Every moment was precious, and they strove never to lose one.

Thus, before the first hint of the coming of gray day, camp was broken, sled loaded, dogs harnessed, and the two men crouched waiting over the fire.

Nor did they make the midday halt to eat.

As it was, they were running far behind their schedule, each day eating into the margin they had run up.

There were days when they made fifteen miles, and days when they made a dozen.