,,! ,,/AMP$E ,,6,,SQUAW ,,CREEK4

    ,I4
  ,TWO MON?S AF ,SMOKE ,BELLEW & ,%ORTY
W5T AF MOOSE =A GRUB/AKE1 !Y 7 BACK 9 !
,ELKHORN SALOON AT ,DAWSON4 ,! HUNT+ 0
D"O1 ! M1T HAUL$ 9 & SOLD = TWO DOLL>S
&A HALF A P.D1 & 2T !M !Y POSSESS$ ?REE
?\S& DOLL>S 9 GOLD DU/ &A GD T1M ( DOGS4
,!Y _H PLAY$ 9 LUCK4 ,DESPITE ! FACT T !
GOLD RU% _H DRIV5 ! GAME A HUNDR$ MILES
OR M 96! M.TA9S1 !Y _H1 )9 HALF T 4T.E1
BA7$ F\R MOOSE 9 A N>R[ CANYON4
  ,! MY/]Y (! /RAY$ ANIMALS 0 NO GRT]
?AN ! LUCK ( _! KILL]S1 = )9 ! "D F\R
FAMI%$ ,9DIAN FAMILIES REPORT+ NO GAME 9
?REE "DS' J\RNEY BACK1 CAMP$ 2S !M4 ,M1T
0 TRAD$ = />V+ DOGS1 & AF A WEEK ( FE$+1
,SMOKE & ,%ORTY H>;S$ ! ANIMALS & 2GAN
FREI<T+ ! M1T 6! EAG] ,DAWSON M>KET4
  ,! PRO#M (! TWO M5 N[1 0 6TURN _!
GOLD-DU/ 96FOOD4 ,! CURR5T PRICE = FL\R
& B1NS 0 A DOLL> &A HALF A P.D1 B !
DI6ICULTY 0 6F9D A SELL]4 ,DAWSON 0 9 !
?ROES ( FAM9E4 ,HUNDR$S ( M51 ) M"OY B
NO FOOD1 _H BE5 -PELL$ 6L1VE ! C.TRY4
,_M _H G"O D[N ! RIV] ON ! LA/ WAT]1 &
_M M ) B>ELY 5 FOOD 6LA/1 _H WALK$ ! SIX
HUNDR$ MILES OV] ! ICE 6,DYEA4
  ,SMOKE MET ,%ORTY 9 ! W>M SALOON1 &
F.D ! LATT] JUBILANT4
  8,LIFE A9'T NO PUNK9S )\T :ISKEY AN'
SWEET59'10 0 ,%ORTY'S GREET+1 Z HE PULL$
LUMPS ( ICE F 8 ?AW+ M\/A*E & FLUNG !M
RATTL+ ON ! FLOOR4 8,AN' ,I SURE J GOT
EI<TE5 P.DS ( T SAME SWEET59'4 ,! GEEZ]
ONLY *>G$ ?REE DOLL>S A P.D = X4 ,:AT
LUCK DID Y H80
  8,I1 TOO1 H N BE5 IDLE10 ,SMOKE ANSW]$
) PRIDE4 8,I B"\ FIFTY P.DS ( FL\R4 ,&
"!'S A MAN UP ON ,ADAM ,CREEK SAYS HE'LL
LET ME H FIFTY P.DS M TM40
  8,GRT6 ,WE'LL SURE LIVE TILL ! RIV]
OP5S4 ,SAY1 ,SMOKE1 !M DOGS ( \RN IS !
GDS4 ,A DOG-BUY] (F]$ ME TWO HUNDR$
APIECE =! FIVE ( !M4 ,I TOLD HM NO?9'
DO9'4 ,!Y SURE TOOK ON CLASS :5 !Y GOT
M1T 6GET \TSIDE (2 B X GOES AG/ ! GRA9
FE$9' DOG-CRITT]S ON GRUB T'S WOR? TWO
&A HALF A P.D4 ,-E ON AN' H A DR9K4 ,I J
GOT 6CELEBRATE !M EI<TE5 P.DS (
SWEET59'40
  ,S"EAL M9UTES LAT]1 Z HE WEI<$ 9 ON !
GOLD-SCALES =! DR9KS1 HE GAVE A />T (
RECOLLEC;N4
  8,I PLUM =GOT T MAN ,I 0 6MEET 9 !
,TIVOLI4 ,HE'S GOT "S SPOIL$ BACON HE'LL
SELL =A DOLL> AN' A HALF A P.D4 ,WE C
FE$ X 6! DOGS AN' SAVE A DOLL> A "D ON
EA*'S BO>D BILL4 ,S L;G40
  8,S L;G10 SD ,SMOKE4 8,I'M GO9' 6!
CAB9 AN' TURN IN40
  ,H>DLY _H ,%ORTY LEFT ! PLACE1 :5 A
FUR-CLAD MAN 5T]$ "? ! D\# /ORM-DOORS4
,8 FACE LI<T$ AT SI<T ( ,SMOKE1 :O
RECOGNIZ$ HM Z ,BRECK1 ! MAN ^: BOAT HE
_H RUN "? ! ,BOX ,CANYON & ,:ITE ,HORSE
RAPIDS4
  8,I HE>D Y 7 9 T[N10 ,BRECK SD
HURRI$LY1 Z !Y %OOK H&S4 8,BE5 LOOK+ = Y
= HALF AN H\R4 ,-E \TSIDE1 ,I WANT 6TALK
) Y40
  ,SMOKE LOOK$ REGRET;LLY AT ! RO>+1 R$-
HOT /OVE4
  8,WON'T ? D80
  8,NO2 X'S IMPORTANT4 ,-E \TSIDE40
  ,Z !Y EM]G$1 ,SMOKE DREW (F "O MITT51
LI<T$ A MAT*1 & GL.ED AT ! !RMOMET] T
HUNG 2S ! DOOR4 ,HE RE-MITT5$ 8 NAK$ H&
HA/ILY Z IF ! FRO/ _H BURNT HM4 ,OV]H1D
>*$ ! FLAM+ AURORA BOR1LIS1 :ILE F ALL
,DAWSON >OSE ! M\RN;L H[L+ ( ?\S&S (
WOLF-DOGS4
  8,:AT DID X SAY80 ,BRECK ASK$4
  8,SIXTY 2L40 ,KIT SPAT EXP]I;T,Y1 &!
