3n a Qtlounfoin 



then came on like an explosion. For several 

 seconds it had been roaring down the slope; 

 bracing myself to withstand its force from this 

 direction, I was about moving Scotch, when it 

 suddenly shifted to one side and came with the 

 force of a breaker. It threw me off my balance 

 and tumbled me heavily against the icy slope. 



Though my head struck solidly, Scotch came 

 down beneath me and took most of the shock. 

 Instantly we glanced off and began to slide 

 swiftly. Fortunately I managed to get two 

 fingers into one of the chopped holes and held 

 fast. I clung to Scotch with one arm; we came 

 to a stop, both saved. Scotch gave a yelp of 

 pain when he fell beneath me, but he did not 

 move. Had he made a jump or attempted to 

 help himself, it is likely that both of us would 

 have gone to the bottom of the slope. 



Gripping Scotch with one hand and clinging 

 to the icy hold with the other, I shuffled about 

 until I got my feet into two holes in the icy wall. 

 Standing in these and leaning against the ice, 

 with the wind butting and dashing, I attempted 

 the ticklish task of lifting Scotch again to my 



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