by Sioux Dallas
Everyone was up early in the cold and dark. There would only be less than five hours of light during the middle of the day. Lanterns were hung on each side of the sled. Tents were taken down and carefully wiped and rolled to be packed on the sled. Dogs were fed and harnessed as a last safety check was made. Herb had rawhide boots for each dog. He was careful to check to make sure the harness was not rubbing the dogs’ sides.
Each musher pulled out as soon as his check was completed. A few were careless and only thought of running ahead in hopes of winning, As he slid over the snow, Herb was not upset to find himself alone in the vast wilderness of white. He could see one or two drivers ahead in the distance. He had a good compass, a radio to call for help, his rifle and good dogs.
Herb’s lantern began to pick up spots of blood and then bigger spots.
He took out his rifle and brought it up where he could use it quickly. Was a driver ahead of him in trouble? Had that driver’s dogs been attacked by wild animals?
Greatheart soon caught up with a team ahead of them, and pulled out to pass. Herb was distressed to see the dogs were limping and apparently in pain. Most of them had feet that had been cut from the sharp edges of ice. The driver, seeing that Herb was passing, urged his dogs to run faster.
As he came beside the driver, Herb called out pleasantly, “Hey, friend, there’s lot of blood your dogs are dropping. Some of your dogs are badly hurt. You’d better stop and check their feet. They need wrapping. With that blood on the snow, you might be drawing some unfriendly critters.”
“Mind your own business. You’re just trying to trick me so you can get ahead. My dogs aren’t hurt bad. They’re tough and can take it. The snow will pack in their feet and keep the bleeding down.”
It made Herb feel badly to know the dogs were in pain and the man was asking them to run harder. The dogs don’t belong to me, and I’m not responsible for his team, and I sure can’t force him to stop and wrap the dogs’ feet --. He went on with a heavy heart and was more careful with his own team.
As the hours passed, Greatheart began to catch up with other teams. These drivers had been running all the way and their dogs were tiring fast. Greatheart had kept a steady, brisk trot with short rest stops, therefore she and her team were not as tired as the other dogs.
Just before noon Herb saw the orange flag showing the place where they were supposed to make a turn and return on another trail. As Herb pulled into camp that night there was only one team ahead of him. He saw the driver taking excellent care of his dogs. Herb introduced himself and was delighted to meet James Running Deer, an uncle of Alan Brave Bear. James was Alan’s mother’s brother.
Other drivers soon came in, but it was a little over an hour before the last team pulled in. It was the careless driver with dogs now bleeding badly and hardly staying on their feet. The dogs dropped in the snow with whimpers of pain and cries of anguish. The drivers could not believe that a human could purposely be so cruel to animals who were being faithful and trying to help him. Men like this would also be cruel to people if they had a chance.
“Those poor animals,” Herb said dropping to his knees beside the dogs with a catch in his throat. “I wish you had stopped and called for help when I talked to you.”
“And I told you the dogs belonged to me and it’s nobody’s business what I do with them,” Harold Blevins blustered.
“Whoa man. Herb is speaking the truth. What kind of mind do you have to treat these animals like this when they’re giving their hearts for you?” David Tuttle was angry.
“We ought to take everything away from you and leave you to go alone on foot through the wilderness,” Jim Garrison said through gritted teeth.
Harold answered each man with filthy words and sarcasm. It was obvious that he cared nothing about the animals except to work them for his own use.
Herb prevented a fist fight by suggesting that each of the other drivers take a dog and doctor it. The cut feet were cleaned, treated and wrapped. Each dog was then brushed and fed. Harold, watching them with a smirky grin, said, “Boy, I sure hit it lucky to be with a group of bleeding hearts. You soft-brained guys are doing all the work for nothing. They’re only animals and they don’t expect better.”
Paul Markle whirled, and with his left hand, jerked Harold around while, at the same time, his right fist drew back and slammed into Harold’s mouth and nose. Harold tried to swing but was too clumsy. Paul hit him again so hard that he fell on his back and slid a few feet.
Herb and James got between the two men. “A fight won’t erase what has happened and won’t help the future,” Herb spoke firmly with a quiet voice. “I respectfully request that each of you go to your tent and try to remain calm.”
A spotter judge came up just at the end of the fight and heard what had happened. The judge checked the dogs and then used his radio to call for assistance for the injured dogs and to report what had happened. Harold Blevins was disqualified.
Chapter Twenty-One
The next morning three snowmobiles pulling two flatbeds pulled into camp. Harold’s dogs were carefully placed on furs on one flatbed. The second flatbed held Harold’s sled and supplies and Harold. The third snowmobile was driven by a federal officer who informed Harold that he would face charges of abuse and animal cruelty.
The drivers were relieved when Harold left. They quickly prepared to continue the race. Anxiety and excitement were high because this was the last leg of the race. Herb and James started off easily, but the remaining drivers took off in a run. Keeping a brisk trot, Greatheart’s team caught up with one tiring team after another.
James’ team was about two feet ahead when the finish line came into sight. People had lit lanterns all up and down the line. About a half mile from the finish line, Herb called, “Okay, Greatheart. Take ‘em girl.” With a joyful howl she began to run and her team willingly followed.
