But then I felt as if I
could not be burdened with any stranger's worries that day.
The effective shelter of the poplar forest along the
creek made itself felt. The last mile to the northeast
was peaceful driving. I felt quite cheered, though I
walked the horses over the whole of the mile since both
began to show signs of wear. The last four miles had been
a test to try any living creature's mettle. To me it had
been one of the culminating points in that glorious
winter, but the horses had lacked the mental stimulus,
and even I felt rather exhausted.
On the bridge I stopped, threw the blankets over the
horses, and fed. Somehow this seemed to be the best place
to do it. There was no snow to speak of. and I did not
know yet what might follow. The horses were drooping,
and I gave them an additional ten minutes' rest. Then I
slowly made ready. I did not really expect any serious
trouble.
We turned at a walk, and the chasm of the bush road opened
up. Instantly I pulled the horses in. What I saw, baffled
me for a moment so completely that I just sat there and
gasped. There was no road. The trees to both sides were
not so overly high, but the snow had piled in level with
their tops; the drift looked like a gigantic barricade.
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