least Steele thought that initially. However he was totally wrong. Younger dogs were looking on him with amaze, but from under that was seen a admire. Suddenly malamute understood that he did what he hadn’t done three years earlier – step down. And that stepping down not always id seen as a sing of weakness. Sometimes even as a sign of victory over own pride. “Jimmy, could you?” asked leader. Chow-chow looked on Balto uncertainly, but hybrid nodded his head.

“It will be an honour, sir.” He murmured and came to first harness.

Kaasen accepted that exchange – he was taught by experience that some things should be solve among dogs. So they set off again, with full speed, as Jimmy wanted to show he was good as his predecessor.

*

Before night they made another forty miles and that meant they were further than in half a way. But remaining part was harder, because it was going up. That way Steele knew that is mush better if someone else was on lead. Malamute was needed in final part – running through the ice field just before Eagle Pass. And to do that dog had to be in perfect condition. “However I hope my help would be necessary.” He thought. “If it happened they stuck before pass and even Balto could find them, I just get angry.”

Camp was made by tent of human and circle of dogs. They dug own dens, but so close each other that they were almost one giant lair. Thanks to that some warmth was saved and shared. Steele was glad he was between Jimmy and Raynor, not neighbouring with Balto.

They soon fell asleep, too tired and cold to talk. Only malamute stayed awake a bit longer, due to pain in his paw. He just regretted that there was no Berenice around to massage his leg. “Another reason that we have to be back quick.” He smiled and once again tried to laid down comfortable. Then he fell asleep too.

*

But on next day Steele had to stand even Balto’s leadership. A blizzard started (nothing compared to elemental rage five days earlier, but hard anyway) and quickly made Jimmy snowblind. There was more and more snow and road started to go up. So wolfdog took a lead and after few hours he was changed by Raynor. Of course young dogs were exhausting fast, so then came a turn for Mike and Lucy. Gunnar wanted even put Steele again on lead, but when blizzard grew stronger he decided to make a stop for night.

That night they purposely dug one hole and filled it like bodies in mass grave (Steele scared about that association – was thought about death a sing that something was going to fail?), however it gave a warmth. Norwegian was freezing, but experienced trapper didn’t complain about that. The rest was hard, and made human and dogs maybe even more tired that on evening before. They barely stood up, fighting with enormous mass of the snow that had fallen that night.

“Eat as many as you could.” Advised Steele. “I’m not sure when exactly would be the next stop.”

“Will we get to the pass today?” asked Raynor.

“If that is necessary, we will try.” Replied Steele. “By the way…” he turned to Balto. “Use your wolfish nose and smell for them. I guess you are the best sniffer of us. Also you know the best their smell, because you have son there. I barely sense them.” Hybrid nodded his head. In fact he was so wrapped up by recent events that he forget about that action, just following the leader. However he started to smell carefully, sensing distant and weak aroma of Kodi.

“They were here.” He judged. “I think I will notice when they sidetracked… it they sidetracked.”

“Excellent!” smiled Steele. He was actually proud of good work in his team. “So finish your portions and let’s go!”

They started about eight (it because so short sleep on frost) and quickly reached their maximum speed. It was rather moderate tempo, but in way up it meant hellish effort. When they came to brink of Ice Fields, Steele barked to stop the sled.

“Ow, yes.” Nodded musher. “Now you will show us the safest way. Good luck, pal!” and he harnessed him to the front belts.

Snowfall ceased and beautiful sun appeared on the sky. But it was the worst weather to go there (maybe not as bad as full scale blizzard, but still nasty), because sunlit was quickly blinding every traveller. Somehow Kaasen was prepared for that and put on Steele his own invention – a snow-glasses, made from two piece of smoked glass, rubber seals and a string. It looked funny, however was really effective. Steele’s vision was a bit darkened, but thanks to that sun wasn’t a threat for him. Seeing leader in glasses, Balto couldn’t resist a smile.

“It’s not funny!” snorted malamute.

“I know.” Nodded hybrid. “Just… you look very professional.”

Then they entered the field. That was the most deadly part of way, even harder than the peak of pass. It was a wide and long area on slope, over five kilometres to go. It was sloping and had no clear path due to constant avalanches there. Any sidetrack from optimal way was a grave danger and a chance to step on deep crack in icemass. Those cracks were usually covered with fresh snow and extremely hard to spot. Steele somehow was able even not to see them, but predict where those would be. He was observing the ground, estimating dense of snow and angle of layer. Then he was (at least until then) able to show where dangerous places were. He was still talking to other dogs.

