Jacob Welse picked out the leaders as the more intelligent, and with grub-packs on them drove them out from the bank.

They could not grasp what was demanded of them.

Whenever they tried to return they were driven back with sticks and clods and imprecations.

This only bewildered them, and they retreated out of range, whence they raised their wet, cold paws and whined pitifully to the shore.
"If they could only make it once, they would understand, and then it would go like clock-work.

Ah! Would you?
Go on! Chook, Miriam! Chook! The thing is to get the first one across." Jacob Welse finally succeeded in getting Miriam, lead-dog to Frona's team, to take the trail left by him and the baron.