththrewitsshadowagainovertheland。

Themenanddogsracedon。DaylightandKamawerebothsavagessofarastheirstomachswereconcerned。Theycouldeatirregularlyintimeandquantity，gorginghugelyonoccasion，andonoccasiongoinglongstretcheswithouteatingatall。Asforthedogs，theyatebutonceaday，andthenrarelydidtheyreceivemorethanapoundeachofdriedfish。Theywereravenouslyhungryandatthesametimesplendidlyincondition。Likethewolves，theirforebears，theirnutritiveprocesseswererigidlyeconomicalandperfect。Therewasnowaste。Thelastleastparticleofwhattheyconsumedwastransformedintoenergy。

AndKamaandDaylightwerelikethem。Descendedthemselvesfromthegenerationsthathadendured，they，too，endured。Theirswasthesimple，elementaleconomy。Alittlefoodequippedthemwithprodigiousenergy。

Nothingwaslost。Amanofsoftcivilization，sittingatadesk，wouldhavegrownleanandwoe-begoneonthefarethatkeptKamaandDaylightatthetop-notchofphysicalefficiency。Theyknew，asthemanatthedeskneverknows，whatitistobenormallyhungryallthetime，sothattheycouldeatanytime。Theirappetiteswerealwayswiththemandonedge，sothattheybitvoraciouslyintowhateverofferedandwithanentireinnocenceofindigestion。

Bythreeintheafternoonthelongtwilightfadedintonight。Thestarscameout，verynearandsharpandbright，andbytheirlightdogsandmenstillkeptthetrail。Theywereindefatigable。Andthiswasnorecordrunofasingleday，butthefirstdayofsixtysuchdays。ThoughDaylighthadpassedanightwithoutsleep，anightofdancingandcarouse，itseemedtohaveleftnoeffect。Forthisthereweretwoexplanationsfirst，hisremarkablevitality；andnext，thefactthatsuchnightswererareinhisexperience。Againentersthemanatthedesk，whosephysicalefficiencywouldbemorehurtbyacupofcoffeeatbedtimethancouldDaylight’sbyawholenightlongofstrongdrinkandexcitement。

Daylighttravelledwithoutawatch，feelingthepassageoftimeandlargelyestimatingitbysubconsciousprocesses。Bywhatheconsideredmustbesixo’clock，hebeganlookingforacamping-place。Thetrail，atabend，plungedoutacrosstheriver。Nothavingfoundalikelyspot，theyheldonfortheoppositebankamileaway。Butmidwaytheyencounteredanice-jamwhichtookanhourofheavyworktocross。AtlastDaylightglimpsedwhathewaslookingfor，adeadtreeclosebythebank。Thesledwasruninandup。Kamagruntedwithsatisfaction，andtheworkofmakingcampwasbegun。

Thedivisionoflaborwasexcellent。Eachknewwhathemustdo。WithoneaxDaylightchoppeddownthedeadpine。Kama，withasnowshoeandtheotherax，clearedawaythetwofeetofsnowabovetheYukoniceandchoppedasupplyoficeforcookingpurposes。Apieceofdrybirchbarkstartedthefire，andDaylightwentaheadwiththecookingwhiletheIndianunloadedthesledandfedthedogstheirrationofdriedfish。Thefoodsacksheslunghighinthetreesbeyondleaping-reachofthehuskies。Next，hechoppeddownayoungsprucetreeandtrimmedofftheboughs。Closetothefirehetrampleddownthesoftsnowandcoveredthepackedspacewiththeboughs。

OnthisflooringhetossedhisownandDaylight’sgear-bags，containingdrysocksandunderwearandtheirsleeping-robes。Kama，however，hadtworobesofrabbitskintoDaylight’sone。

Theyworkedonsteadily，withoutspeaking，losingnotime。Eachdidwhateverwasneeded，withoutthoughtofleavingtotheothertheleasttaskthatpresenteditselftohand。Thus，Kamasawwhenmoreicewasneededandwentandgotit，whileasnowshoe，pushedoverbythelungeofadog，wasstuckonendagainbyDaylight。Whilecoffeewasboiling，baconfrying，andflapjackswerebeingmixed，Daylightfoundtimetoputonabigpotofbeans。Kamacameback，satdownontheedgeofthespruceboughs，andintheintervalofwaiting，mendedharness。”It’inkdatSkookumandBoogamakeumplentyfightmaybe，”Kamaremarked，astheysatdowntoeat。”Keepaneyeonthem，”wasDaylight’sanswer。

Andthiswastheirsoleconversationthroughoutthemeal。Once，withamutteredimprecation，Kamaleapedaway，astickoffirewoodinhand，andclubbedapartatangleoffightingdogs。Daylight，betweenmouthfuls，fedchunksoficeintothetinpot，whereitthawedintowater。Themealfinished，Kamareplenishedthefire，cutmorewoodforthemorning，andreturnedtothespruceboughbedandhisharness-mending。Daylightcutupgenerouschunksofbaconanddroppedtheminthepotofbubblingbeans。

Themoccasinsofbothmenwerewet，andthisinspiteoftheintensecold；

sowhentherewasnofurtherneedforthemtoleavetheoasisofspruceboughs，theytookofftheirmoccasinsandhungthemonshortstickstodrybeforethefire，turningthemaboutfromtimetotime。Whenthebeanswerefinallycooked，Daylightranpartofthemintoabagofflour-sackingafootandahalflongandthreeinchesindiameter。Thishethenlaidonthesnowtofreeze。Theremainderofthebeanswereleftinthepotforbreakfast。

Itwaspastnineo’clock，andtheywerereadyforbed。Thesquabblingandbickeringamongthedogshadlongsincedieddown，andthewearyanimalswerecurledinthesnow，eachwithhisfeetandnosebunchedtogetherandcoveredbyhiswolf’sbrushofatail。Kamaspreadhissleeping-fursandlightedhispipe。Daylightrolledabrown-papercigarette，andthesecondconversationoftheeveningtookplace。”Ithinkwecomenearsixtymiles，”saidDaylight。”Um，It’inkso，”saidKama。

Theyrolledintotheirrobes，all-standing，eachwithawoolenMackinawjacketoninplaceoftheparkas[5]theyhadwornallday。Swiftly，almostontheinstanttheyclosedtheireyes，theywereasleep。Thestarsleapedanddancedinthefrostyair，andoverheadthecoloredbarsoftheauroraborealiswereshootinglikegreatsearchlights。

[5]Parka:alight，hooded，smock-likegarmentmadeofcottondrill。

InthedarknessDaylightawokeandrousedKama。Thoughtheaurorastillflamed，anotherdayhadbegun。Warmed-overflapjacks，warmed-overbeans，friedbacon，andcoffeecomposedthebreakfast。Thedogsgotnothing，thoughtheywatchedwithwistfulmienfromadistance，sittingupinthesnow，theirtailscurledaroundtheirpaws。Occasionallytheyliftedoneforepawortheother，witharestlessmovement，asifthefrosttingledintheirfeet。Itwasbittercold，atleastsixty-fivebelowzero，andwhenKamaharnessedthedogswithnakedhandshewascompelledseveraltimestogoovertothefireandwarmthenumbingfinger-tips。Togetherthetwomenloadedandlashedthesled。Theywarmedtheirhandsforthelasttime，pulledontheirmittens，andmushedthedogsoverthebankanddowntotheriver-trail。AccordingtoDaylight’sestimate，itwasaroundseveno’clock；butthestarsdancedjustasbrilliantly，andfaint，luminousstreaksofgreenishaurorastillpulsedoverhead。

Twohourslateritbecamesuddenlydark——sodarkthattheykepttothetraillargelybyinstinct；andDaylightknewthathistime-estimatehadbeenright。Itwasthedarknessbeforedawn，neveranywheremoreconspicuousthanontheAlaskanwinter-trail。

Slowlythegraylightcamestealingthroughthegloom，imperceptiblyatfirst，sothatitwasalmostwithsurprisethattheynoticedthevagueloomofthetrailunderfoot。Next，theywereabletoseethewheel-dog，andthenthewholestringofrunningdogsandsnow-stretchesoneitherside。Thenthenearbankloomedforamomentandwasgone，loomedasecondtimeandremained。Inafewminutesthefarbank，amileaway，unobtrusivelycameintoview，andaheadandbehind，thewholefrozenrivercouldbeseen，withofftotheleftawide-extendingrangeofsharp-cut，snow-coveredmountains。Andthatwasall。Nosunarose。Thegraylightremainedgray。

Once，duringtheday，alynxleapedlightlyacrossthetrail，undertheverynoseofthelead-dog，andvanishedinthewhitewoods。Thedogs’

wildimpulsesroused。Theyraisedthehunting-cryofthepack，surgedagainsttheircollars，andswervedasideinpursuit。Daylight，yelling”Whoa！”

struggledwiththegee-poleandmanagedtooverturnthesledintothesoftsnow。Thedogsgaveup，thesledwasrighted，andfiveminuteslatertheywereflyingalongthehard-packedtrailagain。Thelynxwastheonlysignoflifetheyhadseenintwodays，andit，leapingvelvet-footedandvanishing，hadbeenmorelikeanapparition。

