Baldy of Nome

n of a

PTE

N OF A

wary or absent-minded pedestrian, the Allan and Darling Team head

ture of a "try-out" for racing material; or at the very least

d manner; for the Woman, whose experiences nearly quenched her ardor for exploration; and for Jemima, who learned that masculi

e lance in the expedition, and as such was particularly irritating to those in harness. They were a perfect contrast to "Scotty's" dogs, who had been taught to step into place, each as his name was called, standing quietly until all were in position, and t

wy plains rose almost imperceptibly into softly curved hills, and ended in rugge

merry, and Baldy even forgot, in the very joy of living,

WAS CRIS

and "Haw," admonished his dogs "not to get tangled up in their riggin'," and cautioned them against "runnin' afoul of other craft." Of course no well raised dog could be expected to know that his harness was "riggin'," nor that a sled could po

, who passed before long the famous Paystreak Diggings, which had yielded their many

s when he was hungry and foot-sore and heart-sick, and now-Baldy straightened up proudly, and nearly pulled Jemima off her feet in his desire to render good ser

here that Jemima's unfitness for work with experts began to manifest itself; as well as the unusual tenacity of purpose that

amazement and chagrin were plainly manifest. She sat down in the snow while she figured out a plan of campaign for the restoration of her rights; and then was off immediately in pursuit. "Scotty" had brought Fisher back into th

a part of dog mushing as it is of mule driving. Jemima was lifted out, the tow-line straightened, and another start was made; but after trotting along steadily for a time she gave a second sudden leap, and was between the two dogs just in front of the wh

than in anger, she abandoned the unsuccessful tactics, stepped up beside Kid, and, keeping pace with him, ran at the head of the team un

ame should be changed to Emmeline. But Jemima, at least to her own satisfaction, had demonstrated her ability, as well as her unswerving determination, so she ate dried salmon and corn meal porridge with zest, and slept sound

excitement and confusion that was the inevitable accompani

ll, he would see that they did it; he never used a dog physically unfit, and was perfectly willing to go through with them any of the severe hardships they were forced to endure. Di

e man was in dire need, he himself was strong, and his dogs would go th

so much enjoy-else why do they remain within reach of them instead of running far away, as did Baldy at first? But he, like the rest of the Allan and Darling family, had eventually become

get dogs joined them, and Baldy noticed with stern condemnation that Fisher and Wolf, who had not yet acquired the repose of manner that comes of rigid discipline, were also guilty of this breach of Road House decorum. Allan and Pete rushed out to q

gget Road House, lying in the somber shadow of the Sawtooth Mountains. And to Baldy and all the others came rest and forgetfulness of such trials as nerve-racking sounds

and his huskies were to take the long route through the Lowlands; while "Scotty" decided upon

somewhat colder, when they stopped for lunch at Slisco's; but later, as the

y curled to break. Once when the sled hit a crag, in spite of every effort to steer clear of it, "Scotty" heard an ominous crack. He was obliged to stop, and with Ben's aid

D GROWN EXCE

ma, who had gone slightly lame, into the sled with her friend, and tucked the warm rugs about them both; while the boy insisted upon perching lightly on the side that he might

n and a sob. In faltering tones she declared herself "perfectly comfortable; found the scenery glorious, and simply loved traveling by dog team." Had Baldy understood this assurance of a "delightful rid

appeared to be "Get There, and Get There First," dashed up those slippery barriers to find

on was serious, and "Scotty" felt that their best chance for safety lay in the speed with which they could cross the Divide, and reach the open countr

if he should start after me. He may hear you even above the storm. I'll have to go on to see if I cannot locate some sort of a trail." He lowered his voice. "This is the worst place in the Sawtooth Rang

n full upon them. Something ghostly in the silent, motionless figure of the Woman, covered as with a pall, by the drifting snow, and in the shadowy string of dogs faintly seen, from time to time, when a rare lull cleared the

k I'd better go on before the team for a while to try to keep at least in the right direction. But I'll have to put another dog in the le

selection of dogs that would follow him through danger and disast

fter an instant's hesitation he hooked Baldy up beside Kid. With a few words of direction to Ben, "Scotty" turned once mo

or McMillan would share that honor and responsibility with Kid, and now, unexpectedly, it had come to him. "Scotty" was trusting him; safety for t

bled. Straining and breathless he plunged forward, knowing only that behind him was his friend the boy, with a helpless human being; and that somewhere beyond was his master, calling to them from out the cold and the dark. So, blindly, willingly, they

he Hot Springs Road House. Its shining windows and smoking chimney brought hopeful interest and renewed courage, even to those

ng cozily on some furs in the corner. The Woman, almost rigid, had also been lifted out, and after thawing a little, was busily engaged in applying soothing remedies to a badly scarred

had been of real service, and accepted the appre

was much more than just the customary kindly stroke. Something Baldy could not fathom, that made his heart beat happily. There was born, of a touch and tone, the wonderful ambitio