,,6,,build ,a ,,fire



,"d _h brok5 cold & grey1 exce$+ly cold
& grey1 :5 ! man
turn$ aside f ! ma9 ,yukon trail &
climb$ ! hi< e>?-
bank1 ": a dim & ll-travell$ trail l$
ea/w>d "? !
fat spruce timb}l&4  ,x 0 a /eep bank1
& he paus$ = br1?
at ! top1 excus+ ! act 6hmf 0look+ at 8
wat*4  ,x
0 n9e o'c4  ,"! 0 no sun nor h9t ( sun1
?|< "! 0
n a cl|d 9 ! sky4  ,x 0 a cle> "d1 &
yet "! seem$ an
9tangi# pall ov} ! face ( ?+s1 a subtle
gloom t made !
"d d>k1 & t 0 due 6! abs;e ( sun4  ,?
fact did n
worry ! man4  ,he 0 us$ 6! lack ( sun4
,x _h be5 "ds
s9ce he _h se5 ! sun1 & he knew t a fewm "ds m/ pass
2f t *e};l orb1 due s|?1 wd j peep abv
! sky-
l9e & dip immly f view4

,! man flung a look back al;g ! way he
_h -e4  ,! ,yukon lay a
mile wide & hi45 "u ?ree feet ( ice4
,on top ( ? ice
7 z _m feet ( sn{4  ,x 0 all pure :ite1
roll+ 9 g5tle
undul,ns ": ! ice-jams (! freeze-up _h
=m$4  ,nor?
& s|?1 z f> z 8 eye cd see1 x 0 unbrok5
:ite1 save
=a d>k hair-l9e t curv$ & twi/$ f >.d !
spruce-
cov}$ isl& 6! s|?1 & t curv$ & twi/$
away 9to
! nor?1 ": x 4appe>$ 2h ano!r
spruce-cov}$ isl&4
,? d>k hair-l9e 0 ! trail-- ! ma9
trail-- t l$ s|?
five hundr$ miles 6! ,*ilcoot ,pass1
,dyea1 & salt wat}2 &t l$ nor? sev5ty miles 6,dawson1 & / on
6! nor? a
?|s& miles 6,nulato1 & f9,y 6,/4
,mi*ael on ,b}ing ,sea1 a
?|s& miles & half a ?|s& m4

,b all ?-- ! my/}i|s1 f>-r1*+ hairl9e
trail1 !
abs;e ( sun f ! sky1 ! trem5d|s cold1
&! /range;s
& weird;s ( x all-- made no impres.n on
! man4  ,x 0 n
2c he 0 l;g us$ 6x4  ,he 0 a new-com} 9
! l&1 a
*e*aquo1 & ? 0 8 f/ w9t}4  ,! tr|# ) hm
0
t he 0 )|t imag9,n4  ,he 0 qk & al}t 9
!
?+s ( life1 b only 9 ! ?+s1 & n 9 !
signific.es4
,fifty degrees 2l z}o m1nt ei<ty odd
degrees ( fro/4  ,s*
fact impress$ hm z 2+ cold & uncom=ta#1
& t 0 all4
,x did n l1d hm 6m$itate ~u 8 frailty za cr1ture (
temp}ature1 & ~u man's frailty 9 g5}al1
a# only 6live
)9 c}ta9 n>r{ limits ( h1t & cold2 & f
"! on x
did n l1d hm 6! 3jectural field (
immortal;y & man's
place 9 ! univ}se4  ,fifty degrees 2l
z}o /ood =a bite (
fro/ t hurt & t m/ 2 gu>d$ ag/ 0! use (
mitt5s1 e>-flaps1 w>m mo3as9s1 & ?ick
socks4  ,fifty degrees
2l z}o 0 6hm j precisely fifty degrees
2l z}o4  ,t
"! %d 2 any?+ m 6x ?an t 0 a ?"| t
n"e 5t}$ 8 h1d4

,z he turn$ 6g on1 he spat
speculatively4  ,"! 0 a %>p1
explosive crackle t />tl$ hm4  ,he spat
ag4  ,& ag1 9
! air1 2f x cd fall 6! sn{1 ! spittle
crackl$4  ,he
knew t at fifty 2l spittle crackl$ on !
sn{1 b ?spittle _h crackl$ 9 ! air4  ,und|bt$ly
x 0 cold} ?an
fifty 2l-- h{ m* cold} he did n "k4  ,b
! temp}ature
did n matt}4  ,he 0 b.d =! old claim on
! left =k (
,h5d}son ,creek1 ": ! boys 7 alr4  ,!y
_h -e ov}
acr ! divide f ! ,9dian ,creek c.try1
:ile he _h -e
! r.dab way 6take a look at !
possibilities ( gett+ |
logs 9 ! spr+ f ! isl&s 9 ! ,yukon4
,he wd 2 9 to
camp 0six o'c2 a bit af d>k1 x 0 true1
b ! boys
wd 2 "!1 a fire wd 2 go+1 &a hot supp}
wd 2
r1dy4  ,z = lun*1 he press$ 8 h& ag/ !
protrud+
bundle "u 8 jacket4  ,x 0 al "u 8 %irt1
wrapp$ up 9
a h&k}*ief & ly+ ag/ ! nak$ sk94  ,x 0
! only way
6keep ! biscuits f freez+4  ,he smil$agre1bly 6hmf
z he ?"| ( ~? biscuits1 ea* cut op5 &
sopp$ 9 bacon
gr1se1 & ea* 5clos+ a g5}|s slice (
fri$ bacon4

,he plung$ 9 am;g ! big spruce trees4
,! trail 0 fa9t4  ,a
foot ( sn{ _h fall5 s9ce ! la/ sl$ _h
pass$ ov}1 & he
0 glad he 0 )|t a sl$1 travell+ li<t4
,9 fact1 he
c>ri$ no?+ b ! lun* wrapp$ 9 !
h&k}*ief4  ,he 0
surpris$1 h{"e1 at ! cold4  ,x c}ta9ly
0 cold1 he
3clud$1 z he ru2$ 8 numb$ nose &
*eek-b"os ) 8
mitt5$ h&4  ,he 0 a w>m-:isk}$ man1 b !
hair on 8 face
did n protect ! hi< *eek-b"os &! eag}
nose t ?ru/
xf a7ressively 96! fro/y air4

