Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-04-27
them. Mittens had been discarded,
and with bare hands she chung b whip

them. Mittens had been discarded,
and with bare hands she chung b whip
and sled.
Jump she cried as her leader
snaried at Smokes.
Smoke struck the sled behind heg.
It rocked violently from the impact of
his body, but she was full up on hsf
knees and swinging the whip.
Hi! You! Mush on! Chook! Chook!'
she was crying, and the dogs whined
and yelped in eagerness OF desire ana
effort to overtake Big Olaf.
And then as the lead dog caught the
tail Of Big Olars sled and yard BY
yard drew up abreast the great crowd
on the Dawson bank went mad.
when you're in the lead I'm going
to drop OFF, Joy cried out over her
shoulder. "And watch out for the dip
curve halfway up the bank" she
warned.
Dog by dog. separated by half
dozen feet, the two teams were run
ming abreast. Big Olaf, with whip and
voice, held his own for minute Then
slowly, an inch at time, Joys leader
began to forge past
"Get readyw she cried to Smoke.
"Tm going to leave you IN a minute.
Get the whip"
And as he shifted his hand to clutch
the whip they heard Big Olaf roar
warning, but too late. His lead doe,
incensed at being passed, swerved IN
to the attack. His fangs struck joys
leader on the flank. The rival teams
flew at one another's throats. The
sleds overran the fighting brutes and
capsized. Smoke struggled to his feet
and tried to lift Joy up. But she thrust
him from her, crying:
"Gow
On foot, already fifty feet In ad-
vance, was Big Olaf. still intent on
finishing the race. Smoke obeyed, and
when the two men reached the foot
of the Dawson bank he was at the 9TH
er's heels. But up the bank Big OLAF
lifted his body hugely, regaining dos-
en- feet.
Five blocks down the main street
was the gold recorders office. Not 80
easily this time did Smoke gain to his
giant rival, and when he did he was
unable to pass. Side by side they ran
along the narrow aisle between the
solid walls Of cheering men. Now one,
now the other, with great convulsive
Jerks, gained an inch or 80, only to
lose 1t Immediately after.
II the pace had been killing one for
their dogs the one they now set them
selves was no less 80. But they were
racing for 100000 and the greatest
honor in the Yukon country.
Smoke felt himself involuntarily lag.
and Big Olaf sprang full stride In
the lead To Smoke 1t seemed that his
heart would burst, while he had lost
all consciousness Of his legs. He knew
they were flying under him, but he
did not know how he continued to
make them fly, nor how he put even
greater pressure Of will upon them and
compelled them again to carry him to
his giant competitors side.
The open door Of the recorders OF.
fee appeared ahead Of them. Both
men made a final, futile squirt. Neither
could draw away from the other. and
side by side they hit the doorway.
collided violently. and fell headlong on
the office floor.
They sat up. hut were too exhausted
to rise. Big Olaf, the sweat pouring
from him. breathing with tremendous,
painful gasps, paved the air and vain.
ly tried to speak. Then he reached out
his hand with unmistakable meaning:
Smoke extended his, and they shook.
"It's a dead heat" Smoke could hear
the recorder saying, but It was as II
In a dream. "And all can say Is
that you both win. You'll have to di.
vide the claim between you. You're
partners"
Big Olaf nodded bis head with great
emphasis and spluttered. At last he
got 1t out.
"You d-n chekako." was what be
said, but In the saying Of It was ad-
miration; 81 don't know how you done
1t, but you didr'
Smoke and Big Olaf essayed to rise.
and each helped the other to bis feet
Smoke found his legs weak under him
and staggered drunkenly. Big Olaf
tottered toward him.
"Im sorry my dogs jumped yours"
ut couldn't be helped" Smoke pant.
ed back. II heard you yell"
"say," Big Olaf went on. with shin
ing eyes, that girl-one ID nne girl.
ehT
Zone id fine girlr' Smoke agreed.
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