THE HUNTED CARIBOO. 47 



white, while not a sound broke the intense stillness 

 of the forest. A few stars twinkled here and there 

 among the belts of cloud that stretched across the sky, 

 and looked wan and pale through a thin white mist 

 which overspread the opening. 



The night was chill, and Pierre shivered with cold. 

 With some difficulty for he was still somewhat stiff 

 from the effects of his encounter he managed to reach 

 the forest, and soon collected a large pile of dry 

 brushwood. This he lighted, having fortunately some 

 matches in his pocket. He then produced his pipe, 

 and, seated on a log near the fire, he mused on the 

 events of the day. He pictured to himself Jake and 

 Gaultier at their camp fire> and their uneasiness at 

 his absence. He thought of Mr. Frazer and his 

 daughter. Would she also be uneasy at his dis- 

 appearance ? He tried to answer this question in the 

 affirmative. 



Feeling hungry, he helped himself to some slices of 

 the bear, and broiled them over the coals. While thus 

 engaged, his attention was arrested by hearing the rush 

 of some animal behind him ; and turning quickly, he 

 beheld in the dim light a noble cariboo buck dash- 

 ing across the glade, while hard at his heels raced 

 several grayish animals, their mouths lolling open and 

 their teeth gleaming white, as they came within the 

 light of the fire. These Pierre recognized at a glance 

 as % the fierce white wolves of the northern forests. 

 Their bushy tails were stretched out straight as they 



