ge," exclaimed Dan admiringly. "I
wouldn't touch that snarlin' brute o' George's, not if I could win this
race by it, an' you know what I'd do fer that." He examined Judge,
Jimmie, and Pete, with profound satisfaction. They were compactly built,
of an even tan color, short haired, bob-tailed, and all about the same
size, being brothers in one litter. Their sturdy legs suggested strength
and their intelligent faces spoke of amiability as well as alertness.
They were indeed worthy sons of the fleet hound mother--Mego--whose
puppies rank so high in the racing world beyond the frozen sea. "They
just glisten, Ben. You must 'a' worked hard t' get 'em lookin' as smooth
an' shinin' as the fur neck-pieces the girls wear."

"O' course I wanted t' git Baldy ready fer his first race; an' doin'
little things fer the other dogs is about the only way I kin pay
everybody round here fer all they're doin' fer him."

Baldy was fast learning not to despise the detail that had made the new
life so irksome before he realized how necessary it is in a large
Kennel; and he now stood patiently waiting for his harness, while long
discussions took place as to the adjustment of every strap, and the
position of every buckle.

"Scotty" and Matt had come in to be ready with counsel and service, if
necessary; then the Allan girls and many of the children from the
neighborhood arrived, and later the Woman appeared with the Big Man whom
Baldy some way associated invariably with her, and a yellow malamute
whom Baldy invariably associated with him.

The Big Man always spoke pleasantly to the dogs, and had won Baldy's
approval by not interfering--as did the Woman--in Kennel affairs; and
the malamute--the Yellow Peril, as the Woman had named him--was plainly
antagonistic to the Racers, at whom he growled with much enthusiasm. And
so Baldy was glad to see the Big Man and the Peril amongst the
acquaintances and strangers who were thronging into the place.

George brought out a miniature racing sled--his most prized
possession--and a perfect reproduction of the one "Scotty" used in the
Big Races, being built strongly, but on delicate lines. Danny pulled
another, only a trifle less rakish, beside it. They were conversing in
low tones. "We got pretty nearly half an hour t' wait, Dan, an' it's
fierce t' have all these people that don't know a blame thing about
racin' standin' round here givin' us fool advice. Why, if we was t' do
what they're tellin', we'd be