by Sioux Dallas
Neighbors carefully scooped the brave, loyal Greatheart on a blanket and lovingly carried her to a jeep and then to the clinic. Even though she was hurt, she kept whimpering and trying to get to Tom. Herb and Irene went with Tim while Anna and Tim stayed with Greatheart.
Greatheart had burned fur, burned feet and one badly bruised, burned shoulder. The doctor cleaned her with antiseptics, removed much of the burned fur that would come loose, wrapped salve and gauze around her and gave her a shot to make her rest and sleep. She needed sleep and time to heal. She would probably have a scar on her shoulder, but she was healthy and would heal far quicker than Tom.
After what seemed like a lifetime, two doctors came to talk to Herb and Irene. “Your son is resting, and naturally he’s sedated. His hair and eyebrows will possible grow back, and the burns over his body will heal with time. He has a deep burn on his thigh and right side which will require grafting. He’ll be a mighty sick boy for months. Be patient and keep his spirits up. The will to get better can help him heal more than most medicines.”
Adam Perkins, supervisor of construction, visited to check on Tom. “I sure am thankful that we had used most of the explosives. There wasn’t much left or that whole section of town would have gone up. Why was Tom in there?”
“We don’t know yet,” Herb answered. “He hasn’t come to long enough to talk. Too, we didn’t want to upset him while he is still so sick. It’s only been two days.”
Adam shook his head in sadness. “I blame myself. I’ve always kept that door locked and I don’t know why it was unlocked this time. Two girls said they saw him open the door and walk in.”
“Please don’t blame yourself. I’m sorry but our Tom would have found some way to get into trouble.”
Tim walked around almost constantly rubbing his chest as if it hurt. His heart ached for Tom. A brother could be close, but twins were a part of each other. What one felt, the other usually felt.
The Jacksons decided to not celebrate Christmas, but Tom made them promise to go to the Community Center. Everyone was concerned about Tom and were glad that Greatheart was getting better. When people asked about Tom and why he went into the shed, his family was embarrassed. “Tom has always been our adventuresome rascal,” Herb smiled sadly.
The new year rushed in with a blizzard. January seemed to creep by with strong, cold winds and below freezing temperatures. Herb got permission to take Greatheart to see Tom one day. The dog had to be held up so that she could see Tom and hold her face next to his. She tried to jump on the bed to get closer, but could not be allowed to do so. She was obviously glad to see Tom and he was feeling better after her visit.
Finally, during the second week of February, Tom was allowed to come home. Greatheart was ecstatic to have her family together again. The following week, the family, and close friends, surprised Tom with a delayed Christmas celebration. There was a tree, gifts, special food and the works.
Anna and Irene tutored Tom so that he could catch up with his school work.
“I don’t know what I would do without Anna,” Irene told Herb. “She is going to make an excellent teacher and will be a great mother. She is so compassionate, patient and dependable.”
The second week of March, Tom was allowed to return to classes. He was warned about wrestling, or any rough play, because of his skin grafts which were still sensitive.
All three Jackson children had always been on the top honor roll, but for some reason the twins’ grades began to slip. Instead of A, they were getting Bs and once in a while a C. Herb offered to let them fly to Virginia for a vacation if they would bring their grades up and apply themselves. Tom was despondent and Tim was sorry for Tom.
In April Anna celebrated her seventeenth birthday with a cake and a special dinner with her family. She assured them she didn’t expect anything else. She did receive a watch from her parents and slips of paper from her brothers. On each slip was a promise to do something nice and useful for two weeks. They offered to make her bed, clean her room, take her turn washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen and anything she was expected to do. All of the promises were useful and welcome.
Daniel took Anna, with some friends, ice skating. Irene asked Daniel to keep it a secret from Anna but to bring her and the crowd back home for ice cream and cake. She was surprised and so touched that she shed a few tears when she opened the lovely gifts her friends brought. Many of them were hand-made.
In May the twins asked only that they invited a few close friends for dinner and a quiet day with family for their fifteenth birthday. Afterward the group went to the movies. Tom was continuously cautioned about being too active.
Irene sighed with relief when the boys walked away from the house. “I think our boys are finally maturing completely. Tom’s accident really jolted him to awareness of the results of his irresponsible behavior.”
“Children do grow up, but with love, and good, firm training they’ll never really leave us. Remember Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Oh, of course our children will move away to work or live somewhere on their own. They’ll eventually have their own home and raise a family, but they’ll come back to us because they know how much they’re loved and they love us, too.” Herb stated and hugged Irene.
While the boys were walking to the movies, Tom sheepishly apologized for his behavior on the day of the explosion. “I’ll never play a practical joke again. I’m so thankful I was the only one hurt and none of you had to suffer for my craziness. I’ve been upset enough that Greatheart got hurt because of me. I’m just thankful the damage was no worse.”
His friends assured him that he was still their friend and they were also glad that he had learned a valuable lesson. His injuries also taught them a valuable lesson.
Finally school was over for the year. The first week of July Anna and the twins flew to Virginia for a short visit. There was one sad little dog left behind. If she had been able to understand what was happening, she would have been proud of her children. The twins were again making top grades.
