tHE SIBERIAN DOG* *213 



cipally on their obedience to his voice. Great care 

 and attention are consequently necessary in training 

 the leader ; which, if he is steady and docile, be- 

 comes very valuable, the sum of forty roubles (or 

 ten pounds) being no uncommon price for one of 

 them. 



The cry of tagtag, tagiag^ turns him to the right ; 

 and hoiigha,liougha. to the left. The intelligent ani- 

 mal immediately understands the words, and gives 

 to the rest the example of obedience. Ah, ah, stops 

 the Dogs ; and ha^ makes them set off. 



The charioteer carries in his Jiand a crooked 

 stick, which answers the purpose both of whip and 

 reins. Iron-rings are suspended at one end of this 

 stick; by way of ornament, and to encourage 

 the Dogs by their noise, for they are frequently 

 jingled for that purpose. If the Dogs are well train- 

 ed, it is not necessary for the rider to exercise his 

 voice : if he strikes the ice with his stick, they will 

 go to the left ; if he strikes the legs of the sledge 

 they will go to the right ; and when he wishes them 

 to stop, he has only to place the stick between the 

 snow and the front of the sledge. When they are 

 inattentive to their duty, the charioteer often chas- 

 tizes them, by throwing this stick at them. The 

 dexterity of the riders, in picking it up again, is very 

 remarkable, and is the most difficult manoeuvre in 

 this exercise : nor is it, indeed, surprising that they 

 should be skilful \\\ a practice in which they arc so 

 materially interested ; for the moment the Dogs find 

 that the driver lias lost his stick, unless the leader is 

 both steady and resolute, they set off at full speed, 



P a 