Attwelveo’clock，whenthesunpeepedovertheearth-bulge，theystoppedandbuiltasmallfireontheice。Daylight，withtheax，choppedchunksoffthefrozensausageofbeans。These，thawedandwarmedinthefrying-pan，constitutedtheirmeal。Theyhadnocoffee。Hedidnotbelieveintheburningofdaylightforsuchaluxury。Thedogsstoppedwranglingwithoneanother，andlookedonwistfully。Onlyatnightdidtheygettheirpoundoffish。

Inthemeantimetheyworked。

Thecoldsnapcontinued。Onlymenofironkeptthetrailatsuchlowtemperatures，andKamaandDaylightwerepickedmenoftheirraces。ButKamaknewtheotherwasthebetterman，andthus，atthestart，hewashimselfforedoomedtodefeat。Notthatheslackenedhiseffortorwillingnessbytheslightestconsciousdegree，butthathewasbeatenbytheburdenhecarriedinhismind。HisattitudetowardDaylightwasworshipful。Stoical，taciturn，proudofhisphysicalprowess，hefoundallthesequalitiesincarnatedinhiswhitecompanion。Herewasonethatexcelledinthethingsworthexcellingin，aman-godreadytohand，andKamacouldnotbutworship——withalhegavenosignsofit。Nowondertheraceofwhitemenconquered，washisthought，whenitbredmenlikethisman。WhatchancehadtheIndianagainstsuchadogged，enduringbreed？EventheIndiansdidnottravelatsuchlowtemperatures，andtheirswasthewisdomofthousandsofgenerations；

yetherewasthisDaylight，fromthesoftSouthland，harderthanthey，laughingattheirfears，andswingingalongthetrailtenandtwelvehoursaday。AndthisDaylightthoughtthathecouldkeepupaday’spaceofthirty-threemilesforsixtydays！Waittillafreshfallofsnowcamedown，ortheystrucktheunbrokentrailortherottenrim-icethatfringedopenwater。

InthemeantimeKamakeptthepace，nevergrumbling，nevershirking。

Sixty-fivedegreesbelowzeroisverycold。Sincewaterfreezesatthirty-twoabove，sixty-fivebelowmeantninety-sevendegreesbelowfreezing-point。

Someideaofthesignificanceofthismaybegainedbyconceivingofanequaldifferenceoftemperatureintheoppositedirection。Onehundredandtwenty-nineonthethermometerconstitutesaveryhotday，yetsuchatemperatureisbutninety-sevendegreesabovefreezing。Doublethisdifference，andpossiblysomeslightconceptionmaybegainedofthecoldthroughwhichKamaandDaylighttravelledbetweendarkanddarkandthroughthedark。

Kamafrozetheskinonhischeek-bones，despitefrequentrubbings，andthefleshturnedblackandsore。Alsoheslightlyfrozetheedgesofhislung-tissues——adangerousthing，andthebasicreasonwhyamanshouldnotundulyexerthimselfintheopenatsixty-fivebelow。ButKamanevercomplained，andDaylightwasafurnaceofheat，sleepingaswarmlyunderhissixpoundsofrabbitskinsastheotherdidundertwelvepounds。

Onthesecondnight，fiftymoremilestothegood，theycampedinthevicinityoftheboundarybetweenAlaskaandtheNorthwestTerritory。Therestofthejourney，savethelastshortstretchtoDyea，wouldbetravelledonCanadianterritory。Withthehardtrail，andintheabsenceoffreshsnow，DaylightplannedtomakethecampofFortyMileonthefourthnight。

HetoldKamaasmuch，butonthethirddaythetemperaturebegantorise，andtheyknewsnowwasnotfaroff；forontheYukonitmustgetwarminordertosnow。Also，onthisday，theyencounteredtenmilesofchaoticice-jams，where，athousandtimes，theyliftedtheloadedsledoverthehugecakesbythestrengthoftheirarmsandlowereditdownagain。Herethedogswerewell-nighuseless，andboththeyandthemenweretriedexcessivelybytheroughnessoftheway。Anhour’sextrarunningthatnightcaughtuponlypartofthelosttime。

Inthemorningtheyawoketofindteninchesofsnowontheirrobes。

Thedogswereburiedunderitandwereloathtoleavetheircomfortablenests。Thisnewsnowmeanthardgoing。Thesledrunnerswouldnotslideoveritsowell，whileoneofthemenmustgoinadvanceofthedogsandpackitdownwithsnowshoessothattheyshouldnotwallow。QuitedifferentwasitfromtheordinarysnowknowntothoseoftheSouthland。Itwashard，andfine，anddry。Itwasmorelikesugar。Kickit，anditflewwithahissingnoiselikesand。Therewasnocohesionamongtheparticles，anditcouldnotbemouldedintosnow-balls。Itwasnotcomposedofflakes，butofcrystals——tiny，geometricalfrost-crystals。Intruth，itwasnotsnow，butfrost。

Theweatherwaswarm，aswell，barelytwentybelowzero，andthetwomen，withraisedear-flapsanddanglingmittens，sweatedastheytoiled。

TheyfailedtomakeFortyMilethatnight，andwhentheypassedthatcampnextdayDaylightpausedonlylongenoughtogetthemailandadditionalgrub。OntheafternoonofthefollowingdaytheycampedatthemouthoftheKlondikeRiver。NotasoulhadtheyencounteredsinceFortyMile，andtheyhadmadetheirowntrail。Asyet，thatwinter，noonehadtravelledtheriversouthofFortyMile，and，forthatmatter，thewholewinterthroughtheymightbetheonlyonestotravelit。InthatdaytheYukonwasalonelyland。BetweentheKlondikeRiverandSaltWateratDyeaintervenedsixhundredmilesofsnow-coveredwilderness，andinallthatdistancetherewerebuttwoplaceswhereDaylightmightlookforwardtomeetingmen。Bothwereisolatedtrading-posts，SixtyMileandFortSelkirk。Inthesummer-timeIndiansmightbemetwithatthemouthsoftheStewartandWhiterivers，attheBigandLittleSalmons，andonLakeLeBarge；butinthewinter，ashewellknew，theywouldbeonthetrailofthemoose-herds，followingthembackintothemountains。

Thatnight，campedatthemouthoftheKlondike，Daylightdidnotturninwhentheevening’sworkwasdone。Hadawhitemanbeenpresent，Daylightwouldhaveremarkedthathefelthis”hunch”working。Asitwas，hetiedonhissnowshoes，leftthedogscurledinthesnowandKamabreathingheavilyunderhisrabbitskins，andclimbeduptothebigflatabovethehighearth-bank。

Butthesprucetreesweretoothickforanoutlook，andhethreadedhiswayacrosstheflatandupthefirststeepslopesofthemountainattheback。Here，flowinginfromtheeastatrightangles，hecouldseetheKlondike，and，bendinggrandlyfromthesouth，theYukon。Totheleft，anddownstream，towardMoosehideMountain，thehugesplashofwhite，fromwhichittookitsname，showingclearlyinthestarlight。LieutenantSchwatkahadgivenititsname，buthe，Daylight，hadfirstseenitlongbeforethatintrepidexplorerhadcrossedtheChilcootandrafteddowntheYukon。

Butthemountainreceivedonlypassingnotice。Daylight’sinterestwascenteredinthebigflatitself，withdeepwaterallalongitsedgeforsteamboatlandings。”Asureenoughlikelytownsite，”hemuttered。”Roomforacampoffortythousandmen。Allthat’sneededisthegold-strike。”Hemeditatedforaspace。”Tendollarstothepan’lldoit，andit’dbetheall-firedeststampedeAlaskaeverseen。Andifitdon’tcomehere，it’llcomesomewherehereabouts。

It’sasuregoodideatokeepaneyeoutfortownsitesallthewayup。”

Hestoodawhilelonger，gazingoutoverthelonelyflatandvisioningwithconstructiveimaginationthesceneifthestampededidcome。Infancy，heplacedthesawmills，thebigtradingstores，thesaloons，anddance-halls，andthelongstreetsofminers’cabins。Andalongthosestreetshesawthousandsofmenpassingupanddown，whilebeforethestoresweretheheavyfreighting-sleds，withlongstringsofdogsattached。AlsohesawtheheavyfreighterspullingdownthemainstreetandheadingupthefrozenKlondiketowardtheimaginedsomewherewherethediggingsmustbelocated。

Helaughedandshookthevisionfromhiseyes，descendedtothelevel，andcrossedtheflattocamp。Fiveminutesafterhehadrolledupinhisrobe，heopenedhiseyesandsatup，amazedthathewasnotalreadyasleep。

HeglancedattheIndiansleepingbesidehim，attheembersofthedyingfire，atthefivedogsbeyond，withtheirwolf’sbrushescurledovertheirnoses，andatthefoursnowshoesstandinguprightinthesnow。”It’ssurehellthewaythathunchworksonme”hemurmured。Hismindrevertedtothepokergame。”Fourkings！”Hegrinnedreminiscently。”ThatWASahunch！”

