           ,,FLU% ,,( ,,GOLD
                   BY
             ,JACK ,LONDON

      ,TRANSLAT$ 96,GRADE ,II BRL
                   BY
            ,ROB]T ,JAQUISS
           ,B1V]TON1 ,OREGON

  ,EMBOSS$ 9 "O VOLUME PATES P#A #A-BH














                 #BJJJ
  ,LON ,MC,FANE 0 A BIT GRUMPY1 :AT (
LOS+ 8 TOBA3O P\*1 OR ELSE HE MI<T H
TOLD ME1 2F WE GOT 6X1 "S?+ AB ! CAB9 AT
,SURPRISE ,LAKE4 ,ALL "D1 TURN & TURN
AB1 WE _H SPELL$ EA* O!R AT GO+ 6! =E &
BR1K+ TRAIL =! DOGS4 ,X 0 H1VY SN[%OE
"W1 & DID N T5D 6MAKE A MAN VOLU#1 YET
,LON ,MC,FANE MI<T H F.D BR1? 5 AT NOON1
:5 WE /OPP$ 6BOIL C(FEE1 ) : 6TELL ME4
,B HE DIDN'T4 ,SURPRISE ,LAKE8 X 0
,SURPRISE ,CAB9 6ME4 ,I _H N"E HE>D ( X
2F4 ,I 3FESS ,I 0 A BIT TIR$4 ,I _H BE5
LOOK+ = ,LON 6/OP & MAKE CAMP ANY "T =
AN H\R2 B ,I _H TOO M* PRIDE 6SU7E/ MAK+
CAMP OR 6ASK HM 8 9T5;NS2 & YET HE 0 MY
MAN1 LUR$ AT A H&"S WAGE 6MU% MY DOGS =
ME & 6OBEY MY -M&S4 ,I GUESS ,I 0 A BIT
GRUMPY MYF4 ,HE SD NO?+1 & ,I 0 RESOLV$
6ASK NO?+1 EV5 IF WE TRAMP$ ON ALL NI<T4
  ,WE CAME ^U ! CAB9 ABRUPTLY4 ,=A WEEK
( TRAIL WE _H MET NO "O1 &1 9 MY M9D1 "!
_H BE5 LL LIKELIHOOD ( MEET+ ANY "O =A
WEEK 6-E4 ,& YET "! X WAS1 "R 2F MY
EYES1 A CAB91 )A DIM LI<T 9 ! W9D[ &
SMOKE CURL+ UP F ! *IMNEY4
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL ME--0 ,I 2GAN1 B 0
9T]RUPT$ 0,LON1 :O MUTT]$--
  8,SURPRISE ,LAKE--X LIES UP A SMALL
FE$] HALF A MILE ON4 ,X'S ONLY A POND40
  8,YES1 B ! CAB9--:O LIVES 9 X80
  8,A WOMAN10 0 ! ANSW]1 &! NEXT MO;T
,LON _H RAPP$ ON ! DOOR1 &A WOMAN'S
VOICE BADE HM 5T]4
  8,H Y SE5 ,DAVE REC5TLY80 %E ASK$4
  8,NOPE10 ,LON ANSW]$ C>E.SLY4 8,I'VE
BE5 9 ! O!R DIREC;N1 D[N ,CIRCLE ,C;Y
WAY4 ,DAVE'S UP ,DAWSON WAY1 A9'T HE80
  ,! WOMAN NO4$1 & ,LON FELL 6UNH>;S+ !
DOGS1 :ILE ,I UNLA%$ ! SL$ & C>RI$ !
CAMP \TFIT 96! CAB94 ,! CAB9 0 A L>GE1
"O-ROOM A6AIR1 &! WOMAN 0 EVID5TLY AL"O
9 X4 ,%E PO9T$ 6! /OVE1 ": WAT] 0 ALR
BOIL+1 & ,LON SET AB ! PREP>,N ( SUPP]1
:ILE ,I OP5$ ! FI%-BAG & F$ ! DOGS4 ,I
LOOK$ = ,LON 69TRODUCE U1 & 0 VEX$ T HE
DID N1 = !Y 7 EVID5TLY OLD FRS4
  8,Y >E ,LON ,MC,FANE1 >5'T Y80 ,I HE>D
H] ASK HM4 8,:Y1 ,I REMEMB] Y N[4 ,! LA/
"T ,I SAW Y X 0 ON A /1MBOAT1 WASN'T X8
,I REMEMB] 4 4 4 8
  ,H] SPEE* SEEM$ SU45LY 6BE FROZ5 0!
SPECTACLE ( DR1D :1 ,I KNEW1 F ! T5OR ,I
SAW M.T+ 9 H] EYES1 M/ 2 ON H] 9N] VI.N4
,6MY A/ONI%;T1 ,LON 0 A6ECT$ 0H] ^WS &
MANN]4 ,8 FACE %[$ DESP]ATE1 = ALL 8
VOICE S.D$ HE>TY & G5IAL1 Z HE SD --
  8,! LA/ "T WE MET 0 AT ,DAWSON1
,QUE5'S ,JUBILEE1 OR ,BIR?"D1 OR "S?+--
DON'T Y REMEMB]8--! CANOE RACES 9 !
RIV]1 &! OB/ACLE RACES D[N ! MA9 /REET80
  ,! T]ROR FAD$ \ ( H] EYES & H] :OLE
BODY RELAX$4 8,OH1 YES1 ,I D REMEMB]10
%E SD4 8,& Y WON "O (! CANOE RACES40
  8,H['S ,DAVE BE5 MAK9' X LATELY8
,/RIK9' X Z RI* Z "E1 ,I SUPPOSE80 ,LON
ASK$1 ) APP>5T IRRELEV.E4
  ,%E SMIL$ & NO4$1 & !N1 NOTIC+ T ,I _H
UNLA%$ ! B$ ROLL1 %E 9DICAT$ ! 5D (!
CAB9 ": ,I MI<T SPR1D X4 ,H] [N BUNK1 ,I
NOTIC$1 0 MADE UP AT ! OPPOSITE 5D4
  8,I ?"\ X 0 ,DAVE -+ :5 ,I HE>D YR
DOGS10 %E SD4
  ,AF T %E SD NO?+1 3T5T+ H]F ) WAT*+
,LON'S COOK+ OP],NS1 & LI/5+ ! :ILE Z =!
S.D ( DOGS AL;G ! TRAIL4 ,I LAY BACK ON
! BLANKETS & SMOK$ & WAT*$4 ,"H 0 MY/]Y2
,I CD MAKE T M* \1 B NO M CD ,I MAKE \4
,:Y 9 ! DEUCE _HN'T ,LON GIV5 ME ! TIP
2F WE >RIV$8 ,I LOOK$ AT H] FACE1
UNNOTIC$ 0H]1 &! L;G] ,I LOOK$ ! H>D] X
0 6TAKE MY EYES AWAY4 ,X 0 A WOND];LLY
B1UTI;L FACE1 UNE>?LY1 ,I MAY SAY1 )A
LI<T 9 X OR AN EXPRES.N OR "S?+ 8T 0 N"E
ON L& OR SEA40 ,FE> & T]ROR _H -PLETELY
VANI%$1 & X 0 A PLACIDLY B1UTI;L FACE--
IF BY 8PLACID0 "O C "*IZE T 9TANGI# &
O3ULT "S?+ T ,I _C SAY 0 A RADI.E OR A
LI<T ANY M ?AN ,I C SAY X 0 AN EXPRES.N4
  ,ABRUPTLY1 Z IF =! F/ "T1 %E 2CAME
AW>E ( MY PRES;E4
  8,H Y SE5 ,DAVE REC5TLY80 %E ASK$ ME4
,X 0 ON ! TIP ( MY T;GUE 6SAY 8,DAVE
:O80 :5 ,LON C\<$ 9 ! SMOKE T >OSE F !
