
    ,,GRIT ,,( ,,WOM5
  ,A WOLFI% H1D1 WI/;L-EY$ & FRO/-RIM$1
?RU/ ASIDE ! T5T-FLAPS4
  8,HI6 ,*OOK6 ,SIWA%6 ,*OOK1 Y LIMB (
,SATAN60 *ORUS$ ! PROTE/+ 9MATES4
,BETTLES RAPP$ ! DOG %>PLY )A T9 PLATE1
& X )DREW HA/ILY4 ,L\IS ,SAVOY REFA/5$ !
FLAPS1 KICK$ A FRY+-PAN OV] AG/ !
BOTTOM1 & W>M$ 8 H&S4 ,X 0 V COLD )\T4
,=TY-EI<T H\RS G"O1 ! _S !RMOMET] _H
BUR/ AT SIXTY-EI<T 2L1 & S9CE T "T X _H
GR[N /1DILY & BITT]LY COLD]4 ,"! 0 NO
TELL+ :5 ! SNAP WD 5D4 ,& X IS POOR
POLICY1 UN.S ! GODS W X1 6V5TURE F> F A
/OVE AT S* "TS1 OR 69CR1SE ! QUANT;Y (
COLD ATMOSPH]E "O M/ BR1!4 ,M5 "S"TS D
X1 & "S"TS !Y *ILL _! LUNGS4 ,? L1DS UP
6A DRY1 HACK+ C\<1 NOTICEABLY IRRITA# :5
BACON IS 2+ FRI$4 ,AF T1 "S": AL;G 9 !
SPR+ OR SUMM]1 A HOLE IS BURN$ 9 ! FROZ5
MUCK4 ,96? A MAN'S C>CASS IS DUMP$1
COV]$ OV] ) MOSS1 & LEFT )! ASSUR.E T X
W RISE ON ! CRACK ( ,DOOM1 :OLLY &
FRIGIDLY 9TACT4 ,= ^? ( LL FAI?1
SCEPTICAL ( MAT]IAL 9TEGR,N ON T FATE;L
"D1 NO FITT] C.TRY ?AN ! ,KLONDIKE C 2
RECOMM5D$ 6DIE IN4 ,B X IS N 6BE 9F]R$ F
? T X IS A FIT C.TRY = LIV+ PURPOSES4
  ,X 0 V COLD )\T1 B X 0 N OV]-W>M )94
,! ONLY >TICLE : MI<T 2 DESIGNAT$
FURNITURE 0 ! /OVE1 &= ? ! M5 7 FRANK 9
4PLAY+ _! PREF];E4 ,^U HALF (! FLOOR P9E
B\<S _H BE5 CA/2 ABV ? 7 SPR1D ! SLEEP+-
FURS1 2N LAY ! W9T]'S SN[FALL4 ,!
REMA9D] (! FLOOR 0 MO3AS9-PACK$ SN[1
LITT]$ ) POTS & PANS &! G5]AL IMP$I;TA (
AN ,>CTIC CAMP4 ,! /OVE 0 R$ & RO>+ HOT1
B ONLY A B>E ?REE FEET AWAY LAY A BLOCK
( ICE1 Z %>P-$G$ & DRY Z :5 F/ QU>RI$ F
! CREEK BOTTOM4 ,! PRESSURE (! \TSIDE
COLD =C$ ! 9N] H1T UPW>D4 ,J ABV ! /OVE1
": ! PIPE P5ETRAT$ ! RO(1 0 A T9Y CIRCLE
( DRY CANVAS2 NEXT1 )! PIPE ALW Z C5TRE1
A CIRCLE ( /1M+ CANVAS2 NEXT A DAMP &
MOI/URE-EXUD+ R+2 & F9,Y1 ! RE/ (! T5T1
SIDEWALLS & TOP1 COAT$ )A HALF-9* ( DRY1
:ITE1 CRY/AL-5CRU/$ FRO/4
  8,OH6 ,,OH6 ,,OH60 ,A "Y FELL[1 LY+
ASLEEP 9 ! FURS1 BE>D$ & WAN & WE>Y1
RAIS$ A MOAN ( PA91 & )\T WAK+ 9CR1S$ !
PIT* & 9T5S;Y ( 8 ANGUI%4 ,8 BODY HALF-
LIFT$ F ! BLANKETS1 & QUIV]$ & %RANK
SPASMODIC,Y1 Z ?\< DRAW+ AWAY F A B$ (
NETTLES4
  8,ROLL'M OV]60 ORD]$ ,BETTLES4 8,HE'S
CRAMP9'40
  ,& "!AT1 ) PITI.S GD-W1 HE 0 PIT*$ ^U
& ROLL$ & ?UMP$ & P.D$ 0HALF-A-DOZ5
WILL+ -RADES4
  8,DAMN ! TRAIL10 HE MUTT]$ S(TLY1 Z HE
?REW (F ! ROBES & SAT UP4 8,I'VE RUN ACR
C.TRY1 PLAY$ QU>T] ?REE S1SONS H&-RUNN+1
& H>D5$ MYF 9 ALL MANN] ( WAYS2 & !N ,I
PILGRIM X 96? ,GOD-=SAK5 L& & F9D MYF AN
E6EM9ATE ,A!NIAN )\T ! SIMPLE/ RUDI;TS (
MANHOOD60 ,HE HUN*$ UP 6! FIRE & ROLL$ A
CIG>ETTE4 8,OH1 ,I'M N :9+4 ,I C TAKE MY
M$IC9E ALL "R1 ALL "R2 B ,I'M J DEC5TLY
A%AM$ ( MYF1 T'S ALL4 ,"H ,I AM1 ON TOP
(A DIRTY ?IRTY MILES1 Z KNOCK$ UP & /IFF
& SORE Z A P9K-TEA DEG5]ATE AF A FIVE-
MILE WALK ON A C.TRY TURN-PIKE4 ,BAH6 ,X
MAKES ME SICK6 ,GOT A MAT*80 8,DON'T GIT
! TANTRUMS1 "Y/]40 ,BETTLES PASS$ OV] !
