gradation the trail zigzagged downward. The snow lessened in depth
with each foot of drop. The bitter cold began to give way to the
increasing warmth of the sun. Sensation crept back into Nucky's feet
and hands. By a supreme effort for many moments he managed to fix his
eyes firmly on Frank's broad back, and though he could not give up his
hold on the pommel, he sat a little straighter. Then, of a sudden,
Spoons stopped in his tracks, and as suddenly a little avalanche of
snow shot down the canyon wall, catching the mule's forelegs. Spoons
promptly threw himself inward, against the wall. Nucky gave a startled
look at the sickening depths below and when Frank turned in his saddle,
Nucky had fainted, half clinging to Spoons' neck, half supported
against the wet, rocky wall.

With infinite care, and astonishing speed, Frank slid from his mule and
made his way back to the motionless Spoons.

"Always said you were more than human, old chap," said Allen, kicking
the snow away from the mule's fore legs. "Easy now! Don't lose your
passenger!" The mule regained his balance and stepped carefully
forward out of the drift, while the guide, balanced perilously on the
outer edge of the trail, kept a supporting hand on Nucky's shoulders.

But there was no need of the flask Frank pulled from his pocket. Nucky
opened his eyes almost immediately. Whatever emotion Frank may have
felt, he kept to himself. "I told you Spoons was better than a life
insurance policy, Enoch."

Enoch slowly pushed himself erect. He looked from Frank's quizzical
eyes to Spoons' twitching ears, then at his own shaking hands.