Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-08-16
A Siberian Dog Journey.

A new volume Of travels in Siberia, by Mr..
Bush, gives graphic description Of a long
journey on dog sledgcs, from which we make
the following extracts
When day at Icugth did break all was life
and activity. The whole village, old and
young were out, whisting and shouting to
call the dogs, aud Harvesting them in pairs to
long seal-thongs fastened between two trees,
preparatory to attaching them to the sleds.
Width the exception Of few sumber.loving,
azily-inclined old beasts, who had learned TO
look upon a journey as task, the dogs all
responded as promptly as could be desired,
and wild with excitement and delight upon
seeing the light sleds dragged from their
shelter, they set up a barking, yelping and
bowling that might have been heard for miles
10 the still night air. SO eager were they for
the start. that there was danger Of the seal
thong being broken aud the whole band rush.
ing of pel-mell without the nartas or .leds
These nartas are made from eight to ten feet
in length, two in width, and about one foot in
height-that is, the floor of the sled is about
one foot above the snow Above this few
inches is a light railing on each side, which
keeps the load in its place. The runners are
about four inches in width, fat bottomed, aud
built Of white birch usually, that being, |
think, the hardest wood attainable for the
purpose. The whole structure, in fact, is Of
wood, excepting the rawhide lashings at every
joint which yield if strained, instead of
swapping, as iron or other fastenngs would do
while chilled with cold The whole sled is
D I..-L (.
inently fitted for Journeys over rough coun-
try or hummocky ice. In front Of each sled
is stout bow, to which the long seal-thong is
attached. and 10 this the dogs are attached 10
pairs one pair preceding the other instead
of being harnessed all abreast. as is the Gus.
tom among the Cireenlanders. However. the
Greenland mode would not be feasible in a
rough or wooded country, though il answers
every purpose upon ice or the sea.shore.
The wbin is never used bv Siberian dog.
drivers. ready substitute being found in the
u ostls." as il is called. This ostle is stout
wooden staff about four feet long. and having
an iron spke in the lower end it is used
chiefly as break for checking the speed of the
dogs. and preventing the marta from swayinp
sideways while crossing an incline or on
smooth ice. By thrusting it between the
knees of the sled. and crowding the spike in
to the ice or snow. it works very efectually
As n substitute for the yhip. the drivers hurl
il through the air at law or disobedien
dog. picking it up very adroitly as the slet
/ dashes by the spot where it has fallen. The,
rarely miss their aim.
After having first packed in the bottom o
each sled dried and frozen fish for dog food
our baegaee was next loaded on. and owe
the whole our fur bedding and blankets wer
snread. making onite comfortable couch fo
ne 10 reeline nnop. Then. loosinp the dog.
| the drivers seized their ostles, sprang upo
D the front of their sleds, and, at the signal I
o start. off we dashed like the wind throug
5 the dark forest. The dogs wero wild wit
= enthusiasm. and, defying all restraint, wit
b heads and tails in the air, and causing tn
e woods to resound with their barks and yelp.
e rushed forward like pack of famishe,
wolves closing upon their prey. Destruction
? to both ourselves and our sleds seemed immi