Then the dogs were caught and harnessed, and in great excitement began
to strain at the traces and howl their eagerness to be off. _Oksunaes_
were shouted to Abel and Mrs. Abel, and Bobby, grasping the front of one
_komatik_, and Skipper Ed the front of the other, they pulled them
sharply to one side to break them loose, shouting to the teams as they
did so: "_Hu-it! Hu-it!_" Then they flung themselves upon the
_komatiks_, and away they dashed, down the steep and slippery incline,
and off through the shore hummocks at a wild, mad gallop.
They were away to the _sena_, and the Great Adventure, at last.
CHAPTER XX
JIMMY'S SACRIFICE
For a little way the dogs traveled at a gallop, and Bobby and Skipper Ed
had lively work while this lasted, guiding the _komatiks_ between the
ice hummocks. But it was not long before the first excitement of going
upon a journey wore off, and after their manner the animals, with tails
curled over their backs, settled down to a steady pulling. Now and again
they came upon a ridge of ice piled up by the tide, and then it was
necessary to lift at the _komatiks_ and help the dogs.
Presently the ice hummocks were left behind and the smooth, white
surface of the frozen bay stretched out before them. The snow which
covered the ice had been beaten down and hard packed by the wind, and
the sledge runners slid over its surface so easily that the dogs
increased their pace to a steady, rapid trot.
The weather was fearfully cold.
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