58 SECOND DIVISION OF THE 



escapes ; and the more they felt the warmth the closer they crept, and then, 

 through mere feebleness, losing their equilibrium, they rolled into the fire 

 before our eyes." 



These dogs are not so high as the common pointer, but much larger 

 and stouter, although their thick hair, three or four inches long in the 

 winter, gives them an appearance of more stoutness than they possess. 

 Under this hair is a coating of fine close soft wool, which begins to grow 

 in the early part of winter, and drops off in the spring. Their muzzles 

 are sharp and generally black, and their ears erect. 



The Greenland, and Siberian, and Kamtschatdale are varieties of the 

 Esquimaux or Arctic dogs, but enlarged in form, and better subdued. The 

 docility of some of these is equal to that of any European breed. 



A person of the name of Chabert, who was afterwards better known 

 by the title of " Fire King," had a beautiful Siberian dog, who would 

 draw him in a light carriage 20 miles a-day. He asked 200/. for him, 

 and sold him for a considerable portion of that sum ; for he was a most 

 beautiful animal of his kind, and as docile as he was beautiful. Between 

 the sale and the delivery, the dog fell and broke his leg. Chabert, to 

 whom the price agreed on was of immense consequence, was in de- 

 spair. He took the dog at night to a veterinary surgeon. He formally 

 introduced them to each other. He talked to the dog, pointed to his leg, 

 limped around the room, then requested the surgeon to apply some ban- 

 dages around the leg, and he seemed to walk sound and well. He patted 

 the dog on the head, who was looking alternately at him and the surgeon, 

 desired the surgeon to pat him, and to offer him his hand to lick, and then, 

 holding up his finger to the dog, and gently shaking his head, quitted the 

 room and the house. The dog immediately laid himself down, and sub- 

 mitted to a reduction of the fracture, and the bandaging of the limb, with- 

 out a motion, except once or twice licking the hand of the operator. He 

 was quite submissive, and in a manner motionless, day after day, until, at 

 the expiration of a month, the limb was sound. Not a trace of the frac- 

 ture was to be detected, and the purchaser, who is now living, knew 

 nothing about it. 



The employment of the Esquimaux dogs is nearly the same as those 

 from Newfoundland, and most valuable they are to the traveller who has 

 to find his way over the wild and trackless regions of the north. The 

 manner, however, in which they are generally treated seems ill calculated 

 to cause any strong or lasting attachment. During their period of labour, 

 they, like their brethren in Newfoundland, are fed sparingly on putrid 

 fish, and in summer they are turned loose to shift for themselves until the 

 return of the severe season renders it necessary to their masters' interest 

 that they should again be sought for, and once more reduced to their state 

 of toil and slavery. 



They have been known for several successive days to travel more than 

 60 miles. They seldom miss their road, although they may be driven over 

 one untrodden snowy plain, where they are occasionally unable to reach 

 any place of shelter. When, however, night comes, they partake with 

 their master of the scanty fare which the sledge will afford, and, crowding 

 round, keep him warm and defend him from danger. If any of them fall 

 victims to the hardships to which they are exposed, their master or their 

 companions frequently feed on their remains, and their skins are converted 

 into warm and comfortable dresses. 



