Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-11-07


:ad carried in his pocket, into the other
he put tea. Fifteen minutes later he
carried them to the Englishman.
Dixon sat up, n glazed passion hii-
Ing his eyes. lie drank the hot tea
greedily and as greedily ate the boiled
flour pudding. Jan watched him hun
grily until the last crumb Of 1t was
gone. He refilled the pals with snow,
added more tea and then rejoined the
Bnglishman. New life was already
shining in Dixon's eyes.
mot moment too soon. Thoreau."
he said thankfully. reaching over to
grip the others hand. Another night
and Suddenly he stopped. Great
Heaven! What is the matter?'
He noticed for the first time the
pinched torture in his companions
face. JAMS head dropped weakly
upon his breast. His hands were icy
cold.
Nothing" ne murmured drowsily,
"only I'm starving, too. Dixon" He
rolled over upon the balsam boughs
with a restful sigh. let me sleep"
Dixon went to the pack One by
one in his search for food he took out
the few articles that it contained.
After that he drank more tea, crawled
back into the balsam shelter and lay
down beside Jan. 1t was broad day
when he awoke. and he called hoarse.
ly to his companion when he saw that
the snow had ceased falling.
Jan did not stir. For moment
Dixon leaned over to listen to his
breathing and then dragged himself
slowly and painfully ont into the day.
The fire was out. a lcaden blackncss
still filled the sky: deep. silent gloom
hung in the wake of the storm.
Suddenly there came to Dixon's ears
sound. Just beyond the hanging
pals moosebird hoped out upon
the snow. Slowly Dixon forced his
right foot through the snow to the
rear of his left and as cautiously
brought his left behind his right,
working himself backward step by
inside was his rifle. He drew it out
and sank upon his knees in the snow
10 aim. At the report Of the rife Jan
stirred. but did not open his eyes. He
made no movement when Dixon called
ont in shrill JOY that he had killed
himself. but something more powerful
than his own will seemed pulling him
down into oblivion. 1t seemed an
eternity before he was conscious Of a
voice again. He felt himself lifted
and opened his eyes with his head
resting against the Englshman's Shout
der.
Drink this, Thorcau." he heard
lie drank and knew that ii was not
tea that ran down his throat.
whisky jack SOUP" he heard again
Elbow is IT,
He became wide awake. Dixon was
Offering him dozen small bits of
meat on a tin plate. and be ate with.
out questioning. Suddenly, when there
were only two or three of the smallest
scraps left. he stopped.
1T was whisky jack" he cried. ~
have eaten 1t ALL"
The young Englishman's white face
grinned at him.
"l'vc got the -four inside of me,
Thoreau. You've got the moose bird
Isn't that fair:'
The plate dropped between them
Over it their hands met in great
clutching grip, and up from JAMS
heart there welled words which almost
burst from his lips in voice. words
which rang in his brain and which
were m unspokcn praycr-"Nlelisse,
thank the great God that 1t Ii this man
whom you love- But 1t was in silence
that he staggered to his feet and Went
out into the gloom.
This may be only lull in the
storm" he said We must lose nc
time. How long did you travel before
you made this camp:"
about ten hours" said Dixon. IL
made due west by compass until
knew that had passed Lac Balm and
then struck north"
"Ah, you have the compass" cried
Jan. his eyes lighting up. "M'scur
Dixon, we are very near to the post I;
you camped so soon. Tell me which Is
north"
THAT is north"
"Then we go south-south and east
| If You Travelled ten hours. first west
and then north, we are northwest OF
Lac Balm"
Jan spoke no more. but got his rife
from the shelter and put Only the tea
and two pals in his pack. leaving the
remaining blanket upon the snow. The
Englishman followed close behind him
bending weakly under the weight of
| his gun.
Tediously they struggled to the top
OF the ridge. and as Jan stopped "a
look through the gray day about him
Dixon sank down into the snow. When
the other turned toward him he grinned
up feeby into his face.
PUSHED" he gasped Don't be-
lleve l can make 1t through this snow,
| Thoreau."
There was no fear In his eyes, there
was even a cheerful ring in his voice.
A sudden glow leapcd into JAMS face.
II know this ridge" he exclaimed.
ut runs within mile of Lac Balm.
You'd better leave your rifle behind"
Dixon made an effort to rise, and
Jan helped him. They went on slow
ly, resting every few hundred yards,
and each time that he rose from these
periods of rest Dixon's face was twist