The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-12-12
CHAPTER XVIII. (continuedl

them and the going. was getting con-
stantly better. The snow was thin
and in places the sleds Slowed side
wise and the dogs ran Oh slack
traces across long stretches of bare
glare ice. 1t was while negotiating
such a place as this that Rock paid
the price Of his earlier carelessness.
Doret's dry moose-skin soles had a
sure grip, hence he never hesitated,
but the lieutcnant's moccasins were
like a pair OF tin shoes now and,
without warning, he lost his foot
ing. He was running swiftly at the
moment; lie strove to save himself,
to twist in midair, but he failed.
'Poleon heard cry Of pain and dis
may. SO lie halted his team and came
s,rlding back. Rock raised himself.
then took a step, but ialtered and
chung helplessly to the handlebars.
he began to curse furiously; he I'M
dertook to estimate the extent of his
injury, then explained: @., 3.
My foot doubled under me and
came down on it like ton of bricks.
BY Heavens! l believe something
broke"
'Poleon was solicitous. He
blamed himself. too. Its dem wet
moccasin'. | should have stop an
max you change said he.
I'VE can't STOP" Rock groaned.
IN be all right as soon as" The
words ended in another explosive
oath as he again put his weight
upon the injured member. Bias
phemy poured from his lips as re-.
peatedly he tried to force his foot
to carry him. He cursed himself
tor clumsy laundering ass; he
shouted at his dogs; he sent his sled
forward and lurched along behind
it, hat supporting himself. until 'Po-
leon finally halted him.
Its no good max bad ting
worse. M'sirn'." the woodsman de-
clared. You bus him for sure, an
its no use goin' furder. S'pose
mebbe we boil de kettle, chs"
And let them get away clean?
When we had 'em? They can't be
mile ahead. Let 'em slip between
our fingers!' raved the officer. Il
can't. l won't"
I'VE max Ill fire an look him
over dat foot. Me, l t'ink you don
walk no more for two, tree week"
You go! Ill deputize you! Get
EN-, Doret, quick! You>can do i'll
III wait! Go aheadw
The other nodded. "Sure, I can
get 'em! / never have no doubt
bout dat in de least. but it's.better
we fix you corfor'ble."
They'll be across, / tell YOU
over the Line"
Il came pas dat place more n
once or 1wice"-tlle French Cana
dian grinned-''an' / never seen It
no Line" He forced his companion
to lower himself upon the sle,' then
swung it toward the river-bank
calling upon his own lead dog to
follow. Up and into the shelter oil
the spruce he drove the Police team
quickly he felled dry wood and kin.
died fire. This took but a few
moments, but Rock was wet with
sweat and in consequence he was
shivering wretchedly; his teeth were
chattering even before the blaze had
taken hold. 'Poleon continued to
work with what speed he could, and
in a surprisingly short time he had
built snug wickiup and filled j,
with boughs. This done, he un.
hitched and fed both teams, spread
Rocks sleeping bag under the shell
ter. and set pail Of snow to melt.
By the light of the fire he examined
the latter's injury, but could make
little of it, for already it was badly
swollen and every manipulation
caused its owner extreme pain.
There were no remedies availa
there was not even a vessel of
Gent size in which to bathe the vool
hence 'Poleon contented himself by
bandaging it and helping his trail
mate into bed.
Not since leaving Dawson had
either man tasted hot food, but
their hunger was as nothing to their
thirst. Even in this length of time
their bodies had shrunk, withered
inside their clothing, and for. per.
haps an hour they took turns greed
lily draining the pail of its tepid
contents. Under intense cold the
human body consumes itself at q
rapid rate. Once it has burned It.
self out it preys upon those deep.
hidden forces which nature holds
in reserve, and the process of re-
cooperation waits upon d restoration
of normal balance of moisture.
Both men were weighed down by
an aching. nightmare fatigue, and as
they sat gulping hot water, absorb
ing heat from within and without,
their muscles set and they felt as II
their limbs had turned to stone.
But, once the first mad craving
for drink had been assuaged, they
fried bacon and made tea. Like
wolves they fell upon the salt meat:
they dipped the hot grease up in
their spoons and swallowed it with
relish; they crunched their hard
tack and washed the powdery
mouthfuls down with copious
draughts from the blackened pail.
Which the tea was gone they brewed
another scaiding bucketful.
Rock lay back finally, but the
movement caused him to bare his
teeth in agony. At 'Poleon's quick
inquiry he shook his head.
I'm all right" he, declared.
Good for the night. You can pull
out any time you want to-"
"Dere's plenty TAM" 'Poleon lit
his pipe and reached again for the
tea-bucket.
Better 60 before you stiffen up
Il go bimeby-sooner I get III
drinkin' done" :
They'll fight" Rock announced,
after a silence of perhaps FIVE min
utes: u ice! pretty rotten, playing
out like" this"
j1NsTALMFNr FIFTY