She wondered if it would not be possible to omit all mention of him in her coal stories and center attention upon the Trust.  It was impossible for her to attack him now, since she had come to understand her feelings toward him.  Even so, she reflected with horror that if her articles created the comment she anticipated their effect would be to rob him of his holdings.  But she took her work very seriously, and her sense of duty was unwavering.  She was one of the few who guide themselves by the line of principle, straight through all other considerations.  She would write what she found true, for that was her mission in life.  If Murray proved culpable she would grieve over his wrong-doing—­and continue to love him.

O’Neil had recognized her sincerity, and on the broad subject of conservation he had done nothing to influence her views.  He preferred to let her see the workings of the principle and, after actually meeting some of those who had suffered by it, form her own conclusions.  It was for this reason mainly that he had arranged the trip to Kyak.

The journey in a small boat gave Eliza a longed-for opportunity to discuss with him the questions which troubled her.  He was uncommunicative at first, but she persisted in her attempt, drawing him out in the hope of showing him the error of his ways.  At last she provoked him to a vigorous defense of his views.

“Conservation is no more than economy,” he declared, “and no one opposes that.  It’s the misapplication of the principle that has retarded Alaska and ruined so many of us.  The situation would be laughable if it weren’t so tragic.”

“Of course you blame your troubles on the Government.  That’s one thing governments are for.”

“Our ancestors blamed King George for their troubles, more than a hundred years ago, and a war resulted.  But every abuse they suffered is suffered by the people of Alaska to-day, and a lot more besides.  Certainly England never violated her contracts with the colonies half so flagrantly as our Government has violated its contracts with us.”

“Of course you exaggerate.”

“I don’t.  Judge for yourself.  The law offers every citizen the chance—­in fact, it invites him—­to go upon the public domain and search for treasure.  If he is successful it permits him to locate the land in blocks, and it agrees to grant him a clear title after he does a certain amount of work and pays a fixed price.  Further, it says in effect:  ’Realizing that you may need financial assistance in this work, we will allow you to locate not only for yourself, but also for your friends, through their powers of attorney, and thus gain their co-operation for your mutual advantage.  These are the rules, and they are binding upon all parties to this agreement; you keep your part, we will keep ours.”  Now then, some pioneers, at risk of life and health, came to Kyak and found coal.  They located it, they did all the law required them