704 THE DOG. 



Fury, one mile distant, nine dogs drew 1611 lb., in the space 

 of nine minutes." At another place, he observes of one of 

 two sledges in which his party was conveyed, " the leader 

 was instant in obeying the voice of the driver, who never 

 beat, but repeatedly called to him by name. When the dogs 

 slackened their pace, the sight of a seal or bird was sufficient 

 to put them instantly to their full speed ; and even though 

 none of these might be seen on the ice, the cry of ' a seal,' 

 * a bear,' ' a bird,' &c., was enough to give play to the legs 

 and voices of the whole pack. It was a beautiful sight to 

 observe the two sledges racing at full speed to the same 

 object, the dogs and men at full cry, and the vehicles splash- 

 ing through the holes of water with the velocity and spirit 

 of rival stage-coaches. There is something of the spirit of 

 professed whips in these wild races ; for the young men de- 

 light in passing each other's sledge, and jockeying the hinder 

 one by crossing the path." ..." The voice and long whip an- 

 swer all the purposes of reins, and the dogs can be made to 

 turn a corner as dexterously as horses, though not in such 

 an orderly manner, since they are constantly fighting ; and 

 I do not recollect to have seen one receive a flogging, with- 

 out instantly wreaking his passion on the ears of his neigh- 

 bours. The cries of the men are not more melodious than 

 those of the animals, and their wild looks and gestures, 

 when animated, gave them an appearance of devils driving 

 wolves before them. Our dogs had eaten nothing for forty- 

 eight hours, and could not have gone over less than seventy 

 miles of ground, yet they returned, to all appearance, as 

 fresh and active as when they first set out." 



These dogs, when the snow melts, and they are no longer 

 needed for the sledges, are frequently turned adrift to find 

 their own food as best they may, on the river-banks, the sea- 

 shore, or wherever they choose to roam ; and it is remark- 

 able that, notwithstanding the rigorous treatment they have 

 to endure, they faithfully return to their respective owners, 

 or are easily collected by them, at the fitting season ; though 