SPITTLE CRACKL$ 9 ! AIR4 8,&! !RMOMET]
IS C]TA9LY "W+4 ,X'S FALL+ ALL ! "T4 ,AN
H\R AGO X 0 ONLY FIFTY-TWO4 ,DON'T TELL
ME X'S A /AMP$E40
  8,X IS10 ,BRECK :ISP]$ BACK CAUTI\SLY1
CA/+ ANXI\S EYES AB 9 FE> ( "S O!R
LI/5]4 8,Y "K ,SQUAW ,CREEK8--EMPTIES 9
ON ! O!R SIDE ! ,YUKON ?IRTY MILES UP80
  8,NO?+ DO+ "!10 0 ,SMOKE'S JUDG;T4 8,X
0 PROSPECT$ YE>S AGO40
  8,S 7 ALL ! O!R RI* CREEKS4 ,LI/56
,X'S BIG4 ,ONLY EI<T 6TW5TY FEET
6B$ROCK4 ,"! WON'T 2 A CLAIM T DON'T RUN
6HALF A MILLION4 ,X'S A D1D SECRET4 ,TWO
OR ?REE ( MY CLOSE FRS LET ME 9 ON X4 ,I
TOLD MY WIFE "R AWAY T ,I 0 GO+
6F9D Y 2F ,I />T$4 ,N[1 S L;G4 ,MY
PACK'S HI45 D[N ! BANK4 ,9 FACT1 :5 !Y
TOLD ME1 !Y MADE ME PROMISE N 6PULL \
UNTIL ,DAWSON 0 ASLEEP4 ,Y "K :AT X M1NS
IF Y'RE SE5 )A /AMP$+ \TFIT4 ,GET YR
"PN] & FOLL[4 ,Y "\ 6/AKE F\R? OR FIF?
CLAIM F ,4COV]Y4 ,DON'T =GET--,SQUAW
,CREEK4 ,X'S ! ?IRD AF Y PASS ,SW$E
,CREEK40

    ,,II4
  ,:5 ,SMOKE 5T]$ ! LL CAB9 ON !
HILLSIDE BACK ( ,DAWSON1 HE HE>D A H1VY
FAMILI> BR1?+4
  8,AW1 G 6B$10 ,%ORTY MUM#D1 Z ,SMOKE
%OOK 8 %\LD]4 8,I'M N ON ! NI<T %IFT10 0
8 NEXT REM>K1 Z ! R\S+ H& 2CAME M
VIGOR\S4 8,TELL YR TR\#S 6! B>-KEEP]40
  8,KICK 96YR CLO!S10 ,SMOKE SD4 8,WE'VE
GOT 6/AKE A C\PLE ( CLAIMS40
  ,%ORTY SAT UP & />T$ 6EXPLODE1 B
,SMOKE'S H& COV]$ 8 M\?4

8,SSH60 ,SMOKE W>N$4 8,X'S A BIG /RIKE4
  ,DON'T WAKE !
NEI<B\RHOOD4 ,DAWSON'S ASLEEP40

  8,HUH6 ,Y GOT 6%[ ME4 ,NOBODY TELLS
ANYBODY AB A /RIKE1 ( C\RSE N4 ,B A9'T X
PLUM AMAZ9' ! WAY "EYBODY HITS ! TRAIL J
! SAME80
  8,SQUAW ,CREEK10 ,SMOKE :ISP]$4 8,X'S
"R4 ,BRECK GAVE ME ! TIP4 ,%ALL[ B$ROCK4
,GOLD F ! GRASS-ROOTS D[N4 ,-E ON4
,WE'LL SL+ A C\PLE ( LI<T PACKS TGR &
PULL \40
  ,%ORTY'S EYES CLOS$ Z HE LAPS$ BACK
96SLEEP4 ,! NEXT MO;T 8 BLANKETS 7 SWEPT
(F HM4
  8,IF Y DON'T WANT !M1 ,I D10 ,SMOKE
EXPLA9$4
  ,%ORTY FOLL[$ ! BLANKETS & 2GAN
6DRESS4
  8,GO9' 6TAKE ! DOGS80 HE ASK$4
  8,NO4 ,! TRAIL UP ! CREEK IS SURE 6BE
UNBROK51 & WE C MAKE BETT] "T )\T !M40
  8,!N ,I'LL ?R[ 'EM A M1L1 :I*'LL H
6LA/ 'EM TILL WE GET BACK4 ,2 SURE Y
TAKE "S BIR*-B>K &A C&LE40
  ,%ORTY OP5$ ! DOOR1 FELT ! BITE (!
COLD1 & %RANK BACK 6PULL D[N 8 E>-FLAPS
& MITT5 8 H&S4
  ,FIVE M9UTES LAT] HE RETURN$1 %>PLY
RU2+ 8 NOSE4
  8,SMOKE1 ,I'M SURE OPPOS$ 6MAK9' ?
/AMP$E4 ,X'S COLD] ?AN ! H+ES ( HELL A
?\S& YE>S 2F ! F/ FIRE 0 LI<T$4 ,2SS1
X'S ,FRI"D ! ?IRTE5?1 AN' WE'RE GO9'
6TR\# Z ! SP>KS FLY UPW>D40
  ,) SMALL /AMP$+ PACKS ON _! BACKS1 !Y
CLOS$ ! DOOR 2H !M & />T$ D[N ! HILL4 ,!
4PLAY (! AURORA BOR1LIS _H C1S$1 & ONLY
! />S L1P$ 9 ! GRT COLD1 & 0_! UNC]TA9
LI<T MADE TRAPS =! FEET4 ,%ORTY FL.D]$
(F A TURN (! TRAIL 96DEEP SN[1 & RAIS$ 8
VOICE 9 B.S+ (! DATE (! WEEK & MON? &
YE>4
  8,C'T Y KEEP /80 ,SMOKE *ID$4 8,L1VE !
ALMANAC AL"O4 ,Y'LL H ALL ,DAWSON AWAKE
& AF U40
  8,HUH6 ,SEE ! LI<T 9 T CAB98 ,& 9 T "O
OV] "!8 ,AN' HE> T DOOR SLAM8 ,OH1 SURE
,DAWSON'S ASLEEP4 ,!M LI<TS8 ,J BURY9'
_! D1D4 ,!Y A9'T /AMP$9'1 2T*] LIFE !Y
A9'T40
  ,0! "T !Y R1*$ ! FOOT (! HILL & 7
FAIRLY 9 ,DAWSON1 LI<TS 7 SPR++ UP 9 !
