AboutthetimeDuskymane’sbrotherswereamontholdhisfoster—motherreturnedinastrangecondition。Shewasfrothingatthemouth，herlegstrembled，andshefellinaconvulsionnearthedoorwayoftheden，butrecovering，shecamein。Herjawsquivered，herteethrattledalittleasshetriedtolickthelittleones;sheseizedherownfrontlegandbititsoasnottobitethem，butatlengthshegrewquieterandcalmer。TheCubshadretreatedinfeartoafarpocket，butnowtheyreturnedandcrowdedabouthertoseektheirusualfood。Themotherrecovered，butwasveryillfortwoorthreedays，andthosedayswiththepoisoninhersystemworkeddisasterforthebrood。Theywereterriblysick;onlythestrongestcouldsurvive，andwhenthetrialofstrengthwasover，thedencontainedonlytheoldoneandtheBlack—manedCub，theoneshehadadopted。ThuslittleDuskymanebecamehersolecharge;allherstrengthwasdevotedtofeedinghim，andhethrivedapace。
　　Wolvesarequicktolearncertainthings。ThereactionsofsmellarethegreatestthataWolfcanfeel，andthenceforthbothCubandfoster—motherexperiencedaquick，unreasoningsenseoffearandhatethemomentthesmellofstrychninereachedthem。
　　IV
　　THERUDIMENTSOFWOLFTRAINING
　　WiththesustenanceofsevenathisservicethelittleWolfhadeveryreasontogrow，andwhenintheautumnhebegantofollowhismotheronherhuntingtripshewasastallasshewas。Nowachangeofregionwasforcedonthem，fornumbersoflittleWolvesweregrowingup。SentinelButte，therockyfastnessoftheplains，wasclaimedbymanythatwerebigandstrong;theweakermustmoveout，andwiththemYellowWolfandtheDuskyCub。
　　Wolveshavenolanguageinthesensethatmanhas;theirvocabularyisprobablylimitedtoadozenhowls，barks，andgruntsexpressingthesimplestemotions;buttheyhaveseveralothermodesofconveyingideas，andoneveryspecialmethodofspreadinginformation——theWolf—telephone。Scatteredovertheirrangeareanumberofrecognized"centrals。"Sometimesthesearestones，sometimestheangleofcross—trails，sometimesaBuffalo—skull——indeed，anyconspicuousobjectnearamaintrailisused。AWolfcallinghere，asaDogdoesatatelegraphpost，oraMuskratatacertainmud—piepoint，leaveshisbody—scentandlearnswhatothervisitorshavebeenthererecentlytodothesame。Helearnsalsowhencetheycameandwheretheywent，aswellassomethingabouttheircondition，whetherhunted，hungry，gorged，orsick。BythissystemofregistrationaWolfknowswherehisfriends，aswellashisfoes，aretobefound。AndDuskymane，followingaftertheYellowWolf，wastaughttheplacesandusesofthemanysignal—stationswithoutanyconsciousattemptatteachingonthepartofhisfoster—mother。Examplebackedbyhisnativeinstinctswasindeedthechiefteacher，butononeoccasionatleasttherewassomethingveryliketheeffortofahumanparenttoguardherchildindanger。
　　TheDarkCubhadlearnedtherudimentsofWolflife：thatthewaytofightDogsistorun，andtofightasyourun，nevergrapple，butsnap，snap，snap，andmakefortheroughcountrywhereHorsescannotbringtheirriders。
　　HelearnednottobotherabouttheCoyotesthatfollowforthepickingswhenyouhunt;youcannotcatchthemandtheydoyounoharm。
　　HeknewhemustnotwastetimedashingafterBirdsthatalightontheground;andthathemustkeepawayfromthelittleblackandwhiteAnimalwiththebushytail。Itisnotverygoodtoeat，anditisvery，verybadtosmell。
　　Poison！Oh，heneverforgotthatsmellfromthedaywhenthedenwasclearedofallhisfoster—brothers。
　　HenowknewthatthefirstmoveinattackingSheepwastoscatterthem;aloneSheepisafoolishandeasyprey;thatthewaytoroundupabandofCattlewastofrightenaCalf。
　　HelearnedthathemustalwaysattackaSteerbehind，aSheepinfront，andaHorseinthemiddle，thatis，ontheflank，andnever，neverattackamanatall，neverevenfacehim。Butanimportantlessonwasaddedtothese，oneinwhichthemotherconsciouslytaughthimofasecretfoe。
　　V
　　THELESSONONTRAPS
　　ACalfhaddiedinbranding—timeandnow，twoweekslater，wasinitsbeststateforperfecttaste，nottoofresh，notover—ripe——thatis，inaWolf’sopinion—andthewindcarriedthisinformationafar。TheYellowWolfandDuskymanewereoutforsupper，thoughnotyetknowingwhere，whenthetidingsofvealarrived，andtheytrottedupthewind。TheCalfwasinanopenplace，andplaintobeseeninthemoonlight。ADogwouldhavetrottedrightuptothecarcass，anold—timeWolfmighthavedoneso，butconstantwarhaddevelopedconstantvigilanceintheYellowWolf，andtrustingnothingandnoonebuthernose，sheslackedherspeedtoawalk。Oncomingineasyviewshestopped，andforlongswunghernose，submittingthewindtotheclosestpossiblechemicalanalysis。Shetrieditwithherfinesttests，blewallthemembranescleanagainandtrieditoncemore;andthiswasthereportofthetrustynostrils，yes，theunanimousreport。First，richandracysmellofCalf，seventypercent。;
　　smellsofgrass，bugs，wood，flowers，trees，sand，andotheruninterestingnegations，fifteenpercent。;smellofherCubandherself，positivebutignorable，tenpercent。;smellofhumantracks，twopercent。;smellofsmoke，onepercent。;ofsweatyleathersmell，onepercent。;ofhumanbody—scent（notdiscernibleinsomesamples），one—halfpercent。;smellofiron，atrace。
