But Charles and Hal did not know this.

They had worked the trip out with a pencil, so much to a dog, so many dogs, so many days, Q.E.D.Mercedes looked over their shoulders and nodded comprehensively, it was all so very simple.
Late next morning Buck led the long team up the street.

There was nothing lively about it, no snap or go in him and his fellows.

They were starting dead weary.

Four times he had covered the distance between Salt Water and Dawson, and the knowledge that, jaded and tired, he was facing the same trail once more, made him bitter.