There is no other way; at least, no other way so perfect. One man was
great enough to die for the sins of others. They who would rise to the
level of his life must be great enough to lay down their life for their
own sins. This is justice; and out of such true justice blooms the
perfect mercy." To this the man added thoughtfully, "There is but one
objection."

"What is the objection?" asked Herbert. "What is the objection, if one
be great enough to make so great a sacrifice?"

"The objection," answered the man, "is found in this: it is so deep a
sin to kill; it is so easy a thing to die--for what is death? The
ignorant dread it because they do not analyze it; their lack of
thoughtfulness makes them cowardly; for death is going out of bondage
into liberty. He who passes through the dark gate finds himself, when he
has passed, standing in the cloudless sunshine. In dying, the sorrowful
become glad; the small become greater; and if they die rightly, the
sinful become sinless. If a great motive prompts us to death, it is the
perfect regeneration. Entering thus the new life, man is born anew. And
so in punishment the great law of mercy stands revealed, and sin leads
up to sinlessness. In such travail of soul, he who suffers through
suffering is satisfied."

"It is sublime philosophy," exclaimed Herbert, "but few are great enough
to practice it."

"Rather, sir," exclaimed the man, "few are knowing enough to accept it.
The eyes of men, through their ignorance, are blinded by fear and they
see not the delivering gates though they stand facing the open passage."

"Life is sweet."

The words fell from the lips of Herbert as if they spoke themselves.

"To the innocent, life is sweet," answered the man, "but to the guilty,
life is bitterness. The world was not made for the guilty. The beauties
and glories of it were not for them. The universe is not sustained for
them. Only for the good do things exist. The breasts of life are full;
but their nourishment is not for guilty lips to draw. I have seen the
time when life was sweet. I have lived to see the time when life is
bitter. Through death I go out of bitterness into sweetness. This is
the mercy that is unto all and which all can take--take freely. Some
get it through another--all might get it through themselves."

"It is a violent deed to kill one's self," said the trapper.

"You mistake," answered the man, "there is a coarse, rude way; there is
a fine and noble way. 'I