he referred? As this idea flashed into his mind, he sat bolt upright
in his chair. It did seem reasonable when he considered it. In fact,
it gave him a certain degree of pleasure as well. If his suspicions
were true, then the girl needed protection from that brute, and was it
not his duty to keep a sharp lookout, and if necessary to protect her
from all harm?

And as he thought of this, the girl herself came upon deck, and walked
at once toward the bow close to the tall flag-staff, which pointed
upwards like a quivering slender needle. Reynolds could see her
plainly as she stood looking straight before her. A cloak was thrown
carelessly over her shoulders, and her head was bare. What a perfect
picture of gracefulness she presented to the admiring young man as he
watched her by the light of the full-orbed moon. How he longed to go
forward, speak to her, and listen to her voice. But, no, he did not
dare to do that. He must adore her at a distance and wonder what she
was thinking about.

Presently an idea leaped into his mind that thrilled his entire being.
He was pushing out into the Great Unknown, with all its dangers and
uncertainties. But standing there before him was his guiding star, the
one girl in all the world who unconsciously had inspired and stirred
him to action. Was she really to be his guiding star? Anyway, the
sight of her standing before him seemed to be a favorable portent of
the future.

For almost half an hour the girl stood silently at the bow, apparently
unconscious that anyone was near. Reynolds remained a long time after
she had gone. It was good to be there on such a night, with no one to
disturb him, alone with a fair vision before him, and a sweet peace in
his soul.

CHAPTER IV

BEYOND THE GREAT WHITE PASS

"All aboard!"

The train was on the point of pulling out from the little coast town of
Skagway on its run inland of one hundred and ten miles. There had been
much bustle and excitement ever since the steamer landed early that
morning. But now everything was in readiness, the signal had been
given, and the train began to move.

Reynolds was comfortably seated and looking out of the open window,
when Frontier Samson came and sat down by his side. The old prospector
was much out of breath and panting heavily.

"I nearly missed the train," he explained. "She was movin' when I
swung on board."

"Sight-seeing, eh?" Reynolds queried.

"That's about it, I gues