These he laid on a table until he had placed his head close to Kent's hearty listening to what he called the bruit--the rushing of blood through the aneurismal sac.
"Seems to me that I can hear it myself now and then," said Kent.
"Worse, isn't it ?" Cardigan nodded.

"Smoking may hurry it up a bit," he said.

"Still, if you want to--" Kent held out his hand for the pipe and tobacco.

"It's worth it.
Thanks, old man." Kent loaded the pipe, and Cardigan lighted a match.

For the first time in two weeks a cloud of smoke issued from between Kent's lips.
"The brigade is starting north," he said.
"Mostly Mackenzie River freight," replied Cardigan.