　　TheoldWolfcrouchedalittlebutsniffedhardwithswingingnose;theyoungWolfimitativelydidthesame。Shebackedofftoagreaterdistance;theCubstood。Shegavealowwhine;hefollowedunwillingly。Shecircledaroundthetemptingcarcass;anewsmellwasrecorded——Coyotetrail—scent，soonfollowedbyCoyotebody—scent。Yes，theretheyweresneakingalonganearridge，andnowasshepassedtoonesidethesampleschanged，thewindhadlostnearlyeverytraceofCalf;miscellaneous，commonplace，anduninterestingsmellswerethereinstead。Thehumantrack—scentwasasbefore，thetraceofleatherwasgone，butfullyone—halfpercent，ofiron—odor，andbodysmellofmanraisedtonearlytwopercent。
　　Fullyalarmed，sheconveyedherfeartotheCub，byherrigidpose，herairintent，andherslightlybristlingmane。
　　Shecontinuedherround。Atonetimeonahighplacethehumanbodyscentwasdoublystrong，thenasshedroppeditfaded。Thenthewindbroughtthefullcalf—odorwithseveraltrack—scentsofCoyotesandsundryBirds。Hersuspicionswerelullingasinasmallingcircleshenearedthetemptingfeastfromthewindwardside。Shehadevenadvancedstraighttowarditforafewstepswhenthesweatyleathersangloudandstrongagain，andsmokeandironmingledliketwostrandsofaparti—coloredyarn。Centringallherattentiononthis，sheadvancedwithintwoleapsoftheCalf。Thereonthegroundwasascrapofleather，tellingalsoofahumantouch，closeathandtheCalf，andnowtheironandsmokeonthefullvastsmellofCalfwerelikeasnaketrailacrossthetrailofawholeBeefherd。ItwassoslightthattheCub，withtheappetiteandimpatienceofyouth，pressedupagainsthismother’sshouldertogopastandeatwithoutdelay。Sheseizedhimbytheneckandflunghimback。Astonestruckbyhisfeetrolledforwardandstoppedwithapeculiarclink。Thedangersmellwasgreatlyincreasedatthis，andtheYellowWolfbackedslowlyfromthefeast，theCubunwillinglyfollowing。
　　AshelookedwistfullyhesawtheCoyotesdrawingnearer，mindfulchieflytoavoidtheWolves。Hewatchedtheirreallycautiousadvance;itseemedlikeheedlessrushingcomparedwithhismother’sapproach。TheCalfsmellrolledforthinexquisiteandoverpoweringexcellencenow，fortheyweretearingthemeat，whenasharpclankwasheardandayelpfromaCoyote。Atthesametimethequietnightwasshockedwitharoarandaflashoffire。HeavyshotsspatteredCalfandCoyotes，andyelpinglikebeatenDogstheyscattered，exceptingonethatwaskilledandasecondstrugglinginthetrapsetherebytheever—activewolvers。Theairwaschargedwiththehatefulsmellsredoublednow，andhorridsmellsadditional。TheYellowWolfglideddownahollowandledherCubawayinflight，but，astheywent，theysawamanrushfromthebanknearwherethemother’snosehadwarnedherofthehumanscent。TheysawhimkillthecaughtCoyoteandsetthetrapsformore。
　　VI
　　THEBEGUILINGOFTHEYELLOWWOLF
　　Thelifegameisahardgame，forwemaywintenthousandtimes，andifwefailbutonceourgainisgone。HowmanyhundredtimeshadtheYellowWolfscornedthetraps;howmanyCubsshehadtrainedtodothesame！Ofallthedangerstoherlifeshebestknewtraps。
　　Octoberhadcome;theCubwasnowmuchtallerthanthemother。
　　Thewolverhadseenthemonce——aYellowWolffollowedbyanother，whoselong，awkwardlegs，big，softfeet，thinneck，andskimpytailproclaimedhimthisyear’sCub。Therecordofthedustandsandsaidthattheoldonehadlostarightfronttoe，andthattheyoungonewasofgiantsize。
　　ItwasthewolverthatthoughttoturnthecarcassoftheCalftoprofit，buthewasdisappointedingettingCoyotesinsteadofWolves。Itwasthebeginningofthetrappingseason，forthismonthfurisprime。Ayoungtrapperoftenfastensthebaitonthetrap;anexperiencedonedoesnot。Agoodtrapperwillevenputthebaitatoneplaceandthetraptenortwentyfeetaway，butataspotthattheWolfislikelytocrossincircling。A
　　favoriteplanistohidethreeorfourtrapsaroundanopenplace，andscattersomescrapsofmeatinthemiddle。Thetrapsareburiedoutofsightafterbeingsmokedtohidethetaintofhandsandiron。SometimesnobaitisusedexceptalittlepieceofcottonoratuftoffeathersthatmaycatchtheWolf’seyeorpiqueitscuriosityandtemptittocircleonthefateful，treacherousground。AgoodtrappervarieshismethodscontinuallysothattheWolvescannotlearnhisways。Theironlysafeguardsareperpetualvigilanceanddistrustofallsmellsthatareknowntobeofman。
　　Thewolver，withaloadofthestrongeststeeltraps，hadbegunhisautumnworkonthe’Cottonwood。’
　　AnoldBuffalotrailcrossingtheriverfollowedalittledrawthatclimbedthehillstothelevelupland。Allanimalsusethesetrails，WolvesandFoxesaswellasCattleandDeer：theyarethemainthoroughfares。AcottonwoodstumpnotfarfromwhereitplungedtothegravellystreamwasmarkedwithWolfsignsthattoldthewolverofitsuse。Herewasanexcellentplacefortraps，notonthetrail，forCattlewerehereinnumbers，buttwentyyardsawayonalevel，sandyspothesetfourtrapsinatwelve—footsquare。Neareachhescatteredtwoorthreescrapsofmeat;threeorfourwhitefeathersonaspearofgrassinthemiddlecompletedthesetting。Nohumaneye，fewanimalnoses，couldhavedetectedthehiddendangerofthatsandyground，whenthesunandwindandthesanditselfhaddissipatedtheman—tracktaint。
　　TheYellowWolfhadseenandpassed，andtaughthergiantsontopass，suchtrapsathousandtimesbefore。
　　TheCattlecametowaterintheheatoftheday。TheystrungdowntheBuffalopathasoncetheBuffalodid。ThelittleVesper—birdsflittedbeforethem，theCowbirdsrodeonthem，andthePrairie—dogschatteredatthem，justastheyoncedidattheBuffalo。
　　Downfromthegray—greenmesawithitsgreen—grayrocks，theymarchedwithimposingsolemnity，importance，anddirectnessofpurpose。SomefrolicsomeCalves，playingalong—sidethetrail，grewsoberandwalkedbehindtheirmothersastheriverflatwasreached。TheoldCowthatheadedtheprocessionsniffedsuspiciouslyasshepassedthe"trapset，"butitwasfaraway，otherwiseshewouldhavepawedandbellowedoverthescrapsofbloodybeeftilleverytrapwassprungandharmless。