REQUIR$ FIRE-/ICK & WAX$ PATRI>*AL4
8,YE'VE GOTT] ,8L[ "S =! BR1K90'-IN4
,SU6]9' CRACKY6 DON'T ,I RECOLLECT ! F/
"T ,I HIT ! TRAIL6 ,/IFF8 ,I'VE SE5 ! "T
X'D TAKE ME T5 M9UTES 6GIT MY M\? F !
WAT]HOLE AN' -E 6MY FEET--E J9T CRACK9'
AN' KICK9' FIT 6KILL4 ,CRAMP8 ,9 SE*
KNOTS X'D TAKE ! CAMP HALF A "D
6UNTANGLE ME4 ,Y'RE ALL "R1 =A CUB1 ANY
YE'VE ! TRUE SP]RIT4 ,-E ? "D YE>1 Y'LL
WALK ALL U OLD BUCKS 96! GR.D ANY "T4
,AN' BE/ 9 YR FAVOR1 Y HA9'T GOT T /R1K
( FAT 9 YR MAKE-UP : HAS S5T _M A HUSKY
MAN 6! BOSOM ( ,ABRAHAM A=E 8 "R & PROP]
"T40
  8,/R1K ( FAT80
  8,YEP4 ,-ES AL;G ( BULK4 ',T A9'T !
BIG M5 Z IS ! BE/ :5 X -ES 6! TRAIL40
  8,N"E HE>D ( X40
  8,N"E HE]$ ( X1 EH8 ,WELL1 X'S A D1D
/RAI<T1 OP5-AN'-%UT FACT1 AN' NO GITT9'
R.D4 ,BULK'S ALL WELL 5 =A MI<TY BIG
EF=T1 B ,8?\T /AY90' P[]S X A9'T WOR? A
3T95TAL :OOP2 AN' /AY9' P[]S AN' BULK
A9'T RUNN9' MATES4 ,TAKES ! SMALL1 WIRY
FELL[S :5 X -ES 6GITT9' "R D[N AN'
HANG9' ON L A L1N-J[L$ DOG 6A B"O4 ,:Y1
HELL'S FIRE1 ! BIG M5 !Y A9'T 9 X60
  8,0G>60 BROKE 9 ,L\IS ,SAVOY1 8DAT IS
NO1 VOT Y CALL1 JO%6 ,I "K "O MANS1 S
VAIRE BEEG L ZE BU6ALO4 ,WIT HM1 ON ZE
,SULPHUR ,CREEK /AMP$E1 G "O SMALL MANS1
,LON ,MC,FANE4 ,Y "K DAT ,LON ,MC,FANE1
DAT LEETLE ,IRI%] WIT ZE R$ HAIR & ZE
GR94 ,AN' DEY WALK AN' WALK AN' WALK1
ALL ZE "D L;G AN' ZE NI<T L;G4
,& BEEG MANS1 HM 2COME VAIRE TIR$1 AN'
LAY D[N MOO* 9 ZE SN[4 ,& LEETLE MANS
KEEK BEEG MANS1 AN' HM CRY L1 VOT Y CALL
--AH6 VOT Y CALL ZE KID4 ,& LEETLE MANS
KEEK AN' KEEK AN' KEEK1 AN' BIME BY1 L;G
"T1 L;G WAY1 KEEK BEEG MANS 96MY CAB94
,TREE "DS '=E HM CRAWL \ MY BLANKETS4
,NEVAIRE ,I SEE BEEG SQUAW L HM4 ,NO
NEVAIRE4 ,HM HAF VOT Y CALL ZE /R1K (
FAT4 ,Y BET40
  8,B "! 0 ,AXEL ,G"USON10 ,PR9CE SPOKE
UP4 ,! GRT ,SC&9AVIAN1 )! TRAGIC EV5TS :
%AD[$ 8 PASS+1 _H MADE A DEEP M>K ON !
M9+ 5G9E]4 8,HE LIES UP "!1 "S":40 ,HE
SWEPT 8 H& 9 ! VAGUE DIREC;N (! MY/]I\S
EA/4
  8,BI7E/ MAN T "E TURN$ 8 HEELS 6,SALT
,WAT]1 OR RUN A MOOSE D[N ) %E] GRIT10
SUPPLE;T$ ,BETTLES2 8B HE'S ! PROVE-!-
RULE EXCEP;N4 ,LOOK AT 8 WOMAN1 ,UNGA1--
TIP ! SCALES AT A HUNDR$ AN' T51 CL1N
M1T AN' N>Y \NCE 6SP>E4 ,%E'D BANK GRIT
,8GA9/ 8 = ALL "! 0 9 HM1 AN0' SEE HM1
AN' G HM BETT] IF X 0 POSSI#4 ,NO?+ OV]
! E>?1 OR 9 X1 OR "U X1 %E WDN'T ,8A0'
D"O40
  8,B %E LOV$ HM10 OBJECT$ ! 5G9E]4
  8',T A9'T T4 ,X--0
  8,LOOK Y1 BRO!RS10 BROKE 9 ,SITKA
,*>LEY F 8 S1T ON ! GRUB-BOX4 8,YE H
SPOK5 (! /R1K ( FAT T RUNS 9 BIG M5'S
MUSCLES1 (! GRIT ( WOM5 &! LOVE1 & YE H
SPOK5 FAIR2 B ,I H 9 M9D ?+S : HAPP5$ :5
! L& 0 "Y &! FIRES ( M5 A"P Z ! />S4 ,X
0 !N ,I _H 3C]N )A BIG MAN1 &A /R1K (
FAT1 &A WOMAN4 ,&! WOMAN 0 SMALL2 B H]
HE>T 0 GRT] ?AN ! BEEF-HE>T (! MAN1 & %E
_H GRIT4 ,& WE TRAVEL$ A WE>Y TRAIL1 EV5
6! ,SALT ,WAT]1 &! COLD 0 BITT]1 ! SN[
DEEP1 ! HUNG] GRT4 ,&! WOMAN'S LOVE 0 A
MI<TY LOVE--NO M C MAN SAY ?AN ?40
  ,HE PAUS$1 &)! HAT*ET BROKE PIECES (
ICE F ! L>GE *UNK 2S HM4 ,^! HE ?REW 96!
