The Grizzly King - James Oliver Curwood.txt

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Title:TheGrizzlyKing

Author:JamesOliverCurwood

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THEGRIZZLYKING

AROMANCEOFTHEWILD

BY

JAMESOLIVERCURWOOD

1918



ILLUSTRATIONSBY

FRANKB.HOFFMAN

To

MYBOY

PREFACE

ItiswithsomethinglikeaconfessionthatIofferthissecondofmynaturebookstothepublic—aconfession,andahope;theconfessionofonewhoforyearshuntedandkilledbeforehelearnedthatthewildofferedamorethrillingsportthanslaughter—andthehopethatwhatIhavewrittenmaymakeothersfeelandunderstandthatthegreatestthrillofthehuntisnotinkilling,butinlettinglive

.Itistruethatinthegreatopenspacesonemustkilltolive;onemusthavemeat,andmeatislife.Butkillingforfoodisnotthelustofslaughter;itisnotthelustwhichalwaysrecallstomethatdayintheBritishColumbiamountainswhen,inlessthantwohours,Ikilledfourgrizzliesonamountainslide—adestructionofpossiblyahundredandtwentyyearsoflifeinahundredandtwentyminutes.AndthatisonlyoneinstanceofmanyinwhichInowregardmyselfashavingbeenalmostacriminal—forkillingfortheexcitementofkillingcanbelittlelessthanmurder.IntheirsmallwaymyanimalbooksarethereparationIamnowstrivingtomake,andithasbeenmyearnestdesiretomakethemnotonlyofromanticinterest,butreliableintheirfact.Asinhumanlife,therearetragedy,andhumour,andpathosinthelifeofthewild;therearefactsoftremendousinterest,realhappeningsandreallivestobewrittenabout,andverysmallnecessityforonetodrawonimagination.In"Kazan"Itriedtogivethereader

apictureofmyyearsofexperienceamongthewildsledgedogsoftheNorth.In"TheGrizzly"IhavescrupulouslyadheredtofactsasIhavefoundtheminthelivesofthewildcreaturesofwhichIhavewritten.LittleMuskwawaswithmeallthatsummerandautumnintheCanadianRockies.PipoonaskoosisburiedintheFirepanRangecountry,withaslaboverhishead,justlikeawhiteman.ThetwogrizzlycubswedugoutontheAthabascaaredead.AndThorstilllives,forhisrangeisinacountrywherenohuntersgo—andwhenatlasttheopportunitycamewedidnotkillhim.Thisyear(inJulyof1916)IamgoingbackintothecountryofThorandMuskwa.IthinkIwouldknowThorifIsawhimagain,forhewasamonsterfull-grown.ButintwoyearsMuskwahadgrownfromcubhoodintofullbearhood.AndyetIbelievethatMuskwawouldknowmeshouldwechancetomeetagain.Iliketothinkthathehasnotforgottenthesugar,andthescoresoftimeshecuddledupclosetomeatnight,andthehuntswehadtogetherafterroots

andberries,andtheshamfightswithwhichweamusedourselvessooftenincamp.But,afterall,perhapshewouldnotforgivemeforthatlastdaywhenweranawayfromhimsohard—leavinghimalonetohisfreedominthemountains.

JAMESOLIVERCURWOOD.

Owosso,Michigan,

May5,1916.



CONTENTS

CHAPTERONE

CHAPTERTWO

CHAPTERTHREE

CHAPTERFOUR

CHAPTERFIVE

CHAPTERSIX

CHAPTERSEVEN

CHAPTEREIGHT

CHAPTERNINE

CHAPTERTEN

CHAPTERELEVEN

CHAPTERTWELVE

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

CHAPTEREIGHTTEEN

CHAPTERNINETEEN

CHAPTERTWENTY

THEVALLEYOFSILENTMEN

LISTOFILLUSTRATIONS

"AsThorhadmorethanoncecomeintocontactwithporcupinequills,hehesitated."

"LikethewindThorboredownontheflankofthecaribou,swungalittletoone



side,andthenwithoutanyapparenteffort—stilllikeahugeball—heboundedinandupward,andtheshortracewasdone."

"Theyheadedupthecreek-bottom,bendingoverfromtheirsaddlestolookateverystripofsandtheypassedfortracks.TheyhadnotgoneaquarterofamilewhenBrucegaveasuddenexclamationandstopped."

"'Comeon!'hecried.'Theblack'sdead!Ifwehustlewecangetourgrizzly!'"

THEGRIZZLYKING

CHAPTERONE

Withthesilenceandimmobilityofagreatreddish-tintedrock,Thorstoodformanyminuteslookingoutoverhisdomain.Hecouldnotseefar,for,likeallgri

zzlies,hiseyesweresmallandfarapart,andhisvisionwasbad.Atadistanceofathirdorahalfamilehecouldmakeoutagoatoramountainsheep,butbeyondthathisworldwasavastsun-filledornight-darkenedmysterythroughwhichherangedmostlybytheguidanceofsoundandsmell.

Itwasthesenseofsmellthatheldhimstillandmotionlessnow.Upoutofthevalleyascenthadcometohisnostrilsthathehadneversmelledbefore.Itwassomethingthatdidnotbelongthere,anditstirredhimstrangely.Vainlyhisslow-workingbrutemindstruggledtocomprehendit.Itwasnotcaribou,forhehadkilledmanycaribou;itwasnotgoat;itwasnotsheep;anditwasnotthesmellofthefatandlazywhistlerssunningthemselvesontherocks,forhehadeatenhundredsofwhistlers.Itwasascentthatdidnotenragehim,andneitherdiditfrightenhim.Hewascurious,andyethedidnotgodowntoseekitout.Ca

utionheldhimback.

IfThorcouldhaveseendistinctlyforamile,ortwomiles,hiseyeswouldhavediscoveredevenlessthanthewindbroughttohimfromdownthevalley.Hestoodattheedgeofalittleplain,withthevalleyaneighthofamilebelowhim,andthebreakoverwhichhehadcomethatafternoonaneighthofamileabovehim.Theplainwasverymuchlikeacup,perhapsanacreinextent,inthegreenslopeofthemountain.Itwascoveredwithrich,softgrassandJuneflowers,mountainvioletsandpatchesofforget-me-nots,andwildastersandhyacinths,andinthecentreofitwasafifty-footspatterofsoftmudwhichThorvisitedfrequentlywhenhisfeetbecamerock-sore.

Totheeastandthewestandthenorthofhimspreadoutthewonderfulpanorama

oftheCanadianRockies,softenedinthegoldensunshineofaJuneafternoon.

Fromupanddownthevalley,fromthebreaksbetweenthepeaks,andfromthelittlegulliescleftinshaleandrockthatcreptuptothesnow-linescameasoftanddroningmurmur.Itwasthemusicofrunningwater.Thatmusicwasalwaysintheair,fortherivers,thecreeks,andthetinystreamsgushingdownfromthesnowthatlayeternallyupnearthecloudswereneverstill.

Thereweresweetperfumesaswellasmusicintheair.JuneandJuly—thelastofspringandthefirstofsummerinthenorthernmountains—werecommingling.Theeart



hwasburstingwithgreen;theearlyflowerswereturningthesunnyslopesintocolouredsplashesofredandwhiteandpurple,andeverythingthathadlifewassinging—thefatwhistlersontheirrocks,thepompouslittlegophersontheirmounds,thebigbumblebeesthatbuzzedfromflowertoflower,thehawksinthevalley,andtheeaglesoverthepeaks.EvenThorwassinginginhisway,forashehadpaddledthroughthesoftmudafewminutesbeforehehadrumbledcuriouslydeepdowninhisgreatchest.Itwasnotagrowloraroarorasnarl;itwasthenoisehemadewhenhewascontented.Itwashissong.

Andnow,forsomemysteriousreason,therehadsuddenlycomeachangeinthiswonderfuldayforhim.Motionlesshestillsniffedthewind.Itpuzzledhim.Itdisquietedhimwithoutalarminghim.Tothenewandstrangesmellthatwasintheairhewasaskeenlysensitiveasachild'stonguetothefirstsharptouchofadropofbrandy.Andthen,atlast,alowandsullengrowlcamelikeadistantrollofthunderfromoutofhischest.Hewasoverlordofthesedomains,andslowlyhisbraintoldhimthatthereshouldbenosmellwhichhecouldnotcomprehend,andofwhichhewasnotthemaster.

Thorrearedupslowly,untilthewholeninefeetofhimrestedonhishaunches,andhesatlikeatraineddog,withhisgreatforefeet,heavywithmud,droopinginfrontofhischest.Fortenyearshehadlivedinthesemountainsandneverhadhesmelledthatsmell.Hedefiedit.Hewaitedforit,whileitcamestrongerandnearer.Hedidnothidehimself.Clean-cutandunafraid,hestoodup.

Hewasamonsterinsize,andhisnewJunecoatshoneagoldenbrowninthesun.Hisforearmswerealmostaslargeasaman'sbody;thethreelargestofhisfiveknifelikeclawswerefiveandahalfincheslong;inthemudhisfeethadlefttracksthatwerefifteeninchesfromtiptotip.Hewasfat,andsleek,andpowerful.Hiseyes,nolargerthanhickorynuts,wereeightinchesapart.Histwoupperfangs,sharpasstilettopoints,wereaslongasaman'sthumb,andbetweenhisgreatjawshecouldcrushtheneckofacaribou.

Thor'slifehadbeenfreeofthepresenceofman,andhewasnotugly.Likemostgrizzlies,hedidnotkillforthepleasureofkilling.Outofaherdhewouldtakeonecaribou,andhewouldeatthatcariboutothemarrowinthelastbone.Hewasapeacefulking.Hehadonelaw:"Letmealone!"hesaid,andthevoiceofthatlawwasinhisattitudeashesatonhishaunchessniffingthestrangesm

ell.

Inhismassivestrength,inhisalonenessandhissupremacy,thegreatbearwaslikethemountains,unrivalledinthevalleysastheywereintheskies.Withthemountains,hehadcomedownoutoftheages.Hewaspartofthem.Thehistoryofhisracehadbegunandwasdyingamongthem,andtheywerealikeinmanyways.Untilthisdayhecouldnotrememberwhenanythinghadcometoquestionhismightandhisright—exceptthoseofhisownkind.Withsuchrivalshehadfoughtfairlyandmorethanoncetothedeath.Hewasreadytofightagain,ifitcametoaquestionofsovereigntyovertherangeswhichheclaimedashisown.Untilhewasbeatenhewasdominator,arbiter,anddespot,ifhechosetobe.Hewasdynastoftherichvalleysandthegreenslopes,andliegelordofalllivingthingsabouthim.Hehadwonandkeptthesethingsopenly,withoutstrategyortreache

ry.Hewashatedandhewasfeared,buthewaswithouthatredorfearofhisown—andhewashonest.Thereforehewaitedopenlyforthestrangethingthatwascomingtohimfromdownthevalley.

Ashesatonhishaunches,questioningtheairwithhiskeenbrownnose,somethingwithinhimwasreachingbackintodimandbygonegenerations.Neverbeforehadhecaughtthetaintthatwasinhisnostrils,yetnowthatitcametohimitdidnotseemaltogethernew.Hecouldnotplaceit.Hecouldnotpictureit.Yetheknewthatitwasamenaceandathreat.



Fortenminuteshesatlikeacarventhingonhishaunches.Thenthewindshifted,andthescentgrewlessandless,untilitwasgonealtogether.

Thor'sflatearsliftedalittle.Heturnedhishugeheadslowlysothathiseyestookinthegreenslopeandthetinyplain.Heeasilyforgotthesmellnowthattheairwasclearandsweetagain.Hedroppedonhisfourfeet,andresumedhisgopher-hunting.

Therewassomethingofhumourinhishunt.Thorweighedathousandpounds;amountaingopherissixincheslongandweighssixounces.YetThorwoulddigenergeticallyforanhour,andrejoiceattheendbyswallowingthefatlittlegopherlikeapill;itwashisbonnebouche,theluscioustidbitinthequestofwhichhespentathirdofhisspringandsummerdigging.

Hefoundaholelocatedtohissatisfactionandbeganthrowingouttheearthlikeahugedogafterarat.Hewasonthecrestoftheslope.Onceortwiceduringthenexthalf-hourheliftedhishead,buthewasnolongerdisturbedbythestrangesmellthathadcometohimwiththewind.

CHAPTERTWO

AmiledownthevalleyJimLangdonstoppedhishorsewherethespruceandbalsamtimberthinnedoutatthemouthofacoulee,lookedaheadofhimforabreathlessmomentortwo,andthenwithanaudiblegaspofpleasureswunghisrightlegoversothathiskneecrookedrestfullyaboutthehornofhissaddle,andwaited.

Twoorthreehundredyardsbehindhim,stillburiedinthetimber,OttowashavingtroublewithDishpan,acontumaciouspack-mare.Langdongrinnedhappilyashelistenedtotheother'svociferations,whichthreatenedDishpanwitheveryknownformoftortureandpunishment,frominstantdisembowelmenttothemoremercifulendoflosingherbrainthroughthemediumofaclub.HegrinnedbecauseOtto

'svocabularydescriptiveofterriblethingsalwaysimpendingovertheheadsofhissleekandutterlyheedlesspack-horseswasoneofhischiefjoys.HeknewthatifDishpanshouldelecttoturnsomersaultswhilediamond-hitchedunderherpack,big,good-naturedBruceOttowoulddonothingmorethanmakethewelkinringwithhisterrible,blood-curdlingprotest.

Oneafteranotherthesixhorsesoftheiroutfitappearedoutofthetimber,andlastofallrodethemountainman.Hewasgatheredlikeapartlyreleasedspringinhissaddle,anattitudebornofyearsinthemountains,andbecauseofacertaindifficultyhehadindistributinggracefullyhissix-foot-two-inchlengthoffleshandboneastrideamountaincayuse.

UponhisappearanceLangdondismounted,andturnedhiseyesagainupthevalley.

Thestubblyblondbeardonhisfacedidnotconcealthedeeptanpaintedtherebyweeksofexposureinthemountains;hehadopenedhisshirtatthethroat,exposinganeckdarkenedbysunandwind;hiseyeswereofakeen,searchingblue-gray,andtheyquestedthecountryaheadofhimnowwiththejoyousintentnessofthehunterandtheadventurer.

Langdonwasthirty-five.Apartofhislifehespentinthewildplaces;theotherparthespentinwritingaboutthethingshefoundthere.Hiscompanionwasfiveyearshisjuniorinage,buthadthebetterofhimbysixinchesinlengthofanatomy,ifthoseadditionalinchescouldbecalledanadvantage.Brucethough



ttheywerenot."ThedevilofitisIain'tdonegrowin'yet!"heoftenexplained.

Herodeupnowandunlimberedhimself.Langdonpointedahead.

"Didyoueverseeanythingtobeatthat?"heasked.

"Finecountry,"agreedBruce."Mightygoodplacetocamp,too,Jim.Thereoughttobecaribouinthisrange,an'bear.Weneedsomefreshmeat.Gimmeamatch,willyou?"

Ithadcometobeahabitwiththemtolightboththeirpipeswithonematchwhenpossible.Theyperformedthisceremonynowwhileviewingthesituation.Ashepuffedthefirstluxuriouscloudofsmokefromhisbulldog,Langdonnoddedtowardthetimberfromwhichtheyhadjustcome.

"Fineplaceforourtepee,"hesaid."Drywood,runningwater,andthefirstgoodbalsamwe'vestruckinaweekforourbeds.Wecanhobblethehorsesinthatlittleopenplainwecrossedaquarterofamileback.Isawplentyofbuffalograssandalotofwildtimothy."

Helookedathiswatch.

"It'sonlythreeo'clock.Wemightgoon.But—whatdoyousay?Shallwestickfor

adayortwo,andseewhatthiscountrylookslike?"

"Looksgoodtome,"saidBruce.

Hesatdownashespoke,withhisbacktoarock,andoverhiskneehelevelledalongbrasstelescope.FromhissaddleLangdonunslungabinocularglassimportedfromParis.ThetelescopewasarelicoftheCivilWar.Together,theirshoulderstouchingastheysteadiedthemselvesagainsttherock,theystudiedtherollingslopesandthegreensidesofthemountainsaheadofthem.

TheywereintheBigGamecountry,andwhatLangdoncalledtheUnknown.SofarasheandBruceOttocoulddiscover,nootherwhitemanhadeverprecededthem.Itwasacountryshutinbytremendousranges,throughwhichithadtakenthemtw

entydaysofsweatingtoiltomakeahundredmiles.

ThatafternoontheyhadcrossedthesummitoftheGreatDividethatsplittheskiesnorthandsouth,andthroughtheirglassestheywerelookingnowuponthefirstgreenslopesandwonderfulpeaksoftheFirepanMountains.Tothenorthward—andtheyhadbeentravellingnorth—wastheSkeenaRiver;onthewestandsouthweretheBabinerangeandwaterways;eastward,overtheDivide,wastheDriftwood,andstillfarthereastwardtheOminicarangeandthetributariesoftheFinley.TheyhadstartedfromcivilizationonthetenthdayofMayandthiswasthethirtiethofJune.

AsLangdonlookedthroughhisglasseshebelievedthatatlasttheyhadreachedthebourneoftheirdesires.Fornearlytwomonthstheyhadworkedtogetbeyond

thetrailsofmen,andtheyhadsucceeded.Therewerenohuntershere.Therewerenoprospectors.Thevalleyaheadofthemwasfilledwithgoldenpromise,andashesoughtoutthefirstofitsmysteryanditswonderhisheartwasfilledwiththedeepandsatisfyingjoywhichonlymenlikeLangdoncanfullyunderstand.Tohisfriendandcomrade,BruceOtto,withwhomhehadgonefivetimesintotheNorthcountry,allmountainsandallvalleyswereverymuchalike;hewasbornamongthem,hehadlivedamongthemallhislife,andhewouldprobablydieamongthem.

ItwasBrucewhogavehimasuddensharpnudgewithhiselbow.



"Iseetheheadsofthreecariboucrossingadipaboutamileandahalfupthevalley,"hesaid,withouttakinghiseyesfromthetelescope.

"AndIseeaNannyandherkidontheblackshaleofthatfirstmountaintotheright,"repliedLangdon."And,byGeorge,there'saSkyPilotlookingdownonherfromacragathousandfeetabovetheshale!He'sgotabeardafootlong.Bruce,I'llbetwe'vestruckaregularGardenofEden!"

"Looksit,"vouchsafedBruce,coilinguphislonglegstogetabetterrestforhistelescope."Ifthisain'tasheepan'bearcountry,I'vemadetheworstguessIevermadeinmylife."

