the vast upland barrens, and the dogs, rest- 

 less as witches with some unknown excite- 

 ment, would run back to whine and scratch 

 at the doors of their masters' cabins. 



Soon the big snowflakes were whirling in 

 the air, busily weaving a soft white wind- 

 ing-sheet for the autumn which was passing 

 away. And truly it had been a good time 

 for the wolf cubs, as for most wild animals; 

 and they had grown large and strong with 

 their fat feeding, and wise with their many 

 experiences. The ducks and geese vanished, 

 driving southward ahead of the fierce autumn 

 gales, and only the late broods of hardy 

 eiders were left for a little season. Herring 

 and caplin had long since drifted away into 

 unknown depths, where the tides flowed end- 

 lessly over them and brought never a one 

 ashore. Hares and ptarmigans turned white 

 to hide on the snow, so that wolf and fox 

 would pass close by without seeing them. 

 Wood-mice pushed their winding tunnels and 

 made their vaulted play rooms deep under the 

 drifts, where none might molest nor make 

 them afraid; and all game grew wary and 



IOI 



clfie Way of 

 OJolf 



