the mountains and followed the long valleys 



to the far southern ranges the wolves went 



back to the hills, where the trail began, for a *"& W/?Il€ W(tffJ> 



more exciting and dangerous kind of hunt- nUnf/fT^ 



ing. The pack had held closer together of 



late; for the old wolves must often share 



even a scant fox or rabbit with the hungry 



and inexperienced youngsters. Now, when 



famine drove them to the very doors of the 



one enemy to be feared, only the wisest and 



wariest old wolf was fit to lead the foray. 



The little fishing village was buried un- 

 der drifts and almost deserted. A few men 

 lingered to watch the boats and houses ; but 

 the families had all gone inland to the 

 winter tilts for wood and shelter. By night 

 the wolves would come stealthily to prowl 

 among the deserted lanes; and the fisher- 

 men, asleep in their clothes under caribou 

 skins, or sitting close by the stove be- 

 hind barred doors, would know nothing of 

 the huge, gaunt forms that flitted noiselessly 

 past the frosted windows. If a pig were left 

 in his pen a sudden terrible squealing would 

 break out on the still night ; and when the 



