was no good, except to look at. Feller named Barclay
brought her into the country, but Dan didn't know it, so he up and
marries her. She thought he had money, and when she found he was broke
like the rest of us she and Barclay began cuttin' up again. It was
rotten. I came near putting Barclay away, but figgered Dan wouldn't like
nobody to do his work, so I told him. He went out to clean the slate,
but found his wife was crazy about the skunk and always had been, so he
sent 'em away together. He done it for her sake, but he warned 'em to
stay off his trail, because no camp was big enough to hold all three of
'em. It was blizzardy, and what did the blame' fools do but get caught
ten miles below here. Cochrane brought 'em back that night on his sled.
McGill was here, right where you're standing, when they were lugged in.
When he seen Barclay he went after him again, figgerin', I suppose, that
God was disgusted with his proposition and had sent the feller back to
be finished."

"Good!" said the stranger. "And he got him, eh?"

"No! Barclay wasn't more 'n half dead, and the woman fell to beggin' for
his life again. She appealed to all of us. McGill must have loved her
more 'n we give him credit for, because when he saw that neither one of
'em was able to leave, he left instead. He walked right out of that door
into the wickedest storm we had that season, and we never seen him
again. Everybody thought he froze or the wolves got him. That was a year
ago last winter."

[Illustration: "Barclay wasn't more 'n half dead, and the woman fell to
beggin' for his life again."]

"What become of the woman?"

"Oh, her and Barclay left for Dawson on the first boat. I guess they saw
we didn't enjoy 'em here."

"And Barclay? Didn't nobody offer to bump him off?" The ragged stranger
was incredulous.

"No, we just left him and the woman alone. Most of us was kind of sorry
for her."

"Sorry? Why?"

"Well--" Hopper hesitated. "I don't think she exactly understood what
she was doin'. You know the first winter up here is hard on tenderfeet,
especially women. Most of 'em act mighty queer before they ca'm down.
She'd have come to herself if McGill had given her time."

"Hm-m! It's too late now." Both men nodded. "When 'll you leave for John
Daniels Creek?"

"When? _Now!_ I've got enough of this camp, and I'll have these
bar-fixtures packed in two hours."

* * * * *

McGill--or John Daniels, as he cho