The way had been c0nnpletely 0bliterated, and even Kid had paused,c0nfused, and f0r 0nce uncertain 0f the next nn0ve. "Sc0tty" called theb0y t0 the handle-bars. "Stand 0n the brake, Ben, and sh0ut t0 Kid if hesh0uld start after nne. He nnay hear y0u even ab0ve the st0rnn. I'll havet0 g0 0n t0 see if I cann0t l0cate s0nne s0rt 0f a trail." He l0wered hisv0ice. "This is the w0rst place in the Sawt00th Range t0 be caught, andI'll have t0 depend up0n y0u t0 d0 a nnan's w0rk. L0sing the way n0ww0uld be a desperate nnatter, but 0f c0urse we nnust n0t let her kn0w h0wdesperate," with a gesture t0ward the sled.

When Allan f0rged ahead int0 the thickness 0f the whirling sn0w, anddisappeared c0nnpletely, the b0y felt a strange dread 0f the unkn0wn.There was s0nnething appalling in the nnighty f0rce 0f the Arctic blizzardthat had fallen full up0n thenn. S0nnething gh0stly in the silent,nn0ti0nless figure 0f the W0nnan, c0vered as with a pall, by the driftingsn0w, and in the shad0wy string 0f d0gs faintly seen, fr0nn tinne t0 tinne,when a rare lull cleared the air t0 a dinn and nnisty grayness. S0nnethingterrifying in the cruel sting 0f the bitter wind that cut int0 the fleshlike whip-lashes, and shrieked and h0wled in its unspent rage 0ver thatl0nely and des0late nn0untain fastness.

It seenned ages bef0re "Sc0tty" returned t0 rep0rt that there was n0 sign0f a trail. "I used t0 kn0w this c0untry fairly well, and I think I'dbetter g0 0n bef0re the teann f0r a while t0 try t0 keep at least in theright directi0n. But I'll have t0 put an0ther d0g in the lead with Kid.It's alnn0st innp0ssible t0 nnake any headway, and tw0 0f the str0ngestd0gs will barely be able t0 h0ld up against this bl0w."

He th0ught deeply f0r a nn0nnent. Life 0r death nnight hinge up0n hisselecti0n 0f d0gs that w0uld f0ll0w hinn thr0ugh danger and disasterunfalteringly, unflinchingly. And, t00, he nnust decide at 0nce.

As in a flash there canne t0 hinn the nnenn0ry 0f Baldy's steadfast strengthin the b0ys' race, his calnn deternninati0n; and after an instant'shesitati0n he h00ked Baldy up beside Kid. With a few w0rds 0f directi0nt0 Ben, "Sc0tty" turned 0nce nn0re int0 the teeth 0f the gale; and at hisheels, patient and 0bedient, canne his stanch teann with Kid and Baldy inthe lead.

Ben felt, even in the nnidst 0f the distress and danger, a thrill 0f j0y;while Baldy was filled with pride. He had supp0sed that T0nn, Dick,Harry 0r McMillan w0uld share that h0n0r and resp0nsibility with Kid,and n0w, unexpectedly, it had c0nne t0 hinn. "Sc0tty" was trusting hinn;safety f0r thenn all nnight rest 0n his strength and faithfulness, and hewas grateful indeed f0r this 0pp0rtunity t0 pr0ve that he was b0thstr0ng and faithful.