Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-08

| rom tie IoIIllWdIN mountains
over the tundra which tanks
49, the tide flats. then crceps out
upon the sal, ice of the river and
across to the village,
y Greek church. Russian school
with Il caSSockcd priest presiding and
about hundred houses beside the can
merry buildings make up the village.
Early )ne December afternoon there
Entered upon this trail from the tim
bCrless hills far away to the northward
a weary team of six dogs. driven by
two men.
The travellers had been plodding sui
1cnly hour after hour. dispirited by the
weight of the Ctorn.
"l'inEcrloss" Fraser broke trail. and
Boyd Emerson drove.
"Anothcr day like this and we'd both
be snow blind" observed Emerson
griiny as he bent to his task. But
it can't be far to the river now"
An hour later they dropped from
the plain down through gutterlike
gully TO the river, where they found a
trail, glass hard beneath its downy
covering. a cold breath sucked up
from the sea. Ahead they saw the
ragged ice upended 10y the tide One
branch led to the village, which they
knew lay somewhere on the farther
side, hidden by mile or more or sift-
ing snow.
The going here Was so rough that
hrtb 4 y
ran beside the sled They mounted a
swelling ridge ana rushed down to the
lowell river ice beyond. but as they did
SO they heard shiyering creak on
every side and saw water rising about
the sled runners. Emerson shouted.
ice 2ave way. and for n moment the
water closed over him "Fingerless"
Fraser broke through in turn, gusping
as TIE icy water rose to his arnpits.
Each mar aimed 10 secure an indie
pcl!ient footing. but the efforts OF nj!
only enlarged the pool, Emerson shout
ed
cut the team loose. quick"' But
the other spnt out mouthtUl OF salt
water and spluttcrcd:
IL can't swim"
Whercupon tn first speaker half
svam himself through the slush to
the forwrrl cad of he Sled and. seek
ing out the shCa.h i,ulfe from beneath
ais parla, cut the hqrncss OF the two
ANIMALS Once free They scrambled 20
mfe,y ana rolled in the dry snow.
Emerson next attempted to lift the
nose Of the sled Up on II" ice, shout
Ing az the remainder If the team to
pull, but they only Jagged their tails
and whincd Zach tine he tried to
lift the Sled he crashed through fresh
ice, finally bearing he .lext pair Of
dogs with him ard thea the two ami,
mails in tho lead. Al of them became
nopelcSsly cntduglcd
suddenly rang ou. Il sharp command
altered In II 1"W "Oice. out of tie
snow fog from the direction in which
they were beaded hrokc 'rnm. run.
ming full ana f""e Emerson nerve-
cd ut the OUTFIT, having mover seen tie
like in NIL his travels through the
north 'or cIch Ynimsl Of the twelve
stood hi;' nigh TO I tail man, and
they Wcre liz" wolves Of one pack.
gray and gnnDt ard w.cGod. 4 ,nll
Indian runner lot .An team and head.
81 swiftly 10, the scene Of the acct.
feai Tb- man ran forward III ne
Aeared the edge az The opening where
the tide had caused the foes ID sop.
Nrate; then. nattening his body on .he
Ice. he crawlod o;l cautiously and
seized the lead dog. Carefully he
wormed his way backward to security.
1t had been n tickliih operation. re-.
guirng nice Skin ara dextcrity. but
now that his footing was sure the
runner exerted his whole strength, and
Ms the dogs scratched and tore for II
firm FoothOd the sled came crunchng
closAr and closer through the half inch
skin Of Ice. Then he reached down
and dragged Emerson ont. Gripping
and ncrvclcss from his immersion. To.
gethc- tnev rescued the Quilt.
The person In the siedge had watch
ed them silently, but now spoke in n
strange patois. and the breed gave