GOLD PAN ON ! /OVE1 ": ! DR9K+-WAT]
?AW$4 ,! M5 DREW UP CLOS]1 & HE (!
CRAMPS S"\ GRT] -=T VA9LY = 8 /I65$
BODY4
  8,BRO!RS1 MY BLOOD IS R$ ) ,SIWA%1 B
MY HE>T IS :ITE4 ,6! FAULTS ( MY "FS ,I
[E ! "O1 6! VIRTUES ( MY FRS ! O!R4 ,A
GRT TRU? CAME 6ME :5 ,I 0 YET A BOY4 ,I
LE>N$ T 6YR K9D & Y 0 GIV5 ! E>?2 T !
,SIWA% CD N )/& Y1 & L ! C>IB\ &! BE>1
M/ P]I% 9 ! COLD4 ,S ,I CAME 96! W>M &
SAT AM;G Y1 0YR FIRES1 & 2HOLD1 ,I 2CAME
"O ( Y1 ,I H SE5 M* 9 MY "T4 ,I H "KN
/RANGE ?+S1 & BUCK$ BIG1 ON BIG TRAILS1
) M5 ( _M BRE$S4 ,& 2C ( ^! ?+S1 ,I
M1SURE DE$S AF YR MANN]1 & JUDGE M51 &
?9K ?"\S4 ,":=E1 :5 ,I SP1K H>%LY ( "O (
YR [N K9D1 ,I "K Y W N TAKE X AMISS2 &
:5 ,I SP1K HI< ( "O ( MY "F'S P1 Y W N
TAKE X ^U Y 6SAY1 ,8,SITKA ,*>LEY IS
,SIWA%1 & "! IS A CROOK$ LI<T 9 8 EYES &
SMALL HONOR 6HIS T;GUE40' ,IS X N S80
  ,DEEP D[N 9 ?ROAT1 ! CIRCLE V\*SAF$ XS
ASS5T4
  8,! WOMAN 0 ,PASSUK4 ,I GOT H] 9 FAIR
TRADE F H] P1 :O 7 (! ,COA/ & ^: ,*ILCAT
TOTEM /OOD AT ! H1D (A SALT >M (! SEA4
,MY HE>T DID N G \ 6! WOMAN1 NOR DID ,I
TAKE /OCK ( H] LOOKS4 ,= %E SC>CE TOOK
H] EYES F ! GR.D1 & %E 0 TIMID & AFRAID1
Z GIRLS W 2 :5 CA/ 96A /RANG]'S >MS :OM
!Y H N"E SE5 2F4 ,Z ,I SAY1 "! 0 NO
PLACE 9 MY HE>T = H] 6CREEP1 = ,I _H A
GRT J\RNEY 9 M9D1 & /OOD 9 NE$ ( "O 6FE$
MY DOGS & 6LIFT A PA4LE ) ME "? ! L;G
RIV] "DS4 ,"O BLANKET WD COV] ! TWA92 S
,I *OSE ,PASSUK4
  8,H ,I N SD ,I 0 A S]VANT 6! ,GOV]N;T8
,IF N1 X IS WELL T YE "K4 ,S ,I 0 TAK5
ON A W>%IP1 SL$S & DOGS & EVAPORAT$
FOODS1 &) ME CAME ,PASSUK4 ,& WE W5T
NOR?1 6! W9T] ICE-RIM ( ,B]+ ,SEA1 ": WE
7 L&$1--MYF1 & ,PASSUK1 &! DOGS4 ,I 0 AL
GIV5 M"OYS (! ,GOV]N;T1 = ,I 0 XS
S]VANT1 & *>TS ( L&S : ! EYES ( MAN _H
N"E DWELT ^U1 & MESSAGES4 ,^! MESSAGES 7
S1L$1 & PROTECT$ %REWDLY F ! W1!R1 & ,I
0 6DELIV] !M 6! :ALE-%IPS (! ,>CTIC1
ICE-B.D 0! GRT ,MACK5ZIE4 ,N"E 0 "! S
GRT A RIV]1 =GETT+ ONLY \R [N ,YUKON1 !
,"M ( ALL ,RIV]S4
  8,ALL ( : IS NEI "H NOR "!1 = MY /ORY
D1LS N )! :ALE-%IPS1 NOR ! B]G-B.D W9T]
,I SP5T 0! ,MACK5ZIE4 ,AFW1 9 ! SPR+1 :5
! "DS L5G!N$ & "! 0 A CRU/ 6! SN[1 WE
CAME S\?1 ,PASSUK & ,I1 6! ,C.TRY (!
,YUKON4 ,A WE>Y J\RNEY1 B ! SUN PO9T$ \
! WAY ( \R FEET4 ,X 0 A NAK$ L& !N1 Z ,I
H SD1 & WE "W$ UP ! CURR5T1 ) POLE &
PA4LE1 TILL WE CAME 6,=TY ,MILE4 ,GD X 0
6SEE :ITE FACES ONCE AG1 S WE PUT 96!
BANK4 ,& T W9T] 0 A H>D W9T]4 ,! D>K;S
&! COLD DREW D[N ^U U1 &) !M ! FAM9E4
,6EA* MAN ! AG5T (! ,-PANY GAVE =TY P.DS
( FL\R & TW5TY ( BACON4 ,"! 7 NO B1NS4
,&1 ! DOGS H[L$ ALW1 & "! 7 FLAT BELLIES
& DEEP-L9$ FACES1 & /R;G M5 2CAME W1K1 &
W1K M5 DI$4 ,"! 0 AL M* SCURVY4
  8,!N CAME WE TGR 9 ! /ORE "O NI<T1 &!
EMPTY %ELVES MADE U FEEL \R [N EMPTI;S !
M4 ,WE TALK$ L[1 0! LI<T (! FIRE1 =!
C&LES _H BE5 SET ASIDE = ^? :O MI<T YET
GASP 9 ! SPR+4 ,4CUS.N 0 HELD1 & X 0 SD
T A MAN M/ G =? 6! ,SALT ,WAT] & TELL 6!
