The Spoilers.........................................................................................................................................................1

Rex Beach................................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER I. THE ENCOUNTER .........................................................................................................1

CHAPTER II. THE STOWAWAY ........................................................................................................7

CHAPTER III. IN WHICH GLENISTER ERRS .................................................................................11

CHAPTER IV. THE KILLING ............................................................................................................16

CHAPTER V. WHEREIN A MAN APPEARS ...................................................................................23

CHAPTER VI. AND A MINE IS JUMPED ........................................................................................28

CHAPTER VII. THE "BRONCO KID'S" EAVESDROPPING ..........................................................33

CHAPTER VIII. DEXTRY MAKES A CALL ....................................................................................38

CHAPTER IX. SLUICE ROBBERS ....................................................................................................44

CHAPTER X. THE WIT OF AN ADVENTURESS ...........................................................................49

CHAPTER XI. WHEREIN A WRIT AND A RIOT FAIL ..................................................................56

CHAPTER XII. COUNTERPLOTS .....................................................................................................62

CHAPTER XIII. IN WHICH A MAN IS POSSESSED OF A DEVIL ...............................................70

CHAPTER XIV. A MIDNIGHT MESSENGER .................................................................................78

CHAPTER XV. VIGILANTES ............................................................................................................86

CHAPTER XVI. IN WHICH THE TRUTH BEGINS TO BARE ITSELF .........................................94

CHAPTER XVII. THE DRIP OF WATER IN THE DARK .............................................................102

CHAPTER XVIII. WHEREIN A TRAP IS BAITED ........................................................................110

CHAPTER XIX. DYNAMITE ...........................................................................................................116

RETURN ............................................................................................................................................125

CHAPTER XXI. THE HAMMERLOCK ........................................................................................131

CHAPTER XXII. THE PROMISE OF DREAMS .............................................................................137

GLENISTER gazed out over the harbor, agleam with the lights of anchored ships, then up at the crenelated

mountains, black against the sky. He drank the cool air burdened with its taints of the sea, while the blood of

"Oh, it's finefine," he murmured, "and this is my countrymy country, after all, Dex. It's in my veins, this

"Careful you don't bust," warned Dextry. "I've seen men get plum drunk on mountain air. Don't expand too

strong in one spot." He went back abruptly to his pipe, its villanous fumes promptly averting any danger of

"I'd ruther smell like a man than talk like a kid. You desecrate the hour of meditation with rhapsodies on

The other laughed, inflating his deep chest. In the gloom he stretched his muscles restlessly, as though an

They were lounging upon the dock, while before them lay the Santa Maria ready for her midnight sailing.

Behind slept Unalaska, quaint, antique, and Russian, rusting amid the fogs of Bering Sea. Where, a week

before, mildeyed natives had dried their cod among the old bronze cannon, now a frenzied horde of

goldseekers paused in their rush to the new El Dorado. They had come like a locust cloud, thousands strong,

settling on the edge of the Smoky Sea, waiting the going of the ice that barred them from their Golden

The mossy hills back of the village were ridged with graves of those who had died on the outtrip the fall

before, when a plague had gripped the landbut what of that? Gold glittered in the sands, so said the

survivors; therefore men came in armies. Glenister and Dextry had left Nome the autumn previous, the young

"This air whets every animal instinct in me," Glenister broke out again. "Away from the cities I turn savage. I

"Well, it's this way. I met Mexico Mullins this mornin'. You mind old Mexico, don't you? The feller that

"Identical! Remember me tellin' you about a good turn I done him once down Guadalupe way?"

"Yep! Well, I noticed first off that he's gettin' fat; highlivin' fat, too, all in one spot, like he was playin' both

"Says I, lookin' at his side elevation, 'What's accented your middle syllable so strong, Mexico?'

"'Prosperity, politics, an' the WaldorfAstorier,' says he. It seems Mex hadn't forgot old days. He claws me

into a corner an' says, 'Bill, I'm goin' to pay you back for that Moralez deal.'

"'Hard tellin'," says I. 'If she holds out like she run last fall, there'd ought to be a million clear in her.'

"'Bill,' says he, 'there's hell apoppin' an' you've got to watch that ground like you'd watch a rattlesnake. Don't

"'I can't tell you nothin' more. I'm puttin' a string on my own neck, sayin' this much. You're a square man,

Bill, an' I'm a gambler, but you save my life oncet, an' I wouldn't steer you wrong. For God's sake, don't let

"'Let who jump it? Congress has give us judges an' courts an' marshals' I begins.

"'That's just it. How you goin' to buck that hand? Them's the best cards in the deck. There's a man comin' by

the name of McNamara. Watch him clost. I can't tell you no more. But don't never let 'em get a grip on your

"Bah! He's crazy! I wish somebody would try to jump the Midas; we'd enjoy the exercise."

The siren of the Santa Maria interrupted, its hoarse warning throbbing up the mountain.

At first the only sound they heard was a stir from the deck of the steamer. Then from the water below them

A skiff burst from the darkness, grounding on the beach beneath. A figure scrambled out and up the ladder

leading to the wharf. Immediately a second boat, plainly in pursuit of the first one, struck on the beach behind

As the escaping figure mounted to their level the watchers perceived with amazement that it was a young

woman. Breath sobbed from her lungs, and, stumbling, she would have fallen but for Glenister, who ran

He turned to his partner in puzzled inquiry, but found that the old man had crossed to the head of the landing

"Just a minuteyou there! Back up or I'll kick your face in." Dextry's voice was sharp and unexpected, and

"Get out of the way. That woman's a runaway," came from the one highest on the ladder.

"Shut up!" broke in another. "Do you want to advertise it? Get out of the way, there, ye damn fool! Climb up,

Thorsen grasped the dock floor, trying to climb up, but the old miner stamped on his fingers and the sailor

loosened his hold with a yell, carrying the under men with him to the beach in his fall.

"This way! Follow me!" shouted the mate, making up the bank for the shore end of the wharf.

"You'd better pull your freight, miss," Dextry remarked; "they'll be here in a minute."

"Yes, yes! Let us go! I must get aboard the Santa Maria. She's leaving now. Come, come!"

Glenister laughed, as though there were a humorous touch in her remark, but did not stir.

"I'm gettin' awful old an' stiff to run," said Dextry, removing his mackinaw, "but I allow I ain't too old for a

little diversion in the way of a roughhouse when it comes nosin' around." He moved lightly, though the girl

"You hurry along, miss; we'll toy with 'em till you're aboard." They stepped across to the dockhouse,

"Oh, we'll be left!" she breathed, and somehow it struck Glenister that she feared this more than the men

"You can make it all right," he urged her, roughly. "You'll get hurt if you stay here. Run along and don't mind

us. We've been thirty days on shipboard, and were praying for something to happen." His voice was boyishly

glad, as if he exulted in the fray that was to come; and no sooner had he spoken than the sailors came out of

During the space of a few heartbeats there was only a tangle of whirling forms with the sound of fist on

flesh, then the blot split up and forms plunged outward, falling heavily. Again the sailors rushed, attempting

to clinch. They massed upon Dextry only to grasp empty air, for he shifted with remarkable agility, striking

bitterly, as an old wolf snaps. It was baffling work, however, for in the darkness his blows fell short or

Glenister, on the other hand, stood carelessly, beating the men off as they came to him. He laughed

gloatingly, deep in his throat, as though the encounter were merely some rough sport. The girl shuddered, for

the desperate silence of the attacking men terrified her more than a din, and yet she stayed, crouched against

Dextry swung at a dim target, and, missing it, was whirled off his balance. Instantly his antagonist grappled

with him, and they fell to the floor, while a third man shuffled about them. The girl throttled a scream.

"I'm goin' to kick 'im, Bill," the man panted hoarsely. "Le' me fix 'im." He swung his heavy shoe, and Bill

Bill's ally then started towards the others, his body bent, his arms flexed yet hanging loosely. He crouched

beside the girl, ignoring her, while she heard the breath wheezing from his lungs; then silently he leaped.

Glenister had hurled a man from him, then stepped back to avoid the others, when he was seized from behind

and felt the man's arms wrapped about his neck, the sailor's legs locked about his thighs. Now came the girl's

first knowledge of real fighting. The two spun back and forth so closely entwined as to be indistinguishable,

the others holding off. For what seemed many minutes they struggled, the young man striving to reach his

adversary, till they crashed against the wall near her and she heard her champion's breath coughing in his

throat at the tightening grip of the sailor. Fright held her paralyzed, for she had never seen men thus. A

moment and Glenister would be down beneath their stamping feetthey would kick his life out with their

heavy shoes. At thought of it, the necessity of action smote her like a blow in the face. Her terror fell away,

The seaman's back was to her. She reached out and gripped him by the hair, while her fingers, tense as talons,

sought his eyes. Then the first loud sound of the battle arose. The man yelled in sudden terror; and the others

as suddenly fell back. The next instant she felt a hand upon her shoulder and heard Dextry's voice.

"Are ye hurt? No? Come on, then, or we'll get left." He spoke quietly, though his breath was loud, and,

They ran swiftly down the wharf, followed by Glenister and by the groans of the sailors in whom the lust for

combat had been quenched. As they scrambled up the Santa Maria's gangplank, a strip of water widened

"Close shave, that," panted Glenister, feeling his throat gingerly, "but I wouldn't have missed it for a spotted

"I've been through b'iler explosions and snowslides, not to mention a triflin' jaildelivery, but fer real

sprightly diversions I don't recall nothin' more pleasin' than this." Dextry's enthusiasm was boylike.

They led her to their deck cabin, where they switched on the electric light, blinking at each other and at their

They saw a graceful and altogether attractive figure in a trim, short skirt and long, tan boots. But what

Glenister first saw was her eyes; large and gray, almost brown under the electric light. They were active eyes,

he thought, and they flashed swift, comprehensive glances at the two men. Her hair had fallen loose and

crinkled to her waist, all agleam. Otherwise she showed no sign of her recent ordeal.

Glenister had been prepared for the type of beauty that follows the frontier; beauty that may stun, but that has

the polish and chill of a newground bowie. Instead, this girl with the calm, reposeful face struck a note

almost painfully different from her surroundings, suggesting countless pleasant things that had been strange

"I make oration," said he, "that you're the gamest little chap I ever fought over, Mexikin, Injun, or white.

"I suppose you think I've done something dreadful, don't you?" she said. "But I haven't. I had to get away

from the Ohio tonight for certain reasons. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. I haven't stolen anything,

nor poisoned the crewreally I haven't." She smiled at them, and Glenister found it impossible not to smile

"Well, I'll wake up he steward and find a place for you to go," he said at length. "You'll have to double up

"No, no! I don't want you to do that. They mustn't see me tonight. I know I'm acting strangely and all that,

but it's happened so quickly I haven't found myself yet. I'll tell you tomorrow, though, really. Don't let any

"Help you? Why, sure Mike!" assured the impulsive Dextry, "an', see here, Missyou take your time on

explanations. We don't care a cuss what you done. Morals ain't our long suit, 'cause 'there's never a law of

God or man runs north of FiftyThree,' as the poetry man remarked, an' he couldn't have spoke truer if he'd

knowed what he was sayin'. Everybody is privileged to 'look out' his own game up here. A square deal an' no

She looked somewhat doubtful at this till she caught the heat of Glenister's gaze. Some boldness of his look

brought home to her the actual situation, and a stain rose in her cheek. She noted him more carefully; noted

his heavy shoulders and ease of bearing, an ease and looseness begotten of perfect muscular control. Strength

was equally suggested in his face, she thought, for he carried a marked young countenance, with thrusting

chin, aggressive thatching brows, and mobile mouth that whispered all the changes from strength to abandon.

Prominent was a look of reckless energy. She considered him handsome in a heavy, virile, perhaps too purely

"I've had a right smart experience in that line," said Dextry, "but I never done it by proxy. What's your plan?"

"She will stay here tonight," said Glenister quickly. "You and I will go below. Nobody will see her."

"I can't let you do that," she objected. "Isn't there some place where I can hide?" But they reassured her and

When they had gone, she crouched trembling upon her seat for a long time, gazing fixedly before her. "I'm

afraid!" she whispered; "I'm afraid. What am I getting into? Why do men look so at me? I'm frightened. Oh,

I'm sorry I undertook it." At last she rose wearily. The close cabin oppressed her; she felt the need of fresh

air. So, turning out the lights, she stepped forth into the night. Figures loomed near the rail and she slipped

astern, screening herself behind a lifeboat, where the cool breeze fanned her face.

The forms she had seen approached, speaking earnestly. Instead of passing, they stopped abreast of her

hidingplace; then, as they began to talk, she saw that her retreat was cut off and that she must not stir.

"What brings her hear?" Glenister was echoing a question of Dextry's. "Bah! What brings them all? What

"No, no," said the old man. "She ain't that kindshe's too fine, too delicatetoo pretty."

"That's just ittoo pretty! Too pretty to be aloneor anything except what she is."

Dextry growled sourly. "This country has plumb ruined you, boy. You think they're all alikean' I don't

know but they areall but this girl. Seems like she's different, somehowbut I can't tell."

"I had an ancestor who buccaneered among the Indies, a long time agoso I'm told. Sometimes I think I

have his disposition. He comes and whispers things to me in the night. Oh, he was a devil, and I've got his

blood in meuntamed and hotI can hear him saying something nowsomething about the spoils of war.

Ha, ha! Maybe he's right. I fought for her tonightDexthe way he used to fight for his sweethearts along

the Mexicos. She's too beautiful to be goodand 'there's never a law of God or man runs north of

They moved on, his vibrant, cynical laughter stabbing the girl till she leaned against the yawl for support.

She held herself together while the blood beat thickly in her ears, then fled to the cabin, hurling herself into

her berth, where she writhed silently, beating the pillow with hands into which her nails had bitten, staring

SHE AWOKE to the throb of the engines, and, gazing cautiously through her stateroom window, saw a

So this was Bering? She had clothed it always with the mystery of her schooldays, thinking of it as a

weeping, fogbound stretch of gray waters. Instead, she saw a flat, sunlit main, with occasional seaparrots

flapping their fat bodies out of the ship's course. A glistening head popped up from the waters abreast, and

Dressing, the girl noted minutely the personal articles scattered about the cabin, striving to derive therefrom

some fresh hint of the characteristics of the owners. First, there was an elaborate, copperbacked toiletset,

all richly ornamented and leatherbound. The metal was magnificently handworked and bore Glenister's

initial. It spoke of elegant extravagance, and seemed oddly out of place in an Arctic miner's equipment as did

Next, she picked up Kipling's Seven Seas, marked liberally, and felt that she had struck a scent. The

roughness and brutality of the poems had always chilled her, though she had felt vaguely their splendid pulse

and swing. This was the girl's first venture from a sheltered life. She had not rubbed elbows with the world

enough to find that Truth may be rough, unshaven, and garbed in homespun. The book confirmed her

Pendent from a hook was a worn and blackened holster from which peeped the butt of a large Colt's revolver,

showing evidence of many years' service. It spoke mutely of the whitehaired Dextry, who, before her

inspection was over, knocked at the door, and, when she admitted him, addressed her cautiously:

"The boy's down forrad, teasin' grub out of a flunky. He'll be up in a minute. How'd ye sleep?"

"Very well, thank you," she lied, "but I've been thinking that I ought to explain myself to you."

"Now, see here," the old man interjected, "there ain't no explanations needed till you feel like givin' them up.

You was in troublethat's unfortunate; we help youthat's natural; no questions askedthat's Alaska."

"What bothers me," the other continued irrelevantly, "is how in blazes we're goin' to keep you hid. The

steward's got to make up this room, and somebody's bound to see us packin' grub in."

"I don't care who knows if they won't send me back. They wouldn't do that, would they?" She hung anxiously

"Send you back? Why, don't you savvy that this boat is bound for Nome? There ain't no turnin' back on gold

stampedes, and this is the wildest rush the world ever saw. The captain wouldn't turn backhe couldn'this

cargo's too precious and the company pays five thousand a day for this ship. No, we ain't puttin' back to

unload no stowaways at five thousand per. Besides, we passengers wouldn't let himtime's too precious."

They were interrupted by the rattle of dishes outside, and Dextry was about to open the door when his hand

wavered uncertainly above the knob, for he heard the hearty greeting of the ship's captain.

"Don't wonder! Why weren't you aboard sooner last night? I saw you'most got left, eh? Served you right if

you had." Then his voice dropped to the confidential: "I'd advise you to cut out those women. Don't

misunderstand me, boy, but they're a bad lot on this boat. I saw you come aboard. Take my word for

itthey're a bad lot. Cut 'em out. Guess I'll step inside and see what's up with Dextry."

"Wellerhe isn't up yet," they heard Glenister stammer; "better come around later."

"Nonsense; it's time he was dressed." The master's voice was gruffly goodnatured. "Hello, Dextry! Hey!

There was nothing to be done. The old miner darted an inquiring glance at his companion, then, at her nod,

His grizzled, closebearded face was genially wrinkled till he spied the erect, gray figure in the corner, when

his cap came off involuntarily. There his courtesy ended, however, and the smile died coldly from his face.

His eyes narrowed, and the goodfellowship fell away, leaving him the stiff and formal officer.

"Ah," he said, "not feeling well, eh? I thought I had met all of our lady passengers. Introduce me, Dextry."

"Oh, there ain't much to say. This is the lady we brought aboard last nightthat's all."

"There wasn't time, eh? Which one of you conceived the novel scheme of stowing away ladies in your cabin?

"Oh!" the girl criedher eyes widening darkly. She stood slim and pale and slightly trembling.

His words had cut her bitterly, though through it all he had scrupulously avoided addressing her.

"Better hear details, captain, befor4e you make breaks like that. We helped the lady sidestep some sailors

last night and most got left doing it. It was up to her to make a quick getaway, so we helped her aboard."

"A poor story! What was she running away from?" He still addressed the men, ignoring her completely, till,

"You mustn't talk about me that wayI can answer your questions. It's trueI ran away. I had to. The

sailors came after me and fought with these men. I had to get away quickly, and your friends helped me on

here from gentlemanly kindness, because they saw me unprotected. They are still protecting me. I can't

explain how important it is for me to reach Nome on the first boat, because it isn't my secret. It was important

enough to make me leave my uncle at Seattle at an hour's notice when we found there was no one else who

could go. That's all I can say. I took my maid with me, but the sailors caught her just as she was following me

down the ship's ladder. She had my bag of clothes when the seized her. I cast off the rope and rowed ashore

The captain eyed her sharply, and his grim lines softened a bit, for she was cleancut and womanly, and

utterly out of place. He took her in, shrewdly, detail by detail, then spoke directly to her:

"My dear young ladythe other ships will get there just as quickly as ours, maybe more quickly.

At this the commander started, and, darting a great, thickfingered hand at her, spoke savagely:

"The Ohio," she replied, with the effect of a handgrenade. The master glared at her.

"The Ohio! Good God! You dare to stand there and tell me that?" He turned and poured his rage upon the

"She says the Ohio, d'ye hear? You've ruined me! I'll put you all in ironsall of you. The Ohio!"

"What's up! There's smallpox aboard the Ohio! This girl has broken quarantine. The health inspectors

bottled up the boat at six o'clock last night! That's why I pulled out of Unalaska ahead of time, to avoid any

possible delay. Now we'll all be held up when we get to Nome. Great Heavens! do you realize what this

His eyes burned and his voice shook, while the two partners stared at each other in dismay. Too well they

knew the result of a smallpox panic aboard this crowded troopship. Not only was every available cabin

bulging with passengers, but the lower decks were jammed with both humanity and live stock all in the most

unsanitary conditions. The craft, built for three hundred passengers, was carrying triple her capacity; men and

women were stowed away like cattle. Order and a halftolerable condition were maintained only by the

efforts of the passengers themselves, who held to the thought that imprisonment and inconvenience would

last but a few days longer. They had been aboard three weeks and every heart was aflame with the desire to

What would be the temper of this goldfrenzied army if thrown into quarantine within sight of their goal?

The impatient hundreds would have to lie packed in their floating prison, submitting to the foul disease. Long

they must lie thus, till a month should have passed after the disappearance of the last symptom. If the disease

recurred sporadically, that might mean endless weeks of maddening idleness. It might even be impossible to

The fear of the sickness was nothing to Dextry and Glenister, but of their mine they thought with terror. What

would happen in their absence, where conditions were as unsettled as in this new land; where titles were held

only by physical possession of the premises? During the long winter of their absence, ice had held their

treasure inviolate, but with the warming summer the jewel they had fought for so wearily would lie naked and

exposed to the first comer. The Midas lay in the valley of the richest creek, where men had schemed and

fought and slain for the right to inches. It was the fruit of cheerless, barren years of toil, and if they could not

"Don't blame these men, sir," she begged the captain. "I am the only one at fault. Oh! I had to get away. I

have papers here that must be delivered quickly." She laid a hand upon her bosom. "The couldn't be trusted to

the unsettled mail service. It's almost life and death. And I assure you there is no need of putting me in

"There's nothing else to do," said Stephens. "I'll isolate you in the deck smokingcabin. God knows what

these madmen on board will do when they hear about it, though. They're apt to tear you to shreds. They're

"If you do that, you'll have mutiny in an hour. This isn't the crowd to stand that sort of thing."

"Maybe so; but what then? We reach Nome and the Health Inspector hears of smallpox suspects, then we're

all quarantined for thirty days; eight hundred of us. We'll lie at Egg Island all summer while your company

pays five thousand a day for this ship. That's not all. The firm is liable in damages for your carelessness in

"Yes; that's what it amounts to. You'll ruin your owners, all right. You'll tie up your ship and lose your job,

"My carelessness! Curse youyou say it well. Don't you realize that I am criminally liable if I don't take

every precaution?" He paused for a moment, considering. "I'll hand her over to the ship's doctor."

"See here, now," Glenister urged. "We'll be in Nome in a weekbefore the young lady would have time to

show symptoms of the disease, even if she were going to have itand a thousand to one she hasn't been

exposed, and will never show a trace of it. Nobody knows she's aboard but we three. Nobody will see her get

off. She'll stay in this cabin, which will be just as effectual as though you isolated her in any other part of the

boat. It will avoid a panicyou'll save your ship and your companyno one will be the wiserthen if the

girl comes down with smallpox after she gets ashore, she can go to the pesthouse and not jeopardize the

health of all the people aboard this ship. You go up forrad to your bridge, sir, and forget that you stepped in to

see old Bill Dextry this morning. We'll take care of this matter all right. It means as much to us as it does to

you. We've got to be on Anvil Creek before the ground thaws or we'll lose the Midas. If you make a fuss,

For some moments they watched him breathlessly as he frowned in indecision, then

"You'll have to look out for the steward," he said, and the girl sank to a stool while two great tears rolled

down her cheeks. The captain's eyes softened and his voice was gentle as he laid his hand on her head.

"Don't feel hurt over what I said, miss. You see, appearances don't tell much, hereaboutsmost of the pretty

ones are no good. They've fooled me many a time, and I made a mistake. These men will help you though; I

can't. Then when you get to Nome, make your sweetheart marry you the day you land. You are too far north

"WELL, BEIN' as me an' Glenister is gougin' into the bowels of Anvil Creek all last summer, we don't really

get the freshgrub habit fastened on us none. You see, the gamblers downtown cop out the few sigs an'

green vegetables that stray off the ships, so they never get out as far as the Creek none; except, maybe, in the

"We don't get intimate with no nutriments except hogboosum an' brown beans, of which luxuries we have

unstinted measure, an' bein' as this is our third year in the country we hanker for bony fido grub, somethin'

scan'lous. Yes, ma'amthree years without a taste of fresh fruit nor meat nor nuthin'except pork an' beans.

"When it comes time to close down the claim, the boy is sick with the fever an' the only ship in port is a Point

Barrow whaler, bound for Seattle. After I book our passage, I find they have nothin' aboard to eat except

canned salmon, it bein' the end of a two years' cruise, so when I land in the States after seventeen days of a

fish diet, I am what you might call sated with canned grub, and have added salmon to the list of things

"Soon's ever I get the boy into a hospital, I gallop up to the best restarawnt in town an' prepare for the huge

potlatch. This here, I determine, is to be a gormandizin' jag which shall live in hist'ry, an' wharof in later

"First, I call for five dollars' worth of pork an' beans an' then a fullgrown platter of canned salmon. When

the waiter lays 'em out in front of me, I look them vittles coldly in their disgustin' visages, an' say in sarcastic

"'Set there, damn you! an' watch me eat real grub,' which I proceed to do, cleanin' the menu from soda to

hock. When I have done my worst, I pile bones an' olive seeds an' peelin's all over them articles of

nourishment, stick toothpicks into 'em, an' havin' offered 'em what other indignities occur to me, I leave the

Dextry and the girl were leaning over the sternrail, chatting idly in the darkness. It was the second night out

and the ship lay dead in the icepack. All about them was a flat, floeclogged sea, leprous and mottled in the

deep twilight that midnight brought in this latitude. They had threaded into the icefield as long as the light

lasted, following the lanes of blue water till they closed, then drifting idly till others appeared; worming out

into leagues of open sea, again creeping into the shifting labyrinth till darkness rendered progress perilous.

Occasionally they had passed herds of walrus huddled sociably upon icepans, their wet hides glistening in

the sunlight. The air had been clear and pleasant, while away on all quarters they had seen the smoke of other

ships toiling through the barrier. The spring fleet was knocking at the door of the Golden North.

Chafing at her imprisonment, the girl had asked the old man to take her out on deck under the shelter of

darkness; then she had led him to speak of his own past experiences, and of Glenister's; which he had done

freely. She was frankly curious about them, and she wondered at their apparent lack of interest in her own

identity and her secret mission. She even construed their silence as indifference, not realizing that these

The frontier is capable of no finer compliment than this utter disregard of one's folded pages. It betokens that

highest faith in one's fellowman, the belief that he should be measured by his present deeds, not by his past.

It says, translated: "This is God's free country where a man is a man, nothing more. Our land is new and pure,

our faces are to the front. If you have been square, so much the better; if not, leave behind the taints of

It had happened, therefore, that since the men had asked her no questions, she had allowed the hours to pass

and still hesitated to explain further than she had explained to Captain Stephens. It was much easier to let

things continue as they were; and there was, after all, so little that she was at liberty to tell them.

In the short time since meeting them, the girl had grown to like Dextry, with his blunt chivalry and boyish,

whimsical philosophy, but she avoided Glenister, feeling a shrinking, hidden terror of him, ever since her

eavesdropping of the previous night. At the memory of that scene she grew hot, then coldhot with anger,

icy at the sinister power and sureness which had vibrated in his voice. What kind of life was she entering

where men spoke of strange women with this assurance and hinted thus of ownership? That he was handsome

and unconscious of it, she acknowledged, and had she met him in her accustomed circle of friends, garbed in

the conventionalities, she would perhaps have thought of him as a striking man, vigorous and intelligent; but

here he seemed naturally to take on the attributes of his surroundings, acquiring a picturesque neglig�e of

dress and morals, and suggesting rugged, elemental, chilling possibilities. While with himand he had

sought her repeatedly that dayshe was aware of the unbridled passionate flood of a nature unbrooking of

delay and heedless of denial. This it was that antagonized her and set her every mental sinew in rigid

During Dextry's garrulous ramblings, Glenister emerged from the darkness and silently took his place beside

"What portent do you see that makes you stare into the night so anxiously?" he inquired.

"I am wishing for a sight of the midnight sun or the aurora borealis," she replied.

"Too late for one an' too fur south for the other," Dextry interposed. "We'll see the sun further north, though."

"Have you ever heard the real origin of the Northern Lights?" the young man inquired.

"Well, here it is. I have it from the lips of a great hunter of the Tananas. He told it to me when I was sick,

once, in his cabin, and inasmuch as he is a wise Indian and has a reputation for truth, I have no doubt that it is

"In the very old days, before the white man or corned beef had invaded the land, the greatest tribe in all the

North was the Tananas. The bravest hunter of these was Itika, the second chief. He could follow a moose till

it fell exhausted in the snow and he had many belts made from the claws of the brown bear which is deadly

wicked and, as every one knows, inhabited by the spirits of 'Yablamen,' or devils.

"One winter a terrible famine settled over the Tanana Valley. The moose departed from the gulches and the

caribou melted from the hills like mist. The dogs grew gaunt and howled all night, the babies cried, the

"Then it was that Itika decided to go hunting over the sawtooth range which formed the edge of the world.

They tried to dissuade him, saying it was certain death because a pack of monstrous white wolves, taller than

the moose and swifter than the eagle, was known to range these mountains, running madly in chase. Always,

on clear, cold nights, could be seen the flashing of the moonbeams from their gleaming hungry sides, and

although many hunters had crossed the passes in other years, they never returned, for the pack slew them.

"Nothing could deter Itika, however, so he threaded his way up through the range and, night coming,

burrowed into a drift to sleep in his caribouskin. Peering out into the darkness, he saw the flashing lights a

thousand times brighter than before. The whole heavens were ablaze with shifting streamers that raced and

writhed back and forth in wild revel. Listening, he heard the hiss and whine of dry snow under the feet of the

pack, and a distant noise as of rushing winds, although the air was deathly still.

"With daylight, he proceeded through the range, till he came out above a magnificent valley. Descending the

slope, he entered a forest of towering spruce, while on all sides the snow was trampled with tracks as wide as

a snowshoe. There came to him a noise which, as he proceeded, increased till it filled the woods. It was a

frightful din, as though a thousand wolves were howling with the madness of the kill. Cautiously creeping

nearer, he found a monstrous white animal struggling beneath a spruce which had fallen upon it in such

"All brave men are tenderhearted, so Itika set to work with his axe and cleared away the burden regardless

of the peril to himself. When he had released it, the beast arose and instead of running away addressed him in

"'I want to hunt in this valley. My people are starving,' said Itika, at which the wolf was greatly pleased and

"Always thereafter when Itika came to the valley of the Yukon the giant drove hunted with him. To this day

they run through the mountains on cold, clear nights, in a multitude, while the light of the moon flickers from

their white sides, flashing up into the sky in weird, fantastic figures. Some people call it Northern Lights, but

old Isaac assured me earnestly, toothlessly, and with the light of ancient truth, as I lay snowblind in his

lodge, that it is nothing more remarkable than the spirit of Itika and the great white wolves."

"What a queer legend!" she said. "There must be many of them in this country. I feel that I am going to like

"Tell me what led you out here in the first place. You are an Eastern man. You have had advantages,

"Indeed I do! It calls to a fellow in some strange way that a gentler country never could. When once you've

lived the long, lazy June days that never end, and heard geese honking under a warm, sunlit midnight; or

when once you've hit the trail on a winter morning so sharp and clear that the air stings you lungs, and the

whole white, silent world glistens like a jewel; yesand when you've seen the dogs romping in harness till

the sled runners ring; and the distant mountainranges come out like beautiful carvings, so close you can

reach themwell, there's something in it that brings you backthat's all, no matter where you've lost

yourself. It means health and equality and unrestraint. That's what I like best, I dare saythe utter

"When I was a schoolboy, I used to gaze at the map of Alaska for hours. I'd lose myself in it. It wasn't

anything but a big, blank corner in the North then, with a name, and mountains, and mystery. The word

'Yukon' suggested to me everything unknown and weirdhairy mastodons, golden river bars, savage Indians

with bone arrowheads and sealskin trousers. When I left college I came as fast as ever I couldthe

"The law was considered my destiny. How the shades of old Choate and Webster and Patrick Henry must

"Well, anyhow, I stepped out, leaving the way to the United States Supreme bench unobstructed, and came

North. I found it was where I belonged. I fitted in. I'm not contenteddon't think that. I'm ambitious, but I

prefer these surroundings to the othersthat's all. I'm realizing my desires. I've made a fortunenow I'll see

He suddenly turned to her. "See here," he abruptly questioned, "what's your name?"

She started, and glanced towards where Dextry had stood, only to find that the old frontiersman had slipped

"Helen Chester," he repeated, musingly. "What a pretty name! It seems almost a pity to change itto marry,

"Then you won't like this country. You are two years too early; you ought to wait till there are railroads and

"I don't see why it isn't a woman's country, too. Surely we can take a part in taming it. Yonder on the Oregon

is a complete railroad, which will be running from the coast to the mines in a few weeks. Another ship back

there has the wire and poles and fixings for a telephone system, which will go up in a night. As to tables

d'h�te, I saw a real French count in Seattle with a monocle. He's bringing in a restaurant outfit, imported

snails, and pat� de foies gras. All that's wanting is the chaperon. In my flight from the Ohio I left mine. The

She paused long before replying, and when she did her answer sounded like a jest.

"The law! Bah! Red tape, a dead language, and a horde of shysters! I'm afraid of law in this land; we're too

new and too far away from things. It puts too much power in too few hands. Heretofore we men up here have

had recourse to our courage and our Colts, but we'll have to unbuckle them both when the law comes. I like

"Perhaps. But I've heard rumors already of a plot to prostitute the law. In Unalaska a man warned Dextry,

with terror in his eye, to beware of it; that beneath the cloak of Justice was a drawn dagger whetted for us

fellow who own the rich diggings. I don't think there's any truth in it, but you can't tell."

"The law is the foundationthere can't be any progress without it. There is nothing here now but disorder."

"There isn't half the disorder you think there is. There weren't any crimes in this country till the tenderfeet

arrived. We didn't know what a thief was. If you came to a cabin you walked in without knocking. The owner

filled up the coffeepot and sliced into the bacon; then when he'd start your meal, he shook hands and asked

your name. It was just the same whether his cache was full or whether he'd packed his few pounds of food

two hundred miles on his back. That was hospitality to make your Southern article look pretty small. If there

was no one at home, you ate what you needed. There was but one unpardonable breach of etiquetteto fail

to leave dry kindlings. I'm afraid of the transitory stage we're coming tothat epoch of chaos between the

death of the old and the birth of the new. Frankly, I like the old way best. I love the license of it. I love to

wrestle with nature; to snatch, and guard, and fight for what I have. I've been beyond the law for years and I

want to stay there, where life is just what it was intended to bea survival of the fittest."

His large hands, as he gripped the bulwark, were tense and corded, while his rich voice issued softly from his

chest with the hint of power unlimited behind it. He stood over her, tall, virile, and magnetic. She saw now

why he had so joyously hailed the fight of the previous night; to one of his kind it was as salt air to the

"My pleasures are violent and my hate is mighty bitter in my mouth. What I want, I take. That's been my way

He was gazing out upon the dimly lucent miles of ice, but now he turned towards here, and, doing so, touched

She was staring up at him unaffectedly, so close that the faint odor from her hair reached him. Her expression

was simply one of wonder and curiosity at this type, so different from any she had known. But the man's eyes

were hot and blinded with the sight of her, and he felt only her beauty heightened in the dim light, the brush

of her garments, and the small, soft hand beneath his. The thrill from the touch of it surged over

"What I wantI take," he repeated, and then suddenly he reached forth and, taking her in his arms, crushed

her to him, kissing her softly, fiercely, full upon the lips. For an instant she lay gasping and stunned against

his breast, then she tore her fist free and, with all her force, struck him full in the face.

It was as though she beat upon a stone. With one movement he forced her arm to her side, smiling into her

terrified eyes; then, holding her like iron, he kissed her again and again upon the mouth, the eyes, the

"And may God strike me dead if I ever stop hating you!" she cried, her voice coming thick and hoarse with

Turning, she walked proudly forward towards her cabin, a trim, straight, haughty figure; and he did not know

FOR FOUR DAYS the Santa Maria felt blindly through the white fields, drifting north with the spring tide

that sets through Bering Strait, till, on the morning of the fifth, open water showed to the east. Creeping

through, she broke out into the last stage of the long race, amid the cheers of her weary passengers; and the

Soon they picked up a mountainous coast which rose steadily into majestic, barren ranges, still white with the

melting snows; and at ten in the evening under a golden sunset, amid screaming whistles, they anchored in

the roadstead of Nome. Before the rumble of her chains had ceased or the echo from the fleet's salute had

died from the shoreward hills, the ship was surrounded by a swarm of tiny craft clamoring about her iron

sides, while an officer in cap and gilt climbed the bridge and greeted Captain Stephens. Tugs with trailing

lighters circled discreetly about, awaiting the completion of certain formalities. These over, the uniformed

"Thank ye, sir," roared the sailor, and with that the rowboats swarmed inward piratelike, boarding the

As the master turned, he looked down from his bridge to the deck below, full into the face of Dextry, who

had been an intent witness of the meeting. With unbending dignity, Captain Stephens let his left eyelid droop

slowly, while a boyish grin spread widely over his face. Simultaneously, orders rang shapr and fast from the

bridge, the crew broke into feverish life, the creak of booms and the clank of donkeyhoists arose.

"We're here, Miss Stowaway," said Glenister, entering the girl's cabin. "The inspector passed us and it's time

This was the first time they had been alone since the scene on the afterdeck, for, besides ignoring Glenister,

she had managed that he should not even see her except in Dextry's presence. Although he had ever since

been courteous and considerate, she felt the leaping emotions that were hidden within him and longed to

leave the ship, to fly from the spell of his personality. Thoughts of him made her writhe, and yet when he was

near she could not hate him as she willedhe overpowered her, he would not be hated, he paid no heed to

her slights. This very quality reminded her how willingly and unquestioningly he had fought off the sailors

from the Ohio at a word from her. She knew he would do so again, and more, and it is hard to be bitter to one

who would lay down his life for you, even though he has offendedparticularly when he has the magnetism

"There's no danger of being seen," he continued. "The crowd's crazy, and, besides, we'll go ashore right away.

As they stepped outside, the door of an adjacent cabin opened, framing an angular, sharpfeatured woman,

who, catching sight of the girl emerging from Glenister's stateroom, paused with shrewdly narrowed eyes,

flashing quick, malicious glances from one to the other. They came later to remember with regret this chance

"Don't know yet, I'm sure," Then aside to the girl he muttered, "Shake her, she's spying on us."

Gaining her first view of the land, the girl cried out, sharply. They rode on an oily sea, tinted like burnished

copper, while on all sides, amid the faint rattle and rumble of machinery, scores of ships were belching

cargoes out upon living swarms of scows, tugs, sternwheelers, and dories. Here and there Eskimo oomiaks,

fat, walrushide boats, slid about like huge, manylegged waterbugs. An endless, antlike stream of

tenders, piled high with freight, plied to and from the shore. A mile distant lay the city, stretched like a white

ribbon between the gold of the ocean sand and the dun of the mosscovered tundra. It was like no other in the

world. At first glance it seemed all made of new white canvas. In a week its population had swelled from

three to thirty thousand. It now wandered in a slender, sinuous line along the coast for miles, because only the

beach afforded dry camping ground. Mounting to the bank behind, one sank kneedeep in moss and water,

and, treading twice in the same tracks, found a bog of oozing, icy mud. Therefore, as the town doubled daily

in size, it grew endwise like a string of dominoes, till the shore from Cape Nome to Penny River was a long

reach of white, glinting in the low rays of the arctic sunset like foamy breakers on a tropic island.

"That's Anvil Creek up yonder," said Glenister. "There's where the Midas lies. See!" He indicated a gap in the

buttress of mountains rolling back from the coast. "It's the greatest creek in the world. You'll see gold by the

muleload, and hillocks of nuggets. Oh, I'm glad to get back. This is life. That stretch of beach is full of gold.

These hills are seamed with quartz. The bedrock of that creek is yellow. There's gold, gold, gold,

everywheremore than ever was in old Solomon's minesand there's mystery and peril and things

"Let us make haste," said the girl. "I have something I must do tonight. After that, I can learn to know these

Securing a small boat, they were rowed ashore, the partners plying their ferryman with eager questions.

Having arrived five days before, he was exploding with information and volunteered the fruits of his ripe

experience till Destry stated that they were "sourdoughs" themselves, and owned the Midas, whereupon Miss

Chester marvelled at the awe which sat upon the man and the wondering stare with which he devoured the

"Sufferin' cats! Look at the freight!" ejaculated Dextry. "If a storm come up it would bust the community!"

The beach they neared was walled and crowded to the hightide mark with ramparts of merchandise, while

every incoming craft deposited its quota upon whatever vacant foot was close at hand, till bales, boxes,

boilers, and baggage of all kinds were confusedly intermixed in the narrow space. Singing longshoremen

trundled burdens from the lighters and piled them on the heap, while yelling, cursing crowds fought over it

There was no room for more, yet hourly they added to the mass. Teams splashed through the lapping surf or

stuck in the deep sand between hillocks of goods. All was noise, profanity, congestion, and feverish hurry.

This burning haste rang in the voice of the multitude, showed in its violence of gesture and redness of face,

"It's somethin' fierce ashore," said the oarsman. "I been up fer three days an' nights steadythere ain't no

room, nor time, nor darkness to sleep in. Ham an' eggs is a dollar an' a half, an' whiskey's four bits a throw."

"You know it!" the other cried, colloquially. "There was a massacree in the Northern last night."

"Sho!" said Dextry. "I know him. He's a bad actor." All three men nodded sagely, and the girl wished for

Leaving the skiff, they plunged into turmoil. Dodging through the tangle, they came out into fenced lots

where tents stood wall to wall and every inch was occupied. Here and there was a vacant spot guarded

jealously by its owner, who gazed sourly upon all men with the forbidding eve of suspicion. Finding an eddy

There was no longer in Glenister's glance that freedom with which he had come to regard the women of the

North. He had come to realize dully that here was a girl driven by some strong purpose into a position

repellent to her. In a man of his type, her independence awoke only admiration and her coldness served but to

inflame him the more. Delicacy, in Glenister, was lost in a remarkable singleness of purpose. He could laugh

at her loathing, smile under her abuse, and remain utterly ignorant that anything more than his action in

seizing her that night lay at the bottom of her dislike. He did not dream that he possessed characteristics

"I can never thank you enough for what you have doneyou two; but I shall try. Goodbye!"

Dextry gazed doubtfully at his own hand, rough and gnarly, then taking hers as he would have handled a

"We ain't goin' to turn you adrift thisaway. Whatever your destination is, we'll see you to it."

