Part 1 (2/2)
Although so h latitudes, there is practically no use for theup their little potato fields and gardens, and yet it was sloork and not long continued But through the long winter the dog is practically the only draft aniions
Froed hoht and piled up on stages beyond the reach of wolves or other wild beasts, are drawn hoes fros
When a Christian decides to exchange his old as required in its construction are dragged, if not floated by water in the sus Christian hunters use theame they may shoot Formerly their wives and mothers had to do this heavy work, but now Christianity has relegated this and reatest andthe canoles and dog-sleds of travellers and tourists or fur traders for long distances through various parts of that great northern land Without the dogs, travelling in that country would be practically impossible in the winter months So full of lakes and rivers is the country that it is possible to go al occasional portages But when the severe cold freezes up those water stretches and the snow lies thick, and there is not the least vestige of a road or trail, then the value and sagacity of the dogs are seen and the power and endurance of the guides and drivers are put to the severest test
Mr Ross still prided hier days he had the reputation of being one of theofficers in the service of the Hudson Bay Company His father, as for many years one of the chief factors in the Company's service, was proud of his son's endurance and skill, as well as of his tact and ability inposts a the the interests of this fur-trading corporation that so-train and guides In his wanderings he had h so ordeals Later on we may hear fro events
Noever, that he had retired froerous journeys to be taken by younger rained within him, and he had so much work for them to do, that he was the possessor of soave him as much pleasure as ever a e and a splendid span of horses
Knoell the habits of the old Indian who had charge of his dogs, Mr Ross said to the boys:
”It is very likely that Kinesasis will cos If he does ill harness theh to be safe ill return with the dogs; doubtless there will be enough to ood train for each of you, after they are broken in
So there will be plenty of work for all to-day, to get ready for the first day's outing with dog-trains”
Soon everybody was at work Indian women, under Mrs Ross's direction, were busily ee mooseskin moccasins and mittens
Beautiful white blanket overcoats, arm capotes or hoods, had already been made for each of the boys They were to be worn over the deerskin suits when they stopped to rest in the heavy trail, and also while the boys were riding over the long stretches of icy roads where it was possible for the dogs to easily draw theed in fitting out the war in such a cold land the boys were uidance, in overhauling carioles, dog-sleds, harness, robes, snowshoes, and other things essential for the trip on the e to the-whips, and, boylike,the they had ever seen in civilisation
While the handles were only eighteen inches in length, the lashes, which were loaded with shot, were over fifteen feet long To skilfully handle one requires et into trouble when he first attempts to use one
Sam was the first of the boys to attempt to display his skill, but he soon found that a heavily loaded dog-as a different weapon from an Irish shi+llalah He had admired the skill and dexterity hich Mr Ross, at the boy's request, had used one, and, foolishly thinking that he could successfully imitate him, had with any amount of assurance rin the cracker of the whip, instead of exploding with a pistol-shot-like report at a spot about fifteen feet away, as it had done for Mr Ross, had by some remarkableeffect upon his nose!
Alec was the next to try his skill He was a littleany injury upon hi Frank upon his ear, although he stood fully six feet away from the spot at which Alec had ai from the effects of the blow so unexpected and so unintentionally given, wisely decided that he would postpone his first attempt with a weapon that seereat delight of the boys, as Mr Ross had predicted, toward evening in cas at his heels The splendid ani sureeted Mr Ross and the other inmates of the household To our three boys, who had arrived since their departure, they were somewhat distant and unsociable It is a well-known fact that the native dogs are much more hostile to white people than to the natives This offishness and even hostility on the part of the dogs did not much disturb the boys They, boylike, had all confidence in themselves that by tact and kindness they would soon become warm friends, and in this they were not disappointed After Kinesasis had seen the dogs well fed and put into their kennels he was taken into the kitchen and given a hearty meal A pipe of tobacco was then put in his hands, and shortly after he had begun to ss to Mr Ross
To the great delight of Frank, Alec, and Sa dogs of the right age to break into as so large that he would be able to furnish each of thee of and call their own as long as they remained in the country
The few short hours of sunshi+ne of that November day sped away all too soon for the co hands toiled on until everything was ready for the journey So rapidly did the temperature fall, and so intense became the cold, that Mr Ross decided that with careful, experienced Kinesasis as their guide the ice would be quite strong enough to bear them on the morrow, and so if the storm was not too severe they would be off as soon as there was sufficient light, as it was too risky to travel in the dark over such thin ice
Cozy were the beds and ere the blankets into which three happy, excited boys tuht, and if in their pleasant drea, -bells--well, ill not envy them, still e were there
CHAPTER TWO
BRINGING HOME THE DOGS--THE THIN ICE--METHOD OF CROSSING DANGEROUS PLACES--THE DOGS' SUMMER HOME--THE RETURN TRIP--THE UNEXPECTED GOOSE HUNT--THE SAUCY FOX--KINESASIS'S QUESTION, ”WHY DO THE GEESE GO TO THE SOUTH LAND?”
Long before daylight the next asta-weekee As it was fully twenty s, and Mr Ross was anxious that they should return hoht, it was absolutely necessary that every hour of the daylight should be utilised Thus it was that all were stirring long before daybreak A good warm breakfast was eaten and all final preparations s, they were thus able to rig out three trains for the trip Extra sleds and harness were taken along, as well as food and blankets, in case any serious accident or delay should happen to them In such a land it is always best to be prepared for any eency
The boys were very proud and happy in their new mooseskin costumes and snohite blankets, only relieved by the black stripes on the sleeves and skirts Kinesasis, who had been on the lookout, at length reported the er of dawn This was good news, and so the start was soonhad not thought of going, but now, at the sight of the dogs and the preparations for the journey, he seemed to catch the enthusiasm of the boys, as well as the fire of earlier days, and resolved to acco- drivers had been secured, while Kinesasis, old as he as proud to act the part of guide for the whole party
Sae cariole with Mr Ross, while Frank and Alec occupied another To each cariole was assigned a careful driver The third Indian -sleds piled on each other All ell-loaded with supplies Kinesasis ar, which he carried as an Alpine clihed ashim thus encumber himself with a pole so heavy They were also perplexed, when it grew lighter, to see a similar one tied on to the sled of the third driver However, before the journey was finished they saw the wisdos seeh they would still have preferred the liberty which had been theirs all through the suhted to hear the music of the little open bells, hich the collars of their harness were decorated, and joyously barked and ju to the