Forfiveminutestheylooked,withoutawordpassingbetweenthem.Behindthemtheirhorseswerenibblinghungrilyinthethick,richgrass.Thesoundofthemanywatersinthemountainsdronedintheirears,andthevalleyseemedsleepinginaseaofsunshine.Langdoncouldthinkofnothingmorecomparablethanthat—slumber.Thevalleywaslikeagreat,comfortable,happycat,andthesoundstheyheard,allcomminglinginthatpleasingdrone,wasitsdrowsypurring.Hewasfocussinghisglassalittlemorecloselyonthegoatstandingwatchfullyonitscrag,whenOttospokeagain.

"Iseeagrizzlyasbigasahouse!"heannouncedquietly.

Bruceseldomallowedhisequanimitytobedisturbed,exceptbythepack-horses.Thrillingnewslikethishealwaysintroducedasunconcernedlyasthoughspeakingofabunchofviolets.

Langdonsatupwithajerk.

"Where?"hedemanded.

Heleanedovertogettherangeoftheother'stelescope,everynerveinhisbodysuddenlyaquiver.

"Seethatslopeonthesecondshoulder,justbeyondtheravineoverthere?"saidBruce,withoneeyeclosedandtheotherstillgluedtothetelescope."He'sha

lfwayup,diggingoutagopher."

Langdonfocussedhisglassontheslope,andamomentlateranexcitedgaspcamefromhim.

"See'im?"askedBruce.

"Theglasshaspulledhimwithinfourfeetofmynose,"repliedLangdon."Bruce,that'sthebiggestgrizzlyintheRockyMountains!"

"Ifheain't,he'shistwinbrother,"chuckledthepacker,withoutmovingamuscle."Hebeatsyoureight-footerbyadozeninches,Jimmy!An'"—hepausedatthispsychologicalmomenttopullaplugofblackMacDonaldfromhispocketandbiteo

ffamouthful,withouttakingthetelescopefromhiseye—"an'thewindisinourfavouran'he'sasbusyasaflea!"hefinished.

Ottounwoundhimselfandrosetohisfeet,andLangdonjumpedupbriskly.Insuchsituationsasthistherewasamutualunderstandingbetweenthemwhichmadewordsunnecessary.Theyledtheeighthorsesbackintotheedgeofthetimberandtiedthemthere,tooktheirriflesfromtheleatherholsters,andeachwascarefultoputasixthcartridgeinthechamberofhisweapon.Thenforamatteroftwominutestheybothstudiedtheslopeanditsapproacheswiththeirnakedeyes.



"Wecanslipuptheravine,"suggestedLangdon.

Brucenodded.

"Ireckonit'sathree-hundred-yardshotfromthere,"hesaid."It'sthebestwecando.He'dgetourwindifwewentbelow'im.Ifitwasacoupleo'hoursearlier—"

"We'dclimboverthemountainandcomedownonhimfromabove!"exclaimedLangdon,laughing.

"Bruce,you'rethemostsenselessidiotonthefaceoftheglobewhenitcomestoclimbingmountains!You'dclimboverHardestyorGeikietoshootagoatfromabove,eventhoughyoucouldgethimfromthevalleywithoutanyworkatall.I'mgladitisn'tmorning.Wecangetthatbearfromtheravine!"

"Mebbe,"saidBruce,andtheystarted.

Theywalkedopenlyoverthegreen,flower-carpetedmeadowsaheadofthem.Untiltheycamewithinatleasthalfamileofthegrizzlytherewasnodangerofhimseeingthem.Thewindhadshifted,andwasalmostintheirfaces.Theirswiftwalkchangedtoadog-trot,andtheyswunginnearertotheslope,sothatforfifteenminutesahugeknollconcealedthegrizzly.Inanothertenminutestheycametotheravine,anarrow,rock-litteredandprecipitousgullyworninthemount

ainsidebycenturiesofspringfloodsgushingdownfromthesnow-peaksabove.Heretheymadecautiousobservation.

Thebiggrizzlywasperhapssixhundredyardsuptheslope,andprettyclosetothreehundredyardsfromthenearestpointreachedbythegully.

Brucespokeinawhispernow.

"Yougoupan'dothestalkin',Jimmy,"hesaid."Thatbear'sgoin'todooneoftwothingsifyoumissoronlywound'im—oneo'three,mebbe:he'sgoingtoinvestigateyou,orhe'sgoingupoverthebreak,orhe'scomin'downinthevalley—thisway.Wecan'tkeep'imfromgoin'overthebreak,an'ifhetacklesyou—justsummersetitdownthegully.Youcanbeat'imout.He'smostapttocomethiswayi

fyoudon'tget'im,soI'llwaithere.Goodlucktoyou,Jimmy!"

Withthishewentoutandcrouchedbehindarock,wherehecouldkeepaneyeonthegrizzly,andLangdonbegantoclimbquietlyuptheboulder-strewngully.

CHAPTERTHREE

Ofallthelivingcreaturesinthissleepingvalley,Thorwasthebusiest.Hewa

sabearwithindividuality,youmightsay.Likesomepeople,hewenttobedveryearly;hebegantogetsleepyinOctober,andturnedinforhislongnapinNovember.HesleptuntilApril,andusuallywasaweekortendaysbehindotherbearsinwaking.Hewasasoundsleeper,andwhenawakehewasverywideawake.DuringAprilandMayhepermittedhimselftodozeconsiderablyinthewarmthofsunnyrocks,butfromthebeginningofJuneuntilthemiddleofSeptemberheclosedhiseyesinrealsleepjustaboutfourhoursoutofeverytwelve.

HewasverybusyasLangdonbeganhiscautiousclimbupthegully.Hehadsucceededingettinghisgopher,afat,aldermanicoldpatriarchwhohaddisappearedi



nonecrunchandagulp,andhewasnowabsorbedinfinishingoffhisday'sfeastwithanoccasionalfat,whitegrubandafewsourantscapturedfromunderstoneswhichheturnedoverwithhispaw.

InhissearchafterthesedelicaciesThorusedhisrightpawinturningovertherocks.Ninety-nineoutofeveryhundredbears—probablyahundredandninety-nineoutofeverytwohundred—areleft-handed;Thorwasright-handed.Thisgavehimanadvantageinfighting,infishing,andinstalkingmeat,foragrizzly'srightarmislongerthanhisleft—somuchlongerthatifhelosthissixthsenseoforientationhewouldbeconstantlytravellinginacircle.

InhisquestThorwasheadedforthegully.Hishugeheadhungclosetotheground.Atshortdistanceshisvisionwasmicroscopicinitskeenness;hisolfactorynervesweresosensitivethathecouldcatchoneofthebigrock-antswithhiseyesshut.

Hewouldchoosetheflatrocksmostly.Hishugerightpaw,withitslongclaws,wasascleverasahumanhand.Thestonelifted,asniffortwo,alickofhishot,flattongue,andheambledontothenext.

Hetookthisworkwithtremendousseriousness,muchlikeanelephanthuntingforpeanutshiddeninabaleofhay.Hesawnohumourintheoperation.Asamatteroffact,Naturehadnotintendedthereshouldbeanyhumouraboutit.Thor'stimewasmoreorlessvalueless,andduringthecourseofasummerheabsorbedin

hissystemagoodmanyhundredthousandsourants,sweetgrubs,andjuicyinsectsofvariouskinds,nottomentionahostofgophersandstilltinierrock-rabbits.Thesesmallthingsalladdedtothehugerollsoffatwhichitwasnecessaryforhimtostoreupforthat"absorptiveconsumption"whichkepthimaliveduringhislongwintersleep.ThiswaswhyNaturehadmadehislittlegreenish-browneyestwinmicroscopes,infallibleatdistancesofafewfeet,andalmostworthlessatathousandyards.

AshewasabouttoturnoverafreshstoneThorpausedinhisoperations.Forafullminutehestoodnearlymotionless.Thenhisheadswungslowly,hisnoseclosetotheground.Veryfaintlyhehadcaughtanexceedinglypleasingodour.Itwassofaintthathewasafraidoflosingitifhemoved.Sohestooduntilhewassureofhimself,thenheswunghishugeshouldersaroundanddescendedtwoyar

dsdowntheslope,swinginghisheadslowlyfromrighttoleft,andsniffing.Thescentgrewstronger.Anothertwoyardsdowntheslopehefounditverystrongunderarock.Itwasabigrock,andweighedprobablytwohundredpounds.Thordraggeditasidewithhisonerighthandasifitwerenomorethanapebble.

Instantlytherewasawildandprotestingchatter,andatinystripedrock-rabbit,verymuchlikeachipmunk,dartedawayjustasThor'slefthandcamedownwithasmashthatwouldhavebrokentheneckofacaribou.

Itwasnotthescentoftherock-rabbit,butthesavourofwhattherock-rabbithadstoredunderthestonethathadattractedThor.Andthisbootystillremained—ahalf-pintofground-nutspiledcarefullyinalittlehollowlinedwithmoss.Theywerenotreallynuts.Theyweremorelikediminutivepotatoes,aboutthesiz

eofcherries,andverymuchlikepotatoesinappearance.Theywerestarchyandsweet,andfattening.Thorenjoyedthemimmensely,rumblinginthatcurioussatisfiedwaydeepdowninhischestashefeasted.Andthenheresumedhisquest.

HedidnothearLangdonasthehuntercamenearerandnearerupthebrokengully.Hedidnotsmellhim,forthewindwasfatallywrong.Hehadforgottenthenoxiousman-smellthathaddisturbedandirritatedhimanhourbefore.Hewasquitehappy;hewasgood-humoured;hewasfatandsleek.Anirritable,cross-grained,andquarrelsomebearisalwaysthin.Thetruehunterknowshimassoonashesetseyesonhim.Heisliketherogueelephant.



Thorcontinuedhisfood-seeking,edgingstillclosertothegully.Hewaswithinahundredandfiftyyardsofitwhenasoundsuddenlybroughthimalert.Langdon,inhisefforttocreepupthesteepsideofthegullyforashot,hadaccidentallyloosenedarock.Itwentcrashingdowntheravine,startingotherstonesthatfollowedinanoisyclatter.Atthefootofthecoulee,sixhundredyardsdown,Brucesworesoftlyunderhisbreath.HesawThorsitup.Atthatdistancehewasgoingtoshootifthebearmadeforthebreak.

ForthirtysecondsThorsatonhishaunches.Thenhestartedfortheravine,amblingslowlyanddeliberately.Langdon,pantingandinwardlycursingathisillluck,struggledtomakethelasttenfeettotheedgeoftheslope.HeheardBruceyell,buthecouldnotmakeoutthewarning.Handsandfeethedugfiercelyintoshaleandrockashefoughttomakethoselastthreeorfouryardsasquicklyaspossible.

Hewasalmosttothetopwhenhepausedforamomentandturnedhiseyesupward.Hisheartwentintohisthroat,andhestarted.Fortensecondshecouldnotmove.Directlyoverhimwasamonsterheadandahugehulkofshoulder.Thorwaslookingdownonhim,hisjawsagape,hisfinger-longfangssnarling,hiseyesburningwithagreenish-redfire.

InthatmomentThorsawhisfirstofman.Hisgreatlungswerefilledwiththehotsmellofhim,andsuddenlyheturnedawayfromthatsmellasiffromaplague

.WithhisriflehalfunderhimLangdonhadhadnoopportunitytoshoot.Wildlyheclambereduptheremainingfewfeet.Theshaleandstonesslippedandslidunderhim.Itwasamatterofsixtysecondsbeforehepulledhimselfoverthetop.

Thorwasahundredyardsaway,speedinginarolling,ball-likemotiontowardthebreak.FromthefootofthecouleecamethesharpcrackofOtto'srifle.Langdonsquattedquickly,raisinghisleftkneeforarest,andatahundredandfiftyyardsbeganfiring.

Sometimesithappensthatanhour—aminute—changesthedestinyofman;andthetensecondswhichfollowedswiftlyafterthatfirstshotfromthefootofthecouleechangedThor.Hehadgothisfilloftheman-smell.Hehadseenman.Andnowhefelthim.

Itwasasifoneofthelightningflasheshehadoftenseensplittingthedarkskieshaddescendeduponhimandhadenteredhisfleshlikeared-hotknife;andwiththatfirstburningagonyofpaincamethestrange,echoingroaroftherifles.Hehadturneduptheslopewhenthebulletstruckhiminthefore-shoulder,mushroomingitsdeadlysoftpointagainsthistoughhide,andtearingaholethroughhisflesh—butwithouttouchingthebone.Hewastwohundredyardsfromtheravinewhenithit;hewasnearerthreehundredwhenthestingingfiresearedhimagain,thistimeinhisflank.

Neithershothadstaggeredhishugebulk,twentysuchshotswouldnothavekilledhim.Butthesecondstoppedhim,andheturnedwitharoarofragethatwaslikethebellowingofamadbull—asnarling,thunderouscryofwraththatcouldhave

beenheardaquarterofamiledownthevalley.

Brucehearditashefiredhissixthunavailingshotatsevenhundredyards.Langdonwasreloading.ForfifteensecondsThorofferedhimselfopenly,roaringhisdefiance,challengingtheenemyhecouldnolongersee;andthenatLangdon'sseventhshot,awhiplashoffirerakedhisback,andinstrangedreadofthislightningwhichhecouldnotfight,Thorcontinuedupoverthebreak.Heheardotherrifleshots,whichwerelikeanewkindofthunder.Buthewasnothitagain.Painfullyhebeganthedescentintothenextvalley.



Thorknewthathewashurt,buthecouldnotcomprehendthathurt.Onceinthedescenthepausedforafewmoments,andalittlepoolofblooddrippeduponthegroundunderhisforeleg.Hesniffedatitsuspiciouslyandwonderingly.

Heswungeastward,andalittlelaterhecaughtafreshtaintoftheman-smellintheair.Thewindwasbringingittohimnow,andinspiteofthefactthathewantedtoliedownandnursehiswoundheambledonalittlefaster,forhehadlearnedonethingthathewouldneverforget:theman-smellandhishurthadcometogether.

Hereachedthebottoms,andburiedhimselfinthethicktimber;andthen,crossingthistimber,hecametoacreek.Perhapsahundredtimeshehadtravelledupanddownthiscreek.Itwasthemaintrailthatledfromonehalfofhisrangetotheother.

Instinctivelyhealwaystookthistrailwhenhewashurtorwhenhewassick,andalsowhenhewasreadytodenupforthewinter.Therewasonechiefreasonforthis:hewasborninthealmostimpenetrablefastnessesattheheadofthecreek,andhiscubhoodhadbeenspentamiditsbramblesofwildcurrantsandsoapberriesanditsrichredgroundcarpetsofkinnikinic.Itwashome.Inithewasalone.Itwastheonepartofhisdomainthatheheldinviolatefromallotherbears.Hetoleratedotherbears—blacksandgrizzlies—onthewiderandsunnierslopesofhisrangejustsolongastheymovedonwhenheapproached.Theymightseekfoodthere,andnapinthesun-pools,andliveinquietandpeaceiftheydidnot

defyhissuzerainty.

Thordidnotdriveotherbearsfromhisrange,exceptwhenitwasnecessarytodemonstrateagainthathewasHighMogul.Thishappenedoccasionally,andtherewasafight.AndalwaysafterafightThorcameintothisvalleyandwentupthecreektocurehiswounds.

Hemadehiswaymoreslowlythanusualto-day.Therewasaterriblepaininhisfore-shoulder.Nowandthenithurthimsothathislegdoubledup,andhestumbled.Severaltimeshewadedshoulder-deepintopoolsandletthecoldwaterrunoverhiswounds.Graduallytheystoppedbleeding.Butthepaingrewworse.

Thor'sbestfriendinsuchanemergencywasaclaywallow.Thiswasthesecondr

easonwhyhealwaystookthistrailwhenhewassickorhurt.Itledtotheclaywallow.Andtheclaywallowwashisdoctor.

Thesunwassettingbeforehereachedthewallow.Hisjawshungopenalittle.Hisgreatheaddroopedlower.Hehadlostagreatdealofblood.Hewastired,andhisshoulderhurthimsobadlythathewantedtotearwithhisteethatthestrangefirethatwasconsumingit.

Theclaywallowwastwentyorthirtyfeetindiameter,andhollowedintoalittleshallowpoolinthecentre.Itwasasoft,cool,golden-colouredclay,andThorwadedintoittohisarmpits.Thenherolledovergentlyonhiswoundedside.Theclaytouchedhishurtlikeacoolingsalve.Itsealedthecut,andThorgaveagreatheavinggaspofrelief.Foralongtimehelayinthatsoftbedofclay

.Thesunwentdown,darknesscame,andthewonderfulstarsfilledthesky.AndstillThorlaythere,nursingthatfirsthurtofman.

CHAPTERFOUR



IntheedgeofthebalsamandspruceLangdonandOttosatsmokingtheirpipesaftersupper,withtheglowingembersofafireattheirfeet.Thenightairinthesehigheraltitudesofthemountainshadgrownchilly,andBruceroselongenoughtothrowafresharmfulofdryspruceonthecoals.Thenhestretchedouthislongformagain,withhisheadandshouldersbolsteredcomfortablyagainstthebuttofatree,andforthefiftiethtimehechuckled.

"Chucklean'beblasted,"growledLangdon."ItellyouIhithimtwice,Bruce—twiceanyway;andIwasatadevilishdisadvantage!"

"'Speciallywhen'ewaslookin'downan'grinnin'inyourface,"retortedBruce,whohadenjoyedhugelyhiscomrade'sillluck."Jimmy,atthatdistanceyoushoulda'mostha'killed'imwitharock!"

"Mygunwasunderme,"explainedLangdonforthetwentiethtime.

"W'ichain'tjusttheproperplaceforaguntobewhenyo'rhuntingagrizzly,"remindedBruce.

"Thegullywasconfoundedlysteep.Ihadtodiginwithbothfeetandmyfingers.IfithadbeenanysteeperIwouldhaveusedmyteeth."

Langdonsatup,knockedtheashoutofthebowlofhispipe,andreloadeditwithfreshtobacco.

"Bruce,that'sthebiggestgrizzlyintheRockyMountains!"

"He'd'a'madeafineruginyourden,Jimmy—ifyo'rgunhadn't'appenedto'avebeenunderyou."

