The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-01-20

hpaten, was Smokes conclusion and,
drive no matter how. Big Olaf failed
TO shake him off. No team Smoke had
driven that night could have stood
such u killing pace and kept up with
fresh dogs-no team save this one.
Nevertheless the pace was killing it,
and as they began to round the bluff
at klondike City he could feel the
pitch of strength going out of his ami
mails. Almost imperceptibly they lag
ged. and foot by foot Big Olaf drew
away until he led by score of yards.
A great cheer went up from the pop
ulation Of Klondike City assembled on
the ice. Here the klondike entered
the Yukon. and half mile away,
across the klondike. on the north
bank, stood Dawson. An outburst Of
madden cheering arose. and Smoke
caught glimpse Of a sled shooting
out to him. He recognized the splen-
did animals that drew it. They were
Joy Gastell's, and Joy Gastell drove
them. Mittens had been discarded,
and with bare hands she chung to whip
and sled
Jump" she cried as her leader
snarled ut Smokes
Smoke struck the sled behind her.
| 1t rocked violently from the impact of
| his body. but she was full up on her
knees and swinging the whip.
Eli! You! Mush on Chook! Chook!"
she was crying. and the dogs whined
in cot Of. Il nd
effort to overtake Big Olaf.
And then MS the lead dog caught the
| tail of Big Olaf's sled and yard by
| yard drew up abreast the great crowd
on the Dawson bank went mad.
r. when you're in the lead Pm going
to dDp off, Joy cried out over her
shoulder. And watch out for the dip
| warned
Dog by dog. separated by half a
dozen feet, the two teams We're rum
ming abreast Big Olaf. with whip and
voice. held his own for a minute. Then
slowly, an inch at a time, Joys leader
| began to forge past.
"Get ready she cried to Smoke.
| 4 ~
Get the whip"
And as he shifted his hand TO clutch
| the whip they heard Biz Olaf roar a
warning. but too late His lead dog.
incensed at being passed. sweryed in
to the attack His fangs struck Joys
leader on the flank. The rival teams
flew at one another's throats. The
J tEn f,1rhti hr,lta MI
eapsized Smoke struggled to his feet
and tried to lift Joy up But she thrust
him from her. crying:
Co..
/ On foot already fifty feet In adj
vance was Big Olaf. still intent on
i finishing the race. Smoke obeyed. and
when the two men reached tue foot
of the Dawson bank be was at the 9TH
er's heels. But up the bank Big Olaf
lifted his body hugely. regaining a doz-
en- feet
Five blocks down the main street
| was the gold recorders office Not SO
easily this time did Smoke gain to his
giant rival. and when be did be 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 greet conclusive
jerks, gained an inch or SO. only to
lose 1t Immediately after.
If the pace had been killing one for
their dogs the one they now set them
selves was no less 50. Bur they were
racing for s, 100000 ana the greatest
honor III the Yukon country.
Smoke felt himself InyoluntariIy lag,
and Big Olaf sprang n full stride in
the lead To Smoke it seemed that his
heart would burst, while be had lost
all consciousness Of his legs lie knew
they were flying under him, b1It he
did not know how he confirmed to
make them fiT.- nor how he pat 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 final, futile spurt 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. but were too exhausted
to rise. Big Olaf. the sweat pouring
from him. breathing with tremendous,
painful gasps. paved the mir and vain.
ly tried to speak. Then he reached out
his hand With unmistakabie meaning;
Smoke extended bis, and they shook
Its dead heat" Smoke could hear
the recorder saying. but 1t was as II
in dream. "And all / can say Is
that you both win. You'll have to d.
vide the claim between you You're
partners"
Big Olaf nodded his head with grea,
emphasis and spluttered. AT last b,
got it out.
You d--n cheiako," was what he
said, but In the saying OF II was ad
miration: Il don't know how you don,
it, but you did!'
Smoke and Big Olaf essayed to rise
and each helped the other to hts feet
Smoke found his legs weak under hin
and staggered drunkenly. Big OLAF
tottered toward him.
I'm sorry my dogs jumped yours"
ut couldn't be helped" Smoke pant
I ed back. Il heard you yell. :"
!. SAY" Big Olaf went ON. with shin
S Ing eyes. '.that girl-one Id fine girl
!. ehy'
: Zone id fine girlt' Smoke agreed