Helaydownagain，pulledtheedgeoftherobearoundhisneckandoverhisear-flaps，closedhiseyes，andthistimefellasleep。BurningDaylight:PartI:ChapterVPartIChapterVAtSixtyMiletheyrestockedprovisions，addedafewpoundsofletterstotheirload，andheldsteadilyon。FromFortyMiletheyhadhadunbrokentrail，andtheycouldlookforwardonlytounbrokentrailcleartoDyea。Daylightstooditmagnificently，butthekillingpacewasbeginningtotellonKama。Hispridekepthismouthshut，buttheresultofthechillingofhislungsinthecoldsnapcouldnotbeconcealed。Microscopicallysmallhadbeentheedgesofthelung-tissuetouchedbythefrost，buttheynowbegantosloughoff，givingrisetoadry，hackingcough。Anyunusuallysevereexertionprecipitatedspellsofcoughing，duringwhichhewasalmostlikeamaninafit。Thebloodcongestedinhiseyestilltheybulged，whilethetearsrandownhischeeks。Awhiffofthesmokefromfryingbaconwouldstarthimoffforahalf-hour’sparoxysm，andhekeptcarefullytowindwardwhenDaylightwascooking。

Theyploddeddaysupondaysandwithoutendoverthesoft，unpackedsnow。Itwashard，monotonouswork，withnoneofthejoyandblood-stirthatwentwithflyingoverhardsurface。Nowonemantotheforeinthesnowshoes，andnowtheother，itwasacaseofstubborn，unmitigatedplod。

Ayardofpowderysnowhadtobepresseddown，andthewide-webbedshoe，underaman’sweight，sankafulldozeninchesintothesoftsurface。Snowshoework，undersuchconditions，calledfortheuseofmusclesotherthanthoseusedinordinarywalking。Fromsteptosteptherisingfootcouldnotcomeupandforwardonaslant。Ithadtoberaisedperpendicularly。Whenthesnowshoewaspressedintothesnow，itsnosewasconfrontedbyaverticalwallofsnowtwelveincheshigh。Ifthefoot，inrising，slantedforwardtheslightestbit，thenoseoftheshoepenetratedtheobstructingwallandtippeddownwardtilltheheeloftheshoestrucktheman’slegbehind。

Thusup，straightup，twelveinches，eachfootmustberaisedeverytimeandallthetime，eretheforwardswingfromthekneecouldbegin。

Onthispartiallypackedsurfacefollowedthedogs，themanatthegee-pole，andthesled。Atthebest，toilingasonlypickedmencouldtoil，theymadenomorethanthreemilesanhour。Thismeantlongerhoursoftravel，andDaylight，forgoodmeasureandforamarginagainstaccidents，hitthetrailfortwelvehoursaday。Sincethreehourswereconsumedbymakingcampatnightandcookingbeans，bygettingbreakfastinthemorningandbreakingcamp，andbythawingbeansatthemiddayhalt，ninehourswereleftforsleepandrecuperation，andneithermennordogswastedmanyminutesofthoseninehours。

AtSelkirk，thetradingpostnearPellyRiver，DaylightsuggestedthatKamalayover，rejoininghimonthebacktripfromDyea。AstrayedIndianfromLakeLeBargewaswillingtotakehisplace；butKamawasobdurate。

Hegruntedwithaslightintonationofresentment，andthatwasall。Thedogs，however，Daylightchanged，leavinghisownexhaustedteamtorestupagainsthisreturn，whilehewentonwithsixfreshdogs。

Theytravelledtillteno’clockthenighttheyreachedSelkirk，andatsixnextmorningtheyplungedaheadintothenextstretchofwildernessofnearlyfivehundredmilesthatlaybetweenSelkirkandDyea。Asecondcoldsnapcameon，butcoldorwarmitwasallthesame，anunbrokentrail。

Whenthethermometerwentdowntofiftybelow，itwasevenhardertotravel，foratthatlowtemperaturethehardfrost-crystalsweremorelikesand-grainsintheresistancetheyofferedtothesledrunners。Thedogshadtopullharderthanoverthesamesnowattwentyorthirtybelowzero。Daylightincreasedtheday’straveltothirteenhours。Hejealouslyguardedthemarginhehadgained，forheknewthereweredifficultstretchestocome。

Itwasnotyetquitemidwinter，andtheturbulentFiftyMileRivervindicatedhisjudgment。Inmanyplacesitranwideopen，withprecariousrim-icefringingitoneitherside。Innumerousplaces，wherethewaterdashedagainstthesteep-sidedbluffs，rim-icewasunabletoform。Theyturnedandtwisted，nowcrossingtheriver，nowcomingbackagain，sometimesmakinghalfadozenattemptsbeforetheyfoundawayoveraparticularlybadstretch。

Itwasslowwork。Theice-bridgeshadtobetested，andeitherDaylightorKamawentinadvance，snowshoesontheirfeet，andlongpolescarriedcrosswiseintheirhands。Thus，iftheybrokethrough，theycouldclingtothepolethatbridgedtheholemadebytheirbodies。Severalsuchaccidentsweretheshareofeach。Atfiftybelowzero，amanwettothewaistcannottravelwithoutfreezing；soeachduckingmeantdelay。Assoonasrescued，thewetmanranupanddowntokeepuphiscirculation，whilehisdrycompanionbuiltafire。Thusprotected，achangeofgarmentscouldbemadeandthewetonesdriedagainstthenextmisadventure。

Tomakemattersworse，thisdangerousrivertravelcouldnotbedoneinthedark，andtheirworkingdaywasreducedtothesixhoursoftwilight。

Everymomentwasprecious，andtheystrovenevertoloseone。Thus，beforethefirsthintofthecomingofgrayday，campwasbroken，sledloaded，dogsharnessed，andthetwomencrouchedwaitingoverthefire。Nordidtheymakethemiddayhalttoeat。Asitwas，theywererunningfarbehindtheirschedule，eachdayeatingintothemargintheyhadrunup。Thereweredayswhentheymadefifteenmiles，anddayswhentheymadeadozen。

Andtherewasonebadstretchwhereintwodaystheycoveredninemiles，beingcompelledtoturntheirbacksthreetimesontheriverandtoportagesledandoutfitoverthemountains。

AtlasttheyclearedthedreadFiftyMileRiverandcameoutonLakeLeBarge。Herewasnoopenwaternorjammedice。Forthirtymilesormorethesnowlaylevelasatable；withalitlaythreefeetdeepandwassoftasflour。Threemilesanhourwasthebesttheycouldmake，butDaylightcelebratedthepassingoftheFiftyMilebytravelinglate。Ateleveninthemorningtheyemergedatthefootofthelake。Atthreeintheafternoon，astheArcticnightcloseddown，hecaughthisfirstsightoftheheadofthelake，andwiththefirststarstookhisbearings。AteightintheeveningtheyleftthelakebehindandenteredthemouthoftheLewesRiver。

Hereahaltofhalfanhourwasmade，whilechunksoffrozenboiledbeanswerethawedandthedogsweregivenanextrarationoffish。Thentheypulledonuptherivertilloneinthemorning，whentheymadetheirregularcamp。

Theyhadhitthetrailsixteenhoursonendthatday，thedogshadcomeintootiredtofightamongthemselvesorevensnarl，andKamahadperceptiblylimpedthelastseveralmiles；yetDaylightwasontrailnextmorningatsixo’clock。ByelevenhewasatthefootofWhiteHorse，andthatnightsawhimcampedbeyondtheBoxCanon，thelastbadriver-stretchbehindhim，thestringoflakesbeforehim。

Therewasnoletupinhispace。Twelvehoursaday，sixinthetwilight，andsixinthedark，theytoiledonthetrail。Threehourswereconsumedincooking，repairingharnesses，andmakingandbreakingcamp，andtheremainingninehoursdogsandmensleptasifdead。TheironstrengthofKamabroke。Daybydaytheterrifictoilsappedhim。Daybydayheconsumedmoreofhisreservesofstrength。Hebecameslowerofmovement，theresiliencywentoutofhismuscles，andhislimpbecamepermanent。Yethelaboredstoicallyon，nevershirking，nevergruntingahintofcomplaint。Daylightwasthin-facedandtired。

Helookedtired；yetsomehow，withthatmarvelousmechanismofabodythatwashis，hedroveon，everon，remorselesslyon。NeverwashemoreagodinKama’smindthaninthelastdaysofthesouth-boundtraverse，asthefailingIndianwatchedhim，evertothefore，pressingonwardwithurgencyofendurancesuchasKamahadneverseennordreamedcouldthriveinhumanform。

ThetimecamewhenKamawasunabletogointheleadandbreaktrail，anditwasaproofthathewasfargonewhenhepermittedDaylighttotoilalldayattheheavysnowshoework。LakebylaketheycrossedthestringoflakesfromMarshtoLinderman，andbegantheascentofChilcoot。Byallrights，Daylightshouldhavecampedbelowthelastpitchofthepassatthedimendofday；buthekeptonandoveranddowntoSheepCamp，whilebehindhimragedasnow-stormthatwouldhavedelayedhimtwenty-fourhours。

ThislastexcessivestrainbrokeKamacompletely。Inthemorninghecouldnottravel。Atfive，whencalled，hesatupafterastruggle，groaned，andsankbackagain。Daylightdidthecampworkofboth，harnessedthedogs，and，whenreadyforthestart，rolledthehelplessIndianinallthreesleepingrobesandlashedhimontopofthesled。Thegoingwasgood；

theywereonthelastlap；andheracedthedogsdownthroughDyeaCanonandalongthehard-packedtrailthatledtoDyeaPost。Andrunningstill，Kamagroaningontoptheload，andDaylightleapingatthegee-poletoavoidgoingundertherunnersoftheflyingsled，theyarrivedatDyeabythesea。

