"Another day like this and we'd both be snow-blind," observed Emerson
grimly, as he bent to his task. "But it can't be far to the river now."

"This fall has covered the trail till I have to feel it out with my feet,"
grumbled Fraser. "When I step off to one side I go in up to my hips. It's
like walking a plank a foot deep in feathers, and I feel like I was a mile
above the earth in a heavy fog." After a moment he continued: "Speaking of
feathers, how'd you like to have a fried chicken _a la_ Maryland?"

"Shut up!" said the man at the dogs, crossly.

"Well, it don't do any harm to think about it," growled Fraser, good-
naturedly. He felt out a pipe from his pocket and endeavored
unsuccessfully to blow through it, then complained:

"The damn thing is froze. It seems like a man can't practice no vices
whatever in this country. I'm glad I'm getting out of it."

"So am I," agreed the younger man. Having completed his task, he came back
to the sled and seated himself beside the other.

"As I was saying a mile back yonder," Fraser resumed, "whatever made you
snatch me away from them blue-coated minions of the law, I don't know. You
says it's for company, to be sure, but we visit with one another about
like two deef-mutes. Why did you do it, Bo?"

"Well, you talk enough for both of us."

"Yes, but that ain't no reason why you should lay yourself liable to the