,,! ,,MAN ,,ON ,,! ,,O!R ,,BANK4

    ,I4
  ,X 0 2F ,SMOKE ,BELLEW /AK$ ! F>CICAL
T[N-SITE ( ,TRA-,LEE1 MADE ! HI/ORIC
CORN] ( E7S T NE>LY BROKE ,SWIFTWAT]
,BILL'S BANK A3.T1 OR WON ! DOG-T1M RACE
D[N ! ,YUKON = AN EV5 MILLION DOLL>S1 T
HE & ,%ORTY "P$ -PANY ON ! ,UPP]
,KLONDIKE4 ,%ORTY'S TASK 0 6RETURN D[N !
,KLONDIKE 6,DAWSON 6RECORD "S CLAIMS !Y
_H /AK$4
  ,SMOKE1 )! DOG-T1M1 TURN$ S\?4 ,8 QUE/
0 ,SURPRISE ,LAKE &! MY?ICAL ,TWO
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,9DIAN ,RIV] & CROSS ! UN"KN REGION OV]
! M.TA9S 6! ,/EW>T ,RIV]4 ,"H1 "S":1
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0JA7$ M.TA9S & GLACI]S1 XS BOTTOM PAV$ )
RAW GOLD4 ,OLD-"TRS1 X 0 SD1 ^: V "NS 7
=GOTT5 9 ! =E/S ( E>LI] YE>S1 _H DIV$ 9
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LUMP-GOLD 6! SURFACE 9 BO? H&S4 ,AT
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! WAT]1 2+ PULL$ UP D1D4 ,O!RS DI$ (
3SUMP;N4 ,& "O :O _H G"O D[N N"E DID -E
UP4 ,ALL SURVIVORS _H PLANN$ 6RETURN &
DRA9 ! LAKE1 YET N"O _H "E G"O BACK4
,4A/] ALW HAPP5$4 ,"O MAN FELL 96AN AIR-
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VA9LY =! M9E : ^? E>LY ADV5TUR]S M/ H
"W$4
  8,I WI% Y 0 GO9' ) ME10 ,%ORTY SD
WI/;LLY1 AT "P+4 8,J 2C Y GOT ! ,9DIAN
BUG A9'T NO R1SON = 6G POK9' 96TR\#4
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Y'RE B.D =4 ,! HOODOO'S SURE ON X1 F !
F/ FLIP 6! LA/ CALL1 JUDG9' F ALL Y AN'
ME HAS HE>N TELL AB X40
  8,X'S ALL "R1 ,%ORTY4 ,I'LL MAKE ! R.D
TRIP & 2 BACK 9 ,DAWSON 9 SIX WEEKS4 ,!
,YUKON TRAIL IS PACK$1 &! F/ HUNDR$
MILES OR S (! ,/EW>T "\ 6BE PACK$4 ,OLD-
"TRS F ,H5D]SON H TOLD ME A NUMB] (
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,:5 ,I /RIKE _! TRAIL ,I "\ 6HIT H] UP
=TY OR FIFTY MILES A "D4 ,I'M LIKELY 6BE
BACK 9SIDE A MON?1 ONCE ,I GET ACR40
  8,YES1 ONCE Y GET ACRO/4 ,B X'S !
GETT9' ACRO/ T WORRIES ME4 ,WELL1 S L;G1
,SMOKE4 ,KEEP YR EYES OP5 = T HOODOO1
T'S ALL4 ,AN' DON'T 2 A%AM$ 6TURN BACK
IF Y DON'T KILL ANY M1T40

    ,,II4
  ,A WEEK LAT]1 ,SMOKE F.D HMF AM;G !
JUM#D RANGES S\? ( ,9DIAN ,RIV]4 ,ON !
DIVIDE F ! ,KLONDIKE HE _H AB&ON$ ! SL$
& PACK$ 8 WOLF-DOGS4 ,! SIX BIG HUSKIES
EA* C>RI$ FIFTY P.DS1 & ON 8 [N BACK 0
AN EQUAL BURD54 ,"? ! S(T SN[ HE L$ !
WAY1 PACK+ X D[N "U 8 SN[-%OES1 & 2H1 9
S+LE FILE1 TOIL$ ! DOGS4
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"D1 & 9 X HE SAW A PICTURE : HE "E YE>N$
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ACR ! FIRE ! WOLF-DOGS SNU7L+ 6X =!
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BU%Y TAILS CURL$ PROTECT+LY OV] _! FEET2
& ALL AB1 PRESS$ BACKW>D B A SPACE1 !
WALL ( 5CIRCL+ D>K;S4
  ,AT S* "TS ,SAN ,FRANCISCO1 ,! ,BILL[1
& ,O',H>A SEEM$ V F> AWAY1 LO/ 9 A
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"KN ANY O!R
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6RECONCILE HMF 6! FACT T HE _H ONCE
DAB#D & DAWDL$ 9 ! ,BOHEMIAN DRIFT ( C;Y
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M*1 & DEEPLY1 & SIMPLY4 ,HE 0 APPALL$ 0!
WA/AGE ( 8 C;Y YE>S1 0! *1P;S1 N[1 (!
PHILOSOPHIES (! S*OOLS & BOOKS1 (! CL"E
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CANT (! BUSI;S M5 9 _! CLUBS4 ,!Y KNEW
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"E POSSIBLY "K ! /+ ( R1L APPETITE1 !
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0 D"O4
  ,& ALL ! "T ? F9E1 WISE1 ,S"PAN ,NOR?
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PUZZL$ HM WAS1 T1 ) S* 9TR9SIC FIT;S1 HE
_H N"E HE>D ! SLI<TE/ CALL+ :ISP]1 _H N
HMF G"O =? 6SEEK4 ,B ?1 TOO1 HE SOLV$ 9
"T4
  8,LOOK "H1 ,YELL[-FACE1 ,I'VE GOT X
CLE>60
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BU% (A TAIL AB !M AG1 & LAU<$ ACR !
