on the wind-swept steeps there was but little 

 snow, and it was necessary to leave snowshoes 

 behind. After climbing a short distance on these 

 icy slopes, I became alarmed for the safety of 

 Scotch. By and by I had to cut steps in the ice. 

 This made the climb too perilous for him, as he 

 could not realize the danger he was in should he 

 miss a step. There were places where slipping 

 from these steps meant death, so I told Scotch 

 to go back. I did not, however, tell him to watch 

 my snowshoes, for so dangerous was the climb 

 that I did not know that I should ever get back 

 to them myself. However, he went to the snow- 

 shoes, and with them he remained for eight cold 

 hours until I came back by the light of the 

 stars. 



On a few occasions I allowed Scotch to go 

 with me on short winter excursions. He enjoyed 

 these immensely, although he had a hard time of 

 it and but very little to eat. When we camped 

 among the spruces in the snow, he seemed to 

 enjoy sitting by my side and silently watching 

 the evening fire, and he contentedly cuddled with 

 me to keep warm at night. 



143 



