Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-24

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
and whined. Each time be 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 a new voice. Out of the
snow fog from the direction In which
they were headed broke a 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 a 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 acct
dent. The man ran forward till he
neared the edge of the opening where
the tide had caused the foes to sep
arate; then. f1attening his body on the
ice. he crawled out cautiously and
seized the lead dog. Carefully he
wormed his way backward 20 security.
1t had been a ticklish operation, re-
curing nice skill and dexterity. but
now that his footing was sure the
runner exerted his whole strength, and
as the dogs scratched and tore for a
firm foothold the sled came crunching
closer and closer through the half inch
skin of ice. Then he reached down
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 a
strange patois, and the breed gave
voice to her words, for it was a wo-
man.
zone mile you go-white man house.
Go quick-you freeze"
"Ain't you got no dry clothes? Our
stuff is soaked"
Again the Indian translated some
words from the girl.
mo. You hurry and no stop here.
We go quick over yonder. No can stop
at ALL"
He hurried back to his mistress.
cried once to the pack Of gray dogs,
"Oonahp' and they were OF as If In
chase.
As they dashed past both white men
had one fleeing glimpse of a wonan's
face beneath a furred hood, and then
it was gone.
Ibid you seeT" Fraser calculated
Good Lordi It's a woman-a blond
womanP'
NONSENSE She must be a breed"
said Emerson.
Breeds don't have yellow hair!" de-
clared the other.
Swiftly they bent in the free dogs
and dashed the team to a run They
felt the chill of death In their bones,
and instead of riding they ran with the
sled till their blood beat painfully.
Their outer coverings were like shells.
their underclOthes were soaked, and,
although their going was difficult and
clumsy, they dared not stop, for this
is the EXTREMIST peril of the north.
They swung over the river bank and
into the midst Of great rambling frame
buildings. Their trail led them to a
high banked cabin. Another mile
would have meant disaster
''Rout out the owner and tell him
we're wet" said Emerson. I'm free
the dogs"
Before he could reach the cabin the
dazed look on his face. He
FoIy
countenance.
ITS no USE" Fraser said. I'VE can't
go in"
whats wrong? Somebody sickr'
81 don't know what's the matter.
This man just says nix that's ALL"
The fellow growled, ''Yaas; Ay got
no ROOM"
But you don't understand" said |
Emerson. We're wet We broke |
through the ice. Never mind the |
room. Well get along somehow"
You can't come in har. You find |
anoder house tree mile furder.''
The traveller pushed forward. Invol- |
the Waterman drew back, |
the unwelcome visitor
past, jostling his inhospitable
host roughly. Emerson's quick action
gained him entrance, and Fraser fol-
owed behind into the living room,
where a fat nossd squaw withdrew
before them The young man address
ID her peremptorfly:
Punch up that fire and get us some
hing to eat, quickv'
Sour obedience followed.
Fraser had been watching the fell
ow and now remarked to his compan-
on:
Say, what ais that ginney7"
The assumption of good nature fell