Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 11758-h.htm or 11758-h.zip: (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/7/5/11758/11758-h/11758-h.htm) or (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/7/5/11758/11758-h.zip) BALDY of NOME by ESTHER BIRDSALL DARLING Decorations by Hattie Longstreet [Illustration: Baldy of Nome] To My Mother whose unfailing kindness to all animals is one of my earliest and happiest memories Contents I. THE PARTING OF THE WAYS II. WHERE EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY III. THE FIRST STEP IV. THE PLODDER V. THE WOMAN, THE RACERS, AND OTHERS VI. TO VISIT THOSE IN AFFLICTION VII. THE DAWN OF A TO-MORROW VIII. A TRAGEDY WITHOUT A MORAL AND A COMEDY WITH ONE IX. WITH THE FLIGHT OF TIME X. THE SOLOMON DERBY XI. ONE SUMMER XII. THE GREAT RACE XIII. FOR THE SUPREMACY OF THE TRAIL XIV. IMMORTALS OF THE TRAIL Illustrations THE RACING TEAM "SCOTTY" ALLAN AND BALDY THE ALASKA OF MEN AND DOGS June 1st--The steamer "Corwin" at the edge of the ice, five miles from shore THE WOMAN NOME, ALASKA--FROM BERING SEA THE START OF AN ALASKA DOG TEAM RACE A TEAM OF SIBERIANS "SHE HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE MAIL TEAMS" Eric Johnson, U.S. mail carrier on the Nome-Unalakleet Route THE AIR WAS CRISP AND KEEN THE TRAIL HAD GROWN EXCEEDINGLY ROUGH KRUZAMAPA HOT SPRINGS THE RAMSAY SIBERIANS AN OVATION FOR THE PLUCKY LITTLE SCOTCHMAN THE CAR COASTED DOWN ALL THE HILLS "SCOTTY" ALLAN ON THE TRAIL AN ALASKAN SWEEPSTAKES TEAM Fay Dalzene, driver CAPTAIN HAAS OF THE FRENCH ARMY AND HIS ALASKAN SLEDGES BALDY OF NOME I The Parting of the Ways [Illustration] [Illustration] Baldy of Nome CHAPTER I THE PARTING OF THE WAYS Baldy knew that something was wrong. His most diverting efforts had failed to gain the usual reward of a caress, or at least a word of understanding; and so, dog-like to express his sympathy, he came close beside his friend and licked his hand. Always, before, this had called attention to the fact that Baldy was ready to share any trouble with the boy--but to-day the rough and grimy little hand, stiff and blue from the cold, did not respond, and instead only brushed away the tears that rolled slowly down the pinched cheeks. Sometimes the slight body shook with sobs that the boy tried manfully to suppress; but when one is chilled, and tired and hungry, and in the shadow of a Great Tragedy, the emotions are not easy to control.