Fivehundredlittleboxeswithfivehundredbright—eyedJack—rabbitswereputonthetrainthatday,andamongthemwasLittleJackWarhorse。
V
Rabbitstaketheirtroubleslightly,anditisnottobesupposedthatanygreatterrorwasfeltbytheboxedJacks,oncetheuproarofthemassacrewasover;andwhentheyreachedtheCoursingParknearthegreatcityandwereturnedoutonebyone,verygently,——yes,gently;theRomanguardswerecarefuloftheirprisoners,beingresponsibleforthem,——theJacksfoundlittletocomplainof,abiginclosurewithplentyofgoodfood,andnoenemiestoannoythem。
Theverynextmorningtheirtrainingbegan。Ascoreofhatchwayswereopenedintoamuchlargerfield——thePark。AfteranumberofJackshadwanderedoutthroughthesedoorsarabbleofboysappearedanddrovethemback,pursuingthemnoisilyuntilallwereagaininthesmallerfield,calledtheHaven。AfewdaysofthistaughttheJack—rabbitsthatwhenpursuedtheirsafetywastogetbackbyoneofthehatchesintotheHaven。
Nowthesecondlessonbegan。ThewholebandweredrivenoutofasidedoorintoalonglanewhichledaroundthreesidesoftheParktoanotherinclosureatthefarend。ThiswastheStartingPen。Itsdoorintothearena——thatis,thePark——wasopened,theRabbitsdrivenforth,andthenamobofboysandDogsinhiding,burstforthandpursuedthemacrosstheopen。Thewholearmywentbobbingandboundingaway,someoftheyoungeronessoaringinaspy—hop,asamatterofhabit;butlowskimmingaheadofthemallwasagorgeousblack—and—whiteone;clean—limbedandbright—eyed,hehadattractedattentioninthepen,butnowinthefieldheledthebandwitheasylopethatputhimasfaraheadofthemallastheywereaheadoftherabbleofcommonDogs。
\"Lukatthot,wouldye——butain’theaLittleWarhorse?\"shoutedavillainous—lookingIrishstable—boy,andthushewasnamed。
WhenhalfwayacrossthecoursetheJacksrememberedtheHaven,andallswepttowarditandinlikeasnow—cloudoverthedrifts。
Thiswasthesecondlesson——toleadstraightfortheHavenassoonasdrivenfromthePen。Inaweekallhadlearnedit,andwerereadyforthegreatopeningmeetoftheCoursingClub。
TheLittleWarhorsewasnowwellknowntothegroomsandhangers—on;hiscolorsusuallymarkedhimclearly,andhisleadershipwasinameasurerecognizedbythelong—earedherdthatfledwithhim。HefiguredmoreorlesswiththeDogsinthetalkandbettingofthemen。
\"WonderifoldDignamisgoingtoenterMinkiethisyear?\"
\"Faix,an’ifhedoesIbettheLittleWarhorsewilltakethegimpoutavheran’herrunnin’mate。\"
\"I’llbetthreetoonethatmyoldJenwillpicktheWarhorseupbeforehepassesthegrandstand,\"growledadog—man。
\"An’it’smeselfwilltakethotbetindollars,\"saidMickey,\"an’,moorethanthot,Oi’llputupahullmonth’sstuffthotthereain’tadoginthematethotkinturrntheWarrhorrseoncetonthehullcoorse。\"
Sotheywrangledandwagered,buteachday,astheyputtheRabbitsthroughtheirpaces,thereweremoreofthosewhobelievedthattheyhadfoundawonderfulrunnerintheWarhorse,onethatwouldgivethebestGreyhoundssomethingthatisrarelyseen,astraightsternchasefromStarttoGrandStandandHaven。
VI
Thefirstmorningofthemeetarrivedbrightandpromising。TheGrandStandwasfilledwithacitycrowd。Theusualtypesofaracecourseappearedinforce。Hereandthereweretobeseenthedog—groomsleadinginleashsingleGreyhoundsorcouples,shroudedinblankets,butshowingtheirsinewylegs,theirsnakynecks,theirshapelyheadswithlongreptilianjaws,andtheirquick,nervousyelloweyes——hybridsofnaturalforceandhumaningenuity,themostwonderfulrunning—machinesevermadeoffleshandblood。Theirkeepersguardedthemlikejewels,tendedthemlikebabies,andwerecarefultokeepthemfrompickingupoddeatables,aswellaspreventthemsmellingunusualobjectsorbeingapproachedbystrangers。LargesumswerewageredontheseDogs,andacunninglyplacedtack,apieceofdoctoredmeat,yes,anartfullycompoundedsmell,hasbeenknowntoturnasuperbyoungrunnerintoalifelesslaggard,andtotheownerthismightspellruin。TheDogsenteredineachclassarepairedoff,aseachcontestissupposedtobeaduel;thewinnersinthefirstseriesarethenpairedagain。Ineachtrial,aJackisdrivenfromtheStarting—pen;closebyinoneleasharetherivalDogs,heldbytheslipper。AssoonastheHareiswellaway,themanhastogettheDogsevenlystartedandslipthemtogether。Onthefieldisthejudge,scarlet—coatedandwellmounted。Hefollowsthechase。TheHare,mindfulofhistraining,speedsacrosstheopen,towardtheHaven,infullviewoftheGrandStand。TheDogsfollowtheJack。Asthefirstonecomesnearenoughtobedangerous,theHarebalkshimbydodging。EachtimetheHareisturned,scoresfortheDogthatdidit,andafinalpointismadebythekill。
Sometimesthekilltakesplacewithinonehundredyardsofthestart——thatmeansapoorJack;mostlyithappensinfrontoftheGrandStand;butonrareoccasionsitchancesthattheJackgoessailingacrosstheopenParkagoodhalf—mileand,bydodgingfortime,runstosafetyintheHaven。Fourfinishesarepossible:aspeedykill;aspeedywinningoftheHaven;newDogstorelievethefirstrunners,whowouldsufferheart—collapseintheterrificstrainoftheirpace,ifkeptupmanyminutesinhotweather;andfinally,forRabbitsthatbycontinueddodgingdefyandjeopardizetheDogs,andyetdonotwintheHaven,thereiskeptaloadedshotgun。
