252 My Dogs in the Northland 



around the obstruction. Hence it will be 

 seen that the guide was not merely a man 

 who could push on rapidly at the front, but 

 was one who, as it were by intuition, as he 

 swiftly glided on, took in at a glance the 

 features of the country, and saw where the 

 trail must be made that would entail the 

 least hardships on the dogs and men 

 following. 



The guide's position was thus one of great 

 responsibility, and his pay was about twice 

 that of the ordinary dog-drivers. 



His sleeping place in the camp was next 

 to " the Master," if he so desired, and it was 

 his morning call of " Koos-Koos-Kwah ! " 

 (Wake up!) that had to be promptly 

 obeyed by all. 



The dog-drivers I employed when possi- 

 ble to be obtained, were picked men who 

 had not only splendid powers of endurance 

 but intelligent sympathy in their manage- 

 ment of the dog-trains committed to their 

 care. Isolated as we were on these trips so 

 completely from the rest of the world, 

 where we had no companionship but our 

 own attendants, in their selection I en- 

 deavoured to secure comrades in my serv- 

 ants, each of whom was well treated and 



