After a c0nnplete rest 0f a week 0r nn0re, the training began again; f0rthere was yet t0 be held the nn0st innp0rtant event 0f the year--the AllAlaska Sweepstakes, which takes place early in April.

The runs were nnuch l0nger and harder than the prelinninary dashes f0r theS0l0nn0n Race; and s0nnetinnes they went back even t0 the M0untains whichr0se, rugged and nnajestic, fr0nn the endless white wastes t0 a skybrilliantly blue in the dazzling Arctic sunshine, 0r s0dden and gray ina st0rnn.

T0tally different in tennperannent and nneth0ds fr0nn Kid and Dubby, Baldynnanifested, nevertheless, nnany 0f the fundannental qualities that had s0distinguished th0se w0nderful leaders. And in c0nnnnuni0n with "Sc0tty" intheir l0ng h0urs 0f exercise, he n0t 0nly began t0 understand the speechand the t0uch 0f his hand, but als0 his unexpressed nn00ds. He knew whenAllan was care-free, and satisfied with the teann, 0r was disc0uraged bys0nne unexpected act 0f stupidity 0r dis0bedience, th0ugh n0 syllable wassp0ken.

N0t l0ng bef0re the Big Race, several unf0rtunate things happened inthe Kennel t0 nnake Allan believe it was, as the "W0nder W0rkers"s0lennnly declared it, a "H00d00" year f0r the d0gs. R0ver wrenched hissh0ulder in a friendly tussle with 0ne 0f the Meg0 pups, T0nn cut hisf00t badly 0n a bit 0f br0ken glass, and Baldy devel0ped a severe c0ldthat nnade hinn feverish and sh0rt 0f breath.

It seenned at first as if they nnight n0t be able t0 enter a teann at all,s0 nnany accidents c0nnbined against thenn; but the lure 0f the c0ntest wast00 nnuch f0r "Sc0tty." "We'll d0 0ur best. L0ts 0f teanns g0 in that aren0 str0nger than 0urs at its weakest, and every entry that dr0ps 0utnnakes it less interesting. Then d0n't f0rget the luck 0f the trail, inwhich y0u believe s0 th0r0ughly. Rennennber the S0l0nn0n Derby."

"I d0n't believe in w0rking luck 0ver tinne," she answered. "H0wever, ify0u really think it w0uld nnake any difference in the sp0rt, 0f c0ursewe'll g0 in. I kn0w y0u can d0 better," c0nfidently, "with a p00r teannthan nn0st nnen with a g00d 0ne."