TOBNER] MANAGEMENT OF DOG TEAM. 245 



alk)w the insertion of tlie end of the lash which is fastened by means 

 of finer thongs. The butt end of the lash is five-sixteenths of an inch 

 thick and nearly 2 inches wide. It is composed of eight heavy thongs 

 plaited in a peculiar manner, depending on the number of thongs used 

 and the fancy of the maker. The thongs are plaited by inserting the 

 end of each thong through a succession of slits cut at the proper dis- 

 tance and so matted together that it is difficult to determine the "run" 

 of the thong. The size decreases from the handle by dropping out a 

 strand until at IS inches ft-om the stock only four thongs are left, and 

 these form a s(juare plait for a foot in length. This square form is suc- 

 ceeded by only two thongs which make a flat plait of 2 feet in length. 

 At the end of this a simple piece of heavy thong completes the lash. 

 The length of a whip may be as much as 35 feet, weighing 3 or 4 pounds. 

 Some of the natives acquire a surprising dexterity with this formidable 

 weapon, often being able to snip the ear of a particular dog at a distance 

 of the length of the whip. I have known them to snap the head from 

 a ptarmigan sitting along the path of the team. Children practice 

 with the whip as soon as they can manage it. 



The Eskimo dog fears nothing but the whiplash. They attack each 

 other with savage ferocity, and several dogs may be engaged in ter- 

 rific battles, yet the swish of a whip or even a stick thrown hurtling 

 through the air is suflficieut to cause them to slink off in abject terror, 

 whining piteously in fear of the expected lash. 



The weight or load put upon a sled maybe as much as 1,200 pounds. 

 The character of the road alone determines the weight, number of 

 dogs, and rate of travel. The latter may average over a smooth sur- 

 face .T miles hourly for twelve hours continuously, excluding the few min- 

 utes given the dogs to "blow" (rest), etc. I knew an instance where 

 three men with empty sled and seven dogs traveled M miles in eighteen 

 hours. I have gone 19 miles in three hours; and again I have known 

 only 3 or 1 miles to be made in ten hours, through rough ice or deep, 

 newly fallen snow. 



The dispositioH smd condition of the dogs chiefly determines the num- 

 ber attached to the sled. With these animals there is the same differ- 

 ence as is to be found in horses or other beasts of draft. Some are 

 energetic and well-behaved ; others as stubborn or lazy as is possible. 

 Strange dogs in the team arc liable to be pitched upon by all the others 

 and with the long traces ensues such an entanglement of lines, dogs, 

 and flying snow as is diflicult to conceive. The good qualities of the 

 dviver are manifested by his ability in keeping the dogs in order and 

 showing promptness in separating them when (piarreling. Fighting 

 among the dogs can always be prevented bv the driver keeping the 

 d(jgs in proper position. 



