ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡ÔĶÁ¹ý³Ì·¢ÏÖÈκδíÎóÇë¸æËßÎÒÃÇ£¬Ð»Ð»£¡£¡ ±¨¸æ´íÎó
ÒÀÒÀС˵ ·µ»Ø±¾ÊéĿ¼ ÎÒµÄÊé¼Ü ÎÒµÄÊéÇ© TXTÈ«±¾ÏÂÔØ ½øÈëÊé°É ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©

lost face(¶ªÊ§µÄÁ³)-µÚ9²¿·Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




before¡¡it¡¡could¡¡fall¡¡to¡¡the¡¡snow£»¡¡the¡¡spittle¡¡crackled¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡at¡¡fifty¡¡

below¡¡spittle¡¡crackled¡¡on¡¡the¡¡snow£»¡¡but¡¡this¡¡spittle¡¡had¡¡crackled¡¡in¡¡the¡¡air¡£¡¡

Undoubtedly¡¡it¡¡was¡¡colder¡¡than¡¡fifty¡¡belowhow¡¡much¡¡colder¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡

know¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡temperature¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡matter¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡bound¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡¡

claim¡¡on¡¡the¡¡left¡¡fork¡¡of¡¡Henderson¡¡Creek£»¡¡where¡¡the¡¡boys¡¡were¡¡already¡£¡¡

They¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡divide¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Indian¡¡¡¡¡¡Creek¡¡¡¡¡¡country£»¡¡

while¡¡he¡¡had¡¡come¡¡the¡¡roundabout¡¡way¡¡to¡¡take¡¡a¡¡look¡¡at¡¡the¡¡possibilities¡¡of¡¡

getting¡¡out¡¡logs¡¡in¡¡the¡¡spring¡¡from¡¡the¡¡islands¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Yukon¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡would¡¡be¡¡

in¡¡to¡¡camp¡¡by¡¡six¡¡o'clock£»¡¡a¡¡bit¡¡after¡¡dark£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡true£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡boys¡¡would¡¡

be¡¡there£»¡¡a¡¡fire¡¡would¡¡be¡¡going£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡hot¡¡supper¡¡would¡¡be¡¡ready¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡for¡¡

lunch£»¡¡he¡¡pressed¡¡his¡¡hand¡¡against¡¡the¡¡protruding¡¡bundle¡¡under¡¡his¡¡jacket¡£¡¡

It¡¡was¡¡also¡¡under¡¡his¡¡shirt£»¡¡wrapped¡¡up¡¡in¡¡a¡¡handkerchief¡¡and¡¡lying¡¡against¡¡

the¡¡naked¡¡skin¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡only¡¡way¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡the¡¡biscuits¡¡from¡¡freezing¡£¡¡

He¡¡smiled¡¡agreeably¡¡to¡¡himself¡¡as¡¡he¡¡thought¡¡of¡¡those¡¡biscuits£»¡¡each¡¡cut¡¡

open¡¡and¡¡sopped¡¡in¡¡bacon¡¡grease£»¡¡and¡¡each¡¡enclosing¡¡a¡¡generous¡¡slice¡¡of¡¡

fried¡¡bacon¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡plunged¡¡in¡¡among¡¡the¡¡big¡¡spruce¡¡trees¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡trail¡¡was¡¡faint¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡

foot¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡snow¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡fallen¡¡¡¡since¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡sled¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡over£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡

glad¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡sled£»¡¡travelling¡¡¡¡¡¡light¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡fact£»¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡carried¡¡nothing¡¡

but¡¡the¡¡lunch¡¡wrapped¡¡in¡¡the¡¡handkerchief¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡surprised£»¡¡however£»¡¡

at¡¡the¡¡cold¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡certainly¡¡was¡¡cold£»¡¡he¡¡concluded£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡rubbed¡¡his¡¡numbed¡¡

nose¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡cheek¡­bones¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡mittened¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡warm¡­¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡29¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡30¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡LOST¡¡FACE¡¡



whiskered¡¡¡¡¡¡man£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hair¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡protect¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡high¡¡¡¡¡¡cheek¡­¡¡

bones¡¡and¡¡the¡¡eager¡¡nose¡¡that¡¡thrust¡¡itself¡¡aggressively¡¡into¡¡the¡¡frosty¡¡air¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡the¡¡man's¡¡heels¡¡trotted¡¡a¡¡dog£»¡¡a¡¡big¡¡native¡¡husky£»¡¡the¡¡proper¡¡wolf¡­¡¡