ThereisjustasmuchjockeyingataKaskadocoursingasataKaskadohorse—race,justasmanyattemptsatfraud,anditisjustasnecessarytohavethejudgeandslipperbeyondsuspicion。
ThedaybeforethenextmeetamanofdiamondssawIrishMickey——bychance。Acigarwasallthatvisiblypassed,butithadagreenwrapperthatwasslippedoffbeforelighting。Thenaword:\"Ifyouwuzslipperto—morrowanditsocameaboutthatDignam’sMinkiegetsdone,wall,——itmeansanothercigar。\"
\"Faix,an’ifIwuzslipperIcouldloadthedicesoMinkiewouldflyerscoreap’int,butherrunnin’matewouldhavethesamebadluck。\"
\"Thatso?\"Thediamondmanlookedinterested。\"Allright——fixitso;itmeanstwocigars。\"
SlipperSlymanhadalwaysdealtonthesquare,hadscornedmanyapproaches——thatwaswellknown。Mostbelievedinhim,butthereweresomemalcontents,andwhenamanwithmanygoldsealsapproachedtheStewardandformulatedcharges,seriousandwell—backed,theymustperforcesuspendtheslipperpendinganinquiry,andthusMickeyDooreignedinhisstead。
Mickeywaspoorandnotover—scrupulous。Herewasachancetomakeayear’spayinaminute,nothingwrongaboutit,noharmtotheDogortheRabbiteither。
OneJack—rabbitismuchlikeanother。Everybodyknowsthat;itwassimplyaquestionofchoosingyourJack。
Thepreliminarieswereover。FiftyJackshadbeenrunandkilled。
Mickeyhaddonehisworksatisfactorily;afairsliphadbeengiventoeveryleash。Hewasstillincommandasslipper。Nowcamethefinalforthecup——thecupandthelargestakes。
VII
ThereweretheslimandelegantDogsawaitingtheirturn。Minkieandherrivalwerefirst。Everythinghadbeenfairsofar,andwhocansaythatwhatfollowedwasunfair?MickeycouldturnoutwhichJackhepleased。
\"Numberthree!\"hecalledtohispartner。
OutleapedtheLittleWarhorse,——blackandwhitehisgreatears,easyandlowhisfive—footbounds;gazingwildlyattheunwontedcrowdaboutthePark,heleapedhighinonesurprisingspy—hop。
\"Hrrrrr!\"shoutedtheslipper,andhispartnerrattledastickonthefence。TheWarhorse’sboundsincreasedtoeightorninefeet。
\"Hrrrrrr!\"andtheyweretenortwelvefeet。AtthirtyyardstheHoundswereslipped——anevenslip;somethoughtitcouldhavebeendoneattwentyyards。
\"Hrrrrrr!Hrrrrrrr!\"andtheWarhorsewasdoingfourteen—footleaps,notaspy—hopamongthem。
\"Hrrrrr!\"wonderfulDogs!howtheysailed;butdriftingaheadofthem,likeawhitesea—birdorflyingscud,wastheWarhorse。
AwaypasttheGrandStand。AndtheDogs——weretheyclosingthegapofstart?Closing!Itwaslengthening!Inlesstimethanittakestotellit,thatblack—and—whitethistledownhaddriftedawaythroughtheHavendoor,——thedoorsolikethatgoodoldhen—hole,——andtheGrey—houndspulledupamidstaroarofderisionandcheersfortheLittleWarhorse。HowMickeydidlaugh!HowDignamdidswear!Howthenewspapermendidscribble——scribble——scribble!
Nextdaytherewasaparagraphinallthepapers:\"WONDERFULFEAT
OFAJACKRABBIT。TheLittleWarhorse,ashehasbeenstyled,completelyskunkedtwoofthemostfamousDogsontheturf,\"etc。
Therewasafiercewrangleamongthedog—men。Thiswasatie,sinceneitherhadscored,andMinkieandherrivalwereallowedtorunagain;butthathalf—milehadbeentoohot,andtheyhadnoshowforthecup。
Mickeymet\"Diamonds\"nextday,bychance。
\"Haveacigar,Mickey。\"
\"Oiwillthot,sor。Faix,thim’ssofoine;I’dloiketwo——thankye,sor。\"
VIII
FromthattimetheLittleWarhorsebecametheprideoftheIrishboy。SlipperSlymanhadbeenhonorablyreinstatedandMickeyreducedtotherankofJack—starter,butthatmerelyhelpedtoturnhissympathiesfromtheDogstotheRabbits,orrathertotheWarhorse,forofallthefivehundredthatwerebroughtinfromthedrivehealonehadwonrenown。TherewereseveralthatcrossedtheParktorunagainanotherday,buthealonehadcrossedthecoursewithoutgettingevenaturn。Twiceaweekthemeetstookplace;fortyorfiftyJackswerekilledeachtime,andthefivehundredinthepenhadbeennearlyalleatenofthearena。
TheWarhorsehadruneachday,andasoftenhadmadetheHaven。
Mickeybecamewildlyenthusiasticabouthisfavorite’spowers。Hebegotapositiveaffectionfortheclean—limbedracer,andstoutlymaintainedagainstallthatitwasapositivehonortoaDogtobedisgracedbysuchaJack。
ItissoseldomthataRabbitcrossesthetrackatall,thatwhenJackdiditsixtimeswithouthavingtododge,thepaperstooknoteofit,andaftereachmeetthereappearedanotice:\"TheLittleWarhorsecrossedagaintoday;old—timerssayitshowshowourDogsaredeteriorating。\"
Afterthesixthtimetherabbit—keepersgrewenthusiastic,andMickey,commander—in—chiefofthebrigade,becameintemperateinhisadmiration。\"Bejabers,hehasarighttobetornedloose。HehaswonhisfreedomloikeiveryAmerikindone,\"headded,bywayofappealtothepatriotismoftheStewardoftherace,whowas,ofcourse,therealowneroftheJacks。
\"Allright,Mick;ifhegetsacrossthirteentimesyoucanshiphimbacktohisnativeland,\"wasthereply。
\"Shurenow,an’won’tyoumakeittin,sor?\"
\"No,no;IneedhimtotaketheconceitoutofsomeofthenewDogsthatarecoming。\"
\"Thirteentoimesandheisfree,sor;it’sabargain。\"
AnewlotofRabbitsarrivedaboutthistime,andoneofthesewascoloredmuchlikeLittleWarhorse。Hehadnosuchspeed,buttopreventmistakesMickeycaughthisfavoritebydrivinghimintooneofthepaddedshipping—boxes,andproceededwiththegate—keeper’spunchtoearmarkhim。Thepunchwassharp;aclearstarwascutoutofthethinflap,whenMickeyexclaimed:\"Faix,an’Oi’llpunchforiverytoimeyecrossthecoorse。\"Sohecutsixstarsinarow。\"Thayernow,Warrhorrse,shureit’safreeRabbitye’llbewhenyehaveyerthirteenstarslikeourflagoflibertyhedwhenwegotfree。\"