　　Butsheledtotheriver。Afterallhaddrunktheirfilltheylaydownonthenearestbanktilllateafternoon。Thentheirunhearddinner—gongarousedthem，andstartedthemonthebackwardmarchtowheretherichestpasturesgrew。
　　Oneortwosmallbirdshadpickedatthescrapsofmeat，someblue—bottlefliesbuzzedabout，butthesinkingsunsawthesandymaskuntouched。
　　AbrownMarshHawkcameskimmingovertheriverflatasthesunbeganhiscolorplay。Blackbirdsdashedintothickets，andeasilyavoidedhisclumsypounce。ItwastooearlyfortheMice，but，asheskimmedtheground，hiskeeneyecaughttheflutteroffeathersbythetrapandturnedhisflight。Thefeathersintheiruninterestingemptinesswereexposedbeforehewasnear，butnowhesawthescrapsofmeat。Guilelessofcunning，healightedandwasdevouringasecondlumpwhen——clank——thedustwasflirtedhighandtheMarshHawkwasheldbyhistoes，strugglingvainlyinthejawsofapowerfulwolf—trap。Hewasnotmuchhurt。Hisamplewingswinnowedfromtimetotime，ineffortstobefree，buthewashelpless，evenasaSparrowmightbeinarat—trap，andwhenthesunhadplayedhisfiercechromaticscale，hisswan—songsung，anddiedashediesonlyintheblazingwest，andtheshadeshadfallenonthemelodramaticsceneoftheMouseintheelephant—trap，therewasadeep，richsoundonthehighflatbutte，answeredbyanother，neitherverylong，neitherrepeated，andbothinstinctiveratherthannecessary。Onewasthemuster—callofanordinaryWolf，theothertheanswerofaverybigmale，notapairinthiscase，butmotherandson—
　　YellowWolfandDuskymane。TheycametrottingtogetherdowntheBuffalotrail。Theypausedatthetelephoneboxonthehillandagainattheoldcottonwoodroot，andweremakingfortheriverwhentheHawkinthetrapflutteredhiswings。TheoldWolfturnedtowardhim，—awoundedbirdonthegroundsurely，andsherushedforward。Sunandsandsoonburnalltrail—scents;therewasnothingtowarnher。Shesprangonthefloppingbirdandachopofherjawsendedhistroubles，butahorridsound——thegrittingofherteethonsteel——toldherofperil。ShedroppedtheHawkandsprangbackwardfromthedangerousground，butlandedinthesecondtrap。Highonherfootitsdeath—gripclosed，andleapingwithallherstrength，toescape，shesetherforefootinanotherofthelurkinggripsofsteel。Neverhadatrapbeensobaitedbefore。Neverwasshesounsuspicious。Neverwascatchmoresure。FearandfuryfilledtheoldWolf’sheart;
　　shetuggedandstrained，shechewedthechains，shesnarledandfoamed。Onetrapwithitsburiedlog，shemighthavedragged;
　　withtwo，shewashelpless。Struggleasshemight，itonlyworkedthoserelentlessjawsmoredeeplyintoherfeet。Shesnappedwildlyattheair;shetorethedeadHawkintoshreds;sheroaredtheshort，barkingroarofacrazyWolf。Shebitatthetraps，athercub，atherself。Shetoreherlegsthatwereheld;shegnawedinfrenzyatherflank，shechoppedoffhertailinhermadness;
　　shesplinteredallherteethonthesteel，andfilledherbleeding，foamingjawswithclayandsand。
　　Shestruggledtillshefell，andwrithedaboutorlaylikedead，tillstrongenoughtoriseandgrindthechainsagainwithherteeth。
　　Andsothenightpassedby。
　　AndDuskymane？Wherewashe？Thefeelingofthetimewhenhisfoster—motherhadcomehomepoisoned，nowreturned;buthewasevenmoreafraidofher。Sheseemedfilledwithfightinghate。Heheldawayandwhinedalittle;heslunkoffandcamebackwhenshelaystill，onlytoretreatagain，asshesprangforward，ragingathim，andthenrenewedhereffortsatthetraps。Hedidnotunderstandit，butheknewthismuch，shewasinterribletrouble，andthecauseseemedtobethesameasthatwhichhadscaredthemthenighttheyhadventuredneartheCalf。
　　Duskymanehungaboutallnight，fearingtogonear，notknowingwhattodo，andhelplessashismother。
　　AtdawnthenextdayasheepherderseekinglostSheepdiscoveredherfromaneighboringhill。Asignalmirrorcalledthewolverfromhiscamp。Duskymanesawthenewdanger。HewasamereCub，thoughsotall;hecouldnotfacetheman，andfledathisapproach。
　　Thewolverrodeuptothesorry，tattered，bleedingShe—wolfinthetrap。Heraisedhisrifleandsoonthestrugglingstopped。
　　Thewolverreadthetrailandthesignsabout，andrememberingthosehehadreadbefore，hedivinedthatthiswastheWolfwiththegreatCub——theShe—wolfofSentinelButte。
　　Duskymaneheardthe"crack"ashescurriedoffintocover。Hecouldscarcelyknowwhatitmeant，butheneversawhiskindoldfoster—motheragain。Thenceforthhemustfacetheworldalone。
　　VII
　　THEYOUNGWOLFWINSAPLACEANDFAME
　　InstinctisnodoubtaWolf’sfirstandbestguide，butgiftedparentsareagreatstartinlife。Thedusky—manedcubhadhadamotherofrareexcellenceandhereapedtheadvantageofallhercleverness。Hehadinheritedanexquisitenoseandhadabsoluteconfidenceinitsadmonitions。Mankindhasdifficultyinrecognizingthepowerofnostrils。AGray—wolfcanglanceoverthemorningwindasamandoesoverhisnewspaper，andgetallthelatestnews。Hecanswingoverthegroundandhavetheminutestinformationofeverylivingcreaturethathaswalkedtherewithinmanyhours。Hisnoseeventellswhichwayitran，andinawordrendersastatementofeveryanimalthatrecentlycrossedhistrail，whenceitcame，andwhitheritwent。
　　ThatpowerhadDuskymaneinthehighestdegree;hisbroad，moistnosewasevidenceofittoallwhoarejudgesofsuchthings。