,at ! man's heels trott$ a dog1 a bignative husky1 ! prop}
wolf-dog1 grey-coat$ & )|t any visi# or
temp}a;tal
di6};e f xs bro!r1 ! wild wolf4  ,!
animal 0 depress$
0! trem5d|s cold4  ,x knew t x 0 no "t
= travell+4
,xs 9/9ct told x a tru} tale ?an 0 told
6! man 0!
man's judg;t4  ,9 r1l;y1 x 0 n m}ely
cold} ?an fifty
2l z}o2 x 0 cold} ?an sixty 2l1 ?an
sev5ty 2l4  ,x
0 sev5ty-five 2l z}o4  ,s9ce !
freez+-po9t is ?irty-two
abv z}o1 x m1nt t "o hundr$ & sev5
degrees ( fro/
obta9$4  ,! dog did n "k any?+ ab
!rmomet}s4
,possibly 9 xs bra9 "! 0 no %>p
3sci|s;s (a 3di;n
( v cold s* z 0 9 ! man's bra94  ,b !
brute _h xs
9/9ct4  ,x exp}i;ed a vague b m5ac+
appreh5.n tsubdu$ x & made x sl9k al;g at ! man's
heels1 & t made
x "q eag}ly e unwont$ move;t (! man z
if
expect+ hm 6g 96camp or 6seek %elt}
"s": & build
a fire4  ,! dog _h le>n$ fire1 & x
want$ fire1 or else to
burr{ "u ! sn{ & cu4le xs w>m? away f !
air4

,! froz5 moi/ure ( xs br1?+ _h settl$
on xs fur 9 a f9e
p{d} ( fro/1 & especi,y 7 xs j{ls1
muzzle1 & eyela%es
:it5$ 0xs cry/all$ br1?4  ,! man's r$
be>d & m|/a*e
7 likewise fro/$1 b m solidly1 !
deposit tak+ ! =m
( ice & 9cr1s+ ) e w>m1 moi/ br1? he
exhal$4
,al1 ! man 0 *ew+ toba3o1 &! muzzle (
ice held 8
lips s rigidly t he 0 una# 6cle> 8 *9
:5 he expell$! juice4  ,! result 0 t a cry/al be>d
(! col|r &
solid;y ( amb} 0 9cr1s+ xs l5g? on 8
*94  ,if he fell
d{n x wd %att} xf1 l glass1 96brittle
frag;ts4
,b he did n m9d ! app5dage4  ,x 0 !
p5alty all toba3o-
*ew}s pd 9 t c.try1 & he _h be5 | 2f 9
two cold
snaps4  ,!y _h n be5 s cold z ?1 he
knew1 b 0! _s
!rmomet} at ,sixty ,mile he knew !y _h
be5 regi/}$ at fifty
2l & at fifty-five4

,he held on "? ! level /ret* ( woods =
s"eal miles1
cross$ a wide flat ( ni7}-h1ds1 &
dropp$ d{n a bank 6!
froz5 b$ (a small /r1m4  ,? 0 ,h5d}son
,creek1 & he knew
he 0 t5 miles f ! =ks4  ,he look$ at 8
wat*4  ,x 0 t5
o'c4  ,he 0 mak+ f|r miles an h|r1 & hecalculat$ t he
wd >rive at ! =ks at half-pa/ twelve4
,he decid$ to
celebrate t ev5t 0eat+ 8 lun* "!4

,! dog dropp$ 9 ag at 8 heels1 )a tail
droop+
4c|rage;t1 z ! man swung al;g !
creek-b$4  ,! furr{ (
! old sl$-trail 0 pla9ly visi#1 b a
doz5 9*es ( sn{
cov}$ ! m>ks (! la/ runn}s4  ,9 a mon?
no man _h -e up
or d{n t sil5t creek4  ,! man held
/1dily on4  ,he 0 n
m* giv5 6?9k+1 & j !n "picul>ly he _h
no?+ to
?9k ab save t he wd eat lun* at ! =ks &
t at six
o'c he wd 2 9 camp )! boys4  ,"! 0
nobody 6talk
6&1 _h "! be51 spee* wd h be5 impossi#
2c (
! ice-muzzle on 8 m|?4  ,s he 3t9u$
monoton|sly 6*ewtoba3o & 69cr1se ! l5g? ( 8 amb} be>d4

,once 9 a :ile ! ?"| reit}at$ xf t x 0
v cold
& t he _h n"e exp}i;ed s* cold4  ,z he
walk$ al;g he
ru2$ 8 *eek-b"os & nose )! back ( 8
mitt5$ h&4
,he did ? automatic,y1 n{ & ag *ang+
h&s4  ,b rub z
he wd1 ! 9/ant he /opp$ 8 *eek-b"os w5t
numb1 &!
foll{+ 9/ant ! 5d ( 8 nose w5t numb4
,he 0 sure to
fro/ 8 *eeks2 he knew t1 & exp}i;ed a
pang ( regret t
he _h n devis$ a nose-/rap (! sort ,bud
wore 9 cold snaps4
,s* a /rap pass$ acr ! *eeks1 z well1 &
sav$ !m4  ,b
x didn't matt} m*1 af all4  ,:at 7
fro/$ *eeks8  ,a bit
pa9;l1 t 0 all2 !y 7 n"e s}i|s4

,empty z ! man's m9d 0 ( ?"|s1 he 0ke5ly obs}vant1 &
he notic$ ! *anges 9 ! creek1 ! curves
& b5ds & timb}-
jams1 & alw he %>ply not$ ": he plac$ 8
feet4  ,once1
-+ >.d a b5d1 he %i$ abruptly1 l a
/>tl$ horse1
curv$ away f ! place ": he _h be5
walk+1 & retr1t$
s"eal paces back al;g ! trail4  ,!
creek he knew 0 froz5
cle> 6! bottom-- no creek cd 3ta9 wat}
9 t >ctic
w9t}-- b he knew al t "! 7 spr+s t
bub#d |
f ! hillsides & ran al;g "u ! sn{ & on
top ! ice (
! creek4  ,he knew t ! colde/ snaps n"e
froze ~! spr+s1
& he knew likewise _! dang}4  ,!y 7
traps4  ,!y hid pools
( wat} "u ! sn{ t mi<t 2 ?ree 9*es
deep1 or ?ree
feet4  ,"s"ts a sk9 ( ice half an 9*
?ick cov}$ !m1 &9 turn 0 cov}$ 0! sn{4  ,"s"ts "! 7
alt}nate
lay}s ( wat} & ice-sk91 s t :5 "o broke
"? he kept
on br1k+ "? =a :ile1 "s"ts wett+ hmf 6!
wai/4