FIRE4
  8,H]B]T ,SP;ER 0 NE>LY =TY 2F HE CAU<T
! VI.N ( 8 GRTE/ E6ICI5CY & DESIRE4 ,I'M
N"O S SL[4 ,I DIDN'T H 6WAIT TILL ,I 0
?IRTY 6CAT* M9E4 ,"R "H IS MY E6ICI5CY &
DESIRE4 ,ALM1 ,YELL[ ,FACE1 D ,I WI% ,I
_H BE5 BORN A WOLF-BOY & BE5 BRO!R ALL
MY "DS 6Y & YRS40
  ,= "DS HE W&]$ "? A *AOS ( CANYONS &
DIVIDES : DID N YIELD !MVS 6ANY R,NAL
TOPOGRAPHICAL PLAN4 ,X 0 Z IF !Y _H BE5
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=A CREEK OR FE$] T FL[$ TRULY S\? T[>D !
,MC,"Q &! ,/EW>T4 ,!N CAME A M.TA9 /ORM
T BLEW A BLIZZ>D ACR ! RIFF-RAFF ( HI< &
%ALL[ DIVIDES4 ,ABV TIMB]-L9E1 FIRE.S1 =
TWO "DS1 HE /RU7L$ BLLY 6F9D L[] LEVELS4
,ON ! SECOND "D HE CAME \ ^U ! RIM ( AN
ENORM\S PALISADE4 ,S ?ICKLY DROVE ! SN[
T HE CD N SEE ! BASE (! WALL1 NOR D>$ HE
ATTEMPT ! DESC5T4 ,HE ROLL$ HMF 9 8
ROBES & HU4L$ ! DOGS AB HM 9 ! DEP?S (A
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  ,9 ! MORN+1 ! /ORM SP5T1 HE CRAWL$ \
69VE/IGATE4 ,A QU>T] (A MILE 2N HM1 2Y
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,SURPRISE ,LAKE4
  8,WELL-"ND10 HE MUTT]$1 AN H\R LAT]1 Z
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HE PICK$ UP A LUMP ( GOLD Z L>GE Z 8
D\#D FI/4 ,2S ! LUMP 0 A PEPP]-C FILL$ )
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%[+ NO SIGNS ( WA%4
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PALISADE1 HE TOOK A F>EWELL LOOK BACK &
D[N AT 8 F9D4
  8,X'S ALL "R1 ,MR ,LAKE10 HE SD4 8,Y J
KEEP "R ON /AY+ "!4 ,I'M -+ BACK 6DRA9
Y--IF T HOODOO DOESN'T CAT* ME4 ,I DON'T
"K H[ ,I GOT "H1 B ,I'LL "K 0! WAY ,I G
\40

    ,,III4
  ,9 A LL VALLEY1 2S A FROZ5 /R1M & "U
2NEFIC5T SPRUCE TREES1 HE BUILT A FIRE
F\R "DS LAT]4 ,"S": 9 T :ITE AN>*Y HE
LEFT 2H HM1 0 ,SURPRISE ,LAKE--"S":1 HE
KNEW N ":2 =A HUNDR$ H\RS ( DRIFTAGE &
/RU7LE "? BL9D+ DRIV+ SN[1 _H 3C1L$ 8
C\RSE F HM1 & HE KNEW N 9 :AT DIREC;N
LAY ,,2H4 ,X 0 Z IF HE _H J EM]G$ F A
NI<TM>E4 ,HE 0 N SURE T F\R "DS OR A
WEEK _H PASS$4 ,HE _H SLEPT )! DOGS1 F"\
ACR A =GOTT5 NUMB] ( %ALL[ DIVIDES1
FOLL[$ ! W9D+S ( WEIRD CANYONS T 5D$ 9
POCKETS1 & TWICE _H MANAG$ 6MAKE A FIRE
& ?AW \ FROZ5 MOOSE-M1T4 ,& "H HE WAS1
WELL-F$ & WELL-CAMP$4 ,! /ORM _H PASS$1
& X _H TURN$ CLE> & COLD4 ,! LAY (! L&
_H AG 2COME R,NAL4 ,! CREEK HE 0 ON 0
NATURAL 9 APPE>.E1 & TR5D$ Z X %D T[>D !
S\?WE/4 ,B ,SURPRISE ,LAKE 0 Z LO/ 6HM Z
X _H BE5 6ALL XS SEEK]S 9 ! PA/4
  ,HALF A "D'S J\RNEY D[N ! CREEK BR"\
HM 6! VALLEY (A L>G] /R1M : HE DECID$ 0
! ,MC,"Q4 ,"H HE %OT A MOOSE1 & ONCE AG
EA* WOLF-DOG C>RI$ A FULL FIFTY-P.D PACK
( M1T4 ,Z HE TURN$ D[N ! ,MC,"Q1 HE CAME
^U A SL$-TRAIL4 ,! LATE SN[S _H DRIFT$
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3CLU.N 0 T TWO CAMPS _H BE5 E/ABLI%$ ON
! ,MC,"Q1 & T ? 0 ! 3NECT+ TRAIL4
,EVID5TLY1 ,TWO ,CAB9S _H BE5 F.D & X 0
! L[]
CAMP1 S HE H1D$ D[N ! /R1M4
  ,X 0 =TY 2L Z]O :5 HE CAMP$ T NI<T1 &
HE FELL ASLEEP WOND]+ :O 7 ! M5 :O _H
REDISCOV]$ ! ,TWO ,CAB9S1 & IF HE WD
FET* X NEXT "D4 ,AT ! F/ H9T ( DAWN HE 0
"U WAY1 EASILY FOLL[+ ! HALF-OBLIT]AT$
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S T ! DOGS %D N WALL[4
  ,& !N X CAME1 ! UNEXPECT$1 L1P+ \ ^U
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COAT1 PIVOT$ HM HALF >.D )! %OCK ( XS
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6RECOV] BAL.E1 & HE>D A SECOND CRACK (!
RIFLE4 ,? "T X 0 A CL1N MISS4 ,HE DID N
WAIT = M1 B PLUNG$ ACR ! SN[ =! %ELT]+
TREES (! BANK A HUNDR$ FEET AWAY4 ,AG &
AG ! RIFLE CRACK$1 & HE 0 UNPL1SANTLY
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BACK4
  ,HE CLIMB$ ! BANK1 ! DOGS FL.D]+ 2H1 &
DODG$ 9 AM;G ! TREES & BRU%4 ,SLIPP+ \ (
8 SN[-%OES1 HE WALL[$ =W>D AT FULL L5G?
& PE]$ CAUTI\SLY \4 ,NO?+ 0 6BE SE54
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  8,IF "S?+ DOESN'T HAPP5 PRETTY SOON10
HE MUTT]$ AT ! 5D ( HALF AN H\R1 8,I'LL
H 6SN1K AWAY & BUILD A FIRE OR FREEZE MY
FEET4 ,YELL[ ,FACE1 :AT'D Y D1 LY+ 9 !
