The Winds of Chance

the person who finds enjoyment, preoccupation, in studying a ruin or in contemplating glories, tri

s with colors of their own imagining. To them new countries are crude, uninteresting. But there is another type of mind which finds a more absorbing spell in the contemplation of things to come than of things long past; another temperament to which the proven and the tried possess a flat and tasteless flavor. They are restles

en good-and full, too, for that matter-and he had hugely enjoyed it; nevertheless, it had impressed upon him a sense of his own insignificance. He had been lost, submerged, in it. Here, on the threshold of a new world, he had begun to find h

laration to be swept along by it. Over all this new land was a purple haze of mystery-a sense of the Unknown right at hand. The Beyond was beckoni

ervals, he came off the trail and back to Dyea, for then he renewed h

hillips never came back to it without an emotional thrill and a realization of great issues, great undertaking

ry by night and by day. It was a healthy revelry, by the way, like the boisterous hilarity of a robust boy. Dyea was just that-an overgrown, hilarious boy. There was nothing querulous or sickly about thi

s of transportation, the call for packers went unanswered and the price per pound stayed up. New tribes of Indians from down the coast had moved thither, babies and baggage, and they were growing rich. The stampede its

hrough on their way back to the States. These men had been educated to the liberal ways of the "inside" country and were prodigal spenders. The scent of the salt sea, the sight of new faces, the proximity of the

of youth was a flaming torch, all this spelled glo

voicing his gratitude than in merely seeing her again. He was not sure but that she would resent his thanks; nevertheless, it was necessary to seek her out, for already her image was nebulous, and he could not piece together a satisfactory picture of her. She obsessed his thoughts, but his inte

al woman. She knew men, she read them clearly, and she knew how to freeze them in their tracks. Pierce felt quite sure that she would guess his motives, therefore he made up his mind to dissemble cunningly. He decided to assume a casual air and to let chance arrange their actual meeting. When he did encounter her, a q

big board structure still in process of erection. His feet carried him thither in spite of himself. Like a

to freshen and to brighten herself. In her hand she held her traveling

her say. "That's my price. I'll make you a present

cut him short: "That's my last word.

ut

were crisp. "I take the lighter in ten minutes

e; she extended her hand, and he seized it

ed. "I mean I-I hurrie

didn't

couldn't rest until I had t

rugged her shoulders. "I'm

ay?" he queried, wit

en mi

You can't possibly make it before snow flies, and the boats are ov

bring my own pack-train. If something should delay me, I'll open up here

the fellow blustered. "Tw

untess turned onc

?" he inquired, desponden

business, but I'll be back in Dawson ahead of the ice. You'll be g

r way to the landing-place, where a lighter wa

rry I am for what happened

racted contemplation of the scene; t

k you'd be about the

said. I'd have-killed hi

d out of her expression. Phillips was good to look at; he stood a full six feet in height, his close-cropped hair displayed a shapely head, and his features were well molded. He was a handsome, open lad, the Countess acknowledged. Aloud she said: "I dare say every woman love

came idling down to the water's edge and, app

isn't room for two of us here. I might mak

en! No

eamer in the offing; the Counte

from now you may be able to help me." Then

lted her. "Fifteen is a

ine. "Very well. Make out the bill of sale. I'l

iled at Pierce and he

ve paid him twenty-five thousand dollars, as a matter of fact, but he hadn

ave you

onder-all but

e isn't much else!" Pierce was

's all I wanted. I'll have the place wrecked and the stuff packed up and on men's backs in two days. It cost-I don't know what it cost,

ant

inute, understand? Treat me right and I'll treat you right. I'll take you through to Dawson. I want carpenters, packers, boatmen; they must work fast. Long hours, long chances, bi

cing. "I'll eat it up!"

