NO.U05. 3fA3BrALS OF NOirniWKST TKHUiroRIES—MACFARLAXE. fiV)!) 



At tiiiies, long after \\v Ixh-miiic a liaulor, Ixei^hajoo .seemed to delioht 

 in l)eg"inning' a tight with other dogs. He was himself a living (Mubodi- 

 ment of daring, energy, and ])luek, quite capable of coping successfully 

 with many of a much larger size, knowing, as he did, that his brothers 

 would rail}" to his assistance in the event of his tackling a more pow- 

 erful antagonist, or in a general .scrinunage. It was sometimes anuis- 

 ing to watch Keshayoo while being fed, both at Fort Simpson and at 

 the various posts on the above-described journey. A l)ig '' bully " 

 among visiting teams at the former (the fort dogs let him severely 

 alone) or the "cock of the walk" at some one of {\\e, latter, judging 

 him l)y his small size, would brazeidy come along and attempt to rob 

 him of his fish or meat, l)ut almost in a twinkling of the eye the assail- 

 ant would be sprawling on his l)ack, severely bitten, retiring after- 

 wards quite crestfallen, with his tail between his legs. Fhe unexpected 

 suddenness and strength of th(^ attack seemed to c()mplet(dy disconcert 

 the would-be robber. It was seldom, iiideed. that a second atteiupt of 

 this kind was made at the same place. 



Previous to the abandonment of Fort Anderson, early in July. lS()(j, 

 it frequently surprised me to witness the jovful greeting which took 

 place between the mother and sur\'i\ing ott'spring of both litters when 

 the}' met after days or weeks of necessary separation. Indeed, they 

 were constantly together whenever possi})le. Two of the later litter 

 died of distemper and the old mother herself perished a couple of 

 months after giving birth to four beautiful pups in her third and linal 

 continement. L'^nfortunately. they were accidentally frozen to death 

 in Deceml)er, 18»)5. 



Krshn/od was exceedingly (juick and active in moments of attack or 

 defense, while the protection afforded by his own rcnnarkably long- 

 haired and densely thick fur skin-covering rendennl it almost im])os- 

 sible for any dog's teeth to meet in any vulnerable portion of his body. 

 Poor Kexl'dijoo died during my first Inlef visit to the old land in LsT<». 

 He was a wonderful little animal; he never seemed tired or weary; he 

 was always ready and willing to follow the track beater, or the sled 

 ahead of him; for three-fourths of the entire journey he acted as 

 foregoer or leader of his own team. Years of association with these 

 dogs naturallv brings about an almost human regard or affection for 

 them, and their death freiiuently seems a personal loss. 



Although nuich more of an interesting nature might be related of 

 this and other northern hauling dogs, the writer will conclude w ith a 

 few remarks regarding the appearance of what, fi-om the pei-ceptil)le 

 s3nnptoms, must have l)een English dog distemper. In summer it was 

 usual to send the Fort Simpson dogs to Big Island at the west end of 

 (Jreaf Slav(^ Lake, where fish are more or less abundant all the year 

 round, tobc well fed until theautunm. Early in October. 186;>, myteam 

 of dogs arrived v, ith the first fish boat from that point; but, to my deep 



