UNWELCOME COMPANIONS. 61 



extra polish to the metal buttons of his coat, and smooth- 

 ing out the splendid points of his shirt collar. 



While thinking of the reproaches that threatened 

 him, old Dick cast his eyes upon the horizon, and the 

 moon shining above his head showed him that he was 

 considerably later than he had thought. His two legs 

 then began to move like the wheels of a locomotive, in 

 such wise as to keep him ever in advance of certain 

 black shadows which seemed to track his steps along the 

 forest-path. 



' These shadows were cast by the cayeutes, the horrible 

 cayeutes, which at intervals gave vent to a yelp of greedy 

 impatience ; but old Dick took no heed of them. 



Nevertheless, he was soon compelled to devote all his 

 attention to what was passing in his rear. He had ac- 

 complished one half of his journey, and through the 

 openings in the trees could already perceive the clearing 

 he must traverse to reach the place where he was expected. 

 The furious cries of the rapacious beasts were now re- 

 doubled, and the noise of their feet as the snow crackled 

 beneath them, inspired the unfortunate old man with in- 

 describable horror. The number of the animals seemed 

 to increase with every step he took, until the pack 

 resembled an ant-hill seen through the lens of a gigantic 

 microscope. 



Wolves, in all regions of the world, look twice be- 

 fore they pounce upon a man ; they study the ground, 

 and wait for a favourable opportunity. This character- 

 istic was a fortunate one for old Dick, who saw more and 

 more clearly the extent of the danger, and increased the 

 rapidity of his march in proportion as his pursuers be- 

 came more daring, lightly touching his legs, and frolic- 