SIZZL+ BACON4 ,! BACON MI<T H CAUS$ T
C\<1 B ,I TOOK X Z A H9T & LEFT MY "Q
UNASK$4 8,NO1 ,I HAV5'T10 ,I ANSW]$4
8,I'M NEW 9 ? "P (! C.TRY--0
  8,B Y DON'T M1N 6SAY10 %E 9T]RUPT$1 8T
Y'VE N"E HE>D ( ,DAVE--( ,BIG ,DAVE
,WAL%80
  8,Y SEE10 ,I APOLOGIS$1 8,I'M NEW 9 !
C.TRY4 ,I'VE PUT 9 MO/ ( MY "T 9 ! ,L[]
,C.TRY1 D[N ,NOME WAY40
  8,TELL HM AB ,DAVE10 %E SD 6,LON4
  ,LON SEEM$ PUT \1 B HE 2GAN 9 T HE>TY1
G5IAL MANN] T ,I _H NOTIC$ 2F4 ,X SEEM$
A %ADE TOO HE>TY & G5IAL1 & X IRRITAT$
ME4
  8,OH1 ,DAVE IS A F9E MAN10 HE SD4
8,HE'S A MAN1 E 9* ( HM1 & HE /&S SIX
FEET F\R 9 8 SOCKS4 ,8 ^W IS Z GD Z 8
BOND4 ,! MAN LIES :O "E SAYS ,DAVE TOLD
A LIE1 & T MAN W H 6FI<T ) ME1 TOO1 Z
WELL--IF "!'S ANY?+ LEFT ( HM :5 ,DAVE
GETS D"O ) HM4 ,= ,DAVE IS A FI<T]4 ,OH1
YES1 HE'S A SCRAPP] F WAY BACK4 ,HE GOT
A GRIZZLY )A #'CH POPGUN4 ,HE GOT CLAW$
"S1 B HE KNEW :AT HE 0 DO9'4 ,HE W5T 96!
CAVE ON PURPOSE 6GET T GRIZZLY4 ',FRAID
( NO?+4 ,FREE AN' EASY ) 8 M"OY1 OR 8
LA/ %IRT AN' MAT* :5 \ ( M"OY4 ,:Y1 HE
DRA9$ ,SURPRISE ,LAKE "H 9 ?REE WEEKS
AN' TOOK \ N9ETY ?\S&1 DIDN'T HE80 ,%E
FLU%$ & NO4$ H] H1D PR\DLY4 ,"? 8
RECITAL %E _H FOLL[$ E ^W ) KE5E/ 9T]E/4
8,AN' ,I M/ SAY10 ,LON W5T ON1 8T ,I 0
4APPO9T$ SORE ON N MEET+ ,DAVE "H TO-
NI<T40
  ,LON S]V$ SUPP] AT "O 5D (! TA# ( :IP-
SAW$ SPRUCE1 & WE FELL 6EAT+4 ,A H[L+ (!
DOGS TOOK ! WOMAN 6! DOOR4 ,%E OP5$ X AN
9* & LI/5$4
  8,": IS ,DAVE ,WAL%80 ,I ASK$1 9 AN
"UT"O4
  8,D1D10 ,LON ANSW]$4 8,IN HELL1 MAYBE4
,I DON'T "K4 ,%UT UP40
  8,B Y J SD T Y EXPECT$ 6MEET HM "H TO-
NI<T10 ,I *ALL5G$4
  8,OH1 %UT UP1 C'T Y10 0 ,LON'S REPLY1
9 ! SAME CAUTI\S "UT"O4
  ,! WOMAN _H CLOS$ ! DOOR & 0 RETURN+1
& ,I SAT & M$ITAT$ ^U ! FACT T ? MAN :O
TOLD ME 6%UT UP RCVD F ME A SAL>Y ( TWO
HUNDR$ & FIFTY DOLL>S A MON? & 8 BO>D4
  ,LON WA%$ ! DI%ES1 :ILE ,I SMOK$ &
WAT*$ ! WOMAN4 ,%E SEEM$ M B1UTI;L ?AN
"E--/RANGELY & WEIRDLY B1UTI;L1 X IS
TRUE4 ,AF LOOK+ AT H] /1DFA/LY = FIVE
M9UTES1 ,I 0 -PELL$ 6-E BACK 6! R1L _W &
6GL.E AT ,LON ,MC,FANE4 ,? 5A#D ME 6"K1
)\T 4CUS.N1 T ! WOMAN1 TOO1 0 R1L4 ,AT
F/ ,I _H TAK5 H] =! WIFE ( ,DAVE ,WAL%2
B IF ,DAVE ,WAL% 7 D1D1 Z ,LON _H SD1 !N
%E CD 2 ONLY 8 WID[4
  ,X 0 E>LY 6B$1 = WE FAC$ A L;G "D ON !
MORR[2 & Z ,LON CRAWL$ 9 2S ME "U !
BLANKETS1 ,I V5TUR$ A "Q4
  8,T WOMAN'S CRAZY1 ISN'T %E80
  8,CRAZY Z A LOON10 HE ANSW]$4
  ,& 2F ,I CD =MULATE MY NEXT "Q1 ,LON
,MC,FANE1 ,I SWE>1 0 (F 6SLEEP4 ,HE ALW
W5T 6SLEEP T WAY--J CRAWL$ 96! BLANKETS1
CLOS$ 8 EYES1 & 0 (F1 A DEMURE LL H1VY
BR1?+ RIS+ ON ! AIR4 ,LON N"E SNOR$4
  ,& 9 ! MORN+ X 0 QK BR1KFA/1 FE$ !
DOGS1 LOAD ! SL$1 & HIT ! TRAIL4 ,WE SD
GD-BYE Z WE PULL$ \1 &! WOMAN /OOD 9 !