FRO/ ) CIRCUL,N GETT+ SLACK &A MAN TRY+
6PLUG Y80
  ,HE CRAWL$ BACK A FEW Y>DS1 PACK$ D[N
! SN[1 D.ED A JIG T S5T ! BLOOD BACK
96HIS FEET1 & MANAG$ 65DURE ANO!R HALF
H\R4 ,!N1 F D[N ! RIV]1 HE HE>D !
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/RA9+ AT ! GEE-POLE & URG+ ! DOGS AL;G4
,! E6ECT ON ,SMOKE 0 "O ( %OCK1 = X 0 !
F/ HUMAN HE _H SE5 S9CE HE "P$ F ,%ORTY
?REE WEEKS 2F4 ,8 NEXT ?"\ 0 (! POT5TIAL
MURD]] 3C1L$ ON ! OPPOSITE BANK4
  ,)\T EXPOS+ HMF1 ,SMOKE :I/L$ W>N+LY4
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:OA'D 8 DOGS1 /OPP$1 & _H TURN$ & FAC$
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,SMOKE FIR$ 96! WOOD 9 ! DIREC;N (! S.D4
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,HE /UM#D AWKW>DLY 6! SL$1 HALF-FALL+1 &
PULL$ A RIFLE \ F "U ! LA%+S4 ,Z HE
/ROVE 6RAISE X 6HIS %\LD]1 HE CRUMPL$ AT
! WAI/ & SANK D[N SL[LY 6A SITT+ PO/URE
ON ! SL$4 ,!N1 ABRUPTLY1 Z ! GUN W5T (F
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(! SL$-LOAD1 S T ,SMOKE CD SEE ONLY 8
LEGS & /OMA*4
  ,F 2L CAME M J+L+ BELLS4 ,! MAN DID N
MOVE4 ,>.D ! B5D SWUNG ?REE SL$S1
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W>N+LY1 B !Y _H SE5 ! 3DI;N (! F/ SL$1 &
!Y DA%$ ON 6X4 ,NO %OTS CAME F ! O!R
BANK1 & ,SMOKE1 CALL+ 8 DOGS 6FOLL[1
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TWO ( !M1 FL++ (F ! MITT5S ( _! "R H&S1
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  8,-E ON1 Y R$-H&$ MURD]]1 Y10 "O ( !M1
A BLACK-BE>D$ MAN1 -M&$1 8AN' JE/ PIT* T
GUN ( Y\RN 9 ! SN[40
  ,SMOKE HESITAT$1 !N DROPP$ 8 RIFLE &
CAME UP 6!M4
  8,G "? HM1 ,L\IS1 AN' TAKE 8 W1PONS10
! BLACK-BE>D$ MAN ORD]$4
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,SMOKE DECID$1 Z 7 F\R (! O!RS1 OBEY$4
,8 SE>* REV1L$ ONLY ,SMOKE'S HUNT+
KNIFE1 : 0 APPROPRIAT$4
  8,N[1 :AT H Y GOT 6SAY = YRF1 ,/RANG]1
2F ,I %OOT Y D1D80 ! BLACK-BE>D$ MAN
DEM&$4
  8,T Y'RE MAK+ A MISTAKE IF Y ?9K ,I
KILL$ T MAN10 ,SMOKE ANSW]$4
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QUE/$ AL;G ! TRAIL & F.D ,SMOKE'S TRACKS
": HE _H LEFT X 6TAKE REFUGE ON ! BANK4
,! MAN EXPLA9$ ! NATURE ( 8 F9D4
  8,:AT'D Y KILL ,JOE ,K9ADE =80 HE (!
BLACK BE>D ASK$4
  8,I TELL Y ,I DIDN'T--0 ,SMOKE 2GAN4
  8,AW1 :AT'S ! GD ( TALK9'4 ,WE GOT Y
R$-H&$4 ,"R UP "!'S ": Y LEFT ! TRAIL :5
Y HE>D HM -IN'4 ,Y LAID AM;G ! TREES AN'
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DROPP$40
  8,Y MI<T LET ME TELL :AT HAPP5$10
,SMOKE OBJECT$4
  8,Y %UT UP10 ! MAN SN>L$ AT HM4 8,I
RECKON YR GUN'LL TELL ! /ORY40
  ,ALL ! M5 EXAM9$ ,SMOKE'S RIFLE1
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  8,! BULLET 5T]$ 8 BACK10 ,SMOKE SD4
8,HE 0 FAC+ ME :5 HE 0 %OT4 ,Y SEE1 X
CAME F ! O!R BANK40
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,"S ( Y BOYS RUN UP AN' D[N ! TRAIL &
SEE IF Y C SEE ANY TRACKS MAK+ =! O!R
BANK40
  ,_! REPORT WAS1 T ON T SIDE ! SN[ 0
UNBROK54 ,N EV5 A SN[-%OE RA2IT _H
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8 H&4 ,%R$D+ ?1 HE F.D IMB$D$ 9 ! C5TRE
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  8,T'S PLA9 5 EVID;E1 ,/RANG]1 6SATISFY
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JACKET$2 Y\RN IS S(T-NOS$ & /EEL-
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?IRTY-?IRTY4 ,X'S MANUFACTUR$ 0! ,J4 &
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WE'LL G OV] 6! BANK AN' SEE JE/ H[ Y D"O
X40
  8,I 0 BU%:ACK$ MYF10 ,SMOKE SD4 8,LOOK
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  8,A DAMN %AME POOR ,JOE DIDN'T GET Y10
,BLACKBE>D SD BITT]LY4 8,B HE DID PRETTY
WELL )A HOLE L T 9 HM4 ,-E ON1 Y40
  8,SE>* ! O!R BANK F/10 ,SMOKE URG$4
  8,Y %UT UP AN' -E ON1 AN' LET ! FACTS
D ! TALK9'40
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& FOLL[$ X ON UP ! BANK & 9 AM;G !
