io THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Nov. 



the scene for ever. Their origin and the names by which they 

 had been formerly known are, as I have explained, mysteries 

 which we could not penetrate, but long before the commence- 

 ment of this journey each had learnt to answer to his own title 

 in the following list : — 



'Joe,' 



Each of these dogs had his own peculiar characteristics, 

 and altogether they displayed as great a variety as could well 

 be comprehended in a team of the size ; it can be imagined 

 that what we did not know concerning their individuality we 

 had ample opportunities of learning during the weeks that 

 followed. 



I have already given some idea of the dignity of character 

 of our leader, ' Nigger.' He was a black dog with some tawny 

 markings, and possessed the most magnificent head and chest, 

 though falling off a little in the hinder quarters. A more 

 perfect sledge dog could scarcely be imagined ; he chose his 

 place naturally as the leader, and if put into any other position 

 would make himself so unpleasant to his neighbours, and 

 generally behave so ill, that he was very quickly shifted. In 

 the happy times before sickness fell on our team, it was a 

 delight to watch ' Nigger ' at his work : he seemed to know the 

 meaning of every move. He would lie still as a graven image 

 till he saw the snow being shovelled from the skirting of the 

 tent, when up he would spring and pace to and fro at his 

 picket, giving out a low throaty bark of welcome as any of us 

 approached, and now and again turning towards his neigh- 

 bours to express his opinion of them in the most bloodthirsty 

 snarl. A few minutes later, as the leading man came to uproot 

 his picket, his keen eye would watch each movement, and a 

 slow wagging of his tail would quite obviously signify approval ; 



