them up with snow, and
kept them on the blazing fire until they were nearly full of water.
Meat was cooked in some, while tea was made in others.

The dog-drivers looked after their own dogs. From the sleds sufficient
fish were taken to give to each dog two good whitefish. These were the
daily rations of the dogs. The invariable rule is when travelling to
give them but one meal a day, and that is given at the evening camp. So
severe is the frost that these fish are frozen as hard as rocks, and so
the drivers have to knock them off the sticks where in tens they were
strung when caught. Then they are placed against a log that is rolled
as near to the fire as it can be without burning. Against this log the
fish are stood up next to the fire, and well thawed out, ere they are
given to the dogs. Getting but one meal a day, they are naturally very
eager for it, and so it is no wonder if some of them get up an
occasional quarrel. Neither is it surprising if some of the stronger
and more greedy strive to steal some portion of the supper from those
not so active or quick in eating as themselves. One of the best times
to study dog nature is when they are being fed.

The boys, having each cut down a good, large tree, hugely enjoyed the
feeding of the thawed-out fish to their own dogs. They were greatly
amused at the efforts of the greedy ones to rob others. They had their
whips in hand, and while they each took good care not to strike his own
dogs, they rather enjoyed giving a crack to some cunning old rascals
from some of the older trains, that having in all probability imposed on
the youngsters all summer imagined they could with impunity keep it up
here.

"You would, would you, you thieving beast!" said Sam, as with hearty
good will he brought his whip vigorously down on a powerful old dog that
was making a cunning attempt to rob Spitfire of about half a fish.

With a howl of rage the baffled fellow quickly sprang back into the
gloom.

Frank and Alec also had to be equally alert, to see that their dogs were
not robbed by others.

Mr Ross and the Indians were much amused and pleased, to see the zeal
and promptness, with which the boys guarded the rights of their trains.
They said that this was always the way with old dogs; that they would
try most persistently for a few nights, in the beginning of winter, to
rob the younger animals. A few good thrashings generally cured them of
it; and sometimes, to the surpr