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  8,HM D.E T PLACE KEEP HM FEET W>M10
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%OOT--0
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  8,Y MI<T ASK ME H[ ,I CAME 6FIRE T
%OT10 ,SMOKE 9T]RUPT$4
  8,AN' ,I MI<T KNOCK YR TEE? 96YR
GULLET IF Y BUTT 9 AG4 ,Y C ANSW] !M "QS
LAT] ON4 ,N[1 BOYS1 WE'RE DEC5T AN' LAW-
ABID9'1 AN' WE GOT 6H&LE ? "R AN'
REGUL>4 ,H[ F> D Y RECKON WE'VE -E1
,PI]RE80
  8,TW5TY MILE ,I T'9K = SURE40
  8,ALL "R4 ,WE'LL CA*E ! \TFIT AN' RUN
HM AN' POOR ,JOE BACK 6,TWO ,CAB9S4 ,I
RECKON WE'VE SE5 AN' C TE/IFY 6:AT'LL
/RET* 8 NECK40

    ,,IV4
  ,X 0 ?REE H\RS AF D>K :5 ! D1D MAN1
,SMOKE1 & 8 CAPTORS >RIV$ AT ,TWO
,CAB9S4 ,0! />LI<T1 ,SMOKE CD MAKE \ A
DOZ5 OR M REC5TLY BUILT CAB9S SNU7L+ AB
A L>G] & OLD] CAB9 ON A FLAT 0! RIV]
BANK4 ,?RU/ 9SIDE ? OLD] CAB91 HE F.D X
T5ANT$ 0A "Y GIANT (A MAN1 8 WIFE1 & AN
OLD BL MAN4 ,! WOMAN1 :OM H] HUSB& CALL$
,8,LUCY10' 0 H]F A /RAPP+ CR1TURE (!
FRONTI] TYPE4 ,! OLD MAN1 Z ,SMOKE LE>N$
AFWS1 _H BE5 A TRAPP] ON ! ,/EW>T =
YE>S1 & _H G"O F9,Y BL ! W9T] 2F4 ,!
CAMP ( ,TWO ,CAB9S1 HE 0 AL 6LE>N1 _H
BE5 MADE ! PREVI\S FALL 0A DOZ5 M5 :O
>RIV$ 9 HALF Z _M POL+-BOATS LOAD$ )
PROVI.NS4 ,"H !Y _H F.D ! BL TRAPP]1 ON
! SITE ( ,TWO ,CAB9S1 & AB 8 CAB9 !Y _H
BUILT _! [N4 ,LAT] >RIVALS1 MU%+ UP !
ICE ) DOG-T1MS1 _H TRIPL$ ! POPUL,N4 ,"!
0 PL5TY ( M1T 9 CAMP1 & GD L[-PAY DIRT
_H BE5 4COV]$ & 0 2+ "W$4
  ,9 FIVE M9UTES1 ALL ! M5 ( ,TWO CAB9S
7 JAMM$ 96! ROOM4 ,SMOKE1 %OV$ (F 96A
CORN]1 IGNOR$ & SC[L$ AT1 8 H&S & FEET
TI$ ) ?;GS ( MOOSEHIDE1 LOOK$ ON4
,?IRTY-EI<T M5 HE C.T$1 A WILD & HUSKY
CREW1 ALL FRONTI]SM5 (!
,/ATES OR VOYAGEURS F ,UPP] ,CANADA4 ,8
CAPTORS TOLD ! TALE OV] & OV]1 EA* !
C5TRE ( AN EXCIT$ & WRA?;L GR\P4 ,"! 7
MUTT]+S ( 8,LYN* HM N[--:Y WAIT80 ,&1
ONCE1 A BIG ,IRI%MAN 0 RE/RA9$ ONLY 0=CE
F RU%+ ^U ! HELP.S PRISON] & GIV+ HM A
B1T+4
  ,X 0 :ILE C.T+ ! M5 T ,SMOKE CAU<T
SI<T (A FAMILI> FACE4 ,X 0 ,BRECK1 ! MAN
^: BOAT ,SMOKE _H RUN "? ! RAPIDS4 ,HE
WOND]$ :Y ! O!R DID N -E & SP1K 6HM1 B
HMF GAVE NO SIGN ( RECOGNI;N4 ,LAT]1 :5
) %IELD$ FACE ,BRECK PASS$ HM A
SIGNIFICANT W9K1 ,SMOKE "U/OOD4
  ,BLACKBE>D1 :OM ,SMOKE HE>D CALL$ ,ELI
,H>D+1 5D$ ! 4CUS.N Z 6:E!R OR N !
PRISON] %D 2 IMMLY LYN*$4
  8,HOLD ON10 ,H>D+ RO>$4 8,KEEP YR
%IRTS ON4 ,T MAN 2L;GS 6ME4 ,I CAU<T HM
AN' ,I BR"\ HM "H4 ,D'YE ?9K ,I BR"\ HM
ALL ! WAY "H 6BE LYN*$8 ,N ON YR LIFE4
,I CD A-D"O T MYF :5 ,I F.D HM4 ,I BR"\
HM "H =A FAIR AN' IM"PIAL TRIAL1 AN'
0,GOD1 A FAIR AN' IM"PIAL TRIAL HE'S
GO9' 6GET4 ,HE'S TI$ UP SAFE AN' S.D4
,*UCK HM 9 A BUNK TILL MORN+1 AN' WE'LL
HOLD ! TRIAL "R "H40

    ,V4
  ,SMOKE WOKE UP4 ,A DRAU<T1 T POSSESS$
ALL ! RIGID;Y ( AN ICICLE1 0 BOR+ 96!
FRONT ( 8 %\LD] Z HE LAY ON 8 SIDE FAC+
! WALL4 ,:5 HE _H BE5 TI$ 96! BUNK "! _H
BE5 NO S* DRAU<T1 & N[ ! \TSIDE AIR1
DRIV+ 96! H1T$ ATMOSPH]E (! CAB9 )!
PRESSURE ( FIFTY 2L Z]O1 0 SU6ICI5T
ADV]TIZE;T T "S "O F )\T _H PULL$ AWAY !
