The Blue Envelope

llage. Hopes were running high, when some

ne of these clumps of scrub trees, a gray streak. Another appeared, then another and another, until there were six. They did not pause at the edge of the bush, but rushed with swi

ly that she was nearly thrown from her seat. In driving in the north they do not travel single file, but each deer runs beside the sled of the one before it. The driver who is to occupy the foremost position chooses the best trained deer and att

times smoked with the snow of an oncoming blizzard. Or, if she tired of this, she might sit and dream of many things as they glided over the snow. But now with a wolf-pack on their trail, with the nearest hum

by that. At least she did not think they were, yet, yes, there was one, a giant wolf, a third larger than his fellows, outstripping the others. Now he appeared to be ten yard

to go faster. She could not do that. He was keeping his place with difficulty. S

ken with him only an old-fashioned native lance, a sharp steel point set upon a long wooden handle. That was all the weapon they had and,

ly turning from his position beside the sled, whirled about in a wide, sweeping circle whic

ropings of the sled with one hand, she

cried in despair;

sled-deer was now racing almost directly toward the on

slid, attempted to check the career of the mad deer. Twice her grip was broken, but the thir

A large deer with all his scraggly antlers might hold a single wolf at bay, but this deer's antlers had

a plan. Flight was now out of the question, yet defens

er those entrusted to his care, having seen all that had happened had whirled his deer about, tied it to Lucile's sled and now came raci

he Eskimo boy was coming straight for the reindeer and on t

ian groaned. "He thinks the rest

ow, the boy appeared to go on all fours as he glided over the sno

eer and not her, Marian set herself to watch a spect

motion which Ad-loo-at practiced now. She had seen them turn, leap in the air and kick as high as their heads with both feet, landing again on their feet with a smile. She had admired

cringed back to the very end of her jerk-line. She saw his red tongue lolling,

r, still facing the wolf, gave forth a wild snort of rage. He appeared

ckly to the right, to the left, then to the right again. Before the dee

e reindeer's back. Coming face to face with the surprised and enraged wolf, he poised hi

witness a battle royal. The Eskimo had been thrown from the deer's back, but, agile as a cat, he had landed upon hi

ckward. But he was on his feet again. It was to no purpose. All was over in an instant. Long practice with

k-rein. She now felt it being taken from her, knew that she was being lifted onto the sled and, the next moment,

he bones of their fallen leader, and realizing that all dange

was a very

smiled back. "In north we mu

Marian. "We'll never trav

le miss fire. Him never miss fire." He patted first his lance, the

continue the journey. "Surely," she thought, "physical fitness is a great thi

familiar outlines of the village at East Cape. As the reindeer came to a stop they sprang from their s

remonstrated Lucile. "And t

tter time to rest when all work is done.

all his youth, had a grown-up way of looking at things. There was that talisman she had carried ever since that night he had left them

, the odd jewel gleaming in her hand. At sight of it a

e it back," L

arm," he said. "Can one Chukche take back a charm? It will keep y

t," urged Ma

nd the three reindeer broke into the untiring stride that would soon carry them from sight. The two girls stood wat

as gone on withou

exclaimed Lucile. "He's com

" Lucile faltered as

s, I should say

hou

urban points some six hours ago. Some one offered him more money than I did

you waite

since the

uld have go

ee days,

you d

d shrugged h

all, she felt terribly ashamed. Here was a boy she had not fully trusted,

d weakly. She sat down rather

sently. "They just wouldn't bring u

one. I'll make a little tr

ter the girls thought they heard him calli

e wants of him

Marian. "But I do kno

ind someth