Jack Triumphant in the Blizzard 103 



tough pemmican, his being considerably 

 larger than mine, I put my arm around his 

 big neck, and had a good talk with him. I 

 am a firm believer in the idea that dogs 

 understand a great deal more than most 

 people generally believe. And Jack was one 

 that, having long been with me, knew, as I 

 had often tested, almost everything that was 

 said to him. He also well knew when he 

 was the subject of our conversation at home, 

 and was well pleased or hurt, as we spoke 

 complimentarily or disparagingly about 

 him. 



So now, out there with the howling winds 

 raging around us like savage beasts eager 

 for their prey, we two, with Alec for a lis- 

 tener, had a candid talk about our distress- 

 ing situation. I began by telling him that 

 we were lost, and that the chances were 

 against our getting safely out of this fear- 

 ful storm. This did not seem to disturb 

 him, so I said, " Jack, my noble fellow, do 

 you know that it is doubtful whether we 

 shall ever see our home again? The pros- 

 pect is that the snow will soon be our wind- 

 ing-sheet, and that loving eyes will look out 

 in vain for our return. The chances, Jack, 

 are that you will never again stretch your- 