"This is the wrong latitude in which to dispute a lady, but knowin' this camp from soup to nuts, as I do, I

"I'll take you to their offices," said Glenister. "You see to the baggage, Dex. Meet me at the Second Class in

half an hour and we'll run out to the Midas." They pushed through the tangle of tents, past piles of lumber,

Nome consisted of one narrow street, twisted between solid rows of canvas and halferected frame buildings,

its every other door that of a saloon. There were fairlooking blocks which aspired to the dizzy height of

three stories, some sheathed in corrugated iron, others gleaming and galvanized. Lawyers' signs, doctors',

surveyors', were in the upper windows. The street was thronged with men from every landHelen Chester

heard more dialects than she could count. Laplanders in quaint, threecornered, padded caps idled past. Men

with the tan of the tropics rubbed elbows with yellowhaired Norsemen, and near her a carefully groomed

Frenchman with ridingbreeches and monocle was in pantomime with a skinclad Eskimo. To her left was

the sparkling sea, alive with ships of every class. To her right towered timberless mountains, unpeopled,

unexplored, forbidding, and desolatetheir hollows inlaid with snow. On one hand were the life and the

The roadway where she stood was a crush of sundry vehicles from bicycles to doghauled watercarts, and

on all sides men were laboring busily, the echo of hammers mingling with the cries of teamsters and the

"There isn't timethis is a gold stampede. You haven't caught the spirit of it yet."

They climbed the stairs in a huge, ironsheeted building to the office of Dunham Struve, and in answer to

their knock, a redfaced, whitehaired, tousled man, in shirtsleeves and stockingfeet, opened the door.

"What d'ye wan'?" he bawled, his legs wavering uncertainly. His eyes were heavy and bloodshot, his lips

loose, and his whole person exhaled alcoholic fumes like a gust from a stillhouse. Hanging to the knob, he

"Somebody mus' have tol' you," the lawyer replied. There was neither curiosity, recognition, nor resentment

in his voice. In fact, his head drooped so that he paid no attention to the girl, who had shrunk back at sight of

him. He was a young man, with marks of brilliancy showing through the dissipation betrayed by his silvery

"No. I'm runnin' the law business unassisted. Don't need any help. Dunham's in Wash'n'ton, D.C., the lan' of

He made to cross the threshold hospitably, but tripped, plunged forward, and would have rolled down the

stairs had not Glenister gathered him up and borne him back into the office, where he tossed him upon a bed

"Isn't that dreadful?" she shuddered. "Oh, and I must see him tonight!" She stamped impatiently. "I must see

"No, you mustn't," said Glenister, with equal decision. "In the first place, he wouldn't know what you were

talking about, and in the second placeI know Struve. He's too drunk to talk business and too sober

"But I must see him," she insisted. "It's what brought me here. You don't understand."

"I understand more than he could. He's in no condition to act on any important matter. You come around

Glenister noted that she had not wrung her hands nor even hinted at tears, though plainly her disappointment

"Well, I suppose I'll have to wait, but I don't know where to gosome hotel, I suppose."

"There aren't any. They're building two, but tonight you couldn't hire a room in Nome for money. I was

about to say 'love or money.' Have you no other friends hereno women? Then you must let me find a place

She rebelled at this. Was she never to have done with this man's favors? She thought of returning to the ship,

but dismissed that. She undertook to decline his aid, but he was halfway down the stairs and paid no

It was then that Helen Chester witnessed her first tragedy of the frontier, and through it came to know better

the man whom she disliked and with whom she had been thrown so fatefully. Already she had thrilled at the

spell of this country, but she had not learned that strength and license carry blood and violence as corollaries.

Emerging from the doorway at the foot of the stairs, they drifted slowly along the walk, watching the crowd.

Besides the universal tension, there were laughter and hope and exhilaration in the faces. The enthusiasm of

this boyish multitude warmed one. The girl wished to get into this spiritto be one of them. Then suddenly

from the babble at their elbows came a discordant note, not long nor loud, only a few words, penetrating and

Helen glanced over her shoulder to find that the smiles of the throng were gone and that its eyes were bent on

some scene in the street, with an eager interest she had never seen mirrored before. Simultaneously Glenister

With the quickened eye of experience he foresaw trouble and tried to drag her on, but she shook off his grasp

impatiently, and, turning, gazed absorbed at the spectacle which unfolded itself before her. Although not

comprehending the play of events, she felt vaguely the quick approach of some crisis, yet was unprepared for

Her eyes had leaped to the figures of two men in the street from whom the rest had separated like oil from

water. One was slim and well dressed; the other bulky, mackinawed, and lowering of feature. It was the

smaller who spoke, and for a moment she misjudged his bloodshot eyes and swaying carriage to be the result

The unkempt man swung on his heel with a growl and walked away, his course leading him towards

Glenister and the girl. With two strides he was abreast of them; then, detecting the flashing movement of the

The actions of both men were quick as light, yet to the girl's taut senses they seemed theatrical and deliberate.

Into her mind was seared forever the memory of that second, as though the shutter of a camera had snapped,

impressing upon her brain the scene, sharp, clearcut, and vivid. The shaggy back of the large man almost

brushing her, the ragedrunken, whiteshirted man in the derby hat, the crowd sweeping backward like

rushes before a blast, men with arms flexed and feet raised in flight, the glaring yellow sign of the "Gold Belt

Dance Hall" across the waythese were stamped upon her retina, and then she was jerked violently

backward, two strong arms crushed her down upon her knees against the wall, and she was smothered in the

He crouched over her, his cheek against her hair, his weight forcing her down into the smallest compass, his

arms about her, his body forming a living shield against the flying bullets. Over them the big man stood, and

the sustained roar of his gun was deafening. In an instant they heard the thud and felt the jar of lead in the

thin boards against which they huddled. Again the report echoed above their heads, and they saw the slender

man in the street drop his weapon and spin half round as though hit with some heavy hand. He uttered a cry

The man by Glenister's side shouted curses thickly, and walked towards his prostrate enemy, firing at every

step. The wounded man rolled to his side, and, raising himself on his elbow, fired twice, so rapidly that the

reports blendedbut without checking his antagonist's approach. Four more times the relentless assailant

fired deliberately, his last missile sent as he stood over the body which twitched and shuddered at his feet, its

garments muddy and smeared. Then he turned and retraced his steps. Back within arm'slength of the two

who pressed against the building he came, and as he went by they saw his coarse and sullen features drawn

and working pallidly, while the breath whistled through his teeth. He held his course to the door they had just

quitted, then as he turned he coughed bestially, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His knees wavered. He

vanished within the portals and, in the sickly silence that fell, they heard his hobnailed boots clumping

Noise awoke and rioted down the thoroughfare. Men rushed forth from every quarter, and the ghastly object

Glenister raised the girl, but her head rolled limply, and she would have slipped to her knees again had he not

"Don't be frightened," said he, smiling at her reassuringly; but his own lips shook and the sweat stood out like

dew on him; for they had both been close to death. There came a surge and swirl through the crowd, and

"Be ye hurt? Holy Mackinaw! When I see 'em blaze away I yells at ye fit to bust my throat. I shore thought

you was gone. Although I can't say but this killin' was a sight for sore eyesso neat an' genteelstill, as a

rule, in these street brawls it's the innocuous bystander that has flowers sent around to his house afterwards."

"Look at this," said Glenister. Breasthigh in the wall against which they had crouched, not three feet apart,

"Them's the first two he unhitched," Dextry remarked, jerking his head towards the object in the street. "Must

Even to the girl it was patent that, had she not been snatched as she was, the bullet would have found her.

"Come away quick," she panted, and they led her into a nearby store, where she sank upon a seat and

"Here, Miss," he said. "Pretty tough go for a 'cheechako.' I'm afraid you ain't gettin' enamoured of this here

For half an hour he talked to her, in his whimsical way, of foreign things, till she was quieted. Then the

partners arose to go. Although Glenister had arranged for her to stop with the wife of the merchant for the rest

"I can't go to bed. Please don't leave me! I'm too nervous. I'll go mad if you do. The strain of the last week

Dextry talked with his companion, then made a purchase which he laid at the lady's feet.

"Here's a pair of halfgrown gum boots. You put 'em on an' come with us. We'll take your mind off of things

complete. An' as fer sweet dreams, when you get back you'll make the slumbers of the just seem as restless as

a riot, or the antics of a mountaingoat which nimbly leaps from crag to crag, andwell that's restless

As the sun slanted up out of Bering Sea, they marched back towards the hills, their feet ankledeep in the soft

fresh moss, while the air tasted like a cool draught and a myriad of earthy odors rose up and encircled them.

Snipe and reed birds were noisy in the hollows and from the misty tundra lakes came the honking of brant.

After their weary weeks on shipboard, the dewy freshness livened them magically, cleansing from their

"Why, to the Midas, of course," they said; and one of them vowed recklessly, as he drank in the beauty of her

clear eyes and the grace of her slender, panting form, that he would gladly give his share of all its riches to

IN THE LIVES of countries thee are crises where, for a breath, destinies lie in the laps of the gods and are

jumbled, heads or tails. Thus are marked distinctive cycles like the seven ages of a man, and though, perhaps,

they are too subtle to be perceived at the time, yet having swung past the shadowy milestones, the epochs

Such a period in the progress of the Far Northwest was the nineteenth day of July, although to those

concerned in the building of this new empire the day appealed only as the date of the coming of the law. All

Nome gathered on the sands as lighters brought ashore Judge Stillman and his following. It was held fitting

that the Senator should be the ship to safeguard the dignity of the first coiurt and to introduce Justice into this

The interest awakened by His Honor was augmented by the fact that he was met on the beach by a charming

"That's his niece," said some one. "She came up on the first boatname's Chesterswell looker, eh?"

Another newcomer attracted even more notice than the limb of the law; a gigantic, wellgroomed man, with

keen, closeset eyes, and that indefinable easy movement and polished bearing that come from confidence,

health, and travel. Unlike the others, he did not dally on the beach nor display much interest in his

surroundings; but, with purposeful frown strode through the press, up into the heart of the city. His

companion was Struve's partner, Dunham, a middleaged, pompous man. They went directly to the offices of

"Mighty glad to meet you, Mr. McNamara," said Struve. "Your name is a household word in my part of the

country. My people were mixed up in Dakota politics somewhat, so I've always had a great admiration for

you and I'm glad you've come to Alaska. This is a big country and we need big men."

"Did you have any trouble?" Dunham inquired when the three had adjourned to a private room.

"Trouble," said Struve ruefully; "well, I wonder if I did. Miss Chester brought me your instructions O.K. and

I got busy right off. But, tell me thishow did you get the girl to act as messenger?"

"There was no one else to send," answered McNamara. "Dunham intended sailing on the first boat, but he

was detained in Washington with me, and the Judge had to wait for us at Seattle. We were afraid to trust a

stranger for fear he might get curious and examine the papers. That swould have meant" He moved his

"Decidedly not. Women and business don't mix. I hope you didn't tell her anything."

"No; I haven't had a chance. She seemed to take a dislike to me for some reason. I haven't seen her since the

"The Judge told her it had something to do with preparing the way for his court," said Dunham, "and that if

the papers were not delivered before he arrived it might cause a lot of troublelitigation, riots, bloodshed,

and all that. He filled her up on generalities till the girl was frightened to death and thought the safety of her

"Well," continued Struve, "it's dead easy to hire men to jump claims and it's dead easy to buy their rights

afterwards, particularly when they know they haven't got anybut what course do you follow when owners

"A benevolent, silverhaired old Texan pirate by the name of Dextry. He's one half owner in the Midas and

the other half mountainlion; as peaceable, you'd imagine, as a benediction, but with the temperament of a

Geronimo. I sent Galloway out to relocate the claim, and he got his notices up in the night when they were

asleep, but at 6 A.M. he came flying back to my room and nearly hammered the door down. I've seen fright

"'I've stirred up a breakfast of grizzly bear, smallpox, and sudden death and it don't set well on my

"I had to keep him hidden three days, for this gentlemannered old cannibal roamed the streets with a cannon

"No; all the rest are Swedes and they haven't got the nerve to fight. They couldn't lick a spoon if they tried.

These other men are different, though. There are two ofthem, the old one and a young fellow. I'm a little

afraid to mix it up with them, and if their claim wasn't the best in the district, I'd say let it alone."

"Yes, gentlemen. I've been working pretty hard and also pretty much in the dark so far. I'm groping for light.

When Miss Chester brought in the papers I got busy instanter. I clouded the title to the richest placers in the

region, but I'm blamed if I quite see the use of it. We'd be thrown out of any court in the land if we took them

"Well, it does seem small for Alec McNamara, but I can't see what else you're up to."

McNamara's voice was calm but decisive, his glance keen and alert, while about him clung such a breath of

power and confidence that it compelled believe even in the face of this astounding speech.

In spite of himself, Wilton Struve, lawyer, rake, and gentlemanly adventurer, felt his heart leap at what the

other's daring implied. The proposition was utterly past belief, and yet, looking into the man's purposeful

"That's bigawful bigtoo big," the younger man murmured. "Why, man, it means you'll handle fifty

"Of course it's big, but Mr. McNamara's the biggest man that ever came to Alaska," he said.

"And I've got the biggest scheme that ever came north, backed by the biggest men in Washington," continued

the politician. "Look here!" He displayed a typewritten sheet bearing parallel lists of names and figures.

"Those are my stockholders and that is their share in the venture. Oh, yes; we're incorporatedunder the

laws of Arizonasecret, of course; it would never do for the names to get out. I'm showing you this only

"Lord! I'm satisfied," said Struve, laughing nervously. "Dunham was with you when you figured the scheme

out and he met some of your friends in Washington and New York. If he says it's all right, that settles it. But

say, suppose anything went wrong with the company and it leaked out who those stockholders are?"

"There's no danger. I have the books where they will be burned at the first sign. We'd have had our own land

laws passed but for Sturtevant of Nevada, damn him. He blocked us in the Senate. However, my plan is this."

He rapidly outlined his proposition to the listeners, while a light of admiration grew and shone in the reckless

"By heavens! you're a wonder!" he cried, at the close, "and I'm with you body and soul. It's dangerousthat's

"Dangerous?" McNamara shrugged his shoulders. "Bah! Where is the danger? We've got the lawor rather,

It seemed that the Boss of North Dakota was no sluggard. He discarded coat and waistcoat and tackled the

documents which Struve laid before him, going through them like a whirlwind. Gradually he infected the

others with his energy, and soon behind the locked doors of Dunham Struve there were only haste and fever

As Helen Chester led the Judge towards the flamboyant, threestory hotel she prattled to him lightheartedly.

The fascination of a new land already held her fast, and now she felt, in addition, security and relief. Glenister

He beheld a man of perhaps threescore years, benign of aspect save for the eyes, which were neither clear nor

steady, but had the trick of looking past one. Glenister thought the mouth, too, rather weak and vacillating;

but the cleanshaven face was dignified by learning and acumen and was wrinkled in pleasant fashion.

"My niece has just told me of your service to her," the old gentleman began. "I am happy to know you, sir."

"Besides being a brave knight and assisting ladies in distress, Mr. Glenister is a very great and wonderful

"Indeed!" said the old man, his shifting eyes now resting full on the other with a flash of unmistakable

"No. We'll commence sluicing day after tomorrow. It has been a late spring. The snow in the gulch was

deep and the ground thaws slowly. We've been building houses and doing dead work, but we've got our men

"I am greatly interested. Won't you walk with us to the hotel? I want to hear more about these wonderful

"Well, they are great placers," said the miner, as the three walked on together; "nobody knows how great

because we've only scratched at them yet. In the first place the ground is so shallow and the gold is so easy to

get, that if nature didn't safeguard us in the winter we'd never dare leave our claims for fear of 'snipers.'

"It's hard to tell, sir; but we expect to average five thousand a day from the Midas alone, and there are other

"Absolutely, except for one jumper, and we don't take him seriously. A fellow named Galloway relocated us

one night last month, but he didn't allege any grounds for doing so, and we could never find trace of him. If

we had, our title would be as clean as snow again." He said the last with a peculiar inflection.

"But, my dear sir, those days are gone. The law is here and it is the duty of every one to abide by it."

"Well, perhaps it is; but in this country we consider a man's mine as sacred as his family. We didn't know

what a lock and key were in the early times and we didn't have any troubles except famine and hardship. It's

different now, though. Why, there have been more claims jumped around here this spring than in the whole

They had reached the hotel, and Glenister paused, turning to the girl as the Judge entered. When she started to

"See herewhat makes you shut me out and wrap yourself up in your haughtiness? I'm sorry for what I did

that nightI've told you so repeatedly. I've wrung my soul for that act till there's nothing left but

"It is not that," she said, slowly. "I have been thinking it over during the past month, and now that I have

gained an insight into this life I see that it wasn't an unnatural thing for you to do. It's terrible to think of, but

it's true. I don't mean that it was pardonable," she continued, quickly, "for it wasn't, and I hate you when I

think about it, but I suppose I put myself into a position to invite such actions. No; I'm sufficiently

broadminded not to blame you unreasonably, and I think I could like you in spite of it, just for what you

have done for me; but that isn't all. There is something deeper. You saved my life and I'm grateful, but you

frighten me, always. It is the cruelty in your strength, it is something away back in youlustful, and

"It is my local color, maybeabsorbed from this country. I'll try to change, though, if you want me to. I'll let

them rope and throw and brand me. I'll take on the graces of civilization and put away revenge and ambition

and all the rest of it, if it will make you like me any better. Why, I'll even promise not to violate the person of

our claimjumper if I catch him; and Heaven knows that means that Samson has parted with his locks."

"I think I could like you if you did," she said, "but you can't do it. You are a savage."

There are no clubs nor marts where men foregather for business in the Northnothing but the saloon, and

this is all and more than a club. Here men congregate to drink, to gamble, and to traffic.

It was late in the evening when Glenister entered the Northern and passed idly down the row of games,

pausing at the craptable, where he rolled the dice when his turn came. Moving to the roulettewheel, he lost

a stack of whites, but at the faro "layout" his luck was better, and he won a gold coin on the "highcard."

Whereupon he promptly ordered a round of drinks for the men grouped about him, a formality always

As he paused, glass in hand, his eyes were drawn to a man who stood close by, talking earnestly. The aspect

of the stranger challenged notice, for he stood high above his companions with a peculiar grace of attitude in

place of the awkwardness common in men of great stature. Among those who were listening intently to the

man's carefully modulated tones, Glenister recognized Mexico Mullins, the exgambler who had given

Dextry the warning at Unalaska. As he further studied the listening group, a drunken man staggered

uncertainly through the wide doors of the saloon and, gaining sight of the tall stranger, blinked, then

McNamara continued his calm discourse till he received a vicious whack on the shoulder; then he turned for a

"Ye won' talk to me, eh? Well, I'm goin' to talk to you, see? I guess you'd listen if I told these people all I

His voice was menacing and attracted general notice. Observing this, McNamara addressed him, his words

"Don't talk to me. You are a drunken nuisance. Go away before something happens to you."

Again he turned away, but the drunken man seized and whirled him about, repeating his abuse, encouraged

"Your pardon for an instant, gentlemen." McNamara laid a large white and manicured hand upon the flannel

sleeve of the miner and gently escorted him through the entrance to the sidewalk, while the crowd smiled.

As they cleared the threshold, however, he clenched his fist without a word and, raising it, struck the sot fully

and cruelly upon the jaw. His victim fell silently, the back of his head striking the boards with a hollow

thump; then, without even observing how he lay, McNamara reentered the saloon and took up his

conversation where he had been interrupted. His voice was as evenly regulated as his movements, betraying

not a sign of anger, excitement, or bravado. He lit a cigarette, extracted a notebook, and jotted down certain

All this time the body lay across the threshold without a sign of life. The buzz of the roulettewheel was

resumed and the crapdealer began his monotonous routine. Every eye was fixed on the nonchalant man at

the bar, but the unconscious creature outside the threshold lay unheeded, for in these men's code it behooves

the most humane to practise a certain aloofness in the matter of private brawls.

Having completed his notes, McNamara shook hands gravely with his companions and strode out through the

door, past the bulk that sprawled across his path, and, without pause or glance, disappeared.

A dozen willing, though unsympathetic, hands laid the drunkard on the roulettetable, where the bartender

"He ain't hurt none to speak of," said a bystander; then added, with enthusiasm:

"WHO'S YOUR NEW shift boss?" Glenister inquired of his partner, a few days later, indicating a man in the

Glenister laughed immoderately, for the object was unusually tall and loosejointed, and wore a soiled suit of

yellow mackinaw. He had laid off his coat, and now the baggy, bilious trousers hung precariously from his

angular shoulders by suspenders of alarming frailty. His legs were lost in gum boots, also loose and

cavernous, and his entire costume looked relaxed and flapping, so that he gave the impression of being able

to shake himself out of his raiment, and to rise like a burlesque Aphrodite. His face was overgrown with a

grizzled tangel that looked as though it had been trimmed with buttonhole scissors, while above the brush

"Naw! He ain't bald at all. He shaves his nob. In the early days he wore a long flowin' mane which was

inhabited by crickets, treetoads, and such fauna. It got to be a hobby with him finally, so that he growed

superstitious about goin' uncurried, and would back into a corner with both guns drawed if a barber came

near him. But once Hankthat's his real nameundertook to fry some slapjacks, and in givin' the skillet a

heave, the dough lit among his forest primeval, jest back of his ears, soft side down. Hank polluted the gulch

with langwidge which no man had ought to keep in himself without it was fumigated. Disreppitableness

oozed out through him like sweat through an icepitcher, an' since then he's been known as Slapjack Simms,

an' has kept his head shingled smooth as a gun bar'l. He's a good miner, though; ain't none betteran' square

Sluicing had begun on the Midas. Long sinuous lengths of canvas hose wound down the creek bottom from

the dam, like gigantic serpents, while the roll of gravel through the flumes mingled musically with the rush of

wters, the tinkle of tools, and the song of steel on rock. There were four "strings" of boxes abreast, and the

heaving line of shovellers ate rapidly into the creek bed, while teams with scrapers splashed through the tail

races in an atmosphere of softened profanity. In the big white tents which sat back from the bluffs, fifty men

of the night shift were alseep; for there is no respite hereno night, no Sunday, no halt, during the hundred

The mine lay cradled between wonderful, mossy, willowmottled mountains, while above and below the

gulch was dotted with tents and huts, and everywhere, from basin to hill crest, men dug and blasted, punily,

patiently, while their tracks grew daily plainer over the face of this inscrutable wilderness.

A great contentment filled the two partners as they looked on this scene. To wrest from reluctant earth her

richest treasures, to add to the wealth of the world, to createhere was satisfaction.

"We ain't robbin' no widders an' orphans doin' it, neither," Dextry suddenly remarked, expressing his partner's

feelings closely. They looked at each other and smiled with that rare understanding that exceeds words.

Descending into the cut, the old man filled a goldpan with dirt taken from under the feet of the workers, and

washed it in a puddle, while the other watched his dexterous whirling motions. When he had finished, they

poked the stream of yellow grains into a pile, then, with heads together, guessed its weight, laughing again

"I've been waitin' a turrible time for this day," said the elder. "I've suffered the plagues of prospectin' from the

Mexicos to the Circle, an' yet I don't begretch it none, now that I've struck pay."

While they spoke, two miners struggled with a bowlder they had unearthed, and having scraped and washed it

carefully, staggered back to place it on the cleaned bedrock behind. One of them slipped, and it crashed

against a brace which held the sluices in place. These boxes stand more than a man's height above the

bedrock, resting on supporting posts and running full of water. Should a sluice fall, the rushing stream

carries out the gold which has lodged in the riffles and floods the bedrock, raising havoc. Too late the

partners saw the string of boxes sway and bend at the joint. Then, before they could reach the threatened spot

to support it, Slapjack Simms, with a shriek, plunged flapping down into the cut and seized the flume. His

great height stood him in good stead now, for where the joint had opened, water poured forth in a cataract. He

dived under the breach unhesitatingly and, stooping, lifted the line as near to its former level as possible,

holding the entire burden upon his naked pate. He gesticulated wildly for help, while over him poured the

deluge of icy, muddy water. It entered his gaping waistband, bulging out his yellow trousers till they were fat

and full and the seams were bursting, while his yawning boottops became as boiling springs. Meanwhile he

chattered forth profanity in such volume that the ear ached under it as must have ached the heroic Slapjack

under the chill of the melting snow. He was relieved quickly, however, and emerged triumphant, though blue

and puckered, his wilderness of whiskers streaming like limber stalactites, his boots loosely "squishing,"

"Ain't he a ringtailed wonder? It's plumb solemn an' reverent the way he makes them untamed cusswords

"You'd better get some dry clothes," they suggested, and Slapjack proceeded a few paces towards the tents,

He seated himself and tugged at his foot till the boot came away with a sucking sound, then, instead of

emptying the accumulation at random, he poured the contents into Dextry's empty goldpan, rinsing it out

carefully. The other boot he emptied likewise. They held a surprising amount of sediment, because the stream

that had emerged from the crack in the sluices had carried with it pebbles, sand, and all the concentration of

the riffles at this point. Standing directly beneath the cataract, most of it had dived fairly into his inviting

waistband, following down the lines of least resistance into his bootlegs and boiling out at the knees.

With artful passes Dextry settled it in the pan bottom and washed away the gravel, leaving a yellow, glittering

"No, he ain'the's too thin. He's nothing but a stringer, but he'll pay to work."

"Gentlemen, there ain't no better way to save fine gold than with undercurrents an' blanket riffles. I'll have to

wash these garments of mine an' clean up the soapsuds 'cause there's a hundred dollars in golddust clingin'

to my person this minute." He went dripping up the bank, while the men returned to their work singing.

"I'm goin' to town for a pair of goldscales, but I'll be back by supper, then we'll clean up between shifts.

She'd ought to give us a thousand ounces, the way that ground prospects." He loped down the gulch, while

his partner returned to the pit, the flashing shovel blades, and the rumbling undertone of the big workings that

It was perhaps four o'clock when he was aroused from his labors by a shout from the bunktent, where a

group of horsemen had clustered. As Glenister drew near, he saw among them Wilton Struve, the lawyer, and

the big, welldressed tenderfoot of the NorthernMcNamarathe man of the heavy hand. Struve

"The ground belongs to Dextry and me. We discovered it, we opened it up, we've complied with the law, and

we're going to hold it." Glenister spoke with such conviction and heat as to nonplus Struve, but McNamara,

"Certainly, sir; if your title is good you will be protected, but the law has arrived in Alaska and we've got to

let it take its course. There's no need of violencenone whateverbut, briefly, the situation is this: Mr.

Galloway has commenced action against you; the court has enjoined you from working and has appointed me

as receiver to operate the mine until the suit is settled. It's an extraordinary procedure, of course, but the

conditions are extraordinary in this country. The season is so short that it would be unjust to the rightful

owner if the claim lay idle all summerso, to avoid that, I've been put in charge, with instructions to operate

it and preserve the proceeds subject to the court's order. Mr. Voorhees here is the United States Marshal. He

"Hold on! Do you mean to tell me that any court would recognize such a claim as Galloway's?"

"The law recognizes everything. If his grounds are no good, so much the better for you."

"You can't put in a receiver without notice to us. Why, good Lord! we never heard of a suit being

commenced. We've never even been served with a summons and we haven't had a chance to argue in our

"I have just said that this is a remarkable state of affairs and unusual action had to be taken," McNamara

"Look herethis gold won't get away. It's safe in the ground. We'll knock off work and let the claim lie idle

till the thing is settled. You can't really expect us to surrender possession of our mine on the mere allegation

of some unknown man. That's ridiculous. We won't do it. Why, you'll have to let us argue our case, at least,

Voorhees shook his head. "We'll have to follow instructions. The thing for you to do is to appear before the

court tomorrow and have the receiver dismissed. If your title is as good as you say it is, you won't have any

"You're not the only ones to suffer," added McNamara. "We've taken possession of all the mines below here."

"What! Why, heavens, man, the poorest of these mines is producing that much every day!"

"The place to argue this thing is before Judge Stillman," said Struvebut with little notion of the conflict

going on within Glenister. The youth yearned to fightnot with words nor quibbles nor legal phrases, but

with steel and blows. And he felt that the impulse was as righteous as it was natural, for he knew this process

was unjust, an outrage. Mexico Mullins's warning recurred to him. And yet. He shifted slowly as he

talked till his back was to the door of the big tent. They were watching him carefully, for all their apparent

languor and looseness in the saddle; then as he started to leap within and rally his henchmen, his mind went

back to the words of Judge Stillman and his niece. Surely that old man was on the square. He couldn't be

otherwise with her beside him, believing in him; and a suspicion of deeper plots behind these actions was

groundless. So far, all was legal, he supposed, with his scant knowledge of law, though the methods seemed

unreasonable. The men might be doing what they thought to be right. Why be the first to resist? The men on

the mines below had not done so. The title to this ground was capable of such easy proof that he and Dex

need have no uneaxiness. Courts do not rob honest people nowadays, he argued, and moreover, perhaps the

girls words were true, perhaps she would think more of him if he gave up the old fighting ways for her sake.

Certainly armed resistance to her uncle's first edict would not please her. She had said he was too violent, so

he would show her he could lay his savagery aside. She might smile on him approvingly, and that was worth

taking a chance foranyway it would mean but a few days' delay in the mine's run. As he reasoned he heard

Glenister saw the men on horseback snatch at their holsters, and, just in time, leaped at his foreman, for the

old man had moved out into the open, a Winchester at shoulder, his cheek cuddling the stock, his eyes cold

and narrow. The young man flung the barrel up and wrenched the weapon from his hands.

"None of that, Hank!" he cried, sharply. "I'll say when to shoot." He turned to look into the muzzles of guns

held in the hands of every horsemanevery horseman save one, for Alec McNamara sat unmoved, his

handsome features, nonchalant and amused, nodding approval. It was at him that Hank's weapon had been

Slapjack inhaled deeply, spat with disgust, and looked over his boss incredulously.

"Well, of all the different kinds of damn fools," he snorted, "you are the kindest." He marched past the

marshal and his deputies down to the cut, put on his coat, and vanished down the trail towards town, not

LATE IN JULY it grows dark as midnight approaches, so that the many lights from doorway and window

seem less garish and strange than they do a month earlier. In the Northern there was good business doing. The

new bar fixtures, which had cost a king's ransom, or represented the one night's losings of a Klonding

millionaire, shone rich, dark, and enticing, while the cut glass sparkled with iridescent hues, reflecting, in a

measure, the prismatic moods, the dancing spirits of the crowd that crushed past, halting at the gambling

games, or patronizing the theatre in the rear. The old bar furniture, brought down by dog team from "Up

River," was established at the rear extremity of the long building, just inside the entrance to the dancehall,

where patrons of the drama might, with a modicum of delay and inconvenience, quaff as deeply of the beaker

Now, however, the show had closed, the hall had been cleared of chairs and canvas, exposing a glassy,

tempting surface, and the orchestra had moved to the stage. They played a rollicking, bloodstirring

At certain intervals the musicians worked feverishly up to a crashing crescendo, supported by the voices of

the dancers, until all joined at the top note in a yell, while the drummer fired a .44 Colt into a box of wet

The men, who were mostly young, danced like college boys, while the women, who were all young and good

dancers, floated through the measures with the ease of roseleaves on a summer stream. Faces were flushed,

eyes were bright, and but rarely a voice sounded that was not glad. Most of the noise came from the men, and

although one caught, here and there, a hint of haggard lines about the girlish faces, and glimpsed occasional

Suddenly the music ceased and the couples crowded to the bar. The women took harmless drinks; the men,

mostly whiskey. Rarely was the choice of potations criticised, though occasionally some ruddy eschewer of

sobriety insisted that this lady "take the same," avowing that "hootch," having been demonstrated beneficial

in his case, was good for her also. Invariably the lady accepted without dispute, and invariably the man failed

to note her glance at the bartender, or the silent substitution by that capable person of gingerale for whiskey

or of plain water for gin. In turn, the mixers collected one dollar from each man, flipping to the girl a metal

percentagecheck which she added to her store. In the curtained boxes overhead, men bought bottles with foil

about the corks, and then subterfuge on the lady's part was idle, but, on the other hand, she was able to pocket

A stranger, straight from the East, would have remarked first upon the good music, next upon the good looks

of the women, and then upon the shabby clothes of the menfor some of them were in "mukluk," others in

Outside in the main gamblingroom there were but few women. Men crowded in dense masses about the faro

layout, the wheel, craps, the Klondike game, pangingi, and the cardtables. They talked of business, of

home, of women, bought and sold mines, and bartered all things from hams to honor. The groomed and clean,

the unkempt and filthy jostled shoulder to shoulder, equally affected by the license of the goldfields and the

exhilaration of the New. The mystery of the North had touched them all. The glad, bright wine of adventure

filled their veins, and they spoke mightily of things they had resolved to do, or recounted with simple

The "Bronco Kid," familiar from Atlin to Nome as the best "bank" dealer on the Yukon, worked the shift

from eight till two. He was a slender man of thirty, dexterous in movement, slow to smile, soft of voice, and

known as a living flame among women. He had dealt the biggest games of the early days, and had no

It was a strong play the Kid had tonight, for Swede Sam, of Dawson, ventured many stacks of yellow chips,

and he was a quick, aggressive gambler. A Jew sat at the king end with ten neatly creased

onethousanddollar bills before him, together with piles of smaller currency. He adventured viciously and

without system, while outsiders to the number of four or five cut in sporadically with small bets. The game

was difficult to follow; consequently the lookout, from his raised dais, was leaning forward, chin in hand,

Faro is a closed book to most people, for its intricacies are confusing. Lucky is he who has never persevered

in solving its mysteries nor speculated upon the "systems" of beating it. From those who have learned it, the

game demands practice, dexterity, and coolness. The dealer must run the cards, watch the many shifting bets,

handle the neatly piled checks, figure, lightninglike, the profits and losses. It was his unerring, clocklike

regularity in this that had won the Kid his reputation. This night his powers were taxed. He dealt silently,

This preoccupation prevented his noticing the rustle and stir of a newcomer who had crowded up behind

him, until he caught the wondering glances of those in front and saw that the Israelite was staring past him,

his money forgotten, his eyes beady and sharp, his ratlike teeth showing in a grin of admiration. Swede Sam

glared from under his unkempt shock and felt uncertainly towards the open collar of his flannel shirt where a

kerchief should have been. The men who were standing gazed at the newcomer, some with surprise, others

Bronco glanced quickly over his shoulder, and as he did so the breath caught in his throatbut for only an

instant. A girl so close beside him that the lace of her gown brushed his sleeve. He was shuffling at the

moment and dropped a card, then nodded to her, speaking quietly, as he stooped to regain the pasteboard:

She did not answeronly continued to look at the "layout." "What a woman!" he thought. She was not too

tall, with smoothly rounded bust and hips, and long waist, all well displayed by her perfectly fitting garments.

Her face was oval, the mouth rather large, the eyes of dark, darkblue, prominently outlined under thin,

silken lids. Her dullgold hair was combed low over the ears, and her smile showed rows of sparkling teeth

before it dived into twin dimples. Strangest of all, it was an innocent face, the face and smile of a schoolgirl.

The Kid finished his shuffling awkwardly and slid the cards into the box. Then the woman spoke"

"Better not. It's a hard game," said the Kid, but her voice was imperious as she commanded him:

Bronco arose, whereupon she settled in his chair, tucked in her skirts, removed her gloves, and twisted into

"What the devil's this?" said the lookout, roughly. "Are you drunk, Bronco? Get out of that chair, miss."

She turned to him slowly. The innocence had fled from her features and the big eyes flashed warningly. A

change had coarsened her like a puff of air on a still pool. Then, while she stared at him, her lids drooped

"Throw him out, Bronco," she said, and her tones held the hardness of a mistress to her slave.

"That's all right," the Kid reassured the lookout. "She's a better dealer than I am. This is Cherry Malotte."

Without noticing the stares this evoked, the girl commenced. Her hands, beautifully soft and white, flashed

over the board. She dealt rapidly, unfalteringly, with the finish of one bread to the cards, handling chips and

coppers with the peculiar mannerisms that spring from long practice. It was seen that she never looked at her

checkrack, but, when a bet required paying, picked up a stack without turning her head; and they saw

further that she never reached twice, nor took a large pile and sized it up against its mate, removing the extra

disks, as is the custom. When she stretched forth her hand she grasped the right number unerringly. This is

considered the acme of professional finish, and the Bronco Kid smiled delightedly as he saw the wonder

spread from the lookout to the spectators and heard the speech of the men who stood on chairs and tables for

For twenty minutes she continued, until the place became congested, and never once did the lookout detect an

While she was busy, Glenister entered the frontdoor and pushed his way back towards the theatre. He was

worried and distrait, his manner perturbed and unnatural. Silently and without apparent notice he passed

"Ain't you heard? Why, the Midas has been jumped. He's in a bad wayall broke up."

"Don't stop," said the Kid, while a murmur of dismay came from the spectators. She only shook her head and

Gliding through the crowd, she threaded about aimlessly, the recipient of many stares though but few

greetings, speaking to no one, a certain dignity serving her as a barrier even here. She stopped a waiter and

"Yes'm. Anyhow, he was a minute ago, unless some of the rustlers has broke in on him."

A moment later Glenister, watching the scene below, was aroused from his gloomy absorption by the click of

"Go out, please," he said, without turning. "I don't want company." Hearing no answer, he began again, "I

came here to be alone"but there he ceased, for the girl had come forward and laid her two hot hands upon

"Oh, days ago," she said, impatiently, "from Dawson. They told me you had struck it. I stood it as long as I

couldthen I came to you. Now, tell me about yourself. Let me see you first, quick!"

She pulled him towards the light and gazed upward, devouring him hungrily with her great, languorous eyes.

She held to his coat lapels, standing close beside him, her warm breath beating up into his face.

He took her wrists in his and loosed her hold, then looked down on her gravely and said:

"All over! Oh no, it isn't, boy. You think so, but it isn'tit can't be. I love you too much to let you go."

"I don't care! Let them hear," she cried, with feminine recklessness. "I'm proud of my love for you. I'll tell it

"Now, see here, little girl," he said, quietly, "we had a long talk in Dawson and agreed that it was best to

divide our ways. I was mad over you once, as a good many other men have been, but I came to my senses.

"Yes, yesI know. I thought I could give you up, but I didn't realize till you had gone how I wanted you.

Oh, it's been a torture to me every day for the past two years." There was no semblance now to the cold

creature she had appeared upon entering the gamblinghall. She spoke rapidly, her whole body tense with

emotion, her voice shaken with passion. "I've seen men and men and men, and they've loved me, but I never

cared for anybody in the world till I saw you. They ran after me, but you were cold. You made me come to

you. Perhaps that was it. Anyhow, I can't stand it. I'll give up everythingI'll do anything just to be where

you are. What do you think of a woman who will beg? Oh, I've lost my prideI'm a foola foolbut I

"I'm sorry you feel this way," said Glenister. "It isn't my fault, and it isn't of any use."

For an instant she stood quivering, while the light died out of her face; then, with a characteristic change, she

smiled till the dimples laughed in her cheeks. She sank upon a seat beside him and pulled together the

"Very well"then she put his hand to her cheek and cuddled it. "I'm glad to see you just the same, and you

With his other hand he smoothed her hair, while, unknown to him and beneath her lightness, she shrank and

"Bah! You know what to do. You aren't a crippleyou've got five fingers on your gun hand."

"That's it! They all tell me thatall the oldtimers; but I don't know what to do. I thought I didbut I don't.

The law has come into this country and I've tried to meet it halfway. They jumped us and put in a

receivera big manby the name of McNamara. Dex wasn't there and I let them do it. When the old man

learned of it he nearly went away. We had our first quarrel. He thought I was afraid"

"That was a week ago. We've hired the best lawyer in NomeBill Wheatonand we've tried to have the

injunction removed. We've offered bond in any sum, but the Judge refuses to accept it. We've argued for

leave to appeal, but he won't give us the right. The more I look into it the worse it seems, for the court wasn't

convened in accordance with law, we weren't notified to appear in our own behalf, we weren't allowed a

chance to argue our own casenothing. They simply slapped on a receiver, and now they refuse to allow us

redress. From a legal standpoint, it's appalling, I'm told; but what's to be done? What's the game? That's the

thing. What are they up to? I'm nearly out of my mind, for it's all my fault. I didn't think it meant anything

like this or I'd have made a fight for possession and stood them off at least. As it is, my partner's sore and he's

gone to drinkingfir4st time in twelve years. He says I gave the claim away, and now it's up to me and the

Almighty to get it back. If he gets full he'll drive a fourhorse wagon into some church, or go up and pick the

"No, no! We're not the only ones in trouble; they've jumped the rest of the good mines and put this

McNamara in as receiver on all of them, but that's small comfort. The Swedes are crazy; they've hired all the

lawyers in town, and are murdering more good American language than would fill Bering Strait. Dex is in

favor of getting our friends together and throwing the receiver off. He wants to kill somebody, but we can't

do that. They've got the soldiers to fall back on. We've been warned that the troops are instructed to enforce

the court's action. I don't know what the plot is, for I can't believe the old Judge is crookedthe girl wouldn't

Cherry Malotte leaned forward where the light shone on the young man's worried face.

Her voice had lost its lazy caress, her lips had thinned. Never was a woman's face more eloquent, mused

Glenister as he noted her. Every thought fled to this window to peer forth, fearful, lustful, hateful, as the case

might be. He had loved to play with her in the former days, to work upon her passions and watch the changes,

to note her features mirror every varying emotion from tenderness to flippancy, from anger to delight, and, at

his bidding, to see the pale cheeks glow with love's fire, the eyes grow heavy, the dainty lips invite kisses.

Cherry was a perfect little spoiled animal, he reflected, and a very dangerous one.

"What girl?" she questioned again, and he knew beforehand the look that went with it.

He knew he was cruelhe wanted to beit satisfied the clamor and turmoil within him, while he also felt

that the sooner she knew and the colder it left her the better. He could not note the effect of the remark on her,

however, for, as he spoke, the door of the box opened and the head of the Bronco Kid appeared, then retired

"Wrong stall," he said, in his slow voice. "Looking for another party." Nevertheless, his eyes had covered

every inch of themnoted the drawn curtains and the breathless poise of the womanwhile his ears had

"You won't marry her," said Cherry, quietly. "I don't know who she is, but I won't let you marry her."

"It's time nice people were going now." She said it with a sneer at herself. "Take me out through this crowd.