MOSS-*9K+ 2T ! LOGS4 ,HE SQUIRM$ Z F> Z
8 BONDS WD P]MIT1 !N CRAN$ 8 NECK =W>D
UNTIL 8 LIPS J MANAG$ 6R1* ! CRACK4
  8,:O IS X80 HE :ISP]$4
  8,BRECK10 CAME ! ANSW]4 8,BE C>E;L Y
DON'T MAKE A NOISE4 ,I'M GO+ 6PASS A
KNIFE 9 6Y40
  8,NO GD10 ,SMOKE SD4 8,I CDN'T USE X4
,MY H&S >E TI$ 2H ME & MADE FA/ 6! LEG
(! BUNK4 ,2SS1 Y CDN'T GET A KNIFE "? T
CRACK4 ,B "S?+ M/ 2 D"O4 ,^? FELL[S >E
(A TEMP] 6HANG ME1 &1 ( C\RSE1 Y "K ,I
DIDN'T KILL T MAN40
  8,X WASN'T NEC 6M5;N X1 ,SMOKE4 ,& IF
Y DID Y _H YR R1SONS4 ,: ISN'T ! PO9T AT
ALL4 ,I WANT 6GET Y \ ( ?4 ,X'S A T\<
BUN* ( M5 "H4 ,Y'VE SE5 !M4 ,!Y'RE %UT
(F F ! _W1 & !Y MAKE & 5=CE _! [N LAW--
0M9]'S MEET+1 Y "K4 ,!Y H&L$ TWO M5 ALR
--BO? GRUB-?IEVES4 ,"O !Y HIK$ F CAMP
)\T AN \NCE ( GRUB & NO MAT*ES4 ,HE MADE
AB =TY MILES & LA/$ A C\PLE ( "DS 2F HE
FROZE /IFF4 ,TWO WEEKS AGO !Y HIK$ !
SECOND MAN4 ,!Y GAVE HM 8 *OICE3 NO
GRUB1 OR T5 LA%ES = EA* "D'S R,N4 ,HE
/OOD = =TY LA%ES 2F HE FA9T$4 ,& N[
!Y'VE GOT Y1 & E LA/ "O IS 3V9C$ Y KILL$
,K9ADE40
  8,! MAN :O KILL$ ,K9ADE1 %OT AT ME1
TOO4 ,8 BULLET BROKE ! SK9 ON MY %\LD]4
,GET !M 6DELAY ! TRIAL TILL "S "O GOES
UP & SE>*ES ! BANK ": ! MURD]] HID40
  8,NO USE4 ,!Y TAKE ! EVID;E ( ,H>D+ &!
FIVE ,FR5*M5 ) HM4 ,2SS1 !Y HAV5'T _H A
HANG+ YET1 & !Y'RE KE5 = X4 ,Y SEE1 ?+S
H BE5 PRETTY MONOTON\S4 ,!Y HAV5'T
LOCAT$ ANY?+ BIG1 & !Y GOT TIR$ ( HUNT+
= ,SURPRISE ,LAKE4 ,!Y DID "S /AMP$+ !
F/ "P (! W9T]1 B !Y'VE GOT OV] T N[4
,SCURVY IS 2G9N+ 6%[ UP AM;G/ !M1 TOO1 &
!Y'RE J RIPE = EXCITE;T40
  8,& X LOOKS L ,I'LL FURNI% X10 0
,SMOKE'S -;T4 8,SAY1 ,BRECK1 H[ DID Y "E
FALL 9 ) S* A ,GOD-=SAK5 BUN*80
  8,AF ,I GOT ! CLAIMS AT ,SQUAW ,CREEK
OP5$ UP & "S M5 6"W+1 ,I CAME UP "H 0WAY
(! ,/EW>T1 HUNT+ = ,TWO ,CAB9S4 ,!Y'D
B1T5 ME 6X1 S ,I'VE BE5 HI<] UP !
,/EW>T4 ,J GOT BACK YE/]"D \ ( GRUB40
  8,F9D ANY?+80
  8,NO?+ M*4 ,B ,I ?9K ,I'VE GOT A
HYDRAULIC PROPOSI;N T'LL "W BIG :5 !
C.TRY'S OP5$ UP4 ,X'S T1 OR A GOLD-
DR$G]40
  8,HOLD ON10 ,SMOKE 9T]RUPT$4 8,WAIT A
M9UTE4 ,LET ME ?9K40
  ,HE 0 V M* AW>E (! SNORES (! SLEEP]S Z
HE PURSU$ ! IDEA T _H FLA%$ 96HIS M9D4
  8,SAY1 ,BRECK1 H !Y OP5$ UP ! M1T-
PACKS MY DOGS C>RI$80
  8,A C\PLE4 ,I 0 WAT*+4 ,!Y PUT !M 9
,H>D+'S CA*E40
  8,DID !Y F9D ANY?+80
  8,M1T40
  8,GD4 ,Y'VE GOT 6GET 96! BR[N CANVAS
PACK T'S PAT*$ ) MOOSEHIDE4 ,Y'LL F9D A
FEW P.DS ( LUMPY GOLD4 ,Y'VE N"E SE5
GOLD L X 9 ! C.TRY1 NOR HAS ANYBODY
ELSE4 ,"H'S :AT Y'VE GOT 6D4 ,LI/540
  ,A QU>T] ( AN H\R LAT]1 FULLY 9/RUCT$
& -PLA9+ T 8 TOES 7 FREEZ+1 ,BRECK W5T
AWAY4 ,SMOKE1 8 [N NOSE & "O *EEK FRO/$
0PROXIM;Y 6! *9K1 RU2$ !M AG/ ! BLANKETS
= HALF AN H\R 2F ! BLAZE & BITE (!
RETURN+ BLOOD ASSUR$ HM (! SAFETY ( 8
FLE%4

    ,,VI4
  8,MY M9D'S MADE UP "R N[4 ,"! A9'T NO
D\BT B :AT HE KILL$ ,K9ADE4 ,WE HE>D !
:OLE ?+ LA/ NI<T4 ,:AT'S ! GD ( GO9' OV]
X AG8 ,I VOTE GUILTY40
  ,9 S* FA%ION1 ,SMOKE'S TRIAL 2GAN4 ,!
SP1K]1 A LOOSE-JO9T$1 H>D-ROCK MAN F
,COLORADO1 MANIFE/$ IRRIT,N & 4GU/ :5
,H>D+ SET 8 SU7ES;N ASIDE1 DEM&$ !
PROCE$+S %D 2 REGUL>1 & NOM9AT$ "O1
,%UNK ,WILSON1 = JUDGE & *AIRMAN (!
