e in the arctic region the _tundra_ gives the reindeer the
moss he lives on. It is never dry in summer because the frost prevents
any underground drainage, and even in winter the animals feed upon it and
thrive. There are, it is said, hundreds of thousands of square miles of
reindeer moss in Alaska, and reindeer stations have been established in
many places, and, as the natives are the only ones allowed to raise them,
it seems as if this might be the way found to help the industrious
Esquimos to help themselves."

"But if it all belongs to the government, how can it help the natives?"
asked Ted.

"Of course they have to be taught the business," said Mr. Strong. "The
government brought over some Lapps and Finlanders to care for the deer at
first, and these took young Esquimos to train. Each one serves five years
as herder, having a certain number of deer set apart for him each year,
and at the end of his service goes into business for himself."

"Why, I think that's fine," cried Ted. "Oh, Daddy, what is that? It
looks like a queer, tangled up forest, all bare branches in the summer."

"That's a reindeer herd lying down for their noonday rest. What you see
are their antlers. How would you like to be in the midst of that forest
of branches?" asked Mr. Strong.

"No, thank you," said Teddy, but Kalitan said:

"Reindeer very gentle; they will not hurt unless very much frightened."

"What queer-looking animals they are," said Ted, as they approached
nearer. "A sort of a cross between a deer and a cow."

"Perhaps they are more useful than handsome, but I think there is
something picturesque about them, especially when hitched to sleds and
skimming over the frozen ground."

The farm at Teller was certainly an interesting spot. Teddy saw the deer
fed and milked, the Lapland women being experts in that line, and found
the herders, in their quaint _parkas_ tied around the waist, and conical
caps, scarcely less interesting than the deer. Two funny little Lapp
babies he took to ride on a large reindeer, which proceeding did not
frighten the babies half so much as did the white boy who put them on the
deer. A reindeer was to them an everyday occurrence, but a Boston boy was
quite another matter.

Better than the reindeer, however, Teddy and Kalitan liked the
draught dogs who hauled the water at the station. A great cask on
wheels was pulled by five magnificent dogs, beautiful fellows with
bright alert faces.

"They are th