The time passed too quickly for the children. They were back in Alaska with suntans, loads of gifts and lots to tell. Greatheart was so thrilled to see them that she jumped as high as their faces to give them doggie kisses.
Benji, Sam, Charlie, Alan and other children, who had traveled, were home again. Their biggest discussion was the coming school year.
Anna was now a senior in high school and the twins were in the tenth grade. For the first time in their lives the twins had divided interests. Tim became absorbed in the science lab and thought he might like to be a family doctor. Tom was interested in oceanography. Anna continued to plan on being a teacher, specializing in art.
School opened and everyone was glad to be with friends and favorite teachers. The twins were on a basketball team and loved sports.
In November, the worst blizzard the people could ever remember blew in. Driving home was a nightmare as Herb gripped the steering wheel and prayed. He recognized that he had to take a snowmobile from now on. Thankfully he pulled into his driveway as close to the porch as he dared. He hunkered deep inside his parka and braced for the frigid blast of the arctic air that pummeled his frozen cheeks. He pushed and staggered against the wind as he made a slow way to the back door. He hesitated to open the garage door against the wind and blowing snow. He didn’t feel like cleaning out a garage.
“Herb, darling, I’m so relieved you’re home. All I’ve heard today on the short wave radio is that this is the worst storm for nearly fifty years. Thankfully the children were dismissed early and are home safely.”
The storm didn’t stop the community from planning another Thanksgiving dinner together. The new families were made to feel welcome and part of the group.
Chapter Twenty
A letter came that took their thoughts from a party. The notice was from Washington, D.C. informing them that a documentary would be made about their area of Alaska. T
o prepare for this a dog sled race would be held in Nome, The prize for the winner would be five thousand dollars and a chance to star in the documentary the last week of January.
Tim wrote to Mrs. Berry about this race and the famous Iditarod Trail International sled dog race. He excitedly told her to share the information about them training Greatheart and what great hopes they had for her future. After all, she was Galena’s daughter.
“I can hardly wait to see what happens. The Iditarod will not be until the first Saturday in March. Drivers, called mushers, are so sure of their own dog teams that they willingly pay the one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars entrance fee. I don’t blame them because there is a half million dollars in prize money as well as many great gifts and a chance to be in commercials. One of those gifts is a new truck.”
“This is the longest sled dog race in the world because it covers one thousand two hundred miles. The shortest time, so far, to do the whole race was nine days, two hours and forty-two minutes. Isn’t that something?”
“A good musher will take better care of his or her dogs than themselves. There are about two dozen check points with a veterinarian at each check point. Each driver has from twelve to eighteen dogs. They often pick up fresh food at some of the checkpoints. They also get fresh bales of straw for the dogs to lie on at night.”
“Would you believe the age of the drivers have been the minimum eighteen years to eighty-one years. Can you imagine a driver that old mushing all that distance and facing the dangers of storms and wild animals?”
“The Iditarod Trail used to be a mail and supply route. When gold was discovered, it was transported on this trail. I’m sure you know that in 1925 loads of people were sick and dying with diphtheria. There was no serum or medication and the weather made it impossible for doctors to get to the sick people. Strong, faithful huskies carried the serum to areas where people needed it the most. Some were successful. So the Iditarod is run today to remember the history of that time. Just like people in Virginia dress in uniforms of past wars and historical time, and wear old-fashioned clothes, these people are teaching new generations of brave, compassionate people and even braver dogs.”
“They start in Anchorage and will come to Nome. I get excited just thinking about it. How I envy those mushers. I was surprised to learn that in 1985 a woman won the race.”
“In 1978 some nice people organized a Junior Iditarod for youth. It only covered one hundred fifty miles, but the rules were the same. It runs a week before the big race. This year a seventeen year old boy won in twenty-two hours and fifty-nine minutes. He got thirteen thousand dollars and some wonderful gifts as well as the publicity.”
“Last year a twenty-one year old legally, blind woman won the right to enter the race. She convinced the judges that she didn’t want help with anything, just someone to tell her where the flags and markers were. A former WWF wrestling champion rode with her as her eyes. She had run her first race when she was eleven.”
“I’ll send you a copy of pictures and facts about the race. Tom and I both want to drive, but I know it will be impossible. First our parents would not approve and then we don’t have the experience necessary. Besides, Tom is still very sensitive in some parts of his body and I’m sure the freezing cold would not be good for him.”
“Oh, yes. Your students might ask about the name Iditarod. The early Athabascan Indians called their hunting grounds, on the trail, Haiditarod, which meant, “the distant place. In later years, when gold miners and travelers were on this trail, they remembered what the Indians called this area and shortened it to Iditarod. Neat, isn’t it?”
“Tell everyone hello for us. We do honestly miss all of you and wish you could meet all the great friends we’ve made here. I’m now glad we had this chance to live here and know more about the people and the land. It won’t be much longer until we’ll be back in Virginia.”
Tim mailed his long, long letter to Mrs. Berry.
