The well-fed and well-rested dogs were harnessed to the sledge.
They pushed the sledge themselves, for the dogs could no longer draw it.
The sledge was the principal thing, as it needed thorough repair.
The sledge must be loaded with the provisions at once, and as much wood as possible.
The dogs were speedily harnessed to the sledge, and the march resumed.
Now that the inventory was made, the next business was to fetch the sledge.
At times the sledge seemed to stand still and the field to run backwards.
Vasili Andreevich left the cloth unadjusted and went up to the sledge.
Nikita took the whip that hung over the front of the sledge and struck him once.
And the knock was produced by Mukhorty, who had twice struck the sledge with his hoof.