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( _M MO3AS9S ON ! H>D-PACK$ SN[4 ,AG
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  8,B X B1TS HELL ! AM.T ( M\RN]S "!
IS40
  ,!Y PASS$ A MAN :O /OOD 0! PA? & 0
CALL+ ANXI\SLY 9 A L[ VOICE3 8,OH1
,*>LEY2 GET A MOVE ON40
  8,SEE T PACK ON 8 BACK1 ,SMOKE8 ,!
GRAVEY>D'S SURE A L;G WAYS (F :5 !
M\RN]S GOT 6PACK _! BLANKETS40
  ,0! "T !Y R1*$ ! MA9 /REET A HUNDR$ M5
7 9 L9E 2H !M1 & :ILE !Y S"\ 9 !
DECEPTIVE />LI<T =! TRAIL T DIPP$ D[N !
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,%ORTY SLIPP$ & %OT D[N ! ?IRTY-FOOT
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  8,I F.D X F/10 HE GURGL$1 TAK+ (F 8
MITT5S 6%AKE ! SN[ \ (! GAUNTLETS4
  ,! NEXT MO;T !Y 7 SCRAMBL+ WILDLY \ (!
WAY (! HURTL+ BODIES ( ^? T FOLL[$4 ,AT
! "T (! FREEZE-
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ICE 7 UP-5D$ 9 SN[-COV]$ 3FU.N4 ,AF
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LI<T$ X4 ,^? 9 ! RE> HAIL$ X ) A3LAIM4
,9 ! W9D.S AIR X BURN$ EASILY1 & HE L$ !
WAY M QKLY4
  8,X'S A SURE /AMP$E10 ,%ORTY DECID$4
8,OR MI<T ALL !M 2 SLEEP-WALK]S80
  8,WE'RE AT ! H1D (! PROCES.N AT ANY
RATE10 0 ,SMOKE'S ANSW]4
  8,OH1 ,I DON'T "K4 ,ME2E T'S A FIREFLY
AH1D "!4 ,ME2E !Y'RE ALL FIREFLIES--T
"O1 AN' T "O4 ,LOOK AT 'EM4 ,2LIEVE ME1
!Y IS :OLE /R+S ( PROCES.NS AH1D40
  ,X 0 A MILE ACR ! JAMS 6! WE/ BANK (!
,YUKON1 & C&LES FLICK]$ ! FULL L5G? (!
TWI/+ TRAIL4 ,2H !M1 CLE> 6! TOP (! BANK
!Y _H DESC5D$1 7 M C&LES4
  8,SAY1 ,SMOKE1 ? A9'T NO /AMP$E4 ,X'S
A EXODE-U4 ,!Y M/ 2 A ?\S& M5 AH1D ( U
AN' T5 ?\S& 2H4 ,N[1 Y LI/5 6YR UNCLE4
,MY M$IC9E'S GD4 ,:5 ,I GET A HUN* X'S
SURE "R4 ,AN' WE'RE 9 WR;G ON ? /AMP$E4
,LET'S TURN BACK AN' HIT ! SLEEP40
  8,Y'D BETT] SAVE YR BR1? IF Y 9T5D
6KEEP UP10 ,SMOKE RETORT$ GRU6LY4
  8,HUH6 ,MY LEGS IS %ORT1 B ,I SLOG
AL;G SLACK AT ! KNEES AN' DON'T WORRY MY
MUSCLES N"O1 AN' ,I C SURE WALK E PIK]
"H (F ! ICE40
  ,& ,SMOKE KNEW HE 0 "R1 = HE _H L;G
S9CE LE>N$ 8 -RADE'S PH5OM5AL WALK+
P[]S4
  8,I'VE BE5 HOLD+ BACK 6GIVE Y A *.E10
,SMOKE JE]$4
  8,AN' ,I'M PLUM TRO49' ON YR HEELS4
,IF Y C'T D BETT]1 LET ME G AH1D & SET
PACE40
  ,SMOKE QK5$1 & 0 SOON AT ! RE> (!
NE>E/ BUN* ( /AMP$]S4
  8,HIKE AL;G1 Y1 ,SMOKE10 ! O!R URG$4
8,WALK OV] !M UNBURI$ D1D4 ,? A9'T NO
FUN]AL4 ,HIT ! FRO/ L Y 0 GO9' "S":S40
  ,SMOKE C.T$ EI<T M5 & TWO WOM5 9 ?
"PY1 & 2F ! WAY ACR ! JAM-ICE 0 WON1 HE
& ,%ORTY _H PASS$ ANO!R "PY TW5TY /R;G4
,)9 A FEW FEET (! WE/ BANK1 ! TRAIL
SW]V$ 6! S\?1 EM]G+ F ! JAM ^U SMOO?
ICE4 ,! ICE1 H["E1 0 BURI$ "U S"EAL FEET
( F9E SN[4 ,"? ? ! SL$-TRAIL RAN1 A N>R[
RI2ON ( PACK$ FOOT+ B>ELY TWO FEET 9
WID?4 ,ON EI SIDE "O SANK 6HIS KNEES &
DEEP] 9 ! SN[4 ,! /AMP$]S !Y OV]TOOK 7
RELUCTANT 6GIVE WAY1 & (T5 ,SMOKE &
,%ORTY _H 6PLUNGE 96! DEEP SN[1 &
0SUPREME EF=TS FL.D] PA/4
  ,%ORTY 0 IRREPRESSI# & PESSIMI/IC4 ,:5
! /AMP$]S RES5T$ 2+ PASS$1 HE RETORT$ 9
K9D4
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  8,:AT'S YRS80 HE ANSW]$4 8,A /AMP$E -E
D[N F ,9DIAN ,RIV] YE/]"D AFN AN' B1T Y
6X4 ,!Y A9'T NO CLAIMS LEFT40
  8,T 2+ S1 ,I REP1T1 :AT'S YR HURRY80
  8,,:O8 ,ME8 ,I A9'T NO /AMP$]4 ,I'M
"W9' =! GOV]N;T4 ,I'M ON (FICIAL BUSI;S4
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,SQUAW ,CREEK40
  ,6ANO!R1 :O HAIL$ HM )3 8,": AWAY1 LL
"O8 ,D Y RE,Y EXPECT 6/AKE A CLAIM80
,%ORTY ANSW]$3
  8,ME8 ,I'M ! 4COV]] ( ,SQUAW ,CREEK4
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BLAM$ *E*AQUO JUMPS MY CLAIM40
  ,! AV]AGE PACE (! /AMP$]S ON ! SMOO?
