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diff --git a/11758-h/11758-h.htm b/11758-h/11758-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..46c2340 --- /dev/null +++ b/11758-h/11758-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5061 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Baldy of Nome, by Esther Birdsall Darling</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%; + size: 5; } + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + .note, {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .center {text-align: center; } + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0em;} + .caption {text-align: center; font-size: 1.1em; margin-top: -0.4em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + .poem + {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i10 {margin-left: 5em;} + + .figure, .figcenter, .figright + {padding: 1em; margin: 0; text-align: center; font-size: 1.1em;} + .figure img, .figcenter img, .figright img + {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p, .figright p + {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto;} + .figright {float: right;} + + .footnote {font-size: 0.9em; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%;} + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + pre {font-size: 9pt;} +---> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11758 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Baldy of Nome, by Esther Birdsall Darling</h1> +<br> +<br> +<center><b>E-text prepared by Charles Aldarondo, Graeme Mackreth,<br> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</b></center> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p> </p> +<h1>BALDY of NOME</h1> +<h5>by</h5> +<h2>Esther Birdsall Darling</h2> + +<h4>Decorations by<br> +Hattie Longstreet</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/001.png" alt= +"Title Page"></div> +<p> </p> +<hr> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/003.png" alt="Baldy"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>To<br> +My Mother<br> +<br> +whose unfailing kindness to all<br> +animals is one of my earliest<br> +and happiest memories</i></p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="THE_RACING_TEAM"></a> <img src= +"images/293.jpg" alt="The Racing Team"></div> +<p class="caption">THE RACING TEAM</p> +<hr> +<h2>Contents</h2> +<div class="toc"> +<p><a href="#ch1">I. THE PARTING OF THE WAYS</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch2">II. WHERE EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch3">III. THE FIRST STEP</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch4">IV. THE PLODDER</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch5">V. THE WOMAN, THE RACERS, AND OTHERS</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch6">VI. TO VISIT THOSE IN AFFLICTION</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch7">VII. THE DAWN OF A TO-MORROW</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch8">VIII. A TRAGEDY WITHOUT A MORAL AND A COMEDY WITH +ONE</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch9">IX. WITH THE FLIGHT OF TIME</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch10">X. THE SOLOMON DERBY</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch11">XI. ONE SUMMER</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch12">XII. THE GREAT RACE</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch13">XIII. FOR THE SUPREMACY OF THE TRAIL</a></p> +<p><a href="#ch14">XIV. IMMORTALS OF THE TRAIL</a></p> +</div> +<hr> +<h2>Illustrations</h2> +<div class="toc"> +<p><a href="#THE_RACING_TEAM">THE RACING TEAM</a></p> +<p><a href="#SCOTTY_AND_BALDY">"SCOTTY" ALLAN AND BALDY</a></p> +<p><a href="#THE_ALASKA_OF_MEN_AND_DOGS">THE ALASKA OF MEN AND +DOGS<br> + June 1st—The steamer "Corwin" at the edge of the +ice, five miles from shore</a></p> +<p><a href="#THE_WOMAN">THE WOMAN</a></p> +<p><a href="#NOME_ALASKA_FROM_BERING_SEA">NOME, ALASKA—FROM +BERING SEA</a></p> +<p><a href="#THE_START_OF_AN_ALASKAN_DOG_TEAM_RACE">THE START OF AN +ALASKAN DOG TEAM RACE</a></p> +<p><a href="#A_TEAM_OF_SIBERIANS">A TEAM OF SIBERIANS</a></p> +<p><a href="#SHE_HAD_BEEN_A_MEMBER_OF_ONE_OF_THE_MAIL_TEAMS">SHE +HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE MAIL TEAMS<br> + Eric Johnson, U.S. mail carrier on the Nome-Unalakleet +Route</a></p> +<p><a href="#THE_AIR_WAS_CRISP_AND_KEEN">THE AIR WAS CRISP AND +KEEN</a></p> +<p><a href="#THE_TRAIL_HAD_GROWN_EXCEEDINGLY_ROUGH">THE TRAIL HAD +GROWN EXCEEDINGLY ROUGH</a></p> +<p><a href="#KRUZAMAPA_HOT_SPRINGS">KRUZAMAPA HOT SPRINGS</a></p> +<p><a href="#THE_RAMSAY_SIBERIANS">THE RAMSAY SIBERIANS</a></p> +<p><a href="#AN_OVATION_FOR_THE_PLUCKY_LITTLE_SCOTCHMAN">AN OVATION +FOR THE PLUCKY LITTLE SCOTCHMAN</a></p> +<p><a href="#THE_CAR_COASTED_DOWN_ALL_THE_HILLS">THE CAR COASTED +DOWN ALL THE HILLS</a></p> +<p><a href="#SCOTTY_ALLAN_ON_THE_TRAIL">"SCOTTY" ALLAN ON THE +TRAIL</a></p> +<p><a href="#AN_ALASKAN_SWEEPSTAKES_TEAM">AN ALASKAN SWEEPSTAKES +TEAM<br> + Fay Dalzene, driver</a></p> +<p><a href="#CAPTAIN_HAAS_OF_THE_FRENCH_ARMY">CAPTAIN HAAS OF THE +FRENCH ARMY AND HIS ALASKAN SLEDGES</a></p> +<p><a href="#BALDY_OF_NOME">BALDY OF NOME</a></p> +</div> +<hr> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch1"></a> <img src="images/007.png" +alt="The Parting of the Ways"></div> +<h4>I</h4> +<h4>The Parting of the Ways</h4> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/008.png" alt= +"Chapter 1 Image"></div> +<h1>Baldy of Nome</h1> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3>CHAPTER I</h3> +<h4>THE PARTING OF THE WAYS</h4> +<p>Baldy knew that something was wrong. His most diverting efforts +had failed to gain the usual reward of a caress, or at least a word +of understanding; and so, dog-like to express his sympathy, he came +close beside his friend and licked his hand. Always, before, this +had called attention to the fact that Baldy was ready to share any +trouble with the boy—but to-day the rough and grimy little +hand, stiff and blue from the cold, did not respond, and instead +only brushed away the tears that rolled slowly down the pinched +cheeks. Sometimes the slight body shook with sobs that the boy +tried manfully to suppress; but when one is chilled, and tired and +hungry, and in the shadow of a Great Tragedy, the emotions are not +easy to control.</p> +<p>With unseeing eyes and dragging steps, the boy trudged along the +snowy trail, dreading the arrival at Golconda Camp. For there was +the House of Judgment, where all of the unfortunate events of that +most unhappy day would be reviewed sternly, though with a certain +harsh justice, that could result in nothing less than a sentence of +final separation from Baldy. And so when the dog in his most subtle +and delicate manner showed his deep love for the boy, it only made +the thought of the inevitable parting harder to bear.</p> +<p>So completely was Ben lost in his own gloomy reflections that he +did not hear the sound of bells behind him; and it was not until a +cheery voice called out demanding the right of way that he stepped +aside to let a rapidly approaching dog team pass. As it came closer +he saw that it was the Allan and Darling team of Racers, and for +the moment his eyes brightened with interest and admiration as he +noticed with a true dog-lover's appreciation the perfect condition +of the fleet-footed dogs, and the fine detail of sled and +equipment.</p> +<p>Then his glance fell upon Baldy—thin, rough coated, and +showing evidences of neglect; upon Baldy to whom he could not now +even offer food and shelter, and a wave of bitterness swept over +him.</p> +<p>"Come along, sonny, if you're going our way," and in the kindly +little man at the handle-bars the boy recognized "Scotty" Allan, +the most famous dog driver in Alaska. To the boy "Scotty" +represented all that was most admirable in the whole North, and he +stood speechless at the invitation to ride with him behind a team +that had always seemed as wonderful as Cinderella's Fairy Coach. He +hesitated, and then the Woman in the sled beckoned encouragingly. +"Get in with me; and your dog may come too," she said as she +rearranged the heavy fur robes to make room. The boy advanced with +painful shyness, and awkwardly climbed into the place assigned him. +The Woman laid her hand on Baldy's collar to draw him in also, but +the boy exclaimed quickly, "No, ma'am, don't do that, please; he +ain't really cross, but he won't ride in anythin' as long's he's +got a leg to stand on; an' sometimes he growls if people he don't +know touches him."</p> +<p>"Dogs and boys never growl at me, because I love them; and he +does not look as if he really had a leg to stand on," she replied +smilingly. But the boy nervously persisted. "Please let him +go—his legs is all right. He looks kind o' run down jest now +'cause he"—the boy felt a tightening at his throat, and +winked hard to keep the tears from starting again—"'cause he +ain't got much appetite. But when he's eatin' good his legs is jest +great. Why, there ain't no other dog in Golconda that's got as +strong legs as Baldy when he's—when he's eatin' good," he +repeated hastily. "An' Golconda's plumb full o' fine dogs."</p> +<p>"If that's so," said "Scotty," "I think I shall have to take a +look at those Golconda wonders before the winter fairly sets in; +and maybe you can give me a few pointers."</p> +<p>For a mile or so the boy sat spellbound, drinking in the casual +comments of "Scotty" upon the dogs in the team, as if they were +pearls of wisdom dropping from the lips of an Oracle. He was not so +much interested in the Woman's replies, for they displayed a lack +of technical information that contrasted unfavorably in the boy's +mind with the keen and accurate insight that Allan showed in every +word on that most vital subject.</p> +<p>Vaguely the boy remembered having once heard that she had become +a partner in the racing team for mere amusement of the sport, +instead of from a serious, high-minded interest, and that of course +did not entitle her to the same respect you could feel for one to +whom the care and culture of the dog assumed the dignity of a +vocation. Then, too, she had spoken slightingly of Baldy's legs. As +a human being he could not but respond to her friendly overtures, +but as a dog fancier she held no place in his esteem.</p> +<p>As they approached the divide where the trail for Golconda +branched from the main road, an idea suddenly came to the boy. He +had watched the harmony between Allan and his dogs; had noted their +willingness, their affection for "Scotty," and his consideration +for them. And as the pace became slower, and he realized that they +were nearly at the end of this fate-given interview, he tremblingly +gasped out the question that had been seething through his mind +with such persistence. "Mr. Allan, would you like to buy +Baldy?"</p> +<p>"Buy Baldy!" exclaimed the man in surprise. "Why, I thought you +and Baldy were chums—I had no idea he was for sale."</p> +<p>"He wasn't till jest now, not till I saw how yer dogs love you; +but I got t' git rid of him. It's been comin' fer a long time, an' +I guess to-day's finished it."</p> +<p>The man leaned over and looked into the tear-stained face. "Are +you in some trouble about him? Perhaps it's not so bad as you +think, and maybe we can help you without taking Baldy."</p> +<p>But the boy went on determinedly. "No, sir, I want you to take +him; it'd be the best thing fer him, an' I kin stan' it someway. A +feller has ter stan' a lot o' things he don't like in this world, +but I hope," feelingly, "all of 'em ain't as hard as givin' up his +best friend."</p> +<p>As if to avoid the sympathy he felt was forthcoming, he plunged +hastily into the details that had led to the unexpected offer. "I'm +Ben Edwards. Maybe you knew my father; he was killed in the cave-in +on the June Fraction. Baldy was only a little pup then, but Dad was +awful fond of him."</p> +<p>"I remember," said the Woman thoughtfully; "and you have been in +difficulties since, and need the money you could get for Baldy. Is +that it?"</p> +<p>"It ain't only the money, but none o' the men at the Camp care +much fer Baldy, an' they ain't kind to him. Only Moose Jones. When +he was here he wouldn't let the men tease Baldy ner me, an' he made +the cook give me scraps an' bones ter feed him. An' once he licked +Black Mart fer throwin' hot water on Baldy when he went ter the +door o' Mart's cabin lookin' fer me. I think Moose Jones is the +best man in the world, an' about the strongest," volunteered the +boy loyally.</p> +<p>"And where's Moose Jones now?" asked "Scotty." "I used to see +him prospecting out near the Dexter Divide last winter."</p> +<p>"He was at Dexter first, an' then he was at Golconda fer a +while; but in spring he went ter St. Michael, an' from there up ter +the new strike at Marshall."</p> +<p>"And you miss him very much?" questioned the Woman.</p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am, I miss him a lot, an' so does Baldy. He was awful +good ter animals an' kids. He had a pet ermine that 'ud come in ter +see him every night in his cabin, an' he wouldn't let Mart an' some +o' the fellers set a trap fer the red mother fox that was prowlin' +round the place t' git somethin' fer her babies. Said he'd make +trap-bait fer bears o' the first feller that tried t' git 'er."</p> +<p>"Excellent idea."</p> +<p>"Oh, he didn't really mean it serious. Why, Moose is so kind he +hates ter kill anythin'—even fer food. Sometimes when he's +been livin' on bacon an' beans fer months, he lets a flock o' young +ptarmigan fly by him 'cause he says they look so soft an' pretty +an' fluttery he don't like ter shoot 'em; an' Moose is a dead shot. +He's mighty handy with his fists too, an' next ter Mr. Allan I +guess Moose knows more about dogs than any man in Alaska; an' he +said he'd bet some day there'd be a reg'lar stampede ter buy +Baldy."</p> +<p>"A prophet," exclaimed the Woman. "You see we are the +forerunners. But who is Black Mart?"</p> +<p>"Oh, he's a miner that's workin' the claim next ter Golconda. +He's a friend o' the cook there, an' comes over ter eat pretty +often. Him and Moose had some trouble once over some minin' ground, +an' Mart kinda takes it out on all Moose's friends, even if they's +only boys an' dogs, don't he, Baldy?" And Baldy wagged that he +certainly did. "Now the cook says they've got work dogs enough +belongin' ter the claim ter feed, without supportin' my mangy cur +in idleness. Mr. Allan," earnestly, "he ain't mangy, an' he's the +most willin' dog I ever seen fer any one that loves him. But he +ain't sociable with every one, an' he don't like bein' handled +rough."</p> +<p>"Scotty" looked at Baldy with a practiced and critical eye. +"Those are all points in his favor," he remarked. "You can't do +much with a dog that gives his affection and obedience +indiscriminately."</p> +<p>"Besides, he ain't no cur—he's one o' them Bowen-Dalzene +pups, an' you know there ain't a poor dog in the lot. They give him +to me 'cause he wasn't like any o' the others in the litter, an' +would 'a' spoiled the looks o' the team when they was old enough +ter be hitched up," continued Ben breathlessly. "He was sort o' +wild, too, an' he wouldn't pay attention t' any of 'em when I was +round, an' they said I might as well take him fer keeps as t' have +him runnin' away t' git t' me all the time."</p> +<p>"And your mother does not like him, and thinks it would be best +not to keep him now?"</p> +<p>"She really does like him; but she does the washin' fer the +Camp, an' helps with the dishes, an' sews when she kin git a job at +it. But there ain't none of 'em reg'lar, an' sometimes there ain't +more'n enough fer us two t' live on. Then she gits pretty tired an' +discouraged like, an' says Baldy's a useless expense, an' keeps me +from doin' my chores, 'cause I like t' play with him, +an'—"</p> +<p>"Yes, yes, I see," broke in the Woman hastily, anxious to spare +him any further revelations of a painful nature. "I know exactly +how it is; but maybe we could make some arrangement with your +mother about the dog. We will take a sort of an option on him; you +can keep him with you, and we will pay a certain sum for the +privilege of being permitted to buy him outright before the +stampede actually begins."</p> +<p>The boy looked at her suspiciously, but there was no smile on +her lips, and she rose a notch in his estimation. She evidently did +realize, in a slight degree, what an unusual bargain was being +offered in his heart-breaking sacrifice.</p> +<p>"An' it ain't 'cause his appetite's gone that makes him thin. I +wasn't tellin' the truth about that," he stammered desperately; +"he's jest <i>hungry</i>." The child's mouth quivered and he +hesitated, yet he was determined to tell the whole of the sordid +little tragedy now that he had begun. "But spendin' too much time +with him when I should be workin' ain't the worst. To-day I done +somethin' that mebbe she'll think ain't exac'ly square; an' my +mother believes if you ain't square in this world you ain't much +worth while."</p> +<p>"You're not, son," agreed "Scotty" heartily. "Your mother's +right."</p> +<p>"My father was allers called Honest Ben Edwards out here on the +Third Beach Line, an' Mother says she'd ruther have that mem'ry o' +him than all the fortunes that's been made in Alaska by lyin' an' +steal-in' an' jumpin' other people's claims."</p> +<p>"Right again, Ben. Nothing can take that from her, and a name +like that is the best thing a man can leave his son."</p> +<p>"This mornin' she gave me some money fer a new pair o' mittens +fer her, an' shoes fer me; an' the cook asked me t' buy a kitchen +knife an' a few pans fer him. I walked inter town t' git 'em, an' +Baldy come with me, though she said I was foolish t' be bothered +with him. But I told her it was awful lonesome on the trail, an' +she said I could take him this time." He paused for breath, visibly +embarrassed.</p> +<p>"And you forgot all about your errands," hazarded the Woman.</p> +<p>"No, ma'am, I didn't exac'ly forgit, but when I was passin' the +Court House an' I seen a big crowd inside, I went in, too, ter +listen a minute.</p> +<p>"That lawyer Fink, that got up the Kennel Club, an' has the +bully dog team, an' Daly, the feller with the smile that makes you +feel like there's sunshine in the room, was a-talkin' agin each +other; an' their fightin' was so excitin' an' so smooth an' perlite +too, that everybody was a-settin' on the edges o' their chairs +a-waitin' fer what was a-comin' next."</p> +<p>"So you were interested in what the lawyers had to say?"</p> +<p>"Yes, sir. Ever since my mother told me the story about +President Lincoln a while ago, I been wantin' t' be a lawyer when I +grow up. He didn't have no more book-learnin' than me at first, but +he wouldn't let nothin' stop him, an' jest see what he done."</p> +<p>"Lincoln is to be your model, then? Well, you're right to aim +high, Ben. You can practice his simple virtues of being honest and +kind and industrious every day, and anywhere. And the education +must be managed someway," added the Woman thoughtfully.</p> +<p>"After Mother read me that speech o' Mr. Lincoln's at +Gettysburg, when all the people was jest dumb from their feelin's +bein' so solemn an' deep; an' some o' his other speeches that was +fine, I begun t' go t' town whenever there was t' be any good +speakin', even when I had t' walk both ways."</p> +<p>"Shows your determination, as a starter," replied "Scotty" +encouragingly. "And were you always repaid for your tramp?"</p> +<p>"Most allers, Mr. Allan. Last Fourth o' July I heerd Judge +Tucker tell in his pleasant voice 'at sounds like he likes talkin' +t' you all that Virginia's done fer our country, an' I wished I was +from Virginia too. But mebbe some day I'll make some boy wish he +was from Alaska by bein' fine an' smart an' gentle like Judge +Tucker."</p> +<p>"Virginia or Alaska, Ben—it's all the same, so long as +you're proud of your state, and give your state a chance to be +proud of you."</p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am; that's what Mother says. Then I heerd Tom Gaffney +recitin' Robert Emmett's last speech, on St. Patrick's day, at +Eagle Hall, an' I near cried at the end; an' I don't cry easy. It +takes somethin' pretty bad t' make me cry," and he looked furtively +toward Baldy.</p> +<p>"I'm sure it does, sonny; any one can see that you're game, all +right; but that speech always makes me cry too."</p> +<p>The boy regarded "Scotty" appreciatively. Here was a typical +Alaskan, a sturdy trailsman, touched by the tender, pitiful things +of life, just like a little boy that hasn't had time to become +hardened. Ben felt that they would be friends.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="SCOTTY_AND_BALDY"></a> <img src= +"images/291.jpg" alt="Scotty and Baldy"></div> +<p class="caption">SCOTTY AND BALDY</p> +<p>"I like all kinds o' speakin', too; not jest the fiery sort that +makes you want t' fight fer your country, an' mebbe die fer it like +Robert Emmett; but the kind that jest makes you want t' be good ter +folks an' dogs, an' do the best you kin when things is agin you, +an' you don't see much ahead—"</p> +<p>The Woman nodded gravely. "Yes, I know. It's the most difficult +sort of bravery—the sort without flags, and music, and cheers +to keep you up to the firing line."</p> +<p>"That's the kind, ma'am. Mebbe you know Bishop Rowe. That's what +he preaches—jest doin' your best all the time, like you was +in some big race. When he's in Nome I allers go t' St. Mary's. He +talks plain an' simple, an' cheers you up—I guess kinda the +way Lincoln talked—jest like he knew all about people's +troubles an' didn't blame 'em fer mistakes, but wanted t' help 'em +t' do better. Sometimes his talks don't sound smooth, an' made up +beforehand, but you never forgit 'em."</p> +<p>"Eloquence of the heart instead of the tongue," murmured the +Woman.</p> +<p>"An' last August I went every night fer near a week, when Mr. +Wickersham was talkin' men inter sendin' him t' Washington, no +matter what they felt an' said agin his goin' when he wasn't before +'em."</p> +<p>"You have certainly had a variety of orators, and a wide range +of subjects."</p> +<p>"You kin see I ain't missed a single chanct t' hear any of 'em +since I made up my mind t' be a great man"—and then appalled +by his lengthy burst of eloquence the child colored violently and +concluded in confusion—"an' this mornin' I got so interested +in them speeches o' Daly's an' Fink's, I must 'a' lost all track o' +time, fer when I come out it was noon, an' Baldy was gone."</p> +<p>"You must indeed have been absorbed to forget Baldy. Where did +you find him?"</p> +<p>"One o' the school kids told me the pound-man had got him, so I +went over t' the pound on the Sand Spit as fast as I could run. I +explained t' the man that Baldy wasn't a Nome dog; that we live +five miles out at Golconda—but he said he was gittin' pretty +sick o' that excuse. That no boy's dog ever really lived in Nome, +so fur's he could find out; that all of 'em was residin' in the +suburbs, an' only come in t' spend a day now an' then."</p> +<p>"It's a strange thing," mused the Woman, "that all pound-men are +sarcastic and sceptical. It seems an inevitable part of their +occupation. They never believed me when I was a little girl, +either. Then what?"</p> +<p>"He said the only thing that concerned him was that Baldy was in +town when he found him, and hadn't no license. Besides, he thought +the dog was vicious 'cause he growled when the wire was around his +neck. Pretty near any dog 'ud do that ef he had any spirit in him; +an' Baldy's jest full o' spirit."</p> +<p>Both the Woman and "Scotty" looked involuntarily at Baldy who +stood, dejected and uneasy; and then exchanged a glance in which +amusement and pity struggled for expression.</p> +<p>"The pound-man said ef I didn't pay the $2.50 t' git him out, +an' another $2.50 t' git him a license, he'd sell the dog along +with a lot o' others he'd ketched durin' the week. I tuk Mother's +money, an' what the cook give me, an' got Baldy out, an' bought him +a license so's he'd be safe nex' time. Now," sadly, "there ain't +goin' t' be any nex' time."</p> +<p>"There really did not seem to be any other way out of it for the +moment," observed the Woman sympathetically.</p> +<p>"No, ma'am, but it wasn't very honest t' use the cook's money, +ner Mother's; it'll take a long time t' pay 'em back, an' I guess +Mother won't have much patience with Baldy after this. I wouldn't +mind gittin' punished myself, but I don't want him blamed. He'd be +a lot better off with you, Mr. Allan; an' mebbe ef you'd feed him +up, an' give him a chanct, he'd be a racer some day. He'd never lay +down on you, an'," almost defiantly, "he's got good legs."</p> +<p>"Scotty" felt the dog's legs, and noted the breadth of his +chest. "What do you want for him, Ben?"</p> +<p>"Would ten dollars be too much?" asked the boy, eagerly.</p> +<p>"Ten dollars would be too little," quickly exclaimed the Woman. +"You see we are getting ahead of all the others who do not know his +fine points yet, and we should be willing to pay something extra +for this opportunity. Do you think that twenty-five dollars would +be fair, considering that we are in on the ground floor?"</p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am, that's lots more'n I expected. But it ain't so much +the money I'm gittin' as the home he's gittin' an' the trainin' an' +all."</p> +<p>"Well, that's a bargain, then; come to my husband's +office—Darling and Dean, on Front Street, you know—the +first time you are in town, and we will give you a check; and you +can bring Baldy with you then."</p> +<p>"I guess," slowly, "you'd better take him now. It 'ud be easier +fer me t' let him go while I'm kinda worked up to it. Mebbe ef I +thought about it fer a few days I wouldn't be able t' do it, an' he +mightn't have another chanct like this in his whole life."</p> +<p>He drew a frayed bit of rope from a torn pocket, and tied it to +the old strap that served as Baldy's collar—handing the end +to "Scotty."</p> +<p>In the deepening shadows of the chill November dusk the boy's +face was ashen. He stooped over as if to see that the knot in the +rope was secure at the dog's neck—but the Woman knew in that +brief instant the trembling blue lips had been pressed in an agony +of renunciation against Baldy's rough coat.</p> +<p>"Thank you both very much," he said in a tone that he tried to +keep steady. "Thank you fer the ride and fer—fer +everything."</p> +<p>He did not trust himself to look at the dog again, but stepped +quickly into the Golconda Trail.</p> +<p>"You must come to see Baldy often," the Woman called to him.</p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am, I'll be glad to—after a while," he replied +gratefully.</p> +<p>And then as "Scotty" gave the word to the impatient Racers, and +the team swung round to return to Nome, there came to them out of +the grayness a voice, faint and quavering like an echo—"Some +day you'll be glad you've got Baldy."</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/028.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 1"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch2"></a> <img src="images/029.png" +alt="Where Every Dog Has His Day"></div> +<h4>II</h4> +<h4>Where Every Dog Has His Day</h4> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/030.png" alt= +"Chapter 2 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> +<h4>WHERE EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY</h4> +<p>Baldy's entrance into the Allan and Darling Kennel had failed to +attract the interest that the arrival of a new inmate usually +created. He was an accident, not an acquisition, and the little +comment upon his presence was generally unfavorable.</p> +<p>Even Matt, who took care of the dogs, and was a sort of +godfather to them all, shook his head dubiously over Baldy. "He +don't seem to belong here, someway," had been his mild criticism; +while the Woman complained to "Scotty" that he was one of the most +unresponsive dogs she had ever known.</p> +<p>"He's not exactly unresponsive," maintained "Scotty" justly; +"but he's self-contained, and it's hard for him to adjust himself +to these recent changes. It's all strange to him, and he misses the +boy. You can't watch him with Ben and say that he's not +affectionate; but he gives his affection slowly, and to but few +people. One must earn it."</p> +<p>The Woman regarded Baldy with amused contempt. "So one must work +hard for his affection, eh? Well, with all of the attractive dogs +here willing to lavish their devotion upon us, I think it would +hardly be worth while trying to coax Baldy's reluctant tolerance +into something warmer."</p> +<p>"Scotty" admitted that Baldy could hardly be considered genial. +"He's like some people whose natures are +immobile—inexpressive. It's going to take a little while to +find out if it's because there is nothing to express, or because he +is undemonstrative, and has to show by his conduct rather than by +his manners what there is to him."</p> +<p>It was true that Baldy was unmistakably ill at ease in his new +quarters, and did not feel at home; for he was accustomed neither +to the luxuries nor to the restrictions that surrounded him. His +early experiences had been distinctly plebeian and uninteresting, +but they had been quite free of control.</p> +<p>Born at one of the mining claims in the hills, of worthy +hard-working parents, he had, with the various other members of the +family, been raised to haul freight from town to the mine. But his +attachment for Ben Edwards had intervened, and before he was really +old enough to be thoroughly broken to harness, he had taken up his +residence at Golconda.</p> +<p>Here his desultory training continued, but a lesson in sled +pulling was almost invariably turned into a romp, so that he had +only acquired the rudiments of an education when he came under +"Scotty's" supervision.</p> +<p>His complete ignorance in matters of deportment, and possibly, +too, his retiring disposition, made him feel an intruder in the +exclusive coterie about him; and certainly there was a pronounced +lack of cordiality on the part of most of the dogs toward him. This +was especially true of Tom, Dick, and Harry, the famous Tolman +brothers, who were the Veterans of Alaska Dog Racing, and so had a +standing in the Kennel that none dared question. That is, none save +Dubby, who recognized no standard other than his own; and that +standard took no cognizance of Racers as Racers. They were all just +dogs—good or bad—to Dubby.</p> +<p>The fact that Tom, Dick, and Harry had been in every one of +those unique dashes across the snow-swept wastes of Seward +Peninsula, from Bering Sea to the Arctic Ocean and return, and had +never been "out of the money," did not count greatly in his rigid +code. The same distance covered slowly by freighters in pursuance +of their task of earning their daily living would seem to him far +more worthy of respect and emulation. And so, when the Tolman +brothers, who were apt to be quarrelsome with those "not in their +class," showed a coldness toward Baldy that threatened to break +into open hostility at the slightest excuse, Dubby promptly ranged +himself on the side of the newcomer with a firmness that impressed +even Tom, Dick, and Harry with a determination to be at least +discreet if not courteous.</p> +<p>They had learned, with all of the others in the Kennel, to treat +with a studied politeness—even deference—the wonderful +old Huskie whose supremacy as a leader had become a Tradition of +the North; and who was still in fighting trim should cause for +trouble arise. He did not rely alone on his past achievements, +which were many and brilliant, but he maintained a reputation for +ever-ready power which is apt to give immunity from attack.</p> +<p>Dubby's attitude toward the Racers generally was galling in the +extreme. Usually he ignored them completely, turning his back upon +them when they were being harnessed, and apparently oblivious of +their very existence; except as such times when he felt that they +needed suggestions as to their behavior.</p> +<p>There was, in a way, a certain injustice in Dubby's contempt for +what might be called the sporting element of the stable; for, like +college athletes, they were only sports incidentally, and for the +greater part of the year they were as ready and willing to do a +hard day's work in carrying goods to the creeks as were the more +commonplace dogs who had never won distinction on the Trail.</p> +<p>But Dubby was ultra-conservative; and while "Scotty" must have +had some strange human reason for all of these silly dashes with an +absolutely empty sled, in his opinion hauling a boiler up to Hobson +Creek would be a far more efficacious means of exercise, and would +be a practical accomplishment besides. Dubby was of a generation +that knew not racing. Of noted McKenzie River parentage, he came +from Dawson, where he was born, down the Yukon to Nome with +"Scotty" Allan. He had led a team of his brothers and sisters, six +in all, the entire distance of twelve hundred miles, early +manifesting that definite acknowledged mastery over the others that +is indispensable in a good leader. He had realized what it meant to +be a Pioneer, had penetrated with daring men the waste places in +search of fame, fortune and adventure; and had carried the heavy +burdens of gold wrested from rock-ribbed mountain, and bouldered +river bed. He had helped to take the United States Mail to remote +and inaccessible districts, and had sped with the Doctor and Priest +to the bedside of the sick or dying in distant, lonely cabins.</p> +<p>He and his kind have ever shared the toil of the development of +that desolate country that stretches from the ice-bound Arctic to +where the gray and sullen waters of Bering Sea break on a bleak and +wind-swept shore. They figure but little in the forest-crowned +Alaska of the South, with its enchanted isles, emerald green, in +the sunlit, silver waves; but they are an indispensable factor in +the very struggle for mere existence up beyond the chain of rugged +Aleutians whose towering volcanoes are ever enveloped in a sinister +shroud of smoke. Up in the eternal snows of the Alaska of the +North, the unknown Alaska—the Alaska of Men and Dogs.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="THE_ALASKA_OF_MEN_AND_DOGS"></a> +<img src="images/292.jpg" alt="The Alaska of Men and Dogs"></div> +<p class="caption">THE ALASKA OF MEN AND DOGS<br> +June 1—the Steamer Corwin at the Edge of The Ice, Five Miles +from Shore</p> +<p>And so it is not strange that in such a land where the dog has +ever played well his rôle of support to those who have faced +its dangers and conquered its terrors, that his importance should +be at last freely acknowledged, and the fact admitted that only the +best possible dogs should be used for all arduous tasks.</p> +<p>Toward this end the Nome Kennel Club was organized. The object +was not alone the improvement of the breeds used so extensively, +but also, since the first President was a Kentuckian, of equal +importance was the furnishing of a wholesome and characteristic +sport for the community.</p> +<p>And Nome, once famed for her eager, reckless treasure-seekers in +that great rush of 1900; famed once for being the "widest open" +camp in all Alaska, now in her days of peace and quiet still claims +recognition. Not only because of the millions taken out annually by +her huge dredgers and hydraulics; not only because she is an +important trading station that supplies whalers and explorers with +all necessary equipment for their voyages in the Arctic; not only +because of her picturesque history; but because she possesses the +best sled dogs to be found, and originated and maintains the most +thrilling and most difficult sport the world has ever +known—Long Distance Dog Racing.</p> +<p>Previous to the advent of these races any dog that could stand +on four legs, and had strength enough to pull, was apt to be +pressed into service; but since they have become a recognized +feature of the life there, a certain pride has manifested itself in +the dog-drivers, and dog-owners, who aim now to use only the dogs +really fitted for the work. Even the Eskimos, who were notorious +for their indifferent handling of their ill-fed, overburdened +beasts, have joined in the "better dog" movement, which is a +popular and growing one.</p> +<p>According to Dubby's stern law, however, most of the +Racers—the long-legged, supple-bodied Tolmans, the delicately +built Irish Setters, Irish and Rover, and numberless others of the +same type, would have been condemned to the ignominy of being mere +pets; useless canine adjuncts to human beings—creatures that +were allowed in the house, and were given strangely repulsive bits +of food in return for degrading antics, such as sitting on one's +hind legs or playing dead.