,t 0 :y he _h %i$ 9 s* panic4  ,he _h
felt ! give "u
8 feet & he>d ! crackle (a sn{-hi45
ice-sk94  ,& 6get
8 feet wet 9 s* a temp}ature m1nt tr|#
& dang}4  ,at !
v l1/ x m1nt delay1 = he wd 2 =c$ 6/op
& build a
fire1 & "u xs protec;n 6b>e 8 feet :ile
he dri$ 8
socks & mo3as9s4  ,he /ood & /udi$ !
creek-b$ & xs
banks1 & decid$ t ! fl{ ( wat} came f !
"r4  ,he
reflect$ a:ile1 ru2+ 8 nose & *eeks1 !n
skirt$ 6!
left1 /epp+ g+}ly & te/+ ! foot+ = ea*
/ep4  ,oncecle> (! dang}1 he took a fre% *ew (
toba3o & swung al;g
at 8 f|r-mile gait4

,9 ! c|rse (! next two h|rs he came ~u
s"eal simil>
traps4  ,usu,y ! sn{ abv ! hi45 pools
_h a sunk51 c&i$
appe>.e t adv}tis$ ! dang}4  ,once ag1
h{"e1 he _h a
close call2 & once1 suspect+ dang}1 he
-pell$ ! dog 6g
on 9 front4  ,! dog did n want 6g4  ,x
hung back until ! man
%ov$ x =w>d1 & !n x w5t qkly acr !
:ite1
unbrok5 surface4  ,su45ly x broke "?1
fl.d}$ 6"o side1
& got away 6firm} foot+4  ,x _h wet xs
=efeet & legs1
& alm immly ! wat} t clung 6x turn$
6ice4  ,x
made qk ef=ts 6lick ! ice (f xs legs1
!n dropp$ d{n 9
! sn{ & 2gan 6bite | ! ice t _h =m$ 2t!
toes4  ,? 0 a matt} ( 9/9ct4  ,6p}mit !
ice 6rema9
wd m1n sore feet4  ,x did n "k ?4  ,x
m}ely obey$ !
my/}i|s prompt+ t >ose f ! deep crypts
( xs 2+4
,b ! man knew1 hav+ a*iev$ a judg;t on
! subject1 & he
remov$ ! mitt5 f 8 "r h& & help$ te> |
! ice-
"picles4  ,he did n expose 8 f+}s m ?an
a m9ute1 & 0
a/oni%$ at ! swift numb;s t smote !m4
,x c}ta9ly 0
cold4  ,he pull$ on ! mitt5 ha/ily1 &
b1t ! h& savagely
acr 8 *e/4

,at twelve o'c ! "d 0 at xs b"re/4
,yet ! sun 0 too
f> s|? on xs w9t} j|rney 6cle> !
horizon4  ,! bulge (
! e>? 9t}v5$ 2t x & ,h5d}son ,creek1 ":
! manwalk$ "u a cle> sky at noon & ca/ no
%ad{4  ,at half-pa/
twelve1 6! m9ute1 he >riv$ at ! =ks (!
creek4  ,he 0
pl1s$ at ! spe$ he _h made4  ,if he
kept x up1 he wd
c}ta9ly 2 )! boys 0six4  ,he unbutton$
8 jacket &
%irt & drew =? 8 lun*4  ,! ac;n 3sum$
no m ?an a
qu>t} (a m9ute1 yet 9 t brief mo;t !
numb;s laid hold
(! expos$ f+}s4  ,he did n put ! mitt5
on1 b1 9/1d1
/ruck ! f+}s a doz5 %>p sma%es ag/ 8
leg4  ,!n he
sat d{n on a sn{-cov}$ log 6eat4  ,! /+
t foll{$ ~u
! /rik+ ( 8 f+}s ag/ 8 leg c1s$ s qkly
t he
0 />tl$1 he _h _h no *.e 6take a bite (
biscuit4  ,he
/ruck ! f+}s rep1t$ly & return$ !m 6!
mitt51 b>+
! o!r h& =! purpose ( eat+4  ,he tri$6take a
m|?;l1 b ! ice-muzzle prev5t$4  ,he _h
=gott5 6build a
fire & ?aw |4  ,he *uckl$ at 8
fooli%;s1 & z he
*uckl$ he not$ ! numb;s creep+ 96!
expos$ f+}s4
,al1 he not$ t ! /++ : _h f/ -e 6his
toes
:5 he sat d{n 0 alr pass+ away4  ,he
wond}$ :e!r !
toes 7 w>m or numb$4  ,he mov$ !m 9side
! mo3as9s &
decid$ t !y 7 numb$4

,he pull$ ! mitt5 on hurri$ly & /ood
up4  ,he 0 a bit
f"r5$4  ,he /amp$ up & d{n until ! /++
return$ 9to
! feet4  ,x c}ta9ly 0 cold1 0 8 ?"|4
,t man f
,sulphur ,creek _h spok5 ! tru? :5
tell+ h{ cold x "s"ts
got 9 ! c.try4  ,& he _h lau<$ at hm at
! "t6  ,t%{$ "o m/ n 2 too sure ( ?+s4  ,"! 0 no
mistake
ab x1 x 0 cold4  ,he /rode up & d{n1
/amp+ 8 feet &
?re%+ 8 >ms1 until r1ssur$ 0! return+
w>m?4  ,!n he
got | mat*es & proce$$ 6make a fire4
,f ! "ugr{?1
": hi< wat} (! previ|s spr+ _h lodg$ a
supply (
s1son$ twigs1 he got 8 firewood4  ,"w+
c>e;lly f a small
2g9n+1 he soon _h a ro>+ fire1 ov} : he
?aw$ ! ice
f 8 face & 9 ! protec;n ( : he ate 8
biscuits4
,=! mo;t ! cold ( space 0 |twitt$4  ,!
dog took
satisfac;n 9 ! fire1 /ret*+ | close 5 =
w>m? &
f> 5 away 6escape 2+ s+$4

