Let those five thousand carry their tale of famine to Dyea and Skaguay, and they will prevent five thousand more coming in over the ice." "Quite right! And you may count on the hearty co-operation of the police, Mr.Welse." The speaker, a strong-faced, grizzled man, heavy-set and of military bearing, pulled up his collar and rested his hand on the door-knob.

"I see already, thanks to you, the newcomers are beginning to sell their outfits and buy dogs.

Lord! won't there be a stampede out over the ice as soon as the river closes down! And each that sells a thousand pounds of grub and goes lessens the proposition by one empty stomach and fills another that remains.

When does the Laura start ?" "This morning, with three hundred grubless men aboard.

Would that they were three thousand!" Amen to that! And by the way, when does your daughter arrive ?" "'Most any day, now." Jacob Welse's eyes warmed.