Page:The Cross Pull.pdf/233

 the staunch, half savage breeds of outdoor dogs while the outdoor man has a corresponding lack of interest in the parlor tricks of indoor dogs. There was not a man in the posse who did not envy Moran’s ownership of this great gray wolf dog.

Immediately after breakfast Flash was launched upon his new course of training. Vermont left camp half an hour ahead of Moran who spent the intervening time reinforcing the dog’s collar with a second strip of elkhide. He attached to this a heavy rawhide thong to serve as a leash. Flash did not relish this proceeding in the least, and submitted to it only because Moran willed it so. It brought memories of the tedious hours long ago when he had been chained to some one spot or other, unable to chase jacks or otherwise amuse himself.

Moran led him from camp, taking a course diagonal to the one Vermont had chosen. At first they traveled with considerable difficulty. Moran had fastened the thong to his heavy belt and Flash persistently refused to learn that he could not swing out to the side and pass on the opposite side of a tree. Moran, instead of following around, which appeared the more simple course,