</p> +<p>Occasionally there was, for some valid reason, an exception to +his disapproval; as in the case, for instance, of Jack McMillan. +For while he could not but deplore Jack's headstrong ways, and his +intolerance of authority in the past, he nevertheless felt a +certain admiration for the big tawny dog who moved with the lithe +ease of the panther, and held himself with the imposing dignity of +the lion. An admiration for the dog whose reputation for wickedness +extended even to the point of being called a "man-eater," and was +the source, far and near, of a respect largely tempered with +fear.</p> +<p>There was always an air of repressed pride about Jack when he +listened to the thrilling accounts of his crimes told with dramatic +inspiration to horrified audiences; a pride which is not seemly +save for great worth and good deeds. Yet in spite of these grave +faults of character Dubby accorded McMillan the recognition due his +wonderful strength and keen intelligence; for Dubby, while +intolerant of mere speed, was ever alert to find the sterner and +more rugged qualities in his associates.</p> +<p>Perhaps it was partly because Baldy possessed no trivial graces +and manifested no disdain for the homely virtues of the work dogs +whose faithfulness has won for them an honorable place in the +community, that Dubby had soon given unmistakable signs of +friendliness that helped to make Baldy's new home endurable.</p> +<p>While Dubby's championship was a great comfort, there were many +things of every-day occurrence that surprised and annoyed Baldy. +Out of the bewilderment that had at first overwhelmed him he had +finally evolved two Great Rules of Conduct, which he observed +implicitly—to Pull as Hard as he Could, and to Obey his +Driver. This code of ethics is perfect for a trail dog of Alaska, +but it was in the minor things that he was constantly +perplexed—things in which it was difficult to distinguish +between right and wrong, or at least between folly and wisdom. To +tell where frankness of action became tactlessness, and the +renunciation of passing pleasures a pose. It was particularly +disconcerting to see that virtue often remained unnoticed, and that +vice just as often escaped retribution; and what he saw might have +undermined Baldy's whole moral nature, but for the simple sincerity +that was the key-note to his character. As an artless dog of nature +he was accustomed, when the world did not seem just and right to +him, to show it plainly—an attitude not conducive to +popularity; and it often made him seem surly when as a matter of +fact he was only puzzled or depressed. He could not feign an +amiability to hide hatred and vindictiveness as did the Tolmans, +and it was a constant shock to him to note how the hypocrisy of Tom +and his brothers deluded their friends into a deep-seated belief in +their integrity. Even after such depravity as chasing the Allan +girl's pet cat, stealing a neighbor's dog-salmon, or attacking an +inoffensive Cocker Spaniel, he had seen Tom so meek and pensive +that no one could suspect him of wrong-doing who had not actually +witnessed it; and he had seen the Woman, when she <i>had</i> +actually witnessed it, become a sort of accessory after the fact, +and shield Tom from "Scotty's" just wrath, which was extraordinary +and confusing.</p> +<p>The confinement of a Kennel, too, no matter how commodious, was +most trying. Even the vigorous daily exercise was "personally +conducted" by Matt; and Baldy longed for the freedom that had been +his when alone, or preferably with the boy, he had roamed through +the far stretches of rank grass, tender willows, and sweet-smelling +herbs in summer, or over the wide, snowy plains in winter.</p> +<p>Then, later, the boy came to Baldy; and there were blissful +periods when he would lie with his head on Ben's lap; when the +repressed enmity of the haughty Tolmans, the cold indifference of +the magnificent McMillan, and even Matt's eternal vigilance were +forgotten. Periods when his companion's toil-hardened hands stroked +the sleek sides and sinewy flanks that no longer hinted of +insufficient nourishment; and caressing fingers lingered over the +smooth and shining coat that had once been so rough and ragged.</p> +<p>To see Baldy receiving the same care and consideration as his +stable-mates, who had won the plaudits of the world, justified the +boy's sacrifice; and in spite of his loneliness he always left +Baldy with a happy heart.</p> +<p>"We'll show 'em some day we was worth while, won't we, Baldy?" +he would whisper confidently; and Baldy's reply was sure to be a +satisfactory wag of his bobbed tail, signifying that he certainly +intended to do his best.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/042.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 2"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch3"></a> <img src="images/043.png" +alt="The First Step"></div> +<h4>III</h4> +<h4>The First Step</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/044.png" alt= +"Chapter 3 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER III</h3> +<h4>THE FIRST STEP</h4> +<p>With the boy's more frequent visits Baldy's horizon began to +widen almost imperceptibly. He even looked forward to those moments +when, with George Allan and his friend Danny Kelly, Ben stood +beside him discussing his points and possibilities.</p> +<p>Up to the present his world had included but two +friends—the boy and Moose Jones. Annoyed and sometimes abused +at the Camp, he had felt that there was no real understanding +between himself and most of those with whom he came into +association, and it had made him gloomy and suspicious. Now he +knew, with the intuition so often found in children and animals, +that George and Danny, as well as Ben, comprehended, at least in +part, the emotions he could not adequately express—gratitude +for kindness and a desire to please; and in return he endeavored to +show his appreciation of this understanding by shy overtures of +friendliness. He even licked George's hand one day—a caress +heretofore reserved exclusively for Ben Edwards—and he +escorted Danny Kelly the full length of the town to his home in the +East End, much as he dreaded the confines of the narrow city +streets where he was brought into close contact with strange people +and strange dogs.</p> +<p>At Golconda, in his absorbing affection for the boy, he had more +or less ignored the others of his kind—they meant nothing to +him. But now the advantages of plenty of food and excellent care +were almost offset by his occasional contact with the quarrelsome +dogs of the street, and his constant companionship with the +distinguished company into which he had come reluctantly and in +which he seemed so unwelcome.</p> +<p>In "Scotty" Baldy discerned a compelling personality to whom he +rendered willing allegiance and respect, as well as a dawning +affection. And it was with much gratification that he had heard +occasionally after inspection comments in a tone that contained no +trace of regret at his presence, even if it had as yet inspired no +particular enthusiasm. To be sure Allan found some merit in the +least promising dogs as a rule, and perhaps the faint praise he was +beginning to bestow on Baldy had in it more or less of the +impersonal approval he gave to all dogs who did not prove +themselves hopelessly bad. But it seemed at least a step in the +right direction when "Scotty" had said, replying to criticism of +the Woman, "No, he is certainly not fierce, and by no means so +morose as he looks. So far I must confess he's proving himself a +pretty good sort."</p> +<p>Of course even the Woman, who admitted frankly that first +impressions counted much with her, knew that it was not always wise +to judge by appearances, for she had seen the successful +development of the most unlikely material. There was the case of +Tom, Dick, and Harry. No one would ever have supposed in seeing +them, so alert and with the quickness and grace of a cat in their +movements, that in their feeble mangy infancy they had only been +saved from drowning by their excellent family connections, and +their appealing charm of responsiveness. A responsiveness that in +maturity made them favorites with every one who knew them, and +prompted the tactful ways that convinced each admirer that his +approval was the last seal to their satisfaction in the fame they +had won. When Tom leaned against people confidingly, and put up his +paw in cordial greeting; and Dick and Harry, so much alike that it +was nearly impossible to tell them apart, stood waiting eagerly for +the inevitable words of praise, it was hard indeed to realize that +their perfect manners were a cloak for morals that rough, +uncultured Baldy would condemn utterly.</p> +<p>With the departure of the last boats of the summer there is no +connecting link with the great, unfrozen outside, except the +wireless telegraph and the United States Government Dog Team Mail +that is brought fifteen hundred miles, in relays, over the long +white trail from Valdez. Then, with the early twilight of the long +Arctic winter, which lasts until the dawn of the brilliant sunshine +and pleasant warmth of May, there come the Dog Days of Nome. Days +that are heralded by an increased activity in dog circles, a +mysterious fascination that weaves itself about all prospective +entries to the races, and the introduction of a strange dialect +called "Deep Dog Dope," which is the popular means of communication +between all people regardless of age, sex or nationality—from +the Federal Judge on the Bench to the tiniest tots in +Kindergarten.</p> +<p>The town gives itself up completely to the gripping intensities +and ardors of this period when all dog men assemble in appropriate +places to talk over the prospects of the coming Racing Season. +Accordingly George and Danny were in the habit of meeting in the +Kennel, each afternoon, to consider the burning questions of the +hour, with all of the certain knowledge and wide experience that +belonged to their mature years—for George and Danny were +seven and eight respectively.</p> +<p>Often Ben, whose mother had obtained work in town so that he +might go to school regularly, joined in these important +discussions; and while somewhat older than his companions, he +greatly enjoyed being with them, for they were manly little fellows +and had picked up much valuable dog lore from "Scotty" and +Matt.</p> +<p>The Woman, too, for no apparent reason, was frequently at these +serious conclaves, and was apt to voice rather trifling views on +the weighty matters in debate. George felt that she was entitled +only to the courteous toleration one accords the weaker sex in +matters too deep for their inconsequent minds to grasp fully; for +even if she was his father's racing partner, she had openly +acknowledged that she considered dogs a pastime, and not a life +study, which naturally proved her mental limitations.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="THE_WOMAN"></a> <img src= +"images/294.jpg" alt="The Woman"></div> +<p class="caption">THE WOMAN</p> +<p>One of the events already assured was a race for boys under nine +years of age. "It's too bad you're too old for it, Ben," George had +exclaimed sympathetically. "Father's told Danny and me we can use +some of his dogs; and he'd 'a' been glad t' do the same for you. +When I want t' drive fast dogs, and go t' the Moving Pictures at +night, and drink coffee, I wish I was old too; but now I can see +that gettin' old's pretty tough on a feller sometimes."</p> +<p>"Mebbe there'll be a race fer the older boys later," replied Ben +hopefully. "I dunno as I could do much myself, but I sure would +like t' try Baldy out. He minds so quick I think he'd be a fine +leader; an' it looks like he'd be fast from the way he chases +rabbits and squirrels out on the tundra."</p> +<p>"You can't allers tell about that," observed Dan +pessimistically. "I got a dog that's a corker when he's just +chasin' things; but when I put a harness on him he ain't fit for a +High School Girl's Racin' Team, an' you know what girls is for +gettin' speed out of a dog. 'You poor tired little doggie, you can +stop right here an' rest if you want to; I don't care if they do +get ahead of us,'" and Danny finished his remarks in the high +falsetto and mincing inflection he attributed to the youthful +members of a sex that in his opinion, as well as in George's, has +no right to engage in the masculine occupation of Dog Mushing.</p> +<p>"Of course," said George, looking thoughtfully at Baldy, who was +lying contentedly at Ben's feet, and giving voice to the wisdom of +"Scotty" or Matt in such discussions, "of course, in a dog that's +goin' in for the Big Race, you got t' have more'n speed. You can't +depend on just that for four hundred and eight miles. There's got +t' be lots of endurance an' the dogs had ought t' really enjoy +racin' t' do their best. But for this race we're goin' in, Danny, I +guess speed's the whole thing. Speed, an' the dog's mindin' you." +George glanced involuntarily toward Jack McMillan, who sat with his +head resting against the Woman's knee. "You can't do anythin' at +all, no matter how fast dogs is, if they don't mind."</p> +<p>"I'm afraid, Mr. McMillan," commented the Woman seriously, "that +these personalities are meant for you. Just because your first +owner spoiled you, and the second paid the highest price ever given +for a dog in the North, all accuse you of thinking yourself far too +important to be classed with the common herd whose chief virtue is +obedience. They say you lost a great race by being ungovernable. +Guilty, or not guilty?" The brown eyes that had been wont to blaze +so fiercely now looked pleadingly into the Woman's face, and the +sable muzzle was pressed more closely against her. "They started +you off all wrong, Jack. They let you become headstrong, and then +tried to force you arbitrarily into their ways, instead of +persuading you. If you had been a human being, all this would have +been considered Temperament, but being only a dog it was Temper, +and was dealt with as such." McMillan gravely extended his paw in +appreciation of her championship.</p> +<p>"Oh, I didn't only just mean Jack when I was talkin' about dogs +not mindin'," explained George with embarrassed haste; for he knew +of the Woman's fondness for the dog and did not wish to hurt her +feelings, much as he condemned her judgment in selecting such a +favorite.</p> +<p>Her preference had dated from the night when she had entered the +Kennel after a long absence, and had seen the stranger in the half +light of the June midnight. He had changed somewhat since the +imperious days when he had threatened the life of his trainer, and +she had not recognized the Incorrigible in the handsome dog who had +greeted her with such flattering cordiality.</p> +<p>He soon manifested an abject devotion to her, and would barely +listen even to "Scotty" when she was near—the moment he heard +her footsteps howling insistently till she ignored all of the +others and came directly to him. It became a matter of pride with +her to take him into the streets where people would still look +askance at the erstwhile "man-eater," and comment on her courage in +handling the "brute." While she and the "brute" had the little joke +between them, which she later confided to Ben, that Jack McMillan's +misdemeanors were merely the result of an undisciplined nature +handled unsympathetically, and that at heart he was the gentlest +dog in Nome.</p> +<p>"Jack minds all right now," ventured Ben. "I seen him the other +day with Mr. Allan, an' he minded as good as any of 'em—even +Kid."</p> +<p>"Well, none of them could do better than that. 'Scotty' says +that Kid has every admirable quality that a dog could possibly +possess, and that without a doubt he is the most promising racing +leader in Alaska. But of course Jack would have to mind or he would +not be here. The first thing a new dog must realize is that +'Scotty' is the sole authority, and that obedience is the first law +of the Kennel. Even with his first racing driver I believe it was +more a case of misunderstanding on both sides than wilful +disobedience. But it grew to a point where it became almost a +matter of life or death for one or the other."</p> +<p>"Moose Jones said they had t' break his tusks t' use him at all, +an' that it took three men t' hold him away from his driver +sometimes; an' that 'Scotty' was the only man in the whole North +that could git the best of him without breakin' his spirit. An' he +seems terrible fond o' 'Scotty'—I mean Mr. +Allan—now."</p> +<p>"You may call him 'Scotty,' Ben; he doesn't mind in the least. +He's 'Scotty' to every Alaskan from Juneau to Barrow, Eskimos +included—age no restraint. Yes, Jack is fond of 'Scotty,' but +it took a battle royal to bring about this permanent peace."</p> +<p>"It's a wonder he wasn't killed before you an' 'Scotty' got him, +if they was all so scared t' handle him."</p> +<p>"He would have been killed except that his enormous strength and +unusual alertness made him too valuable. So in spite of their fears +they kept him, but he was watched incessantly; and after his tusks +were broken he became even more rebellious, and grew to distrust +every one about him. Poor old fellow." She turned the handsome head +toward the boy. "Look at him, Ben. Would you believe that they used +to frighten naughty children by telling them that Jack was out +looking for them?"</p> +<p>It was a fact that his name had once carried a suggestion of +grim terror and impending disaster in Nome. And the dark hint that +McMillan of the Broken Tusks was in the neighborhood struck +consternation to the hearts of infant malefactors, and had been the +source of much unwilling virtue, and many a politic repentance on +the part of those offenders hitherto only impressed by the +threatened arrival of the Policeman.</p> +<p>Ben regarded Jack with admiration and pity. He was sorry for +even a dog that has been misunderstood.</p> +<p>"No, ma'am, he don't look vicious, but he sure does look +powerful. If a man had a whole team like Jack there'd hardly be a +chanct t' beat him, I s'pose."</p> +<p>"I'm not so sure of that, Ben. Of course the team counts for a +great deal; so, too, does the skill of the driver. But there are +many other things that enter into this contest that do not have to +be considered usually. Given a mile of smooth track and horses in +perfect condition, well mounted, the fastest one is apt to win. In +a race that lasts for over three days and nights, however, through +the roughest sort of country, in weather that may range from a thaw +to a blizzard, and with fifteen or twenty dogs to manage, the Luck +of the Trail is an enormous factor. One team may run into a storm, +and be delayed for hours, that another may escape entirely; and a +trivial accident may put the best team and driver entirely out of +commission."</p> +<p>"That's so," agreed Danny. "That's what happened the year +'Scotty' lost the race to Seppala, an' came in second. Don't you +know, George, your father told us it was near the end o' the run, +an' the dogs was gettin' pretty tired, so he put a loose leader at +the head t' give 'em new life—sort t' ginger 'em up. I guess +that dog was as tired as the rest, an' nervous, 'cause he missed +the trail in a terrible blow an' got separated from 'Scotty' an' +went back t' the Road House they'd left last, like he'd been +learned t' do. O' course 'Scotty' looked for him a while an' then +went back for him. But it lost the race, all right, an' the cinch +he had on breakin' the record. With them four hours lost, an' what +he done later, he'd 'a' made the best time ever known in a dog race +in Alaska. Gee, it was awful."</p> +<p>The Woman sighed. "Well, at least they can't blame the loss of +<i>that</i> race on you, can they, Jack? It certainly was hard +luck, but we will have to be good sports and try it again. Perhaps +you'll develop a dog star of the first magnitude for us in your +race, boys."</p> +<p>George and Danny looked serious. It was a difficult +problem—this assembling of a racing team, and the +responsibility weighed heavily upon them. Why, it meant the +possibility of making a juvenile Record, and winning a Cup, and +naturally required a critical consideration of even the smallest +details.</p> +<p>"If I could only take some o' the Sweepstakes Dogs," mused +George regretfully, "it 'ud be dead easy; but Father says it +wouldn't be fair t' the fellers that hasn't a racin' stable t' pick +from. We got t' use some o' the untried ones. I been thinkin' o' +Spot for a leader. He seems sort o' awkward, 'cause he's raw-boned, +an' ain't filled out yet; but all the other dogs like him, an' he'd +ruther run than eat."</p> +<p>"Isn't he pretty young for that position?" hazarded the Woman. +"Let me see, he can't be much more than a year old now."</p> +<p>She remembered when he had been a common little fellow, but a +short time ago, sprawling in every mud-puddle, or wobbling +uncertainly after the many strange alluring things in the streets. +Matt, who seemed to have second sight in regard to the invisible, +latent good points in all horses and dogs, had picked him up in the +pound for a mere nothing; and to him there was granted the vision +of a brilliant future for the vagrant puppy. "Mark my words," he +had said decisively when Spot's fate hung in the balance, "you +can't go wrong on him; he'll be a credit to us all some day." And +so Spot was rescued from death, or at least from a life of poverty +and obscurity, and given to George Allan to become his constant +companion.</p> +<p>"You know," she persisted, "if a leader is too young he's apt to +become over-zealous and important the way Irish did the day we +loaned him to Charlie Thompson in the first Moose Handicap. Don't +you remember he was disgusted at the way they were being managed by +a rank novice, so he took his place in front of a rival team that +was being well driven, and led them to victory, with the whole town +cheering and yelling? You don't want that to happen to you, because +your leader is inexperienced."</p> +<p>"It ain't the same thing at all," explained George patiently; +for it is ever the man's part to try to be patient with the +feminine ignorance of dogs and baseball and other essential things +about which women seem to have no intuition. "You see, I ain't +goin' to drive him loose. A dog shouldn't ever be a loose leader +unless he's a wonder at managin' all the rest, an' young dogs ain't +generally had the trainin' for it. After a dog has showed he can +find the trail, an' keep it, an' set the pace, an' make the others +mind him, bein' a loose leader's kind of an honor he's promoted to; +like bein' a General in the army. He don't have t' be hitched up to +the tow-line any more, an' pull; he just has t' think, an' keep the +team out o' trouble."</p> +<p>"It's too bad that dogs aren't driven with lines instead of +spoken orders—then there wouldn't be all of the bother about +a leader every time." Both George and Danny looked at her for a +moment with a contempt they barely succeeded in concealing. Even +Ben Edwards was unpleasantly surprised, and he was not given to +regarding her vagaries with unfriendly criticism.</p> +<p>Drive with lines! Bother about a leader! Why, if dogs were +driven with lines there would be no more interest in driving a dog +team than there is in driving a delivery wagon, or running an +automobile. All of the fascination of having your dogs answer to +your will, voluntarily and intelligently, would be lost in the +mechanical response to the jerk and the pull of the reins.</p> +<p>She was utterly hopeless. There was no use of a further waste of +words with her on such matters.</p> +<p>George turned to Danny and Ben. They were discerning, and +capable of grasping a dog man's point of view. "Then there's Queen, +for one wheeler. You know we're only allowed three dogs, an' we got +t' be mighty careful."</p> +<p>"I expect it's pretty near 's important t' git the right wheel +dogs as 'tis a leader, ain't it, George? Bein' next t' the sled an' +so close t' the driver an' load, they allers seem t' kinda manage +the business end o' things."</p> +<p>"That's right, Ben. That's why we got t' be sure o' gettin' good +wheelers. In racin' there's no load, but it takes some managin' +just the same t' keep the sled right on side hills an' goin' down +steep slopes. O' course in a short race I wouldn't get into the +sled at all, an' on the runners at the back I can get my feet on +the brake easy. But Father an' Matt say that you want your wheelers +t' know just what their duties is if the brake gets out o' order, +or any thin' goes wrong."</p> +<p>"Wheelers have to be clever, and strong and tractable +then—rather a big order," murmured the Woman somewhat meekly, +as one seeking information.</p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am," replied Danny politely, "all o' that, an' I was +just wonderin' if Queen 'ud do for the place."</p> +<p>Queen, another present of Matt's to George, was a Gordon Setter +with a strong admixture of native blood, and was hopeless as a +regular team dog because of her high-strung and irritable +disposition. Naturally nervous, she had become, with the advent of +her first family, so fierce that it was dangerous for any one to +approach her except George, and for him she cheerfully left her +puppies to be of service in sled pulling.</p> +<p>"Oh, I think she'll do; when you know Queen an' like her she +ain't so bad; an' besides not bein' able t' take any o' the real +racers don't leave us much choice."</p> +<p>"Do you—don't you think you could use Baldy?" suggested +Ben eagerly. "He's no locomotive like McMillan, ner a flyin' +machine like them Tolman dogs an' Irish an' Rover; but you've no +idea how powerful an' willin' he is till you've tried him. Just +give him a show, George. I'm 'most sure he'd make good. Moose Jones +allers said he would."</p> +<p>There was a moment of serious consideration on the part of +George, while Danny eyed Baldy critically, and remarked with +discrimination, "Better take him; some o' these common lookin' dogs +has the right stuff in 'em. If looks was everythin' I guess you an' +me 'ud be scrappin' over Oolik Lomen or Margaret Winston, that new +fox-hound Russ Downing just got from Kentucky. But you an' me know +too much t' get took in by just good looks, George."</p> +<p>"All right, Ben. I'll take Baldy for the other wheel dog," said +George as he ran his hand over Baldy's sturdy, muscular body. +"He'll be able to show somethin' o' what's in him in this dash. Now +we'd better see about Danny's team."</p> +<p>The Woman's observation that she thought Jemima, being black, +would make a more artistic wheel-mate for Queen from the standpoint +of color harmony, than would white-faced sable Baldy, was silently +ignored, as was merited.</p> +<p>And so, in defiance of Art, and in spite of her evident +prejudice against him, Baldy made one of George Allan's Racing +Team.</p> +<p>Danny, after much discussion and deep thought, selected Judge +for his leader, and Jimmie and Pete as wheelers. They were all +steady and reliable, and made up a more dependable team than +George's uncertain combination of youthful Spot, fiery Queen, and +untried Baldy.</p> +<p>Ben was elated that the latter had been accepted by such experts +as being worthy a place in the coming event. And as he left the +Kennel to rush home to tell his mother the great news, he pictured +Baldy in his coming rôle of wheeler in so distinguished a +company. "I'm mighty glad I give him up when I did," he thought +cheerfully. "Baldy is sure gettin' his chanct now."</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/064.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 3"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch4"></a> <img src="images/065.png" +alt="The Plodder"></div> +<h4>IV</h4> +<h4>The Plodder</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> +<h4>THE PLODDER</h4> +<p>The last two weeks before the Alaska Juvenile Race, as the Nome +Kennel Club had announced it, were busy ones, not only for the boys +who were to actually take part in it, but for all of their friends +as well. For those who had not teams for the event had more than +likely loaned a dog, a sled or a harness to one of the contestants, +and consequently felt a deep personal interest in all incidents +connected with the various entries.</p> +<p>To Ben Edwards the time was full of diversions, for every +afternoon on his way home from school he stopped at the Kennel to +curry and brush Baldy or help George and Danny in the care of the +other dogs whose condition was of such moment now.</p> +<p>When George felt that he should give Spot special training to +fit him for his new position as leader, or took Queen out under the +strict discipline he knew would be necessary to prepare her for the +ordeal, he would ask Ben to hitch Baldy to one of the small sleds +and give him a run.</p> +<p>Baldy's nature had always expressed itself best in action, and +Ben was delighted with the ease with which he adjusted himself to +serious sled work. There were no more romps, no more games, but his +pace became even and steady, and he required no threats and no +inducements to make him do his best.</p> +<p>"There's one thing about Baldy," admitted George freely, "you +don't have t' jolly him along all the time. Why, even with Spot I +have to say 'Snowbirds' an' 'Rabbits' every little while when I +want him to go faster, an' then you should see him mush. You know +that's what Father says t' Tom, Dick 'an' Harry, an' Rover an' +Irish. It's fine with any of 'em that's got bird-dog blood, an' you +know Spot's part pointer. O' course they don't have t' really see +snowbirds an' rabbits, but they just love t' hear about 'em, an' +begin t' look ahead right away. An' if they do happen t' see 'em, +they pretty nearly jump out o' their harness, they're so crazy for +'em."</p> +<p>"Baldy's part bird-dog, too," said Ben, "but I been watchin' him +close, an' it ain't anythin' outside that makes him want t' go; +it's more like he feels a sort o' duty about doin' the very best he +kin fer any one that's usin' him. He's allers willin' t' do more'n +his share; an' he's lots happier when he's workin' hard than when +he's just lyin' idle in the stable, or bein' trotted out by Matt +fer a walk."</p> +<p>"I wisht I was like that," muttered Danny gloomily. "That bein' +happiest when you're workin' hard must be great; but I guess it's +only dogs an' mebbe some men that's like that. I don't know o' any +boys that's got such feelin's."</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name= +"NOME_ALASKA_FROM_BERING_SEA"><img src="images/295.jpg" alt= +"Nome, Alaska--from Bering Sea"></a></div> +<p class="caption">NOME, ALASKA—FROM BERING SEA</p> +<p>When the day of the Boys' Race arrived, a day clear, and +beautiful, and only a degree or two below zero, it seemed as if all +of Nome had decided to celebrate the momentous occasion; going in +crowds to the starting place, which was a broad, open thoroughfare +on the outskirts of town. Those especially interested in the +individual teams gathered at the various kennels to see the dogs +harnessed and the young drivers prepared for their test as +trailsmen in the coming struggle.</p> +<p>It was Saturday, and a general holiday, and Ben's mother had +given him permission to go to the Kennel early; so that when George +and Dan arrived they found their dogs smooth and shining from the +energetic grooming that Ben had given them.</p> +<p>"It's awful good of you, Ben," said George appreciatively. +"Danny an' me came in plenty o' time t' do it ourselves, an' Matt +said he'd help us too; an' now you've got 'em lookin' finer'n silk. +I'll bet even Father'll say they're as fine as a Sweepstakes Team, +an' he's mighty partic'lar, I can tell you. But I don't see how you +got Queen t' stand for it."</p> +<p>"I talked to 'er jest the way you do, an' then walked straight +up to 'er so's she'd see I wasn't afeared. Moose Jones says it's no +use tryin' t' do anything with a dog that knows you're scared. He +told me the reason your father made a good dog out o' Jack McMillan +was because he wasn't afeared of him, an' give the dog an even +break in the terrible fight they had."</p> +<p>"Father always does that," responded George proudly. "He +believes you got t' show a dog once for all that you're master of +him at his very best. If you tie a dog o' McMillan's spirit, an' +beat him t' make him obey, he always thinks he hadn't a fair +chance. But if you can show him that he can't down you, no matter +how good a scrap he puts up, he'll respect you an' like you the way +Jack does Dad."</p> +<p>"I don't believe me an' Queen'd ever have any trouble now," +observed Ben thoughtfully. "Some way I guess we kinda understand +each other better'n we did before."</p> +<p>"Well, it sure shows you got courage," exclaimed Dan admiringly. +"I wouldn't touch that snarlin' brute o' George's, not if I could +win this race by it, an' you know what I'd do fer that." He +examined Judge, Jimmie, and Pete, with profound satisfaction. They +were compactly built, of an even tan color, short haired, +bob-tailed, and all about the same size, being brothers in one +litter. Their sturdy legs suggested strength and their intelligent +faces spoke of amiability as well as alertness. They were indeed +worthy sons of the fleet hound mother—Mego—whose +puppies rank so high in the racing world beyond the frozen sea. +"They just glisten, Ben. You must 'a' worked hard t' get 'em +lookin' as smooth an' shinin' as the fur neck-pieces the girls +wear."</p> +<p>"O' course I wanted t' git Baldy ready fer his first race; an' +doin' little things fer the other dogs is about the only way I kin +pay everybody round here fer all they're doin' fer him."</p> +<p>Baldy was fast learning not to despise the detail that had made +the new life so irksome before he realized how necessary it is in a +large Kennel; and he now stood patiently waiting for his harness, +while long discussions took place as to the adjustment of every +strap, and the position of every buckle.</p> +<p>"Scotty" and Matt had come in to be ready with counsel and +service, if necessary; then the Allan girls and many of the +children from the neighborhood arrived, and later the Woman +appeared with the Big Man whom Baldy some way associated invariably +with her, and a yellow malamute whom Baldy invariably associated +with him.</p> +<p>The Big Man always spoke pleasantly to the dogs, and had won +Baldy's approval by not interfering—as did the Woman—in +Kennel affairs; and the malamute—the Yellow Peril, as the +Woman had named him—was plainly antagonistic to the Racers, +at whom he growled with much enthusiasm. And so Baldy was glad to +see the Big Man and the Peril amongst the acquaintances and +strangers who were thronging into the place.</p> +<p>George brought out a miniature racing sled—his most prized +possession—and a perfect reproduction of the one "Scotty" +used in the Big Races, being built strongly, but on delicate lines. +Danny pulled another, only a trifle less rakish, beside it. They +were conversing in low tones. "We got pretty nearly half an hour t' +wait, Dan, an' it's fierce t' have all these people that don't know +a blame thing about racin' standin' round here givin' us fool +advice. Why, if we was t' do what they're tellin', we'd be down an' +out before we reached Powell's dredge on Bourbon Creek. Most of 'em +don't know any more 'bout dogs 'n I do +'bout—'bout—"</p> +<p>"'Rithmetic," suggested Danny promptly.</p> +<p>"Well, anyway, we got t' run our own race. Dad says there ain't +any cut an' dried rules for dog racin' beyond knowin' your dogs, +an' usin' common sense. Each time it's different, 'cordin' t' the +dogs, the distance, the trail an' the weather. An' you have t' know +just what it's best t' do whatever happens, even if it never +happened before."</p> +<p>"Gee," sighed Danny heavily, "winnin' automobile races an' horse +races is takin' candy from babies besides this here dog racin'. I +hadn't any idea how much there was to it till we begun t' train the +dogs, an' talk it over with your father. I was awful nervous last +night, I don't believe I slept hardly any, worryin' about the +things that can go wrong, no matter how careful you are."