DOORWAY & WAT*$ U (F4 ,I C>RI$ ! VI.N (
H] UNE>?LY B1UTY AWAY ) ME1 J "U MY
EYELIDS1 & ALL ,I _H 6D1 ANY "T1 0
6CLOSE !M & SEE H] AG4 ,! WAY 0 UNBROK51
,SURPRISE ,LAKE 2+ F> (F ! TRAVELL$
TRAILS1 & ,LON & ,I TOOK TURN AB AT B1T+
D[N ! F1!RY SN[ ) \R BIG1 WE2$ %OES S T
! DOGS CD TRAVEL4 8,B Y SD Y EXPECT$
6MEET ,DAVE ,WAL% AT ! CAB910 TREM#D ON
! TIP ( MY T;GUE A SCORE ( "TS4 ,I DID N
UTT] X4 ,I CD WAIT UNTIL WE KNOCK$ (F 9
! MI4LE (! "D4 ,& :5 ! MI4LE (! "D CAME1
WE W5T "R ON1 =1 Z ,LON EXPLA9$1 "! 0 A
CAMP ( MOOSE HUNT]S AT ! =KS (! ,TEELEE1
& WE CD MAKE "! 0D>K4 ,B WE DIDN'T MAKE
"! 0D>K1 = ,B"R1 ! L1D-DOG1 BROKE 8
%\LD]-BLADE1 & WE LO/ AN H\R OV] HM 2F
WE %OT HM4 ,!N1 CROSS+ A TIMB] JAM ON !
FROZ5 B$ (! ,TEELEE1 ! SL$ SU6]$ A WR5*+
CAPSIZE1 & X 0 A CASE ( MAKE CAMP &
REPAIR ! RUNN]4 ,I COOK$ SUPP] & F$ !
DOGS :ILE ,LON MADE ! REPAIRS1 & TGR WE
GOT 9 ! NI<T'S SUPPLY ( ICE & FIREWOOD4
,!N WE SAT ON \R BLANKETS1 \R MO3AS9S
/1M+ ON UP5D$ /ICKS 2F ! FIRE1 & _H \R
EV5+ SMOKE4
  8,Y DIDN'T "K H]80 ,LON QU]I$ SU45LY4
,I %OOK MY H1D4
  8,Y NOTIC$ ! COL\R ( H] HAIR & EYES &
H] -PLEXION1 WELL1 T'S ": %E GOT H] "N--
%E 0 L ! F/ W>M GL[ (A GOLD5 SUNRISE4
,%E 0 CALL$ ,FLU% ( ,GOLD4 ,"E HE>D (
H]80
  ,"S": ,I _H A 3FUS$ & MI/Y REMEMBR.E (
HAV+ HE>D ! "N1 YET X M1NT NO?+ 6ME4
8,FLU% ( ,GOLD10 ,I REP1T$2 8S.DS L ! "N
(A D.E-H\SE GIRL40 ,LON %OOK 8 H1D4
8,NO1 %E 0 A GD WOMAN1 AT L1/ 9 T S5SE1
?\< %E S9N$ GRTLY J ! SAME40
  8,B :Y D Y SP1K ALW ( H] 9 ! PA/ T5SE1
Z ?\< %E 7 D1D80
  8,2C (! D>K;S ON H] S\L T IS ! SAME Z
! D>K;S ( D1?4 ,! ,FLU% ( ,GOLD T ,I
KNEW1 T ,DAWSON KNEW1 & T ,=TY ,MILE
KNEW 2F T1 IS D1D4 ,T DUMB1 LUNATIC
CR1TURE WE SAW LA/ NI<T 0 N ,FLU% (
,GOLD40
  8,& ,DAVE80 ,I QU]I$4
  8,HE BUILT T CAB910 ,LON ANSW]$1 8,HE
BUILT X = H] 4 4 4 &= HMF4 ,HE IS D1D4
,%E IS WAIT+ = HM "!4 ,%E HALF 2LIEVES
HE IS N D1D4 ,B :O C "K ! :IM (A CRAZ$
M9D8 ,MAYBE %E :OLLY 2LIEVES HE IS N
D1D4 ,AT ANY RATE1 %E WAITS = HM "! 9 !
CAB9 HE BUILT4 ,:O WD R\SE ! D1D8 ,!N :O
WD R\SE ! LIV+ T >E D1D8 ,N ,I1 & T IS
:Y ,I LET ON 6EXPECT 6MEET ,DAVE ,WAL%
"! LA/ NI<T4 ,I'LL BET A /ACK T ,I'D A
BE5 M SURPRIS$ ?AN %E IF ,I ,,_H MET HM
"! LA/ NI<T40
  8,I D N "U/&10 ,I SD4 8,2G9 AT !
2G9N+1 Z A :ITE MAN %D1 & TELL ME ! :OLE
TALE40
  ,& ,LON 2GAN4 8,VICTOR ,*AUVET 0 AN
OLD ,FR5*MAN--BORN 9 ! S\? ( ,FR.E4 ,HE
CAME 6,CALI=NIA 9 ! "DS ( GOLD4 ,HE 0 A
PIONE]4 ,HE F.D NO GOLD1 B1 9/1D1 2CAME
A MAK] ( BOTTL$ SUN%9E--IN %ORT1 A
GRAPE-GR[] & W9E-MAK]4 ,AL1 HE FOLL[$
GOLD EXCITE;TS4 ,T IS :AT BR"\ HM
6,ALASKA 9 ! E>LY "DS1 & OV] ! ,*ILCOOT
& D[N ! ,YUKON L;G 2F ! ,C>MACK /RIKE4
,! OLD T[N SITE ( ,T5 ,MILE 0 ,*AUVET'S4
,HE C>RI$ ! F/ MAIL 96,>CTIC ,C;Y4 ,HE
/AK$ ^? COAL-M9ES ON ! ,PORCUP9E A DOZ5
YE>S AGO4 ,HE GRUB/AK$ ,L(TUS 96!
