Baldy of Nome

Pl

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actually take part in it, but for all of their friends as well. For those who had not teams for the event had more than likely loaned a dog, a

ome from school he stopped at the Kennel to curry and brush Baldy or help George

leader, or took Queen out under the strict discipline he knew would be necessary to prepare he

h which he adjusted himself to serious sled work. There were no more romps, no more games, but his

then you should see him mush. You know that's what Father says t' Tom, Dick 'an' Harry, an' Rover an' Irish. It's fine with any of 'em that's got bird-dog blood, an' you know Spot's part pointer. O' course they don't ha

ore like he feels a sort o' duty about doin' the very best he kin fer any one that's usin' him. He's allers willin' t' do more'n his sh

n you're workin' hard must be great; but I guess it's only dogs an' mebbe so

SKA-FROM

the momentous occasion; going in crowds to the starting place, which was a broad, open thoroughfare on the outskirts of town. Those especially interested in t

on to go to the Kennel early; so that when George and Dan arrived they found th

' Matt said he'd help us too; an' now you've got 'em lookin' finer'n silk. I'll bet even Father'll say they're as fine

it's no use tryin' t' do anything with a dog that knows you're scared. He told me the reason your father made a good dog

s very best. If you tie a dog o' McMillan's spirit, an' beat him t' make him obey, he always thinks he hadn't a fair chance. But if

now," observed Ben thoughtfully. "Some way I guess w

. They were compactly built, of an even tan color, short haired, bob-tailed, and all about the same size, being brothers in one litter. Their sturdy legs suggested strength and their intelligent faces spoke of amiability as well as alertness. They wer

doin' little things fer the other dogs is about the only way

alized how necessary it is in a large Kennel; and he now stood patiently waiting for his harness, wh

many of the children from the neighborhood arrived, and later the Woman appeared with the Big Man whom Bald

d the malamute-the Yellow Peril, as the Woman had named him-was plainly antagonistic to the Racers, at whom he growled with much enthus

a trifle less rakish, beside it. They were conversing in low tones. "We got pretty nearly half an hour t' wait, Dan, an' it's fierce t' have all these people that don't know a blame thing about racin' standin' ro

suggested Da

win' your dogs, an' usin' common sense. Each time it's different, 'cordin' t' the dogs, the distance, the trail a

I hadn't any idea how much there was to it till we begun t' train the dogs, an' talk it over with your father. I was awful nerv

she saw one out on the tundra, an' left the trail t' try and ketch him; or if she smelled some of 'em in the crowd an' made a break for 'em just when s

. An' I guess Baldy'd be kinda neutral, 'cause he don't pay attention t' Eskimos or anything when he's workin'. I never saw a dog mind his own business like Baldy. That's worth somethin'

ousehold. "Scotty" and Matt refrained from all criticism of George's leader, knowing that both the boy and dog were unduly excited by the noisy, laughing groups surrounding them. Queen, while she waited with v

they were born, behaved with perfect propriety; and there were many compliments

omewhat encouraging informa

speaks to him. Bill's got some bully pups, but his sled's no good; it's his mother's kitchen chair nailed onto his skiis. Jimmie's team's a peach, an' so's his sled; but Jim drives like a-like a girl," finished

n toward George's ill-assorted collection: Spot, rangy, raw-boned, and awkward, Queen fretful and mutino

didn't have such a rotten disposition, an' Baldy knew he was alive, it 'ud be a regular cinch for you. But t

ant, and would tamely submit to the degradation. An infantile amusement, they felt now, in the face of this real Sporting Event that was engaging the attention of the entire town. And to complete the feeling that this was indeed no mere child's play, the Woman cam

Man cheerily. "Peril and I will go ahead, and c

ms of Good Luck-a four-leaf clover in a crumpled bit of silver paper, and a

abbit's foot, and a rusty horseshoe were

ne which seemed in keeping with these solemn moments. "All the dogs know our voices, an' if we should speak they might stop just like they have when we've been exercisin' 'em, an' wanted t' talk things over. We'll

ey fell in behind the Big Man and the Peril, and were flanked by the Woman and "Scot

was much confusion and zeal in keeping the bewildered dogs in order. It w

f the Kennel Club, had cleared a space into which the first entry was led wi

ch team being computed from the moment of its departur

ingly to the dogs to keep them quiet. He was devoutly hoping that Nero would not discover any intimate friend in

th Bob's orders to his leader, whose usual dignified and leisurely movemen

and Dan agreed, and only hoped tha

h equal ease, and

a minute by letting his dogs become tangled up in their ha

er Helen does better'n that in those girly-girly races, even if she

es upon such mistakes, and Jim left amidst the sam

ned up there was much ad

e opry glasses, don't it?" exclaimed Matt with justifiable

go pups is allers fair lookers an' fair go-ers, so fur's

ng manners were absolutely above reproach. Unlike Nero, they quite properly ignored the merely social side of the event, and were evidently intent u

was practically conceded

almost unbearable disappeared completely. The hood of his fur parka had dropped back, and his yellow hair, closely cropped that it should n

re just beginning to chafe a proud man's spirit; but here in the North he was already "Some Musher,"

n repelled all advances with snaps and snarls, and Baldy quivered with a dread of the unknown, and was only reas

