Stickeen

TO HELEN MUIR Lover of wildness this icy storm-story is affectionately dedicated
TO MY DOG BLANCO BY J.G. HOLLAND
My dear dumb friend, low lying there, A willing vassal at my feet; Glad partner of my home and fare, My shadow in the street; I look into your great brown eyes, Where love and loyal homage shine, And wonder where the difference lies Between your soul and mine!
. . . . . . . I scan the whole broad earth around For that one heart which, leal and true, Bears friendship without end or bound, And find the prize in you.
. . . . . . . Ah, Blanco! did I worship God As truly as you worship me, Or follow where my Master trod With your humility: Did I sit fondly at His feet As you, dear Blanco, sit at mine, And watch Him with a love as sweet, My life would grow divine!
In the summer of 1880 I set out from Fort Wrangel in a canoe to continue the exploration of the icy region of southeastern Alaska, begun in the fall of 1879. After the necessary provisions, blankets, etc., had been collected and stowed away, and my Indian crew were in their places ready to start, while a crowd of their relatives and friends on the wharf were bidding them good-by and good-luck, my companion, the Rev. S.H. Young, for whom we were waiting, at last came aboard, followed by a little black dog, that immediately made himself at home by curling up in a hollow among the baggage. I like dogs, but this one seemed so small and worthless that I objected to his going, and asked the missionary why he was taking him.
“Such a little helpless creature will only be in the way,” I said; “you had better pass him up to the Indian boys on the wharf, to be taken home to play with the children. This trip is not likely to be good for toy-dogs. The poor silly thing will be in rain and snow for weeks or months, and will require care like a baby.”
But his master assured me that he would be no trouble at all; that he was a perfect wonder of a dog, could endure cold and hunger like a bear, swim like a seal, and was wondrous wise and cunning, etc., making out a list of virtues to show he might be the most interesting member of the party.