WithinaweektheWarhorsehadvanquishedthenewGreyhoundsandhadstarsenoughtogoroundtherightearandbeginontheleft。
Inaweekmorethethirteenrunswerecompleted,sixstarsintheleftearandsevenintheright,andthenewspapershadnewmaterial。
\"Whoop!\"HowMickeyhoorayed!\"An’it’safreeJackyeare,Warrhorrse!Thirteenalwayswuzaluckynumber。Ineverknowedittofail。\"
IX
\"Yes,IknowIdid,\"saidtheSteward。\"ButIwanttogivehimonemorerun。IhaveabetonhimagainstanewDoghere。Itwon’thurthimnow;hecandoit。Oh,well。Herenow,Mickey,don’tyougetsassy。Onerunmorethisafternoon。TheDogsruntwoorthreetimesaday;whynottheJack?\"
\"They’renotshtakin’thayreloives,sor。\"
\"Oh,yougetout。\"
ManymoreRabbitshadbeenaddedtothepen,——bigandsmall,peacefulandwarlike,——andonebigBuckofsavageinstincts,seeingJackWarhorse’shurrieddashintotheHaventhatmorning,tookadvantageofthemomenttoattackhim。
AtanothertimeJackwouldhavethumpedhisskull,asheoncedidtheCat’s,andsettledtheaffairinaminute;butnowittookseveralminutes,duringwhichhehimselfgotroughlyhandled;sowhentheafternooncamehewassufferingfromoneortwobruisesandstiffeningwounds;notserious,indeed,butenoughtolowerhisspeed。
Thestartwasmuchlikethoseofpreviousruns。TheWarhorsesteamingawaylowandlightly,hisearsupandthebreezeswhistlingthroughhisthirteenstars。
MinkiewithFango,thenewDog,boundedineagerpursuit,but,tothesurpriseofthestarters,thegapgrewsmaller。TheWarhorsewaslosingground,andrightbeforetheGrandStandoldMinkieturnedhim,andacheerwentupfromthedog—men,forallknewtherunners。WithinfiftyyardsFangoscoredaturn,andtheracewasrightbacktothestart。TherestoodSlymanandMickey。TheRabbitdodged,theGreyhoundsplunged;Jackcouldnotgetaway,andjustasthefinalsnapseemednear,theWarhorseleapedstraightforMickey,andinaninstantwashiddeninhisarms,whilethestarter’sfeetflewoutinenergetickickstorepelthefuriousDogs。ItisnotlikelythattheJackknewMickeyforafriend;heonlyyieldedtotheoldinstincttoflyfromacertainenemytoaneutralorapossiblefriend,and,asluckwouldhaveit,hehadwiselyleapedandwell。AcheerwentupfromthebenchesasMickeyhurriedbackwithhisfavorite。Butthedog—menprotested\"itwasn’tafairrun——theywanteditfinished。\"TheyappealedtotheSteward。HehadbackedtheJackagainstFango。Hewassorenow,andorderedanewrace。
Anhour’srestwasthebestMickeycouldgetforhim。Thenhewentasbefore,withFangoandMinkieinpursuit。Heseemedlessstiffnow——heranmorelikehimself;butalittlepasttheStandhewasturnedbyFangoandagainbyMinkie,andbackandacross,andhereandthere,leapingfranticallyandbarelyeludinghisfoes。Forseveralminutesitlasted。MickeycouldseethatJack’searsweresinking。ThenewDogleaped。Jackdodgedalmostunderhimtoescape,andbackonlytomeetthesecondDog;andnowbothearswereflatonhisback。ButtheHoundsweresufferingtoo。
Theirtongueswerelollingout;theirjawsandheavingsidesweresplashedwithfoam。TheWarhorse’searswentupagain。Hiscourageseemedtoreviveintheirdistress。HemadeastraightdashfortheHaven;butthestraightdashwasjustwhattheHoundscoulddo,andwithinahundredyardshewasturnedagain,tobeginanotherdesperategameofzigzag。Thenthedog—mensawdangerfortheirDogs,andtwonewoneswereslipped——twofreshHounds;surelytheycouldendtherace。Buttheydidnot。Thefirsttwowerevanquished——gasping——outofit,butthenexttwowereracingnear。TheWarhorseputforthallhisstrength。Heleftthefirsttwofarbehind——wasnearlytotheHavenwhenthesecondtwocameup。
Nothingbutdodgingcouldsavehimnow。Hisearsweresinking,hisheartwaspatteringonhisribs,buthisspiritwasstrong。
Heflunghimselfinwildestzigzags。TheHoundstumbledovereachother。Againandagaintheythoughttheyhadhim。Oneofthemsnappedofftheendofhislongblacktail,yetheescaped;buthecouldnotgettotheHaven。Theluckwasagainsthim。HewasforcednearertotheGrandStand。Athousandladieswerewatching。Thetimelimitwasup。ThesecondDogsweresuffering,whenMickeycamerunning,yellinglikeamadman——words——imprecations——crazysounds:
\"Yeblackguardhoodlums!Yedhirty,cowardlybastes!\"andherushedfuriouslyattheDogs,intenttodothembodilyharm。
Officerscamerunningandshouting,andMickey,shriekinghatredanddefiance,wasdraggedfromthefield,revilingDogsandmenwitheveryhorrid,insultingnamehecouldthinkoforinvent。
\"Fairplay!Whayer’syerfairplay,yeliars,yedhirtycheats,yebloodycowards!\"Andtheydrovehimfromthearena。ThelasthesawofitwasthefourfoamingDogsfeeblydodgingafteraweakandworn—outJack—rabbit,andthejudgeonhisHorsebeckoningtothemanwiththegun。
Thegateclosedbehindhim,andMickeyheardabang—bang,anunusualuproarmixedwithyelpsofDogs,andheknewthatLittleJackWarhorsehadbeenservedwithfinishNo。4。
AllhislifehehadlovedDogs,buthissenseoffairplaywasoutraged。Hecouldnotgetin,norseeinfromwherehewas。HeracedalongthelanetotheHaven,wherehemightgetagoodview,andarrivedintimetosee——LittleJackWarhorsewithhishalf—mastedearslimpintotheHaven;andherealizedatoncethatthemanwiththegunhadmissed,hadhitthewrongrunner,fortherewasthecrowdattheStandwatchingtwomenwhowerecarryingawoundedGreyhound,whileaveterinarysurgeonwasministeringtoanotherthatwaspantingontheground。