As they emerged from the theatre the morning air was cool and quiet, while the sun was just rising. The

Bronco Kid lighted a cigar as they passed, nodding silently at their greeting. His eyes followed them, while

his hands were so st5ill that the match burned through to his fingersthen when they had gone his teeth met

and ground savagely through the tobacco wo that the cigar fell, while he muttered:

THE WATER FRONT had a strong attraction for Helen Chester, and rarely did a fair day pass without

finding her in some quiet spot from which she could watch the shifting life along its edge, the ships at anchor,

This morning she sat in a dory pulled high up on the beach, bathed in the bright sunshine, and staring at the

rollers, while lines of concentration wrinkled her brow. The wind had blown for some days till the ocean beat

heavily across the shallow bar, and now, as it became quieter, longshoremen were launching their craft,

Not until the previous day had the news of her friends' misfortune come to her, and although she had heard no

hint of fraud, she began to realize that they were involved in a serious tangle. To the questions which she

anxiously put to her uncle he had replied that their difficulty arose from a technicality in the mining laws

which another man had been shrewd enough to profit by. It was a complicated question, he said, and one

requiring time to thrash out to an equitable settlement. She had undertaken to remind him of the service these

men had done her, but, with a smile, he interrupted; he could not allow such things to influence his judicial

attitude, and she must not endeavor to prejudice him in the discharge of his duty. Recognizing the justice of

For many days the girl had caught scattered talk between the Judge and McNamara, and between Struve and

his associates, but it all seemed foreign and dry, and beyond the fact that it bore on the litigation over the

Anvil Creek mines, she understood nothing and cared less, particularly as a new interest had but recently

He had begun with quiet, halfconcealed admiration of her, which had rapidly increased until his attentions

Judge Stillman was openly delighted, while the court of one like Alec McNamara could but flatter any girl. In

his presence, Helen felt herself rebelling at his suit, yet as distance separated them she thought ever more

kindly of it. This state of mind contrasted oddly with her feelings towards the other man she had met, for in

this country there were but two. When Glenister was with her she saw his love lying nakedly in his eyes and

it exercised some spell which drew her to him in spite of herself, but when he had gone, back came the

distrust, the terror of the brute she felt was there behind it all. The one appealed to her while present, the other

pled strongest while away. Now she was attempting to analyze her feelings and face the future squarely, for

she realized that her affairs neared a crisis, and this, too, not a month after meeting the men. She wondered if

she would come to love her uncle's friend. She did not know. Of the other she was sureshe never could.

Busied with these reflections, she noticed the familiar figure of Dextry wandering aimlessly. He was not

unkempt, and yet his air gave her the impression of prolonged sleeplessness. Spying her, he approached and

seated himself in the sand against the boat, while at her greeting he broke into talk as if he was neeful only of

"We're in turrible shape, miss," he said. "Our claim's jumped. Somebody run in and talked the boy out of it

while I was gone, and now we can't get 'em off. He's been tryin' this here new law game that youall brought

He said the last, not in the spirit of apology, for rarely does your frontiersman consider that his

selfindulgences require palliation, but rather after the manner of one purveying news of mild interest, as he

would inform you that his surcingle had broken or that he had witnessed a lynching.

"I don't know. I don't know nothin' about it, because, as I remarked previous, I ain't follered the totterin'

footsteps of the law too close. Nor do I intend to. I simply draws out of the game fer a spell, and lets the

youngster have his fling; then if he can't make good, I'll take the cards and finish it for him.

"It's like the time I was ranchin' with an Englishman up in Montana. This here party claimed the misfortune

of bein' a younger son, whatever that is, and is grubstaked to a ranch by his people back home. Havin'

acquired an intimate knowledge of the West by readin' Bret Harte, and havin' assim'lated the secrets of

ranchin' by correspondence school, he is fitted, ample, to teach us natives a thing or twoand he does it. I

am workin' his outfit as foreman, and it don't take long to show me that he's a goodhearted feller, in spite of

his ridin'bloomers an' pinochle eyeglass. He ain't never had no actual experience, buthe's got a Henry

Thompson Seton book that tells him all about everything from fieldmice to gorrillys.

"We're troubled a heap with coyotes them days, and finally this party sends home for some Rooshian

"'No, no, me deah man; that's not sportsmanlike; we'll hunt 'em. Ay, hunt 'em! Only fawncy the sport we'll

"'We will not,' says I. 'I ain't goin' to do no Simon Legree stunts. It ain't man's size. Bein' English, you don't

"Nothin' would do h8im but those Uncle Tom's Cabin dogs, however, and he had 'em imported clean from

Berkshire or Sibeery or thereabouts, four of 'em, great, big, blue ones. They was as handsome and imposin' as

a set of solidgold teeth, but somehow they didn't seem to savvy our play none. One day the cook rolled a

rain bar'l downhill from the kitchen, and when them blooded critters saw it comin' they ghrowed down their

tails and tore out like rabbits. After that I couldn't see no good in 'em with a spyglass.

"'They ain't got no grit. What makes you think they can fight?' I asked one day.

"'Fight?' says H'Anglish. 'My deah man, they're fullblooded. Cost seventy pun each. They're dreadful

creatures when they're rousedthey'll tear a wolf to pieces like a ragkill bearsanything. Oh! Rully

"Well, it wasn't a week later that he went over to the east line with me to mend a barb wire. I had my pliers

and a hatchet and some staples. About a mile from the house we jumped up a little brown bear that scampered

off when he seen us, but bein' agin a bluff where he couldn't get away, he climbed a cottonwood. H'Anglish

"'I'll scratch his back and talk pretty to him,' says I, 'while you run back and get a Winchester and them

"'Wolfhounds,' says he, with dignity, 'fullblooded, seventy pun each. They'll rend the poor beast limb from

"Well, I throwed sticks at the critter when he tried to unclimb the tree, till finally the boss got back with his

dogs. They set up an awful holler when they see the bearfirst one they'd ever smelled, I reckonand the

little feller crawled up in some forks and watched things, cautious, while they leaped about, bayin' most fierce

"'I'll shoot him in the lower jaw,' says the Britisher, 'so he cawn't bite the dogs. It'll give 'em cawnfidence.'

"He takes aim at Mr. Bear's chin and misses it three times runnin', he's that excited.

"'Settle down, H'Anglish,' says I. 'He ain't got no double chins. How many shells left in your gun?'

"When he looks he finds there's only one more, for he hadn't stopped to fill the magazine, so I cautions him.

"He raised her all right, and caught Mr. Bruin in the snout. What followed thereafter was most too quick to

notice, for the poor bear let out a bawl, dropped off his limb into the midst of them ragin', tur'ble,

seventypun hounds, an' hugged 'em to death, one after another, like he was doin' a system of health

exercises. He took 'em to his boosum as if he'd just got back off a long trip, then, droppin' the last one, he

made at that younger son an' put a gold fillin' in his leg. Yes, sir; most chewed it off. H'Anglish let out a

Siberianwolf holler hisself, an' I had to step in with the hatchet and kill the brute though I was most dead

"That's how it is with me an' Glenister," the old man concluded. "When he gets tired experimentin' with this

"We won't," said he, with conviction. "I look on all lawyers with suspicion, even to old baldfaceyour

uncle, askin' your pardon an' gettin' it, bein' as I'm a friend an' he ain't no real relation of yours, anyhow. No,

Dextry held the Western distrust of the legal professioncomprehensive, unreasoning, deep.

"Is the old man all the kin you've got?" he questioned, when she refused to discuss the matter.

"He isin a way. I have a brother, or I hope I have, somewhere. He ran away when we were both little tads

and I haven't seen him since. I heard about him, indirectly, at Skagwaythree years agoduring the big

rush to the Klondike, but he has never been home. When father died, I went to live with Uncle Arthursome

day, perhaps, I'll find my brother. He's cruel to hide from me this way, for there are only we two left and I've

She spoke sadly and her mood blended well with the gloom of her companion, so they stared silently out over

"It's a good thing me an' the kid had a little piece of money ahead," Dextry resumed later, reverting to the

thought that lay uppermost in his mind, "'cause we'd be up against it right if we hadn't. The boy couldn't have

amused himself none with these court proceedings, because they come high. I call 'em luxuries, like brandied

"I don't trust these Jim Crow banks no more than I do lawyers, neither. No, sirree! I bought a iron safe an'

hauled it out to the mine. She weighs eighteen hundred, and we keep our money locked up there. We've got a

feller named Johnson watchin' it now. Steal it? Well, hardly. They can't bust her open without a stick of

'giant' which would rouse everybody in five miles, an' they can't lug her off bodilyshe's too heavy. No; it's

safer there than any place I know of. There ain't no abscondin' cashiers an' all that. Tomorrer I'm goin' back

When the girl arose to go, he accompanied her up through the deep sand of the lanelike street to the main,

muddy thoroughfare of the camp. As yet, the planked and gravelled pavements, which later threaded the

town, were unknown, and the incessant traffic had worn the road into a quagmire of chocolatecolored slush,

almost axle deep, with which the store fronts, showwindows, and awnings were plentifully shot and

spattered from passing teams. Whenever a wagon approached, pedestrians fled to the shelter of neighboring

doorways, watching a chance to dodge out again. When vehicles passed from the comparative solidity of the

main street out into the morasses that constituted the rest of the town, they ventured perilously, their horses

plunging, snorting, terrified, amid an atmosphere of profanity. Discouraged animals were down constantly,

and no footpassenger, even with rubber boots, ventured off the planks that led from house to house.

To avoid a splashing team, Dextry pulled his companion close in against the entrance to the Northern saloon,

Although it was late in the afternoon the Bronco Kid had just arisen and was now loafing preparatory to the

active duties of his profession. He was speaking with the proprietor when Dextry and the girl sought shelter

just without the open door, so he caught a fair though fleeting glimpse of her as she flashed a curious look

inside. She had never been so close to a gamblinghall before, and would have liked to peer in more carefully

had she dared, but her companion moved forward. At the first look the Bronco Kid had broken off in his

speech and stared at her as though at an apparition. When she had vanished, he spoke to Reilly:

Reilly shrugged his shoulders, then without further question the Kid turned back towards the empty theatre

He moved nonchalantly till he was outside, then with the speed of a colt ran down the narrow planking

between the buildings, turned parallel to the front street, leaped from board to board, splashed through

puddles of water till he reached the next alley. Stamping the mud from his shoes and pulling down his

Dextry and his companion had crossed to the other side and were approaching, so the gambler gained a fair

view of them. He searched every inch of the girl's face and figure, then, as she made to turn her eyes in his

direction, he slouched away. He followed, however, at a distance, till he saw the man leave her, then on up to

the big hotel he shadowed her. A halfhour later he was drinking in the Golden Gate barroom with an

Although the other neither spoke nor made sign, the bartender construed his silence as acquienscence and

continued, with a conscious glance at his own reflection while he adjusted his diamond scarfpin: "Well, she

"Bah! I guess not," said the Kid, suddenly, with an inflection that startled the other from his preening. Then,

"Gee! Bronco's got the worst eye in the camp! Makes me creep when he throws it on me with that muddy

At noon the next day, as he prepared to go to the claim, Dextry's partner burst in upon him. Glenister was

The old man in turn was on his feet, the grudge which he had felt against Glenister in the past few days

"Yes, by Heaven, they've swiped our moneyour tents, tools, teams, books, hose, and all of our personal

propertyeverything! They threw Johnson off and took the whole works. I never heard of such a thing. I

went out to the claim and they wouldn't let me go near the workings. They've got every mine on Anvil Creek

guarded the same way, and they aren't going to let us come around even when they clean up. They told me so

"But, look here," demanded Dextry, sharply, "the money in that safe belongs to us. That's money we brought

in from the States. The court ain't got no right to it. What kind of a damn law is that?"

"Oh, as to law, they don't pay any attention to it any more," said Glenister, bitterly. "I made a mistake in not

killing the first man that set foot on the claim. I was a sucker, and now we're up against a stiff game. The

"Why, it's this way. The Judge has issued what he calls an order enlarging the powers of the receiver, and it

authorizes McNamara to take possession of everything on the claimstents, tools, stores, and personal

property of all kinds. It was issued last night without notice to our side, so Wheaton says, and they served it

this morning early. I went out to see McNamara, and when I got there I found him in our private tent with the

"'I'm responsible to the court for every penny of this money,' said he, 'and for every tool on the claim. In view

"'Not go near the workings?' said I. 'Do you mean you won't let us see the cleanups from out own mine?

"'I'm an officer of the court and under bond,' said he, and the smiling triumph in his eyes made me crazy.

"'You're a lying thief,' I said, looking at him square. 'And you're going too far. You played me for a fool once

"He looked injured and aggrieved and called in Voorhees, the marshal. I can't grasp the thing at all;

everybody seems to be against us, the Judge, the marshal, the prosecuting attorneyeverybody. Yet they've

"It's just as Mexico Mullins said," Dextry stormed; "there's a deal on of some kind. I'm goin' up to the hotel

an' call on the Judge myself. I ain't never seen him nor this McNamara, either. I allus want to look a man

"You'll find them both," said Glenister, "for McNamara rode into town behind me."

The old prospector proceeded to the Golden Gate Hotel and inquired for Judge Stillman's room. A boy

attempted to take his name, but he seized him by the scruff of the neck and sat him in his seat, proceeding

unannounced to the suite to which he had been directed. Hearing voices, he knocked, and then, without

The room was fitted like an office, with desk, table, typewriter, and lawbooks. Other rooms opened from it

on both sides. Two men were talking earnestlyone grayhaired, smoothshaven, and clerical, the other

tall, picturesque, and masterful. With his first glance the miner knew that before him were the two he had

come to see, and that in reality he had to deal with but one, the big man who shot at him the level glances.

"We are engaged," said the Judge, "very busily engaged, sir. Will you call again in half an hour?"

Dextry looked him over carefully from head to foot, then turned his back on him and regarded the other.

Neither he nor McNamara spoke, but their eyes were busy and each instinctively knew that here was a foe.

"I just dropped in to get acquainted. My name is DextryJoe Dextryfrom everywhere west of the

Missourian' your name is McNamara, ain't it? This here, I reckon, is your little French poodleeh?"

"Just what I say. However, that ain't what I want to talk about. I don't take no stock in such truck as judges an'

lawyers an' orders of court. They ain't intended to be took serious. They're all right for children an' Easterners

an' non compos mentis people, I s'pose, but I've always been my own judge, jury, an' hangman, an' I aim to

continue workin' my legislatif, executif, an' judicial duties to the end of the string. You look out! My pardner

is young an' seems to like the idee of lettin' somebody else run his business, so I'm goin' to give him rein and

let him amuse himself for a while with your dinky little writs an' receiverships. But don't og too faryou can

rob the Swedes, 'cause Swedes ain't entitled to have no money, an' some other crook would get it if you

didn't, but don't play me an' Glenister fer Scandinavians. It's a mistake. We're white men, an' I'm apt to come

romancin' up here with one of these an' bust you so you won't hold together durin' the ceremonies."

With his last words he made the slightest shifting movement, only a lifting shrug of the shoulder, yet in his

palm lay a sixshooter. He had slipped it from his trousers band with the ease of long practice and absolute

surety. Judge Stillman gasped and backed against the desk, but McNamara idly swung his leg as he sat

sidewise on the table. His only sign of interest was a quickening of the eyes, a fact of which Dextry made

"Yes," said the miner, disregarding the alarm of the lawyer, "you can wear this court in your vestpocket like

a Waterbury, if you want to, but if you don't let me alone, I'll uncoil its mainspring. That's all."

"WE MUST have money," said Glenister a few days later. "When McNamara jumped our safe he put us

down and out. There's no use fighting in this court any longer, for the Judge won't let us work the ground

ourselves, even if we give bond, and he won't grant an appeal. He says his orders aren't appealable. We ought

to send Wheaton to 'Frisco and have him take the case to the higher courts. Maybe he can get a writ of

"I don't rec'nize the name, but if it's as bad as it sounds it's sure horrible. Ain't there no cure for it?"

"Well, let's send him out quick. Every day means ten thousand dollars to us. It'll take him a month to make

"Yes, but where's the money to do it with? McNamara has ours. My God! What a mess we're in! What fools

we've been, Dex! There's a conspiracy here. I'm beginning to see it now that it's too late. This man is looting

our country under color of law, and figures on gutting all the mines before we can throw him off. That's his

game. He'll work them as hard and as long as he can, and Heaven only knows what will become of the

money. He must have big men behind him in order to fix a United States judge this way. Maybe he has the

"If he has, I'm goin' to kill him," said Dextry. "I've worked like a dog all my life, and now that I've struck pay

I don't aim to lose it. If Bill Wheaton can't win out accordin' to law, I'm goin' to proceed accordin' to justice."

During the past two days the partners had haunted the courtroom where their lawyer, together with the

counsel for the Scandinavians, had argued and pleaded, trying every possible professional and unprofessional

artifice in search of relief from the arbitrary rulings of the court, while hourly they had become more strongly

suspicious of some sinister plotsome hidden, powerful understanding back of the Judge and the entire

mechanism of justice. They had fought with the fury of men who battle for life, and had grown to hate the

lines of Stillman's vacillating face, the bluster of the districtattorney, and the smirking confidence of the

clerks, for it seemed that they all worked mechanically, like toys, and the dictates of Alec McNamara. At last,

when they had ceased, beaten and exhausted, they were too confused with technical phrases to grasp anything

except the fact that relief was denied them; that their claims were to be worked by the receiver; and, as a

crowning defeat, they learned that the Judge would move his court to St. Michael's and hear no cases until he

Meanwhile, McNamara hired every idle man he could lay hand upon, and ripped the placers open with

double shifts. Every day a stream of yellow dust poured into the bank and was locked in his vaults, while

those mineowners who attempted to witness the cleanups were ejected from their claims. The politician

had worked with incredible swiftness and system, and a fortnight after landing he had made good his boast to

Struve, and was in charge of every good claim in the district, the owners were ousted, their appeals argued

and denied, and the court gone for thirty days, leaving him a clear field for his operations. He felt a contempt

for most of his victims, who were slowwitted Swedes, grasping neither the purport nor the magnitude of his

operation, and as to those litigants who were discerning enough to see its enormity, he trusted to his

The two partners had come to feel that they were beating against a wall, and had also come squarely to face

the proposition that they were without funds wherewith to continue their battle. It was maddening for them to

think of the daily robbery that they suffered, for the Midas turned out many ounces of gold at every shift; and

more maddening to realize the receiver's shrewdness in crippling them by his theft of the gold in the safe.

"I met a feller this mornin' that's workin' on the Midas," the old man resumed. "He came in town fer a pair of

gum boots, an' he says they've run into awful rich groundso rich that they have to clean up every morning

"Think of it!" Glenister growled. "If we had even a part of one of those cleanups we could sent Wheaton

In the midst of his bitterness a thought struck him. He made as though to speak, then closed his mouth; but

his partner's eyes were on him, filled with a suppressed but growing fire. Dextry lowered his voice

Glenister stared back while his pulse pounded at something that lay in the other's words.

"It belongs to us," the young man said. "There wouldn't be anything wrong about it, would there?"

Dextry sneered. "Wrong! Right! Them is fine an' soundin' titles in a mess like this. What do they mean? I tell

you, at midnight tonight Alec McNamara will have twenty thousand dollars of our money"

"God! What would happen if they caught us?" whispered the younger, following out his thought. "They'd

never let us get off the claim alive. He couldn't find a better excuse to shoot us down and get rid of us. If we

"Sure! But it's our only chance. I'd ruther die on the Midas in a fair fight than set here bitin' my hangnails. I'm

growin' old and I won't never make another strike. As to bein' caughtthem's our chances. I won't be took

aliveI promise you thatand bfore I go I'll get my satisfy. Castin' things up, that's about all a man gets in

this vale of tears, jest satisfaction of one kind or another. It'll ba fight in the open, under the stars, with the

clean, wet moss to lie down on, and not a scrappin'match of freak phrases and lawbooks inside of a stinkin'

courtroom. The cards is shuffled and in the box, pardner, and the game is started. If we're due to win, we'll

win. If we're due to lose, we'll lose. These things is all figgered out a thousand years back. Come on, boy. Are

"Am I game?" Glenister's nostrils dilated and his voice rose a tone. "Am I game? I'm with you till the big

At that moment, as though in answer, the door opened with the scant ceremony that friends of the frontier are

wont to observe, admitting the attenuated, flapping, domecrowned figure of Slapjack Simms, and Dextry

It was midnight and over the dark walls of the valley peered a multitude of stars, while away on the southern

horizon there glowed a subdued effugence as though from hidden fires beneath the Gold God's caldron, or as

thoughthe phosphorescence of Bering had spread upward into the skies. Although each night grew longer, it

was not yet necessary to light the men at work in the cuts. There wre perhaps two hours in which it was

difficult to see at a distance, but the dawn came early, hence no provision had been made for torches.

Five minutes before the hour the nightshift boss lowered the gates in the dam, and, as the rush from the

sluices subsided, his men quit work and climbed the bluff to the mess tent. The dwellings of the Midas, as has

already been explained, sat back from the creek at a distance of a city block, the workings being thus partially

It is customary to leave a watchman in the pit during the noon and midnight hours, not only to see that

strangers preserve a neutral attitude, but also to watch the wastegates and water supply. The night man of

the Midas had been warned of his responsibility, and, knowing that much gold lay in his keeping, was

disposed to gaze on the curiousminded with the sourness of suspicion. Therefore, as a man leading a

packhorse approached out of the gloom of the creektrail, his eyes were on him from the moment he

appeared. The road wound along the gravel of the bars and passed in proximity to the flumes. However, the

wayfarer paid no attention to them, and the watchman detected an explanatory weariness in his slow gait.

The stranger stopped, scratched a match, and, as he undertook to light his pipe, the observer caught the

mahogany shine of a negro's face. The match sputtered out and then came impatient blasphemy as he

"Evenin', sah! Youall oblige me with a match?" He addressed the watcher on the bank above, and, without

No smoker on the trail will deny the luxury of a light to the most humble, so as the negro gained his level the

man reached forth to accommodate him. Without warning, the black man leaped forward with the ferocity of

an animal and struck the other a fearful blow. The watchman sank with a faint, startled cry, and the African

dragged him out of sight over the brow of the bank, where he rapidly tied him hand and foot, stuffing a gag

into his mouth. At the same moment two other figures rounded the bend below and approached. They were

mounted and leading a third saddlehorse, as well as other packanimals. Reaching the workings, they

dismounted. Then began a strange procedure, for one man clambered upon the sluices and, with a pick,

ripped out the riffles. This was a matter of only a few seconds; then, seizing a shovel, he transferred the

concentrates which lay in the bottom of the boxes into canvas sacks which his companion held. As each bag

was filled, it was tied and dumped into the cut. They treated but four boxes in this way, leaving the lower

twothirds of the flume untouched, for Anvil Creek gold is coarse and the heart of the cleanup lies where it

is thrown in. Gathering the sacks together, they lashed them upon the packanimals, then mounted the second

string of sluices and began as before. Throughout it all they worked with feverish haste and in unbroken

silence, every moment flashing quick glances at the figure of the lookout who stood on the crest above, half

dimmed in the shadow of a willow clump. Judging by their rapidity and sureness, they were expert miners.

From the tent came the voices of the night shift at table, and the faint rattle of dishes, while the canvas walls

glowed from the lights within like great fireflies hidden in the grass. The foreman, finishing his meal,

appeared at the door of the mess tent, and, pausing to accustom his eyes to the gloom peered perfunctorily

towards the creek. The watchman detached himself form the shadow, moving out into plain sight, and the

boss turned back. The two men below were now working on the sluices which lay close under the bank and

McNamara's description of Anvil Creek's riches had fired Helen Chester with the desire to witness a

cleanup, so they had ridden out from town in time for supper at the claim. She had not know whither he led

her, only understanding that provision for her entertainment would be made with the superintendent's wife.

Upon recognizing the Midas, she had endeavored to question him as to why her friends had been

The ground was in dispute, he saidanother man claimed itand while the litigation pended he was in

charge for the court, to see that neither party received injury. He spoke adroitly, and it satisfied her to have

She had come prepared to spend the night and witness the early morning operation, so the receiver made the

most of his opportunity. He showed her over the workings, explaining the many things that were strange to

her. Not only was he in himself a fascinating figure to any woman, but wherever he went men regarded him

deferentially, and nothing affects a woman's judgment more promptly that this obvious sign of power. He

spent he evening with her, talking of his early days and the things he had done in the West, his story

matching the picturesqueness of her canvaswalled quarters with their rough furnishings of skins and

blankets. Being a keen observer as well as a finished raconteur, he had woven a spell of words about the girl,

leaving her in a state of tumult and indecision when at last, towards midnight, he retired to his own tent. She

knew to what end all this was working, and yet knew not what her answer would be when the question came

which lay behind it all. At moments she felt the wonderful attraction of the man, and still there was some

distrust of him which she could not fathom. Again her thoughts reverted to Glenister, the impetuous, and she

It was when she heard the night shift at their meal that she threw a silken shawl about her head, stepped into

the cool night, and picked her way down towards the roar of the creek. "A breath of air and then to bed," she

thought. She saw the tall figure of the watchman and made for him. He seemed oddly interested in her

approach, watching her very closely, almost as though alarmed. It was doubtless because there were so few

women out here, or possibly on account of the lateness of the hour. Away with conventions! This was the

land of instinct and impulse. She would talk to him. The man drew his hat more closely about his face and

moved off as she came up. Glenister had been in her thoughts a moment since, and she now noted that here

was another with the same great, square shoulders and erect head. Then she saw with a start that this one was

a negro. He carried a Winchester and seemed to watch her carefully, yet with indecision.

To express her interest and to break the silence, she questioned him, but at the sound of her voice he stepped

She noted two other darkies at work below and was vaguely surprised, not so much at their presence, as a the

manner in which they moved, for they seemed under stress of some great haste, running hither and yon. She

saw horses standing in the trail and sensed something indefinably odd and alarming in the air. Turning to the

man, she opened her mouth to speak, when from the rank grass under her feet came a noise which set her

atingle, and at which her suspicions leaped full to the solution. It was the groan of a man. Again he gave

voice to his pain, and she knew that she stood face to face with something sinister. Tales of sluice robbers had

come to her, and rumors of the daring raids into which men were lured by the yellow sheenand yet this

was incredible. A hundred men lay within sound of her voice; she could hear their laughter; one was

whistling a popular refrain. A quartermile away on every hand were other camps; a scream from her would

bring them all. Nonsense, this was no sluice robberyand then the man in the bushes below moaned for the

Without reply the negro lowered the muzzle of his rifle till it covered her breast and at the same time she

"Keep still and don't move," he warned. "We're desperate and we can't take any chances, Miss."

She was wildly frightened, yet stood still while the lookout anxiously divided his attention between her and

the tents above until his companions signalled him that they were through and the horses were loaded. Then

"Oh, don't you dare!" she cried, fiercely. "I'll stand right here till you've gone and I won't scream. I promise."

She looked up at him appealingly, at which he dipped his head, so that she caught only a glimpse of his face,

"All right! Don't try it, because I'll be hidden in those bushes yonder at the bend and I'll keep you covered till

the others are gone." He leaped down the bank, ran to the cavalcade, mounted quickly, and the three lashed

their horses into a run, disappearing up the trail around the sharp curve. She heard the blows of their quirts as

They were long out of sight before the girl moved or made sound, although she knew that none of the three

had paused at the bend. She only stood and gazed, for as they galloped off she had heard the scrap of a

broken sentence. It was but one excited word, sounding through the rattle of hoofsher own

name"Helen"; and yet because of it she did not voice the alarm, but rather began to piece together, bit by

bit, the strange points of this adventure. She recalled the outlines of her captor with a wrinkle of perplexity.

Her fright disappeared entirely, giving place to intense excitement. "No, noit can't beand yet I wonder if

it is!" she cried. "Oh, I wonder if it could be!" She opened her lips to cry aloud, then hesitated. She started

towards the tents, then paused, and for many moments after the hoofbeats had died out she stayed

undecided. Surely she wished to give the signal, to force the fierce pursuit. What meant this robbery, this

defiance of the law, of her uncle's edicts and of McNamara? These were common thieves, criminals, outlaws,

these men, deserving punishment, and yet she recalled a darker night, when she herself had sobbed and

quivered with the terrors of pursuit and two men had shielded her with their bodies.

She turned and sped towards the tents, bursting in through the canvas door; instantly every man rose to his

"Sluice robbers!" she cried, breathlessly. "Quick! A holdup! The watchman is hurt!"

A roar shook the night air, and the men poured out past her, while the day shift came tumbling forth from

McNamara appeared among them, fierce and commanding, seeming to grasp the situation intuitively, without

He was mounted even as he spoke, and others joined him. Then turning, he waved his long arm up the valley

towards the mountains. "Divide into squads of five and cover the hills! Run down to Discovery, one of you,

She pointed out the valley, towards the dim glow on the southern horizon, and the cavalcade rode away into

UP CREEK the three negroes fled, past other camps, to where the stream branched. Here they took to the

right and urged their horses along a forsaken trail to the headwaters of the little tributary and over the low

saddle. They had endeavored to reach unfrequented paths as soon as possible in order that they might pass

unnoticed. Before quitting the valley they halted their heaving horses, and, selecting a stagnant pool, scoured

the grease paint from their features as best they could. Their ears were strained for sounds of pursuit, but, as

the moments passed and none came, the tension eased somewhat and they conversed guardedly. As the

morning light spread they crossed the mosscapped summit of the range, but paused again, and, removing

two saddles, hid them among the rocks. Slapjack left the others here and rode southward down the Dry Creek

Trail towards town, while the partners shifted part of the weight from the overloaded packmules to the

remaining saddleanimals and continued eastward along the barren comb of hills on foot, leading the five

"It don't seem like we'll get away this easy," said Dextry, scanning the back trail. "If we do, I'll be tempted to

foller the business reg'lar. This grease paint on my face makes me smell like a minstrel man. I bet we'll get

"I wonder what Helen was doing there," Glenister answered, irrelevantly, for he had been more shaken by his

encounter with her than at his part in the rest of the enterprise, and his mind, which should have been busied

with the flight, held nothing but pictures of her as she stood in the half darkness under the fear of his

Winchester. "What if she ever learned who that black ruffian was!" He quailed at the thought.

"You'll never put those two together. Nonsense! Why, the man's a rascal. I wouldn't let him have her.

Besides, it couldn't be. She'll find him out. I love her so much thatoh, my feelings are too big to talk

"Umm! I s'pose not," grunted Dextry, but his eyes were level and held the light of the past.

"He may be a rascal," the old man continued, after a little; "I'll put in with you on that; but he's a handsome

devil, and, as for manners, he makes you look like a logger. He's a brave man, too. Them three qualities are

trumpcards and warranted to take most any queen in the human deckred, white, or yellow."

"If he dares," growled Glenister, while his thick brows came forward and ugly lines hardened in his face.

In the gray of the early morning they descended the foothills into the wide valley of the Nome River and

filed out across the rolling country to the river bluffs where, cleverly concealed among the willows, was a

rocker. This they set up, then proceeded to wash the dirt from the sacks carefully, yet with the utmost speed,

for there was serious danger of discovery. It was wonderful, this treasure of the richest ground since the days

of '49, and the men worked with shining eyes and hands atremble. The gold was coarse, and many ragged,

yellow lumps, too large to pass through the screen, rolled in the hopper, while the aprons bellied with its

weight. In the pans which they had provided there grew a gleaming heap of wet, raw gold.

Shortly, by divergent routes, the partners rode unnoticed into town, and into the excitement of the holdup

news, while the tardy still lingered over their breakfasts. Far out in the roadstead lay the Roanoke, black

Glenister forced his lathered horse down to the beach and questioned the longshoremen who hung about.

"No; it's too late to get aboardthe last tender is on its way back," they informed him. "If you want to go to

the 'outside' you'll have to wait for the fleet. That only means another week, andthere she blows now."

A ribbon of white mingled with the velvet from the steamer's funnel and there came a slow, throbbing,

"Quick! You men!" he cried to the sailors. "I want the lightest dory on the beach and the strongest oarsmen in

the crowd. I'll be back in five minutes. There's a hundred dollars in it for you if we catch that ship."

He whirled and spurred up through the mud of the streets. Bill Wheaton was snoring luxuriously when

wrenched from his bed by a dishevelled man who shook him into wakefulness and into a portion of his

clothes, with a storm of excited instructions. The lawyer had neither time nor opportunity for expectations,

for Glenister snatched a valise and swept into it a litter of documents from the table.

"Hurry up, man," he yelled, as the lawyer dived frantically about his office in a rabbitlike hunt for items.

"My Heavens! Are you dead? Wake up! The ship's leaving." With sleep still in his eyes, Wheaton was

dragged down the street to the beach, where a knot had assembled to witness the race. As they tumbled into

the skiff, willing hands ran it out into the surf on the crest of a roller. A few lifting heaves and they were over

"I guess I didn't forget anything," gasped Wheaton as he put on his coat. "I got ready yesterday, but I couldn't

Glenister stripped off his coat and, facing the bow, pushed upon the oars at every stroke, thus adding his

strength to that of the oarsmen. They crept rapidly out from the beach, eating up the two miles that lay

towards the ship. He urged the men with all his power till the sweat soaked through their clothes and, under

their clinging shirts, the muscles stood out like iron. They had covered half the distance when Wheaton

uttered a cry and Glenister desisted from his work with a curse. The Roanoke was moving slowly.

The rowers rested, but the young man shouted at them to begin again, and, seizing a boathook, stuck it into

the arms of his coat. He waved this on high while the men redoubled their efforts. For many moments they

hung in suspense, watching the black hull as it gathered speed, and then, as they were about to cease their

effort, a puff of steam burst from its whistle and the next moment a short toot of recognition reached them.

A quarter of an hour later, as they lay heaving below the ship's steel sides, he thrust a heavy buckskin sack

"There's money to win the fight, Bill. I don't know how much, but it's enough. God bless you. Hurry back!"

A sailor cast them a whirling rope, up which Wheaton clambered; then, tying the gripsack to its end, they sent

"Important!" the young man yelled at the officer on the bridge. "Government business." He heard a muffled

clang in the engineroom, the thrash of the propellers followed, and the big ship glided past.

As Glenister dragged himself up the beach, upon landing, Helen Chester called to him, and made room for

him beside her. It had never been necessary to call him to her side before; and equally unfamiliar was the

abashment, or perhaps physical weariness, that led the young man to wink back in the warm sand with a sigh

of relief. She noted that, for the first time, the audacity was gone from his eyes.

"What mad eyoiu keep on after the ship started? I should have given upand cried."

"Have you never been forced to? Then it is because you are a man. Women have to sacrifice a great deal."

Helen expected him to continue to the effect that he would never give her upit was in accordance with his

earlier presumptionbut he was silent; and she was not sure that she liked him as well thus as when he

overwhelmed her with the boldness of his suit. For Glenister it was delightful, after the perils of the night, to

rest in the calm of her presence and to feel dumbly that she was near. She saw him secretly caress a fold of

If only she had not the memory of that one night on the ship. "Still, he is trying to make amends in the best

way he can," she thought. "Though, of course, no woman could care for a man who would do such a thing."

Yet she thrilled at the thought of how he had thrust his body between her and danger; how, but for his quick,

insistent action, she would have failed in escaping from the pest ship, failed in her mission, and met death on

"No; I've been too busy to inquire. I was told the health officers quarantined her when she arrived, that's all."

"She was sent to Egg Island with every one aboard. She has been there more than a month now and may not

"I didn't do much," he said. "The fighting part is easy. It's not half so hard as to give up your property and lie

"Did you do that because I asked you tobecause I asked you to put aside the old ways?" A wave of

"Oh, I thank you," said she. "I know it is all for the best. Uncle Arthur wouldn't do anything wrong, and Mr.

He turned towards her to speak, but refrained. He could not tell her what he felt certain of. She believed in

her own blood and in her uncle's friendsand it was not for him to speak of McNamara. The rules of the

She was thinking again, "If only you had not acted as you did." She longed to help him now in his trouble as

he had helped her, but what could she do? The law was such a confusing, intricate, perplexing thing.

"I spent last night at the Midas," she told him, "and rode back early this morning. That was a daring holdup,

"Your claim was robbed. Three men overcame the watchman at midnight and cleaned the boxes."

His simulation of excited astonishment was perfect and he rained a shower of questions upon her. She noted

with approval that he did not look her in the eye, however. He was not an accomplished liar. Now McNamara

had a countenance of iron. Unconsciously she made comparison, and the young man at her side did not lose

"Yes, I saw it all," she concluded, after recounting the details. "The negro wanted to bind me so that I

wouldn't give the alarm, but his chivalry prevented. He was a most gallant darky."

"Why, I kept my word and waited until they were out of sight, then I roused the camp, and set Mr.

"Yes, of course. Did you think they went upstream?" She was looking squarely at him now, and he dropped

his eyes. "No, the posse started in that direction, but I put them right." There was an odd light in her glance,

She sent them downstream! So that was why there had been no pursuit! Then she must suspectshe must

know everything! Glenister was stunned. Again his love for the girl surged tumultuously within him and

demanded expression. But Miss Chester, no longer feeling sure that she had the situation in hand, had already

started to return to the hotel. "I saw the men distinctly," she told him, before they separated, "and I could

At his own house Glenister found Dextry removing the stains of the night's adventure.

"She told me so just now, and, what's more, she sent McNamara and his crowd down the creek instead of up.

"Well, wellain't she a brick? She's even with us now. Bytheway, I wonder how much we cleaned up,

anyhowlet's weigh it." Going to the bed, Dextry turned back the blankets, exposing four mooseskin

"There must have been twenty thousand dollars with what I gave Wheaton," said Glenister.

At that moment, without warning, the door was flung open, and as the young man jerked the blankets into

place he whirled, snatched the sixshooter that Dextry had discarded, and covered the entrance.

Glenister dropped his gun. It was Cherry Malotte; and, from her heaving breast and the flying colors in her

cheeks, the men saw she had been running. She did not give them time to question, but closed and locked the

"They're on to you, boysyou'd btter duck out quick. They're on their way up here now."

"Quick! I heard McNamara and Voorhees, the marshal, talking. Somebody has spotted you for the holdups.

They're on their way now, I tell you. I sneaked out the back way and came here through the mud. Say, but I'm

"I don't savvy what you mean," said Dextry, glancing at his partner warningly. "We ain't done nothin'."

"Well, it's all right then. I took a long chance so you could make a getaway if you wanted to, because

they've got warrants for you for that sluice robbery last night. Here they are now." She darted to the window,

the men peering over her shoulder. Coming up the narrow walk they saw Voorhees, McNamara, and three

The house stood somewhat isolated and well back on the tundra, so that any one approaching it by the

planking had an unobstructed view of the premises. Escape was impossible, for the back door led out into the

ankledeep puddles of the open prairie; and it was now apparent that a sixth man had made a circuit and was

"My God! They'll search the place," said Dextry, and the men looked grimly in each other's faces.

Then in a flash Glenister stripped back the blankets and seized the "pokes," leaping into the back room. In

another instant he returned with them and faced desperately the candid bareness of the little room that they

lived and slept in. Nothing could be hidden; it was folly to think of it. There was a loft overhead, he

remembered, hopefully, then realized that the pursuers would search there first of all.

"I told you he was a hard fighter," said Dextry, as the quick footsteps grew louder. "He ain't no fool, neither.

'Stead of our bein' caught in the mountains, I reckon we'll shoot it out here. We should have cached that gold

He spun the cylinder of his blackened Colt, while his face grew hard and vulturelike.

Meanwhile, Cherry Malotte watched the hunted look in Glenister's face grow wilder and then stiffen into the

stubbornness of a man at bay. The posse was at the door now, knocking. The three inside stood rigid and

"Who's there?" inquired Dextry through the door, to gain time. Suddenly, without a word, the girl glided to

the hotblast heater, now cold and empty, which stood in a corner of the room. These stoves used widely in

the North, are vertical iron cylinders into which coal is poured from above. She lifted the lid and peered in to

find it a quarter full of dead ashes, then turned with shining eyes and parted lips to Glenister. He caught the

hint, and in an instant the four sacks were dropped softly into the feathery bottom and the ashes raked over.

The daring manoeuvre was almost as quick as the flash of woman's wit that prompted it, and was carried

They rapidly scoured the premises, covering every inch, paying no heed to the girl, who watched them with

indifferent eyes, nor to the old man, who glared at their every movement. Glenister was carelessly sarcastic,

although he kept his right arm free, while beneath his sangfroid was a thoroughly trained alertness.

McNamara directed the search with a manner wholly lacking in his former mock courtesy. It was as though

he had been soured by the gall of defeat. The mask had fallen off now, and his character showedinsistent,

The invaders ransacked thoroughly, while a dozen times the hearts of Cherry Malotte and her two

companions stopped, then lunged onward, as McNamara or Voorhees approached, then passed the stove. At

last Voorhees lifted the lid and peered into its dark interior. At the same instant the girl cried out, sharply,

flinging herself from her position, while the marshal jerked his head back in time to see her dash upon

"Don't! Don't!" She cried her appeal to the old man. "Keep cool. You'll be sorry, Dexthey're almost

The officer had not seen any movement on Dextry's part, but doubtless her quick eye had detected signs of

"Let them hunt," the girl was saying, while Dextry stared dazedly over her head. "They won't find anything.

Voorhees's duties sat uncomfortably upon him at the best, and, looking at the smouldering eyes of the two

men, he became averse to further search in a powdery household whose members itched to shoot him in the

"It isn't here," he reported; but the politician only scowled, then spoke for the first time directly to the

"I've got warrants for both of you and I'm tempted to take you in, but I won't. I'm not through yetnot by

any means. I'll get youget you both." He turned out of the door, followed by the marshall, who called off

"Say, you're a jewel, Cherry. You've saved us twice. You caught Voorhees just in time. My heart hit my

palate when he looked into that stove, but the next instant I wanted to laugh at Dextry's expression."

Impulsively Glenister laid his hands upon her shoulders. At his look and touch her throat swelled, her bosom

heaved, and the silken lids fluttered until she seemed choked by a very flood of sweet womanliness. She

blushed like a little maid and laughed a timid, broken laugh; then pulling herself together, the merry, careless

"You wouldn't trust me at first, eh? Some day you'll find that your old friends are the best, after all."