It looked as if everyone in town was lined up, cheering and shouting.
Herb and James were neck and neck. Just as they were a few feet from the finish line the dogs, Herb had rented, recognized their master’s voice calling encouragement to them. They gave a yelp of joy and turned to run to him. Their quick, unexpected move caused Greatheart to stagger slightly to one side right in front of James’ team. Greatheart got her balance and ran across the finish line, dragging her dogs behind her. James pulled his dogs back to avoid a wreck.
Herb felt so bad to be declared the winner. His family and friends were hugging him and congratulating him. Greatheart got a lot of hugs and praise as she was unharnessed and Abram Wrigle claimed his dogs. Herb excused himself and quickly walked to the judges’ stand where James was yelling and waving his fist in protest.
Chief Houmay jerked James’ arm down so hard that he fell to the ground. Herb pulled James up and apologized. “Don’t worry about this sore loser. I’ll take care of him,” the Chief sneered.
“Let him alone,” Herb commanded. “He has a right to be angry. My team pulled across in front of James’ team or we would have come across the finish line in a tie.”
“How do you know?” James barked hurt and angry. “I could have pulled ahead of you at the last minute.”
Herb faced the judges and the film representatives. “Gentlemen, I respectfully request that you declare this race to be a tie. James took excellent care of his dogs the entire time and was always a good sport. We both kept our teams moving well without forcing them. I would appreciate it if you would declare it a tie.”
While the judges and the film representatives held a private conference, the crowd cheered for the popular Herb and approved of his request. The officials finally agreed to declare the race a tie with each man receiving twenty-five hundred dollars and both appearing in the documentary. The two men shook hands and grinned for the cameras.
Needless to say, Greatheart was the heroine of the hour. She had proven that she was a valuable working dog as well as a beloved family pet. Chief Houmay grudgingly praised her. “It’s not common for
a wolf dog to be willing to work in close contact with other dogs and people. I guess you folks were right. It does make a difference when a wolf dog is treated kindly and trained properly.” The twins grinned at each other remembering what they had learned of Causuc’s past history.
Everyone laughed when Greatheart leaped up and gave Causuc a doggie kiss. He looked astonished and then sheepishly hugged her.
January crawled by with one storm after another. In February polar bears were sighted just outside the town. They were hungry because the seals had been late in coming to the coast. Too, the ice was melting and taking away a place for the bears. The twins were eager to go out with the men to make the bears turn away before they could come into town.
“We’re old enough to go with you, Dad. You’ll need all the man power you can get,” Tom wheedled.
“Yeah, Dad. We’ll be lots of help. Besides this is a good time to learn how to handle a situation like this while you’re with us,” Tim attempted to flatter Herb.
“Hhmmph,” Anna cleared her throat. “My dear little siblings. Do you mean you’re going to handle the polar bears the same way you did the walrus -- or have you learned a lot about wild animals since then?”
The twins hesitated and darted glances at each other. “Well --- I guess someone should stay in town in case the bears get around the men.” Tom spoke slanting his eyes at Anna.
“Sure. You’re right,” Tim grinned. “We’d better stay here and protect you women.” Anna gave a choked laugh and turned away.
About twenty men rode out on snowmobiles with flare guns and rifles. A few of them had old buckets and heavy sticks to beat on the buckets to make a lot of noise and hope to frighten the bears away.
“Yee haw!” Ben Gregory yelled as he came close to one bear. It lowered its head and shook it while circling to try to come up behind Ben.
The people, left in town, were viewing the exciting, dangerous event through binoculars. A gasp went up when Herb rode close to a bear and shot a flare gun over its head. His snowmobile overturned and threw Herb out in the snow into danger. Instead of running, the bear reared up and swiped its lethal claws at Herb. Fortunately he was able to duck and run behind the overturned snowmobile. James and Ben dove between Herb and the bear while two other men quickly jumped off their snowmobiles and lifted Herb’s snowmobile. Chief Houmay quickly got out and ran to help Herb. A collected sigh of relief went up at Herb’s rescue. None of the men were injured. The bears were so persistent that rifles had to be used.
Irene kept watching and saying: “Oh, no, no, no,” over and over. She was shaking with fright, but was mesmerized with the action and could not stop looking. “Yes, yes, God bless him,” Irene said with a shaky voice when she saw Causuc run to help Herb.
The men drove the snowmobile in circles around the bears making all kinds of noise and then opened a way for the bears to run away from town. “I think they’re giving the bears an opening to run away,” Mrs. Eskise observed.
“It’s not working,” Mrs. Goughmas shouted. “Oh, just shoot them before some of you men get hurt.”
Several explosive noises could be heard. “They are shooting,” Irene called. A huge cheer went up when the men were seen coming back dragging three bears. Herb, the Chief and Ben were each given a white bear skin. The meat was used to feed the dogs and the fat was used for grease for sled runners and tools.
“Ben, I have no idea how to prepare this skin,” Herb confessed. “I’d be grateful for any help you can give me.”
“I would be my pleasure, but, believe it or not, Causuc is an expert in curing hides.”