Truetohispromise，Daylightdidnotstop。Anhour’stimesawthesledloadedwiththeingoingmailandgrub，freshdogsharnessed，andafreshIndianengaged。KamaneverspokefromthetimeofhisarrivaltillthemomentDaylight，readytodepart，stoodbesidehimtosaygood-by。Theyshookhands。”YoukillumdatdamnIndian，”Kamasaid。”Sawee，Daylight？Youkillum。””He’llsurelastasfarasPelly，”Daylightgrinned。

Kamashookhisheaddoubtfully，androlledoveronhisside，turninghisbackintokenoffarewell。

DaylightwonacrossChilcootthatsameday，droppingdownfivehundredfeetinthedarknessandtheflurryingsnowtoCraterLake，wherehecamped。

Itwasa’cold’camp，farabovethetimber-line，andhehadnotburdenedhissledwithfirewood。Thatnightthreefeetofsnowcoveredthem，andintheblackmorning，whentheydugthemselvesout，theIndiantriedtodesert。Hehadhadenoughoftravelingwithwhatheconsideredamadman。

ButDaylightpersuadedhimingrimwaystostaybytheoutfit，andtheypulledonacrossDeepLakeandLongLakeanddroppeddowntothelevel-goingofLakeLinderman。Itwasthesamekillingpacegoinginascomingout，andtheIndiandidnotstanditaswellasKama。He，too，nevercomplained。

Nordidhetryagaintodesert。Hetoiledonanddidhisbest，whileherenewedhisresolvetosteerclearofDaylightinthefuture。Thedaysslippedintodays，nightsandtwilight’salternating，coldsnapsgavewaytosnow-falls，andcoldsnapscameonagain，andallthewhile，throughthelonghours，themilespiledupbehindthem。

ButontheFiftyMileaccidentbefellthem。Crossinganice-bridge，thedogsbrokethroughandweresweptunderthedown-streamice。Thetracesthatconnectedtheteamwiththewheel-dogparted，andtheteamwasneverseenagain。Onlytheonewheel-dogremained，andDaylightharnessedtheIndianandhimselftothesled。Butamancannottaketheplaceofadogatsuchwork，andthetwomenwereattemptingtodotheworkoffivedogs。

Attheendofthefirsthour，Daylightlightenedup。Dog-food，extragear，andthespareaxwerethrownaway。Undertheextraordinaryexertionthedogsnappedatendonthefollowingday，andwashopelesslydisabled。Daylightshotit，andabandonedthesled。Onhisbackhetookonehundredandsixtypoundsofmailandgrub，andontheIndian’sputonehundredandtwenty-fivepounds。Thestrippingofgearwasremorseless。TheIndianwasappalledwhenhesaweverypoundofworthlessmailmatterretained，whilebeans，cups，pails，plates，andextraclothingwerethrownbytheboard。Onerobeeachwaskept，oneax，onetinpail，andascantsupplyofbaconandflour。

Baconcouldbeeatenrawonapinch，andflour，stirredinhotwater，couldkeepmengoing。Eventherifleandthescoreofroundsofammunitionwereleftbehind。

AndinthisfashiontheycoveredthetwohundredmilestoSelkirk。Daylighttravelledlateandearly，thehoursformerlyusedbycamp-makinganddog-tendingbeingnowdevotedtothetrail。Atnighttheycrouchedoverasmallfire，wrappedintheirrobes，drinkingflourbrothandthawingbaconontheendsofsticks；andinthemorningdarkness，withoutaword，theyarose，slippedontheirpacks，adjustedhead-straps，andhitthetrail。ThelastmilesintoSelkirk，DaylightdrovetheIndianbeforehim，ahollow-cheeked，gaunt-eyedwraithofamanwhoelsewouldhavelaindownandsleptorabandonedhisburdenofmail。

AtSelkirk，theoldteamofdogs，freshandincondition，wereharnessed，andthesamedaysawDaylightploddingon，alternatingplacesatthegee-pole，asamatterofcourse，withtheLeBargeIndianwhohadvolunteeredonthewayout。Daylightwastwodaysbehindhisschedule，andfallingsnowandunpackedtrailkepthimtwodaysbehindallthewaytoFortyMile。

Andheretheweatherfavored。Itwastimeforabigcoldsnap，andhegambledonit，cuttingdowntheweightofgrubfordogsandmen。ThemenofFortyMileshooktheirheadsominously，anddemandedtoknowwhathewoulddoifthesnowstillfell。”Thatcoldsnap’ssuregottocome，”helaughed，andmushedoutonthetrail。

AnumberofsledshadpassedbackandforthalreadythatwinterbetweenFortyMileandCircleCity，andthetrailwaswellpacked。Andthecoldsnapcameandremained，andCircleCitywasonlytwohundredmilesaway。

TheLeBargeIndianwasayoungman，unlearnedyetinhisownlimitations，andfilledwithpride。

HetookDaylight’spacewithjoy，andevendreamed，atfirst，thathewouldplaythewhitemanout。Thefirsthundredmileshelookedforsignsofweakening，andmarveledthathesawthemnot。

Throughoutthesecondhundredmilesheobservedsignsinhimself，andgrittedhisteethandkeptup。AndeverDaylightflewonandon，runningatthegee-poleorrestinghisspellontoptheflyingsled。Thelastday，clearerandcolderthanever，gaveperfectgoing，andtheycoveredseventymiles。Itwastenatnightwhentheypulleduptheearth-bankandflewalongthemainstreetofCircleCity；andtheyoungIndian，thoughitwashisspelltoride，leapedoffandranbehindthesled。Itwashonorablebraggadocio，anddespitethefactthathehadfoundhislimitationsandwaspressingdesperatelyagainstthem，herangamelyon。BurningDaylight:PartI:ChapterVIPartIChapterVIAcrowdfilledtheTivoli——theoldcrowdthathadseenDaylightdeparttwomonthsbefore；forthiswasthenightofthesixtiethday，andopinionwasdividedaseverastowhetherornothewouldcompasstheachievement。

Atteno’clockbetswerestillbeingmade，thoughtheoddsrose，betbybet，againsthissuccess。DowninherhearttheVirginbelievedhehadfailed，yetshemadeabetoftwentyounceswithCharleyBates，againstfortyounces，thatDaylightwouldarrivebeforemidnight。

Sheitwaswhoheardthefirstyelpsofthedogs。”Listen！”shecried。”It’sDaylight！”

Therewasageneralstampedeforthedoor；butwherethedoublestorm-doorswerethrownwideopen，thecrowdfellback。Theyheardtheeagerwhiningofdogs，thesnapofadog-whip，andthevoiceofDaylightcryingencouragementasthewearyanimalscappedalltheyhaddonebydraggingthesledinoverthewoodenfloor。Theycameinwitharush，andwiththemrushedinthefrost，avisiblevaporofsmokingwhite，throughwhichtheirheadsandbacksshowed，astheystrainedintheharness，tilltheyhadalltheseemingofswimminginariver。Behindthem，atthegee-pole，cameDaylight，hiddentothekneesbytheswirlingfrostthroughwhichheappearedtowade。

HewasthesameoldDaylight，withalleanandtired-looking，andhisblackeyesweresparklingandflashingbrighterthanever。Hisparkaofcottondrillhoodedhimlikeamonk，andfellinstraightlinestohisknees。Grimedandscorchedbycamp-smokeandfire，thegarmentinitselftoldthestoryofhistrip。Atwo-months’beardcoveredhisface；andthebeard，inturn，wasmattedwiththeiceofhisbreathingthroughthelongseventy-milerun。

Hisentrywasspectacular，melodramatic；andheknewit。Itwashislife，andhewaslivingitatthetopofhisbent。Amonghisfellowshewasagreatman，anArctichero。Hewasproudofthefact，anditwasahighmomentforhim，freshfromtwothousandmilesoftrail，tocomesurgingintothatbar-room，dogs，sled，mail，Indian，paraphernalia，andall。HehadperformedonemoreexploitthatwouldmaketheYukonringwithhisname——he，BurningDaylight，thekingoftravelersanddog-mushers。

HeexperiencedathrillofsurpriseastheroarofwelcomewentupandaseveryfamiliardetailoftheTivoligreetedhisvision——thelongbarandthearrayofbottles，thegamblinggames，thebigstove，theweigheratthegold-scales，themusicians，themenandwomen，theVirgin，Celia，andNellie，DanMacDonald，Bettles，BillyRawlins，OlafHenderson，DocWatson，——allofthem。

Itwasjustashehadleftit，andinallseemingitmightwellbetheverydayhehadleft。Thesixtydaysofincessanttravelthroughthewhitewildernesssuddenlytelescoped，andhadnoexistenceintime。Theywereamoment，anincident。Hehadplungedoutandintothemthroughthewallofsilence，andbackthroughthewallofsilencehehadplunged，apparentlythenextinstant，andintotheroarandturmoiloftheTivoli。

