282 LIFE OP AUDUBON. 



number of dogs is used for the gang employed in drawing the 

 sledge, the number varying according to the distance to be 

 travelled or the load to be carried. Each dog is estimated to 

 carry two hundred pounds, and to travel with that load at the 

 rate of five or six miles an hour. The leader, which is always a 

 well-broken" dog, is placed ahead of the pack, with a draft 

 line of from six to ten fathoms in length, and the rest with 

 successively shorter ones, until they come to within eight feet of 

 the sledge. They are not coupled, however, as they are usually 

 represented in engravings, but are attached each loose from all 

 others, so that when they are in motion, travelling, they appear 

 like a flock of partridges all flying loosely, and yet all the same 

 course. They always travel in a gallop, no matter what the 

 state of the country may be. Going down hill is most difficult 

 and dangerous, and at times it is necessary for the rider to 

 guide the sledge with his feet, as boys steer their sleds sliding 

 down hills, and sometimes it is done by long poles stuck into 

 the snow. When the sledge is heavily laden, and the descent 

 steep, the dogs are often taken off, and the vehicle made to 

 slide down the precipice by the man alone, who lies flat on the 

 sledge, and guides it with his toes from behind, as he descends 

 head foremost. The dogs are so well acquainted with the 

 courses and places in the neighbourhood, that they never fail 

 to take their master and his sledge to the house where he 

 wishes them to go, even should a severe snow-storm come on 

 while they are on the journey ; and it is always safer for the 

 rider at such times to trust to the instincts of the dogs, than to 

 attempt to guide them by his own judgment. Cases have 

 occurred where men have done this, and paid the penalty by 

 freezing to death in a desolate wilderness. In such cases the 

 faithful dogs, if left to themselves, make directly for their 



home. 



" When two travellers meet on a journey, it is necessary for 

 both parties to come circuitously and slowly towards each other, 

 and give the separate packs the opportunity of observing thiat 

 their masters are acquainted, or otherwise a fight might ensue 

 between the dogs. Mr. Jones lost a son, fourteen years of age, 

 a few years ago in the snow, in consequence of a servant 

 imprudently turning the dogs from their course, thinking they 



