Поклик предків
The Dominant Primordial Beast
Andterribletheywere,foreveryfootofthemwasaccomplishedattheriskoflifetodogandman. Adozentimes,Perrault,nosingthewaybrokethroughtheicebridges,beingsavedbythelongpolehecarried,whichhesoheldthatitfelleachtimeacrosstheholemadebyhisbody. Butacoldsnapwason,thethermometerregisteringfiftybelowzero,andeachtimehebrokethroughhewascompelledforverylifetobuildafireanddryhisgarments.
Nothingdauntedhim. Itwasbecausenothingdauntedhimthathehadbeenchosenforgovernmentcourier. Hetookallmannerofrisks,resolutelythrustinghislittleweazenedfaceintothefrostandstrugglingonfromdimdawntodark. Heskirtedthefrowningshoresonrimicethatbentandcrackledunderfootanduponwhichtheydarednothalt. Once,thesledbrokethrough,withDaveandBuck,andtheywerehalf-frozenandallbutdrownedbythetimetheyweredraggedout. Theusualfirewasnecessarytosavethem. Theywerecoatedsolidlywithice,andthetwomenkeptthemontherunaroundthefire,sweatingandthawing,soclosethattheyweresingedbytheflames.
AtanothertimeSpitzwentthrough,draggingthewholeteamafterhimuptoBuck,whostrainedbackwardwithallhisstrength,hisforepawsontheslipperyedgeandtheicequiveringandsnappingallaround. ButbehindhimwasDave,likewisestrainingbackward,andbehindthesledwasFrancois,pullingtillhistendonscracked.
