They mixed flour with the warm water till it was a thin paste, and of this they drank many cups.  They did not offer any to Joe; but he did not mind.  He did not mind anything, not even his moccasins, which scorched and smoked among the coals.

A crystal mist of snow fell about them, softly, caressingly, wrapping them in clinging robes of white.  And their feet would have yet trod many trails had not destiny brushed the clouds aside and cleared the air.  Nay, ten minutes’ delay would have been salvation.

Sitka Charley, looking back, saw the pillared smoke of their fire, and guessed.  And he looked ahead at those who were faithful, and at Mrs. Eppingwell.  ’So, my good comrades, ye have again forgotten that you were men?  Good!  Very good.  There will be fewer bellies to feed.’  Sitka Charley retied the flour as he spoke, strapping the pack to the one on his own back.  He kicked Joe till the pain broke through the poor devil’s bliss and brought him doddering to his feet.  Then he shoved him out upon the trail and started him on his way.  The two Indians attempted to slip off.

’Hold, Gowhee!  And thou, too, Kah-Chucte!  Hath the flour given such strength to thy legs that they may outrun the swift-winged lead?  Think not to cheat the law.  Be men for the last time, and be content that ye die full-stomached.

Come, step up, back to the timber, shoulder to shoulder.  Come!’ The two men obeyed, quietly, without fear; for it is the future which pressed upon the man, not the present.

’Thou, Gowhee, hast a wife and children and a deerskin lodge in the Chipewyan.  What is thy will in the matter?’ ’Give thou her of the goods which are mine by the word of the captain—­the blankets, the beads, the tobacco, the box which makes strange sounds after the manner of the white men.  Say that I did die on the trail, but say not how.’  ’And thou, Kah-Chucte, who hast nor wife nor child?’ ’Mine is a sister, the wife of the factor at Koshim.  He beats her, and she is not happy.  Give thou her the goods which are mine by the contract, and tell her it were well she go back to her own people.  Shouldst thou meet the man, and be so minded, it were a good deed that he should die.  He beats her, and she is afraid.’  ‘Are ye content to die by the law?’ ‘We are.’  ’Then good-bye, my good comrades.  May ye sit by the well-filled pot, in warm lodges, ere the day is done.’  As he spoke he raised his rifle, and many echoes broke the silence.  Hardly had they died away when other rifles spoke in the distance.  Sitka Charley started.

There had been more than one shot, yet there was but one other rifle in the party.

He gave a fleeting glance at the men who lay so quietly, smiled viciously at the wisdom of the trail, and hurried on to meet the men of the Yukon.

The Wife of a King