Winter Adventures of Three Boys | Page 4

delighted to get home again after their long
summer's outing, and joyously they greeted Mr Ross and the other
inmates of the household. To our three boys, who had arrived since
their departure, they were somewhat distant and unsociable. It is a
well-known fact that the native dogs are much more hostile to white
people than to the natives. This offishness and even hostility on the part
of the dogs did not much disturb the boys. They, boylike, had all
confidence in themselves that by tact and kindness they would soon
become warm friends, and in this they were not disappointed. After
Kinesasis had seen the dogs well fed and put into their kennels he was
taken into the kitchen and given a hearty meal. A pipe of tobacco was
then put in his hands, and shortly after he had begun to smoke he made
his report of his summer's doings to Mr Ross.
To the great delight of Frank, Alec, and Sam, Mr Ross was able to
inform them that the number of young dogs of the right age to break
into work was so large that he would be able to furnish each of them

with a capital train, which they should have charge of and call their
own as long as they remained in the country.
The few short hours of sunshine of that November day sped away all
too soon for the completion of the work to be done, and so by lamplight
willing hands toiled on until everything was ready for the journey. So
rapidly did the temperature fall, and so intense became the cold, that
Mr Ross decided that with careful, experienced Kinesasis as their guide
the ice would be quite strong enough to bear them on the morrow, and
so if the storm was not too severe they would be off as soon as there
was sufficient light, as it was too risky to travel in the dark over such
thin ice.
Cozy were the beds and warm were the blankets into which three happy,
excited boys tumbled that night, and if in their pleasant dreams there
were sounds of cracking whips and jingling, musical dog-bells--well,
we will not envy them, still we wish we were there.
CHAPTER TWO.
BRINGING HOME THE DOGS--THE THIN ICE--METHOD OF
CROSSING DANGEROUS PLACES--THE DOGS' SUMMER
HOME--THE RETURN TRIP--THE UNEXPECTED GOOSE
HUNT--THE SAUCY FOX--KINESASIS'S QUESTION, "WHY DO
THE GEESE GO TO THE SOUTH LAND?"
Long before daylight the next morning the lamps were brightly burning
in Sagasta-weekee. As it was fully twenty miles to the island where
Kinesasis had kept the dogs, and Mr Ross was anxious that they should
return home that night, it was absolutely necessary that every hour of
the daylight should be utilised. Thus it was that all were stirring long
before daybreak. A good warm breakfast was eaten and all final
preparations made.
As Kinesasis had brought back with him twelve dogs, they were thus
able to rig out three trains for the trip. Extra sleds and harness were
taken along, as well as food and blankets, in case any serious accident
or delay should happen to them. In such a land it is always best to be

prepared for any emergency.
The boys were very proud and happy in their new mooseskin costumes
and snow-white blankets, only relieved by the black stripes on the
sleeves and skirts. Kinesasis, who had been on the lookout, at length
reported the morning star, just visible as the harbinger of dawn. This
was good news, and so the start was soon made.
Mr Ross up to a late hour the previous evening had not thought of
going, but now, at the sight of the dogs and the preparations for the
journey, he seemed to catch the enthusiasm of the boys, as well as the
fire of earlier days, and resolved to accompany them. Three Indian dog-
drivers had been secured, while Kinesasis, old as he was, was proud to
act the part of guide for the whole party.
Sam shared a large cariole with Mr Ross, while Frank and Alec
occupied another. To each cariole was assigned a careful driver. The
third Indian made up his load of several dog-sleds piled on each other.
All were well-loaded with supplies. Kinesasis armed himself with a
stout pole about ten feet long, which he carried as an Alpine climber
would his alpenstock, although it weighed as much as a dozen of them.
The boys were surprised at seeing him thus encumber himself with a
pole so heavy. They were also perplexed, when it grew lighter, to see a
similar one tied on to the sled of the third driver. However, before the
journey was finished they saw the wisdom of his forethought.
At first some of the dogs seemed to