Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-10-01

i%lHE trail % Hulvik leads down
from the nOrthward mountains
over the tundra which tanks
- the tide fats. then creeps ou-
upon the salt ice OF the river and
across 90 the village.
A Greek church. n Russian school
with a cassocked priest presiding and
about a hundred houses beside the can
merry buildings make up the village.
Early one December afternoon there
entered upon this trail from the tim
berless hills far away 20 the uorthward
a weary team OF six dogs. driven by
two men.
The travellers had been Flooding sui
lenly hour after hour. dispirited by the
weight OF the storm.
"Fingerless" Fraser broke trail, aud
Boyd Emerson drove
Another day like this and we'd both
be snow blind" observed Emerson
grimly as be benz 10 his task. but
Il can't be far 10 the river now"
An hour later they dropped from
the plain down through a gutterlike
gully 10 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 20 the village. which they
knew lay somewhere on the farther
side. hidden by "a mile or more OF sift-
ing snow.
The going here was so rough that
both men leaped from their seats and
ran beside the sled. They mounted
swelling ridge and rushed down TO the
level river ice beyond. but as they did
so they heard a shivering creak on
every side and saw water rising about
the sled runners. Emerson shouted,
the dogs leaped. but with a crash the
ice gave way. and for a moment the
water closed over him. "Fingerless"
Fraser broke through in turn. gasping
as the icy water rose TO his armpits
Each man aimed 20 secure an indie
pendent footing. but the efforts OF all
only enlarged the pool. Emerson shout
ed:
"Cut the team loose. quickw But
the other spat out a mouthful OF salt
water and spluttered:
II can't swimP'
Whereupon the first speaker half
swan himself through the slush TO
the forward end OF the sled and. seek.
ing out the sheath knife from beneath
his parka. cut the harness OF the two
animals. Once free they scrambled to
safety and rolled in the dry snow.
Emerson next attempted 10 lift the
nose OF the sled up on the ice, shout
ing at the remainder OF the team TO
pull, but they only wagged their tails
and whined. Each time he tried to
lift the sled he crashed through fresh
ice, finally bearing the next pair OF
dogs with him and then the two ami
mails In the lead. All Of them became
hopelessly entangled
Suddenly rang out a sharp command
uttered In n new voice. Out OF the
snow fog from the direction In which
they were headed broke q team, run
ming full and free. Emerson marvel.
ed at the outfit. having never seen the
Ike In all his travels through the
north. for each animal OF the twelve
stood hip high TO tall man. and
they were Ike wolves OF one pack.
gay and gauDt and wicked. A tall
Indian runner left the team and head
ed swiftly for the scene OF the acci-
dent The man ran forward till he
Deared the edge of the opening where
the tide had caused the foes 10 sep
arate: then. dattening his body on the
ice. he crawIed out cautiously and
seized the lead dog Carefully he
wormed his way backward to security.
IL had been a ticklish operation. re.
curing nice skin and dexterity. but
now that his footing was sure the
runner exerted his whole strength, and
rs the dogs scratched and tore for a
firm foofhoId the sled came crunching
closer and closer through the half inch
skin of Ice. Then he reached down
and dragged Emerson out. dripping