TRIALS OF DOG-DRIVING. 153 



In going down hills it was necessary, for tlie 

 driver to lie face downwards on the sleigh, with legs 

 projecting behind, and act as a drag by digging his 

 toes into the snow as hard as he could, thus also 

 guiding it in the descent. At one very steep place, 

 a descent of several hundred yards into a lake below, 

 Cheadle's train got over the brow before he could 

 get up to act as drag. Away went the sleigh, over- 

 riding the dogs, the whole rolling over and over in a 

 long succession of somersaults, until they reached 

 the bottom, where the dogs lay helpless, entangled in 

 the harness and held down by the heavy sleigh, 

 which seemed as if it must have broken every bone 

 in their bodies, as it thumped upon them in their 

 headlong fall. They were none the worse, however, 

 although it took a very long time to disentangle them, 

 and put them all right on the track again. The 

 day's journey was attended by a constant succession 

 of difficulties and disasters ; the snow was deep, the 

 loads heavy, the dogs weak and obstinate, cunningly 

 taking advantage of every opportunity to shirk, 

 refusing to pull when it was most required, and 

 showing wonderful speed and alacrity, rushing 

 off with the heavy sleigh when the distracted driver 

 came near to punish. Of alF things in the world 

 calculated to ruffle the most even temper, driving a 

 worthless train of Indian dogs stands unequalled. 

 It may be doubted whether the most rigidly pious 

 evangelical would be able to preserve his equanimity, 

 or keep his lips free from language unbecoming his 

 profession, under circumstances trying almost beyond 