　　Addedtothis，hisframewasofunusualpowerandendurance，andlast，hehadearlylearnedadeepdistrustofeverythingstrange，and，callitwhatwewill，shyness，warinessorsuspicion，itwasworthmoretohimthanallhiscleverness。Itwasthisasmuchashisphysicalpowersthatmadeasuccessofhislife。Mightisrightinwolf—land，andDuskymaneandhismotherhadbeendrivenoutofSentinelButte。Butitwasaverydelectablelandandhekeptdriftingbacktohisnativemountain。OneortwobigWolvesthereresentedhiscoming。Theydrovehimoffseveraltimes，yeteachtimehereturnedhewasbetterabletofacethem;
　　andbeforehewaseighteenmonthsoldhehaddefeatedallrivalsandestablishedhimselfagainonhisnativeground;wherehelivedlikearobberbaron，levyingtributeontherichlandsabouthimandfindingsafetyintherockyfastness。
　　WolverRyderoftenhuntedinthatcountry，andbeforelong，hecameacrossafive—and—one—half—inchtrack，thefoot—printofagiantWolf。Roughlyreckoned，twentytotwenty—fivepoundsofweightorsixinchesofstatureisafairallowanceforeachinchofaWolf’sfoot;thisWolfthereforestoodthirty—threeinchesattheshoulderandweighedaboutonehundredandfortypounds，byfarthelargestWolfhehadevermet。KinghadlivedinGoatcountry，andnowinGoatlanguageheexclaimed："Youbet，ain’tthatanoldBilly？"ThusbytrivialchanceitwasthatDuskymanewasknowntohisfoe，as’BadlandsBilly。’
　　Ryderwasfamiliarwiththemuster—calloftheWolves，thelong，smoothcry，butBilly’shadasingularfeature，aslurringthatwasalwaysdistinctive。Ryderhadheardthisbefore，intheCottonwoodCa駉n，andwhenatlengthhegotasightofthebigWolfwiththeblackmane，itstruckhimthatthiswasalsotheCuboftheoldYellowfurythathehadtrapped。
　　Thesewereamongthethingshetoldmeaswesatbythefireatnight。IknewoftheearlydayswhenanyonecouldtraporpoisonWolves，ofthepassingofthosedays，withthepassingofthesimpleWolves;ofthenewraceofWolveswithnewcunningthatweredefyingthemethodsoftheranchmen，andincreasingsteadilyinnumbers。NowthewolvertoldmeofthevariousventuresthatPenroofhadmadewithdifferentkindsofHounds;ofFoxhoundstoothin—skinnedtofight;ofGreyhoundsthatwereuselesswhentheanimalwasoutofsight;ofDanestooheavyfortheroughcountry，and，last，ofthecompositepackwithsomeofallkinds，includingattimesaBull—terriertoleadtheminthefinalfight。
　　HetoldofhuntsafterCoyotes，whichusuallyweresuccessfulbecausetheCoyotessoughttheplains，andwereeasilycaughtbytheGreyhounds。HetoldofkillingsomesmallGray—wolveswiththisverypack，usuallyatthecostoftheonethatledthem;butaboveallhedweltonthewonderfulprowessof"thattharcussedoldBlackWolfofSentinelButte，"andrelatedthemanyattemptstorunhimdownorcornerhim——anunbrokenarrayoffailures。ForthebigWolf，withexasperatingpersistence，continuedtoliveonthefineststockofthePenroofbrand，andeachyearwasteachingmoreWolveshowtodothesamewithperfectimpunity。
　　Ilistenedevenasgold—hunterslistentostoriesoftreasuretrove，forthesewerethethingsofmyworld。Thesethingsindeedwereuppermostinallourminds，forthePenroofpackwaslyingaroundourcamp—firenow。WewereoutafterBadlandsBilly。
　　VIII
　　THEVOICEINTHENIGHTANDTHEBIG
　　TRACKINTHEMORNING
　　OnenightlateinSeptemberafterthelaststreakoflightwasgonefromthewestandtheCoyoteshadbeguntheiryappingchorus，adeep，boomingsoundwasheard。Kingtookouthispipe，turnedhisheadandsaid："That’shim——that’soldBilly。He’sbeenwatchingusalldayfromsomehighplace，andnowwhenthegunsareuselesshe’sheretohavealittlefunwithus。"
　　TwoorthreeDogsarose，withbristlingmanes，fortheyclearlyrecognizedthatthiswasnoCoyote。Theyrushedoutintothenight，butdidnotgofar;theirbrawlingsoundsweresuddenlyvariedbyloudyelps，andtheycamerunningbacktotheshelterofthefire。Onewassobadlycutintheshoulderthathewasuselessfortherestofthehunt。Anotherwashurtintheflank——itseemedthelessseriouswound，andyetnextmorningthehuntersburiedthatsecondDog。
　　Themenwerefurious。Theyvowedspeedyvengeance，andatdawnwereoffonthetrail。TheCoyotesyelpedtheirdawningsong，buttheymeltedintothehillswhenthelightwasstrong。ThehunterssearchedaboutforthebigWolf’strack，hopingthattheHoundswouldbeabletotakeitupandfindhim，buttheyeithercouldnotorwouldnot。
　　TheyfoundaCoyote，however，andwithinafewhundredyardstheykilledhim。Itwasavictory，Isuppose，forCoyoteskillCalvesandSheep，butsomehowIfeltthecommonthoughtofall："MightybraveDogsforalittleCoyote，buttheycouldnotfacethebigWolflastnight。"
　　YoungPenroof，asthoughinanswertooneoftheunputquestions，said：
　　"Say，boys，IbelieveoldBillyhadahullbunchofWolveswithhimlastnight。"
　　"Didn’tseebutonetrack，"saidKinggruffly。
　　InthiswaythewholeofOctoberslippedby;alldayhardridingafterdoubtfultrails，followingtheDogs，whoeithercouldnotkeepthebigtrailorfearedtodoso，andagainandagainwehadnewsofdamagedonebytheWolf;sometimesacowboywouldreportittous;andsometimeswefoundthecarcassesourselves。Afewofthesewepoisoned，thoughitisconsideredaverydangerousthingtodowhilerunningDogs。Theendofthemonthfoundusaweather—beaten，dispiritedlotofmen，withaworn—outlotofHorses，andafoot—sorepack，reducedinnumbersfromtentoseven。SofarwehadkilledonlyoneGray—wolfandthreeCoyotes;
　　BadlandsBillyhadkilledatleastadozenCowsandDogsatfiftydollarsahead。Someoftheboysdecidedtogiveitupandgohome，soKingtookadvantageoftheirgoing，tosendaletter，askingforre雗forcementsincludingallthespareDogsattheranch。
