Page:Silversheene (1924).djvu/220

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nadians, Scotchmen, and others from nearly all parts of the civilized world.

Even women and small children swarmed the streets and packed the sidewalks as everything was made ready for the start of this, the greatest of all races.

Promptly at daybreak the teams assembled. There was little jockeying for best positions, for the start did not signify much in a race of several days. The main thing was to go off with colors flying and a stern determination to win or break in the attempt.

Promptly at the crack of the pistol the Hudson Bay dogs, the Russian Wolf hounds, and the Malemutes all dashed down the main street as though racing for a flag only five miles away. The spectators went wild and cheered themselves hoarse at the sight. But such old-timers as Scotty Ellis and Yukon Harry took it more leisurely and trailed after the racing teams just as though they were off on a pleasure trip. Richard Henderson took his cue from