A RAW, gray day with a driving drizzle from seaward and a leaden rack of clouds drifting low matched the

During the last month he had chafed and fretted like an animal in leash for word of Wheaton. This

uncertainty, this impotent waiting with folded hands, was maddening to one of his spirit. He could apply

himself to no fixed duty, for the sense of his wrong preyed on him fiercely, and he found himself haunting the

vicinity of the Midas, gazing at it from afar, grasping hungrily for such scraps of news as chanced to reach

him. McNamara allowed access to none but his minions, so the partners knew but vaguely of what happened

on their property, even though, under fiction of law, it was being worked for their protection.

No steps regarding a speedy hearing of the case were allowed, and the collusion between Judge Stillman and

the receiver had become so generally recognized that there were uneasy mutterings and threats in many

quarters. Yet, although the politician had by now virtually absorbed all the richest properties in the district

and worked them through his hirelings, the people of Nome as a whole did not grasp the full turpitude of the

Strange to say, Dextry, the fireeater, had assumed an Oriental patience quite foreign to his peppery

On this day, as the clouds broke, about noon, close down on the angry horizon a drift of smoke appeared,

shortly resolving itself into a steamer. She lay to in the offing, and through his glasses Glenister saw that it

was the Roanoke. As the hours passed and no boat put off, he tried to hire a crew, but the longshoremen spat

"There's the devil of an undertow settin' along this beach," they told him, "and the water's too cold to drownd

Every day mean many dollars to the watcher, and yet it seemed that nature was resolute in thwarting him, for

that night the wind freshened and daylight saw the ship hugging the lee of Sledge Island, miles to the

westward, while the surf, white as boiling milk, boomed and thundered against the shore.

Word had gone through the street that Bill Wheaton was aboard with a writ, or a subpoena, or an alibi, or

whatever was necessary to put the "kibosh" on McNamara, so public excitement grew. McNamara hoarded

his gold in the Alaska Bank, and it was taken for granted that there would lie the scene of the struggle. No

one supposed for an instant that the usurper would part with the treasure peaceably.

On the third morning the ship lay abreast of the town again and a lifeboat was seen to make off from her,

"We'd better make ready to haul 'em out," said another. "It's mighty dangerous." And sure enough, as the skiff

She had made it past the first line, soaring over the bar on a foamy rollercrest like a stormdriven gull

winging in towards the land. The wiry figure of Bill Wheaton crouched in the stern while two sailors fought

with their oars. As they gathered for their rush through the last zone of froth, a great comber rose out of the

sea behind them, rearing high above their heads. The crowd at the surf's edge shouted. The boat wavered,

sucked back into the ocean's angry maw, and with a crash the deluge engulfed them. There remained nothing

but a swirling flood through which the lifeboat emerged bottom up, amid a tangle of oars, gratings, and

Men rushed into the water, and the next roller pounded them back upon the marblehard sand. There came

the sound of splitting wood, and then a group swarmed in waistdeep and bore out a dripping figure. It was a

hempenheaded seaman, who shook the water from his mane and grinned when his breath had come.

A step farther down the beach the bystanders seized a limp form which the tide rolled to them. It was the

Glenister had plunged to the rescue first, a heavingline about his middle, and although buffeted about he had

reached the wreck, only to miss sight of the lawyer utterly. He had time for but a glance when he was drawn

outward by the undertow till the line at his waist grew taut, then the water surged over him and he was hurled

high up on the beach again. He staggered dizzily back to the struggle, when suddenly a wave lifted the

capsized cutter and righted it, and out from beneath shot the form of Wheaton, grimly clutching the

"I got it," he said, slapping his streaming breast. "It's all right, Glenister. I knew what delay meant so I took a

long chance with the surf." The terrific ordeal he had undergone had blanched him to the lips, his legs

wobbled uncertainly, and he would have fallen but for the young man, who thrust an arm about his waist and

"I went before the Circuit Court of Appeals in 'Frisco," he explained later, "and they issued orders allowing

an appeal from this court and gave me a writ of supersedeas directed against old Judge Stillman. That takes

the litigation out of his hands altogether, and directs McNamara to turn over the Midas and all the gold he's

Glenister wrung his hand silently while a great satisfaction came upon him. At last this waiting was over and

his peaceful yielding to injustice had borne fruit; he had proven the better course after all, as the girl had

prophesied. He could go to her now with clean hands. The mine was his again. He would lay it at her feet,

telling her once more of his love and the change it was working in him. He would make her see it, make her

see that beneath the harshness his years in the wild had given him, his love for her was gentle and true and

allabsorbing. He wold bid her be patient till she saw he had mastered himself, till he could come with his

"I am glad I didn't fight when they jumped us," he said. "Now we'll get our property back and all the money

"Yes; all that's necessary is to file the documents, then serve the Judge and McNamara. You'll be back on

Having placed their documents on record at the courthouse, the two men continued to McNamara's office.

"I heard you had a narrow escape this morning, Mr. Wheaton. Too bad! What can I do for you?"

"I filed certified copies of these orders with the clerk of the court ten minutes ago, and now I make formal

demand upon you to turn over the Midas to Messrs. Glenister and Dextry, and also to return all the golddust

in your safedeposit boxes in accordance with this writ." He handed his documents to McNamara, who

Had he been slapped in the face the attorney would not have been more astonished.

"I won't do it, I said," McNamara repeated, sharply. "Don't think for a minute that I haven't gone into this

"We'll see whether you'll obey or not," said Wheaton; and when he and Glenister were outside he continued:

As they neared the Golden Gate Hotel they spied McNamara entering. It was evident that he had slipped from

So it appeared, for they were fifteen minutes in gaining access to the magistrate and then found McNamara

with him. Both men were astounded at the change in Stillman's appearance. During the last month his weak

face had shrunk and altered until vacillation was betrayed in every line, and he had acquired the habit of

furtively watching McNamara's slightest movement. It seemed that the part he played sat heavily upon him.

The Judge examined the papers perfunctorily, and, although his air was deliberate, his fingers made clumsy

"My Heavens, man!" Wheaton cried. "They're certified copies of orders from your superior court. They grant

the appeal that you have denied us and take the case out of your hands altogether. Yesand they order this

man to surrender the mine and everything connected with it. Now, sir, we want you to enforce these orders."

"You will, of course, proceed regularly and make application in court in the proper way, but I tell you now

"You say they are certified copies. How do I know they are? The signatures may all be false. Maybe you

The lawyer grew very white at this and stammered until Glenister drew him out of the room.

"Come, come," he said, "we'll carry this thing through in open court. Maybe his nerve will go back on him

then. McNamara has him hypnotized, but he won't dare refuse to obey the orders of the Circuit Court of

"He won't, eh? Well, what do you think he's doing right now?" said Wheaton. "I must think. This is the

boldest game I ever played in. They told me things while I was in 'Frisco which I couldn't believe, but I guess

they're true. Judges don't disobey the orders of their courts of appeal unless there is power back of them."

They proceeded to the attorney's office, but had not been there long before Slapjack Simms burst in upon

"I goes into the bank just now for an assay on some quartz samples. The assayer is busy, and I walk back into

his room, and while I'm there in trots McNamara in a hurry. He don't see me, as I'm inside the private office,

"We've got to stop that," said Glenister. "If he takes ours, he'll take the Swedes', too. Simms, you run up to

the Pioneer Company and tell them about it. If he gets that gold out of here, nobody knows what'll be come of

He snatched his hat and ran out of the room, followed by the others. That the loosejointed Slapjack did his

work with expedition was evidenced by the fact that the Swedes were close upon their heels as the two

entered the bank. Others had followed, sensing something unusual, and the space within the doors filled

rapidly. At the disturbance the clerks suspended their work, the barred doors of the safedeposit vault

clanged to, and the cashier laid hand upon the navy Colt's at his elbow. "What's the matter?" he cried.

The manager of the bank appeared, and Glenister spoke to him through the heavy wire netting.

No one had ever known Morehouse to lie. "Yes, sir." He spoke hesitatingly, in a voice full of the slow music

"We hear he's trying to move that dust of ours and we won't stand for it. Tell him to come out and not hide in

At these words the politician appeared beside the Southerner, and the two conversed softly an instant, while

"Let's go in and drag him out," and the rumble at this was not pleasant. Morehouse raised his hand.

The receiver's course had been quickly chosen at the interruption. It was not wise to anger these men too

much. Although he had planned to get the money into his own possession, he now thought it best to leave it

here for the present. He could come back at any time when they were off guard and get it. Beyond the door

against which he stood lay three hundred thousand dollarsweighed, sacked, sealed, and ready to move out

of the custody of this Virginian whose confidence he had tried so fruitlessly to gain.

As McNamara looked into the angry eyes of the leanfaced men beyond the grating, he felt that the game

was growing close, and his blood tingled at the thought. He had not planned on a resistance so strong and

swift, but he would meet it. He knew that they hungered for his destruction and that Glenister was their

leader. He saw further that the man's hatred now stared at him openly for the first time. He knew that back of

it was something more than love for the dull metal over which they wrangled, and then a though came to him.

"Some of your work, eh, Glenister?" he mocked. "Were you afraid to come alone, or did you wait till you saw

At the same instant he opened a door behind him, revealing Helen Chester. "You'd better not walk out with

me, Miss Chester. This man mightwell, you're safer here, you know. You'll pardon me for leaving you."

He hoped he could incite the young man to some rash act or word in the presence of the girl and counted on

the conspicuous heroism of his own position, facing the mob singlehanded, one against fifty.

"Come out," said his enemy, hoarsely, upon whom the insult and the sight of the girl in the receiver's

"Of course I'll come out, but I don't want this young lady to suffer any violence from your friends," said

McNamara. "I am not armed, but I have the right to leave here unmolestedthe right of an American

citizen." With that he raised his arms above his head. "Out of my way!" he cried. Morehouse opened the gate,

It is a peculiar thing that although under fury of passion a man may fire even upon the back of a defenceless

foe, yet no one can offer violence to a man whose arms are raised on higha nd in whose glance is the level

light of fearlessness. Moreover, it is safer to face a crowd thus than a single adversary.

McNamara had seen this psychological trick tried before and now took advantage of it to walk through the

press slowly, eye to eye. He did it theatrically, for the benefit of the girl, and, as he foresaw, the men fell

away before himall but Glenister, who blocked him, gun in hand. It was plain that the persecuted miner

was beside himself with passion. McNamara stopped and the two stared malignantly at each other, while the

girl behind the railing heard her heart pounding in the stillness. Glenister raised his hand uncertainly, then let

it fall. He shook his head, and stepped aside so that the other brushed past and out into the street.

"Mr. Morehouse, we've got orders and writs of one kind or another from the Circuit Court of Appeals at

'Frisco directing that this money be turned over to us." He shoved the papers towards the other. "We're not in

"I can't help you," he said. "These documents are not directed to me. They're issued to Mr. McNamara and

Judge Stillman. If the Circuit Court of Appeals commands me to deliver it to you I'll do it, but otherwise I'll

have to keep this dust here till it's drawn out by order of the court that gave it to me. That's the way it was put

"Then we'll take it out, anyway," cried Glenister. "We've had the worse of it everywhere else and we're sick

"Stand back!all of you!" cried Morehouse. "Don't lay a hand on that gate. Boys, pick your men."

He called this last to his clerks, at the same instant whipping from behind the counter a carbine, which he

cocked. The assayer brought into view a shotgun, while the cashier and clerks armed themselves. It was

I don't aim to have any trouble with youall," continued the Southerner, "but that money stays here till it's

"Come oncome on! What's the matter with you? And from the light in his eye it was evident that he would

Helen felt that a crisis was come, and braced herself. These men were in deadly earnest: the whitehaired

banker, his pale helpers, and those grim, quiet ones outside. There stood brawny, sunbrowned men, with set

jaws and frowning faces, and yellowhaired Scandinavians in whose blue eyes danced the flame of battle.

These had been baffled at every turn, goaded by repeated failure, and now stood shoulder to shoulder in their

resistance to a cruel law. Suddenly Helen heard a command from the street and the quick tramp of men, while

over the heads before her she saw the glint of rifle barrels. A file of soldiers with fixed bayonets thrust

"It means that Judge Stillman has called upon the military to guard this gold, that's all. Come, now, move

quick." The men hesitated, then sullenly obeyed, for resistance to the blue of Uncle Sam comes only at the

"They're robbing us with our own soldiers," said Wheaton, when they were outside.

"Ay," said Glenister, darkly. "We've tried the law, but they're forcing us back to first principles. There's going

GLENISTER had said that the judge would not dare to disobey the mandates of the Circuit Court of Appeals,

but he was wrong. Application was made for orders directing the enforcement of the writsteps which

would have restored possession of the Midas to its owners, as well as possession of the treasure in bankbut

Wheaton called a meeting of the Swedes and their attorneys, advising a junction of forces. Dextry, who had

returned from the mountains, was present. When they had finished their discussion, he said:

"It seems like I can always fight better when I know what the other feller's game is. I'm going to spy on that

"We've had detectives at work for weeks," said the lawyer for the Scandinavians; "but they can't find out

Dextry said no more, but that night ound him busied in the building adjoining the one wherein McNamara

had his office. He had rented a back room on the top floor, and with the help of his partner sawed through the

ceiling into the loft and found his way thence to the roof through a hatchway. Fortunately, there was but little

space between the two buildings, and, furthermore, each boasted the square fronts common in miningcamps,

which projected high enough to prevent observation from across the way. Thus he was enabled, without

discovery, to gain the roof adjoining and to cut through into the loft. He crept cautiously in through the

opening, and out upon a floor of joists sealed on the lower side, then lit a candle, and, locating McNamara's

office, cut a peephole so that by lying flat on the timbers he could command a considerable portion of the

room beneath. Here, early the following morning, he camped with the patience of an Indian, emerging in the

still of that night stiff, hungry, and atrociously cross. Meanwhile, there had been another meeting of the

mineowners, and it had been decided to send Wheaton, properly armed with affidavits and transcripts of

certain court records, back to San Francisco on the return trip of the Santa Maria, which had arrived in port.

He was to institute proceedings for contempt of court, and it was hoped that by extraordinary effort he could

At daybreak Dextry returned to his post, and it was midnight before he crawled from his hidingplace to see

"They have had a spy on you all day, Wheaton," he began, "and they know you're going out to the States.

"I don't just remember what the crime isbigamy, or mayhem, or attainder of treason, or

somethinganyway, they'll get you in jail and that's all they want. They think you're the only lawyer that's

"Lord! What'll I do? They'll watch every lighter that leaves the beach, and if they don't catch me that way,

"I've thought it all out," said the old man, to whom obstruction acted as a stimulant.

"I tell you they'll search the Santa Maria from stem to stern," protested the lawyer, but Dextry had gone.

"Better do as he says. His schemes are good ones," recommended Glenister, and accordingly the lawyer made

In the mean time the old prospector had begun at the end of Front Street to make a systematic search of the

gamblinghouses. Although it was very late they were running noisily, and at last he found the man he

wanted playing "Black Jack," the smell of tar in his clothes, the lilt of the sea in his boisterous laughter.

"Mac, there's only two things about you that's any goodyour silence and your seamanship. Otherwise,

"What is it you want now? If it's concerning money, or business, or the growedup side of life, run along and

"I want you to wake up your fireman and have steam on the tug in an hour, then wait for me below the

The old man next turned his steps to the Northern Theatre. The performance was still in progress, and he

Ascending the stairs, he knocked at the door of one of the boxes and called for Captain Stephens.

"I'm glad I found you, Cap," said he. "It saved me a trip out to your ship in the dark."

Dextry drew him to an isolated corner. "Me an' my partner want to send a man to the States with you."

"Wellerhere's the point," hesitated the miner, who rebelled at asking favors. "He's our law sharp, an' the

"Why, they've swore out a warrant an' aim to guard the shore tomorrow. We want you to"

"But, see here," argued the other, "we've got to send him out so he can make a powwow to the big legal

smoke in 'Frisco. We've been colddecked with a bum judge. They've got us in a corner an' over the ropes."

"I'm sorry I can't help you, Dextry, but I got mixed up in one of your scrapes and that's plenty."

"This ain't no stowaway. There's no danger to you," began Dextry, but the officer interrupted him:

"Oh, you won't, eh?" said the old man, beginning to lose his temper. "Well, you listen to me for a minute.

Everyubody in camp knows that me an' the kid is on the square an' that we're gettin' the bunk passed to us.

Now, this lawyer party must get away tonight or these grafters will hitch the horses to him on some phony

charge so he can't get to the upper court. It'll be him to the birdcage for ninety days. He's goin' to the States,

though, an' he's goin'inyourwagon! I'm talkin' to youman to man. If you don't take him, I'll go to

the health inspectorhe's a friend of minean' I'll put a crimp in you an' your steamboat. I don't want to do

thatit ain't my reg'lar graft by no meansbut this bet goes through as she lays. I never belched up a secret

before. No, sir; I am the human huntin'case watch, an' I won't open my face unless you press me. But if I

should, you'll see that it's time for you to hunt a new job. Now, here's my scheme." He outlined his directions

to the sailor, who had fallen silent during the warning. When he had done, Stephens said:

"I never had a man talk to me like that before, sirnever. You've taken advantage of me, and under the

circumstances I can't refuse. I'll do this thingnot because of your threat, but because I heard about your

trouble over the Midasand because I can't help admiring your blamed insolence." He went back into his

Dextry returned to Wheaton's office. As he neared it, he passed a lounging figure in an adjacent doorway.

"The place is watched," he announced as he entered. "Have you got a back door? Good! Leave your light

burning and we'll go out that way." They slipped quietly into an inky, tortuous passage which led back

towards Second Street. Floundering through alleys and over garbage heaps, by circuitous routes, they reached

the bridge, where, in the swift stream beneath, they saw the lights from Mac's tug.

Steam was up, and when the Captain had let them aboard Dextry gave him instructions, to which he nodded

acquiescence. They bade the lawyer adieu, and the little craft slipped its moorings, danced down the current,

"Yes, and at daylight I'll take your place in McNamara's loft," said Glenister. "There will be doings

They returned by the way they had come to the lawyer's room, extinguished his light, went to their own cabin

and to bed. At dawn Glenister arose and sought his place above McNamara's office.

To lie stretched at length on a single plank with eye glued to a crack is not a comfortable position, and the

watcher thought the hours of the next day would never end. As they dragged wearily past, his bones began to

ache beyond endurance, yet owing to the flimsy structure of the building he dared not move while the room

below was tenanted. In fact, he would not have stirred had he dared, so intense was his interest in the scenes

"He left his room some time last night. My men followed him in and saw a light in his window until two

He must have got wind of our plan. Send deputies aboard the Santa Maria; search her from keel to topmast,

and have them watch the beach close or he'll put off in a small boat. You look over the passengers that go

aboard yourself. Don't trust any of your men for that, because he may try to slip through disguised. He's liable

to make up like a woman. You understandthere's only one ship in port, andhe mustn't get away."

"He won't," said Voorhees, with conviction, and the listener overhead smiled grimly to himself, for at that

moment, twenty miles offshore, lay Mac's little tug, hove to in the track of the outgoing steamship, and in her

As the morning wore by with no news of the lawyer, McNamara's uneasiness grew. At noon the marshal

returned with a report that the passengers were all aboard and the ship about to clear.

"No, he hasn't. He may be hidden aboard somewhere among the coalbunkers, but I think he's still ashore and

aiming to make a quick run just before she sails. He hasn't left the beach since daylight, that's sure. I'm going

out to the ship now with four men and search her again. If we don't bring him off you can bet he's lying out

somewhere in town and we'll get him later. I've stationed men along the shore for two miles."

"I won't have him get away. If he should reach 'Frisco Tell your men I'll give five hundred dollars to the

Glenister grinned into a halfeaten sandwich, then turned upon his back and lay thus on the plank, identifying

He kept his post all day. Later in the evening he heard Struve enter. The man had been drinking.

"So he got away, eh?" he began. "I was afraid he would. Smart fellow, that Wheaton."

"He didn't get away," said McNamara. "He's in town yet. Just let me land him in jail on some excuse! I'll hold

him till snow flies." Struve sank into a chair and lit a cigarette with wavering hand.

"Win? Aren't we winning? What do you call this? I only hope we can lay hands on Wheaton. He knows

things. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but more is worse. Lord! If only I had a man for judge in

"That's right. Too weak. He hasn't got the backbone of an angleworm. He ain't half the man that his niece is.

There's a girl for you! Say! What'd we do without her, eh? She's a pippin!" Glenister felt a sudden tightening

of every muscle. What right had that man's liquorsodden lips to speak so of her?

"She's a brave little woman all right. Just look how she worked Glenister and his fool partner. It took nerve to

bring in those instructions of yours alone; and if it hadn't been for her we'd never have won like this. It makes

me laugh to think of those two men stowing her away in their stateroom while they slept between decks

with the sheep, and her with the papers in her bosom all the time. Then, when we got ready to do business,

why, she up and talks them into giving us possession of the mine without a fight. That's what I call

Glenister's nails cut into his flesh, while his face went livid at the words. He could not grasp it at once. It

made him sickphysically sickand for many moments he strove blindly to beat back the hideous

suspicion, the horror that the lawyer had aroused. His was not a doubting disposition, and to him the girl had

seemed as one pure, mysterious, apart, angelically incapable of deceit. He had loved her, feeling that some

day she would return his affection without fail. In her great, unclouded eyes he had found no lurkingplace

He had lost a part of the lawyer's speech, but peered through his observationhole again.

McNamara was a the window gazing out into the dark street, his back towards the lawyer, who lolled in the

chair, babbling garrulously of the girl. Glenister ground his teetha frenzy possessed him to loose his anger,

to rip through the frail ceiling with naked hands and fall vindictively upon the two men.

"She looked good to me the first time I saw her," continued Strive. He paused, and when he spoke again a

change had coarsened his features. "Say, I'm crazy about her, Mac. I tell you, I'm crazyand she likes

"Do you mean that you're in love with her?" asked the man at the window, without shifting his position. It

seemed that utter indifference was in his question, although where the light shone on his hands,

"Love her? Wellthat dependsha! You know how it is" he chuckled, coarsely. His face was gross and

His miserable words died with a gurgle, for McNamara had silently leaped and throttled him where he sat,

pinning him to the wall. Glenister saw the big politician shift his fingers slightly on Struve's throat and then

drop his left hand to his side, holding his victim writhing and helpless with his right despite the man's frantic

struggles. McNamara's head was thrust forward from his shoulders, peering into the lawyer's face. Struve tore

ineffectually at the iron arm which was squeezing his life out, while for endless minutes the other leaned his

weight against him, his idle hand behind his back, his legs braced like stone columns, as he watched his

Struve fought and wrenched while his breath caught in his throat with horrid, sickening sounds,, but

gradually his eyes rolled farther and farther back till they stared out of his blackened visage, straight up

towards the ceiling, towards the hole through which Glenister peered. His struggles lessened, his chin sagged,

and this tongue protruded, then he sat loose and still. The politician flung him out into the room so that he fell

limply upon his face, then stood watching him. Finally, McNamara passed out of the watcher's vision,

returning with a waterbucket. With his foot he rolled the unconscious wretch upon his back, then drenched

him. Replacing the pail, he seated himself, lit a cigar, and watched the return of life into his victim. He made

Struve groaned and shuddered, twisted to his side, and at last sat up weakly. In his eyes there was now a great

terror, while in place of his drunkenness was only fear and faintnessabject fear of the great bulk that sat

and smoked and stared at him so fishily. He felt uncertainly of his throat, and groaned again.

"Why did you do that?" he whispered; but the other made no sign. He tried to rise, but his knees relaxed; he

staggered and fell. At last he gained his feet and made for the door; then, when his hand was on the knob,

When he was alone he looked curiously up at the ceiling over his head. "The rats are thick in this shack," he

A few moments later a figure crept through the hole in the roof of the house next door and thence down into

the street. A block ahead was the slowmoving form of Attorney Strive. Had a stranger met them both he

would not have known which of the two had felt at his throat the clutch of a strangler, for each was drawn

Glenister unconsciously turned towards his cabin, but at leaving he lighted streets the thought of its darkness

and silence made him shudder. Not now! He could not bear that stillness and the company of his thoughts. He

dared not be alone. Dextry would be downtown, undoubtedly, and he, too, must get into the light and

At rare intervals during the past years he had staggered in from a long march where, for hours, he had waged

a bitter war with cold and hunger, his limbs clumsy with fatigue, his garments wet and stiff, his mind slack

and sullen. At such extreme seasons he had felt a consuming thirst, a thirst which burned and scorched until

his very bones cried out feverishly. Not a thirst for water, nor a thirst which eaten snow could quench, but a

savage yearning of his whole exhausted system for some stimulant, for some coursing fiery liquid that would

burn and strangle. A thirst for whiskeyfor brandy! Remembering these occasional ferocious desires, he had

become charitable to such unfortunates as were too weak to withstand similar temptations.

Now with a shock he caught himself in the grip of a thirst as insistent as though the cold bore down and the

weariness of endless heavy miles wrapped him about. It was not foolish wish to drown his thoughts nor to

banish the grief that preyed upon him, but only thirst! Thirst!a crying, trembling, physical lust to quench

the fires that burned inside. He remembered that it had been more than a year since he had tasted whiskey.

As he elbowed in through the crowd at the Northern, those next him made room at the bar, for they

recognized the hunger that peers thus from men's faces. Their manner recalled Glenister to his senses, and he

wrenched himself away. This was not some solitary, snowbanked roadhouse. He would not stand and soak

himself, shoulder to shoulder with stevedores and longshoremen. This was something to be done in secret. He

had no pride in it. The man on his right raised a glass, and the young man strangled a madness to tear it from

his hands. Instead, he hurried back to the theatre and up to a box, where he drew the curtains.

"Whiskey!" he said, thickly, to the waiter. "Bring it to me fast. Don't you hear? Whiskey!"

Across the theatre Cherry Malotte had seen him enter and jerk the curtains together. She arose and went to

"Thank you for your few wellchosen remarks," she laughed. "Why don't you ask me to spring some good,

She talked to him for a moment until the waiter entered; then, when she saw what he bore, she snatched the

glass from the tray and poured the whiskey on the floor. Glenister was on his feet and had her by the wrist.

"What's the matter?" Cherry insisted. "I never saw you act so. You know you don't drink. I won't let you. It's

boozebooze, I tell you, fit for fools and brawlers. Don't drink it, Roy. Are you in trouble?"

"I say I'm thirstyand I will have it! How do you know what it is to smoulder inside, and feel your veins

"It's something about that girl," the woman said, with quiet conviction. "She's doublecrossed you."

"Well, so she hasbut what of it? I'm thirsty. She's going to marry McNamara. I've been a fool." He ground

"McNamara is a crook, but he's a man, and he never drank a drop in his life." The girl said it, casually,

She flushed, but continued, "It simply occurred to me that if you aren't strong enough to handle your own

"Bring two lemonades," he said, and with a laugh which was half a sob Cherry Malotte leaned forward and

"Oh, it's too long! I've just learned that the girl is in, hand and glove, with the Judge and McNamarathat's

all. She's an advance agenttheir lookout. She brought in their instructions to Struve and persuaded Dex and

me to let them jump our claim. She got us to trust in the law and in her uncle. Yes, she hypnotized my

property out of me and gave it to her lover, this ward politician. Oh, she's smooth, with all her innocence!

Why, when she smiles she makes you glad and good and warm, and her eyes are as honest and clear as a

mountain pool, but she's wrongshe's wrongandgreat God! how I love her!" He dropped his face into

When she had pled with him for himself a moment before Cherry Malotte was genuine and girlish but now as

he spoke thus of the other woman a change came over her which he was too disturbed to note. She took on

"Do you remember when I warned you and Dextry that they were coming to search your cabin for the gold?

Well, that girl put them on to you. I found it oiut afterwards. She keeps the keys to McNamara's safety vault

where your dust lies, and she's the one who handles the Judge. It isn't McNamara at all." The woman lied

Glenister arose. "That's all I want to hear now. I'm going crazy. My mind aches, for I've never had a fight like

this before and it hurts. You see, I've been an animal all these years. When I wanted to drink, I drank, and

what I wanted, I got, because I've been strong enough to take it. This is new to me. I'm going downstairs

When he had gone she pulled back the curtains, and, leaning her chin in her hands, with elbows on the ledge,

gazed down upon the crowd. The show was over and the dance had begun, but she did not see it, for she was

thinking rapidly with the eagerness of one who sees the end of a long and weary search. She did not notice

the Bronco Kid beckoning to her nor the man with him, so the gambler brought his friend along and invaded

"No; I'd rather look on. I feel sociable. You're a society man, Mr. Champian. Don't you know anything of

"Can't say that I do. My wife attends to all that for the family. But I know there's lots of it. It's funny to me,

the airs some of these people assume up here, just as though we weren't all equal, north of Fiftythree. I

Cherry Malotte turned abruptly, while the Kid slowly lowered the front legs of his chair to the floor.

"Why, it seems she compromised herself pretty badly with this fellow Glenister coming up on the steamer

last spring. Mighty brazen, according to my wife. Mrs. Champian was on the same ship and says she was

Ah! Glenister had told her only half the tale, thought the girl. The truth was baring itself. At that moment

Champian thought she looked the typical creature of the dancehalls, the crafty, jealous, malevolent

"She is a lady," said the Kid. He sat bolt upright and rigid, and the knuckles of his clinched hands were very

white. In the shadow they did not note that his dark face was ghastly, nor did he say more except to bid

Champian goodbye when he left, later on. After the door had closed, however, the Kid arose and stretched

his muscles, not languidly, but as though to take out the cramp of long tension. He wet his lips, and his mouth

"What are you grinning at?" Then, as the light struck his face, she started. "My! How you look! What ails

you? Are you sick?" No one, from Dawson down, had seen the Bronco Kid as he looked tonight.

She wrung her hands, which is a bad sign in a capable person, and as Glenister crossed the floor below in her

FOR A LONG time Cherry Malotte sat quietly thinking, removed by her mental stress to such an infinite

distance from the music and turmoil beneath that she was conscious of it only as a formless clamor. She had

tipped a chair back against the door, wedging it beneath the knob so that she might be saved from

interruption, then flung herself into another seat and stared unseeingly. As she sat thus, and thought, and

schemed, harsh and hateful lines seemed to eat into her face. Now and then she moaned impatiently, as

though fearing lest the strategy she was plotting might prove futile; then she would rise and pace her narrow

quarters. She was unconscious of time, and had spent perhaps two hours thus, when amid the buzz of talk in

the next compartment she heard a name which caused her to start, listen, then drop her preoccupation like a

"I never saw anything like it since McMaster's Night in Virginia City, thirteen years ago. He's right."

"Well, perhaps so," the other replied, doubtfully, "but I don't care to back you. I never 'staked' a man in my

"Then lend me the money. I'll pay it back in an hour, but for Heaven's sake be quick. I tell you he's as right as

a golden guinea. It's the lucky night of his life. Why, he turned over the Black Jack game in four bets. In

fifteen minutes more we can't get close enough to a table to send in our money with a

"I'll stake you to fifty," the second man replied, in a tone that showed a trace of his companion's excitement.

So Glenister was gambling, the girl learned, and with such luck as to break the Black Jack game and excite

the greed of every gambler in camp. News of his winnings had gone out into the street, and the sporting men

were coming to share his fortune, to fatten like vultures on the adversity of their fellows. Those who had no

She left her retreat, and, descending the stairs, was greeted by a strange sight. The dancehall was empty of

all but the musicians, who blew and fiddled lustily in vain endeavor to draw from the rapidly swelling crowd

that thronged the gamblingroom and stretched to the door. The press was thickest about a table midway

down the hall. Cherry could see nothing of what went on there, for men and women stood ten deep about it

and others perched on chairs and tables along the walls. A roar arose suddenly, followed by utter silence; then

came the clink and rattle of silver. A moment, and the crowd resumed its laughter and talk.

"All down, boys," sounded the level voice of the dealer. "The field or the favorite. He's made eighteen

straight passes. Get your money on the line." There ensued another breathless instant wherein she heard the

thud of dice, then followed the shout of triumph that told what the spots revealed. The dealer payed off.

Glenister reared himself head and shoulders above the others and pushed out through the ring to the

roulettewheel. The rest followed. Behind the circular table they had quitted, the dealer was putting away his

dice, and there was not a coin in his rack. Mexico Mullins approached Cherry, and she questioned him.

"He just broke the crap game," Mullins told her; "nineteen passes without losing the bones."

"Oh, he didn't win much himself, but it's the people betting with him that does the damage! They're gamblers,

most of them, and they play the limit. He took out the Black Jack bankroll first, $4,000, then cleaned the

'Tub.' By that time the tin horns began to come in. It's the greatest run I ever see."

"Now, don't you know that I never play anything but 'bank'? If he lasts long enough to reach the faro layout,

The excitement of the crowd began to infect the girl, even though she looked on from the outside. The

exultant voices, the sudden hush, the tensity of nerve it all betokened, set her athrill. A stranger left the

throng and rushed to the spot where Cherry and Mexico stood talking. He was small and sandy, with shifting

glance and chinless jaw. His eyes glittered, his teeth shone ratlike through his dry lips, and his voice was

shrill. He darted towards them like some furtive, frightened little animal, unnaturally excited.

"I guess that isn't so bad for three bets!" He shook a sheaf of banknotes at them.

"I am too wise. Ha! I know when to quit. He can't win steadyhe don't play any system."

"There he goes now," the little man cried as the uproar arose. "I told you he'd lose." At the voice of the

He scampered back into the other room, only to return, hesitating, his money tightly clutched.

"Do you s'pose it's safe? I never saw a man bet so reckless. I guess I'd better quit, eh?" He noted the sneer on

the woman's face, and without waiting a reply dashed off again. They saw him clamorously fight his way in

towards a post at the roulettetable. "Let me through! I've got money and I want to play it!"

"Pah! said Mullins, disgustedly. "He's one of them Vermont desperadoes that never laid a bet till he was

"There are plenty of that sort here," the girl remarked; "his soul would fit in a fleatrack." She spied the

Bronco Kid sauntering back towards her and joined him. He leaned against the wall, watching the gossamer

thread of smoke twist upward from his cigarette, seemingly oblivious to the surroundings, and showing no

She glanced at the long trail of devastated tables behind Glenister and his followers. At that instant the sound

told that the miner had won again, and it dawned upon Cherry that the gambler beside her stood too quietly,

that his hand and voice were too steady, his glance too cold to be natural. The next moment approved her

The musicians, grown tired of their endeavors to lure back the dancers, determined to join the excitement,

and ceased playing. The leader laid down his violin, the pianist trailed up the keyboard with a departing

twitter and quit his stool. They all crossed the hall, headed for the crowd, some of them making ready to bet.

As they approached the Bronco Kid, his lips thinned and slid apart slightly, while out of his heavylidded

eyes there flared unreasoning rage. Stepping forward, he seized the foremost man and spun him about

"Get back, damn you!" It was his first chance to vent the passion within him. By the time they had resumed

their duties, however, the curtains of composure had closed upon the Kid, masking his emotion again; but

from her brief glimpse Cherry Malotte knew that this man was not of ice, as some supposed. He turned to her

"I hate him," she interrupted, hoarsely. He gave her a mirthless smile, and spying the crapdealer leaving his

"Today, I want you to 'drive the hearse' when Glenister begins to play faro. I'll deal. Understand?"

"I never dealt a crooked card in this camp," exclaimed the Kid, "but I'll 'lay' that man tonight or I'll kill him!

I'll use a 'sandtell,' see! And I want to explain my signals to you. If you miss the signs you'll queer us both

He rapidly rehearsed his signals in a jargon which to a layman would have been unintelligible, illustrating

them by certain almost imperceptible shiftings of the fingers or changes in the position of his hand, so slight

as to thwart discovery. Through it all the girl stood by and followed his every word and motion with eager

attention. She needed no explanation of the terms they used. She knew them all, knew that the

"hearsedriver" was the man who kept the cases, knew all the code of the "inside life." To her it was all as an

open page, and she memorized more quickly than did Toby the signs by which the Bronco Kid proposed to

In faro it is customary for the casekeeper to sit on the opposite side of the table from the dealer, with a

device before him resembling an abacus, or Chinese addingmachine. When a card is removed from the

farobox by the dealer, the "hearsedriver" moves a button opposite a corresponding card on his little

machine, in order that the players, at a glance, may tell what spots have been played or are still in the box.

His duties, though simple, are important, for should he make an error, and should the position of his counters

not tally with the cards in the box on the "last turn," all bets on the table are declared void. When honestly

dealt, faro is the fairest of all gambling games, but it is intricate, and may hide much knavery. When the game

is crooked, it is fatal, for out of the ingenuity of generations of card sharks there have been evolved a

multitude of devices with which to fleece the unsuspecting. These are so carefully masked that none but the

initiated may know then, while the freemasonry of the craft is strong and discovery unusual.

Instead of using a familiar arrangement like the "needletell," wherein an invisible needle pricks the dealer's

thumb, thus signalling the presence of certain cards, the Bronco Kid had determined to use the "sandtell." In

other words, he would employ a "straight box," but a deck of cards, certain ones of which had been

roughened or sandpapered slightly, so that, by pressing more heavily on the top or exposed card, the one

beneath would stick to its neighbor above, and thus enable him to deal two with one motion if the occasion

demanded. This roughness would likewise enable him to detect the hidden presence of a marked card by the

faintest scratching sound when dealt. In this manipulation it would be necessary, also, to shave the edges of

some of the pasteboards a trifle, so that, when the deck was forced firmly against one side of the box, there

would be exposed a fraction of the small figure in the lefthand corner of the concealed cards. Long practice

in the art of jugglery lends such proficiency as to baffle discovery and rob the game of its uncertainty as

surely as the player is robbed of his money. It is, of course, vital that the confederate casekeeper be able to

interpret the dealer's signs perfectly in order to move the sliding ebony disks to correspond, else trouble will

Having completed his instructions, the proprietor went forward, and Cherry wormed her way towards the

roulettewheel. She wished to watch Glenister, but could not get near him because of the crowd. The men

would not make room for her. Every eye was glued upon the table as though salvation lurked in its rows of

red and black. They were packed behind it until the croupier had barely room to spin the ball, and although he

forced them back, they pressed forward again inch by inch, drawn by the song of the ivory, drunk with its

Cherry gathered that Glenister was still winning, for a glimpse of the wheelrack between the shoulders of

Plainly it was but a question of minutes, so she backed out and took her station beside the farotable where

the Bronco Kid was dealing. His face wore its colorless mask of indifference; his long white hands moved

slowly with the certainty that betokened absolute mastery of his art. He was waiting. The excrap dealer was

The group left the roulettetable in a few moments and surrounded her, Glenister among the others. He was

not the man she knew. In place of the dreary hopelessness with which he had left her, his face was flushed

and reckless, his collar was open, showing the base of his great, corded neck, while the lust of the game had

coarsened him till he was again the violent, untamed, primitive man of the frontier. His selfrestraint and

dignity were gone. He had tried the new ways, and they were not for him. He slipped back, and the past

After leaving Cherry he had sought some mental relief by idly risking the silver in his pocket. He had let the

coins lie and double, then double again and again. He had been indifferent whether he won or lost, so

assumed a reckless disregard for the laws of probability, thinking that he would shortly lose the money he had

won and then go home. He did not want it. When his luck remained the same, he raised the stakes, but it did

not changehe could not lose. Before he realized it, other men were betting with him, animated purely by

greed and craze of the sport. First one, then another joined till game after game was closed, and each moment

the crowd had grown in size and enthusiasm so that its fever crept into him, imperceptibly at first, but ever

He paid no attention to Cherry as he took his seat. He had eyes for nothing but the "layout." She clenched

"One hundred, and two," the Kid answered, which in the vernacular means that any sum up to $200 may be

laid on one card save only on the last turn, when the amount is lessened by half.

Without more ado they commenced. The Kid handled his cards smoothly, surely, paying and taking bets with

machinelike calm. The onlookers ceased talking and prepared to watch, for now came the crucial test of

For a time Glenister won steadily till there came a moment when many stacks of chips lay on the deuce.

Cherry saw the Kid "flash" to the casekeeper, and the next moment he had "pulled two." The deuce lost. It

was his first substantial gain, and the players paid no attention. At the end of half an hour the winnings were

slightly in favor of the "house." Then Glenister said, "This is too slow. I want action."

Thus it became possible to wager $400 on a card, and the Kid began really to play. Glenister now lost

steadily, not in large amounts, but with tantalizing regularity. Cherry had never seen cards played like this.

The gambler was a revelation to herhis work was wonderful. Ill luck seemed to fan the crowd's eagerness,

while, to add to its impatience, the cases came wrong twice in succession, so that those who would have bet

heavily upon the last turn had their money given back. Cherry saw the confusion of the "hearsedriver" even

quicker than did Bronco. Toby was growing rattled. The dealer's work was too fast for him, and yet he could

offer no signal of distress for fear of annihilation at the hands of those crowded close to his shoulder. In the

same way the owner of the game could make no objection to his helper's incompetence for fear that some

bystander would volunteer to fill the man's partthere were many present capable of the trick. He could

They had not gone far on the next game before Cherry's quick eye detected a sign which the man

misinterpreted. She addressed him, quietly, "You'd better brush up your plumes."

In spite of his anger the Bronco Kid smiled. Humor in him was strangely withered and distorted, yet here was

a thrust he would always remember and recount with glee in years to come. He feared there were other

farodealers present who might understand the hint, but there was none save Mexico Mullins, whose face

was a studynothing seemed to be strangling him. A moment later the girl spoke to the casekeeper again.

Toby glanced inquiringly at the Kid, who caught Cherry's measuring look and nodded, so he arose and the

girl slid into the vacant chair. This woman would make no errorsthe dealer knew that; her keen wits were

sharpened by hateit showed in her face. If Glenister escaped destruction tonight it would be because

In the mind of the new casekeeper there was but one thoughtRoy must be broken. Humiliation, disgrace,

ruin, ridicule, wee to be his. If he should be downed, discredited, and discouraged, then, perhaps, he would

turn to her as he had in the bygone days. He was slipping away from herthis was her last chance. She

began her duties easily, and her alertness stimulated Bronco till his senses, too, grew sharper, his observation

more acute and lightninglike. Glenister swore beneath his breath that the cards were bewitched. He was like

a drunken man, now as truly intoxicated as though the fumes of wine had befogged his brain. He swayed in

his seat, the veins of his neck thickened and throbbed, his features were congested. After a while he spoke.

