And he saw, further, the gambling-houses, banks, stock-exchanges, and all the gear and chips and markers, the chances and opportunities, of a vastly bigger gambling game than any he had ever seen.

It was sure hell, he thought, with the hunch a-working and that big strike coming, to be out of it all.

Life thrilled and stirred at the thought and once more began uttering his ancient lies.
Daylight rolled over and off the boat, leaning against it as he sat on the ice.

He wanted to be in on that strike.

And why shouldn't he?
Somewhere in all those wasted muscles of his was enough strength, if he could gather it all at once, to up-end the boat and launch it.