,NIPP5NUCK ,C.TRY4 ,N[ X HAPP5$ T
,VICTOR ,*AUVET 0 A GD ,CA?OLIC1 LOV+
TWO ?+S 9 ? _W1 W9E & WOMAN4 ,W9E ( ALL
K9DS HE LOV$1 B ( WOMAN1 ONLY "O1 & %E 0
! "M ( ,M>IE ,*AUVET40
  ,"H ,I GROAN$ AL\D1 HAV+ M$ITAT$ 2Y
SELF-3TROL OV] ! FACT T ,I PD ? MAN TWO
HUNDR$ & FIFTY DOLL>S A MON?4
  8,:AT'S ! MATT] N[80 HE DEM&$4
  8,MATT]80 ,I -PLA9$4 8,I ?"\ Y 7 TELL+
! /ORY ( ,FLU% ( ,GOLD4 ,I DON'T WANT A
BIOGRAPHY ( YR OLD ,FR5* W9E-BI2]40
  ,LON CALMLY LI<T$ 8 PIPE1 TOOK "O GD
PUFF1 !N PUT ! PIPE ASIDE4 8,& Y ASK$ ME
62G9 AT ! 2G9N+10 HE SD4
  8,YES10 SD ,I2 8! 2G9N+40
  8,&! 2G9N+ ( ,FLU% ( ,GOLD IS ! OLD
,FR5* W9E-BI2]1 = HE 0 ! "F ( ,M>IE
,*AUVET1 & ,M>IE ,*AUVET 0 ! ,FLU% (
,GOLD4 ,:AT M D Y WANT8 ,VICTOR ,*AUVET
N"E _H M* LUCK 6SP1K (4 ,HE MANAG$
6LIVE1 & 6GET AL;G1 & 6TAKE GD C>E (
,M>IE1 :O RESEM#D ! "O WOMAN HE _H LOV$4
,HE TOOK V GD C>E ( H]4 ,FLU% ( ,GOLD 0
! PET "N HE GAVE H]4 ,FLU% ( ,GOLD
,CREEK 0 "ND AF H]--,FLU% ( ,GOLD T[N
SITE1 TOO4 ,! OLD MAN 0 GRT ON T[N
SITES1 ONLY HE N"E L&$ !M4
  8,N[1 H"O/LY10 ,LON SD1 ) "O ( 8
LI<TN+ *ANGES1 8Y'VE SE5 H]1 :AT D Y ?9K
( H]--( H] LOOKS1 ,I M1N8 ,H[ DOES %E
/RIKE YR B1UTY S5SE80
  8,%E IS REM>KABLY B1UTI;L10 ,I SD4 8,I
N"E SAW ANY?+ L H] 9 MY LIFE4 ,9 SPITE
(! FACT1 LA/ NI<T1 T ,I GUESS$ %E 0 MAD1
,I CD N KEEP MY EYES (F ( H]4 ,X WASN'T
CURIOS;Y4 ,X 0 WOND]1 %E] WOND]1 %E 0 S
/RANGELY B1UTI;L40
  8,%E 0 M /RANGELY B1UTI;L 2F ! D>K;S
FELL ^U H]10 ,LON SD S(TLY4 8,%E 0 TRULY
! ,FLU% ( ,COLD4 ,%E TURN$ ALL M5'S
HE>TS 4 4 4 & H1DS4 ,%E RECALLS1 ) AN
EF=T1 T ,I ONCE WON A CANOE RACE AT
,DAWSON--,I1 :O ONCE LOV$ H]1 & 0 TOLD
0H] ( H] LOVE = ME4 ,X 0 H] B1UTY T MADE
ALL M5 LOVE H]4 ,%E'D 'A' GOT ! APPLE F
,P>IS1 ON APPLIC,N1 & "! WDN'T H BE5 ANY
,TROJAN ,W>1 & 6TOP X (F %E'D H ?R[N
,P>IS D[N4 ,& N[ %E LIVES 9 D>K;S1 & %E
:O 0 ALW FICKLE1 =! F/ "T IS 3/ANT--&
3/ANT 6A %ADE1 6A D1D MAN %E DOES N
R1LIZE IS D1D4
  8,& ? IS ! WAY X WAS4 ,Y REMEMB] :AT
,I SD LA/ NI<T ( ,DAVE ,WAL%--,BIG ,DAVE
,WAL%8 ,HE 0 ALL T ,I SD1 & M1 _M "TS M4
,HE CAME 96? C.TRY 9 ! LATE EI<TIES--T'S
A PIONE] = Y4 ,HE 0 TW5TY YE>S OLD !N4
,HE 0 A "Y BULL4 ,:5 HE 0 TW5TY-FIVE HE
CD LIFT CLE> (! GR.D ?IRTE5 FIFTY-P.D
SACKS ( FL\R4 ,AT F/1 EA* FALL (! YE>1
FAM9E DROVE HM \4 ,X 0 A L"O L& 9 ^?
"DS4 ,NO RIV] /1MBOATS1 NO GRUB1 NO?+ B
SALMON BELLIES & RA2IT TRACKS4 ,B AF
FAM9E *AS$ HM \ ?REE YE>S1 HE SD HE'D _H
5 ( 2+ *AS$2 &! NEXT YE> HE /AY$4 ,HE
LIV$ ON /RAI<T M1T :5 HE 0 LUCKY 5 6GET
X2 HE ATE ELEV5 DOGS T W9T]2 B HE /AY$4
,&! NEXT W9T] HE /AY$1 &! NEXT4 ,HE N"E
DID L1VE ! C.TRY AG4 ,HE 0 A BULL1 A GRT
BULL4 ,HE CD KILL ! /R;GE/ MAN 9 ! C.TRY
) H>D "W4 ,HE CD \TPACK A ,*ILCAT
,9DIAN1 HE CD \TPA4LE A ,/ICK1 & HE CD
TRAVEL ALL "D ) WET FEET :5 ! !RMOMET]
REGI/]$ FIFTY 2L Z]O1 & T'S GO+ "S1 ,I
TELL Y1 = VITAL;Y4 ,Y'D FREEZE YR FEET
AT TW5TY-FIVE 2L IF Y WET !M & TRI$
6KEEP ON4
  8,DAVE ,WAL% 0 A BULL = /R5G?4 ,& YET
HE 0 S(T & EASY-NATUR$4 ,ANYBODY CD D
HM1 ! LATE/ %ORT-HORN 9 CAMP CD LIE 8
LA/ DOLL> \ ( HM4 ',B X DOESN'T WORRY
ME1' HE _H A WAY ( LAU<+ (F 8 S(T;S2 'X
DOESN'T KEEP ME AWAKE NI<TS4' ,N[ DON'T
GET ! IDEA T HE _H NO BACKB"O4 ,Y
REMEMB] AB ! BE> HE W5T AF )! POPGUN4
,:5 X CAME 6FI<T+ ,DAVE 0 ! BLAM$E/ "E4
,HE 0 ! LIMIT1 IF 0T ,I MAY DESCRIBE 8
UNLIMIT$;S :5 HE GOT 96AC;N1 HE 0 EASY &
K9D )! W1K1 B ! /R;G _H 6GIVE TRAIL :5
HE W5T BY4 ,& HE 0 A MAN T M5 LIK$1 : IS
! F9E/ ^W ( ALL1 A MAN'S MAN4
  8,DAVE N"E TOOK "P 9 ! BIG /AMP$E
6,DAWSON :5 ,C>MACK MADE ! ,BONANZA
/RIKE4 ,Y SEE1 ,DAVE 0 J !N OV] ON
,MAMMON ,CREEK /RIK9' X HMF4 ,HE 4COV]$
,MAMMON ,CREEK4 ,CL1N$ EI<TY-F\R ?\S& UP
T W9T]1 & OP5$ UP ! CLAIM S T X PROMIS$
A C\PLE ( HUNDR$ ?\S& =! NEXT W9T]4 ,!N1
SUMM] 2IN' ON &! GR.D SLO%Y1 HE TOOK A
TRIP UP ! ,YUKON 6,DAWSON 6SEE :AT
,C>MACK'S /RIKE LOOK$ L4 ,& "! HE SAW
,FLU% ( ,GOLD4 ,I REMEMB] ! NI<T4 ,I %
ALW REMEMB]4 ,X 0 "S?+ SU451 & X MAKES
"O %IV] 6?9K (A /R;G MAN ) ALL ! /R5G?
