THE WOLF HUNTERS 



as we sat down to our first meal in winter quar- 

 ters, Tom remarked with evident satisfaction: 



"Now, men, we've got things in shape so 

 that we're ready for a cold snap, snow-storm, or 

 norther ef one chances to come this way. From 

 now on we can take it easier. There will be a lot 

 of trimming an' tidying up to do about camp yet 

 for several days, an' while I'm putting on the fin- 

 ishing touches you two can light out and go to 

 poisoning wolves an' trapping beaver or hunting 

 any other game that you can find. You ought to 

 explore the neighborhood for ten or twelve miles 

 around in every direction. It's about time, too, 

 for one of us to take a trip over to the fort to 

 get our mail an' find out what's going on in the 

 world." 



"Well, Tom, what are the orders for to-mor- 

 row?" said I. 



"Why, you an' Jack had better go out an' kill a 

 few more buffalo for baits an' Jack can set his 

 traps for some more beaver. You might both of 

 you ride up or down the creek for a few miles now 

 and then, to learn the country like an' maybe 

 pick up an antelope or some wild geese or ducks, 

 to make a change in our bill of fare. An' about 

 to-morrow or next day or the day after, when I 

 get things pretty well shaped up about camp, I 

 think I'll ride over to the fort an' get our mail 

 an' see what's going on in the United States." 



"In a little while," remarked Jack, "if our luck 



148 