_W \R MIS]Y4 ,AT ? ALL EYES TURN$ 6ME1 =
X 0 "U/OOD T ,I 0 A GRT TRAVEL]4 ,8,X IS
SEV5 HUNDR$ MILES10' SD ,I1 ,86,HA9ES
,MIS.N 0! SEA1 & E 9* ( X SN[%OE "W4
,GIVE ME ! PICK ( YR DOGS &! BE/ ( YR
GRUB1 & ,I W G4 ,&) ME % G ,PASSUK40'
  8,6? !Y 7 AGRE$4 ,B "! >OSE "O1 ,L;G
,JEFF1 A ,YANKEE-MAN1 BIG-BON$ & BIG-
MUSCL$4 ,AL 8 TALK 0 BIG4 ,HE1 TOO1 0 A
MI<TY TRAVEL]1 HE SD1 BORN 6! SN[%OE &
BR$ UP ON BU6ALO MILK4 ,HE WD G ) ME1 9
CASE ,I FELL 0! TRAIL1 T HE MI<T C>RY !
^W ON 6! ,MIS.N4 ,I 0 "Y1 & ,I KNEW N
,YANKEE-M54 ,H[ 0 ,I 6"K T BIG TALK
2TOK5$ ! /R1K ( FAT1 OR T ,YANKEE-M5 :O
DID GRT ?+S KEPT _! TEE? TGR8 ,S WE TOOK
! PICK (! DOGS &! BE/ (! GRUB1 & /RUCK !
TRAIL1 WE ?REE1--,PASSUK1 ,L;G ,JEFF1 &
,I4
  8,WELL1 YE H BROK5 VIRG9 SN[1 LABOR$
AT ! GEE-POLE1 & >E N UNUS$ 6! PACK$
RIV]-JAMS2 S ,I W TALK LL (! TOIL1 SAVE
T ON "S "DS WE MADE T5 MILES1 & ON O!RS
?IRTY1 B M (T5 T54 ,&! BE/ (! GRUB 0 N
GD1 :ILE WE W5T ON /9T F ! />T4
,LIKEWISE ! PICK (! DOGS 0 POOR1 & WE 7
H>D PUT 6KEEP !M ON _! LEGS4 ,AT ! ,:ITE
,RIV] \R ?REE SL$S 2CAME TWO SL$S1 & WE
_H ONLY -E TWO HUNDR$ MILES4 ,B WE LO/
NO?+2 ! DOGS T LEFT ! TRACES W5T 96!
BELLIES ( ^? T REMA9$4
  8,N A GREET+1 N A CURL ( SMOKE1 TILL
WE MADE ,PELLY4 ,"H ,I _H C.T$ ON GRUB2
& "H ,I _H C.T$ ON L1V+ ,L;G ,JEFF1 :O 0
:9+ & TRAIL-SORE4 ,B ! FACTOR'S LUNGS 7
:EEZ+1 8 EYES B"R1 8 CA*E NI< EMPTY2 &
HE %[$ U ! EMPTY CA*E (! MIS.N>Y1 AL 8
GRAVE )! ROCKS PIL$ HI< 6KEEP (F ! DOGS4
,"! 0 A BUN* ( ,9DIANS "!1 B BABIES &
OLD M5 "! 7 N"O1 & X 0 CLE> T FEW WD SEE
! SPR+4
  8,S WE PULL$ ON1 LI<T-/OMA*$ & H1VY-
HE>T$1 ) HALF A ?\S& MILES ( SN[ & SIL;E
2T U & ,HA9ES ,MIS.N 0! SEA4 ,! D>K;S 0
AT XS WOR/1 & AT MID"D ! SUN CD N CLE> !
SKY-L9E 6! S\?4 ,B ! ICE-JAMS 7 SMALL]1
! GO+ BETT]2 S ,I PU%$ ! DOGS H>D &
TRAVEL$ LATE & E>LY4 ,Z ,I SD AT ,=TY
,MILE1 E 9* ( X 0 SN[-%OE "W4 ,&! %OES
MADE GRT SORES ON \R FEET1 : CRACK$ &
SCA2$ B WD N H1L4 ,& E "D ^! SORES GREW
M GRIEV\S1 TILL 9 ! MORN+1 :5 WE GIRD$
ON ! %OES1 ,L;G ,JEFF CRI$ L A *4 ,I PUT
HM AT ! =E (! LI<T SL$ 6BR1K TRAIL1 B HE
SLIPP$ (F ! %OES = -=T4 ,2C ( ? ! TRAIL
0 N PACK$1 8 MO3AS9S MADE GRT HOLES1 &
96^! HOLES ! DOGS WALL[$4 ,! B"OS (!
DOGS 7 R1DY 6BR1K "? _! HIDES1 & ? 0 N
GD = !M4 ,S ,I SPOKE H>D ^WS 6! MAN1 &
HE PROMIS$1 & BROKE 8 ^W4 ,!N ,I B1T HM
)! DOG-:IP1 & AF T ! DOGS WALL[$ NO M4
,HE 0 A *1 :AT (! PA9 &! /R1K ( FAT4
  8,B ,PASSUK4 ,:ILE ! MAN LAY 0! FIRE &
WEPT1 %E COOK$1 & 9 ! MORN+ HELP$ LA% !
SL$S1 & 9 ! EV5+ 6UNLA% !M4 ,& %E SAV$ !
DOGS4 ,"E 0 %E 6! =E1 LIFT+ ! WE2$ %OES
& MAK+ ! WAY EASY4 ,PASSUK--H[ % ,I SAY8
--,I TOOK X = GRANT$ T %E %D D ^! ?+S1 &
?"\ NO M AB X4 ,= MY M9D 0 BUSY ) O!R
MATT]S1 & 2SS1 ,I 0 "Y 9 YE>S & KNEW LL
( WOMAN4 ,X 0 ONLY ON LOOK+ BACK T ,I
CAME 6"U/&4
  8,&! MAN 2CAME WOR?.S4 ,! DOGS _H LL
/R5G? 9 !M1 B HE /OLE RIDES ON ! SL$ :5
HE LA7$ 2H4 ,PASSUK SD %E WD TAKE ! "O
SL$1 S ! MAN _H NO?+ 6D4 ,9 ! MORN+ ,I
GAVE HM 8 FAIR %>E ( GRUB & />T$ HM ON !