Mickeylookedabout,seizedalittleshipping—box,putitattheangleoftheHaven,carefullydrovethetiredthingintoit,closedthelid,then,withtheboxunderhisarm,hescaledthefenceunseenintheconfusionandwasgone。
’Itdidn’tmatter;hehadlosthisjobanyway。’Hetrampedawayfromthecity。Hetookthetrainattheneareststationandtravelledsomehours,andnowhewasinRabbitcountryagain。Thesunhadlonggonedown;thenightwithitsstarswasovertheplainwhenamongthefarms,theOsageandalfalfa,MickeyDooopenedtheboxandgentlyputtheWarhorseout。
Grinningashedidso,hesaid:\"Shurean’it’souldOirelandthot’sproudtosetthethirteenstarsatlibertywancemoore。\"
ForamomenttheLittleWarhorsegazedindoubt,thentookthreeorfourlongleapsandaspy—hoptogethisbearings。Nowspreadinghisnationalcolorsandhishonor—markedears,heboundedintohishard—wonfreedom,strongasever,andmeltedintothenightofhisnativeplain。
HehasbeenseenmanytimesinKaskado,andtherehavebeenmanyRabbitdrivesinthatregion,butheseemstoknowsomemeansofbafflingthemnow,for,inallthethousandsthathavebeentrappedandcorralled,theyhaveneversinceseenthestar—spangledearsofLittlejackWarhorse。
SNAP
THESTORYOFABULL—TERRIER
I
ItwasduskonHallowe’enwhenfirstIsawhim。EarlyinthemorningIhadreceivedatelegramfrommycollegechumJack:
\"Lestweforget。Amsendingyouaremarkablepup。Bepolitetohim;it’ssafer。\"ItwouldhavebeenjustlikeJacktohavesentaninfernalmachineoraSkunkrampantandcalleditapup,soI
awaitedthehamperwithcuriosity。WhenitarrivedIsawitwasmarked\"Dangerous,\"andtherecamefromwithinahigh—pitchedsnarlateveryslightprovocation。OnpeeringthroughthewirenettingIsawitwasnotababyTigerbutasmallwhiteBull—terrier。Hesnappedatmeandatanyoneoranythingthatseemedtooabruptortoonearforproperrespect,andhissnarlinggrowlwasunpleasantlyfrequent。Dogshavetwogrowls:
onedeep—rumbled,andchesty;thatispolitewarning——theretortcourteous;theothermouthyandmuchhigherinpitch:thisisthelastwordbeforeactualonslaught。TheTerrier’sgrowlswereallofthelatterkind。Iwasadog—manandthoughtIknewallaboutDogs,so,dismissingtheporter,Igotoutmyall—roundjackknife——toothpick——nailhammer—hatchet—toolbox—fire—shovel,aspecialtyofourfirm,andliftedthenetting。Oh,yes,IknewallaboutDogs。Thelittlefuryhadbeengrowlingoutawhole—souledgrowlforeverytapofthetool,andwhenIturnedtheboxonitsside,hemadeadashstraightformylegs。Hadnothisfootgonethroughthewirenettingandheldhim,Imighthavebeenhurt,forhisheartwasevidentlyinhiswork;butIsteppedonthetableoutofreachandtriedtoreasonwithhim。Ihavealwaysbelievedintalkingtoanimals。Imaintainthattheygathersomethingofourintentionatleast,eveniftheydonotunderstandourwords;buttheDogevidentlyputmedownforahypocriteandscornedmyapproaches。Atfirsthetookhispostunderthetableandkeptupacircularwatchforalegtryingtogetdown。IfeltsureIcouldhavecontrolledhimwithmyeye,butIcouldnotbringittobearwhereIwas,orratherwherehewas;thusIwasleftaprisoner。Iamaverycoolperson,I
flattermyself;infact,Irepresentahardwarefirm,and,incoolness,wearenotexcelledbyanybutperhapsthenosygentlementhatsellwearing—apparel。Igotoutacigarandsmokedtailor—styleonthetable,whilemylittletyrantbelowkeptwatchforlegs。Igotoutthetelegramandreadit:\"Remarkablepup。Bepolitetohim;it’ssafer。\"Ithinkitwasmycoolnessratherthanmypolitenessthatdidit,forinhalfanhourthegrowlingceased。Inanhourhenolongerjumpedatanewspapercautiouslypushedovertheedgetotesthishumor;possiblytheirritationofthecagewaswearingoff,andbythetimeIhadlitmythirdcigar,hewaddledouttothefireandlaydown;notignoringme,however,Ihadnoreasontocomplainofthatkindofcontempt。Hekeptoneeyeonme,andIkeptbotheyes,notonhim,butonhisstumpytail。IfthattailshouldswingsidewiseonceIshouldfeelIwaswinning;butitdidnotswing。Igotabookandputintimeonthattabletillmylegswerecrampedandthefireburnedlow。About10P。M。itwaschilly,andathalf—pasttenthefirewasout。MyHallowe’enpresentgotup,yawnedandstretched,thenwalkedundermybed,wherehefoundafurrug。Bysteppinglightlyfromthetabletothedresser,andthenontothemantel—shelf,Ialsoreachedbed,and,veryquietlyundressing,gotinwithoutprovokinganycriticismfrommymaster。IhadnotyetfallenasleepwhenIheardaslightscramblingandfelt\"thump—thump\"onthebed,thenovermyfeetandlegs;Snapevidentlyhadfoundittoocooldownbelow,andproposedtohavethebestmyhouseafforded。
HecurleduponmyfeetinsuchawaythatIwasveryuncomfortableandtriedtoreadjustmatters,buttheslightestwriggleofmytoewasenoughtomakehimsnapatitsofiercelythatnothingbutthickwoollenbedclothessavedmefrombeingmaimedforlife。
Iwasanhourmovingmyfeet——ahair’s—breadthatatime——tilltheyweresothatIcouldsleepincomfort;andIwasawakenedseveraltimesduringthenightbyangrysnarlsfromtheDog——I
supposebecauseIdaredtomoveatoewithouthisapproval,thoughonceIbelievehediditsimplybecauseIwassnoring。