“Stay sharp! Walk carefully. If one of us falls, we are all doomed. This is extremely slippery and if we slide down, we will slide until we hit some crack and that is a dead end.”

“So they fell into some crack?” asked Jimmy. Steele nodded, not turning his stare from road before him. “But… how we will take them out?”

“Ask master Gunnar.” Replied Steele. “But I bet he has some idea.” Added with hope.

They made the way to the peak of pass, where field turned to rock of twin peaks. There was no more the danger of sliding down, however it became really cold due to wind blowing through the canyon. Steele was even thinking about ask for a change, but he left that idea, knowing that others were tired as well as him. “But I know that place and fell that I know where I’m going.” Then he asked aloud. “Smell?”

“Still there.” Replied Balto. “They were here.”

“So go on.” Called malamute. “The faster we go through that, the sooner will be warmer.”

On the last part of canyon wind became really hard. It was blowing in faces of expedition, making way a torture. When they reached the other side (and – unfortunately – another ice-field) Steele was so cold and confused that he sensed no smell of lost sled. He just hoped that Balto still had that matter in control.

They came to another ice-layer. On that side of range, it was covered with fresh snow, most likely after an avalanche. Steele was sure that if something had happened, it happened there. He looked on Balto – hybrid nodded.

“They left the way.”

Steele gave a signal to stop. Gunnar unharnessed the pack and dogs made a group around Steele, waiting for further instructions. Malamute was thinking for a while, then said.

“Listen to me. Master expects us to find presumable place of second team. He had ropes, spade and climbing equipment. If we find them, he will quickly take them out. But we must be sure, because we won’t stand here too long. We must hit with the first try, right?” pack nodded. “Now, the most important: be careful. Walk slowly and listen to the snow, what sounds he is making. It’s harder to single dog to break ice layer, but it still possible. We must split out, but just form three teams. Jimmy, Raynor and Lucy. In second Mike and Mitchell. I will go with Balto. You on right…” he pointed on first team. “…you on left.” Turned to second one. “We will go down. If some of you start to cave in snow, do not move, just howl for assistance. Balto, go!” he ordered and set off down.

*

Fitch died, chocked. Just he passed away in sleep, due to insufficient of oxygen. Kodi wasn’t able to grieve that, he was hardly able to understand what had happened, because hunger and high level of carbon dioxide caused first hallucinations. He was nestled to Dusty’s side, but sometimes he was sure that she was Aleu or his mother. Dusty had similar problems, or even worse, because in sleep she just had bitten him, probably thinking we was her meal. Kodi really feared that after next days of that madness, they will reconsider becoming cannibals. Of course they have the bodies of Bart and Fitch to eat as first, but then…

“Kodi!” panted Ralph. “Did you hear that?”

“Ee…” replied Kodi, not sure what to say.

“A help!” yelled Kirby. “They are digging!”

Indeed – the snow roof above them was hit by spade. Because of warmth of bodies, the snow malted and froze again, making a solid layer. But that wall was cracked and to cave came a fresh air. All dogs howled, even not to show their presence, but just because of relief.

“They’re alive!” barked some voice from up. “Who’ll come there?”

“We all.” Replied some unknown voice. Was that… Steele? a mysterious enemy of his father? Kodi was really surprised. “Master will lift you down, to check the scene, then we all go.”

After a while to cave was lowered Jimmy, most agile of rescuers. He came to Peter Kinrs and awoke them with lick. Other dogs from cave where barking with joy.

“Easy!” said husky, proud that he was the first saviour to help human. “When your master attach the rope, master Gunnar will come here.”

Peter hardly stood up and pulled the rope to show his readiness. Then Norwegian in person came down with spade and other equipment. The quickly examined survivors.

“Your state?” asked.

“Two dogs down. I have frostbitten palm. But I could mush… if we get out from here.”

“Try this.” Gunner gave him a flask of rum and started to dig a horizontal tunnel outside. “Lay low and do not tire yourself. I will manage. Save your strength for way back. Is your sled intact?”

“I could drive