TRAIL AL"O4 ,!N ! WOMAN & ,I BROKE CAMP1
PACK$ ! SL$S1 & H>;S$ ! DOGS4 ,0MID"D1
:5 ! SUN MOCK$ U1 WE WD OV]TAKE ! MAN1
)! TE>S FROZ5 ON 8 *EEKS1 & PASS HM4 ,9
! NI<T WE MADE CAMP1 SET ASIDE 8 FAIR
%>E ( GRUB1 & SPR1D 8 FURS4 ,AL WE MADE
A BIG FIRE1 T HE MI<T SEE4 ,& H\RS AFW
HE WD -E LIMP+ IN1 & EAT 8 GRUB ) MOANS
& GROANS1 & SLEEP4 ,HE 0 N SICK1 ? MAN4
,HE 0 ONLY TRAIL-SORE & TIR$1 & W1K )
HUNG]4 ,B ,PASSUK & ,I 7 TRAIL-SORE &
TIR$1 & W1K ) HUNG]2 & WE DID ALL ! "W &
HE DID N"O4 ,B HE _H ! /R1K ( FAT ( : \R
BRO!R ,BETTLES HAS SPOK54 ,FUR!R1 WE
GAVE ! MAN ALW 8 FAIR %>E ( GRUB4
  8,!N "O "D WE MET TWO <O/S J\RNEY+ "?
! ,SIL;E4 ,!Y 7 A MAN &A BOY1 & !Y 7
:ITE4 ,! ICE _H OP5$ ON ,LAKE ,LE ,B>GE1
& "? X _H G"O _! MA9 \TFIT4 ,"O BLANKET
EA* C>RI$ AB 8 %\LD]S4 ,AT NI<T !Y BUILT
A FIRE & CR\*$ OV] X TILL MORN+4 ,!Y _H
A LL FL\R4 ,? !Y /IRR$ 9 W>M WAT] &
DRANK4 ,! MAN %[$ ME EI<T CUPS ( FL\R--
ALL !Y _H1 & ,PELLY1 /RICK5 ) FAM9E1 TWO
HUNDR$ MILES AWAY4 ,!Y SD1 AL1 T "! 0 AN
,9DIAN 2H2 T !Y _H :ACK$ FAIR1 B T HE CD
N KEEP UP4 ,I DID N 2LIEVE !Y _H :ACK$
FAIR1 ELSE WD ! ,9DIAN H KEPT UP4 ,B ,I
CD GIVE !M NO GRUB4 ,!Y /ROVE 6/1L A DOG
--! FATTE/1 : 0 V ?9--B ,I %OV$ MY PI/OL
9 _! FACES & TOLD !M 2G"O4 ,& !Y
W5T AWAY1 L DRUNK5 M51 "? ! ,SIL;E T[>D
,PELLY4
  8,I _H ?REE DOGS N[1 & "O SL$1 &! DOGS
7 ONLY B"OS & HAIR4 ,:5 "! IS LL WOOD1 !
FIRE BURNS L[ &! CAB9 GR[S COLD4 ,S ) U4
,) LL GRUB ! FRO/ BITES %>P1 & \R FACES
7 BLACK & FROZ5 TILL \R [N "MS WD N H
"KN U4 ,& \R FEET 7 V SORE4 ,9 ! MORN+1
:5 ,I HIT ! TRAIL1 ,I SW1T$ 6KEEP D[N !
CRY :5 ! PA9 (! SN[%OES SMOTE ME4
,PASSUK N"E OP5$ H] LIPS1 B /EPP$ 6! =E
6BR1K ! WAY4 ,! MAN H[L$4
  8,! ,?IRTY ,MILE 0 SWIFT1 &! CURR5T
ATE AWAY ! ICE F 2N1 & "! 7 _M AIR-HOLES
& CRACKS1 & M* OP5 WAT]4 ,"O "D WE CAME
^U ! MAN1 RE/+1 = HE _H G"O AH1D1 Z 0 8
WONT1 9 ! MORN+4 ,B 2T U 0 OP5 WAT]4 ,?
HE _H PASS$ >.D 0TAK+ 6! RIM-ICE ": X 0
TOO N>R[ =A SL$4 ,S WE F.D AN ICE-
BRIDGE4 ,PASSUK WEI<$ LL1 & W5T F/1 )A
L;G POLE CROSSWISE 9 H] H&S 9 *.E %E
BROKE "?4 ,B %E 0 LI<T1 & H] %OES L>GE1
& %E PASS$ OV]4 ,!N %E CALL$ ! DOGS4 ,B
!Y _H NEI POLES NOR %OES1 & !Y BROKE "?
& 7 SWEPT "U 0! WAT]4 ,I HELD TI<T 6!
SL$ F 2H1 TILL ! TRACES BROKE &! DOGS
W5T ON D[N "U ! ICE4 ,"! 0 LL M1T 6!M1 B
,I _H C.T$ ON !M =A WEEK'S GRUB1 & !Y 7
G"O4
  8,! NEXT MORN+ ,I DIVID$ ALL ! GRUB1 :
0 LL1 96?REE POR;NS4 ,& ,I TOLD ,L;G
,JEFF T HE CD KEEP UP ) U1 OR N1 Z HE
SAW FIT2 = WE 7 GO+ 6TRAVEL LI<T & FA/4
,B HE RAIS$ 8 VOICE & CRI$ OV] 8 SORE
FEET & 8 TR\#S1 & SD H>% ?+S AG/
-RADE%IP4 ,PASSUK'S FEET 7 SORE1 & MY
FEET 7 SORE--AY1 SOR] ?AN HIS1 = WE _H
"W$ )! DOGS2 AL1 WE LOOK$ 6SEE4 ,L;G
,JEFF SWORE HE WD DIE 2F HE HIT ! TRAIL
AG2 S ,PASSUK TOOK A FUR ROBE1 & ,I A
COOK+ POT & AN AXE1 & WE MADE R1DY 6G4
,B %E LOOK$ ON ! MAN'S POR;N1 & SD1 ,8,X
IS WR;G 6WA/E GD FOOD ON A BABY4 ,HE IS
BETT] D1D40' ,I %OOK MY H1D & SD NO--T A
-RADE ONCE 0 A -RADE ALW4 ,!N %E SPOKE
(! M5 ( ,=TY ,MILE2 T !Y 7 _M M5 & GD2 &
T !Y LOOK$ 6ME = GRUB 9 ! SPR+4 ,B :5 ,I
/ SD NO1 %E SNAT*$ ! PI/OL F MY BELT1
QK1 & Z \R BRO!R ,BETTLES HAS SPOK51
,L;G ,JEFF W5T 6! BOSOM ( ,ABRAHAM 2F 8
"T4 ,I *ID$ ,PASSUK = ?2 B %E %[$ NO
SORR[1 NOR 0 %E SORR[;L4 ,& 9 MY HE>T ,I
KNEW %E 0 "R40
  ,SITKA ,*>LEY PAUS$ & ?REW PIECES (
ICE 96! GOLD PAN ON ! /OVE4 ,! M5 7
SIL5T1 & _! BACKS *ILL$ 6! SO2+ CRIES (!
