O' course in a short race I wouldn't get into the sled at all, an' on
the runners at the back I can get my feet on the brake easy. But Father
an' Matt say that you want your wheelers t' know just what their duties
is if the brake gets out o' order, or any thin' goes wrong."
"Wheelers have to be clever, and strong and tractable then--rather a
big order," murmured the Woman somewhat meekly, as one seeking
information.
"Yes, ma'am," replied Danny politely, "all o' that, an' I was just
wonderin' if Queen 'ud do for the place."
Queen, another present of Matt's to George, was a Gordon Setter with a
strong admixture of native blood, and was hopeless as a regular team dog
because of her high-strung and irritable disposition. Naturally nervous,
she had become, with the advent of her first family, so fierce that it
was dangerous for any one to approach her except George, and for him she
cheerfully left her puppies to be of service in sled pulling.
"Oh, I think she'll do; when you know Queen an' like her she ain't so
bad; an' besides not bein' able t' take any o' the real racers don't
leave us much choice."
"Do you--don't you think you could use Baldy?" suggested Ben eagerly.
"He's no locomotive like McMillan, ner a flyin' machine like them Tolman
dogs an' Irish an' Rover; but you've no idea how powerful an' willin' he
is till you've tried him. Just give him a show, George. I'm 'most sure
he'd make good. Moose Jones allers said he would.
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