Angela, who had pined for any kind of civilization 126 rather than a continuance of the eternal snows, wondered if this were any better. Jim pitched the tent under some spruce-trees and high up on a bluff beyond the city.
“Wal, we’re here,” he said.
“Yes,” she replied bitterly. “You’ve got so far. And what next?”
“We’re going to git gold. Yep, we sure are—and you’re going to help.”
She shut her mouth grimly. This was a big city; there were men here going back to civilization after making their fortunes. In a few weeks the river would be free and steamers would be making Vancouver. It oughtn’t to be so difficult to find someone who would help her to escape from a man like this!
CHAPTER IX
HIGH STAKES
Before many days had passed Angela realized how wisely Jim had traded in Vancouver. At the time she had wondered why he had been so prodigal in the matter of food. It seemed to her sheer lunacy to travel over icy mountains with what appeared to be enough food for a traveling circus. Now she saw that but for his foresight they might have felt the fine edge of starvation as others were doing.