cheered! The Trail Run Race had begun.

 

XV

Through clenched jaws, Dingo pulled the weight of the sled through the vast landscape. Behind him, ran Tamill and ahead of them Aleu, Chilla, Kodi, Saba, Jenna and Balto. Far behind them, the town of Koyuk lay a mile away. They had only two more to complete their first route. Glancing sideways, Dingo could see that the other teams were still running beside them. The closest one was Nero's. They were almost neck to neck! Dingo's eyes narrowed as he thought. It would be a good chance for these Eskimo dogs to commit any kind of crook or trick Anything could occur if they remained racing alongside them. 

   'We must overtake this team,' he called to his father. 'Or one will overtake us.'

   'Never mind that,' Balto replied.' Just keep up.' 

   'But they will - '

   'Dingo, NO!' repeated Balto. 

Dingo remained silent, but before long Kodi suddenly cried out,

    'Listen, did you hear it.'

Soon all the dogs were aware of a faint, buzzing sound which seemed to be coming from the sky, beyond the clouds. Just then a black shadow crossed the white land. Everyone glanced up and saw that it was a plane.   Balto just stared at it.    'It's here.' he whispered. 'It's really here...The Balto Flyer. FOR NOME! FOR HOME!!!' Balto gave a leap forwards, followed by Jenna, Kodi, Saba and soon after the whole family charged. The sled speeded further and futher away from the other teams until it was well ahead. Dingo laughed out lound. They were favorably ahead. The race was theirs! Looking back, he could see the faces of Nero, Steele and Lurth, straining to keep up with them. Then Nero gave a deafening bellow and regained a new speed. Steele raced beside him. Their sled skidded after them. Now only Lurth remained, pursuing the two in front, without luck of gaining ahead. Dingo laughed again and turned his attenion to the horizon. Whatever lay in front of them, didn't matter to him. They were going to win. They had too.

*

It was not until after completeing their first mile did the mushers halt their sleds. Near them was a small, snow - covered hillock in the middle of a vast white land. Rig and Ted were the first to complete their route. A little away behind them, Mr Sulski was still struggling to catch up with them. The men jump off their sleds, each grabbed a bag contain the stack of flags and made for the hill.

For Mr Ground this was difficult. He had to limp the way with long, slow strides. Dingo groaned. He spied for Mr Maximous. To his horror, the grim human had already planted his flag and making for his team. Quickly, he stood on the sled and roared ''Hike, hike!'' . Nero and his team shot off into the horizon, beginning their second route. Dingo gave a furious snarl. He turned to the others.

    'We've lost the lead. We need to catch up with them.'

    'Not without Rig,' Balto said grimly.' stay down!'

Dingo beat the snow furiously. He couln't believe how close they were with winning. To make matters worse Sulski had arrived! As he halted, Sulski's lead-dog Lurth grinned at them,

    'Finally cuaght up with you, huh.' he said, Dingo glared at him. Meanwhile Mr Ground had reached the sled and had his hand on the handlebar. Without wait for an order, Dingo cried.'NOW HIKE!'  and lept forwards into a run. Aleu followed after him, without a caution. The others had to shade, in seconds the sled was thrust forwards. With an angry cry Rig gripped on the bar, and seizing the reins he cried out.     'Hold! Balto HOLD!' he roared. But Balto couldn't do anything. Both he and Jenna had been pushed by the wave and were forced to run. Dispite his poor leg, Rig somehow pulled himself up firmly on the moving sled. He gripped the reins and gave them flap. Balto's team left Sulski, Lurth and the dogs and resumed its journey.   ** It was late evening. The three teams had set their camps under the leaves of the trees. All had accomplished their day's run and were exhausted. While the dogs had their first moments rest, the mushers choose their own camp locations. Mr Ground would have his on the foot of the hill, Mr Maximous up the top. Mr Sulski camp further off on a flatland. Rig started up his tent then he collected his bag of stones to start a fire. Dingo, Balto, Jenna, Saba, Chilla, Tamille and Kodi went gather some wood. Aleu had disappeared. Soon after they had a huge pile of wood standing next to the tent. Mr Ground lit it and a fire stood blazing. Just then Aleu reappeared with two freshly killed rabbits hanging in her jaws. She placed it beside the musher's feet. Rig smiled. His anger had faded.     'Good girl.' he said, warmly. He took a rabbit from her and immediately begin to skin it. Soon, both were poked and placed over the fire. Two hours later they were throughly cooked. The dogs and Rig ate their fill. Tired from the day's run, the dogs huddled round, feeling the warmth of its glow. As Dingo lay there ready to shut his eyes, his keen ears caught the silent conversation of his father and sister.     'Aleu, thank you for bring those rabbit. It really helped Mr Ground.' said Balto.