</p> +<p>"I didn't sleep any, either. I got t' thinkin' about Queen +hatin' Eskimos, an' chasin' 'em every time she gets a chance. It +'ud be a terrible thing if she saw one out on the tundra, an' left +the trail t' try and ketch him; or if she smelled some of 'em in +the crowd an' made a break for 'em just when she ought t' be ready +t' start. An' you know there's bound t' be loads of Eskimos, 'cause +they'd rather see a dog race than eat a seal-blubber banquet."</p> +<p>"That's so; but Spot is good friends with all the natives 'round +town, an' he's stronger'n Queen, an' wouldn't leave the trail for +anything but snowbirds or rabbits, so he'd hold 'er down. An' I +guess Baldy'd be kinda neutral, 'cause he don't pay attention t' +Eskimos or anything when he's workin'. I never saw a dog mind his +own business like Baldy. That's worth somethin' in a race." The +inactivity was becoming unbearable. "George, if you and Ben'll get +the dogs into harness, I'll go an' see what's doin' with some of +the others. It'll sort o' fill in time."</p> +<p>Ben and George hitched the dogs to the respective sleds after +Spot, in the exuberant joy of a prospective run, had dashed madly +about, barking boisterously, a thing absolutely prohibited in that +well-ordered household. "Scotty" and Matt refrained from all +criticism of George's leader, knowing that both the boy and dog +were unduly excited by the noisy, laughing groups surrounding them. +Queen, while she waited with very scant patience for the strange +situation, diverted herself by nipping viciously at any one who +went past, and Baldy stood quiet and different save when Ben +Edwards was near, or "Scotty" spoke kindly to him.</p> +<p>Mego's sons, as was natural with such a parent, and with Allan's +training since they were born, behaved with perfect propriety; and +there were many compliments for Dan's team, which manifested a +polite interest in the development of affairs.</p> +<p>Shortly Dan returned with somewhat encouraging information about +the rival teams.</p> +<p>"Bob's got three dogs better matched 'n yours as t' size," he +remarked judicially, "but his leader, old Nero, 's most twelve, you +remember, 'nd wants t' stop an' wag his tail, an' give his paw t' +every kid that speaks to him. Bill's got some bully pups, but his +sled's no good; it's his mother's kitchen chair nailed onto his +skiis. Jimmie's team's a peach, an' so's his sled; but Jim drives +like a—like a girl," finished Mr. Kelly scornfully, with the +tone of one who disposes of that contestant effectively and +finally. "For looks an' style, I can tell you, George, there ain't +any of 'em that's a patch on my team. Some Pupmobile!"</p> +<p>He glanced proudly at the wide-awake dogs who showed their +breeding and education at every turn, and then toward George's +ill-assorted collection: Spot, rangy, raw-boned, and awkward, Queen +fretful and mutinous, and Baldy so stolid that it was evident he +was receiving no inspiration from the enthusiasm about him.</p> +<p>"Of course you can beat me drivin' without half tryin', George, +an' if Spot's feet wasn't so big, an' Queen didn't have such a +rotten disposition, an' Baldy knew he was alive, it 'ud be a +regular cinch for you. But the way things is, believe me, I'm goin' +t' give you a run for your money, with good old Mego's 'houn' +dogs.'"</p> +<p>Both George and Dan had, of course, like all small boys in Nome, +at one time or another, made swift and hazardous dashes of a few +hundred yards, in huge chopping bowls purloined from their mothers' +pantries; and drawn by any one dog that was available for the +instant, and would tamely submit to the degradation. An infantile +amusement, they felt now, in the face of this real Sporting Event +that was engaging the attention of the entire town. And to complete +the feeling that this was indeed no mere child's play, the Woman +came to them with two cups of hot tea to warm them up, and steady +their nerves on the trail. This they graciously accepted and drank, +in spite of its very unpleasant taste; for "Scotty" always drank +tea while giving Matt the last few necessary directions before a +race.</p> +<p>"All ready, boys, time to leave," called the Big Man cheerily. +"Peril and I will go ahead, and charge the multitudes so that you +can get through."</p> +<p>The Allan girls pressed forward hurriedly to give George two +treasured emblems of Good Luck—a four-leaf clover in a +crumpled bit of silver paper, and a tiny Billiken in ivory, the +cherished work of Happy Jack, the Eskimo Carver.</p> +<p>Equally potent charms in the form of a rabbit's foot, and a +rusty horseshoe were tendered Danny by his staunch supporters.</p> +<p>At the big door of the Kennel the boys stopped for a final word. +"We won't make a sound if we should have to pass on the trail," +said George. "We'll be as silent as the dead," an expression +recently acquired, and one which seemed in keeping with these +solemn moments. "All the dogs know our voices, an' if we should +speak they might stop just like they have when we've been +exercisin' 'em, an' wanted t' talk things over. We'll pull the +hoods of our parkas over our heads, an' turn our faces away so's +not to attract 'em. Dan, I do want t' win this race awful bad, +'cause o' my father mostly, but you bet I hope you'll come in a +close second."</p> +<p>"Same to you, George," and they made their way to the middle of +the street, where they fell in behind the Big Man and the Peril, +and were flanked by the Woman and "Scotty," Matt and Ben, with most +of the others who had waited for this imposing departure.</p> +<p>The other entries had already arrived at the starting point, +where there was much confusion and zeal in keeping the bewildered +dogs in order. It was a new game, and they did not quite comprehend +what was expected of them.</p> +<p>At last, however, the Timekeeper, and Starter, assisted by +various members of the Kennel Club, had cleared a space into which +the first entry was led with great ceremony. It was Bob, with the +cordial, if ancient, Nero in the lead.</p> +<p>They were to leave three minutes apart; the time of each team +being computed from the moment of its departure till its return, as +is always done in the Great Races.</p> +<p>The Timekeeper stood with his watch in his hand, and the Starter +beside him. Bob, eager for the word, spoke soothingly to the dogs +to keep them quiet. He was devoutly hoping that Nero would not +discover any intimate friend in the crowd and insist upon a formal +greeting; for Nero's affability was a distinct disadvantage on such +an occasion.</p> +<p>At last the moment came, and the Starter's "Go" was almost +simultaneous with Bob's orders to his leader, whose usual dignified +and leisurely movements were considerably hastened by the +thunderous applause of the spectators.</p> +<p>It was a "bully get-away," George and Dan agreed, and only hoped +that theirs would be as satisfactory.</p> +<p>Bill followed with equal ease, and equal approbation.</p> +<p>Jim, justifying Dan's earlier unfavorable report, lost over a +minute by letting his dogs become tangled up in their harness, and +then coaxing them to leave instead of commanding.</p> +<p>"Wouldn't that jar you?" whispered Dan disgustedly. "Why, your +sister Helen does better'n that in those girly-girly races, even if +she does say she'd rather get a beatin' herself than give one to a +dog."</p> +<p>But the general public looked with more lenient eyes upon such +mistakes, and Jim left amidst the same enthusiasm that had sped the +others on their way.</p> +<p>When Dan and his dogs lined up there was much admiration openly +expressed.</p> +<p>"Looks like a Sweepstakes team through the wrong end of the opry +glasses, don't it?" exclaimed Matt with justifiable pride to Black +Mart Barclay, who happened to be next him.</p> +<p>Mart scrutinized the entry closely. "Not so bad. Them Mego pups +is allers fair lookers an' fair go-ers, so fur's I ever heered t' +the contrary," he admitted grudgingly.</p> +<p>There was an air of repressed but pleasurable expectation about +the little "houn' dogs," as they patiently waited for their signal +to go. Their racing manners were absolutely above reproach. Unlike +Nero, they quite properly ignored the merely social side of the +event, and were evidently intent upon the serious struggle before +them; and equally unlike Queen and Baldy, they showed neither the +peevishness of the one, nor the apathy of the other.</p> +<p>By most people the race was practically conceded to Dan before +the start.</p> +<p>It seemed an endless time to George before it was his turn; but +when he finally stepped into place, the nervousness that had made +the wait almost unbearable disappeared completely. The hood of his +fur parka had dropped back, and his yellow hair, closely cropped +that it should not curl and "make a sissy" of him, gleamed golden +in the sunlight above a face that, usually rosy and smiling, was +now pale and determined.</p> +<p>In that far world "outside," George Allan would have been at an +age when ringlets and a nurse-maid are just beginning to chafe a +proud man's spirit; but here in the North he was already "Some +Musher,"<a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href= +"#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> and was eager to win the honors that +would prove him a worthy son of the Greatest Dog Man in Alaska.</p> +<p>True to their several characteristics, Spot manifested an +amiable and wide-awake interest in all about him, Queen repelled +all advances with snaps and snarls, and Baldy quivered with a dread +of the unknown, and was only reassured when he felt Ben Edwards' +hand on his collar, and listened to the low, encouraging tones of +the boy's voice.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name= +"THE_START_OF_AN_ALASKAN_DOG_TEAM_RACE"></a> <img src= +"images/296.jpg" alt="The Start of an Alaskan Dog Team Race"></div> +<p class="caption">THE START OF AN ALASKAN DOG TEAM RACE</p> +<p>"Too bad, Matt," drawled Black Mart, "that the little Allan +kid's usin' Baldy. He was allers an ornery beast, an' combin' his +hair an' puttin' tassels an' fancy harness on him ain't goin' t' +make a racer outen a cur."</p> +<p>Ben's face flushed hotly. "It ain't just beauty that counts, +Baldy; it's what you got clear down in your heart that folks can't +see," he thought, and clung the more lovingly to the trembling +dog.</p> +<p>Matt carefully shook the ashes from his pipe. "It's a mighty +good thing, Mart, that people an' dogs ain't judged entirely by +looks. If they was, there's some dogs that's racin' that would be +in the pound, an' some men that's criticizin' that would be in +jail."</p> +<p>"Ready."</p> +<p>George, poised lightly on the runners at the back of the trim +sled, firmly grasped the curved top, and repeated the word to Spot, +who held himself motionless but in perfect readiness for the final +signal.</p> +<p>"Go."</p> +<p>With unexpected buoyancy and ease, Spot darted ahead, and for +once Queen forgot her grievances, and Baldy his fears; as in +absolute harmony of action, the incongruous team sped quickly down +the length of the street, and over the edge of the Dry Creek hill; +to reappear shortly on the trail that led straight out to the +Bessie Bench.</p> +<p>The Road House there was the turning point, where the teams +would pass round a pole at which was stationed a guard; and the +collection of buildings which marked the end of half of the course +looked distant indeed to the five young mushers who with their +teams had now become, to the watchers in Nome, merely small moving +black specks against the whiteness of the snow.</p> +<p>George and Dan had discussed the matter fully in the preceding +days, and had decided that, like "Scotty," they would do all of the +real driving on the way home. So it was not at all disconcerting, +some time before they reached the turn, to meet two of the teams +coming back. The third, Jim's, had been diverted at the Road House +by a large family of small pigs in an enclosure surrounded by wire +netting; and Jim's most alluring promises and his direst threats +were both unavailing against the charms of the squealing, grunting +creatures, the like of which his spellbound chargers had never seen +before.</p> +<p>Dan was several hundred feet ahead of George, and the latter +could but look with some misgivings at the even pace of Judge, +Jimmie and Pete; a pace that as yet showed no sign of weakening. Of +course should Mego's pups prove faster than his own team, he would +loyally give all credit due the driver and dogs; but it would be a +bitter disappointment indeed if Spot did not manifest the wonderful +speed that Matt had always predicted for him, and if there was no +evidence in superior ability, of the long hours of careful +attention that George had devoted to his education as a leader.</p> +<p>When Dan's team finally rounded the pole, and was headed toward +him, George realized that the work of Mego's sons evinced not only +mechanical precision, but the intelligence of their breeding, and +the advantages of their early training by "Scotty." Dan would +indeed, as he had boasted, "give them a run for their money."</p> +<p>"<i>Mush</i>, Spot, Queen, Baldy," and there was a slight +increase in briskness, which was checked again as they swung by the +guard.</p> +<p>"Now then, Spot," and George gave a peculiar shrill whistle that +to the dog meant "Full Speed Ahead."</p> +<p>He watched the distance between himself and Dan decrease slowly +at first; then more rapidly until they were abreast of one another. +True to their compact they did not speak, and the inclination of +Spot to stop for the usual visit beside his stable mates received +no encouragement. Instead he got a stern command to "Hike, and hike +<i>quick</i>!"</p> +<p>Beyond were the other teams, almost together, and to George it +seemed as if he barely crept toward Bob and Bill; though there was +a steady gain to the point where he could call out for the right of +way to pass—a privilege the driver of the faster team can +demand.</p> +<p>But just behind him came Dan, whose dogs now felt the +inspiration of the stiff gait set them by their friends; and both +boys knew that from now on the race was between them alone.</p> +<p>George was more experienced in handling dogs, but Dan's dogs +were easier to handle. It was narrowing down to a question of the +skill of the driver on one side, pitted against the excellence of +the dogs on the other. Unless, indeed, Spot, Queen or Baldy should +rise to the occasion in some unexpected manner; or the Luck of the +Trail, that the Woman believed was so potent a factor, should enter +into the contest.</p> +<p>They were approaching the last quarter of the course, where the +road from Monroeville crossed the trail diagonally. George glanced +back and saw that he would have to travel faster still to shake off +Dan's tireless "Pupmobile."</p> +<p>For a moment he wondered despairingly why he had been so +short-sighted as to choose three unknown quantities in such an +important event, leaving to Dan those whose worth was a foregone +conclusion. Then his sporting blood rose. If no one ever attempted +anything new, it would be a pretty slow old world. And if he had +not the courage to try Spot out, his pet might remain an ordinary, +commonplace dog to the end of his days; a condition that would be +intolerable to George. Then, too, it would have been a +disappointment to Ben if Baldy could not have entered; and Ben's +feelings were now of much consequence to George and Danny, as they +had admitted him, a third member, to their exclusive secret +society, "The Ancient and Honorable Order of Bow-Wow Wonder +Workers." Better defeat than a fair chance not taken; and so, at +such thoughts he was cheered and again whistled to Spot to "Speed +Up."</p> +<p>But just at that instant there came, down the Monroeville Road, +and around the base of a small rise of ground, a Native hunter over +whose shoulder was hung a dozen or more ptarmigan, the grouse of +the North. Spot paused instantly, and seemed petrified in an +attitude which his distant grandsires, old in field work, might +have envied for its perfect immobility. The fact that the birds +were dead and on a string meant nothing to his untutored mind. They +were birds, and as such were worthy of a close and careful +inspection.</p> +<p>Simultaneously Queen's hatred of Eskimos received an impetus; +and joined by the now aroused Spot, she started off the trail +toward the unconscious cause of her deep-seated antipathy.</p> +<p>"A double-ender," groaned George; "dead birds, and an Eskimo. +Spot and Queen won't show up till everything's over but the +shoutin'. I'll just about tie for fourth place if Jim gets his pups +away from the pigs about the time Queen finishes with the +hunter."</p> +<p>But tug as desperately as they might, neither Spot nor Queen +succeeded in pulling the sled more than a few feet; for added to +George's weight on the brake, Baldy, calm and immovable, was braced +against the efforts of the other two.</p> +<p>Spot's ungainly feet pawed the snow impatiently, as he strained +in his collar stretching the tow-line so taut that George feared it +might snap. Equally unavailing were Queen's sudden leaps and +frantic plunges. The more they struggled, the more firmly Baldy +held to the trail.</p> +<p>At last George's stern reproofs, and a certain reasonableness in +Spot that prompted him to accept the inevitable gracefully, +combined to end the disturbance. Besides, the birds did not run nor +fly, so they were not much fun anyway.</p> +<p>Not for Queen, however, was any such placid acceptance of +defeat. Balked of her expected prey, she turned fiercely against +her wheel-mate, whom she rightly considered responsible for her +inability to bolt; and after one or two efforts, she fastened her +teeth in his ear, leaving a small wound from which the blood +trickled, staining his collar and shoulder. George expected Baldy +to retaliate, but instead the dog ignored the attack and still held +his ground with a determination that even Queen recognized, and to +which she finally submitted unwillingly.</p> +<p>But in the time it took to adjust their difficulties, Dan caught +up with them, and together the two teams dashed down the trail, +neck and neck.</p> +<p>Dan longed to shout some facetious criticisms of the behavior he +had just witnessed, but a certain sympathy for his rival, who was +also his friend, restrained him; as well as the desire to conserve +every atom of energy he possessed, even to saving his breath.</p> +<p>For a few hundred yards there was no perceptible difference in +their positions; then gradually the Mego Pups pulled away and took +the lead by a small margin.</p> +<p>Nose to the back of Dan's sled came Spot, and so they sped on +and on till the bridge and high bank of Dry Creek came into view, +as well as the moving dark objects that the boys knew to be the +crowds awaiting their return.</p> +<p>George, desperately anxious to try the signal that would urge +his leader to his utmost, waited till they reached the top of a +slight incline. Then the whistle sounded low, but clear. Spot +leaped forward, and Queen and Baldy were no laggards in his +wake.</p> +<p>Once more they were abreast of the "houn' dogs," and once more +the tried and untried of the same Kennel raced side by side, with +even chances of victory.</p> +<p>Then again came the Luck of the Trail; and Fate that had sent +dead birds as a temptation now sent a live cat as an inspiration. +It was black and sleek and swift, and fairly flew from a clump of +willows by the wayside, up the trail toward a cabin on the edge of +town; and after it flew Spot, all eagerness for the chase.</p> +<p>Dan's team, as indifferent to the fascination of swift, sleek +cats as only dogs of "Scotty's" training could be, were pursuing +the even tenor of their way in no wise excited by the episode.</p> +<p>When the cat darted out of sight to safety George's dogs were +almost at the starting point and the crowds had hurried to meet +them; keeping free only a narrow passage down which they dashed +with unabated speed. For while they were tired, and home and rest +were near, the cheers and applause of the people egged them on till +they crossed the line, where George was greeted as Winner of the +First Annual, Juvenile Race of Nome.</p> +<p>He had covered the course of seven miles in thirty minutes and +six seconds, while two minutes behind came Dan, just in time to +offer loyal homage on the altar of friendship and success. There +was a warm clasp of the hand, and a sincere if brief tribute. "You +are some swell racer, George," and, as one making a vow, "you can +bet I'll never throw rocks at another black cat so long as I +live."</p> +<p>Shortly Bob and Bill arrived, well pleased that they were so +close to the Victor—but there was no sign of Jim; whereupon +Mr. Kelly delivered himself of a scathing comment. "I guess next +time Jim 'd better enter the High School Girls' Handicap; these +real races ain't any place for him."</p> +<p>The presentation of the tiny Trophy Cup was a formal function. +George, held up in the Judge's arms that he might be seen as he +received it, was filled not only with present pride, but also with +an inward determination to devote the rest of his existence to the +high calling of dog racing; with perhaps an occasional descent into +the lower realms of school affairs and business, as a concession to +the wishes of his parents and in deference to their age and +old-fashioned ideas.</p> +<p>His happiness in the accomplishment of his dogs was complete. +His hard work in their training had been fully repaid; for Spot had +not only proved his cleverness as a leader, but Queen had been no +worse than he had anticipated, and Baldy had faithfully performed +his duty as a wheeler in keeping the trail when it was most +necessary.</p> +<p>It was a triumph worth while for the boy and the team.</p> +<p>That night at a full meeting of the "Bow-Wow Wonder Workers," +the exciting affairs of the day were discussed at length.</p> +<p>Dan announced that he could recommend the Mego Pups to "Scotty" +without a single unfavorable criticism. If there had been any +weakness, it was, he admitted freely, in his driving. "I don't seem +to put the ginger into 'em the way George does at the finish. But I +guess he takes it from his father; and my dad," regretfully, "never +drove anything better 'n horses in his whole life. Then there was +that black cat, too."</p> +<p>Ben Edwards, with his arm around Baldy's neck, listened with +delight as the minute details of the race were given by those who +knew whereof they spoke. He was proud indeed when George told how +Baldy had steadfastly held out against the efforts of Spot and +Queen to bolt; and of the dog's stoical indifference to the bitten +ear, which was, fortunately, only slightly torn.</p> +<p>"I guess, Ben, that Baldy'll be somethin' like old Dubby. You +can count on him doin' the right thing every time. He'll pull 'most +as strong as McMillan, and he sure was good not to chew Queen up, +the way she tackled him. But I don't know," judicially, "that we +can make a real racer of him. He don't seem to have just the racin' +spirit. He ain't keen for it, like Spot. But he's a bully all +'round dog, just the same."</p> +<p>"Mebbe it's cause he don't understand the game," answered Ben +loyally. "Moose Jones allers said that Baldy had plenty o' spirit; +an' I kinda think he's like the ship she was tellin' us about the +other day. He ain't really found himself yet."</p> +<p>The Woman, perfectly unconscious that she was penetrating into a +serious and secret Conclave of an Ancient and Honorable Order, came +into the Kennel with the evening paper.</p> +<p>It contained an article complimenting George upon his skill in +managing a difficult team, and upon introducing Spot, an infant +prodigy, to the racing world of the North. Then it announced, in a +delicate vein of sarcasm, that one of the wheel dogs had been the +most recent notable addition to the Allan and Darling +Kennel—Baldy, late of Golconda, now of Nome, "a likely +Sweepstakes Winner." At which the Woman had sniffed audibly, and +"Scotty" had chuckled amiably. But Ben Edwards crept that night +into his hard cot with the paper tightly clasped in his grimy hand, +to dream of Baldy's future triumphs.</p> +<hr class="full"> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote1" name= +"footnote1"></a> <b>Footnote 1</b>: <a href= +"#footnotetag1">(return)</a> +<p>"Musher"—driver, trailsman.</p> +</blockquote> +<hr class="full"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/096.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 4"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch5"></a> <img src="images/007.png" +alt="The Woman, The Racers, and Others"></div> +<h4>V</h4> +<h4>The Woman, The Racers, and Others</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/098.png" alt= +"Chapter 5 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER V</h3> +<h4>THE WOMAN, THE RACERS, AND OTHERS</h4> +<p>Even after the boys' race, when George and Dan often singled him +out for special use, and the joy of a run with Ben Edwards was +almost an inevitable part of the day's program, there were still a +number of matters that were distinctly trying to Baldy.</p> +<p>He could not, for one thing, quite figure out the Woman, nor +reconcile himself to her constant presence and aimless wanderings +about the place.</p> +<p>When "Scotty" and Matt, or even Danny and George came in, it was +for some evident purpose; when the boy appeared, it was to see him +exclusively, but it was different with her.</p> +<p>She apparently loved all of the dogs, but she had no idea of +discipline, and casually suggested all sorts of foolish and +revolutionary privileges for them that would have meant ruin in no +time.</p> +<p>She held the tiniest puppies in her lap when she should have +known it was not good for them, spent hours playing with the young +dogs with no attempt at training; and he could not forget that she +had tried, the first day he had ever met her, to drag him +ignominiously into her sled.</p> +<p>Even Ben's evident friendliness toward her did not overcome +Baldy's disapproval, though he frequently went with them for long +walks which would have been far more agreeable could he have been +with the boy alone. She quite monopolized his chum, talking so +earnestly that the dog was almost ignored, and could only trot +along with the consolation that Ben shared was better than Ben +absent.</p> +<p>Then, too, she was not in the least discriminating, and told +Tom, who perhaps had as many faults as any member of the team, that +he had an "angel face"; spoke of Dick and Harry, clever imitators +of their brother's misdeeds, as "The Heavenly Twins"; and alluded +to Irish and Rover, gentle Irish Setters, as "Red Devils," which +was so rankly unjust that Baldy, who knew not automobiles, was +amazed at her stupidity. To Baldy the word "Devil" had an evil +sound, for when he had heard it at Golconda it was generally +associated with a kick or a blow. She even ostentatiously walked +past the chained dogs sometimes, carrying fluffy Jimmie Gibson, the +baby blue fox from the Kobuk, which was tantalizing to a degree. +But when she let Jack McMillan put his paws on her shoulders, and +lay his big head against her cheek, calling him a "perfect lamb" or +a "poor dear martyr," in a tone that betrayed affectionate +sympathy, Baldy turned away in disgust.</p> +<p>As a matter of fact these attentions and endearments were +exceedingly unwise, for they were invariably directed toward the +very dogs who were most apt to over-value physical charm and +ingratiating tricks of manner.</p> +<p>But there was one thing more objectionable still that could be +laid at her door—she was constantly lowering the general tone +of the Kennel.</p> +<p>The stables where the Racers were kept gave shelter, also, to a +few others whose merits warranted their sharing in the special care +bestowed upon the fleet-footed Sweepstakes Winners. The latter all +carried themselves with a conscious dignity that befitted their +fame and aspirations; but gradually Baldy noticed that through the +Woman there were being introduced a number of ordinary strangers +who made use of the place, and were housed and fed, till it began +to look like a transient dog hotel.</p> +<p>She brought them because they were tired and hungry, lame, halt +or blind; or worse still, just because they "seemed to like her." +No reason was too trivial, no dog too worthless. Matt shamelessly +upheld her, "Scotty" submitted, while Baldy sulkily glowered at +these encumbrances who were more fit for the pound than the Allan +and Darling Racing Stables. For Baldy had but one criterion; that +of efficiency as the result of honest endeavor. And it was indeed a +trial for a conscientious plodder to see the ease with which idle +canines possessed themselves of the comforts and privileges that by +right belong alone to those whose industry has earned them.</p> +<p>Had Baldy been a French Poodle, with little tufts of hair cut in +circles round his ankles, and a kinky lock tied with a splashing +bow over his eyes, he would probably, with delicate disdain, have +thought of her as lacking in "esprit de corps." As it was, being +but a blunt Alaskan, he growled rather sullenly when she came too +near, and considered that she had no more dog-pride than an Eskimo; +and Baldy's contempt for her could suggest no more scathing +comparison.</p> +<p>There was no jealousy in his objections, for he now fairly +gloried in the sensation that Kid, Irish or McMillan created when +they were in the lead; and as the two latter at least were dogs +that were coldly indifferent to him, this was surely a test of his +unselfishness.</p> +<p>He was perfectly willing, also, to welcome "classy" dogs, as +George and Dan called them, like Stefansson, Lipton, or dainty +Margaret Winston, from Kentucky. He even understood there were +dogs, neither Workers nor Racers, who had gained a kind of popular +distinction that was recognized by both the human and canine +population of the City; and while it was impossible for him to +comprehend the <i>reason</i>, he accepted the <i>fact</i> +philosophically.</p> +<p>There was, for instance, Oolik Lomen, who was born on Amundsen's +ship the "Gjoa" when on the voyage that resulted in the discovery +of the Northwest Passage. Possibly on account of his celebrated +birthplace, or because of his unusual appearance, Oolik was haughty +to the verge of insolence; and to Baldy he represented the +culmination of all the charming but useless graces of the idle +rich. He did nothing but lie on the Lomen porch on a soft rug, or +wander about with a doll in his mouth, much as a certain type of +woman lolls through life carrying a lap dog.</p> +<p>Then there was the tramp Nomie, the pet of the Miners' Union, +and the Fire Department. This fox terrier was a constant attendant +at all important affairs of the town—social or +political—at parades, christenings, weddings, and even +funerals. At concerts or at the theatre he walked out upon the +stage, and waited quietly near the wings till the program was +finished. He went to church quite regularly, but was non-sectarian, +and was just as apt to appear at the Eskimo Mission Chapel as at +St. Mary's when the Bishop preached.</p> +<p>Rarely did he fail to be at all Council Meetings, informal +receptions, and formal balls. At these he was untiring, and would +select a couple for each dance and follow them through the mazes of +the waltz and one-step with great dexterity; visiting between times +with his many acquaintances.</p> +<p>The knowledge that Nomie assisted at every fire, and at all of +the drills of the Life Saving Crew on the beach made Baldy feel +that these social diversions were only an outlet for abundant +vitality, since there were not fires and wrecks enough to keep him +busy; and a poor little fox terrier, no matter <i>how</i> +ambitious, is debarred by his size from the noble sport of racing, +or the more prosaic business career of freighting.</p> +<p>So it really seemed, on the whole, that Baldy was exceedingly +liberal in his estimate of dogs in general. And it was only his +desire for a high standard in his own Kennel that prompted his +aversion to those waifs and strays that she collected; who, of no +possible use, were neither professional beauties like Oolik, nor +society favorites like Nomie, and so really had no claim to any +sort of recognition.</p> +<p>Neither did Baldy, because of his new associations and +ambitions, gauge his opinions of all dogs by racing tests alone. He +still believed implicitly in the dignity of labor; and his early +residence amongst freighters had enabled him to recognize the fact +that endurance and good common dog-sense are often of more value, +even in a racing team, than speed and mere pride of carriage.</p> +<p>In the occasional intervals when no feminine presence upset the +calm and system of his surroundings, there were periods when Baldy +watched intently the habits and characteristics of the other dogs, +and tried to fit himself to become a candidate for the Racing +Team.</p> +<p>In this he was assisted by the boy, who was just as carefully +studying Allan's methods with his dogs, and putting them in +practice every time he took Baldy out for exercise. One was as +eager for improvement as the other, and "Scotty" and the Woman +often remarked the unflagging energy both displayed toward that +end.</p> +<p>"Too bad that Ben's efforts are wasted on a dog that will never +be much to boast of, at best. He has strength and patience, but +that is about all. I believe, like George, that he lacks +spirit."</p> +<p>Of course there had been no dramatic incidents in his life like +those of Jack McMillan's; he was no paragon like Kid; nor had he +manifested the marvelous intelligence of old Dubby. But on the +other hand, there was really nothing tangible so far in his career +to make her feel that he was incapable of development.</p> +<p>"You're wrong about Baldy," said "Scotty" thoughtfully. "I have +been watching him ever since the Juvenile Race; and he has certain +latent qualities that will make a good general utility dog of him +for even a racing team. He may not prove a leader, but he's +dependable, not apt to lose his head and stampede, as do some of +the more spirited ones. He'll do his modest part yet, in a big +event."</p> +<p>"Well, you'll have to show me," exclaimed the Woman, whose +speech was now and then tinged unconsciously by her close +fellowship with the Wonder Workers.</p> +<p>Even Dubby's favorable notice was now frequently attracted +toward Baldy; and the fact that he was aspiring to belong to the +Racing Team was mitigated to a certain extent in the venerable +huskie's sight by a puppy-hood spent amongst the working classes. +He was not born to an exalted position, a natural aristocrat, like +Tom, Dick or Harry; and would not, as did they, glory in it +ostentatiously. But if it came, he would accept it with a solemn +sense of obligation to do his best anywhere it pleased his master +to place him.</p> +<p>Unlike the Tolman brothers, McMillan, Irish and Rover, he did +not curry favor by the happy accident of birth, beauty, or personal +magnetism; and so Dubby began to bestow upon Baldy, for his modesty +and industry, an approbation not accorded by him to many of the +others in the Kennel. And Dubby's opinion of a new dog was worth +much, for "Scotty" Allan himself respected the experience and +sagacity that governed it.</p> +<p>Possessed of the colorings and markings of his wolf forbears, as +well as their keen instinct in trail emergencies, Dubby combined +with this the faithful, loving nature of the dog branch of the +family.</p> +<p>In his merest infancy he had given promise of unusual +ability—a promise more than fulfilled.</p> +<p>When hardly more than three months old he had learned the orders +"Gee," "Haw," "Mush" and "Whoa" perfectly. And he was beginning to +think a little for himself when the rest of the litter were still +undecided whether "Gee" meant to turn to the right paw side, or the +left paw side; and were hardly convinced that "Mush" was "Go on" +and not a terse invitation to breakfast.</p> +<p>His later accomplishments were many. He could pick up an +uncertain trail when concealed by three feet of soft, freshly +fallen snow; he could tell if ice was thick enough to carry the +weight of a loaded sled, when the most seasoned trailsman was +deceived, and he could scent a camp for four or five miles with the +wind in the right direction. Never but once in his life had he been +known to take the wrong route to a given point. Then he mistook the +faint glimmer of Venus, as she dimly showed above the dark horizon, +for the lantern on the ridge-pole of a road house; which was +poetic, but misleading, and proves that even dogs can come to grief +through too much star gazing.