The gambler shot a triumphant glance at the girl and acquiesced. "All right, the limit is the blue sky. Pile your

Within the crowded circle the air was hot and fetid with the breath of men. The sweat trickled down

Glenister's brown skin, dripping from his jaw unnoticed. He arose and ripped off his coat, while those

standing behind shifted and scuffed their feet impatiently. Besides Roy, there were but three men playing.

They were the ones who had won heaviest at first. Now that luck was against them they were loath to quit.

Cherry was annoyed by stertorous breathing at her shoulder, and glanced back to find the little man who had

been so excited earlier in the evening. His mouth was agape, his eyes wide, the muscles about his lips

twitching. He had lost back, long since, the hundreds he had won and more besides. She searched the figures

walling her about and saw no women. They had been crowded out long since. It seemed as though the table

formed the bottom of a sloping pit of human faceseager, tense, staring. It was well she was here, she

thought, else this task might fail. She would help to blast Glenister, desolate him, humiliate him. Ah, but

Roy bet $100 on the "popular" card. On the third turn he lost. He bet $200 next and lost. He set out a stack of

$400 and lost for the third time. Fortune had turned her face. He ground his teeth and doubled until the stakes

grew enormous, while the dealer dealt monotonously. The spots flashed and disappeared, taking with them

wager after wager. Glenister became conscious of a raging, red fury which he had hard shift to master. It was

not his moneywhat if he did lose? He would stay until he won. He would win. This luck would not, could

not, lastand yet with diabolic persistence he continued to choose the losing cards. The other men fared

better till he yielded to their judgment, when the dealer took their money also.

Strange to say, the fickle goddess had really shifted her banner at last, and the Bronco Kid was dealing

straight faro now. He was too good a player to force a winning hand, and Glenister's illfortune became as

phenomenal as his winning had been. The girl who figured in this drama was keyed to the highest tension, her

eyes now on her counters, now searching the profile of her victim. Glenister continued to lose and lose and

lose, while the girl gloated over his swiftcoming ruin. When at long intervals he won a bet she shrank and

shivered for fear he might escape. If only he would risk it alleverything he had. He would have to come to

The end was closer than she realized. The throng hung breathless upon each move of the players, while there

was no sound but the noise of shifting chips and the distant jangle of the orchestra. The lookout sat far

forward upon his perch, his hands upon his knees, his eyes frozen to the board, a dead cigar clenched between

his teeth. Crowded upon his platform were miners tense and motionless as statues. When a man spoke or

coughed, a score of eyes stared at him accusingly, then dropped to the table again.

Glenister took from his clothes a bundle of banknotes, so thick that it required his two hands to compass it.

Onlookers saw that the bills were mainly yellow. No one spoke while he counted them rapidly, glanced at

the dealer, who nodded, then slid them forward till they rested on the king. He placed a "copper" on the pile.

A great sigh of indrawn breaths swept through he crowd. The North had never known a bet like thisit

meant a fortune. Here was a tale for one's grandchildrenthat a man should win opulence in an evening,

then lose it in one deal. This final bet represented more money than many of them had ever seen at one time

Cherry Malotte's fingers were like ice and shook till the buttons of her casekeeper rattled, her heart raced till

she could not breathe, while something rose up and choked her. If Glenister won his bet he would quit; she

felt it. If he lost, ah! what could the Kid there feel, the man who was playing for a paltry vengeance,

Evidently the Bronco Kid knew what card lay next below, for he offered her no sign, and as Glenister leaned

back he slowly and firmly pushed the top card out of the box. Although this was the biggest turn of his life,

he betrayed no tremor. His gesture displayed the nine of diamonds, and the crowd breathed heavily. The king

had not won. Would it lose? Every gaze was welded to the tiny nickelled box. If the facecard lay next

beneath the ninespot, the heaviest wager in Alaska would have been lost; if it still remained hidden on the

Slowly the white hand of the dealer moved back; his middle finger touched the nine of diamonds; it slid

smoothly out of the box, and there in its place frowned the king of clubs. At last the silence was broken.

Men spoke, some laughed, but in their laughter was no mirth. It was more like the sound of choking. They

stamped their feet to relieve the grip of strained muscles. The dealer reached forth and slid the stack of bills

into the drawer at his waist without counting. The casekeeper passed a shaking hand over her face, and

when it came away she saw blood on her fingers where she had sunk her teeth into her lower lip. Glenister

did not rise. He sat, heavybrowed and sullen, his jaw thrust forward, his hair low upon his forehead, his eyes

When a man requests this privilege it means that he will call the amount of his wager without producing the

visible stakes, and the dealer may accept or refuse according to his judgment of the bettor's responsibility. It

is safe, for no man shirks a gambling debt in the North, and thousands may go with a nod of the head though

Thee were still a few cards in the box, and the dealer turned them, paying the three men who played.

Glenister took no part, but sat bulked over his end of the table glowering from beneath his shock of hair.

Cherry was deathly tired. The strain of the last hour had been so intense that she could barely sit in her seat,

yet she was determined to finish the hand. As Bronco paused before the last turn, many of the bystanders

made bets. They were the "caseplayers" who risked money only on the final pair, thus avoiding the chance

of two cards of like denomination coming together, in which event ("splits" it is called) the dealer takes half

the money. The stakes were laid at last and the deal was about to start when Glenister spoke. "Wait! What's

"You own this outfit?" He waved his hand about the room. "Well, what does it stand you?"

The gambler hesitated an instant while the crowd pricked up its ears, and the girl turned wondering, troubled

"Counting bank rolls, fixtures, and all, about a hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Why?"

"I'll pick the ace to lose, my onehalf interest in the Midas against your whole damned layout!"

There was an absolute hush while the realization of this offer smote the onlookers. It took time to realize it.

This man was insane. There were three cards to choose fromone would win, one would lose, and one

Of all those present only Cherry Malotte divined even vaguely the real reason which prompted the man to do

this. It was not "gameness," nor altogether a brutish stubbornness which would not let him quit. It was

something deeper. He was desolate and his heart was gone. Helen was lost to himworse yet, was

unworthy, and she was all he cared for. What did he want of the Midas with its lawsuits, its intrigues, and its

trickery? He was sick of it allof the whole gameand wanted to get away. If he won, very well. If he lost,

When he put his proposition the Bronco Kid dropped his eyes as though debating. The girl saw that he

studied the cards in the box intently and that his fingers caressed the top one ever so softly during the instant

the eyes of the rest were on Glenister. The dealer looked up at last, and Cherry saw the gleam of triumph in

his eye; he could not mask it from her, though his answering words were hesitating. She knew by the look

The girl felt that she was fainting. She wanted to scream. The triumph of the moment stifled heror was it

triumph, after all? She heard the breath of the little man behind her rattle as though he were being throttled,

and saw the lookout pass a shaking hand to his chin, then wet his parched lips. She saw the man she had

helped to ruin bend forward, his lean face strained and hard, an odd look of pain and weariness in his eyes.

She never forgot that look. The crowd was frozen in various attitudes of eagerness, although it had not yet

recovered from the suspense of the last great wager. It knew the Midas and what it meant. Here lay half of it,

hidden beneath a tawdry square of pasteboard. With maddening deliberation the Kid dealt the top card.

Beneath it was the trey of spades. Glenister said no word nor made a move. Some one coughed, and it

sounded like a gunshot. Slowly the dealer's fingers retraced their way. He hesitated purposely and leered at

the girl, then the threespot disappeared and beneath it lay the ace as the king had lain on that other wager. It

spelled utter ruin to Glenister. He raised his eyes blindly, and then the deathlike silence of the room was

shattered by a sudden crash. Cherry Malotte had closed her checkrack violently, at the same instant crying

Glenister half rose, overturning his chair; the Kid lunged forward, across the table, and his wonderful hands,

tense and talonlike, thrust themselves forward as though reaching for the riches she had snatched away.

They worked and writhed and trembled as though in dumb fury, the nails sinking into the oilcloth

tablecover. His face grew livid and cruel, while his eyes blazed at her till she shrank from him affrightedly,

Reason came slowly back to Glenister, and understanding with it. He seemed to awake from a nightmare. He

could read all too plainly the gambler's look of battled hate as the man sprawled on the table, his arms spread

wide, his eyes glaring at the cowering woman, who shrank before him like a rabbit before a snake. She tried

to speak, but choked. Then the dealer came to himself, and cried harshly through his breath one word:

He raised his fist and struck the table so violently that chips and coppers leaped and rolled, and Cherry closed

her eyes to lose sight of his awful grimace. Glenister looked down on him and said:

"I think Ii understand; but the money was yours, anyhow, so I don't mind." His meaning was plain. The Kid

suddenly jerked open the drawer before him, but Glenister clenched his right hand and leaned forward. The

miner could have killed him with a blow, for the gambler was seated and at his mercy. The Kid checked

himself, while his face began to twitch as though the nerves underlying it had broken bondage and were

"You have taught me a lesson," was all that Glenister said, and with that he pushed through the crowd and out

into the cool night air. Overhead the arctic stars winked at him, and the sea smells struck him, clean and

fresh. As he went homeward he heard the distant, fullthroated plaint of a wolfdog. It held the mystery and

sadness of the North. He paused, and, baring his thick, matted head, stood for a long time gathering himself

together. Standing so, he made certain covenants with himself, and vowed solemnly never to touch another

At the same moment Cherry Malotte came hurrying to her cottage door, fleeing as though from pursuit or

from some hateful, haunted spot. She paused before entering and flung her arms outward into the dark in a

"MY DEAR Helen, don't you realize that my official position carries with it a certain social obligation which

"Dancing doesn't appeal to me any more. I left that sort of thing back home. Now, if you would only come

"NoI'm too busy. I must work tonight, and I'm not in a mood for such things, anyhow."

"You're not well," his niece said. "I have noticed it for weeks. Is it hard work or are you truly ill? You're

nervous; you don't eat; you're growing positively gaunt. Whyyou're getting wrinkles like an old man." She

rose from her seat at the breakfasttable and went to him, smoothing his silvered head with affection.

He took her cool hand and pressed it to his cheek, while the worry that haunted him habitually of late gave

"It's work, little girlhard and thankless work, that's all. This country is intended for young men, and I'm too

far along." His eyes grew grave again, and he squeezed her fingers nervously as though at the thought. "It's a

"Don't say that," Helen cried, spiritedly. "Why, it's glorious. Think of the honor. You're a United States judge

and the first one to come here. You're making historyyou're building a Statepeople will read about you."

"Of course I'll go if you think I'd better," she said, "though I'm not fond of Alaskan society. Some of the

women are nice, but the others" She shrugged her dainty shoulders. "They talk scandal all the time. One

would think that a great, clean, fresh, vigorous country like this would broaden the women as it broadens the

"I'll tell McNamara to call for you at nine o'clock," said the Judge as he arose. So, later in the day she

prepared her long unused finery to such good purpose that when her escort called for her that evening he

Upon their arrival at the hotel he regarded her with a fresh access of pride, for the function proved to bear

little resemblance to a miningcamp party. The women wore handsome gowns, and every man was in

evening dress. The wide hall ran the length of the hotel and was flanked with boxes, while its floor was like

"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed Helen as she first caught sight of it. "It's just like home."

"I've seen quickrising cities before," he said, "but nothing like this. Still, if these Northerners can build a

railroad in a month and a city in a summer, why shouldn't they have symphony orchestras and Louis Quinze

"You shall be my judge and jury. I'll sign this card as often as I dare without the certainty of violence at the

hands of these young men, and the rest of the time I'll smoke in the lobby. I don't care to dance with any one

After the first waltz he left her surrounded by partners and made his way out of the ballroom. This was his

first relaxation since landing in the North. It was well not to become a dull boy, he mused, and as he chewed

his cigar he pictured with an odd thrill, quite unusual with him, that slender, grayeyed girl, with her coiled

mass of hair, her ivory shoulders, and merry smile. He saw her float past to the measure of a twostep, and

caught himself resenting the thought of another man's enjoyment of the girl's charms even for an instant.

"Hold on, Alec," he muttered. "You're too old a bird to lose your head." However, he was waiting for her

before the time for their next dance. She seemed to have lost a part of her gayety.

When he came for his third dance, she was more distraite than ever. As he led her to a seat they passed a

group of women, among whom were Mrs. Champian and others whom he knew to be wives of men

prominent in the town. He had seen some of them at tea in Judge Stillman's house, and therefore was

astonished when they returned his greeting but ignored Helen. She shrank slightly, and he realized that there

was something wrong; he could not guess what. Affairs of men he could cope with, but the subtleties of

"Yes." Her voice trembled, but she held her head high. "It seems as though all the women in Nome were here

"Indeed, we will not," she said, proudly. "I shall stay and face it out. I have done nothing to run away from,

When he had surrendered her, at the beginning of the next dance, McNamara sought for some acquaintance

whom he might question. Most of the men in Nome either hated or feared him, but he espied one that he

"I want you to answer a question. No beating about the bush. Understand? I'm blunt, and I want you to be."

"Your wife has been entertained at Miss Chester's house. I've seen her there. Tonight she refuses to speak to

"I say you will, and you'll make your wife apologize before she leaves this hall, too, or you'll answer to me,

man to man. I won't stand to have a girl like Miss Chester colddecked by a bunch of miningcamp swells,

and that goes as it lies." In his excitement, McNamara reverted to his Western idiom.

The other did not reply at once, for it is embarrassing to deal with a person who disregards the conventions

utterly, and at the same time has the inclination and force to compel obedience. The boss's reputation had

"WellerI know about it in a general way, but of course I don't go much on such things. You'd better let

"There has been a lot of talk among the ladies aboutwell, erthe fact is, it's that young Glenister. Mrs.

Champian had the next stateroom to themerhimI should sayon the way up from the States, and

she saw things. Now, as far as I'm concerned, a girl can do what she pleases, but Mrs. Champian has her own

ideas of propriety. From what my wife could learn, there's some truth in the story, too, so you can't blame

With a word McNamara could have explained the gossip and made this man put his wife right, forcing

through her an elucidation of the silly affair in such a way as to spare Helen's feelings and cover the

busytongued magpies with confusion. Yet he hesitated. It is a wise skipper who trims his sails to every

breeze. He thanked the informant and left him. Entering the lobby, he saw the girl hurrying towards him.

"Yes, let us go," she panted, and when they were outside she walked so rapidly that he had difficulty in

keeping pace with her. She was silent, and he knew better than to question, but when they arrived at her

house he entered, took off his overcoat, and turned up the light in the tiny parlor. She flung her wraps over a

chair, storming back and forth like a little fury. Her eyes were starry with tears of anger, her face was flushed,

her hands worked nervously. He leaned against the mantel, watching her through his cigar smoke.

"I am glad you do. I never could repeat what they said. Oh, it was brutal!" Her voice caught and she bit her

lip. "What made me ask them? Why didn't I keep still? After you left, I went to those women and faced them.

Oh, but they were brutal! Yet, why should I care?" She stamped her slippered foot.

"I shall have to kill that man some day," he said, flecking his cigar ashes into the grate.

"Glenister, of course. If I had thought the story would ever reach you, I'd have shut him up long ago."

"It didn't come from him," she cried, hot with indignation. "He's a gentleman. It's that cat, Mrs. Champian."

He shrugged his shoulders the slightest bit, but it was eloquent, and she noted it. "Oh, I don't mean that he did

it intentionallyhe's too decent a chap for thatbut anybody's tongue will wag to a beautiful girl! My lady

He seemed surprised. "I thought every one knew who she is. It's just as well that you don't."

"I am sure Mr. Glenister would not talk of me." There was a pause. "Who is Miss Malotte?"

He studied for a moment, while she watched him. What a splendid figure he made in his evening clothes! The

cosey room with its shaded lights enhanced his size and strength and rugged outlines. In his eyes was that

admiration which women live for. He lifted his bold, handsome face and met her gaze.

"I had rather leave that for you to find out, for I'm not much at scandal. I have something more important to

tell you. It's the most important thing I have ever said to you, Helen." It was the first time he had used that

name, and she began to tremble, while her eyes sought the door in a panic. She had expected this moment,

"Yes, this is a good time. If you can't answer, I'll come back tomorrow. I want you to be my wife. I want to

give you everything the world offers, and I want to make you happy, girl. There'll be no gossip hereafterI'll

shield you from everything unpleasant, and if there is anything you want in life, I'll lay it at your feet. I can

do it." He lifted his massive arms, and in the set of his strong, square face was the promise that she should

have whatever she craved if mortal man could give it to herlove, protection, position, adoration.

She stammered uncertainly till the humiliation and chagrin she had suffered this night swept over her again.

This townthis crude, halfborn miningcamphad turned against her, misjudged her cruelly. The women

were envious, clacking scandalmongers, all of them, who would ostracize her and make her life in the

Northland a misery, make her an outcast with nothing to sustain her but her own solitary pride. She could

picture her future clearly, pitilessly, and see herself standing alone, vilified, harassed in a thousand cutting

ways, yet unable to run away, or to explain. She would have to stay and face it, for her life was bound up here

during the next few years or so, or as long as her uncle remained a judge. This man would free her. He loved

her; he offered her everything. He was bigger than all the rest combined. They were his playthings, and they

knew it. She was not sure that she loved him, but his magnetism was overpowering, and her admiration

intense. No other man she had ever known compared with him, except Glenister Bah! The beast! He had

She dropped her head, and he strode forward to take her in his arms, then stopped, listening. Some one ran up

on the porch and hammered loudly at the door. McNamara scowled, walked into the hall, and flung the portal

"Hello, McNamara! Been looking all over for you. There's the deuce to pay!" Helen sighed with relief and

gathered up her cloak, while the hum of their voices reached her indistinctly. She was given plenty of time to

regain her composure before they appeared. When they did, the politician spoke, sourly:

"You bet! It may be too late now. The news came an hour ago, but I couldn't find you," said Struve. "Your

"You say Voorhees has gone with twenty deputies, eh? That's good. You stay here and find out all you can."

"I telephoned out to the Creek for the boys to arm themselves and throw out pickets. If you hurry you can get

"There's a plot on to attack the mines tonight," answered the lawyer. "The other side are trying to seize

"That's just why I must go," said McNamara. "I'll come back in the morning, though, and I'd like to see you

alone. Goodnight!" There was a strange, new light in his eyes as he left her. For one unversed in woman's

ways he played the game surprisingly well, and as he hurried towards his office he smiled grimly into the

Helen questioned Struve at length, but gained nothing more than that secretservice men had been at work

for two weeks and had today unearthed the fact that Vigilantes had been formed. They had heard enough to

make them think the mines would be jumped again tonight, and so had given the alarm.

"Sure. We had to. The other people shadowed us, and it's come to a point where it's life or death to one side

or the other. I told McNamara we'd have bloodshed before we were through, when he first outlined the

She wrung her hands. "That's what uncle feared before we left Seattle. That's why I took the risks I did in

"No, we don't let him know anything more than necessary; he's not a strong man."

"Yes, yes. He's not well." Again the lawyer smiled. "Who is behind this Vigilante movement?"

"We think it is Glenister and his New Mexican bandit partner. At least they got the crowd together." She was

"But they don't, do they?" Somehow this question had recurred to her insistently of late, for things were

constantly happening which showed there was more back of this great, fierce struggle than she knew. It was

impossible that injustice had been done the mineowners, and yet scattered talk reached her which was

puzzling. When she strove to follow it up, her acquaintances adroitly changed the subject. She was baffled on

every wide. The three local newspapers upheld the court. She read them carefully, and was more at sea than

ever. There was a disturbing undercurrent of alarm and unrest that caused her to feel insecure, as though

"Yes, this whole disturbance is caused by those two. Only for them we'd be all right."

He answered, promptly: "The handsomest woman in the North, and the most dangerous."

"It's hard to say who or what she isshe's different from other women. She came to Dawson in the early

daysjust camewe didn't know how, whence, or why, and we never found out. We woke up one morning

and there she was. By night we were all jealous, and in a week we were most of us drivelling idiots. It might

have been the mystery or, perhaps, the competition. That was the day when a dancehall girl could make a

homestake in a winter or marry a millionaire in a month, but she never bothered. She toiled not, neither did

she spin on the waxed floors, yet Solomon in all his glory would have looked like a tramp beside her."

"Well, there was the young gentleman, in the winter of '98, Dane, I thinkfine family and all thatbig,

yellowhaired boy. He wanted to marry her, but a farodealer shot him. Then there was Rock, of the

mounted police, the finest officer in the service. He was cashiered. She knew he was going to pot for her, but

she didn't seem to careand there were others. Yet, with it all, she is the most generous person and the most

tenderhearted. Why, she has fed every 'stew bum' on the Yukon, and there isn't a busted prospector in the

country who wouldn't swear by her, for she has grubstaked dozens of them. I was horribly in love with her

"She had been across the Yukon to nurse a man with scurvy, and coming back she was caught in the spring

breakup. I wasn't there, but it seems this Glenister got her ashore somehow when nobody else would tackle

the job. They were carried five miles downstream in the icepack before he succeeded."

"And he worshipped her as madly as all the rest of you, I suppose," she said, scornfully.

"That's the peculiar part. She hypnotized him at first, but he ran away, and I didn't hear of him again till I

came to Nome. She followed him, finally, and last week evened up her score. She paid him back for saving

He detailed the story of the gambling episode at the Northern saloon, and concluded: "I'd like to have seen

that 'turn,' for they say the excitement was terrific. She was keeping cases, and at the finish slammed her

casekeeper shut and declared the bet off because she had made a mistake. Of course they couldn't dispute

"So, in addition to his other vices, Mr. Glenister is a reckless gambler, is he?" said Helen, with heat. "I am

proud to be indebted to such a character. Truly this country breeds wonderful species."

"There's where you're wrong," Struve chuckled. "He's never been known to bet before."

"Oh, I'm tired of these contradictions!" she cried, angrily. "Saloons, gamblinghalls, scandals, adventuresses!

"Those things are a part of every new country. They were about all we had till this year. But it is women like

you that we fellows need, Miss Helen. You can help us a lot." She did not like the way he was looking at her,

The clock showed halfpast twelve, so, after letting him out, she extinguished the light and dragged herself

wearily up to her room. She removed her outer garments and threw over her bare shoulders a negilg�e of

many flounces and bewildering, clinging looseness. As she took down her heavy braids, the story of Cherry

Malotte returned to her tormentingly. So Glenister had save her life also at risk of her own. What a very

gallant gallant cavalier he was, to be sure! He should bear a coat of armsa dragon, an armed knight, and a

fainting maiden. "I succor ladies in distresshandsome ones," should be the motto on his shield. "The

handsomest woman in the North," Struve had said. She raised her eyes to the glass and made a mouth at the

petulant, tired reflection there. She pictured Glenister leaping from floe to floe with the hungry river surging

and snapping at his feet, while the cheers of the crowd on shore gave heart to the girl crouching out there. She

could see him snatch her up and fight his way back to safety over the plunging icecakes with death dragging

at his heels. What a strong embrace he had! At this she blushed and realized with a shock that while she was

mooning that very man might be fighting hand to hand in the darkness of a mountaingorge with the man she

A moment later some one mounted the front steps below and knocked sharply. Truly this was a night of

alarms. Would people never cease coming? She was worn out, but at the thought of the tragedy abroad and

the sick old man sleeping near by, she lit a candle and slipped downstairs to avoid disturbing him. Doubtless

As she opened it, she fell back amazed while it swung wide and the candle flame flickered and sputtered in

the night air. Roy Glenister stood there, grim and determined, his soft, white Stetson pulled low, his trousers

tucked into tan halfboots, in his hand a Winchester rifle. Beneath his corduroy coat she saw a loose

cartridgebelt, yellow with shells, and the nickelled flash of a revolver. Without invitation he strode across

"The Vigilantes are on their way here to hang him. Come with me to my house where I can protect you."

She laid a trembling hand on her bosom and the color died out of her face, then at a slight noise above they

both looked up to see Judge Stillman leaning far over the banister. He had wrapped himself in a

dressinggown and now gripped the rail convulsively, while his features were blanched to the color of putty

and his eyes were wide with terror, though puffed and swollen from sleep. His lips moved in a vain endeavor

ON THE MORNING after the episode in the Northern, Glenister awoke under a weight of discouragement

and desolation. The past twentyfour hours with their manifold experiences seemed distant and unreal. At

breakfast he was ashamed to tell Dextry of the gambling debauch, for he had dealt treacherously with the old

man in risking half of the mine, even though they had agreed that either might do as he chose with his

interest, regardless of the other. It all seemed like a nightmare, those tense moments when he lay above the

receiver's office and felt hhis bief in the one woman slipping away, the frenzied thirst which Cherry Malotte

had checked, the senseless, unreasoning lust for play that had possessed him later. This lapse was the last

stand of his old, untamed instincts. The embers of revolt in him were dead. He felt that he would never again

Dextry spoke. "We had a meeting of the 'Stranglers' last night." He always spoke of the Vigilantes in that

"They decided to act quick and do any odd jobs of lynchin', claimjumpin', or such as needs doin'. There's a

lot of law sharps and storekeepers in the bunch who figure McNamara's gang will wipe them off the map

"They talked of ejectin' the receiver's men and puttin' all us fellers back on our mines."

"About sixty. We've kept the number down, and only taken men with so much property that they'll have to

"I wish we might engineer some kind of an encounter with the court crowd and create such an uproar that it

would reach Washington. Everything else has failed, and our last chance seems to be for the government to

step in; that is, unless Bill Wheaton can do something with the California courts."

"I don't count on him. McNamara don't care for California courts no more'n he would for a boy with a

peashooterhe's got too much pull at headquarters. If the 'Stranglers' don't do no good, we'd better go in an'

clean out the bunch like we was killin' snakes. If that fails, I'm goin' out to the States an' be a doctor."

"I read somewhere that in the United States every year there is forty million gallons of whiskey used for

Glenister laughed. "Speaking of whiskey, DexI notice that you've been drinking pretty hard of latethat

It was some time later that one of the detectives employed by the Swedes met Glenister on Front Street, and

by an almost imperceptible sign signified his desire to speak with him. When they were alone he said:

"The districtattorney has put on some new men. I've fixed the woman who rooms next to him, and through

her I've got a line on some of them, but I haven't spotted them all. They're bad ones'upriver' men

A few nights after, Glenister had reason to recall the words of the sleuth and to realize that the game was

growing close and desperate. To reach his cabin, which sat on the outskirts of the town, he ordinarily

followed one of the plank walks which wound through the confusion of tents, warehouses, and cottages lying

back of the two principal streets along the water front. This part of the city was not laid out in rectangular

blocks, for in the early rush the firstcomers had seized whatever pieces of ground they found vacant and

erected thereon some kind of buildings to make good their titles. There resulted a formless jumble of huts,

cabins, and sheds, penetrated by no cross streets and quite unlighted. At night, one leaving the illuminated

Glenister knew his course so well that he could have walked it blindfolded. Nearing a corner of the

warehouse this evening he remembered that the planking at this point was torn up, so, to avoid the mud, he

leaped lightly across. Simultaneously with his jump he detected a movement in the shadows that banked the

wall at his elbow and saw the flaming spurt of a revolvershot. The man had crouched behind the building

and was so close that it seemed impossible to miss. Glenister fell heavily upon his side and the thought

His assailant leaped out from his hidingplace and ran down the walk, the sound of his quick, soft footfalls

thudding faintly out into the silence. The young man felt no pain, however, so scrambled to his feet, felt

himself over with care, and then swore roundly. He was untouched; the other had missed him cleanly. The

report, coming while he was in the act of leaping, had startled him so that he had lost his balance, slipped

upon the wet boards, and fallen. His assailant was lost in the darkness before he could rise. Pursuit was out of

the question, so he continued homeward, considerably shaken, and related the incident to Dextry.

"You think it was some of McNamara's work, eh?" Dextry inquired when he had finished.

Dextry shook his head. "It don't seem like the game is that far along yet. The time is coming when we'll go to

the mat with them people, but they've got the aige on us now, so what could they gain by putting you away? I

don't believe it's them, but whoever it is, you'd better be careful or you'll be got."

"Suppose we come home together after this," Roy suggested, and they arranged to do so, realizing that danger

lurked in the dark corners and that it was in some such lonely spot that the deed would be tried again. They

experienced no trouble for a time, though on nearing their cabin one night the younger man fancied that he

saw a shadow glide away from its vicinity and out into the blackness of the tundra, as though some one had

stood at his very door waiting for him, then became frightened at the two figures approaching. Dextry had not

observed it, however, and Glenister was not positive himself, but it served to give him the uncanny feeling

that some determined, unscrupulous force was bent on his destruction. He determined to go nowhere

A few evenings later he went home early and was busied in writing when Dextry came in about ten o'clock.

The old miner hung up his coat before speaking, lit a cigarette, inhaled deeply, then, amid mouthfuls of

"I had my own toes over the edge tonight. I was mistook for you, which compliment I don't aim to have

"We're about the same height an' those hats of ours are alike. Just as I come by that lumberpile down

yonder, a man hopped out an' throwed a 'gat' under my nose. He was quicker than light, and near blowed my

skelp into the next block before he saw who I was; then he dropped his weepon and said:

"He ain't after nobody else, an', take my word for it, it's got nothin' to do with McNamara nor that gamblin'

"I don't know why he should have it in for meI never did him any favors," Glenister remarked, cynically.

"Well, you watch out, anyhow. I'd sooner face McNamara an' all the crooks he can hire than that gambler."

During the next few days Roy undertook to meet the proprietor of the Northern face to face, but the Kid had

vanished completely from his haunts. He was not in his gamblinghall at night nor on the street by day. The

young man was still looking for him on the evening of the dance at the hotel, when he chanced to meet one of

"There's an assembly tonight at eleven o'clock. Something important, I think. I supposed, of course, you

"It's strange I wasn't notified," said Roy. "It's probably an oversight. I'll go along with you."

Together they crossed the river to the less frequented part of town and knocked at the door of a large,

unlighted warehouse, flanked by a high board fence. The building faced the street, but was enclosed on the

other three sides by this tenfoot wall, inside of which were stored large quantities of coal and lumber. After

some delay they were admitted, and, passing down through the dimlit, highbanked lanes of merchandise,

came to the rear room, where they were admitted again. This compartment had been fitted up for the warm

storage of perishable goods during the cold weather, and, being without windows, made an ideal place for

Glenister was astonished to find every man of the organization present, including Dextry, whom he supposed

to have gone home an hour since. Evidently a discussion had been in progress, for a chairman was presiding,

and the boxes, kegs, and bales of goods had been shoved back against the walls for seats. On these were

ranged the threescore men of the "Stranglers," their serious faces lighted imperfectly by scattered lanterns. A

certain constraint seized them upon Glenister's entrance; the chairman was embarrassed. It was but

momentary, however. Glenister himself felt that tragedy was in the air, for it showed in the men's attitudes

and spoke eloquently from their strained faces. He was about to question the man next to him when the

"We will assemble here quietly with our arms at one o'clock. And let me caution you again not to talk or do

Glenister arose. "I came late, Mr. Chairman, so I missed hearing your plan. I gather that you're out for

"Certainly. Things have reached such a pass that moderate means are useless. We have decided to act, and act

quickly. We have exhausted every legal resource and now we're going to stamp out this gang of robbers in

our own way. We will get together in an hour, divide into three groups of twenty men, each with a leader,

then go to the houses of McNamara, Stillman, and Voorhees, take them prisoners, and" He waved his

"My friends, when I stepped into this room just now I felt that I wasn't wanted. Why, I don't know, because I

have had more to do with organizing this movement than any of you, and because I have suffered just as

much as the rest. I want to know if I was omitted from this meeting intentionally."

"This is an embarrassing position to put me in," said the chairman, gravely. "But I shall answer as spokesmen

"We don't question your loyalty, Mr. Glenister, but we didn't ask you to this meeting because we know your

attitudeperhaps I'd better say sentimentregarding Judge Stillman's nieceerfamily. It has come to us

from various sources that you have been affected to the prejudice of your own and your partner's interest.

Now, there isn't going to be any sentiment in the affairs of the Vigilantes. We are going to do justice, and we

thought the simplest way was to ignore you in this matter and spare all discussion and hard feeling in every

"It's a lie!" shouted the young man, hoarsely. "A damned lie! You wouldn't let me in for fear I'd kick, eh?

Well, you were right. I will kick. You've hinted at my feelings for Miss Chester. Let me tell you that she is

engaged to marry McNamara, and that she's nothing to me. Now, then, let me tell you, further, that you won't

break into her house and hang her uncle, even if he is a reprobate. No, sir! This isn't the time for violence of

that sortwe'll win without it. If we can't, let's fight like men, and not hunt in a pack like wolves. If you

want to do something, put us back on our mines and help us hold them, but, for God's sake, don't descend to

"We knew you would make that kind of a talk," said the speaker, while the rest murmured grudgingly. One of

"We've talked this over in cold blood, Glenister, and it's a question of their lives or our liberty. The law don't

"That's right," echoed another at his elbow. "We can't seize the claims, because McNamara's got soldiers to

He saw that dispute was futile. Determination was stamped on their faces too plainly for mistake, and his

argument had no more effect on them than had the pale rays of the lantern beside him, yet he continued:

"I don't deny that McNamara deserves lynching, but Stillman doesn't. He's a weak old man"some one

laughed derisively"and there's a woman in the house. He's all she has in the world to depend upon, and you

would have to kill her to get at him. If you must follow this course, take the others, but leave him alone."

They only shook their heads, while several pushed by him even as he spoke. "We're going to distribute our

favors equal," said a man as he left. They were actuated by what they called justice, and he could not sway

them. The life and welfare of the North were in their hands, as they thought, and there was not one to hesitate.

"It's too late for further discussion, and let me remind you of your promise. You're bound by every obligation

"Oh, don't think that I'll give the snap away!" said the other; "but I warn you again not to enter Stillman's

He followed out into the night to find that Dextry had disappeared, evidently wishing to avoid argument. Roy

had seen signs of unrest beneath the prospector's restraint during the past few days, and indications of a fierce

hunger to vent his spleen on the men who had robbed him of his most sacred rights. He was of an intolerant,

vindictive nature that would go to any length for vengeance. Retribution was part of his creed.

On his way home, the young man looked at his watch, to find that he had but an hour to determine his course.

Instinct prompted him to join his friends and to even the score with the men who had injured him so bitterly,

for, measured by standards of the frontier, they were pirates with their lives forfeit. Yet, he could not

countenance this step. If only the Vigilantes would be content with making an examplebut he knew they

would not. The blood hunger of a mob is easy to whet and hard to hold. McNamara would resist, as would

Voorhees and the districtattorney, then there would be bloodshed, riot, chaos. The soldiers would be called

out and martial law declared, the streets would become skirmishgrounds. The Vigilantes would rout them

without question, for every citizen of the North would rally to their aid, and such men could not be stopped.

He took down his Winchester, oiled and cleaned it, then buckled on a belt of cartridges. Still he wrestled with

himself. He felt that he was being ground between his loyalty to the Vigilantes and his own conscience. The

girl was one of the gang, he reasonedshe had schemed with them to betray him through his love, and she

was pledged to the one man in the world whom he hated with fanatical fury. Why should he think of her in

this hour? Six months back he would have looked with jealous eyes upon the right to lead the Vigilantes, but

this change that had mastered himwhat was it? Not cowardice, not caution. No. Yet, being intangible, it

He slipped out into the night. The mob might do as it pleased elsewhere, but no man should enter her house.

He found a light shining from her parlor window, and, noting the shade up a few inches, stole close. Peering

through, he discovered Struve and Helen talking. He slunk back into the shadows and remained hidden for a

considerable time after the lawyer left, for the dancers were returning from the hotel and passed close by.

When the last group had chattered away down the street, he returned to the front of the house and, mounting

the steps, knocked sharply. As Helen appeared at the door, he stepped inside and closed it after him.

The girl's hair lay upon her neck and shoulders in tumbled brown masses, while her breast heaved

tumultuously at the sudden, grim sight of him. She stepped back against the wall, her wondrous, deep, gray

eyes wide and troubled, the blush of modesty struggling with the pallor of dismay.

The picture pained him like a knifethrust. This girl was for his bitterest enemyno hope of her was for

him. He forgot for a moment that she was false and plotting, then, recalling it, spoke as roughly as he might

and stated his errand. Then the old man had appeared on the stairs above, speechless with fright at what he

overheard. It as evident that his nerves, so sorely strained by the events of the past week, were now snapped

utterly. A human soul naked and panicstricken is no pleasant sight, so Glenister dropped his eyes and

"The people of Nome are up in arms, and I've come to save you. Don't stop to argue." He spoke impatiently.

"Uncle Arthur!" exclaimed the girl, sharply. Her eyes met Glenister's and begged him to take no offence.

"I don't understand this atrocity. They must be mad!" wailed the Judge. "You run over to the jail, Mr.

Glenister, and tell Voorhees to hurry guards here to protect me. Helen, 'phone to the military post and give

"Hold on!" said Glenister. "There's no use of doing thatthe wires are cut; and I won't notify Voorheeshe

can take care of himself. I came to help you, and if you want to escape you'll stop talking and hurry up."

"I don't know what to do," said Stillman, torn by terror and indecision. "You wouldn't hurt an old man, would

He scrambled up the stairs, tripping on his robe, seemingly forgetting his niece till she called up to him,

"Stop, Uncle Arthur! You mustn't run away." She stood erect and determined. "You wouldn't do that, would

you? This is our house. You represent the law and the dignity of the government. You mustn't fear a mob of

"Good Lord!" said Glenister. "That's madness. These men aren't ruffians; they are the best citizens of Nome.

You don't realize that this is Alaska and that they have sworn to wipe out McNamara's gang. Come along."

"Thank you for your good intentions," she said, "but we have done nothing to run away from. We will get

She moved up the stairs, and, taking the Judge by the arm, led him with her. Of a sudden she had assumed

control of the situation unfalteringly, and both men felt the impossibility of thwarting her. Pausing at the top,

"Oh, I'm not going," said the young man. "If you stick I'll do the same." He made the rounds of the firstfloor

rooms, locking doors and windows. As a place of defence it was hopeless, and he saw that he would have to

make his stand upstairs. When sufficient time had elapsed he called up to Helen:

"Yes," she replied. So he ascended, to find Stillman in the hall, half clothed and cowering, while by the light

"Won't you come with meit's our last chance?" She only shook her head. "Well, then, put out the light. I'll

stand at that front window, and when my eyes get used to the darkness I'll be able to see them before they

She did as directed, taking her place beside him at the opening, while the Judge crept in and sat upon the bed,

his heavy breathing the only sound in the room. The two young people stood so close beside each other that

the sweet scent of her person awoke in him an almost irresistible longing. He forgot her treachery again,

forgot that she was another's, forgot all save that he loved her truly and purely, with a love which was like an

agony to him. Her shoulder brushed his arm; he heard the soft rustling of her garment at her breast as she

breathed. Some one passed in the street, and she laid a hand upon him fearfully. It was very cold, very tiny,

and very soft, but he made no move to take it. The moments dragged along, still, tense, interminable.

Occasionally she leaned towards him, and he stooped to catch her whispered words. At such times her breath

beat warm against his cheek, and he closed his teeth stubbornly. Out in the night a wolfdog saddened the air,

then came the sound of others wrangling and snarling in a nearby corral. This is a chickless land and no

cockcrow breaks the midnight peace. The suspense enhanced the Judge's perturbation till his chattering

The watchers had lost track of time when their strained eyes detected dark blots materializing out of the

"There they come," whispered Glenister, forcing her back from the aperture; but she would not be denied,

As the foremost figures reached the gate, Roy leaned forth and spoke, not loudly, but in tones that sliced

"Halt! Don't come inside the fence." There was an instant's confusion; then, before the men beneath had time

to answer or take action, he continued: "This is Roy Glenister talking. I told you not to molest these people

He winced. "Perhaps I am. You betrayed me first, though; and, traitor or not, you can't come into this house."

"Miss Chester is safe. All we want is the Judge. We won't hang him, not if he'll wear this suit we brought

"McNamara's gone, and so's the marshal and the rest," he panted. There was a moment's silence, and then the

leader growled to his men, "Scatter out and rush the house, boys." He raised his voice to the man in the

window. "This is your workyou damned turncoat." His followers melted away to right and left, vaulted the

fence, and dodged into the shelter of the walls. The click, click of Glenister's Winchester sounded through the

room while the sweat stood out on him. He wondered if he could do this deed, if he could really fire on these

people. He wondered if his muscles would not wither and paralyze before they obeyed his command.

Helen crowded past him, and hanging half out of the opening, called loudly, her voice ringing clear and true:

"Wait! Wait a moment. I have something to say. Mr. Glenister didn't warn them. They thought you were

going to attack the mines and so they rode out there before midnight. I am telling you the truth, really. They

left hours ago." It was the first sign she had made, and they recognized her to a man.

There were uncertain mutterings below till a new man raised his voice. Both Roy and Helen recognized

"Boys, we've overplayed. We don't want these peopleMcNamara's our meat. Old baldface up yonder has

to do what he's told, and I'm ag'in this twentytoone midnight work. I'm goin' home." There were some

whisperings, then the original spokesman called for Judge Stillman. The old man tottered to the window, a

palsied, terrorstricken object. The girl was glad he could not be seen from below.

"We won't hurt you this time, Judge, but you've gone far enough. We'll give you another chance, then, if you

The men disappeared into the darkness, and when they had gone Glenister closed the window, pulled down

the shades, and lighted a lamp. He knew by how narrow a margin a tragedy had been averted. If he had fired

on these men his shot would have kindled a feud which would have consumed every vestige of the court

crowd and himself among them. He would have fallen under a false banner, and his life would not have

reached to the next sunset. Perhaps it was forfeit nowqhe could not tell. The Vigilantes would probably look

upon his part as traitorous; and, at the very least, he had cut himself off from their support, the only support

the Northland offered him. Henceforth he was a renegade, a pariah, hated alike by both factions. He

purposely avoided sight of Stillman and turned his back when the Judge extended his hand with expressions

of gratitude. His work was done and he wished to leave this house. Helen followed him down to the door and,

"Words are feeble things, and I can never make amends for all you've done for us."