"AndI'mgoingtohavehiminmydenbeforeIfinish,"declaredLangdon."I'vemadeupmymind.We'llmakeapermanentcamphere.I'mgoingtogetthatgrizzlyifittakesallsummer.I'dratherhavehimthananyothertenbearsintheFirepanRange.Hewasanine-footerifaninch.Hisheadwasasbigasabushelbasket,andthehaironhisshoulderswasfourincheslong.Idon'tknowthatI'msorryIdidn'tkillhim.He'shit,andhe'llsurelyfightsay.There'llbealotoffuningettinghim."

"Therewillthat,"agreedBruce,"'speciallyifyoumeet'imagainduringthenextweekorso,whilehe'sstillsorefromthebullets.Betternothavethegununderyouthen,Jimmy!"

"Whatdoyousaytomakingthisapermanentcamp?"

"Couldn'tbebetter.Plentyoffreshmeat,goodgrazing,andfinewater."Afteramomentheadded:"Hewashitprettyhard.Hewasbleedin'badatthesummit."

InthefirelightLangdonbegancleaninghisrifle.

"Youthinkhemayclearout—leavethecountry?"

Bruceemittedagruntofdisgust.

"Clearout?Runaway?Mebbehewouldifhewasablack.Buthe'sagrizzly,andthebossofthiscountry.Hemayfightshyofthisvalleyforawhile,butyoucanbetheain'tgoin'toemigrate.Theharderyouhitagrizzlythemadderhegets,an'ifyoukeeponhittin''imhekeepsongettin'madder,untilhedropsdead.Ifyouwantthatbearbadenoughwecansurelygethim."

"Ido,"Langdonreiteratedwithemphasis."He'llsmashrecordmeasurementsorI



missmyguess.Iwanthim,andIwanthimbad,Bruce.Doyouthinkwe'llbeabletotrailhiminthemorning?"

Bruceshookhishead.

"Itwon'tbeamatteroftrailing,"hesaid."It'sjustsimplyhunt.Afteragrizzlyhasbeenhithekeepsmovin'.Hewon'tgooutofhisrange,an'neitherishegoingtoshowhimselfontheopenslopeslikethatupthere.Metoosinoughttobealongwiththedogsinsideofthreeorfourdays,an'whenwegetthatbunchofAiredalesinaction,there'llbesomefun."

Langdonsightedatthefirethroughthepolishedbarrelofhisrifle,andsaiddoubtfully:

"I'vebeenhavingmydoubtsaboutMetoosinforaweekback.We'vecomethroughsomemightyroughcountry."

"ThatoldIndiancouldfollowourtrailifwetravelledonrock,"declaredBruceconfidently."He'llbehereinsideo'threedays,barringthedogsdon'truntheirfoolheadsintotoomanyporcupines.An'whentheycome"—heroseandstretchedhisgauntframe—"we'llhavethebiggesttimeweeverhadinourlives.I'mjustguessin'thesemount'insaresofullo'bearthatthemtendogswillallbemassacreedwithinaweek.Wanttobet?"

Langdonclosedhisriflewithasnap.

"Ionlywantonebear,"hesaid,ignoringthechallenge,"andIhaveanideawe'llgethimto-morrow.You'rethebearspecialistoftheoutfit,Bruce,butIthinkhewastoohardhittotravelfar."

Theyhadmadetwobedsofsoftbalsamboughsnearthefire,andLangdonnowfollowedhiscompanion'sexample,andbeganspreadinghisblankets.Ithadbeenahardday,andwithinfiveminutesafterstretchinghimselfouthewasasleep.

HewasstillasleepwhenBrucerolledoutfromunderhisblanketatdawn.WithoutrousingLangdontheyoungpackerslippedonhisbootsandwadedbackaquarterofamilethroughtheheavydewtoroundupthehorses.Whenhereturnedhebro

ughtDishpanandtheirsaddle-horseswithhim.BythattimeLangdonwasup,andstartingafire.

Langdonfrequentlyremindedhimselfthatsuchmorningsasthishadmadehimdisappointthedoctorsandrobthegrave.JusteightyearsagothisJunehehadcomeintotheNorthforthefirsttime,thin-chestedandwithabadlung."Youcangoifyouinsist,youngman,"oneofthedoctorshadtoldhim,"butyou'regoingtoyourownfuneral."Andnowhehadafive-inchexpansionandwasastoughasaknot.Thefirstrose-tintsofthesunwerecreepingoverthemountain-tops;theairwasfilledwiththesweetnessofflowers,anddew,andgrowingthings,andhislungsdrewindeepbreathsofoxygenladenwiththetonicandperfumeofbalsam.

Hewasmoredemonstrativethanhiscompanioninthejoyousnessofthiswildlife.Itmadehimwanttoshout,andsing,andwhistle.Herestrainedhimselfthismorning.Thethrillofthehuntwasinhisblood.

WhileOttosaddledthehorsesLangdonmadethebannock.Hehadbecomeanexpertatwhathecalled"wild-bread"baking,andhismethodpossessedthedoubleefficiencyofsavingbothwasteandtime.

Heopenedoneoftheheavycanvasfloursacks,madeahollowintheflourwithhistwodoubledfists,partlyfilledthishollowwithapintofwaterandhalfa



cupfulofcaribougrease,addedatablespoonfulofbakingpowderandathree-fingerpinchofsalt,andbegantomix.Insideoffiveminuteshehadthebannockloavesinthebigtinreflector,andhalfanhourlaterthesheepsteakswerefried,thepotatoesdone,andthebannockbakedtoagoldenbrown.

Thesunwasjustshowingitsfaceintheeastwhentheytrailedoutofcamp.Theyrodeacrossthevalley,butwalkeduptheslope,thehorsesfollowingobedientlyintheirfootsteps.

ItwasnotdifficulttopickupThor'strail.Wherehehadpausedtosnarlbackdefianceathisenemiestherewasabigredspatterontheground;fromthispointtothesummittheyfollowedacrimsonthreadofblood.ThreetimesindescendingintotheothervalleytheyfoundwhereThorhadstopped,andeachtimetheysawwhereapoolofbloodhadsoakedintotheearthorrunovertherock.

Theypassedthroughthetimberandcametothecreek,andhere,inastripoffirmblacksand,Thor'sfootprintsbroughtthemtoapause.Brucestared.AnexclamationofamazementcamefromLangdon,andwithoutawordhavingpassedbetweenthemhedrewouthispocket-tapeandkneltbesideoneofthetracks.

"Fifteenandaquarterinches!"hegasped.

"Measureanother,"saidBruce.

"Fifteenand—ahalf!"

Brucelookedupthegorge.

"ThebiggestIeverseewasfourteenan'ahalf,"hesaid,andtherewasatouchofaweinhisvoice."HewasshotuptheAthabascaan'he'sstoodasthebiggestgrizzlyeverkilledinBritishColumbia.Jimmy,thisonebeats'im!"

Theywenton,andmeasuredthetracksagainattheedgeofthefirstpoolwhereThorhadbathedhiswounds.Therewasalmostnovariationinthemeasurements.Onlyoccasionallyafterthisdidtheyfindspotsofblood.Itwasteno'clockwhentheycametotheclaywallowandsawwhereThorhadmadehisbedinit.

"Hewasprettysick,"saidBruceinalowvoice."Hewasheremostallnight."

Movedbythesameimpulseandthesamethought,theylookedaheadofthem.Halfamilefartheronthemountainsclosedinuntilthegorgebetweenthemwasdarkandsunless.

"Hewasprettysick,"repeatedBruce,stilllookingahead."Mebbewe'dbettertiethehorsesan'goonalone.It'spossible—he'sinthere."

Theytiedthehorsestoscrubcedars,andrelievedDishpanofherpack.

Then,withtheirriflesinreadiness,andeyesandearsalert,theywentoncautiouslyintothesilenceandgloomofthegorge.

CHAPTERFIVE

Thorhadgoneupthegorgeatdaybreak.Hewasstiffwhenherosefromtheclaywallow,butagooddealoftheburningandpainhadgonefromhiswound.Itstil



lhurthim,butnotasithadhurthimtheprecedingevening.Hisdiscomfortwasnotallinhisshoulder,anditwasnotinanyoneplaceinparticular.Hewassick,andhadhebeenhumanhewouldhavebeeninbedwithathermometerunderhistongueandadoctorholdinghispulse.Hewalkedupthegorgeslowlyandlaggingly.Anindefatigableseekeroffood,henolongerthoughtoffood.Hewasnothungry,andhedidnotwanttoeat.

Withhishottonguehelappedfrequentlyatthecoolwaterofthecreek,andevenmorefrequentlyheturnedhalfabout,andsniffedthewind.Heknewthattheman-smellandthestrangethunderandthestillmoreinexplicablelightninglaybehindhim.Allnighthehadbeenonguard,andhewascautiousnow.

ForaparticularhurtThorknewofnoparticularremedy.Hewasnotabotanistinthefinersenseoftheword,butincreatinghimtheSpiritoftheWildhadordainedthatheshouldbehisownphysician.Asacatseekscatnip,soThorsoughtcertainthingswhenhewasnotfeelingwell.Allbitternessisnotquinine,butcertainlybitterthingswereThor'sremedies,andashemadehiswayupthegorgehisnosehungclosetotheground,andhesniffedinthelowcopsesandthickbush-tangleshepassed.

Hecametoasmallgreenspotcoveredwithkinnikinic,agroundplanttwoincheshighwhichboreredberriesasbigasasmallpea.Theywerenotrednow,butgreen;bitterasgall,andcontainedanastringenttoniccalleduvaursi.Thoratethem.

Afterthathefoundsoapberriesgrowingonbushesthatlookedverymuchlikecurrantbushes.Thefruitwasalreadylargerthancurrants,andturningpink.Indiansatetheseberrieswhentheyhadfever,andThorgatheredhalfapintbeforehewenton.They,too,werebitter.

Henosedthetrees,andfoundatlastwhathewanted.Itwasajackpine,andatseveralplaceswithinhisreachthefreshpitchwasoozing.Abearseldompassesableedingjackpine.Itishischieftonic,andThorlickedthefreshpitchwithhistongue.Inthiswayheabsorbednotonlyturpentine,butalso,inaroundaboutsortofway,awholepharmacopoeiaofmedicinesmadefromthisparticularelement.

BythetimehearrivedattheendofthegorgeThor'sstomachwasafairlywell-stockeddrugemporium.Amongotherthingshehadeatenperhapshalfaquartofspruceandbalsamneedles.Whenadogissickheeatsgrass;whenabearissickheeatspineorbalsamneedlesifhecangetthem.Alsohepadshisstomachandintestineswiththeminthelasthourbeforedenninghimselfawayforthewinter.

ThesunwasnotyetupwhenThorcametotheendofthegorge,andstoodforafewmomentsatthemouthofalowcavethatreachedbackintothewallofthemountain.Howfarhismemorywentbackitwouldbeimpossibletosay;butinthewholeworld,asheknewit,thiscavewashome.Itwasnotmorethanfourfeethigh,andtwiceaswide,butitwasmanytimesasdeepandwascarpetedwithasoftwhitefloorofsand.Insomepastagealittlestreamhadtrickledoutofthis

cavern,andthefarendofitmadeacomfortablebedroomforasleepingbearwhenthetemperaturewasfiftydegreesbelowzero.

TenyearsbeforeThor'smotherhadgoneintheretosleepthroughthewinter,andwhenshewaddledouttogetherfirstglimpseofspringthreelittlecubswaddledwithher.Thorwasoneofthem.Hewasstillhalfblind,foritisfiveweeksafteragrizzlycubisbornbeforehecansee;andtherewasnotmuchhaironhisbody,foragrizzlycubisbornasnakedasahumanbaby.Hiseyesopenandhishairbeginstogrowatjustaboutthesametime.SincethenThorhaddennedeighttimesinthatcavernhome.



Hewantedtogoinnow.Hewantedtoliedowninthefarendofitandwaituntilhefeltbetter.Forperhapstwoorthreeminuteshehesitated,sniffingyearninglyatthedoortohiscave,andthenfeelingthewindfromdownthegorge.Somethingtoldhimthatheshouldgoon.

Tothewestwardtherewasaslopingascentupoutofthegorgetothesummit,andThorclimbedthis.Thesunwaswellupwhenhereachedthetop,andforalittlewhileherestedagainandlookeddownontheotherhalfofhisdomain.

EvenmorewonderfulwasthisvalleythantheoneintowhichBruceandLangdonhadriddenafewhoursbefore.Fromrangetorangeitwasagoodtwomilesinwidth,andintheoppositedirectionsitstretchedawayinagreatrollingpanoramaofgoldandgreenandblack.FromwhereThorstooditwaslikeanimmensepark.Greenslopesreachedalmosttothesummitsofthemountains,andtoapointhalfwayuptheseslopes—thelasttimber-line—clumpsofspruceandbalsamtreeswerescatteredoverthegreenasifsettherebythehandsofmen.Someofthesetimber-patcheswerenolargerthanthedecorativeclumpsinacitypark,andotherscoveredacresandtensofacres;andatthefootoftheslopesoneitherside,likedecorativefringes,werethinandunbrokenlinesofforest.Betweenthesetwolinesofforestlaytheopenvalleyofsoftandundulatingmeadow,dottedwithitspurplishbosksofbuffalowillowandmountainsage,itsgreencoppicesofwild-roseandthorn,anditsclumpsoftrees.Inthehollowofthevalleyranastream.

Thordescendedaboutfourhundredyardsfromwherehestood,andthenturnednorthwardalongthegreenslope,sothathewastravellingfrompatchtopatchoftheparkliketimber,ahundredandfiftyortwohundredyardsabovethefringeofforest.Tothisheight,midwaybetweenthemeadowsinthevalleyandthefirstshaleandbarerockofthepeaks,hecamemostfrequentlyonhissmallgamehunts.

Likefatwoodchucksthewhistlerswerealreadybeginningtosunthemselvesontheirrocks.Theirlong,soft,elusivewhistlings,pleasanttohearabovethedroneofmountainwaters,filledtheairwithamusicalcadence.Nowandthenonewouldwhistleshrillyandwarninglycloseathand,andthenflattenhimselfoutonhisrockasthebigbearpassed,andforafewmomentsnowhistlingwouldbreak

uponthegentlepurringofthevalley.

ButThorwasgivingnothoughttothehuntthismorning.Twiceheencounteredporcupines,thesweetestofallmorselstohim,andpassedthemunnoticed;thewarm,sleepingsmellofacariboucamehotandfreshfromathicket,buthedidnotapproachthethickettoinvestigate;outofacoulee,narrowanddark,likeablackditch,hecaughtthescentofabadger.Fortwohourshetravelledsteadilynorthwardalongthehalf-crestoftheslopesbeforehestruckdownthroughthetimbertothestream.

Theclayadheringtohiswoundwasbeginningtoharden,andagainhewadedshoulder-deepintoapool,andstoodthereforseveralminutes.Thewaterwashedmostoftheclayaway.Foranothertwohourshefollowedthecreek,drinkingfrequen

tly.Thencamethesapoosoowin—sixhoursafterhehadlefttheclaywallow.Thekinnikinicberries,thesoapberries,thejackpinepitch,thespruceandbalsamneedles,andthewaterhehaddrunk,allmixedinhisstomachinonebigcompellingdose,broughtitabout—andThorfelttremendouslybetter,somuchbetterthatforthefirsttimeheturnedandgrowledbackinthedirectionofhisenemies.Hisshoulderstillhurthim,buthissicknesswasgone.

Formanyminutesafterthesapoosoowinhestoodwithoutmoving,andmanytimeshegrowled.Thesnarlingrumbledeepinhischesthadanewmeaningnow.Untillastnightandto-dayhehadnotknownarealhatred.Hehadfoughtotherbears,



butthefightingragewasnothate.Itcamequickly,andpassedawayquickly;itleftnogrowingugliness;helickedthewoundsofaclawedenemy,andwasquitefrequentlyhappywhilehenursedthem.Butthisnewthingthatwasborninhimwasdifferent.

Withanunforgetableandferocioushatredhehatedthethingthathadhurthim.Hehatedtheman-smell;hehatedthestrange,white-facedthinghehadseenclingingtothesideofthegorge;andhishatredincludedeverythingassociatedwiththem.Itwasahatredbornofinstinctandrousedsharplyfromitslongslumberbyexperience.

Withouteverhavingseenorsmelledmanbefore,heknewthatmanwashisdeadliestenemy,andtobefearedmorethanallthewildthingsinthemountains.Hewouldfightthebiggestgrizzly.Hewouldturnonthefiercestpackofwolves.Hewouldbravefloodandfirewithoutflinching.Butbeforemanhemustflee!Hemusthide!Hemustconstantlyguardhimselfinthepeaksandontheplainswitheyesandearsandnose!

Whyhesensedthis,whyheunderstoodallatoncethatacreaturehadcomeintohisworld,apigmyinsize,yetmoretobedreadedthananyfoehehadeverknown,wasamiraclewhichnaturealonecouldexplain.Itwasahearkeningbackintheage-dimmedmentalfabricofThor'sracetotheearliestdaysofman—man,firstofall,withtheclub;manwiththespearhardenedinfire;manwiththeflint-tippedarrow;manwiththetrapandthedeadfall,and,lastly,manwiththegun.

Throughalltheagesmanhadbeenhisoneandonlymaster.Naturehadimpressedituponhim—hadbeenimpressingituponhimthroughahundredorathousandortenthousandgenerations.

Andnowforthefirsttimeinhislifethatdormantpartofhisinstinctleapedintowarningwakefulness,andheunderstood.Hehatedman,andhereafterhewouldhateeverythingthatboretheman-smell.Andwiththishatetherewasalsoborninhimforthefirsttimefear.HadmanneverpushedThorandhiskindtothedeaththeworldwouldnothaveknownhimasUrsusHorribilistheTerrible.

Thorstillfollowedthecreek,nosingalongslowlyandlumberingly,butverysteadily;hisheadandneckbentlow,hishugerearquartersrisingandfallinginthatrollingmotionpeculiartoallbears,andespeciallysoofthegrizzly.His

longclawsclick-click-clickedonthestones;hecrunchedheavilyinthegravel;insoftsandheleftenormousfootprints.

