le-boat upset, eh? That ten-gallon keg of booze would help
some. Say! I got such a thirst I don't never expect to squench it
proper;" he spoke plaintively.

"Klusky was here again while you was gone, too. I itch to choke that
Jew whenever he gets to ravin' over these people. He's sure losin'
his paystreak. He gritted his teeth an' foamed like a mad malamoot,
I never see a low-downer lookin' aspect than him when he gets mad."

"'I'll make 'em come to me,' says he, 'on their bellies beggin'. It
ain't time yet. Oh, no! Wait 'till half of 'em is dead, an' the
rest is rotten with scurvy. Then they'll crawl to me with their gums
thick and black, an' their flesh like dough; they'll kiss my feet an'
cry, an' I'll stamp 'em into the snow!' You'd ought a heard him
laugh. Some day I'm goin' to lay a hand on that man, right in my own
house."

As they prepared for bed. Captain remarked:

"By the way, speaking of potatoes, I heard to-night that there was a
crate in the Frenchmen's outfit somewhere, put in by mistake.
perhaps, but when they boated their stuff up river last fall it
couldn't be found--must have been lost."

It was some days later that, returning from a gameless hunt, Captain
staggered into camp, weary from the drag of his snow-shoes.

Throwing himself into his bunk he rested while George prepared the
meagre meal of brown beans, fried salt pork, and sour-dough bread.
The excellence of this last, due to the whaler's years of practice,
did much to mitigate the unpleasantness of the milkless, butterless,
sugarless menu.

Captain's fatigue prevented notice of the other's bearing. However,
when he had supped and the dishes were done George spoke, quietly and
without emotion.

"Well, boy, the big thing has come off."

"What do you mean?"

For reply he took the grease dip and, holding it close, bared his
teeth.

With a cry Captain leaped from his bunk, and took his face between
his hands.

"Great God! George!"

He pushed back the lips. Livid blotches met his gaze--the gums
swollen and discoloured. He dropped back sick and pale, staring at
his bulky comrade, dazed and uncomprehending.

Carefully replacing the lamp, George continued:

"I felt it comin' quite a while back, pains in my knees an' all
that--thought mebbe you'd notice me hobblin' about. I can't git
around good--feel sort of stove up an' spavined on my feet."

"Yes, yes, but we've lived clean, and exercised, and drank spruce
tea