Klondike,andsomahesweethearts,wives,andkinthathadnotrushedin,thatthegestedmailwastakingonAlpineproportions;also,therewereofficialorders.FreshbatchesofHudsonBaydogsweretotaketheplacesofthoseworthlessforthetrail.Theworthlessoobegotridof,and,sincedogstforlittleagainstdollars,theyweretobesold.

    Threedayspassed,bywhichtimeBudhismatesfoundhowreallytiredaheywere.Then,onthemofthefourthday,twomenfromtheStatescamealongandboughtthem,harnessandall,forasong.Themenaddressedeachotheras"Hal"and"Charles".Charleswasamiddle-aged,lightishan,withweakandwateryeyesandamustachethattwistedfiercelyandvigorouslyup,giviothelimplydroopinglipitcealed.Halwasayoungsterofeenortwenty,withabigColtsrevolverandahuntingkrappedabouthimohatfairlybristledwithcartridges.Thisbeltwasthemostsalientthingabouthim.Itadvertisedhiscallowness--acallownesssheerandunutterable.BothmenweremalyoutofpladwhysuchastheyshouldadveheNorthispartofthemysteryofthingsthatpassesuanding.

    Buckheardthechaffering,sawthemoneypassbetweenthemanandtheGoveragent,ahattheScotchhalf-breedandthemail-traindriverswerepassingoutofhislifeontheheelsofPerraultandFrancoisaherswhohadgonebefore.Whendrivenwithhismatestothenewownerscamp,Bucksashodandslovenlyaffair,tenthalf-stretched,dishesunwashed,everythingindisorder;also,hesawawoman."Mercedes"themencalledher.ShewasCharlesswifeandHalssister--anicefamilyparty.

    Buckwatchedthemapprehensivelyastheyproceededtotakedowandloadthesled.Therewasagreatdealofeffortabouttheirman