ThatpartofthevalleywhichhewasnowenteringheldaparticularsignificanceforThor,andhebegantoloiter,pausingoftentosnifftheaironallsidesofhim.Hewasnotamonogamist,butformanymatingseasonspasthehadcometofindhisIskwaointhiswonderfulsweepofmeadowandplainbetweenthetworanges.HecouldalwaysexpectherinJuly,waitingforhimorseekinghimwiththatstrangesavagelongingofmotherhoodinherbreast.Shewasasplendidgrizzlywhocamefromthewesternrangeswhenthespiritofmatingdayscalled;big,andstrong,andofabeautifulgolden-browncolour,sothatthechildrenofThorandhisIskwaowerethefinestyounggrizzliesinallthemountains.Themothertookthembackwithherunborn,andtheyopenedtheireyesandlivedandfoughtin

thevalleysandontheslopesfartothewest.IfinlateryearsThoreverchasedhisownchildrenoutofhishuntinggrounds,orwhippedtheminafight,Naturekindlyblindedhimtothefact.Hewaslikemostgrouchyoldbachelors:hedidnotlikesmallfolk.Hetoleratedalittlecubasacross-grainedoldwoman-hatermighthavetoleratedapinkbaby;buthewasn'tascruelasPunch,forhehadneverkilledacub.Hehadcuffedthemsoundlywhenevertheyhaddaredtocomewithinreachofhim,butalwayswiththeflat,softpalmofhispaw,andwithjustenoughforcebehindittosendthemkeelingoverandoverlikelittleroundfluffyballs.



ThiswasThor'sonlyexpressionofdispleasurewhenastrangemother-bearinvadedhisrangewithhercubs.Inotherwayshewasquitechivalrous.Hewouldnotdrivethemother-bearandhercubsaway,andhewouldnotfightwithher,nomatterhowshrewishorunpleasantshewas.Evenifhefoundthemeatingatoneofhiskills,hewoulddonothingmorethangivethecubsasoundcuffing.

AllthisissomewhatnecessarytoshowwithwhatsuddenandviolentagitationThorcaughtacertainwarm,closesmellashecamearoundtheendofamassofhugeboulders.Hestopped,turnedhishead,andsworeinhislow,growlingway.Sixfeetawayfromhim,grovellingflatinapatchofwhitesand,wrigglingandshakingforalltheworldlikeahalf-frightenedpuppythathadnotyetmadeupitsmindwhetherithadmetafriendoranenemy,wasalonebearcub.Itwasnotmorethanthreemonthsold—altogethertooyoungtobeawayfromitsmother;andithadasharplittletanfaceandawhitespotonitsbabybreastwhichmarkeditasamemberoftheblackbearfamily,andnotagrizzly.

Thecubwastryingashardasitcouldtosay,"Iamlost,strayed,orstolen;I'mhungry,andI'vegotaporcupinequillinmyfoot,"butinspiteofthat,withanotherominousgrowl,Thorbegantolookabouttherocksforthemother.Shewasnotinsight,andneithercouldhesmellher,twofactswhichturnedhisgreatheadagaintowardthecub.

Muskwa—anIndianwouldhavecalledthecubthat—hadcrawledafootortwoneareronhislittlebelly.HegreetedThor'ssecondinspectionwithagenialwrigglingwh

ichcarriedhimforwardanotherhalffoot,andalowwarningrumbledinThor'schest."Don'tcomeanynearer,"itsaidplainlyenough,"orI'llkeelyouover!"

Muskwaunderstood.Helayasifdead,hisnoseandpawsandbellyflatonthesand,andThorlookedabouthimagain.WhenhiseyesreturnedtoMuskwa,thecubwaswithinthreefeetofhim,squirmingflatinthesandandwhimperingsoftly.Thorliftedhisrightpawfourinchesfromtheground."AnotherinchandI'llgiveyouawelt!"hegrowled.

Muskwawriggledandtrembled;helickedhislipswithhistinyredtongue,halfinfearandhalfpleadingformercy,andinspiteofThor'sliftedpawhewormedhiswayanothersixinchesnearer.

TherewasasortofrattleinsteadofagrowlinThor'sthroat.Hisheavyhandfelltothesand.Athirdtimehelookedaboutandsniffedtheair;hegrowledagain.Anycrustyoldbachelorwouldhaveunderstoodthatgrowl."Nowwherethedevilisthekid'smother!"itsaid.

Somethinghappenedthen.MuskwahadcreptclosetoThor'swoundedleg.Heroseup,andhisnosecaughtthescentoftherawwound.Gentlyhistonguetouchedit.Itwaslikevelvet—thattongue.Itwaswonderfullypleasanttofeel,andThorstoodthereformanymoments,makingneithermovementnorsoundwhilethecublickedhiswound.Thenheloweredhisgreathead.Hesniffedthesoftlittleballoffriendshipthathadcometohim.Muskwawhinedinamotherlessway.Thorgrowled,butmoresoftlynow.Itwasnolongerathreat.Theheatofhisgreattonguefellonceonthecub'sface.

"Comeon!"hesaid,andresumedhisjourneyintothenorth.

Andcloseathisheelsfollowedthemotherlesslittletan-facedcub.

CHAPTERSIX



ThecreekwhichThorwasfollowingwasatributaryoftheBabine,andhewasheadedprettynearlystraightfortheSkeena.Ashewastravellingupstreamthecountrywasbecominghigherandrougher.HehadcomeperhapssevenoreightmilesfromthesummitofthedividewhenhefoundMuskwa.Fromthispointtheslopesbegantoassumeadifferentaspect.Theywerecutupbydark,narrowgullies,andbrokenbyenormousmassesofrocks,jaggedcuffs,andsteepslidesofshale.Thecreekbecamenoisierandmoredifficulttofollow.

Thorwasnowenteringoneofhisstrongholds:aregionwhichcontainedathousandhiding-places,ifhehadwantedtohide;awild,uptorncountrywhereitwasnotdifficultforhimtokillbiggame,andwherehewascertainthattheman-smellwouldnotfollowhim.

ForhalfanhourafterleavingthemassofrockswherehehadencounteredMuskwa,Thorlumberedonasifutterlyobliviousofthefactthatthecubwasfollowing.Buthecouldhearhimandsmellhim.

Muskwawashavingahardtimeofit.Hisfatlittlebodyandhisfatlittlelegswereunaccustomedtothissortofjourneying,buthewasagameyoungster,andonlytwicedidhewhimperinthathalf-hour—oncehetoppledoffarockintotheedgeofthecreek,andagainwhenhecamedowntoohardontheporcupinequillinhisfoot.

AtlastThorabandonedthecreekandturnedupadeepravine,whichhefolloweduntilhecametoadip,orplateau-likeplain,halfwayupabroadslope.Herehefoundarockonthesunnysideofagrassyknoll,andstopped.ItmaybethatlittleMuskwa'sbabyishfriendship,thecaressofhissoftlittleredtongueatjustthepsychologicalmoment,andhisperseveranceinfollowingThorhadallcombinedtotoucharesponsivechordintheother'sbigbruteheart,forafternosingaboutrestlesslyforafewmomentsThorstretchedhimselfoutbesidetherock.Notuntilthendidtheutterlyexhaustedlittletan-facedcubliedown,butwhenhedidliedownhewassodeadtiredthathewassoundasleepinthreeminutes.

TwiceagainduringtheearlypartoftheafternoonthesapoosoowinworkedonTh

or,andhebegantofeelhungry.Itwasnotthesortofhungertobeappeasedbyantsandgrubs,orevengophersandwhistlers.Itmaybe,too,thatheguessedhownearlystarvedlittleMuskwawas.Thecubhadnotonceopenedhiseyes,andhestilllayinhiswarmpoolofsunshinewhenThormadeuphismindtogoon.

Itwasaboutthreeo'clock,aparticularlyquietanddrowsypartofalateJuneorearlyJulydayinanorthernmountainvalley.Thewhistlershadpipeduntiltheyweretired,andlaysquatoutinthesunshineontheirrocks;theeaglessoaredsohighabovethepeaksthattheyweremeredots;thehawks,withmeat-filledcrops,haddisappearedintothetimber;goatandsheepwerelyingdownfaruptowardthesky-line,andiftherewereanygrazinganimalsneartheywerewellfedandnapping.

Themountainhunterknewthatthiswasthehourwhenheshouldscanthegreenslopesandtheopenplacesbetweentheclumpsoftimberforbears,andespeciallyforflesh-eatingbears.

ItwasThor'schiefprospectinghour.Instincttoldhimthatwhenallothercreatureswerewellfedandnappinghecouldmovemoreopenlyandwithlessfearofdetection.Hecouldfindhisgame,andwatchit.Occasionallyhewouldkillagoatorasheeporacaribouinbroaddaylight,forovershortdistanceshecouldrunfasterthaneitheragoatorasheep,andasfastasacaribou.Butchieflyhekilledatsunsetorinthedarknessofearlyevening.



ThorrosefrombesidetherockwithaprodigiouswhoofthatrousedMuskwa.Thecubgotup,blinkedatThorandthenatthesun,andshookhimselfuntilhefelldown.

Thoreyedtheblackandtanmiteabitsourly.Afterthesapoosoowinhewascravingred,juicyflesh,justasaveryhungrymanyearnsforathickporterhouseinsteadofladyfingersormayonnaisesalad—fleshandplentyofit;andhowhecouldhuntdownandkillacaribouwiththathalf-starvedbutverymuchinterestedcubathisheelspuzzledhim.

Muskwahimselfseemedtounderstandandanswerthequestion.HeranadozenyardsaheadofThor,thenstoppedandlookedbackimpudently,hislittleearsperkedforward,andwiththelookinhisfaceofasmallboyprovingtohisfatherthatheisperfectlyqualifiedtogoonhisfirstrabbithunt.

WithanotherwhoofThorstartedalongtheslopeinaspurtthatbroughthimuptoMuskwaimmediately,andwithasuddensweepofhisrightpawhesentthecubrollingadozenfeetbehindhim,amannerofspeechthatsaidplainlyenough,"That'swhereyoubelongifyou'regoinghuntingwithme!"

ThenThorlumberedslowlyon,eyesandearsandnostrilskeyedforthehunt.Hedescendeduntilhewasnotmorethanahundredyardsabovethecreek,andhenolongersoughtouttheeasiesttrail,buttheroughandbrokenplaces.Hetravell

edslowlyandinazigzagfashion,stealingcautiouslyaroundgreatmassesofboulders,sniffingupeachcouleethathecameto,andinvestigatingthetimberclumpsandwindfalls.

Atonetimehewouldbesohighupthathewasclosetothebareshale,andagainsolowdownthathewalkedinthesandandgravelofthecreek.Hecaughtmanyscentsinthewind,butnonethatheldordeeplyinterestedhim.Once,upneartheshale,hesmelledgoat;butheneverwentabovetheshaleformeat.Twicehesmelledsheep,andlateintheafternoonhesawabigramlookingdownonhimfromaprecipitouscragahundredfeetabove.

Lowerdownhisnosetouchedthetrailsofporcupines,andoftenhisheadhungoverthefootprintsofcaribouashesniffedtheairahead.

Therewereotherbearsinthevalley,too.Mostlythesehadtravelledalongthecreek-bottom,showingtheywereblacksorcinnamons.OnceThorstruckthescentofanothergrizzly,andherumbledill-humouredly.

NotonceinthetwohoursaftertheyleftthesunrockdidThorpayanyapparentattentiontoMuskwa,whowasgrowinghungrierandweakerasthedaylengthened.Noboythateverlivedwasgamerthanthelittletan-facedcub.Intheroughplaceshestumbledandfellfrequently;upplacesthatThorcouldmakeinasinglestephehadtofightdesperatelytomakehisway;threetimesThorwadedthroughthecreekandMuskwahalfdrownedhimselfinfollowing;hewasbatteredandbruisedandwetandhisfoothurthim—buthefollowed.SometimeshewasclosetoThor,andatothershehadtoruntocatchup.ThesunwassettingwhenThoratlast

foundgame,andMuskwawasalmostdead.

HedidnotknowwhyThorflattenedhishugebulksuddenlyalongsidearockattheedgeofaroughmeadow,fromwhichtheycouldlookdownintoasmallhollow.Hewantedtowhimper,buthewasafraid.Andifhehadeverwantedhismotheratanytimeinhisshortlifehewantedhernow.Hecouldnotunderstandwhyshehadlefthimamongtherocksandhadnevercomeback;thattragedyLangdonandBruceweretodiscoveralittlelater.Andhecouldnotunderstandwhyshedidnotcometohimnow.Thiswasjustabouthisnursinghourbeforegoingtosleepforthenight,forhewasaMarchcub,and,accordingtothemostapprovedmother-be



arregulations,shouldhavehadmilkforanothermonth.

HewaswhatMetoosin,theIndian,wouldhavecalledmunookow—thatis,hewasverysoft.Beingabear,hisbirthhadnotbeenlikethatofotheranimals.Hismother,likeallmother-bearsinacoldcountry,hadbroughthimintolifealongtimebeforeshehadfinishedherwinternapinherden.Hehadcomewhileshewasasleep.Foramonthorsixweeksafterthat,whilehewasstillblindandnaked,shehadgivenhimmilk,whilesheherselfneitheratenordranknorsawthelightofday.Attheendofthosesixweeksshehadgoneforthwithhimfromherdentoseekthefirstmouthfulofsustenanceforherself.Notmorethananothersixweekshadpassedsincethen,andMuskwaweighedabouttwentypounds—thatis,hehadweighedtwentypounds,buthewasemptiernowthanhehadeverbeeninhislife,andprobablyweighedalittleless.

ThreehundredyardsbelowThorwasaclumpofbalsams,asmallthickpatchthatgrewclosetotheedgeoftheminiaturelakewhosewatercreptaroundthefartherendofthehollow.Inthatclumptherewasacaribou—perhapstwoorthree.Thorknewthatassurelyasthoughhesawthem.Thewenipow,or"lyingdown,"smellofhoofedgamewasasdifferentfromthenechisoo,or"grazingsmell,"toThorasdayfromnight.Onehungelusivelyintheair,likethefaintandshiftingbreathofapassingwoman'sscenteddressandhair;theothercamehotandheavy,closetotheearth,liketheodourofabrokenbottleofperfume.

EvenMuskwanowcaughtthescentashecreptupclosebehindthebiggrizzlyand

laydown.

ForfullytenminutesThordidnotmove.Hiseyestookinthehollow,theedgeofthelake,andtheapproachtothetimber,andhisnosegaugedthewindasaccuratelyasthepointingofacompass.Thereasonheremainedquietwasthathewasalmostonthedanger-line.Inotherwords,themountainsandthesuddendiphadformeda"splitwind"inthehollow,andhadThorappearedfiftyyardsabovewherehenowcrouched,thekeen-scentedcaribouwouldhavegotfullwindofhim.

Withhislittleearscockedforwardandanewgleamofunderstandinginhiseyes,Muskwanowlookeduponhisfirstlessoningame-stalking.Crouchedsolowthatheseemedtobetravellingonhisbelly,Thormovedslowlyandnoiselesslytowardthecreek,thehugeruffjustforwardofhisshouldersstandingoutlikethe

stiffenedspineofadog'sback.Muskwafollowed.ForfullyahundredyardsThorcontinuedhisdetour,andthreetimesinthathundredyardshepausedtosniffinthedirectionofthetimber.Atlasthewassatisfied.Thewindwasfullinhisface,anditwasrichwithpromise.

Hebegantoadvance,inaslinking,rolling,rock-shoulderedmotion,takingshorterstepsnow,andwitheverymuscleinhisgreatbodyreadyforaction.Withintwominuteshereachedtheedgeofthebalsams,andtherehepausedagain.Thecracklingofunderbrushcamedistinctly.Thecaribouwereup,buttheywerenota

larmed.Theyweregoingforthtodrinkandgraze.

Thormovedagain,paralleltothesound.Thisbroughthimquicklytotheedgeofthetimber,andtherehestood,concealedbyfoliage,butwiththelakeandtheshortstretchofmeadowinview.Abigbullcariboucameoutfirst.Hishornswerehalfgrown,andinvelvet.Atwo-year-oldfollowed,roundandsleekandglisteninglikebrownvelvetinthesunset.Fortwominutesthebullstoodalert,eyes,ears,andnostrilsseekingfordanger-signals;athisheelstheyoungeranimalnibbledlesssuspiciouslyatthegrass.Thenloweringhisheaduntilhisantlerssweptbackoverhisshoulderstheoldbullstartedslowlytowardthelakefo



rhiseveningdrink.Thetwo-year-oldfollowed—andThorcameoutsoftlyfromhishiding-place.

Forasinglemomentheseemedtogatherhimself—andthenhestarted.Fiftyfeetseparatedhimfromthecaribou.Hehadcoveredhalfthatdistancelikeahugerollingballwhentheanimalsheardhim.Theywereofflikearrowssprungfromthebow.Buttheyweretoolate.ItwouldhavetakenaswifthorsetobeatThorandhehadalreadygainedmomentum.

Likethewindheboredownontheflankofthetwo-year-old,swungalittletooneside,andthenwithoutanyapparenteffort—stilllikeahugeball—heboundedinandupward,andtheshortracewasdone.

Hishugerightarmswungoverthetwo-year-old'sshoulder,andastheywentdownhisleftpawgrippedthecaribou'smuzzlelikeahugehumanhand.Thorfellunder,ashealwaysplannedtofall.Hedidnothughisvictimtodeath.Justoncehedoubleduponeofhishindlegs,andwhenitwentbackthefiveknivesitcarrieddisembowelledthecaribou.Theynotonlydisembowelledhim,buttwistedandbrokehisribsasthoughtheywereofwood.ThenThorgotup,lookedaround,andshookhimselfwitharumblinggrowlwhichmighthavebeeneitheragrowloftriumphoraninvitationforMuskwatocometothefeast.

Ifitwasaninvitation,thelittletan-facedcabdidnotwaitforasecond.Forthefirsttimehesmelledandtastedthewarmbloodofmeat.Andthissmelland

tastehadcomeatthepsychologicalmomentinhislife,justasithadcomeinThor'slifeyearsbefore.Allgrizzliesarenotkillersofbiggame.Infact,veryfewofthemare.Mostofthemarechieflyvegetarians,withameatdietofsmalleranimals,suchasgophers,whistlingmarmots,andporcupines.Nowandthenchancemakesofagrizzlyahunterofcaribou,goat,sheep,deer,andevenmoose.SuchwasThor.Andsuch,indaystocome,wouldMuskwabe,eventhoughhewasablackandnotofthefamilyUrsusHorribilisOrd.

Foranhourthetwofeasted,notintheravenouswayofhungrydogs,butintheslowandsatisfyingmannerofgourmets.Muskwa,flatonhislittlepaunch,andalmostbetweenThor'shugeforearms,lappedupthebloodandsnarledlikeakittenashegroundtenderfleshbetweenhistinyteeth.Thor,asinallhisfood-seeking,huntedfirstforthetidbits,thoughthesapoosoovinhadmadehimasempt

yasaroomwithoutfurniture.Hepulledoutthethinleafsoffatfromaboutthekidneysandbowels,andmunchedatyard-longstringsofit,hiseyeshalfclosed.