he hotel." With a brisk nod she was off, l

n this morning? Ten minutes was the narrow margin by which he had won his opportunity, and now the door to the North had opened at

f to ascertain if

lity of transportation clear to Dawson for those who could handle an oar, she called off the building crew and set them to new tasks, then she cleared the house of its guests. Rooms were invaded with peremptory orders to vacate; the steady help was put to undoing what they had already done, and soon the premi

ed. Yielding to Phillips' knowledge of transportation problems and limitations, she put him in

o belch forth freight and passengers, whe

office fixtures when a stranger ente

any r

oving this hotel

mpassive face of peculiar ashen color. He had lost his left hand somewhere above the wrist and in place of it wo

lared. "I can get along somehow t

own and the windows are out. I'm afraid nobody could

ther h

ses. But they'

suppose?" the one-

, n

like we'd have to sit up till our tents come

asant sight to look upon, for her face was quiet and dignified, her eyes were level

ion of those who came North did so for the avowed purpose of trading upon that capital, but even

s music, to the bellow of those steers. And it smells better here. If I go aboard again

door and her father followed her. He paused for a mo

oesn't it, Letty?" Then

n by the light of lamps, lanterns, and candle

an, picked his way through the bales and bundles

s her nibs, the cor

to s

Some gal! I knew you was all right,

ly: "I'm obliged to you for takin

ss for guys like you-I hate to see 'em destroyed." Mr. Broad

atter. "I was an awful knot-hea

t and had to get some rough money, but-it's a hard way to make a living. These pilgrims squawk so loud it isn't safe-yo

es

ck, arched his chest, and revolved slowly upon his hee

ipally boatmen-fellows

for he rolled his eyes upward, exclaiming, devoutly: "I'm a gift

nt and Pierce somewhat reluctantly introduced the sharper t

woman raised her

a full-rigged ship-thimble-rigged!" He winked at Phillips and thrust his tongue into his cheek. "Here's my papers." Fr

r me," said

ad obliged instantly

for I'll find you out." Pierce undertook to get her eye, but

t," the latter

men to a boat, double crews through the canon and i

? He's a good packer, too; been packin' hay for two months. P

e to-morrow," s

e whole works on a scow?" he asked. "You'd save men and we could a

ir

in to-day with a big liquor outfit. Him and h

ountess said, positively.

said he, "and Kid Bridges is another. Bridges held my hand for a minute, the day I landed, and his littl

't hold my hand, and they may be very good boatmen indeed." She

After a moment of consideration, however, he asked himself what good reason there could be for his feeling. It was her own affair; why shouldn't a woman smoke if she felt like it? He was surprised at the unexpected liberality of his attitude. This country was indeed working a change in him; he was broaden

s not only the daughter of a "sporting man," but a very notorious one, judging from general comment. Prompted by curiosity, Pierce dropped in at the Ophir on his way back to work. He found the place crowded, as usual, but especially so at the rear, where the games were running. When he had edged his way close enough to command a view of the faro-table he discovered that Sam Kirby was, for a fact, the one-armed man he had met during the afterno

nd mildly amused at the false impression this young woman had give

" he inquired of h

ce-horses. He makes a fortune and he spends it overnight. He's on hi

aying: "Old Sam won't bet a nickel unle

be. She's his rudder," t

wd, he mutely invited the house employees to drink. The dealer declined, the lookout and the case-keeper ordered whisky, and Kirby signified by a

he said, with a smi

a ripple o

informants told him. "Letty keeps him pretty straight,

obacco-laden atmosphere of the gambling-hall remained to bother Pierce Phillips; he could

th in quest of breakfast and a bed, he learned

the most. Engage all you can. Offer any price." The Countess was speaking. She

ierce told her. "You'll wear

e persisted. "Go back to sleep and let me att

to Dawson. Have those packers h

re free to accept a contract of this size at such short notice, therefore Pierce went to the Indian village and asked for th

s eyes were bright with fever. Evidently, in avoiding the town he had

ce bent down to the fellow and said, with genuine pity

t changed to that baleful gleam of hatred. His hair lay low upon his forehead and through

e Jim," he croaked

I help you? Do y

e man repeated.

ense. Do

more of us. Plenty more. We'll get you." He appeared to derive a ferocious enjoyment from this threat, for he dwelt upon it. He began to curse his vi

of the village shaman

d! Dead! J