He was eager to go on, but tried to hide his impatience.

Something was urging him, whipping him on to greater haste.

For the first time in months he heard the crackling thunder of reindeer hoofs, and the music of it was like a wild call from his own herds hurrying him home.

He was glad when the week-end came and his business was done.

The power-boat took him to Kotzebue.