256 THE BED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
through the windows, which, with their stretched skins, 
looked like square drum-heads, when the men arose from 
the table, and, whistling to Carlo, prepared for a day of 
work. Both Richard and Solomon had seen too much of 
Innuit and Esquimau life not to understand how to 
harness a dog into a sledge. Carlo had, indeed, been in 
training for several days, under the supervision of Nat. 
A harness had been made for the Newfoundland, from 
deer-skin thongs, and the dog had already learned to draw 
a burden with tolerable steadiness. Accordingly, he 
trotted smartly along over the crisp four or five inches of 
snow, to^^ard the woods, Solomon and the rest following 
with axes. 
All that day the sound of chopping rang out. Trees 
were felled, cut into four-foot lengths, and laid on the 
sledge, a dozen sticks at a time. Carlo pulled lustily, and 
kept bravely to the work, encouraged by Nat, who drove 
the sledge, loaded and unloaded it. 
Favored by several days of fair weather, this method 
of labor was kept up until several cords of firewood were 
piled in the kitchen, and a large heap left outside the 
door. It should be added that much of the cooking was 
now done in Mrs. Button's own establishment. It had 
been finally decided that Richard, Joe, Jim, Peeschee, and 
all the boys except Nat, should occupy the other building, 
sleeping there, and doing all their rough work beside their 
own fireside. 
Early one evening, about November tenth, there was a 
