ss that marks
the sighted end of a hard day's run.

In another half hour they had arrived at their destination, and were all
warmly housed. Jemima, stiff, and a bit inclined to be sulky, had been
lifted out of the sled and was now resting cozily on some furs in the
corner. The Woman, almost rigid, had also been lifted out, and after
thawing a little, was busily engaged in applying soothing remedies to a
badly scarred cheek and chin; for the Big Man was due at any moment, and
his facetious comments on the unpleasant results of her "pleasure trips"
had become time-honored, if unwelcome, family jokes.

Ben was vastly contented in the knowledge that he had been of real
service, and accepted the appreciation that was warmly expressed with
modest joy.

As for Baldy, there was the dawn of a glorious future in that day's
work. When, in his turn, Allan came to him and rubbed cooling ointment
into his swollen and bleeding feet, there was much more than just the
customary kindly stroke. Something Baldy could not fathom, that made his
heart beat happily. There was born, of a touch and tone, the wonderful
ambition to be classed with Dubby and Kid in his master's affections; as
with his hand still resting gently on Baldy, "Scotty" turned to the boy.
"Ben, we're glad _now_ that we have Baldy."

[Illustration]

VIII

A Tragedy without a Moral--and a Comedy with One

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VIII

A TRAGEDY WITHOUT A MORAL--AND A COMEDY WITH ONE

Life at the Kruzgamapa Hot Springs offered a pleasant relaxation from
the business cares and social duties of Nome. There was very little
driving for the dogs, but they were allowed to chase every big beautiful
white hare they could find, pursue a red fox if they were so lucky as to
start one, and watch the flocks of ptarmigan that fluttered near enough
to be a constant lure.

They were out by day with the Big Man and Ben to look for game, and once
nearly went wild with excitement when they saw an Eskimo take a large
gray lynx from his trap. That was the sort of a cat that would be worth
while as a friend or foe; and Baldy remembered Texas Allan with added
disdain.

Occasionally natives with their sleds drawn by reindeer would pass that
way. And if they could elude "Scotty's" vigilance it was great fun to
dash after the awkward, stubborn beasts who so disliked them; and who
somewhat threatened, in the more remote interior, to break up the
monopoly