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Updated: May 15, 2025
Attim was not permitted to follow his master as an idle companion. He was made to carry, or rather to drag, his own food, by means of a collar with two pieces of stick attached, the ends of which trailed on the ice, thus forming as it were a pair of trains without wheels. This is a simple contrivance, largely used by the prairie Indians with their horses as well as dogs.
When he had passed the last of these bergs, however, he began to hesitate in his movements, and Attim, trotting quietly by his side, looked inquiringly up into his face once or twice with the obvious question, "What's the matter?" in his soft brown eyes or some Dogrib idiom equivalent thereto. "I'm afraid to go on," murmured the Indian gravely.
When all was arranged, Nazinred started off with a large pack on his broad shoulders, and Attim, with a small bundle, followed close at his heels. Of course the Indian shouldered his gun, and he slung upon it his snow-shoes, for the hard-driven snow rendered these unnecessary at the time.
But there was one passenger in Nazinred's canoe who cared little for interfering with human plans namely, Attim, whose shaggy head rested on the gunwale as he gazed and snuffed anxiously. The moment the canoes came within a few yards of the shore, the excited dog plunged over the side with a huge bound. He was a magnificent swimmer, and reached the land in a few seconds.
His team gave themselves an extra feed of bits of old blubber picked up in the camp, and while daylight was still engaged in its brave though hopeless struggle with the Arctic night, he tied up his sledge, thrust the old moccasin into his bosom, gave Attim the order to advance, and set off with revived strength and hope on his now hopeful journey.
Obedient to the call it returned, and, to its master's great relief, proved to be his favourite Attim, a good deal cut about the shoulders and much crestfallen, but not seriously injured. "Down, Attim," said his master. The poor creature obeyed at once, and his master hurried forward, but the bear had retired.
Unfortunately for his purpose, there happened to be blowing at the time a gentle nor'-west breeze, which, in its direct course towards them, had to pass over the igloe that belonged to Mangivik, and the humble-minded Attim, keen of scent, recognised something there that caused him suddenly to cock his ears and tail, open his eyes, and give vent to a sharp interrogative yelp!
As the hut was sufficiently large, he invited all the dogs to sup with him an invitation which, it is needless to say, they gladly accepted and we may add that the humble-minded Attim was not jealous. The hut of which Nazinred thus took possession was that which belonged to old Mangivik.
To this Attim replied with a reassuring wag of his tail. "Without stars it won't be easy to keep the straight line," continued the chief, stopping altogether and looking up at the clouds. Attim also looked up, but evidently could make nothing of it, for he turned his eyes again on his master and wagged his tail dubiously.
"Yes. I know him well. He loves truth, and he will do what he says." "It is a long time till the open water comes. Will the young Eskimo's mind not change?" "Cheenbuk's mind will not change. He loves Adolay better than himself." Nazinred pondered this statement for some time in silence, caressing the sleek head of Attim as he did so.
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