Aglancedownatthesledwithitscanvasmail-bagswasnecessarytoreassurehimoftherealityofthosesixtydaysandthetwothousandmilesovertheice。Asinadream，heshookthehandsthatwerethrustouttohim。Hefeltavastexaltation。Lifewasmagnificent。Heloveditall。

Agreatsenseofhumannessandcomradeshipsweptoverhim。Thesewereallhis，hisownkind。Itwasimmense，tremendous。Hefeltmeltingintheheartofhim，andhewouldhavelikedtoshakehandswiththemallatonce，togatherthemtohisbreastinonemightyembrace。”HisentrywasSpectacular，Melodramatic，andheknewit”

Hedrewadeepbreathandcried:”Thewinnerpays，andI’mthewinner，ain’tI？Surgeup，you-allMalemutesandSiwashes，andnameyourpoison！

There’syourDyeamail，straightfromSaltWater，andnohornswogglinaboutit！Castthelashingsadrift，you-all，andwadeintoit！”

Adozenpairsofhandswereatthesled-lashings，whentheyoungLeBargeIndian，bendingatthesametask，suddenlyandlimplystraightenedup。Inhiseyeswasagreatsurprise。Hestaredabouthimwildly，forthethinghewasundergoingwasnewtohim。

Hewasprofoundlystruckbyanunguessedlimitation。Heshookaswithapalsy，andhegaveattheknees，slowlysinkingdowntofallsuddenlyacrossthesledandtoknowthesmashingblowofdarknessacrosshisconsciousness。”Exhaustion，”saidDaylight。”Takehimoffandputhimtobed，someofyou-all。He’ssureagoodIndian。””Daylight’sright，”wasDocWatson’sverdict，amomentlater。”Theman’splumbtuckeredout。”

Themailwastakenchargeof，thedogsdrivenawaytoquartersandfed，andBettlesstruckupthepaeanofthesassafrasrootastheylinedupagainstthelongbartodrinkandtalkandcollecttheirdebts。

Afewminuteslater，Daylightwaswhirlingaroundthedance-floor，waltzingwiththeVirgin。Hehadreplacedhisparkawithhisfurcapandblanket-clothcoat，kickedoffhisfrozenmoccasins，andwasdancinginhisstockingfeet。Afterwettinghimselftothekneeslatethatafternoon，hehadrunonwithoutchanginghisfoot-gear，andtothekneeshislongGermansocksweremattedwithice。Inthewarmthoftheroomitbegantothawandtobreakapartinclingingchunks。Thesechunksrattledtogetherashislegsflewaround，andeverylittlewhiletheyfellclatteringtothefloorandwereslippeduponbytheotherdancers。ButeverybodyforgaveDaylight。

He，whowasoneofthefewthatmadetheLawinthatfarland，whosettheethicalpace，andbyconductgavethestandardofrightandwrong，wasneverthelessabovetheLaw。Hewasoneofthoserareandfavoredmortalswhocandonowrong。Whathedidhadtoberight，whetherotherswerepermittedornottodothesamethings。Ofcourse，suchmortalsaresofavoredbyvirtueofthefactthattheyalmostalwaysdotherightanddoitinfinerandhigherwaysthanothermen。SoDaylight，anelderherointhatyounglandandatthesametimeyoungerthanmostofthem，movedasacreatureapart，asamanabovemen，asamanwhowasgreatlymanandallman。AndsmallwonderitwasthattheVirginyieldedherselftohisarms，astheydanceddanceafterdance，andwassickatheartattheknowledgethathefoundnothinginhermorethanagoodfriendandanexcellentdancer。Smallconsolationitwastoknowthathehadneverlovedanywoman。Shewassickwithloveofhim，andhedancedwithherashewoulddancewithanywoman，ashewoulddancewithamanwhowasagooddanceranduponwhosearmwastiedahandkerchieftoconventionalizehimintoawoman。

OnesuchmanDaylightdancedwiththatnight。Amongfrontiersmenithasalwaysbeenatestofenduranceforonemantowhirlanotherdown；

andwhenBenDavis，thefaro-dealer，agaudybandannaonhisarm，gotDaylightinaVirginiareel，thefunbegan。Thereelbrokeupandallfellbacktowatch。Aroundandaroundthetwomenwhirled，alwaysintheonedirection。

Wordwaspassedonintothebigbar-room，andbarandgamblingtablesweredeserted。Everybodywantedtosee，andtheypackedandjammedthedance-room。

Themusiciansplayedonandon，andonandonthetwomenwhirled。Daviswasskilledatthetrick，andontheYukonhehadputmanyastrongmanonhisback。Butafterafewminutesitwasclearthathe，andnotDaylight，wasgoing。

Forawhilelongertheyspunaround，andthenDaylightsuddenlystoodstill，releasedhispartner，andsteppedback，reelinghimself，andflutteringhishandsaimlessly，asiftosupporthimselfagainsttheair。ButDavis，agiddysmileofconsternationonhisface，gavesideways，turnedinanattempttorecoverbalance，andpitchedheadlongtothefloor。Stillreelingandstaggeringandclutchingattheairwithhishands，Daylightcaughtthenearestgirlandstartedoninawaltz。Againhehaddonethebigthing。

Wearyfromtwothousandmilesovertheiceandarunthatdayofseventymiles，hehadwhirledafreshmandown，andthatmanBenDavis。

Daylightlovedthehighplaces，andthoughfewhighplacestherewereinhisnarrowexperience，hehadmadeapointofsittinginthehighesthehadeverglimpsed。Thegreatworldhadneverheardhisname，butitwasknownfarandwideinthevastsilentNorth，bywhitesandIndiansandEskimos，fromBeringSeatothePasses，fromtheheadreachesofremotestriverstothetundrashoreofPointBarrow。Desireformasterywasstronginhim，anditwasallonewhetherwrestlingwiththeelementsthemselves，withmen，orwithluckinagamblinggame。Itwasallagame，lifeanditsaffairs。Andhewasagamblertothecore。Riskandchanceweremeatanddrink。True，itwasnotaltogetherblind，forheappliedwitandskillandstrength；butbehinditallwastheeverlastingLuck，thethingthatattimesturnedonitsvotariesandcrushedthewisewhileitblessedthefools——Luck，thethingallmensoughtanddreamedtoconquer。Andsohe。

Deepinhislife-processesLifeitselfsangthesirensongofitsownmajesty，evera-whisperandurgent，counselinghimthathecouldachievemorethanothermen，winoutwheretheyfailed，ridetosuccesswheretheyperished。

ItwastheurgeofLifehealthyandstrong，unawareoffrailtyanddecay，drunkenwithsublimecomplacence，ego-mad，enchantedbyitsownmightyoptimism。

Andeverinvaguestwhisperingsandclearesttrumpet-callscamethemessagethatsometime，somewhere，somehow，hewouldrunLuckdown，makehimselfthemasterofLuck，andtieitandbranditashisown。Whenheplayedpoker，thewhisperwasoffouracesandroyalflushes。Whenheprospected，itwasofgoldinthegrass-roots，goldonbed-rock，andgoldallthewaydown。Atthesharpesthazardsoftrailandriverandfamine，themessagewasthatothermenmightdie，butthathewouldpullthroughtriumphant。

Itwastheold，oldlieofLifefoolingitself，believingitself——immortalandindestructible，boundtoachieveoverotherlivesandwintoitsheart’sdesire。

Andso，reversingattimes，Daylightwaltzedoffhisdizzinessandledthewaytothebar。Butaunitedprotestwentup。Histheorythatthewinnerpaidwasnolongertobetolerated。Itwascontrarytocustomandcommonsense，andwhileitemphasizedgood-fellowship，nevertheless，inthenameofgood-fellowshipitmustcease。ThedrinkswererightfullyonBenDavis，andBenDavismustbuythem。Furthermore，alldrinksandgeneraltreatsthatDaylightwasguiltyofoughttobepaidbythehouse，forDaylightbroughtmuchcustomtoitwheneverhemadeanight。Bettleswasthespokesman，andhisargument，terselyandoffensivelyvernacular，wasunanimouslyapplauded。

Daylightgrinned，steppedasidetotheroulette-table，andboughtastackofyellowchips。Attheendoftenminutesheweighedinatthescales，andtwothousanddollarsingold-dustwaspouredintohisownandanextrasack。Luck，amereflutterofluck，butitwashis。Elationwasaddedtoelation。Hewasliving，andthenightwashis。Heturneduponhiswell-wishingcritics。”Nowthewinnersuredoespay，”hesaid。

Andtheysurrendered。TherewasnowithstandingDaylightwhenhevaultedonthebackoflife，androdeitbittedandspurred。

AtoneinthemorninghesawElijahDavisherdingHenryFinnandJoeHines，thelumber-jack，towardthedoor。Daylightinterfered。”Whereareyou-allgoing？”hedemanded，attemptingtodrawthemtothebar。”Bed，”ElijahDavisanswered。

Hewasaleantobacco-chewingNewEnglander，theonedaringspiritinhisfamilythathadheardandansweredthecalloftheWestshoutingthroughtheMountDesertbackodd-lots。”Gotto，”JoeHinesaddedapologetically。”We’remushingoutinthemornin’。”

