careful next time," she said; and, stepping carefully backwards
after that first vain attempt, she slipped her feet clear of the
snowshoes and went closer to the tree, so that she might try to
lift him out of the fork by sheer strength of arm. But the snow
was so soft that she sank in over her ankles, going deeper and
deeper with every attempt which she made to wriggle herself free.

"This won't do," she said sharply. "I won't be long, Father dear,
but I must pack the snow a bit before I can get firm standing
ground."

Slipping her father's snowshoes, one of which was broken, from his
feet, she took the broken part and proceeded to beat the snow firm
all round the trees. This took perhaps ten minutes, although she
worked so hard that she perspired despite the cold. The snow was
firm now; she could stand without sinking, and going round in front
of her father she exerted all her strength and lifted him up a
little. He was bleeding from a wound on his face, and seemed to be
quite dazed.

"Can you help yourself at all?" she asked urgently, knowing that it
was quite impossible for her unaided strength to get him clear of
the fork. But his only reply was a groan, and Katherine began to
grow frightened. It was quite impossible to leave him while she
went to summon aid, and equally impossible to get help without
going for it. Meanwhile the cold was so intense that every moment
of waiting became a risk. Even the dogs were whining and restless,
impatient to get off again for the last stage of their journey.

"Father, you must help yourself," the girl cried despairingly. "I