Baldy of Nome

The Racers,

PTE

THE RACERS,

e, and the joy of a run with Ben Edwards was almost an inevitable part of the day's

he Woman, nor reconcile himself to her constant

it was for some evident purpose; when the boy appeared, it

cipline, and casually suggested all sorts of foolish and revolut

spent hours playing with the young dogs with no attempt at training; and he could not forget

ks which would have been far more agreeable could he have been with the boy alone. She quite monopolized his chum, talking so ear

ils," which was so rankly unjust that Baldy, who knew not automobiles, was amazed at her stupidity. To Baldy the word "Devil" had an evil sound, for when he had heard it at Golconda it was generally associated with a kick or a blow. She even ostentatiously walked past the chained dogs sometimes, carrying fluffy J

nwise, for they were invariably directed toward the very dogs who were

ll that could be laid at her door-she was cons

eepstakes Winners. The latter all carried themselves with a conscious dignity that befitted their fame and aspirations; but gradually Baldy noticed that through the

submitted, while Baldy sulkily glowered at these encumbrances who were more fit for the pound than the Allan and Darling Racing Stables. For Baldy had but one criterion; that of efficiency as the result of honest ende

ld probably, with delicate disdain, have thought of her as lacking in "esprit de corps." As it was, being but a blunt Alaskan, he growled rather sullenly w

id, Irish or McMillan created when they were in the lead; and as the two latter at least w

Kentucky. He even understood there were dogs, neither Workers nor Racers, who had gained a kind of popular distinction that was recognized by bot

lebrated birthplace, or because of his unusual appearance, Oolik was haughty to the verge of insolence; and to Baldy he represented the culmination of all the charming but useless graces

political-at parades, christenings, weddings, and even funerals. At concerts or at the theatre he walked out upon the stage, and waited quietly near the wings till the progra

e he was untiring, and would select a couple for each dance and follow them through the mazes of

ial diversions were only an outlet for abundant vitality, since there were not fires and wrecks enough to keep him busy; and a poor little fo

or a high standard in his own Kennel that prompted his aversion to those waifs and strays that she collected; who, of no possible use,

l believed implicitly in the dignity of labor; and his early residence amongst freighters had enabled him to recognize the fact

urroundings, there were periods when Baldy watched intently the habits and characteristi

putting them in practice every time he took Baldy out for exercise. One was as eager for improvement as

be much to boast of, at best. He has strength and patience, but

gon like Kid; nor had he manifested the marvelous intelligence of old Dubby. But on the other hand, ther

latent qualities that will make a good general utility dog of him for even a racing team. He may not prove a leader, but he's dep

n, whose speech was now and then tinged unconsciou

he venerable huskie's sight by a puppy-hood spent amongst the working classes. He was not born to an exalted position, a natural aristocrat, like Tom, Dick or Harry; and woul

m; and so Dubby began to bestow upon Baldy, for his modesty and industry, an approbation not accorded by him to many of the others in the

ell as their keen instinct in trail emergencies, Dubby combined wi

iven promise of unusual abilit

nning to think a little for himself when the rest of the litter were still undecided whether "Gee" meant to turn to the rig

soned trailsman was deceived, and he could scent a camp for four or five miles with the wind in the right direction. Never but once in his life had he been known to take the wrong route to a given point. Then he mistook the f

service. With that liberty he made it his business to see that no dog was shirking. A glance at a slack strap was enough to betray the i

s to hitch him up with the rest of the team. There were no depths of humiliation greater, no shame more poignant,

usand miles in harness to his credit, he lived a delightful

limited list of favorites; and the boy never wearied of hearing from "Sco

erybody in the whole North knows Dub, and what he's done. I hope,"

something extraordinary, really brilliant, or dramatic, to give a dog more than a local reputation. Of course there are a few, but very few, who have won such distinction. John

ford nearly cried when he told me how those setters had saved his hands from freezing. He had turned them loose to rest and run behind at will, knowing they would catch up at the next stop. In some way he had dropped the fur gloves he wore over his mittens, when he took them off to adjust a sle

as fine," m

native strain for strength and trail instincts. It's a combi

ake them more uniform as to size and style. With Kid and Spot part pointer, Irish and Rover part setter, Jack McMillan verging on the mastif