GO+ 0 ?REE MILES &A HALF AN H\R4 ,SMOKE
& ,%ORTY 7 DO+ F\R &A HALF1 ?\< "S"TS !Y
BROKE 96%ORT RUNS & W5T FA/]4
  8,I'M GO+ 6TRAVEL YR FEET CL1N (F1
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  8,HUH6 ,I C HIKE AL;G ON ! /UMPS AN'
WE> ! HEELS (F YR MO3AS9S4 ,?\< X A9'T
NO USE4 ,I'VE B5 FI7]9'4 ,CREEK CLAIMS
IS FIVE HUNDR$ FEET4 ,CALL ,8EM T5 6!
MILE4 ,!Y'S A ?\S& /AMP$]S AH1D ( U1
AN0' T CREEK A9'T NO HUNDR$ MILES L;G4
,"SBODY'S GO9' 6GET LEFT1 AN' X MAKES A
NOISE L Y AN' ME40
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L9K T ?REW ,%ORTY HALF A DOZ5 FEET 9 !
RE>4
  8,IF Y SAV$ YR BR1? & KEPT UP1 WE'D
CUT D[N A FEW ( T ?\S&10 HE *ID$4
  8,:O8 ,ME8 ,IF Y\'S GET \TA ! WAY ,I'D
%[ Y A PACE :AT IS40
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:OLE ASPECT (! ADV5TURE _H *ANG$4 ,"? 8
BRA9 0 RUNN+ A PHRASE (! MAD PHILOSOPH]
--8! TRANSVALU,N ( VALUES40 ,9 TRU?1 HE
0 LESS 9T]E/$ 9 /AK+ A =TUNE ?AN 9 B1T+
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,M9D1 & MUSCLE1 & /AM9A1 & S\L1 7
*ALL5G$ 9 A 3TE/ ) ? ,%ORTY1 A MAN :O _H
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F RAG-"T1 NOR AN EPIC F A *ILBLA94
  8,%ORTY1 ,I'VE GOT Y SK9N$ 6D1?4 ,I'VE
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! B1* AT ,DYEA4 ,MY FLE% IS Z /R+Y Z
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H\R (! R1L WOR/40
  8,HUH60 ,%ORTY SNE]$ G5I,Y4 8,AN' HM N
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  ,HALF-H\R 0HALF-H\R !Y ALT]NAT$ 9
SETT+ PACE4 ,NOR DID !Y TALK M*4 ,_!
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69VE/IGATE4
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8,IF Y TUM#D HM OV] HE'D BR1K40
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  8,-E ON10 ,%ORTY SD1 RU2+ 8 E>4 8,WE
C'T D NO?+ =! OLD GEEZ]4 ,AN' ,I'VE SURE
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(F & X'LL 2 SORE =A WEEK40
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SPILL$ PULSAT+ FIRE OV] ! H1V5S1 !Y SAW
ON ! ICE A QU>T] (A MILE AH1D TWO =MS4
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  8,!Y'RE L1D+ ! PROCES.N10 ,SMOKE SD1 Z
D>K;S FELL AG4 8,-E ON1 LET'S GET !M40
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RUN4
  8,IF WE CAT* 'EM WE'LL N"E PASS ,8EM10
HE PANT$4 8,"L1 :AT A PACE !Y'RE
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C /ACK ON T40
  ,SMOKE 0 L1D+ :5 !Y F9,Y CAU<T UP1 &
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HM 0 A WOMAN4 ,H[ ? IMPRES.N CAME1 HE CD
N TELL4 ,HOOD$ & FURR$1 ! D>K =M 0 Z ANY
=M2 YET "! 0 A HAUNT+ S5SE ( FAMILI>;Y
AB X4 ,HE WAIT$ =! NEXT FLAME (! AURORA1
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UNMISTAKA# WALK HE _H ONCE RESOLV$ N"E
6=GET4
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HO>SELY4 8,I'LL BET X'S AN ,9DIAN40
  8,H[ D Y D1 ,MISS ,GA/ELL10 ,SMOKE
A4RESS$4
  8,H[ D Y D10 %E ANSW]$1 )A TURN (! H1D
&A QK GL.E4 8,X'S TOO D>K 6SEE4 ,:O >E
Y80
  8,SMOKE10
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TELL+ ME AB80 ,2F HE CD RETORT1 %E W5T
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?REE HUNDR$4 ,& !Y W]5'T WA/+ ANY "T40
  8,X'S ! OLD /ORY10 %E SD BITT]LY4 8,!
NEW-COM]S GET 9 ON ! RI* CREEKS1 &! OLD-
"TRS :O D>$ & SU6]$ & MADE ? C.TRY1 GET
NO?+4 ,OLD-"TRS MADE ? 4COV]Y ON ,SQUAW
,CREEK--H[ X L1K$ \ IS ! MY/]Y--& !Y S5T
^W UP 6ALL ! OLD-"TRS ON ,SEA ,LION4 ,B
X'S T5 MILES F>!R ?AN ,DAWSON1 & :5 !Y
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0! ,DAWSON *E*AQUOS4 ,X ISN'T "R1 X
ISN'T FAIR1 S* P]V]S;Y ( LUCK40
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,I'M HANG$ IF ,I "K :AT Y'RE GO+ 6D AB
X4 ,F/ -E1 F/ S]V$1 Y "K40
  8,I WI% ,I CD D "S?+10 %E FLA%$ BACK
AT HM4 8,I'D L 6SEE !M ALL FREEZE ON !
