te
Storbuk. It was slow, for the Buck resented all liberties from man, as
he did from his brothers; but kindness, not fear, was the power that
tamed him, and when he had learned to obey and glory in the sled race,
it was a noble sight to see the great white mild-eyed beast striding
down the long snow-stretch of Utrovand, the steam jetting from his
nostrils, the snow swirling up before like the curling waves on a
steamer's bow, sled, driver, and Deer all dim in flying white.

Then came the Yule-tide Fair, with the races on the ice, and Utrovand
for once was gay. The sullen hills about reechoed with merry shouting.
The Reindeer races were first, with many a mad mischance for laughter.
Rol himself was there with his swiftest sled Deer, a tall, dark,
five-year-old, in his primest prime. But over-eager, over-brutal, he
harried the sullen, splendid slave till in mid-race--just when in a way
to win--it turned at a cruel blow, and Rol took refuge under the
upturned sled until it had vented its rage against the wood; and so he
lost the race, and the winner was the young White Storbuk. Then he won
the five-mile race around the lake; and for each triumph Sveggum hung a
little silver bell on his harness, so that now he ran and won to merry
music.

Then came the Horse races,--running races these; the Reindeer only
trots,--and when Balder, the victor Horse, received his ribbon and his
owner the purse, came Sveggum with all his winnings in his hand, and
said: "Ho, Lars, thine is a fine Horse, but mine is a better Storbuk;
let us put our winnings together and race, each his beast, for all."

A Ren against a Race-horse--such a race was never seen till now. Off at
the pistol-crack they flew. "Ho, Balder! (cluck!) Ho, hi, Balder!" Away
shot the beautiful Racer, and the Storbuk, striding at a slower trot,
was left behind.

"Ho, Balder!" "Hi, Storbuk!" How the people cheered as the Horse went
bounding and gaining! But he had left the line at his top speed; the
Storbuk's rose as he flew--faster--faster. The Pony ceased to gain. A
mile whirled by; the gap began to close. The Pony had over-spurted at
the start, but the Storbuk was warming to his work--striding evenly,
swiftly, faster yet, as Sveggum cried in encouragement: "Ho, Storbuk!
good Storbuk!" or talked to him only with a gentle rein. At the
turning-point the pair were neck and neck; then the Pony--though well
driven and well shod-slipped on the ice, and thenceforth held back as
t