dog£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡grey¡­coated¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡visible¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡temperamental¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡difference¡¡

from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡brother£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wild¡¡¡¡¡¡wolf¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡animal¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡depressed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

tremendous¡¡cold¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡no¡¡time¡¡for¡¡travelling¡£¡¡Its¡¡instinct¡¡

told¡¡it¡¡a¡¡truer¡¡tale¡¡than¡¡was¡¡told¡¡to¡¡the¡¡man¡¡by¡¡the¡¡man's¡¡judgment¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡

reality£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡not¡¡merely¡¡colder¡¡than¡¡fifty¡¡below¡¡zero£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡colder¡¡than¡¡

sixty¡¡below£»¡¡than¡¡seventy¡¡below¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡seventy¡­five¡¡below¡¡zero¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Since¡¡

the¡¡freezing¡­point¡¡is¡¡thirty¡­two¡¡above¡¡zero£»¡¡it¡¡meant¡¡that¡¡one¡¡hundred¡¡and¡¡

seven¡¡degrees¡¡of¡¡frost¡¡obtained¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡dog¡¡did¡¡not¡¡know¡¡anything¡¡about¡¡

thermometers¡£¡¡Possibly¡¡in¡¡its¡¡brain¡¡there¡¡was¡¡no¡¡sharp¡¡consciousness¡¡of¡¡a¡¡

condition¡¡of¡¡very¡¡cold¡¡such¡¡as¡¡was¡¡in¡¡the¡¡man's¡¡brain¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡the¡¡brute¡¡had¡¡

its¡¡¡¡¡¡instinct¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡experienced¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡vague¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡menacing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡apprehension¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡

subdued¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡slink¡¡¡¡¡¡along¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡man's¡¡¡¡¡¡heels£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡

question¡¡¡¡¡¡eagerly¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡¡¡¡¡unwonted¡¡¡¡¡¡movement¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡expecting¡¡

him¡¡to¡¡go¡¡into¡¡camp¡¡or¡¡to¡¡seek¡¡shelter¡¡somewhere¡¡and¡¡build¡¡a¡¡fire¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡

dog¡¡had¡¡learned¡¡fire£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡wanted¡¡fire£»¡¡or¡¡else¡¡to¡¡burrow¡¡under¡¡the¡¡snow¡¡

and¡¡cuddle¡¡its¡¡warmth¡¡away¡¡from¡¡the¡¡air¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡frozen¡¡¡¡¡¡moisture¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡breathing¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡settled¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡fur¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡fine¡¡

powder¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡frost£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡especially¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡jowls£»¡¡¡¡¡¡muzzle£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡eyelashes¡¡

whitened¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡crystalled¡¡¡¡¡¡breath¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡man's¡¡¡¡¡¡red¡¡¡¡¡¡beard¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡moustache¡¡

were¡¡likewise¡¡frosted£»¡¡but¡¡more¡¡solidly£»¡¡the¡¡deposit¡¡taking¡¡the¡¡form¡¡of¡¡ice¡¡

and¡¡increasing¡¡with¡¡every¡¡warm£»¡¡moist¡¡breath¡¡he¡¡exhaled¡£¡¡Also£»¡¡the¡¡man¡¡

was¡¡chewing¡¡tobacco£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡muzzle¡¡of¡¡ice¡¡held¡¡his¡¡lips¡¡so¡¡rigidly¡¡that¡¡he¡¡

was¡¡unable¡¡to¡¡clear¡¡his¡¡chin¡¡when¡¡he¡¡expelled¡¡the¡¡juice¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡result¡¡was¡¡

that¡¡a¡¡crystal¡¡beard¡¡of¡¡the¡¡colour¡¡and¡¡solidity¡¡of¡¡amber¡¡was¡¡increasing¡¡its¡¡

length¡¡on¡¡his¡¡chin¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡he¡¡fell¡¡down¡¡it¡¡would¡¡shatter¡¡itself£»¡¡like¡¡glass£»¡¡into¡¡

brittle¡¡fragments¡£¡¡But¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡mind¡¡the¡¡appendage¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡penalty¡¡

all¡¡tobacco¡­¡¡chewers¡¡paid¡¡in¡¡that¡¡country£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡had¡¡been¡¡out¡¡before¡¡in¡¡

two¡¡cold¡¡snaps¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡had¡¡not¡¡been¡¡so¡¡cold¡¡as¡¡this£»¡¡he¡¡knew£»¡¡but¡¡by¡¡the¡¡

spirit¡¡thermometer¡¡at¡¡Sixty¡¡Mile¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡they¡¡had¡¡been¡¡registered¡¡at¡¡fifty¡¡

below¡¡and¡¡at¡¡fifty¡­five¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡held¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡level¡¡¡¡¡¡stretch¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡woods¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡several¡¡¡¡¡¡miles£»¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡30¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡31¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡LOST¡¡FACE¡¡



crossed¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡wide¡¡¡¡¡¡flat¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡nigger¡­heads£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡dropped¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bank¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

frozen¡¡bed¡¡of¡¡a¡¡small¡¡stream¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡was¡¡Henderson¡¡Creek£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡

he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡ten¡¡¡¡¡¡miles¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡forks¡£¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡watch¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡ten¡¡

o'clock¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡making¡¡¡¡¡¡four¡¡¡¡¡¡miles¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡hour£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡calculated¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡

would¡¡arrive¡¡at¡¡the¡¡forks¡¡at¡¡half¡­past¡¡twelve¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡decided¡¡to¡¡celebrate¡¡that¡¡

event¡¡by¡¡eating¡¡his¡¡lunch¡¡there¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dog¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dropped¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡again¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡heels£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡tail¡¡¡¡drooping¡¡

discouragement£»¡¡as¡¡the¡¡man¡¡swung¡¡along¡¡the¡¡creek¡­bed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡furrow¡¡of¡¡

the¡¡old¡¡sled¡­trail¡¡was¡¡plainly¡¡visible£»¡¡but¡¡a¡¡dozen¡¡inches¡¡of¡¡snow¡¡covered¡¡

the¡¡marks¡¡of¡¡the¡¡last¡¡runners¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡a¡¡month¡¡no¡¡man¡¡had¡¡come¡¡up¡¡or¡¡down¡¡

that¡¡silent¡¡creek¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡man¡¡held¡¡steadily¡¡on¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡not¡¡much¡¡given¡¡to¡¡

thinking£»¡¡and¡¡just¡¡then¡¡particularly¡¡he¡¡had¡¡nothing¡¡to¡¡think¡¡about¡¡save¡¡that¡¡

he¡¡would¡¡eat¡¡lunch¡¡at¡¡the¡¡forks¡¡and¡¡that¡¡at¡¡six¡¡o'clock¡¡he¡¡would¡¡be¡¡in¡¡camp¡¡

with¡¡the¡¡boys¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡was¡¡nobody¡¡to¡¡talk¡¡to¡¡and£»¡¡had¡¡there¡¡been£»¡¡speech¡¡

would¡¡have¡¡been¡¡impossible¡¡because¡¡of¡¡the¡¡ice¡­muzzle¡¡on¡¡his¡¡mouth¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡So¡¡

he¡¡continued¡¡monotonously¡¡to¡¡chew¡¡tobacco¡¡and¡¡to¡¡increase¡¡the¡¡length¡¡of¡¡

his¡¡amber¡¡beard¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Once¡¡in¡¡a¡¡while¡¡the¡¡thought¡¡reiterated¡¡itself¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡very¡¡cold¡¡and¡¡

that¡¡he¡¡had¡¡never¡¡experienced¡¡such¡¡cold¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡he¡¡walked¡¡along¡¡he¡¡rubbed¡¡

his¡¡cheek¡­bones¡¡and¡¡nose¡¡with¡¡the¡¡back¡¡of¡¡his¡¡mittened¡¡hand¡£¡¡He¡¡did¡¡this¡¡

automatically£»¡¡now¡¡and¡¡again¡¡changing¡¡hands¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡rub¡¡as¡¡he¡¡would£»¡¡the¡¡

instant¡¡he¡¡stopped¡¡his¡¡cheek¡­bones¡¡went¡¡numb£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡following¡¡instant¡¡

the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡his¡¡nose¡¡went¡¡numb¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡sure¡¡to¡¡frost¡¡his¡¡cheeks£»¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡

that£»¡¡and¡¡experienced¡¡a¡¡pang¡¡of¡¡regret¡¡that¡¡he¡¡had¡¡not¡¡devised¡¡a¡¡nose¡­strap¡¡

of¡¡the¡¡sort¡¡Bud¡¡wore¡¡in¡¡cold¡¡snaps¡£¡¡Such¡¡a¡¡strap¡¡passed¡¡across¡¡the¡¡cheeks£»¡¡

as¡¡well£»¡¡and¡¡saved¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡it¡¡didn't¡¡matter¡¡much£»¡¡after¡¡all¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡were¡¡

frosted¡¡cheeks£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡bit¡¡painful£»¡¡that¡¡was¡¡all£»¡¡they¡¡were¡¡never¡¡serious¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Empty¡¡as¡¡the¡¡man's¡¡mind¡¡was¡¡of¡¡thoughts£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡keenly¡¡observant£»¡¡

and¡¡he¡¡noticed¡¡the¡¡changes¡¡in¡¡the¡¡creek£»¡¡the¡¡curves¡¡and¡¡bends¡¡and¡¡timber¡­¡¡

jams£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡sharply¡¡¡¡¡¡noted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡placed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡feet¡£¡¡¡¡Once£»¡¡

coming¡¡¡¡¡¡around¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bend£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡shied¡¡¡¡¡¡abruptly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡startled¡¡¡¡¡¡horse£»¡¡¡¡¡¡curved¡¡

away¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡walking£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡retreated¡¡¡¡¡¡several¡¡

paces¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡along¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡trail¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡creek¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡frozen¡¡¡¡¡¡clear¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

bottomno¡¡¡¡¡¡creek¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡contain¡¡¡¡¡¡water¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡arctic¡¡¡¡¡¡winterbut¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡31¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡32¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡LOST¡¡FACE¡¡



also¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡springs¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡bubbled¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hillsides¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡ran¡¡

along¡¡under¡¡the¡¡snow¡¡and¡¡on¡¡top¡¡the¡¡ice¡¡of¡¡the¡¡creek¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡the¡¡

coldest¡¡snaps¡¡never¡¡froze¡¡these¡¡springs£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡likewise¡¡their¡¡danger¡£¡¡

They¡¡were¡¡traps¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡hid¡¡pools¡¡of¡¡water¡¡under¡¡the¡¡snow¡¡that¡¡might¡¡be¡¡

three¡¡¡¡¡¡inches¡¡¡¡¡¡deep£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡feet¡£¡¡¡¡Sometimes¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡skin¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡ice¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡inch¡¡

thick¡¡¡¡¡¡covered¡¡¡¡¡¡them£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡turn¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡covered¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡snow¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sometimes¡¡

there¡¡were¡¡alternate¡¡layers¡¡of¡¡water¡¡and¡¡ice¡­skin£»¡¡so¡¡that¡¡when¡¡one¡¡broke¡¡

through¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡kept¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡breaking¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡while£»¡¡¡¡¡¡sometimes¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡wetting¡¡

himself¡¡to¡¡the¡¡waist¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡That¡¡was¡¡why¡¡he¡¡had¡¡shied¡¡in¡¡such¡¡panic¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡felt¡¡the¡¡give¡¡under¡¡

his¡¡feet¡¡and¡¡heard¡¡the¡¡crackle¡¡of¡¡a¡¡snow¡­hidden¡¡ice¡­skin¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡to¡¡get¡¡his¡¡

feet¡¡¡¡¡¡wet¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡temperature¡¡¡¡¡¡meant¡¡¡¡¡¡trouble¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡danger¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡

least¡¡it¡¡meant¡¡delay£»¡¡for¡¡he¡¡would¡¡be¡¡forced¡¡to¡¡stop¡¡and¡¡build¡¡a¡¡fire£»¡¡and¡¡

under¡¡its¡¡protection¡¡to¡¡bare¡¡his¡¡feet¡¡while¡¡he¡¡dried¡¡his¡¡socks¡¡and¡¡moccasins¡£¡¡

He¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡studied¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡creek¡­bed¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡banks£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡decided¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

flow¡¡of¡¡water¡¡came¡¡from¡¡the¡¡right¡£¡¡
·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©
δÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
ÎÂÜ°Ìáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæдԭ´´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±ÀøŶ£¡