Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-07-22
Dog Driving in Alaska.

My team comprised three dogs. The
leader was a fine black dog named 1kkee,
who had a magnificent bushy tail, which
was always erect aud curly. The next one
was black and white, and called Sawaska,
hard worker and of amiable disposition.
Next the sled was old Kamuk, my favor,e,
aud the ug lest dog in the brigade. His
tail, poorly supplied with hair, was usually
between his legs; his ears were short and
scored with the marks Of many battles.
His face was stoid and exhibited emotion
only when feeding time came, or when some
other dog ventured too near or Jagged be-
hind. His body vas large and his legs
were like pillars; his color was white with
dirty spots. Altogether he looked good
deal like lean pig. But how he would
pull
A description can give but a faint idea
of dog-driving. 1t is art in itself. The
nature of the dogs is cross grained, aud
they frequently do the wrong tn ng with ap
parently the best intentions. Each has a
peculiar look and character. Some are ir
reclaimably lazy, others enjoy hard work
unless pushed too far; some are greedy aud
snappish, others COED humored and decor
Gus. All are very practical, showing atfec-
ton only for the an who feeds them, and
for him orly as long as he feeds them.
Hence the yoyagel should always feed his
own team himself. They dislike the whip,
not only when useed, but in the abstract.
They will always destroy one if they can
get at it. The whip is made with short
handle, very long lash, braided of leather
or sealskin, and usually loaded with sheet
lead Or bullets in the core.
As we walk behind the sled, which ordi-
narv travels about tour miles an hour. we
have an excellent opportunity of studying
dogs. One habit seems TO be ingrained in
their nature. 1t exh bits itself at street
corners in cities, and at every bush, stump
or lump of ice which they pass on the road.
When travelling rapidly, some dog will stop
twenty times an hour to examine any bnSh
or twig which attracts his attention. If
leader ii checks the whole team if not he
usually entansles himself in the harness,
and jumps trantically to release himself as
he hears the well known crack of TIE whip
about his ears. Ii a log comes in the way.
aud the driver is not ready with his help in
urs ing the sled over ii. down th, Y all drop
on their launches, wagging their tails, and
luOklhE ABOUT with u ptehSeu expressions. OF
uttering a sentimental howl. With a crack
of the whip, and shout for kamuk to stir
himself, the reveries are broken, and we go
on. Going down hill, the whip and lungs
are again called into reauisition, to keep
the dogs out of the way Of the descending
sled.
Ii is said that no man can drive dogs
without swearing. think it is in u measure
true. At all events he must have ready
store OF energetic expletives to keep them
on the qmi rire. In Russian America We
always used the indignant epi,he,s, which,
as we did not understand them. were hardly
sinful. lfthere is tree near the trail, the
dogs invariably try to pass it on different
sides, until checked by their harness; they
constantly exhibit such idinsyncrasies, and
il was lucky for job that he was not set to
dog driving; II he had been, fear that his
posthumous reputation would have suffered.
At noon We stop for cup Of tea. Tea
over, you empty your chynik, and set it in
the snow q moment to cool, that you may
not burn yoursled cover. Having replaced
it, and seen that the dogs are uutangled,
you shout to Kamuk, "Be of you old sin
uerl" Down goes h's tail and awr- vou 20
= peg's Alaska.