Thelastofthesunfadedawayfromthemountains,anddarknessfollowedswiftlyafterthetwilight.Itwasdarkwhentheyfinished,andlittleMuskwawasaswideashewaslong.

Thorwasthegreatestofnature'sconservators.Withhimnothingwenttowastethatwasgoodtoeat,andatthepresentmomentiftheoldbullcaribouhaddeliberatelywalkedwithinhisreachThorinallprobabilitywouldnothavekilledhim.Hehadfood,andhisbusinesswastostorethatfoodwhereitwouldbesafe.

Hewentbacktothebalsamthicket,butthegorgedcubnowmadenoefforttofollowhim.Hewasvastlycontented,andsomethingtoldhimthatThorwouldnotleavethemeat.TenminuteslaterThorverifiedhisjudgmentbyreturning.Inhishugejawshecaughtthecaribouatthebackoftheneck.Thenheswunghimselfpartlysidewiseandbegandraggingthecarcasstowardthetimberasadogmighthavedraggedaten-poundslabofbacon.

Theyoungbullprobablyweighedfourhundredpounds.Hadheweighedeighthundred,orevenathousand,Thorwouldstillhavedraggedhim—buthadthecarcassweighedthatmuchhewouldhaveturnedstraightaroundandbackedwithhisload.



IntheedgeofthebalsamsThorhadalreadyfoundahollowintheground.Hethrustthecarcassintothishollow,andwhileMuskwawatchedwithagreatandgrowinginterest,heproceededtocoveritoverwithdryneedles,sticks,arottingtreebutt,andalog.Hedidnotrearhimselfupandleavehis"mark"onatreeasawarningtootherbears.Hesimplynosedroundforabit,andthenwentoutofthetimber.

Muskwafollowedhimnow,andhehadsometroubleinproperlynavigatinghimselfunderthehandicapofhisaddedweight.Thestarswerebeginningtofillthesky,andunderthesestarsThorstruckstraightupasteepandruggedslopethatledtothemountain-tops.Upanduphewent,higherthanMuskwahadeverbeen.Theycrossedapatchofsnow.Andthentheycametoaplacewhereitseemedasifavolcanohaddisruptedthebowelsofamountain.MancouldhardlyhavetravelledwhereThorledMuskwa.

Atlasthestopped.Hewasonanarrowledge,withaperpendicularwallofrockathisback.Underhimfellawaythechaosoftorn-uprockandshale.Farbelowthevalleylayablackandbottomlesspit.

Thorlaydown,andforthefirsttimesincehishurtintheothervalleyhestretchedouthisheadbetweenhisgreatarms,andheavedadeepandrestfulsigh.Muskwacreptupclosetohim,soclosethathewaswarmedbyThor'sbody;andtogethertheysleptthedeepandpeacefulsleepoffullstomachs,whileoverthemt

hestarsgrewbrighter,andthemooncameuptofloodthepeaksandthevalleyinagoldensplendour.

CHAPTERSEVEN

LangdonandBrucecrossedthesummitintothewestwardvalleyintheafternoonofthedayThorlefttheclaywallow.Itwastwoo'clockwhenBruceturnedbackforthethreehorses,leavingLangdononahighridgetoscourthesurroundingco

untrythroughhisglasses.Fortwohoursafterthepackerreturnedwiththeoutfittheyfollowedslowlyalongthecreekabovewhichthegrizzlyhadtravelled,andwhentheycampedforthenighttheywerestilltwoorthreemilesfromthespotwhereThorcameuponMuskwa.Theyhadnotyetfoundhistracksinthesandofthecreekbottom.YetBrucewasconfident.HeknewthatThorhadbeenfollowingthecrestsoftheslopes.

"Ifyougobackoutofthiscountryan'writeaboutbears,don'tmakeafoolo'yo'rselflikemostofthewritin'fellows,Jimmy,"hesaid,astheysatbacktosmoketheirpipesaftersupper."TwoyearsagoItookanatcherlistoutforamonth,an'hewassotickledhesaid'e'dsendmeabuncho'booksaboutbearsan'wildthings.Hedid!Iread'em.Ilaughedatfirst,an'thenIgotmadan'madeafireof'em.Bearsiscur'ous.There'samightylotofinterestin'thingsto

sayabout'emwithoutmakingafoolo'yo'rself.Theresureis!"

Langdonnodded.

"Onehastohuntandkillandhuntandkillforyearsbeforehediscoverstherealpleasureinbiggamestalking,"hesaidslowly,lookingintothefire."Andwhenhecomesdowntothatrealpleasure,thepartofitthatabsorbshimheartandsoul,hefindsthatafterallthebigthrillisn'tinkilling,butinlettinglive.Iwantthisgrizzly,andI'mgoingtohavehim.Iwon'tleavethemountainsuntilIkillhim.But,ontheotherhand,wecouldhavekilledtwootherbear



sto-day,andIdidn'ttakeashot.I'mlearningthegame,Bruce—I'mbeginningtotastetherealpleasureofhunting.Andwhenonehuntsintherightwayonelearnsfacts.Youneedn'tworry.I'mgoingtoputonlyfactsinwhatIwrite."

SuddenlyheturnedandlookedatBruce.

"Whatweresomeofthe'foolthings'youreadinthosebooks?"heasked.

Bruceblewoutacloudofsmokereflectively.

"Whatmadememaddest,"hesaid,"waswhatthosewriterfellowssaidaboutbearshavin''marks.'GoodLord,accordin'towhattheysaidallabearhastodoisstretch'imselfup,putamarkonatree,andthatcountryishis'nuntilabiggerbearcomesalongan'licks'im.InonebookIrememberwhereagrizzlyrolledalogupunderatreesohecouldstandonitan'puthismarkaboveanothergrizzly'smark.Thinkofthat!

"Nobearmakesamarkthatmeansanything.I'veseengrizzliesbitehunksouto'treesan'scratch'emjustasacatmight,an'inthesummerwhentheygetitchyan'begintolosetheirhairtheystandupan'rubagainsttrees.Theyrubbecausetheyitchan'notbecausethey'releavin'theircardsforotherbears.Caribouan'moosean'deerdothesamethingtogetthevelvetofftheirhorns.

"Themsamewritersthinkeverygrizzlyhashisownrange,an'theydon't—notbya

longshottheydon't!I'veseeneightfull-growngrizzliesfeedin'onthesameslide!Youremember,twoyearsago,weshotfourgrizzliesinalittlevalleythatwasn'tamilelong.Nowan'thenthere'sabossamonggrizzlies,likethisfellowwe'reafter,butevenheain'tgothisrangealone.I'llbetthere'stwentyotherbearsinthesetwovalleys!An'thatnatcherlistIhadtwoyearsagocouldn'ttellagrizzly'strackfromablackbear'strack,anso'elpmeifheknewwhatacinnamonwas!"

Hetookhispipefromhismouthandspattruculentlyintothefire,andLangdonknewthatotherthingswerecoming.HisrichesthourswerethosewhentheusuallysilentBrucefellintothesemoods.

"Acinnamon!"hegrowled."Thinkofthat,Jimmy—hethoughtthereweresuchathing

asacinnamonbear!An'whenItoldhimtherewasn't,an'thatthecinnamonbearyoureadaboutisablackoragrizzlyofacinnamoncolour,helaughedatme—an'thereIwasbornan'brungupamongbears!HiseyesfairpoppedwhenItoldhimaboutthecolouro'bears,an'hethoughtIwasfeedin'himrope.Ifiggeredafterwardmebbythatwaswhyhesentmethebooks.Hewantedtoshowmehewasright.

"Jimmy,thereain'tanythingonearththat'sgotmorecoloursthanabear!I'veseenblackbearsaswhiteassnow,an'I'veseengrizzliesalmostasblackasablackbear.I'veseencinnamonblackbearsan'I'veseencinnamongrizzlies,an'I'veseenbrownsan'goldsan'almost-yellowsofbothkinds.They'reasdifferentincolourastheyareintheirnatchursan'wayofeatin'.

"Ifiggermostnatcherlistsgooutan'getacquaintedwithonegrizzly,an'thentheywriteupallgrizzliesaccordin'tothatone.Thatain'tfairtothegrizzlies,darnedifitis!Therewasn'toneofthembooksthatdidn'tsaythegrizzlywasn'tthefiercest,man-eatingestcussalive.Heain't—unlessyoucorner'im.He'sascur'ousasakid,an'he'sgood-naturedifyoudon'tbother'im.Mostof'emarevegetarians,butsomeof'emain't.I'veseengrizzliespulldowngoatan'sheepan'caribou,an'I'veseenothergrizzliesfeedonthesameslideswiththemanimalsan'nevermakeamovetowardthem.They'recur'ous,Jimmy.There'slotsyoucansayabout'emwithoutmakin'afoolo'yourself!"



Brucebeattheashoutofhispipeasanemphasistohisfinalremark.Ashereloadedwithfreshtobacco,Langdonsaid:

"Youcanmakeupyourmindthisbigfellowweareafterisagame-killer,Bruce."

"Youcan'ttell,"repliedBruce."Sizedon'talwaystell.Iknewagrizzlyoncethatwasn'tmuchbigger'nadog,an'hewasagame-killer.Hundredsofanimalsarewinter-killedinthesemount'inseveryyear,an'whenspringcomesthebearseatthecarcasses;butoldfleshdon'tmakegame-killers.Sometimesit'sborninagrizzlytobeakiller,an'sometimeshebecomesakillerbychance.Ifhekillsonce,he'llkillagain.

"OnceIwasonthesideofamount'inan'sawagoatwalkstraightintothefaceofagrizzly.Thebearwasn'tgoingtomakeamove,butthegoatwassoscareditranplumpintotheoldfellow,andhekilledit.Heactedmightysurprisedfortenminutesafterward,an'hesniffedan'nosedaroundthewarmcarcassforhalfanhourbeforehetoreitopen.Thatwashisfirsttasteofwhatyoumightcalllivegame.Ididn'tkillhim,an'I'msurefromthatdayonhewasabig-gamehunter."

"Ishouldthinksizewouldhavesomethingtodowithit,"arguedLangdon."Itseemstomethatabearwhicheatsfleshwouldbebiggerandstrongerthanifhewasavegetarian."

"That'soneo'thecur'ousthingsyouwanttowriteabout,"repliedBruce,withoneofhisoddchuckles."WhyisitabeargetssofathecanhardlywalkalonginSeptemberwhenhedon'tfeedonmuchelsebutberriesan'antsan'grubs?Wouldyougetfatonwildcurrants?

"An'whydoeshegrowsofastduringthefourorfivemonthshe'sdennedupan'deadtotheworldwithoutamouthfultoeatordrink?

"Whyisitthatforamonth,an'sometimestwomonths,themothergiveshercubsmilkwhileshe'sstillwhatyoumightcallasleep?Hernapain'tmuchmore'ntwo-thirdsoverwhenthecubsareborn.

"Andwhyain'tthemcubsbigger'ntheyare?ThatnatcherlistlaugheduntilIthoughthe'dsplitwhenItoldhimagrizzlybearcubwasn'tmuchbigger'nahouse-catkittenwhenborn!"

"Hewasoneofthefewfoolswhoaren'twillingtolearn—andyetyoucannotblamehimaltogether,"saidLangdon."FourorfiveyearsagoIwouldn'thavebelievedit,Bruce.Icouldn'tactuallybelieveituntilwedugoutthosecubsuptheAthabasca—oneweighedelevenouncesandtheothernine.Youremember?"

"An'theywereaweekold,Jimmy.An'themotherweighedeighthundredpounds."

Forafewmomentstheybothpuffedsilentlyontheirpipes.

"Almost—inconceivable,"saidLangdonthen."Andyetit'strue.Anditisn'tafreakofnature,Bruce—it'ssimplyaresultofNature'sfar-sightedness.Ifthecubswereaslargecomparativelyasahouse-cat'skittensthemother-bearcouldnotsustainthemduringthoseweekswhensheeatsanddrinksnothingherself.Thereseemstobejustoneflawinthisscheme:anordinaryblackbearisonlyabouthalfaslargeasagrizzly,yetablackbearcubwhenbornismuchlargerthanagrizzlycub.Nowwhythedevilthatshouldbe—"

Bruceinterruptedhisfriendwithagood-naturedlaugh.



"That'seasy—easy,Jimmy!"heexclaimed."Doyourememberlastyearwhenwepickedstrawberriesinthevalleyan'threwsnowballstwohourslateruponthemountain?Higheryouclimbthecolderitgets,don'tit?Rightnow—firstdayofJuly—you'dhalffreezeuponsomeofthosepeaks!Agrizzlydenshigh,Jimmy,andablackbeardenslow.Whenthesnowisfourfeetdeepupwherethegrizzlydens,theblackbearcanstillfeedinthedeepvalleysan'thicktimber.Hegoestobedmebbyaweekortwoweekslaterthanthegrizzly,an'hegetsupinthespringaweekortwoweeksearlier;he'sfatterwhenhedensupan'heain'tsopoorwhenhecomesout—an'sothemother'sgotmorestrengthtogivetohercubs.Itlooksthatwaytome."

"You'vehitthenailontheheadassureasyou'reayearold!"criedLangdonenthusiastically."Bruce,Ineverthoughtofthat!"

"There'sagoodmanythingsyoudon'tthinkaboutuntilyourunacross'em,"saidthemountaineer."It'swhatyousaidawhileago—suchthingsarewhatmakeshuntin'afinesportwhenyou'velearnedhuntin'ain'talwayskillin'—butlettin'live.OnedayIlaysevenhoursonamountain-topwatchin'abando'sheepatplay,an'IhadmorefunthanifI'dkilledthewholebunch."

Brucerosetohisfeetandstretchedhimself,anafter-supperoperationthatalwaysprecededhisannouncementthathewasgoingtoturnin.

"Finedayto-morrow,"hesaid,yawning."Lookhowwhitethesnowisonthepeaks

."

"Bruce—"

"What?"

"Howheavyisthisbearwe'reafter?"

"Twelvehundredpounds—mebbyalittlemore.Ididn'thavethepleasureoflookin'athimsocloseasyoudid,Jimmy.IfIhadwe'dbeendryin'hisskinnow!"

"Andhe'sinhisprime?"

"Betweeneightandtwelveyearsold,I'dsay,bythewayhewentuptheslope.Anoldbeardon'trollsoeasy."

"You'verunacrosssomeprettyoldbears,Bruce?"

"Sooldsomeof'emneededcrutches,"saidBruce,unlacinghisboots."I'veshotbearssooldthey'dlosttheirteeth."

"Howold?"

"Thirty—thirty-five—mebbyfortyyears.Good-night,Jimmy!"

"Good-night,Bruce!"

LangdonwasawakenedsometimehourslaterbyadelugeofrainthatbroughthimoutofhisblanketswithayelltoBruce.Theyhadnotputuptheirtepee,andamomentlaterheheardBruceanathematizingtheiridiocy.Thenightwasasblackasacavern,exceptwhenitwasbrokenbyluridflashesoflightning,andthemountainsrolledandrumbledwithdeepthunder.Disentanglinghimselffromhisdrenchedblanket,Langdonstoodup.AglareoflightningrevealedBrucesittinginhisblankets,hishairdrippingdownoverhislong,leanface,andatsightofhimLangdonlaughedoutright.



"Finedayto-morrow,"hetaunted,repeatingBruce'swordsofafewhoursbefore."Lookhowwhitethesnowisonthepeaks!"

WhateverBrucesaidwasdrownedinacrashofthunder.

Langdonwaitedforanotherlightningflashandthendovefortheshelterofathickbalsam.Underthishecrouchedforfiveortenminutes,whentherainstoppedassuddenlyasithadbegun.Thethunderrolledsouthward,andthelightningwentwithit.InthedarknessheheardBrucefumblingsomewherenear.Thenamatchwaslighted,andhesawhiscomradelookingathiswatch.

"Prettynearthreeo'clock,"hesaid."Niceshower,wasn'tit?"

"Iratherexpectedit,"repliedLangdoncarelessly."Youknow,Bruce,wheneverthesnowonthepeaksissowhite—"

"Shutup—an'let'sgetafire!Goodthingwehadsenseenoughtocoverourgrubwiththeblankets.Areyo'wet?"

Langdonwaswringingthewaterfromhishair.Hefeltlikeadrownedrat.

"No.Iwasunderathickbalsam,andpreparedforit.WhenyoucalledmyattentiontothewhitenessofthesnowonthepeaksIknew—"

"Forgetthesnow,"growledBruce,andLangdoncouldhearhimbreakingoffdrypitch-filledtwigsunderaspruce.

Hewenttohelphim,andfiveminuteslatertheyhadafiregoing.Thelightilluminedtheirfaces,andeachsawthattheotherwasnotunhappy.Brucewasgrinningunderhissoddenhair.

"Iwasdeadasleepwhenitcame,"heexplained."An'IthoughtI'dfalleninalake.Iwokeuptryin'toswim."

AnearlyJulyrainatthreeo'clockinthemorninginthenorthernBritishColumbiamountainsisnotaswarmasitmightbe,andforthegreaterpartofanhourLangdonandBrucecontinuedtogatherfuelanddrytheirblanketsandclothing.Itwasfiveo'clockbeforetheyhadbreakfast,andalittleaftersixwhentheystartedwiththeirtwosaddlesandsinglepackupthevalley.BrucehadthesatisfactionofremindingLangdonthathispredictionhadcometrueforagloriousdayfollowedthethundershower.

Underthemthemeadowsweredripping.Thevalleypurredlouderwiththemusicoftheswollenstreamlets.Fromthemountain-topsahalfoflastnight'ssnowwasgone,andtoLangdontheflowersseemedtallerandmorebeautiful.Theairthatdriftedthroughthevalleywasladenwiththesweetnessandfreshnessofthemor

ning,andoverandthroughitallthesunshoneinawarmandgoldensea.

Theyheadedupthecreek-bottom,bendingoverfromtheirsaddlestolookateverystripofsandtheypassedfortracks.TheyhadnotgoneaquarterofamilewhenBrucegaveasuddenexclamation,andstopped.HepointedtoaroundpatchofsandinwhichThorhadleftoneofhishugefootprints.Langdondismountedandmeasuredit.

"It'she!"hecried,andtherewasathrillofexcitementinhisvoice."Hadn'twebettergoonwithoutthehorses,Bruce?"



