1 66 



Wilsl&atCross 

 JnffteSnoir 



to a swaying, weakening trot. After him at 

 a distance glided the big wolf, lapping eagerly 

 at the crimson trail, but holding himself with 

 tremendous will power from rushing in head- 

 long and driving the game, which might 

 run for miles if too hard pressed. The stag 

 sank to his knees ; a sharp yelp rang like a 

 pistol-shot through the still woods ; then the 

 pack rolled in like a whirlwind, and it was 

 all over. 



Creeping near on the trail the little hunters 

 crouched under a low spruce, watching as if 

 fascinated the wild feast of the wolves. Noel's 

 bow was ready in his hand; but luckily the 

 sight of these huge, powerful brutes over- 

 whelmed him and drove all thoughts of kill- 

 ing out of his head. Mooka plucked him by 

 the sleeve at last, and pointed silently home- 

 wards. It was surely time to go, for the big- 

 gest wolf had already stretched himself and 

 was licking his paws, while the two cubs 

 with full stomachs were rolling over and over 

 and biting each other playfully in the snow. 

 Silently they stole away, stopping only to 

 tie a rag to a pointed stick, which they 



