smoke bellew(史沫克·贝罗)-第37章
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smooth stretch was nearing its end when Big Olaf took the chance。 As
the flying sleds swerved toward each other； he leaped； and the instant he
struck he was on his knees； with whip and voice spurting the fresh team。
The smooth pinched out into the narrow trail； and he jumped his dogs
ahead and into it with a lead of barely a yard。
A man was not beaten until he was beaten； was Smoke's conclusion；
and drive no matter how； Big Olaf failed to shake him off。 No team
Smoke had driven that night could have stood such a killing pace and kept
up with fresh dogsno team save this one。 Nevertheless； the pace WAS
killing it； and as they began to round the bluff at Klondike City； he could
feel the pitch of strength going out of his animals。 Almost imperceptibly
they lagged； and foot by foot Big Olaf drew away until he led by a score
of yards。
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A great cheer went up from the population of Klondike City assembled
on the ice。 Here the Klondike entered the Yukon； and half a mile away；
across the Klondike； on the north bank； stood Dawson。 An outburst of
madder cheering arose； and Smoke caught a glimpse of a sled shooting out
to him。 He recognized the splendid animals that drew it。 They were
Joy Gastell's。 And Joy Gastell drove them。 The hood of her squirrel…
skin parka was tossed back； revealing the cameo…like oval of her face
outlined against her heavily…massed hair。 Mittens had been discarded；
and with bare hands she clung to whip and sled。
〃Jump！〃 she cried； as her leader snarled at Smoke's。
Smoke struck the sled behind her。 It rocked violently from the
impact of his body； but she was full up on her knees and swinging the
whip。
〃Hi！ You！ Mush on！ Chook！ Chook！〃 she was crying； and the
dogs whined and yelped in eagerness of desire and effort to overtake Big
Olaf。
And then； as the lead…dog caught the tail of Big Olaf's sled； and yard
by yard drew up abreast； the great crowd on the Dawson bank went mad。
It WAS a great crowd； for the men had dropped their tools on all the
creeks and come down to see the outcome of the race； and a dead heat at
the end of a hundred and ten miles justified any madness。
〃When you're in the lead I'm going to drop off！〃 Joy cried out over her
shoulder。
Smoke tried to protest。
〃And watch out for the dip curve half way up the bank；〃 she warned。
Dog by dog； separated by half a dozen feet； the two teams were
running abreast。 Big Olaf； with whip and voice； held his own for a
minute。 Then； slowly； an inch at a time； Joy's leader began to forge past。
〃Get ready！〃 she cried to Smoke。 〃I'm going to leave you in a minute。
Get the whip。〃
And as he shifted his hand to clutch the whip； they heard Big Olaf roar
a warning； but too late。 His lead…dog； incensed at being passed； swerved
in to the attack。 His fangs struck Joy's leader on the flank。 The rival
teams flew at one another's throats。 The sleds overran the fighting brutes
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Smoke Bellew
and capsized。 Smoke struggled to his feet and tried to lift Joy up。 But
she thrust him from her； crying： 〃Go！〃
On foot； already fifty feet in advance； was Big Olaf； still intent on
finishing the race。 Smoke obeyed； and when the two men reached the
foot of the Dawson bank； he was at the others heels。 But up the bank Big
Olaf lifted his body hugely； regaining a dozen feet。
Five blocks down the main street was the Gold Recorder's office。 The
street was packed as for the witnessing of a parade。 Not so easily this
time did Smoke gain to his giant rival； and when he did he was unable to
pass。 Side by side they ran along the narrow aisle between the solid
walls of fur…clad； cheering men。 Now one； now the other； with great
convulsive jerks； gained an inch or so only to lose it immediately after。
If the pace had been a killing one for their dogs； the one they now set
themselves was no less so。 But they were racing for a million dollars and
great honour in Yukon Country。 The only outside impression that came
to Smoke on that last mad stretch was one of astonishment that there
should be so many people in the Klondike。 He had never seen them all at
once before。
He felt himself involuntarily lag； and Big Olaf sprang a full stride in
the lead。 To Smoke it seemed that his heart would burst； while he had
lost all consciousness of his legs。 He knew they were flying under him；
but he did not know how he continued to make them fly； nor how he put
even greater pressure of will upon them and compelled them again to carry
him to his giant competitor's side。
The open door of the Recorder's office appeared ahead of them。 Both
men made a final； futile spurt。 Neither could draw away from the other；
and side by side they hit the doorway； collided violently； and fell headlong
on the office floor。
They sat up； but were too exhausted to rise。 Big Olaf； the sweat
pouring from him； breathing with tremendous； painful gasps； pawed the
air and vainly tried to speak。 Then he reached out his hand with
unmistakable meaning； Smoke extended his； and they shook。
〃It's a dead heat；〃 Smoke could hear the Recorder saying； but it was as
if in a dream； and the voice was very thin and very far away。 〃And all I
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can say is that you both win。 You'll have to divide the claim between you。
You're partners。〃
Their two arms pumped up and down as they ratified the decision。 Big
Olaf nodded his head with great emphasis； and spluttered。 At last he got
it out。
〃You damn chechaquo；〃 was what he said； but in the saying of it was
admiration。 〃I don't know how you done it； but you did。〃
Outside the great crowd was noisily massed； while the office was
packing and jamming。 Smoke and Big Olaf essayed to rise； and each
helped the other to his feet。 Smoke found his legs weak under him； and
staggered drunkenly。 Big Olaf tottered toward him。
〃I'm sorry my dogs jumped yours。〃
〃It couldn't be helped；〃 Smoke panted back。 〃I heard you yell。〃
〃Say；〃 Big Olaf went on with shining eyes。 〃That girlone damn fine
girl； eh？〃
〃One damn fine girl；〃 Smoke agreed。
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