was to call on the sleigh dog to attack him.
This was quite sufficient and Spitfire surrendered to the inevitable,
and in less than three hours had well learned his first lesson.

To conquer the dog's repugnance to Sam, and to make them fast friends,
Mr Ross had him, when taken out of the harness, fastened up in a dark
root cellar without any supper. The next day Sam went in to bring him
out, but was met only with savage growls.

"All right," said Mr Ross, "it seems hard on you for the present, but
it will be better for you in the end;" and so the heavy door was shut,
and Spitfire had another twenty-four hours in solitude and quiet to
ponder over his ways. The next day, as directed by Mr Ross, in whom he
had all confidence, Sam suddenly threw open the door, and, while the dog
was still blinking in the sudden sunshine that poured in, Sam without
any hesitancy or fear strode in and, unchaining him, led him out and up
to an abundant supply of food and drink.

Spitfire was conquered, and from that day he and Sam were the best of
friends. A few more lessons in the harness, with a growling, cross
sleigh dog behind him, made him one of the best and fleetest of the
train.

Sam, who was quick to utilise a good thing when he observed it, saw in
this dislike of this old sleigh dog to having fresh young dogs ahead of
him just the assistance he needed; and so, although he selected three
other dogs, that at first were about as ugly and intractable as Spitfire
had been, he was able in this way to subdue them all with firmness and
patience, and he not only made them his affectionate friends, but he
became the master of one of the most spirited trains in the country.
They were obedient and quick to respond to Sam's calls upon them, but
woe to anyone else who tried to drive them when the spirit of mischief
or contrariness which was in them showed itself.

Alec had stated that he wanted a swift train for the fun and excitement
of fast travelling. It was fortunate for him that Mr Ross had some
young dogs with a large strain of the Scottish staghound in them. The
pure staghounds are unable to stand the severe cold of the long winters,
but the mixed breeds at Sagasta-weekee, while retaining much of the
speed of the staghound, had a rich, warm coating of fur-like hair.
Still, they enjoyed a warm blanket when the weather was very severe.
The young untrained ones were very wild, and when Kinesasis attempted to
bring out from the kenn