rstanding, for they had
more than once covered long distances on very short rations in the
arctic frost. Afterward they lighted their pipes, and Emile, being
tactfully encouraged, told them in broken English stories of the
barrens. These were so strange and gruesome that it was only because
they had learned something of the wilds that Harding and his friends
could believe him. Had they been less experienced, they would have
denied that flesh and blood could bear the things the half-breed calmly
talked about.

While Emile spoke, there broke out behind the camp a sudden radiance
which leaped from the horizon far up the sky. It had in it the
scintillation of the diamond, for the flickering brilliance changed
from pure white light to evanescent blue and rose. Spreading in a
vast, irregular arc, it hung like a curtain, wavering to and fro and
casting off luminous spears that stabbed the dark. For a time it
blazed in transcendental splendor, then faded and receded, dying out
with unearthly glimmering far back in the lonely North.

"That's pretty fine," Lane commented mildly.

Blake smiled, but made no answer. He and his comrades were getting
drowsy, and although a stinging wind swept the camp and the green wood
burned badly, they were filled with a serene content. The keen bodily
craving was satisfied; they had eaten and could sleep; and it looked as
if their troubles were over. The dogs were obviously fit for travel,
for they were still engaged in a vigorous quarrel over some caribou
bones; the toil of the journey would be lightened by carrying their
loads on the sled; and the party was strong enough to assist any member
of it whose strength might give way. There was no reason to apprehend
any difficulty in reaching the settlements; and in their relief at the
unexpected rescue their thoughts went no farther. After the hunger and
the nervous strain they had borne, they were blissfully satisfied with
their present ease. There would be time enough to consider the future.

Sergeant Lane got up and shook the snow from his blanket.

"I've seen a better fire, boys, but I've camped with none at all on as
cold a night," he said. "So far as I can figure, we have grub enough;
but now that there are three more of us we don't want to lose time.
You'll be ready to pull out by seven in the morning."

They lay down in the most comfortable places they could find, and slept
soundly, although once during the night Harding wa