DOGS Z !Y GAVE T;GUE 6_! MIS]Y 9 ! \T]
COLD4
  8,& "D 0"D WE PASS$ 9 ! SN[ ! SLEEP+-
PLACES (! TWO <O/S--,PASSUK & ,I--& WE
KNEW WE WD 2 GLAD = S* ]E WE MADE ,SALT
,WAT]4 ,!N WE CAME 6! ,9DIAN1 L ANO!R
<O/1 ) 8 FACE SET T[>D ,PELLY4 ,!Y _H N
:ACK$ UP FAIR1 ! MAN &! BOY1 HE SD1 & HE
_H _H NO FL\R = ?REE "DS4 ,EA* NI<T HE
BOIL$ PIECES ( 8 MO3AS9S 9 A CUP1 & ATE
!M4 ,HE DID N H M* MO3AS9S LEFT4 ,& HE 0
A ,COA/ ,9DIAN1 & TOLD U ^! ?+S "?
,PASSUK1 :O TALK$ 8 T;GUE4 ,HE 0 A
/RANG] 9 ! ,YUKON1 & HE KNEW N ! WAY1 B
8 FACE 0 SET 6,PELLY4 ,H[ F> 0 X8 ,TWO
SLEEPS8 T58 A HUNDR$--HE DID N "K1 B HE
0 GO+ 6,PELLY4 ,X 0 TOO F> 6TURN BACK2
HE CD ONLY KEEP ON4
  8,HE DID N ASK = GRUB1 = HE CD SEE WE1
TOO1 7 H>D PUT4 ,PASSUK LOOK$ AT ! MAN1
& AT ME1 Z ?\< %E 7 ( TWO M9DS1 L A "M
"PRIDGE ^: "Y >E 9 TR\#4 ,S ,I TURN$ 6H]
& SD1 ,8,? MAN HAS BE5 D1LT UNFAIR4 ,%
,I GIVE HM ( \R GRUB A POR;N80' ,I SAW
H] EYES LI<T1 Z ) QK PL1SURE2 B %E LOOK$
L;G AT ! MAN & AT ME1 & H] M\? DREW
CLOSE & H>D1 & %E SD1 ,8,NO4 ,! ,SALT
,WAT] IS AF> (F1 & ,D1? LIES 9 WAIT4
,BETT] X IS T HE TAKE ? /RANG] MAN & LET
MY MAN ,*>LEY PASS40' ,S ! MAN W5T AWAY
9 ! ,SIL;E T[>D ,PELLY4 ,T NI<T %E WEPT4
,N"E _H ,I SE5 H] WEEP 2F4 ,NOR 0 X !
SMOKE (! FIRE1 =! WOOD 0 DRY WOOD4 ,S ,I
M>VEL$ AT H] SORR[1 & ?"\ H] WOMAN'S
HE>T _H GR[N S(T AT ! D>K;S (! TRAIL &!
PA94
  8,LIFE IS A /RANGE ?+4 ,M* H ,I ?"\ ON
X1 & POND]$ L;G1 YET DAILY ! /RANGE;S (
X GR[S N LESS1 B M4 ,:Y ? L;G+ = ,LIFE8
,X IS A GAME : NO MAN W9S4 ,6LIVE IS
6TOIL H>D1 & 6SU6] SORE1 TILL ,OLD ,AGE
CREEPS H1VILY ^U U & WE ?R[ D[N \R H&S
ON ! COLD A%ES ( D1D FIRES4 ,X IS H>D
6LIVE4 ,9 PA9 ! BABE SUCKS 8 F/ BR1?1 9
PA9 ! OLD MAN GASPS 8 LA/1 & ALL 8 "DS
>E FULL ( TR\# & SORR[2 YET HE GOES D[N
6! OP5 >MS ( ,D1?1 /UMBL+1 FALL+1 ) H1D
TURN$ BACKW>D1 FI<T+ 6! LA/4 ,& ,D1? IS
K9D4 ,X IS ONLY ,LIFE1 &! ?+S ( ,LIFE T
HURT4 ,YET WE LOVE ,LIFE1 & WE HATE
,D1?4 ,X IS V /RANGE4
  8,WE SPOKE LL1 ,PASSUK & ,I1 9 ! "DS :
CAME4 ,9 ! NI<T WE LAY 9 ! SN[ L D1D P1
& 9 ! MORN+ WE W5T ON \R WAY1 WALK+ L
D1D P4 ,& ALL ?+S 7 D1D4 ,"! 7 NO
PT>MIGAN1 NO SQUIRRELS1 NO SN[%OE
RA2ITS1--NO?+4 ,! RIV] MADE NO S.D 2N XS
:ITE ROBES4 ,! SAP 0 FROZ5 9 ! =E/4 ,& X
2CAME COLD1 Z N[2 & 9 ! NI<T ! />S DREW
NE> & L>GE1 & L1P$ & D.ED2 & 9 ! "D !
