324 THE RED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
onslaught from their assailants. Instantly half a dozen 
gaunt fellows leaped into the gap, and cut them off from 
the rest of the herd. The three helpless creatures ran off 
a few steps, looked in vain for help from their trembling 
companions, then made a sudden break, and started at 
full speed down the lake. 
This was exactly what the wolves wanted.' In full cry 
they started after their prey, over the ice. 
Solomon rose to his feet, as he saw this denouement of 
the little drama at the head of the valley, and, stepping 
boldly out into open ground, prepared to take part in it 
himself. Neither pursued nor pursuers caught sight of 
him until within less than sixty rods. The doe tried to 
check herself, and threw herself fairly down on her 
haunches, her two fawns following her example, but 
the momentum of all three carried them over the ice 
to within easy range of a rifle that had rarely missed 
its aim. 
Just as the largest caribou scrambled to her feet, and 
headed for the side of the pond, there was a sharp report, 
and, with one leap, she fell almost in her tracks. The 
youngest one paused an instant irresolutely, when half a 
dozen wolves were upon it, and dragged it to the ice ; 
again the report of the gun, and the third of the trio fell, 
while the cowardly wolves scattered, snarling and yelping, 
as Solomon came running toward them, shouting and 
waving his arms. 
All this had occurred within the space of half a min- 
