The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-12-06
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they We're pursuing. II was moving
straight ahead, fairly close in shore,
having evidently sought the level sur
face of the lake for easier travelling
Bernard looked anxiously up into the
sky.
''By-an'-by it snow like anythin',
m'sieu. We must race to catch
Chigmok bfore it come"
Without another word he stepped
ahead, and began to make the trail
for the dogs. whilst Stane took the
gee-pole to guide the sledgA Bernard
bent to his task and made a rafting
pace, travelling in a Decline for their
quarry, since the lakes surface Of
fered absolutely no Instructions.
Stane at the gee-pole wondered how
long he could keep it up, and from
time to time glanced at the sled
ahead, which, seen from the same
level, now was half-hidden in a mist
of snow. Presently the trapper
moved ahead.
II will take a turn at trail-break-
ing" he said, land do you run be-
hind. Jean"
1t was a different matter going
ahead Of the dogs on the unbroken
snow. In a little time his muscles
began to ache ;ntolerably. 1t seemed
as if the ligaments of the groin were
being pulled by pincers, and the very
bone of the leg that he had broken,
seemed to bum with pain.
Half an hour passed, and though
the wind was rising steadily, blowing
straight in their teeth and adding
greatly to their labors, the snow
kept of. They were still gaining
slowly, creeping forward yard by
yard, the men with the train ahead
apparently unaware of their pursuit.
Then they struck the trail made by
their quarry and the work became
less arduous and the pace quickened.
A mile and three-quarters now sep
arated the two teams, and as they
followed in the trail that the others
had to make, their confidence seemed
justified. But nature and man alike
were to take a hand and upset their
calculations. In the wind once more
there came a smother of snow. 1t
was severe whilst 1t lasted. and blot
ted out all vision of the team ahead.
AS it cleared, the two pursuers saw
that their quarry had turned inshore,
moving obliquely towards a tree
crowned bluff that jutted out into the
lake. Jean Bernard marked the move,
and spoke almost gleefully.
'Dey fear zee snow, an go to make
camp. BY zee mass, we get dem like
wolf in zee trap
The sledge they pursued drew near
er the bluff. then suddenly Jean Ben
and threw back his head in listening
attitude.
"Hark,' he cried: what was dat?"
4 heard nothing" answered Stane.
What did you fancy you"
The sentence was never finished,
for borne to him on the wind came
two or three sharp sounds like the
cracks of distant rifles. He looked
at his companion.
The detonation of bursting trees
far in the wood. he began, only to
be interrupted.
Non. non. not see trees. but rifles;
look dere. m'sieu. something ees hap
pening."
It certainly seemed so. The sled
which had almost reached the bluff,
rad swung from It again. and had
turned towards the open lake. But
now. instead of three figures, they
hi 81
they watched, again came the dis
tant crack of a rif1e-a faint PARKWAY
sound, something felt by sensitive
nerves rather than anything heard
and the solitary man left with the
sledge and making for the sanctuary
Of the open lake, plunged suddenly
forward, disappearing from sight in
the snow. Another fusillade, and the
sled halted, just as the two men
broke from the cover Of the bluff and
began to run across the snow in the
direction Of it.
BY gar! BY garr' cried Jean Be
rard i'm great excitement things dey
happen. Dere are oder men who want
Chigmok, an dey get heem, too"
Then with a clamoring wind came
the snow. blotting out all further
vision of the tragedy ahead. 1t hurtled
about them in fury. and they could
see scarcely a yard in front of them.
Dogs and men bowed to the storm,
and after two minutes of lost en-
deavor in attempting to face it. the
course was altered and they raced
for the shore and the friendly shelter
he trees. When they reached it.
thless and gasping, they stood
"a moment. whilst the storm
shr;eked among the tree-tops and
drove its icy hail like small shot
against the trunks. In the shelter Of
one of them, Stane, as his breath came
back TO him. swung his rifle off his
shoulder. and began to strip from 1t
the deer-hide covering. Jean Bernard
saw him, and in order to make him
self heard shouted to him.
What you do. m sieu?"
81 shall work my way in the cover
of the trees till 1 reach the bluff. If
the storm abates you will follow, but
do not pass the bluff. There will be
shelter in the lee of 1t, and will wait
your coming there"