Ben regarded Dubby with admiring interest; and pondering for a while on all that he had heard said, finally, “Do you think, Mr. Allan, you’ll ever find any one dog that kin race like Kid and be as smart on the trail as Dub?” In his eagerness he did not wait for the reply.  “Don’t you s’pose if a dog’s really good t’ begin with, an’ some one that loves him lots learns him all the things a’ racin’ dog’s got t’ know, that he’d turn out so wonderful that everybody in Alaska ’ud know how great he was—­mebbe everybody in the world?”

The Woman smiled.  “Have you any one in mind, Ben?”

“Yes, ma’am, no, ma’am; I was only thinkin’,” he stammered as he earnestly listened for “Scotty’s” answer.

“I would not be surprised if such a thing could happen, Sonny.  You know pretty nearly all good things are possible to good dogs—­and good boys.”

And deep in his heart the boy vowed that he and Baldy would begin the very next day to show what can be accomplished by those who, loving much, serve faithfully. [Illustration]

VI

To Visit Those in Affliction

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VI

TO VISIT THOSE IN AFFLICTION

“We got t’ change these rules someway, George.  There ain’t a thing in ’em ‘bout visitin’ the sick an’ dyin’.  There’s somethin’ ‘bout not usin’ sick dogs, I remember, but that’s all there is ’bout sickness; and that won’t hardly do.”

George considered the matter carefully as he read over the “Rules and Regerlations of the Anshent and Honroble Order of Bow-Wow Wonder Workers” in his hand.  They were rather blotted, and decidedly grimy; but it was perfectly clear, as Dan had announced, there was nothing in them that suggested the duty of ministering to those in distress.

The Order had met that afternoon to decide upon the proper thing to be done in the case of Ben Edwards, who had been ill for two days with a severe cold, and absent from school.

With a sincere desire to emulate other Orders more Ancient than theirs, if not more Honorable, they felt that a fraternal call upon their suffering member was necessary.

“We ought t’ take him somethin’ to eat an’ read,” remarked George; “like Dad always does when he goes t’ the Hospital t’ see Masons, or Elks, or any of ’em that’s broke their legs or arms in shafts, or fallin’ off dredges an’ things.”

“It’s all right t’ take him eatables; but don’t let’s take him any stuff to read.  It might make him worse.  It’s bad enough bein’ sick, without havin’ some readin’ shoved onto you, too.”

Dan, who was the Treasurer of the Wonder Workers, as well as holding other important offices, brought forth a can from under the hay in the corner of Spot’s stall.

“We better see how much money we got before we talk ’bout what we’ll take him.”