)]$ \ ( HM 0"O GL.E F ! S(T EYES (A W1K1
BLOND1 FEMALE CR1TURE L ,FLU% ( ,GOLD4
,X 0 AT H] DAD'S CAB91 OLD ,VICTOR
,*AUVET'S4 ,"S FR _H BR"\ ,DAVE AL;G
6TALK OV] T[N SITES ON ,MAMMON ,CREEK4
,B LL TALK+ DID HE D1 & :AT HE DID 0
MO/LY GI2]I%4 ,I TELL Y ! SI<T ( ,FLU% (
,GOLD _H S5T ,DAVE CL1N DA6Y4 ,OLD
,VICTOR ,*AUVET 9SI/$ AF ,DAVE LEFT T HE
_H BE5 DRUNK4 ,& S HE _H4 ,HE 0 DRUNK1 B
,FLU% ( ,GOLD 0 ! /R;G DR9K T MADE HM S4
  8,T SETTL$ X1 T F/ GLIMPSE HE CAU<T (
H]4 ,HE DID N />T BACK D[N ! ,YUKON 9 A
WEEK1 Z HE _H 9T5D$4 ,HE L+]$ ON A MON?1
TWO MON?S1 ALL SUMM]4 ,& WE :O _H SU6]$
"U/OOD1 & WOND]$ :AT ! \TCOME WD BE4
,UND\BT$LY1 9 \R M9DS1 X SEEM$ T ,FLU% (
,GOLD _H MET H] MA/]4 ,& :Y N8 ,"! 0
ROM.E SPR9KL$ ALL OV] ,DAVE ,WAL%4 ,HE 0
A ,MAMMON ,K+1 HE _H MADE ! ,MAMMON
,CREEK /RIKE2 HE 0 AN OLD S\R D\<1 "O (!
OLDE/ PIONE]S 9 ! L&--M5 TURN$ 6LOOK AT
HM :5 HE W5T BY1 & SD 6"O ANO!R 9 AW$
"UT"OS1 ',"! GOES ,DAVE ,WAL%4' ,& :Y N8
,HE /OOD SIX FEET F\R2 HE _H YELL[ HAIR
HMF T CURL$ ON 8 NECK2 & HE 0 A BULL--A
YELL[-MAN$ BULL J TURN$ ?IRTY-"O4
  8,& ,FLU% ( ,GOLD LOV$ HM1 &1 HAV+
D.ED HM "? A :OLE SUMM]'S C\RT%IP1 AT !
5D _! 5GAGE;T 0 MADE "KN4 ,! FALL (! YE>
0 AT H&1 ,DAVE _H 6BE BACK =! W9T]'S "W
ON ,MAMMON ,CREEK1 & ,FLU% ( ,GOLD
REFUS$ 6BE M>RI$ "R AWAY4 ,DAVE PUT
,DUSKY ,BURNS 9 *>GE (! ,MAMMON ,CREEK
CLAIM1 & HMF L+]$ ON 9 ,DAWSON4 ,LL USE4
,%E WANT$ H] FREEDOM A :ILE L;G]2 %E M/
H X1 & %E WD N M>RY UNTIL NEXT YE>4 ,&
S1 ON ! F/ ICE1 ,DAVE ,WAL% W5T AL"O D[N
! ,YUKON 2H 8 DOGS1 )! "U/&+ T ! M>RIAGE
WD TAKE PLACE :5 HE >RIV$ ON ! F/
/1MBOAT (! NEXT YE>4
  ,N[ ,DAVE 0 Z TRUE Z ! ,POLE ,/>1 & %E
0 Z FALSE Z A MAGNETIC NE$LE 9 A C>GO (
LOAD/"O4 ,DAVE 0 Z /1DY & SOLID Z %E 0
FICKLE & FLY-AWAY1 & 9 "S WAY ,DAVE1 :O
N"E D\BT$ ANYBODY1 D\BT$ H]4 ,X 0 !
J1L\SY ( 8 LOVE1 P]H1 & MAYBE X 0 !
MESSAGE TICK$ (F F H] S\L 6HIS2 B AT ANY
RATE ,DAVE 0 WORRI$ 0FE> ( H] 9CON/ANCY4
,HE 0 AFRAID 6TRU/ H] TILL ! NEXT YE>1
HE _H S 6TRU/ H]1 & HE 0 PRETTY WELL 2S
HMF4 ,"S ( X ,I GOT F OLD ,VICTOR
,*AUVET AFWS1 & F ALL T ,I H PIEC$ TGR
,I 3CLUDE T "! 0 "S?+ (A SC5E 2F ,DAVE
PULL$ NOR? ) 8 DOGS4 ,HE /OOD UP 2F !
OLD ,FR5*MAN1 ) ,FLU% ( ,GOLD 2S HM1 &
ANN\NC$ T !Y 7 PLI<T$ 6EA* O!R4 ,HE 0 V
DRAMATIC1 ) FIRE 9 8 EYES1 OLD ,VICTOR
SD4 ,HE TALK$ "S?+ AB 'UNTIL D1? D U
"P'2 & OLD ,VICTOR ESPECI,Y REMEMB]$ T
AT "O PLACE ,DAVE TOOK H] 0! %\LD] ) 8
GRT PAW & ALM %OOK H] Z HE SD3 ',EV5
UNTO D1? >E Y M9E1 & ,I WD RISE F !
GRAVE 6CLAIM Y4' ,OLD ,VICTOR 4T9CTLY
REMEMB]$ ^? ^WS ',EV5 UNTO D1? >E Y M9E1
& ,I WD RISE F ! GRAVE 6CLAIM Y4' ,& HE
TOLD ME AFWS T ,FLU% ( ,GOLD 0 PRETTY
BADLY F"R5$1 & T HE AFWS TOOK ,DAVE 6"O
SIDE PRIVATELY & TOLD HM T T WASN'T !
WAY 6HOLD ,FLU% ( ,GOLD--T HE M/ HUM\R
H] & G5TLE H] IF HE WANT$ 6KEEP H]4
  8,"! IS NO 4CUS.N 9 MY M9D B T ,FLU% (
,GOLD 0 F"R5$4 ,%E 0 A SAVAGE H]F 9 H]
TR1T;T ( M51 :ILE M5 _H ALW TR1T$ H] Z A
S(T & T5D] & TOO UTT]LY-UTT] "S?+ T M/ N
2 HURT4 ,%E DIDN'T "K :AT H>%;S 0 4 4 4
UNTIL ,DAVE ,WAL%1 /&+ 8 SIX FEET F\R1 A
BIG BULL1 GRIPP$ H] & PAW$ H] & ASSUR$
H] T %E 0 8 UNTIL D1?1 & !N "S4 ,& 2SS1
9 ,DAWSON1 T W9T]1 0 A MUSIC-PLAY]--"O (
^? MAC>ONI-EAT+1 GR1SY-T5OR-,EYE-TALIAN-
DAGO PROPOSI;NS--& ,FLU% ( ,GOLD LO/ H]
HE>T 6HM4 ,MAYBE X 0 ONLY FASC9,N--,I
DON'T "K4 ,"S"TS X SEEMS 6ME T %E RE,Y
DID LOVE ,DAVE ,WAL%4 ,P]H X 0 2C HE _H
F"R5$ H] ) T EV5-UNTO-D1?1 RISE-F-!-
GRAVE /UNT ( 8 T %E 9 ! 5D 9CL9$ 6! DAGO
MUSIC-PLAY]4 ,B X IS ALL GUESS"W1 &!
FACTS >E1 SU6ICI5T4 ,HE WASN'T A DAGO2
HE 0 A ,RUSSIAN C.T--? 0 /RAI<T2 & HE
WASN'T A
PROFES.NAL PIANO-PLAY] OR ANY?+ (! SORT4
,HE PLAY$ ! VIOL9 &! PIANO1 & HE SANG--
SANG WELL--B X 0 = 8 [N PL1SURE &=!
