an' he's
lots happier when he's workin' hard than when he's just lyin' idle in
the stable, or bein' trotted out by Matt fer a walk."

"I wisht I was like that," muttered Danny gloomily. "That bein' happiest
when you're workin' hard must be great; but I guess it's only dogs an'
mebbe some men that's like that. I don't know o' any boys that's got
such feelin's."

[Illustration: NOME, ALASKA, FROM BERING SEA]

When the day of the Boys' Race arrived, a day clear, and beautiful, and
only a degree or two below zero, it seemed as if all of Nome had decided
to celebrate the momentous occasion; going in crowds to the starting
place, which was a broad, open thoroughfare on the outskirts of town.
Those especially interested in the individual teams gathered at the
various kennels to see the dogs harnessed and the young drivers prepared
for their test as trailsmen in the coming struggle.

It was Saturday, and a general holiday, and Ben's mother had given him
permission to go to the Kennel early; so that when George and Dan
arrived they found their dogs smooth and shining from the energetic
grooming that Ben had given them.

"It's awful good of you, Ben," said George appreciatively. "Danny an' me
came in plenty o' time t' do it ourselves, an' Matt said he'd help us
too; an' now you've got 'em lookin' finer'n silk. I'll bet even
Father'll say they're as fine as a Sweepstakes Team, an' he's mighty
partic'lar, I can tell you. But I don't see how you got Queen t' stand
for it."

"I talked to 'er jest the way you do, an' then walked straight up to 'er
so's she'd see I wasn't afeared. Moose Jones says it's no use tryin' t'
do anything with a dog that knows you're scared. He told me the reason
your father made a good dog out o' Jack McMillan was because he wasn't
afeared of him, an' give the dog an even break in the terrible fight
they had."

"Father always does that," responded George proudly. "He believes you
got t' show a dog once for all that you're master of him at his very
best. If you tie a dog o' McMillan's spirit, an' beat him t' make him
obey, he always thinks he hadn't a fair chance. But if you can show him
that he can't down you, no matter how good a scrap he puts up, he'll
respect you an' like you the way Jack does Dad."

"I don't believe me an' Queen'd ever have any trouble now," observed Ben
thoughtfully. "Some way I guess we kinda understand each other better'n
we did before."

"Well, it sure shows you got coura