</p> +<p>He was always driven "loose" on the rare and gala occasions +when, at his own plainly expressed desire, he was placed again in +temporary service. With that liberty he made it his business to see +that no dog was shirking. A glance at a slack strap was enough to +betray the idler; and an admonishing nip on the culprit's ear or +flank was the cause of a reformation that was sudden and abject for +a while at least.</p> +<p>The only punishment that had ever been meted out to Dubby for +some indiscretion, or an act of insubordination, was to hitch him +up with the rest of the team. There were no depths of humiliation +greater, no shame more poignant, and for days after such an ordeal +he would show a brooding melancholy that almost made the Woman weep +in sympathy.</p> +<p>Now, pensioned and retired, with a record of over thirty +thousand miles in harness to his credit, he lived a delightful and +exclusive existence in his own apartments over the barn.</p> +<p>As he had taken Baldy into his favor, so too he included Ben in +his rather limited list of favorites; and the boy never wearied of +hearing from "Scotty" and the Woman their many tales of the +huskie's remarkable achievements.</p> +<p>"Even if he ain't a Racer," was the child's admiring assertion, +"everybody in the whole North knows Dub, and what he's done. I +hope," wistfully, "that some day people'll speak o' Baldy jest like +that."</p> +<p>"You can hardly expect that, Ben! Think of the hundreds and +hundreds of good dogs that are never known outside of their own +kennels. Baldy is obedient and willing, but it takes something +extraordinary, really brilliant, or dramatic, to give a dog more +than a local reputation. Of course there are a few, but very few, +who have won such distinction. John Johnson's Blue Eyed Kolma was a +wonder for his docile disposition and staying qualities. You can't +match our Kid for all round good work, nor Irish for speed. And +Jack McMillan—"</p> +<p>"I don't believe I'd specify McMillan's claims to fame, or shall +we say notoriety," observed "Scotty," with a twinkle in his eye. +"Then," he resumed, "there were Morte Atkinson's Blue Leaders, that +Percy Blatchford drove in the second big race. When we met at Last +Chance on the way back, Blatchford nearly cried when he told me how +those setters had saved his hands from freezing. He had turned them +loose to rest and run behind at will, knowing they would catch up +at the next stop. In some way he had dropped the fur gloves he wore +over his mittens, when he took them off to adjust a sled pack, and +did not miss them for some time, until he ran into a fierce +blizzard. Of course he could not go back for them, and he feared +his hands would become useless from the cold. He was in a pretty +bad fix, when up came the Blue Leaders, almost exhausted, but each +with a glove in his mouth."</p> +<p>"Oh, that was fine," murmured Ben.</p> +<p>"Give me bird-dog stock every time," continued Allan, "with a +native strain for strength and trail instincts. It's a combination +that makes our Alaskans just about right, to my idea."</p> +<p>"Naturally I feel that our half-breeds are best, too. But I do +wish," regretfully, "that they could all be the same sort of +half-breeds—to make them more uniform as to size and style. +With Kid and Spot part pointer, Irish and Rover part setter, Jack +McMillan verging on the mastiff, and all the rest of them part +something else, don't you think it looks the least little bit as if +we had picked them up at a remnant sale?"</p> +<p>She caught sight of "Scotty's" face, full of shocked +surprise.</p> +<p>"Don't say it," she exclaimed quickly; "both Ben and I know +perfectly well that 'handsome is as handsome does.' I learned it in +my copy-book, ages and ages ago. And it's true that they are the +greatest dogs in all the world, but they don't quite look it. Of +course the year you won with Berger's 'Brutes,' with that awkward, +high-shouldered native, Mukluk, in the lead, I learned that looks +do not go very far in Arctic racing. But certainly Fink's 'Prides' +in their gay trappings of scarlet and gold did seem more to suit +the rôle of Winners when Hegness came in victorious with them +in the first race."</p> +<p>"At that, the 'Brutes' were the best dogs, and if it had not +been for our delay of eighteen hours at Brown's Road House, where +all of the teams had to lay up because of a howling gale, I am not +at all sure that the 'Prides' would not have lost out to the +'Brutes' in that race too."</p> +<p>"That must have been a strange night. I know after that every +one called Brown's 'The House of a Thousand Bow Wows.' How many +were there?"</p> +<p>"Let me see; there were fifty-four racing dogs, thirty-five +freighters, twenty-six belonging to the mail carriers, ten or +twelve to casual mushers, and I think about the same number to +Eskimo trappers. And all—men and dogs—in the one room, +which, fortunately, was of pretty good size."</p> +<p>"Scotty" laughed heartily at the remembrance. "We, who were +driving the Racing Teams, had put our leaders to bed in the few +bunks there were; for we could not afford to take any chances of +our leaders scrapping in such close quarters, and possibly being +put out of commission. But an Outsider, a government official, I +think, who was on his way to Nome as a passenger with the Mail +Team, was pretty sore about it. Said 'it was a deuce of a country +where the dogs slept in beds and the men on the floor.'"</p> +<p>"How perfectly ridiculous," said the Woman indignantly. "You +might know he was not an Alaskan. He was as bad as that squaw who +wouldn't give you her mukluks."</p> +<p>"What was that, Mr. Allan?" questioned the boy, eagerly.</p> +<p>"I'm afraid, Ben, that some of these incidents look a little +high-handed, as though everything was allowable in a race, +regardless of other people's rights; but they really don't happen +often. This time I tore one of my water boots on a stump going +through the trees by Council. At a near-by cabin I tried to buy a +pair of mukluks a native woman had on, as I saw they were about the +size I needed. She refused to sell, though I offered her three +times their value. There was no time to argue, nor persuade, so +finally in desperation her Eskimo husband and I took them off her +feet, though she kicked vigorously. It saved the day for me, but it +seemed a bit ungallant."</p> +<p>"It served her right for not being as good a sport as most of +the Eskimos. And anyway, every one on Seward Peninsula, of any +nationality, is supposed to know that whatever a driver or his dogs +need, in the All Alaska Sweepstakes, should be his without a +dissenting voice or a rebellious foot."</p> +<p>"Moose Jones used to say," quoted Ben rather timidly, "that most +Malamutes are stubborn. Was the leader you spoke of, Mukluk, +stubborn too, in the race you won with him?"</p> +<p>"Yes, he was stubborn, all right. Do you recall," turning to the +Woman, "the night I made him go 'round one corner for half an hour +because he refused to take the order the first time, and I was +afraid of that trait in him. It did not take long, however, to show +him that I could spend just as much time making him obey as he +could spend defying me. There's no use in whipping a dog like that. +And with all his obstinacy, he was, next to old Dubby, more capable +of keeping a trail in a storm than any dog I've ever handled. He +had pads <a id="footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a href= +"#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> of leather, and sinews of steel. He +was surely shy on beauty, though."</p> +<p>"Of course," her voice dropping to almost a whisper, "I would +not admit this anywhere but right here, in the privacy of the +Kennel, and I wouldn't say it here if the dogs could understand; +but when it comes to actual good looks, 'Scotty,'" the Woman +confessed, "we are really not in it with Bobby Brown's big, +imposing Loping Malamutes, or Captain Crimin's cunning little +Siberians, with their pointed noses, prick ears, and fluffy tails +curled up over their backs like plumes."</p> +<p>"Yes, they do make a most attractive team," admitted Allan +justly; "and they're mighty good dogs too. But somehow they seem to +lack the pride and responsiveness that I find in those with +bird-dog ancestry. Of course each man prefers his own type, the one +he has deliberately chosen; and Fox Ramsay, and John or Charlie +Johnson are convinced that the tireless gait of their 'Russian +Rats' in racing more than offsets the sudden bursts of great speed +of our 'Daddy Long Legs.'"</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="A_TEAM_OF_SIBERIANS"></a> <img src= +"images/297.jpg" alt="A Team of Siberians"></div> +<p class="caption">A TEAM OF SIBERIANS</p> +<p>The Woman shrugged her shoulders. "Let us hope for the sake of +the sport that the matter will not be definitely decided for some +time to come. If, as Mark Twain says, 'it is a difference of +opinion that makes horse racing,' it seems to me it's about the +widest possible difference of opinion that makes dog racing; and +each year's races have made the difference more hopelessly +pronounced."</p> +<p>"Well, there'll always be disagreements as to the merits of the +various racing dogs; but for a good all around intelligent and +faithful worker, I have never found a dog that could outdo Dubby +here," and "Scotty" affectionately caressed the old huskie who had +come into the Kennel with his friend Texas Allan, the cat, to find +out what was interfering with an expected walk.</p> +<p>"Sometimes Dub and I used to have disputes about a choice of +roads, the thickness of ice, or other details of traveling; but I +will say that he always listened tolerantly to all I had to offer +in the way of suggestions, and wagged his tail courteously to show +there was no ill feeling, even if he did get his way in the end. +And, frankly, he was generally right."</p> +<p>Which was, of course, only natural; for "Scotty" was, after all, +only human, while Dubby had the eyes, ears, and nose of his wolf +forbears.</p> +<p>Dubby was a licensed character indeed, but Baldy realized, as +did the others, that his freedom was a reward of merit.</p> +<p>That he might not feel that his days of usefulness were over, he +had been given the honorary position of Keeper of the Kennel Meat; +and much of his life was now spent dozing peacefully before the +meat-room door, though he was ever ready to resent a covetous +glance from unduly curious dogs.</p> +<p>To be sure, there were besides the dignity and responsibility of +his high office certain perquisites that he thoroughly +enjoyed—one of which was the hospitality that was his to +dispense.</p> +<p>He often invited old team-mates, or pitifully hungry puppies +into his quarters, where he would treat them to dog biscuit, dried +fish, or a drink of fresh water; but he never abused his +privileges, and it was only the worthy or helpless that appealed +successfully to his charity.</p> +<p>His ample leisure now permitted also the cultivation of certain +refined tastes which had been dormant in his busy youth. He taught +Fritz, the house dog, whose only method of expression heretofore +had been an ear-piercing bark, to howl in a clear, high tenor, with +wonderfully sustained notes; so that together they would sit on the +stable runway and wail duets happily for hours at a time.</p> +<p>For his many virtues and great ability, as well as for these +lighter accomplishments, Baldy conceived an admiration for Dubby +that would have been boundless but for one weakness that was +absolutely incomprehensible—the huskie's devotion to the cat, +Texas.</p> +<p>It was a strange friendship in a place where a cat's right to +live at all is contested every hour of the day, and where nine +times nine lives would not cover a span of more than a few months +at the most, as a rule. It had begun when Texas was little more +than a kitten, and had wandered away one day from the warm kitchen +fire, out into the shed, and from there into the street.</p> +<p>Delighted with her unaccustomed freedom, she chased a bit of +whirling, eddying paper across a strip of snow, into the angle of a +cabin; then turning, gazed into the face of a big, ferocious dog +who was already licking his chops suggestively.</p> +<p>Since the prey was safely cornered, he generously decided to +share the anticipated excitement with some boon companions. And so, +giving three short, sharp cries and repeating the call several +times, he was joined by two other malamutes who, eager for the fun +of killing a cat, drew in close beside him.</p> +<p>It had all happened in a moment; but in that moment Dubby, out +for exercise, came upon the scene. He was no lover of cats, be it +understood; and he had often been guilty of making short work of +one if it chanced to cross his path when he was in quest of +adventure. But this was the Allan cat. He had often seen the girls +carry it about in their arms; and while it seemed a strange +perversion to caress a kitten when there were puppies about, or +even babies, still the peculiarities of your Master's Family must +be respected. Even, if necessary, to the extreme limit of defending +their pet cats.</p> +<p>Then, too, there was something that had appealed to him in the +plucky stand of the terrified little creature. Eyes dilated with +fear, every hair on end, sputtering and spitting, she had +unsheathed her tiny claws and was prepared to make a brave fight +for her life. The chances were hopelessly against her—the +dogs did not intend to let her run—and Dubby felt that it was +butchery, not sport.</p> +<p>Also, if Texas was hurt, the girls would be sad, and cry, and +not play for a long time. He knew, because that happened when their +terrier Tige was run over. And so, with one bound, he jumped upon +the instigator of the trouble, and caught him by the shoulder with +his still strong, sharp teeth. The other dogs wheeled in surprise; +and in an instant there was a battle as bloody as it was short and +decisive. Dubby was a marvelous tactician—the others only +novices, and in a very brief period there were three well-minced +malamutes who limped disconsolately in different directions; +leaving a conquering hero on the field, with the spoils of +war—a ruffled gray kitten in a shivering state of uncertainty +as to her ultimate fate, but too weak to make any further +defense.</p> +<p>Dubby picked her up in his mouth, and carried her back to the +house, where he carefully deposited her inside the shed, and waited +until some one answered his scratches on the door.</p> +<p>It marked the beginning of a companionship that lasted for +years. Every fine afternoon Dubby would take Texas out for a +stroll; and even after she was a huge seventeen pound cat, well +able to hold her own, it was a reckless dog indeed that showed any +hostility toward Texas when Dub was her body-guard.</p> +<p>One readily comprehends that he might graciously accept her +gratitude; but, as the French Poodle's People say, "Noblesse +Oblige," and it certainly seemed unnecessary that a dog of his +achievement should flaunt his affection for a mere cat in the eyes +of the whole world.</p> +<p>While this caused strong disapproval in all canine circles, +strangely enough it apparently made no difference in his standing +with men and women. Mr. Fink, in his exalted position as President +of the Nome Kennel Club, and one of the most brilliant lawyers in +Alaska besides, always raised his hat to Dubby when they met, as a +greeting from one keen mind to another; for the man had watched the +skill of the dog on the trail, and knew that it was unsurpassed in +the whole North. "Scotty" Allan never failed to give every evidence +of his sincere regard, and the Woman had even perpetuated the +undesirable association by having Dubby's picture taken with Texas +when they were out on one of their daily promenades.</p> +<p>And so, admired by men and feared by dogs, the faithful huskie +was singularly exempt from the tragedies of a neglected, forlorn +old age.</p> +<p>Ben regarded Dubby with admiring interest; and pondering for a +while on all that he had heard said, finally, "Do you think, Mr. +Allan, you'll ever find any one dog that kin race like Kid and be +as smart on the trail as Dub?" In his eagerness he did not wait for +the reply. "Don't you s'pose if a dog's really good t' begin with, +an' some one that loves him lots learns him all the things a' +racin' dog's got t' know, that he'd turn out so wonderful that +everybody in Alaska 'ud know how great he was—mebbe everybody +in the world?"</p> +<p>The Woman smiled. "Have you any one in mind, Ben?"</p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am, no, ma'am; I was only thinkin'," he stammered as he +earnestly listened for "Scotty's" answer.</p> +<p>"I would not be surprised if such a thing <i>could</i> happen, +Sonny. You know pretty nearly all good things are possible to good +dogs—and good boys."</p> +<p>And deep in his heart the boy vowed that he and Baldy would +begin the very next day to show what can be accomplished by those +who, loving much, serve faithfully.</p> +<hr class="full"> +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote2" name= +"footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b><a href= +"#footnotetag2">(return)</a> +<p>Feet.</p> +</blockquote> +<hr class="full"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/064.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 5"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch6"></a> <img src="images/043.png" +alt="To Visit Those in Affliction"></div> +<h4>VI</h4> +<h4>To Visit Those in Affliction</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/126.png" alt= +"Chapter 6 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER VI</h3> +<h4>TO VISIT THOSE IN AFFLICTION</h4> +<p>"We got t' change these rules someway, George. There ain't a +thing in 'em 'bout visitin' the sick an' dyin'. There's somethin' +'bout not usin' sick dogs, I remember, but that's all there is +'bout sickness; and that won't hardly do."</p> +<p>George considered the matter carefully as he read over the +"Rules and Regerlations of the Anshent and Honroble Order of +Bow-Wow Wonder Workers" in his hand. They were rather blotted, and +decidedly grimy; but it was perfectly clear, as Dan had announced, +there was nothing in them that suggested the duty of ministering to +those in distress.</p> +<p>The Order had met that afternoon to decide upon the proper thing +to be done in the case of Ben Edwards, who had been ill for two +days with a severe cold, and absent from school.</p> +<p>With a sincere desire to emulate other Orders more Ancient than +theirs, if not more Honorable, they felt that a fraternal call upon +their suffering member was necessary.</p> +<p>"We ought t' take him somethin' to eat an' read," remarked +George; "like Dad always does when he goes t' the Hospital t' see +Masons, or Elks, or any of 'em that's broke their legs or arms in +shafts, or fallin' off dredges an' things."</p> +<p>"It's all right t' take him eatables; but don't let's take him +any stuff to read. It might make him worse. It's bad enough bein' +sick, without havin' some readin' shoved onto you, too."</p> +<p>Dan, who was the Treasurer of the Wonder Workers, as well as +holding other important offices, brought forth a can from under the +hay in the corner of Spot's stall.</p> +<p>"We better see how much money we got before we talk 'bout what +we'll take him."</p> +<p>"If there's enough, Dan, don't you think an ice-cream cone 'ud +be fine; or do you think he'd ruther have some peanuts an' +pop-corn?"</p> +<p>"Peanuts an' pop-corn's all right, or maybe some candy an' gum. +You see if he can't eat the ice-cream it 'ud melt right away an' +wouldn't be any good t' anybody. But the other stuff 'ud last, an' +if he's too bad t' eat it, he could always give it to his mother, +or some of his friends."</p> +<p>They carefully counted the thirty-five cents in the Treasury, +and were deep in a financial debate when the Woman's voice broke in +upon their important discussion.</p> +<p>"Hello, boys, where are you?"</p> +<p>"We never seem to be able to get any place that some one don't +butt in on us," groaned Dan. "I'll bet if we went out on an ice +hummock on Bering Sea that some Eskimo tom-cod fisher 'ud show up +beside us t' fish through a hole in the ice. What do you s'pose she +wants now?"</p> +<p>"I don't know, Dan. But let's tell her about Ben, and maybe +she'll want t' take him the things t' eat, an' we can keep the +thirty-five cents till he's well an' can help spend it some way +he'd like better. P'raps on somethin' for the dogs."</p> +<p>"I was just coming to ask for him," she said when informed of +Ben's illness. "I have missed him the last day or so, and wondered +what was the matter."</p> +<p>Then, "Let's give him a party," she exclaimed quickly. "A cold +isn't serious, and a party would cheer him up. Besides, I have been +wanting to see Mrs. Edwards for a long time, and this is a good +chance for a chat about the boy. And we'll invite Baldy too." She +took some money out of her purse, and handed it to George. "You can +both run downtown and get whatever boys like, and I'll go for a +cake I have at home, and meet you here in fifteen minutes."</p> +<p>When they at last started for the Edwards house the boys felt +that their modest mission of mercy had developed into quite a +festive occasion. Their purchases ranged from dill pickles through +ginger snaps to chocolate creams; while the Woman carried jellies +and preserves and all sorts of dainties that inspired Dan with a +sudden belief, confided to George, that invalidism, unmixed with +literature, was not so much to be dreaded as he had always +fancied.</p> +<p>"Depends on whether you get castor-oil or cake," was the +pessimistic reply of one who had gone through bitter experiences +along those lines. "This just shows what belongin' t' orders does +for you, Dan. If Ben wasn't a member o' the Bow Wows, I'll bet he +could 'a' died an' hardly any one would 'a' known it but his +mother. An' now he's havin' a party give to him 'cause our Society +kinda hinted to her what we was plannin' when she showed up." And +for once an approving glance was cast toward the Woman.</p> +<p>"When I'm old enough," decided Dan, "I'm goin' t' belong t' +everything. You can wear feathers an' gold braid in processions, +an' have stuff like this when you're sick, an' bully funerals with +brass bands when you're dead."</p> +<p>"Me too," agreed George heartily.</p> +<p>As they turned the corner into Second Avenue, a short distance +from the Edwards cabin, an adventure befell them which was fully +covered by Rule Seven of the "Rules and Regerlations" of their +Order: "To help thoes in Trubble." It came at the very end, just +next the important one which forbade any hint of sharp practice in +dog trading; and had been added after they had listened to the +Woman's story about King Arthur and his Knights.</p> +<p>"Just 'cause it's a dog man's order we needn't stop tryin' t' do +things for people," George had announced when Rule Seven was being +considered. And the others had felt, too, that their association +with good dogs should make them more tolerant of human weakness and +imperfection.</p> +<p>Down the street came a tiny Mother with a cherished doll-baby in +its go-cart, out for an airing; and down the street, too, came +Oolik Lomen, who had wandered away from his rug on the porch in +search of diversion. He had mislaid his rubber doll, there was +nothing to play with, and he was decidedly bored; when his covetous +eyes fell upon the golden-haired infant, whose waxen beauty was +most tempting.</p> +<p>The piratical instinct that was, perhaps, an inheritance, took +possession of him completely; and with a rush he overturned the +carriage, grabbing its occupant, and dashing away full speed toward +the Lomen home.</p> +<p>The shocked parent, seeing her child snatched from her loving +care so ruthlessly, broke into cries of distress. And the Wonder +Workers, who were so solemnly pledged "To help thoes in Trubble," +unceremoniously bestowed their various bundles upon the Woman, and +started in pursuit.</p> +<p>Baldy, who had been quietly following, also joined in the +chase—for he had watched the entire proceeding with +disapproving eyes, and was only waiting for a little encouragement +to help administer the punishment that Oolik so richly merited.</p> +<p>But that proud descendant of Viking Dogs, once behind his own +fence, ostentatiously dragged the stolen one by a leg into a +corner; and, seated in front of his victim, growled defiance in the +very faces of the brave Knights who were attempting the rescue.</p> +<p>"George, you take the doll when I sic Baldy onto Oolik, and give +it to the kid, an' come back quick. Believe me, it's goin' t' be a +scrap worth seem' when those two dogs really get woke up to' it. +I'll bet Baldy is pretty keen in a row if he thinks he's right; an' +even if Oolik is too good lookin', you know Amundsen said his +mother was the best dog he ever had, an' that's goin' some for a +man like him."</p> +<p>Before the plans for the combat could be completed, however, +Helen Lomen came out, overcome with regret for the tragedy, to lead +Oolik into the house in disgrace. She was anxious to make +restitution for any damage; but a close examination revealed the +fact that there was no wound that a bit of glue would not easily +cure, and the only real hurt was that given to the feelings of +insulted motherhood.</p> +<p>The Woman was visibly relieved at the turn affairs had taken; +for she had a purely feminine dread of dog fights, and had +frequently stopped some that would have been of most thrilling +interest in deciding certain important questions.</p> +<p>In an undertone the boys spoke of the vagaries of the gentler +sex, and frankly admitted "they were sure hard t' understand," +while the Woman tried unsuccessfully to make Baldy carry a small +package.</p> +<p>"Do you think she'll ever learn," asked George rather +hopelessly, "that a sled dog's got no use for little stunts like +that? His mind's got t' be on bigger things."</p> +<p>"Here we are," called Dan, as they stopped before a tiny cabin +almost snowed in, with a deep cut leading up to the front door.</p> +<p>A thin, pale-faced woman, with a pleasant manner, answered the +knock.</p> +<p>"Mrs. Edwards, we've come to surprise Ben. May we see him?"</p> +<p>Ben's mother ushered them all, Baldy included, into a room +plainly furnished, but neat and home-like.</p> +<p>"This must be Ben's day for surprises, for this morning Mr. +Jones arrived from St. Michael."</p> +<p>"Here's Moose, that I've bin tellin' you about so much," and +Ben, from a couch, nodded happily toward the large man who rose +from a chair beside the boy, and shook hands cordially with them +all.</p> +<p>"Yes, I come over by dog team. I leased my ground up at +Marshall, an' thought I'd drop into Nome t' see if my friend Ben +here was still aimin' t' be a lawyer, an' the very first thing I +hear is that he's gone inter dog racin' with you an' 'Scotty' +Allan. That is, that Baldy's in the racin' stable, which is pretty +near the same thing."</p> +<p>"Oh, I haven't give up the idea of bein' a lawyer, Moose. She," +nodding toward the Woman, "talks to me about it all the time; and +'Scotty's' goin' t' speak t' Mr. Fink the very next time they meet. +'Scotty' says he thinks Mr. Fink'll listen, 'cause he was so +interested in Baldy after the boys' race, an' asked all about him. +He said," in a tone in which triumph was plainly noticeable, "that +he didn't know <i>when</i> he'd seen a dog with legs an' a chest +like Baldy."</p> +<p>"I know a good dog is about the best introduction you can have +to Mr. Fink; but if for any reason that fails, I'll have a talk +with Mr. Daly and tell him that you want to be another Lincoln, as +nearly as possible, and that will appeal to him," confidently +remarked the Woman.</p> +<p>"You got the right system in this here case," chuckled Moose +Jones. "Ef you was t' tell one o' them lawyers that you jest +couldn't git the other one interested in the boy, it's a dead cinch +he'd git inter one office or t'other; an' it don't make much +difference which. They're both mighty smart men, even ef they don't +go at things the same way. Well, anyway, Ben, I'm glad I kin depend +on retainin' you when my claims begin t' show up rich, as I kinda +think some of 'em's bound t' do, one place or another. On my way +back t' Nome, I stopped at them new diggin's at Dime Creek, an' +staked some ground; an' it's a likely lookin' country, I kin tell +you."</p> +<p>From the first instant he had heard the sound of the man's +voice, Baldy had remained motionless, but intent, trying to recall +their past association; then with a bark he rushed up to Moose +Jones, showing every possible sign of recognition and joy.</p> +<p>"Well, well," exclaimed Moose, "ef this ain't Baldy o' Golconda! +Why, I didn't know him right away, he's so sorta perky an' +high-toned; all along of gettin' in with a speedy bunch, I expect," +and the man stroked the dog affectionately.</p> +<p>"Isn't he fine?" cried Ben eagerly. "I just wish you could 'a' +seen him the day o' the race; but George'll tell you all about +it—how he wouldn't let Spot an' Queen bolt, an' how willin' +he was an' all."</p> +<p>"Yes, indeed, the boys must tell you all about that famous +event, Mr. Jones, while I talk to Mrs. Edwards about something +else."</p> +<p>Before going into the details of the race, which never palled +upon Ben, they described with much gusto the defeat of Oolik Lomen +in the first Great Adventure the Wonder Workers had undertaken; and +Ben bitterly regretted that he could not also have been one of the +brave knights who had so valorously risen in defense of the weak +and distressed against the strong and unprincipled.</p> +<p>But Dan consoled him somewhat by the information that the +incident had been almost spoiled by interference; and that the next +time they performed deeds of chivalry he hoped it would be when no +female was about, unless, indeed, it might be a victim to be +rescued from a terrible plight.</p> +<p>In the brief chat the Woman had with Mrs. Edwards she learned a +little of the hardships that had fallen to the lot of the boy and +his mother, and realized in spite of their courage and reticence +that they had endured a hard struggle for almost a mere +existence.</p> +<p>"Don't you think it would be easier for you outside, where there +are not so many physical discomforts to be considered?"</p> +<p>"Perhaps. But my husband left a little mining ground that may, +in time, prove worth while if developed; and I have remained where +I could look after it, and see that the assessment work was +properly done. As it is, a man named Barclay—Black Mart +Barclay, they call him—jumped the claim next to his, and if +it had not been for Mr. Jones I should have lost it. He loaned me +the money to take the matter into the courts, where I won out."</p> +<p>"And the boy?"</p> +<p>"He is my one thought," responded Mrs. Edwards. "As a young +child he was rather delicate, and we could not send him to school +because of the distance. Since then his association with the men at +Golconda has done much to offset what I have tried to do for him. +Before my marriage I taught school in a village in New Hampshire, +though you would hardly suspect it to hear Ben speak. I wanted to +get a position in the school here; but nowadays there is so much +special training required that I found I was not fitted for the +work; and I have just had to take what I could get from time to +time. At any rate," with a cheerful smile, "we are still alive and +have kept our property."</p> +<p>"It was brave," murmured the Woman, whose eyes were misty; "very +brave."</p> +<p>"Now that Ben is going to school regularly," the other +continued, "he will, I think, soon lose this roughness of speech; +and you can see that he is anxious to learn, and is ambitious."</p> +<p>"Yes, indeed; I have found him really unusual."</p> +<p>"Mr. Jones told us this morning that if his mining ventures turn +out well, and they certainly look as if they might, that he will +send Ben to college. He was my husband's partner at one time, and +has always taken a great interest in the boy."</p> +<p>"I am so glad," was the response. "I have felt all along that +some way should be found to make such a thing possible. The child +deserves it. Some day soon, if you will let me come again, we will +make some wonderful plans for his future. But I came to-day to ask +you if you will let Ben go on a trip to the Hot Springs with us +next week? I am sure it would do him a lot of good to be in the +open air, and perhaps he would enjoy the outing."</p> +<p>"I should be glad to have him go; as to his enjoyment—just +see what he says."</p> +<p>Ben listened breathlessly while the Woman told of the +prospective outing. "I am to go with 'Scotty' and nine or ten of +the racing dogs, and Pete Bernard, with twelve big huskies, is to +take my husband. As Pete will have a sled load of freight for +Shelton and the Springs, we thought you had better go with 'Scotty' +and me; that is, of course, if you would like to make the trip. I +believe that 'Scotty' intends driving Baldy, if that is any +inducement."</p> +<p>Ben could hardly reply for excitement and happiness.</p> +<p>"Well then," and the Woman rose, "it is quite decided that you +are to go. I dare say George and Dan—and Baldy—will +want to remain a while. We have talked so much and so fast that I +had really forgotten the 'party' we came to give you, and it is +time for me to leave if I keep another engagement. If you are able +to get out to-morrow, Ben, bring your mother and Mr. Jones over to +the Kennel, and we will introduce them to some of our distinguished +dog friends."</p> +<p>Mrs. Edwards and Moose Jones followed her to the door. The +former, with a warm hand-clasp, faltered a few words of thanks; and +Moose, with some embarrassment, said in an undertone, "I'm much +obliged, ma'am, fer what you and 'Scotty''s done fer the kid an' +the dog. Ben used t' come t' my cabin when I was kinda lonely an' +discouraged at Golconda; an' havin' him 'round learnt me that you +got t' have some one that you love, t' work fer, if you want t' git +the best out o' things an' people. Now Mrs. Edwards says I kin give +Ben his eddication, which'll pay back somethin' o' what his father +done fer me once when I was considerable down on my luck. And," +with enthusiasm, "believe me, you kin bet it'll be some eddication, +ef I have my way, an' them claims pan out the way they look +now."</p> +<p>So potent a cure was the delight of the coming excursion that +Ben was over not only the next day with Moose Jones, but every day +after, until the time for the departure arrived; for there were +many interesting matters to be settled. The most absorbing was, +naturally, the selection of dogs for the journey; and there were +long discussions by all concerned before the team was finally +chosen.</p> +<p>The Woman's suggestions were, as usual, well meant; but were +almost invariably influenced by personal preferences rather than +sound judgment. And "Scotty" had to firmly repress her desire to +thrust the greatness of a Trail Career upon some of those for whom +he had other achievements in mind.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name= +"SHE_HAD_BEEN_A_MEMBER_OF_ONE_OF_THE_MAIL_TEAMS"></a> <img src= +"images/298.jpg" alt= +"She Had Been a Member of One of the Mail Teams"></div> +<p class="caption">SHE HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE MAIL +TEAMS<br> +Eric Johnson, U. S. Mail Carrier on the Nome-Unalakleet Route</p> +<p>"I do wish you would take Mego," she urged. "The dear old thing +simply loves sled work, and you never give her anything to do +nowadays but bring up families."</p> +<p>"And why not?" demanded "Scotty." "There is not another +dog-mother in all Nome who can so intelligently care for a family." +Which was true; for added to her natural fondness for those +dependent upon her, she had wide experience in the ways of dogs and +people, and was thoroughly familiar with the dangers that beset the +path of puppy-hood.</p> +<p>When young she had been a member of one of the Mail Teams and +had worked hard for her living. The run of over two hundred and +thirty miles between Nome and Unalakleet was covered many times +during the winter; and the Mail Carrier, who has the chance to +observe carefully the individual behavior of the dogs he uses, was +much attracted to Mego. Her patient industry was a happy contrast +to the actions of some of the others, who were unruly and +quarrelsome, or disinclined to do their share of the necessary +labor; and it was with such a high recommendation that "Scotty" had +bought her.