514 THE SIBERIAN DOG. 



and never stop till either their strength is exhausted, 

 or till the carriage is overturned and dashed to 

 pieces, or hurried down a precipice, when all are 

 buried in the snow. 



The manner in which they are generally treated, 

 seems but ill calculated for securing their attach- 

 ment. During the winter they are fed sparingly 

 with putrid fish ; and in summer are turned loose, to 

 shift for themselves, till the return of the severe 

 season renders it necessary to the master's interest 

 that they should be taken again into custody, and 

 brouglit once more to their state of toil and slavery. 

 When yoking to the sledge, they utter the most 

 dismal hovvlings; but, when every thing is prepared, 

 a kind of cheerful yelping succeeds, which ceases the 

 instant they begin their journey *. 



These animals have been known to perform, in 

 three days and a half, a journey of almost two hun- 

 dred and seventy miles. And scarcely are Horses 

 more useful to Europeans, than these Dogs are to 

 the inhabitants of the frozen and cheerless regions 

 of the North. When, during the most severe 

 storm, their master cannot sec the path, nor even 

 keep his eyes open, they very seldom miss their way: 

 whenever they do this, they go from one side to the 

 other, till, by their smell, they regain it ; and when 

 in the midst of a long journey, as it often happens, 

 it is found absolutely impossible to travel any far- 

 ther, the Dogs, lying round their master, will keep 

 him warm, and defend him from all danger. They 



CooVs last Voyage Lessep, i. 115- 