The time came for everyone to prepare for the documented race. “Boys, it’s foolish for you to think of driving in this race. It’s far from demanding as the Iditarod, but it will be hard and challenging. You don’t have the experience to drive in all that open country and the wild animal will be a constant danger. That’s why each driver carries a rifle and flares. Other drivers can be nasty, too,” Herb explained to his sons trying to make them understand they would not be driving without hurting their feelings.
“Dad, you’re planning on driving and you don’t have experience either,” Tom argued.
“I will have a lot of experience by the time of the race. This is a three day race, camping overnight, caring for the dogs, being able to shoot a rifle, putting up and taking down a tent, cooking for yourself and the dogs over an open campfire, and many more requirements. I’ll be alone most of the time with no one but the dogs.”
“Dad, you don’t have a team of sled dogs. Where will you get the dogs?” Tim asked worried.
“I’ve already contacted some professional mushers about renting some of their experienced dogs and will pay them to help me train with Greatheart.”
“Greatheart!” Anna and the twins spoke together in shock.
“Dad, you can’t take Greatheart out there. She’s too young and has no experience. Suppose she get attacked by a polar bear or a pack of wolves?” Anna had tears in her eyes.
“How can anyone gain experience except by doing it?” Herb smiled.
Herb rented the dogs and he and Greatheart began serious training. During the first run, Greatheart complained loud and long to have strange dogs behind her and, worse yet, between her and her human. She wasn’t sure what was expected of her. Even though she was willing to obey and try, she still complained each time they hooked up for a run. She soon learned she was to lead.
The twins ran as far as they could on either side of Greatheart to encourage her and give her confidence. She quickly learned what was expected and began to show signs of enjoying the training. A sigh of relief went up from the Jackson family, and close friends, when the dogs began to work well together. Greatheart was exhibiting signs of becoming a leader.
The time for the race came much too quickly for Irene. It was cold, and nothing but snow as far as the eye could see. She packed food for Herb and the dogs. Herb had rented eleven dogs, and with Greatheart, making an even dozen. Irene also packed first-aid supplies and extra warm clothing. A tent and bedroll were the last items on the sled.
Irene was worried sick. “Herb, my darling, you’re as bad as Tom. You have never done anything like this and you’re not a teenager. You’re a forty-four year old father and husband.”
“And you, my precious sweetheart, are a forty-one year old mother and wife. What does age have to do with it?”
Realizing she had hurt his feelings, and not wanting him to feel badly while leaving, she hugged him and laughingly assured him that she was proud of him even though she was frightened for him. “I will be cheering louder than anyone,” she assured him.
Musicians gathered in the cold air of the early morning to give a cheerful send-off to the eleven mushers and their dogs. The instruments could not be played in the freezing cold, so they stood inside the warm Community Center and played loudly to be heard outside.
Chief Houmay lined the drivers up for a final inspection. The representative for the film company gave last instructions and reminded the drivers that they would be filmed. Each driver called aloud as he checked the items on his sled. Food for both man and dogs, clothing, two rifles and ammunition, lanterns, tent, bedroll, portable radio phones, flares and first-aid kit. The rifles were for protection against possible dangers or to signal for help. A snow hook was on each sled. The snow hook acted as an anchor did on a boat. It was dropped in the snow to keep the dogs from dragging the sled past a safe point.
Each dog had been fed well and each driver had a good, hot breakfast, taking a thermos of a hot beverage with them. At last Chief Houmay fired a shot into the air as a signal to start t
he race. People were laughing and calling best wishes, but Irene was crying inside. Herb was not a man who had participated in sports even though he exercised and kept in good physical shape. She tried to smile bravely, and blew him a kiss, when Herb looked back at her.
Men had gone ahead on snowmobiles and set up markers for camp sites at specific locations. They had placed flags along the required route on tall wooden tripods so the drivers would not get lost. These same men would be spotter judges, meaning they kept in touch with the mushers to assure the well-being of men and dogs.
A lot of the men started out on a run except Herb and one other man. The professional driver had trained Herb that the care of the dogs was of first importance. If they were too run too hard from the first, they would not have enough energy to continue. Herb asked for a brisk trot. At first Greatheart tried to run to catch up with the other teams, but Herb calmed her with a quiet, authoritative voice.
Herb rested his dogs for about fifteen minutes several times during the day. At the end of the first day he pulled into the camp slightly behind all the others. He good-naturedly took the teasing about being an old man. As he took the harness off the dogs, he checked their feet for possible injury from ice and snow. Ice chips caught in their pads could be as sharp as a razor blade. He put up his tent, then cooked his food, fed his dogs, then ate and visited with the nearby men.
If the men had not camped together, they might have been in the wilderness alone and facing all kinds of danger. None of these men were professional drivers. The contest was for amateurs. The thick coat of the dogs would protect them from the snow. Herb shook out enough straw for the dogs to lie on. Each dog had a coat which Herb fastened on them for the night. He smiled to see Greatheart’s obvious intelligence. The dogs had lain close together for each other’s warmth and Greatheart was in the center of the circle of dogs.
The next morning one of the spotter judges complimented Herb. “Dr. Harvey and I noticed how well you’ve paced your dogs and cared for them. We know how little experience and training you’ve had. Professional mushers put the comfort of the dogs ahead of their own, but amateurs, such as you and these men, often forget.”