AN ALASKAN

Baldy. He was allers an ornery beast, an' combin' his hair an' puttin' t

y; it's what you got clear down in your heart that folks can't se

ople an' dogs ain't judged entirely by looks. If they was, there's some dogs that's ra

ea

firmly grasped the curved top, and repeated the word to Spot, who he

G

fears; as in absolute harmony of action, the incongruous team sped quickly down the length of the street, and

e collection of buildings which marked the end of half of the course looked distant indeed to the five young mushers who w

time before they reached the turn, to meet two of the teams coming back. The third, Jim's, had been diverted at the Road House by a large family of small pigs in an enclosure surrounded by wire nettin

urse should Mego's pups prove faster than his own team, he would loyally give all credit due the driver and dogs; but it would be a bitter disappointment indeed if Spot did not manifest the wond

's sons evinced not only mechanical precision, but the intelligence of their breeding, and the advantages

a slight increase in briskness, which wa

a peculiar shrill whistle that t

ast of one another. True to their compact they did not speak, and the inclination of Spot to stop for the usual

rept toward Bob and Bill; though there was a steady gain to the point where he could ca

ration of the stiff gait set them by their friends; and bot

he driver on one side, pitted against the excellence of the dogs on the other. Unless, indeed, Spot, Queen or Baldy should rise to the oc

onroeville crossed the trail diagonally. George glanced back and saw that h

orld. And if he had not the courage to try Spot out, his pet might remain an ordinary, commonplace dog to the end of his days; a condition that would be intolerable to George. Then, too, it would have been a disappointment to Ben if Baldy could not have entered; and Ben's feelings were now of muc

armigan, the grouse of the North. Spot paused instantly, and seemed petrified in an attitude which his distant grandsires, old in field work, might have envied for its perfec

; and joined by the now aroused Spot, she started off the tr

ow up till everything's over but the shoutin'. I'll just about tie for fourth place i

ling the sled more than a few feet; for added to George's weight on the brake

e tow-line so taut that George feared it might snap. Equally unavailing were Queen's sudden

ompted him to accept the inevitable gracefully, combined to end the disturban

r inability to bolt; and after one or two efforts, she fastened her teeth in his ear, leaving a small wound from which the blood trickled, staining his collar and shoulder. George expec

lties, Dan caught up with them, and together th

ut a certain sympathy for his rival, who was also his friend, restrained him; as well

ference in their positions; then gradually the Mego

the bridge and high bank of Dry Creek came into view, as well as the mov

st, waited till they reached the top of a slight incline. Then the whistle sounded l

d once more the tried and untried of the same Kenne

at as an inspiration. It was black and sleek and swift, and fairly flew from a clump of willows by the way

ats as only dogs of "Scotty's" training could be, were pursuing

ree only a narrow passage down which they dashed with unabated speed. For while they were tired, and home and rest were near, the cheers and

er loyal homage on the altar of friendship and success. There was a warm clasp of the hand, and a sincere if brief tribute. "You a

no sign of Jim; whereupon Mr. Kelly delivered himself of a scathing comment. "I guess next time

with present pride, but also with an inward determination to devote the rest of his existence to the high calling of dog racing; with perhaps an occasional de

epaid; for Spot had not only proved his cleverness as a leader, but Queen had been no worse than he had antici

orth while for the

w-Wow Wonder Workers," the exciting aff

was, he admitted freely, in his driving. "I don't seem to put the ginger into 'em the way George does at the finish. But I guess he takes i

who knew whereof they spoke. He was proud indeed when George told how Baldy had steadfastly held out against the efforts of

as McMillan, and he sure was good not to chew Queen up, the way she tackled him. But I don't know," judicially, "that we can make a real r

nes allers said that Baldy had plenty o' spirit; an' I kinda think he's like the

into a serious and secret Conclave of an Ancient and Hon

te vein of sarcasm, that one of the wheel dogs had been the most recent notable addition to the Allan and Darling Kennel-Baldy, late of Golconda, now of Nome, "a likely Sweepstakes Winner." At which t

urn) "Musher"-dr