MEET+4 ,! POPUL,N ( ,TWO ,CAB9S 3/ITUT$
! JURY1 ?\<1 AF "S 4CUS.N1 ! WOMAN1
,LUCY1 0 D5I$ ! "R 6VOTE ON ,SMOKE'S
GUILT OR 9NOC;E4
  ,:ILE ? 0 GO+ ON1 ,SMOKE1 JAMM$ 96A
CORN] ON A BUNK1 OV]HE>D A :ISP]$ 3V]S,N
2T ,BRECK &A M9]4
  8,Y HAV5'T FIFTY P.DS ( FL\R Y'LL
SELL80 ,BRECK QU]I$4
  8,Y A9'T GOT ! DU/ 6PAY ! PRICE ,I'M
ASK9'10 0 ! REPLY4
  8,I'LL GIVE Y TWO HUNDR$40
  ,! MAN %OOK 8 H1D4
  8,?REE HUNDR$4 ,?REE-FIFTY40
  ,AT F\R HUNDR$1 ! MAN NO4$1 & SD3 8,-E
ON OV] 6MY CAB9 AN' WEI< \ ! DU/40
  ,! TWO SQUEEZ$ _! WAY 6! DOOR1 &
SLIPP$ \4 ,AF A FEW M9UTES ,BRECK
RETURN$ AL"O4
  ,H>D+ 0 TE/IFY+1 :5 ,SMOKE SAW ! DOOR
%OV$ OP5 SLI<TLY1 & 9 ! CRACK APPE> !
FACE (! MAN :O _H SOLD ! FL\R4 ,HE 0
GRIMAC+ & BECKON+ EMPHATIC,Y 6"O 9SIDE1
:O >OSE F NE> ! /OVE & />T$ 6"W T[>D !
DOOR4
  8,": >E Y GO9'1 ,SAM80 ,%UNK ,WILSON
DEM&$4
  8,I'LL 2 BACK 9 A JI6Y10 ,SAM EXPLA9$4
8,I JES' GOT 6G40
  ,SMOKE 0 P]MITT$ 6"Q ! WIT;SES1 & HE 0
9 ! MI4LE (! CROSS-EXAM9,N ( ,H>D+1 :5 F
)\T CAME ! :9+ ( DOGS 9 H>;S1 &! GR9D &
*URN ( SL$-RUNN]S4 ,"SBODY NE> ! DOOR
PEEP$ \4
  8,X'S ,SAM AN' 8 P>DN] AN' A DOG-T1M
HELL-B5T D[N ! TRAIL = ,/EW>T ,RIV]10 !
MAN REPORT$4
  ,NOBODY SPOKE =A L;G HALF-M9UTE1 B M5
GL.ED SIGNIFICANTLY AT "O ANO!R1 &A
G5]AL RE/.S;S P]VAD$ ! PACK$ ROOM4 ,\ (!
CORN] ( 8 EYE1 ,SMOKE CAU<T A GLIMPSE (
,BRECK1 ,LUCY1 & H] HUSB& :ISP]+ TGR4
  8,-E ON1 Y10 ,%UNK ,WILSON SD GRU6LY
6,SMOKE4 8,CUT ? "Q9' %ORT4 ,WE "K :AT
Y'RE TRY9' 6PROVE--T ! O!R BANK WASN'T
SE>*$4 ,! WIT;S ADMITS X4 ,WE ADMIT X4
,X WASN'T NEC4 ,NO TRACKS L$ 6T BANK4 ,!
SN[ WASN'T BROKE40
  8,"! 0 A MAN ON ! O!R BANK J ! SAME10
,SMOKE 9SI/$4
  8,T'S TOO ?9 = SKAT9'1 "Y MAN4 ,"!
A9'T _M ( U ON ! ,MC,"Q1 AN' WE GOT E
MAN A3.T$ =40
  8,:O 0 ! MAN Y HIK$ \ ( CAMP TWO WEEKS
AGO80 ,SMOKE ASK$4
  8,ALONZO ,MIRAM>4 ,HE 0 A ,MEXICAN4
,:AT'S T GRUB-?IEF GOT 6D ) X80
  8,NO?+1 EXCEPT T Y HAV5'T A3.T$ =
,,HM1 ,MR ,JUDGE40
  8,HE W5T D[N ! RIV]1 N UP40
  8,H[ D Y "K ": HE W5T80
  8,SAW HM />T40
  8,& T'S ALL Y "K ( :AT 2CAME ( HM80
  8,NO1 X A9'T1 "Y MAN4 ,I "K1 WE ALL
"K1 HE _H F\R "D'S GRUB AN' NO GUN 6%OOT
M1T )4 ,IF HE DIDN'T MAKE ! SETTLE;T ON
! ,YUKON HE'D CROAK$ L;G 2F ?40
  8,I SUPPOSE Y'VE GOT ALL ! GUNS 9 ? "P
(! C.TRY
A3.T$ =1 TOO10 ,SMOKE OBS]V$ PO9T$LY4
  ,%UNK ,WILSON 0 ANGRY4
  8,Y'D ?9K ,I 0 ! PRISON] ! WAY Y SLAM
"QS 96ME4 ,-E ON )! NEXT WIT;S4 ,":'S
,FR5* ,L\IS80
  ,:ILE ,FR5* ,L\IS 0 %OV+ =W>D1 ,LUCY
OP5$ ! DOOR4
  8,": Y GO9'80 ,%UNK ,WILSON %\T$4
  8,I RECKON ,I DON'T H 6/AY10 %E ANSW]$
DEFIANTLY4 8,I A9'T GOT NO VOTE1 AN' 2SS
MY CAB9'S S JAMM$ UP ,I C'T BR1!40
  ,9 A FEW M9UTES H] HUSB& FOLL[$4 ,!
CLOS+ (! DOOR 0 ! F/ W>N+ ! JUDGE RCVD (
X4
  8,:O 0 T80 HE 9T]RUPT$ ,PI]RE'S
N>RATIVE 6ASK4
  8,BILL ,P1BODY10 "SBODY SPOKE UP4 8,SD
HE WANT$ 6ASK 8 WIFE "S?+ & 0 -+ "R
BACK40
  ,9/1D ( ,BILL1 X 0 ,LUCY :O RE-5T]$1
TOOK (F H] FURS1 & RESUM$ H] PLACE 0!
/OVE4
  8,I RECKON WE DON'T NE$ 6HE> ! RE/ (!
