our own team
of dogs. And you'll have to buy several more teams. That's your work
to-night. Get the best. It's dogs as well as men that will win this
race. It's a hundred and ten miles, and you'll have to relay as
frequently as you can."

"Oh, I see, you want me to go in for it," Smoke drawled.

"If you haven't the money for the dogs, I'll--" She faltered, but before
she could continue, Smoke was speaking.

"I can buy the dogs. But--er--aren't you afraid this is gambling?"

"After your exploits at roulette in the Elkhorn," she retorted, "I'm not
afraid that you're afraid. It's a sporting proposition, if that's
what you mean. A race for a million, and with some of the stiffest
dog-mushers and travellers in the country entered against you. They
haven't entered yet, but by this time to-morrow they will, and dogs will
be worth what the richest man can afford to pay. Big Olaf is in town.
He came up from Circle City last month. He is one of the most terrible
dog-mushers in the country, and if he enters he will be your most
dangerous man. Arizona Bill is another. He's been a professional
freighter and mail-carrier for years. If he goes in, interest will be
centered on him and Big Olaf."

"And you intend me to come along as a sort of dark horse."

"Exactly. And it will have its advantages. You will not be supposed to
stand a show. After all, you know, you are still classed as a chechako.
You haven't seen the four seasons go around. Nobody will take notice of
you until you come into the home stretch in the lead."

"It's on the home stretch the dark horse is to show up its classy form,
eh?"

She nodded, and continued earnestly: "Remember, I shall never forgive
myself for the trick I played on the Squaw Creek stampede unless you
win this Mono claim. And if any man can win this race against the
old-timers, it's you."

It was the way she said it. He felt warm all over, and in his heart and
head. He gave her a quick, searching look, involuntary and serious, and
for the moment that her eyes met his steadily, ere they fell, it seemed
to him that he read something of vaster import than the claim Cyrus
Johnson had failed to record.

"I'll do it," he said. "I'll win it."

The glad light in her eyes seemed to promise a greater meed than all the
gold in the Mono claim. He was aware of a movement of her hand in her
lap next to his. Under the screen of the tablecloth he thrust his own
hand across and met a firm grip of woman's f