172 SLED-DOGS OF THE NORTH TRAILS 



directly on the snow. Also a great pile of dead 

 timber was gathered for the night fire. 



Those things were completed and the dogs fed 

 (two fish each) before any attention was given to 

 our own wants. Thereafter pots of meat were 

 boiled over the blazing fire, and tea, and we ate 

 with the deep content of lean and hungry men. 



In time the camp was ready to sleep. Beyond 

 the fire glare most of the dogs had ceased to move 

 and had dug themselves holes beneath the snow. 

 Mistewgoso made a final round outside the barri- 

 cade to make sure the sleds were thoroughly 

 protected from ravaging dogs — some of whom 

 would prowl stealthily round camp like wolves 

 after we slept — then, when he returned satisfied, 

 clad as we were in our heavy fur clothes, we curled 

 into our fur-lined sleeping-bags — feet to fire, 

 and sheltered by the barricade from wind — and 

 forgot the cold and the trail in dreamless sleep. 



I have endeavoured to describe a day on the 

 north trail, particularly the mode of travel. I 

 have known many such days — their food-shor- 

 tage : no Caribou : dogs weakening, dogs foot- 

 sore, dogs dying : and Indian companions losing 

 faith. Travelling north is not free of risk at any 

 time, it is far from pleasant then. But when 

 without food in bitter weather those dogs of 

 endurance will gamely do their best for three or 

 four days and may save an anxious situation in 

 the end. It is then that one learns the greatness 

 of their strength, and the spirit that resists to the 

 last blood-drop, unmurmuring, Big as the stern- 

 disciplined North that has mothered them. 