PL1SURE ( ^? HE SANG =4 ,HE _H M"OY1 TOO
--& "R "H LET ME SAY T ,FLU% ( ,GOLD N"E
C>$ A RAP = M"OY4 ,%E 0 FICKLE1 B %E 0
N"E SORDID4
  8,B 6BE GETT+ AL;G4 ,%E 0 PLI<T$
6,DAVE1 & ,DAVE 0 -+ UP ON ! F/ /1MBOAT
6GET H]--T 0 ! SUMM] ( #'IH1 &! F/
/1MBOAT 0 6BE EXPECT$ ! MI4LE ( ,JUNE4
,& ,FLU% ( ,GOLD 0 AFRAID 6?R[ ,DAVE D[N
& FACE HM AFWS4 ,X 0 ALL PLANN$ SU45LY4
,! ,RUSSIAN MUSIC-PLAY]1 ! ,C.T1 0 H]
OB$I5T SLAVE4 ,%E PLANN$ X1 ,I "K4 ,I
LE>N$ Z M* F OLD ,VICTOR AFWS4 ,! ,C.T
TOOK 8 ORD]S F H]1 & CAU<T T F/ /1MBOAT
D[N4 ,X 0 ! ,GOLD5 ,ROCKET4 ,& S DID
,FLU% ( ,GOLD CAT* X4 ,& S DID ,I4 ,I 0
GO+ 6,CIRCLE ,C;Y1 & ,I 0 FLA2]GA/$ :5
,I F.D ,FLU% ( ,GOLD ON BO>D4 ,I DIDN'T
SEE H] "N D[N ON ! PASS5G] LI/4 ,%E 0 )!
,C.T FELL[ ALL ! "T1 HAPPY & SMIL+1 & ,I
NOTIC$ T ! ,C.T FELL[ 0 D[N ON ! LI/ Z
HAV+ 8 WIFE AL;G4 ,"! X WAS1 /ATEROOM1
NUMB]1 & ALL4 ,! F/ ,I KNEW T HE 0
M>RI$1 ONLY ,I DIDN'T SEE ANY?+ (! WIFE
4 4 4 UN.S ,FLU% ( ,GOLD 0 S C.T$4 ,I
WOND]$ IF !Y'D GOT M>RI$ A%ORE 2F />T+4
,"!'D BE5 TALK AB !M 9 ,DAWSON1 Y SEE1 &
BETS _H BE5 LAID T ! ,C.T FELL[ _H CUT
,DAVE \4
  8,I TALK$ )! PURS]4 ,HE DIDN'T "K
ANY?+ M AB X ?AN ,I DID2 HE DIDN'T "K
,FLU% ( ,GOLD1 ANYWAY1 & 2SS1 HE 0 ALM
RU%$ 6D1?4 ,Y "K :AT A ,YUKON /1MBOAT
IS1 B Y C'T GUESS :AT ! ,GOLD5 ,ROCKET 0
:5 X LEFT ,DAWSON T ,JUNE ( #AHIH4 ,%E 0
A HUMM]4 ,2+ ! F/ /1M] \1 %E C>RI$ ALL !
SCURVY PATI5TS & HOSPITAL WRECKS4 ,!N %E
M/ H C>RI$ A C\PLE ( MILLIONS (
,KLONDIKE DU/ & NU7ETS1 6SAY NO?+ (A
PACK$ & JAMM$ PASS5G] LI/1 DECK PASS5G]S
GALORE1 & BUCKS & SQUAWS & DOGS )\T 5D4
,& %E 0 LOAD$ D[N 6! GU>DS ) FREI<T &
BA7AGE4 ,"! 0 A M.TA9 (! SAME ON ! =E-
L[]-DECK1 & EA* LL /OP AL;G ! WAY A4$
6X4 ,I SAW ! BOX -E ABO>D AT ,TEELEE
,PORTAGE1 & ,I KNEW X = :AT X WAS1 ?\<
,I LL GUESS$ ! JOK] T 0 9 X4 ,& !Y PIL$
X ON TOP ( "EY?+ ELSE ON ! =E-L[]-DECK1
& !Y DIDN'T PILE X ANY TOO SECURELY EI4
,! MATE EXPECT$ 6-E BACK 6X AG1 & !N
=GOT AB X4 ,I ?"\ AT ! "T T "! 0 "S?+
FAMILI> AB ! BIG HUSKY DOG T CLIMB$ OV]
! BA7AGE & FREI<T & LAY D[N NEXT 6! BOX4
,& !N WE PASS$ ! ,GL5DALE1 B.D UP =
,DAWSON4 ,Z %E SALUT$ U1 ,I ?"\ ( ,DAVE
ON BO>D ( H] & HURRY+ 6,DAWSON 6,FLU% (
,GOLD4 ,I TURN$ & LOOK$ AT H] ": %E /OOD
0! RAIL4 ,H] EYES 7 B"R1 B %E LOOK$ A
BIT F"R5$ 0! SI<T (! O!R /1M]1 & %E 0
L1N+ CLOSELY 6! ,C.T FELL[ Z = PROTEC;N4
,%E NE$N'T H L1N$ S SAFELY AG/ HM1 & ,I
NE$N'T H BE5 S SURE (A 4APPO9T$ ,DAVE
,WAL% >RIV+ AT ,DAWSON4 ,= ,DAVE ,WAL%
WASN'T ON ! ,GL5DALE4 ,"! 7 A LOT ( ?+S
,I DIDN'T "K1 B 0 SOON 6"K--= 9/.E1 T !
PAIR 7 N YET M>RI$4 ,9SIDE HALF AN H\R
PREP>,NS =! M>RIAGE TOOK PLACE4 ,:AT (!
SICK M5 9 ! MA9 CAB91 &(! CR[D$ 3DI;N (!
,GOLD5 ,ROCKET1 ! LIKELIE/ PLACE =!
C]EMONY 0 F.D =W>D1 ON ! L[] DECK1 9 AN
OP5 SPACE NEXT 6! RAIL & GANG-PLANK &
%AD$ 0! M.TA9 ( FREI<T )! BIG BOX ON TOP
&! SLEEP+ DOG 2S X4 ,"! 0 A MIS.N>Y ON
BO>D1 GETT+ (F AT ,EAGLE ,C;Y1 : 0 !
NEXT /EP1 S !Y _H 6USE HM QK4 ,T'S :AT
!Y'D PLANN$ 6D1 GET M>RI$ ON ! BOAT4
  8,B ,I'VE RUN AH1D (! FACTS4 ,! R1SON
,DAVE ,WAL% WASN'T ON ! ,GL5DALE 0 2C HE
0 ON ! ,GOLD5 ,ROCKET4 ,X 0 ? WAY4 ,AF
LOIT]9' 9 ,DAWSON ON A3.T ( ,FLU% (
,GOLD1 HE W5T D[N 6,MAMMON ,CREEK ON !
ICE4 ,& "! HE F.D ,DUSKY ,BURNS DO+ S
WELL )! CLAIM1 "! 0 NO NE$ = HM 6BE >.D4
,S HE PUT "S GRUB ON ! SL$1 H>;S$ !
