'Didn't know what to make of it,' said Malemute Kid in response
to Prince's queries; 'but the poor beggar wanted to be quit of
the service for some reason or other--at least it seemed a most
important one to him, though he wouldn't let on what. You see,
it's just like the army: he signed for two years, and the only
way to get free was to buy himself out. He couldn't desert and
then stay here, and he was just wild to remain in the country.
'Made up his mind when he got to Dawson, he said; but no one knew
him, hadn't a cent, and I was the only one he'd spoken two words
with. So he talked it over with the lieutenant-governor, and made
arrangements in case he could get the money from me--loan, you
know. Said he'd pay back in the year, and, if I wanted, would put
me onto something rich. Never'd seen it, but he knew it was rich.
'And talk! why, when he got me outside he was ready to weep.
Begged and pleaded; got down in the snow to me till I hauled him
out of it. Palavered around like a crazy man.
'Swore he's worked to this very end for years and years, and
couldn't bear to be disappointed now. Asked him what end, but he
wouldn't say.
'Said they might keep him on the other half of the trail and he
wouldn't get to Dawson in two years, and then it would be too
late.
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