,:5 ! man _h f9i%$1 he fill$ 8 pipe &
took 8
-=ta# "t ov} a smoke4  ,!n he pull$ on8 mitt5s1
settl$ ! e>-flaps ( 8 cap firmly ab 8
e>s1 & took !
creek trail up ! left =k4  ,! dog 0
4appo9t$ & ye>n$
back t{>d ! fire4  ,? man did n "k
cold4  ,possibly all !
g5},ns ( 8 ance/ry _h be5 ignorant (
cold1 ( r1l cold1
( cold "o hundr$ & sev5 degrees 2l
freez+-po9t4  ,b !
dog knew2 all xs ance/ry knew1 & x _h
9h}it$ ! k4
,& x knew t x 0 n gd 6walk abroad 9 s*
fe>;l cold4
,x 0 ! "t 6lie snug 9 a hole 9 ! sn{ &
wait =a
curta9 ( cl|d 6be drawn acr ! face (
|t} space :;e
? cold came4  ,on ! o!r h&1 "! 0 ke5
9timacy 2t
! dog &! man4  ,! "o 0 ! toil-slave (!
o!r1 &
! only c>esses x _h "e rcvd 7 ! c>esses
(! :ip-la% & ( h>% & m5ac+ ?roat-s.ds t ?r1t5$
!
:ip-la%4  ,s ! dog made no ef=t
6-municate xs appreh5.n
6! man4  ,x 0 n 3c}n$ 9 ! welf>e (!
man2 x 0
= xs {n sake t x ye>n$ back t{>d !
fire4  ,b ! man
:i/l$1 & spoke 6x )! s.d ( :ip-la%es1
&! dog
swung 9 at ! man's heels & foll{$ af4

,! man took a *ew ( toba3o & proce$$
6/>t a new amb}
be>d4  ,al1 8 moi/ br1? qkly p{d}$ )
:ite 8
m|/a*e1 eyebr{s1 & la%es4  ,"! did n
seem 6be s _m
spr+s on ! left =k (! ,h5d}son1 &= half
an h|r !
man saw no signs ( any4  ,& !n x
happ5$4  ,at a place ":
"! 7 no signs1 ": ! s(t1 unbrok5 sn{
seem$ to
adv}tise solid;y 2n1 ! man broke "?4,x 0 n deep4
,he wett$ hmf half-way 6! knees 2f he
fl.d}$ | to
! firm cru/4

,he 0 angry1 & curs$ 8 luck al|d4  ,he
_h hop$ 6get 9to
camp )! boys at six o'c1 & ? wd delay
hm an h|r1
= he wd h 6build a fire & dry | 8
foot-ge>4  ,?
0 imp}ative at t l{ temp}ature-- he
knew t m*2 & he
turn$ aside 6! bank1 : he climb$4  ,on
top1 tangl$ 9 !
"ubru% ab ! trunks ( s"eal small spruce
trees1 0 a
hi<-wat} deposit ( dry firewood-- /icks
& twigs pr9cip,y1 b
al l>g} por;ns ( s1son$ bran*es & f9e1
dry1 la/-ye>'s
grasses4  ,he ?rew d{n s"eal l>ge
pieces on top (! sn{4
,? s}v$ =a f.d,n & prev5t$ ! "y flame f
dr{n+ xf 9 ! sn{ x o!rwise wd melt4  ,!flame he
got 0t|*+ a mat* 6a small %r$ (
bir*-b>k t he took
f 8 pocket4  ,? burn$ ev5 m r1dily ?an
pap}4  ,plac+
x on ! f.d,n1 he f$ ! "y flame ) wisps
( dry grass
& )! t9ie/ dry twigs4

,he "w$ sl{ly & c>e;lly1 ke5ly aw>e ( 8
dang}4
,gradu,y1 z ! flame grew /r;g}1 he
9cr1s$ ! size (!
twigs ) : he f$ x4  ,he squatt$ 9 !
sn{1 pull+ !
twigs | f _! 5tangle;t 9 ! bru% & fe$+
directly
6! flame4  ,he knew "! m/ 2 no failure4
,:5 x is sev5ty-
five 2l z}o1 a man m/ n fail 9 8 f/
attempt 6build a
fire-- t is1 if 8 feet >e wet4  ,if 8
feet >e dry1 & he
fails1 he c run al;g ! trail = half a
mile & re/ore 8circul,n4  ,b ! circul,n ( wet & freez+
feet _c 2
re/or$ 0runn+ :5 x is sev5ty-five 2l4
,no matt} h{
fa/ he runs1 ! wet feet w freeze !
h>d}4

,all ? ! man knew4  ,! old-"tr on
,sulphur ,creek _h told hm
ab x ! previ|s fall1 & n{ he 0
appreciat+ ! advice4
,alr all s5s,n _h g"o | ( 8 feet4
,6build ! fire he
_h be5 =c$ 6remove 8 mitt5s1 &! f+}s _h
qkly
g"o numb4  ,8 pace ( f|r miles an h|r
_h kept 8 he>t pump+
blood 6! surface ( 8 body & 6all !
extremities4  ,b !
9/ant he /opp$1 ! ac;n (! pump eas$
d{n4  ,! cold (
space smote ! unprotect$ tip (! planet1
& he1 2+ on t
unprotect$ tip1 rcvd ! full =ce (! bl{4
,! blood (8 body recoil$ 2f x4  ,! blood 0 alive1
l ! dog1 &
l ! dog x want$ 6hide away & cov} xf up
f !
fe>;l cold4  ,s l;g z he walk$ f|r
miles an h|r1 he pump$
t blood1 willy-nilly1 6! surface2 b n{
x e2$ away &
sank d{n 96! recesses ( 8 body4  ,!
extremities 7 !
f/ 6feel xs abs;e4  ,8 wet feet froze !
fa/}1 & 8
expos$ f+}s numb$ ! fa/}1 ?|< !y _h n
yet 2gun to
freeze4  ,nose & *eeks 7 alr freez+1
:ile ! sk9 ( all
8 body *ill$ z x lo/ xs blood4