Themountaineershookhishead.Butbeforehevoicedanopinionhegotdownfromhishorseandscannedthesidesofthemountainsaheadofthemthroughhislongtelescope.Langdonusedhisdouble-barrelledhuntingglass.Theydiscoverednothing.

"He'sstillinthecreek-bottom,an'he'sprobablythreeorfourmilesahead,"saidBruce."We'llrideonacoupleo'milesan'findaplacegoodforthehorses.Thegrassan'busheswillbedrythen."

ItwaseasytofollowThor'scourseafterthis,forhehadhungclosetothecreek.Withinthreeorfourhundredyardsofthegreatmassofboulderswherethegrizzlyhadcomeuponthetan-facedcubwasasmallcopseofspruceintheheartofagrassydip,andherethehuntersstrippedandhobbledtheirhorses.TwentyminuteslatertheyhadcomeupcautiouslytothesoftcarpetofsandwhereThorandMuskwahadbecomeacquainted.Theheavyrainhadobliteratedthecub'stinyfootprints,butthesandwascutupbythegrizzly'stracks.Thepacker'steethgleamedashelookedatLangdon.

"Heain'tveryfar,"hewhispered."Shouldn'twonderifhespentthenightprettyclosean'he'smooshingonjustaheadofus."

Hewetafingerandhelditabovehisheadtogetthewind.Henoddedsignificantly.

"We'dbettergetupontheslopes,"hesaid.

Theymadetheirwayaroundtheendoftheboulders,holdingtheirgunsinreadiness,andheadedforasmallcouleethatpromisedaneasyascentofthefirstslope.Atthemouthofthisbothpausedagain.Itsbottomwascoveredwithsand,andinthissandwerethetracksofanotherbear.Brucedroppedonhisknees.

"It'sanothergrizzly,"saidLangdon.

"No,itain't;it'sablack,"saidBruce."Jimmy,can'tIeverknockintoyo'rheadthedifferencebetweenablackan'agrizzlytrack?Thisisthehindfoot,an'theheelisround.Ifitwasagrizzlyitwouldbepointed.An'it'stoobroa

dan'clubbyf'ragrizzly,an'theclawsaretoolongf'rthelengthofthefoot.It'sablackasplainasthenoseonyo'rface!"

"Andgoingourway,"saidLangdon."Comeon!"Twohundredyardsupthecouleethebearhadclimbedoutontheslope.LangdonandBrucefollowed.Inthethickgrassandhardshaleofthefirstcrestoftheslopethetrackswerequicklylost,butthehunterswerenotmuchinterestedinthesetracksnow.Fromtheheightatwhichtheyweretravellingtheyhadasplendidviewbelowthem.

NotoncedidBrucetakehiseyesfromthecreekbottom.Heknewthatitwasdowntheretheywouldfindthegrizzly,andhewasinterestedinnothingelsejustatpresent.Langdon,ontheotherhand,wasinterestedineverythingthatmightbelivingormovingaboutthem;everymassofrockandthicketofthornheldposs

ibilitiesforhim,andhiseyeswerequestingthehigherridgesandthepeaksaswellastheirimmediatetrail.Itwasbecauseofthisthathesawsomethingwhichmadehimsuddenlygriphiscompanion'sarmandpullhimdownbesidehimontheground.

"Look!"hewhispered,stretchingoutanarm.

FromhiskneelingpostureBrucestared.Hiseyesfairlypoppedinamazement.Notmorethanthirtyfeetabovethemwasabigrockshapedlikeadry-goodsbox,andprotrudingfrombehindthefarthersideofthisrockwastherearhalfofabe



ar.Itwasablackbear,itsglossycoatshininginthesunlight.ForafullhalfminuteBrucecontinuedtostare.Thenhegrinned.

"Asleep—deadasleep!Jimmy—youwanttoseesomefun?"

Heputdownhisgunanddrewouthislonghuntingknife.Hechuckledsoftlyashefeltofitskeenpoint.

"Ifyouneversawabearrunyo'rgoin'toseeonerunnow,Jimmy!Youstayhere!"

Hebegancrawlingslowlyandquietlyuptheslopetowardtherock,whileLangdonheldhisbreathinanticipationofwhatwasabouttohappen.TwiceBrucelookedback,andhewasgrinningbroadly.TherewasundoubtedlygoingtobeaverymuchastonishedbearracingforthetopsoftheRockyMountainsinanothermomentortwo,andbetweenthisthoughtandthepictureofBruce'slonglankfiguresnakingitswayupwardfootbyfootthehumourofthesituationfelluponLangdon.FinallyBrucereachedtherock.Thelongknife-bladegleamedinthesun;thenitshotforwardandahalfinchofsteelburieditselfinthebear'srump.WhatfollowedinthenextthirtysecondsLangdonwouldneverforget.Thebearmadenomovement.Brucejabbedagain.Stilltherewasnomovement,andatthesecondthrustBruceremainedasmotionlessastherockagainstwhichhewascrouching,andhismouthwaswideopenashestareddownatLangdon.

"Nowwhatthedevildoyouthinkofthat?"hesaid,androseslowlytohisfeet."Heain'tasleep—he'sdead!"

Langdonranuptohim,andtheywentaroundtheendoftherock.Brucestillheldtheknifeinhishandandtherewasanoddexpressioninhisface—alookthatputtroubledfurrowsbetweenhiseyesashestoodforamomentwithoutspeaking.

"Ineverseeanythinglikethatbefore,"hesaid,slowlyslippinghisknifeinitssheath."It'sashe-bear,an'shehadcubs—prettyyoungcubs,too,fromthelookso'her.'

"Shewasafterawhistler,andunderminedtherock,"addedLangdon."Crushedtodeath,eh,Bruce?"

Brucenodded.

"Ineverseeanythinglikeitbefore,"herepeated."I'vewonderedwhytheydidn'tgetkilledbydiggin'undertherocks—butIneverseeit.Wonderwherethecubsare?Poorlittledevils!"

Hewasonhiskneesexaminingthedeadmother'steats.

"Shedidn'thavemore'ntwo—mebbyone,"hesaid,rising."Aboutthreemonthsold."

"Andthey'llstarve?"

"Iftherewasonlyoneheprobablywill.Thelittlecusshadsomuchmilkhedidn'thavetoforageforhimself.Cubsisagooddeallikebabies—youcanwean'emearlyoryoucanha'fgrow'emonpap.An'thisiswhatcomesofrunnin'offan'leavin'yourbabiesalone,"moralizedBruce."Ifyouevergitmarried,Jimmy,don'tyouletyo'rwifedoit.Sometimesth'babiesburnuporbreaktheirnecks!"

Againheturnedalongthecrestoftheslope,hiseyesoncemoresearchingthevalley,andLangdonfollowedastepbehindhim,wonderingwhathadbecomeofthecub.



AndMuskwa,stillslumberingontherock-ledgewithThor,wasdreamingofthemotherwholaycrushedundertherockontheslope,andashedreamedhewhimperedsoftly.

CHAPTEREIGHT

TheledgewhereThorandMuskwalaycaughtthefirstgleamsofthemorningsun,andasthesunrosehighertheledgegrewwarmerandwarmer,andThor,whenheawoke,merelystretchedhimselfandmadenoefforttorise.Afterhiswoundsandthesapoosoowinandthefeastinthevalleyhewasfeelingtremendouslyfineandcomfortable,andhewasinnoverygreathastetoleavethisgoldenpoolofsunlight.ForalongtimehelookedsteadilyandcuriouslyatMuskwa.InthechillofthenightthelittlecubhadsnuggledupclosebetweenthewarmthofThor'shugeforearms,andstilllaythere,whimperinginhisbabyishwayashedreamed.

AfteratimeThordidsomethingthathehadneverbeenguiltyofbefore—hesniffedgentlyatthesoftlittleballbetweenhispaws,andjustoncehisbigflatredtonguetouchedthecub'sface;andMuskwa,perhapsstilldreamingofhismother,snuggledcloser.Aslittlewhitechildrenhavewontheheartsofsavageswhow

ereabouttoslaythem,soMuskwahadcomestrangelyintothelifeofThor.

Thebiggrizzlywasstillpuzzled.Notonlywashestrugglingagainstanunaccountabledislikeofallcubsingeneral,butalsoagainstthefirmlyestablishedhabitsoftenyearsofaloneness.YethewasbeginningtocomprehendthattherewassomethingverypleasantandcompanionableinthenearnessofMuskwa.Withthecomingofmananewemotionhadenteredintohisbeing—perhapsonlythesparkofanemotion.Untilonehasenemies,andfacesdangers,onecannotfullyappreciatefriendship—anditmaybethatThor,whonowconfrontedrealenemiesandarealdangerforthefirsttime,wasbeginningtounderstandwhatfriendshipmeant.Alsoitwasdrawingneartohismatingseason,andaboutMuskwawasthescentofhismother.AndsoasMuskwacontinuedtobaskanddreaminthesunshine,therewasagrowingcontentinThor.

Helookeddownintothevalley,shimmeringinthewetofthenight'srain,andhesawnothingtorousediscontent;hesniffedtheair,anditwasfilledwiththeunpollutedsweetnessofgrowinggrass,offlowers,andbalsam,andwaterfreshfromtheclouds.

Thorbegantolickhiswound,anditwasthismovementthatrousedMuskwa.Thecubliftedhishead.Heblinkedatthesunforamoment—thenrubbedhisfacesleepilywithhistinypawandstoodup.Likeallyoungsters,hewasreadyforanotherday,inspiteofthehardshipsandtoiloftheprecedingone.

WhileThorstilllayrestfullylookingdownintothevalley,Muskwabeganinvestigatingthecrevicesintherockwall,andtumbledaboutamongthebouldersont

heledge.

FromthevalleyThorturnedhiseyestothecub.TherewascuriosityinhisattitudeashewatchedMuskwa'santicsandqueertumblingsamongtherocks.Thenherosecumbrouslyandshookhimself.

Foratleastfiveminuteshestoodlookingdownintothevalley,andsniffingthewind,asmotionlessasthoughcarvenoutofrock.AndMuskwa,perkinguphislittleears,cameandstoodbesidehim,hissharplittleeyespeeringfromThoroffintosunlitspace,andthenbacktoThoragain,asifwonderingwhatwasabou



ttohappennext.

Thebiggrizzlyansweredthequestion.Heturnedalongtherockshelfandbegandescendingintothevalley.Muskwataggedbehind,justashehadfollowedthedaybefore.Thecubfelttwiceasbigandfullytwiceasstrongasyesterday,andhenolongerwasobsessedbythatuncomfortableyearningforhismother'smilk.Thorhadgraduatedhimquickly,andhewasameat-eater.Andheknewtheywerereturningtowheretheyhadfeastedlastnight.

TheyhaddescendedhalfthedistanceoftheslopewhenthewindbroughtsomethingtoThor.Adeep-chestedgrowlrolledoutofhimashestoppedforamoment,thethickruffabouthisneckbristlingominously.Thescenthehadcaughtcamefromthedirectionofhiscache,anditwasanodourwhichhewasnotinahumourtotolerateinthisparticularlocality.Stronglyhesmelledthepresenceofanotherbear.Thiswouldnothaveexcitedhimunderordinaryconditions,anditwouldnothaveexcitedhimnowhadthepresencebeenthatofafemalebear.Butthescentwasthatofahe-bear,anditdriftedstronglyuparock-cutravinethatranstraightdowntowardthebalsampatchinwhichhehadhiddenthecaribou.

Thorstoppedtoaskhimselfnoquestions.Growlingunderhisbreath,hebegantodescendsoswiftlythatMuskwahadgreatdifficultyinkeepingupwithhim.Notuntiltheycametotheedgeoftheplainthatoverlookedthelakeandthebalsamsdidtheystop.Muskwa'slittlejawshungopenashepanted.Thenhisearsprickedforward,hestared,andsuddenlyeverymuscleinhissmallbodybecamerigi

d.

Seventy-fiveyardsbelowthemtheircachewasbeingoutraged.Therobberwasahugeblackbear.Hewasasplendidoutlaw.Hewas,perhaps,threehundredpoundslighterthanThor,buthestoodalmostashigh,andinthesunlighthiscoatshonewiththevelvetyglossofsable—thebiggestandboldestbearthathadenteredThor'sdomaininmanyaday.Hehadpulledthecariboucarcassfromitshiding-placeandwaseatingasThorandMuskwalookeddownonhim.

AfteramomentMuskwapeeredupquestioninglyatThor."Whatarewegoingtodo?"heseemedtoask."He'sgotourdinner!"

SlowlyandverydeliberatelyThorbeganpickinghiswaydownthoselastseventy-

fiveyards.Heseemedtobeinnohurrybow.

Whenhereachedtheedgeofthemeadow,perhapsthirtyorfortyyardsfromthebiginvader,hestoppedagain.Therewasnothingparticularlyuglyinhisattitude,buttheruffabouthisshoulderswasbiggerthanMuskwahadeverseenitbefore.

Theblacklookedupfromhisfeast,andforafullhalfminutetheyeyedeachother.Inaslow,pendulum-likemotionthegrizzly'shugeheadswungfromsidetoside;theblackwasasmotionlessasasphinx.

FourorfivefeetfromThorstoodMuskwa.Inasmall-boyishsortofwayheknewthatsomethingwasgoingtohappensoon,andinthatsamesmall-boyishwayhewa

sreadytoputhisstubofatailbetweenhislegsandfleewithThor,oradvanceandfightwithhim.Hiseyeswerecuriouslyattractedbythatpendulum-likeswingofThor'shead.Allnatureunderstoodthatswing.Manhadlearnedtounderstandit."Lookoutwhenagrizzlyrollshishead!"isthefirstcommandmentofthebear-hunterinthemountains.

Thebigblackunderstood,andlikeotherbearsinThor'sdomain,heshouldhaveslunkalittlebackward,turnedaboutandmadehisexit.Thorgavehimampletime.Buttheblackwasanewbearinthevalley—andhewasnotonlythat:hewasapowerfulbear,andunwhipped;andhehadoverlordedarangeofhisown.Hestood



hisground.

Thefirstgrowlofmenacethatpassedbetweenthetwocamefromtheblack.

AgainThoradvanced,slowlyanddeliberately—straightfortherobber.Muskwafollowedhalfwayandthenstoppedandsquattedhimselfonhisbelly.TenfeetfromthecarcassThorpausedagain;andnowhishugeheadswungmoreswiftlybackandforth,andalowrumblingthundercamefrombetweenhishalf-openjaws.Theblack'sivoryfangssnarled;Muskwawhined.

AgainThoradvanced,afootatatime,andnowhisgapingjawsalmosttouchedtheground,andhishugebodywashunchedlow.

Whennomorethanthelengthofayardstickseparatedthemtherecameapause.Forperhapsthirtysecondstheywereliketwoangrymen,eachtryingtostriketerrortotheother'sheartbythesteadinessofhislook.

Muskwashookasifwiththeague,andwhined—softlyandsteadilyhewhined,andthewhinereachedThor'sears.WhathappenedafterthatbegansoquicklythatMuskwawasstruckdumbwithterror,andhelayflattenedoutontheearthasmotionlessasastone.

Withthatgrinding,snarlinggrizzlyroar,whichisunlikeanyotheranimalcryintheworld,Thorflunghimselfattheblack.Theblackrearedalittle—justenou

ghtoflinghimselfbackwardeasilyastheycametogetherbreasttobreast.Herolleduponhisback,butThorwastoooldafightertobecaughtbythatfirstviciousrippingstrokeoftheblack'shindfoot,andheburiedhisfourlongflesh-rendingteethtotheboneofhisenemy'sshoulder.Atthesametimehestruckaterrificcuttingstrokewithhisleftpaw.

Thorwasadigger,andhisclawsweredulled;theblackwasnotadigger,butatree-climber,andhisclawswerelikeknives.AndlikeknivestheyburiedthemselvesinThor'swoundedshoulder,andthebloodspurtedforthafresh.

Witharoarthatseemedtosettheearthtrembling,thehugegrizzlylungedbackwardandrearedhimselftohisfullninefeet.Hehadgiventheblackwarning.Evenaftertheirfirsttusslehisenemymighthaveretreatedandhewouldnothav

epursued.Nowitwasafighttothedeath!Theblackhaddonemorethanravagehiscache.Hehadopenedtheman-wound!

AminutebeforeThorhadbeenfightingforlawandright—withoutgreatanimosityorseriousdesiretokill.Now,however,hewasterrible.Hismouthwasopen,anditwaseightinchesfromjawtojaw;hislipsweredrawnupuntilhiswhiteteethandhisredgumswerebared;musclesstoodoutlikecordsonhisnostrils,andbetweenhiseyeswasafurrowlikethecleftmadebyanaxeinthetrunkofapine.Hiseyesshonewiththeglareofredgarnets,theirgreenish-blackpupilsalmostobliteratedbytheferociousfirethatwasinthem.Man,facingThorinthismoment,wouldhaveknownthatonlyonewouldcomeoutalive.

Thorwasnota"stand-up"fighter.Forperhapssixorsevensecondsheremained

erect,butastheblackadvancedastephedroppedquicklytoallfours.

Theblackmethimhalfway,andafterthis—formanyminutes—Muskwahuggedcloserandclosertotheearthwhilewithgleamingeyeshewatchedthebattle.Itwassuchafightasonlythejunglesandthemountainssee,andtheroarofitdriftedupanddownthevalley.

Likehumancreaturesthetwogiantbeastsusedtheirpowerfulforearmswhilewithfangsandhindfeettheyrippedandtore.Fortwominutestheywereinacloseanddeadlyembrace,bothrollingontheground,nowoneunderandthentheothe



r.Theblackclawedferociously;Thorusedchieflyhisteethandhisterriblerighthindfoot.Withhisforearmshemadenoefforttorendtheblack,butusedthemtoholdandthrowhisenemy.Hewasfightingtogetunder,ashehadflunghimselfunderthecaribouhehaddisembowelled.

AgainandagainThorburiedhislongfangsintheother'sflesh;butinfang-fightingtheblackwasevenquickerthanhe,andhisrightshoulderwasbeingliterallytorntopieceswhentheirjawsmetinmidair.Muskwaheardtheclashofthem;heheardthegrindofteethonteeth,thesickeningcrunchofbone.

Thensuddenlytheblackwasflunguponhissideasthoughhisneckhadbeenbroken,andThorwasathisthroat.Stilltheblackfought,hisgapingandbleedingjawspowerlessnowasthegrizzlyclosedhisownhugejawsonthejugular.

