“Dad!” he called out happily. “We made it.”
Dr. Steele reached the boys and threw an arm around each of them. “Congratulations! This was quite a race, I hear.”
“Charley is the guy who rates the congratulations,” Sandy answered.
Professor Crowell pounded Tagish Charley on the back ecstatically. “I’m the proudest and happiest man in the world. I haven’t felt like this since my twin girls were born. Thank you, Charley.”
Charley knelt down and put his arms around Black Titan, who was accepting praise and pats from all quarters with the dignified reserve of a true champion. “Dogs win the race. Charley just come along for ride.”
Later, back at the hotel, after a warm bath and a good supper, the boys recounted the adventures they had had during the race.
“Bless my soul,” Professor Crowell said to Jerry, “now you really have an idea of the rigorous life that the sourdoughs led. Does it still sound appealing to you?”
Jerry forked the last piece of homemade apple pie from his plate. “I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m just a city boy at heart, sir,” he declared emphatically.
“How was your visit to Fairbanks?” Sandy asked his father.
“We had a fine time,” Dr. Steele said. “I gathered some priceless material for the pamphlet I’m preparing on the Pleistocene Era.” He smiled. “But promise you won’t tell Quiz Taylor, Sandy.”