260 



THE POLAR WORLD. 



pick it up again while the sledge shoots along. During a snow-storm the dogs 

 keep their master warm, and will lie quietly near him for hours, so that he has 

 merely to prevent the snow from covering him too deej^ly and suffocating him. 

 The dogs are also excellent weather prophets, for when, while resting, they dig 

 holes in the snow, a storm may with certainty be expected. 



The sledge-dogs are trained to their future service at a very early period. 

 Soon after birth they are placed with their mother in a deep pit, so as to see 

 neither man nor beast, and, after having been weaned, they are again condemn- 

 ed to solitary confinement in a pit. After six months they are attached to a 

 sledge with other older dogs, and, being extremely shy, they run as fast as 

 they can. On returning home, they are again confined in their pit, where they 



DOGS TOWING BOATS. 



remain until they are perfectly trained, and able to perform a long journey. 

 Then, but not before, they are allowed their summer liberty. This severe edu- 

 cation completely sours their temper, and they constantly remain gloomy, shy, 

 quarrelsome, and suspicious. 



To return to the Karachatkans : travellers praise their good-nature, their 

 hospitality, and their natural wit. Of a sanguine disposition, they are happy 

 and content in their poverty, and have no cares for the morrow. Being ex- 

 tremely indolent, they never work unless when compelled. They readily adopt 

 strange manners, and no doubt education might produce valuable results in so 

 pliable and sharp-witted a race. Unfortunately the Russians and Cossacks 

 who have settled among them do not afford them the best examples. They 



