Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-12

! new to him. while the furs in it were
of white fox.
The figure wrapped up in them
! spoke again sharply, whereupon tall
Indian runner left the team and head
ed swiftly for the scene of the acct.
dent. AS he approached, Emerson
| noted the fellows flowing parka OF
ground squirrel skins, from which a
score of fluffy tails fell free, and he
saw that this was no Indian, but a
half breed of peculiar coppery light
| ness. The man ran forward till he
neared the edge of the opening where
the tide had caused the foes to sep
arate and the cold had not had time
as yet to heal it; then flattening his
body to its full length on the ice. he
crawled out cautiously and seized the
lead dog Carefully he wormed his
! way backward to security, then leaned
his weight upon the tugline.
1t had been ticklish operation, re-
quiring nice skill and dexterity. but
now that his footing was sure the run
nar exerted his whole strength, and
as the dogs scratched and tore for
firm foothold, the sled came crunch
ing closer and closer through the
half inch skin of ice. Then he reached
down and dragged Emerson out, drip
ping and nerveless from his INNER
sion. Together they rescued the out
fit,
The person in the sledge had watch
ed them silently, but now spoke in
strange patois. and the breed gave
voice to her words, for it was
woman.
"One mile you go-wl,ite man house.
Go quick--you freeze" He pointed
back whence the two men had come,
indicating the ether branch of the
trail.
Fraser had emerged meanwhile and
circled the waterhole, but even this
brief exposure to the open air had
served to harden his wet garments in
to a cracking armor. With rafting
teeth, he asked:
"Ain't you got no dry clothes? Our
stuff is soaked"
Again the Indian translated some
words from the girl.
We go quick over yonder No can
stop at all"
He hurried back to his mistress,
cried once to the pack of gray dogs,
"Oonah!" and they were off as If in
chase. They left the trail and circled
toward the shore, the driver standing
erect upon the heels of the runners,
guiding his team with wide-fung
gestures and sharp cries, the rush Of
air fluttering the many squirrel tails
of his parka like fairy streamers.
AS they dashed past, both white
men had one f1eeting glimpse of a
woman's face beneath furred hood,
and then it was gone. For moment
they stood and stared after the fast
dwindling team, while the breath OF
the Arctic sea stiffened their gar
ments and froze their boot soles to
the ice.
did you see?" Fraser calculated.
Good Lord, it's woman A blonde
woman!"
Emerson stirred himself. ''Non-
sense! She must be breed" said he.
Breeds don't have yellow hair!"
declared the other. ........ ..
and dashed the team to 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.
Ten minutes later they swung over
the river bank and into the midst OF
great rambling frame buildings, seen
dimly through the falling snow. Their
trail led them to high banked cabin,
from the stove pipe Of which they saw
heat waves pouring. The dogs broke
into cry, and were answered by many
others conjured from their hiding
places. Both men We're greatly dis
tressed by now, and could handle
themselves only with difficulty. An
other mile would have meant dis
acter.
"Rout out the owner and tell him
we're wet said Emerson; "Ill free
the dogs"
AS Fraser disappeared. the young
man ran forward to slip the harness
from his animals, but found 1t frozen
into their fur. the knots and buckles
transformed into unmanageable Jumps
of ice, so he wrenched the camp axe
from the sled and cut the thongs,
then hacked loose the stiff sled lash
ings. seized the sodden sleeping bags.
and made for the house. A travellers
first concern is for his dogs, then for
his bedding.
Before he could reach the cabin the
door opened and Fraser appeared, a
strange, dazed look on his face. He
was followed by large man of coarse
and sullen countenance, who paused
on the threshold.
Don't bother with the rest Of the
stuff" Emerson chartered.
Its no use" Fraser REPLIED we
can't 60 in
The former paused, forgetting the
cold in his amazement
Whats wrong? Somebody sick?"
81 don't know what's the matter.
This man just says nix that's ALL