InthemorningIwasreadytogetupbeforeSnapwas。Yousee,I
callhimSnap—Ginger—snapinfull。SomeDogsarehardtoname,andsomedonotseemtoneedit——theynamethemselves。
Iwasreadytoriseatseven。Snapwasnotreadytilleight,soweroseateight。Hehadlittletosaytothemanwhomadethefire。Heallowedmetodresswithoutdoingitonthetable。AsI
lefttheroomtogetbreakfast,Iremarked:
\"Snap,myfriend,somemenwouldwhipyouintoadifferentway,butIthinkIknowabetterplan。Thedoctorsnowadaysfavorthe’no—breakfastcure。’Ishalltrythat。\"
Itseemedcruel,butIlefthimwithoutfoodallday。Itcostmesomethingtorepaintthedoorwherehescratchedit,butatnighthewasquitereadytoacceptalittlefoodatmyhands。
Inaweekwewereverygoodfriends。Hewouldsleeponmybednowandallowmetomovemyfeetwithoutsnappingatthem,intenttodomeseriousbodilyharm。Theno—breakfastcurehadworkedwonders;inthreemonthswewere——well,simplymanandDog,andheamplyjustifiedthetelegramhecamewith。
Heseemedtobewithoutfear。IfasmallDogcamenear,hewouldtakenottheslightestnotice;ifamedium—sizedDog,hewouldstickhisstubofatailrigidlyupintheair,thenwalkaroundhim,scratchingcontemptuouslywithhishindfeet,andlookingatthesky,thedistance,theground,anythingbuttheDog,andnotinghispresenceonlybyfrequenthigh—pitchedgrowls。Ifthestrangerdidnotmoveonatonce,thebattlebegan,andthenthestrangerusuallymovedonveryrapidly。Snapsometimesgotworsted,butnoamountofsadexperiencecouldeverinspirehimwithagrainofcaution。Once,whileridinginacabduringtheDogShow,SnapcaughtsightofanelephantineSt。Bernardtakinganairing。ItssizearousedsuchenthusiasminthePup’slittlebreastthatheleapedfromthecabwindowtodobattle,andbrokehisleg。
Evidentlyfearhadbeenleftoutofhismake—upanditsplacesuppliedwithanextraamountofginger,whichwasthereasonofhisfullname。HedifferedfromallotherDogsIhaveeverknown。
Forexample,ifaboythrewastoneathim,heran,notaway,buttowardtheboy,andifthecrimewasrepeated,Snaptookthelawintohisownhands;thushewasatleastrespectedbyall。Onlymyselfandtheporterattheofficeseemedtorealizehisgoodpoints,andweonlywereadmittedtothehighhonorofpersonalfriendship,anhonorwhichIappreciatedmoreasmonthswenton,andbymidsummernotCarnegie,Vanderbilt,andAstortogethercouldhaveraisedmoneyenoughtobuyaquarterofashareinmylittleDogSnap。
II
Thoughnotaregulartraveller,Iwasorderedoutontheroadintheautumn,andthenSnapandthelandladywerelefttogether,withunfortunatedevelopments。Contemptonhispart——fearonhers;andhateonboth。
Iwasplacingalotofbarb—wireinthenortherntierofStates。
Myletterswereforwardedonceaweek,andIgotseveralcomplaintsfromthelandladyaboutSnap。
ArrivedatMendoza,inNorthDakota,Ifoundafinemarketforwire。Ofcoursemydealingswerewiththebigstorekeepers,butI
wentaboutamongtheranchmentogettheirpracticalviewsonthedifferentstyles,andthusImetthePenroofBrothers’
Cow—outfit。
OnecannotbelonginCowcountrynowwithouthearingagreatdealaboutthedepredationsoftheeverwilyanddestructiveGray—wolf。Thedayhasgonebywhentheycanbepoisonedwholesale,andtheyareaseriousdrainontherancher’sprofits。
ThePenroofBrothers,likemostlivecattle—men,hadgivenupallattemptsatpoisoningandtrapping,andweretryingvariousbreedsofDogsasWolf—hunters,hopingtogetalittlesportoutofthenecessaryworkofdestroyingthepests。
Foxhoundshadfailed——theyweretoosoftforfighting;GreatDanesweretooclumsy,andGreyhoundscouldnotfollowthegameunlesstheycouldseeit。Eachbreedhadsomefataldefect,butthecow—menhopedtosucceedwithamixedpack,andthedaywhenIwasinvitedtojoininaMendozaWolf—hunt,IwasamusedbythevarietyofDogsthatfollowed。Therewereseveralmongrels,buttherewerealsoafewhighlybredDogs——inparticular,someRussianWolfhoundsthatmusthavecostalotofmoney。
HiltonPenroof,theoldestboy,\"TheMasterofHounds,\"wasunusuallyproudofthem,andexpectedthemtodogreatthings。
\"Greyhoundsaretoothin—skinnedtofightaWolf,Danesaretooslow,butyou’llseethefurflywhentheRussianstakeahand。\"
ThustheGreyhoundswerethereasrunners,theDanesasheavybackers,andtheRussianstodotheimportantfighting。TherewerealsotwoorthreeFoxhounds,whosefinenoseswerereliedontofollowthetrailifthegamegotoutofview。
ItwasafinesightaswerodeawayamongtheBadlandButtesthatOctoberday。Theairwasbrightandcrisp,andthoughsolate,therewasneithersnownorfrost。TheHorseswerefresh,andonceortwiceshowedmehowaCow—ponytriestogetridofhisrider。
TheDogswerekeenforsport,andwedidstartoneortwograyspotsintheplainthatHiltonsaidwereWolvesorCoyotes。TheDogstrailedawayatfullcry,butatnight,beyondthefactthatoneoftheGreyhoundshadawoundonhisshoulder,therewasnothingtoshowthatanyofthemhadbeenonaWolf—hunt。
It’smyopinionyerfancyRussiansisnogood,Hilt,\"saidGarvin,theyoungerbrother。\"I’llbackthatlittleblackDaneagainstthelot,mongrelan’allasheis。\"
\"Idon’tunnerstan’it,\"growledHilton。\"Thereain’taCoyote,letaloneaGray—wolf,kinrunawayfromthemGreyhounds;themFoxhoundskinfollyatrailthreedaysold,an’theDanescouldlickaGrizzly。\"
\"Ireckon,\"saidthefather,\"theykinrun,an’theykintrack,an’theykinlickaGrizzly,maybe,butthefac’istheydon’twanttotackleaGray—wolf。Thehulldarnpackisscairt——an’I
