"

    AndPerraultnodded.Hewasaheadoftherecordthen,andgainingdaybyday.Thetrailwasinexcellentdition,wellpackedandhard,andtherewasnonew-fallensnohichtotend.Itwasnottoocold.Thetemperaturedroppedtofiftybelowzeroandremaiherethewholetrip.Themenrodeandranbyturn,andthedogswerekeptonthejump,withbutinfrequentstop-pages.

    TheThirtyMileRiverwasparativelycoatedwithidtheycoveredinonedaygoingoutwhathadtakeendaysingin.Iheymadeasixty-miledashfromthefootofLakeLeBargetotheWhiteHorseRapids.Aarsh,Tagish,at(seventymilesoflakes),theyflewsofastthatthemanwhoseturnitwastoruntowedbehindthesledattheendofarope.AndonightofthesedweektheytoppedWhitePassanddroppeddowntheseaslopewiththelightsofSkaguayandoftheshippingattheirfeet.

    Itwasarecordrun.Eachdayforfourteendaystheyhadaveragedfortymiles.ForthreedaysPerraultandFrancoisthrewchestsupanddownthemaiofSkaguayandweredelugedwithinvitationstodrink,whiletheteamwasthestaerofaworshipfulcrowdofdogbustersandmushers.Thenthreeorfourwesternbadmenaspiredtooutthetown,wereriddledlikepepperboxesfortheirpains,andpubliterestturootheridols.cameofficialorders.FrancoiscalledBu,threwhisarmsaroundhim,weptoverhim.AndthatwasthelastofFrancoisandPerrault.Likeothermen,theypassedoutofBuckslifefood.

    AScotchhalf-breedtookchargeofhimandhismates,andinpanywithadozen-teamshestartedbackoverthewearytrailtoDawson.Itwasnolightrunningnow,norrecordtime,butheavytoileachday,withaheavyloadbehind;forthiswasthemailtrain,carryingwordfromtheworldtothemenwhosoughtgolduheshadowofthe