Ì«×ÓүС˵Íø > Ó¢Óïµç×ÓÊé > smoke bellew(Ê·Ä­¿Ë¡¤±´ÂÞ) >

µÚ17½Ú

smoke bellew(Ê·Ä­¿Ë¡¤±´ÂÞ)-µÚ17½Ú

С˵£º smoke bellew(Ê·Ä­¿Ë¡¤±´ÂÞ) ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ4000×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡






Sea¡¡Lion¡¡is¡¡saved¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡faint¡¡¡¡¡¡suspicion¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡crossed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mind£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡stopped¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

confronted¡¡her¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡understand£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'll¡¡¡¡tell¡¡¡¡you¡£¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡Norway¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Creek¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Squaw¡¡

Creek¡¡is¡¡the¡¡next¡¡to¡¡the¡¡south¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke¡¡was¡¡for¡¡the¡¡moment£»¡¡speechless¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡did¡¡it¡¡on¡¡purpose£¿¡¨¡¡Shorty¡¡demanded¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡did¡¡it¡¡to¡¡give¡¡the¡¡old¡­timers¡¡a¡¡chance¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡laughed¡¡mockingly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡men¡¡grinned¡¡at¡¡each¡¡other¡¡and¡¡finally¡¡

joined¡¡her¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'd¡¡¡¡¡¡lay¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡knee¡¡¡¡¡¡an'¡¡¡¡¡¡give¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡wallopin'£»¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡womenfolk¡¡

wasn't¡¡so¡¡scarce¡¡in¡¡this¡¡country£»¡¨¡¡Shorty¡¡assured¡¡her¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Your¡¡father¡¡didn't¡¡sprain¡¡a¡¡tendon£»¡¡but¡¡waited¡¡till¡¡we¡¡were¡¡out¡¡of¡¡sight¡¡

and¡¡then¡¡went¡¡on£¿¡¨¡¡Smoke¡¡asked¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡nodded¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡you¡¡were¡¡the¡¡decoy¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Again¡¡she¡¡nodded£»¡¡and¡¡this¡¡time¡¡Smoke's¡¡laughter¡¡rang¡¡out¡¡clear¡¡and¡¡

true¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡spontaneous¡¡laughter¡¡of¡¡a¡¡frankly¡¡beaten¡¡man¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡angry¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡me£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡queried¡¡¡¡¡¡ruefully¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oror¡¡

wallop¡¡me£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡we¡¡might¡¡as¡¡well¡¡be¡¡starting¡¡back£»¡¨¡¡Shorty¡¡urged¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨My¡¡feet's¡¡

gettin'¡¡cold¡¡standin'¡¡here¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke¡¡shook¡¡his¡¡head¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡would¡¡mean¡¡four¡¡hours¡¡lost¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡be¡¡eight¡¡miles¡¡up¡¡this¡¡

Creek¡¡now£»¡¡and¡¡from¡¡the¡¡look¡¡ahead¡¡Norway¡¡is¡¡making¡¡a¡¡long¡¡swing¡¡south¡£¡¡

We'll¡¡follow¡¡it£»¡¡then¡¡cross¡¡over¡¡the¡¡divide¡¡somehow£»¡¡and¡¡tap¡¡Squaw¡¡Creek¡¡

somewhere¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡above¡¡¡¡¡¡Discovery¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡Joy¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨Won't¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡

along¡¡with¡¡us£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡told¡¡your¡¡father¡¡we'd¡¡look¡¡after¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡hesitated¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡think¡¡I¡¡shall£»¡¡if¡¡you¡¡don't¡¡mind¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡was¡¡

looking¡¡straight¡¡at¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡her¡¡face¡¡was¡¡no¡¡longer¡¡defiant¡¡and¡¡mocking¡£¡¡

¡¨Really£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡almost¡¡¡¡¡¡sorry¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡done¡£¡¡