wishwehadourmoneyouto’them。\"
ThusthemengrumbledanddiscussedasIdroveawayandleftthem。
Thereseemedonlyonesolutionofthefailure。TheHoundswereswiftandstrong,butaGray—wolfseemstoterrorizeallDogs。
Theyhavenotthenervetofacehim,andso,eachtimehegetsaway,andmythoughtsflewbacktothefearlesslittleDogthathadsharedmybedforthelastyear。HowIwishedhewasouthere,thentheselubberlygiantsofHoundswouldfindaleaderwhosenervewouldnotfailatthemomentoftrial。
AtBaroka,mynextstop,Igotabatchofmailincludingtwolettersfromthelandlady;thefirsttosaythat\"thatbeastofaDogwasactingupscandalousinmyroom,\"andtheotherstillmoreforcible,demandinghisimmediateremoval。
\"WhynothavehimexpressedtoMendoza?\"Ithought。\"It’sonlytwentyhours;they’llbegladtohavehim。IcantakehimhomewithmewhenIgothrough。\"
III
MynextmeetingwithGingersnapwasnotasdifferentfromthefirstasonemighthaveexpected。Hejumpedonme,mademuchvigorouspretensetobite,andgrowledfrequently,butitwasadeep—chestedgrowlandhisstumpwaggledhard。
ThePenroofshadhadanumberofWolf—huntssinceIwaswiththem,andweremuchdisgustedathavingnobettersuccessthanbefore。TheDogscouldfindaWolfnearlyeverytimetheywentout,buttheycouldnotkillhim,andthemenwerenotnearenoughatthefinishtolearnwhy。
OldPenroofwassatisfiedthat\"tharwasn’toneofthehullmiserablegangthathadthegritofaJack—rabbit。\"
Wewereoffatdawnthenextday——thesameprocessionoffineHorsesandsuperbriders;thebigblueDogs,theyellowDogs,thespottedDogs,asbefore;buttherewasanewfeature,alittlewhiteDogthatstayedclosebyme,andnotonlyanyDogs,butHorsesthatcametoonearwereapttogetasurprisefromhisteeth。Ithinkhequarrelledwitheveryman,Horse,andDoginthecountry,withtheexceptionofaBull—terrierbelongingtotheMendozahotelman。Shewastheonlyonesmallerthanhimself,andtheyseemedverygoodfriends。
IshallneverforgettheviewofthehuntIhadthatday。Wewereononeofthoselarge,flat—headedbuttesthatgiveakingdomtotheeye,whenHilton,whohadbeenscanningthevastcountrywithglasses,exclaimed:\"Iseehim。Therehegoes,towardSkullCreek。Guessit’saCoyote。\"
NowthefirstthingistogettheGreyhoundstoseetheprey——notaneasymatter,astheycannotusetheglasses,andthegroundwascoveredwithsage—brushhigherthantheDogs’heads。
ButHiltoncalled,\"Hu,hu,Dander,\"andleanedasidefromhissaddle,holdingouthisfootatthesametime。WithoneagileboundDanderleapedtothesaddleandtherestoodbalancingontheHorsewhileHiltonkeptpointing。\"Thereheis,Dander;sichim——seehimdownthere。\"TheDoggazedearnestlywherehismasterpointed,thenseemingtosee,hesprangtothegroundwithaslightyelpandspedaway。TheotherDogsfollowedafter,inanever—lengtheningprocession,andwerodeashardaswecouldbehindthem,butlosingtime,forthegroundwascutwithgullies,spottedwithbadger—holes,andcoveredwithrocksandsagethatmadefullspeedtoohazardous。
Weallfellbehind,andIwaslast,ofcourse,beingleastaccustomedtothesaddle。WegotseveralglimpsesoftheDogsflyingoverthelevelplainordroppingfromsightingulliestoreappearattheotherside。Dander,theGreyhound,wastherecognizedleader,andaswemountedanotherridgewegotsightofthewholechase——aCoyoteatfullspeed,theDogsaquarterofamilebehind,butgaining。WhennextwesawthemtheCoyotewasdead,andtheDogssittingaroundpanting,allbuttwooftheFoxhoundsandGingersnap。
\"Toolateforthefracas,\"remarkedHilton,glancingattheselastFoxhounds。ThenheproudlypettedDander。\"Didn’tneedyerpurpafterall,yesee。\"
\"TakesaheapofnervefortenbigDogstofaceonelittleCoyote,\"remarkedthefather,sarcastically。\"WaittillwerunontoaGray。\"
Nextdaywewereoutagain,forImadeupmymindtoseeittoafinish。
Fromahighpointwecaughtsightofamovingspeckofgray。A
movingwhitespeckstandsforAntelope,aredspeckforFox,agrayspeckforeitherGray—wolforCoyote,andwhichoftheseisdeterminedbyitstail。Iftheglassshowsthetaildown,itisaCoyote;ifup,itisthehatedGray—wolf。
Danderwasshownthegameasbeforeandledthemotleymixedprocession——ashehadbefore——Greyhounds,Wolfhounds,Foxhounds,Danes,Bull—terrier,horsemen。Wegotamomentaryviewofthepursuit;aGray—wolfitsurelywas,lopingawayaheadoftheDogs。SomehowIthoughtthefirstDogswerenotrunningsofastnowastheyhadaftertheCoyote。Butnooneknewthefinishofthehunt。TheDogscamebacktousonebyone,andwesawnomoreofthatWolf。
Sarcasticremarksandrecriminationwerenowfreelyindulgedinbythehunters。
\"Pah——scairt,plumbscairt,\"wasthefather’sdisgustedcommentonthepack。
\"Theycouldcatchupeasyenough,butwhenheturnedonthem,theylightedoutforhome——pah!\"
\"Where’sthattharonsurpassable,fearless,scaired—o’—nortTarrier?\"askedHilton,scornfully。
\"Idon’tknow,\"saidI。\"IaminclinedtothinkheneversawtheWolf;butifheeverdoes,I’llbethesailsinfordeathorglory。\"
ThatnightseveralCowswerekilledclosetotheranch,andwewerespurredontoanotherhunt。
Itopenedmuchlikethelast。Lateintheafternoonwesightedagrayfellowwithtailup,nothalfamileoff。HiltoncalledDanderuponthesaddle。IactedontheideaandcalledSnaptomine。Hislegsweresoshortthathehadtoleapseveraltimesbeforehemadeit,scramblingupatlastwithmyfootasahalf—waystation。Ipointedand\"sic—ed\"foraminutebeforehesawthegame,andthenhestartedoutaftertheGreyhounds,alreadygone,withenergythatwasfullofpromise。
