"Yes, always and forever. Then I will not be alone," she smiled brightly through her tears at the prospect, while nestling closer in his strong arms. "Never alone again, dear one. I promise, if your heart will only love me," said he, kissing her; and the child at play among the driftwood sticks gravely gave a handful to his mother. "He shall call you his papa," said she almost gaily, "for will it not be true?" CHAPTER VI WHY MIDAS FAILED It was in the Fall of the year 19-- that a party of miners outfitted in Nome and started for the Arctic. One of them had been in that vicinity before, was familiar with the trails, and had some acquaintance with the natives of that section. Like all real "sourdough" miners they knew how to speak a good many words in Eskimo, especially young Gibbs, who had wintered there. Not only did it please the natives to have the white men use the Eskimo language because it showed friendliness, but it made bargaining easier for all. It was not, however, for the purpose of trading that this party of five men were making a long, cold and tedious trip to the Selawik River. They were looking for gold. It was late in November when the creeks and rivers were frozen, and the swamps and tundra could be everywhere crossed; and as the weather was not so severe as it would be later, and the snow was not so deep it was considered the best time of the year for starting the expedition. There were three dog-teams and as many heavy sleds, packed tightly with all manner of necessary equipments--fur sleeping bags, tents, clothing of skins, and food supplies in the smallest possible compass, besides frozen tomcod for the malamutes. To be sure, reindeer would have been more expeditious, and would have hunted their own provender, thus lightening the loads on the sleds, as well as making a delicious food for the men in case of a shortage of provisions; but there were none of these animals at Nome and the dogs were substituted. It was a long journey. The prospect was one of great hardship and even suffering to those not accustomed to a miner's life; but to these hardy men of Alaska, inured as they had been to the cold of this northland, it was a real pleasure trip which was looked forward to with keenest interest. The direction they wished to take was due northeast from Nome to the Selawik River; and at that place their plans would be further perfected. Their object was to find virgin gold--placer gold--to discover it in such quantities that all might become rich; and incidentally, after their own wants had been supplied, those of the gentlemen whose money had outfitted them would be considered--perhaps. They were already on the trail, at any rate, with all they needed upon their sleds and in their pockets; the gentlemen in question were far away--too far to interfere with their movements; in fact, had gone to London for the season and could not return for many months.