Muskwastoodup.Hewasshiveringstill,butwithanewandstrangeemotion.Thiswasnotplay,asheandhismotherhadplayed.Forthefirsttimehewaslookinguponbattle,andthethrillofitsentthebloodhotandfastthroughhislittlebody.Withafaint,puppyishsnarlhedartedin.Histeethsankfutilelyintothethickhairandtoughhideoftheblack'srump.Hepulledandhesnarled;hebracedhimselfwithhisforefeetandtuggedathismouthfulofhair,filledwithablindandunaccountablerage.

Theblacktwistedhimselfuponhisback,andoneofhishindfeetrakedThorfromchesttovent.Thatstrokewouldhavedisembowelledacaribouoradeer;itle

ftared,open,bleedingwoundthreefeetlongonThor.

Beforeitcouldberepeated,thegrizzlyswunghimselfsidewise,andthesecondblowcaughtMuskwa.Theflatoftheblack'sfootstruckhim,andfortwentyfeethewassentlikeastoneoutofasling-shot.Hewasnotcut,buthewasstunned.

InthatsamemomentThorreleasedhisholdonhisenemy'sthroat,andswungtwoorthreefeettooneside.Hewasdrippingblood.Theblack'sshoulders,chest,andneckweresaturatedwithit;hugechunkshadbeentornfromhisbody.Hemadeanefforttorise,andThorwasonhimagain.

ThistimeThorgothisdeadliestofallholds.Hisgreatjawsclampedinadeath

-gripovertheupperpartoftheblack'snose.Oneterrificgrindingcrunch,andthefightwasover.Theblackcouldnothavelivedafterthat.ButthisfactThordidnotknow.Itwasnoweasyforhimtoripwiththoseknifelikeclawsonhishindfeet.Hecontinuedtomaulandtearfortenminutesaftertheblackwasdead.

WhenThorfinallyquitthesceneofbattlewasterribletolookupon.Thegroundwastornupandred;itwascoveredwithgreatstripsofblackhideandpiecesofflesh;andtheblack,ontheunderside,wastornopenfromendtoend.

Twomilesaway,tenseandwhiteandscarcelybreathingastheylookedthroughtheirglasses,LangdonandBrucecrouchedbesidearockonthemountainside.Atthatdistancetheyhadwitnessedtheterrificspectacle,buttheycouldnotseeth

ecub.AsThorstoodpantingandbleedingoverhislifelessenemy,Langdonloweredhisglass.

"MyGod!"hebreathed.

Brucesprangtohisfeet.

"Comeon!"hecried."Theblack'sdead!Ifwehustlewecangetourgrizzly!"

AnddowninthemeadowMuskwarantoThorwithabitofwarmblackhideinhism



outh,andThorloweredhisgreatbleedinghead,andjustoncehisredtongueshotoutandcaressedMuskwa'sface.Forthelittletan-facedcubhadprovedhimself;anditmaybethatThorhadseenandunderstood.

CHAPTERNINE

NeitherThornorMuskwawentnearthecariboumeatafterthebigfight.Thorwasinnoconditiontoeat,andMuskwawassofilledwithexcitementandtremblingthathecouldnotswallowamouthful.Hecontinuedtoworryastripofblackhide,snarlingandgrowlinginhispunyway,asthoughfinishingwhattheotherhadbegun.

Formanyminutesthegrizzlystoodwithhisbigheaddrooping,andthebloodgatheredinsplashesunderhim.Hewasfacingdownthevalley.Therewasalmostnowind—solittlethatitwasscarcelypossibletotellfromwhichdirectionitcame.Eddiesofitwerecaughtinthecoulees,andhigherupabouttheshouldersandpeaksitblewstronger.Nowandthenoneofthesehighermovementsofairwouldsweepgentlydownwardandflowthroughthevalleyforafewmomentsinagreatnoiselessbreaththatbarelystirredthetopsofthebalsamsandspruce.

Oneofthesemountain-breathscameasThorfacedtheeast.Andwithit,faintandterrible,cametheman-smell!

Thorrousedhimselfwithasuddengrowlfromthelethargyintowhichhehadmomentarilyallowedhimselftosink.Hisrelaxedmuscleshardened.Heraisedhisheadandsniffedthewind.

Muskwaceasedhisfutilefightwiththebitofhideandalsosniffedtheair.Itwaswarmwiththeman-scent,forLangdonandBrucewererunningandsweating,andtheodourofman-sweatdriftsheavyandfar.ItfilledThorwithafreshrage.Forasecondtimeitcamewhenhewashurtandbleeding.Hehadalreadyassociatedtheman-smellwithhurt,andnowitwasdoublyimpresseduponhim.Heturne

dhisheadandsnarledatthemutilatedbodyofthebigblack.Thenhesnarledmenacinglyinthefaceofthewind.Hewasinnohumourtorunaway.Inthesemoments,ifBruceandLangdonhadappearedovertherise,Thorwouldhavechargedwiththatdeadlyferocitywhichleadcanscarcelystop,andwhichhasgiventohiskindtheirterriblename.

Butthebreathofairpassed,andtherefollowedapeacefulcalm.Thevalleywasfilledwiththepurrofrunningwater;fromtheirrocksthewhistlerscalledforththeirsoftnotes;uponthegreenplaintheptarmiganwerefluting,andrisinginwhite-wingedflocks.ThesethingssoothedThor,asawoman'sgentlehandquietsanangryman.Forfiveminuteshecontinuedtorumbleandgrowlashetriedvainlytocatchthescentagain;buttherumblingandgrowlinggrewsteadilyless,andfinallyheturnedandwalkedslowlytowardthecouleedownwhichheand

Muskwahadcomealittlewhilebefore.Muskwafollowed.

Thecoulee,orravine,hidthemfromthevalleyastheyascended.Itsbottomwascoveredwithrockandshale.ThewoundsThorhadreceivedinthefight,unlikebulletwounds,hadstoppedbleedingafterthefirstfewminutes,andheleftnotelltaleredspotsbehind.Theravinetookthemtothefirstchaoticupheavalof



rockhalfwayupthemountain,andheretheywerestillmorelosttoviewfrombelow.

Theystoppedanddrankatapoolformedbythemeltingsnowonthepeaks,andthenwenton.Thordidnotstopwhentheyreachedtheledgeonwhichtheyhadsleptthepreviousnight.AndthistimeMuskwawasnottiredwhentheyreachedtheledge.Twodayshadmadeabigchangeinthelittletan-facedcub.Hewasnotsoroundandpuffy.Andhewasstronger—agreatdealstronger;hewasbecominghardened,andunderThor'sstrenuoustutelagehewasswiftlygraduatingfromcubhoodtoyoungbearhood.

ItwasevidentthatThorhadfollowedthisledgeatsomeprevioustime.Heknewwherehewasgoing.Itcontinuedupandup,andfinallyseemedtoendinthefaceofaprecipitouswallofrock.Thor'strailledhimdirectlytoagreatcrevice,hardlywiderthanhisbody,andthroughthishewent,emergingattheedgeofthewildestandroughestslideofrockthatMuskwahadeverseen.Itlookedlikeahugequarry,anditbrokethroughthetimberfarbelowthem,andreachedalmosttothetopofthemountainabove.

ForMuskwatomakehiswayoverthethousandpitfallsofthatchaoticupheavalwasanimpossibility,andasThorbegantoclimboverthefirstrocksthecubstoppedandwhined.Itwasthefirsttimehehadgivenup,andwhenhesawthatThorgavenoattentiontohiswhine,terrorseizeduponhimandhecriedforhelpasloudlyashecouldwhilehehuntedfranticallyforapathupthroughtherocks

.

UtterlyobliviousofMuskwa'spredicament,Thorcontinueduntilhewasfullythirtyyardsaway.Thenhestopped,facedaboutdeliberately,andwaited.

ThisgaveMuskwacourage,andhescratchedandclawedandevenusedhischinandteethinhiseffortstofollow.IttookhimtenminutestoreachThor,andhewascompletelywinded.Then,allatonce,histerrorvanished.ForThorstoodonawhite,narrowpaththatwasassolidasafloor.

Thepathwasperhapseighteenincheswide.Itwasunusual—andmysterious-looking,andstrangelyoutofplacewhereitwas.Itlookedasthoughanarmyofworkmenhadcomealongwithhammersandhadbrokenuptonsofsandstoneandslate,andt

henfilledinbetweentheboulderswithrubble,makingasmoothandnarrowroadthatinplaceswasgroundtothefinenessofpowderandthehardnessofcement.Butinsteadofhammers,thehoofsofahundredorperhapsathousandgenerationsofmountainsheephadmadethetrail.Itwasthesheep-pathovertherange.ThefirstbandofbighornmayhaveblazedthewaybeforeColumbusdiscoveredAmerica;surelyithadtakenagreatmanyyearsforhoofstomakethatsmoothroadamongtherocks.

Thorusedthepathasoneofhishighwaysfromvalleytovalley,andtherewereothercreaturesofthemountainswhouseditaswellashe,andmorefrequently.AshestoodwaitingforMuskwatogethiswindtheybothheardanoddchucklingsoundapproachingthemfromabove.Fortyorfiftyfeetuptheslidethepathtwistedanddescendedalittledepressionbehindahugeboulder,andoutfrombehi

ndthisbouldercameabigporcupine.

ThereisalawthroughouttheNorththatamanshallnotkillaporcupine.Heisthe"lostman'sfriend,"forthewanderingandstarvingprospectororhuntercannearlyalwaysfindaporcupine,ifnothingelse;andachildcankillhim.Heisthehumouristofthewilderness—thehappiest,thebest-natured,andaltogetherthemildest-manneredbeastthateverdrewbreath.Hetalksandchattersandchucklesincessantly,andwhenhetravelshewalkslikeahugeanimatedpincushion;heisobliviousofeverythingabouthimasthoughasleep.



Asthisparticular"porky"advanceduponMuskwaandThor,hewascommuninghappilywithhimself,thechucklingnoteshemadesoundingverymuchlikeababy'scooing.Hewasenormouslyfat,andashewaddledslowlyalonghissideandtailquillsclickedonthestones.Hiseyeswereonthepathathisfeet.Hewasdeeplyabsorbedinnothingatall,andhewaswithinfivefeetofThorbeforehesawthegrizzly.Then,inawink,hehumpedhimselfintoaball.Forafewsecondshescoldedvociferously.Afterthathewasassilentasasphinx,hislittleredeyeswatchingthebigbear.

Thordidnotwanttokillhim,butthepathwasnarrow,andhewasreadytogoon.Headvancedafootortwo,andPorkyturnedhisbacktowardThorandmadereadytodeliveraswipewithhispowerfultail.Inthattailwereseveralhundredquills.AsThorhadmorethanoncecomeintocontactwithporcupinequills,hehesitated.

Muskwawaslookingoncuriously.Hestillhadhislessontolearn,forthequillhehadoncepickedupinhisfoothadbeenaloosequill.ButsincetheporcupineseemedtopuzzleThor,thecubturnedandmadereadytogobackalongtheslideifitbecamenecessary.Thoradvancedanotherfoot,andwithasuddenchuck,chuck,chuck—themostvicioussoundhewascapableofmaking—Porkyadvancedbackwardandhisbroad,thicktailwhippedthroughtheairwithaforcethatwouldhavedrivenquillsaquarterofaninchintothebuttofatree.Havingmissed,hehumpedhimselfagain,andThorsteppedoutontheboulderandcircledaroundhim.TherehewaitedforMuskwa.

Porkywasimmenselysatisfiedwithhistriumph.Heunlimberedhimself;hisquillssettledabit;andheadvancedtowardMuskwa,atthesametimeresuminghisgood-naturedchuckling.Instinctivelythecubhuggedtheedgeofthepath,andindoingsoslippedovertheedge.BythetimehehadscrambledupagainPorkywasfourorfivefeetbeyondhimandtotallyabsorbedinhistravel.

Theadventureofthesheep-trailwasnotyetquiteover,forscarcelyhadPorkymaneuveredhimselftosafetywhenaroundtheedgeofthebigboulderaboveappearedabadger,hotonthefreshandlusciousscentofhisfavouritedinner,aporcupine.ThisworthlessoutlawofthemountainswasthreetimesaslargeasMuskwa,andeveryounceofhimwasfightingmuscleandboneandclawandsharpteeth.Hehadawhitemarkonhisnoseandforehead;hislegswereshortandthick;hi

stailwasbushy,andtheclawsonhisfrontfeetwerealmostaslongasabear's.Thorgreetedhimwithanimmediategrowlofwarning,andthebadgerscootedbackupthetrailinfearofhislife.

MeanwhilePorkylumberedslowlyalonginquestofnewfeeding-grounds,talkingandsingingtohimself,forgettingentirelywhathadhappenedaminuteortwobefore,andunconsciousofthefactthatThorhadsavedhimfromadeathascertainasthoughhehadfallenoverathousand-footprecipice.

FornearlyamileThorandMuskwafollowedtheBighornHighwaybeforeitswindingcoursebroughtthematlasttotheverytopoftherange.Theywerefullythree-quartersofamileabovethecreek-bottom,andsonarrowinplaceswasthecrestofthemountainalongwhichthesheep-trailledthattheycouldlookdownint

obothvalleys.

ToMuskwaitwasallagreenishgoldenhazebelowhim;thedepthsseemedillimitable;theforestalongthestreamwasonlyablackstreak,andtheparklikeclumpsofbalsamsandcedarsonthefartherslopeslookedlikeverysmallbosksofthornorbuffalowillow.

Upherethewindwasblowing,too.Itwhippedhimwithastrangefierceness,andhalfadozentimeshefeltthemysteriousandveryunpleasantchillofsnowunderhisfeet.Twiceagreatbirdswoopednearhim.Itwasthebiggestbirdhehad



everseen—aneagle.Thesecondtimeitcamesonearthatheheardthebeatofit,andsawitsgreat,fierceheadandloweringtalons.

Thorwhirledtowardtheeagleandgrowled.IfMuskwahadbeenalone,thecubwouldhavegonesailingoffinthosemurderoustalons.Asitwas,thethirdtimetheeaglecircleditwasdowntheslopefromthem.Itwasafterothergame.ThescentofthegamecametoThorandMuskwa,andtheystopped.

Perhapsahundredyardsbelowthemwasashelvingslideofsoftshale,andonthisshale,baskinginthewarmsunaftertheirmorning'sfeedlowerdown,wasabandofsheep.Thereweretwentyorthirtyofthem,mostlyewesandtheirlambs.Threehugeoldramswerelyingonapatchofsnowfarthertotheeast.

Withhissix-footwingsspreadoutliketwinfans,theeaglecontinuedtocircle.Hewasassilentasafeatherfloatingwiththewind.Theewesandeventheoldbighornswereunconsciousofhispresenceoverthem.Mostofthelambswerelyingclosetotheirmothers,buttwoorthreeofalivelierturnofmindwerewanderingovertheshaleandoccasionallyhoppingaboutinplayfulfrolic.

Theeagle'sfierceeyeswereupontheseyoungsters.Suddenlyhedriftedfartheraway—afullrifle-shotdistancestraightinthefaceofthewind;thenheswunggracefully,andcamebackwiththewind.Andashecame,hiswingsapparentlymotionless,hegatheredgreaterandgreaterspeed,andshotlikearocketstraightforthelambs.Heseemedtohavecomeandgonelikeagreatshadow,andjustone

plaintive,agonizedbleatmarkedhispassing-andtwolittlelambswereleftwheretherehadbeenthree.

Therewasinstantcommotionontheslide.Theewesbegantorunbackandforthandbleatexcitedly.Thethreeramssprangupandstoodlikerocks,theirhugebattlementedheadsheldhighastheyscannedthedepthsbelowthemandthepeaksabovefornewdanger.

OneofthemsawThor,andthedeep,gratingbleatofwarningthatrattledoutofhisthroatahuntercouldhaveheardamileaway.Ashegavehisdangersignalhestarteddowntheslide,andinanothermomentanavalancheofhoofswasclatteringdownthesteepshaleslope,looseningsmallstonesandbouldersthatwenttumblingandcrashingdownthemountainwithadinthatsteadilyincreasedasth

eysetothersinmotionontheway.ThiswasallmightyinterestingtoMuskwa,andhewouldhavestoodforalongtimelookingdownforotherthingstohappenifThorhadnotledhimon.

AfteratimetheBighornHighwaybegantodescendintothevalleyfromtheupperendofwhichThorhadbeendrivenbyLangdon'sfirstshots.Theywerenowsixoreightmilesnorthofthetimberinwhichthehuntershadmadetheirpermanentcamp,andheadedforthelowertributariesoftheSkeena.

Anotherhouroftravel,andthebareshaleandgraycragswereabovethemagain,andtheywereonthegreenslopes.Aftertherocks,andthecoldwinds,andtheterribleglarehehadseenintheeagle'seyes,thewarmandlovelyvalleyintowhichtheyweredescendinglowerandlowerwasaparadisetoMuskwa.

ItwasevidentthatThorhadsomethinginhismind.Hewasnotramblingnow.Hecutofftheendsandthebulgesoftheslopes.Withhisheadhunchedlowhetravelledsteadilynorthward,andacompasscouldnothavemarkedoutastraighterlineforthelowerwatersoftheSkeena.Hewastremendouslybusinesslike,andMuskwa,taggingbravelyalongbehind,wonderedifhewerenevergoingtostop;iftherecouldbeanythinginthewholewideworldfinerforabiggrizzlyandalittletan-facedcubthanthesewonderfulsunlitslopeswhichThorseemedinsuchgreathastetoleave.



CHAPTERTEN

IfithadnotbeenforLangdon,thisdayofthefightbetweenthetwobearswouldhaveheldstillgreaterexcitementandanotheranddeadlierperilforThorandMuskwa.ThreeminutesafterthehuntershadarrivedbreathlessandsweatinguponthesceneofthesanguinaryconflictBrucewasreadyandanxioustocontinuethepursuitofThor.Heknewthebiggrizzlycouldnotbefaraway;hewascertainthatThorhadgoneupthemountain.Hefoundsignsofthegrizzly'sfeetinthegravelofthecouleeatjustaboutthetimeThorandthetan-facedcubstrucktheBighornHighway.

HisargumentsfailedtomoveLangdon.Stirredtothedepthofhissoulbywhathehadseen,andwhathesawabouthimnow,thehunter-naturalistrefusedtoleavetheblood-stainedandtorn-uparenainwhichthegrizzlyandtheblackhadfoughttheirduel.

"IfIknewthatIwasnotgoingtofireasingleshot,Iwouldtravelfivethousandmilestoseethis,"hesaid."It'sworththinkingabout,andlookingover,Bruce.Thegrizzlywon'tspoil.Thiswill—inafewhours.Ifthere'sastoryherew

ecandigoutIwantit."