Daylightstilldetainedthem。”Whereto？What’stheexcitement？””Noexcitement，”Elijahexplained。”We’rejusta-goin’toplayyourhunch，an’tackletheUpperCountry。Don’tyouwanttocomealong？””Isuredo，”Daylightaffirmed。

Butthequestionhadbeenputinfun，andElijahignoredtheacceptance。”We’retacklin’theStewart，”hewenton。”AlMayotoldmeheseensomelikelylookin’barsfirsttimehecomedowntheStewart，andwe’regoin’

tosample’emwhiletheriver’sfroze。Youlisten，Daylight，an’markmywords，thetime’scomin’whenwinterdiggin’s’llbeallthego。There’llbemeninthemdaysthat’lllaughatoursummerstratchin’an’ground-wallerin’。”

Atthattime，winterminingwasundreamedofontheYukon。Fromthemossandgrassthelandwasfrozentobed-rock，andfrozengravel，hardasgranite，defiedpickandshovel。Inthesummerthemenstrippedtheearthdownasfastasthesunthawedit。Thenwasthetimetheydidtheirmining。Duringthewintertheyfreightedtheirprovisions，wentmoose-hunting，gotallreadyforthesummer’swork，andthenloafedthebleak，darkmonthsthroughinthebigcentralcampssuchasCircleCityandFortyMile。”Winterdiggin’ssurecomin’，”Daylightagreed。”Waittillthatbigstrikeismadeupriver。Thenyou-all’llseeanewkindofmining。What’stopreventwood-burningandsinkingshaftsanddriftingalongbed-rock？

Won’tneedtotimber。Thatfrozenmuckandgravel’llstandtillhellisfrozeanditsmill-tailsisturnedtoice-cream。Why，they’llbeworkingpay-streaksahundredfeetdeepinthemdaysthat’scomin’。I’msuregoingalongwithyou-all，Elijah。”

Elijahlaughed，gatheredhistwopartnersup，andwasmakingasecondattempttoreachthedoor”Holdon，”Daylightcalled。”Isuremeanit。”

Thethreementurnedbacksuddenlyuponhim，intheirfacessurprise，delight，andincredulity。”G’wan，you’refoolin’，”saidFinn，theotherlumberjack，aquiet，steady，Wisconsinman。”There’smydawgsandsled，”Daylightanswered。”That’llmaketwoteamsandhalvetheloads——thoughwe-all’llhavetotraveleasyforaspell，forthemdawgsissuretired。”

Thethreemenwereoverjoyed，butstillatrifleincredulous。”Nowlookhere，”JoeHinesblurtedout，”noneofyourfoolin，Daylight。

Wemeanbusiness。Willyoucome？”

Daylightextendedhishandandshook。”Thenyou’dbestbegettin’tobed，”Elijahadvised。”We’remushin’

outatsix，andfourhours’sleepisnonesolong。””Mebbeweoughttolayoveradayandlethimrestup，”Finnsuggested。

Daylight’spridewastouched。”Noyoudon’t，”hecried。”Weallstartatsix。Whattimedoyou-allwanttobecalled？Five？Allright，I’llrouseyou-allout。””Yououghterhavesomesleep，”Elijahcounselledgravely。”Youcan’tgoonforever。”

Daylightwastired，profoundlytired。Evenhisironbodyacknowledgedweariness。Everymusclewasclamoringforbedandrest，wasappalledatcontinuanceofexertionandatthoughtofthetrailagain。Allthisphysicalprotestwelledupintohisbraininawaveofrevolt。Butdeeperdown，scornfulanddefiant，wasLifeitself，theessentialfireofit，whisperingthatallDaylight’sfellowswerelookingon，thatnowwasthetimetopiledeedupondeed，toflaunthisstrengthinthefaceofstrength。ItwasmerelyLife，whisperingitsancientlies。Andinleaguewithitwaswhiskey，withallitsconsummateeffronteryandvain-glory。”Mebbeyou-allthinkIain’tweanedyet？”Daylightdemanded。”Why，I

ain’thadadrink，oradance，orseenasoulintwomonths。You-allgettobed。I’llcallyou-allatfive。”

Andfortherestofthenighthedancedoninhisstockingfeet，andatfiveinthemorning，rappingthunderouslyonthedoorofhisnewpartners’

cabin，hecouldbeheardsingingthesongthathadgivenhimhisname:——”Burningdaylight，you-allStewartRiverhunchers！Burningdaylight！

Burningdaylight！Burningdaylight！”BurningDaylight:PartI:ChapterVIIPartIChapterVIIThistimethetrailwaseasier。Itwasbetterpacked，andtheywerenotcarryingmailagainsttime。Theday’srunwasshorter，andlikewisethehoursontrail。OnhismailrunDaylighthadplayedoutthreeIndians；

buthispresentpartnersknewthattheymustnotbeplayedoutwhentheyarrivedattheStewartbars，sotheysettheslowerpace。Andunderthismildertoil，wherehiscompanionsneverthelessgrewweary，Daylightrecuperatedandrestedup。AtFortyMiletheylaidovertwodaysforthesakeofthedogs，andatSixtyMileDaylight’steamwasleftwiththetrader。UnlikeDaylight，aftertheterriblerunfromSelkirktoCircleCity，theyhadbeenunabletorecuperateonthebacktrail。SothefourmenpulledonfromSixtyMilewithafreshteamofdogsonDaylight’ssled。

ThefollowingnighttheycampedintheclusterofislandsatthemouthoftheStewart。Daylighttalkedtownsites，and，thoughtheotherslaughedathim，hestakedthewholemazeofhigh，woodedislands。”JustsupposingthebigstrikedoescomeontheStewart，”heargued。”Mebbeyou-all’llbeinonit，andthenagainmebbeyou-allwon’t。ButIsurewill。You-all’dbetterreconsiderandgoinwithmeonit。”

Buttheywerestubborn。”You’reasbadasHarperandJoeLadue，”saidJoeHines。”They’realwaysatthatgame。YouknowthatbigflatjestbelowtheKlondikeandunderMoosehideMountain？Well，therecorderatFortyMilewastellin’metheystakedthatnotamonthago——TheHarper&；LadueTownSite。Ha！Ha！

Ha！”

ElijahandFinnjoinedhiminhislaughter；butDaylightwasgravelyinearnest。”Theresheis！”hecried。”Thehunchisworking！It’sintheair，I

tellyou-all！What’dthey-allstakethebigflatforifthey-alldidn’tgetthehunch？WishI’dstakedit。”

Theregretinhisvoicewasprovocativeofasecondburstoflaughter。”Laugh，you-all，laugh！That’swhat’sthetroublewithyou-all。You-allthinkgold-huntingistheonlywaytomakeastake。Butletmetellyou-allthatwhenthebigstrikesuredoescome，you-all’lldoalittlesurface-scratchin’

andmuck-raking，butdangedlittleyou-all’llhavetoshowforit。You-alllaughatquicksilverintherifflesandthinkflourgoldwasmanufacturedbyGodAlmightyfortheexpresspurposeoffoolingsuckersandchechaquos。

Nothingbutcoarsegoldforyou-all，that’syourway，notgettinghalfofitoutofthegroundandlosingintothetailingshalfofwhatyou-alldoget。”Butthementhatlandbigwillbethemthatstakethetownsites，organizethetradin’companies，startthebanks——”

Heretheexplosionofmirthdrownedhimout。BanksinAlaska！Theideaofitwasexcruciating。”Yep，andstartthestockexchanges-”

Againtheywereconvulsed。JoeHinesrolledoveronhissleeping-robe，holdinghissides。”Andafterthemwillcomethebigminingsharksthatbuywholecreekswhereyou-allhavebeenscratchinglikealotofpicayunehens，andthey-allwillgotohydraulickinginsummerandsteam-thawinginwinter——”

Steam-thawing！Thatwasthelimit。Daylightwascertainlyexceedinghimselfinhisconsummatefun-making。Steam-thawing——whenevenwood-burningwasanuntriedexperiment，adreamintheair！”Laugh，dangyou，laugh！Whyyoureyesain’topenyet。You-allareabunchoflittlemewingkittens。Itellyou-allifthatstrikecomesonKlondike，HarperandLaduewillbemillionaires。AndifitcomesonStewart，you-allwatchtheElamHarnishtownsiteboom。Inthemdays，whenyou-allcomearoundmakin’poormouths……”Heheavedasighofresignation。”Well，IsupposeI’llhavetogiveyou-allagrub-stakeorsoup，orsomethingorother。”

Daylighthadvision。Hisscopehadbeenrigidlylimited，yetwhateverhesaw，hesawbig。Hismindwasorderly，hisimaginationpractical，andheneverdreamedidly。Whenhesuperimposedafeverishmetropolisonawasteoftimbered，snow-coveredflat，hepredicatedfirstthegold-strikethatmadethecitypossible，andnexthehadaneyeforsteamboatlandings，sawmillandwarehouselocations，andalltheneedsofafar-northernminingcity。Butthis，inturn，wasthemeresettingforsomethingbigger，namely，theplayoftemperament。Opportunitiesswarmedinthestreetsandbuildingsandhumanandeconomicrelationsofthecityofhisdream。Itwasalargertableforgambling。Thelimitwasthesky，withtheSouthlandononesideandtheauroraborealisontheother。Theplaywouldbebig，biggerthananyYukonerhadeverimagined，andhe，BurningDaylight，wouldseethathegotinonthatplay。

