The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-08-19

@1HE trail to K1lvik leads down from the northward mountains over the tundra which Hanks - the tide flats. then creeps out upon the salt ice of the river and across 10 the village.
 4 Greek church. a Russian school with cassocked priest presiding and about hundred houses beside the can nery buildings make up the village.
 Early one December afternoon there entered upon this trail from the tim berless hills far away to the northward a weary team of six dogs, driven by two men.
 The travellers had been plodding sul- leniy hour after hour. dispirited by the weight of the storm.
 ''Fingprless'' 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 1t can't be far to the river now."
 Au hour later they dropped from the plain down through a gutterlike gnily to the river. where they found a trcii. glass hard beneath it's downy covering A cold breath sucked up iron, the sea. Ahead they saw the 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 a 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 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 to secure an iEde pendent footing. but the efforts of al only enlarged the pool. Emerson shout ed:
 Gut the team loose, quickr' But the other spat out a mouthful of salt water and spiuttered:
 IT can't Swim"'
 Whereupon the first speaker hall swam himself through the slush tt the forward end of the sled and. seek ing out the sheath knife from beneatt his parka. cut the harness of the two animals. Once free they scrambled tC safety and rolled in the dry snow.
 Emerson next attempted to lift the nose of rho sled up on the ice. shout ing at the remainder of the team tt pull. but they only wagged their tail: and whined Each time he tried t( lift the sled he crashed through fresl ice. finally bearing the next pair o' dogs with him and then the two ami Hals in the lead All of them becam, hopelessIy entangled-
 Suddenly rang out a sharp command uttered in a new voice. Out of tn, SHOW fog from the direction .n whic1 they were headed broke q team. run nirg full and free. Emerson marvel ed at the outfit. having never seen thu like in all his travels through thu north. for each animal of tile twelve stood hip high to a tall man. an( they were like wolves of one pack gray and gaunt and wicked. A tai Indian runner left the team and head cd swiftly for the scene Of the aeci dent The man ran forward till h. neared the edge of the opening wherl the tide had caused the foes to sep arate: then. flattening his body on .thi ice. he crawled out cautiously an( seized the lead dog Carefully ht wormed his way backward to security
 It had been ticklish operation, re quiring nice skill and dexterity. bu now that his footing was sure the runner exerted his whole strength, and as the dogs scratched and tore for g firm foothold the sled came crunchine closer and closer through the half inch skin of ice. Then he reached dowr and dragged Emerson out, dripping and nerveless from his immersion To gefher they rescued the outfit
 The person in the sledge had watch ed them silently. but now spoke in 2 strange patois, and the breed GaH'