A NEW experience had come to the little 
wolf cubs in a single night, — the ex¬ 
perience of fear. For weeks they had lain 
hid in the dark den, or played fearlessly in 
the bright sunshine, guarded and kept at 
every moment, day or night, by the gaunt old 
mother wolf that was their only law, their 
only companion. At times they lay for hours 
hungry and restless, longing to go out into 
the bright world, yet obeying a stronger will than their 
own, even at a distance. For, once a wild mother in 
her own dumb way has bidden her little ones lie still, 
they rarely stir from the spot, refusing even to be 
dragged away from the nest or den, knowing well 
the punishment in store if she return and find them 
41 