Inthemeantimetherewasnaughttoshowforitbutthehunch。Butitwascoming。Ashewouldstakehislastounceonagoodpokerhand，sohestakedhislifeandeffortonthehunchthatthefutureheldinstoreabigstrikeontheUpperRiver。Soheandhisthreecompanions，withdogs，andsleds，andsnowshoes，toiledupthefrozenbreastoftheStewart，toiledonandonthroughthewhitewildernesswheretheunendingstillnesswasneverbrokenbythevoicesofmen，thestrokeofanax，orthedistantcrackofarifle。Theyalonemovedthroughthevastandfrozenquiet，littlemitesofearth-men，crawlingtheirscoreofmilesaday，meltingtheicethattheymighthavewatertodrink，campinginthesnowatnight，theirwolf-dogscurledinfrost-rimed，hairybunches，theireightsnowshoesstuckonendinthesnowbesidethesleds。

Nosignsofothermendidtheysee，thoughoncetheypassedarudepoling-boat，cachedonaplatformbytheriverbank。Whoeverhadcachedithadnevercomebackforit；andtheywonderedandmushedon。AnothertimetheychanceduponthesiteofanIndianvillage，buttheIndianshaddisappeared；undoubtedlytheywereonthehigherreachesoftheStewartinpursuitofthemoose-herds。

TwohundredmilesupfromtheYukon，theycameuponwhatElijahdecidedwerethebarsmentionedbyAlMayo。Apermanentcampwasmade，theiroutfitoffoodcachedonahighplatformtokeepitfromthedogs，andtheystartedworkonthebars，cuttingtheirwaydowntogravelthroughtherimofice。

Itwasahardandsimplelife。Breakfastover，andtheywereatworkbythefirstgraylight；andwhennightdescended，theydidtheircookingandcamp-chores，smokedandyarnedforawhile，thenrolledupintheirsleeping-robes，andsleptwhiletheauroraborealisflamedoverheadandthestarsleapedanddancedinthegreatcold。Theirfarewasmonotonous:

sour-doughbread，bacon，beans，andanoccasionaldishofricecookedalongwithahandfulofprunes。Freshmeattheyfailedtoobtain。Therewasanunwontedabsenceofanimallife。Atrareintervalstheychanceduponthetrailofasnowshoerabbitoranermine；butinthemainitseemedthatalllifehadfledtheland。Itwasaconditionnotunknowntothem，forinalltheirexperience，atonetimeoranother，theyhadtravelledoneyearthrougharegionteemingwithgame，where，ayearortwoorthreeyearslater，nogameatallwouldbefound。

Goldtheyfoundonthebars，butnotinpayingquantities。Elijah，whileonahuntformoosefiftymilesaway，hadpannedthesurfacegravelofalargecreekandfoundgoodcolors。Theyharnessedtheirdogs，andwithlightoutfitssleddedtotheplace。Here，andpossiblyforthefirsttimeinthehistoryoftheYukon，wood-burning，insinkingashaft，wastried。

ItwasDaylight’sinitiative。Afterclearingawaythemossandgrass，afireofdrysprucewasbuilt。Sixhoursofburningthawedeightinchesofmuck。Theirpicksdrovefulldepthintoit，and，whentheyhadshoveledout，anotherfirewasstarted。Theyworkedearlyandlate，excitedoverthesuccessoftheexperiment。Sixfeetoffrozenmuckbroughtthemtogravel，likewisefrozen。Hereprogresswasslower。Buttheylearnedtohandletheirfiresbetter，andweresoonabletothawfiveandsixinchesataburning。Flourgoldwasinthisgravel，andaftertwofeetitgaveawayagaintomuck。Atseventeenfeettheystruckathinstreakofgravel，andinitcoarsegold，testpansrunningashighassixandeightdollars。

Unfortunately，thisstreakofgravelwasnotmorethananinchthick。Beneathitwasmoremuck，tangledwiththetrunksofancienttreesandcontainingfossilbonesofforgottenmonsters。Butgoldtheyhadfound——coarsegold；

andwhatmorelikelythanthatthebigdepositwouldbefoundonbed-rock？

Downtobed-rocktheywouldgo，ifitwerefortyfeetaway。Theydividedintotwoshifts，workingdayandnight，ontwoshafts，andthesmokeoftheirburningrosecontinually。

ItwasatthistimethattheyranshortofbeansandthatElijahwasdespatchedtothemaincamptobringupmoregrub。Elijahwasoneofthehard-bittenold-timetravelershimself。Theroundtripwasahundredmiles，buthepromisedtobebackonthethirdday，onedaygoinglight，twodaysreturningheavy。Instead，hearrivedonthenightofthesecondday。Theyhadjustgonetobedwhentheyheardhimcoming。”Whatinhell’sthematternow？”HenryFinndemanded，astheemptysledcameintothecircleoffirelightandashenotedthatElijah’slong，seriousfacewaslongerandevenmoreserious。

JoeHinesthrewwoodonthefire，andthethreemen，wrappedintheirrobes，huddledupclosetothewarmth。Elijah’swhiskeredfacewasmattedwithice，aswerehiseyebrows，sothat，whatofhisfurgarb，helookedlikeaNewEnglandcaricatureofFatherChristmas。”Yourecollectthatbigsprucethatheldupthecornerofthecachenexttotheriver？”Elijahbegan。

Thedisasterwasquicklytold。Thebigtree，withalltheseemingofhardihood，promisingtostandforcenturiestocome，hadsufferedfromahiddendecay。Insomewayitsrootedgripontheearthhadweakened。

Theaddedburdenofthecacheandthewintersnowhadbeentoomuchforit；thebalanceithadsolongmaintainedwiththeforcesofitsenvironmenthadbeenoverthrown；ithadtoppledandcrashedtotheground，wreckingthecacheand，inturn，overthrowingthebalancewithenvironmentthatthefourmenandelevendogshadbeenmaintaining。Theirsupplyofgrubwasgone。Thewolverineshadgotintothewreckedcache，andwhattheyhadnoteatentheyhaddestroyed。”Theyplumbe’tallthebaconandprunesandsugaranddog-food，”Elijahreported，”andgoshdarnmybuttons，iftheydidn’tgnawopenthesacksandscattertheflourandbeansandricefromDantoBeersheba。Ifoundemptysackswherethey’ddraggedthemaquarterofamileaway。”

Nobodyspokeforalongminute。Itwasnothinglessthanacatastrophe，inthedeadofanArcticwinterandinagame-abandonedland，tolosetheirgrub。Theywerenotpanic-stricken，buttheywerebusylookingthesituationsquarelyinthefaceandconsidering。JoeHineswasthefirsttospeak。”Wecanpanthesnowforthebeansandrice……thoughtherewa’n’tmore’neightortenpoundsofriceleft。””AndsomebodywillhavetotakeateamandpullforSixtyMile，”Daylightsaidnext。”I’llgo，”saidFinn。

Theyconsideredawhilelonger。”Buthowarewegoingtofeedtheotherteamandthreementillhegetsback？”Hinesdemanded。”Onlyonethingtoit，”wasElijah’scontribution。”You’llhavetotaketheotherteam，Joe，andpulluptheStewarttillyoufindthemIndians。

Thenyoucomebackwithaloadofmeat。You’llgetherelongbeforeHenrycanmakeitfromSixtyMile，andwhileyou’regonethere’llonlybeDaylightandmetofeed，andwe’llfeedgoodandsmall。””Andinthemorningwe-all’llpullforthecacheandpansnowtofindwhatgrubwe’vegot。”Daylightlayback，ashespoke，androlledinhisrobetosleep，thenadded:”Betterturninforanearlystart。Twoofyoucantakethedogsdown。Elijahandme’llskinoutonbothsidesandseeifwe-allcanscareupamooseonthewaydown。”BurningDaylight:PartI:ChapterVIIIPartIChapterVIIINotimewaslost。HinesandFinn，withthedogs，alreadyonshortrations，weretwodaysinpullingdown。AtnoonofthethirddayElijaharrived，reportingnomoosesign。ThatnightDaylightcameinwithasimilarreport。Asfastastheyarrived，themenhadstartedcarefulpanningofthesnowallaroundthecache。Itwasalargetask，fortheyfoundstraybeansfullyahundredyardsfromthecache。Onemoredayallthementoiled。Theresultwaspitiful，andthefourshowedtheircaliberinthedivisionofthefewpoundsoffoodthathadbeenrecovered。Littleasitwas，thelion’ssharewasleftwithDaylightandElijah。Themenwhopulledonwiththedogs，oneuptheStewartandonedown，wouldcomemorequicklytogrub。Thetwowhoremainedwouldhavetolastouttilltheothersreturned。Furthermore，whilethedogs，onseveralounceseachofbeansaday，wouldtravelslowly，nevertheless，themenwhotravelledwiththem，onapinch，wouldhavethedogsthemselvestoeat。Butthemenwhoremained，whenthepinchcame，wouldhavenodogs。ItwasforthisreasonthatDaylightandElijahtookthemoredesperatechance。Theycouldnotdoless，nordidtheycaretodoless。Thedayspassed，andthewinterbeganmergingimperceptiblyintotheNorthlandspringthatcomeslikeathunderboltofsuddenness。Itwasthespringof1896thatwaspreparing。

