hen proceeded at a rapid pace through the Indian village, and down
to the miners' cabins. He did not enter Perdue's store as was his
wont, but made straight for his own log house beyond. A miserable,
half-starved cur was lying at the door. Giving the animal a brutal
kick, which sent it howling away, Pritchen entered the building.
Throwing his snow-shoes into one corner and the rifle with the
ptarmigan on a pile of rugs, he sat down upon a small stool. His
small, swinish eyes blazed, his brutal features twitched, and his hands
clinched together as he brooded over the interview.

"He warned me, d-- him, he warned me! Me--me, Bill Pritchen, the
lawless, who never took such words from any man which I have taken from
him! But I'll fix him! I'll bring him down from his high horse. He's
got the cinch on me now through those d-- Injuns, but my time'll come.
He told me to leave the camp, ha, ha!" Then he paused, and a light
broke over his countenance. He sprang to his feet. "I've got it!
I've got it!" he exclaimed. "He said he'd expose me; that the men
should know. Oh, yes, they'll know, ha, ha! But I must see first
what's happened to that kid. I'll leave the camp. Oh, yes, I'll take
your advice, my fine fellow, but I'll come back, yes, I'll come back,
and then beware!"

Early the next morning he left Klassan with a small pack on his back,
snow-shoes on his feet, and a rifle under his arm. For five days the
wilderness swallowed him up, and then he returned. It was night when
he came back, with the swinging stride and elastic step of a man who
has accomplished his purpose.

This time he did not go to his own cabin, but stopped at the store. He
was in high fettle when he entered the building. He nodded pleasantly
to the few men gathered at the table playing cards, and cracked a joke
with Perdue as he tossed off a draught of hootch.

"Give us a snack, Jim," he said, setting down the cup. "I'm dead beat,
and haven't had a mouthful since morning."

"Sure," returned the saloonkeeper. "There are some beans in the pan,
and I'll make you a cup of tea."

"Where's your game, Bill?" asked one of the men, looking up from his
cards.

"Out on the hill, where they'll stay for all I care."

"Why, I thought you were out hunting."

"So I was."

"And found nothing?"

"You're mistaken there, pard. I found more than I expected."

"What, gold?" asked several in chorus. "Been prospectin'?"

"No."

"A pretty sq