He had
been to the Yukon by an unknown way over the mountains, and when
he knew his time was near gave me the map and the secret of a
place where he swore by his gods there was much gold.
'After that all the world began to flock into the north. I was a
poor man; I sold myself to be a driver of dogs. The rest you
know. I met him and her in Dawson.
'She did not know me, for I was only a stripling, and her life
had been large, so she had no time to remember the one who had
paid for her an untold price.
'So? You bought me from my term of service. I went back to bring
things about in my own way, for I had waited long, and now that I
had my hand upon him was in no hurry.
'As I say, I had it in mind to do my own way, for I read back in
my life, through all I had seen and suffered, and remembered the
cold and hunger of the endless forest by the Russian seas. As you
know, I led him into the east--him and Unga--into the east where
many have gone and few returned. I led them to the spot where the
bones and the curses of men lie with the gold which they may not
have.
'The way was long and the trail unpacked. Our dogs were many and
ate much; nor could our sleds carry till the break of spring.
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