Thechasethistimeledus,nottotheroughbrakesalongtheriver,buttowardthehighopencountry,forreasonsthatappearedlater。Wewereclosetogetheraswerosetotheuplandandsightedthechasehalfamileoff,justasDandercameupwiththeWolfandsnappedathishaunch。TheGray—wolfturnedroundtofight,andwehadafineview。TheDogscameupbytwosandthrees,barkingathiminaring,tilllastthelittlewhiteonerushedup。Hewastednotimebarking,butrushedstraightattheWolf’sthroatandmissedit,yetseemedtogethimbythenose;thenthetenbigDogsclosedin,andintwominutestheWolfwasdead。Wehadriddenhardtobeinatthefinish,andthoughourviewwasdistant,wesawatleastthatSnaphadliveduptothetelegram,aswellastomypromisesforhim。
Nowitwasmyturntocrow,andIdidnotlosethechance。Snaphadshownthemhow,andatlasttheMendozapackhadkilledaGray—wolfwithouthelpfromthemen。
Thereweretwothingstomarthevictorysomewhat:first,itwasayoungWolf,amereCub,hencehisfoolishchoiceofcountry;
second,Snapwaswounded——theWolfhadgivenhimabadcutintheshoulder。
Aswerodeinproudprocessionhome,Isawhelimpedalittle。
\"Here,\"Icried,\"comeup,Snap。\"Hetriedonceortwicetojumptothesaddle,butcouldnot。\"Here,Hilton,lifthimuptome。\"
\"Thanks;I’llletyouhandleyourownrattlesnakes,\"wasthereply,forallknewnowthatitwasnotsafetomeddlewithhisperson。\"Here,Snap,takehold,\"Isaid,andheldmyquirttohim。Heseizedit,andbythatIliftedhimtothefrontofmysaddleandsocarriedhimhome。Icaredforhimasthoughhehadbeenababy。HehadshownthoseCattle—menhowtofilltheweakplaceintheirpack;theFoxhoundsmaybegoodandtheGreyhoundsswiftandtheRussiansandDanesfighters,buttheyarenouseatallwithoutthecrowningmoralforceofgrit,thatnonecansupplysowellasaBull—terrier。OnthatdaytheCattlemenlearnedhowtomanagetheWolfquestion,asyouwillfindifeveryouareatMendoza;foreverysuccessfulWolfpacktherehaswithitaBull—terrier,preferablyoftheSnap—Mendozabreed。
IV
NextdaywasHallowe’en,theanniversaryofSnap’sadvent。Theweatherwasclear,bright,nottoocold,andtherewasnosnowontheground。Themenusuallycelebratedthedaywithahuntofsomesort,andnow,ofcourse,Wolvesweretheoneobject。Tothedisappointmentofall,Snapwasinbadshapewithhiswound。Heslept,asusual,atmyfeet,andbloodystainsnowmarkedtheplace。Hewasnotinconditiontofight,butwewereboundtohaveaWolf—hunt,sohewasbeguiledtoanouthouseandlockedup,whilewewentoff,I,atleast,withasenseofimpendingdisaster。IknewweshouldfailwithoutmyDog,butIdidnotrealizehowbadafailureitwastobe。
AfaramongthebuttesofSkullCreekwehadroamedwhenawhiteballappearedboundingthroughthesage—brush,andinaminutemoreSnapcame,growlingandstump—waggling,uptomyHorse’sside。Icouldnotsendhimback;hewouldtakenosuchorders,notevenfromme。Hiswoundwaslookingbad,soIcalledhim,helddownthequirt,andjumpedhimtomysaddle。
\"There,\"Ithought,\"I’llkeepyousafetillwegethome。\"’Yes,Ithought;butIreckonednotwithSnap。ThevoiceofHilton,\"Hu,hu,\"announcedthathehadsightedaWolf。DanderandRiley,hisrival,bothsprangtothepointofobservation,withtheresultthattheycollidedandfelltogether,sprawling,inthesage。ButSnap,gazinghard,hadsightedtheWolf,notsoveryfaroff,andbeforeIknewit,heleapedfromthesaddleandboundedzigzag,high,low,inandunderthesage,straightfortheenemy,leadingthewholepackforafewminutes。Notfar,ofcourse。ThegreatGreyhoundssightedthemovingspeck,andtheusualprocessionstrungoutontheplain。Itpromisedtobeafinehunt,fortheWolfhadlessthanhalfamilestartandalltheDogswerefullyinterested。
\"They’yeturnedupGrizzlyGully,\"criedGarvin。\"Thisway,andwecanheadthemoff。\"
SoweturnedandrodehardaroundthenorthsideofHulmer’sButte,whilethechaseseemedtogoroundthesouth。
WegallopedtothetopofCedarRidgeandwereabouttoridedown,whenHiltonshouted,\"ByGeorge,hereheis!We’rerightontohim。\"HeleapedfromhisHorse,droppedthebridle,andranforward。Ididthesame。AgreatGray—wolfcamelumberingacrossanopenplaintowardus。Hisheadwaslow,histailoutlevel,andfiftyyardsbehindhimwasDander,sailinglikeaHawkovertheground,goingtwiceasfastastheWolf。InaminutetheHoundwasalongsideandsnapped,butboundedback,astheWolfturnedonhim。Theywerejustbelowusnowandnotfiftyfeetaway。Garvindrewhisrevolver,butinafatefulmomentHiltoninterfered:\"No;no;let’sseeitout。\"InafewsecondsthenextGreyhoundarrived,thentherestinorderofswiftness。Eachcameupfulloffightandfury,determinedtogorightinandteartheGray—wolftopieces;buteachinturnswervedaside,andleapedandbarkedaroundatasafedistance。AfteraminuteorsotheRussiansappeared——finebigDogstheywere。TheirdistantintentionnodoubtwastodashrightattheoldWolf;buthisfearlessfront,hissinewyframeanddeath—dealingjaws,awedthemlongbeforetheywerenearhim,andtheyalsojoinedthering,whilethedesperadointhemiddlefacedthiswayandthat,readyforanyorall。
