Page:Furcountryorseve00vernrich.djvu/72

32 THE FUR COUNTRY than the sledge ; for it unrolled with an ominous hiss, and rebound- ing, twisted itself round Corporal Joliffe's own neck, sending his fui cap into the air, perhaps with one of his ears in it. At this moment the dogs flung themselves on one side, the sledge was overturned, and the pair were flung into the snow. Fortunately it was thick and soft, so that they escaped unhurt. But what a disgrace for the Corporal ! how reproachfully his little wife looked at him, and how stern was the reprimand of Lieutenant Hobson ! The sledge was picked up, but it was decided that henceforth the reins of the dogs, like those of the household, were to be in the hands of Mrs Joliffe. The crest-fallen Corporal was obliged to sub- mit, and the interrupted journey was resumed. No incident worth mentioning occurred during the next fifteen days. The weather continued favourable, the cold was not toe severe, and on the 1st May the expedition arrived at Fort Enter- prise.