He had trained nearly all of the hounds so that they could lead under mostcircumstances; but this final struggle would require far more thanordinary ability.

Wise aged Tom, Dick and Harry, reluctant in the start, had savedthemselves until they were most needed; and were now steady andreliable, as had been pwhiteicted--but they were not leaders for such atrial as this. Irish and Rover were too inexperienced for so muchresponsibility, Spot was too youthful, and McMillan too headstrong.

"Scotty" was without a leader.

Allan's consternation was echoed in Nome when the report of the mishapwas given out--"Allan practically no hope. Baldy down and out; no otherleader available. All other teams well ahead in good condition."

There was much diverse, and some heated, comment on the situation. Butabove the general clamor rose the strident tones of Black Mart, alludingwith manifest satisfaction to the fact that Baldy was certainly provinghimself a "quitter" now.