s going to play out on us," whispered the
Prodigal.

Jim lagged forlornly behind, and it was very anxiously we watched him.
He seemed to know that he was keeping us back. His efforts to keep up
were pitiful. We feigned an equal weariness, not to distress him, and
our progress was slow, slow.

"Looks as if we'll have to go on half-rations," said the Halfbreed.
"It's taking longer to get out of this valley than I figured on."

And indeed it was like a vast prison, and those peaks that brindled in
the sunset glow were like bars to hold us in. Every day the old man's
step was growing slower, so that at last we were barely crawling along.
We were ascending the western slope of the valley, climbing a few miles
a day, and every step we rose from that sump-hole of the gods was like
the lifting of a weight. We were tired, tired, and in the wan light that
filtered through the leaden clouds our faces were white and strained.

"I guess we'll have to go on quarter-rations from now," said the
Halfbreed, a few days later. He ranged far and wide, looking for game,
but never a sign did he see. Once, indeed, we heard a shot. Eagerly we
waited his return, but all he had got was a great, grey owl, which we
cooked and ate ravenously.

CHAPTER XVI

At last, at last we had climbed over the divide, and left behind us
forever the vampire valley. Oh, we were glad! But other troubles were
coming. Soon the day came when the last of our grub ran out. I remember
how solemnly we ate it. We were already more than three-parts starved,
and that meal was but a mouthful.

"Well," said the Halfbreed, "we can't be far from the Yukon now. It must
be the valley beyond this one. Then, in a few days, we can make a raft
and float down to Dawson."

This heartened us, so once more we took up our packs and started. Jim
did not move.

"Come on, Jim."

Still no movement.

"What's the matter, Jim? Come on."

He turned to us a face that was grey and deathlike.

"Go on, boys. Don't mind me. My time's up. I'm an old man. I'm only
keeping you back. Without me you've got a chance; with me you've got
none. Leave me here with a gun. I can shoot an' rustle grub. You boys
can come back for me. You'll find old Jim spry an' chipper, awaitin' you
with a smile on his face. Now go, boys. You'll go, won't you?"

"Go be darned!" said the Prodigal. "You know we'll never leave you,
Jim. You know the code of the trail. What d'ye take us for--skunks? Come
on, w