"For us!" cried Roy, with a break in his voice. "Do you think I sacrificed my honor, betrayed my friends,

killed my last hope, ostracized myself, for 'us'? This is the last time I'll trouble you. Perhaps the last time I'll

see you. No matter what else you've done, however, you've taught me a lesson, and I thank you for it. I have

"You've always been that," she said. "I don't understand as much about this affair as I want to, and it seems to

me that no one will explain it. I'm very stupid, I guess; but won't you come back tomorrow and tell it to

"No," he said, roughly. "You're not of my people. McNamara and his are no friends of mine, and I'm no

She returned to the Judge, who was in a pitiable state, and for a long time she labored to soothe him as though

he were a child. She undertook to question him about the things which lay uppermost in her mind and which

this night had half revealed, but he became fretful and irritated at the mention of mines and mining. She sat

beside his bed till he dozed off, puzzling to discover what lay behind the hints she had heard, till her brain

and body matched in absolute weariness. The reflex of the day's excitement sapped her strength till she could

barely creep to her own couch, where she rolled and sighedtoo tired to sleep at once. She awoke finally,

with one last nervous flicker, before complete oblivion took her. A sentence was on her mindit almost

IT WAS nearly noon of the next day when Helen awoke to find that McNamara had ridden in from the Creek

and stopped for breakfast with the Judge. He had asked for her, but on hearing the tale of the night's

adventure would not allow her to be disturbed. Later, he and the Judge had gone away together.

Although her judgment approved the step she had contemplated the night before, still the girl now felt a

strange reluctance to meet McNamara. It is true that she knew no ill of him, except that implied in the

accusations of certain embittered men; and she was aware that every strong and aggressive character makes

enemies in direct proportion to the qualities which lend him greatness. Nevertheless, she was aware of an

inner conflict that she had not foreseen. This man who so confidently believed that she would marry him did

She had ridden much of late, taking long, solitary gallops beside the shimmering sea that she loved so well, or

up the winding valleys into the foothills where echoed the roar of swift waters or glinted the flash of shovel

blades. This morning her horse was lame, so she determined to walk. In her early rambles she had looked

timidly askance at the rough men she met till she discovered their genuine respect and courtesy. The most

unkempt among them were often collegebred, although, for that matter, the roughest of the miners showed

abundant consideration for a woman. So she was glad to allow the men to talk to her with the fine freedom

inspired by the new country and its wide spaces. The wilderness breeds a chivalry all its own.

Thus there seemed to be no danger abroad, though they had told the girl of mad dogs which roamed the city,

explaining that the hot weather affects powerfully the thickcoated, shaggy "malamoots." This is the land f

the dog, and whereas in winter his lot is to labor and shiver and starve, in summer he loafs, fights, grows fat,

Helen walked far and, returning, chose an unfamiliar course through the outskirts of the town to avoid

meeting any of the women she knew, because of that vivid memory of the night before. As she walked

swiftly along she thought that she heard faint cries far behind her. Looking up, she noted that it was a lonely,

barren quarter and that the only figure in sight was a woman some distance away. A few paces farther on the

shouts recurredmore plainly this time, and a gunshot sounded. Glancing back, she saw several men

running, one bearing a smoking revolver, and heard, nearer still, the snarling hubbub of fighting dogs. In a

flash the girl's curiosity became horror, for, as she watched, one of the dogs made a sudden dash through the

now subdued group of animals and ran swiftly along the planking on which she stood. It was a handsome

specimen of the Eskimo malamoottall, gray, and coated like a wolf, with the speed, strength, and cunning

of its cousin. Its head hung low and swung from side to side as it trotted, the motion flecking foam and slaver.

The creature had scattered the pack, and now, swift, menacing, relentless, was coming towards Helen. There

was no shelter near, no fence, no house, save the distant one towards which the other woman was making her

Helen did not scream or hesitateshe turned and ran, terrorstricken, towards the distant cottage. She was

blind with fright and felt an utter certainty that the dog would attack her before she could reach safety.

Yesthere was the quick patter of his pads close up behind her; her knees weakened; the sheltering door was

yet some yards away. But a horse, tethered near the walk, reared and snorted as the flying pair drew near. The

mad creature swerved, leaped at the horse's legs, and snapped in fury. Badly frightened at this attack, the

horse lunged at his halter, broke it, and galloped away; but the delay had served for Helen, weak and faint, to

reach the door. She wrenched at the knob. It was locked. As she turned hopelessly away, she saw that the

other woman was directly behind her, and was, in her turn, awaiting the mad animal's onslaught, but calmly,

"Shoot!" screamed Helen. "Why don't you shoot?" The little gun spoke, and the dog spun around, snarling

and yelping. The woman fired several times more before it lay still, and then remarked, calmly, as she

"How well you shoot!" she gasped. Her eyes were on the gray bundle whose death agonies had thrust it

almost to her feet. The men had run up and were talking excitedly, but after a word with them the woman

"You must come in for a moment and recover yourself," she said, and led her inside.

It was a cosey room in which the girl found herselfmore than thatluxurious. There was a piano with

scattered music, and many of the pretty, feminine things that Helen had not seen since leaving home. The

hostess had stepped behind some curtains for an instant and was talking to her from the next room.

"That is the third mad dog I have seen this month. Hydrophobia is becoming a habit in this neighborhood."

"You're all unstrung, but this brandy will help youif you don't object to a swallow of it. Then come right in

here and lie down for a moment and you'll be all right." She spoke with such genuine kindness and sympathy

that Helen flashed a grateful glance at her. She was tall, slender, and with a peculiar undulating suggestion in

her movements, as though she had been bred to the clinging folds of silken garments. Helen watched the

charm of her smile, the friendly solicitude of her expression, and felt her heart warm towards this one kind

"You're very good," she answered; "but I'm all right now. I was badly frightened. It was wonderful, your

saving me." She followed the other's graceful motion as she placed her burden on the table, and in doing so

"Oh!" Helen exclaimed, then paused as it flashed over her who this girl was. She looked at her quickly.

Yes, probably men would consider the woman beautiful, with that smile. The revelation came with a shock,

Her change of face could not escape the quick perceptions of one schooled by experience in the slights of her

sex. Times without number Cherry Malotte had marked that subtle, scornful change in other women, and

reviled herself for heeding it. But in some way this girl's manner hurt her worst of all. She betrayed no sign,

however, save a widening of the eyes and a certain fixity of smile as she answered:

"I wish you would stay until you are rested, Miss" She paused with outstretched hand.

"Chester. My name is Helen Chester. I'm Judge Stillman's niece," hurried the other, in embarrassment.

Helen strove for calmness. "I'm sorry you feel that way," she said, coolly. "I appreciate your service to me."

"Wait a moment. I want to talk to you." Then, as Helen paid no heed; the woman burst out, bitterly: "Oh,

don't be afraid! I know you are committing an unpardonable sin by talking to me, but no one will see you,

and in your code the crime lies in being discovered. Therefore you're quite safe. That's what makes me an

outcastI was found out. I want you to know, however, that, bad as I am, I'm better than you, for I'm loyal

"Oh yes, you do! Don't assume such innocence. Of course it's your r�le, but you can't play it with me." She

stepped in front of her visitor, placing her back against the door, while her face was bitter and mocking. "The

little service I did you just now entitles me to a privilege, I suppose, and I'm going to take advantage of it to

tell you how badly your mask fits. Dreadfully rude of me, isn't it? You're in with a fine lot of crooks, and I

admire the way you've done your share of the dirty work, but when you assume these scandalized,

"I've done bad things," Cherry continued, unheedingly, "but I was forced into them, usually, and I never,

"What do you mean by saying that I have betrayed my friends and wrecked anybody's life?" Helen

"Bah! I had you sized up at the start, but Roy couldn't see it. Then Struve told me what I hadn't guessed. A

bottle of wine, a woman, and that fool will tell all he knows. It's a great game McNamara's playing and he did

well to get you in on it, for you're clever, your nerve is good, and your makeup is great for the part. I ought

to know, for I've turned a few tricks myself. You'll pardon this little burst of feelingprofessional pique. I'm

jealous of your ability, that's all. However, now that you realize we're in the same class, don't look down on

me hereafter." She opened the door and bowed her guest out with elaborate mockery.

Helen was too bewildered and humiliated to make much out of this vicious and incoherent attack except the

fat that Cherry Malotte accused her of a part in this conspiracy which every one seemed to believe existed.

Here again was that hint of corruption which she encountered on all sides. This might be merely a woman's

jealousyand yet she said Struve had told her all about itthat a bottle of wine and a pretty face would

make the lawyer disclose everything. She could believe it from what she knew and had heard of him. The

feeling that she was groping in the dark, that she was wrapped in a mysterious woof of secrecy, came over

her again as it had so often of late. If Struve talked to that other woman, why wouldn't he talk to her? She

paused, changing her direction towards Front Street, revolving rapidly in her mind as she went her course of

action. Cherry Malotte believed her to be an actress. Very wellshe would prove her judgment right.

She found Struve busy in his private office, but he leaped to his feet on her entrance and came forward,

"Goodmorning, Miss Helen. You have a fine color, considering the night you passed. The Judge told me all

She smiled grimly at the thought of what made her cheeks glow, and languidly loosened the buttons of her

"Oh, I didn't come on business," she said, lightly. "I was out walking and merely sauntered in."

"Well, I appreciate that all the more," he said, in an altered tone, twisting his chair about. "I'm more than

delighted." She judged she was getting on well from the way his professionalism had dropped off.

"Yes, I get tired of talking to uncle and Mr. McNamara. They treat me as though I were a little girl."

"Your marriage. When does it occur? You needn't hesitate," he added. "McNamara told me about it a month

He felt his throat gingerly at the thought, but his eyes brightened when she answered, lightly:

For some time she led him on adroitly, talking of many things, in a way to make him wonder at her new and

flippant humor. He had never dreamed she could be like this, so tantalizingly close to familiarity, and yet so

"How are things going with us?" she questioned, as his warmth grew pronounced. "Uncle won't talk and Mr.

"Now, don't you try to keep me in short dresses, too. It's getting wearisome. I've done my part and I want to

"Why shouldn't I? Aren't we all in this together? I object to being used and then discarded. I think I'm entitled

"Of course," he laughed, trying to change the subject of their talk; but she arose and leaned against the desk

near him, vowing that she would not leave the office without piercing some part of this mystery. His manner

strengthened her suspicion that there was something behind it all. This dissipated, brilliant creature knew the

situation thoroughly; and yet, though swayed by her efforts, he remained chained by caution. She leaned

"You're just like the others, aren't you? You won't give me any satisfaction at all."

"Give, give, give," said Struve, cynically. "That's always the woman's cry. Give me thisgive me that.

Selfish sex! Why don't you offer something in return? Men are traders, women usurers. You are curious,

hence miserable. I can help you, therefore I should do it for a smile. You ask me to break my promises and

risk my honor on your caprice. Well, that's womanlike, and I'll do it. I'll put myself in your power, but I

"No; you've heard the common talk and grown suspicious, that's all. You think I know something that will

throw a new light or a new shadow on everything you have in the world, and you're worked up to such a

condition that you can't take your own people's word; and, on the other hand, you can't go to strangers, so you

come to me. Suppose I told you I had the papers you brought to me last spring in that safe and that they told

the whole storywhether your uncle is unimpeachable or whether he deserved hanging by that mob. What

would you do, eh? What would you give to see them? Well, they're there and ready to speak for themselves.

"Yes, yes! Give them to me," she cried, eagerly, at which a wave of crimson rushed up to his eyes and he rose

abruptly from his chair. He made towards her, but she retreated to the wall, pale and wideeyed.

He paused. "Of course I can, but I want a kiss to bind the bargainto apply on account." He reached for her

hand with his own hot one, but she pushed him away and slipped past him towards the door.

"Suit yourself," said he, "but if I'm not mistaken, you'll never rest till you've seen those papers. I've studied

you, and I'll place a bet that you can't marry McNamara nor look your uncle in the eye till you know the truth.

You might do either if you knew them to be crooks, but you couldn't if you only suspected itthat's the

woman. When you get ready, come back; I'll show you proof, because I don't claim to be anything but what I

amWilton Struve, bargainer of some mean ability. When they come to inscribe my headstone I hope they

"Graceful and elegant brute, that," he laughed. "Affectionate and full of play, but with sharp teeth and sharper

claws. To follow out the idea, which pleases me, I believe the creature owes no loyalty to its fellows and

hunts alone. Now, when you've followed this conspiracy out and placed the blame whre it belongs, won't you

come and tell me about it? That door leads into an outer hall which opens into the street. No one will see you

As she hurried away she wondered dazedly why she had stayed to listen so long. What a monster he was! His

meaning was plain, had always been so from the first day he laid eyes on her, and he was utterly

conscienceless. She had known all this; and yet, in her proud, youthful confidence, and in her need, every

hour more desperate and urgent, to know the truth, she had dared risk herself with him. Withal, the man was

shrewd and observant and had divined her mental condition with remarkable sagacity. She had failed with

him; but now the girl knew that she could never rest till she found an answer to her questions. She must kill

this suspicion that ate into her so. She thought tenderly of her uncle's goodness to her, clung with despairing

faith to the last of her kin. The blood ties of the Chesters were close and she felt in dire need of that lost

brother who was somewhere in this mysterious landneed of some one in whom ran the strain that bound

her to the weak old man up yonder. There was McNamara; but how could he help her, how much did she

know of him, this man who was now within the darkest shadow of her new suspicions?

Feeling almost intolerably friendless and alone, weakened both by her recent fright and by her encounter with

Struve, Helen considered as calmly as her emotions would allow and decided that this was no day in which

pride should figure. There were facts which it was imperative she should know, and immediately; therefore, a

few minutes later, she knocked at the door of Cherry Malotte. When the girl appeared, Helen was astonished

to see that she had been crying. Tears burn hottest and leave plainest trace in eyes where they come most

seldom. The younger girl could not guess the tumult of emotion the other had undergone during her absence,

the utter depths of selfabasement she had fathomed, for the sight of Helen and her fresh young beauty had

roused in the adventuress a very tempest of bitterness and jealousy. Whether Helen Chester were guilty or

innocent, how could Glenister hesitate between them? Cherry had asked herself. Now she stared at her visitor

When they were inside, Cherry Malotte stood and gazed at her visitor with inscrutable eyes and stony face.

"It isn't easy for me to come back," Helen began, "but I felt that I had to. If you can help me, I hope you will.

You said that you knew a great wrong was being done. I have suspected it, but I didn't know, and I've been

afraid to doubt my own people. You said I had a part in itthat I'd betrayed my friends. Wait a moment,"

she hurried on, at the other's cynical smile. "Won't you tell me what you know and what you think my part

has been? I've heard and seen things that make me thinkoh, they make me afraid to think, and yet I can't

find the truth! You see, in a struggle like this, people will make all sorts of allegations, but do they know,

"No. You said Struve told you the whole scheme. I went to him and tried to cajole the story out of him,

"What success did you have?" inquired the listener, oddly curious for all her cold dislike.

Cherry laughed cruelly. "So, failing there, you came back to me, back for another favor from the waif. Well,

Miss Helen Chester, I don't believe a word you've said and I'll tell you nothing. Go back to the uncle and the

rawboned lover who sent you, and inform them that I'll speak when the time comes. They think I know too

much, do they?so they've sent you to spy? Well, I'll make a compact. You play your game and I'll play

"No, no, no! Can't you see? That's not it. All I want is the truth of this thing."

"Then go back to Struve and get it. He'll tell you; I won't. Drive your bargain with himyou're able. You've

Helen left, realizing the futility of further effort, though she felt that this woman did not really doubt her, but

Reaching her own house, she wrote two brief notes and called in her Jap boy from the kitchen.

"Fred, I want you to hunt up Mr. Glenister and give him this note. If you can't find him, then look for his

partner and give the other to him." Fred vanished, to return in an hour with the letter for Dextry still in his

"I don' catch dis feller," he explained. "Young mans say he gone, come back mebbe one, two, 'leven days."

"DEAR MISS CHESTERA discussion of a matter so familiar to us both as the Anvil Creek controversy

would be useless. If your inclination is due to the incidents of last night, pray don't trouble yourself. We don't

@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;"Your

@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;@#160;"ROY

As she read the note, Judge Stillman entered, and it seemed to the girl that he had aged a year for every hour

in the past twelve, or else the yellow afternoon light limned the sagging hollows and haggard lines of his face

most pitilessly. He showed in voice and manner the nervous burden under which he labored.

"Alec has told me about your engagement, and it lifts a terrible load from me. I'm mighty glad you're going to

"What do you mean by that? What are we in danger of?" she inquired, avoiding discussion of McNamara's

"Why, that mob, of course. They'll come back. They said so. But Alec can handle the commanding officer at

the post, and, thanks to him, we'll have soldiers guarding the houses hereafter."

"Tut, tut! I know what I'm talking about. We're in worse danger now than ever, and if we don't break up those

Vigilantes there'll be bloodshedthat's what. They're a menace, and they're trying to force me off the bench

so they can take the law into their own hands again. That'' what I want to see you about. They're planning to

kill Alec and meso he saysand we've got to act quick to prevent murder. Now, this young Glenister is

one of them, and he knows who the rest are. Do you think you could get him to talk to you?"

"Oh yes, you do. I want the names of the ringleaders, so that I can jail them. You can worm it out of that

Helen looked at the old man in a horror that at first was dumb. "You ask this of me?" she demanded,

"Nonsense," he said, irritably. "This isn't any time for silly scruples. It's life or death for me, maybe, and for

"It's infamous! You're asking me to betray the very man who saved us not twelve hours ago. He risked his life

"It isn't treachery at all, it's protection. If we don't get them, they'll get us. I wouldn't punish that young

But she said "No" firmly, and quietly went to her own room, where, behind the locked door, she sat for a long

time staring with unseeing eyes, her hands tight clenched in her lap. At last she whispered:

She remained hidden during the dinnerhour, and pleaded a headache when McNamara called in the early

evening. Although she had not seen him since he left her the night before, bearing her tacit promise to wed

him, yet how could she meet him now with the conviction growing on her hourly that he was a

masterrogue? She wrestled with the thought that he and her uncle, her own uncle who stood in the place of a

father, were conspirators. And yet, at memory of the Judge's coldblooded request that she should turn

traitress, her whole being was revolted. If he could ask a thing like that, what other heartless, selfish act might

he not be capable of? All the long, solitary evening she kept her room, but at last, feeling faint, slipped

downstairs in search of Fred, for she had eaten nothing since her late breakfast.

Voices reached her from the parlor, and as she came to the last step she froze there in an attitude of listening.

The first sentence she heard through the closedrawn curtains banished all qualms at eavesdropping. She

stood for many breathless minutes drinking in the plot that came to her plainly from within, then turned,

gathered up her skirts, and tiptoed back to her room. Here she made haste madly, tearing off her house

She pressed her face to the window and noted that the night was like a closehung velvet pall, without a star

in sight. Nevertheless, she wound a heavy veil about her hat and face before she extinguished the light and

stepped into the hall. Hearing McNamara's "Goodnight" at the frontdoor, she retreated again while her

uncle slowly mounted the stairs and paused before her chamber. He called her name softly, but when she did

not answer continued on to his own room. When he was safely within she descended quietly, went out, and

locked the frontdoor behind her, placing the key in her bosom. She hurried now, feeling her way through the

EVEN AFTER Helen had been out for some time she could barely see sufficiently to avoid collisions. The

air, weighted by a lowhung roof of clouds, was surcharged with the electric suspense of an impending

power in leash. It was that pause before the conflict wherein the night laid finger upon its lips.

As the girl neared Glenister's cabin she was disappointed at seeing no light there. She stumbled towards the

door, only to utter a halfstrangled cry as two men stepped out of the gloom and seized her roughly.

Something cold and hard was thrust violently against her cheek, forcing her head back and bruising her. She

"Hold onit's a woman!" ejaculated the man who had pinioned her arms, loosing his hold till only a hand

remained on her shoulder. The other lowered the weapon he had jammed to her face and peered closely.

"Why, Miss Chester," he said. "What are you doing here? You came near getting hurt."

"I am bound for the Wilsons', but I must have lost my way in the darkness. I think you have cut my face." She

"That's too bad," one said. "We mistook you for" And the other broke in, sharply, "You'd better run

Helen hastened back by the route she had come, knowing that there was still time, and that as yet her uncle's

emissaries had not laid hands upon Glenister. She had overheard the Judge and McNamara plotting to drag

the town with a force of deputies, seizing not only her two friends, but every man suspected of being a

Vigilante. The victims were to be jailed without bond, without reason, without justice, while the mechanism

of the court was to be juggled in order to hold them until fall, if necessary. They had said that the officers

were already busy, so haste was a crying thing. She sped down the dark streets toward the house of Cherry

Malotte, but found no light nor answer to her knock. She was distracted now, and knew not where to seek

next among the thousand spots which might hide the man she wanted. What chance had she against the posse

sweeping the town from end to end? There was only one; he might be at the Northern Theatre. Even so, she

could not reach him, for she dared not go there herself. She thought of Fred, her Jap boy, but there was no

Roy had once told her that he never gave up what he undertook. Very well, she would show that even a girl

may possess determination. This was not time for modesty or shrinking indecision, so he pulled the veil more

closely about her face and took her good name into her hands. She made rapidly towards the lighted streets

which cast a skyward glare, and from which, through the breathless calm, arose the sound of carousal. Swiftly

she threaded the narrow alleys in search of the theatre's rear entrance, for she dared not approach from the

front. In this way she came into a part of the camp which had lain hidden from her until now, and of the

The vices of a city, however horrible, are at least draped scantily by the mantle of convention, but in a great

miningcamp they stand naked and without concealment. Here there were rows upon rows of criblike houses

clustered over tortuous, illlighted lanes, like blowflies swarming to an unclean feast. From within came the

noise of ribaldry and debauch. Shrill laughter mingled with coarse, maudlin songs, till the clinging night

reeked with abominable revelry. The girl saw painted creatures of every nationality leaning from windows or

beckoning from doorways, while drunken men collided with her, barred her course, challenged her, and again

and again she was forced to slip from their embraces. At last the high bulk of the theatre building loomed a

short distance ahead. Panting and frightened, she tried the door with weak hands, to find it locked. From

behind it rose the blare of brass and the sound of singing. She accosted a man who approached her through

the narrow alley, but he had cruised from the charted course in search of adventure and was not minded to go

in quest of doormen; rather, he chose to sing a chantey, to the bibulous measures of which he invited her to

dance with him, so she slipped away till he had teetered past. He was some longshoreman in that particular

Returning, she pounded on the door, possessed of the sense that the man she sought was here, till at last it

was flung open, framing the silhouette of a shirtsleeved, thickset youth, who shouted:

"What 'n 'ell do you want to butt in for while the show's on? Go round front." She caught a glimpse of

disordered scenery, and before he could slam the door in her face thrust a silver dollar into his hand, at the

same time wedging herself into the opening. He pocketed the coin and the door clicked to behind her.

"Well, speak up. The act's closin'." Evidently he was the directing genius of the performance, for at that

"Wait a minute. There goes the finally," and dashed away to tend his drops and switches. When the curtain

"Sure. I seen him tonight. Come here." He led her towards the footlights, and, pulling back the edge of the

curtain, allowed her to peep past him out into the dancehall. She had never pictured a place like this, and in

spite of her agitation was astonished at its gaudy elegance. The gallery was formed of a continuous row of

compartments with curtained fronts, in which men and women were talking, drinking, singing. The seats on

the lower floor were disappearing, and the canvas cover was rolling back, showing the polished hardwood

underneath, while out through the wide foldingdoors that led to the main gamblingroom she heard a

brasslunged man calling the commencement of the dance. Couples glided into motion while she watched.

"I don't see him," said her guide. "You better walk out front and help yourself." He indicated the stairs which

led up to the galleried boxes and the steps leading down on to the main floor, but she handed him another

coin, begging him to find Glenister and bring him to her. "Hurry; hurry!" she implored.

The stagemanager gazed at her curiously, remarking, "My! You spend your money like it had been left to

She withdrew to a dark corner and waited interminably till her messenger appeared at the head of the gallery

stairs and beckoned to her. As she drew near he said, "I told him there was a thousanddollar filly flaggin'

him from the stage door, but he's got a grouch an' won't stir. He's in number seven." She hesitated, at which

he said, "Go onyou're in right;" then continued, reassuringly: "Say, pal, if he's your whitehaired lad, you

needn't start no roughhouse, 'cause he don't flirt wit' these dames none whatever. Naw! Take it from me."

She entered the door her counsellor indicated to find Roy lounging back watching the dancers. He turned

inquiringlythen, as she raised her veil, leaped to his feet and jerked the curtains to.

"Yes, yesbut you're a Vigilante, and they're after you and all your friends. Your house is guarded and the

town is alive with deputies. They've planned to jail you on some pretext or other and hold you indefinitely.

"Uncle Arthur and Mr. McNamara." She faced him squarely as she said it, and therefore saw the light flame

"Of course. I would have done the same for Dextry." The gladness died away, leaving him listless.

"Well, let them come. I'm done, I guess. I heard from Wheaton tonight. He's down and out, toosome

trouble with the 'Frisco courts about jurisdiction over these cases. I don't know that it's worth while to fight

"Listen," she said. "You must go. I am sure there is a terrible wrong being done, and you and I must stop it. I

have seen the truth at last, and you're in the right. Please hide for a time at least."

"Very well. If you have taken sides with us there's some hope left. Thank you for the risk you ran in warning

She had moved to the front of the compartment and was peering forth between the draperies when she stifled

Pushing through the gamblinghall were Voorhees and four others, seemingly in quest of some one.

"Run down the back stairs," she breathed, and pushed him through the door. He caught and held her hand

with a last word of gratitude. Then he was gone. She drew down her veil and was about to follow when the

"No use," he remarked, quietly. "There are three more waiting at the foot." He looked out to find that the

officers had searched the crowd and were turning towards the front stairs, thus cutting off his retreat. There

were but two ways down from the gallery and no outside windows from which to leap. As they had made no

Glenister drew his revolver, while into his eyes came the dancing glitter that Helen had seen before, cold as

"I must for your sake, or they'll find you here, and that's worse than ruin. I'll fight it out in the corridors so

that you can escape in the confusion. Wait till the firing stops and the crowd gathers." His hand was on the

"They'll kill you. Wait! There's a better way. Jump." She dragged him to the front of the box and pulled aside

the curtains. "It isn't high and they won't see you till it's too late. Then you can run through the crowd."

He grasped her idea, and, slipping his weapon back into its holster, laid hold of the ledge before him and

lowered himself down over the dancers. He swung out unhesitatingly, and almost before he had been

observed had dropped into their midst. The gallery was but twice the height of a man's head from the floor, so

he landed on his feet and had drawn his Colts even while the men at the stairs were shouting at him to halt.

At sight of the naked weapons there was confusion, wherein the commands of the deputies mingled with the

shrieks of the women, the crash of overturned chairs, and the sound of tramping feet, as the crowd divided

before Glenister and swept back against the wall in the same ominous way that a crowd in the street had once

divided on the morning of Helen's arrival. The trombone player, who had sunk low in his chair with closed

eyes, looked out suddenly at the disturbance, and his alarm was blown through the horn in a startled squawk.

A large woman whimpered, "Don't shoot," and thrust her palms to her ears, closing her eyes tightly.

Glenister covered the deputies, from whose vicinity the bystanders surged as though from the presence of

"Hands up!" he cried, sharply, and they froze into motionless attitudes, one poised on the lowest step of the

stairs, the other a pace forward. Voorhees appeared at the head of the flight and rushed down a few steps only

to come abruptly into range and to assume a like rigidity, for the young man's aim shifted to him.

"Keep it," said Glenister, showing his teeth in a smile in which there was no mirth. He backed diagonally

across the hall, his bootheels clicking in the silence, his eyes shifting rapidly up and down the stairs where

From her station Helen could see the whole tableau, all but the men on the stairs, where her vision was cut

off. She saw the dance girls crouched behind their partners or leaning far out from the wall with parted lips,

the men eager yet fearful, the bartender with a halfpolished glass poised high. Then a quick movement

across the hall suddenly diverted her absorbed attention. She saw a man rip aside the drapery of the box

opposite and lean so far out that he seemed in peril of falling. He undertook to sight a weapon at Glenister,

who was just passing from his view. At her first glance Helen gaspedher heart gave one fierce lunge, and

The distance across the pit was so short that she saw his every line and lineament clearly; it was the brother

she had sought these years and years. Before she knew or could check it the blood call leaped forth.

"Drury!" she cried, aloud, at which he whipped his head about, while amazement and some other emotion she

could not gauge spread slowly over his features. For a long moment he stared at her without movement or

sign while the drama beneath went on, then he drew back into his retreat with the dazed look of one doubting

his senses, yet fearful of putting them to the test. For her part, she saw nothing except her brother vanishing

slowly into the shadows as though stricken at her glance, the curtains closing before his livid faceand then

Glenister, holding his enemies at bay, had retreated to the double doors leading to the theatre. His coup had

been executed so quickly and with such lack of turmoil that the throng outside knew nothing of it till they

saw a man walk backward through the door. As he did so he reached forth and slammed the wide wings shut

before his face, then turned and dashed into the press. Inside the dancehall loud sounds arose as the officers

clattered down the stairs and made after their quarry. They tore the barrier apart in time to see, far down the

saloon, an eddying swirl as though some great fish were lashing through the lilypads of a pond, and then the

Helen made her way from the theatre as she had come, unobserved and unobserving, but she walked in a

dream. Emotions had chased each other too closely tonight to be distinguishable, so she went mechanically

Glenister, meanwhile, had been swallowed up by the dakrness, the night enfolding him without sign or trace.

As he ran he considered what course to followwhether to carry the call to his comrades in town or to make

for the Creek and Dextry. The Vigilantes might still distrust him, and yet he owed them warning.

McNamara's men were moving so swiftly that action must be speedy to forestall them. Another hour and the

net would be closed, while it seemed that whichever course he chose they would snare one or the

othereither the friends who remained in town, or Dex and Slapjack out in the hills. With daylight those two

would return and walk unheeding into the trap, while if he bore the word to them first, then the Vigilantes

would be jailed before dawn. As he drew near Cherry Malotte's house he saw a light through the drawn

curtains. A heavy raindrop plashed upon his face, another followed, and then he heard the patter of falling

water increasing swiftly. Before he could gain the door the storm had broken. It swept up the street with

tropical violence, while a breath sighed out of the night, lifting the litter from underfoot and pelting him with

flying particles. Over the roofs the wind rushed with the rising moan of a hurricane while the night grew

suddenly noisy ahead of the tempest. He entered the door without knocking, to find the girl removing her

coat. Her face gladdened at sight of him, but he checked her with quick and cautious words, his speech

"The marshals are after me. We just had a 'run in' at the Northern, and I'm on the go. Nonothing serious

yet, but they want the Vigilantes, and I must get them word. Will you help me?" He rapidly recounted the

"You're safe here for a little while," she told him, "for the storm will check them. If they should come, there's

a back door leading out from the kitchen and a side entrance yonder. In my room you'll find a French

"Slapjack and Dex are out at the shaft houseyou knowthat quartz claim on the mountain above the

Midas." He hesitated. "Will you lend me your saddlehorse? It's a black night and I may kill him."

She shook her head. "You can't do it. You can't get out there before daylight if you wait to rouse these people,

and McNamara has probably telephoned the mines to send a party up to the quartz claim after Dex. He knows

"No! He's only a pony, and you'd founder him in the tundra. The mud is kneedeep. I'll go myself."

"Good Heavens, girl, in such a night! Why, it's worth your life! Listen to it! The creeks will be up and you'll

"He's a good little horse, and he'll take me through." Then, coming close, she continued: "Oh, boy! Can't you

see that I want to help? Can't you see that II'd die for you if it would do any good?" He gazed gravely into

her wide blue eyes and said, awkwardly: "Yes, I know. I'm sorry things areas they arebut you wouldn't

"No. You're the only true man I ever knew. I guess that's why I love you. And I do love you, oh, so much! I

She laid her face against his arm and caressed him with clinging tenderness, while the wind yelled loudly

about the eaves and the windows drummed beneath the rain. His heavy brows knit themselves together as she

"I love you! I love you! I love you!" with such an agony of longing in her voice that her soft accents were

sharply distinguishable above the turmoil. The growing wildness seemed a part of the woman's passion,

"Things are fearfully jumbled," he said, finally. "And this is a bad time to talk about them. I wish they might

"Then why do you think of that woman?" she broke in, fiercely. "She's bad and false. She betrayed you once;

she's in the play now; you've told me so yourself. Why don't you be a man and forget her?"

"I can't," he said, simply. "You're wrong, though, when you think she's bad. I found tonight that she's good

and brave and honest. The part she played was played innocently, I'm sure of that, in spite of the fact that

she'll marry McNamara. It was she who overheard them plotting and risked her reputation to warn me."

Cherry's face whitened, while the shadowy eagerness that had rested there died utterly. "She came into that

dive alone? She did that?" He nodded, at which she stood thinking for some time, then continued: "You're

honest with me, Roy, and I'll be the same with you. I'm tired of deceit, tired of everything. I tried to make you

think she was bad, but in my own heart I knew differently all the time. She came here today and humbled

herself to get the truth, humbled herself to me, and I sent her away. She suspected, but she didn't know, and

when she asked for information I insulted her. That's the kind of creature I am. I sent her back to Struve, who

"You needn't worry; she won't see him again. She loathes the ground he walks on."

"And yet he's no worse than that other scoundrel. Come, girl, we have work to do; we must act, and act

quickly." He gave her his message to Dextry, then she went to her room and slipped into a ridinghabit.

When she came out he asked: "Where is your raincoat? You'll be drenched in no time."

"I can't ride with it. I'll be thrown, anyway, and I don't want to be all bound up. Water won't hurt me."

She thrust her tiny revolver into her dress, but he took in and upon examination shook his head.

"If you need a gun you'll need a good one." He removed the belt from his own waist and buckled his Colts

"I'll get another in ten minutes." Then, as they were leaving, he said: "One other request, Cherry. I'll be in

hiding for a time, and I must get word to Miss Chester to keep watch of her uncle, for the big fight is on at

last and the boys will hang him sure if they catch him. I owe her this last warning. Will you send it to her?"

"I'll do it for your sake, not for herno, no; I don't mean that. I'll do the right thing all round. Leave it here

and I'll see that she gets it tomorrow. AndRoybe careful of yourself." Her eyes were starry and in their

depths lurked neither selfishness nor jealousy now, only that mysterious glory of a woman who makes

Together they scurried back to the stable, and yet, in that short distance, she would have been swept from her

feet had he not seized her. They blew in through the barn door, streaming and soaked by the blinding sheets

that drove scythelike ahead of the wind. He struck a light, and the pony whinnied at recognition of his

mistress. She stroked the little fellow's muzzle while Glenister cinched on her saddle. Then, when she was at

He took her rainwet face between his hands and kissed her upon the lips as he would have saluted a little

maid. As he did so, unseen by both of them, a face was pressed for an instant against the pane of glass in the

"You're a brave girl and may God bless you," he said, extinguishing the light. He flung the door wide and she

rode out into the storm. Locking the portal, he plunged back towards the house to write his hurried note, for

there was much to do and scant time for its accomplishment, despite the helping hand of the hurricane. He

heard the voice of Bering as it thundered on the Golden Sands, and knew that the first great storm of the fall

had come. Henceforth he saw that the violence of men would rival the rising elements, for the deeds of this

He neglected to bolt the house door as he entered, but flung off his dripping coat and, seizing pad and pencil,

scrawled his message. The wind screamed about the cabin, the lamp flared smokily, and Glenister felt a

"I can't do anything more. The end has come and it has brought the hatred and bloodshed that I have been

trying to prevent. I played the game according to your rules, but they forced me back to first principles in

spite of myself, and now I don't know what the finish will be. Tomorrow will tell. Take care of your uncle,

and if you should wish to communicate with me, go to Cherry Malotte. She is a friend to both of us. "Always

As he sealed this he paused, while he felt the hair on his neck rise and bristle and a chill race up his spine. His

heart fluttered, then pounded onward till the blood thumped audibly at his eardrums and he found himself

swaying in rhythm to its beat. The muscles of his back cringed and rippled at the proximity of some hovering

peril, and yet an irresistible feeling forbade him to turn. A sound came from close behind his chairthe drip,

drip, drip of water. It was not from the eaves, nor yet from a faulty shingle. His back was to the kitchen door,

through which he had come, and, although there were no mirrors before him, he felt a menacing presence as

surely as though it had touched him. His ears were turned to the finest pinpricks of sound, so that he heard

the faint, sighing "squish" of a sodden shoe upon which a weight had shifted. Still something chained him to

his seat. It was as though his soul laid a restraining hand upon his body, waiting for the instant.

He let his hand seek his hip carelessly, but remembered where his gun was. Mechanically, he addressed the

note in shaking characters, while behind him sounded the constant drip, drip, drip that he knew came from

saturated garments. For a long moment he sat, till he heard the stealthy click of a gunlock muffled by finger

pressure. Then he set his face and slowly turned to find the Bronco Kid standing behind him as though risen

from the sea, his light clothes wet and clinging, his feet centred in a spreading puddle. The dim light showed

the convulsive fury of his features above the levelled weapon, whose hammer was curled back like the head

of a striking adder, his eyes gleaming with frenzy. Glenister's mouth was powder dry, but his mind was

leaping riotously like dust before a gale, for he divined himself to be in the deadliest peril of his life. When he

"What's the matter, Bronco?" The Kid made no reply, and Roy repeated, "What do you want?"

"That's a hell of a question," the gambler said, hoarsely. "I want you, of course, and I've got you."

"Hold up! I am unarmed. This is your third try, and I want to know what's back of it."

"Damn the talk!" cried the farodealer, moving closer till the light shone on his features, which commenced

to twitch. He raised the revolver he had half lowered. "There's reason enough, and you know it."

Glenister looked him fairly between the eyes, gripping himself with firm hands to stop the tremor he felt in

his bones. "You can't kill me," he said. "I am too good a man to murder. You might shoot a crook, but you

can't kill a brave man when he's unarmed. You're no assassin." He remained rigid in his chair, however,

moving nothing but his lips, meeting the other's look unflinchingly. The Kid hesitated an instant, while his

eyes, which had been fixed with the glare of hatred, wavered a moment, betraying the faintest sign of

The gambler grimaced. "I can't do it. If I could, I'd have shot you before you turned. But you'll have to fight,

Even yet Glenister had made no slightest move, realizing that a feather's weight might snap the gambler's

nervous tension and bring the involuntary twitch that would put him out swifter than a whip is cracked.

"I have tried it before, but murder isn't my game." The Kid's eye caught the glint of Cherry's revolver where

"It's no good. You'd carry the six bullets and never feel them. I don't know what this is all about, but I'll fight

"Oh, you blackhearted hound," snarled the Kid. "I want to shoot, but I'm afraid. I used to be a gentleman

and I haven't lost it all, I guess. But I won't wait the next time. I'll down you on sight, so you'd better get

ironed in a hurry." He backed out of the room into the semidarkness of the kitchen, watching with lynxlike

closeness the man who sat so quietly under the shaded light. He felt behind him for the outer doorknob and

turned it to let in a white sheet of rain, then vanished like a storm wraith, leaving a parchedlipped man and a

GLENISTER DID NOT wait long after his visitor's departure, but extinguished the light, locked the door,

and began the further adventures of this night. The storm welcomed him with suffocating violence, sucking

the very breath from his lips, while the rain beat through till his flesh was cold and aching. He thought with a

pang of the girl facing this tempest, going out to meet the thousand perils of the night. And it remained for

The last hour had added another and mysterious danger to its full measure. Could the Kid be jealous of

The tornado had driven his trailers to cover, evidently, for the streets were given over to its violence, and Roy

encountered no hostile sign as he was buffeted from house to house. He adventured cautiously and yet with

haste, finding certain homes where the marshals had been before him peopled now only by frightened wives

and children. A scattered few of the Vigilantes had been taken thus, while the warring elements had

prevented their families from spreading the alarm or venturing out for succor. Those whom he was able to

warn dressed hurriedly, took their rifles, and went out into the drifting night, leaving empty cabins and

Towards daylight the remnants of the Vigilantes straggled into the big blank warehouse on the sandspit, and

there beneath the smoking glare of lanterns cursed the name of McNamara. As dawn grayed the ragged

eastern skyline, Dextry and Slapjack blew in through the spindrift, bringing word form Cherry and lifting a

"There's a game girl," said the old miner, as he wrung out his clothes. "She was half gone when she got to us,

"It's clearing up to the east," Slapjack chattered. "D'you know, I'm gettin' so rheumatic that icewater don't

"Uriatic acid in the blood," said Dextry. "What's our next move?" he asked of his partner. "When do we hang

this politician? Seems like we've got enough ablebodied pianomovers here to tie a can onto the whole

"I think we had better lie low and watch developments," the other cautioned. "There's no telling what may

As the day grew, the storm died, leaving ramparts of clouds hanging sullenly above the ocean's rim, while

those skilled in weather prophecy foretold the coming of the equinoctial. In McNamara's office there was a

great stir and the coming of many men. The boss sat in his chair smoking countless cigars, his big face set in

grim lines, his hard eyes peering through the pall of blue at those he questioned. He worked the wires of his

machine until his dolls doubled and danced and twisted at his touch. After a gusty interview he had dismissed

"You're not fit to herd sheep. Thirty men out all night and what do you get? A dozen mulletheaded miners.

You bag the mudhens and the big game runs to cover. I wanted Glenister, but you let him slip through your

fingersnow it's war. What a mess you've made! If I had even one helper with a brain the size of a flaxseed,

this game would be a gift, but you've bungled every move from the start. Bah! Put a spy in the bullpen with

those prisoners and make them talk. Offer them anything for information. Now get out!"

He called for a certain deputy and questioned him regarding the night's quest, remarking, finally:

Later, one of the men who had been with Voorhees at the Northern asked to see the receiver and told him:

"The chief won't believe that I saw Miss Chester in the dancehall last night, but she was there with

Glenister. She must have put him wise to our game or he wouldn't have known we were after him."

