168 SLED-DOGS OF THE NORTH TRAILS 



taken to have the whole well balanced over the 

 sled-boards ; then all are laced into final position 

 with vice-tight ropings to prevent the load from 

 slipping when the sleds slew at turnings, or 

 jar as the dogs lead overland, between lakes, 

 and the sleds dip into hollows, and over hillocks 

 and fallen tree trunks. 



In weather we were fortunate, for there had 

 been no deep snowfall recently, and the powdery 

 snow had drifted and packed and the surface 

 on land or lake was everywhere firm. Snow- 

 shoes had been discarded. No trail required 

 breaking. Overland between lakes (for it was 

 altogether a country of alternating lake and 

 land) we sped, light-footed in our duffel-lined 

 moccasins behind ever-nimble dogs, alert to 

 keep the sled-head from being dashed against 

 upright stumps or dead logs that lay in our path 



The hardest sled-driving is when passing over- 

 land : guide-rope in hand, at one time urging 

 the dogs uphill, at another time righting the 

 sled if a bad canting slope, or a hidden stump, 

 has overturned it. Then, perhaps, a mad scramble 

 downhill, guiding the sled, sometimes with some- 

 what random effort, as it sways from side to 

 side in its impetuous movement, buffered off the 

 shallow banks which it encounters on the margins 

 of the trail. Finally, at sight of a lake ahead, 

 the dogs break into a gallop at prospect of getting 

 on to the level again, and the line of sleds debouch 

 on to the lake from the forest like a veritable 

 cataract. Breathless, or if not breathless, per- 

 spiring, we run alongside our sleds, board the 

 protruding ledge at the rear, and step over into 