DOGS1 TOOK AN ,9DIAN AL;G1 & PULL$ \ =
,SURPRISE ,LAKE4 ,HE ALW _H A LIK+ = T
SEC;N4 ,MAYBE Y DON'T "K H[ ! CREEK
TURN$ \ 6BE A F\R-FLU%]2 B ! PROSPECTS 7
GD AT ! "T1 & ,DAVE PROCE$$ 6BUILD 8
CAB9 & H]S4 ,T'S ! CAB9 WE SLEPT IN4 ,AF
HE F9I%$ X1 HE W5T (F ON A MOOSE HUNT 6!
=KS (! ,TEELEE1 TAK9' ! ,9DIAN AL;G4
  8,& ? IS :AT HAPP5$4 ,CAME ON A COLD
SNAP4 ,! JUICE W5T D[N =TY1 FIFTY1 SIXTY
2L Z]O4 ,I REMEMB] T SNAP--,I 0 AT ,=TY
,MILE2 & ,I REMEMB] ! V "D4 ,AT ELEV5
O'C 9 ! MORN+ ! _S !RMOMET] AT ! ,N4 ,A4
,T4 & ,T4 ,-PANY'S /ORE W5T D[N 6SEV5TY-
FIVE 2L Z]O4 ,& T MORN+1 NE> ! =KS (!
,TEELEE1 ,DAVE ,WAL% 0 \ AF MOOSE ) T
B.S$ ,9DIAN ( HIS4 ,I GOT X ALL F !
,9DIAN AFWS--WE MADE A TRIP OV] ! ICE
TGR 6,DYEA4 ,T MORN+ ,MR4 ,9DIAN BROKE
"? ! ICE & WET HMF 6! WAI/4 ,( C\RSE HE
2GAN 6FREEZE "R AWAY4 ,! PROP] ?+ 0
6BUILD A FIRE4 ,B ,DAVE ,WAL% 0 A BULL4
,X 0 ONLY HALF A MILE 6CAMP1 ": A FIRE 0
ALR BURN+4 ,:AT 0 ! GD ( BUILD+ ANO!R8
,HE ?REW ,MR4 ,9DIAN OV] 8 %\LD]--& RAN
) HM--HALF A MILE--)! !RMOMET] AT
SEV5TY-FIVE 2L4 ,Y "K :AT T M1NS4
,SUICIDE4 ,"!'S NO O!R "N = X4 ,:Y1 T
BUCK ,9DIAN WEI<$ OV] TWO HUNDR$ HMF1 &
,DAVE RAN HALF A MILE ) HM4 ,( C\RSE HE
FROZE 8 LUNGS4 ,M/ H FROZ5 !M NE> SOLID4
,X 0 A TOMFOOL TRICK = ANY MAN 6D4 ,&
ANYWAY1 AF L+]+ HORRIBLY = S"EAL WEEKS1
,DAVE ,WAL% DI$4
  8,! ,9DIAN DIDN'T "K :AT 6D )! CORPSE4
,ORD9>ILY HE'D H BURI$ HM & LET X G AT
T4 ,B HE KNEW T ,DAVE ,WAL% 0 A BIG MAN1
WOR? LOTS ( M"OY1 A HI-YU SKOOKUM *IEF4
,LIKEWISE HE'D SE5 ! BODIES ( O!R HI-YU
SKOOKUMS C>T$ >.D ! C.TRY L !Y 7 WOR?
"S?+4 ,S HE DECID$ 6TAKE ,DAVE'S BODY
6,=TY ,MILE1 : 0 ,DAVE'S H1DQU>T]S4 ,Y
"K H[ ! ICE IS ON ! GRASS ROOTS 9 ?
C.TRY--WELL1 ! ,9DIAN PLANT$ ,DAVE "U A
FOOT ( SOIL--IN %ORT1 HE PUT ,DAVE ON
ICE4 ,DAVE CD H /AY$ "! A ?\S& YE>S & /
BE5 ! SAME OLD ,DAVE4 ,Y "U/&--J ! SAME
Z A REFRIG]ATOR4 ,!N ! ,9DIAN BR+S OV] A
:IPSAW F ! CAB9 AT ,SURPRISE ,LAKE &
MAKES LUMB] 5 =! BOX4 ,AL1 WAIT+ =! ?AW1
HE GOES \ & %OOTS AB T5 ?\S& P.DS (
MOOSE4 ,? HE KEEPS ON ICE1 TOO4 ,CAME !
?AW4 ,! ,TEELEE BROKE4 ,HE BUILT A RAFT
& LOAD$ X )! M1T1 ! BIG BOX ) ,DAVE
9SIDE1 & ,DAVE'S T1M ( DOGS1 & AWAY !Y
W5T D[N ! ,TEELEE4
  8,! RAFT GOT CAU<T ON A TIMB] JAM &
HUNG UP TWO "DS4 ,X 0 SCOR*+ HOT W1!R1 &
,MR4 ,9DIAN NE>LY LO/ 8 MOOSE M1T4 ,S :5
HE GOT 6,TEELEE ,PORTAGE HE FIGUR$ A
/1MBOAT WD GET 6,=TY ,MILE QK] ?AN 8
RAFT4 ,HE TRANSF]R$ 8 C>GO1 & "! Y >E1
=E-L[] DECK (! ,GOLD5 ,ROCKET1 ,FLU% (
,GOLD 2+ M>RI$1 & ,DAVE ,WAL% 9 8 BIG
BOX CA/+ ! %ADE = H]4 ,& "!'S "O ?+ ,I
CL1N =GOT4 ,NO WOND] ,I ?"\ ! HUSKY DOG
T CAME ABO>D AT ,TEELEE ,PORTAGE 0
FAMILI>4 ,X 0 ,PEE-LAT1 ,DAVE ,WAL%'S
L1D-DOG & FAV\RITE--A T]RI# FI<T]1 TOO4
,HE 0 LY+ D[N 2S ! BOX4
  8,FLU% ( ,GOLD CAU<T SI<T ( ME1 CALL$
ME OV]1 %OOK H&S ) ME1 & 9TRODUC$ ME 6!
,C.T4 ,%E 0 B1UTI;L4 ,I 0 Z MAD = H] !N
Z "E4 ,%E SMIL$ 96MY EYES & SD ,I M/
SIGN Z "O (! WIT;SES4 ,& "! 0 NO REFUS+
H]4 ,%E 0 "E A *1 CRUEL Z *N >E CRUEL4
,AL1 %E TOLD ME %E 0 9 POSSES.N (! ONLY
TWO BOTTLES ( *AMPAGNE 9 ,DAWSON--OR T
_H BE5 9 ,DAWSON ! NI<T 2F2 & 2F ,I KNEW
X ,I 0 S*$UL$ 6DR9K H] &! ,C.T'S H1L?4
,"EYBODY CR[D$ R.D1 ! CAPTA9 (! /1MBOAT1
V PROM95T1 TRY+ 6R+ 9 ON ! W9E1 ,I
GUESS4 ,X 0 A FUNNY W$D+4 ,ON ! UPP]
DECK ! HOSPITAL WRECKS1 ) V>I\S FEET 9 !
