INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 105 



up by itself wherever and whenever we stop. No shelter is needed. 

 When the most furious wind sweeps its path, the deer simj)ly faces 

 it with an open mouth and with an expression of satisfaction and 

 joy. Another very practical feature with the deer is its inexpensive- 

 ness compared with other beasts of burden used and which are not 

 adapted for the countr}^. The cost price of a good dog is about as 

 high as that of a good reindeer, but then for every day the dog is 

 worked, or not worked, if he shall remain a good dog he will cost his 

 owner 20 to 30 cents for food. Counting at 20 cents a day, which 

 is cheap, the feed for one dog costs S73 per year plus all the trouble, 

 and then, at the best, the owner has only a d-o-g, which if he should 

 need a piece of extra provision would afford ver}^ tough meat. As 

 soon as the wind blows a little, the dog can not travel; especially 

 is this so if the wind happens to be in the face. The deer does not 

 mind the wind in the least, from whatever direction it comes; it 

 rather enjoys travelhng against the wind. The deer never costs its 

 owner 1 cent for feed. It causes much less trouble, and when it has 

 served in hauling its master or his belongings it might serve as the 

 greatest delicacy to satisfy his well-developed appetite. 



As to the gentleness of the deer, let me state from my own expe- 

 rience that you can make it what you want it to be. Deer can do 

 work which neither dogs nor horses can do, and m.ules, if they can 

 do it at all, only under comparatively great expense. We have 

 this winter been freightmg 7 tons of goods from Fish River to Chi- 

 cago Creek on the Kugruk River. On that distance the road leads 

 up a very hard river to travel, across three high and difficult moun- 

 tain passes, the dreaded Death Valley and the valley of Koyok 

 River, and down the Kugruk, a distance of 40 to 50 miles. On the 

 road dogs are out of the question at once, because of the food, as 

 they would have all ihej could do to haul their own provision. The 

 horse would cost too much and could not b}^ an}^ means stand the 

 exposure. The mule would be impracticable also on account of its 

 expense, and then the feet would not hold on the crusted snow on 

 the divides; and where the trail is not solid it can do absolutely 

 nothing. On the other hand, the deer need not haul 1 pound for 

 itself; it costs nothing for feed; it faces all weather, and makes its 

 way where the driver can hardly walk without snowshoes. It goes 

 uphill and downhill alike. Trail or no trail, it will haul its 200 

 pounds or more day after day; yes, week after week. You might 

 have to lay up for storms when you can not see where to go or when 

 you can not face the wind, but it can not be placed to the discredit 

 of the deer. 



After these .simple facts are known, who is not able to see and 

 understand that the deer is of value even to the white man who 

 comes to Alaska. And if of value to him, how much more are they 



