Midway between myself and the water’s edge, a tennis ball
sized nugget of ice has frozen in the icy slope, and with the aid of my gaff I
slid down and succeeded in gaining a toehold. It was precarious, dangerous,
foolhardy, and necessary. The first time Jus came in on the wave I extended the
gaff and he grabbed the end. As the undertow retreated I felt my toehold give a
little, “Let go,” I shouted, “or you’ll take me with you.” Jus had guts, I’ll
give him that, and he has something of greater importance as well. He had that
rare instinct that the survivor has over the casualty and so he let ho the gaff
end immediately and was carried out with the tide.