"Scotty's" face, ful

dogs in all the world, but they don't quite look it. Of course the year you won with Berger's 'Brutes,' with that awkward, high-shouldered native, Mukluk, in the lead, I learned that looks do not go v

urs at Brown's Road House, where all of the teams had to lay up because of a howling gale, I a

fter that every one called Brown's 'The House

the mail carriers, ten or twelve to casual mushers, and I think about the same number to Eskim

take any chances of our leaders scrapping in such close quarters, and possibly being put out of commission. But an Outsider, a government official, I think, who was on

ly. "You might know he was not an Alaskan. He was as

. Allan?" question

ter boots on a stump going through the trees by Council. At a near-by cabin I tried to buy a pair of mukluks a native woman had on, as I saw they were about the size I needed. She refused to sell, though I offered her thre

on Seward Peninsula, of any nationality, is supposed to know that whatever a driver or his dogs n

hat most Malamutes are stubborn. Was the leader you spok

of that trait in him. It did not take long, however, to show him that I could spend just as much time making him obey as he could spend defying me. There's no use in whipping a dog like that. And with a

if the dogs could understand; but when it comes to actual good looks, 'Scotty,'" the Woman confessed, "we are really not in it with Bobby Brown's big, imposing

ss that I find in those with bird-dog ancestry. Of course each man prefers his own type, the one he has deliberately chosen; and Fox Ramsay, and John or Charl

OF SI

ime to come. If, as Mark Twain says, 'it is a difference of opinion that makes horse racing,' it seems to me it's about the widest

nd faithful worker, I have never found a dog that could outdo Dubby here," and "Scotty" affectionately caressed the old husk

but I will say that he always listened tolerantly to all I had to offer in the way of suggestions, and wagged his tail co

y" was, after all, only human, while Dubby had

but Baldy realized, as did the others,

ition of Keeper of the Kennel Meat; and much of his life was now spent dozing peacefully before

of his high office certain perquisites that he thoroughly enjo

ld treat them to dog biscuit, dried fish, or a drink of fresh water; but he never abused his

t Fritz, the house dog, whose only method of expression heretofore had been an ear-piercing bark, to howl in a clear, high tenor,

Baldy conceived an admiration for Dubby that would have been boundless but for one w

imes nine lives would not cover a span of more than a few months at the most, as a rule. It had begun when Texas was little mo

aper across a strip of snow, into the angle of a cabin; then turning, gazed into

ome boon companions. And so, giving three short, sharp cries and repeating the call several times, h

if it chanced to cross his path when he was in quest of adventure. But this was the Allan cat. He had often seen the girls carry it about in their arms; and while it seemed a strange perversion to c

ar, every hair on end, sputtering and spitting, she had unsheathed her tiny claws and was prepared to make a brave fight for her l

r with his still strong, sharp teeth. The other dogs wheeled in surprise; and in an instant there was a battle as bloody as it was short and decisive. Dubby was a marvelous tactician-the others only novices, and in a very brief period there were three well

e house, where he carefully deposited her inside the shed, a

ake Texas out for a stroll; and even after she was a huge seventeen pound cat, well able to hold her

Poodle's People say, "Noblesse Oblige," and it certainly seemed unnecessary that a dog of

t brilliant lawyers in Alaska besides, always raised his hat to Dubby when they met, as a greeting from one keen mind to another; for the man had watched the skill of the dog on the trail, and knew that it was unsurpassed in the whole N

e faithful huskie was singularly exempt from

e like Kid and be as smart on the trail as Dub?" In his eagerness he did not wait for the reply. "Don't you s'pose if a dog's really good t' begin with, an' some one that loves

. "Have you any

thinkin'," he stammered as he earne

happen, Sonny. You know pretty nearly all good

would begin the very next day to show what can be ac

2(retur