place."

Queen, another present of Matt's to George, was a Gordon Setter with a
strong admixture of native blood, and was hopeless as a regular team dog
because of her high-strung and irritable disposition. Naturally nervous,
she had become, with the advent of her first family, so fierce that it
was dangerous for any one to approach her except George, and for him she
cheerfully left her puppies to be of service in sled pulling.

"Oh, I think she'll do; when you know Queen an' like her she ain't so
bad; an' besides not bein' able t' take any o' the real racers don't
leave us much choice."

"Do you--don't you think you could use Baldy?" suggested Ben eagerly.
"He's no locomotive like McMillan, ner a flyin' machine like them Tolman
dogs an' Irish an' Rover; but you've no idea how powerful an' willin' he
is till you've tried him. Just give him a show, George. I'm 'most sure
he'd make good. Moose Jones allers said he would."

There was a moment of serious consideration on the part of George,
while Danny eyed Baldy critically, and remarked with discrimination,
"Better take him; some o' these common lookin' dogs has the right stuff
in 'em. If looks was everythin' I guess you an' me 'ud be scrappin' over
Oolik Lomen or Margaret Winston, that new fox-hound Russ Downing just
got from Kentucky. But you an' me know too much t' get took in by just
good looks, George."

"All right, Ben. I'll take Baldy for the other wheel dog," said George
as he ran his hand over Baldy's sturdy, muscular body. "He'll be able to
show somethin' o' what's in him in this dash. Now we'd better see about
Danny's team."

The Woman's observation that she thought Jemima, being black, would make
a more artistic wheel-mate for Queen from the standpoint of color
harmony, than would white-faced sable Baldy, was silently ignored, as
was merited.

And so, in defiance of Art, and in spite of her evident prejudice
against him, Baldy made one of George Allan's Racing Team.

Danny, after much discussion and deep thought, selected Judge for his
leader, and Jimmie and Pete as wheelers. They were all steady and
reliable, and made up a more dependable team than George's uncertain
combination of youthful Spot, fiery Queen, and untried Baldy.

Ben was elated that the latter had been accepted by such experts as
being worthy a place in the coming event. And as he left the Kennel to
rush home to tell his mother the great news, he pictured Baldy in his
coming role of