endure him, some
one else must be stationed there, while he worked among the Quelchies,
or in some other place. Two or three men he must have, and that as
soon as possible. To write for them would take too long, with the
uncertainty of their coming. No, that plan would not do; he must go
himself.

He, therefore, determined to return to Klassan. The Indians would
protect him while there, and when the ice ran out of the Yukon, either
to drift down to St. Michael in an open boat, or await the arrival of
the first steamer. He would go to Eastern Canada, lay the matter
before the Mission Board, and appeal for help. Then, if the men could
not be supplied, he would go from place to place, searching, ever
searching, till he obtained the ones he required. He would have able
men or none at all, he was set upon that.

He was aware of the feeling which prevails in the minds of some that
anyone will do for the mission field. But he knew from long experience
that on the frontier--the ragged edge of civilization--where life is
wild and strenuous, only strong men could succeed; men sound in limb,
keen in intellect, and thoroughly consecrated to the Master's cause.

Next, the money question confronted him. Suppose he got the right men,
where would he obtain the necessary funds for their maintenance? It
meant a big expense to provide passages for three or four men, and
support them in a land where living was so dear. The Missionary
Society, he knew, was able to do but little, and this would be the
strongest barrier to his plan. He might appeal for help in the various
towns and cities, but such aid would only be ephemeral. What was he to
do?

In his perplexity he began to pace up and down before the lodge, and
unconsciously thrust his hands into the pockets of his buck-skin
jacket, as was his wont when in troubled thought. As he did so he
touched the nuggets of gold which had lain there since his return from
the rich creek. He drew them forth, gazed upon them, and at once a
light clear and strong burst full upon his mind. For a while he seemed
dazed by the immensity of the idea, and he stood looking upon the
shining specimens in his hand, thinking it must be nothing but a dream.

"It is God's doing," he said to himself. "He never places his servants
in a great battle without providing weapons for the conflict. I
doubted about the money, the means to carry on the work, and here it is
at hand, gold in abundance. And