he runners been iced, at least forty pounds weight would have been
added for each dog."

Captain Lyon, in another passage, observes:--"Our eleven dogs were
large, and even majestic-looking animals; and an old one of peculiar
sagacity was placed at their head by having a longer trace, so as to
lead them through the safest and driest places, these animals having
such a dread of water as to receive a severe beating before they would
swim a foot. The leader was instant in obeying the voice of the
driver, who never beat, but repeatedly called to him by name. When the
dogs slackened their pace, the sight of a seal or bird was sufficient
to put them instantly to their full speed; and even though none of
these might be seen on the ice, the cry of "a seal!"--"a bear!"--or "a
bird!" &c., was enough to give play to the legs and voices of the
whole pack. It was a beautiful sight to observe the two sledges racing
at full speed to the same object, the dogs and men in full cry, and
the vehicles splashing through the holes of water with the velocity
and spirit of rival stage-coaches. There is something of the spirit of
professed whips in these wild races, for the young men delight in
passing each other's sledge, and jockeying the hinder one by crossing
the path. In passing on different routes the right hand is yielded,
and should an inexperienced driver endeavour to take the left, he
would have some difficulty in persuading his team to do so. The only
unpleasant circumstance attending these races is, that a poor dog is
sometimes entangled and thrown down, when the sledge, with perhaps a
heavy load, is unavoidably drawn over his body. The driver sits on the
fore part of the vehicle, from whence he jumps when requisite to pull
it clear of any impediments which may lie in the way, and he also
guides it by pressing either foot on the ice. The voice and long whip
answer all the purposes of reins, and the dogs can be made to turn a
corner as dexterously as horses, though not in such an orderly manner,
since they are constantly fighting; and I do not recollect to have
seen one receive a flogging without instantly wreaking his passion on
the ears of his neighbours. The cries of the men are not more
melodious than those of the animals; and their wild looks and gestures
when animated, give them an appearance of devils driving wolves before
them. Our dogs had eaten nothing for forty-eight hours, and could not
have gone over less than seventy mile