,b he 0 safe4  ,toes & nose & *eeks wd
2 only t|*$ by
! fro/1 =! fire 0 2g9n+ 6burn ) /r5g?4
,he 0
fe$+ x ) twigs ! size ( 8 f+}4  ,9
ano!r m9ute he
wd 2 a# 6fe$ x ) bran*es ! size ( 8wri/1 &
!n he cd remove 8 wet foot-ge>1 &1 :ile
x dri$1 he cd
keep 8 nak$ feet w>m 0! fire1 ru2+ !m
at f/1 (
c|rse1 ) sn{4  ,! fire 0 a su3ess4  ,he
0 safe4  ,he
rememb}$ ! advice (! old-"tr on
,sulphur ,creek1 & smil$4
,! old-"tr _h be5 v s}i|s 9 lay+ d{n !
law t no
man m/ travel al"o 9 ! ,klondike af
fifty 2l4  ,well1 "h
he was2 he _h _h ! a3id5t2 he 0 al"o2
& he _h sav$
hmf4  ,~? old-"trs 7 r womani%1 "s (
!m1 he
?"|4  ,all a man _h 6d 0 6keep 8 h1d1
& he 0 all
"r4  ,any man :o 0 a man cd travel
al"o4  ,b x 0
surpris+1 ! rapid;y ) : 8 *eeks & nose
7
freez+4  ,& he _h n ?"| 8 f+}s cd g
life.s 9 s%ort a "t4  ,life.s !y w}e1 = he cd
sc>cely make !m
move tgr 6grip a twig1 & !y seem$
remote f 8 body
& f hm4  ,:5 he t|*$ a twig1 he _h
6look & see :e!r
or n he _h hold ( x4  ,! wires 7 pretty
well d{n 2t
hm & 8 f+}-5ds4

,all ( : c.t$ = ll4  ,"! 0 ! fire1
snapp+ &
crackl+ & promis+ life ) e danc+ flame4
,he />t$ to
untie 8 mo3as9s4  ,!y 7 coat$ ) ice2 !
?ick ,g}man
socks 7 l %1?s ( iron half-way 6!
knees2 &!
mocass9 /r+s 7 l rods ( /eel all twi/$
& knott$ z
0"s 3flagr,n4  ,=a mo;t he tu7$ ) 8
numb$
f+}s1 !n1 r1liz+ ! folly ( x1 he drew 8
%1?-knife4
,b 2f he cd cut ! /r+s1 x happ5$4  ,x 0
8 {n
fault or1 r1 8 mistake4  ,he %d n h
built ! fire
"u ! spruce tree4  ,he %d h built x 9 !
op54  ,b x
_h be5 easi} 6pull ! twigs f ! bru% &
drop !m
directly on ! fire4  ,n{ ! tree "u : he
_h d"o ?
c>ri$ a wei<t ( sn{ on xs b|<s4  ,no
w9d _h bl{n = weeks1
& ea* b|< 0 fully frei<t$4  ,ea* "t he
_h pull$ a twig
he _h -municat$ a sli<t agit,n 6!
tree-- an imp}cepti#
agit,n1 s f> z he 0 3c}n$1 b an agit,n
su6ici5t to
br+ ab ! 4a/}4  ,hi< up 9 ! tree "o b|<
capsiz$ xs
load ( sn{4  ,? fell on ! b|<s 2n1
capsiz+ !m4  ,?
process 3t9u$1 spr1d+ | & 9volv+ ! :ole
tree4  ,x
grew l an avalan*e1 & x desc5d$ )|tw>n+ ~u ! man
&! fire1 &! fire 0 blott$ |6  ,": x _h
burn$ 0
a mantle ( fre% & 4ord}$ sn{4

,! man 0 %ock$4  ,x 0 z ?|< he _h j
he>d 8 {n
s5t;e ( d1?4  ,=a mo;t he sat & />$ at
! spot ":
! fire _h be54  ,!n he grew v calm4
,p}h ! old-"tr on
,sulphur ,creek 0 "r4  ,if he _h only
_h a trail-mate he wd
h be5 9 no dang} n{4  ,! trail-mate cd
h built !
fire4  ,well1 x 0 up 6hm 6build ! fire
ov} ag1 & ?
second "t "! m/ 2 no failure4  ,ev5 if
he su3e$$1 he wd
mo/ likely lose "s toes4  ,8 feet m/ 2
badly froz5 0n{1
& "! wd 2 "s "t 2f ! second fire 0
r1dy4

,s* 7 8 ?"|s1 b he did n sit & ?9k !m4,he 0
busy all ! "t !y 7 pass+ "? 8 m9d1 he
made a new
f.d,n =a fire1 ? "t 9 ! op52 ": no
tr1*}|s
tree cd blot x |4  ,next1 he ga!r$ dry
grasses & t9y twigs
f ! hi<-wat} flotsam4  ,he cd n br+ 8
f+}s tgr
6pull !m |1 b he 0 a# 6ga!r !m 0! h&;l4
,9
? way he got _m rott5 twigs & bits (
gre5 moss t 7
undesira#1 b x 0 ! be/ he cd d4  ,he
"w$
me?odic,y1 ev5 collect+ an >m;l (! l>g}
bran*es 6be
us$ lat} :5 ! fire ga!r$ /r5g?4  ,& all
! :ile !
dog sat & wat*$ hm1 a c}ta9 ye>n+
wi/;l;s 9 xs eyes1
= x look$ ~u hm z ! fire-provid}1 &!
fire 0 sl{ 9
-+4
,:5 all 0 r1dy1 ! man r1*$ 9 8 pocket
=a second piece
( bir*-b>k4  ,he knew ! b>k 0 "!1 &1
?|< he cd n
feel x ) 8 f+}s1 he cd he> xs crisp
ru/l+ z he
fum#d = x4  ,try z he wd1 he cd n clut*
hold ( x4
,& all ! "t1 9 8 3sci|s;s1 0 ! k t ea*
9/ant 8 feet 7 freez+4  ,? ?"| t5d$
6put hm 9 a
panic1 b he f"| ag/ x & kept calm4  ,he
pull$ on 8
mitt5s ) 8 tee?1 & ?re%$ 8 >ms back &
=?1 b1t+
8 h&s ) all 8 mi<t ag/ 8 sides4  ,he
did ? sitt+
d{n1 & he /ood up 6d x2 & all ! :ile !
dog sat 9 !
sn{1 xs wolf-bru% (a tail curl$ >.d
w>mly ov} xs
=efeet1 xs %>p wolf-e>s prick$ =w>d
9t5tly z x wat*$
! man4  ,&! man z he b1t & ?re%$ ) 8
>ms &h&s1 felt a grt surge ( 5vy z he reg>d$
! cr1ture t
0 w>m & secure 9 xs natural cov}+4