　　Duringthetwodays’waitwerestedourHorses，shotsomegame，andpreparedforaharderhunt。LateontheseconddaythenewDogsarrived——eightbeauties——andraisedtheworkingpacktofifteen。
　　Theweathernowturnedmuchcooler，andinthemorning，tothejoyofthewolvers，thegroundwaswhitewithsnow。Thissurelymeantsuccess。WithcoolweatherfortheDogsandHorsestorun;
　　withthebigWolfnotfaraway，forhehadbeenheardthenightbefore;andwithtrackingsnow，sothatoncefoundhecouldnotbaffleus，——escapeforhimwasimpossible。
　　Wewereupatdawn，butbeforewecouldgetaway，threemencameridingintocamp。TheywerethePenroofboysbackagain。Thechangeofweatherhadchangedtheirminds;theyknewthatwithsnowwemighthaveluck。
　　"Remembernow，"saidKing，asallweremounting，"wedon’twantanybutBadlandsBillythistrip。Gethiman’wekinbustupthehullcombination。Itisafive—and—a—half—inchtrack。"
　　Andeachmeasuredoffonhisquirthandle，oronhisglove，theexactfiveandahalfinchesthatwastobeusedintestingthetrackshemightfind。
　　Notmorethananhourelapsedbeforewegotasignalfromtheriderwhohadgonewestward。Oneshot：thatmeans"attention，"apausewhilecountingten，thentwoshots：thatmeans"comeon。"
　　KinggatheredtheDogsandrodedirecttothedistantfigureonthehill。Allheartsbeathighwithhope，andwewerenotdisappointed。SomesmallWolftrackshadbeenfound，buthereatlastwasthebigtrack，nearlysixincheslong。YoungPenroofwantedtoyellandsetoutatfullgallop。ItwaslikehuntingaLion;itwaslikefindinghappinesslongdeferred。Thehunterknowsnothingmoreinspiringthantheclean—cutlineoffreshtracksthatisleadingtoawonderfulanimal，hehaslongbeenhuntinginvain。HowKing’seyegleamedashegloatedoverthesign！
　　IX
　　RUNDOWNATLAST
　　Itwastheroughestofallroughriding。Itwasafarlongerhuntthanwehadexpected，andwasfulloflittleincidents，forthatendlesslineofmarkswasaminutehistoryofallthatthebigWolfhaddonethenightbefore。Herehehadcircledatthetelephoneboxandlookedfornews;therehehadpausedtoexamineanoldskull;herehehadshiedoffandswungcautiouslyupwindtoexaminesomethingthatprovedtobeanoldtincan;thereatlengthhehadmountedalowhillandsatdown，probablygivingthemuster—howl，fortwoWolveshadcometohimfromdifferentdirections，andtheythenhaddescendedtotheriverflatwheretheCattlewouldseekshelterduringthestorm。HereallthreehadvisitedaBuffaloskull;theretheytrottedinline;andyondertheyseparated，goingthreedifferentways，tomeet——yes——here——oh，whatasight，afineCowrippedopen，leftdeadanduneaten。Nottotheirtaste，itseems，forsee！withinamileisanotherkilledbythem。Notsixhoursago，theyhadfeasted。Heretheirtrailsscatteragain，butnotfar，andthesnowtellsplainlyhoweachhadlaindowntosleep。TheHounds’
　　manesbristledastheysniffedthoseplaces。KinghadheldtheDogswellinhand，butnowtheyweregreatlyexcited。WecametoahillwhereontheWolveshadturnedandfacedourway，thenfledatfullspeed，——sosaidthetrail，——andnowitwasclearthattheyhadwatchedusfromthathill，andwerenotfaraway。
　　Thepackkeptwelltogether，becausetheGreyhounds，seeingnoquarry，weremerelyputteringaboutamongtheotherDogs，orrunningbackwiththeHorses。Wewentasfastaswecould，fortheWolveswerespeeding。Upmesasanddowncouleeswerode，stickingcloselytotheDogs，thoughitwastheroughestcountrythatcouldbepicked。Onegullyafteranother，anhourandanotherhour，andstillthethreefoldtrackwentboundingon;
　　anotherhourandnochange，butinterminableclimbing，sliding，struggling，throughbrushandoverboulders，guidedbythefar—awayyelpingoftheDogs。
　　Nowthechaseleddownwardtothelowvalleyoftheriver，wheretherewasscarcelyanysnow。Jumpingandscramblingdownhills，recklesslyleapingdangerousgulliesandslipperyrocks，wefeltthatwecouldnotholdoutmuchlonger;whenonthelowest，dryestlevelthepacksplit，somewentup，somewentdown，andothersstraighton。Oh，howKingdidswear！Heknewatoncewhatitmeant。TheWolveshadscattered，andsohaddividedthepack。
　　ThreeDogsafteraWolfwouldhavenochance，fourcouldnotkillhim，twowouldcertainlybekilled。Andyetthiswasthefirstencouragingsignwehadseen，foritmeantthattheWolveswerehardpressed。WespurredaheadtostoptheDogs，topickforthemtheonlytrail。Butthatwasnotsoeasy。WithoutsnowhereandwithcountlessDogtracks，wewerefoiled。AllwecoulddowastolettheDogschoose，butkeepthemtoasinglechoice。Awaywewentasbefore，hoping，yetfearingthatwewerenotontherighttrack。TheDogsranwell，veryfastindeed。Thiswasabadsign，Kingsaid，butwecouldnotgetsightofthetrackbecausetheDogsoverranitbeforewecame。
　　Afteratwo—milerunthechaseledupwardagaininsnowcountry;
　　theWolfwassighted，buttoourdisgust，wewereonthetrackofthesmallestone。
　　"Ithoughtso，"growledyoungPenroof。"Dogswasaltogethertookeenforaseriousproposition。Kindo’surpriseditain’tturnedoutaJack—rabbit。"
　　Withinanothermilehehadturnedtobayinawillowthicket。Weheardhimhowlthelong—drawnhowlforhelp，andbeforewecouldreachtheplaceKingsawtheDogsrecoilandscatter。AminutelatertherespedfromthefarsideofthethicketasmallGray—wolfandaBlackOneofverymuchgreatersize。
　　"Bygolly，ifhedidn’tyellforhelp，andBillycomebacktohelphim;that’sgreat！"exclaimedthewolver。AndmyheartwentouttothebraveoldWolfthatrefusedtoescapebyabandoninghisfriend。
