The Alaskan Adventure Read Free

generator,” David explained. “The diesel oil to power it is brought in by barge during the summer, before the Yukon ices over. That means we have to be careful about how we use electricity. If the oil runs low before the spring thaw, we’re out of luck.”
    Frank glanced around. He’d never really thought about how isolated David’s town was. As long as nothing went wrong, life was probably as secure here as anywhere. But even the smallest emergency could be enough to push the town to the brink of disaster.
    As they walked on, Frank found himself thinking about Gregg and his determination to finish ahead of David in the Iditarod. You needed to look out for somebody with that kind of intensity.
    â€œDavid?” Frank said. “Has that guy Gregg ever given you any trouble?”
    David looked over his shoulder and said, “Not really. His bark’s worse than his bite.”
    Joe grinned. “Maybe that’s a good thing for a dogsled driver,” he cracked.
    David grinned back. “Gregg wants to be first in everything,” he said. “But life’s not like that.”
    â€œHas he ever beaten you in a race?” Frank asked.
    â€œHe’s come pretty close,” David replied.
    â€œYeah, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades,” Joe said, quoting one of her father’s favorite sayings.
    They all laughed. But Frank knew that the bigger the race, the bigger the temptation. And the Iditarod was the biggest dogsled race of all. Not only that, everybody in Glitter must be rooting for one or the other of the two hometown mushers. That could put an enormous amount of pressure on a guy like Gregg. Enough pressure to make him try something underhanded against his rival, David?
    As they turned onto another dirt road, Frank saw a tall man in a green parka and green twill pants coming toward them.
    â€œOh, there’s Curt Stone. He’s the guy from the company,” David told them.
    â€œWhat company?” Frank asked, noticing the confident way the man walked.
    â€œThemeLife—the company I told you about, which wants to turn Glitter into a theme park,” David replied. “He’s been coming here all winter, talking to people and trying to convince them to vote for the plan.”
    Stone walked up to them with a smile. “Hello,David,” he said. “And these must be your friends from New York.”
    â€œThat’s right, Mr. Stone,” David said.
    The man shook his head. “Just call me Curt, David,” he said.
    David introduced Frank and Joe. “They’re here to visit and to help me get ready for the Iditarod,” he explained.
    â€œSo I heard.” Curt gave Frank and Joe a friendly smile and said, “Welcome to Alaska. One thing you fellows will have to get used to—this may be a big country, but news travels faster here than anywhere I’ve ever been. I hope you have a good stay. You can count on David to take good care of you.” He walked away.
    â€œHe seems like a nice guy,” Joe remarked as the three continued on their way. “This project must be pretty important for him to spend so much time in your town.”
    David nodded. “I guess so,” he said. “Or maybe he just likes it here. Why shouldn’t he? I do.”
    Frank saw the cabin where he and Joe would be staying up ahead. He didn’t yet have a good mental map of the area, but with the river along one side and the forest on the other three sides, getting oriented would be pretty easy.
    â€œOh,” David said, sounding disappointed. “The curtains are still closed at Aunt Mona andUncle Peter’s. I was sure they’d be back by now. I wanted you to meet them. Oh, well—later for that. Hey, are you guys tired? Do you need to take a rest or anything?”
    Frank glanced over at Joe, then said, “No, we’re fine. But if there’s something you’ve got to