DOG SLED.
ARCTIC DOG.
When the Esquimau wishes to travel, he fastens his dogs to a light sledge by long traces, and whip in hand with his fur skins drawn about him takes his seat upon it, and is whirled over the snow at tremendous speed. His whip is a curious affair. From the end of a stock only about a foot long, extends a lash of some twenty feet. Woe to the unfortunate driver who does not know how to use this lash, and to be able to bring a resounding blow on the ear of an unruly dog. The fresh track of a bear is scented and the whole pack is away like a whirlwind, while the rider tumbled off his sledge by collision with some hummock of ice is left to get home on foot as best he can. Dr. Hayes tells of his experience. “The wind was blowing at my back, and when I had gone far enough and wanted to turn around and return, the dogs were not so minded. There is nothing they dislike so much as to face the wind, and feeling very fresh they were evidently ready for sport. After much difficulty I brought them at last up to the course, but I could keep them there only by constant use of the lash, and since this was three out of four times blown back into my face, it was evident I could not hold out long, besides my face was freezing in the wind. My arm, not used to such violent exercise, soon fell almost paralyzed, and the whip-lash trailed behind me on the snow. The dogs were not slow to discover something wrong. They looked back over their shoulders inquiringly, and discovering that the lash was not coming they ventured to diverge gently to the right. Finding the effort not resisted they gained courage, and increased their speed, and at length they wheeled short round, turned their tails to the wind and dashed off on their own course, as happy as a parcel of boys freed from the restraints of the school-room, and with the wild rush of a dozen wolves. I could soon again use the whip, and managed to turn the intractable team among a cluster of hummocks and snow drifts, which somewhat impeded their progress. Springing suddenly off, I capsized the sledge. The points of the runners were driven deeply into the snow, and my runaways were anchored. A vigorous application of my sinew-tipped lash, soon convinced them of the advantages of obedience, and they trotted off in the meekest manner facing the wind without rebelling.”
DANISH SETTLEMENT IN GREENLAND.
The Esquimaux extend over the whole continent of North America; but in Asia we find several distinct tribes. Such are the Samojedes, the Ostjaks, the Jakuts, the Tungusi, and others. But while they differ in minor points, they are alike in general appearance and in their mode of life. Among all the arctic nations settlements have been attempted, but they are but poor affairs inhabited by only a few venturesome trappers or traders whom hope of great gain alone can tempt to lead such a forlorn life. Of all these northern settlements, none is more mournful than that of Siberia. Here come every week long trains of prisoners whom the Russian government banishes to this prison land. Political offenders, criminals, even the roaming vagabond, all go to Siberia. Twelve thousand are thus annually added to its population. The place allotted to each depends on his crime. The worse this has been, the more northerly his place. Murderers and burglars go to the mines at Nertschinsk, from which they never emerge alive. But the ordinary criminal has every inducement to reform and become a good citizen. A piece of good land is given him, with a horse, two cows, a hut, and the necessary tools to till the ground. For several years he has to pay no taxes, so that if a sensible and industrious man he may often attain a degree of comfort which he never dreamed of in his former days.