</p> +<p>"If she only had to care for her own puppies it would not be so +bad," the Woman complained; "but every once in a while some +light-minded gad-about roams around at will, or runs away, and +leaves her offspring for Mego to raise. Why, sometimes you would +think she was the matron of a Puppies' Day Home."</p> +<p>To her credit it may be said that whether the puppies were hers +or another's, Mego was untiring in her gentle supervision of their +minds and manners. She taught them to be respectful and wag their +tails prettily when addressed; not to jump and place muddy paws on +those who came to see them, and not to wander away alone, nor +associate with strangers. And the task was often difficult, for +there were many alluring temptations and many bad examples.</p> +<p>"But she positively enjoys it," insisted "Scotty." "When her own +little ones outgrow her care, she is always watching for a chance +to annex at least one member of any new litter in her neighborhood. +Only last week she heard the faint squeaks and squeals of Nellie +Silk's malamute pups, and I caught her tunneling under the manger +to try to get to them. Mego's kidnapping is the one scandal in the +Kennel."</p> +<p>"I suppose they were siren calls, not to be resisted. And +anyway, that is the only blot on her otherwise spotless character. +She possibly does it for the excitement; and if you will let her go +in the Hot Springs team she will have something else to think +about. If you don't give her a new interest," was the sinister and +gloomy prophecy, "stealing puppies will very likely become an +obsession with her."</p> +<p>But Allan was not to be persuaded. "She gets all of the exercise +and pleasure that she needs here about the place. If she went away +only think of the things that might happen to her youngest family. +You know how careless Birdie is with them."</p> +<p>"That's so," with a sigh. "I had quite forgotten Birdie," and +she recalled with regret the habit of that half grown stag-hound of +dropping bits of food into the corral, between the wires, to make +friends of the little ones; and then after working at the fastening +of the gate till it could be opened, enticing them out for a +frolic.</p> +<p>Mego knew, as well as did the Woman and "Scotty," that Birdie +meant no harm. On the contrary, she had excellent qualities, and +deserved much credit for the valuable assistance she rendered as a +self-constituted Secret Service Agent, and an ardent Advocate of +Universal Peace.</p> +<p>When there was a quarrel in the Nursery, and the puppies became +violent, she gently separated them and gave the defeated one a +cherished if somewhat ancient bone that she had buried for such +occasions; occasions when material consolation is needed to forget +material ills.</p> +<p>In case of serious trouble she would rush for help, whining +anxiously, and frequently her prompt action in bringing Matt +prevented fatal terminations to neighborhood feuds, race riots, or +affairs of honor between dogs with irreconcilable differences of +opinion on important subjects.</p> +<p>But when Birdie was not doing detective work, or holding Peace +Conferences, she was lonely and craved the companionship of the +frisky pups. And while Mego was certain that her character was +above reproach, as well as her motives, she realized also that the +stag-hound was heedless. And the wise mother had always in mind the +perils that lurk in the hoofs of horses, the wheels of wagons, and +the hovering Pound-man; and never relaxed her vigilance in guarding +her family against such dangers.</p> +<p>"Well then, leaving out Mego, what dogs shall you use besides +Kid, Tom, Dick, Harry, Spot, and McMillan? I told Ben that you +would take Baldy."</p> +<p>"Yes, Baldy, and probably Rex. I have been considering Fisher +and Wolf, too. Fisher has been rather indolent and indifferent, and +I have never given Wolf a good run since I bought him of that +native boy, Illayuk."</p> +<p>"Why not Jemima? You have never given her a really good run +either, and she is no more inexperienced for the trip than is Wolf. +As a matter of fact, I have been training her quite a bit myself +lately, and I find that she is enthusiastic and good-tempered."</p> +<p>"Scotty" repressed a smile with difficulty. "Of course if you've +been training her that's different."</p> +<p>He had seen her several times trying to make Jemima jump over a +stick, beg for a bone, and stand on her hind legs—quite +useless accomplishments, as George and Dan had agreed, for a sled +dog. And he had also heard her words of advice to the progressive +little dog, who did indeed seem to be anxious to create a place for +herself amongst the best in the Kennel.</p> +<p>"Jemima," the Woman would warn her solemnly, "there are lots of +things the Females of the Species have to learn early, if they +would avoid trouble in this world. The very first of all is to let +yourself be well groomed, make the most of the gay pompoms on your +harness, and cultivate tact above all things. Never make a public +nuisance of yourself. Be steadfast, but not militant; and do not +snarl and snap, tear children's clothing, nor upset the puppies' +food dish, even though you are dissatisfied with existing +conditions. But instead, never forget there are wonderful +opportunities even in a dog's life, and be ever ready and waiting +to use them when they come. Now shake hands."</p> +<p>As a concession to the Woman's fondness for Jemima, rather than +to her training, "Scotty" decided to let her go with them; and to +her great delight, and to Baldy's unbarkable dismay, for Baldy had +but little regard for ambitious females, she was placed in the +wheel with him.</p> +<p>And so, with Kid in the lead, Baldy and Jemima in the wheel, +Tom, Dick, Harry and the others arranged to the best advantage; +with the Woman covered to the eyes in furs, and surrounded by bags, +rugs, and carriage heaters, and Ben comfortably tucked away in the +midst; and with "Scotty" Allan at the handle-bars, they were +finally ready for the start to the Springs.</p> +<p>Mrs. Edwards and Moose Jones had joined the Allan girls, George, +Dan and Matt at the Kennel, to wish the travelers a pleasant +journey; and as he waved a last farewell to them before the team +dropped over the brow of the hill, Ben observed gaily, "Well, I +guess Ben Hur and all o' them old chariot racers didn't have +nothing much on Alaska racin' dog teams when it comes t' style an' +speed an' excitement."</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/149.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 6"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch7"></a> <img src="images/042.png" +alt="The Dawn of a To-morrow"></div> +<h4>VII</h4> +<h4>The Dawn of a To-morrow</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/008.png" alt= +"Chapter 7 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER VII</h3> +<h4>THE DAWN OF A TO-MORROW</h4> +<p>Once out of the streets where there is danger of upsetting the +unwary or absent-minded pedestrian, the Allan and Darling Team +headed down the trail with real pleasure in the prospect of a long +run.</p> +<p>They almost seemed to feel that this jaunt might be in the +nature of a "try-out" for racing material; or at the very least it +might offer something worth while in the way of adventure.</p> +<p>As a matter of fact it did, in the end, prove an eventful trip. +Particularly for Baldy, who gained recognition in an unexpected +manner; for the Woman, whose experiences nearly quenched her ardor +for exploration; and for Jemima, who learned that masculine human +nature respects feminine ambition up to a certain point only, and +then considers it a form of mania to be restrained.</p> +<p>Just behind was Pete Bernard, a sturdy French Canadian, trying +to hold his uncontrollable, half-wild huskies, who were jumping and +making sudden lunges toward any stranger—man or +dog—that wandered near; and especially toward the Yellow +Peril, who was a free lance in the expedition, and as such was +particularly irritating to those in harness. They were a perfect +contrast to "Scotty's" dogs, who had been taught to step into +place, each as his name was called, standing quietly until all were +in position, and the traces were snapped to the tow-line; and then, +as the signal was given, to dart ahead with the ease and precision +of machinery started by electricity. Pete's sled was piled high +with freight and luggage, and astride of this was the Big Man, also +in furs.</p> +<p>It was a cloudless day in January—a marvelous combination +of white and blue. Snowy plains rose almost imperceptibly into +softly curved hills, and ended in rugged mountains that were +outlined in sharp, silvery peaks against the dazzling sky.</p> +<p>The air was crisp and keen, the jingle of the sled-bells merry, +and Baldy even forgot, in the very joy of living, and in the +nearness of Ben, that Jemima was his team-mate.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="THE_AIR_WAS_CRISP_AND_KEEN"></a> +<img src="images/299-1.jpg" alt="The Air Was Crisp And Keen"></div> +<p class="caption">THE AIR WAS CRISP AND KEEN</p> +<p>They could faintly hear Pete's voice giving strange directions +to his dogs; for Pete was Captain of a coasting schooner in summer, +and freighted with a dog team in winter, and used the same terms in +both occupations. He steered his ship "Gee" and "Haw," admonished +his dogs "not to get tangled up in their riggin'," and cautioned +them against "runnin' afoul of other craft." Of course no well +raised dog could be expected to know that his harness was +"riggin'," nor that a sled could possibly come under the head of +"craft "; and he would be quite at a loss to grasp Pete's meaning +generally. But as Pete's team never obeyed anyway, except by the +exercise of sheer bodily force, it made but small difference how he +spoke to them.</p> +<p>On they came, "passenger" and "cargo" safely aboard, some +distance behind the Racers, who passed before long the famous +Paystreak Diggings, which had yielded their many millions, and were +soon beyond the groups of miners' cabins on the Third Beach +Line.</p> +<p>It was a very different Baldy—this Baldy of +Nome—from the one who had so often in the days gone by +traveled the Golconda Trail with his friend, the boy. The days when +he was hungry and foot-sore and heart-sick, and now—Baldy +straightened up proudly, and nearly pulled Jemima off her feet in +his desire to render good service for favors received. While Ben's +eyes sparkled as he glanced at the dog in his responsible position +of right wheeler in the Allan and Darling Team of Racers.</p> +<p>There the way led up a gentle slope, then down to the bed of +Nome River, where they kept on the ice for several miles. It was +here that Jemima's unfitness for work with experts began to +manifest itself; as well as the unusual tenacity of purpose that +seemed either perseverance or perversity—depending upon +whether you looked at the matter from Baldy's standpoint or from +hers.</p> +<p>"Scotty" watched with some amusement her efforts to keep up with +the others on the slippery ice, and when he thought she was +becoming tired he stopped her, and let her run free. When she +realized that she was out of the team her amazement and chagrin +were plainly manifest. She sat down in the snow while she figured +out a plan of campaign for the restoration of her rights; and then +was off immediately in pursuit. "Scotty" had brought Fisher back +into the wheel with Baldy; and Jemima, without pausing, jumped over +Fisher's back between him and Baldy, to the growling disgust of the +latter. Of course all three became "tangled in the riggin'," and +the sled slipped up and over them.</p> +<p>The Woman, thinking the dogs were hurt, gave a frightened +scream, Ben was nearly thrown out by the sudden jolt, and "Scotty +"—yes, "Scotty" said something short and forceful, which was +most rare; though swearing much or little seems almost as +invariable a part of dog mushing as it is of mule driving. Jemima +was lifted out, the tow-line straightened, and another start was +made; but after trotting along steadily for a time she gave a +second sudden leap, and was between the two dogs just in front of +the wheelers. Once more things were badly mixed, and the untangling +process had to be repeated. "Scotty" was annoyed, but interested; +for the usual rebukes had no effect on Jemima who was still +agreeably but firmly bent upon being an active member of the +team.</p> +<p>Again and again she tried the same move till she had been ousted +from every position she had endeavored to fill. And then, more in +sorrow than in anger, she abandoned the unsuccessful tactics, +stepped up beside Kid, and, keeping pace with him, ran at the head +of the team until they drew up before the door of the Nugget Road +House, where they were to spend the night. Jemima believed in +preserving appearances.</p> +<p>When they were settled, the Woman with "Scotty" and Ben went +into the barn to see the dogs fed, and said if Jemima showed any +inclination, because of her frustrated plans, to destroy Road House +property, or refuse food, her name should be changed to Emmeline. +But Jemima, at least to her own satisfaction, had demonstrated her +ability, as well as her unswerving determination, so she ate dried +salmon and corn meal porridge with zest, and slept soundly, content +to leave the rest to Allan's sense of justice. Baldy looked +distrustfully at the sleeping Jemima, and thought approvingly of +the absent Mego—for Baldy was somewhat primitive in his ideas +of the hitherto gentle sex.</p> +<p>Shortly afterward the other team came—and then followed +the excitement and confusion that was the inevitable accompaniment +of the arrival of Pete Bernard and his howling huskies.</p> +<p>What an untrained lot they were—fierce and +unapproachable—for no one ever handled them but Pete, and he +had no time to give to their higher education. If they had the +strength to pull, he would see that they did it; he never used a +dog physically unfit, and was perfectly willing to go through with +them any of the severe hardships they were forced to endure. Did he +not, without hesitation, drive them mercilessly through black night +and raging blizzard to bring a freezing stranger to the +hospital—a man whose one chance lay in skilled care?</p> +<p>It was no great thing in Pete's sight—a simple episode of +the North. The man was in dire need, he himself was strong, and his +dogs would go through anything with Pete "at the steerin' +gear"—and so a life was saved.</p> +<p>When the Bernard team was also stabled, Baldy was overcome with +that delicious drowsiness that follows a busy day in the open. From +the house came those strange noises that people seem to so much +enjoy—else why do they remain within reach of them instead of +running far away, as did Baldy at first? But he, like the rest of +the Allan and Darling family, had eventually become used to the +phonograph; and their perfect self-control now enabled them to lie +quietly through the "Sextette from Lucia" or the latest rag time at +least with composure, if not with pleasure.</p> +<p>Not so, however, Pete's uncultured brutes; such strains were +melancholy and painful to them in the extreme; and they did not +hesitate to let it be known. One by one they began to howl, till +all twelve were wailing dolefully and continuously. The Nugget dogs +joined them, and Baldy noticed with stern condemnation that Fisher +and Wolf, who had not yet acquired the repose of manner that comes +of rigid discipline, were also guilty of this breach of Road House +decorum. Allan and Pete rushed out to quell the disturbance, but +the Big Man said not to interfere; that many a dollar he had paid +for an evening of Strauss or Debussy when the clamor was just as +loud, and to him no more melodious—and he was for letting +them finish their "number" in peace.</p> +<p>At last the music-machine ceased from troubling, the rival +canine concert was ended, and laughter and song were hushed. The +stillness of the Arctic night fell upon the Nugget Road House, +lying in the somber shadow of the Sawtooth Mountains. And to Baldy +and all the others came rest and forgetfulness of such trials as +nerve-racking sounds that destroy well-earned sleep, and the +enforced companionship of advanced females that insist upon having +a paw in the management of affairs that should not concern +them.</p> +<p>The next morning both teams were ready to continue the journey. +The Big Man with Pete Bernard and his huskies were to take the long +route through the Lowlands; while "Scotty" decided upon the short +cut by the Golden Gate Pass, because the Woman wanted to go the +most picturesque way.</p> +<p>It had been cold but clear when they left Nugget, and was still +fair, though somewhat colder, when they stopped for lunch at +Slisco's; but later, as they went up through the steep divide, the +chill wind became almost unbearable.</p> +<p>The trail had grown exceedingly rough, and for many miles there +were, at close intervals, a succession of jagged windrows rising +like the crests of huge waves frozen as they curled to break. Once +when the sled hit a crag, in spite of every effort to steer clear +of it, "Scotty" heard an ominous crack. He was obliged to stop, and +with Ben's aid wound the broken place with a stout cord. Then they +tied the Woman in with ropes, for there was constant fear that she +might be hurled out when the sled swerved unavoidably.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name= +"THE_TRAIL_HAD_GROWN_EXCEEDINGLY_ROUGH"></a> <img src= +"images/299-2.jpg" alt= +"The Trail Had Grown Exceedingly Rough"></div> +<p class="caption">THE TRAIL HAD GROWN EXCEEDINGLY ROUGH</p> +<p>It did not take them ten minutes to do it all, but Allan was +obliged to remove his gloves, and one of his hands became +frost-bitten, and almost useless for a time. He put Jemima, who had +gone slightly lame, into the sled with her friend, and tucked the +warm rugs about them both; while the boy insisted upon perching +lightly on the side that he might be ready to give instant +assistance if necessary. The dog was resentful against the enforced +ease, however, for she was not at all ready, in spite of pain, to +give up her work.</p> +<p>In answer to the solicitous questions as to how she was standing +it all, there came from the numb and bleeding lips of the Woman, +through an ice encrusted veil, a reply that was something between a +groan and a sob. In faltering tones she declared herself "perfectly +comfortable; found the scenery glorious, and simply loved traveling +by dog team." Had Baldy understood this assurance of a "delightful +ride," and had he seen Jemima's strenuous resistance against what +was necessary for her well-being, it might have seemed to him proof +positive of the existence of certain traits characteristically +feminine.</p> +<p>Kid, who was no respecter of the elements, much less of people, +and whose one rule of life appeared to be "Get There, and Get There +First," dashed up those slippery barriers to find a sheer drop of +five feet or more on the other side, down which he would take team +and sled.</p> +<p>The cold had become still more intense, and the thermometer they +carried registered thirty degrees below zero, with the summit far +beyond. The situation was serious, and "Scotty" felt that their +best chance for safety lay in the speed with which they could cross +the Divide, and reach the open country; for there the trail led +over the flats, and there were not the menacing precipices, that +could not now be seen through a dense fall of eddying snow.</p> +<p>The way had been completely obliterated, and even Kid had +paused, confused, and for once uncertain of the next move. "Scotty" +called the boy to the handle-bars. "Stand on the brake, Ben, and +shout to Kid if he should start after me. He may hear you even +above the storm. I'll have to go on to see if I cannot locate some +sort of a trail." He lowered his voice. "This is the worst place in +the Sawtooth Range to be caught, and I'll have to depend upon you +to do a man's work. Losing the way now would be a desperate matter, +but of course we must not let her know how desperate," with a +gesture toward the sled.</p> +<p>When Allan forged ahead into the thickness of the whirling snow, +and disappeared completely, the boy felt a strange dread of the +unknown. There was something appalling in the mighty force of the +Arctic blizzard that had fallen full upon them. Something ghostly +in the silent, motionless figure of the Woman, covered as with a +pall, by the drifting snow, and in the shadowy string of dogs +faintly seen, from time to time, when a rare lull cleared the air +to a dim and misty grayness. Something terrifying in the cruel +sting of the bitter wind that cut into the flesh like whip-lashes, +and shrieked and howled in its unspent rage over that lonely and +desolate mountain fastness.</p> +<p>It seemed ages before "Scotty" returned to report that there was +no sign of a trail. "I used to know this country fairly well, and I +think I'd better go on before the team for a while to try to keep +at least in the right direction. But I'll have to put another dog +in the lead with Kid. It's almost impossible to make any headway, +and two of the strongest dogs will barely be able to hold up +against this blow."</p> +<p>He thought deeply for a moment. Life or death might hinge upon +his selection of dogs that would follow him through danger and +disaster unfalteringly, unflinchingly. And, too, he must decide at +once.</p> +<p>As in a flash there came to him the memory of Baldy's steadfast +strength in the boys' race, his calm determination; and after an +instant's hesitation he hooked Baldy up beside Kid. With a few +words of direction to Ben, "Scotty" turned once more into the teeth +of the gale; and at his heels, patient and obedient, came his +stanch team with Kid and Baldy in the lead.</p> +<p>Ben felt, even in the midst of the distress and danger, a thrill +of joy; while Baldy was filled with pride. He had supposed that +Tom, Dick, Harry or McMillan would share that honor and +responsibility with Kid, and now, unexpectedly, it had come to him. +"Scotty" was trusting him; safety for them all might rest on his +strength and faithfulness, and he was grateful indeed for this +opportunity to prove that he was both strong and faithful.</p> +<p>He did not care though the glittering frost whitened his short +hair, and pierced his sinewy flanks like a knife thrust; he hardly +realized that the driving snow froze his eyelids together, and +caked between his toes, making his feet so tender that they bled. +Straining and breathless he plunged forward, knowing only that +behind him was his friend the boy, with a helpless human being; and +that somewhere beyond was his master, calling to them from out the +cold and the dark. So, blindly, willingly, they followed the +intrepid man who staggered on, and on, till at last the fury of the +storm was over. Then the chill mist seemed to rise, as a curtain, +and the peaceful Valley of the Kruzgamapa lay before them, bathed +in the glow of the early winter sunset.</p> +<p>Far across the white plains, surrounded by willows and alders, +leafless and outlined skeleton-like against the rosy sky, lay the +Hot Springs Road House. Its shining windows and smoking chimney +brought hopeful interest and renewed courage, even to those already +"perfectly comfortable"; and gave to the dogs that zest and +eagerness that marks the sighted end of a hard day's run.</p> +<p>In another half hour they had arrived at their destination, and +were all warmly housed. Jemima, stiff, and a bit inclined to be +sulky, had been lifted out of the sled and was now resting cozily +on some furs in the corner. The Woman, almost rigid, had also been +lifted out, and after thawing a little, was busily engaged in +applying soothing remedies to a badly scarred cheek and chin; for +the Big Man was due at any moment, and his facetious comments on +the unpleasant results of her "pleasure trips" had become +time-honored, if unwelcome, family jokes.</p> +<p>Ben was vastly contented in the knowledge that he had been of +real service, and accepted the appreciation that was warmly +expressed with modest joy.</p> +<p>As for Baldy, there was the dawn of a glorious future in that +day's work. When, in his turn, Allan came to him and rubbed cooling +ointment into his swollen and bleeding feet, there was much more +than just the customary kindly stroke. Something Baldy could not +fathom, that made his heart beat happily. There was born, of a +touch and tone, the wonderful ambition to be classed with Dubby and +Kid in his master's affections; as with his hand still resting +gently on Baldy, "Scotty" turned to the boy. "Ben, we're glad +<i>now</i> that we have Baldy."</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/028.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 7"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch8"></a> <img src="images/029.png" +alt="A Tragedy without a Moral--and a Comedy with One"></div> +<h4>VIII</h4> +<h4>A Tragedy without a Moral—and a Comedy with One</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/030.png" alt= +"Chapter 8 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3> +<h4>A TRAGEDY WITHOUT A MORAL—AND A COMEDY WITH ONE</h4> +<p>Life at the Kruzgamapa Hot Springs offered a pleasant relaxation +from the business cares and social duties of Nome. There was very +little driving for the dogs, but they were allowed to chase every +big beautiful white hare they could find, pursue a red fox if they +were so lucky as to start one, and watch the flocks of ptarmigan +that fluttered near enough to be a constant lure.</p> +<p>They were out by day with the Big Man and Ben to look for game, +and once nearly went wild with excitement when they saw an Eskimo +take a large gray lynx from his trap. That was the sort of a cat +that would be worth while as a friend or foe; and Baldy remembered +Texas Allan with added disdain.</p> +<p>Occasionally natives with their sleds drawn by reindeer would +pass that way. And if they could elude "Scotty's" vigilance it was +great fun to dash after the awkward, stubborn beasts who so +disliked them; and who somewhat threatened, in the more remote +interior, to break up the monopoly of the Northern Dog +Transportation Company, Unlimited.</p> +<p>At night they were taken for long walks by the Woman and Ben. +Out over the snow that crackled sharply in the clear, crisp air; +out where the stars seemed strangely close, the moon strangely +bright—and where across the heavens waved the luminous, +ghostly banners of the Northern Lights.</p> +<p>Time now meant nothing. It was the Land of Day After To-morrow, +where the obligation of definite hours for definite duties did not +exist.</p> +<p>And because there was a vacation freedom in the very atmosphere, +sometimes they stole into the big living-room of the Road House, +two or three at a time; and lying in the shadowy twilight they +would listen, in drowsy content, to the cheery snap of the wood in +the huge ruddy stove, and to the voices of their friends as they +talked of the North, its hardships, its happiness, its hopes.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="KRUZAMAPA_HOT_SPRINGS"></a> +<img src="images/300.jpg" alt="Kruzamapa Hot Springs"></div> +<p class="caption">KRUZAMAPA HOT SPRINGS</p> +<p>The great world "Outside," and its troubles, seemed far +away.</p> +<p>International difficulties, the Fall of a Monarchy? Interesting +of course, but on the last Holiday, Charles Johnson, with his +marvelous Siberians, supplemented the previous Siberian triumph of +John Johnson by winning the Solomon Derby of that year; making the +course of sixty-five miles in but little more than five hours. That +was something to worry one.</p> +<p>Suffrage? Desirable for many places, naturally. Though in Nome a +woman could be a member of the Kennel Club, enter a racing team, +and vote on school matters, long before the franchise was given her +by the Legislature in Juneau. And surely that, all agreed, had been +as liberal a policy as any reasonable female should have demanded +from any community.</p> +<p>The Tariff, Panama Canal news, and graft prosecutions? Well, of +course, one discussed such affairs casually; but after all, the Dog +Question in all its phases was of far more immediate importance to +Alaskans. And so they spent many an hour in reminiscences and +prophecies; and were thrilled over and over again with the +excitement of the great contests they had witnessed—lost and +won; basing predictions for the future on the achievements of the +past.</p> +<p>Then the dogs would be roused by the entrance of the Eskimo +hunters, who stopped in the dusk of the evening on the way back to +their settlement at Mary's Igloo, to barter for their day's bag. +And later they sniffed with keen pleasure the wonderful smells from +the adjoining kitchen; smells of broiled trout, reindeer steaks, +and Arctic grouse—and fainter, but more delicious still, the +odor of their own meal being cooked in the tent beside the cabin +door.</p> +<p>They remained at the Springs a couple of weeks; and delightful +weeks they were, too, but for one unfortunate incident, which was +precipitated because of Tom's aristocratic race prejudice.</p> +<p>He had always hated Eskimo dogs; choosing either to ignore his +own huskie blood, or feeling that it was superior to the native +strain in the malamutes of the coast—just as some people +boast of being descended from Pocahontas, but would shudder at the +mere idea of a Siwash Squaw ancestress.</p> +<p>At all events, Tom had resented the entrance of the Eskimo, +Wolf, into the Kennel; and never failed, when "Scotty" was not +about, to manifest an enmity that would have told a civilized dog +not to attempt any liberties with him. But Wolf was only an +ignorant puppy, taken from a native igloo, where all of the dogs +and all of the family lived in happy harmony; and so, one day when +he was particularly joyous, he nipped, in a spirit of mischief, the +end of Tom's wagging stump of a tail. Tom wheeled instantly, his +hair bristling and his jaws apart, but the timely arrival of Matt +made further demonstration impossible; and Tom's instinctive +dislike for Wolf grew into an obsession after that direct and +personal insult.</p> +<p>In their well-appointed quarters in Nome, with each dog in his +own stall, revenge was out of the question; and when in harness, or +out with Matt for exercise, there was as little chance for settling +a grievance as there would be with soldiers on parade. But at the +Springs Tom's opportunity came.</p> +<p>The small stables were overcrowded, there being seventy dogs in +camp belonging to storm-bound travelers. It was necessary to chain +them closer together than "Scotty" felt was wise, though he was not +prepared for the tragedy that greeted him when he went out one +morning to see that all was well with the team.</p> +<p>Every dog rose to greet him, as he came in with the Woman and +Ben, except Wolf, who lay dead, strangled with his own collar.</p> +<p>The muscular body, so supple and vigorous but a short time +before, was stiffening fast; and there were signs of a struggle +desperate but ineffectual.</p> +<p>"Oh, 'Scotty,' can't you do something for poor Wolf?" and the +tears came to the Woman's eyes as she laid a pitying hand on the +handsome head of the tawny malamute.</p> +<p>"It's too late," said Allan regretfully. "He was a good dog, +too; and would have made a strong addition to the team, properly +handled."</p> +<p>A careful examination showed that on the left hind foot were +traces of blood and marks of teeth; and there were but two dogs who +could have reached Wolf to stretch him till he choked—Baldy +and Tom.</p> +<p>The Woman looked accusingly toward Baldy. "I suppose he did it. +He probably does not realize how wicked it was, he has had so +little discipline as yet."</p> +<p>Anxious to defend the dog, Ben answered impulsively, "I'm quite +sure Baldy wouldn't do a thing like that. He's been friends with +Wolf; I saw them playing together only yesterday. And it really +ain't a bit like Baldy t' be cruel an' sneakin'—t' lay fer a +dog that didn't have a chance agin him."</p> +<p>"But surely Tom, after all of his years of training, would not +have attacked one of his own stable-mates. Such a thing has never +occurred before in our Kennel. I fear, Ben, it must have been +Baldy."</p> +<p>But "Scotty" was not so confident. "I agree with Ben; it's not +like Baldy. I have never found him quarrelsome, nor vindictive. And +I hate, too, to believe Tom guilty. You know I never punish a dog +on circumstantial evidence; so I am afraid this cold-blooded murder +will have to be passed over, unless we can be certain of the +criminal. There is always the possibility that a stray dog may have +been responsible."</p> +<p>"Well, don't saddle it onto the Yellow Peril," exclaimed the Big +Man, who came in to see what was the matter. "He is popularly +supposed to start every dog fight in Nome; but this time he can +prove a clear alibi, for he slept at the foot of my bed all night." +Thus exonerated, the Peril passed by the line of chained dogs, +bumping into them in a perfectly unnecessary manner, and emitting +supercilious growls that in themselves would have been sufficient +grounds for instant death if Pete Bernard's huskies could have +acted upon their unanimous opinion.</p> +<p>"It's a terrible thing," sighed the Woman, "to have a murderer +in our midst and not know who it is. It makes me feel positively +creepy." And again, almost unconsciously, her glance fell upon +Baldy.</p> +<p>And so the affair was ended officially. But Baldy could not +forget the sickening suspicion that had rested upon him. In her +heart the Woman felt that he was the culprit; and even "Scotty" had +not been absolutely certain of his innocence. There was only Ben +who <i>knew</i>.</p> +<p>Forlornly the boy and the dog wandered about throughout that +dismal day, which seemed interminable. Nothing interested them, +even the very things that had made the other days pass so quickly +and so happily. Nothing except gloomily watching Tom, whose actions +would have plainly proved his guilt to "Scotty" had the man not +been too absorbed in an improvement for his sled to take much +notice of anything else.</p> +<p>For a brief period the wily criminal had shown a humility as +deep as it was unusual; he had sat on a pile of wood alone, not +even romping with Dick and Harry till he felt the Hour of Judgment +had passed. And then, deciding that there was no punishment +forthcoming, he had leaped and frisked, and seemed so guileless +that Baldy's contempt for his own kind made life hardly worth +while.</p> +<p>One might look for such actions from inferior animals—from +a cat that has killed a bird for instance; for cats are only +soft-footed, purring bundles of deceit, with no standard of trail +morals. But for a dog, a racing dog, and one belonging to the Allan +and Darling Team, it was almost incredible. One would expect him at +least to have the courage of his convictions, and be willing to +take the consequences of what he regarded as a legitimate feud.</p> +<p>Tom's escape from all blame in this deplorable matter rankled. +It made Baldy realize the indifference or casual injustice of a +world that seldom delves below the surface of things; and while at +times it plunged him into periods of depression, more often it +spurred him on in his dogged determination to attain the goal of +his recently aroused ambitions.</p> +<p>Fortunately he had a forgiving nature, and realized they could +not know how deeply he had been wounded by their lack of faith. +Also he was too busy to brood very much, for when they exercised at +all, the new dogs were being tried out, and the older ones were in +demand as "trainers." Most recruits are as eager for the honor of +making the team as a freshman is to get into college football; but +occasionally it was thrust upon an unwilling candidate.</p> +<p>"I should not be at all surprised if I have some trouble with +Fisher," remarked "Scotty," as he turned the dogs out one day for +their usual run. "He has a certain malamute stubbornness that might +cause me a lot of annoyance just when I could least afford the time +to correct him."</p> +<p>"Well, after your famous victory over Jack McMillan I do not +anticipate seeing any real difficulty with Fisher," was the Big +Man's confident reply. "I think you would be eligible to the +position of wild beast tamer in a menagerie as the result of your +tussle with Jack; for his strong wolf strain and his enormous +strength certainly made him a formidable opponent. Yet you never +tied nor whipped him."