WIT;SES10 0 ,%UNK ,WILSON'S DECI.N1 :5
,PI]RE _H F9I%$4 8,WE "K !Y ONLY C
TE/IFY 6! SAME FACTS WE'VE ALR HE>D4
,SAY1 ,SOR5S51 Y G AN' BR+ ,BILL ,P1BODY
BACK4 ,WE'LL 2 VOT9' A V]DICT PRETTY
%ORT4 ,N[1 ,/RANG]1 Y C GET UP AN' SAY
YR SAY 3C]N9' :AT HAPP5$4 ,9 ! M1N"T
WE'LL J 2 SAV9' DELAY 0PASS9' >.D ! TWO
RIFLES1 ! AMMUNI;N1 AN' ! BULLETS T D"O
! KILL9'40
  ,MIDWAY 9 8 /ORY ( H[ HE _H >RIV$ 9 T
"P (! C.TRY1 & AT ! PO9T 9 8 N>RATIVE ":
HE DESCRIB$ 8 [N AMBU% & H[ HE _H FL$ 6!
BANK1 ,SMOKE 0 9T]RUPT$ 0! 9DIGNANT
,%UNK ,WILSON4
  8,"Y MAN1 :AT S5SE IS "! 9 Y TE/IFY9'
T WAY8 ,Y'RE J TAK9' UP VALUA# "T4 ,(
C\RSE Y GOT ! "R 6LIE 6SAVE YR NECK1 B
WE A9'T GO9' 6/& = S* FOOLI%;S4 ,!
RIFLE1 ! AMMUNI;N1 ! BULLET T KILL$ ,JOE
,K9ADE IS AG/ Y--,:AT'S T8 ,OP5 ! DOOR1
"SBODY60
  ,! FRO/ RU%$ IN1 TAK+ =M & SUB/.E 9 !
H1T (! ROOM1 :ILE "? ! OP5 DOOR CAME !
:9+ ( DOGS T DECR1S$ RAPIDLY ) 4T.E4
  8,X'S ,SOR5S5 AN' ,P1BODY10 "S "O
CRI$1 8A-?R[9' ! :IP 96! DAWGS AN' H1D9'
D[N RIV]60
  8,N[1 :AT ! HELL--60 ,%UNK ,WILSON
PAUS$1 ) DROPP$ JAW1 & GL>$ AT ,LUCY4
8,I RECKON Y C EXPLA91 ,MRS ,P1BODY40
  ,%E TOSS$ H] H1D & -PRESS$ H] LIPS1 &
,%UNK ,WILSON'S WRA?;L & SUSPICI\S GAZE
PASS$ ON & RE/$ ON ,BRECK4
  8,AN' ,I RECKON T NEW-COM] Y'VE B5
*9N+ ) CD EXPLA9 IF ,,HE _H A M9D TO40
  ,BRECK1 N[ V UNCOM=TA#1 F.D ALL EYES
C5TR$ ON HM4
  8,SAM 0 *EW+ ! RAG ) HM1 TOO1 2F HE
HIT \10 "S "O SD4
  8,LOOK "H1 ,MR ,BRECK10 ,%UNK ,WILSON
3T9U$4 8,Y'VE B5 9T]RUPT9' PROCE$+S1 & Y
GOT 6EXPLA9 ! M1N9' ( X4 ,:AT 0 Y *9N9'
AB80
  ,BRECK CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT TIMIDLY & REPLI$4
8,I 0 J TRY+ 6BUY "S GRUB40
  8,:AT )80
  8,DU/1 ( C\RSE40
  8,":'D Y GET X80
  ,BRECK DID N ANSW]4
  8,HE'S B5 SNOOP9' >.D UP ! ,/EW>T10 A
MAN VOLUNTE]$4 8,I RUN ACR 8 CAMP A WEEK
AGO :5 ,I 0 HUNT9'4 ,AN' ,I WANT 6TELL Y
HE 0 ALMI<TY SECRETI\S AB X40
  8,! DU/ DIDN'T -E F "!10 ,BRECK SD4
8,T'S ONLY A L[-GRADE HYDRAULIC
PROPOSI;N40
  8,BR+ YR POKE "H AN' LET'S SEE YR
DU/10 ,WILSON -M&$4
  8,I TELL Y X DIDN'T -E F "!40
  8,LET'S SEE X J ! SAME40
  ,BRECK MADE Z IF 6REFUSE1 B ALL AB HM
7 M5AC+ FACES4 ,RELUCTANTLY1 HE FUM#D 9
8 COAT POCKET4 ,9 ! ACT ( DRAW+ =? A
PEPP] C1 X RATTL$ AG/ :AT 0 EVID5TLY A
H>D OBJECT4
  8,FET* X ALL \60 ,%UNK ,WILSON ?"U$4
  ,& \ CAME ! BIG NU7ET1 F/-SIZE1 YELL[
Z NO GOLD ANY ONLOOK] _H "E SE54 ,%UNK
,WILSON GASP$4 ,HALF A DOZ51 CAT*+ "O
GLIMPSE1 MADE A BR1K =! DOOR4 ,!Y R1*$ X
AT ! SAME MO;T1 &1 ) CURS+ & SCU6L+1
JAMM$ & PIVOT$ "?4 ,! JUDGE EMPTI$ !
3T5TS (! PEPP] C ON ! TA#1 &! SI<T (!
R\< LUMP-GOLD S5T HALF A DOZ5 M T[>D !
DOOR4
  8,": >E Y GO9'80 ,ELI ,H>D+ ASK$1 Z
,%UNK />T$ 6FOLL[4
  8,= MY DOGS1 ( C\RSE40
  8,A9'T Y GO9' 6HANG HM80
  8,X'D TAKE TOO M* "T "R N[4 ,HE'LL
KEEP TILL WE GET BACK1 S ,I RECKON ?
C\RT IS ADJ\RN$4 ,? A9'T NO PLACE =
L+]9'40
  ,H>D+ HESITAT$4 ,HE GL.ED SAVAGELY AT
,SMOKE1 SAW ,PI]RE BECKON+ 6,L\IS F !
DOORWAY1 TOOK "O LA/ LOOK AT ! LUMP-GOLD
ON ! TA#1 & DECID$4
  8,NO USE Y TRY9' 6GET AWAY10 HE FLUNG
BACK OV] 8 %\LD]4 8,2SS1 ,I'M GO9'
6BORR[ YR DOGS40
  8,:AT IS X--ANO!R "O ( !M BLAM$
/AMP$ES80 ! OLD BL TRAPP] ASK$ 9 A QUE]
& PETULANT FALSETTO1 Z ! CRIES ( M5 &
DOGS &! GR9D (! SL$S SWEPT ! SIL;E (!