Aleu shrugged,

    'It's okay. I like him. He's okay for a human.' she said. Then she asked, 'How am I doing, Papa?' There was a short pause.     'You were okay in the begininng, Aleu. I think Rig was surprised. But remember, you've only just started.  Believe me, no one's great at first.' Balto said to her. There was another pause and Dingo guessed that they'd finished talking. He rested his head on his paws.     'Dingo! Can I talk to you!' Dingo head shot back. Balto was sitting alone. Aleu had gone to join Jenna and her sisters. With a reluctant sigh, Dingo got up and walked to his father. Balto eyed him sternly,     'We need to talk about that swoop you gave us, Dingo. Rig nearly got hurt trying gripping that sled.'     'Dad, let me explain -'     'No, first you listen,' Balto said, not sternly, ' then you learn. I know apprehensive you are about this race, son. But you mustn't let that get in the way of your loyalty to humans. Especially a man like Rig Ground. He wants to make sure we all get home, just as much as I do.'

Dingo pawed the snowy ground,

    'But you said Rig needed money to pay his wages. We can win this race, if we remain ahead of everyone.'      'Not without our musher.' Balto said, 'This is Rig's race, not ours. All we have to do is to protect him. Understand? If we abandon him (like we almost did), the harder for us all. A dog-team can't win a race without a musher. Weak or otherwise. Do you understand?' Dingo nodded. He felt ashamed.    'Another thing,' went on his father.' instead of being impatient. Why not try helping your sister. Aleu's finding difficulty understanding these commands. Your actions made it more complicating for her.'     'Yes dad. I'm sorry.'     'Just remember, we're not just a team. We're a family.' he gave Dingo a fond nip then left him alone. Dingo cursed his own thoughtlessness. He wondered if he ought to make it up to Mr Ground. How how?    'Evening, friend.' said a cheery voice. Dingo looked round. Standing behind him was a strange dog. A tall, brown husky with black stripes running over his back. He looked younger then him and wore a collar, whose make looked exactly like the ones which Steele's dogs wore!     'Evening.' he returned, curtly.     'No hard feelings about that run?'     'Err, no.'     'You're one of the Balto's lot, right?' the stranger asked.'My name's Koltav. You can call me Tavo.' Dingo nodded,     'My name is Dingo. What can I do for you?     'Oh, nothing. I'm just out for a walk.'     'Ah, and your team?'     'Back at the camp.'     'I see. Have you eaten?'      'Yes, we have.'     'Oh, well. You can come and meet the others, if you like.' Koltav accepted this invitation, readily. They trotted back the campsite, Mr Ground had gone into his sleeping-bag and was sound asleep. Balto and the rest were awake and talking in whispers. As Dingo and his new friend approched, the family stopped and stared questioningly at Koltav. Dingo cleared his throat,    'Everyone. Someone from Nero's team has come to see us. This is Koltav.'    'But you can call me Tavo.'    'Nice of you to drop by.' Jenna smiled, while the others nodded in agreement.

   'Make yourself comfortable.' Dingo said, turning to him.

Koltav sat down next to Balto. He grinned at him,
   'Your Balto, aren't you.' he said, eyes wide with wonder. Balto smiled but didn't reply. 'could you tell me all about the Serum Run, sir?'

It was a story Dingo and the others knew, but were never tired of hearing. As Balto recounted his adventures to get the medicine to Nome, Koltav eyes grew wider. When he

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