A broken leg would mend.
While they ate, the party went into committee of the whole to decide
what was best to be done. Gordon noticed that in all the tentative
suggestions made by Holt and Swiftwater the comfort of Sheba was the
first thing in mind.
The girl, too, noticed it and smilingly protested, her soft hand lying
for the moment on the gnarled one of the old miner.
"It doesn't matter about me. We have to think of what will be best for
Mr. Holt, of how to get him to the proper care. My comfort can wait."
The plan at last decided upon was that Gordon should make a dash for
Smith's Crossing on snowshoes, where he was to arrange for a relief
party to come out for the injured man and Mrs. Olson. He was to return
at once without waiting for the rescuers. Next morning he and Sheba
would start with Holt's dog team for Kusiak.
Macdonald had taught Sheba how to use snowshoes and she had been an
apt pupil. From her suitcase she got out her moccasins and put them on.
She borrowed the snowshoes of Holt, wrapped herself in her parka, and
announced that she was going with Elliot part of the way.
Gordon thought her movements a miracle of supple lightness. Her lines
had the swelling roundness of vital youth, her eyes were alive with
the eagerness that time dulls in most faces.
Pages:
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274