But¡¡somebody¡¡had¡¡to¡¡save¡¡the¡¡old¡­timers¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡strikes¡¡me¡¡that¡¡stampeding¡¡is¡¡at¡¡best¡¡a¡¡sporting¡¡proposition¡£¡¨¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡60¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡61¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke¡¡Bellew¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡it¡¡strikes¡¡me¡¡you¡¡two¡¡are¡¡very¡¡game¡¡about¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡went¡¡on£»¡¡then¡¡

added¡¡with¡¡the¡¡shadow¡¡of¡¡a¡¡sigh£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡a¡¡pity¡¡you¡¡are¡¡not¡¡old¡­¡¡timers¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡two¡¡hours¡¡more¡¡they¡¡kept¡¡to¡¡the¡¡frozen¡¡creek¡­bed¡¡of¡¡Norway£»¡¡then¡¡

turned¡¡into¡¡a¡¡narrow¡¡and¡¡rugged¡¡tributary¡¡that¡¡flowed¡¡from¡¡the¡¡south¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡

midday¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡began¡¡the¡¡ascent¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡the¡¡¡¡divide¡¡¡¡itself¡£¡¡¡¡Behind¡¡them£»¡¡¡¡looking¡¡

down¡¡and¡¡back£»¡¡they¡¡could¡¡see¡¡the¡¡long¡¡line¡¡of¡¡stampeders¡¡breaking¡¡up¡£¡¡

Here¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡there£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡scores¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡places£»¡¡¡¡¡¡thin¡¡¡¡¡¡smoke¡­columns¡¡¡¡¡¡advertised¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

making¡¡of¡¡camps¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡for¡¡themselves£»¡¡the¡¡going¡¡was¡¡hard¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡wallowed¡¡through¡¡snow¡¡

to¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡waists£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡compelled¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡stop¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡yards¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡breathe¡£¡¡

Shorty¡¡was¡¡the¡¡first¡¡to¡¡call¡¡a¡¡halt¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡ben¡¡hittin'¡¡the¡¡trail¡¡for¡¡over¡¡twelve¡¡hours£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Smoke£»¡¡I'm¡¡

plum¡¡willin'¡¡to¡¡say¡¡I'm¡¡good¡¡an'¡¡tired¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡An'¡¡so¡¡are¡¡you¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡An'¡¡I'm¡¡free¡¡to¡¡

shout¡¡that¡¡I¡¡can¡¡sure¡¡hang¡¡on¡¡to¡¡this¡¡here¡¡pascar¡¡like¡¡a¡¡starvin'¡¡Indian¡¡to¡¡a¡¡

hunk¡¡of¡¡bear¡­meat¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡this¡¡poor¡¡girl¡¡here¡¡can't¡¡keep¡¡her¡¡legs¡¡no¡¡time¡¡if¡¡

she¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡stomach¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Here's¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡build¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡fire¡£¡¡

What¡¡d'ye¡¡say£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡So¡¡¡¡¡¡quickly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡deftly¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡methodically£»¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡making¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

temporary¡¡camp£»¡¡that¡¡Joy£»¡¡watching¡¡with¡¡jealous¡¡eyes£»¡¡admitted¡¡to¡¡herself¡¡

that¡¡the¡¡old¡­timers¡¡could¡¡not¡¡do¡¡it¡¡better¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Spruce¡¡boughs£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡spread¡¡

blanket¡¡on¡¡top£»¡¡gave¡¡a¡¡¡¡foundation¡¡for¡¡rest¡¡and¡¡cooking¡¡¡¡¡¡operations¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡

they¡¡kept¡¡away¡¡from¡¡the¡¡heat¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fire¡¡until¡¡noses¡¡and¡¡cheeks¡¡had¡¡been¡¡

rubbed¡¡cruelly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke¡¡spat¡¡in¡¡the¡¡air£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡resultant¡¡crackle¡¡was¡¡so¡¡immediate¡¡and¡¡

loud¡¡that¡¡he¡¡shook¡¡his¡¡head¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡give¡¡it¡¡up£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I've¡¡never¡¡seen¡¡cold¡¡like¡¡this¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨One¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡winter¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Koyokuk¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡eighty¡­six¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡below£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Joy¡¡

answered¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It's¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡least¡¡¡¡¡¡seventy¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡seventy¡­five¡¡¡¡¡¡right¡¡¡¡¡¡now£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡

