To the strong-hearted men and women of Alaska,the new empire rising in the North, it is for mean honor and a privilege to dedicate this work.
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
Owosso, Michigan
August 1, 1923
Captain Rifle, gray and old in the Alaskan Steamship service, had not lost thespirit of his youth along with his years. Romance was not dead in him, and thefire which is built up of clean adventure and the association of strong men anda mi