IN THE LAND OF LITTLE STICKS 195 



to where the three carcasses of the caribou lay. It hap- 

 pened that there were a few scattering little sticks near 

 by, and half of us gathered firewood, while the others 

 guarded the caribou from the rapacious dogs. To hold 

 the dogs in check is to turn the sledges upside-down and 

 sit on them. But all the while the dogs jump and tug 

 and howl, and now and again one slips his simple harness, 

 and then nothing short of a blow that knocks him nearly 

 senseless drives him from the caribou. It is cruel treat- 

 ment, but the necessity is extreme. Some- 

 times, even with the sledge turned over, the 

 starving, straining dogs get started towards 

 the coveted prize, and then every man sets 

 upon them with whipstock and lash, for once 

 those four dogs got to the carcass, there would 

 be no hope of rescuing any of the meat. 

 Sometimes, frenzied by their unsuccessful ef- 

 forts to get the meat, they turn on one anoth- 

 er, and then ensues a dog-fight of such fury 



J RACING SHOE, 



as can never be witnessed anywhere beyond Canadian Snow . 

 the Barren Grounds, with its maddening con- Shoe Club ' 



3 feet long 



ditions. 



Even though by some transcendent means I should be 

 given plenty to eat, not anything could induce me to 

 again visit the Barrens and witness the sufferings of those 

 poor dumb brutes. Only for one period (I think, though 

 not absolutely certain, because I was too cold and miser- 

 able to write in my note-book every day, and must depend 

 largely on memory) of three days on the trip did they 

 go entirely without meat. At all others they had a little, 

 just a mouthful, except twice, when we camped by a good 

 killing of musk-ox, and then they fared sumptuously. But 

 they were half famished practically all the time, and my 

 conscience smote me sorely as I noted their glaring eyes 