　　Thenexthourwasahardrepetitionofthegullyriding，butitwasonthehighlandswheretherewassnow，andwhenagainthepackwassplit，westrainedeverypowerandsucceededinkeepingthemonthebig"five—fiftytrack，"thatalreadywaswearingformetheglamourofromance。
　　EvidentlytheDogspreferredeitheroftheothers，butwegotthemgoingatlast。Anotherhalfhour’shardworkandfarahead，asIrosetoabroadflatplain，IhadmyfirstglimpseoftheBigBlackWolfofSentinelButte。
　　"Hurrah！BadlandsBilly！Hurrah！BadlandsBilly！"Ishoutedinsalute，andtheotherstookupthecry。
　　Wewereonhistrackatlast，thankstohimself。TheDogsjoinedinwithalouderbaying，theGreyhoundsyelpedandmadestraightforhim，andtheHorsessniffedandsprangmoregamelyastheycaughtthethrill。Theonlysilentonewastheblack—manedWolf，andasImarkedhissizeandpower，andaboveallhislongandmassivejaws，IknewwhytheDogspreferredsomeothertrail。
　　Withheadandtaillowhewasboundingoverthesnow。Histonguewaslollinglong;plainlyhewashardpressed。Thewolvers’handsflewtotheirrevolvers，thoughhewasthreehundredyardsahead;
　　theywereoutforblood，notsport。Butaninstantlaterhehadsunkfromviewinthenearestshelteredca駉n。
　　Nowwhichwaywouldhego，upordowntheca駉n？Upwastowardhismountain，downwasbettercover。KingandIthought"up，"sopressedwestwardalongtheridge。Buttheothersrodeeastward，watchingforachancetoshoot。
　　Soonwehadriddenoutofhearing。Wewerewrong——theWolfhadgonedown，butweheardnoshooting。Theca駉nwascrossablehere;wereachedtheothersideandthenturnedbackatagallop，scanningthesnowforatrail，thehillsforamovingform，orthewindforasoundoflife。
　　"Squeak，squeak，"wentoursaddleleathers，"puff—puff"ourHorses，andtheirfeet"ka—ka—lump，ka—ka—lump。"
　　X
　　WHENBILLYWENTBACKTOHISMOUNTAIN
　　WewerebackoppositetowheretheWolfhadplunged，butsawnosign。Werodeataneasygallop，oneastward，amile，andstillon，whenKinggaspedout，"Lookatthat！"Adarkspotwasmovingonthesnowahead。Weputonspeed。Anotherdarkspotappeared，andanother，buttheywerenotgoingfast。Infiveminuteswewerenearthem，tofind——threeofourownGreyhounds。Theyhadlostsightofthegame，andwiththattheirinterestwaned。Nowtheywereseekingus。Wesawnothingthereofthechaseoroftheotherhunters。Buthasteningtothenextridgewestumbledonthetrailwesoughtandfollowedashardasthoughinview。Anotherca駉ncameinourpath，andaswerodeandlookedforaplacetocross，awilddinofHoundscamefromitsbrushydepth。Theclamorgrewandpassedupthemiddle。
　　Weracedalongtherim，hopingtoseethegame。TheDogsappearednearthefartherside，notinapack，butalong，stragglingline。Infiveminutesmoretheyrosetotheedge，andaheadofthemwasthegreatBlackWolf。Hewaslopingasbefore，headandtaillow。Powerwasplainineverylimb，anddoublepowerinhisjawsandneck，butIthoughthisboundswereshorternow，andthattheyhadlosttheirspring。TheDogsslowlyreachedtheupperlevel，andsightinghimtheybrokeintoafeeblecry;they，too，werenearlyspent。TheGreyhoundssawthechase，andleavingustheyscrambleddowntheca駉nanduptheothersideatimpetuousspeedthatwouldsurelybreakthemdown，whilewerode，vainlyseekingmeansofcrossing。
　　Howthewolverravedtoseethepackleadoffintheclimaxofthechase，andhimselfheldupbehind。Butherodeandwrathedandstillrode，uptowheretheca駉ndwindled——roughlandandahardride。Aswenearedthegreatflatmountain，thefeeblecryofthepackwasheardagainfromthesouth，thentowardthehighButte’sside，andjustatrifleloudernow。Wereinedinonahillockandscannedthesnow。Amovingspeckappeared，thenothers，notbunched，butinastragglingtrain，andattimestherewasafarfaintcry。Theywereheadedtowardus，comingon，yes！coming，butsoslowly，fornotonewasreallyrunningnow。
　　TherewasthegrimoldCow—killerlimpingovertheground，andfarbehindaGreyhound，andanother，andfartherstill，theotherDogsinorderoftheirspeed，slowly，gamely，draggingthemselvesonthatpursuit。Manyhoursofhardesttoilhaddonetheirwork。
　　TheWolfhadvainlysoughttoflingthemoff。Nowwashishourofdoom，forhewasspent;theystillhadsomereserve。Straighttousforatimetheycame，skirtingthebaseofthemountain，crawling。
　　Wecouldnotcrosstojointhem，soheldourbreathandgazedwithravenouseyes。Theywerenearernow，thewindbroughtfeeblenotesfromtheHounds。ThebigWolfturnedtothesteepascent，upawell—knowntrail，itseemed，forhemadenoslip。Myheartwentwithhim，forhehadcomebacktorescuehisfriend，andamomentarythrillofpitycameoverusboth，aswesawhimglancearoundanddraghimselfuptheslopingway，todieonhismountain。Therewasnoescapeforhim，besetbyfifteenDogswithmentobackthem。Hewasnotwalking，buttotteringupward;theDogsbehindinline，werenowdoingalittlebetter，werenearinghim。Wecouldhearthemgasping;wescarcelyheardthembay——theyhadnobreathforthat;upwardthegrimprocessionwent，circlingaspuroftheButteandalongaledgethatclimbedandnarrowed，thendroppedforafewyardstoashelfthatrearedabovethecanon。TheforemostDogswereclosing，fearlessofafoesonearlyspent。
