The evening world., 1916-02-18

Hentb we Could Ill spare from our
bodies. and went on. ] can't tell the
details of that last, long tramp, be-
cause was in a daze most OF the
time. I know that IL was cold, and
growing colder. as n the North was
putting forth its mightiest efforts TO
break us down on the homestretch. /
know that Buck dragged the travois
with a maniac bound in Il; a maniac
who cursed and reviled us for thieves
and murderers one moment, and in
the next breath sang college songs,
and rent the frozen atmosphere with
our old gridiron yell.
Behind staggered Dick and I--gaunt,
weak, and shaken with fear OF the
never-ending trail. All day the sun
dogs lecred at us from their aerie in
the sky; and near night, for the first
time in our wanderings. the gray
wolves howled menancing1y at us
from the wooded shelter OF the shore.
BY ell the signs and tokens we were
nearing the end of the trail, whether
II led to Fort Resolution and safety
or TO a lasting sleep In the deep SHOWS
The latter part Of the day my feet
moved mechanically: a curious apathy
took possession OF my mind. The
racking pains that shot through my
limbs at each step disappeared, and I
would have been fairly comfortable
only for the dismal bowling OF the
wolves-and the sight OF tho sun
dogs overhead; somehow those fash
ing mock suns gave me the horrors.
But there was nothing I could do,
save follow the lead Of Buck as best
j could, though my knees wobbled
strangely at times.
Once, near sundown. Dick stumbled
and fell in the trail ahead OF me. He
didn't get up on his feet: just sat up
on his launches in the snow and
rested his head in his hands. his body
bent forward and swaying slightly.
spoke to him, but he didn't seem
to hear. Buck called back to him, and
he paid no attention. Then Buck laid
the end of the travels down and came
back. l suppose he'd seen men lie
down on trail before. He didn't waste
any time in useless persuasion; he
simply Kicked Dick in the ribs, and
swore at hAn until Dick got to his
feet, and we moved on again.
Thus we forged slowly ahead and In
the starlit evening turned into the
mouth Of Slave River Valley, and
came in sight Of Fort Resolution, a
dark. bulky shadow in the prevailing
white. i may come to many a Jour-
neys end before my life Ia done. but
never, though should live TO be twice
tho age of the Oldest inhabitant, will
any sight Of the dwellings OF men
bring such Joy to my soul as did the
first glimpse of that grim stockade.
But even then, within n scant mile
OF our goal. fate reached out a firm
hand, and. taking us by the shoulder,
turned our feet away from the path
we had chosen. As we rounded a
point that jutted out into the river, q
pun OF smoke from a wood fire greeted
our nostrils. Fifty yards further we
came plump upon a cluster of lodges,
and a score OF yelping Indian dogs
sailed out TO meet us.
Probably we could have made II to
the post, though Buck was near to
complete exhaustion from the load he
had dragged all day. We couldn't
help him. i had scarce strength
enough to move my own body. and
since noon Dick had stumbled along
uncertainty, Hike a child learning TO
walk. with food and shelter at hand,
such as we hadn't known for weeks.
that last mile seemed a long. long
way.
The red man has the name OF con-
flrmed stole. q being to whom fear
tions are either unknown or carefully
repressed. Maybe he IL that way
take him on the warpath or among
people of alien blood. ] don't know
Indians very we'll; the raid OF the
Apes band has been my first expert
ence with them at close range. But
the bunch that crowded around us
and listened while Buck made terse
explanation in cultural Cree weren't
chary OF either pity or hospitality.
They got Howe out of the travels
he'd sunk into a sort of lethargy and
I believe another hour OF exposure
would have done for him-and hustled
the lot OF us into a roomy lodge, turn
ing out d. OF squaws and pa
pooses TO make way for us, oh, but
IL was like entering into paradise-no
knife edged wind cutting 10 tho bone;
n busy little fire, cracking and waving
yellow tongues of flame. burned in the
centre, filling tho doublc-walled lodge
with life-glving warmth: piles of
furry robes and soft blankets for a
weary man to rest his bones on--if
you've never wanted, never suffered
for days and days on end, and almost
perished for lack OF such, you can
never know what food and fire and
shelter really mean.
They stripped tho clothing from
Howe; clothing that hadn't left his
body for twenty-nine consecutive
days and nights (consider II, ye men
OF pajamas and dressing gowns and
regular morning plunges), and
chafed his limbs TIL the red blood
pulsed afresh. Then they poured a
cup OF broth down his unwilling
throat, rolled him in blankets close
by the fire. and let him go to sleep.
To Buck and Dick and me they
brought a supper OF moose meat
stew, broiled fish and crisp, hot,
baking powder bread. II was clean
and fresh. and bread was thing OF
JOY. A round faced squaw carried It
in. and watched us with n broad
smile while we ate. But even while
/ slowed away unmerciful quantities
of food, physical wearlness rose UP
and overmastered me: tho sleep my
aching body craved drew my heavy
eyelids together. and blinked
drowsily over a cup OF steaming tea,
spilling the hot stuff on my knees.
Hastily ] gulped what was left in tho
ptt Vd .,t. ohnI