that I am criminally liable if I don't take every precaution?" He
paused for a moment, considering. "I'll hand her over to the
ship's doctor."

"See here, now," Glenister urged. "We'll be in Nome in a week--
before the young lady would have time to show symptoms of the
disease, even if she were going to have it--and a thousand to one
she hasn't been exposed, and will never show a trace of it. Nobody
knows she's aboard but we three. Nobody will see her get off.
She'll stay in this cabin, which will be just as effectual as
though you isolated her in any other part of the boat. It will
avoid a panic--you'll save your ship and your company--no one will
be the wiser--then if the girl comes down with small-pox after she
gets ashore, she can go to the pest-house and not jeopardize the
health of all the people aboard this ship. You go up forrad to
your bridge, sir, and forget that you stepped in to see old Bill
Dextry this morning. Well take care of this matter all right. It
means as much to us as it does to you. We've GOT to be on Anvil
Creek before the ground thaws or we'll lose the Midas. If you make
a fuss, you'll ruin us all."

For some moments they watched him breathlessly as he frowned in
indecision, then--

"You'll have to look out for the steward," he said, and the girl
sank to a stool while two great tears rolled down her cheeks. The
captain's eyes softened and his voice was gentle as he laid his
hand on her head.

"Don't feel hurt over what I said, miss. You see, appearances