92 STORIES OF BIRDS AND BEASTS 



that place and shot most of the Deer to feed themselves. 

 The next winter was bitter cold, and yet the snow was 

 not deep enough for our Wolf to chase and overcome 

 what Deer remained. So he prowled too recklessly 

 about a camp, and one night stepped into a trap that 

 gripped his leg, that hind leg that you see now wears 

 no foot. The Wolf struggled in vain to pull himself 

 away, and then with awful bites gnawed himself free, 

 leaving his foot fast in the trap. 



" Soon he grew hungrier and hungrier; he could find 

 no food. Then, being desperate, he said, 4 1 would even 

 kill a man ! ' 



" Early the next night he stole down to the camping 

 place, but he found no one there, and the campfire was 

 nearly out. Wolves do not like fire and he thought, 

 'Surely this is my chance, perhaps they have left some 

 food,' so he stalked in as boldly as his mangled leg al- 

 lowed. Then he stopped, for he scented man ! Soon 

 he went on again, for stretched in the corner lay a 

 bundle in a blanket, a man, but hurt and helpless. 



"The signs said, 'This man went out hunting with 

 his friends, he lost their track, he fell and broke his leg, 

 his gun is buried in the snow, he crawled back alone to 

 shelter.' Then again the signs whispered to the Wolf 

 as he hesitated, ' Kill him ! He is yours. He set the 

 trap that robbed you of your foot.' 



" The Wolf growled defiantly and crouched beside the 

 bundle, waiting until it should give some sign of life to 

 give the rending bite. The bundle moved and raised 

 itself, fixing its eyes upon the Wolf, look for look ! 



" The Wolf glared, but saw in those two human eyes 

 a light that never is in the eyes of beasts. His breath 



