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Their attitude toward the injured one was as naive as that of children or animals. Sam had no love for the gross figure on the bed, who, he felt, had earned what he got. Nevertheless, he did what offices humanity suggested; washing the wound and redressing it; bringing ice from the lake shore to mitigate his fever. He had to smile at Husky's changed tone in his lucid moments.
Why, it would have been play to turn down that young husky's. But this arm he continued to look at it with such dubious perplexity as to bring a roar of laughter from the young men. This laughter aroused him. He joined in it at first, and then his face slowly grew grave. He leaned toward the hammer-thrower. "Son," he said, "let me whisper a secret.
And then there's Sourdough. When that husky's leg is sound again he'll be about as safe a domestic pet as a full-grown grizzly. No, it's better you should be away for a bit. Also, my friend, it's a chance for you. There are some pretty queer customers pass along that Buck's Crossing trail these days, making north. Your beat's a long one. You'll have a good deal of responsibility; and, who knows?
Five times he circled around the husky, and then like a shot he was in, sending his whole weight against the husky's shoulder, with the momentum of a ten-foot leap behind it. This time he did not try for a hold, but slashed at the husky's jaws. It was the deadliest of all attacks when that merciless tribunal of death stood waiting for the first fall of the vanquished.
Again there filled Philip the desire to be with Jean in the forest. The husky's wail told him that the half-breed had begun his journey. Between this hour and to-morrow night he would be threading his way swiftly over the wilderness trails on his strange mission. Philip envied him the action, the exhaustion that would follow. He envied even the dogs running in the traces.
There was a pregnant pause. Husky's great fist was raised. But not having struck on the instant, he could not strike at all. Under the blaze of the smaller man's eyes, his own glance finally bolted. He turned away with an assumption of facetiousness. "Take him away," he said to his mates, "before I kill him." An audible breath escaped the girl. She turned back to the fire.
Dropping their bundles, they ran back, and, flinging the door open, stood back warily, half expecting to be received with a fusillade. The smell of gunpowder assailed their nostrils. The light of the fire revealed Husky's burly figure sprawling on his back, with his feet among the tin dishes on the hearth. The girl was not to be seen. They cautiously ventured in. She was not behind the door.
Bela finally got the water herself, and ordering the three of them outside, bolted the door after them. The last sound they heard was Husky's triumphant laugh from the bed, whereupon they patched up their differences, and joined in cursing him, and expressing the hope he might yet die of his wound. They were not allowed inside again until Sam returned and the supper was started.
She was whimpering, and Maren, stooping, laid a hand on the husky's collar. Without more words she turned and followed her people down to the landing, half-dragging the brute, who hung back and turned his giant head to the little maid, standing with her hands over her face.
She had redeemed her sex in his eyes. Careless of whether he heard them, the men joked outrageously about Husky's condition. It was their way of hiding their helpless terror. "Well, old Husk is bound for the heavenly shore, I guess," said Jack. "We'll give him a bang-up funeral," suggested Joe. "Spill a little booze and carve a board to put at his head. It's the least we can do for a pal."
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