268 LABRADOR 



Our attempt to use the stags for rapid transit has not 

 been altogether successful. At hauling logs and other 

 weights on the boat-like "pulkas," or on our more adaptable 

 "catamarans/' at a walking pace they succeeded admirably, 

 each deer pulling as much as four or five dogs. But when 

 pace was the criterion of success they failed at the first. 

 For though they could go like the wind when they wished, 

 they did not often go fast when we wished, and we had to 

 be contented with the Lapps' assurance that they only 

 needed experience. In this respect the deer have certainly 

 improved this second winter very considerably; but still 

 we have not been able to consider them as rivals in speed 

 to our dogs. Their timid natures seemed to make them 

 flurried when an excess of speed is demanded on a down 

 grade, and their habit of suddenly stopping ceased to be 

 amusing, when it would cause you, with your loaded sled, 

 to roll over and over with your team to the bottom of a 

 steep incline. I am assured, however, that this is only a 

 difficulty to be overcome, and my Alaskan informant, who 

 for many years has driven a mail train with reindeer, 

 assures me that it takes a reindeer stag three seasons' 

 work really to find himself. If, however, for any reason we 

 are unable to entirely replace our dogs with deer for rapid 

 transit, we shall proceed as we have locally, by killing off 

 all the worst dogs and enforcing the existing laws, which 

 compel all dogs roaming at large to wear a heavy clog or 

 carry one paw through a ring round the neck. I have 

 repeatedly driven my own dog-team through the herd this 

 winter without trouble. 



On several occasions when we have tethered our beasts 

 at night they have either pulled adrift, or chewed through 