,af a "t he 0 aw>e (! f/ f>-away
signals ( s5s,n
9 8 b1t5 f+}s4  ,! fa9t t+l+ grew /r;g}
till x
evolv$ 96a /++ a*e t 0 excruciat+1 b :
! man
hail$ ) satisfac;n4  ,he /ripp$ ! mitt5
f 8 "r h&
& fet*$ =? ! bir*-b>k4  ,! expos$ f+}s
7 qkly
go+ numb ag4  ,next he br"| | 8 bun* (
sulphur mat*es4
,b ! trem5d|s cold _h alr driv5 ! life
| ( 8
f+}s4  ,9 8 ef=t 6sep>ate "o mat* f !
o!rs1 !
:ole bun* fell 9 ! sn{4  ,he tri$ 6pick
x | (! sn{1
b fail$4  ,! d1d f+}s cd nei t|* nor
clut*4  ,he 0
v c>e;l4  ,he drove ! ?"| ( 8 freez+feet2 & nose1
& *eeks1 | ( 8 m9d1 devot+ 8 :ole s|l
6! mat*es4
,he wat*$1 us+ ! s5se ( vi.n 9 place (
t ( t|*1 &
:5 he saw 8 f+}s on ea* side ! bun*1 he
clos$ !m-- t
is1 he will$ 6close !m1 =! wires 7
drawn1 &!
f+}s did n obey4  ,he pull$ ! mitt5 on
! "r h&1 &
b1t x fi}cely ag/ 8 knee4  ,!n1 ) bo?
mitt5$ h&s1
he scoop$ ! bun* ( mat*es1 al;g ) m*
sn{1 96his lap4
,yet he 0 no bett} (f4

,af "s manipul,n he manag$ 6get ! bun*
2t ! heels
( 8 mitt5$ h&s4  ,9 ? fa%ion he c>ri$ x
6his m|?4
,! ice crackl$ & snapp$ :5 0a viol5t
ef=t he op5$ 8
m|?4  ,he drew ! l{} jaw in1 curl$ !
upp} lip | (!way1 & scrap$ ! bun* ) 8 upp} tee? 9
ord} 6sep>ate
a mat*4  ,he su3e$$ 9 gett+ "o1 : he
dropp$ on 8 lap4
,he 0 no bett} (f4  ,he cd n pick x up4
,!n he devis$ a
way4  ,he pick$ x up 9 8 tee? & scrat*$
x on 8 leg4
,tw5ty "ts he scrat*$ 2f he su3e$$ 9
li<t+ x4  ,z x
flam$ he held x ) 8 tee? 6! bir*-b>k4
,b ! burn+
brim/"o w5t up 8 no/rils & 96his lungs1
caus+ hm to
c|< spasmodic,y4  ,! mat* fell 96! sn{
& w5t |4

,! old-"tr on ,sulphur ,creek 0 "r1 he
?"| 9 ! mo;t (
3troll$ despair t 5su$3  af fifty 2l1 a
man %d
travel )a "pn}4  ,he b1t 8 h&s1 b fail$
9 excit+ any
s5s,n4  ,su45ly he b>$ bo? h&s1 remov+
! mitt5s )8 tee?4  ,he cau<t ! :ole bun* 2t !
heels ( 8 h&s4
,8 >m-muscles n 2+ froz5 5a#d hm 6press
! h&-heels
ti<tly ag/ ! mat*es4  ,!n he scrat*$ !
bun* al;g 8
leg4  ,x fl>$ 96flame1 sev5ty sulphur
mat*es at once6  ,"!
0 no w9d 6bl{ !m |4  ,he kept 8 h1d 6"o
side 6escape
! /rangl+ fumes1 & held ! blaz+ bun* 6!
bir*-b>k4
,z he s held x1 he 2came aw>e ( s5s,n 9
8 h&4  ,8
fle% 0 burn+4  ,he cd smell x4  ,deep
d{n 2l ! surface
he cd feel x4  ,! s5s,n develop$ 96pa9
t grew acute4
,& / he 5dur$ x1 hold+ ! flame (!
mat*es clumsily to
! b>k t wd n li<t r1dily 2c 8 {n burn+
h&s
7 9 ! way1 absorb+ mo/ (! flame4

,at la/1 :5 he cd 5dure no m1 he j}k$ 8h&s a"p4
,! blaz+ mat*es fell sizzl+ 96! sn{1 b
! bir*-b>k
0 ali<t4  ,he 2gan lay+ dry grasses &!
t9ie/ twigs on !
flame4  ,he cd n pick & *oose1 = he _h
6lift ! fuel
2t ! heels ( 8 h&s4  ,small pieces (
rott5 wood &
gre5 moss clung 6! twigs1 & he bit !m
(f z well z he
cd ) 8 tee?4  ,he *}i%$ ! flame c>e;lly
&
awkw>dly4  ,x m1nt life1 & x m/ n p}i%4
,! )drawal (
blood f ! surface ( 8 body n{ made hm
2g9 6%iv}1 &
he grew m awkw>d4  ,a l>ge piece ( gre5
moss fell squ>ely on
! ll fire4  ,he tri$ 6poke x | ) 8
f+}s1 b 8
%iv}+ frame made hm poke too f>1 & he
4rupt$ ! nucleus
(! ll fire1 ! burn+ grasses & t9y twigs
sep>at+ &scatt}+4  ,he tri$ 6poke !m tgr ag1 b 9
spite (
! t5se;s (! ef=t1 8 %iv}+ got away )
hm1 &!
twigs 7 hope.sly scatt}$4  ,ea* twig
gu%$ a puff ( smoke
& w5t |4  ,! fire-provid} _h fail$4  ,z
he look$
apa!tic,y ab hm1 8 eyes *.ed on ! dog1
sitt+ acr
! ru9s (! fire f hm1 9 ! sn{1 mak+
re/.s1
hun*+ move;ts1 sli<tly lift+ "o =efoot
& !n ! o!r1
%ift+ xs wei<t back & =? on !m ) wi/;l
eag};s4