　　Hereinthenarrowestplace，whereonewrongstepmeantdeath，thegreatWolfturnedandfacedthem。Withfore—feetbraced，withheadlowandtailalittleraised，hisduskymanea—bristling，hisglitteringtuskslaidbare，bututteringnosoundthatwecouldhear，hefacedthecrew。Hislegswereweakwithtoil，buthisneck，hisjaws，andhisheartwerestrong，and——nowallyouwholovetheDogshadbetterclosethebook——on——upanddown——fifteentoone，theycame，theswiftestfirst，andhowitwasdone，theeyecouldscarcelysee，butevenasastreamofwaterpoursonarocktobesplashedinbrokenJetsaside，thatstreamofDogscamepouringdownthepath，insinglefileperforce，andDuskymanereceivedthemastheycame。Afeeblespring，acounter—lunge，agash，and"Fango’sdown，"haslosthisfootholdandisgone。DanderandCoaliecloseandtrytoclinch;arush，aheave，andtheyarefallenfromthatnarrowpath。Blue—spotthen，backedbymightyOscarandfearlessTige——buttheWolfisnexttherockandtheflashofcombatclearstoshowhimtherealone，thebigDogsgone;therestclosein，thehindmostforcetheforemoston——down—totheirdeath。Slash，chopandheave，fromtheswiftesttothebiggest，tothelast，down——down——hesentthemwhirlingfromtheledgetothegapinggulchbelow，whererocksandsnagsoftrunksweresharptodotheirwork。
　　Infiftysecondsitwasdone。Therockhadsplashedthestreamaside——thePenroofpackwasallwipedout;andBadlandsBillystoodthere，aloneagainonhismountain。
　　Amomenthewaitedtolookformoretocome。Therewerenomore，thepackwasdead;butwaitinghegothisbreath，thenraisinghisvoiceforthefirsttimeinthatfatalscene，hefeeblygavealongyelloftriumph，andscalingthenextlowbank，wasscreenedfromviewinaca駉nofSentinelButte。
　　Westaredlikemenofstone。Thegunsinourhandswereforgotten。Itwasallsoquick，sofinal。WemadenomovetilltheWolfwasgone。Itwasnotfartotheplace：wewentonfoottoseeifanyhadescaped。Notonewasleftalive。Wecoulddonothing——wecouldsaynothing。
　　XI
　　THEHOWLATSUNSET
　　AweeklaterwewereridingtheuppertrailbackoftheChimneyPot，KingandI。"Theoldmanisprettysickofit，"hesaid。
　　"He’dselloutifhecould。Hedon’tknowwhat’sthenextmove。"
　　ThesunwentdownbeyondSentinelButte。ItwasduskaswereachedtheturnthatledtoDumont’splace，andadeep—tonedrollinghowlcamefromtheriverflatbelow，followedbyanumberofhigher—pitchedhowlsinansweringchorus。Wecouldseenothing，butwelistenedhard。Thesongwasrepeated，thehunting—cryoftheWolves。Itfaded，thenightwasstirredbyanother，thesharpbarkandtheshorthowl，thesignal"closein";abellowcameup，veryshort，foritwascutshort。
　　AndKingashetouchedhisHorsesaidgrimly："That’shim，heisoutwiththepack，an’thargoesanotherBeef。"
　　THEBOYANDTHELYNX
　　I
　　THEBOY
　　Hewasbarelyfifteen，aloverofsportanduncommonlykeen，evenforabeginner。FlocksofWildPigeonshadbeencomingalldayacrosstheblueLakeofCayggeonull，andperchinginlineonthedeadlimbsofthegreatrampikesthatstoodasmonumentsoffire，aroundthelittleclearingintheforest，theyaffordedtemptingmarks;buthefollowedthemforhoursinvain。Theyseemedtoknowtheexactrangeoftheold—fashionedshotgunandroseonnoisywingseachtimebeforehewasnearenoughtofire。Atlengthasmallflockscatteredamongthelowgreentreesthatgrewaboutthespring，nearthelogshanty，andtakingadvantageofthecover，Thorburnwentingently。HecaughtsightofasinglePigeonclosetohim，tookalongaimandfired。Asharpcrackresoundedatalmostthesametimeandthebirdfelldead。
　　Thorburnrushedtoseizetheprizejustasatallyoungmansteppedintoviewandpickeditup。
　　"Hello，Corney！yougotmybird！"
　　"Yourburrud！Sureyoursflewawaythayre。IsawthemsettlehayerandthoughtI’dmakesureofwanwiththerifle。"
　　Acarefulexaminationshowedthatarifle—ballaswellasachargeofshothadstruckthePigeon。Thegunnershadfiredonthesamebird。Bothenjoyedthejoke，thoughithaditsseriousside，forfoodaswellasammunitionwasscarceinthatbackwoodshome。
　　Corney，asuperbspecimenofasix—footIrish—Canadianinearlymanhood，nowledawaytothelogshantywheretheveryscarcityofluxuriesandtheroughnessoftheirlivesweresourcesofmerriment。FortheColts，thoughbornandbredinthebackwoodsofCanada，hadlostnothingofthespiritthatmakestheIrishbloodaworld—widesynonymofheartinessandwit。
　　Corneywastheeldestsonofalargefamily。TheoldfolkslivedatPetersay，twenty—fivemilestothesouthward。Hehadtakenupa"claim"tocarvehisownhomeoutofthewoodsatFenebonk，andhisgrownsisters，Margat，staidandreliable，andLoo，brightandwitty，werekeepinghouseforhim。ThorburnAlderwasvisitingthem。Hehadjustrecoveredfromasevereillnessandhadbeensenttoroughitinthewoodsinhopeofwinningsomeofthevigorofhishosts。Theirhomewasofunhewnlogs，unfloored，androofedwithsods，whichborealuxuriantcropofgrassandweeds。Theprimitivewoodsaroundwerebrokenintwoplaces：onewheretheroughestofroadsledsouthwardtoPetersay;theotherwherethesparklinglakerolledonapebblyshoreandgaveaglimpseoftheirnearestneighbor’shouse——fourmilesacrossthewater。
　　Theirdailyroundhadlittlechange。Corneywasupatdaybreaktolightthefire，callhissisters，andfeedthehorseswhiletheypreparedbreakfast。AtsixthemealwasoverandCorneywenttohiswork。Atnoon，whichMargatknewbytheshadowofacertainrampikefallingonthespring，aclearnotificationtodrawfreshwaterforthetable，Loowouldhangawhiteragonapole，andCorney，seeingthesignal，wouldreturnfromsummerfalloworhayfield，grimy，swarthy，andruddy，apictureofmanlyvigorandhonesttoil。Thormightbeawayallday，butatnight，whentheyagainassembledatthetable，hewouldcomefromlakeordistantridgeandeatasupperlikethedinnerandbreakfast，formealsaswellasdayswereexactrepeats：pork，bread，potatoes，andtea，withoccasionallyeggssuppliedbyadozenhensaroundthelittlelogstable，with，rarely，avariationofwildmeat，forThorwasnotahunterandCorneyhadlittletimeforanythingbutthefarm。