</p> +<p>"That had been tried constantly, with no success, and some +danger. You see, with McMillan's disposition, such treatment only +made him more defiant, without in the least breaking his spirit. I +knew of course that he would have to be conquered, and conquered +completely, or become an outlaw against whom every one would turn; +but the punishment would have to be more vital and less humiliating +than a beating. It won't do to embitter an animal any more than it +will a person. You have to leave a certain self-respect and give +him a fair chance."</p> +<p>And more than a fair chance Jack had received in that thrilling +moment when the wiry little Scotchman, cool and determined, had +faced the huge brute whose nature, harking back to the wild, threw +off the shackles of generations of suppression and training, and +rose to meet his hereditary enemy—opposing fierce resentment +to all efforts of control.</p> +<p>For an instant the man and dog had paused, each seeming to gauge +the strength of the other—then the instinct to kill, that +heritage from the past, when the timber wolf gave no quarter, rose +supreme; and the dog sprang forward, the wide open jaws revealing +his sharp, white teeth and cruelly broken tusks. Suddenly the +weight of Allan's body was hurled against him; strong supple +fingers closed upon his neck, and with an unexpected wrench Jack +McMillan's head was buried in a drift of soft, deep snow. He +struggled violently to wrest himself from the iron grasp; madly he +fought for freedom; but always there was that slow, deadly +tightening at the throat. Panting and choking, he had made one last +desperate attempt to break the grip that pinned him down; and then +lay spent and inert except for an occasional hoarse gasp, or +convulsive movement of his massive frame.</p> +<p>At length the man had risen, and the dog, feeling himself +loosed, and able to get his breath, staggered uncertainly to his +feet, turned, and stood bravely facing his foe. There was, for a +brief period, the suggestion of a renewed conflict in the dog's +attitude. With the foam dripping from his mouth, quivering in every +muscle; but still erect, exhausted but not cowed, he waited for the +next move—and when it came McMillan had met his master. Not +because of the force in the vise-like fingers, not because of the +dominating mind that controlled them, but because of the generous +spirit that treats a conquered enemy—even a dog—as an +honorable antagonist, not an abject slave.</p> +<p>There had seemed to be a sudden comprehension on the part of the +dog, like the clearing of a distorting mist. He realized in the +tone of the man's voice the recognition and appreciation of +qualities which stand not alone for unquenchable hatred, but for +undying fidelity as well; and when "Scotty's" hand fell upon his +head, and gently stroked the soft sable muzzle, Jack McMillan had +not only met a master, but he had made a friend.</p> +<p>"But Fisher is quite different from Jack. There was never +anything petty about him. Even his hatred had something impressive +about it, for he fought to kill, and was never snarling and +underhanded. You always knew where you stood with him. While Fisher +is not at all dangerous, he has many undesirable traits that are +difficult to overcome. He shirked all the way up from town. That +may have been the fault of his training, or possibly he is +naturally lazy; that is what I want to find out. At any rate +nagging does not seem to worry him in the least."</p> +<p>The Woman came out of the house pulling on her fur gloves. "What +do you say," she asked Allan, "to a spin over to Mary's Igloo? +Father Bernard has all sorts of native curios there that I should +like to see, and the day is right for a drive."</p> +<p>"Fine idea," agreed the Big Man. "And Ben and I will follow with +as many of Pete's huskies as we think we can manage without being +slated for the hospital. We might try the Yellow Peril in the +lead."</p> +<p>"In that case," the Woman responded rather grimly, "you will +probably be slated for the cemetery instead. Why don't you get a +couple of reindeer from the camp just below? They may not be so +fast, but they are surely safe, and one feels so picturesque behind +them, with all their gay felt collars and trappings."</p> +<p>"Scotty" whistled for the dogs, but Fisher was not to be seen. +He had gone back into the stable to doze on the hay, his favorite +pastime. Again and again the whistle failed to gain any response. +The other dogs had all stepped into place before the sled; when at +last Fisher, reluctant in coming, meditated a moment, and then, in +open rebellion, darted down the steep banks into the overflow of +the Springs. The water, a strange freak of nature in the Arctic, +was very warm, and deep enough so that he had to swim; and he felt +that he had selected an ideal place for his Declaration of +Independence.</p> +<p>But "Scotty," shouting directions to have the other dogs +unhitched, immediately started in pursuit of the rebel.</p> +<p>Fisher left the hard, well-beaten track, and struck out for some +small willows and alders where the snow had drifted in feathery +masses. He broke through the crust frequently, but knew that a man +would have more difficulty still in making any headway. Finally +Allan turned back to the house, and Fisher sat down to think over +his little victory. He was tired and panting, but he felt he had +scored a point; when to his amazement he saw the man coming toward +him, and now on snow-shoes. He plunged forward, and relentlessly +"Scotty" followed. Hour after hour the chase continued, until +Fisher realized, at length, the futility of it all; and thoroughly +exhausted, crouched shivering in the snow, waiting for the +punishment that lay in the coils of the long black whip in the +man's hand.</p> +<p>When some little distance from him, Allan paused and called to +Fisher.</p> +<p>The dog listened. There was something compelling in the tone, +something he could not resist; and so in spite of the temptation to +make one more wild dash for liberty, the dog crawled to "Scotty's" +feet in fear and trembling. And instead of the sting of the lash he +had expected, a kindly touch fell upon him, and a friendly voice +said, "It's a good thing, old fellow, you decided to come to me of +your own free will.</p> +<p>"It means a bone instead of a beating—remember that +always," and a delicious greasy bone was taken from a capacious +pocket and given him.</p> +<p>So Fisher went back to the stable with "Scotty "; where Jack +McMillan and other ex-rebels, but now loyal subjects, ignored, with +a politeness born of similar experiences, the little episode that +taught Fisher once for all that respect for authority eliminates +the necessity for a whipping. Which is, perhaps, the canine version +of Virtue being its own Reward.</p> +<p>The drive back to town was pleasant but uneventful. Ben, +perfectly well again, was eager to begin his school work and lay a +foundation for the wonderful education that Moose Jones had in mind +for him, while Baldy was glad to be at home once more where he +could settle down to his regular duties. It was with a contentment +quite new to him, for in "Scotty" Allan there was evident a growing +recognition of his earnest desire to be of real use. And with that +certainty he ceased to worry over the short-sightedness of a world +which, till now, had appeared to him unable to grasp the idea that +while beauty is only fur deep, ability goes to the bone.</p> +<p>Tom, Dick and Harry might attract the notice of strangers by +their persuasive ways; Jack McMillan compel admiration by his +magnificence; Irish and Rover win caresses by their affectionate +demonstrations. But after all, in storm and stress, with perhaps a +life at stake, it was to him, to Baldy the obscure, to Baldy +"formerly of Golconda, now of Nome," that his master had turned in +his hour of greatest need.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/007.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 8"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch9"></a> <img src="images/029.png" +alt="With the Flight of Time"></div> +<h4>IX</h4> +<h4>With the Flight of Time</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/126.png" alt= +"Chapter 9 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER IX</h3> +<h4>WITH THE FLIGHT OF TIME</h4> +<p>The town of Nome, extending along the shore of Bering Sea for +nearly two miles, is not built back to any extent on the tundra, +which stretches away, a bog in summer, to the low-lying hills in +the distance. In winter this is, however, a wide sweep of spotless +snow crossed by well-defined trails—and it was here that the +dogs were given their exercise.</p> +<p>There were many pleasant diversions in this daily training; +visits to the outlying camps, where they were lauded and petted by +the miners, and surreptitiously banqueted by the camp cooks.</p> +<p>Then there were impromptu races into town if by chance they +encountered other teams coming back after the day's work; when the +leaders, eying one another critically, even scornfully, would, +without so much as a bark by way of discussion, start headlong for +Nome, which was visible in the shadowy gray twilight only by its +curling smoke and twinkling lights.</p> +<p>On they would come, over the Bridge, and up the steep banks of +Dry Creek, turning into Front Street, and dashing down that main +thoroughfare at a pace that took little heed of city speed +limits.</p> +<p>It was an hour when baby-sleds and small children were not in +evidence; and so they were always urged on to a spirited finish by +the eager voices of bystanders, to whom sport is more important +than home and dinner.</p> +<p>The unmarked days have slipped into the fast-flying weeks, and +they into the months; till, suddenly, as from a lethargy, the North +arouses itself to greet the first unfailing herald of +spring—the Dog Races of Nome. And about the second week in +February the serious work that is the forerunner of these spring +races is begun; and Baldy found his time full to overflowing with +the duties that had long since become joys.</p> +<p>Many luxuries were added to their usual comforts, and all sorts +of improvements made in equipment. There were beautiful patent +leather collars stuffed with caribou hair and faced with rattan, so +there should be no chafing of the neck; they were as "fine and +becoming," the Woman said, "as feather boas." All extra weight was +eliminated. The harness was of thin linen webbing; snaps and +buckles gave place to ivory toggles; wooden whiffletrees were +replaced by those made of aluminum, and the tow-line, light and +flexible, and of incredible strength, was of walrus hide.</p> +<p>Most wonderful of all, it seemed to Ben, George and Dan, was the +racing sled, built on delicate lines, but of tough, almost +unbreakable hickory, and lashed with reindeer sinew. It weighed but +little more than thirty pounds—"as trim a bark as ever sailed +the uncharted trails," according to Pete Bernard; and surely a +sight to gladden the eyes of a Dog Musher of the North.</p> +<p>To the front of this was attached a delicately adjusted +combination of scales and springs, by which Allan could tell when +the draft of the team equaled a pound to the dog; and if more was +indicated he was always behind pushing and adding all of the +strength he possessed to that of those steel-muscled animals each +of whom can start, on runners, several hundred pounds on level +snow.</p> +<p>The Kennel was at all times delightful and spotless from its +frequent coats of whitewash. It was airy in summer, and protected +in winter; and the mangers used for beds and stuffed with clean, +dry straw, were far enough off the floor so that there could be no +dampness. Electric lights in the long dark months made it possible +to keep the place easily in perfect order; but with increased +activity came increased conveniences such as hooks in the stalls to +hold each dog's harness, which was marked with the wearer's name, +and many other trouble-saving devices that would prevent confusion +when they were preparing for their frequent runs.</p> +<p>Of course the Allan and Darling dogs were all docked. That it +was correct, and gave them a trim appearance, would not have +impressed Baldy in the least; but that it kept their tails from +freezing when going through overflows in icy streams, which causes +much personal agony, and injury to the eyes of the dog in the rear, +was a matter of signal importance.</p> +<p>Always well-groomed, the care of the Kennel inmates now became +the sole task of Matt, who examined them thoroughly twice a day; +cutting and filing their nails when necessary, that they might not +split, and currying and brushing their hair till the Big Man +observed that these elaborate preparations suggested a beauty +contest rather than a dog race.</p> +<p>Ben Edwards was about constantly, when not in school, to assist +Matt; and under his unremitting attention Baldy was fast becoming, +if not handsome, at least far from unsightly.</p> +<p>Then, too, Ben would often help "Scotty" by taking Baldy and +several of the steady dogs out, to give the former as much +experience in the wheel as possible; for Baldy was being seriously +considered as a permanent wheeler in the Racing Team. His +qualifications were not brilliant, but he had proved in the +Juvenile Race that he possessed the power to enforce his authority +on flighty and reckless dogs; and on the trip to the Hot Springs +that his courage was equal to his energy.</p> +<p>Many of the dogs had been in several of the Sweepstakes teams +and they realized that these short, snappy spins were for speed and +not endurance, which is the main feature of the great race.</p> +<p>Baldy watched with much anxiety the lack of intelligent interest +on the part of a few of the recruits, and tried to infuse the +proper zest into them by the force of a good example. That not +proving entirely satisfactory, he had been known, when really +necessary, to use the prerogative of a loose leader, and bite the +dog in front of him when he wished to suggest more readiness, or a +closer attention to business. But that was contrary to Baldy's +peace policy, and was always a last resort.</p> +<p>The old guard were naturally the mentors, and it was a pleasure +to watch the skill with which they performed their tasks. It was a +stupid or unwilling dog indeed who could not learn much from the +agile Tolmans, or the gentle Irish Setters, in whom the fierce +strong blood of some huskie grandparent would never be suspected +except for a certain toughness that manifested itself in trail work +alone.</p> +<p>As for Kid, capable from the first, he was fast developing a +justifiable confidence in himself, and a perfect control over the +rest of the team, and "Scotty" was jubilant over such a leader.</p> +<p>"We have a good team," he said to the Woman as they stood +watching the dogs at play out in the corral with Ben, George and +Dan. "And we need it. Matt tells me that Seward Peninsula has been +scoured quietly, from one end to the other, to add finer dogs to +last year's seasoned entries. And all of the drivers will be men +who know the game." Which meant a severe struggle; for strength and +speed in the dogs, and real generalship and a masterly +comprehension of all phases of the trail, in the driver, are the +chief requisites in this wonderful contest.</p> +<p>"They're in great form," observed the Woman with pride and +admiration. "I don't think I have ever seen them looking +better."</p> +<p>"True," agreed "Scotty." "But don't count too much on that, for +the year we had that strange epidemic in the Kennel, something like +distemper, they seemed perfectly well till almost the day of the +race. And that was the race," grimly, "when the dear little +Fuzzy-wuzzy Lap Dogs, as you call them, made the record time, and +we came in third."</p> +<p>"Well," ruefully, "they had a true Siberian trail all the way; +it was clear and cold, and there was not a single blizzard. And the +whole North knows that our rangy half-breeds are at their best when +there are storms, and the route is rough and broken. The luck of +the trail," sighing, "but at that, they were marvels."</p> +<p>Without cavil, and with due praise from friend and antagonist +alike, the success of the Siberians that year had been phenomenal +and well deserved. And so, when the "Iron Man" John Johnson, +driving a team entered by Colonel Charles Ramsay of London, and Fox +Ramsay driving his own team of the same type, were first and +second, the Ramsay Tartan fluttered beside the flag of Finland in +triumph. It made no difference that one driver was the son of a +Scotch Earl and one of a Scandinavian Peasant—they were both +men in the eyes of all Alaska; and they were both, with their +sturdy dogs, saluted as victors in this classic of the snows. And +John Johnson's record of four hundred and eight miles in +seventy-four hours, fourteen minutes, and twenty-two seconds had +made history in the North.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="THE_RAMSAY_SIBERIANS"></a> +<img src="images/301.jpg" alt="The Ramsay Siberians"></div> +<p class="caption">THE RAMSAY SIBERIANS</p> +<p>"I did not feel half so bad, did you, 'Scotty,' when Fay Dalzene +beat us with that great team of his and Russ Bowen's? For after all +they were our type of dog, and justified our faith in the +Alaskans."</p> +<p>But no one year's result, nor the accumulated result of several +years, could settle the question of supremacy between the two +breeds; and so the smouldering rivalry continued and was fanned +into a hot flame each season just before the Solomon Derby.</p> +<p>"You'll have a lot of able rivals, if the immense number of +speedy teams I see in the streets means anything," was the Big +Man's comment one evening when the Woman, after a fast drive, was +boasting of the marked improvement in the team work of their +entry.</p> +<p>"'Scotty' says he's glad of it; the more teams that go into +racing the higher the standard in Nome. There has never been a time +since the camp started when there have been so many efficient dogs +as now; and it's just because the people are learning that the only +way you can have good dogs is to give them good care. When an +Eskimo gets together a racing team, and an excellent one at that, +it begins to look like a general reform. Don't you remember when +practically all of the natives used to force puppies, who were far +too young to be driven at all, to draw the entire family in a sled +that was already overflowing with household goods?"</p> +<p>"Yes, at one time you could certainly tell an Eskimo team as far +as you could see it by the gait of the wretched, mangy beasts, that +always appeared to be in the last stages of exhaustion."</p> +<p>"And there's really a vast improvement in the freighting teams +as well; for so many dogs that do not quite make the racing teams +become freighters and show the results of their breeding and +training there. In fact," enthusiastically, "I am sure that dog +racing has been an enormous benefit to Nome in every way. +Stefansson told me himself that never in his experience, and it has +been wide, had he found such dogs as those 'Scotty' bought for +their Canadian Arctic Expedition. And I believe," with conviction, +"it is because Nome dogs, through the races, are acknowledged to be +the best in all the North—for both sport and work."</p> +<p>The Big Man smiled, and suggested, banteringly, that she embody +those views into form for the benefit of Congress.</p> +<p>The Woman looked rather puzzled. "Congress?" she demanded; "and +why Congress?"</p> +<p>"Because," he continued with some amusement, "there are people +who venture to differ with you materially in your view-point. I +understand that very recently the Kennel Club has received +communications from various high officials of the Society for the +Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, threatening to place the matter +of dog racing in Nome before Congress, with the hope of having +these cruel racing contests stopped.</p> +<p>"That is, of course, if those concerned cannot be made to see +the error of their ways by some less drastic method."</p> +<p>For a moment the Woman was quite speechless with surprise and +dismay.</p> +<p>"Well," she finally exclaimed, "if that isn't human nature for +you—beams and motes and all that sort of thing.</p> +<p>"Good people with the very best intentions in the world, trying +to interfere in affairs about which they know nothing, thousands of +miles away; when probably around the very next corner are things +about which they should know everything, needing their attention +constantly."</p> +<p>"They say, in one letter, that there are many Alaskans, as well +as Outsiders, who have made these complaints."</p> +<p>"Oh, I dare say," scornfully, "even in Alaska there are persons +whose only idea of a dog is that of a fat, wheezy house-dog who +crunches bones under the dining table, and sleeps on a crocheted +shawl in a Morris chair. But <i>real</i> Alaskans know that pity +for the dogs of the North should be felt, not for the Racers, but +for the poor work dogs who haul their burdens of lumber and +machinery and all kinds of supplies out to the distant mines.</p> +<p>"And that, too, over rough and splintered ties in the glare of +the fierce summer sun that shines for nearly twenty-four hours at a +stretch. I'll wager," defiantly, "that if Alaska dogs have one +supreme ambition, like that of every loyal small American boy to +become President of the United States, it is to become a member of +a racing team."</p> +<p>"Undoubtedly," agreed the Big Man soothingly. "But Congress, I +believe, is ignorant of such ambitions as yet."</p> +<p>"Congress is ignorant of a good many things concerning Alaska +and the Alaskans," contemptuously.</p> +<p>"It was because for years Congress imposed a prohibitive tax on +railways through this wilderness, a tax only just now removed, that +innumerable freighters, day after day, have crawled into town +unnoticed, with feet cut and bruised and bleeding, and with no one +to herald their suffering to a sympathetic world. It's because +their labors were not spectacular, and the dogs were too obscure to +attract more than a passing pity—never national interest, or +interference."</p> +<p>"But they assert, if I may go on," ventured the Big Man with an +assumption of fear, "that the condition of the dogs, at the finish +of these four hundred and eight mile races, is deplorable."</p> +<p>"They're tired; naturally very tired; though the necessity of +fairly forcing their steps through the crushing, cheering, frantic +mob often gives them an effect of utter exhaustion that belies +their actual condition.</p> +<p>"You know how often we have gone down to the Kennel within an +hour or so after their arrival, and have found them comfortably +resting and showing little, if any, signs of the ordeal. Many and +many a prospector's team is in far worse condition after a severe +winter's trip, made just for ordinary business purposes, while all +of the Kennel Club's rules for racing are aimed against +cruelty.</p> +<p>"Why, you know that the very first one says you must bring back +every dog with which you started, dead or alive, and—"</p> +<p>The Big Man laughed heartily. "Dare I mention that the 'Dead or +Alive' rule is the one that seems to have caused the most +unfavorable comment Outside.</p> +<p>"They seem to think it has rather a desperate 'win at any +hazard' sound that needs toning down a bit."</p> +<p>"It means," remarked the Woman severely, "that even if a dog +becomes lame or useless, and a detriment to the rest, he must not +be abandoned, but brought back just the same. And as a team is only +as strong as its weakest member, surely they can realize that it is +a matter of policy, even if not prompted by his love for them, for +every driver to keep his dogs in the best possible +condition—that he may not be forced to carry one that is +disabled upon his sled. That would seriously handicap any +team."</p> +<p>"Of course, my dear, all will admit, even Congress, that this is +no country for weaklings—men or dogs—and that is no +contest for those who cannot brave the elements and survive the +dangers of a desperately hard trail.</p> +<p>"And I will maintain, freely, that no athletes in the Olympic +Games of Greece, nor college men in training for the field, are +more carefully and considerately treated than are the dogs in the +All Alaska Sweepstakes. But, you see, these Outsiders don't know +that."</p> +<p>"I only wish," said the Woman earnestly, "that the Officers of +the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Congress, +and everybody, might hear the way Dalzene, Holmsen, Hegness, Fred +Ayers, and the Johnsons speak of their dogs, just as one speaks of +cherished friends, not dumb brutes. If they had seen the 'Iron Man' +with the tears rolling down his furrowed cheeks as he tenderly +caressed the dead body of one of his little Siberians; or had +watched 'Scotty' Allan breast the icy waters of a surging flood the +night of the great storm, to save an injured dog not even his own, +I am sure there would be no further talk of cruelty amongst dog +racers. And to think," she concluded indignantly, "that these +protests come from congested centers in civilized communities, +where pampered poodles die from lack of exercise and over-feeding, +and little children from overwork and starvation!"</p> +<p>"There is no occasion for immediate worry," was the Big Man's +consolation. "I rather think Congress has troubles enough of its +own just at present, without mixing up in dog racing in Nome. There +won't be much excitement about it in Washington this session."</p> +<p>Early in the day before the coming event, the Woman sauntered +down toward the Kennel slowly, her mind filled with agreeable +memories and happy anticipations.</p> +<p>At this last try-out the team had shown more speed than ever, +and a certain delight in their work that spoke well for the final +selection that had been made; while Kid, as a leader, had been +manifesting such extraordinary talent that even Allan had been loud +in his praise. Which was rare, for his approval of his dogs was +more often expressed in deeds than in words.</p> +<p>At the door of the Kennel she paused—struck instantly by +an unmistakable air of depression that pervaded the place. Even +McMillan did not howl his usual noisy welcome.</p> +<p>"Any one here?" and out into the semi-dusk of the Arctic morning +came Ben, his face plainly showing grief and consternation.</p> +<p>"Oh, Ben, what is it, what is the matter?" exclaimed the Woman +tremulously. "Has something dreadful happened to 'Scotty'—the +dogs; what is wrong—do tell me!"</p> +<p>"It's poor Kid," sobbed the boy. "We found him dead a little +while ago, when 'Scotty' and Matt and me come in t' fix the harness +an' sled fer to-morrer. I went back t' see Baldy, an' you know Kid +was next to him, an' after I'd spoke t' Baldy, Kid 'ud allers put +his paw out t' shake hands and kinda whimper soft an' joyful, like +he was sayin' nice things t' you. But this time there wasn't a +sound from him; an' when I looked, there he was, dead, a-hangin' by +a strap that was caught up high someway so's he couldn't pull it +loose. 'Scotty' said he must 'a' been tryin' fer some reason t' git +over the boards that divided him from the next stall.</p> +<p>"But it was somethin' he'd never done before—one o' them +accidents you can't count on, unless you tie 'em so short they +ain't comfortable. Anyway, he was stiff an' cold when we got to +him. The poor feller never had a chance after he was caught."</p> +<p>The boy wiped away the fast-flowing tears. "There wasn't," he +said regretfully, "another dog in the Kennel I liked so much as +him—after Baldy. And 'Scotty' feels awful bad, too. He can't +hardly talk about it. He's gone into the house now, but he says +he'll be back pretty soon."</p> +<p>When Allan reappeared there was a look of sadness in his eyes, +and a husky tone to his voice. It was plain to see that he mourned +not only a wonderful leader, but a loving companion as well; and +when he moved silently and sorrowfully amongst the other dogs, they +knew that something was very wrong and gave him as little trouble +as they could.</p> +<p>And so the entire Kennel was plunged into gloom by this unhappy +occurrence, for Kid had been a genial stable-mate and a general +favorite. All the dogs seemed to share in the grief of their +masters.</p> +<p>"Will you withdraw the entry?" asked the Woman, who realized +perfectly that Kid had been the mainstay and inspiration, as a +great leader must be, of the whole Derby Team.</p> +<p>"No," was "Scotty's" prompt reply. "We'll run just the same.</p> +<p>"There has never been a race in Nome yet in which I have not +driven a team; and leader or no leader, I'll not back out now. +Don't be discouraged. We'll win this race yet!"</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/042.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 9"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch10"></a> <img src= +"images/043.png" alt="The Solomon Derby"></div> +<h4>X</h4> +<h4>The Solomon Derby</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/098.png" alt= +"Chapter 10 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER X</h3> +<h4>THE SOLOMON DERBY</h4> +<p>The morning of the Solomon Derby dawned clear and cold. It was +twenty degrees below zero, but was ideal racing weather, as there +was no wind; and the course was reported in excellent +condition.</p> +<p>"This is the first time I ever prepared for a race," remarked +Allan as he examined the different dogs carefully, "that I have not +been looking forward to it with the keenest pleasure. I was mighty +fond of Kid, and had trained him with more care than any other dog +I have handled except old Dubby. And Kid was perfectly adapted to +lead this particular team, for the dogs were so willing to defer to +him without any ill-feeling. His loss is a severe handicap now, I +can tell you. Somehow he was so young and vigorous that the +possibility of anything serious happening to him did not occur to +me; he had never been ailing a day in his life. Generally I have at +least one other dog fairly well prepared to lead if necessary; but +I was so determined to make a marvel of Kid that I did not take +that precaution, and at present there is not a single one that I +consider up to the mark for such a race as this."</p> +<p>"Why not try Tom?" suggested the Woman. "The Tolman dogs are all +intelligent, and these have never known anything but racing all +their lives, and must have absorbed a lot of knowledge about it, +even if they have not been leaders. Besides, you have had Tom in +the lead a few times, have you not?"</p> +<p>"Yes, once or twice lately to rest Kid, and," ruefully, "the +result was not one that fills me with any confidence in him for a +really important event like this. The Tolmans, you know, never fall +below the necessary standard in anything, neither do they ever rise +above it. They are all right in the rank and file where their +thinking is done for them; but as for leading—" the man +shrugged his shoulders expressively.</p> +<p>"Well, if Tom wouldn't do, there's no use talkin' 'bout Dick and +Harry; fer Tom is the smartest o' that bunch. But he ain't popular +with the rest o' the team, like Kid was. Them Tolmans has a +high-handed way to 'em that some won't stand fer," remarked Matt as +he began to remove the racing harness from the hooks and place it +on the floor beside the tow-line, which was stretched out in the +middle of the Kennel.</p> +<p>Dan, Ben and George had been considering the predicament gravely +as George bestowed even more than his usual attention upon Spot's +appearance.</p> +<p>"Spot," he observed with repressed pride, "ain't had much +'sperience, but he won a great race just the same. Don't forget +that, Dad."</p> +<p>"He's a trifle young," replied "Scotty," "and besides," slyly, +"we might meet an Eskimo hunter somewhere on the way."</p> +<p>Dan claimed recognition for the Mego "houn'" pups, especially +Judge, and the Woman, with some hesitation, spoke of McMillan; but +Allan gave valid reasons why they were not eligible.</p> +<p>"Not much time left," announced the Big Man as he, with the +Peril, paced restlessly up and down in front of the Kennel.</p> +<p>"Scotty" pondered anxiously, for his decision must be made +immediately. He walked over to Rex, regarding him intently.</p> +<p>"Do you believe," said a low, faltering voice beside him, +"that—that Baldy could lead? Him and Kid took us safe over +the Golden Gate Divide in that terrible blizzard, an' mebbe he +learnt somethin' about leadin' from Kid that night. He's mighty +willin' an' strong, an'—"</p> +<p>"True, Ben; that idea had just come to me, too. I am absolutely +sure I can depend upon him to do his level best. Whether he is fast +enough is the question." With a sigh he added, "Well, fast or slow, +there's not much choice. I'll have to fall back upon Baldy to-day. +Matt," he called, "you may put Baldy in the lead."</p> +<p>"Baldy in the lead!" exclaimed Matt in astonishment. "Why, +except fer a time or so that we've drove him that way t'kinda fill +out, he's never been in the lead since we got him. If we're as shy +on leaders as all that, I'd hook up Mego; she's still good, if she +is old. But Baldy!"</p> +<p>"Surely, surely, 'Scotty,'" pleaded the Woman, "you'll not use +an untried dog to-day of all days. Baldy has never shown anything +more than just ordinary speed, and you know a leader has to set the +pace for them all. If he hasn't the pride in his work, the spirit, +he's a failure; and Baldy," desperately, "is just a plodder."</p> +<p>But "Scotty" was firm. "He's more than that; you couldn't see +what he did in the storm on the Hot Springs Trail. He's our best +chance." Then, "Baldy in the lead, Matt, and be quick; we're almost +due now at the post." And so it was Baldy who led the Allan and +Darling entry in the Solomon Derby.</p> +<p>It took the strongest self-control and the keenest desire not to +shake "Scotty's" faith in him, to keep Baldy from bolting when he +moved through those throngs whose nearness roused in him such +unaccountable fear.</p> +<p>Most of the dogs, now more or less accustomed to these +gatherings, stood quietly indifferent to the clamor and +confusion.</p> +<p>Jack McMillan was distinctly annoyed by it all; he did not wish +to have strangers pushing against him, stroking his back, and even +taking liberties with his velvety ears. What was the use of a Black +Past, if it did not protect one from such unwelcome +familiarities?</p> +<p>Tom, Dick and Harry, as usual, were charmed with the situation; +for they dearly loved any sort of a demonstration in which they +could figure conspicuously. Tom, ever anxious to be in the public +eye, glanced about and, seeing the United States Marshal, who was +known to be an ardent admirer of the Allan and Darling team, jumped +upon him, demanding recognition, which was cordially granted.</p> +<p>Baldy, to whom the whole episode was trying in the extreme, did +not even resent this little play for favor in official circles, so +anxious was he to be over the ordeal, and out in the open speeding +away toward the dark and frowning cliffs of Cape Nome, in the dim +distance.</p> +<p>Two teams at intervals of ten minutes had started before them, +and there were three others to follow.</p> +<p>As it was only sixty-five miles to Solomon and back, Allan +decided to try to pass the teams in front, even if he acted as +trail-breaker and pace-maker; for there was no necessity in so +short a race for generalship in the matter of feeding and +resting.</p> +<p>Shortly after they left Fort Davis, four miles down the coast, +they could see John Johnson ahead, and still beyond him a rapidly +moving dot which Allan knew to be Fred Ayer with his "Ayeroplanes," +as the Woman had dubbed them; facetiously, but with a certain +trepidation. For that splendid team had been successful in many of +the shorter races, and bade fair to develop into dangerous +antagonists in the longer ones.</p> +<p>But the Allan and Darling dogs, urged on constantly by "Scotty," +went forward at an even gait that soon lessened the space between +themselves and the Siberians; when, having passed them, they gained +perceptibly upon the others.</p> +<p>The "Ayeroplanes" seemed almost to float along the surface of +the snow, so light and smooth was their pace, so harmonious their +team action.