nion in the United States. He
was as masterful in his hatred as in his love. The dominant, fighting
figure in the Northwest, he trod his sturdy way through opposition like
a Colossus.

Nor did she any longer have any illusions about him. He could be both
ruthless and unscrupulous when it suited his purpose. As the day wore
toward noon, her spirits drooped. She was tired physically, and this
reacted upon her courage.

The warmer weather was spoiling the trail. It became so soft and mushy
that though snowshoes were needed, they could not be worn on account of
the heavy snow which clung to them every time a foot was lifted. They
wore mukluks, but Sheba was wet to the knees. The spring had gone from
her step. Her shoulders began to sag.

For some time Gordon's eye had been seeking a good place for a day camp.
He found it in a bit of open timber above the trail, and without a word
he swung his team from the path.

"Where are you going?" demanded Macdonald.

"Going to rest for an hour," was Elliot's curt answer.

Macdonald's jaw clamped. He strode forward through the snow beside the
trail. "We'll see about that."

The younger man faced him angrily. "Can't you see she is done, man?
There is not another mile of travel in her until she has rested."

The hard, gray eyes of the Alaskan took in the slender, weary figure
leaning against the sled. On a soft and mushy trail like this, where
every footstep punched a hole in the loose snow, the dogs could not
travel with any extra weight. A few miles farther down they would come
to a main-traveled road and the going would be better. But till then she
must walk. Macdonald gave way with a gesture of his hand and turned on
his heel.

At the camp-fire Sheba dried her mukluks, stockings, caribou mitts, and
short skirts. Too tired to eat, she forced herself to swallow a few
bites and drank eagerly some tea. Gordon had brought blankets from the
sled and he persuaded her to lie down for a few minutes.

"You'll call me soon if I should sleep," she said drowsily, and her eyes
were closed almost before the words were off her lips.

When Macdonald came to order the start half an hour later, she was still
asleep. "Give her another thirty minutes," he said gruffly.

Youth is resilient. Sheba awoke rested and ready for work.

While Gordon was untangling the dogs she was left alone for a minute
with the mine-owner.

The hungry look in his eyes touched her. Impulsively she held out her