I've¡¡frosted¡¡my¡¡cheeks¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They're¡¡burning¡¡like¡¡fire¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡the¡¡steep¡¡slope¡¡of¡¡the¡¡divide¡¡there¡¡was¡¡no¡¡ice£»¡¡while¡¡snow£»¡¡as¡¡fine¡¡

and¡¡hard¡¡and¡¡crystalline¡¡as¡¡granulated¡¡sugar£»¡¡was¡¡poured¡¡into¡¡the¡¡gold¡­pan¡¡

by¡¡the¡¡bushel¡¡until¡¡enough¡¡water¡¡was¡¡melted¡¡for¡¡the¡¡coffee¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke¡¡fried¡¡

bacon¡¡and¡¡thawed¡¡biscuits¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Shorty¡¡kept¡¡the¡¡fuel¡¡supplied¡¡and¡¡tended¡¡the¡¡

fire£»¡¡and¡¡Joy¡¡set¡¡the¡¡simple¡¡table¡¡composed¡¡of¡¡two¡¡plates£»¡¡two¡¡cups£»¡¡two¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡61¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡62¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke¡¡Bellew¡¡



spoons£»¡¡a¡¡tin¡¡of¡¡mixed¡¡salt¡¡and¡¡pepper£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡tin¡¡of¡¡sugar¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡it¡¡came¡¡

to¡¡eating£»¡¡she¡¡and¡¡Smoke¡¡shared¡¡one¡¡set¡¡between¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡ate¡¡out¡¡of¡¡

the¡¡same¡¡plate¡¡and¡¡drank¡¡from¡¡the¡¡same¡¡cup¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡nearly¡¡two¡¡in¡¡the¡¡afternoon¡¡when¡¡they¡¡cleared¡¡the¡¡crest¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

divide¡¡and¡¡began¡¡dropping¡¡down¡¡a¡¡feeder¡¡of¡¡Squaw¡¡Creek¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Earlier¡¡in¡¡the¡¡

winter¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡moose¡­hunter¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡trail¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡canyonthat¡¡¡¡¡¡is£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡

going¡¡up¡¡and¡¡down¡¡he¡¡had¡¡stepped¡¡always¡¡in¡¡his¡¡previous¡¡tracks¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡a¡¡

result£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡midst¡¡of¡¡soft¡¡snow£»¡¡and¡¡veiled¡¡under¡¡later¡¡snow¡¡falls£»¡¡was¡¡a¡¡

line¡¡of¡¡irregular¡¡hummocks¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡one's¡¡foot¡¡missed¡¡a¡¡hummock£»¡¡he¡¡plunged¡¡

down¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡unpacked¡¡¡¡¡¡snow¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡usually¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡fall¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Also£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡moose¡­¡¡

hunter¡¡had¡¡been¡¡an¡¡exceptionally¡¡long¡­¡¡legged¡¡individual¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Joy£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡

eager¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡stake£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡fearing¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡

slackening¡¡pace¡¡on¡¡account¡¡of¡¡her¡¡evident¡¡weariness£»¡¡insisted¡¡on¡¡taking¡¡the¡¡

lead¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡speed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡manner¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡negotiated¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡precarious¡¡

footing£»¡¡called¡¡out¡¡Shorty's¡¡unqualified¡¡approval¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Look¡¡at¡¡her£¡¡¨¡¡he¡¡cried¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨She's¡¡the¡¡real¡¡goods¡¡an'¡¡the¡¡red¡¡meat¡£¡¡Look¡¡

at¡¡them¡¡moccasins¡¡swing¡¡along¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡high¡­heels¡¡there¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡uses¡¡the¡¡legs¡¡

God¡¡gave¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She's¡¡the¡¡right¡¡squaw¡¡for¡¡any¡¡bear¡­hunter¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡flashed¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡smile¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡acknowledgment¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡included¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke¡£¡¡