ROOM4
  8,X SURE IS10 ,LUCY ANSW]$4 8,AN' ,I
N"E SE5 GOLD L X4 ,FEEL T1 OLD MAN40
  ,%E PUT ! BIG NU7ET 9 8 H&4 ,HE 0 B
SLI<TLY 9T]E/$4
  8,X 0 A GD FUR-C.TRY10 HE -PLA9$1 82F
!M DANG$ M9]S -E 9 AN' SC>$ BACK !
GAME40
  ,! DOOR OP5$1 & ,BRECK 5T]$4
  8,WELL10 HE SD1 8WE F\R >E ALL T >E
LEFT 9 CAMP4 ,X'S =TY MILES 6! ,/EW>T 0!
CUT-(F ,I BROKE1 &! FA/E/ ( !M C'T MAKE
! R.D TRIP 9 LESS ?AN FIVE OR SIX "DS4
,B X'S "T Y PULL$ \1 ,SMOKE1 J ! SAME40
  ,BRECK DREW 8 HUNT+ KNIFE ACR ! O!R'S
BONDS1 & GL.ED AT ! WOMAN4
  8,I HOPE Y DON'T OBJECT80 HE SD1 )
SIGNIFICANT POLITE;S4
  8,IF "!'S GO9' 6BE ANY %OOT9'10 ! BL
MAN BROKE \1 8,I WI% "SBODY'D TAKE ME
6ANO!R CAB9 F/40
  8,G ON1 AN' DON'T M9D ME10 ,LUCY
ANSW]$4 8,IF ,I A9'T GD 5 6HANG A MAN1
,I A9'T GD 5 6HOLD HM40
  ,SMOKE /OOD UP1 RU2+ 8 WRI/S ": ! ?;GS
_H IMP$$ ! CIRCUL,N4
  8,I'VE GOT A PACK ALL R1DY = Y10
,BRECK SD4 8,T5 "DS' GRUB1 BLANKETS1
MAT*ES1 TOBA3O1 AN AXE1 &A RIFLE40
  8,G 6X10 ,LUCY 5C\RAG$4 8,HIT ! HI<
PLACES1 ,/RANG]4 ,B1T X Z FA/ Z ,GOD'LL
LET Y40
  8,I'M GO+ 6H A SQU>E M1L 2F ,I />T10
,SMOKE SD4 8,& :5 ,I />T X W 2 UP !
,MC,"Q1 N D[N4 ,I WANT Y 6G AL;G ) ME1
,BRECK4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6SE>* T O!R BANK =!
MAN T RE,Y DID ! KILL+40
  8,IF Y'LL LI/5 6ME1 Y'LL H1D D[N =!
,/EW>T &! ,YUKON10 ,BRECK OBJECT$4 8,:5
? GANG GETS BACK F MY L[-GRADE HYDRAULIC
PROPOSI;N1 X W 2 SEE+ R$40
  ,SMOKE LAU<$ & %OOK 8 H1D4
  8,I C'T JUMP ? C.TRY1 ,BRECK4 ,I'VE
GOT 9T]E/S "H4 ,I'VE GOT 6/AY & MAKE GD4
,I DON'T C>E :E!R Y 2LIEVE ME OR N1 B
,I'VE F.D ,SURPRISE ,LAKE4 ,T'S ": T
GOLD CAME F4 ,2SS1 !Y TOOK MY DOGS1 &
,I'VE GOT 6WAIT 6GET !M BACK4 ,AL1 ,I "K
:AT ,I'M AB4 ,"! 0 A MAN HI45 ON T BANK4
,HE CAME PRETTY CLOSE 6EMPTY+ 8 MAGAZ9E
AT ME40
  ,HALF AN H\R AFW1 )A BIG PLATE (
MOOSE-/1K 2F HM &A BIG MUG ( C(FEE AT 8
LIPS1 ,SMOKE HALF-/>T$ UP F 8 S1T4 ,HE
_H HE>D ! S.DS F/4 ,LUCY ?REW OP5 !
DOOR4
  8,HELLO1 ,SPIKE2 HELLO1 ,ME?ODY10 %E
GREET$ ! TWO FRO/-RIM$ M5 :O 7 B5D+ OV]
! BURD5 ON _! SL$4
  8,WE J -E D[N F ,UPP] ,CAMP10 "O SD1 Z
! PAIR /A7]$ 96! ROOM )A FUR-WRAPP$
OBJECT : !Y H&L$ ) EXCE$+ G5TLE;S4 8,AN'
? IS :AT WE F.D 0! WAY4 ,HE'S ALL IN1 ,I
GUESS40
  8,PUT HM 9 ! NE> BUNK "!10 ,LUCY SD4
,%E B5T OV] & PULL$ BACK ! FURS1 4CLOS+
A FACE -POS$ PR9CIP,Y ( L>GE1 />+1 BLACK
EYES1 &( SK91 D>K & SCA2$ 0REP1T$ FRO/-
BITE1 TI<TLY /RET*$ ACR ! B"OS4
  8,IF X A9'T ,ALONZO60 %E CRI$4 8,Y
PORE1 />V$ DEVIL60
  8,T'S ! MAN ON ! O!R BANK10 ,SMOKE SD
9 AN "UT"O 6,BRECK4
  8,WE F.D X RAID9' A CA*E T ,H>D+ M/
A-MADE10 "O (! M5 0 EXPLA9+4 8,HE 0
EAT9' RAW FL\R AN' FROZ5 BACON1 AN' :5
WE GOT ,8;M HE 0 CRY90' AN' SQU1L9' L A
HAWK4 ,LOOK AT HM6 ,HE'S ALL />V$1 AN'
MO/ ( HM FROZ54 ,HE'LL KICK AT ANY
MO;T40

4 4 4 4 4

  ,HALF AN H\R LAT]1 :5 ! FURS _H BE5
DRAWN OV] ! FACE (! / =M 9 ! BUNK1
,SMOKE TURN$ 6,LUCY4
  8,IF Y DON'T M9D1 ,MRS ,P1BODY1 ,I'LL
H ANO!R :ACK AT T /1K4 ,MAKE X ?ICK & N
S WELL D"O40