“The Hekor don’t freeze right up easy,” he went on. “That’s so. But it’ll sure be black night.” Then he looked up, and Chilcoot recognised his half smile of contentment. “It don’t matter anyway. The thing’s worth it.”
“What thing?”
Bill laughed.
“Why the jump we’re making.”
There was a brief pause. Then Chilcoot’s eyes twinkled.
“You scared of the winter trail, Bill?” he asked quietly.
“Not a thing.”
The older man nodded.
“It would ha’ been the first time in your life,” he said. “I’ve seen you take the chances of a crazy man.”