"When the time suits, go thou," he whispered, "out of the lodge and
across the snow, down the wind to the bunch of jackpine in the curve of
the creek. There wilt thou find my dogs and my sled, packed for the
trail. This night we go down to the Yukon; and since we go fast, lay
thou hands upon what dogs come nigh thee, by the scruff of the neck, and
drag them to the sled in the curve of the creek."
Sipsu shook her head in dissent; but her eyes glistened with gladness,
and she was proud that this man had shown toward her such favor. But
she, like the women of all her race, was born to obey the will masculine,
and when Hitchcock repeated "Go!" he did it with authority, and though
she made no answer he knew that his will was law.
"And never mind harness for the dogs," he added, preparing to go. "I
shall wait. But waste no time. The day chaseth the night alway, nor
does it linger for man's pleasure."
Half an hour later, stamping his feet and swinging his arms by the sled,
he saw her coming, a surly dog in either hand. At the approach of these
his own animals waxed truculent, and he favored them with the butt of his
whip till they quieted.
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