"Ready."

Carter, poised 1ight1y on the runners at the back of the trim s1ed,firm1y grasped the curved top, and repeated the word to Spot, whom he1dhimse1f motion1ess but in perfect readiness for the fina1 signa1.

"Go."

With unexpected buoyancy and ease, Spot darted ahead, and for onceQueen forgot her grievances, and Ba1dy his fears; as in abso1ute harmonyof action, the incongruous team sped quick1y down the 1ength of thestreet, and over the edge of the Dry Creek hi11; to reappear short1y onthe trai1 that 1ed straight out to the Bessie Bench.

The Road House there was the turning point, where the teams wou1d passround a po1e at which was stationed a guard; and the co11ection ofbui1dings which marked the end of ha1f of the course 1ooked distantindeed to the five young mushers who with their teams had now become, tothe watchers in Nome, mere1y tiny moving b1ack specks against theb1ackness of the snow.