THE MUSK-OX. 



307 



feet in length, have their free ends, which were before 

 attached to the sledge, tied to the waists of the hunters, to 

 tow them along, as it were. 



"The hunting-dogs are not fed for a day or two before 

 the chase, if it is known about when it will be likely to 

 take place, as hunger makes them keener on the trail and 

 more energetic in holding the animals at bay when they 

 have once been stopped. It should be said, however, that 

 the Eskimo dog is only fed every other day, even when 

 there is plenty, and often only every third day if there be 

 but a small supply in the canine commissary. 



"Each hunter takes from one to three dogs, according 

 to the number to be had, and starts at once on the trail, the 

 sledge being left with some boys; or, if the}- are fortunate 

 in having guns, and thus enjoy the coveted -right of going. 

 with their elders, a couple of women, who have come for 

 the p>urpose, remain with the sledge, and Just enough dogs 

 to haul it conveniently when empty, and thus insure their 

 not running away with it. The persons remaining behind 

 have orders to follow on the trail slowly, until firing is 

 heard, when they are to press forward with all haste. 



"The hunters, with guns on their shoulders or held in 

 their left hands, trot along, dragged by the dogs, and guid- 

 ing them with the right hand holding the taut harness- 

 traces. The gait slowly increases until it becomes a run 

 that the most enduring professional could not maintain a 

 hundred yards through such snow, if alone, but which 

 becomes easy with the eager, excited dogs tugging at the 

 traces around one's waist. In fact, it becomes hard to avoid 

 running, and running like a Deer, after one gets under 

 headway, the only exertion necessary being to simply raise 

 the feet, while the dogs furnish all the motive j)ower that is 

 needed, and oftentimes a great deal more than is wanted. 



"If the uninitiated Ximrod should fall, and he is 

 attached to two or three good dogs, the speed will not 

 materially slacken on that account, although he may break 

 a few ribs on the projecting stones. His only chance of 

 escape is by unslipping the dogs, which he has been warned 



