DOG CAEIOLES. A WINTER ROAD. 



85 



the snow is deep, a half-breed walks on snow shoes some 

 distance in front of the dogs, which follow his track with 

 the utmost precision through all its windings ; after 

 four or five trains have passed, the road is generally con- 

 sidered to be sufficiently hard pressed to admit of the 

 easy passage of the succeeding trains ; hence, a great 

 point is gained in dog traveling if a new road has re- 

 cently been made by a party in advance. To make the 

 road is regarded, indeed, as the chief difficulty in journey- 

 ing with dogs. 



Shoes. 



From the hour it was known in Selkirk Settlement that 

 the two parties would probably start nearly at the same time, 

 and great feeling existing among the half-breeds respecting 

 their endurance and the ease and speed with which their 

 dogs could accomplish a long journey, a warm spirit of 

 emulation arose between the men attached to each party, 

 which rapidly communicated itself to their wives and 

 friends. Cline told me he had heard confidentially that 

 Monkman's plan was to give us the start for two days, and 

 then, taking advantage of the road we should make 

 through the untrodden wilderness, pass us triumphantly a 

 day or two before we arrived at Crow Wing. It gra- 

 dually became evident that the idea of a race from Fort 

 Garry to Crow Wing communicated itself to the gentlemen 



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