Костер

           Theonewasthetoil-slaveoftheother,andtheonlycaressesithadeverreceivedwerethecaressesofthewhip-lashandofharshandmenacingthroat-soundsthatthreatenedthewhip-lash. Sothedogmadenoefforttocommunicateitsapprehensiontotheman. Itwasnotconcernedinthewelfareoftheman;itwasforitsownsakethatityearnedbacktowardthefire. Butthemanwhistled,andspoketoitwiththesoundofwhip-lashes,andthedogswunginattheman’sheelsandfollowedafter. 

           Themantookachewoftobaccoandproceededtostartanewamberbeard. Also,hismoistbreathquicklypowderedwithwhitehismoustache,eyebrows,andlashes. TheredidnotseemtobesomanyspringsontheleftforkoftheHenderson,andforhalfanhourthemansawnosignsofany. Andthenithappened. Ataplacewheretherewerenosigns,wherethesoft,unbrokensnowseemedtoadvertisesoliditybeneath,themanbrokethrough. Itwasnotdeep. Hewettedhimselfhalf-waytothekneesbeforeheflounderedouttothefirmcrust. 

           Hewasangry,andcursedhisluckaloud. Hehadhopedtogetintocampwiththeboysatsixo’clock,andthiswoulddelayhimanhour,forhewouldhavetobuildafireanddryouthisfoot-gear. Thiswasimperativeatthatlowtemperature—heknewthatmuch; andheturnedasidetothebank,whichheclimbed. Ontop,tangledintheunderbrushaboutthetrunksofseveralsmallsprucetrees,wasahigh-waterdepositofdryfirewood—sticksandtwigsprincipally,butalsolargerportionsofseasonedbranchesandfine,dry,last-year’sgrasses.