TRAIL1 OR H "EY?+ T]RI# HAPP5 6!M1 S L;G
Z ! ,SEA ,LION /AMP$E >RIV$ F/40
  8,Y'VE C]TA9LY GOT X 9 = U1 H>D10 HE
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,!Y />V$ 9 ? C.TRY 9 ! OLD "DS1 & !Y "W$
L GIANTS 6DEVELOP X4 ,I W5T "? ! H>D "TS
ON ! ,KOYOKUK ) !M :5 ,I 0 A LL GIRL4 ,&
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,=TY ,MILE FAM9E4 ,!Y >E H]OES1 & !Y
DES]VE "S REW>D1 & YET "H >E ?\S&S (
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ANY?+1 MILES & MILES AH1D ( !M4 ,& N[1
IF Y'LL =GIVE MY TIRADE1 ,I'LL SAVE MY
BR1?1 = ,I DON'T "K :5 Y & ALL ! RE/ MAY
TRY 6PASS DAD & ME40
  ,NO FUR!R TALK PASS$ 2T ,JOY & ,SMOKE
= AN H\R OR S1 ?\< HE NOTIC$ T =A "T %E
& H] "F TALK$ 9 L[ T"OS4
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8,HE'S OLD ,L\IS ,GA/ELL1 AN' ! R1L GDS4
,T M/ 2 8 KID4 ,HE -E 96? C.TRY S L;G
AGO !Y A9'T NOBODY C RECOLLECT1 AN' HE
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SEV5 O'C1 ! BLACK;S 0 BROK5 0A LA/ 4PLAY
(! AURORA BOR1LIS1 : %[$ 6! WE/ A BROAD
OP5+ 2T SN[-CLAD M.TA9S4
  8,SQUAW ,CREEK60 ,JOY EXCLAIM$4
  8,GO9' "S10 ,%ORTY EXULT$4 8,WE "\N'T
6B5 "! = ANO!R HALF H\R 6! L1/1 A3ORD9'
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SPR1D9' MY LEGS40
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0ICE-JAMS1 SW]V$ ABRUPTLY ACR ! ,YUKON
6! EA/ BANK4 ,& "H !Y M/ L1VE ! H>D-
PACK$1 MA9-TRAVELL$ TRAIL1 M.T ! JAMS1 &
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HOV]$ ! WE/ BANK4
  ,L\IS ,GA/ELL1 L1D+1 SLIPP$ 9 ! D>K;S
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= ME Z WELL Z YRF40
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  ,L\IS ,GA/ELL %OOK 8 H1D4
  8,%E C /AKE TWO CLAIMS Z WELL Z "O4
,I'LL CRAWL OV] 6! BANK1 />T A FIRE1 &
B&AGE MY ANKLE4 ,I'LL 2 ALL "R4 ,G ON1
,JOY4 ,/AKE \RS ABV ! ,4COV]Y CLAIM2 X'S
RI*] HI<] UP40
  8,"H'S "S BIR* B>K10 ,SMOKE SD1 DIVID+
8 SUPPLY EQU,Y4 8,WE'LL TAKE C>E ( YR
DAU<T]40
  ,L\IS ,GA/ELL LAU<$ H>%LY4
  8,?ANK Y J ! SAME10 HE SD4 8,B %E C
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  8,D Y M9D IF ,I L1D80 %E ASK$ ,SMOKE1
Z %E H1D$ ON4 8,I "K ? C.TRY BETT] ?AN
Y40
  8,L1D ON10 ,SMOKE ANSW]$ GALLANTLY1
8?\< ,I AGREE ) Y X'S A D>N$ %AME ALL U
*E*AQUOS >E GO+ 6B1T T ,SEA ,LION BUN*
6X4 ,ISN'T "! "S WAY 6%AKE !M80
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4
  8,WE C'T HIDE \R TRAIL1 & !Y'LL FOLL[
X L %EEP40
  ,AF A QU>T] (A MILE1 %E TURN$ %>PLY 6!
WE/4 ,SMOKE NOTIC$ T !Y 7 GO+ "? UNPACK$
SN[1 B NEI HE NOR ,%ORTY OBS]V$ T ! DIM
TRAIL !Y _H BE5 ON / L$ S\?4 ,_H !Y
WIT;S$ ! SUBSEQU5T PROC$URE ( ,L\IS
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WRITT5 DI6]5TLY2 = !Y WD H SE5 T OLD-
"TR1 NO L;G] LIMP+1 RUNN+ ) 8 NOSE 6!
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SE5 HM TRAMPLE & WID5 ! TURN !Y _H MADE
6! WE/4 ,&1 F9,Y1 !Y WD H SE5 HM KEEP ON
! OLD DIM TRAIL T / L$ S\?4
  ,A TRAIL DID RUN UP ! CREEK1 B S SLI<T
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9 BR1K+ A WAY "? ! SN[4 ,? SL[;S (!
L1D]S 5A#D ! :OLE /AMP$E 6CAT* UP1 & :5
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CD SEE 0 AN UNBROK5 L9E ( M54 ,JOY'S D>K
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  8,H[ L;G S9CE WE />T$ UP ! CREEK80 %E
ASK$4
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,A FA9T SUSPICION CROSS$ ,SMOKE'S M9D1 &
  HE /OPP$ &
3FRONT$ H]4

  8,I DON'T "U/&10 HE SD4
  8,Y DON'T4 ,!N ,I'LL TELL Y4 ,? IS
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6! S\?40
  ,SMOKE 0 =! MO;T1 SPEE*.S4
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  8,I DID X 6GIVE ! OLD-"TRS A *.E40
  ,%E LAU<$ MOCK+LY4 ,! M5 GR9N$ AT EA*
O!R & F9,Y JO9$ H]4
  8,I'D LAY Y ACR MY KNEE AN' GIVE Y A
WALLOP9'1 IF WOM5FOLK WASN'T S SC>CE 9 ?
