dogs struggling in a liquid that seemed dark as syrup contrasted with the
surrounding whiteness. The lead animals, under whose feet the ice was
still firm, turned inquiringly, then settled on their haunches with
lolling tongues. The pair next ahead of the sledge paddled frantically,
straining to reach the solid sheet beyond, but were held back by their
harness. Emerson used the sled for a footing and endeavored to gain the
ice at one side, but it broke beneath him and he lunged in up to his
shoulders. Again he tried, but again the ice broke under his hand, more
easily now.

Fraser struggled to get out in the opposite direction, each man aiming to
secure an independent footing, but their efforts only enlarged the pool.
The chill went through them like thin blades, and they chattered
gaspingly, fighting with desperation, while the wheel dogs, involved in
the harness, began to whine and cough, at which Emerson shouted:

"Cut the team loose, quick!" But the other spat out a mouthful of salt
water and spluttered:

"I--I can't swim!"

Whereupon the first speaker half swam half dragged himself through the
slush and broken debris to the forward end of the sled, and seeking out
the sheath-knife from beneath his parka, cut the harness of the two
distressed animals. Once free, they scrambled to safety, shook themselves,
and rolled in the dry snow.

Emerson next attempted to lift the nose of the sled up on the ice,
shouting at the remainder of the team to pull, but they only wagged their
tails and whined excitedly at this unusual form of entertainment. Each