Page:The frozen North; an account of Arctic exploration for use in schools (IA frozennorthaccou00hort).pdf/53

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  • neys. He had ten beautiful Newfoundland dogs which he

harnessed to a low, light sled called the "Little Willie." In a short time these gentle, strong, intelligent animals carried Kane on journeys around the ship with ease. He drove them two abreast, in teams of four or six, guiding them entirely by his voice.

An Eskimo Dog Team.

With the Eskimo dogs, Kane was obliged to use other means. Eskimo dogs are not easily managed. They are near relatives of the wolf, and share the wolf's nature. They are driven in teams of ten or twelve, and must be guided mainly by the whip. Dr. Kane had to use a whip with a lash six yards long, and a handle only sixteen inches in length. It required a sort of "sleight of hand" movement to swing this long lash and hit the right dog with it. Dr. Kane found this driving very lively exercise.

Sometimes Kane wanted to travel with a heavier load than the dogs could draw. For this purpose he used a larger sledge, thirteen feet long and four feet wide, upon