C.TRY10 ,%ORTY ASSUR$ H]4
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TILL WE 7 \ ( SI<T & !N W5T ON80 ,SMOKE
ASK$4
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  8,& Y 7 ! DECOY40
  ,AG %E NO4$1 & ? "T ,SMOKE'S LAU<T]
RANG \ CLE> & TRUE4 ,X 0 ! SPONTANE\S
LAU<T] (A FRANKLY B1T5 MAN4
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RUE;LLY4 8,OR--OR WALLOP ME80
  8,WELL1 WE MI<T Z WELL 2 />T+ BACK10
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/&9' "H40
  ,SMOKE %OOK 8 H1D4
  8,T WD M1N F\R H\RS LO/4 ,WE M/ 2 EI<T
MILES UP ? ,CREEK N[1 & F ! LOOK AH1D
,NORWAY IS MAK+ A L;G SW+ S\?4 ,WE'LL
FOLL[ X1 !N CROSS OV] ! DIVIDE "SH[1 &
TAP ,SQUAW ,CREEK "S": ABV ,4COV]Y40 ,HE
LOOK$ AT ,JOY4 8,WON'T Y -E AL;G ) U8 ,I
TOLD YR "F WE'D LOOK AF Y40
  8,I--0 ,%E HESITAT$4 8,I ?9K ,I %1 IF
Y DON'T M9D40 ,%E 0 LOOK+ /RAI<T AT HM1
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8,RE,Y1 ,MR ,SMOKE1 Y MAKE ME ALM SORRY
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OLD-"TRS40
  8,X /RIKES ME T /AMP$+ IS AT BE/ A
SPORT+ PROPOSI;N40
  8,& X /RIKES ME Y TWO >E V GAME AB X10
%E W5T ON1 !N A4$ )! %AD[ (A SI<3 8,:AT
A P;Y Y >E N OLD-"TRS40
  ,= TWO H\RS M !Y KEPT 6! FROZ5 CREEK-
B$ ( ,NORWAY1 !N TURN$ 96A N>R[ & RU7$
TRIBUT>Y T FL[$ F ! S\?4 ,AT MID"D !Y
2GAN ! ASC5T (! DIVIDE XF4 ,2H !M1 LOOK+
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/AMP$]S BR1K+ UP4 ,"H & "!1 9 SCORES (
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( CAMPS4
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  8,WE B5 HITT9' ! TRAIL = OV] TWELVE
H\RS10 HE SD4 8,SMOKE1 ,I'M PLUM WILL9'
6SAY ,I'M GD AN' TIR$4 ,AN' S >E Y4 ,AN'
,I'M FREE 6%\T T ,I C SURE HANG ON 6? "H
PASC> L A />V9' ,9DIAN 6A HUNK ( BE>-
M1T4 ,B ? POOR GIRL "H C'T KEEP H] LEGS
NO "T IF %E DON'T GET "S?+ 9 H] /OMA*4
,"H'S ": WE BUILD A FIRE4 ,:AT D'YE
SAY80
  ,S QKLY1 S DEFTLY & ME?ODIC,Y1 DID !Y
G AB MAK+ A TEMPOR>Y CAMP1 T ,JOY1 WAT*+
) J1L\S EYES1 ADMITT$ 6H]F T ! OLD-"TRS
CD N D X BETT]4 ,SPRUCE B\<S1 )A SPR1D
BLANKET ON TOP1 GAVE A F.D,N = RE/ &
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FIRE UNTIL NOSES & *EEKS _H BE5 RU2$
CRUELLY4
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  8,I GIVE X UP10 HE SD4 8,I'VE N"E SE5
COLD L ?40
  8,"O W9T] ON ! ,KOYOKUK X W5T 6EI<TY-
SIX 2L10 ,JOY ANSW]$4 8,X'S AT L1/
SEV5TY OR SEV5TY-FIVE "R N[1 & ,I "K
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FIRE40
  ,ON ! /EEP SLOPE (! DIVIDE "! 0 NO
ICE1 :ILE SN[1 Z F9E & H>D & CRY/ALL9E Z
GRANULAT$ SUG>1 0 P\R$ 96! GOLD-PAN 0!
BU%EL UNTIL 5 WAT] 0 MELT$ =! C(FEE4
,SMOKE FRI$ BACON & ?AW$ BISCUITS4
,%ORTY KEPT ! FUEL SUPPLI$ & T5D$ !
FIRE1 & ,JOY SET ! SIMPLE TA# -POS$ (
TWO PLATES1 TWO CUPS1 TWO SPOONS1 A T9 (
MIX$ SALT & PEPP]1 &A T9 ( SUG>4 ,:5 X
CAME 6EAT+1 %E & ,SMOKE %>$ "O SET 2T
!M4 ,!Y ATE \ (! SAME PLATE & DRANK F !
SAME CUP4
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CRE/ (! DIVIDE & 2GAN DROPP+ D[N A FE$]
( ,SQUAW ,CREEK4 ,E>LI] 9 ! W9T] "S
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8 PREVI\S TRACKS4 ,Z A RESULT1 9 ! MID/
( S(T SN[1 & VEIL$ "U LAT] SN[ FALLS1 0
A L9E ( IRREGUL> HUMMOCKS4 ,IF "O'S FOOT
MISS$ A HUMMOCK1 HE PLUNG$ D[N "?
UNPACK$ SN[ & USU,Y 6A FALL4 ,AL1 !
MOOSE-HUNT] _H BE5 AN EXCEP;N,Y L;G-LE7$
9DIVIDUAL4 ,JOY1 :O 0 EAG] N[ T ! TWO M5
%D /AKE1 & FE>+ T !Y 7 SLACK5+ PACE ON
A3.T ( H] EVID5T WE>I;S1 9SI/$ ON TAK+ !
L1D4 ,! SPE$ & MANN] 9 : %E NEGOTIAT$ !
PREC>I\S FOOT+1 CALL$ \ ,%ORTY'S
UNQUALIFI$ APPROVAL4
  8,LOOK AT H]60 HE CRI$4 8,%E'S ! R1L
GDS AN' ! R$ M1T4 ,LOOK AT !M MO3AS9S
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LEGS ,GOD GAVE H]4 ,%E'S ! "R SQUAW =
ANY BE>-HUNT]40
  ,%E FLA%$ BACK A SMILE ( AC"KL$G;T T
9CLUD$ ,SMOKE4 ,HE CAU<T A FEEL+ (
*UMMI;S1 ?\< AT ! SAME "T HE 0 BIT+LY
AW>E T X 0 V M* (A WOMAN :O EMBRAC$ HM 9
T -RADELY SMILE4
  ,LOOK+ BACK1 Z !Y CAME 6! BANK (
,SQUAW ,CREEK1 !Y CD SEE ! /AMP$E1 /RUNG
\ IRREGUL>LY1 /RU7L+ AL;G ! DESC5T (!
DIVIDE4
  ,!Y SLIPP$ D[N ! BANK 6! CREEK B$4 ,!
/R1M1 FROZ5 SOLIDLY 6BOTTOM1 0 F TW5TY
6?IRTY FEET WIDE & RAN 2T SIX- & EI<T-
FOOT E>? BANKS ( ALLUVIAL WA%4 ,NO REC5T
FEET _H 4TURB$ ! SN[ T LAY ^U XS ICE1 &
!Y KNEW
!Y 7 ABV ! ,4COV]Y CLAIM &! LA/ /AKES (!
