160 THE ARCTIC PRAIRIES 



days in the north without hearing tales of dog prowess, 

 devotion, and heroism. A typical incident was related 

 as follows by Thomas Anderson : 



Over thirty years ago, Chief Factor George McTavish 

 and his driver, Jack Harvey, were travelling from East 

 Main to Rupert's House (65 miles) in a blizzard so 

 thick and fierce that they could scarcely see the leading 

 dog. He was a splendid, vigorous creature, but all at 

 once he lay down and refused to go. The driver struck 

 him, but the factor reproved the man, as this dog had 

 never needed the whip. The driver then went ahead 

 and found open water only a few feet from the dogs, 

 though out of sight. After that they gave the leader 

 free rein, surrendered themselves to his guidance, and 

 in spite of the blinding blizzard they struck the flag- 

 pole of Rupert's between 11 and 12 that night, only a 

 little behind time. 



Many of the wild Wolf traits still remain with them. 

 They commonly pair; they bury surplus food; the 

 mothers disgorge food for the young; they rally to 

 defend one of their own clan against a stranger; and 

 they punish failure with death. 



A thousand incidents might be adduced to show 

 that in the north there is little possibility of winter 

 travel without dogs and little possibility of life with- 

 out winter travel. 



But April comes with melting snows and May with 

 open rivers and brown earth everywhere; then, in- 

 deed, the reign of the dog is over. The long yellow- 

 birch canoe is taken down from the shanty roof or from 

 a sheltered scaffold, stitched, gummed, and launched; 



