So they plowed their way to the Eldorado of the North. It was when they were but three miles from Dawson that the break-up came. It was heralded by ear-splitting explosions. Jim put all his weight on to the sled. "She won't move much yet," he growled. "Mush on!" For another mile they kept the river trail, and then with deafening crashes from behind them the whole ice began to move. No time was to be lost now. Jim dragged the sled inland and made the bank at a suitable landing. An hour later they made Dawson City. The streets were filled with half-melted snow, through which a mixed humanity trudged, laden with all kinds of gear and provisions. Tents were pitched on every available piece of land. Saloons were filled with mobs clamoring for drink and food. Around the Yukon agent's office were crowds waiting to register "claims" that might or might not make their owners millionaires. All the creeks within miles of Dawson had been staked long since, and late-comers were staking likely spots further afield. News came of rich yields in some barren God-forsaken place and immediately a stampede was made for it. Angela, who had pined for any kind of civilization rather than a continuance of the eternal snows, wondered if this were any better. Jim pitched the tent under some spruce-trees and high up on a bluff beyond the city. "Wal, we're here," he said. "Yes," she replied bitterly. "You've got so far. And what next?" "We're going to git gold. Yep, we sure are--and you're going to help." She shut her mouth grimly. This was a big city; there were men here going back to civilization after making their fortunes. In a few weeks the river would be free and steamers would be making Vancouver. It oughtn't to be so difficult to find someone who would help her to escape from a man like this! CHAPTER IX HIGH STAKES Before many days had passed Angela realized how wisely Jim had traded in Vancouver. At the time she had wondered why he had been so prodigal in the matter of food. It seemed to her sheer lunacy to travel over icy mountains with what appeared to be enough food for a traveling circus. Now she saw that but for his foresight they might have felt the fine edge of starvation as others were doing. With remarkable suddenness the cold had vanished and the thermometer mounted daily. A dank, warm atmosphere embraced the country. Under the vanishing snow were green buds that burst into bloom at the first direct rays of the sun. An unwelcome visitor invaded the camp--the mosquito. He rose from the swampy river in myriads, and made life a torture. Jim had got his usual hustle on. Very quickly he became a popular figure in the town. But two days after his arrival he met an old friend--a gaunt, lanky figure, with a beard a foot long. "Why, darn me if it ain't Colorado Jim!" He turned and saw Dan, late owner of the Medicine Bow Hotel, looking wonderfully prosperous and happy. "Hello, Dan!" "Gosh, you ain't altered none. Come and hev' some poison."