THE WOLF HUNTERS 



"Boys, as Tom says, it's best to be prepared for 

 emergencies, and if anything serious should hap- 

 pen to you, such as Satank an' his warriors a-loom- 

 ing up of a sudden and a-jumping your camp or 

 corralUng you, an' you could manage to send word 

 to me, the captain an' I'll mount some of his sol- 

 diers and come right over. Now, I'll tell you how 

 you can send me word" — untying a bead necklace 

 which he wore around his neck. "I'll leave this 

 with you. Hang it somewheres handy, and if you 

 have need of help just write a few words on a slip 

 of paper, tie it 'round the necklace, then hold the 

 necklace to Pound's nose and let him get the scent; 

 then tie it 'round his neck, point to the fort, and 

 say to him: *Go to Bill!' He'll savvy, for he's 

 been trained to it, and he'll go a-flying till he gets 

 to my quarters. Now, mind you, you may not 

 have any occasion to send for me at all; you're 

 likely to finish up your wolf skinning an' get away 

 from here before Satank gets around; but if any- 

 thing should happen that you need us, do as I've 

 told you, an' we'll come a-curling and help you 

 out. Is it a whack. Cap?" appealing to Saun- 

 ders. 



"It is," replied the captain, "and to be prepared 

 for such a call — though I hope they'll have no oc- 

 casion to make it — I'll have an understanding with 

 the major when I get back, so that if it should 

 come in the night I will be allowed to take my 

 company out of the post as quickly as possible, 



230 



