“I had five dogs,” Skiff said, trying to find a nice way to turn down Madge’s offer. “Brown was the leader. They were the best team in Alaska. Nothing could touch them. I said no to the last person who offered me five thousand dollars for them. Brown is the best on my team. I said no to twelve hundred dollars that was offered just for him. I wouldn’t sell him them, and I won’t sell him now. I’ve been looking for him for three years. I was sad when he was stolen from me. And I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him just now. I thought I was dreaming. Thought it was too good to be true. I was his master. I put him to bed every night. He was just a pup when his mother died. I brought him up on condensed milk in a can when I couldn’t afford my own coffee. Brown never knew any mother but me,” Skiff told them, looking like he might cry.