</p> +<p>But as if impelled by a hidden force he had never felt before, +Baldy sturdily forged on and on, till they, too, were left behind. +A new fervor thrilled him as he determined to show that he was more +than "just dog." No understudy on the stage, given an unexpected +opportunity, ever desired more ardently to eclipse the star than +did Baldy to fill poor Kid's place.</p> +<p>How they flew over the ground; how exhilarating the air; how +light the sled. And then it suddenly dawned upon Baldy that the +sled was too light. When Allan was not running behind with a tight +grasp on the handle-bars, he was usually perched at the back on the +projecting runners; and for some time the dog had not noticed this +additional weight. Then, too, he was beginning to miss his master's +voice—"Hi, there, Tom, Dick, Harry, snowbirds in sight; +rabbits, Spot; road house, Barney." Of course all of the dogs knew +perfectly well that it was only a joke; that snowbirds, rabbits and +road houses are things that do not concern you at all when you are +being driven in a race. But they enjoyed the little pleasantry, +nevertheless, and it gave them delightful subjects to think about +that might become possibilities when they were not in harness.</p> +<p>If "Scotty" was not addressing them personally, he was often +singing bits of Scotch ballads, or whistling scraps of rag-time, +which was wonderfully cheering, and gave them a sense of +companionship with him.</p> +<p>At last the instinct that all was not right was too strong for +Baldy. Stopping suddenly, he looked back and discovered that they +were driverless.</p> +<p>He realized that such halts were most unwise; but the team +without Allan was as a ship without a Captain and to Baldy there +was but one thing to do—to find "Scotty" at all hazards.</p> +<p>For an instant there was danger of a mutiny amongst the dogs. +Tom, Dick and Harry tacitly agreed that it was a marvelous chance +to make that snowbird joke a charming reality; there was a stirring +of McMillan's fiery blood, for he still admitted but one source of +control; a plump fluffy hare, scurrying by within range of Spot's +young eyes inspired him with a desire to give chase, as once again +he quite forgot the grave importance of filling a position in a +racing team.</p> +<p>But Baldy, knowing that the time for action had come, that his +supremacy as a leader must be acknowledged, and at once, firmly +held his ground. Turning, he faced them fearlessly. There was a low +ominous growl, a smouldering light in his strange, somber eyes, a +baring of his sharp white fangs. Yet it was something else, a +something in the very nature of the dog, in his steadfast spirit, +his indomitable will, that made the others feel in some subtle, +final way that they must obey him. So when he swung round they +followed him as unswervingly as they would have followed Kid.</p> +<p>Far away in the whiteness, Baldy saw a black spot toward which +he sped with mad impatience. It grew more and more distinct, till, +beside it, he saw that it was his master, lying pale, motionless +and blood-stained in the trail. From a deep gash on his head a +crimson stream oozed and froze, matting his hair and the fur on his +parka.</p> +<p>Baldy stopped short, quivering with an unknown dread. There was +something terrifying in the tense body, so still, so mute. He +licked the pallid face, the cold hands, and placed a gentle paw +upon the man's breast, scratching softly to see if he could not +gain some response. There was no answer to his loving appeal; and +throwing back his head, there broke from him the weird, wild wail +of the Malamute, his inheritance from some wolf ancestor. The other +dogs joined the mournful chorus, and then, as it died away, he +tried again and again to rouse his silent master.</p> +<p>Moment after moment passed, the time seemed endless; but finally +the warm tongue and the insistent paw did their work; for there was +a slight movement, a flicker of the eyelids, and then "Scotty" +lifted himself upon his elbow and spoke to them.</p> +<p>He was hopelessly confused. What was he doing in the snow, in +the bitter cold, soaked in blood, and with his team beside him? +Where was Kid?</p> +<p>Then it all came back to him; he remembered he was in a +race—the Solomon Derby, and Kid was dead. That with Baldy in +the lead they had gone ahead of the other teams at a terrific +speed, when he heard something snap. Thinking it might be a runner, +he had leaned over the side of the sled to look; there was a +crushing blow, and he recalled no more until he felt Baldy's hot +breath, and an agonizing pain in his temple.</p> +<p>Gazing about, he saw the cause of the mishap—an iron trail +stake half concealed by a drift, now red with his blood. All +around, as far as the eye could reach, stretched the vast snowy +plains that merged into the purple shadows of the distant +mountains, outlined in dazzling beauty against the azure sky. There +was no sign of the other teams. He could not tell how long he had +been unconscious—whether minutes or hours; he only realized +that he had never entered Solomon.</p> +<p>Weakly he stumbled to his feet and fell helplessly into the +sled. At a word Baldy darted ahead, and Allan, wiping the blood +from his eyes, saw they were traveling in the wrong direction, +toward the wireless tower at Port Safety. In some way he dimly +realized that the dogs had turned on the trail. Given the order, +Baldy wheeled instantly, and dashed forward with no slackening of +his former speed, though "Scotty" was lying inert and useless, an +unusual and unexpected burden.</p> +<p>But, wounded and shaken, "Scotty's" spirit was still undaunted; +and uncertain of anything save that you are never beaten till the +race is over, Allan inspired Baldy to do his willing best.</p> +<p>The bitter disappointment of Kid's death was fast yielding to +amazement at Baldy's unsuspected fleetness. Trustworthy he had +always been, and obedient and faithful—but his pace now was a +revelation. There was yet a chance.</p> +<p>"On, Baldy; on boys." And away they flew till the roofs of +Solomon loomed on the horizon, directly ahead.</p> +<p>Solomon at last. At the end of the one short street was a group +of Kennel Club officials, and the entire population of the place, +ready to welcome the coming and speed the parting racers.</p> +<p>To his intense surprise Allan learned that his was the first +team in, his delay having evidently been but a brief one. He +resisted all entreaties that he should have medical attention. +"There's no trouble at all," he maintained stoutly, "so long as my +cap is frozen to the wound. Of course I am a little faint, and +dizzy, but that will pass in the fresh air. Just water the dogs and +see that they're all right, will you?" And resting only the five +minutes that are obligatory for the signing of papers, he was again +on his way, as Fred Ayer came into view, closely followed by +Johnson.</p> +<p>Returning, it seemed as if Kid himself could not have excelled +Baldy in the management of the team—all of his latent powers +developing to meet the great demands made upon him. He was proving +himself indeed a leader.</p> +<p>The news of the mishap had been telephoned to Nome; and the +usual enthusiasm over the first arrival was turned into an ovation +for the plucky and popular little Scotchman.</p> +<p>With the loss of the best dog in the Kennel, on the eve of the +race, and an obscure, untried dog in the lead; with a stunning blow +that had left him alone and senseless on the trail he was still +victorious, to the admiration of all Nome.</p> +<p>The excitement was intense as the cheering throngs closed in +upon the dogs and their driver, ready and eager to give their +hearty greetings and unstinted applause.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name= +"AN_OVATION_FOR_THE_PLUCKY_LITTLE_SCOTCHMAN"></a> <img src= +"images/302.jpg" alt= +"An Ovation for the Plucky Little Scotchman"></div> +<p class="caption">AN OVATION FOR THE PLUCKY LITTLE SCOTCHMAN</p> +<p>Moose Jones and Ben hurried toward the winners, both overjoyed +at the success of Allan and their favorite, Baldy,</p> +<p>"Some dog, Baldy o' Golconda, ain't he, Mart?" was Jones's +exultant comment as they passed Barclay, who stood regarding the +heroes with ill-concealed contempt.</p> +<p>"Some accident!" retorted Mart. "There'll be a fine day," +belligerently, "when 'Scotty' Allan'll find out that there dog's a +fake, a reg'lar quitter. Jest now he's bluffed you all inter +thinkin' him a wonder; but you wait an' he'll give himself away +yet. He was ornery as a pup, an' he's ornery as a dog. You can't +make a silk purse outen a sow's ear, an' I tell you straight you +can't make a Sweepstakes Winner out o' Baldy o' Golconda, no matter +what he done in this here measly Solomon hike."</p> +<p>"Well, we'll see, Mart."</p> +<p>"You've won a great race," exclaimed the Woman as she came +forward with the Big Man, and grasped "Scotty's" hand warmly; "a +great race, and against heavy odds."</p> +<p>But "Scotty," looking down on Baldy with gratitude and pride, +replied simply:</p> +<p>"No, the credit all belongs to good old Baldy here; it is his +race, not mine."</p> +<p>Then the Woman, kneeling in the snow beside the leader, with her +arms about him, said softly, "It was wonderful, Baldy, simply +wonderful, the way you saved the day."</p> +<p>And so the Solomon Derby was over, and Baldy had made good.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/029.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 10"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch11"></a> <img src= +"images/043.png" alt="One Summer"></div> +<h4>XI</h4> +<h4>One Summer</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/226.png" alt= +"Chapter 11 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER XI</h3> +<h4>ONE SUMMER</h4> +<p>The winning of the Solomon Derby marked a new era in Baldy's +life. His home-coming had been made both joyous and miserable by +the various attentions he had received. With his sensitive, +shrinking nature, it was a sore trial to be the center of +attraction, and the object of constant discussion. "Scotty" had +warmly commended his record to Ben Edwards, which was compensation +even for the Woman's newly awakened and frankly expressed +admiration. She had almost wept on his neck, which was embarrassing +for an undemonstrative dog, and said he deserved a Carnegie +Medal—whatever that was—though she suggested, +practically, a large juicy beefsteak as an immediate +compromise.</p> +<p>The neighbors conceded generously that it was more than they had +expected of an "old grouch." George Allan and Danny Kelly, from out +their superior wisdom in dog affairs, agreed that while improbable, +it had never been impossible for a freighter to develop into a +racer under favorable conditions. While most gratifying of all, +Dubby came in to express, with strenuous waggings of his stubby but +eloquent tail, his surprise and satisfaction that a member of a +purely sporting fraternity had distinguished himself so highly; had +acted, in fact, in a manner worthy of a dependable huskie. And +Baldy, knowing that Dubby had himself and his unblemished career in +mind, felt that this was indeed the climax of approval.</p> +<p>Gradually he was coming to realize that through his unremitting +efforts to be of service, and because of real worth, there was an +attitude of kindly interest manifested toward him that had taken +the place of the covert criticism and careless indifference that +had once caused him so much sorrow.</p> +<p>"Now that he's led once," confided Ben to George and Dan, "I +don't believe Baldy'll ever be satisfied again t' stay in the +wheel. It seems t' me that every minute he's awake he's tryin' t' +do better in his work. That race kinda roused him in every +way."</p> +<p>"He'll never have to stay in the wheel," observed "Scotty." "The +Derby was a revelation to me in regard to Baldy. I confess frankly +I didn't think he was capable of the ability he showed that day +and," with a smiling glance toward the Woman, "there were those of +less faith than mine who were completely won over."</p> +<p>"If you mean me," she rejoined, "you are quite right. I've +apologized to Ben and Baldy every day since the Derby. I have even +admitted that Baldy's legs are as good as Jack McMillan's, if not +better. Could humility go further in making amends?"</p> +<p>And Baldy, who now saw the world through different and more +friendly eyes, learned that even the Woman was not wholly lacking +in a certain sense of discrimination as she had proved when she had +felt the muscles of his sturdy body and spanned the width of his +broad chest with unqualified approval.</p> +<p>After a complete rest of a week or more, the training began +again; for there was yet to be held the most important event of the +year—the All Alaska Sweepstakes, which takes place early in +April.</p> +<p>The runs were much longer and harder than the preliminary dashes +for the Solomon Race; and sometimes they went back even to the +Mountains which rose, rugged and majestic, from the endless white +wastes to a sky brilliantly blue in the dazzling Arctic sunshine, +or sodden and gray in a storm.</p> +<p>Totally different in temperament and methods from Kid and Dubby, +Baldy manifested, nevertheless, many of the fundamental qualities +that had so distinguished those wonderful leaders. And in communion +with "Scotty" in their long hours of exercise, he not only began to +understand the speech and the touch of his hand, but also his +unexpressed moods. He knew when Allan was care-free, and satisfied +with the team, or was discouraged by some unexpected act of +stupidity or disobedience, though no syllable was spoken.</p> +<p>Not long before the Big Race, several unfortunate things +happened in the Kennel to make Allan believe it was, as the "Wonder +Workers" solemnly declared it, a "Hoodoo" year for the dogs. Rover +wrenched his shoulder in a friendly tussle with one of the Mego +pups, Tom cut his foot badly on a bit of broken glass, and Baldy +developed a severe cold that made him feverish and short of +breath.</p> +<p>It seemed at first as if they might not be able to enter a team +at all, so many accidents combined against them; but the lure of +the contest was too much for "Scotty." "We'll do our best. Lots of +teams go in that are no stronger than ours at its weakest, and +every entry that drops out makes it less interesting. Then don't +forget the luck of the trail, in which you believe so thoroughly. +Remember the Solomon Derby."</p> +<p>"I don't believe in working luck over time," she answered. +"However, if you really think it would make any difference in the +sport, of course we'll go in. I know you can do better," +confidently, "with a poor team than most men with a good one."</p> +<p>But "Scotty" shook his head decidedly. "Don't think it. Our +antagonists are all that they should be—men and +dogs—and the most careful driving will not always overcome +the weakness of the team."</p> +<p>Since the driver may use his own discretion as to the length and +frequency of the stops to be made, he must have the ability to +realize exactly how much rest he may take himself and give his dogs +without the unnecessary loss of a moment. He must know what the +other teams have done, and are capable of doing; he must drive his +own race, and he must know how the other men are driving theirs. He +must decide wisely how many dogs it is well to use—that +matter also being optional with him. For it is an important point +to select enough dogs to keep up to the required standard, yet not +too many for good team work, in which individual peculiarities have +been merged in general harmony of action.</p> +<p>No precaution is neglected to insure the comfort of the +contestants. Commissary teams sent out by the Kennel Club leave +supplies at all of the Road Houses and camps that are to be used as +rest stations—drugs for emergencies, and all sorts of +luxuries that would be too bulky to be carried in the racing sleds, +but which are shared impartially at the different stops.</p> +<p>Each man must be certain of the best food for his dogs, and the +length of time it takes to digest it. The usual diet of the Allan +and Darling Racers, rolled oats, dried salmon, and the oily +nutritious flesh of the white whale, with a proper amount of bone, +now was changed to chopped beef and mutton, cooked with eggs. This +was put up in hermetically sealed tins, with enough in each for a +feeding; and every dog's allowance wrapped separately in muslin so +that there might be no loss of time in dividing it into +portions.</p> +<p>And in all of these things "Scotty" Allan was a past master. Yet +in spite of his efforts and skill, they came in not first, but +second; which was, according to George and Dan, "not so worse for a +scrub team," and according to Ben, "mighty good considerin' they +didn't have Baldy."</p> +<p>These days of ceaseless striving and untiring patience had been +of great benefit to Baldy. He no longer experienced despair over +such a Kennel misfortune; but cheerfully resolved that each failure +must be a stepping-stone, not a stumbling-block, in the march +toward success.</p> +<p>There was one real sorrow that came to him that spring—a +sorrow shared by many—which swept away the passing regret for +the lost race. Dubby, full of years and honors, was dead, mourned +by all. His obituary in the newspapers not only testified that he +was generally beloved, but was one that many a man might be proud +to deserve. "Alaska's Most Famous Leader Passes Away." What untold +stories of marvelous intelligence, of unfaltering allegiance, of +loving service lay in those simple words.</p> +<p>Baldy missed Dubby sorely, for there had grown a firm bond of +sympathy between them. The old huskie had learned that a character +may dignify a calling, and that a true heart often beats beneath a +racing harness; while Baldy had long since discovered that Dubby's +aloofness was but the inevitable loneliness of a Dog that has had +his Day.</p> +<p>To divert his mind from sad memories, Baldy would go to look at +Mego's twelve, beautiful, fat new puppies, and then would dream of +a comfortable serene old age when he would be given the tutoring of +such promising youngsters, and help to make them winners of future +All Alaska Sweepstakes.</p> +<p>Then came the summer, and with it the play-time for the Kennel; +a summer filled with ever changing interests and pleasures.</p> +<p>"I'll be glad, 'Scotty,'" said Moose Jones, "t' keep till fall +as many dogs as you don't want in Nome. It's kinda hard t' have 'em +tied up in the fine weather, an' dogs like yours can't run 'round +the streets loose. Ben an' me's goin' t' be out t' Golconda, where +I've got a crew o' men at work. You may 'a' heerd I bought Golconda +a few weeks ago, an' I'm goin' t' mine there this season. Sold my +ground over t' Marshall t' a New York Syndicate that was nosin' +round pretty sharp before I left; and it's give me money enough t' +take up this here property. Then I leased my Dime Creek holdin's on +royalties, an' that'll put me on my feet even ef this Golconda +claim ain't all I think. But I done a lot o' prospectin' there +once, an' it sure looks promisin'; an' besides it's right next t' +the Midas, an' fer the last couple years or more Barclay has been +takin' out wonderful pay there."</p> +<p>"I'd be glad to have you keep Baldy, Irish and Rover for us if +you will," replied Allan cordially. "George and Spot are +inseparable in vacation times, and McMillan," with a nod toward the +Woman's house, "seems to be under the impression, now that he is +not in training, that he is a lap dog, and rarely comes to the +Kennel at all. Matt will take the rest of them up to his cabin on +Penny River, where they will have all the exercise they want, and +great fun hunting. You know I never have a moment for them in +summer, as it is our busy season in the office," and Allan, who was +Secretary in the Big Man's Company, gave a sigh as he realized that +not until autumn would come again the happy Dog Days.</p> +<p>To Baldy it was a period of perfect joy—to be with Ben +Edwards and Moose Jones in the glorious freedom of the open country +in the far hills. Here the dogs did what their fancies dictated. +They swam, unmolested, in the ditch; ran for miles with their chum, +the dappled gray horse; gave chase to saucy, chattering squirrels, +and even fished so successfully that they were the admiration of +all the camps about.</p> +<p>Irish and Baldy would stand in the riffles of a stream, and +Rover, leaping into the pools and quiet waters, would drive the +fish up into the shallows, where they were seized by his two +companions, taken ashore and dropped on the bank. Then they +returned for more, keeping up the sport till a bird in flight or +some other fascinating moving creature lured them away in a +spirited pursuit through thick willows and across green +marsh-lands.</p> +<p>At night they slept, if they chose, in the Bunk House; and ate +without restriction such mysterious delicacies as cake and +pastries.</p> +<p>No longer was Baldy ignored by the men, nor did it now take the +threats of Moose Jones to prevent the petty annoyances to which he +had been subjected formerly; for in winning the Solomon Derby he +had proved his worth and they were glad to give him well-earned +praise.</p> +<p>Occasionally there would be a dissenter from the general +admiration of the dog. Black Mart, who sometimes came over from the +Midas, never failed to belittle the record he had made. "It's no +test, that short mush t' Solomon, an' it don't prove nothin'. Why, +I've seen teams that could do wonders in that there run that +couldn't git as fur as Council in the Big Race without goin' t' +pieces. It takes somethin' more'n a slinkin' half-breed like him t' +lead a winnin' team in the Sweepstakes."</p> +<p>And Moose would retort sarcastically, "Mart, ef you was as good +a judge o' dogs as dogs is o' you—stop growlin' at him, +Baldy—you'd have a winnin' team in yourself, instead o' just +jawin' about it."</p> +<p>One man's enmity mattered but little, however, in the general +friendliness Baldy experienced; and there were so many glorious +things to offset those infrequent encounters with the one person he +instinctively regarded with aversion.</p> +<p>Encouraging news had come from Dime Creek, and Golconda was +proving rich beyond the highest expectations of Jones; and many +happy hours did he and Ben spend in plans for the boy's future; a +future that now seemed near and bright.</p> +<p>"Even without Golconda, Ben," Moose would exclaim confidently, +"I've got enough salted away from them other deals to put you +through all the book learnin' you'll need t' make a reg'lar +spell-bindin' lawyer o' you like Fink, er a way up Judge, mebbe in +Washington. An' with Golconda,—well, Sonny, that there +Arabian Nights chap that she was tellin' you about wouldn't have +nothin' on us fer adventure, an' doin' good turns to folks +unbeknownst, an' all that kind o' stuff," and Moose Jones would pat +the boy's shoulder affectionately.</p> +<p>Every week or so Baldy, with Irish and Rover and some of the +Wild Goose dogs from the Grand Central Ditch House near, would be +hitched to a flat car belonging to the place, and would have a trip +into town with Moose to take the gold dust from the "clean-ups" to +the bank.</p> +<p>The car coasted down all the hills, for there was a strong brake +to keep it safe. And the dogs were either invited to ride with +Jones, or were permitted to get to the bottom as best pleased them +with Ben, which meant a scamper through fields of blue +forget-me-nots and purple lupine, over damp and mossy dells, and +along the slopes where tiny birds were hidden in cozy nests about +which the frightened parents fluttered divertingly.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name= +"THE_CAR_COASTED_DOWN_ALL_THE_HILLS"></a> <img src="images/303.jpg" +alt="The Car Coasted Down All the Hills"></div> +<p class="caption">THE CAR COASTED DOWN ALL THE HILLS</p> +<p>It was indeed a treat; for always at the end of the jaunt there +was an interview with "Scotty" Allan, who was sure to look Baldy +over carefully and say fondly, "Well, how's my Derby hero to-day?" +and give the expected hearty greetings to Irish and Rover. Or +possibly there would be a brief visit to the Woman, who, whatever +her faults, never failed to produce a tid-bit of some sort for her +canine callers.</p> +<p>She and Ben would dwell with keen delight upon his prospects of +attaining his ambitions. "And besides all Moose will do for you," +she announced one day, "Mr. Daly tells me he will be only too glad +to be of any assistance possible. He thinks a boy with your +ideal—Lincoln—should have all the help it is in his +power to give."</p> +<p>Of course, surfeited at last with luxury and idleness, the dogs +would finally be eager to return to the duties of the winter; glad +of the season that brings the cheery sound of bells, the joyous +barks of recognition from passing friends, the snarl of challenge +from passing enemies, and all of the wholesome pleasures that +belong to a busy, useful life. But now they were quite care-free, +and content, and the responsibilities of the winter seemed far away +indeed.</p> +<p>But the most treasured moments of all to Baldy were those spent +with Ben when, waiting for Moose to finish his evening's tasks, he +and the boy wandered along the winding banks of the ditch. Far away +across the sedgy tundra lay the sea, a line of molten gold in the +last rays of the belated June sunset. Behind them rose the +snow-crested peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains, like frosted spires +against an amber sky. Soon the amber would change to amethyst and +deepen to purple—fading at last to a shadowy gray; and all +the world seemed steeped in the mystic calm of those twilight hours +before the early Northern dawn.</p> +<p>And in those hours the brooding stillness of nature was broken +only by the voice of man; for it was then, in that vast solitude, +that from the lips of Ben Edwards came ringing words, sonorous +sentences, impassioned appeals.</p> +<p>Baldy did not know it, but he was at such times a learned Judge +moved strangely by unexpected eloquence; a jury melted to tears by +a touching plea for clemency; a Populace swayed to great deeds by a +silver-tongued Orator. Even, on rare occasions, he was the Loyal +Throng that stood, silent and uncovered, before the White House +steps, thrilled by the fiery patriotism of Mr. Edwards, the +President of the United States of America.</p> +<p>Then, he was just Baldy, a faithful loving dog that trotted +happily at the heels of the ragged little boy whose unselfishness +had given him the great chance of his life.</p> +<p>There was no faltering in the devotion of boy or dog. They +believed in each other.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/242.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 11"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch12"></a> <img src= +"images/029.png" alt="The Great Race"></div> +<h4>XII</h4> +<h4>THE GREAT RACE</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/008.png" alt= +"Chapter 12 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER XII</h3> +<h4>THE GREAT RACE</h4> +<p>Another winter had come and gone, and again it was the day of +the Great Race.</p> +<p>Never had the time passed so quickly to Baldy, for he had now +become a distinguished member of The Team, for whom every one, even +the Woman, entertained a real respect, and to whom all of the dogs +turned readily as to their acknowledged leader.</p> +<p>The Allan and Darling Racers were ready for the event.</p> +<p>There was an early stir in the Kennel, and all was hurry and +bustle. The Woman came in with the Big Man, the Allan girls, and +Ben Edwards, who helped her tie knots of white and gold on the +front of the sled, on the collars of the racing dogs, and on other +members of the family, about forty in all, who were old enough to +appreciate the attention. Even the Yellow Peril apparently +considered it an honor, for which he waited with unaccustomed +patience.</p> +<p>The preparations were almost complete; and "Scotty" was +everywhere, superintending the minute details, upon the +completeness of which so much might depend.</p> +<p>Birdie was, in the confusion, about to borrow Mego's puppies and +take them out for an airing. Fisher, delighted that he was not of +the elect, basked in a warm and secluded corner; while Jemima, +frantic to be a part of the team, was restrained forcibly by Matt, +and placed in solitary confinement.</p> +<p>Even Texas, for whom the Kennel had lost its charm—and +safety—since the death of old Dubby, followed the Allan +girls, and was treated to a becoming bow of the racing colors.</p> +<p>Matt brought out the long tow-line, and placed it carefully on +the floor.</p> +<p>"Rex and McMillan in the wheel, like we've been usin' 'em, I +suppose?" and at a nod he released them.</p> +<p>"Wheel, Jack; wheel, Rex," and they took their accustomed places +next the sled, and remained motionless, yet keenly alert. "Tom and +Dick, Harry and Tracy, Irish and Rover"—name after name was +called, and each dog stepped into position with joyful alacrity. +They were, one and all, sturdy, intelligent, and spirited; with the +stamina of their wild forebears, and the devoted nature of those +dogs who have for generations been trained to willing service and +have been faithful friends to their masters.</p> +<p>"Scotty's" eyes rested upon them with justifiable pride. "I +think," he announced happily, "that in all my years of racing I +have never had so fine a team; so many dogs I can count upon in +every way." And then came the expected order, "Baldy in the lead, +Matt."</p> +<p>There was an imperceptible pause—- just long enough for +him to brush softly against Ben Edwards, and look up lovingly into +a beaming face—and then Baldy stood at the head of the Allan +and Darling Racing Team, a "likely Sweepstakes Winner," as the +Daily Dog News had once ironically predicted.</p> +<p>Baldy felt that now, if ever, had come his Day; the Day of which +he had dreamed in his despised puppy-hood; the Day in which he +could prove that the great dog man's confidence was not misplaced, +and that the boy's belief was well founded.</p> +<p>At last they stood, every detail of equipment perfect, while +"Scotty" glanced once more over his small kit in the sled; green +veils for the dog's eyes should the glare of the sun prove too +troublesome, little blankets, canton flannel moccasins for their +feet in case of sharp ice, and extra bits of harness—all +stowed safely away, including his own fur parka and water-tight +boots.</p> +<p>Matt regarded the team critically, and while filled with a sober +satisfaction, was much relieved to hear that it had the unqualified +approval of the experts, George and Dan. "Of course Spot 'ud make a +classier leader, Dan, but I'm the only one that can really handle +him yet, so I guess Baldy's best for Dad."</p> +<p>The Woman waited to give each dog a parting caress and a word of +encouragement. "Tom, Dick and Harry, remember you're the Veterans, +and have an honorable record to maintain; Irish and Rover, never +forget that you <i>are</i> Irish, and live up to all that it means; +McMillan, it's your chance to wipe out the past; and +Baldy—well, Baldy, 'Scotty,' we all, trust you." And then she +turned and pinned the last knot of white and gold on Allan's +breast, and her voice trembled as she said, "Success to our +colors."</p> +<p>Through the narrow streets, gay with the fluttering streamers of +the Kennel Club gold and green, they went. Banners and pennants +shone resplendent under the cloudless blue of the April sky; and +the crowds in high spirits and gala attire, eager and laughing, +closed in upon them till Baldy longed to howl in sheer fright, +though howling in harness is strictly forbidden by "Scotty," and +would have been quite out of keeping with the august dignity of his +position. He was appalled by such a solid mass of human +beings—for of course the courts, schools, and business houses +were all closed in honor of this important occasion; and probably +the only people in all of Nome not bending their steps toward the +starting place were those unavoidably detained in the hospital or +jail.</p> +<p>Women who would not have been out of place on Fifth Avenue or +Bond Street, women to whom even the French Poodle would have given +his approval; men of the West in flannel shirts and cowboy hats; +miners from the Creeks, gathered from all corners of the Earth; +Eskimos in their furs with tiny babies strapped on their backs; +rosy-cheeked children—all hurried to the point where the long +journey was to begin.</p> +<p>Nomie was everywhere, barking delightedly, and giving each team +an impartial greeting.</p> +<p>Oolik Lomen with his latest doll, acquired that very morning +from some careless mother more intent upon sporting affairs than +domestic duties, paraded superciliously up and down, plainly bored +by the proceedings; but attending because it was the correct thing +to do.</p> +<p>What a relief it was to reach the open space on the ice of +Bering Sea, in front of the town, where the fast gathering +multitudes were being held back by ropes, and kept in line by +Marshals in trappings of the club colors.</p> +<p>Presently the merry jingle of bells, and loud shouts, announced +the approach of the Royal Sled. Covered with magnificent wolf +robes, and drawn by twelve young men, fur-clad from head to +foot—her "human huskies"—the Queen of the North dashed +up to the Royal Box, where, surrounded by her ten pretty maids of +honor, like her clad in rare furs of Arctic design and fashioning, +she was given an imposing reception by the judges and directors of +the Kennel Club.</p> +<p>In one hand the Queen carried a quaintly carved scepter of +ivory, made from a huge walrus tusk, and in the other the American +Flag at whose dip would begin once more the struggle for the +supremacy of the trail. A supremacy which is not merely the winning +of the purse and cup, but is the conquering of the obstacles and +terrors that beset the trackless wastes—a defiance of the +elements, a triumph of human nature over nature.</p> +<p>There was the sound of many voices; small boys, scarcely out of +pinafores, discussed with a surprising amount of knowledge the +merits of the individual dogs and the capabilities of their +drivers; little girls donned ribbons with a sportsman-like +disregard of their "becomingness" to show a preference which might +be based either on a personal fondness for a driver or owner, or a +loving interest in some particular dog. While men and women, who on +the Outside would be regarded as far beyond an age when such an +event would have an intense interest for them, here manifest an +allegiance so loyal that at times it threatens to disrupt +friendships, if not families.</p> +<p>The babble increased in volume, for the first team had drawn up +between the stands to wait for the final moment, and Charles +Johnson stood ready, with his noted Siberians, to begin the +contest. They made a charming appearance, and their admirers were +many and enthusiastic.</p> +<p>"Ten seconds," was called; unconsciously all voices were hushed. +"Five seconds!" The silence was broken only by the restless moving +of the people and the barking of the excited dogs.</p> +<p>Then the clock struck ten, and simultaneously the stirring +strains of the trumpet ended the spell that held the crowd in +breathless attention. The men released the dogs, the flag in the +hand of the Queen fluttered, then fell, and the first team in the +greatest race in the world had "hit the Trail for Candle," while +cheer after cheer followed its swift flight between the long lines +of eager faces and waving colors.</p> +<p>In the pause that ensued an impatient voice rose in insistent +demand. "What are you waiting for? Bring on your Fidos," and then +as "Scotty" Allan appeared and stood with difficulty holding the +spirited Allan and Darling dogs, the same voice asked in tones of +utter disdain, "Whose mangy Fidos are these?" He was evidently a +stranger, and in favor of the trim Siberians, scorning the rangy +"Lop-ears," as they are sometimes called in derision.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="SCOTTY_ALLAN_ON_THE_TRAIL"></a> +<img src="images/304.jpg" alt="Scotty Allan on the Trail"></div> +<p class="caption">"SCOTTY" ALLAN ON THE TRAIL</p> +<p>But whatever type may please their fancy, the faithfulness of +all, and the skill of each driver appeals to these Northerners, +most of whom know well the hardships of this ultimate frontier. So +that their wild enthusiasm seems not so much a question of +personality as a spontaneous tribute to the energy and courage of +the men, and the patient willingness of the dogs.