“And probably ate the hooch-runner, before he did it,” mused the man, staring into the amber eyes. “I know a little bit about dogs and I wouldn’t care to have this particular specimen for an enemy.” “No, he didn’t,” answered the girl quickly. “I--I almost wish he had!” The man laughed: “I don’t blame you,” he answered. “If Skookum was my dog, and somebody stole him, I think I would wish the same thing--only I think I would be inclined to save the dog the trouble.” “Of eating him?” exclaimed the girl, and they both laughed aloud. “You live on the Koyukuk?” “Yes, on Myrtle Creek.” “Out of Coldfoot?” “Yes, only there is no Coldfoot, now. They’ve all pulled out for Nolan--except dad and me.” “So, Coldfoot’s dead, eh? I kind of thought the gravel was too spotted to last.” “You have been there?” “Quite a while ago. I pulled out before there was any Coldfoot, I was back there once since and bought an outfit of grub from Crim. I pulled north from there.” “North!” exclaimed the girl, “To Nolan, or Wiseman?” “North of everywhere,” smiled the man. “Way north. North of the Endicott Range. This is my first trip out in four years. And my second trip out in eight.” “Four years!” exclaimed the girl, “And no camps up there?” “No camps. I’ve sent Eskimos to Shungnak sometimes for supplies. This spring I thought I’d come out myself. I’m going to Nome to take in the sights, and the big race. What’s the old world been doing in the last four years?” he asked. The girl smiled: “The Koyukuk has been flowing into the Yukon and Coldfoot has stampeded to Nolan,” she answered, “That is about all I know of the world. But, I have been to Nome.” “And not staying for the big race!” exclaimed the man. “Yes, I’m staying for the big race. I’m going to win it!” “You! You’re going to drive the Sweepstakes!” “Yes. I’m going to drive--and I’m going to win, too.” The man’s eyes studied the dogs, one by one. After several minutes he looked up. “You might do it,” he said. “There isn’t a scrub in the outfit. They’ve got the chests, and the backs, and the legs, and they’re in condition.” “I’ve got to win!” exclaimed the girl. “If I don’t win we’ll be broke. This trip will take all we’ve got. Hotels are expensive, and I’ve just got to win. It will break dad’s heart if he can’t get his boiler.” “Boiler--on the Koyukuk? What does he want of a boiler up there?” “Oh, he thinks that if he can thaw out the muck with steam, his everlasting fortune will be made. It’s the only thing he can talk about, or think about. ‘B’iler Gordon,’ they call him on the Koyukuk.” “Gordon,” repeated the man, in an even voice, “There was a Gordon down Dawson way, before the big stampede.” “That was dad. His claim petered out, and we went up on the Koyukuk.” The man glanced at his watch. “We may as well eat,” he said. “It’s nearly time anyway, and it would be foolish for us both to pull on for an hour and then eat alone, wouldn’t it?”