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 caps in the air. Women and children laughed and cried while the bands played and the flags and handkerchiefs were waved to the victors.

Finally as Scotty Ellis's Baldies neared the flag a great cheer also went up for them. Scotty was still the king of the Alaskan trail, and the fact remained that he had already won the race seven times.

As his team came to a halt he got stiffly to his feet and limped towards Richard.

"Put it there, you chechahco. You have beaten me and you did it fair. You are a good sport, and a mighty good driver, but it was not you that beat me. It was that lead dog of yours. He is the greatest sled dog in Alaska. I will give you ten thousand dollars for him, just as he stands."

"Thank you, Scotty. "You are the best loser I ever saw. But there isn't gold enough in Alaska to buy Silversheene. He is my brother and we don't sell our brothers. Shake again, Scotty."