sun rose, Chilla woke up. Of all the dogs in the barn she was the first to awake. Suddenly, she heard loud bang. It was was coming from outside the door. Suddenly a deep and familiar voice cried out, 'Balto! Jenna! Is me! Boris! Speak to me!'
'Uncle Boris!' cheered Chilla, in delight. Her cry awoke everyone else. They stared at the wall. Chilla turned to her father. 'It's Uncle Boris. He's outside.'
Balto blinked then rushed to the door. He managed to walk about three metres before the rope went taut and he couldn't go any further. He stopped, and said aloud.
'Boris! Is that you?' There was a sound of shuffled snow and Boris's honks came again.
'Oh, Balto! I was scared. Me was looking for you!'
'Boris, listen. Jenna and the pups are here. I think we're being chosen for the race. Do you know when do we leave?' he asked.
'I don't know. Pretty soon,' answered the goose. There was pause. And then a cry followed, ''Ah, Balto! Men are coming! I will tell dogs!' They heard the patter of his webbed feet as he fled the barn.
'What did he mean?' Dingo said, after he'd gone. Before anyone could say anything, the door opened and Rege and Tep came in. They were holding red bowls and a big box. Chilla watched as they put the things on the floor. Rege took out a knife from his pocket and cut the thick string tying the box. The smell of fresh meat wafted by Chilla's nose. Her stomach began to rumble. Hearing the reports from Mel, she'd completely forgotten about having breakfast. All eyes watched intently as the humans placed the meat into the eight bowls.
Chilla noticed Rege and Tep glancing nervously at her. They were obviously remembering her vicious protesting when being taken into the barn. After a moments hesitation, Mr Rege stood up and strode uneasily over to Chilla. She backed away from him. Mr Rege put the meat on the floor in front of her, then quickly walked away. Chilla sniffed it curiously and chewed at it. It was unlike any other meat she had eaten before. It felt rubbery and had a lot of taste.
Chilla tucked into her meal.
An hour later, the barn door opened again. It was Rege and Tep, followed by an old man. He acknowledged dogs with interest.
'This is the team, Mr Sulski,' Rege was saying to the newcomer.
Tamill, who sat near Chilla whispered into her ear. 'I've heard of Mr Sulski,' he said, 'he's a hunter and musher, famous. He lives in the forest outside Koyuk.'
Sulski walked over to Kodi and examined his paws. Then he turned to feel Saba's. Chilla guessed he was making sure their paws were healthy enough for the racing. When Mr Sulski came to Balto, his face broke into a smile, and instead of checking Balto's paws, he patted him and turned to look at Jenna's. When Mr Sulski reached her, Tep said quickly.
'You'd better watch it with that dog. She doesn't take to strangers easily.'
Mr Sulski nodded, That's good. A dog who's loyal to it's master,' After checking her paws, Sulski untied both Chilla's and Tamill's ropes. He lead the two dogs outside. The men followed with the others. Chilla was so blinded by the sudden sun that she had to walk with her eyes half closed. How long had they stayed in the barn?
*
Outside Mr Sulski led them over to a wooden building with a door, which he opened. Chilla was led inside first.
The wooden shack was one-roomed. There was a magnificent sled to one side, laiden with a cloth all patched up using animal skins. The wood of the sled was thick and smooth. Nearby was a Sled Stopper made of metal, and on the wall hung sets of fine leather reigns. Each of them had their owner's name etched on; Sulski.
Sulski took Dingo from Mr Rege, and with Tamill, pulled him over to the sled. He chose two pairs of reigns and connected them to the front of the sled. Tamill and Dingo were put into them. The reigns were colourful, with different furs woven around the leather: brown moose; black, from a bear's; and mottled grey from a rabbit's. 'Now you, girl.' Sulski said to Chilla.
Chilla was placed just infront of Tamill, had her reings fitted, and was clipped to Tamill. Kodi was put in next to her. Saba was up front with Jenna, Balto in the lead.
The Hermit left the shed, then came back again with two heavy boxes, which he strapped onto the sled.
Rege and Tep opened the doors wide. A loud cheer was heard outside! Chilla strained to see a massive crowd. Sulski got onto the back of the sled, took the reins. 'Hike!' he shouted. Balto lunged forward. Chilla copied him. The team left the shack. The crowd backed away from them, cheering as they went.