,SEA ,LION /AMP$]S4
  8,LOOK \ = SPR+S10 ,JOY W>N$1 Z ,SMOKE
L$ ! WAY D[N ! CREEK4 8,AT SEV5TY 2L
Y'LL LOSE YR FEET IF Y BR1K "?40
  ,^! SPR+S1 -MON 6MO/ ,KLONDIKE /R1MS1
N"E C1S$ AT ! L[E/ TEMP]ATURES4 ,! WAT]
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F ! COLD 0LAT] SURFACE-FREEZ+S & SN[
FALLS4 ,?US1 A MAN1 /EPP+ ON DRY SN[1
MI<T BR1K "? HALF AN 9* ( ICE-SK9 & F9D
HMF UP 6! KNEES 9 WAT]4 ,9 FIVE M9UTES1
UN.S A# 6REMOVE ! WET GE>1 ! LOSS ( "O'S
FOOT 0 ! P5ALTY4
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! C5TRE-/AKE (! LA/ CLAIM LOCAT$4 ,JOY1
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IS6 ,SEE T SPRUCE60
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\40
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SPRANG 6! BANK1 ": DRY & S1SON$ TWIGS &
/ICKS1 LODG$ AM;G/ ! BRU% 0SPR+ FRE%ETS1
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RIS+4
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FOLL[$ !M4

8,LET ,%ORTY /AKE10 %E URG$

  8,G ON1 ,%ORTY10 ,SMOKE SD1 Z HE
ATTACK$ H] MO3AS9S1 ALR /IFF ) ICE4
8,PACE (F A ?\S& FEET & PLACE ! TWO
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AFWS40
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L1!R (! MO3AS9S4 ,S /IFF 7 !Y ) ICE T !Y
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,SIWA% SOCKS & H1VY WOOLL5 /OCK+S 7 %1?S
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5CAS$ 9 CORRUGAT$ IRON4
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  8,PRETTY NUMB4 ,I C'T MOVE NOR FEEL MY
TOES4 ,B X W 2 ALL "R4 ,! FIRE IS BURN+
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H&S4 ,!Y M/ 2 NUMB N[ F ! WAY Y'RE
FUMBL+40
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M9UTE SMA%$ ! OP5 H&S SAVAGELY AG/ 8
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  8,Y'LL H 6TAKE C>E ( !M =A :ILE10 HE
SD4
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A -PLETE *ANGE ( FOOT-GE>4
  ,%ORTY RETURN$ AL;G ! CREEK-B$ &
CLIMB$ ! BANK 6!M4
  8,I SURE /AK$ A FULL ?\SAN' FEET10 HE
PROCLAIM$4 8,NUMB] TW5TY-SEV5 & NUMB]
TW5TY-EI<T1 ?\< ,I'D ONLY GOT ! UPP]
/AKE ( TW5TY-SEV51 :5 ,I MET ! F/ GEEZ]
(! BUN* 2H4 ,HE J /RAI<T DCLD ,I WASN'T
GO9' 6/AKE TW5TY-EI<T4 ,AN' ,I TOLD HM 4
4 4 40
  8,YES1 YES10 ,JOY CRI$4 8,:AT DID Y
TELL HM80
  8,WELL1 ,I TOLD HM /RAI<T T IF HE
DIDN'T BACK UP PLUM FIVE HUNDR$ FEET
,I'D SURE PUN* 8 FROZ5 NOSE 96ICE-CR1M
AN' *OCOLATE ECLAIRES4 ,HE BACK$ UP1 AN'
,I'VE GOT 9 ! C5TRE-/AKES ( TWO FULL AN'
H"O/ FIVE-HUNDR$-FOOT CLAIMS4 ,HE /AK$
NEXT1
& ,I GUESS 0N[ ! BUN* HAS ,SQUAW ,CREEK
LOCAT$ 6H1D-WAT]S AN' D[N ! O!R SIDE4
,\RN IS SAFE4 ,X'S TOO D>K 6SEE N[1 B WE
C PUT \ ! CORN]-/AKES 9 ! MORN9'40

    ,,III4
  ,:5 !Y AWOKE1 !Y F.D A *ANGE _H TAK5
PLACE DUR+ ! NI<T4 ,S W>M 0 X1 T ,%ORTY
& ,SMOKE1 / 9 _! MUTUAL BLANKETS1
E/IMAT$ ! TEMP]ATURE AT NO M ?AN TW5TY
2L4 ,! COLD SNAP _H BROK54 ,ON TOP _!
BLANKETS LAY SIX 9*ES ( FRO/ CRY/ALS4
  8,GD MORN+6 H['S YR FEET80 0 ,SMOKE'S
GREET+ ACR ! A%ES (! FIRE 6": ,JOY
,GA/ELL1 C>E;LLY %AK+ ASIDE ! SN[1 0
SITT+ UP 9 H] SLEEP+ FURS4
  ,%ORTY BUILT ! FIRE & QU>RI$ ICE F !
CREEK1 :ILE ,SMOKE COOK$ BR1KFA/4
,"DLI<T CAME ON Z !Y F9I%$ ! M1L4
  8,Y G AN' FIX !M CORN]-/AKES1 ,SMOKE10
,%ORTY SD4 8,"!'S A GRAVEL "U ": ,I
*OPP$ ICE =! C(FEE1 AN' ,I'M GO9' 6MELT
WAT] & WA% A PAN ( T SAME GRAVEL =
LUCK40
  ,SMOKE DE"P$1 AXE 9 H&1 6BLAZE !
/AKES4 ,/>T+ F ! D[N-/R1M C5TRE-/AKE (
,8TW5TY-SEV510' HE H1D$ AT "R ANGLES ACR
! N>R[ VALLEY T[>DS XS RIM4 ,HE PROCE$$
ME?ODIC,Y1 ALM AUTOMATIC,Y1 = 8 M9D 0
ALIVE ) RECOLLEC;NS (! NI<T 2F4 ,HE
FELT1 "SH[1 T HE _H WON 6EMP]Y OV] !