　　II
　　THELYNX
　　Ahugefour—footbasswoodhadgonethewayofalltrees。Deathhadbeengenerous——hadsentthethreewarnings：itwasthebiggestofitskind，itschildrenweregrownup，itwashollow。
　　Thewintryblastthatsentitdownhadbrokenitacrossandrevealedagreatholewhereshouldhavebeenitsheart。Alongwoodencaverninthemiddleofasunnyopening，itnowlay，andpresentedanidealhomeforaLynxwhenshesoughtashelterednesting—placeforhercomingbrood。
　　Oldwassheandgaunt，forthiswasayearofhardtimesfortheLynxes。ARabbitplaguetheautumnbeforehadsweptawaytheirmainsupport;awinterofdeepsnowandsuddencrustshadkilledoffnearlyallthePartridges;alongwetspringhaddestroyedthefewgrowingcoveysandhadkeptthepondsandstreamssofullthatFishandFrogsweresafefromtheirarmedpaws，andthismotherLynxfarednobetterthanherkind。
　　Thelittleones——halfstarvedbeforetheycame——wereadoubledrain，fortheytookthetimeshemighthavespentinhunting。
　　TheNorthernHareisthefavoritefoodoftheLynx，andinsomeyearsshecouldhavekilledfiftyinoneday，butneveronedidsheseethisseason。Theplaguehaddoneitsworktoowell。
　　OnedayshecaughtaRed—squirrelwhichhadrunintoahollowlogthatprovedatrap。AnotherdayafetidBlacksnakewasheronlyfood。Adaywasmissed，andthelittleoneswhinedpiteouslyfortheirnaturalfoodandfailingdrink。Onedayshesawalargeblackanimalofunpleasantbutfamiliarsmell。Swiftlyandsilentlyshesprangtomakeattack。Shestruckitonceonthenose，butthePorcupinedoubledhisheadunder，histailflewup，andthemotherLynxwasspearedinadozenplaceswiththelittlestingingjavelins。Shedrewthemallwithherteeth，forshehad"learnedPorcupine"yearsbefore，andonlythehardpushofwantwouldhavemadeherstrikeonenow。
　　AFrogwasallshecaughtthatday。Onthenext，assherangedthefarthestwoodsinalong，hardhunt，sheheardasingularcallingvoice。Itwasnewtoher。Sheapproacheditcautiously，upwind，gotmanynewodorsandsomemorestrangesoundsincoming。Theloud，clear，rollingcallwasrepeatedasthemotherLynxcametoanopeningintheforest。Inthemiddleofitweretwoenormousmuskratorbeaver—houses，farbiggerthanthebiggestsheeverbeforehadseen。Theyweremadepartlyoflogsandsituated，notinapond，butonadryknoll。WalkingaboutthemwereanumberofPartridges，thatis，birdslikePartridges，onlylargerandofvariouscolors，red，yellow，andwhite。
　　Shequiveredwiththeexcitementthatinamanwouldhavebeencalledbuck—fever。Food——food——abundanceoffood，andtheoldhuntresssanktoearth。Herbreastwasontheground，herelbowsaboveherback，asshemadestalk，hershrewdest，subtleststalk;
　　oneofthosePartridgesshemusthaveatanyprice;notricknowmustgountried，noerrorinthishunt;ifittookhours——allday——shemustapproachwithcertaintytowinbeforethequarrytooktoflight。
　　Onlyafewboundsitwasfromwoodsheltertothegreatrat—house，butshewasanhourincrawlingthatsmallspace。Fromstumptobrush，fromlogtobunchofgrassshesneaked，aflattenedform，andthePartridgessawhernot。Theyfedabout，thebiggestutteringtheringingcallthatfirsthadfallenonherear。
　　Oncetheyseemedtosensetheirperil，butalongawaitdispelledthefear。Nowtheywerealmostinreach，andshetrembledwithalltheeagernessofthehuntingheartandthehungrymaw。Hereyecentredonawhiteonenotquitethenearest，butthecolorseemedtoholdhergaze。
　　Therewasanopenspacearoundtherat—house;outsidethatweretallweeds，andstumpswerescatteredeverywhere。Thewhitebirdwanderedbehindtheseweeds，theredoneoftheloudvoiceflewtothetopoftherat—moundandsangasbefore。ThemotherLynxsankloweryet。Itseemedanalarmnote;butno，thewhiteonestillwasthere;shecouldseeitsfeathersgleamingthroughtheweeds。Anopenspacenowlayabout。Thehuntress，flattenedlikeanemptyskin，trailedslowandsilentonthegroundbehindalognothickerthanherneck;ifshecouldreachthattuftofbrushshecouldgetunseentotheweedsandthenwouldbenearenoughtospring。Shecouldsmellthemnow——therichandpotentsmelloflife，offleshandblood，thatsetherlimbsa—tingleandhereyesa—glow。
　　ThePartridgesstillscratchedandfed;anotherflewtothehightop，butthewhiteoneremained。Fivemoreslow—gliding，silentsteps，andtheLynxwasbehindtheweeds，thewhitebirdshiningthrough;shegaugedthedistance，triedthefooting，swungherhindlegstoclearsomefallenbrush，thenleapeddirectwithallherforce，andthewhiteoneneverknewthedeathitdied，forthefatefulgrayshadowdropped，theswiftanddeadlydidtheirwork，andbeforetheotherbirdscouldrealizethefoeorfly，theLynxwasgone，withthewhitebirdsquirminginherjaws。
　　Utteringanunnecessarygrowlofinbornferocityandjoysheboundedintotheforest，andbee—likespedforhome。Thelastquiverhadgonefromthewarmbodyofthevictimwhensheheardthesoundofheavyfeetahead。Sheleapedonalog。Thewingsofherpreyweremufflinghereyes，soshelaidthebirddownandhelditsafelywithonepaw。Thesounddrewnearer，thebushesbent，andaBoysteppedintoview。TheoldLynxknewandhatedhiskind。Shehadwatchedthematnight，hadfollowedthem，hadbeenhuntedandhurtbythem。Foramomenttheystoodfacetoface。Thehuntressgrowledawarningthatwasalsoachallengeandadefiance，pickedupthebirdandboundedfromthelogintotheshelteringbushes。Itwasamileortwototheden，butshestayednottoeattillthesunlitopeningandthebigbasswoodcametoview;thenalow"prr—prr"calledforththelittleonestorevelwiththeirmotherinaplenteousmealofthechoicestfood。