He¡¡¡¡¡¡caught¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡feeling¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡chumminess£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡

bitingly¡¡aware¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡very¡¡much¡¡of¡¡a¡¡woman¡¡who¡¡embraced¡¡him¡¡in¡¡

that¡¡comradely¡¡smile¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Looking¡¡back£»¡¡as¡¡they¡¡came¡¡to¡¡the¡¡bank¡¡of¡¡Squaw¡¡Creek£»¡¡they¡¡could¡¡

see¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡stampede£»¡¡¡¡¡¡strung¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡irregularly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡struggling¡¡¡¡¡¡along¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡descent¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

the¡¡divide¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡slipped¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bank¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡creek¡¡¡¡¡¡bed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡stream£»¡¡¡¡¡¡frozen¡¡

solidly¡¡to¡¡bottom£»¡¡was¡¡from¡¡twenty¡¡to¡¡thirty¡¡feet¡¡wide¡¡and¡¡ran¡¡between¡¡six¡­¡¡

and¡¡eight¡­foot¡¡earth¡¡banks¡¡of¡¡alluvial¡¡wash¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡recent¡¡feet¡¡had¡¡disturbed¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡snow¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡lay¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡ice£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡above¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

Discovery¡¡claim¡¡and¡¡the¡¡last¡¡stakes¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Sea¡¡Lion¡¡stampeders¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Look¡¡out¡¡for¡¡springs£»¡¨¡¡Joy¡¡warned£»¡¡as¡¡Smoke¡¡led¡¡the¡¡way¡¡down¡¡the¡¡

creek¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨At¡¡seventy¡¡below¡¡you'll¡¡lose¡¡your¡¡feet¡¡if¡¡you¡¡break¡¡through¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡These¡¡springs£»¡¡common¡¡to¡¡most¡¡Klondike¡¡streams£»¡¡never¡¡ceased¡¡at¡¡the¡¡

lowest¡¡¡¡¡¡temperatures¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡water¡¡¡¡¡¡flowed¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡banks¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡lay¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡62¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡63¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Smoke¡¡Bellew¡¡



pools¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡cuddled¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cold¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡later¡¡¡¡¡¡surface¡­freezings¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

snow¡¡falls¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Thus£»¡¡a¡¡man£»¡¡stepping¡¡on¡¡dry¡¡snow£»¡¡might¡¡break¡¡through¡¡half¡¡

an¡¡¡¡¡¡inch¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡ice¡­skin¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡knees¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡water¡£¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡five¡¡

minutes£»¡¡unless¡¡able¡¡to¡¡remove¡¡the¡¡wet¡¡gear£»¡¡the¡¡loss¡¡of¡¡one's¡¡foot¡¡was¡¡the¡¡

penalty¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Though¡¡only¡¡three¡¡in¡¡the¡¡afternoon£»¡¡the¡¡long¡¡grey¡¡twilight¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Arctic¡¡

had¡¡settled¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡watched¡¡for¡¡a¡¡blazed¡¡tree¡¡on¡¡either¡¡bank£»¡¡which¡¡

would¡¡¡¡¡¡show¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡centre¡­stake¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡claim¡¡¡¡¡¡located¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Joy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡impulsively¡¡

eager£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡darted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ahead¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Smoke£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡crying£º¡¡

¡¨Somebody's¡¡been¡¡here£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡See¡¡the¡¡snow£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Look¡¡for¡¡the¡¡blaze£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡it¡¡

is£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡See¡¡that¡¡spruce£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡sank¡¡suddenly¡¡to¡¡her¡¡waist¡¡in¡¡the¡¡snow¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Now¡¡I've¡¡done¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡¡woefully¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡she¡¡cried£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡come¡¡

near¡¡me£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I'll¡¡wade¡¡out¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Step¡¡by¡¡step£»¡¡each¡¡time¡¡breaking¡¡through¡¡the¡¡thin¡¡skin¡¡of¡¡ice¡¡concealed¡¡

under¡¡the¡¡dry¡¡snow£»¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡forced¡¡her¡¡way¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡solid¡¡footing¡£¡¡Smoke¡¡did¡¡not¡¡

wait£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡sprang¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bank£»¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡dry¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡seasoned¡¡¡¡¡¡twigs¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡sticks£»¡¡

lodged¡¡amongst¡¡the¡¡brush¡¡by¡¡spring¡¡freshets£»¡¡waited¡¡the¡¡match¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡By¡¡the¡¡

time¡¡she¡¡reached¡¡his¡¡side£»¡¡the¡¡first¡¡flames¡¡and¡¡fli

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