DOGS AND HUNTING 
the back ; deep chest and fore legs wide apart ; 
a typical Esquimo dog is the picture of alert 
attention. They are as intelligent as any dog 
in civilization, and a thousand times more use- 
ful. They earn their own livings and disdain 
any of the comforts of life. Indeed it seems 
that when life is made pleasant for them they 
get sick, lie down and die; and when out on 
the march, with no food for days, thin, gaunt 
skeletons of their former selves, they will drag 
at the traces of the sledges and by their un- 
complaining conduct, inspire their human 
companions to keep on. 
Without the Esquimo dog, the story of the 
North Pole, would remain untold; for human 
ingenuity has not yet devised any other means 
to overcome the obstacles of cold, storm, and 
ice that nature has placed in the way than 
those that were utilized on this expedition. 
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