He saw it move a little, and sternly repressed a shiver when the lean, hard fingers closed suddenly upon his own.

A tremor ran through them, and then the pressure increased, until Seaforth was glad that it grew painful.

He dare not glance at his comrade, he would not look at Tom, and sat very still in torment for a space, while he felt that Alton's arms had grown rigid by the cruel grip upon his hands.
Then the tension slackened, and the injured man drew in his breath with a gasp, while Okanagan rose to one knee with great drops of sweat upon his face.
"You got it ?" said Alton in a low, strained voice, and nodded when the axeman answered him.
"No," he said, a trifle huskily.

"I'm going to try again.

Lift him over on his side, Charley." Seaforth trembled a little as he did it, and glanced for just a moment at his comrade's face.