SUN-DOGS MOCK$ U TILL WE SAW _M
SUNS1 & ALL ! AIR FLA%$ & SP>KL$1 &! SN[
0 DIAMOND DU/4 ,& "! 0 NO H1T1 NO S.D1
ONLY ! BITT] COLD &! ,SIL;E4 ,Z ,I SAY1
WE WALK$ L D1D P1 Z 9 A DR1M1 & WE KEPT
NO C.T ( "T4 ,ONLY \R FACES 7 SET 6,SALT
,WAT]1 \R S\LS /RA9$ = ,SALT ,WAT]1 & \R
FEET C>RI$ U T[>D ,SALT ,WAT]4 ,WE CAMP$
0! ,TAHKE5A1 & KNEW X N4 ,\R EYES LOOK$
^U ! ,:ITE ,HORSE1 B WE SAW X N4 ,\R
FEET TROD ! PORTAGE (! ,CANYON1 B !Y
FELT X N4 ,WE FELT NO?+4 ,& WE FELL (T5
0! WAY1 B WE FELL1 ALW1 ) \R FACES T[>D
,SALT ,WAT]4
  8,\R LA/ GRUB W5T1 & WE _H %>$ FAIR1
,PASSUK & ,I1 B %E FELL M (T51 & AT
,C>IB\ ,CROSS+ H] /R5G? LEFT H]4 ,& 9 !
MORN+ WE LAY 2N ! "O ROBE & DID N TAKE !
TRAIL4 ,X 0 9 MY M9D 6/AY "! & MEET ,D1?
H&-IN-H& ) ,PASSUK2 = ,I _H GR[N OLD1 &
_H LE>N$ ! LOVE ( WOMAN4 ,AL1 X 0 EI<TY
MILES 6,HA9ES ,MIS.N1 &! GRT ,*ILCOOT1
F> ABV ! TIMB]-L9E1 RE>$ 8 /ORM-SWEPT
H1D 2T4 ,B ,PASSUK SPOKE 6ME1 L[1 ) MY
E> AG/ H] LIPS T ,I MI<T HE>4 ,& N[1 2C
%E NE$ N FE> MY ANG]1 %E SPOKE H] HE>T1
& TOLD ME ( H] LOVE1 &( _M ?+S : ,I DID
N "U/&4
  8,& %E SD3 ,8,Y >E MY MAN1 ,*>LEY1 &
,I H BE5 A GD WOMAN 6Y4 ,& 9 ALL ! "DS
,I H MADE YR FIRE1 & COOK$ YR FOOD1 & F$
YR DOGS1 & LIFT$ PA4LE OR BROK5 TRAIL1
,I H N -PLA9$4 ,NOR DID ,I SAY T "! 0 M
W>M? 9 ! LODGE ( MY "F1 OR T "! 0 M GRUB
ON ! ,*ILCAT4 ,:5 Y H SPOK51 ,I H LI/5$4
,:5 Y H ORD]$1 ,I H OBEY$4 ,IS X N S1
,*>LEY80'

8,& ,I SD3 ,8,AY1 X IS S40'

  8,& %E SD3 ,8,:5 F/ Y CAME 6! ,*ILCAT1
NOR LOOK$ ^U ME1 B B"\ ME Z A MAN BUYS A
DOG1 & TOOK ME AWAY1 MY HE>T 0 H>D AG/ Y
& FILL$ ) BITT];S & FE>4 ,B T 0 L;G AGO4
,= Y 7 K9D 6ME1 ,*>LEY1 Z A GD MAN IS
K9D 6HIS DOG4 ,YR HE>T 0 COLD1 & "! 0 NO
ROOM = ME2 YET Y D1LT ME FAIR & YR WAYS
7 J4 ,& ,I 0 ) Y :5 Y DID BOLD DE$S & L$
GRT V5TURES1 & ,I M1SUR$ Y AG/ ! M5 (
O!R BRE$S1 & ,I SAW Y /OOD AM;G !M FULL
( HONOR1 & YR ^W 0 WISE1 YR T;GUE TRUE4
,& ,I GREW PR\D ( Y1 TILL X CAME T Y
FILL$ ALL MY HE>T1 & ALL MY ?"\ 0 ( Y4
,Y 7 Z ! MIDSUMM] SUN1 :5 XS GOLD5 TRAIL
RUNS 9 A CIRCLE & N"E L1VES ! SKY4 ,&
:AT"E WAY ,I CA/ MY EYES ,I 2HELD ! SUN4
,B YR HE>T 0 "E COLD1 ,*>LEY1 & "! 0 NO
ROOM40'
  8,& ,I SD3 ,8,X IS S4 ,X 0 COLD1 & "!
0 NO ROOM4 ,B T IS PA/4 ,N[ MY HE>T IS L
! SN[FALL 9 ! SPR+1 :5 ! SUN HAS -E
BACK4 ,"! IS A GRT ?AW &A B5D+1 A S.D (
RUNN+ WAT]S1 &A BU4+ & SPR\T+ ( GRE5
?+S4 ,& "! IS DRUMM+ ( "PRIDGES1 & S;GS
( ROB9S1 & GRT MUSIC1 =! W9T] IS BROK51
,PASSUK1 & ,I H LE>N$ ! LOVE ( WOMAN40'
  8,%E SMIL$ & MOV$ = ME 6DRAW H] CLOS]4
,& %E SD1 ,8,I AM GLAD40' ,AF T %E LAY
QUIET =A L;G "T1 BR1?+ S(TLY1 H] H1D ^U
MY BR1/4 ,!N %E :ISP]$3 ,8,! TRAIL 5DS
"H1 & ,I AM TIR$4 ,B F/ ,I WD SP1K ( O!R
?+S4 ,9 ! L;G AGO1 :5 ,I 0 A GIRL ON !
,*ILCAT1 ,I PLAY$ AL"O AM;G ! SK9 BALES
( MY "F'S LODGE2 =! M5 7 AWAY ON ! HUNT1
&! WOM5 & BOYS 7 DRA7+ 9 ! M1T4 ,X 0 9 !