,! si<t (! dog put a wild idea 96his
h1d4  ,he rememb}$
! tale (! man1 cau<t 9 a blizz>d1 :o
kill$ a /e} &
crawl$ 9side ! c>cass1 & s 0 sav$4  ,he
wd kill ! dog
& bury 8 h&s 9 ! w>m body until !
numb;s w5t | (!m4  ,!n he cd build ano!r fire4  ,he
spoke 6! dog1
call+ x 6hm2 b 9 8 voice 0 a /range
note ( fe> t
f"r5$ ! animal1 :o _h n"e "kn ! man
6sp1k 9 s*
way 2=e4  ,"s?+ 0 ! matt}1 & xs
suspici|s nature
s5s$ dang}1-- x knew n :at dang} b
"s":1 "sh{1 9
xs bra9 >ose an appreh5.n (! man4  ,x
flatt5$ xs e>s
d{n at ! s.d (! man's voice1 & xs
re/.s1 hun*+
move;ts &! lift+s & %ift+s ( xs =efeet
2came m
pron|nc$ b x wd n -e 6! man4  ,he got
on 8 h&s &
knees & crawl$ t{>d ! dog4  ,? unusual
po/ure ag excit$
suspicion1 &! animal sidl$ m9c+ly away4

,! man sat up 9 ! sn{ =a mo;t & /ru7l$
= calm;s4
,!n he pull$ on 8 mitt5s1 0m1ns ( 8tee?1 & got ~u
8 feet4  ,he gl.ed d{n at f/ 9 ord}
6assure hmf t
he 0 re,y /&+ up1 =! abs;e ( s5s,n 9 8
feet
left hm unrelat$ 6! e>?4  ,8 erect
posi;n 9 xf
/>t$ 6drive ! webs ( suspicion f !
dog's m9d2 & :5
he spoke p}emptorily1 )! s.d (
:ip-la%es 9 8 voice1
! dog r5d}$ xs cu/om>y allegi.e & came
6hm4  ,z x
came )9 r1*+ 4t.e1 ! man lo/ 8 3trol4
,8 >ms
fla%$ | 6! dog1 & he exp}i;ed g5u9e
surprise :5 he
4cov}$ t 8 h&s cd n clut*1 t "! 0 nei
b5d nor feel+ 9 ! l+}s4  ,he _h =gott5
=! mo;t
t !y 7 froz5 & t !y 7 freez+ m & m4
,all
? happ5$ qkly1 & 2f ! animal cd get
away1 he
5circl$ xs body ) 8 >ms4  ,he sat d{n 9! sn{1 & 9
? fa%ion held ! dog1 :ile x sn>l$ & :9$
& /ru7l$4

,b x 0 all he cd d1 hold xs body
5circl$ 9 8 >ms &
sit "!4  ,he r1liz$ t he cd n kill !
dog4  ,"! 0 no
way 6d x4  ,) 8 help.s h&s he cd nei
draw nor hold
8 %1?-knife nor ?rottle ! animal4  ,he
rel1s$ x1 & x
plung$ wildly away1 ) tail 2t xs legs1
& / sn>l+4
,x halt$ =ty feet away & survey$ hm
curi|sly1 ) e>s
%>ply prick$ =w>d4  ,! man look$ d{n at
8 h&s 9 ord}
6locate !m1 & f.d !m hang+ on ! 5ds ( 8
>ms4  ,x
/ruck hm z curi|s t "o %d h 6use 8 eyes
9 ord}
6f9d | ": 8 h&s w}e4  ,he 2gan ?re%+ 8
>ms back
& =?1 b1t+ ! mitt5$ h&s ag/ 8 sides4,he did ?
= five m9utes1 viol5tly1 & 8 he>t pump$
5 blood up to
! surface 6put a /op 6his %iv}+4  ,b no
s5s,n 0
>|s$ 9 ! h&s4  ,he _h an impres.n t !y
hung l
wei<ts on ! 5ds ( 8 >ms1 b :5 he tri$
6run !
impres.n d{n1 he cd n f9d x4

,a c}ta9 fe> ( d1?1 dull & oppressive1
came 6hm4  ,? fe>
qkly 2came poignant z he r1liz$ t x 0
no l;g} a m}e
matt} ( freez+ 8 f+}s & toes1 or ( los+
8 h&s &
feet1 b t x 0 a matt} ( life & d1? )!
*.es
ag/ hm4  ,? ?rew hm 96a panic1 & he
turn$ & ran up
! creek-b$ al;g ! old1 dim trail4  ,!
dog jo9$ 9 2h &
kept up ) hm4  ,he ran blly1 )|t 9t5;n1
9 fe> s* zhe _h n"e "kn 9 8 life4  ,sl{ly1 z he
pl|<$ &
fl.d}$ "? ! sn{1 he 2gan 6see ?+s
ag-- ! banks
(! creek1 ! old timb}-jams1 ! l1f.s
asp5s1 &! sky4
,! runn+ made hm feel bett}4  ,he did n
%iv}4  ,maybe1 if he
ran on1 8 feet wd ?aw |2 &1 anyway1 if
he ran f> 51
he wd r1* camp &! boys4  ,)|t d|bt he
wd lose "s
f+}s & toes & "s ( 8 face2 b ! boys wd
take c>e
( hm1 & save ! re/ ( hm :5 he got "!4
,& at ! same
"t "! 0 ano!r ?"| 9 8 m9d t sd he wd
n"e
get 6! camp &! boys2 t x 0 too _m miles
away1 t
! freez+ _h too grt a />t on hm1 & t he
wd soon 2
/iff & d1d4  ,? ?"| he kept 9 !
backgr.d & refus$
63sid}4  ,"s"ts x pu%$ xf =w>d & dem&$6be
he>d1 b he ?ru/ x back & /rove 6?9k (
o!r ?+s4

