The Internet Detective Library — page 217: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

es, this leir safe ars ds, ra- ynd in KOTUK’S PERII, 205 It was impossible to see a man at a distance of a few feet. ' ‘Stokes was working with the others’ carrying blocks of snow from the place where they were cut to the.spot where the shelter was being built. The work was exceedingly difficult, for it was hard to see and ~ good deal harder.to retain one’s footing. Still the gale increased in fury. Presently a fierce, heavy blast caught them, and one or two of the sleds were torn from their fastenings and sent out of sight” before the wind; the dogs were dragged after them in spite of their efforts, With cries of alarm several, of the Esquimaux started out to catch the sleds and drag them back. The leader of the party called out to them to beware, but they did not heed him. For fully two minutes that terrific blast of wind continued. When it began Stokes was carrying a block of snow 1 to the unfinished hut and his back was to the wind. It threw him flat down upon his face. When he tried to get up he found it so diffi- cult to rise that he concluded it to be the better thing to remain as he was until the wind should go down a bit. Somebody fell beside him. . Hello, Kotuk! is that you??’ Stokes asked. “Yeh!” answered his companion ‘‘ Heap big wind.’’ ‘I should think so. How long do you suppose it’s ‘going to last ?”” “No can tell.” When at length the furious blast. gave way they struggled to their feet. The wind was still high, but they could move about without much difficulty. The utifinished hut was before them and their own teain of dogs was huddled together, having somehow managed to escape the force that had sent the others sliding. They could see'no sign of the hunters or their dogs or “their sleds. At first this was not dd tag because the snow was falling so ible that the others might be within a rod or two and yet be invis- ble.” ‘Kotuk called aloud to his companions. there was no respcotise. Stokes fired one of his revolvers in the air. A few seconds later they heard a faint report in the direction toward which the wind was blowing. _ | “We must go to them,’’ said Ko‘uk. *' They'll come back here, won't they?’ asked Stilkes, eom boo - x - iG Aer lr mien, cn yshcdies nto. Somconiat in, iy ee TH ees Cee nie ae ca ete. tenement eee ee aes Oa V2 apes bina cahie “e Teton «stb ge Le 6.58 pert : ped Spee tromneice ty apm fy