o Bill to find expression for the realization that was
borne in on them both.

"And he's half soused. The crazy kid!"

Maude seemed to float over the gleaming floor. Alec Mowbray, for all
the signs of drink he displayed, was no mean partner. His handsome
face, head and shoulders above the tall woman he was dancing with,
gazed out over the sea of dancers in all the freshness of his youthful
joy, and triumph. He danced well, something he had contrived to learn
in the joyless country from which he hailed. But there was no
reflection of his joy in the faces of the two men gazing down from the
shelter of the curtained box. There were only concern and a grievous
regret.

Bill rose with a sigh.

"I quit," he said.

Kars rose, too.

"Yes."

The two men stood for a moment before passing out of the box.

"It looks like that shriek's coming," Bill said. "God help that poor
darn fool if Pap and Maude get a hold on him."

"He came down with Murray," Kars said pondering.

"Yes. He ought to have come around with his mam."

Kars nodded.

"Get a hold on him, Bill, when I'm gone. For God's sake get a hold on
him. It's up to you."

CHAPTER XVIII

ON THE NORTHERN SEAS

The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops. The deadly
gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to
the elements. They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels,
and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
It was the mockery of an early spring day. It had all the appearance
of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given
place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.

The seas were running high, and the laden vessel labored heavily as it
passed the sharp teeth of the jaws of the wide sound which marked the
approach to the northern land.

There was no sheltering bar here. The only obstruction to the fierce
onslaught of the North Pacific waters was the almost submerged legion
of cruel rocks which confined the deep water channel. It was a deadly
approach which took years of a ship's captain's life to learn. And
when he had learned it, so far as it was humanly possible, it quickly
taught him how little he knew. Not a season passed but some
unfortunate found for himself a new, uncharted rock.

The land rose up to overwhelming heights on either side, and these vast
barriers narrowed the wind channel till the force of the gale was
trebled. It