fing and treading cautiously. Then there was a
soft thud and a splash, the team was jerked back and I saw that the
sledge had vanished. I suppose it had broken through a snow-bridge that
our weight had shaken.

"I scrambled back a yard or two and looked down into the dark gap--I
could not run because of my galled foot. Part of the sledge was covered
by fallen snow, but the fore end rested on something and I leaned down
and seized my blanket. There was a bag of food beneath it that I tried
to reach, but perhaps I shook the sledge, which began to slip down, and
I saw the dogs roll among the traces as they were dragged towards the
hole. The leader clawed desperately at the snow, howling as if he begged
my help, and I felt that I must save him. You have heard a dog howl in
fear or pain?"

"Yes," said Thirlwell, "it makes a strong appeal. But I suppose you
remembered what you risked by leaving the food?"

"I cut the trace," Father Lucien went on. "Another mass of snow fell and
the sledge sank out of sight. I imagine the stream swept it under the
ice, for I could only see the dark water foam. All the food I had except
a bannock in my pocket was lost. I forgot the team for a few moments and
when I looked up they had gone."

He paused and Thirlwell made a sign of sympathy. "A nerve-shaking jar!
But what became of the dogs?"

"I think they were afraid of the ice. If my camp had been made and a
fire lighted, they might have come in for warmth, but I was not their
master, and perhaps they took the back trail to the spot we started
from. Well, as I could not follow, I limped on until I reached the pine
clump, where I slept, and then dragged myself across the divide to this
corner among the rocks. I knew I could go no farther and sat down to
wait--"

Father Lucien's voice was calm and Thirlwell knew his courage had not
failed. The man had often risked death when duty sent him out across the
snowy wilds.

"Anyhow," said Thirlwell, "I'm glad I found you before it was too late.
It's something I and others will long be thankful for."

Father Lucien smiled deprecatingly. "If I had starved, another would
have filled my place. Men fall on the trail, but the work goes forward.
Perhaps I have said too much about my danger, but I did so because of a
curious thing that happened last night. I slept as well as usual for
some hours, and then opened my eyes. I think, however, I was not quite
awake, or else my brain was dull, because I fe