Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-04-27
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yond.
On the relay out of Sixty Mile Smoke
had next to bis poorest team, and,
though the going was good. be had set
1t q short fifteen miles. Two more
teams would bring him into Dawson
and to the gold recorders Office, and
Smoke had selected his best animals
for the last two stretches. Sitka Char
ley himself waited with the eight Male
mutes that would jerk Smoke along for
twenty miles, and for the finish, with
a fifteen mile run, was his own team.
The gray twilight Of morning was
breaking as he exchanged his weary
dogs for the eight fresh Malemutes.
sitka Charley called out the order Of
the teams ahead. Big Olaf led. Arizo-
ma Bill was second, and Won Schroeder
third. These were the three best men
In the country. In fact, ere Smoke
had left Dawson, the popular betting
had placed them in that order.
As daylight strengthened Smoke
caught sight Of sled ahead, and in
half an hour his own lead dog was
leaping at its tail. Not until the man
turned his head to exchange greetings
did Smoke recognize him as Arizona
Bill. Won Schroeder had evidently
passed him. The trail, hard packed,
ran too narrowly through the soft
Snow, and for another half hour Smoke
was forced to stay In the rear. Then
they topped an ice jam and struck a
smooth stretch below, where were a
number Of relay camps and where the
snow was packed widely. On his knees,
swinging his whip and yelling, Smoke
drew abreast Of Arizona Bill, then pull
ed ahead.
Bill dropped behind very slowly,
though when the last relay station
was In sight he was fully half mile
In the rear. Ahead, punched together,
Smoke could see Big Olaf and Won
Schroeder. Again Smoke arose to his
knees, and he lifted his jaded dogs into
a burst Of speed such as man only
can who has the proper instinct for
dog driving. He drew up close to the
tnil Of Won Schroeder's sled, and In
this order the three sleds dashed out
Oh the smooth going below jam,
where many men and many dogs wait
ed. Dawson was fifteen miles away.
Won Schroeder, with his ten mile re-
lays, had changed five miles back and
would change five miles ahead. So
he held on. keeping his dogs at full
leap. Big Olaf and Smoke made flying
changes, and their fresh teams imme-
diately regained what had been lost
to the baron. Big Olaf led past, and
Smoke followed into the narrow trail
beyond
or Won Schroeder, now behind, he
had no fear, but ahead was the great
est dog driver In the country. To pass
him seemed impossible. Again and
again, many times, Smoke forced his
leader to the others sled tail, and each
time Big Olaf let out another link and
drew away. Smoke hung on grimly.
The race was not lost until one or the
other won, and In fifteen miles many
things could happen.
Three miles from Dawson something
did happen. To Smokes surprise Big
Olaf rose up and with oaths and leath-
er proceeded to fetch out the last
ounce of effort In his animals. 1t was
q squirt that should have been reserv-
ed for the last hundred yards instead
of being begun three miles from the
finish. Sheer dog killing that 1t was,
Smoke followed.
They topped small jam and struck
the smooth going below. A sled shot
out from the side and drew In toward
him, and Smoke understood Big Olafs
terrific spurt. He had tried to gain a
lead for the change. This fresh team
that waited to jerk him down the
home stretch had been private sur
prise Of his.
Smoke strove desperately to pass
during the exchange Of sleds. With