The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-10-28
By GEORGE MARSH
CHAPTER XII-Continued
Copyright by The Penn Publishing Co.
WNU Servi.e

10
"A good lead dog has an extra
sense-instinct for a trail. Castor has
it; that's why he's our lead dog. He
has brains, too"
where's ShotT
'Oh, he's following the shore. II he
misses us, he'll circle and get our
scent"
won't he bark?"
No, he was taught not to-at night.
But l must make decision"
"A decision"
Were near the mouth of the Ka-
piskau. It's going to be slow work
can you stand this till daylightT'
what has that to do with the Ka-
piskau?"
IF you're tired-too tired to go
on, we can stop at the post" She
caught a note almost of appeal in his
voice.
Too tired she protested, IAN army
nurse tired when there's a patient to
take care Off"
Il know, but it's a bit dangerous,
too" he said doubtfully. "Of course
I'd like TO keep On-fOr his sake"
swell, We'll keep on. 1t means max
ing Elkwan hours sooner, doesn't it?
And that counts. can sleep on this
sled. Pm almost asleep now"
THANK you, SOLDIER he said, and
stopped the team while he consulted
his compass. IF could only see that
shore-the boulders"
Guthrie left the sled, and fastening
a long rawhide thong to Castor's col
lar, cried, "Haw, Castor! We're going
ashore TO see if we can stumble into
those boulders.'
But leading his team and at inter-
walls stopping to examine the ice from
his knees, to Guthrie's surprise the
dogs Travelled many hundred yards
without reaching the drift and the
shell ice of the shore. Was he deep
in the mouth of the Kapiskau? And
off shore?
He had been TOO careful to have
drifted out toward Akimiski, yet he
had travelled a mile straight into the
shore without hitting it. The only
possible solution was the wide mouth
of the Kapiskau-and he had wished
TO avoid getting into the river-had
hored to pass well outside Swinging
the team into the northwest, he de-
cided to travel by compass for another
mile. That would bring him into the
= north shore, If he were inside the
river mouth. 1t would also He
looked toward the invisible figure on
the sled-the girl who had unreserv-
edly placed herself in his hands-who
had entered on this voyage of mercy,
thoughtless Of self The hands inside
his mittens shut convulsively, as a
warning Etienne had once given him
flashed across his memory. And he
had brought her-the thing most
precious in the world to Garth
Guthrie-into this. Why had he not
camped on the Big Willow?
For minutes Guthrie walked ahead
of his team, praying for signs in the
tce-a gray blur at his feet-of the
proximity of the shore Then-des-
perate, he stood on the tail Of the
sled and urged his dogs into a trot.
as he checked them from circling with
the luminous dial he held in his nit
ten. For a space Castor gingerly
led the team into the black wall when
through the murk sounded a brittle
bark.
Aroused, the yelping huskies quick
ened their pace.
''Shot's found the shore-he smells
something" cried Guthrie to the girl
in front Of him. "Queer, he barked,
thought"
They had not travelled a hundred
yards when, directly in front of the
invisible team, sounded Shots raw
challenge. There was an impact of
hard bodies, Castor's snarl of rage,
POllux's roar, followed by the bed
lam of huskies fighting Into the melee
of enraged dogs tangled in their traces
slid the sled With the handle of his
heavy dog-goad dubbed, the bewil-
dered Guthrie ran to the rescue Of the
airedale, who for some inexplicable
reason had attacked Castor.
At last, taking a slash which ripped
the sleeve Of his parka as he reached
in, Garth got Shots collar with one
hand and lifting the struggling dog
while he dubbed the others back.
dragged him from the milling team.
Attempting to follow. Castor fell
stunned by blow on the skull, and
Guthrie was free from the Infatuated
team, unable. enmeshed In their
traces, TO drag the sled in pursuit
of the airedale who fought in Guthrie's
arms to return to the battle.
"Oh, what has happenedg' called
Joan Quarters frightened voice. at
was too awful. What started them?"
Its all right. I've got Shot and
he's not cut much. He'll cool off In
minute. For some reason he piled In
to Castor"
"Ill straighten out the dogs now.
They don't care for this whip-handle"
II could hear the blows" she said
att hurt. but 1 suppose 1t was the
only way"
They'd have killed Shot, If they
once got him down. had to get him
out of it quickly" Guthrie explained,
and calming his excited dogs, soon
had them on their feet with straight
ened traces. Castor, Garth's favorite,
who had taken the bulk of the blows.
found the hand of his master with his
tongue as he rubbed against Guthrie's
leg. Garth rumpled the erect ears Of
the trembling Ungaya.
Poor old boy : 1t wasn't your fault,