The Indiana State sentinel., 1894-06-20
HAVING THEIR PICTURES TAKEN

HAVING THEIR PICTURES TAKEN.
our expedition. This latter had been gen
erously granted without a moments hes
itation or delay. I'm curious contrast with
the red tape and botheration incident TO
every procedure. no matter how trivial,
having TO do nearly or remote with the
customs laws and authorities of our
own country.
The third document was the most i'm
portant OF all and the one which our
energetic agent at the Norwegian capital
had experienced most difficulty In pro-
curing. IL was permit To import TO
Norway for the uses Of the expedition a
pack OF fifty draft dogs. Without this
permit we could not have passed this
invaluable part Of our equipment from
the Netherlands 10 the Norwegian penin-
sula, for no steamer car tain would have
taken them on board. Without IT, more
over, IL would have been impossible 70
disembark the dogs upon their arrival at
a Norwegian port. The trouble was that
the NOrWeg1dns have upon their statutes
b law forbidding. absolutely and with
out exception, the importation OF dogs.
Tourists from England and other parts
OF Europe. OF whom thousands visit these
beautiful fiOrds and grand mountains
every summer. must leave their dogs at
home. English lords who have come
hither 10 hunt and fish have sought in
vain TO gain the privileges OF carrying
their dogs with them. Some time ago an
admlrer Of the king OF Sweden and Nor
way presented that monarch with a fine
pet dog. but the king. conslderate and
conscientious ruler that he Is, declined
the gift on the ground that he would not
presume TO violate a law which his sub
jects were required 10 respect. The Nor
wegians claim that the dog distemper Is
"a thing unknown In their country, and
they have prudently determined to pro-
tect their animals from contact with the
less fortunate brutes Of other lands.
Under these circumstances we deemed
ourselves particularly fortunate TO Sc
cure the right TO carry our dogs into the
country even under the restrictions which
were imposed upon US. The permit stlpu-
lated that our hounds were not 10 be
taken ashore and must be left aboard
ship throughout their sojourn I'm the
country. or at least be isolated upon
some little island at a safe distance from
the Inhabited mainland. No such thing
as an Importation OF dogs was ever
known in Norway before. and naturally
enough when our pack OF fifty-thrae
scented the shore and set up their lusty
howls in the port Of Bergen one pleasant
Sunday afternoon half Of the population
rushed 10 the waters edge 10 see the
circus. Plenty Of police officers were
there. too. and their eyes were never once
TemOved from the bowling, growing con-
eignment for scientific purposes only.
Chief Inspector Flood was there to d.
rect the process Of transshipment and
70 see that no foreign cur came ashore TO
contaminate the purer race OF CANNES
(which Is here supposed to abound.
Fortunately a steamer was that very
night bound for Aalesund, and fortunate
ly also no Norwegian dog was passenger
aboard IL. If there had been, our animals
would have had to wait FOR another and
a dOgless steamer. n curious spectacle
our half hundred boxes of dogs made as
they were lifted over tae SIDES Of the
ship upon lighter, where they were piled
mp In a huge, yelping pyramid in the pres
.ence Of the alert officials and the gaping
multitude. Some hours later, or at mid
night. the northward bound ship steamed
out Of the harbor with our precious freight
aboard, and as the last howl was heard
from beyond the breakwater Chief In
spectOr Flood, for the first time since our
arrival, drew an easy breath and called
off his nlinions OF the law. Once relieved
of this responsibility, Mr.. Flood lapsed
into his true character Of genial gentle
man and host. explaining his former alert
ness by a description Of the serious nature
OF the responsibility imposed upon him by
The appearance Of our dogs within his
Jurisdiction. A Belgian dog ashore in
Bergen would have done more damage
20 his most excellent reputation as an Of
fetal than the escape of one of the very
few criminals they have in this law-abId-
ing community.
At Aalesund more policemen met our
shipment, but were as polite as walters
tn Delmonico's and without half so much
appreciation Of their own Importance. We
were allowed TO place our dogs upon a
picturesque little island which lies in one
of the fiords near the town, and there
we landed them with their fifty-three
boxes and an equal number Of strong
chains, collars and feeding pots. Watch
men were hired 70 guard them night and
day The island soon became a center Of
attraction IN this part Of Norway. The
fame OF our draft animals had spread