CHAP. XXX. WIXTER WORK OF THE DOGS. 157 



or seal-skins, came to seek benefit from tlie keen invigo- 

 rating air of Labrador during a summer sojourn on the 

 coast. He brought the goat to supply him with milk, 

 and the pig because it was ' a pet.' Scarcely Irad he 

 succeeded in landing his cargo, when both animals were 

 attacked by the dogs. The pig was immediately snatched 

 from their powerful jaws, not without receiving some 

 severe bites, and put into a barrel ; the goat proved a 

 match for his savage assailants : the first which attacked 

 him was received on his horns and tossed howling over the 

 goat's head. A second was served in the same way. 

 The others, astonished, drew back, and from a short dis- 

 tance contemplated their new antagonist with more of 

 awe than curiosity. The goat stood firm, with head 

 depressed, ready for a third attack ; the dogs wavered, 

 the goat charged at the nearest, away went the pack 

 helter-skelter, and from that moment never attempted to 

 molest the goat again. Matters, however, did not stoj) 

 here ; peace being proclaimed between the goat and the 

 dogs, a cautious reserve gradually grew into confidence, 

 confidence into positive friendship, and in a few weeks 

 the goat and dogs took their rambles together, and at 

 night lay on the moss as if they were members of the 

 same family. 



During the winter season the Labrador dogs make a 

 full return to their masters for all the anxiety and trouble 

 they give them during the summer months. Harnessed 

 to the sledge, or commetique as it is termed on the coast, 

 they will travel fifty or sixty miles a day over the snow. 

 They liaul wood from tlie interior, carry supplies to the 

 liunters in the forests far l^ack from the rocky and deso- 



