HIS FIRST WINTER 123 



on the birch, ash, juniper, and other low-growing 

 trees, following in each other's steps ; and as the 

 snow falls it is trampled in, and thus the long, 

 winding paths, or yards, are made. Every day 

 sees the same track passed over, so that even in 

 deep snow a hard-beaten trail runs hither and 

 thither over a wide area. Very old bulls yard up 

 by themselves, and, ranging over a restricted tract, 

 often eat themselves out of yard and home, which 

 means the forming of a new feeding-ground under 

 most difficult climatic conditions. 



The nights grew colder ; Moosewa's breath froze 

 on his lips, and all the hairs around his muzzle were 

 ice- beaded. Often on the keen, crisp air a quick 

 echoing clamour rang — the wolves forming up into 

 small packs. The small game to be had in summer 

 for the easy hunting was gone now ; winter called 

 for the strength and craft of numbers. When the 

 young moose saw grey, skulking forms moving like 

 phantoms one after another through the fog-banks, 

 he pressed for safety close to the older bulls as they 

 travelled down the yards. At night he slept under 

 the protective shadow of the ten-year-old's antlers, 

 with one ear open, knowing all the time that chance, 

 and chance alone, was the real arbiter of his fortunes. 



