The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-04-05
Continued from our last issue.) /

CONTINUED from our last issue.)
II took but a short period OF
this heart-breaking travel against
the biting wind to convince Jen-
sen that he had greatly overesti-
mated his own strength. Had 1t
not been for each short respite
when Babe searched for signs OF
the trail, he would have had to
give up early. Finally Kerry Nal
labee made him change places
with her for a time, and he had a
longer rest. Late in the after
noon they halted, and Peter Saint
managed to warm up can OF cof-
fee. 1t put new vigor into their
tired bodies, and they struck out
again.
AS the early dusk fell Babe
found the trail more difficult, and
Jensen's periods of rest were con-
siderably heightened. During one
of these rests Jensen fell into a
momentary doze as he sat curled
up on the forward sledge await
ing Peter Saints return with
Babe.
1t was with a rather sleep-mud-
died brain that he resumed the
journey after this respite, and
they had been travelling steadily
on for some time when he sudden
| ly sensed the unusual quietness of
| the rear dogs. He looked back.
There was no rear sledge in sight!
For an instant the bleak horror
of the situation almost overcame
him. He ran forward and caught
Peter Saint by the arm.
| Heavens, man, where's the
other sledge?" shouted Jensen.
They are not following. | can
neither see nor hear them"
In an instant Peter had turned
his dog team about, and they were
racing on the back track of the
sledges, trail fast becoming in
distinguishable in the falling
darkness.
Crazed with anxiety, Peter Saint
and Jensen almost outran the dogs
the blind man ahead, crouched
over as he sped on, led by Babe
with her leading rope tied to his
wrist.
Suddenly Jensen saw Peter
Saint stagger forward and fall
over some obstacle in the snow.
1t was roll of furs and one of
Miss Mallabee's mittens that had
been dropped from the rear sledge
as her dog team had turned
sharply off the trail.
In an instant Peter Saint was
up, only to stagger forward and
fall again with a groan of pain.
Jensen knelt In the snow by his
side.
What is it? What's the mat
ter?"
by Gar, / theenk my ankle
she mos broke" moaned Peter.
Again he pluckily tried to stand
up, but it was no use.
IL guess Sin Petair he ees done
for he declared, sadly, as he lay
back, grooming in the snow,
while Babe barked and tugged at
her leading string.
Suddenly Peter noted Babes
excitement. He listened to her
barks and whimpers. MY Gar"
he said, 81 theenk dees ees right
trail off here, eh. what, my
Baby? Feet was Sin Petair and
his Baby wot got astray, Ell,
what?"
well, that's so much to the
good then" said Jensen, greatly
relieved. Now let's see what's
the matter with your ankle"
Decently skilled in backwoods
surgery, Jensen soon had Peters
pac and thick wooden sock re-
moved. There could be little
doubt about what was the matter.
Peter Saint would not be able to
step on that foot for days.
There was nothing for Jensen
to do but bind the injured ankle
as best he could and lift Peter
Saint onto the komatic.
Jensen took Babes leading
string and the two started off,
leading the way on the trail TAX
en- by Kerry Mallabee and Peter
Saints dogs.
AS rule, sledge dogs do not
often bark, the whine or the
grown is their common method
of speech, yet Kerry Mallabee's
team kept up a furious bowling
as they raced along on their late
companions track, appearing
aware that their teammates were
in distress and must be found.
Within short time answering
bowls were heard in the distance
Jensen's heart gave~a leap for
sheer Joy and relief. He broke
into a loud. Halo! Hallo!" and
imagined there came a faint, an
swering call.
Soon piled black shadow
could be seen blurring the trail
ahead. 1t was the other dogs and
the komatic, punched together
for warmth and comfort. But the
sledge was empty. Kerry MALTA
bee was not there!
Jensen got down on his hands
and knees and began to study the
snow about the back track OF the
sledges. Peter Saint called to
him.
Here ees wan pair of sharper
eyes dan yours" he said, as he
rnbb Kerry Mallahao, fnr .ni4