FOR LIFE OR DEATH. 323 
the caribou. They tossed their heads, and made little 
starts to and fro as if in great alarm. It could not be 
from any proximity of the Indians, for it was simply 
impossible for them to have surmounted those steep hills, 
and reached the end of the canon, in so short a time. 
Suddenly a sound broke the stillness of the Alaskan 
solitude. It was a dismal noise, a succession of long, 
uncanny howls, like those of a dog in distress. 
Solomon knew well enough now what was the matter ; 
and indeed his doubts, had any remained, would have 
been solved a moment later, when at least thirty dark 
gray animals were seen leaping out of the woods, and 
dashing around the terrified caribou. It was an uncom- 
monly large pack of wolves, such as had fattened them- 
selves on Mr. Button's store of pemmican, and sent 
Solomon off on this expedition. The very best pemmican 
is made from caribou meat ; this pack was more particular 
than the first, and preferred their meat fresh. 
Do not suppose they intended to attack the whole herd, 
or any member of it, so long as it remained compact. 
They were far too wary and too cowardly for any such 
procedure. With red tongues hanging out, and with 
yelps and howls, they made feints of charging at the 
youngest and feeblest does, while others of the pack kept 
galloping around them, to keep them from taking to the 
woods. 
At last the crisis came. A fine doe and two fawns, 
nearly full-grown, retreated a few paces before a furious 