His hearer made no comment, but, when alone, rose and paced the floor with heavy tread while his face grew

"So that's the game, eh? It's man to man from now on. Very well, Glenister, I'll have your life for that, and

thenyou'll pay, Miss Helen." He considered carefully. A plot for a plot. If he could not swap intrigue with

these miners and beat them badly, he deserved to lose. Now that the girl gave herself to their cause he would

use her again and see how well she answered. Public opinion would not stand too great a strain, and, although

he had acted within his rights last night, he dared not go much further. Diplomacy, therefore, must serve. He

must force his enemies beyond the law and into his trap. She had passed the word once; she would do so

He hurried to Stillman's house and stormed into the presence of the Judge. He told the story so artfully that

the Judge's astonished unbelief yielded to rage and cowardice, and he sent for his niece. She came down,

white and silent, having heard the loud voices. The old man berated her with shrewish fury, while McNamara

stood silent. The girl listened with entire selfcontrol until her uncle made a reference to Glenister that she

"Hush! I will not listen!" she cried, passionately. "I warned him because you would have sacrificed him after

he had saved our lives. That is all. He is an honest man, and I am grateful to him. That is the only foundation

"You thought you were doing right, of course, but your action will have terrible consequences. Now we'll

have riot, bloodshed, and Heaven knows what. It was to save all this that I wanted to break up their

organization. A week's imprisonment would have done it, but now they're armed and belligerent and we'll

"There's no use trying to check them. They are rushing to their own destruction. I have learned that they plan

to attack the Midas tonight, and I'll have fifty soldiers waiting for them there. It is a shame, for they are

decent fellows blinded by ignorance and misled by that young miner. This will be the blackest night the

With this McNamara left the house and went in search of Voorhees, remarking to himself: "Now, Miss

Helensend your warningthe sooner the better. If I know those Vigilantes, it will set them crazy, and yet

not crazy enough to attack the Midas. They will strike for me, and when they hit my poor, unguarded office,

"Mr. Marshal," said he to his tool, "I want you to gather forty men quietly and to arm them with Winchesters.

They must be fellows who won't faint at bloodyou know the kind. Assemble them at my office after dark,

one at a time, by the back way. It must be done with absolute secrecy. Now, see if you can do this one thing

"If there's one thing I want to avoid, it's soldiers, either here or at the mines. When they step in, we step out,

Helen meanwhile had fled to her room, and there received Glenister's note through Cherry Malotte's

messenger. It rekindled her worst fears and bore out McNamara's prophecy. The more she read of it the more

certain she grew that the crisis was only a question of hours, and that with darkness, Tragedy would walk the

streets of Nome. The thought of the wrong already done was lost in the lonely girl's terror of the crime about

to happen, for it seemed to her she had been the instrument to set these forces in motion, that she had loosed

this swiftspeeding avalanche of greed, hatred, and brutality. It must not be. She would shriek a warning

from the housetops even at cost of her uncle, of McNamara, and of herself. And yet she had no proof that a

crime existed. Although it all lay clear in her own mind, the certainty of it arose only from her intuition. If

only she were able to take a handif only she were not a woman. Then Cherry Malotte's words anent Struve

recurred to her, "A bottle of wine and a woman's face." They brought back the lawyer's assurance that those

documents she had safeguarded all through the long springtime journey really contained the proof. If they

did, then they held the power to check this impending conflict. Her uncle and the boss would not dare

continue if threatened with exposure and prosecution. The more she thought of it, the more urgent seemed the

necessity to prevent the battle of tonight. There was a chance here, at least, and the only one.

Adding to her mental torment was the constant vision of that face in the curtains at the Northern. It was her

brother, yet what mystery shrouded this affair, also? What kept him from her? What caused him to slink away

Struve turned in his chair as the door to his private office opened, then leaped to his feet at sight of the

"I knew you would." The blood went out of his cheeks, then surged back up to his eyes. "It's a bargain, then?"

He laughed unpleasantly. "What do you take me for? I'll keep my part of the bargain if you'll keep yours. But

this is no place, nor time. There's riot in the air, and I'm busy preparing for tonight. Come back tomorrow

He meditated for a time. "Then today it shall be. I'll shirk the fight, I'll sacrifice what shreds of duty have

clung to me, because the fever for you is in my bones, and it seems to me I'd do murder for it. That's the kind

of a man I am, and I have no pride in myself because of it. But I've always been that way. We'll ride to the

Sign of the Sled. It's a romantic little roadhouse ten miles from here, perched high above the Snake River

He chuckled grimly and seized the telephone. "Centralcall the Sled roadhouseseven rings on the Snake

River branch. Hello! That you, Shortz? This is Struve. Anybody at the house? Good. Turn them away if they

come and say that you're closed. None of your business. I'll be out about dark, so have dinner for two. Spread

Strengthened by Glenister's note, Helen went straight to the other woman and this time was not kept waiting

nor greeted with sneers, but found Cherry cloaked in a shy dignity, which she clasped tightly about herself.

Under her visitor's incoherence she lost her diffidence, however, and, when Helen had finished, remarked,

"But I must. The blood of those men will be on me if I don't stop this tragedy. If those papers tell the tale I

think they do, I can call off my uncle and make McNamara give back the mines. You said Struve told you the

"No, I have only his word, but he spoke of those documents repeatedly, saying they contained his instructions

to tie up the mines in order to give a foothold for the lawsuits. He bragged that the rest of the gang were in his

power and that he could land them in the penitentiary for conspiracy. That's all."

"It's the only chance," said Helen. "They are sending soldiers to the Midas to lie in ambush, and you must

"Good Lord! Roy said he'd lead an attack tonight." The two stared at each other.

"If I succeed with Struve I can stop it allall of this injustice and crimeeverything."

"Do you realize what you're risking?" Cherry demanded. "That man is an animal. You'll have to kill him to

"Yes, he will," said Helen, fiercely, "and I defy him to harm me. The Sign of the Sled is a public roadhouse

with a landlord, a telephone, and other guests. Will you warn Mr. Glenister about the troops?"

"I will, and bless you for a brave girl. Wait a moment." Cherry took from the dresser her tiny revolver. "Don't

hesitate to use this. I want you know know also that I'm sorry for what I said yesterday."

As she hurried away, Helen realized with a shock the change that the past few months had wrought in her. In

truth, it was as Glenister had said, his Northland worked strangely with its denizens. What of that shrinking

girl who had stepped out of the sheltered life, strong only in her untried honesty, to become a hunted, harried

thing, juggling with honor and reputation in this night to gain her end? The elements were moulding her with

irresistible hands. Roy's contact with the primitive had not roughened him more quickly than had hers.

She met her appointment with Struve, and they rode away together, he talkative and elated, she silent and icy.

Late in the afternoon the cloud banks to the eastward assumed alarming proportions. They brought with them

an early nightfall, and when the broke let forth a tempest which rivalled that of the previous night. During the

first of it armed men came sifting into McNamara's office from the rear and were hidden throughout the

building. Whenever he descried a peculiarly desperate ruffian the boss called him aside for private instruction

and gave minute description of a wideshouldered, erect youth in white hat and halfboots. Gradually he set

his trap with the men Voorhees had raked from the slums, and when it was done smiled to himself. As he

thought it over he ceased to regret the miscarriage of last night's plan, for it had served to goad his enemies to

the point he desired, to the point where they would rush to their own undoing. He thought with satisfaction of

the r�le he would play in the United States press when the sensational news of this night's adventure came

out. A court official who dared to do his duty despite a lawless mob. A receiver who turned a midnight attack

into a rout and shambles. That is what they would say. What if he did exceed his authority thereafter? What if

there were a scandal? Who would question? As to soldiersno, decidedly no. He wished no help of soldiers

The sight of a ship in the offing towards dark caused him some uneasiness, for, notwithstanding the assurance

that he course of justice in the San Francisco courts had been clogged, he knew Bill Wheaton to be a

resourceful lawyer and a determined man. Therefore, it relieved him to note the rising gale, which precluded

the possibility of interference from that source. Let them come tomorrow if they would. By that time some

He telephoned the mines to throw out guards, although he reasoned that none but madmen would think of

striking there in the face of the warning which he knew must have been transmitted through Helen. Putting on

"Bring your niece over to my place tonight. There's trouble in the air and I'm prepared for it."

"She hasn't returned from her ride yet. I'm afraid she's caught in the storm." The Judge gazed anxiously into

During all the long day the Vigilantes lay in hiding, impatient at their idleness and wondering at the lack of

effort made towards their discovery, not dreaming that McNamara had more cleverly hidden plans behind.

When Cherry's note of warning came they gathered in the back room and gave voice to their opinions.

"You bet," chorussed the others. "They've garrisoned the mines, so let's go through the town and make a

This met with general approval, Glenister alone demurring. Said he: "I have reasoned it out differently, and I

want you to hear me through before deciding. Last night I got word from Wheaton that the California courts

are against us. He attributes it to influence, but, whatever the reason, we are cut off from all legal help either

in this court or on appeal. Now, suppose we lynch these officials tonightwhat do we gain? Martial law in

two hours, our mines tied up for another year, and who knows what else? Maybe a corrupter court next

season. Suppose, on the other hand, we failand somehow I feel that we will, for that boss is no fool. What

then? Those of us who don't find the morgue will end in jail. You say we can't meet the soldiers. I say we can

and must. We must carry this row to them. We must jump it past the courts of Alaska, past the courts of

California, and up to the White House, where there's one honest man, at least. We must do something to wake

up the men in Washington. We must get out of politics, for McNamara can beat us there. Although he's a

strong man he can't corrupt the President. We have one shot left, and it must reach the Potomac. When Uncle

Sam takes a hand we'll get a square deal, so I say let us strike at the Midas tonight and take her if we can.

Following this harangue, he outlined a plan which it its unique daring took away their breaths, and as he

filled in detail after detail they brightened with excitement an that love of the long chance which makes

gamblers of those who thread the silent valleys or tread the edge of things. His boldness stirred them and

"All I want for myself," he said, "is the chance to run the big risk. It's mine by right."

"Well go you," the miners chimed to a man. And the chairman added: "Let's have Glenister lead this forlorn

hope. I am willing to stand or fall on his judgment." They acquiesced without a dissenting voice, and with the

"Steal it," he answered, at which Dextry grinned delightedly at his loosejointed companion, and Slapjack

A few more words and Glenister, accompanied by these two, slipped out into the whirling storm, and a

halfhour later the rest followed. One by one the Vigilantes left, the blackness blotting them up an

arm'slength from the door, till at last the big, bleak warehouse echoed hollowly to the voice of the wind and

Over in the eastern end of town, behind dark windows upon which the sheeted rain beat furiously, other

armed men lay patiently waitingwaiting some word from the bulky shadow which stood with folded arms

close against a square of gray, while over their heads a wretched old man paced back and forth, wringing his

hands, pausing at every turn to peer out into the night and to mumble the name of his sister's child.

EARLY IN THE evening Cherry Malotte opened her door to find the Bronco Kid on her step. He entered and

threw off his rubber coat. Knowing him well, she waited for his disclosure of his errand. His sallow skin was

without trace of color, his eyes were strangely tired, deep lines had gathered about his lips, while his hands

kept up constant little nervous explorations as though for days and nights he had not slept and now hovered

on the verge of some hysteria. He gave her the impression of a smouldering mine with the fire eating close up

to the powder. She judged that his body had been racked by every passion till now it hung jaded and weary,

"Do you love Roy Glenister?" His voice, like his manner, was jealously eager, and he watched her carefully

"Yes, Kid; and I always shall. He is the only true man I have ever known, and I'm not ashamed of my

For a long time he studied her, and then broke into rapid speech, allowing her no time for interruption.

"I've held back and held back because I'm no talker. I can't be, in my business; but this is my last chance, and

I want to put myself right with you. I've loved you ever since the Dawson days, not in the way you'd expect

from a man of my sort, perhaps, but with the kind of love that a woman wants. I never showed my hand, for

what was the use? That man outheld me. I'd have quit faro years back only I wouldn't leave this country as

long as you were a part of it, and up here I'm only a gambler, fit for nothing else. I'd made up my mind to let

you have him till something happened a couple of months ago, but now it can't go through. I'll have to down

him. It isn't concerning youI'm not a welcher. No, it's a thing I can't talk about, a thing that's made me into

a wolf, made me skulk and walk the alleys like a dago. It's put murder into my heart. I've tried to assassinate

him. I tried it here last nightbutI was a gentleman oncetill the cards came. He knows the answer now,

though, and he's ready for meso one of us will go out like a candle when we meet. I felt that I had to tell

"You're talking like a madman, Kid," she replied, "and you mustn't turn against him now. He has troubles

enough. I never knew you cared for me. What a tangle it is, to be sure. You love me, I love him, he loves that

girl, and she loves a crook. Isn't that tragedy enough without your adding to it? You come at a bad time, too,

"I'll have to kill him," the man uttered, doggedly, and, plead or reason as she would, she could get nothing

"You say you love me. Very welllet's see if you do. I know the kind of a man you are and I know what this

feud will mean to him, coming just at this time. Put it aside and I'll marry you."

The gambler rose slowly to his feet. "You do love him, don't you?" She bowed her face, and he winced, but

At this she laughed bitterly. "Oh, I see. Of course not. How foolish of me to expect it of a man like you. I

understand what you mean now, and the bargain will stand just the same, if that is what you came for. I

wanted to leave this life and be good, to go away and start over and play the game square, but I see it's no

use. I'll pay. I know how relentless you are, and the price is low enough. You can have meand

"Stop!" cried the Kid. "You're wrong. I'm not that kind of a sport." His voice broke suddenly, its vehemence

shaking his slim body. "Oh, Cherry, I love you the way a man ought to love a woman. It's one of the two

good things left in me, and I want to take you away from ehre where we can both hide from the past, where

"In an hour, and give my heart's blood for the privilege; but I can't stop this thing, not even if your own dear

She approached him and laid her arms about his neck, every line of her body pleading, but he refused

She begged: "They're all against him, Kid. He's fighting a hopeless fight. He laid all lhe had at that girls' feet,

"Don't be a fool. I guess I know. You're a farodealer, but you haven't any right to talk like that about a good

Into his dark eyes slowly crept a hungry look and she felt him begin to tremble the least bit. He undertook to

He sat down weakly and passed a shaking hand over his face, which had begun to twitch and jerk again as it

"I may as well tell you that I know she's more than that. She's honest and highprincipled. I don't know why

I'm saying this, but it was on my mind and I was half distracted when you came. She's in danger tonight,

thoughat this minute. I don't dare to think of what may have happened, for she's risked everything to make

"Struve!" shouted the gambler, leaping to his feet. "Alone with Struve on a night like this?" He shook her

She recounted the reasons for Helen's adventure, while the man's face became terrible.

"The Sign of the Sled belongs to Struve, and the fellow who runs it is a rogue." The Bronco Kid looked at the

clock, his eyes bloodshot and dull like those of a goaded, flymaddened bull. "It's eight o'clock nowten

"What ails you?" she questioned, baffled by his strange demeanor. "You called me the one woman just now,

"Yoursister? Oh, II'm glad. I'm gladbut don't stand there like a wooden man, for you've work to do.

Wake up. Can't you hear? She's in peril!" Her words whipped him out of his stupor so that he drew himself

somewhat under control. "Get into your coat. Hurry! Hurry! My pony will take you there." She snatched his

garment from the chair and held it for him while the life ran back into his veins. Together they dashed out

into the storm as she and Roy had done, and as he flung the saddle on the buckskin, she said:

"I understand it all now. You heard the talk about her and Glenister; but it's wrong. I lied and schemed and

intrigued against her, but it's over now. I guess there's a little streak of good in me somewhere, after all."

He spoke to her from the saddle. "It's more than a streak, Cherry, and you're my kind of people." She smiled

"That's lefthanded, Kid. I don't want to be your kind. I want to be his kindor your sister's kind."

Upon leaving the rendezvous, Glenister and his two friends slunk through the night, avoiding the life and

lights of the town, while the wind surged out of the voids to seaward, driving its wet burden through their

flapping slickers, pelting their faces as though enraged at its failure to wash away the purposes written there.

Their course brought them to a cabin at the western outskirts of the city, where they paused long enough to

Past them ran the iron rails of the narrowgauged road which led out across the quaking tundra to the

mountains and the mines. Upon this slender trail of steel there rolled one small, ungainly teapot of an engine

which daily creaked and clanked back and forth at a snail's pace, screaming and wailing its complaint of the

two highloaded flatcars behind. The ties beneath it were spiked to planks laid lengthwise over the

semiliquid roadbed, in places sagging beneath the surface till the humpbacked, shortwaisted locomotive

yawed and reeled and squealed like a drunken fishwife. At night it panted wearily into the board station and

there sighed and coughed and hissed away its fatigue as the coals died and the breath relaxed in its lungs.

Early to bed and early to rise was perforce the motto of its grimy crew, who lived near by. Tonight they

were just retiring when stayed by a summons at their door. The engineer opened it to admit what appeared to

his astonished eyes to be a Krupp cannon propelled by a man in yellowoiled clothes and white cotton mask.

This weapon assumed the proportions of a great, oneeyed monster, which stared with baleful fixity at his

vitals, giving him a cold and empty feeling. Away back beyond this Cyclops of the Sightless Orb were two

The fireman arose from his chair, dropping an empty shoe with a thump, but, being of the West, without cavil

or waste of wind, he stretched his hands above his head, balancing on one foot to keep his unshod member

from the damp floor. He had unbuckled his belt, and now, loosened by the movement, his overalls seemed

bent on sinking floorward in an ecstasy of abashment at the intrusion, whereupon with convulsive grip he

hugged them to their duty, one hand and foot still elevated as though in the grand hailingsign of some secret

order. The other man was new to the ways of the North, so backed to the limit of his quarters, laid both hands

"This ain't no joke," said the foremost figure, its breath bellying out the mask at its mouth.

"Sure it is," insisted the shoeless one. "Must bewe ain't got anything worth stealing."

"Get into your clothes and come along. We won't hurt you." The two obeyed and were taken to the sleeping

engine and there instructed to produce a full head of steam in thirty minutes or suffer a premature taking off

and a prompt elision from the realms of applied mechanics. As stimulus to their efforts two foo the men stood

over them till the engine began to sob and sigh reluctantly. Through the gloom that curtained the cab they

saw other dim forms materializing and climbing silently on to the cars behind; then, as the steamgauge

touched the mark, the word was given and the train rumbled out from its shelter, its shrill plaint at curb and

Slapjack remained in the cab, gun in lap, while Dextry climbed back to Glenister. He found the young man in

good spirits, despite the discomfort of his exposed position, and striving to light his pipe behind the shelter of

As the train crept out of the camp and across the river bridge, its only light or glimmer the sparks that were

snatched and harried by the blast, the partners seated themselves on the powder cases and conversed

guardedly, while about them sounded the low murmur of the men who risked their all upon this cry to duty,

who staked their lives and futures upon this hazard of the hills, because they thought it right.

"My hardest battle had nothing to do with the Midas or the mines of Anvil. I fought and conquered myself."

"Awful wet night for philosophy," the first remarked. "It's apt to sour on you like milk in a thunderstorm.

S'pose you put overalls an' gum boots on some of them Boston ideas an' lead 'em out where I can look 'em

"I mean that I was a savage till I met Helen Chester and she made a man of me. It took sixty days, but I think

she did a good job. I love the wild things just as much as ever, but I've learned that there are duties a fellow

owes to himself, and to other people, if he'll only stop and think them out. I've found out, too, that the right

"Gee1 but you're popular with yourself. I don't see as it helps your looks any. You're as homely as everan'

"I know. That's what rankles, for he's no more worthy of her than I am. She'll do what's right, however, you

may depend upon that, and perhaps she'll change him the way she did me. Why, she worked a miracle in my

"Oh, your manners are good enough as they lay," interrupted the other. "You never did eat with your knife."

"No, when it comes to intimacies with decorum, you're right on the job along with any of them Easterners. I

watched you close at them 'Frisco hotels last winter, and, sayyou know as much as a horse. Why, you was

wise to them tablewares and pickleforks equal to a headwaiter, and it give me confidence just to be with

you. I remember putting milk and sugar in my consomm� the first time. It was pale and in a cup and looked

like teabut not you. No, sir! You savvied plenty and squeezed a lemon into yoursto clean your fingers, I

Roy slapped his partner's wet back, for he was buoyant and elated. The sense of nearing danger pulsed

"That wasn't just what I meant, but it goes. Say, if we win back our mine, we'll hit for New York nexteh?"

"No, I don't aim to mingle with no higher civilization than I got in 'Frisco. I use that word 'higher' like it was

applied to meat. Not that I wouldn't seem apropos. I'm stylish enough for Fifth Avenue or anywheres, but I

like the West. Speakin' of modes an' styles, when I get all lit up in that gray woosted suit of mine, I guess I

make the jaded sightseers set up an' take noticeeh? Somethin' doin' every minute in the cranin' of

neckswhat? Nothin' gaudy, but the acme of neatness an' form, as the feller said who sold it to me."

Their common peril brought the friends together again, into that close bond which had been theirs without

interruption until this recent change in the younger had led him to choose paths at variance with the old man's

ideas; and now they spoke, heart to heart, in the halfserious, halfjesting ways of old, while beneath each

whimsical irony was that mutual love and understanding which had consecrated their partnership.

Arriving at the end of the road, the Vigilantes debouched and went into the darkness of the ca�on behind their

leader, to whom the trails were familiar. He bade them pause finally, and gave his last instructions.

"They are on the alert, so you want to be careful. Divide into two parties and close in from both sides,

creeping as near to the pickets as possible without discovery. Remember to wait for the last blast. When it

comes, cut loose and charge like the Sioux. Don't shoot to kill at first, for they're only soldiers and under

"I leave it to you, gents, if it ain't better for me to go inside than for the boy. I've had more experience with

giant powder, an' I'm so blamed used up an' near gone it wouldn't hurt if they did get me, while he's right in

Glenister stopped him. "I won't yield the privilege. Come nowto your places, men."

They melted away to each side while the old prospector paused to wring his partner's hand.

"I'd ruther it was me, lad, but if they get youGod help 'em!" He stumbled after the departing shadows,

leaving Roy alone. With his naked fingers, Glenister ripped open the powder cases and secreted the contents

upon his person. Each cartridge held dynamite enough to devastate a village, and he loaded them inside his

pockets, inside his shirt, and everywhere that he had room, till he was burdened and cased in an armor

onehundredth part of which could have blown him from the face of the earth so utterly as to leave no trace

except, perhaps, a pit ripped out of the mountainside. He looked to his fuses and saw that they were

wrapped in oiled paper, then placed them in his hat. Having finished, he set out, walking with difficulty under

That his choice of location had been well made was evidence by the fact that the ground beneath his feet

sloped away to a basin out of which bubbled a spring. It furnished the drinking supply of the Midas, and he

knew every inch of the crevice it had worn down the mountain, so felt his way cautiously along. At the

bottom of the hill where it ran out upon the level it had worn a considerable ditch through the soil, and into

this he crawled on hands and knees. His bulging clothes handicapped him so that his gait was slow and

awkward, while the rain had swelled the streamlet till it trickled over his calves and up to his wrists, chilling

him so that his muscles cramped and his very bones cried out with it. The sharp schist cut into his palms till

they were shredded and bleeding, while his knees found every jagged bit of bedrock over which he dragged

himself. He could not see an arm'slength ahead without rising, and, having removed his slicker for greater

freedom of movement, the rain beat upon his back till he was soaked and sodden and felt streamlets cleaving

downward between his ribs. Now and again he squatted upon his haunches, straining his eyes to either side.

The banks were barely high enough to shield him. At last he came to a bridge of planks spanning the ditch

and was about to rear himself for another look when he suddenly flattened into the stream bed, half damming

the waters with his body. It was for this he had so carefully wrapped his fuses. A man passed over him so

close above that he might have touched him. The sentry paused a few paces beyond and accosted another,

then retraced his steps over the brid dge. Evidently this was the picketline, so Roy wormed his way forward

till he saw the blacker blackness of the mine buildings, then drew himself dripping out from the bank. He had

Since evicting the owners, the receiver had erected substantial houses in place of the tents he had found on

the mine. They were of frame and corrugatediron, sheathed within and suited to withstand a moderate

exposure. The partners had witnessed the operation from a distance, but knew nothing about the buildings

A thrill of affection for this place warmed the young man. He loved this old mine. It had realized the dream

of his boyhood, and had answered the hope he had clung to during his long fight against the Northland. It had

come to him when he was disheartened, bringing cheer and happiness, and had yielded itself like a bride.

He crept towards the nearest wall and listened. Within was the sound of voices, though the windows were

dark, showing that the inhabitants were on the alert. Beneath the foundations he made mysterious

preparations, then sought out the office building and cookhouse, doing likewise. He found that back of the

Although suspense had lengthened the time out of all calculation, he judged he had been gone from his

companions at least an hour and that they must be in place by now. If they were notif anything failed at

this eleventh hourwell, those were the fortunes of war. In every enterprise, however carefully planned,

He made his way inside the blacksmithshop and fumbled for a match. Just as he was about to strike it he

heard the swish of oiled clothes passing, and waited for some time. Then, igniting his punk and hiding it

under his coat, he opened the door to listen. The wind had died down now and the rain sang musically upon

He ran swiftly from house to house, and, when he had done, at the apices of the triangle he had traced three

The final bolt was launched at last. He stepped down into the ditch and drew his .45, while to his tautened

senses it seemed that he very hills leaned forth in breathless pause, that the rain had ceased, and the whole

night hushed its thousand voices. He found his lower jaw set so stiffly that the muscles ached. Levelling his

weapon at the eaves of the bunkhouse, he pulled trigger rapidlythe bang, bang, bang, six times repeated,

sounding dull and dead beneath the blanket of mist that overhung. A shout sounded behind him, and then the

shriek of a Winchester ball close over his head. He turned in time to see another short stream out of the

darkness, where a sentry was firing at the flash of his gun, then bent himself double and plunged down the

With the first impact overhead the men poured forth from their quarters armed and bristling, to be greeted by

a volley of gunshots, the thud of bullets, and the dwindling whine of spent lead. They leaped from shelter to

find themselves girt with a fitful hoop of fire, for the "Stranglers" had spread in the arc of a circle and now

emptied their rifles towards the centre. The defenders, however, maintained surprising order considering the

suddenness of their attack, and ran to join the sentries, whose positions could be determined by the nearer

flashes. The voice of a man in authority shouted loud commands. No demonstration came from the outer

voids, nothing but the wicked streaks that stabbed the darkness. Then suddenly, behind McNamara's men, the

night glared luridly as though a great furnacedoor had opened and then clanged shut, while with it came a

hoarse thudding roar that silenced the rifle play. They saw the cookhouse disrupt itself and disintegrate into

a thousand flying timbers and twisted sheets of tin which soared upward and outward over their heads and

into the night. As the rocking hills ceased echoing, the sound of the Vigilantes' rifles recurred like the

cracking of dry sticks, then everywhere about the defenders the earth was lashed by falling d�bris while the

The blast had come at their very elbows, and they were too dazed and shaken by it to grasp its significance.

Then, before they could realize what it boded, the depths lit up again till the raindrops were outlined distinct

and glistening like a gossamer veil of silver, while the office building to their left was ripped and rended and

the adjoining walls leaped out into sudden relief, their shattered windows looking like ghostly, sightless eyes.

The curtain of darkness closed heavier than velvet, and the men cowered in their tracks, shielding themselves

behind the nearest objects or behind one another's bodies, waiting for the sky to vomit over them its rain of

missiles. Their backs were to the Vigilantes now, their faces to the centre. Many had dropped their rifles. The

thunder of hoofs and the scream of terrified horses came from the stables. The cry of a maddened beast is

weird and is calculated to curdle the blood at best, but with it arose a human voice, shrieking from pain and

fear of death. A wrenched and doubled mass of zinc had hurtled out of the heavens and struck some one

down. The choking hoarseness of the man's appeal told the story, and those about him broke into flight to

escape what might follow, to escape this danger they could not see but which swooped out of the blackness

above and against which there was no defence. They fled only to witness another and greater light behind

them by which they saw themselves running, falling, grovelling. This time they were hurled from their

balance by a concussion which dwarfed the two preceding ones. Some few stood still, staring at the rolling

smokebank as it was revealed by the explosion, their eyes gleaming white, while others buried their faces in

their hollowed arms as if to shut out the hellish glare, or to shield themselves from a blow.

At the same instant the girdle of sharpshooters rose up smiting the air with their cries and charged in like

madmen through the rain of detritus. They fired as they came, but it was unnecessary, for there was no longer

a fight. It was a rout. The defenders, feeling they had escaped destruction only by a happy chance in leaving

the bunkhouse the instant they did, were not minded to tarry here where the heavens fell upon their heads.

To augment their consternation, the horses had broken from their stalls and were plunging through the

confusion. Fear swept over the menblind, unreasoning, contagiousand they rushed out into the night,

colliding with their enemies, overrunning them in the panic to quit this spot. Some dashed off the bluff and

fell among the pits and sluices. Others ran up the mountainside, and cowered in the brush like quail.

As the "Stranglers" assembled their prisoners near the ruins, they heard wounded men moaning in the

darkness, so lit torches and searched out the stricken ones. Glenister came running through the smoke pall,

"Has any one seen McNamara?" No one had, and when they were later assembled to take stock of their

"We have captured fourteen," another announced, "and there may be more out yonder in the brush."

Glenister noted with growing surprise that not one of the prisoners lined up beneath the glaring torches wore

the army blue. They were miners all, or thugs and ruffians gathered from the camp. Where, he wondered,

At this the young leader became alarmed. Had this whole attack miscarried? Had this been no clash with the

United States force, after all? If so, the news would never reach Washington, and instead of accomplishing

his end, he and his friends had thrust themselves into the realms of outlawry, where the soldiers could be

employed against them with impunity, where prices would rest upon their heads. Innocent blood had been

shed, court property destroyed. McNamara had them where he wanted them at last. They were at bay.

The unwounded prisoners were taken to the boundaries of the Midas and released with such warnings as the

imaginations of Dextry could conjur up; then Glenister assembled his men, speaking to them plainly.

"Boys, this is no victory. In fact, we're worse off that we were before, and our biggest fight is coming. There's

a chance to get away now before daylight and before we're recognized, but if we're seen here at sunup we'll

have to stay and fight. Soldiers will be sent against us, but if we hold out, and the struggle is fierce enough, it

may reach Washington. This will be a different kind of fighting, though. It will be warfare pure and simple.

"All of us," said they, in unison, and, accordingly, preparations for a siege were begun. Barricades were built,

ruins removed, buildings transformed into blockhouses, and all through the turbulent night the tired men

labored till ready to drop, led always by the young giant, who seemed without fatigue.

Glenister hurried to the building, which had escaped the shock of the explosions, and, taking down the

"Thank God, you're safe," she began. "The men have just come in and the whole town is awake over the riot.

"Wait, wait! McNamara has called for troops and you'll all be shot. Oh, what a terrible night it has been! I

haven't been to bed. I'm going mad. Now, listen, carefullyyesterday Helen went with Struve to the Sign of

The man at the end of the wire cried out at this, then choked back his words to hear what followed. His free

hand began making strange, futile motions as though he traced patterns in the air.

"I can't raise the roadhouse on the wire andsomething dreadful has happened, I know."

"To save you," came Cherry's faint reply. "If you love her, ride fast to the Sign of the Sled or you'll be too

At that name Roy crashed the instrument to its hook and burst out of the shanty, calling loudly to his men.

"We've stood by you, Glenister, and you can't quit us like this," said one, angrily. "The trail to town is good,

and we'll take it if you do." Roy say they feared he was deserting, feared that he had heard some alarming

"We'll let the mine go, boys, for I can't ask you to do what I refuse to do myself, and yet it's not fear that's

sending me. There's a woman in danger and I must go. She courted ruin to save us all, risked her honor to try

and right a wrongandI'm afraid of what has happened while we were fighting here. I don't ask you to

stay till I come backit wouldn't be square, and you'd better go while you have a chance. As for meI gave

up the old claim onceI can do it again." He swung himself to the horse's back, settled into the saddle, and

AS HELEN and her companion ascended the mountain, scarred and swept by the tempest of the previous

night, they heard, far below, the swollen torrent brawling in its bowlderridden bed, while behind them the

angry ocean spread southward to a bloodred horizon. Ahead, the bleak mountains brooded over forbidding

valleys; to the west a suffused sun glared sullenly, painting the highpiled clouds with the gorgeous hues of a

stormy sunset. To Helen the wild scene seemed dyed with the colors of flame and blood and steel.

"That rain raised the deuce with the trails," said Struve, as they picked their way past an unsightly "slip"

whence a part of the overhanging mountain, loosened by the deluge, had slid into the gulch. "Another storm

Even in the daylight it was no easy task to avoid these danger spots, for the horses floundered on the muddy

soil. Vaguely the girl wondered how she would find her way back in the darkness, as she had planned. She

said little as they approached the roadhouse, for the thoughts within her brain had begun to clamor too

wildly; but Struve, more arrogant than ever before, more terrifyingly sure of himself, was loudly garrulous.

As they drew nearer and nearer, the dread that possessed the girl became of paralyzing intensity. If she should

They rounded a bend and saw the Sign of the Sled cradled below them where the trail dipped to a stream

which tumbled from the comb above into the river twisting like a silver thread through the distant valley. A

peeled flagpole topped by a spruce bough stood in front of the tavern, while over the door hung a sled

suspended from a beam. The house itself was a quaint structure, rambling and amorphous, from whose sod

roof sprang blooming flowers, and whose highbanked walls were pierced here and there with sleepy

windows. It had been built by a homesick foreigner of unknown nationality whom the army of "mushers"

who paid for his clean and orderly hospitality had dubbed duly and as a matter of course a "Swede." When

travel had changed to the river trail, leaving the house lonesome and high as though left by a receding wave,

Struve had taken it over on a debt, and now ran it for the convenience of a slender traffic, mainly stampeders,

who chose the higher route towards the interior. His hireling spent the idle hours in prospecting a hungry

Shortz took the horses and answered his employer's questions curtly, flashing a curious look at Helen. Under

other conditions the girl would have been delighted with the place, for this was the quaintest spot she had

found in the north country. The main room held bar and goldscales, a rude table, and a huge iron heater,

while its walls and ceiling were sheeted with white cloth so cunningly stitched and tacked that it seemed a

cavern hollowed from chalk. It was filled with trophies of the hills, stuffed birds and animals, skins and

antlers, from which depended, in careless confusion, dog harness, snowshoes, guns, and articles of clothing.

A door to the left led into the bunkroom where travellers had been wont to sleep in tiers three deep. To the

rear was a kitchen and cache, to the right a compartment which Struve called the art gallery. Here, free reign

had been allowed the original owner's artistic fancies, and he had covered the place with pictures clipped

from gazettes of questionable repute till it was a bewildering arrangement of pink ladies in tights, pugilists in

scanty trunks, prize bulldogs, and other less moral characters of the sporting world.

"This is probably the worst company you were eve in," Struve observed to Helen, with a forced attempt at

A fire was burning in this pink room where the landlord had begun spreading the table for two, and its

warmth was grateful to the girl. Her companion, thoroughly at his ease, stretched himself on a furcovered

"No, not now. Business must wait on our dinner. Don't spoil our little party, for there's time enough and to

She arose and went to the window, unable to sit still. Looking down the narrow gulch she saw that the

mountains beyond were indistinct for it was growing dark rapidly. Dense clouds had rolled up from the east.

A raindrop struck the glass before her eyes, then another and another, and the hills grew misty behind the

coming shower. A traveller with a pack on his back hurried around the corner of the building and past her to

the door. At his knock, Struve, who had been watching Helen through halfshut eyes, arose and went into the

"Thank Heaven, some one has come," she thought. The voices were deadened to a hum by the sod walls, till

that of the stranger raised itself in such indignant protest that she distinguished his words.

This time she heard the landlord's refusal and the miner's angry profanity. A moment later she saw the

"Oh, that fellow is a tough, and Shortz wouldn't let him in. He's careful whom he entertainsthere are so

The German came in shortly to light the lamp, and, although she asked no further questions, Helen's

uneasiness increased. She half listened to the stories with which Strive tried to entertain her and ate little of

the excellent meal that was shortly served to them. Struve, meanwhile, ate and drank almost greedily, and the

shadowy, sinister evening crept along. A strange cowardice had suddenly overtaken the girl, and if, at this

late hour, she could have withdrawn, she would have done so gladly and gone forth to meet the violence of

the tempest. But she had gone too far for retreat; and realizing that, for the present, apparent compliance was

her wisest resource, she sat quiet, answering the man with cool words while his eyes grew brighter, his skin

more flushed, his speech more rapid. He talked incessantly and with feverish gayety, smoking numberless

cigarettes and apparently unconscious of the flight of time. At last he broke off suddenly and consulted his

watch, while Helen remembered that she had not heard Shortz in the kitchen for a long time. Suddenly Struve

smiled on her peculiarly, with confident cunning. As he leered at her over the disorder between them he took

"Ask the man to remove these dishes," she said, as she undid the parcel with clumsy fingers.

"I sent him away two hours ago," said Strive, arising as if to come to her. She shrank back, but he only leaned

across, gathered up the four corners of the tablecloth, and, twisting them together, carried the whole thing

out, the dishes crashing and jangling as he threw his burden recklessly into the kitchen. Then he returned and

stood with his back to the stove, staring at her while she perused the contents of the papers, which were more

For a long time the girl pored over the documents. The purport of the papers was only too obvious; and, as

she read, the proof of her uncle's guilt stood out clear and damning. There was no possibility of mistake, the

In spite of the cruelty of her disillusionment, Helen was nevertheless exalted with the fierce ecstasy of power,

with the knowledge that justice would at last be rendered. It would be her triumph and her explanation that

she, who had been the unwitting tool of this miserable clique, would be the one through whom restitution was

"Of course it is. Enough to convict us all. It means the penitentiary for your precious uncle and your lover."

He stretched his chin upward at the mention as though to free his throat from an invisible clutch. "Yes, your

lover particularly, for he's the real one. That's why I brought you here. He'll marry you, but I'll be the best

"Well, first, no human being could find his way down to the coast in this tempest; secondbut, bytheway,

let me explain something in those papers while I think of it." He spoke casually and stepped forward,

reaching for the package, which she was about to give up, when something prompted her to snatch it behind

her back; and it was well she did, for his hand was but a few inches away. He was no match for her

quickness, however, and she glided around the table, thrusting the papers into the front of her dress. The

sudden contact with Cherry's revolver gave her a certain comfort. She spoke now with determination.

"I intend to leave here at once. Will you bring my horse? Very well, I shall do it myself."

She turned, but his indolence vanished like a flash, and springing in front of the door he barred her way.

"Hold on, my lady. You ought to understand without my saying any more. Why did I bring you here? Why

did I plan this little party? Why did I send that man away? Just to give you the proof of my complicity in a

crime, I suppose. Well, hardly. You won't leave here tonight. And when you do, you won't carry those

papersmy own safety depends on that and I am selfish, so don't get me started. Listen!" They caught the

wail of the night crying as though hungry for sacrifice. "No, you'll stay here and"

He broke off abruptly, for Helen had stepped to the telephone and taken down the receiver. He leaped,

snatched it from her, and then, tearing the instrument loose from the wall, raised it above his head, dashed it

upon the floor, and sprang towards her, but she wrenched herself free and fled across the room. The man's

white hair was wildly tumbled, his face was purple, and his neck and throat showed swollen, throbbing veins.

He stood still, however, and his lips cracked into his everpresent, cautious smile.

"Now, don't let's fight about this. It's no use, for I've played to win. You have your proofnow I'll have my

Far down the mountainside a man was urging a broken pony recklessly along the trail. The beast was blown

and spent, its knees weak and bending, yet the rider forced it as though behind him yelled a thousand devils,

spurring headlong through gully and ford, up steep slopes and down invisible ravines. Sometimes the animal

stumbled and fell with its master, sometimes they arose together, but the man was heedless of all except his

haste, insensible to the rain which smote him blindingly, and to the wind which seized him savagely upon the

ridges, or gasped at him in the gullies with exhausted malice. At last he gained the plateau and saw the

roadhouse light beneath, so drove his heels into the flanks of the windbroken creature, which lunged

forward gamely. He felt the pony rear and drop away beneath him, pawing and scrambling, and instinctively

kicked his feet free from the stirrups, striving to throw himself out of the saddle and clear of the thrashing

hoofs. It seemed that he turned over in the air before something smote him and he lay still, his gaunt, dark

The moment Struve disappeared into the outer room Helen darted to the window. It was merely a single sash,

nailed fast and immovable, but seizing one of the little stools beside the stove she thrust it through the glass,

letting in a smother of wind and water. Before she could escape, Struve bounded into the room, his face livid

But as he began to denounce her he pause din amazement, for the girl had drawn Cherry's weapon and

levelled it at him. She was very pale and her breast heaved as from a swift run, while her wondrous gray eyes

were lit with a light no man had ever seen there before, glowing like two jewels whose hearts contained the

pentup passion of centuries. She had altered as though under the deft hand of a mastersculptor, her nostrils

growing thin and arched, her lips tight pressed and pitiless, her head poised proudly. The rain drove in thrugh

the shattered window, over and past her, while the cheap red curtain lashed and whipped her as though in

gleeful applause. Her bitter abhorrence of the man made her voice sound strangely unnatural as she

"Don't dare to stop me." She moved towards the door, motioning him to retreat before her, and he obeyed,

recognizing the danger of her coolness. She did not note the calculating treachery of his glance, however, nor

Out on the rainswept mountain the prostrate rider had regained his senses and now was crawling painfully

towards the roadhouse. Seen through the dark he would have resembled some misshapen, creeping monster,

for he dragged himself, reptilelike, close to the ground. But as he came closer the man heard a cry which the

wind seemed guarding from his ear, and, hearing it, he rose and rushed blindly forward, staggering like a

Helen watched her captive closely as he backed through the door before her, for she dared not lose sight of

him until free. The middle room was lighted by a glass lamp on the bar and its rays showed that the

frontdoor was secured by a large iron bolt. She thanked Heaven there was no lock and key.

