Baldy of Nome

olomo

PTE

OLOMO

wenty degrees below zero, but was ideal racing weather, as there

Kid was perfectly adapted to lead this particular team, for the dogs were so willing to defer to him without any ill-feeling. His loss is a severe handicap now, I can tell you. Somehow he was so young and vigorous that the possibility of anything serious happening to him did not occur to me; he had n

known anything but racing all their lives, and must have absorbed a lot of knowledge about it, ev

tant event like this. The Tolmans, you know, never fall below the necessary standard in anything, neither do they ever rise above it. They

the rest o' the team, like Kid was. Them Tolmans has a high-handed way to 'em that some won't stand fer," remarked Matt as he began to re

edicament gravely as George bestowed even more

in't had much 'sperience, but he won a great

" "and besides," slyly, "we might meet

y Judge, and the Woman, with some hesitation, spoke of McMil

Man as he, with the Peril, paced restl

cision must be made immediately. He wal

m and Kid took us safe over the Golden Gate Divide in that terrible blizzard, an' mebbe h

l best. Whether he is fast enough is the question." With a sigh he added, "Well, fast or slow, there's no

drove him that way t'kinda fill out, he's never been in the lead since we got him. If we're

never shown anything more than just ordinary speed, and you know a leader has to set the pace for them all.

Springs Trail. He's our best chance." Then, "Baldy in the lead, Matt, and be quick; we're almost d

"Scotty's" faith in him, to keep Baldy from bolting when he moved thr

tomed to these gatherings, stood quietly

g against him, stroking his back, and even taking liberties with his velvety ears. What

ould figure conspicuously. Tom, ever anxious to be in the public eye, glanced about and, seeing the United States Marshal, who wa

play for favor in official circles, so anxious was he to be over the ordeal, and out in th

utes had started before them, and

he teams in front, even if he acted as trail-breaker and pace-maker; for there was

t which Allan knew to be Fred Ayer with his "Ayeroplanes," as the Woman had dubbed them; facetiously, but with a certain trepidation. For

rd at an even gait that soon lessened the space between themselves and the

the surface of the snow, so light and smooth

behind. A new fervor thrilled him as he determined to show that he was more than "just dog." No understudy on the stage,

nd for some time the dog had not noticed this additional weight. Then, too, he was beginning to miss his master's voice-"Hi, there, Tom, Dick, Harry, snowbirds in sight; rabbits, Spot; road house, Barney." Of course all of the dogs knew perfectly well that it was only a joke; that

bits of Scotch ballads, or whistling scraps of rag-time, which was

too strong for Baldy. Stopping suddenly, he look

ithout Allan was as a ship without a Captain and to Baldy th

charming reality; there was a stirring of McMillan's fiery blood, for he still admitted but one source of control; a plump fluffy hare, scurrying by within r

ow ominous growl, a smouldering light in his strange, somber eyes, a baring of his sharp white fangs. Yet it was something else, a something in the very nature of the dog, in his steadfast spi

ore distinct, till, beside it, he saw that it was his master, lying pale, motionless and blood-stained in the

w upon the man's breast, scratching softly to see if he could not gain some response. There was no answer to his loving appeal; and throwing back his head, there broke from him the weird,

and the insistent paw did their work; for there was a slight movement, a flicker

in the snow, in the bitter cold, soaked in blo

ahead of the other teams at a terrific speed, when he heard something snap. Thinking it might be a runner, he had leaned over the side of

h, stretched the vast snowy plains that merged into the purple shadows of the distant mountains, outlined in dazzling beauty against the azure sky. There wa

ing in the wrong direction, toward the wireless tower at Port Safety. In some way he dimly realized that the dogs had turned on the trail. Given the order, Bal

; and uncertain of anything save that you are never beaten til

Baldy's unsuspected fleetness. Trustworthy he had always been, and obedie

flew till the roofs of Solomon loo

p of Kennel Club officials, and the entire population of the p

o trouble at all," he maintained stoutly, "so long as my cap is frozen to the wound. Of course I am a little faint, and dizzy, but that will pass in the fresh air. Just water the dogs and see tha

the management of the team-all of his latent powers developing to meet

he usual enthusiasm over the first arrival was turned int

cure, untried dog in the lead; with a stunning blow that had left him alone and

sed in upon the dogs and their driver, ready and eager

THE PLUCKY LI

e winners, both overjoyed at the succ

nes's exultant comment as they passed Barclay, who st

luffed you all inter thinkin' him a wonder; but you wait an' he'll give himself away yet. He was ornery as a pup, an' he's ornery as a dog. You can't make a silk pur

e'll see

came forward with the Big Man, and grasped "Scotty's

n on Baldy with gratitude

s to good old Baldy here;

with her arms about him, said softly, "It was wonderfu

Derby was over, and