</p> +<p>Allan's selection of dogs had caused much adverse criticism, but +Matt warmly defended his choice. "You can't tell me that Tom, Dick +and Harry's stale from too much trainin' an' bein' in too many +races. I know better; an' you can be certain that 'Scotty' wouldn't +have taken 'em if they was goin' t' be a drag on such wonders as +Irish, Rover and Spot. Take my word for it, them old Pioneers is +goin' t' be the back-bone o' the hull team when the youngsters has +wore themselves out."</p> +<p>A few who did not believe in the sincerity or stability of Jack +McMillan's reformation predicted trouble because of his presence. +As a leader he had twice utterly demoralized teams in previous +races, and it was "not unlikely," declared the prophets of evil, +"that he would blow up on the Trail out of pure cussedness."</p> +<p>"Well, it ain't McMillan, ner Tom, Dick ner Harry that's goin' +t' lose this here race fer the Allan an' Darling team," exclaimed +Mart Barclay with vicious conviction. "It's that there cur leader +they got—Baldy. There's enough Scotch stubbornness in Allan +t' try to make a leader outen a cur jest becus folks said he +couldn't. Up in Dawson I heered once he trained a timber wolf t' +lead a team o' McKenzie huskies; but he'd find that a heap easier +'n puttin' the racin' sperit inter that low-down Golconda hound; +an' I'll bet he'll git all that's comin' t' him this time fer his +pains."</p> +<p>"Ef you're bettin' on that, Mart," quickly interposed Moose +Jones, "I've got some dust from my Golconda claim that's lyin' +round loose at the Miners and Merchants Bank, an' five hundred of +it says that you're—well, seem' as there's ladies present, it +says you're <i>mistaken</i> about Baldy's sperit. You see my +friend, Ben Edwards here, is kinda figgerin' on college some day +after a while, an' a little loose change wouldn't hurt none. It +might come in right handy fer all the extry things boys wants, like +fancy clothes an' flat-faced bulldogs. I guess Ben wouldn't want +one o' them, though, after he's owned a dog like Baldy. But he +could use a thousand in lots o' ways easy—my money an' +yourn."</p> +<p>"Double it," sneered Mart.</p> +<p>"Done," and those surrounding them witnessed the wager with much +applause; while the boy, clinging to the rough hand of his +companion, whispered tremulously, "Oh, Moose, I won't want any +extras when I go to college. It's enough to just go. But I do want +Baldy t' win, though."</p> +<p>"Ten seconds; five seconds." The dogs were mad to be off, but +Allan's warning command, "Steady, boys, steady," kept them quiet, +though they were quivering with eagerness; all except Baldy, who +again seemed plainly panic-stricken, and wildly glanced from side +to side as if searching for some loophole of escape.</p> +<p>Five minutes past ten. Once more the flag dipped, the signal for +them to start was given, and "Scotty's"</p> +<p>"All right, boys, go," was music to their listening ears; as +leaping forward with one accord, amidst renewed cries of +encouragement and admiration, the defenders of the White and Gold +sped far out over the frozen sea, where they, too, were headed for +the Arctic.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/096.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 12"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch13"></a> <img src= +"images/029.png" alt="For the Supremacy of the Trail"></div> +<h4>XIII</h4> +<h4>For the Supremacy of the Trail</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/044.png" alt= +"Chapter 13 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER XIII</h3> +<h4>FOR THE SUPREMACY OF THE TRAIL</h4> +<p>Slowly the people returned to town after every team had received +an ovation; for none was too partisan to give a hearty "God Speed" +to all of the men and all of the dogs in the race—and +favorites were, for the moment, forgotten.</p> +<p>Each day had brought word from the Outside that the Great Race +was not forgotten by the Alaskans in sunnier lands; and because of +this the excitement, as well as the purse, had grown apace.</p> +<p>No one, of course, settled down to anything serious, for +business is practically suspended during the entire progress of the +event, and a spirit of revelry is abroad. Formal and informal +gatherings serve to pass the hours, while telephone reports from +each village and road house are announced in all public places, and +bulletins are posted at convenient points for men, women and +children, who await the news with keen expectation. The messages +come continuously, keeping up the intense excitement from start to +finish.</p> +<p>Soon on the Official Bulletin Board at the corner of Lane's way +appeared the first, telling that all of the teams had arrived in +Solomon, practically together, and had left shortly in the bitter +wind that blows in fierce gusts across the icy lagoons and +sleet-swept beach.</p> +<p>Then in the low foot-hills had come milder weather; and the +route was fairly good, though it lay buried under freshly fallen +snow through which Baldy led, picking his way with unerring +precision across the trackless tundra. Now that he was in the open, +away from noise and people, he had settled down to a steady gait +that promised much for his endurance.</p> +<p>Sometimes in the glory of the April sunshine they passed other +teams, or other teams passed them; and sometimes there were hours +when two teams and possibly more met at the same relay camp.</p> +<p>There was never a hint here that the men were pitted against one +another in the fiercest rivalry of the North; for they were ever +ready to help their opponents to patch a broken harness, mend a +sled, or care for the dogs—just as, on the way, they give +fair warning of overflows or other obstacles. It is no race for +those of weak bodies, mean minds or small souls.</p> +<p>The dogs, however, carried the idea of rivalry to the point of +personal enmity, and watched ceaselessly for the opportunity to +engage in a diverting row. A row in which they might leave as many +wounded on the scene as would be caninely possible before human +intervention. But this was a vain aspiration; for every precaution +was taken to guard against fighting, and every leader slept with +his driver to insure safety. Dogs, like Death, love a shining mark, +and the leaders are usually the real victims of the fray.</p> +<p>Then came Candle, the end of the first half of the race, where +the dogs, after being cordially welcomed by the whole town, were +checked off by the appointed Judges, and their identification +papers signed.</p> +<p>"Open those tins of dog feed, will you, Rydeen? This is to be +their first big banquet, where they get as much as they can eat," +said "Scotty" to one of the friends in the group about him. "Then +if Humber and some of the rest will help me, we'll give them a fine +alcohol rub in no time."</p> +<p>"You'd better do some resting yourself, 'Scotty,'" they urged, +but he would not consider that till he had thoroughly examined the +team.</p> +<p>Then, "McMillan's feet are bruised," he exclaimed ruefully. +There were many offers of assistance in caring for the dog, which, +however, Allan gratefully declined. "He doesn't like having +strangers work over him; and when he's nervous he becomes +headstrong; so I'd better attend to him myself."</p> +<p>From Candle came the news—"All teams have left on return +trip except Allan and Darling." And as hour after hour passed and +"Scotty" had not yet started, there was exasperation in the hearts +of his backers in Nome. Exasperation, but not despair; for all +remembered when Allan had driven Berger's Brutes to success after a +wait so long that all of Nome was in a ferment over the fact that +"Scotty" had "slept the race away." But he had planned that +campaign well; he had figured the possibilities of his rivals, and +knew that they had exhausted their strength too early in the game. +And so he had come in first with every other team at least six +hours behind; and the cry "'Scotty's' sleeping the race away at +Candle" became the derisive slogan of the Allan clan.</p> +<p>"Jack McMillan's feet are giving trouble," was the response of +"Central" to the frantic inquiries over the long distance telephone +as to the delay, "and 'Scotty's' massaging them with +menthalatum."</p> +<p>To the repeated request, and then the demand, that McMillan be +put back into the wheel to get along as best he could, there was a +moment's hesitation and a sweet, but firm, feminine voice replied, +"'Scotty' says"—a gasp and a pause—"he says he'll not +ruin a faithful dog if every man, woman and child in all Alaska has +bet on him. And I think he's just right, too; Jack is a perfect +dear," and the receiver was hung up with a click that admitted of +no further argument.</p> +<p>At last they were off again, five hours behind the others; but +when they did leave, the North knew that the sport was on in +earnest—for Allan's policy had ever been to do his real +driving on the "home stretch."</p> +<p>Soon the languor from the rest, and the heaviness from the food +were forgotten; and there existed but one dominating, resistless +impulse in dog and man—the impulse to win.</p> +<p>Even the least responsive dog must then have felt the thrill of +the famous race, for never a whip—hardly a word—was +necessary to spur them on.</p> +<p>Frequently the trails were sodden, and often obliterated; soft +snow piling up like drifts of feathers into fleecy barriers through +which the dogs, with the aid and encouragement of their Master, +fought their way, inch by inch. Beyond them lay Death Valley, a +dread waste where the dead silence is broken only by the wailing +and shrieking of the wind as it sweeps down in sudden fury from the +sentinel peaks that guard it. Across this Baldy led unswervingly, +never hesitating, and hardly relaxing his steady pace, though the +sudden gusts from the mountainside often curved the team into a +half circle; and he was forced to keep his nose well into the air +and brace himself firmly to keep from being carried off his +feet.</p> +<p>Further on came the Glacier Grade, on either side of which rose +overhanging cliffs. Here the bitter wind of Death Valley became a +veritable hurricane. Time and again the dogs tried to climb the icy +slopes and time and again they were hurled back by the fearful +buffeting of the elements.</p> +<p>"Scotty" finally halted them, and with the greatest difficulty +succeeded in fastening spiked "creepers" to his mukluks. Then he +tied Baldy to the back of his belt by a strong leash. "Baldy, it's +up to us now to get this team through safely—and +quickly—" and bowing his head to the storm he toiled step by +step, slipping and sliding, up the perilous heights, ten miles to +the summit of the range, with the dogs following and aiding where +they could.</p> +<p>Then came the descent, fraught with more danger still; for the +gale bore down upon them so relentlessly that all resistance was +useless, and the dogs lay flat and were swept along with the sled; +while "Scotty" stood clinging to the brake, and dragging one spiked +foot behind in the desperate attempt to act as a human anchor.</p> +<p>And at the bottom, quite without warning, they found themselves +breaking through the snow into an overflow of a stream, where the +water had just come through cracks in the ice to the surface. As +they landed on it with great force it sprayed over them like a +fountain; and almost instantly was frozen by the chill of the +air.</p> +<p>Allan unhooked them. "Now, boys, roll and get rid of that ice +you've been making. You're racing dogs, not ice plants." They pawed +the ice from their eyes, and thawed it out from between their toes +with their warm tongues. And "Scotty," too, was obliged to remove +the ice from his lashes before he could be sure of his +bearings.</p> +<p>"Now then," as they had divested themselves of their glistening +coats, "the worst is over, and off we go."</p> +<p>At times the hard smooth trail wound like a silver ribbon under +the pale glow of the Aurora. Then, with flying feet, they sped +along the edge of deep gorges, up steep slopes, and over the glare +ice of rivers and lakes.</p> +<p>But the distance between them and the other teams was now +gradually lessening, and at Timber Road House they had made up half +of the time lost in Candle. Here they had the next "big sleep," +lying on clean straw on the floor beside Allan, whose closeness +calmed their nerves. It was a great comfort to be able to place a +paw on him, or sociably lick his hand—for they felt that all +was well if they were but within reach of their master's touch.</p> +<p>They awoke full of renewed energy. "Scotty" was harnessing them +for the last long run, with the help of his brother Bill, and Paul +Kegsted, who had charge of that relay station for the Kennel +Club.</p> +<p>"Boys," he gasped in amazement, "Baldy's gone lame. He's so +stiff he can scarcely move. I can't understand it, for he was all +right when I turned in." At the slightest touch the dog winced, and +Allan was appalled at the situation.</p> +<p>He had trained nearly all of the dogs so that they could lead +under most circumstances; but this final struggle would require far +more than ordinary ability.</p> +<p>Wise old Tom, Dick and Harry, reluctant in the start, had saved +themselves until they were most needed; and were now steady and +reliable, as had been predicted—but they were not leaders for +such a trial as this. Irish and Rover were too inexperienced for so +much responsibility, Spot was too young, and McMillan too +headstrong.</p> +<p>"Scotty" was without a leader.</p> +<p>Allan's consternation was echoed in Nome when the report of the +mishap was given out—"Allan practically no hope. Baldy down +and out; no other leader available. All other teams well ahead in +good condition."</p> +<p>There was much diverse, and some heated, comment on the +situation. But above the general clamor rose the strident tones of +Black Mart, alluding with manifest satisfaction to the fact that +Baldy was certainly proving himself a "quitter" now.</p> +<p>"Baldy may be lame, but he is not a quitter," denied the Woman +wrathfully. "Besides, this race is never won—nor +lost—till the first team is in," and she turned to comfort +Ben Edwards.</p> +<p>He had been suddenly roused from happy thoughts by this +disconcerting news. From his eyes there faded the glorious vision +of the great University beside the Golden Gate; of the rose-covered +cottage where his mother would have only pleasant things to do; of +Moose Jones in a shiny hat and tailed coat receiving the plaudits +of a whole State for his princely gifts to its chosen seat of +learning—the vision of his own success laid upon the altar of +love and gratitude. And instead he saw only the distant cabin at +Timber, with poor Baldy crippled and suffering, bringing bitter +disappointment to his friends; and his heart was filled with grief +and longing for the dog.</p> +<p>Black Mart edged through the throng toward Jones. "I told you +how it 'ud be, Moose; that pet o' yourn ain't comin' through as +good as you thought he would when you was so willin' an' anxious t' +bet your hard-earned dust on him. An' I reckon 'Scotty' Allan ain't +so pleased with himself fer goin' agin what most ev'rybody said +about his usin' that cur fer a leader."</p> +<p>"Speakin' o' bets, <i>an' curs</i>, Mart, ef you want t' do any +more bettin', I'm willin't' accommodate you. I'm ready t' back my +opinion that 'Scotty' kin come in first, without a leader, ef you +think any ways diffr'ent."</p> +<p>Black Mart glanced again at the Bulletin and read +slowly—"Rubbing tried without success. Baldy on sled. Irish +and Rover probably in lead. McMillan's feet still tender. Another +storm coming up. Outlook bad."</p> +<p>"Seems kinda onsportsman like, like bettin' on a sure thing; but +ef you really insist, Moose, in the face o' this yere message, why +you kin go as fur's you like. Mebbe a dollar 'ud suit you better, +the way things is goin' now, than a thousand;" and the people +laughed at the covert allusion to their previous wager. Moose Jones +whitened visibly under his thick coat of tan at the insulting +manner of his enemy. All of his hatred culminated in his desire to +show his contempt for Mart and his predictions.</p> +<p>"Well then, let's make it somethin' worth while this time. Let's +say your claim agin mine—the Midas agin the +Golconda—that the Allan an' Darlin' dogs win the race."</p> +<p>A thrill of wild excitement ran through the crowd—two of +the richest claims in the whole of Alaska staked on the success or +failure of one dog team, and the leader of that "down and out" at +Timber.</p> +<p>"Oh, Moose, if our team don't come in you'll lose a terrible +lot, an' you've worked so hard t' git it."</p> +<p>"Even losin' Golconda won't break me now, Sonny; not by a long +shot. An' even ef it did, I got what I allers did have left; two +hands t' work with, the hull country t' work in, an' a kid that +likes me," with an affectionate glance at the boy, "t' work fer. +With all that, an' a good dog er two, I wouldn't call a Queen my +aunt. An' ef we should win, Ben,—well, it's porterhouse fer +Baldy the rest of his life at Mart Barclay's expense."</p> +<p>At Timber the time was passing with discouraging rapidity. +Nothing they could do seemed to have any beneficial effect on +Baldy's legs—the legs that had been such a matter of pride to +the boy in the old Golconda days.</p> +<p>In the races it is the custom to carry, at intervals, any dogs +who need to recuperate, but Baldy had always manifested a certain +scorn of these "passengers"; and "Scotty" knew that it would only +be by force that he could be kept off his feet.</p> +<p>"Bill, you hold the dog; and Paul, if you'll keep the mouth of +the sleeping bag open, I'll try to get Baldy into it."</p> +<p>Poor Baldy resisted, but he was in the hands of his friends, so +that his resistance was of necessity less violent than he could +have wished; and in spite of his opposition he was tied in the bag, +and gently lifted upon the sled.</p> +<p>After thoughtful consideration, "Scotty" placed Irish and Rover +at the head of the team. "They're good dogs; mighty good dogs, but +they're not used to the grind like Baldy."</p> +<p>He took his place at the handle-bars. "I'll try my hardest, +boys, but every chance is against me now."</p> +<p>Before he could give the word to the new leaders, there was the +sound of gnawing, and the quick rending of cloth. He turned to see +Baldy's head emerge from the bag, his eyes blazing with +determination and his sharp fangs tearing the fastenings apart, and +the hide to shreds.</p> +<p>"Baldy," he called; but Baldy threw himself from the sled with +evident pain, but in a frenzy of haste.</p> +<p>With intense amazement they watched him drag himself, with the +utmost difficulty, out of the sled, and up to the front of the +team.</p> +<p>He paused a moment, and then by a supreme effort started off, +expecting the others to follow. There was no response to his +desperate appeal—for they were not used to Baldy as a loose +leader. Again he came back, and again endeavored to induce his +team-mates to go with him down the trail, but in vain; they waited +a word from their master.</p> +<p>The men stood speechless; and the dog, whimpering pitifully, +crept close to Allan and looking up into his face reproachfully +seemed to beg to be restored to his rightful place, and tried to +show him that just so long as there was life in Baldy's body, +"Scotty" would have a leader.</p> +<p>Paul Kegsted and Bill Allan hastily disappeared around opposite +corners of the building to meet on the other side with eyes +suspiciously wet.</p> +<p>"Bill, did you ever see anything like that," demanded Kegsted +tremulously, "for grit and spirit and—"</p> +<p>"And brave and loving service," added Bill, swallowing hard.</p> +<p>While "Scotty's" voice broke as, leaning down to stroke the dog +tenderly, he said, "I know you're game, Baldy, game to the end; but +it can't be done, and I'll hook you up to prove it."</p> +<p>To his astonishment Baldy moved forward; very, very slowly at +first, then slightly faster and with less and less stiffness, until +in an hour or so of moderate speed he was himself once more.</p> +<p>The exercise had done more than the liniment, and finally he was +swinging along at a rate that showed no sign of his recent +incapacity. They were off again in their usual form, and Nome +waited impatiently for word of the belated team.</p> +<p>In the next few hours the messages that reached the expectant +city were full of thrills—of hopes and fears. Groups of +excited people met to discuss again all phases of the contest; the +freshness of the dogs, the stamina of the men, the possibility of +accidents; for a broken harness, a refractory leader, an error in +judgment, may mean overwhelming defeat at the eleventh hour.</p> +<p>Never in the annals of the Sweepstakes had the result been so +doubtful, the chances so even. The two Johnsons, Holmsen, Dalzene, +Allan—all men noted for their ability and fortitude—men +who would be picked out of the whole North to represent the best +type of trailsmen, were nearly neck and neck, less than fifty miles +from Nome, ready for the final dash. And what a dash it was!</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="AN_ALASKAN_SWEEPSTAKES_TEAM"></a> +<img src="images/305.jpg" alt="An Alaskan Sweepstakes Team"></div> +<p class="caption">AN ALASKAN SWEEPSTAKES TEAM<br> +Fay Dalzene, Driver</p> +<p>Like phantom teams they silently sped far out over the frozen +waters of Bering Sea, threading their way between huge ice hummocks +that rose, grotesque and ghostly, in the misty grayness of the +Arctic twilight. Through the chill dusk they toiled up the steep +slopes of Topkok Hill, through treacherous defiles, over perilous +hidden glaciers, toward Solomon and safety.</p> +<p>It was any one's race.</p> +<p>The telephone brought news that varied from moment to moment. +John Johnson was steady as to pace, and slightly in the lead; later +Holmsen had passed him, then Dalzene. Allan had dropped behind. The +excitement grew more intense each instant. Side by side drove +Dalzene and Charlie Johnson, with Holmsen at their heels—dogs +and men on their mettle, magnificent in endurance and spirit; but +closing in upon them was "Finn John" with his Blue Eyed Leader, and +Nome well knew what they could do, and had done twice.</p> +<p>Then, too, there was always "Scotty" to be feared; always his +marvelous generalship to be reckoned with; his perfect mastery of +the dogs, and their devotion to him to be considered.</p> +<p>"Seals on the ice ahead, Spot," had been a suggestion that had +fired not only Spot, but Tom, Dick and Harry also with a new +interest that almost banished fatigue.</p> +<p>Then at intervals there were broken bars, alternately whistled +and sung, of Home Sweet Home; and the dogs knew, someway, that this +strange noise always signified that their journey was nearly at an +end. And once, in readjusting his harness, "Scotty" had caressed +Baldy so affectionately that the dog forgot the struggle he had +passed through, remembering the happy fact that he had not failed +in his trust.</p> +<p>All of this encouragement resulted in an increased activity that +began to tell in the fast decreasing distance between their team +and the others.</p> +<p>"On, Baldy; on, boys," and on they came out of the long reaches +of utter desolation, of dreary monotony, of lifeless calm, with a +rush that soon brought Johnson in view. "Gee"—they whirled to +the right and by him with unexpected ease; then on and on still, +till they could see the others. Baldy, spurred by that to yet +stronger efforts, plunged forward with renewed vigor until he +seemed, with his team-mates, to touch the drifted snows as lightly +as a gull skims the crested waves.</p> +<p>When nearly abreast of those who had been setting so fast a +pace, Allan, in a low voice, tense with the excitement of the +moment, called again to the dogs. "Speed up, Baldy; speed up, boys. +Don't let the Siberian Fuzzy-Wuzzies beat you again. Show them what +your long legs are good for—Alaskans to the front," and +Baldy, with an almost incredible burst of speed, shot past them, +and was at last in the lead in that mad, headlong drive for +Nome.</p> +<p>There was no hint of the laggard now in Tom, Dick and +Harry—no suspicion of "staleness" in their keen pride in +their work; Irish and Rover, ever fleet and responsive, needed no +urging; Jack McMillan gave his stupendous energy, his superb +intelligence with loyal abandon; and Baldy, as well as "Scotty," +felt that each dog in the entire team had proved the wisdom of his +choice by a willing service now to the driver he loved.</p> +<p>Fort Davis! The thunderous boom of the guns heralded the +approach of the first team. Nome, up the coast, was in a furor. +Once more the people gathered quickly in the streets, and hurried +toward the gaily illuminated stands to witness the finish of the +great event.</p> +<p>Though it was ten o'clock at night, the full moon and the +radiance of the snow made everything shimmer and glitter with +wonderful brilliancy. High above the lights of the little town, +which seemed but a continuation of the stars, flamed the +Way-Farer's Cross on the spire of St. Joseph's; huge bonfires cast +a flickering crimson glow upon the frosted pinnacles of ice, and +rockets rose and fell like sparkling jewels in the clear sky.</p> +<p>Overhead fluttered a silken purse and the Trophy Cup, suspended +by the Kennel Club colors from a wire that marked the end of the +longest and most picturesque course in the racing world.</p> +<p>The wild wailing of many wolf dogs, shrill whistles, the merry +peal of bells, added to the deafening clamor—as far away over +the frozen sea a dim black shadow came—a swiftly moving +shadow that soon was engulfed in the swaying mob that surged to +meet it.</p> +<p>The Woman leaned from out the Judges' Stand, waving streamers of +White and Gold in joyous welcome.</p> +<p>Ben Edwards, thrilling with pride and happiness, slipped through +the jostling crowd, and saw coming to him, down the Silver Trail, +an ugly, rough-coated, faithful dog—bringing in his triumph, +a justification of the boy's unshaken faith, a reward for his +unfaltering affection.</p> +<p>Again and again there were the stirring notes of the bugle, +shouts of good will and praise, wild, incessant cheers, as the +Allan and Darling Team, with every dog in harness, and "Scotty" +Allan at the handle-bars, swept over the line—winners of the +most hotly contested race the North has ever known, and led to +victory by Baldy of Nome.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/028.png" alt= +"End of Chapter 13"></div> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="ch14"></a> <img src= +"images/280.png" alt="Immortals of the Trail"></div> +<h4>XIV</h4> +<h4>Immortals of the Trail</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/066.png" alt= +"Chapter 14 Image"></div> +<h3>CHAPTER XIV</h3> +<h4>IMMORTALS OF THE TRAIL</h4> +<p>The brief summer was over. The flowers that had blossomed so +freely and so brightly under fair skies and in ceaseless sunshine +were gone; and in the air was the chill of the early Arctic +winter.</p> +<p>The Woman shivered slightly in spite of her furs. There was +excitement in the air.</p> +<p>Beside her, erect and soldierly, walked Captain Rene' Haas of +the French Army, with a firm elastic tread that spoke of many +marches.</p> +<p>He was talking earnestly with an enthusiasm that lighted up his +keen dark eyes as with an inner fire.</p> +<p>"You see, there were many places last winter on the battle-front +where horses, mules or motors could not be used; for the snow was +too soft and deep, and the crust too thin. Many places where they +needed just such a method of transportation as we of the North know +so well,—dogs. I tried," modestly, "to show them a little of +all that could be done, with a few that I trained casually. But I +spoke much of the marvelous dogs of Alaska that I have learned to +know and love so well in the past few years; of their intelligence, +their endurance, and their almost incredible speed in the big +races. My Government listened; and so I was sent to take back with +me the pick of the whole North, though there will be many more from +parts of Canada and Labrador."</p> +<p>"But not like ours of Nome," proudly replied the Woman.</p> +<p>"No, not like yours of Nome. That is why I am here. A hundred or +more trained by Allan and other racing men will be worth a thousand +ordinary recruits. Since he received my cable message telling my +plans, 'Scotty' has assembled a splendid lot of team dogs for me, +with a full equipment of sleds and harness; and even the dog salmon +for the 'Commissary Department.'</p> +<p>"There is indeed but little left for me to do, as the outfit +will be perfect now, with a few more experienced leaders."</p> +<p>"And you think," questioned the Woman with lips that quivered +and eyes that were dim, "that they will be treated well, +that—" Her voice was unsteady and she hesitated.</p> +<p>The young Captain seemed to divine all the unspoken fears.</p> +<p>"There is very little danger in the work," he assured her +readily. "They will probably be used entirely in courier and +carrier service in the passes of the French Alps.</p> +<p>"I belong to an Alpine Corps myself, and they will be under my +direct supervision, so far as possible. Really," with honest +conviction, "they will be far better off than if you sold them to +freighters or prospectors for a life of toil, possibly of neglect +even. All soldiers, irrespective of nationality, are good to the +animals in their charge."</p> +<p>"I suppose it's true," sighed the Woman, "that we cannot go on +accumulating dogs indefinitely; that some of them must be sold from +time to time. And I, too, would rather see them go like this than +to feel they might suffer worse hardships and abuses on the +Trail."</p> +<p>"Scotty" met them at the door of the Kennel. "Come in, and we'll +all go over the place together. It will not take long now to make +up the rest of the required number," and he skimmed quickly over +the paper in his hand.</p> +<p>Matt, hovering near, doing unnecessary things for the dogs, was +plainly much disturbed. George and Dan, full of a war atmosphere +produced by the French officer, and a kennel and corral guarded +night and day, conversed eagerly of the important affairs that were +happening about them; while Ben, listening apparently to their +serious discussions of the European situation, as likely to be +affected by this purchase, was in reality beset with a dread that +drove all else from his mind.</p> +<p>"It's going to be a hard choice," the Woman mused as she glanced +down the long line of stalls on either side, and one end, of the +roomy stable.</p> +<p>"Scotty" paused before the Mego dogs that had fought so +valiantly for first honors in the Juvenile Race.</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name= +"CAPTAIN_HAAS_OF_THE_FRENCH_ARMY"></a> <img src="images/306-1.jpg" +alt= +"Captain Haas of the French Army, and his Alaskan Sledges"></div> +<p class="caption">CAPTAIN HAAS OF THE FRENCH ARMY, AND HIS ALASKAN +SLEDGES</p> +<p>"Excellent," observed Captain Haas, as he looked them over +carefully. "Strong, intelligent, fleet," and "Scotty" wrote the +names of Judge, Jimmie and Pete.</p> +<p>"I knew I was a pretty good judge o' dogs," announced Dan with +pleased conviction; "but there's some class t' bein' a judge backed +up by the French Government," and he regarded his former team with +mingled feelings of regret and satisfaction.</p> +<p>On they went, adding name after name to the fast growing +list.</p> +<p>"Not Tom, Dick and Harry," the Woman exclaimed as they came to +the Tolmans. "These Veterans have served us too long and too +loyally." And "Scotty" nodded silently.</p> +<p>"Irish and Rover?"</p> +<p>But before the question could be answered, the gentle Irish +Setters gazed into her eyes beseechingly, and nosed her sleeve, +confident of a caress.</p> +<p>"Impossible," she murmured hastily; "they are our dear comrades. +And Spot," with an emphatic shake of the head, "belongs to +George."</p> +<p>Finally they paused at the last two stalls and looked from Jack +McMillan to Baldy. McMillan tugged violently at his chain, striving +to reach the Woman; while Baldy, as though he understood it all, +crept close to "Scotty's" side.</p> +<p>Captain Haas knew both of the dogs well. He had seen Jack turned +from a career of rebellion and unrest to one of willing patient +service; and Baldy, plodding, obscure, hard working Baldy, become +the boast of the whole North.</p> +<p>"Here are the two," admiringly, "that please me most of all. +McMillan's strength is superb—Baldy's endurance unparalleled. +What War Dogs they would make! One I must have; it matters little +which. The price—" he gave an eloquent gesture of complete +indifference.</p> +<p>The Woman stroked Jack's sable muzzle gently. She thought of the +old days when his name was once a symbol of all that was fierce and +wolf-like and wicked in the annals of Nome; and then of his +unbroken spirit and steadfast allegiance to her. "McMillan of the +Broken Tusks," she said softly, "has no price."</p> +<p>Then, eagerly, "Baldy?"</p> +<p>"I cannot give Baldy up," was the firm reply. "He has led the +team in three great victories; and he did not desert me when I lay +freezing and helpless, alone in the snow." "Scotty's" hand rested +lovingly on the ugly dark head pressed so tightly, so trustfully +against him. "He's a wonderful leader and my faithful friend."</p> +<p>"I understand," the Captain said, and turned away. "The list is +now complete."</p> +<p>And in the dusk of the Kennel, as once on the Golconda Trail, +the boy's wet cheek was laid tenderly against the dog's rough coat; +but the tears that fell now were tears of joy. "Oh, Baldy," he +whispered happily, "some day you'll be with me Outside. We'll do +things there some day."</p> +<div class="figcenter"><a name="BALDY_OF_NOME"></a> <img src= +"images/306-2.jpg" alt="Baldy of Nome"></div> +<p class="caption">Baldy of Nome</p> +<p>Then came the day, filled with excitement and thrills, when on a +tow-line three hundred and fifty feet long, one hundred and six +famous dogs passed through the streets of the far-away Arctic town, +on their way to the battle-fields of France.</p> +<p>At their head was Spot, with George Allan trudging proudly by +his side.</p> +<p>"I'll lend you Spot to get them down to the dock," was his offer +to Captain Haas. "You know he is fine in a crowd," and the officer +smilingly accepted the services of Spot.</p> +<p>And crowds there were, too, to go through; for as on the +Sweepstakes Days all of Nome had gathered to bid a final God Speed +to the greatest dogs of Alaska—a Foreign Legion +indeed—bound for the front.</p> +<p>With no confusion, under the direction of Captain Haas and +"Scotty" Allan, who was to go with them as far as Quebec, they had +been placed on board the "Senator" lying out in the roadstead.</p> +<p>A silent little group stood on the dreary beach watching the +twinkling lights of the distant ship as she sailed, phantom-like, +out into the misty grayness of Bering Sea.</p> +<p>Only the dull pounding of the surf and the weird cry of the wolf +dogs broke the stillness.</p> +<p>At last the Woman turned from the Big Man at her side toward the +boy and Moose Jones.</p> +<p>"Some time, perhaps," she said half sadly, yet with pride, "the +Captain may have great tales for us of the War Dogs of the North. +But never, never, Ben, will there be greater tales than we can tell +of the Old Guard, Baldy of Nome and the others—our Immortals +of the Trail."</p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/007.png" alt="End"></div> +<p> </p> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11758 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/11758-h/images/001.png b/11758-h/images/001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f3aa67 --- /dev/null +++ b/11758-h/images/001.png diff --git a/11758-h/images/003.png b/11758-h/images/003.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f7753c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/11758-h/images/003.png diff --git a/11758-h/images/007.png b/11758-h/images/007.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8cea021 --- /dev/null +++ b/11758-h/images/007.png diff --git a/11758-h/images/008.png b/11758-h/images/008.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f714917 --- /dev/null +++ b/11758-h/images/008.png diff 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