Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-11-29


over the tundra which tanks
u the tide fats. then creeps out
upon the salt Ice of the river and
across to the village.
A Greek church. a Russian school
with a cassocked priest presiding and
about 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 to the northward
weary team of six dogs. driven by
two men.
The travellers had been plodding sui
lenly hour after hour. dispirited by the
weight Of the storm.
"Fingerless" Fraser broke trail, and
Boyd Emerson drove.
Another day like this and we'd both
be snow blind" observed Emerson
grimly 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 a 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 by 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
beth 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 shivering creak on
every side and saw water rising about
the sled runners. Emerson shouted,
the dogs leaped. but with crash the
ice gave way. and for moment the
water closed over him. "Fingerless"
Fraser broke through in turn, gasping
us the Icy water rose to his armpits.
| Each man aimed to secure an inde-
pendent footing. but the efforts of all
only enlarged the pool. Emerson shout
| ed:
Cut the team loose. quick" But
the other spat out mouthful OF salt
water and spluttered:
| T-I can't swim!
| 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 to 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
md 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 sharp command
uttered In a new voice Out OF the
snow fog from the direction in which
they were headed broke team, run
ming full and free. Emerson marvel
ed at the outfit. having never seen the
like in all his travels through the
north, for each animal Of the twelve
stood hip high to tall man, and
they were like wolves Of one pack,
gray and gaunt and wicked. A tall
Indian runner left the team and head
ed swiftly for the scene Of the acci-
deut. The man ran forward till he
neared the edge Of the opening where
the tide had caused the foes to sep
arate; then. fiattening his body on the
Ice, he crawled out cautiously and
seized the lead dog. Carefully h'
wormed his way backward to security
It had been a ticklish operation. re
uuiring nice skill and dexterity. bu
now that bis footing wal sure tn
runner exerted his whole strength. ant
as the dogs scratched and tore for
firm foothold the sled came crunchini
closer and closer through the half incl
skin of Ice. Then he reached dow
and dragged Emerson out. dripping
and nerveless from his immersion. To
gether they rescued the outfit
The person In the sledge had watch
ed them silently, but now spoke IN
strange patois, and the breed CAV
voice to her words, for it was wo
man.
Zone mile you go-white man house
} Go quick-you freeze"
"Ain't you got no dry clothes2 Ou
stuff Is soaked"
Again the Indian translated SOM
/. words from the girl.
mo. You hurry and no stop here
.. We 20 quick over yonder. No can stol
at all"
| He hurried back p bis QigH2R.