268 LABRADOR 
Our attempt to use the stags for rapid transit has not 
been altogether successful. At hauling logs and other 
weights on the boat-like “ pulkas,” or on our more adaptable 
“catamarans,”’ at a walking pace they succeeded admirably, 
each deer pulling as much as four or five dogs. But when 
pace was the criterion of success they failed at the first. 
For though they could go like the wind when they wished, 
they did not often go fast when we wished, and we had to 
be contented with the Lapps’ assurance that they only 
needed experience. In this respect the deer have certainly 
improved this second winter very considerably; but still 
we have not been able to consider them as rivals in speed 
to our dogs. Their timid natures seemed to make them 
flurried when an excess of speed is demanded on a down 
grade, and their habit of suddenly stopping ceased to be 
amusing, when it would cause you, with your loaded sled, 
to roll over and over with your team to the bottom of a 
steep incline. I am assured, however, that this is only a 
difficulty to be overcome, and my Alaskan informant, who 
for many years has driven a mail train with reindeer, 
assures me that it takes a reindeer stag three seasons’ 
work really to find himself. If, however, for any reason we 
are unable to entirely replace our dogs with deer for rapid 
transit, we shall proceed as we have locally, by killing off 
all the worst dogs and enforcing the existing laws, which 
compel all dogs roaming at large to wear a heavy clog or 
carry one paw through a ring round the neck. I have 
repeatedly driven my own dog-team through the herd this 
winter without trouble. 
On several occasions when we have tethered our beasts 
at night they have either pulled adrift, or chewed through 
