CHAPTER XIX 



Anecdotes About Dogs (Continued) 



In these days, when so much has been attempted and 

 done, in connection with expeditions to the Arctic re- 

 gions, the following account by the late Captain Parry, 

 R. N. in the Journal of his second voyage, may be in- 

 teresting as giving a lively and accurate description of 

 the manner in which Esquimaux Dogs are managed 

 in the sleighing operations in those inclement climes. 



" When drawing a sledge," says he, " the dogs have 

 a simple harness of reindeer or seal skin, going round 

 the neck of one bight and another for each of the fore 

 legs, with a single thong leading over the back, and at- 

 tached to the sledge, as a trace. 



" Though they appear, at first sight, to be huddled 

 together without any regard to regularity, there is, in 

 fact, considerable attention paid to their arrange- 

 ment, particularly in the selection of a dog of 

 peculiar spirit and sagacity, who is allowed by a 

 longer trace, to precede all the rest, as Leader, and to 

 whom, in turning to the right or left, the driver usually 

 addresses himself. 



" This choice is made without regard to age or sex, 

 and the rest of the dogs take precedency according to 



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