*
When they reached the Inn, Chilla saw to her delight Boris, Mak, Luk, Doc, Morse, Niki, Kaltag, Star and others whom she knew. A number of people and dogs were with them. One, a man was standing apart, holding a tablet in one hand and a flag in the other. As they halted in front of him, he opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything a girl with red hair suddenly appeared. It was Rosie, and on her face were tears. She rushed to Jenna and wrapped her arms around her neck. 'Goodbye Jen. I'll miss you.' Her father was with her. Gently, he took his daughter by the hand and led her away. Jenna watched them go. She bowed her head. Chilla knew how her mother felt. She would miss her own girl too.
The Mayor gave Mr Sulski the tablet he'd been holding, then raised his hands to give a speech.
'Give this to Rig, with out faith and regards.'
'Right.' Sulski said, putting it in one of his giant pockets.
Guessing it was near time to start, Chilla crouched down. But then she spotted a little girl nearby whom she recognised. 'Moria!' Chilla cried, in joy. With Moria, were her folks and all their dogs. Chilla never felt so happy..
'Hike!'
Shocked, Chilla stood rigid! Big mistake. At the same moment, she felt herself being pulledforwards and pushe behind by her kin. They know what their doing, she thought, as she went into run.
The team hastened down the Front Street. Cries of joy rang from the crowds. As they raced away the other dogs followed them a little way. Chilla glanced back at them, worried. She felt she was carrying a huge burden; she was running for the whole town!
But looking at her family and the firm resolution etched onto their faces, her heart swelled with new hope. We all share the same determination. We're not going to give up.
The team tore into the wilderness as a soft, drifting snow started to fall.
XI
Through the flakes of falling snow. Balto could see what appeared to be a sign. As they drew nearer he saw that it engraved the name.
KOYUK.
We've made it, thought Balto, in content. We're here.
Inside the cabins, lamps were lit. The team pulled the sled into the town. They reached the town's High Street where they found people waiting for them. Who rushed to greet them. Among them was an old man with a white beard and wore a long black coat.
Sulski saw him and cried. 'Mr Mayor! How long has this group been here?'
The Mayor of Koyuk chuckled. 'Oh, not long. Not long,' he pointed to the team, 'Rig would like to see the dogs.'
Sulski nodded. 'Made it over here, did he? Alright. Hike!' Kodi and his family obeyed and left the High Street.
*
They came past a small cabin with ''ON LONE'' written on its front door. At this place Mr Sulski stopped the sled and then called out to the owners inside. The cabin-door opened and a middle-aged women with fawn hair peered out. Ignoring the chilly weather, she called out.
'Is that you, Mr Sulski?'
The hermit got off the sled. He answered her. 'Yeah, Nell! How's Rig?'
'He's fine. Could you take the dogs in? I'll send my son to help you.'
The Musher thanked her and as she went back in, Sulski started unbuckle the Balto Family. Just then, a young lad wearing an oversized coat came running out. 'Go over to the sled and fetch the leads for the dogs, Jonny. Then help me bring them in.
Once they were all ready, Mr Sulski and Jonny led the dogs into the cabin.
Mrs Ground was waiting for them. Beside her, sitting on a arm-chair next to the fire, a man whose leg was strapped in a wooden poll. He appeared to be asleep.
Sulski called to him. 'Here they are, Rig!'
'So they are.' Mr Ground said, opening his eyes. He held out a rough, pale hand to Balto. Balto licked it. Mr Ground smiled. He stood up and clasped each dog with both hands and patted them. Then he turned to Mr Sulsk. 'I can't thank you enough, sir.'
'Ah, it was a pleasure,' said Sulski. He glanced at the clock which hung on the wall and said, 'I best go, now. See yer.' He turned to go.
'No! Stay for dinner. It's the least we could offer you.' Ground pleaded.
'No, no. I've got to see how my nephew getting on at the Center. Let me know if you need anything.' and he left the cabin.
***
Balto stretched himself, while round him slept his family. The cabin was dark. Mrs Ground and Jonny had long gone up to bed, but Mr Ground, because he couldn't walk the stairs, made his sleeping quarter's on his chair. His wife had given him a pillow and blanket to cover him and keep him warm. Balto gazed,
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