The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-05-28
Esquimaux Dogs.

If it were not for the inconvenience
they put you to, and the fact that carry
ing heavy load upon your back has
the effect of quieting any tendency to
inordinate mirth, pack of dogs loaded
for the march would afford no end of
amusement. In addition to theiHusual
back-loads, the tent-poles are fastened
to the dogs, sometimes one on each side,
and the ineXtricable confusion they get
into at times is perfectly irresistible.
They 60 providing around, smelling of
different stones and places just as if they
had nothing on their backs, until, at last,
one pole still dragging behind, the other
sticks out in front, and the dog is as
firmly planted as if in the stocks. He can
neither 60 ahead nor back out. Your at
tention is called by his yelling, for they
do not like to be left far behind the
marching column-they have too whole
some fear of wolves. Sometimes they
indulge in fighting even when loaded,
for they are the most savage dogs in the
world, though they seldom bite people.
In their tussles dog will get knocked
completely over, and then he is an
chored, for when the load is beneath
the dog can not rise; it keeps him there.
Occasionally they get involved in each
others sticks SO that they have to be
unloaded before they can be ex-
tricated. At each halt while on
the march, some of the dogs require
attention. There are some in almost
every pack that never are ct ease
until they get their loads down under
their bodies and dangling between their
hind legs. Then they are perfectly
happy, and they trail along the stony
places and wade through the marshes
until whatever has been assigned them to
carry is totally ruined-unless, per-
chance, it be meat, which is never unfit
for use. They are most affectionate
creatures, pant their warm breath into
your ear and slobber down your neck,
and when you drive one way he imme-
diately pitches into the dog nearest him
out OF revenge and, others Joining in,
there is ageneral row. Lines are broken,
loads dropped, meat-bags burst open,
and then for moment attention is d.
verted from fighting to eating all the
provisions you had counted on for sup
per for the night. They take the deepest
interest in everything you do, and watch
every movement you make, evidently
imagining that you might be eating, and
will throw them a morsel if they only
watch long enough. They never rest.
Should a reindeer or rabbit come in
sight they are off at once, handicapped
though they may be, and it requires the
united exertions of the men, women and
children to bring them back again.
They generally obey the women better
than the men-that is, they will come
to the women when they call
more quickly than they will to their
masters. have read that the dogs are
allowed to sleep in the ig1oo and t,.nic,
to help keep the occupants warm. but
such has not been my experience. In
fact | have seen every energy exerted tc
keep them out. 1t seems to be the one
great aim Of the Esquimaux dog to pet
inside of his masters house, and Fl,
master seems to1ive for nothing excen
to keep the dogs out. Sometimes a fav
orite leader is allowed to occupv tn,
doorway of an iglOO, which is SO small
that he acts as plug to keep the other
out. But you will see his shaggy bod,
framed with noses shifting the warm ali
with evident delight, and scentinc th,
luscious blubber that fills the large ston'