MAMMALS OF NOETHEEN CANADA 187 



sumed in traveling was less than seven out of the twelve 

 weeks spent thereon (except on the last we always rested 

 on Sundays), and for that time we averaged more than 40 

 miles a day, a record probably never before or since attained 

 by the same dogs on a trip of equal extent. Four of the 

 five haulers were of Eskimo breed, and they were engaged 

 thereon from start to finish. A spare dog who lingered be- 

 hind our second day out from Fort Simpson was killed by 

 a band of wolves not far from our night encampment. 

 Another of the team, which suffered severely from sore paws, 

 was replaced at Chipewyan. With the exception of one or 

 two of the last of the many trade posts between Fort Simp- 

 son and Oak Point, the team invariably arrived at a ratt- 

 ling fast pace. It was the custom in those days, as it still 

 is in some parts of the great interior, for winter voyagers 

 to stop for a short time within a few miles of a post in order 

 to make themselves presentable to the inmates. The dogs 

 were also dressed with worsted or silk-fringed tapis of fine 

 cloth, richly beaded or embroidered, and banded with brass 

 or silver-plated round bells. Eibbon-adorned iron-branded 

 stands of small open bells screwed on top of their harness 

 collars, having three or fouT of a larger size stitched to the 

 lower part thereof, made a fine display, while the jingling 

 of the bells emitted sounds of a musical and agreeable nature. 

 From previous experience, the dogs knew that they were 

 approaching a haven of food, plenty, and temporary rest, 

 and, once started, they lost no time in cantering over the 

 intervening distance. In course of upward of forty years' 

 personal knowledge and experience of hauling dogs of var- 

 ious breeds in arctic America, British Columbia, and the 

 ISTorthwest Territories, the already-alluded-to smallest dog 

 in my own team, "Keskayoo" (Oree for tailless dog), was, 

 for his size, the very best all-round hauler I ever met, drove, 

 or heard of in the 'country. The very nearest approach to 

 him in endurance and other good qualities was "Cerf -volant," 

 so highly and justly commended by Colonel (now General) 



