"We'll play fair," Madge began, but Skiff Miller broke in on her
assurances.

"I know the ways of women," he announced. "Their hearts is soft.
When their hearts is touched they're likely to stack the cards,
look at the bottom of the deck, an' lie like the devil - beggin'
your pardon, ma'am. I'm only discoursin' about women in general."

"I don't know how to thank you," Madge quavered.

"I don't see as you've got any call to thank me," he replied.
"Brown ain't decided yet. Now you won't mind if I go away slow?
It's no more'n fair, seein' I'll be out of sight inside a hundred
yards." - Madge agreed, and added, "And I promise you faithfully
that we won't do anything to influence him."

"Well, then, I might as well be gettin' along," Skiff Miller said
in the ordinary tones of one departing.

At this change in his voice, Wolf lifted his head quickly, and
still more quickly got to his feet when the man and woman shook
hands. He sprang up on his hind legs, resting his fore paws on her
hip and at the same time licking Skiff Miller's hand. When the
latter shook hands with Walt, Wolf repeated his act, resting his
weight on Walt and licking both men's hands.

"It ain't no picnic, I can tell you that," were the Klondiker's
last words, as he turned and went slowly up the trail.

For the distance of twenty feet Wolf watched him go, himself all