and slide in spite of their best efforts to the
contrary. On this smooth ice the Eskimos and the mongrels had the
advantage, as they had such hard feet that they very seldom slipped.
The feet of Alec's dogs were perhaps the worse for these smooth icy
places, and so he found that it was necessary, where the travelling was
good, for him to urge his dogs more than he had intended, to make up for
what he lost in the glassy places. Thus on they sped, and when Sagasta-
weekee was reached Alec found three trains ahead of him and a couple
alongside of his own and others close behind him. Ten minutes was the
time allotted for the rest here. The instant Alec had arrived Memotas
was at his side, and with him at once examined his dogs and compared his
train with those that had thus far kept ahead. Memotas was delighted
with the inspection, for, while the other trains seemed about exhausted
at the terrific rate their drivers had pushed them, Alec's were as
playful and lively as though the race had only begun. So, barring
accident or foul play, there seemed to be no reason why Alec should not
win with flying colours. Two of the half-breeds with very vicious
trains now pushed on with four minutes of a start. An Indian followed
two minutes after, and then in four minutes more Alec and those who had
arrived at the same time as he did were again ready for the final run of
the six-mile home stretch. Just as Alec was leaving faithful, alert
Memotas said to him, as he tucked him in:

"Be on your guard against those two half-breeds and their vicious dogs.
Try and not pass them in a narrow place. There is mischief in their
hearts. Be wise."

"Marche!" and he was off.

For the first time now his blood began to tingle, and he entered into
the wild, joyous enthusiasm of the race. He had become an expert in the
use of his whip over the backs of his splendid dogs. Skillfully he
whirled it, and its pistol-like report rang out over them, but not once
did it inflict a stinging blow.

"Ho! ho! my gallants! With Scotland's best staghound's blood in your
veins, and Scotland's names, my bonny dogs, for Scotland win the day!"

He must needs hurry now, for fleet trains are around him and some ahead
of him, with drivers just as keen and eager to win as he, and every one
of them accustomed to dog-driving for years. Victors are some of them
in previous contests, and not one of them is disposed to see a white lad
from across the sea come an