GRAVE1 GA!R$ & LOOK$ D[N 6SEE4 ,"! 7
,9DIANS ALL JAMM$ 9 ! CIRCLE1 TOO1 BIG
BUCKS1 & _! SQUAWS & KIDS1 6SAY NO?+ (
AB TW5TY-FIVE SN>L+ WOLF-DOGS4 ,!
MIS.N>Y L9$ ! TWO ( !M UP & />T$ 9 )!
S]VICE4 ,& J !N A DOG-FI<T />T$1 HI< UP
ON ! PILE ( FREI<T--,PEE-LAT LY+ 2S !
BIG BOX1 &A :ITE-HAIR$ BRUTE 2L;G+ 6"O
(! ,9DIANS4 ,! FI<T WASN'T EXPLOSIVE AT
ALL4 ,! BRUTES J SN>L$ AT EA* O!R F A
4T.E--TAPP+ AT EA* O!R L;G-4T.E1 Y "K1
SAY+ DA/ & DASS5T1 DA/ & DASS5T4 ,!
NOISE 0 R 4TURB+1 B Y CD HE> ! MIS.N>Y'S
VOICE ABV X4
  8,"! 0 NO "PICUL>LY EASY WAY ( GETT+
AT ! TWO DOGS1 EXCEPT F ! O!R SIDE (!
PILE4 ,B NOBODY 0 ON T SIDE--"EYBODY
WAT*+ ! C]EMONY1 Y SEE4 ,EV5 !N "EY?+
MI<T H BE5 ALL "R IF ! CAPTA9 _HN'T ?R[N
A CLUB AT ! DOGS4 ,T 0 :AT PRECIPITAT$
"EY?+4 ,Z ,I SAY1 IF ! CAPTA9 _HN'T ?R[N
T CLUB1 NO?+ MI<T H HAPP5$4
  8,! MIS.N>Y _H J R1*$ ! PO9T ": HE 0
SAY+ ',IN SICK;S & 9 H1L?1' & ',TILL D1?
U D "P4' ,& J !N ! CAPTA9 ?REW ! CLUB4
,I SAW ! :OLE ?+4 ,X L&$ ON ,PEE-LAT1 &
AT T 9/ANT ! :ITE BRUTE JUMP$ HM4 ,!
CLUB CAUS$ X4 ,_! TWO BODIES /RUCK !
BOX1 & X 2GAN 6SLIDE1 XS L[] 5D TILT+
D[N4 ,X 0 A L;G OBL;G BOX1 & X SLID D[N
SL[LY UNTIL X R1*$ ! P]P5DICUL>1 :5 X
CAME D[N ON ! RUN4 ,! ONLOOK]S ON T SIDE
! CIRCLE _H "T 6GET \ F "U4 ,FLU% (
,GOLD &! ,C.T1 ON ! OPPOSITE SIDE (!
CIRCLE1 7 FAC+ ! BOX2 ! MIS.N>Y _H 8
BACK 6X4 ,! BOX M/ H FALL5 T5 FEET
/RAI<T UP & D[N1 & X HIT 5D ON4
  8,N[ M9D Y1 N "O ( U KNEW T ,DAVE
,WAL% 0 D1D4 ,WE ?"\ HE 0 ON ! ,GL5DALE1
B.D = ,DAWSON4 ,! MIS.N>Y _H $G$ (F 6"O
SIDE1 & S ,FLU% ( ,GOLD FAC$ ! BOX :5 X
/RUCK4 ,X 0 L 9 A PLAY4 ,X CDN'T H BE5
BETT] PLANN$4 ,X /RUCK ON 5D1 & ON ! "R
5D2 ! :OLE FRONT (! BOX CAME (F2 & \
SWEPT ,DAVE ,WAL% ON 8 FEET1 "PLY WRAPP$
9 A BLANKET1 8 YELL[ HAIR FLY+ & %[+ B"R
9 ! SUN4 ,"R \ (! BOX1 ON 8 FEET1 HE
SWEPT ^U ,FLU% ( ,GOLD4 ,%E DIDN'T "K HE
0 D1D1 B X 0 UNMISTAKA#1 AF HANG+ UP TWO
"DS ON A TIMB] JAM1 T HE 0 RIS+ ALL "R F
! D1D 6CLAIM H]4 ,POSSIBLY T IS :AT %E
?"\4 ,AT ANY RATE1 ! SI<T FROZE H]4 ,%E
CDN'T MOVE4 ,%E J SORT ( WILT$ & WAT*$
,DAVE ,WAL% -+ = H]6 ,& HE GOT H]4 ,X
LOOK$ ALM Z ?\< HE ?REW 8 >MS >.D H]1 B
:E!R OR N ? HAPP5$1 D[N 6! DECK !Y W5T
TGR4 ,WE _H 6DRAG ,DAVE ,WAL%'S BODY
CLE> 2F WE CD GET HOLD ( H]4 ,%E 0 9 A
FA9T1 B X WD H BE5 J Z WELL IF %E _H N"E
-E \ ( T FA9T2 = :5 %E DID1 %E FELL
6SCR1M+ ! WAY 9SANE P D4 ,%E KEPT X UP =
H\RS1 TILL %E 0 EXHAU/$4 ,OH1 YES1 %E
RECOV]$4 ,Y SAW H] LA/ NI<T1 & "K H[ M*
RECOV]$ %E IS4 ,%E IS N VIOL5T1 X IS
TRUE1 B %E LIVES 9 D>K;S4 ,%E 2LIEVES T
%E IS WAIT+ = ,DAVE ,WAL%1 & S %E WAITS
9 ! CAB9 HE BUILT = H]4 ,%E IS NO L;G]
FICKLE4 ,X IS N9E YE>S N[ T %E HAS BE5
FAI?;L 6,DAVE ,WAL%1 &! \TLOOK IS T
%E'LL 2 FAI?;L 6HM 6! 5D40
  ,LON ,MC,FANE PULL$ D[N ! TOP (!
BLANKETS & PREP>$ 6CRAWL IN4
  8,WE H H] GRUB HAUL$ 6H] EA* YE>10 HE
A4$1 8& 9 G5]AL KEEP AN EYE ON H]4 ,LA/
NI<T 0 ! F/ "T %E "E RECOGNIZ$ ME1 ?\<40
  8,:O >E ! WE80 ,I ASK$4
  8,OH10 0 ! ANSW]1 8! ,C.T & OLD
,VICTOR ,*AUVET & ME4 ,D Y "K1 ,I ?9K !
,C.T IS ! "O 6BE RE,Y SORRY =4 ,DAVE
,WAL% N"E DID "K T %E 0 FALSE 6HM4 ,& %E
DOES N SU6]4 ,H] D>K;S IS M]CI;L 6H]40
  ,I LAY SIL5TLY "U ! BLANKETS =! SPACE
(A M9UTE4
  8,IS ! ,C.T / 9 ! C.TRY80 ,I ASK$4
  ,B "! 0 A G5TLE S.D ( H1VY BR1?+1 & ,I
KNEW ,LON ,MC,FANE 0 ASLEEP4

                ,,! ,,5D