Eachdaythesunrosefarthereastofsouth，remainedlongerinthesky，andsetfarthertothewest。MarchendedandAprilbegan，andDaylightandElijah，leanandhungry，wonderedwhathadbecomeoftheirtwocomrades。

Grantingeverydelay，andthrowingingenerousmarginsforgoodmeasure，thetimewaslongsincepassedwhentheyshouldhavereturned。Withoutdoubttheyhadmetwithdisaster。Thepartyhadconsideredthepossibilityofdisasterforoneman，andthathadbeentheprincipalreasonfordespatchingthetwoindifferentdirections。Butthatdisastershouldhavecometobothofthemwasthefinalblow。

Inthemeantime，hopingagainsthope，DaylightandElijaekedoutameagreexistence。Thethawhadnotyetbegun，sotheywereabletogatherthesnowabouttheruinedcacheandmeltitinpotsandpailsandgoldpans。Allowedtostandforawhile，whenpouredoff，athindepositofslimewasfoundonthebottomsofthevessels。Thiswastheflour，theinfinitesimaltraceofitscatteredthroughthousandsofcubicyardsofsnow。Also，inthisslimeoccurredatintervalsawater-soakedtea-leaforcoffee-ground，andtherewereinitfragmentsofearthandlitter。Butthefarthertheyworkedawayfromthesiteofthecache，thethinnerbecamethetraceofflour，thesmallerthedepositofslime。

Elijahwastheolderman，andheweakenedfirst，sothathecametolieupmostofthetimeinhisfurs。Anoccasionaltree-squirrelkeptthemalive。ThehuntingfelluponDaylight，anditwashardwork。Withbutthirtyroundsofammunition，hedarednotriskamiss；and，sincehisriflewasa45-90，hewascompelledtoshootthesmallcreaturesthroughthehead。Therewereveryfewofthem，anddayswentbywithoutseeingone。Whenhedidseeone，hetookinfiniteprecautions。Hewouldstalkitforhours。Ascoreoftimes，witharmsthatshookfromweakness，hewoulddrawasightontheanimalandrefrainfrompullingthetrigger。

Hisinhibitionwasathingofiron。Hewasthemaster。Nottilabsolutecertitudewashisdidheshoot。Nomatterhowsharpthepangsofhungeranddesireforthatpalpitatingmorselofchatteringlife，herefusedtotaketheslightestriskofamiss。He，borngambler，wasgamblinginthebiggerway。Hislifewasthestake，hiscardswerethecartridges，andheplayedasonlyabiggamblercouldplay，withinfiniteprecaution，withinfiniteconsideration。Eachshotmeantasquirrel，andthoughdayselapsedbetweenshots，itneverchangedhismethodofplay。

Ofthesquirrels，nothingwaslost。Eventheskinswereboiledtomakebroth，thebonespoundedintofragmentsthatcouldbechewedandswallowed。

Daylightprospectedthroughthesnow，andfoundoccasionalpatchesofmossberries。

Atthebest，mossberrieswerecomposedpracticallyofseedsandwater，withatoughrindofskinaboutthem；buttheberrieshefoundwereoftheprecedingyear，dryandshrivelled，andthenourishmenttheycontainedvergedontheminusquality。Scarcelybetterwasthebarkofyoungsaplings，stewedforanhourandswallowedafterprodigiouschewing。

Aprildrewtowarditsclose，andspringsmotetheland。Thedaysstretchedouttheirlength。Undertheheatofthesun，thesnowbegantomelt，whilefromdownunderthesnowarosethetricklingoftinystreams。Fortwenty-fourhourstheChinookwindblew，andinthattwenty-fourhoursthesnowwasdiminishedfullyafootindepth。Inthelateafternoonsthemeltingsnowfrozeagain，sothatitssurfacebecameicecapableofsupportingaman’sweight。Tinywhitesnow-birdsappearedfromthesouth，lingeredaday，andresumedtheirjourneyintothenorth。Once，highintheair，lookingforopenwaterandaheadoftheseason，awedgedsquadronofwildgeesehonkednorthwards。Anddownbytheriverbankaclumpofdwarfwillowsburstintobud。Theseyoungbuds，stewed，seemedtoposessanencouragingnutrition。Elijahtookheartofhope，thoughhewascastdownagainwhenDaylightfailedtofindanotherclumpofwillows。

Thesapwasrisinginthetrees，anddailythetrickleofunseenstreamletsbecamelouderasthefrozenlandcamebacktolife。Buttheriverheldinitsbondsoffrost。Winterhadbeenlongmonthsinrivetingthem，andnotinadayweretheytobebroken，notevenbythethunderboltofspring。

Maycame，andstraylast-year’smosquitoes，full-grownbutharmless，crawledoutofrockcrevicesandrottenlogs。Cricketsbegantochirp，andmoregeeseandducksflewoverhead。Andstilltheriverheld。ByMaytenth，theiceoftheStewart，withagreatrendingandsnapping，toreloosefromthebanksandrosethreefeet。Butitdidnotgodown-stream。ThelowerYukon，uptowheretheStewartflowedintoit，mustfirstbreakandmoveon。UntilthentheiceoftheStewartcouldonlyrisehigherandhigherontheincreasingfloodbeneath。WhentheYukonwouldbreakwasproblematical。

TwothousandmilesawayitflowedintoBeringSea，anditwastheiceconditionsofBeringSeathatwoulddeterminewhentheYukoncouldriditselfofthemillionsoftonsoficethatcluttereditsbreast。

OnthetwelfthofMay，carryingtheirsleeping-robes，apail，anax，andthepreciousrifle，thetwomenstarteddowntheriverontheice。

Theirplanwastogaintothecachedpoling-boattheyhadseen，sothatatthefirstopenwatertheycouldlaunchitanddriftwiththestreamtoSixtyMile。Intheirweakcondition，withoutfood，thegoingwasslowanddifficult。Elijahdevelopedahabitoffallingdownandbeingunabletorise。Daylightgaveofhisownstrengthtolifthimtohisfeet，whereupontheoldermanwouldstaggerautomaticallyonuntilhestumbledandfellagain。

Onthedaytheyshouldhavereachedtheboat，Elijahcollapsedutterly。

WhenDaylightraisedhim，hefellagain。Daylightessayedtowalkwithhim，supportinghim，butsuchwasDaylight’sownweaknessthattheyfelltogether。

DraggingElijahtothebank，arudecampwasmade，andDaylightstartedoutinsearchofsquirrels。Itwasatthistimethathelikewisedevelopedthefallinghabit。Intheeveninghefoundhisfirstsquirrel，butdarknesscameonwithouthisgettingacertainshot。Withprimitivepatiencehewaitedtillnextday，andthen，withinthehour，thesquirrelwashis。

ThemajorportionhefedtoElijah，reservingforhimselfthetougherpartsandthebones。Butsuchisthechemistryoflife，thatthissmallcreature，thistrifleofmeatthatmoved，bybeingeaten，transmutedtothemeatofthementhesamepowertomove。Nolongerdidthesquirrelrunupsprucetrees，leapfrombranchtobranch，orclingchatteringtogiddyperches。Instead，thesameenergythathaddonethesethingsflowedintothewastedmusclesandreelingwillsofthemen，makingthemmove——nay，movingthem——tilltheytotteredtheseveralinterveningmilestothecachedboat，underneathwhichtheyfelltogetherandlaymotionlessalongtime。

Lightasthetaskwouldhavebeenforastrongmantolowerthesmallboattotheground，ittookDaylighthours。Andmanyhoursmore，daybyday，hedraggedhimselfaroundit，lyingonhissidetocalkthegapingseamswithmoss。Yet，whenthiswasdone，theriverstillheld。Itsicehadrisenmanyfeet，butwouldnotstartdown-stream。Andonemoretaskwaited，thelaunchingoftheboatwhentheriverranwatertoreceiveit。

VainlyDaylightstaggeredandstumbledandfellandcreptthroughthesnowthatwaswetwiththaw，oracrossitwhenthenight’sfroststillcrusteditbeyondtheweightofaman，searchingforonemoresquirrel，strivingtoachieveonemoretransmutationoffurryleapandscoldingchatterintotheliftsandtugsofaman’sbodythatwouldhoisttheboatovertherimofshore-iceandslideitdownintothestream。

NottillthetwentiethofMaydidtheriverbreak。Thedown-streammovementbeganatfiveinthemorning，andalreadywerethedayssolongthatDaylightsatupandwatchedtheice-run。Elijahwastoofargonetobeinterestedinthespectacle。Thoughvaguelyconscious，helaywithoutmovementwhiletheicetoreby，greatcakesofitcaromingagainstthebank，uprootingtrees，andgougingoutearthbyhundredsoftons。

Allaboutthemthelandshookandreeledfromtheshockofthesetremendouscollisions。Attheendofanhourtherunstopped。Somewherebelowitwasblockedbyajam。Thentheriverbegantorise，liftingtheiceonitsbreasttillitwashigherthanthebank。Frombehindevermorewaterboredown，andevermoremillionsoftonsoficeaddedtheirweighttothecongestion。