DELICATE L9ES & FIRM MUSCLES ( ^? FEET &
ANKLES HE _H RU2$ ) SN[1 & ? EMP]Y SEEM$
6EXT5D 6ALL WOM54 ,9 DIM & FI]Y WAYS A
FEEL+ ( POSSES.N MA/]$ HM4 ,X SEEM$ T
ALL T 0 NEC 0 = HM 6WALK UP 6? ,JOY
,GA/ELL1 TAKE H] H& 9 HIS1 & SAY 8,-E40
  ,X 0 9 ? MOOD T HE 4COV]$ "S?+ T MADE
HM =GET EMP]Y OV] ! :ITE FEET ( WOMAN4
,AT ! VALLEY RIM HE BLAZ$ NO CORN]-/AKE4
,HE DID N R1* ! VALLEY RIM1 B1 9/1D1 HE
F.D HMF 3FRONT$ 0ANO!R /R1M4 ,HE L9$ UP
) 8 EYE A BLA/$ WILL[ TREE &A BIG &
RECOGNIZA# SPRUCE4 ,HE RETURN$ 6! /R1M
": 7 ! C5TRE /AKES4 ,HE FOLL[$ ! B$ (!
CREEK >.D A WIDE HORSE%OE B5D "? ! FLAT1
& F.D T ! TWO CREEKS 7 ! SAME CREEK4
,NEXT1 HE FL.D]$ TWICE "? ! SN[ F VALLEY
RIM 6VALLEY RIM1 RUNN+ ! F/ L9E F ! L[]
/AKE ( ,8TW5TY-SEV510' ! SECOND F ! UPP]
/AKE ( ,8TW5TY-EI<T10' & HE F.D T ,,!
,,UPP] ,,/AKE ,,( ,,! ,,LATT] ,,0 ,,L[]
,,?AN ,,! ,,L[] ,,/AKE ,,( ,,! ,,=M]4 ,9
! GRAY TWILI<T & HALF-D>K;S ,%ORTY _H
LOCAT$ _! TWO CLAIMS ON ! HORSE%OE4
  ,SMOKE PLO4$ BACK 6! LL CAMP4 ,%ORTY1
AT ! 5D ( WA%+ A PAN ( GRAVEL1 EXPLOD$
AT SI<T ( HM4
  8,WE GOT X60 ,%ORTY CRI$1 HOLD+ \ !
PAN4 8,LOOK AT X6 ,A NA/Y MESS ( GOLD4
,TWO HUNDR$ "R "! IF X'S A C5T4 ,%E RUNS
RI* F ! TOP (! WA%-GRAVEL4 ,I'VE *URN$
>.D PLAC]S "S1 B ,I N"E GOT BUTT] L
:AT'S 9 ? PAN40
  ,SMOKE CA/ AN 9CURI\S GL.E AT ! CO>SE
GOLD1 P\R$ HMF A CUP ( C(FEE AT ! FIRE1
& SAT D[N4 ,JOY S5S$ "S?+ WR;G & LOOK$
AT HM ) EAG]LY SOLICIT\S EYES4 ,%ORTY1
H["E1 0 4GRUNTL$ 0HIS "PN]'S LACK (
DELI<T 9 ! 4COV]Y4
  8,:Y DON'T Y KICK 9 AN' GET EXCIT$80
HE DEM&$4 8,WE GOT \R PILE "R "H1 UN.S
Y'RE /ICK9' UP YR NOSE AT TWO-HUNDR$-
DOLL> PANS40
  ,SMOKE TOOK A SWALL[ ( C(FEE 2F
REPLY+4
  8,%ORTY1 :Y >E \R TWO CLAIMS "H L !
,PANAMA ,CANAL80
  8,:AT'S ! ANSW]80
  8,WELL1 ! EA/]N 5TR.E (! ,PANAMA
,CANAL IS WE/ (! WE/]N 5TR.E1 T'S ALL40
  8,G ON10 ,%ORTY SD4 8,I A9'T SE5 !
JOKE YET40
  8,IN %ORT1 ,%ORTY1 Y /AK$ \R TWO
CLAIMS ON A BIG HORSE%OE B5D40
  ,%ORTY SET ! GOLD PAN D[N 9 ! SN[ &
/OOD UP4
  8,G ON10 HE REP1T$4
  8,! UPP] /AKE ( TW5TY-EI<T IS T5 FEET
2L ! L[] /AKE ( TW5TY-SEV540
  8,Y M1N WE A9'T GOT NO?9'1 ,SMOKE80
  8,WORSE ?AN T2 WE'VE GOT T5 FEET LESS
?AN NO?+40
  ,%ORTY DE"P$ D[N ! BANK ON ! RUN4
,FIVE M9UTES LAT] HE RETURN$4 ,9
RESPONSE 6,JOY'S LOOK1 HE NO4$4 ,)\T
SPEE*1 HE W5T OV] 6A LOG & SAT D[N 6GAZE
/1DILY AT ! SN[ 9 FRONT ( 8 MO3AS9S4
  8,WE MI<T Z WELL BR1K CAMP & />T BACK
= ,DAWSON10 ,SMOKE SD1 2G9N+ 6FOLD !
BLANKETS4
  8,I AM SORRY1 ,SMOKE10 ,JOY SD4 8,X'S
ALL MY FAULT40
  8,X'S ALL "R10 HE ANSW]$4 8,ALL 9 !
"D'S "W1 Y "K40
  8,B X'S MY FAULT1 :OLLY M9E10 %E
P]SI/$4 8,DAD'S /AK$ = ME D[N NE>
,4COV]Y1 ,I "K4 ,I'LL GIVE Y MY CLAIM40
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4
  8,%ORTY10 %E PL1D$4
  ,%ORTY %OOK 8 H1D & 2GAN 6LAU<4 ,X 0 A
COLOSSAL LAU<4 ,*UCKLES & MU6L$ EXPLO.NS
YIELD$ 6HE>TY RO>S4
  8,X A9'T HY/]ICS10 HE EXPLA9$1 8,I
SURE GET P[];L AMUS$ AT "TS1 AN' ? IS "O
( !M40
  ,8 GAZE *.ED 6FALL ON ! GOLD PAN4 ,HE
WALK$ OV] & GRAVELY KICK$ X1 SCATT]+ !
GOLD OV] ! L&SCAPE4
  8,X A9'T \RN10 HE SD4 8,X 2L;GS 6!
GEEZ] ,I BACK$ UP FIVE HUNDR$ FEET LA/
NI<T4 ,AN' :AT GETS ME IS F\R HUNDR$ AN'
N9ETY ( !M FEET 0 6! GD 4 4 4 8 GD4 ,-E
ON1 ,SMOKE4 ,LET'S />T ! HIKE 6,DAWSON4
,?\< IF Y'RE HANK]9' 6KILL ME ,I WON'T
LIFT A F+] 6PREV5T40