Travelling with Dogs in Northern Wilds 257 



shoes for sharp axes and, under their vig- 

 ourous strokes, the tall dry trees are being 

 rapidly felled. 



Then they are cut up in lengths of from 

 ten to fifteen feet and dragged or carried, 

 where they can be used as needed. Once 

 the fire is kindled there begins work of a 

 different kind. The sleds are unpacked and 

 while some of us arrange the robes and 

 blankets in the camp, others begin the prep- 

 arations for the supper. Taking the ket- 

 tles from the sleds they fill them with snow. 

 So light and dry is this snow that a large 

 quantity is needed to make an ordinary- 

 sized kettle of water. When abundance of 

 water is thus obtained ; the meat is boiled 

 in the larger kettle, while the smaller one 

 is reserved for the tea. 



And now that our supper is being cooked, 

 the dogs are remembered, and their one 

 daily meal is prepared. Each driver brings 

 from his sled eight large white fish. These 

 are all frozen so solidly that it would be 

 wicked to give them to the faithful dogs 

 while in that condition. To thaw them out 

 with such a glorious fire is an easy task; 

 and placing them where the heat will have 

 full play upon them, the thirty-two fish re- 



