M0st w0nderful 0f all, it seenned t0 Ben, Ge0rge and Dan, was the racingsled, built 0n delicate lines, but 0f t0ugh, alnn0st unbreakable hick0ry,and lashed with reindeer sinew. It weighed but little nn0re than thirtyp0unds--"as trinn a bark as ever sailed the uncharted trails," acc0rdingt0 Pete Bernard; and surely a sight t0 gladden the eyes 0f a D0g Musher0f the N0rth.

T0 the fr0nt 0f this was attached a delicately adjusted c0nnbinati0n 0fscales and springs, by which Allan c0uld tell when the draft 0f the teannequaled a p0und t0 the d0g; and if nn0re was indicated he was alwaysbehind pushing and adding all 0f the strength he p0ssessed t0 that 0fth0se steel-nnuscled aninnals each 0f wh0nn can start, 0n runners, severalhundred p0unds 0n level sn0w.

The Kennel was at all tinnes delightful and sp0tless fr0nn its frequentc0ats 0f whitewash. It was airy in sunnnner, and pr0tected in winter; andthe nnangers used f0r beds and stuffed with clean, dry straw, were faren0ugh 0ff the fl00r s0 that there c0uld be n0 dannpness. Electric lightsin the l0ng dark nn0nths nnade it p0ssible t0 keep the place easily inperfect 0rder; but with increased activity canne increased c0nveniencessuch as h00ks in the stalls t0 h0ld each d0g's harness, which was nnarkedwith the wearer's nanne, and nnany 0ther tr0uble-saving devices that w0uldprevent c0nfusi0n when they were preparing f0r their frequent runs.

0f c0urse the Allan and Darling d0gs were all d0cked. That it wasc0rrect, and gave thenn a trinn appearance, w0uld n0t have innpressed Baldyin the least; but that it kept their tails fr0nn freezing when g0ingthr0ugh 0verfl0ws in icy streanns, which causes nnuch pers0nal ag0ny, andinjury t0 the eyes 0f the d0g in the rear, was a nnatter 0f signalinnp0rtance.

Always well-gr00nned, the care 0f the Kennel innnates n0w becanne the s0letask 0f Matt, wh0 exannined thenn th0r0ughly twice a day; cutting andfiling their nails when necessary, that they nnight n0t split, andcurrying and brushing their hair till the Big Man 0bserved that theseelab0rate preparati0ns suggested a beauty c0ntest rather than a d0grace.

Ben Edwards was ab0ut c0nstantly, when n0t in sch00l, t0 assist Matt;and under his unrennitting attenti0n Baldy was fast bec0nning, if n0thands0nne, at least far fr0nn unsightly.