SPR+1 & ,I 0 AL"O4 ,A GRT BR[N BE>1 J
AWAKE F 8 W9T]'S SLEEP1 HUNGRY1 8 FUR
HANG+ 6! B"OS 9 FLAPS ( L1N;S1 %OV$ 8
H1D )9 ! LODGE & SD1 8,O(60 ,MY BRO!R
CAME RUNN+ BACK )! F/ SL$ ( M1T4 ,& HE
F"\ ! BE> ) BURN+ /ICKS F ! FIRE1 &!
DOGS 9 _! H>;SES1 )! SL$ 2H !M1 FELL ^U
! BE>4 ,"! 0 A GRT BATTLE & M* NOISE4
,!Y ROLL$ 9 ! FIRE1 ! SK9 BALES 7
SCATT]$1 ! LODGE OV]?R[N4 ,B 9 ! 5D !
BE> LAY D1D1 )! F+]S ( MY BRO!R 9 8 M\?
&! M>KS ( 8 CLAWS ^U MY BRO!R'S FACE4
,DID Y M>K ! ,9DIAN 0! ,PELLY TRAIL1 8
MITT5 : _H NO ?UMB1 8 H& : HE W>M$ 0\R
FIRE8 ,HE 0 MY BRO!R4 ,& ,I SD HE %D H
NO GRUB4 ,& HE W5T AWAY 9 ! ,SIL;E )\T
GRUB40'
  8,?1 MY BRO!RS1 0 ! LOVE ( ,PASSUK1 :O
DI$ 9 ! SN[1 0! ,C>IB\ ,CROSS+4 ,X 0 A
MI<TY LOVE1 = %E D5I$ H] BRO!R =! MAN :O
L$ H] AWAY ON WE>Y TRAILS 6A BITT] 5D4
,&1 FUR!R1 S* 0 ? WOMAN'S LOVE1 %E D5I$
H]F4 ,]E H] EYES CLOS$ =! LA/ "T %E TOOK
MY H& & SLIPP$ X "U H] SQUIRREL-SK9 P>KA
6H] WAI/4 ,I FELT "! A WELL-FILL$ P\*1 &
LE>N$ ! SECRET ( H] LO/ /R5G?4 ,"D 0"D
WE _H %>$ FAIR1 6! LA/ L1/ BIT2 & "D 0"D
B HALF H] %>E _H %E EAT54 ,! O!R HALF _H
G"O 96! WELL-FILL$ P\*4
  8,& %E SD3 ,8,? IS ! 5D (! TRAIL =
,PASSUK2 B YR TRAIL1 ,*>LEY1 L1DS ON &
ON1 OV] ! GRT ,*ILCOOT1 D[N 6,HA9ES
,MIS.N &! SEA4 ,& X L1DS ON & ON1 0!
LI<T ( _M SUNS1 OV] UN"KN L&S & /RANGE
WAT]S1 & X IS FULL ( YE>S & HONORS & GRT
GLORIES4 ,X L1DS Y 6! LODGES ( _M WOM51
& GD WOM51 B X W N"E L1D Y 6A GRT] LOVE
?AN ! LOVE ( ,PASSUK40'
  8,& ,I KNEW ! WOMAN SPOKE TRUE4 ,B A
MAD;S CAME ^U ME1 & ,I ?REW ! WELL-FILL$
P\* F ME1 & SWORE T MY TRAIL _H
R1*$ AN 5D1 TILL H] TIR$ EYES GREW S(T )
TE>S1 & %E SD3 ,8,AM;G M5 HAS ,SITKA
,*>LEY WALK$ 9 HONOR1 & "E HAS 8 ^W BE5
TRUE4 ,DOES HE =GET T HONOR N[1 & TALK
VA9 ^WS 0! ,C>IB\ ,CROSS+8 ,DOES HE
REMEMB] NO M ! M5 ( ,=TY ,MILE1 :O GAVE
HM ( _! GRUB ! BE/1 ( _! DOGS ! PICK8
,"E HAS ,PASSUK BE5 PR\D ( H] MAN4 ,LET
HM LIFT HMF UP1 GIRD ON 8 SN[-%OES1 &
2G"O1 T %E MAY / KEEP H] PRIDE40'
  8,& :5 %E GREW COLD 9 MY >MS ,I >OSE1
& S"\ \ ! WELL-FILL$ P\*1 & GIRT ON MY
SN[%OES1 & /A7]$ AL;G ! TRAIL2 = "! 0 A
W1K;S 9 MY KNEES1 & MY H1D 0 DIZZY1 & 9
MY E>S "! 0 A RO>+1 &A FLA%+ ( FIRE ^U
MY EYES4 ,! =GOTT5 TRAILS ( BOYHOOD CAME
BACK 6ME4 ,I SAT 0! FULL POTS (! POTLA*
F1/1 & RAIS$ MY VOICE 9 S;G1 & D.ED 6!
*ANT+ (! M5 & MAID5S &! BOOM+ (! WALRUS
DRUMS4 ,& ,PASSUK HELD MY H& & WALK$ 0MY
SIDE4 ,:5 ,I LAID D[N 6SLEEP1 %E WAK$
ME4 ,:5 ,I /UM#D & FELL1 %E RAIS$ ME4
,:5 ,I W&]$ 9 ! DEEP SN[1 %E L$ ME BACK
6! TRAIL4 ,& 9 ? WISE1 L A MAN 2REFT (
R1SON1 :O SEES /RANGE VI.NS & ^: ?"\S >E
LI<T ) W9E1 ,I CAME 6,HA9ES ,MIS.N 0!
SEA40
  ,SITKA ,*>LEY ?REW BACK ! T5T-FLAPS4
,X 0 MID"D4 ,6! S\?1 J CLE>+ ! BL1K
,H5D]SON ,DIVIDE1 POIS$ ! COLD-DISK$
SUN4 ,ON EI H& ! SUN-DOGS BLAZ$4 ,! AIR
0 A GOSSAM] ( GLITT]+ FRO/4 ,9 ! =EGR.D1
2S ! TRAIL1 A WOLF-DOG1 BRI/L+ ) FRO/1
?RU/ A L;G SN\T H1V5W>D & M\RN$4























