Ch7-Jingle Bells

CHAPTER SEVEN Jingle Betts "Mmm, delicious!" said Annie. She and Jack slurped down the hot soup. As they chewed the salty soda crackers, they watched the dogs breathe peacefully in their sleep. "Do most Alaskans have sled dogs?" asked Annie. "Many do," said Ed, resting in his armchair near the fire. "But the day is coming when dogs won't be used much anymore, except for racing. I can see it happening already. Small planes will get better and better and take over the long trips. Cars

will improve, and roads, too. Soon enough, we'll have vehicles that go through deep snow in no time." "That's good in a way," said Jack. "It'll help medicine travel faster." "But it's sad, too," said Annie. "I'm with you, missy," said Ed, looking at the sleeping dogs. "Breaks the heart of an old-timer like me. People have used sled dogs for hundreds of years in this territory. I myself have known many brave dogs during my lifetime." "Do you know Balto?" said Jack. "Gunnar Kaasen's dog? We've heard of him." "Sure do," said Ed. "Balto is the best lead dog in Alaska, along with Togo, Leonhard Seppala's dog. Both Togo and Balto have stopped here on runs with Seppala and Kaasen." "What's Balto like?" asked Annie. "Ahh, that dog loves to run a trail," said Ed. "Loves it more than any dog I ever saw. Great strength and lots of courage. Big shaggy black dog. Beautiful to watch because of his spirit."

Annie smiled. "I'd like to meet him." "Annie has a special way with dogs," Jack explained. "With all animals, really," said Annie. Ed smiled at her. "Alaskans are real respectful of animals, too," he said. "We wouldn't have survived a minute without 'em. People here have learned to use all the gifts this frozen world can give." "Like what?" asked Jack. "Well, the socks I just gave you are made of sheep's wool," said Ed. "The parkas that are drying over there are made of squirrel fur. We all wear sealskin pants and reindeer boots and fox fur hats. I wear moose skin and caribou skin and rabbit fur. The medicine headed for Nome is wrapped in bear hide. The medicine itself is made from horse serum." "What's serum?" said Jack. "The blood of a horse," said Ed. "It has antitoxins to kill diphtheria."

"Wow," said Annie. "So Alaskans get gifts from"—she held up one finger after another —"sheep, squirrels, seals, reindeer, foxes, moose, caribou, rabbits, bears, horses…" "And dogs," said Jack, finishing his milk. "And dogs, of course," said Annie. "And fish and whales and birds of the air. All creatures," said Ed. "So everything's connected," said Annie. "That's right," said Ed, nodding. "Eventually it all becomes one thing…the people, the land, the animals, the sea, and the air—it becomes Alaska." "Cool," said Jack. The three of them stared for a long moment at the dogs. Some of the huskies paddled the air with their paws, as if they were dreaming about running over the trail. Ed yawned, and his eyes started to close. A moment later, his head drooped forward, and he was snoring. Jack quietly put down his spoon. He tiptoed to the stove and grabbed his fur boots. They were

dry, but his socks were still damp. So he pulled the boots over the big pair of socks Ed had given him. "It's time to head to Solomon," he whispered to Annie. "We have to finish what we came here to do." Annie nodded. Ed snored loudly as Jack and Annie silently pulled on their fur parkas. They grabbed their mittens and slipped over to the dogs and gently woke them. The dogs jumped to their feet. Even though there were whines and yips, Ed kept snoring. "Thanks, Ed," Jack whispered to the sleeping man. "Yeah, thanks for being so nice to us and the dogs," whispered Annie. Then, very quietly, she led the team out of the log cabin. Jack followed, closing the door behind them. Outside, the wind and snow were blowing wildly. Jack and Annie pulled off their mittens long enough to harness the team. They nimbly hooked the dogs to tug lines, neck lines, and the towline.

"Ready?" Jack shouted above the wind. "I hope Ed doesn't worry about us when he wakes up!" Annie shouted back. "Oh, man. I just thought of something," said Jack. "What?" "Stardust!" said Jack. "For Ed!" "Yes!" said Annie. Leaving the dogs waiting for a moment, she and Jack hurried back to the cabin,