“Really! Well maybe I’ll ask him if you think he would not mind.”
“Herb, if you ask him, he will feel that you’ve accepted him and have respect for him and ---”
“Excuse me,” Herb interrupted. “Chief,” he called. “Could you come here for a minute, please?”
“Yes. What is it?”
“I hate to admit my ignorance, but I’ve never had a hide to cure and prepare.” Herb explained. “Ben tells me that you’re the best man for that job, and I was wondering if you would be so kind as to give me some help.”
Causuc stood tall and squared his shoulders. “Sure,” he grinned. “I’ve done lots of hides. I’ll help you make a good rug that you’ll be proud to take back to Virginia and show your friends.”
“Thank you so much, Chief. Yes, I have many friends in Virginia, but they aren’t any dearer than the friends we have here.” Herb put an arm across Causuc’s shoulder. “I consider you a very good friend, Chief.”
Although March came in like a lion, everyone was excited knowing that in about two weeks the Iditarod would be coming into Nome. Airplane services would be busy, restaurants and anything that would draw tourists, would do a lot of business. The mushers would be staying in bed and breakfasts, and some of them would have families joining them. Some homes would have an extra bedroom for rent.
The twins, and even Anna, were thrilled to meet the men and women who were courageous enough to make the long drive through wilderness and wild animals. The mushers were from all over the world.
Toward the last of the month a pod of whales came close enough to be seen clearly from the shore line. The Eskimos and native Indians were permitted to go out and kill some whales. The twins were upset when they were not permitted to even go out in a boat.
A group of people came into town with all kinds of equipment. A few had large cameras on tripods. They were warmly welcomed, and several offered them help because the townspeople thought they were from the film company to make the promised documentary. The twins, and six other boys, followed the group to the beach curious as youth will be. They soon discovered the tragedy.
The boys came running back into town, some crying and all yelling for help. They wanted the men to form a posse and wanted these strangers strung up in old vigilante style. The boys, gasping for breath, and talking at once, told why they were upset.
Sam was the only one who could be understood. “Those men are using clubs to hit the baby seals in the head. They’re taking the skins off them and leaving the bodies there. Some of the babies are crying loudly because they’re not dead when the men start skinning them. Some mothers were killed and a whole crowd of babies are crying for their mothers.”
Herb went with a group of men to investigate and talk to the group. The strangers claimed to have permits, but the townspeople knew better. The Eskimos were permitted to hunt a certain number of whale and other sea life, but special permits had to be issued for outsiders. Herb had taken rifles away from the townsmen before they got into trouble. He reminded them that they, too, would be breaking the law and would be arrested. “We must handle this lawfully.”
“I am calling the Governor, newspapers and television stations to expose you,” Herb said angrily. “We have pictures of all of you and what you are doing.” These strangers were feeling so threatened that they left as quickly as they could get away, even leaving behind expensive equipment. Fortunately there was a television reporter and cameraman in town who filmed and recorded this tragic story. They got this film quickly to their studio so that the public would know what had happened.
The townspeople, and especially the youth, felt like crying when they saw the bodies and heard some babies crying. Some adults did cry. They could do nothing to these people, but they could contact government agencies to pick up the orphan baby seals and give them proper care until they were old enough to be returned to the Bering Sea. With heavy hearts the men picked up the skinned bodies to feed the dogs.
The women used moose milk soaked in cloths to let the babies suck on this. It kept them from starving until veterinarians could bring a formula for them.
For several days this pitiful incident made news around the world. Most of the suspects were arrested, some were fined heavily and all of them spent time in jail. The people agreed that good could possible come out of this tragedy because now laws would be enforced to protect the
animals.
Two weeks later the real filming crew did arrive to make the documentary. The excitement was not as great as it was planned because the law-breaking hunters had spoiled their joy.
Herb and James each drove a team of ten dogs while the film crew rode beside them and took pictures. Scrub planes circled low to film the two teams and the snow-covered area. Later a narrator would dub in the history, past and present, of Nome, the people and their lifestyle. The narrator’s voice and some music would be dubbed by specialists. Millions would be able to see and enjoy the film on television.
Chief Houmay made it a point to welcome the film crew and share information with them that they wanted. Wonder of wonders he told them of the wolf dog and what great things she had done. A lot of people, hearing him, smiled to themselves remembering his first reaction to the wolf dog. The director, Andrew Plassy, was thrilled and excited at the amount of film and information he had gotten.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Andrew came to the Jackson home. “Mr. Jackson, I’ve been hearing a lot about this wonderful wolf dog. I know our viewers would love to know more about the dog and how your family raised her. Let me do a special on the dog and her humans. When can I see this great dog?”
Anna looked as if she might laugh out loud. “She’s sitting right in front of you looking up at you.”
The director turned pale and swallowed several times before he could speak. “Will she attack me? Does she mind a stranger being this close to her?”
Tim walked to the man and knelt by Greatheart. “She’s the same as any other dog. Greatheart, shake.” Greatheart, with a big grin, raised a paw to welcome the man. He finally took her paw as he took out a handkerchief and wiped his sweaty face.