seemed interminable. Nothing interested them, even the very things
that had made the other days pass so quickly and so happily. Nothing
except gloomily watching Tom, whose actions would have plainly proved
his guilt to "Scotty" had the man not been too absorbed in an
improvement for his sled to take much notice of anything else.

For a brief period the wily criminal had shown a humility as deep as it
was unusual; he had sat on a pile of wood alone, not even romping with
Dick and Harry till he felt the Hour of Judgment had passed. And then,
deciding that there was no punishment forthcoming, he had leaped and
frisked, and seemed so guileless that Baldy's contempt for his own kind
made life hardly worth while.

One might look for such actions from inferior animals--from a cat that
has killed a bird for instance; for cats are only soft-footed, purring
bundles of deceit, with no standard of trail morals. But for a dog, a
racing dog, and one belonging to the Allan and Darling Team, it was
almost incredible. One would expect him at least to have the courage of
his convictions, and be willing to take the consequences of what he
regarded as a legitimate feud.

Tom's escape from all blame in this deplorable matter rankled. It made
Baldy realize the indifference or casual injustice of a world that
seldom delves below the surface of things; and while at times it plunged
him into periods of depression, more often it spurred him on in his
dogged determination to attain the goal of his recently aroused
ambitions.

Fortunately he had a forgiving nature, and realized they could not know
how deeply he had been wounded by their lack of faith. Also he was too
busy to brood very much, for when they exercised at all, the new dogs
were being tried out, and the older ones were in demand as "trainers."
Most recruits are as eager for the honor of making the team as a
freshman is to get into college football; but occasionally it was thrust
upon an unwilling candidate.

"I should not be at all surprised if I have some trouble with Fisher,"
remarked "Scotty," as he turned the dogs out one day for their usual
run. "He has a certain malamute stubbornness that might cause me a lot
of annoyance just when I could least afford the time to correct him."

"Well, after your famous victory over Jack McMillan I do not anticipate
seeing any real difficulty with Fisher," was the Big Man's confident
reply. "I think you would be eligible to the position of