Trails that Cross in the Snow 123 
of evergreen that surrounded the barren. There they 
dropped breathless under a low fir and turned to look. 
“It was wrong to run, little brother,” whispered Mooka. 
“ Why? ” said Noel. 
“ Cause Wayeeses see it, and think we ’fraid.” 
“ But I was ’fraid out there, little sister,” confessed 
Noel bravely. “ Here we can climb tree; good chance 
shoot um with my arrows.” 
Like two frightened rabbits they crouched under the 
fir, staring back with wild round eyes over the trail, 
fearing every instant to see the savage pack break out 
of the woods and come howling after them. But only 
the single big wolf appeared, trotting quietly along in 
their footsteps. Within bowshot he stopped with head 
raised, looking, listening intently. Then, as if he had 
seen them in their hiding, he turned aside, circled 
widely to the left, and entered the woods far below. 
Again the two little hunters hurried on through the 
silent, snow-filled woods, a strange disquietude settling 
upon them as they felt they were followed by unseen 
feet. Soon the feeling grew too strong to resist. Noel 
with his bow ready, and a strange chill trickling like 
cold water along his spine, was hiding behind a tree 
watching the back trail, when a low exclamation from 
Mooka made him turn. There behind them, not ten 
steps away, a huge white wolf was sitting quietly on his 
tail, watching them with absorbed, silent intentness. 