Struve had retreated until his back was to the counter, offering no word, making no move, but the darting

brightness of his eyes showed that he was alert and planning. But when the door behind Helen, urged by the

wind through the broken casement, banged to, the man made his first lightninglike sign. He dashed the lamp

to the floor, where it burst like an eggshell, and darkness leaped into the room as an animal pounces. Had she

been calmer or had time for an instant's thought Helen would have hastened back to the light, but she was

midway to her liberty and actuated by the sole desire to break out into the open air, so plunged forward.

Without warning, she was hurled from her feet by a body which came out of the darkness upon her. She fired

the little gun, but Struve's arms closed about her, the weapon was wrenched from her hand, and she found

herself fighting against him, breast to breast, with the fury of desperation. His wineburdened breath beat

into her face and she felt herself bound to him as though by hoops, while the touch of his cheek against hers

turned her into a terrified, insensate animal, which fought with every ounce of its strength and every nerve of

its body. She screamed once, but it was not like the cry of a woman. Then the struggle went on in silence and

utter blackness, Struve holding her like a gorilla till she grew faint and her head began to whirl, while darting

lights drove past her eyes and there was the roar of a cataract in her ears. She was a strong girl, and her ripe

young body, untried until this moment, answered in every fibre, so that she wrestled with almost a man's

strength and he had hard shift to hold her. But so violent an encounter could not last. Helen felt herself

drifting free from the earth and losing grip of all things tangible, when at last they tripped and fell against the

inner door. This gave way, and at the same moment the man's strength departed as though it were a thing of

darkness and dared not face the light that streamed over them. She tore herself from his clutch and staggered

into the supperroom, her loosened hair falling in a gleaming torrent about her shoulders, while he arose

Then he ceased abruptly, cringingly, and threw up an arm before his face as if to ward off a blow. Framed in

the window was the pallid visage of a man. The air rocked, the lamp flared, and Struve whirled completely

around, falling back against the wall. His eyes filled with horror and shifted down where his hand had

clutched at his breast, plucking at one spot as if tearing a barb from his bosom. He jerked his head towards

the door at his elbow in quest of a retreat, a shudder ran over him, his knees buckled and he plunged forward

It had happened like a flash of light, and although Helen felt, rather than heard, the shot and saw her assailant

fall, she did not realize the meaning of it till a drift of powder smoke assailed her nostrils. Even so, she

experienced no shock nor horror of the sight. On the contrary, a savage joy at the spectacle seized her and she

stood still, leaning slightly forward, staring at it almost gloatingly, stood so still she heard her name called,

That which he witnessed in her face he had seen before in the faces of men locked close with a hateful death

and from whom all but the most elemental passions had departedbut he had never seen a woman bear the

marks till now. No artifice or falsity was there, nothing but the crudest, intensest feeling, which many people

live and die without knowing. There are few who come to know the great primitive, passionate longings. But

in this black night, fighting in defence of her most sacred self, this girl's nature had been stripped to its purely

savage elements. As Glenister had predicted, Helen at last had felt and yielded to irresistibly powerful

Glancing backward at the creature sprawled by the door, Helen went to her brother, put her arms about his

When the Kid had hobbled into the room, she pressed him to her and stroked his matted head, regardless of

"Don't touch him!" She followed, nevertheless, and stood near by while her brother examined his victim.

Struve was breathing, and, discovering this, the others lifted him with difficulty to the couch.

"Something cracked in hereribs, I guess," the Kid remarked, gasping and feeling his own side. He was

weak and pale, and the girl led him into the bunkroom, where he could lie down. Only his wonderful

determination had sustained him thus far, and now the knowledge of his helplessness served to prevent

The Kid would not hear of her going for help till the storm abated or daylight came, insisting that the trails

were too treacherous and that no time could be saved by doing so. Thus they waited for the dawn. At last they

heard the wounded man faintly calling. He spoke to Helen hoarsely. There was no malice, only fear, in his

"I said this was my madnessand I got what I deserved, but I'm going to die. O GodI'm going to die and

I'm afraid." He moaned till the Bronco Kid hobbled in, glaring with unquenched hatred.

"Yes, you're going to die and I did it. Be game, can't you? I sha'n't let her go for help until daylight."

Helen forced her brother back to his couch, and returned to help the wounded man, who grew incoherent and

A little later, when the Kid seemed stronger and his head clearer, Helen ventured to tell him of their uncle's

villainy and of the proof she held, with her hope of restoring justice. She told him of the attack planned that

very night and of the danger which threatened the miners. He questioned her closely and, realizing the

"We'll have to risk it," said he. "The wind is almost gone and it's not long till daylight."

She pleaded to go alone, but he was firm. "I'll never leave you again, and, moreover, I know the lower trail

quite well. We'll go down the gulch to the valley and reach town that way. It's farther but it's not so

It was still pitchy dark and the rain was pouring, but the wind only sighed weakly as though tired by its

violence when she helped the Bronco into his saddle. The effort wrenched a groan from him, but he insisted

upon her tying his feet beneath the horse's belly, saying that the trail was rough and he could take no chance

of falling again; so, having performed the last services she might for Struve, she mounted her own animal and

allowed it to pick its way down the steep descent behind her brother, who swayed and lurched drunkenly in

They had been gone perhaps a halfhour when another horse plunged furiously out of the darkness and halted

before the roadhouse door. Its rider, mudstained and dishevelled, flung himself in mad haste to the ground

and bolted in through the door. He saw the signs of confusion in the outer room, chairs upset and broken, the

table wedged against the stove, and before the counter a shattered lamp in a pool of oil. He called loudly, but,

receiving no answer, snatched a light which he found burning and ran to the door at his left. Nothing greeted

him but the empty tiers of bunks. Turning, he crossed to the other side and burst through. Another lamp was

lighted beside the couch where Struve lay, breathing heavily, his lids half closed over his staring eyes. Roy

noted the pool of blood at his feet and the broken window; then, setting down his lamp, he leaned over the

When he received no answer he spoke again loudly. Then, in a frenzy, Glenister shook the wounded man

"I'm dyingoh, I'm dying." Roy raised the sick man up and thrust his own face before his eyes.

"This is Glenister. I've come for Helenwhere is she?" A spark of recognition flickered into the dull stare.

His questioner shook Struve again. "Where is she?" he repeated, time after time, till by very force of his own

"The Kid took her away. The Kid shot me," and then his voice rose till it flooded the room with terror. "The

Kid shot me and I'm dying." He coughed blood to his lips, at which Roy laid him back and stood up. So there

was no mistake, after all, and he had arrived too late. This was the Kid's revenge. This was how he struck.

Lacking courage to face a man's level eyes, he possessed the foulness to prey upon a woman. Roy felt a

weakening physical sickness sweep over him till his eye fell upon a sodden garment which Helen had

removed from her brother's shoulders and replaced with a dry one. He snatched it from the floor and in a

He found himself out in the rain, scanning the trampled soil by light of his lamp, and discerned tracks which

the drizzle had not yet erased. He reasoned mechanically that the two riders could have no great start of him,

so strode out beyond the house to see if they had gone farther into the hills. There were no tracks here,

therefore they must have doubled back towards town. It did not occur to him that they might have left the

beaten path and followed down the little creek to the river; but, replacing the light where he had found it, he

remounted and lashed his horse into a stiff canter up towards the divide that lay between him and the city.

The story was growing plainer to him, though as yet he could not piece it all together. Its possibilities stabbed

him with such horror that he cried out aloud and beat his steed into faster time with both hand and feet. To

think of those two ruffians fighting over this girl as though she were the spoils of pillage! He must overtake

the Kidhe would! The possibility that he might not threw him into such ungovernable mental chaos that he

was forced to calm himself. Men went mad that way. He could not think of it. That gasping creature in the

roadhouse spoke all too well of the Bronco's determination. And yet, who of those who had known the Kid

Away to the right, hidden among the shadowed hills, his friends rested themselves for the coming battle,

waiting impatiently for his return, and timing it to the rising sun. Down in the valley to his left were the two

he followed, while he, obsessed and unreasoning, now cursing like a madman, now grim and silent, spurred

DAY WAS breaking as Glenister came down the mountain. With the first light he halted to scan the trail, and

having no means of knowing that the fresh tracks he found were not those of the two riders he followed, he

urged his lathered horse ahead till he became suddenly conscious that he was very tired and had not slept for

two days and nights. The recollection did not reassure the young man, for his body was a weapon which must

not fail in the slightest measure now that there was work to do. Even the unwelcome speculation upon his

physical handicap offered relief, however, from the agony which fed upon him whenever he thought of Helen

in the gambler's hands. Meanwhile, the horse, groaning at his master's violence, plunged onward towards the

It seemed years since Roy had seen the sunlight, for this night, burdened with suspense, had been endlessly

long. His body was faint beneath the strain, and yet he rode on and on, tired, dogged, stony, his eyes set

towards the sea, his mind a storm of formless, whirling thoughts, beneath which was an undeviating,

He knew now that he had sacrificed all hope of the Midas, and likewise the hope of Helen was gone; in fact,

he began to realize dimly that from the beginning he had never had the possibility of winning her, that she

had never been destined for him, and that his love for her had been sent as a light by which he was to find

himself. He had failed everywhere, he had become an outlaw, he had fought and gone down, certain only of

his rectitude and the mastery of his unruly spirit. Now the hour had come when he would perform his last

mission, deriving therefrom that satisfaction which the gods could not deny. He would have his vengeance.

The scheme took form without conscious effort on his part and embraced two thingsthe death of the

gambler and a meeting with McNamara. Of the former, he had no more doubt than that the sun rising there

would sink in the west. So well confirmed was this belief that the details did not engage his thought; but on

the result of the other encounter he speculated with some interest. From the first McNamara had been a riddle

to him, and mystery breeds curiosity. His blind, instinctive hatred of the man had assumed the proportions of

a mania; but as to what the outcome would be when they met face to face, fate alone could tell. Anyway,

McNamara should never have HelenRoy believed this mission covered that point as well as her

deliverance from the Bronco Kid. When he had finishedhe would pay the price. If he had the luck to

escape, he would go back to his hills and his solitude; if he did not, his future would be in the hands of his

He entered the silent streets unobserved, for the mists were heavy and low. Smoke columns arose vertically

into the still air. The rain had ceased, having beaten down the waves which rumbled against the beach, filling

the streets with their subdued thunder. A ship, anchored in the offing, had run in from the lee of Sledge Island

with the first lull, while midway to the shore a tender was rising and falling, its oars flashing like the silvered

He rode down Front Street heedless of danger, heedless of the comment his appearance might create, and,

unseen, entered his enemy's stronghold. He passed a gamblinghall, through the windows of which came a

sickly yellow gleam. A man came out unsteadily and stared at the horseman, then passed on.

Glenister's plan was to go straight to the Northern and from there to track down its owner relentlessly, but in

order to reach the place his course led him past the office of Dunham Struve. This brought back to his mind

the man dying out there ten miles at his back. The scantiest humanity demanded that assistance be sent at

once. Yet he dared not give word openly, thus betraying his presence, for it was necessary that he maintain

his liberty during the next hour at all hazards. He suddenly thought of an expedient and reined in his horse,

which stopped with widespread legs and dejected head while he dismounted and climbed the stairs to leave

a note upon the door. Some one would see the message shortly and recognize its urgency.

In dressing for the battle at the Midas on the previous night he had replaced his leather boots with "mukluks,"

which are waterproof, light, and pliable footgear made from the skin of seal and walrus. He was thus able to

move as noiselessly as though in moccasins. Finding neither pencil nor paper in his pocket, he tried the outer

door of the office, to find it unlocked. He stepped inside and listened, then moved towards a table on which

were writing materials, but in doing so heard a rustle in Struve's private office. Evidently his soft soles had

not disturbed the man inside. Roy was about to tiptoe out as he had come when the hidden man cleared his

throat. It is in these involuntary sounds that the voice retains its natural quality more distinctly even than in

speaking. A strange eagerness grew in Glenister's face and he approached the partition stealthily. It was of

wood and glass, the panes clouded and opaque to a height of some six feet; but stepping upon a chair he

peered into the room beyond. A man knelt in a litter of papers before the open safe, its drawers and

compartments removed and their contents scattered. The watcher lowered himself, drew his gun, and laid soft

hand upon the doorknob, turning the latch with firm fingers. His vengeance had come to meet him.

After lying in wait during the long night, certain that the Vigilantes would spring his trap, McNamara was

astounded at the news of the battle at the Midas and of Glenister's success. He stormed and cursed his men as

cowards. The Judge became greatly exercised over this new development, which, coupled with his night of

"They'll blow us up next. Great Heavens! Dynamite! Oh, that is barbarous. For Heaven's sake, get the soldiers

"Ay, we can use them now." Thereupon McNamara roused the commanding officer at the post and requested

him to accoutre a troop and have them ready to march at daylight, then bestirred the Judge to start the wheels

"Make it all a matter of record," he said. "We want to keep our skirts clear from now on."

"But the townspeople are against us," quavered Stillman. "They'll tear us to pieces."

"Let 'em try. Once I get my hand on the ringleader, the rest may riot and be damned."

Although he had made less display than had the Judge, the receiver was no less deeply worried about Helen,

of whom no news came. His jealousy, fanned to red heat by the discovery of her earlier defection, was

enhanced fourfold by the thought of this last adventure. Something told him there was treachery afoot, and

when she did not return at dawn he began to fear that she had cast in her lot with the rioters. This aroused a

perfect delirium of doubt and anger till he reasoned further that Struve, having gone with her, must also be a

traitor. He recognized the menace in this fact, knowing the man's venality, so began to reckon carefully its

significance. What could Struve do? What proof had he? McNamara started, and, seizing his hat, hurried

straight to the lawyer's office and let himself in with the key he carried. It was light enough for him to

decipher the characters on the safe lock as he turned the combination, so he set to work scanning the endless

bundles within, hoping that after all the man had taken with him no incriminating evidence. Once the searcher

paused at some fancied sound, but when nothing came of it drew his revolver and laid it before him just

inside the safe door and close beneath his hand, continuing to run through the documents while his uneasiness

increased. He had been engaged so for some time when he heard the faintest creak at his back, too slight to

alarm and just sufficient to break his tension and cause him to jerk his head about. Framed in the open door

McNamara's astonishment was so genuine that he leaped to his feet, faced about, and prompted by a secretive

instinct swung to the safe door as though to guard its contents. He had acted upon the impulse before

realizing that his weapon was inside and that now, although the door was not locked, it would require that one

The two men stared at each other for a time, silent and malignant, their glances meeting like blades; in the

older man's face a look of defiance, in the younger's a dogged and grimpurposed enmity. McNamara's first

perturbation left him calm, alert, dangerous; whereas the continued contemplation of his enemy worked in

He stood there unkempt and soiled, the clean sweep of jaw and throat overgrown with a three days' black

stubble, his hair wet and matted, his whole left side foul with clay where he had fallen in the darkness. A

muddy red streak spread downward from a cut above his temple, beneath his eyes were sagging folds, while

the flicker at his mouth corners betrayed the high nervous pitch to which he was keyed.

The politician shrugged his shoulders. "You have the drop on me. I am unarmed." At which the miner's face

"Ah, that's almost too good to be true. I have dreamed about such a thing and I have been hungry to feel your

throat since the first time I saw you. It's grown on me till shooting wouldn't satisfy me. Ever had the feeling?

"I wouldn't advise you to try it. I have lived longer than you and I was never beaten, but I know the feeling

His eyes roved rapidly up and down the other's form, noting the lean thighs and closedrawn belt which lent

the appearance of spareness, belied only by the neck and shoulders. He had beaten better men, and he

reasoned that if it came to a physical test in these cramped quarters his own great weight would more than

offset any superior agility the miner might possess. The longer he looked the more he yielded to his hatred of

"Take off your coat," said Glenister. "Now turn around. All right! I just wanted to see if you were lying about

Glenister laid his sixshooter upon the safe and slipped off his own wet garment. The difference was more

marked now and the advantage more strongly with the receiver. Though they had avoided allusion to it, each

knew that this fight had nothing to do with the Midas and each realized whence sprang their fierce enmity.

And it was meet that they should come together thus. It had been the one certain and logical event which they

had felt inevitably approaching from long back. And it was fitting, moreover, that they should fight alone and

unwitnessed, armed only with the weapons of the wilderness, for they were both of the far, free lands, were

They met ferociously. McNamara aimed a fearful blow, but Glenister met him squarely, beating him off

cleverly, stepping in and out, his arms swinging loosely from his shoulders like whalebone withes tipped with

lead. He moved lightly, his footing made doubly secure by reason of his softsoled mukluks. Recognizing his

opponent's greater weight, he undertook merely to stop the headlong rushes and remain out of reach as long

as possible. He struck the politician fairly in the mouth so that the man's head snapped back and his fists went

wild, then, before the arms could grasp him, the miner had broken ground and whipped another blow across;

but McNamara was a boxer himself, so covered and blocked it. The politician spat through his mashed lips

and rushed again, sweeping his opponent from his feet. Again Glenister's fist shot forward like a lump of

granite, but the other came on head down and the blow finished too high, landing on the big man's brow. A

sudden darting agony paralyzed Roy's hand, and he realized that he had broken the metacarpal bones and that

henceforth it would be useless. Before he could recover, McNamara had passed under his extended arm and

seized him by the middle, then, thrusting his left leg back of Roy's, he whirled him from his balance, flinging

him clear and with resistless force. It seemed that a fatal blow must follow, but the youth squirmed catlike in

the air, landing with set muscles which rebounded like rubber. Even so, the receiver was upon him before he

could rise, reaching for the young man's throat with his heavy hands. Roy recognized the fatal "strangle

hold," and, seizing his enemy's wrists, endeavored to tear them apart, but his left hand was useless, so with a

mighty wrench he freed himself, and, locked in each other's arms, the men strained and swayed about the

Men may fight duels calmly, may shoot or parry or thrust with cold deliberation; but when there comes the

jar of body to body, the sweaty contact of skin to skin, the play of iron muscles, the painful gasp of

exhaustionthen the mind goes skittering back into its dark recesses while every venomous passion leaps

They tripped across the floor, crashing into the partition, which split, showering them with glass. They fell

and rolled in it; then, by consent, wrenched themselves apart and rose, eye to eye, their jaws hanging, their

lungs wheezing, their faces trickling blood and sweat. Roy's left hand pained him excruciatingly, while

McNamara's macerated lips had turned outward in a hideous pout. They crouched so for an instant, cruel,

bestialthen clinched again. The officefittings were wrecked utterly and the room became a littler of ruins.

The men's garments fell away till their breasts were bare and their arms swelled white and knotted through

Gradually the older man's face was beaten into a shapeless mass by the other's cunning blows, while

Glenister's every bone was wrenched and twisted under his enemy's terrible onslaughts. The miner's chief

effort, it is true, was to keep his feet and to break the man's embraces. Never had he encountered one whom

he could not beat by sheer strength till he met this great, snarling creature who worried him hither and yon as

though he were a child. Time and again Roy beat upon the man's face with the blows of a sledge. No rules

governed this solitary combat; the men were deaf to all but the roaring in their ears, blinded to all but hate,

insensible to everything but the blood mania. Their trampling feet caused the building to rumble and shake as

Meanwhile a bareheaded man rushed out of the store beneath, bumping into a pedestrian who has paused on

the sidewalk, and together they hurried up the stairs. The dory which Roy had seen at sea had shot the

breakers, and now its three passengers were tracking through the wet sand towards Front Street, Bill Wheaton

in the lead. He was followed by two rawboned men who travelled without baggage. They city was awakening

with the sun which reared a copper rim out of the sea. Judge Stillman and Voorhees came down from the

hotel and paused to gaze through the mists at a caravan of mule teams which trotted into the other end of the

street with a jingle and clank. The wagons were blue with soldiers, the early golden rays slanting from their

Out of the fogs which clung so thickly to the tundra there came two other horses, distorted and unreal, on one

a girl, on the other a figure of pain and tragedy, a grotesque creature that swayed stiffly to the motion of its

steed, its face writhed into lines of suffering, its hands clutching cantle and horn.

It was as though Fate, with invisible touch, were setting her stage for the last act of this play, assembling the

The man and the girl came face to face with the Judge and marshal, who cried out upon seeing them, but as

they reined in, out from the stairs beside them a man shot amid clatter and uproar.

"It's murder! McNamara and Glenister!" He dashed back up the steps behind Voorhees, the Judge following,

The gambler turned towards the three men who were hurrying from the beach, and, recognizing Wheaton,

"What's the trouble?" the lawyer asked, but on hearing Glenister's name bounded after the Judge, leaving one

of his companions to free the rider. They could hear the fight now, and all crowded towards the door, Helen

She never remembered how she climbed those stairs, for she was borne along by that hypnotic power which

drags one to behold a catastrophe in spite of his will. Reaching the room, she stood appalled; for the group

she had joined watched two raging things that rushed at each other with inhuman cries, ragged, bleeding,

fighting on a carpet of d�bris. Every loose and breakable thing had been ground to splinters as though by iron

To this day, from Dawson to the Straits, from Unga to the Arctics, men tell of the combat wherever they

foregather at flaring campfires or in dingy bunkhouses; and although some scout the tale, there are others

who saw it and can swear to its truth. These say that the encounter was like the battle of bull moose in the

rutting season, though more terrible, averring that two men like these had never been known in the land since

the days of Vitus Bering and his crew; for their rancor had swollen till at feel of each other's flesh they ran

mad and felt superhuman strength. It is true, at any rate, that neither was conscious of the filling room, nor

the cries of the crowd, even when the marshal forced himself through the wedged door and fell upon the

nearest, which was Glenister. He came at an instant when the two had paused at arm'slength, glaring with

With a fling of his long arms the young man hurled the intruder aside so violently that his head struck the

iron safe and he collapsed insensible. Then, without apparent notice of the interruption, the fight went on. It

was seen during this respite that McNamara's mouth was running water as though he were deathly sick, while

every retch brought forth a groan. Helen heard herself crying: "Stop them! Stop them!" But no one seemed

capable of interference. She heard her brother muttering and his breath coming heavily like that of the

fighters, his body swaying in time to theirs. The Judge was ashy, imbecile, helpless.

McNamara's distress was patent to his antagonist, who advanced upon him with the hunger of promised

victory; but the young man's muscles obeyed his commands sluggishly, his ribs seemed broken, his back was

weak, and on the inner side of his legs the flesh was quivering. As they came together the boss reached up his

right hand and caught the miner by the face, burying thumb and fingers crablike into his cheeks, forcing his

slack jaws apart, thrusting his head backward, while he centred every ounce of his strength in the effort to

maim. Roy felt the flesh giving way and flung himself backward to break the hold, whereupon the other

summoned his wasting energy and plunged toward the safe, where lay the revolver. Instinct warned Glenister

of treachery, told him that the man had sought this last resource to save himself, and as he saw him turn his

back and reach for the weapon, the youth leaped like a panther, seizing him about the waist, grasping

McNamara's wrist with his right hand. For the first time during the combat they were not face to face, and on

the instant Roy realized the advantage given him through the other's perfidy, realized the wrestler's hold that

The telling takes much time, but so quickly had these things happened that the footsteps of the soldiers had

Of what happened next many garbled accounts have gone forth, for of all those present, none but the Bronco

Kid knew its significance and ever recounted the truth concerning it. Some claim that the younger man was

seized with a fear of death which multiplied his enormous strength, others that the power died in his

No sooner had Roy encompassed McNamara's waist from the rear than he slid his damaged hand up past the

other's chest and around the back of his neck, thus bringing his own left arm close under his enemy's left

armpit, wedging the receiver's head forward, while with his other hand he grasped the politician's right wrist

close to the revolver, thus holding him in a grasp which could not be broken. Now came the test. The two

bodies set themselves rocklike and rigid. There was no lunging about. Calling up the final atom of his

strength, Glenister bore backward with his right arm and it became a contest for the weapon which, clutched

in the two hands, swayed back and forth or darted up and down, the fury of resistance causing it to trace

formless patterns in the air with its muzzle. McNamara shook himself, but he was close against the safe and

could not escape, his head bowed forward by the lock of the miner's left arm, and so he strained till the breath

clogged in his throat. Despite the grievous toil his right hand moved back slightly. His feet shifted a bit, while

the blood seemed bursting from his eyes, but he found that the long fingers encircling his wrist were like

gyves weighted with the strength of the hills and the irresistible vigor of youth which knew no defeat. Slowly,

inch by inch, the great man's arm was dragged back, down past his side, while the strangling labor of his

breath showed at what awful cost. The muzzle of the gun described a semicircle and the knotted hands began

to travel towards the left, more rapidly now, across his broad back. Still he struggled and wrenched, but

uselessly. He strove to fire the weapon, but his fingers were woven about it so that the hammer would not

The white skin beneath the men's strips of clothing was stretched over great knots and ridges which sunk and

swelled and quivered. Helen, watching in silent terror, felt her brother sinking his fingers into her shoulder

and heard him panting, his face ablaze with excitement, while she became conscious that he had repeated

By now McNamara's arm was bent and cramped upon his back, and then they saw Glenister's shoulder dip,

his elbow come closer to his side, and his body heave in one final terrific effort as though pushing a heavy

weight. In the silence something snapped like a stick. Then came a deafening report and the scream of a

strong man overcome with agony. McNamara went to his knees and sagged forward on to his face as though

every bone in his huge bulk had turned to water, while his master reeled back against the opposite wall, his

heels dragging in the litter, bringing up with outflung arms as though fearful of falling, swaying, blind,

exhausted, his face blackened by the explosion of the revolver, yet grin with the light of victory.

It was the miner's first realization that others were there. Raising his head he stared at the faces close against

SOLDIERS SEIZED the young man, who made no effort at resistance, and the room became a noisy riot.

Crowds surged up from below, clamoring, questioning, till some one at the head of the stairs shouted down:

"They've got Roy Glenister. He's killed McNamara," at which a murmur arose that threatened to become a

Then one of the receiver's faction called: "Let's hang him. He killed ten of our men last night." Helen winced,

"Officer, hold these people back. I'll attend to this man. The law's in my hands and I'll make him answer."

McNamara reared himself groaning from the floor, his right arm swinging from the shoulder strangely loose

and distorted, with palm twisted outward, while his battered face was hideous with pain and defeat. He

Roy, meanwhile, said nothing, for as the savage lust died in him he realized that the whirling faces before

him were the faces of his enemies, that the Bronco Kid was still at large, and that his vengeance was but half

completed. His knees were bending, his limbs were like leaden bars, his chest a furnace of coals. As he reeled

down the lane of human forms, supported by his guards, he came abreast of the girl and her companion and

"Ah, there you are!" he said, thickly, to the gambler, and began to wrestle with his captors, baring his teeth in

a grimace of painful effort; but they held him as easily as though he were a child and drew him forward, his

They had him near the door when Wheaton barred their way, crying: "Hold up a minuteit's all right,

"Ay, Billit's all right. We did ourbest, but we were done by a damned blackguard. Now he'll send me

upbut I don't care. I broke himwith my naked hands. Didn't I, McNamara?" He mocked unsteadily at the

boss, who cursed aloud in return, glowering like an evil mask, while Stillman ran up dishevelled and shrilly

But Wheaton held his place while the room centred its eyes upon him, scenting some unexpected

d�nouement. He saw it, and in concession to a natural vanity and dramatic instinct, he threw back his head

and stuffed his hands into his coatpockets while the crowd waited. He grinned insolently at the Judge and

"This will be a day of defeats and disappointments to you, my friends. That boy won't go to jail because you

will wear the shackles yourselves. Oh, you played a shrewd game, you two, with your senators, your politics,

and your pulls; but it's our turn now, and we'll make you dance for the mines you gutted and the robberies

you've done and the men you've ruined. Thank Heaven there's one honest court and I happened to find it." He

turned to the strangers who had accompanied him from the ship, crying, "Serve those warrants," and they

The uproar of the past few minutes had brought men running from every direction till, finding no room on the

stairs, they had massed in the street below while the word flew from lip to lip concerning this closing scene of

their drama, the battle at the Midas, the great fight upstairs, and the arrest by the 'Frisco deputies. Like

Sindbad's genie, a wondrous tale took shape from the rumors. Men shouldered one another eagerly for a

glimpse of the actors, and when the press streamed out, greeted it with volleys of questions. They saw the

unconscious marshal borne forth, followed by the old Judge, now a palsied wretch, slinking beside his captor,

a very shell of a man at whom they jeered. When McNamara lurched into view, an image of defeat and

chagrin, their voices rose menacingly. The pack was turning and he knew it, but, though racked and crippled,

he bent upon them a visage so full of defiance and contemptuous malignity that they hushed themselves, and

their final picture of him was that of a big man downed, but unbeaten to the last. They began to cry for

Glenister, so that when he loomed in the doorway, a ragged, heroic figure, his heavy shock low over his eyes,

his unshaven face aggressive even in its weariness, his corded arms and chest bare beneath the fluttering

streamers, the street broke into wild cheering. Here was a man of their own, a son of the Northland who

labored and loved and fought in a way they understood, and he had come into his due.

But Roy, dumb and listless, staggered up the street, refusing the help of every man except Wheaton. He heard

"We have whipped them, boy. We have whipped them at their own game. Arrested in their very

dooryardscited for contempt of courtthat's what they are. They disobeyed those other writs, and so I

"Yes, I saw you do it! Ugh! it was an awful thing. I couldn't prove conspiracy, but they'll go to jail for a little

"It snapped at the shoulder," the other continued, dully, "just like a shovel handle. I felt itbut he tried to kill

The attorney took Roy to his cabin and dressed his wounds, talking incessantly the while, but the boy was

like a sleepwalker, displaying no elation, no excitement, no joy of victory. At last Wheaton broke out:

"Cheer up! Why, man, you act like a loser. Don't you realize that we've won? Don't you understand that the

"Won?" echoed the miner. "What do you know about it, Bill? The Midasthe worldwhat good are they?

You're wrong. I've lostyesI've lost everything she taught me, and by some damned trick of Fate she was

He sank upon the bed with its tangle of blankets and was unconscious before the lawyer had covered him

There he lay like a dead man till late in the afternoon, when Dextry and Slapjack came in from the hills,

answering Wheaton's call, and fell upon him hungrily. They shook Roy into consciousness with joyous riot,

pommelling him with affectionate roughness till he rose and joined with them stiffly. He bathed and rubbed

the soreness from his muscles, emerging physically fit. They made him recount his adventures to the tiniest

detail, following his description of the fight with absorbed interest till Dextry broke into mournful complaint:

"I'd have give my half of the Midas to see you bust him. Lord, I'd have screeched with soopreme delight at

"Why didn't you gouge his eyes out when you had him crippled?" questioned Slapjack, vindictively. "I'd 'a'

Dextry continued: "They tell me that when he was arrested he swore in eighteen different languages, each one

more refreshin'ly repulsive an' vig'rous than the precedin'. Oh, I have sure missed aplenty today, partic'lar

because my own diction is gettin' run down an' skimmilky of late, showin' sad lack of new idees. Which I

might have assim'lated somethin' robustly original an' expressive if I'd been here. No, sir; a nosebag full of

"How did it sound when she busted?" insisted the morbid Simms, but Glenister refused to discuss his combat.

"Come on, Slap," said the old prospector, "let's go downtown. I'm so het up I can't set still, an' besides,

mebbe we can get the story the way it really happened, from somebody who aint' bound an' gagged an'

chloroformed by such unbecomin' modesties. Roy, don'[t never go into vawdyville with them personal

episodes, because they read about as thrillin' as a cookbook. Why, say, I've had the story of that fight from

four different fellers already, none of which was within four blocks of the scrimmage, an' they're all diff'rent

Now that Glenister's mind had recovered some of its poise he realized what he had done.

"I was a beast, an animal," he groaned, "and that after all my striving. I wanted to leave that part behind, I

wanted to be worthy of her love and trust even though I never won it, but at the first test I am found lacking. I

have lost her confidence, yesand what is worse, infinitely worse, I have lost my own. She's always seen me

at my worst," he went on, "but I'm not that kind at bottom, not that kind. I want to do what's right, and if I

have another chance I will, I know I will. I've been tried too hard, that's all."

"Wait a minute, old man," said the Kid. "I'm here as a friend." The gambler handled himself with difficulty,

"He ought to be in bed now, but he wouldn't let me come alone, and I could not wait," the girl supplemented,

"I'm her brother," announced the Bronco Kid. "I've known it for a long time, but IIwell, you understand

I couldn't let her know. All I can say is, I've gambled square till the night I played you, and I was as mad as a

dervish then, blaming you for the talk I'd heard. Last night I learned by chance about Struve and Helen and

got to the roadhouse in time to save her. I'm sorry I didn't kill him." His long white fingers writhed about the

"No. The doctors have brought him in and he'll get well. He's like half the men in Alaskahere because the

sheriffs back home couldn't shoot straight. There's something else. I'm not a good talker, but give me time

and I'll manage it so you'll understand. I tried to keep Helen from coming on this errand, but she said it was

the square thing and she knows better than I. It's about those papers she brought in last spring. She was afraid

you might consider her a party to the deal, but you don't, do you?" He glared belligerently, and Roy replied,

"Well, she learned the other day that those documents told the whole story and contained enough proof to

break up this conspiracy and convict the Judge and McNamara and all the rest, but Struve kept the bundle in

his safe and wouldn't give it up without a price. That's why she went away with him She thought it was

right, andthat's all. But it seems Wheaton had succeeded in another way. Now, I'm coming to the point.

The Judge and McNamara are arrested for contempt of court and they're as good as convicted; you have

"Yes, for six months, perhaps," broke in the other, hotly, "but what does that amount to? There never was a

bolder crime consummated not one more cruelly unjust. They robbed a realm and pillaged its people, they

defiled a court and made Justice a wanton, they jailed good men and sent others to ruin; and for this they are

to sufferhow? By a paltry fine or a short imprisonment, perhaps, by an ephemeral disgrace and the loss of

their stolen goods. Contempt of court is the accusation, but you might as well convict a murderer for breach

of the peace. We've thrown them off, it's true, and they won't trouble us again, but they'll never have to

answer for their real infamy. That will go unpunished while their lawyers quibble over technicalities and rules

of court. I guess it's true that there isn't any law of God or man north of Fiftythree; but if there is justice

south of that mark, those people will answer for conspiracy and go to the penitentiary."

"You make it hard for me to say what I want to. I am almost sorry we came, for I am not cunning with words,

and I don't know that you'll understand," said the Bronco Kid, gravely. "We looked at it this way: you have

had your victory, you have beaten your enemies against odds, you have recovered your mine, and they are

disgraced. To men like them that last will outlive and outweigh all the rest; but the Judge is our uncle and our

blood runs in his veins. He took Helen when she was a baby and was a father to her in his selfish way, loving

And then Helen spoke for the first time eagerly, taking a packet from her bosom as she began:

"This will tell the whole wretched story, Mr. Glenister, and show the plot it all its vileness. It's hard for me to

betray my uncle, but this proof is yours by right to use as you see fit, and I can't keep it."

"Do you mean that this evidence will show all that? And you're going to give it to me because you think it is

"It belongs to you. I have no choice. But what I came for was to plead and ask a little mercy for my uncle,

He saw that her eyes were swimming while the little chin quivered ever so slightly and her pale cheeks were

flushed. There rose in him the old wild desire to take her in his arms, a yearning to pillow her head on his

shoulder and kiss away the tears, to smooth with tender caress the wavy hair, and bury his face deep in it till

he grew drunk with the madness of her. But he knew at last for whom she really pleaded.

So he was to forswear his vengeance, which was no vengeance after all, but in verity a just punishment. They

aske dhima mana man's mana Northmanto do this, and for what? For no reward, but on the

contrary to insure himself lasting bitterness. He strove to look at the proposition calmly, clearly, but it was

difficult. If only by freeing this other villain as well as her uncle he would do a good to ther, then he would

not hesitate. Love was not the only thing. He marvelled at his own attitude; this could not be his old self

debating thus. He had asked for another chance to show that he was not the old Roy Glenister; well, it had

Roy dared not look at Helen any more, for this was the hardest moment he had ever lived.

"You ask this for you uncle, but what ofof the other fellow? You must know that if one goes free so will

"It's almost too much to ask," the Kid took up, uncertainly. "But don't you think the work is done? I can't help

but admire McNamara, and neither can youhe's been too good an enemy to you for thatandandhe

"I knowI know," said Glenister, hastily, at the same time stopping an unintelligible protest from the girl.

"You've said enough." He straightened his slightly stooping shoulders and looked at the unopened package

wearily, then slipped the rubber band from it, and, separating the contents, tore them upone by onetore

them into fine bits without hurry or ostentation, and tossed the fragments away, while the woman began to

sob softly, the sound of her relief alone disturbing the silence. And so he gave her his enemy, making his

They left him standing there, the glory of the dying day illumining his lean, brown features, the vision of a

He did not rouse himself till the sky before him was only a curtain of steel, pencilled with streaks of soot that

"So this is the end, and I gave him to her with these hands"he held them out before him curiously,

becoming conscious for the first time that the left one was swollen and discolored and fearfully painful. He

noted it with impersonal interest, realizing its need of medical attentionso left the cabin and walked down

into the city. He encountered Dextry and Simms on the way, and they went with him, both flowing with the

"Lord, but you're the talk of the town," they began. "The curio hunters have commenced to pull Struve's

office apart for souvenirs, and the Swedes want to run you for Congress as soon as ever we get admitted as a

State. They say that at collaran'elbow holts you could lick any of them Eastern senators and thereby rastle

"Speakin' of laws goes to show me that this here country is gettin' too blamed civilized for a white man," said

Simms, pessimistically, "and now that this fight is ended up it don't look like there would be anything doin' fit

"West! Why, you can throw a stone into Bering Strait from here," said Roy, smiling.

"Oh, well, the world's round. There's a schooner outfittin' for Sibeerytwo years' cruise. Me an' Dex is

"Sure!" said Dextry. "I'm beginnin' to feel all cramped up hereabouts owin' to these fillymonarch orchestras

an' French restarawnts and such discrepancies of scenery. They're puttin' a pavement on Front Street and

there's a shoeshinin' parlor opened up. Why, I'd like to get where I could stretch an' holler without disturbin'

the pensiveness of dome dude in a dress suit. Better come along, Roy; we can sell out the Midas."

The night was bright with a full moon when they left the doctor's office. Roy, in no mood for the exuberance

of his companions, parted from them, but had not gone far before he met Cherry Malotte. His head was low

Her words chimed so perfectly with his thoughts that he replied: "Yes, it's all over, little girl."

"You don't need my congratulationsyou know me too well for that. How does it feel to be a winner?"

"Everything exceptI see. You mean that shethat you have asked her and she won't?" He never knew the

"More than that. It's so new that it hurts yet, and it will continue to hurt for a long time, I supposebut

tomorrow I am going back to my hills and my valleys, back to the Midas and my work, and try to begin all

over. For a time I've wandered in strange paths, seeking new gods, as it were, but the dazzle has died out of

my eyes and I can see true again. She isn't for me, although I shall always love her. I'm sorry I can't forget

easily, as some do. It's hard to look ahead and take an interest in things. But what about you? Where shall you

"I don't know. It doesn't really matternow." The dusk hid her white, set face and she spoke monotonously.

"Perhaps," said she, gazing far out over the gloomy ocean. "It all depends." After a moment, she added,

"It's part of the game," said he. "I don't know why it's so, but it is. I'll see you sometimes, won't I?"

"I believe I understand," he murmured; "and perhaps it's better so." He took her two soft hands in his one

good right and kissed them. "God bless you and keep you, dear, brave little Cherry."

She stood straight and still as he melted into the shadows, and only the moonlight heard her pitiful sob and

He wandered down beside the sea, for his battle was not yet won, and until he was surer of himself he could

not endure the ribaldry and rejoicing of his fellows. A welcome lay waiting for him in every public place, but

no one there could know the mockery of it, no one could gauge the desolation that was his.

The sand, wet, packed, and hard as a pavement, gave no sound to his careless steps; and thus it was that he

came silently upon the one woman as she stood beside the silver surf. Had he seen her first he would have

slunk past in the landward shadows; but, recognizing his tall form, she called and he came, while it seemed

that his lungs grew suddenly constricted, as though bound about with steel hoops. The very pleasure of her

sight pained him. He advanced eagerly, and yet with hesitation, standing stiffly aloof while his heart fluttered

and his tongue grew dumb. At last she saw his bandages and her manner changed abruptly. Coming closer

"It's nothingnothing at all," he said, while his voice jumped out of all control. "When are yougoing

He had supposed she would go tomorrow with her uncle andthe other, to be with them through their

With warm impetuosity she began: "It was a noble thing you did today. Oh, I am glad and proud."

"I prefer you to think of me in that way, rather than as the wild beast you saw this morning, for I was mad,

perfectly mad with hatred and revenge, and every wild impulse that comes to a defeated man. You see, I had

played and lost, played and lost, again and again, till there was nothing left. What mischance brought you

"But I can understand. I do. I know all about it now. I know the wild rage of desperation; I know the

exultation of victory; I know what hate and fear are now. You told me once that the wilderness had made you

a savage, and I laughed at it just as I did when you said that my contact with big things would teach me the

truth, that we're all alike, and that those motives are in us all. I see now that you were right and I was very

"Once, a long time ago, I read a Lover's Petition, and ever since knowing you I have made the constant prayer

that I might be given the purity to be worthy the good in you, and that you might be granted the patience to

reach the good in mebut it's no use. But at least I'm glad we have met on common ground, as it were, and

that you understand, in a measure. The prayer could not be answered; but through it I have found myself

andI have known you. That last is worth more than a king's ransom to me. It is a holy thing which I shall

reverence always, and when you go you will leave me lonely except for the remembrance."

Something in her voice swept his gaze back from the shimmering causeway that rippled seaward to the rising

moon. It brought the breath into his throat, and he shook as though seized by a great fear.

"Oh, God! don't play with me!" He flung out his hand as though to stop her while his voice died out to a

"Don't you see? Won't you see?" she asked. "I was waiting here for the courage to go to you since you have

made it so very hard for memy pagan." With which she came close to him, looking upward into his face,

smiling a little, shrinking a little, yielding yet withholding, while the moonlight made of her eyes two

bottomless, boundless pools, dark with love, and brimming with the promise of his dreams.

23. CHAPTER XX. IN WHICH THREE GO TO THE SIGN OF THE SLED AND BUT TWO RETURN , page = 128