"Sur-re, they'll ketch up to us, befoor we git foive moile—we've got to bre'k thr-rail, an' they'll folly along in ut."
They were drawing nearer to the white expanse that Connie had pointed out as the end of the ravine.
"Ut ain't th' ind! Ut's a shnow bridge!" exclaimed O'Brien, and the others saw, extending from side to side of the chasm, gleaming white in the slanting rays of the sun, an enormous snow arch.
"Recklessly O'Brien rushed out upon the glittering span of snow while Connie and Waseche watched breathlessly."
Without waiting for a line, O'Brien rushed out upon the glittering span, while Connie and Waseche watched breathlessly. The great mass of snow that bridged the chasm looked as solid as the rock of Gibraltar, but the partners heaved a sigh of relief as the man reached the opposite side in safety and turned to retrace his steps. Connie's team, drawing the injured man, crossed first and was quickly followed by the two more heavily loaded sleds.
"Now, let's hit for the mountains!" cried the boy, "we've got miles and miles on them yet."
"Hold on, son. We got lots of time, now. 'Spose yo' jes' bust open one of them theah bundles of wood an' staht us a little camp-fiah."
"A camp-fire!" exclaimed the boy, "why, it isn't time to camp! And, besides——"