NowtheDanescameup,huge—limbedcreatures,anyoneofthemasheavyastheWolf。Iheardtheirheavybreathingtightenintoathreateningsoundastheyplungedahead;eagertotearthefoetopieces;butwhentheysawhimthere,grimfearless,mightyofjaw,tirelessoflimb,readytodieifneedbe,butsureofthis,hewouldnotdiealone——well,thosegreatDanes——allthreeofthem——werestricken,astheresthadbeen,withasuddenbashfulness:Yes,theywouldgorightinpresently——notnow,butassoonastheyhadgottheirbreath;theywerenotafraidofaWolf,oh,no。Icouldreadtheircourageintheirvoices。TheyknewperfectlywellthatthefirstDogtogoinwasgoingtogethurt,butnevermindthat——presently;theywouldbarkalittlemoretogetupenthusiasm。
AndasthetenbigDogswereleapingroundthesilentWolfatbay,therewasarustlinginthesageatthefarsideofplace;
thenasnow—whiterubberball,itseemed,camebounding,butgrewintoalittleBull—terrier,andSnap,slowestofthepack,andlast,camepantinghard,sohardheseemedgasping。Overthelevelopenhemade,straighttothechangingringaroundtheCattle—killerwhomnonedaredface。Didhehesitate?Notforaninstant;throughtheringoftheyelpingpack,straightfortheolddespotofrange,rightforhisthroathesprang;andtheGray—wolfstruckwithhistwentyscimitars。Butthelittleone,iffooledatall,sprangagain,andthenwhatcameIhardlyknew。
TherewasawhirlingmassofDogs。IthoughtIsawthelittleWhiteOneclinchedontheGray—wolf’snose。Thepackwasallaround;wecouldnothelpthemnow。Buttheydidnotneedus;
theyhadaleaderofdauntlessmettle,andwheninalittlewhilethefinalscenewasdone,thereonthegroundlaytheGray—wolf,agiantofhiskind,andclinchedonhisnosewasthelittlewhiteDog。
Wewerestandingaroundwithinfifteenfeet,readytohelp,buthadnochancetillwerenotneeded。
TheWolfwasdead,andIhallooedtoSnap,buthedidnotmove。
Ibentoverhim。\"Snap——Snap,it’sallover;you’vekilledhim。\"
ButtheDogwasverystill,andnowIsawtwodeepwoundsinhisbody。Itriedtolifthim。\"Letgo,oldfellow;it’sallover。\"
Hegrowledfeebly,andatlastgooftheWolf。Theroughcattle—menwerekneelingaroundhimnow;oldPenroof’svoicewastremblingashemuttered,\"Iwouldn’thadhimhurtfortwentysteers。\"Iliftedhiminmyarms,calledtohimandstrokedhishead。Hesnarledalittle,afarewellasitproved,forhelickedmyhandashedidso,thenneversnarledagain。
Thatwasasadridehomeforme。TherewastheskinofamonstrousWolf,butnootherhintoftriumph。WeburiedthefearlessoneonabuttebackoftheRanch—house。Penroof,ashestoodby,washeardtogrumble:\"Byjingo,thatwasgrit——cl’argrit!Yecan’traiseCattlewithoutgrit。\"
THEWINNIPEGWOLF
I
Itwasduringthegreatblizzardof1882thatIfirstmettheWinnipegWolf。IhadleftSt。PaulinthemiddleofMarchtocrosstheprairiestoWinnipeg,expectingtobethereintwenty—fourhours,buttheStormKinghadplanneditotherwiseandsentaheavy—ladeneasternblast。Thesnowcamedowninafurious,steadytorrent,hourafterhour。NeverbeforehadIseensuchastorm。Alltheworldwaslostinsnow——snow,snow,snow——whirling,biting,stinging,driftingsnow——andthepuffing,monstrousenginewascompelledtostopatthecommandofthosetinyfeatherycrystalsofspotlesspurity。
Manystronghandswithshovelscametothedelicatelycurledsnowdriftsthatbarredourway,andinanhourtheenginecouldpass——onlytostickinanotherdriftyetfartheron。Itwasdrearywork——dayafterday,nightafternight,stickinginthedrifts,diggingourselvesout,andstillthesnowwentwhirlingandplayingaboutus。
\"Twenty—twohourstoEmerson,\"saidtheofficial;butnearlytwoweeksofdiggingpassedbeforewedidreachEmerson,andthepoplarcountrywherethethicketsstopalldriftingofthesnow。
Thenceforththetrainwentswiftly,thepoplarwoodsgrewmorethickly——wepassedformilesthroughsolidforests,thenperhapsthroughanopenspace。AswenearedSt。Boniface,theeasternoutskirtsofWinnipeg,wedashedacrossalittlegladefiftyyardswide,andthereinthemiddlewasagroupthatstirredmetotheverysoul。
InplainviewwasagreatrabbleofDogs,largeandsmall,black,white,andyellow,wrigglingandheavingthiswayandthatwayinarudering;toonesidewasalittleyellowDogstretchedandquietinthesnow;ontheouterpartoftheringwasahugeblackDogboundingaboutandbarking,butkeepingeverbehindthemovingmob。Andinthemidst,thecentreandcauseofitall,wasagreat,grim,Wolf。
Wolf?HelookedlikeaLion。Therehestood,allalone——resolute—calm—withbristlingmane,andlegsbracedfirmly,glancingthiswayandthat,tobereadyforanattackinanydirection。Therewasacurlonhislips——itlookedlikescorn,butIsupposeitwasreallythefightingsnarloftoothdisplay。Ledbyawolfish—lookingDogthatshouldhavebeenashamed,thepackdashedin,forthetwentiethtimenodoubt。Butthegreatgrayformleapedhereandthere,andchop,chop,chopwentthosefearfuljaws,noothersoundfromthelonelywarrior;
butadeathyelpfrommorethanoneofhisfoes,asthosethatwereableagainsprangback,andlefthimstatuesqueasbefore,untamed,unmaimed,andcontemptuousofthemall。
HowIwishedforthetraintostickinasnowdriftnow,assooftenbefore,forallmyheartwentouttothatGray—wolf;I
longedtogoandhelphim。Butthesnow—deepgladeflashedby,thepoplartrunksshutouttheview,andwewentontoourjourney’send。
ThiswasallIsaw,anditseemedlittle;butbeforemanydayshadpassedIknewsurelythatIhadbeenfavoredwithaview,inbroaddaylight,ofarareandwonderfulcreature,nonelessthantheWinnipegWolf。