,x /ruck hm z curi|s t he cd run at all
on feet s froz5
t he cd n feel !m :5 !y /ruck ! e>? &
took !
wei<t ( 8 body4  ,he seem$ 6hmf 6skim
al;g abv !
surface & 6h no 3nec;n )! e>?4  ,"s":
he _h
once se5 a w+$ ,m}cury1 & he wond}$ if
,m}cury felt z he
felt :5 skimm+ ov} ! e>?4

,8 !ory ( runn+ until he r1*$ camp &!
boys _h "o flaw
9 x3  he lack$ ! 5dur.e4  ,s"eal "ts he
/um#d1 &
f9,y he tott}$1 crumpl$ up1 & fell4
,:5 he tri$ 6rise1
he fail$4  ,he m/ sit & re/1 he decid$1
& next "t he wd
m}ely walk & keep on go+4  ,z he sat &rega9$ 8 br1?1 he
not$ t he 0 feel+ q w>m & -=ta#4  ,he 0
n
%iv}+1 & x ev5 seem$ t a w>m gl{ _h -e
6his *e/
& trunk4  ,& yet1 :5 he t|*$ 8 nose or
*eeks1 "! 0 no
s5s,n4  ,runn+ wd n ?aw !m |4  ,nor wd
x ?aw |
8 h&s & feet4  ,!n ! ?"| came 6hm t !
froz5
por;ns ( 8 body m/ 2 ext5d+4  ,he tri$
6keep ?
?"| d{n1 6=get x1 6?9k ( "s?+ else2 he
0 aw>e
(! panicky feel+ t x caus$1 & he 0
afraid (!
panic4  ,b ! ?"| ass}t$ xf1 & p}si/$1
until x
produc$ a vi.n ( 8 body tot,y froz54
,? 0 too m*1 &
he made ano!r wild run al;g ! trail4
,once he sl{$ d{n 6a
walk1 b ! ?"| (! freez+ ext5d+ xf made
hm runag4

,& all ! "t ! dog ran ) hm1 at 8 heels4
,:5 he fell
d{n a second "t1 x curl$ xs tail ov} xs
=efeet & sat 9
front ( hm fac+ hm curi|sly eag} &
9t5t4  ,! w>m? &
secur;y (! animal ang}$ hm1 & he curs$
x till x
flatt5$ d{n xs e>s app1s+ly4  ,? "t !
%iv}+ came
m qkly ~u ! man4  ,he 0 los+ 9 8 battle
)!
fro/4  ,x 0 creep+ 96his body f all
sides4  ,! ?"| (
x drove hm on1 b he ran no m ?an a
hundr$ feet1 :5 he
/a7}$ & pit*$ h1dl;g4  ,x 0 8 la/
panic4  ,:5 he _h
recov}$ 8 br1? & 3trol1 he sat up &
5t}ta9$ 9 8
m9d ! 3cep;n ( meet+ d1? ) dign;y4
,h{"e1 !
3cep;n did n -e 6hm 9 s* t}ms4  ,8 idea( x 0
t he _h be5 mak+ a fool ( hmf1 runn+
>.d l a
*ick5 ) xs h1d cut (f-- s* 0 ! simile t
o3urr$ to
hm4  ,well1 he 0 b.d 6freeze anyway1
& he mi<t z well take
x dec5tly4  ,) ? new-f.d p1ce ( m9d
came ! f/
glimm}+s ( dr{si;s4  ,a gd idea1 he
?"|1 6sleep (f to
d1?4  ,x 0 l tak+ an anaes!tic4
,freez+ 0 n s bad
z p ?"|4  ,"! 7 lots worse ways 6die4

,he pictur$ ! boys f9d+ 8 body next "d4
,su45ly he f.d
hmf ) !m1 -+ al;g ! trail & look+ =
hmf4
,&1 / ) !m1 he came >.d a turn 9 !
trail & f.d
hmf ly+ 9 ! sn{4  ,he did n 2l;g ) hmf
any m1
= ev5 !n he 0 | ( hmf1 /&+ )! boys &
look+ at hmf 9 ! sn{4  ,x c}ta9ly 0cold1 0 8
?"|4  ,:5 he got back 6! ,/ates he cd
tell ! folks :at
r1l cold was4  ,he drift$ on f ? 6a
vi.n (! old-"tr
on ,sulphur ,creek4  ,he cd see hm q
cle>ly1 w>m &
-=ta#1 & smok+ a pipe4

8,y 7 "r1 old hoss2 y 7 "r10 ! man
mum#d 6!
old-"tr ( ,sulphur ,creek4

,!n ! man dr{s$ (f 96:at seem$ 6hm !
mo/ -=ta#
& satisfy+ sleep he _h "e "kn4  ,! dog
sat fac+ hm &
wait+4  ,! brief "d drew 6a close 9 a
l;g1 sl{ twili<t4
,"! 7 no signs (a fire 6be made1 &1
2ss1 n"e 9 !
dog's exp}i;e _h x "kn a man 6sit l t 9
! sn{ &
make no fire4  ,z ! twili<t drew on1 xs
eag} ye>n+ =!fire ma/}$ x1 & )a grt lift+ & %ift+ (
=efeet1
x :9$ s(tly1 !n flatt5$ xs e>s d{n 9
anticip,n (
2+ *i45 0! man4  ,b ! man rema9$ sil5t4
,lat}1 !
dog :9$ l|dly4  ,& / lat} x crept close
6! man &
cau<t ! sc5t ( d1?4  ,? made ! animal
bri/le & back
away4  ,a ll l;g} x delay$1 h{l+ "u !
/>s t
l1p$ & d.ed & %"o b"rly 9 ! cold sky4
,!n x turn$
& trott$ up ! trail 9 ! direc;n (! camp
x knew1 ":
7 ! o!r food-provid}s & fire-provid}s4