AgainandagainLangdonwentoverthebattlefield,notingtheripped-upground,thebigspotsofdark-redstain,thestripsofflayedskin,andtheterriblewoundsonthebodyofthedeadblack.ForhalfanhourBrucepaidlessattentiontothesethingsthanhedidtothecarcassofthecaribou.AttheendofthattimehecalledLangdontotheedgeoftheclumpofbalsams.

"Youwantedthestory,"hesaid,"an'I'vegotitforyou,Jimmy."

HeenteredthebalsamsandLangdonfollowedhim.AfewstepsunderthecoverBrucehaltedandpointedtothehollowinwhichThorhadcachedhismeat.Thehollowwasstainedwithblood.

"Youwasrightinyourguess,Jimmy,"hesaid."Ourgrizzlyisameat-eater.Lastnighthekilledacaribououtthereinthemeadow.Iknowitwasthegrizzlythatkilled'iman'nottheblack,becausethetracksalongtheedgeofthetimberaregrizzlytracks.Comeon.I'llshowyouwhere'ejumpedthecaribou!"

Heledthewaybackintothemeadow,andpointedoutwhereThorhaddraggeddowntheyoungbull.TherewerebitsoffleshandagreatdealofstainwhereheandMuskwahadfeasted.

"Hehidthecarcassinthebalsamsafterhehadfilledhimself,"wentonBruce."Thismorningtheblackcamealong,smelledthemeat,an'robbedthecache.Thenbackcomethegrizzlyafterhismorningfeed,an'that'swhathappened!There's

yo'rstory,Jimmy."

"And—hemaycomebackagain?"askedLangdon.

"Notonyourlife,hewon't!"criedBruce."Hewouldn'ttouchthatcarcassag'inifhewasstarving.Justnowthisplaceislikepoisontohim."

AfterthatBruceleftLangdontomeditatealoneonthefieldofbattlewhilehebegantrailingThor.IntheshadeofthebalsamsLangdonwroteforasteadyhour,frequentlyrisingtoestablishnewfactsorverifyothersalreadydiscovered.



Meanwhilethemountaineermadehiswayfootbyfootupthecoulee.Thorhadleftnoblood,butwhereotherswouldhaveseennothingBrucedetectedthesignsofhispassing.WhenhereturnedtowhereLangdonwascompletinghisnotes,hisfaceworealookofsatisfaction.

"Hewentoverthemount'in,"hesaidbriefly.

ItwasnoonbeforetheyclimbedoverthevolcanicquarryofrockandfollowedtheBighornHighwaytothepointwhereThorandMuskwahadwatchedtheeagleandthesheep.Theyatetheirlunchhere,andscannedthevalleythroughtheirglasses.Brucewassilentforalongtime.Thenheloweredhistelescope,andturnedtoLangdon.

"IguessI'vegothisrangeprettywellfiggeredout,"hesaid."Herunsthesetwovalleys,an'we'vegotourcamptoofarsouth.Seethattimberdownthere?That'swhereourcampshouldbe.Whatdoyousaytogoin'backoverthedividewithourhorsesan'movinguphere?"

"Andleaveourgrizzlyuntilto-morrow?"

Brucenodded.

"Wecan'tgoafter'imandleaveourhorsestiedupinthecreek-bottombackthere."

Langdonboxedhisglassesandrosetohisfeet.Suddenlyhegrewrigid.

"Whatwasthat?"

"Ididn'thearanything,"saidBruce.

Foramomenttheystoodsidebyside,listening.Agustofwindwhistledabouttheirears.Itdiedaway.

"Hearit!"whisperedLangdon,andhisvoicewasfilledwithasuddenexcitement.

"Thedogs!"criedBruce.

"Yes,thedogs!"

Theyleanedforward,theirearsturnedtothesouth,andfaintlytherecametothemthedistant,thrillingtongueoftheAiredales!

Metoosinhadcome,andhewasseekingtheminthevalley!

CHAPTERELEVEN

ThorwasonwhattheIndianscallapimootao.Hisbrutemindhadallatonceaddedtwoandtwotogether,andwhileperhapshedidnotmakefourofit,hismentalarithmeticwasaccurateenoughtoconvincehimthatstraightnorthwastheroadtotravel.

BythetimeLangdonandBrucehadreachedthesummitoftheBighornHighway,andwerelisteningtothedistanttongueingofthedogs,littleMuskwawasinabjectdespair.FollowingThorhadbeenlikeagameoftagwithneveramoment'srest



.

Anhouraftertheyleftthesheeptrailtheycametotheriseinthevalleywherethewatersseparated.FromthispointonecreekflowedsouthwardintotheTaclaLakecountryandtheothernorthwardintotheBabine,whichwasatributaryoftheSkeena.Theydescendedveryquicklyintoamuchlowercountry,andforthefirsttimeMuskwaencounteredmarshland,andtravelledattimesthroughgrasssorankandthickthathecouldnotseebutcouldonlyhearThorforgingonaheadofhim.

Thestreamgrewwideranddeeper,andinplacestheyskirtedtheedgesofdark,quietpoolsthatMuskwathoughtmusthavebeenofimmeasurabledepth.ThesepoolsgaveMuskwahisfirstbreathing-spells.NowandthenThorwouldstopandsniffovertheedgeofthem.Hewashuntingforsomething,andyetheneverseemedtofindit;andeachtimethathestartedonafreshMuskwawassomuchnearertotheendofhisendurance.

TheywerefullysevenmilesnorthofthepointfromwhichBruceandLangdonwerescanningthevalleythroughtheirglasseswhentheycametoalake.ItwasadarkandunfriendlylookinglaketoMuskwa,whohadneverseenanythingbutsunlitpoolsinthedips.Theforestgrewclosedowntoitsshore.Inplacesitwasalmostblack.Queerbirdssquawkedinthethickreeds.Itwasheavywithastrangeodour—afragranceofsomethingthatmadethecublickhislittlechops,andfilledhimwithhunger.

ForaminuteortwoThorstoodsniffingthisscentthatfilledtheair.Itwasthesmelloffish.

Slowlythebiggrizzlybeganpickinghiswayalongtheedgeofthelake.Hesooncametothemouthofasmallcreek.Itwasnotmorethantwentyfeetwide,butitwasdarkandquietanddeep,likethelakeitself.ForahundredyardsThormadehiswayupthiscreek,untilhecametowhereanumberoftreeshadfallenacrossit,formingajam.Closetothisjamthewaterwascoveredwithagreenscum.Thorknewwhatlayunderthatscum,andveryquietlyhecreptoutonthelogs.

Midwayinthestreamhepaused,andwithhisrightpawgentlybrushedbackthes

cumsothatanopenpoolofclearwaterlaydirectlyunderhim.

Muskwa'sbrightlittleeyeswatchedhimfromtheshore.HeknewthatThorwasaftersomethingtoeat,buthowhewasgoingtogetitoutofthatpoolofwaterpuzzledandinterestedhiminspiteofhisweariness.

Thorstretchedhimselfoutonhisbelly,hisheadandrightpawwelloverthejam.Henowputhispawafootintothewaterandhelditthereveryquietly.Hecouldseeclearlytothebottomofthestream.Forafewmomentshesawonlythisbottom,afewsticks,andtheprotrudingendofalimb.Thenalongslimshadowmovedslowlyunderhim—afifteen-inchtrout.Itwastoodeepforhim,andThordidnotmakeanexcitedplunge.

Patientlyhewaited,andverysoonthispatiencewasrewarded.Abeautifulred-spottedtroutfloatedoutfromunderthescum,andsosuddenlythatMuskwagaveayelpofterror,Thor'shugepawsentashowerofwateradozenfeetintotheair,andthefishlandedwithathumpwithinthreefeetofthecub.InstantlyMuskwawasuponit.Hissharpteethdugintoitasitfloppedandstruggled.

Thorroseonthelogs,butwhenhesawthatMuskwahadtakenpossessionofthefish,heresumedhisformerposition.Muskwawasjustfinishinghisfirstrealkillwhenasecondspoutofwatershotupwardandanothertroutpirouettedshorewardthroughtheair.ThistimeThorfollowedquickly,forhewashungry.



Itwasagloriousfeasttheyhadthatearlyafternoonbesidetheshadedcreek.FivetimesThorknockedfishoutfromunderthescum,butforthelifeofhimMuskwacouldnoteatmorethanhisfirsttrout.

Forseveralhoursaftertheirdinnertheylayinacool,hiddenspotclosetothelog-jam.Muskwadidnotsleepsoundly.Hewasbeginningtounderstandthatlifewasnowlargelyamatterofpersonalresponsibilitywithhim,andhisearshadbeguntoattunethemselvestosound.WheneverThormovedorheavedadeepsigh,Muskwaknewit.Afterthatday'sMarathonwiththegrizzlyhewasfilledwithuneasiness—afearthathemightlosehisbigfriendandfood-killer,andhewasdeterminedthattheparenthehadadoptedshouldhavenoopportunityofslippingawayfromhimunheardandunseen.ButThorhadnointentionofdesertinghislittlecomrade.Infact,hewasbecomingquitefondofMuskwa.

ItwasnotalonehishungerforfishorfearofhisenemiesthatwasbringingThorintothelowercountryoftheBabinewaterways.Foraweekpasttherehadbeeninhimasteadilygrowingunrest,andithadreacheditsclimaxintheselasttwoorthreedaysofbattleandflight.Hewasfilledwithastrangeandunsatisfiedyearning,andasMuskwanappedinhislittlebedamongthebushesThor'searswerekeenlyalertforcertainsoundsandhisnosefrequentlysniffedtheair.Hewantedamate.Itwaspuskoowepesim—the"moultingmoon"—andalwaysinthismoon,ortheendofthe"egg-layingmoon,"whichwasJune,hehuntedforthefemalethatcametohimfromthewesternranges.Hewasalmostentirelyacreatureofha

bit,andalwayshemadethisparticulardetour,enteringtheothervalleyagainfardowntowardtheBabine.Heneverfailedtofeedonfishalongtheway,andthemorefishheatethestrongerwastheodourofhim.ItisbarelypossibleThorhaddiscoveredthatthisperfumeofgolden-spottedtroutmadehimmoreattractivetohislady-love.Anyway,heatefish,andhesmelledabundantly.

Thorroseandstretchedhimselftwohoursbeforesunset,andheknockedthreemorefishoutofthewater.MuskwaatetheheadofoneandThorfinishedtherest.Thentheycontinuedtheirpilgrimage.

ItwasanewworldthatMuskwaenterednow.Inittherewerenoneoftheoldfamiliarsounds.Thepurringdroneoftheuppervalleywasgone.Therewerenowhistlers,andnoptarmigan,andnofatlittlegophersrunningabout.Thewateroft

helakelaystill,anddark,anddeep,withblackandsunlesspoolshidingthemselvesundertherootsoftrees,soclosedidtheforestclingtoit.Therewerenorockstoclimbover,butdank,softlogs,thickwindfalls,andlittersofbrush.Theairwasdifferent,too.Itwasverystill.UndertheirfeetattimeswasawonderfulcarpetofsoftmossinwhichThorsanknearlytohisarmpits.Andtheforestwasfilledwithastrangegloomandmanymysteriousshadows,andtherehungheavilyinitthepungentsmellsofdecayingvegetation.

Thordidnottravelsoswiftlyhere.Thesilenceandthegloomandtheoppressivelyscentedairseemedtorousehiscaution.Hesteppedquietly;frequentlyhestoppedandlookedabouthim,andlistened;hesmelledattheedgesofpoolshiddenundertheroots;everynewsoundbroughthimtoastop,hisheadhunglowandhisearsalert.

SeveraltimesMuskwasawshadowythingsfloatingthroughthegloom.Theywerethebiggrayowlsthatturnedsnowwhiteinwinter.Andonce,whenitwasalmostdark,theycameuponapop-eyed,loose-jointed,fierce-lookingcreatureinthetrailwhoscurriedawaylikeaballatsightofThor.Itwasalynx.

ItwasnotyetquitedarkwhenThorcameoutveryquietlyintoaclearing,andMuskwafoundhimselffirstontheshoreofacreek,andthenclosetoabigpond.Theairwasfullofthebreathandwarmthofanewkindoflife.Itwasnotfish,andyetitseemedtocomefromthepond,inthecentreofwhichwerethreeor



fourcircularmassesthatlookedlikegreatbrush-heapsplasteredwithacoatingofmud.

WheneverhecameintothisendofthevalleyThoralwayspaidavisittothebeavercolony,andoccasionallyhehelpedhimselftoafatyoungbeaverforsupperorbreakfast.Thiseveninghewasnothungry,andhewasinahurry.Inspiteofthesetwofactshestoodforsomeminutesintheshadowsnearthepond.

Thebeavershadalreadybeguntheirnight'swork.Muskwasoonunderstoodthesignificanceoftheshimmeringstreaksthatranswiftlyoverthesurfaceofthewater.Attheendofeachstreakwasalwaysadark,flathead,andnowhesawthatmostofthesestreaksbeganatthefartheredgeofthepondandmadedirectlyforalong,lowbarrierthatshutinthewaterahundredyardstotheeast.

ThisparticularbarrierwasstrangetoThor,andwithhismaturerknowledgeofbeaverwaysheknewthathisengineeringfriends—whomheateonlyoccasionally—werebroadeningtheirdomainbybuildinganewdam.Astheywatched,twofatworkmenshovedafour-footlengthoflogintothepondwithabigsplash,andoneofthembeganpilotingittowardthesceneofbuildingoperations,whilehiscompanionreturnedtootherwork.Alittlelatertherewasacrashinthetimberontheoppositesideofthepond,whereanotherworkmanhadsucceededinfellingatree.ThenThormadehiswaytowardthedam.

Almostinstantlytherewasaterrificcrackoutinthemiddleofthepond,follo

wedbyatremendoussplash.AnoldbeaverhadseenThorandwiththeflatsideofhisbroadtailhadgiventhesurfaceofthewaterawarningslapthatcutthestillairlikearifle-shot.Allatoncethereweresplashingsanddivingsineverydirection,andamomentlaterthepondwasruffledandheavingasascoreofinterruptedworkersdoveexcitedlyunderthesurfacetothesafetyoftheirbrush-ribbedandmud-plasteredstrongholds,andMuskwawassoabsorbedinthegeneralexcitementthathealmostforgottofollowThor.

Heovertookthegrizzlyatthedam.ForafewmomentsThorinspectedthenewwork,andthentesteditwithhisweight.Itwassolid,andoverthisbridgereadybuiltforthemtheycrossedtothehighergroundontheoppositeside.AfewhundredyardsfartheronThorstruckafairlywell-beatencariboutrailwhichinthecourseofhalfanhourledthemaroundtheendofthelaketotheoutletstrea

mflowingnorth.

EveryminuteMuskwawashopingthatThorwouldstop.Hisafternoon'snaphadnottakenthelamenessoutofhislegsnorthesorenessfromthetenderpadsofhisfeet.Hehadhadenough,andmorethanenough,oftravel,andcouldhehaveregulatedtheworldaccordingtohisownwisheshewouldnothavewalkedanothermileforawholemonth.Merewalkingwouldnothavebeensobad,buttokeepupwithThor'samblinggaithewascompelledtotrot,likeastubbyfour-year-oldchildhangingdesperatelytothethumbofabigandfast-walkingman.Muskwahadnotevenathumbtohangto.Thebottomsofhisfeetwerelikeboils;histendernosewasrawfromcontactwithbrushandtheknife-edgedmarshgrass,andhislittlebackfeltallcavedin.Stillhehungondesperately,untilthecreek-bottomwasagainsandandgravel,andtravellingwaseasier.

Thestarswereupnow,millionsofthem,clearandbrilliant;anditwasquiteevidentthatThorhadsethismindonan"all-nighthike,"akuppatipskpimootaoasaCreetrackerwouldhavecalledit.JusthowitwouldhaveendedforMuskwaisamatterofconjecturehadnotthespiritsofthunderandrainandlightningputtheirheadstogethertogivehimarest.

Forperhapsanhourthestarswereundimmed,andThorkeptonlikeaheathenwithoutasoul,whileMuskwalimpedonallfourfeet.Thenalowrumblinggatheredinthewest.Itgrewlouderandlouder,andapproachedswiftly—straightfromthew



armPacific.Thorgrewuneasy,andsniffedinthefaceofit.Lividstreaksbegantocriss-crossahugepallofblackthatwasclosinginonthemlikeavastcurtain.Thestarsbegantogoout.Amoaningwindcame.Andthentherain.

Thorhadfoundahugerockthatshelvedinward,likealean-to,andhecreptbackunderthiswithMuskwabeforethedelugedescended.Formanyminutesitwasmorelikeafloodthanarain.ItseemedasthoughapartofthePacificOceanhadbeenscoopedupanddroppedonthem,andinhalfanhourthecreekwasaswollentorrent.

ThelightningandthecrashofthunderterrifiedMuskwa.NowhecouldseeThoringreatblindingflashesoffire,andthenextinstantitwasasblackaspitch;thetopsofthemountainsseemedfallingdownintothevalley;theearthtrembledandshook—andhesnuggledcloserandclosertoThoruntilatlasthelaybetweenhistwoforearms,halfburiedinthelonghairofthebiggrizzly'sshaggychest.Thorhimselfwasnotmuchconcernedinthesenoisyconvulsionsofnature,excepttokeephimselfdry.Whenhetookabathhewantedthesuntobeshiningandanicewarmrockcloseathandonwhichtostretchhimself.

Foralongtimeafteritsfirstfierceoutbreaktheraincontinuedtofallinagentleshower.Muskwalikedthis,andundertheshelteringrock,snuggledagainstThor,hefeltverycomfortableandeasilyfellasleep.ThroughlonghoursThorkepthisvigilalone,drowsingnowandthen,butkeptfromsoundslumberbytherestlessnessthatwasinhim.

Itstoppedrainingsoonaftermidnight,butitwasverydark,thestreamwasfloodingoveritsbars,andThorremainedundertherock.Muskwahadasplendidsleep.

DayhadcomewhenThor'sstirringrousedMuskwa.Hefollowedthegrizzlyoutintotheopen,feelingtremendouslybetterthanlastnight,thoughhisfeetwerestillsoreandhisbodywasstiff.

Thorbegantofollowthecreekagain.Alongthisstreamtherewerelowflatsandmanysmallbayouswheregrewluxuriantlythetendergrassandroots,andespeciallytheslimlong-stemmedliliesonwhichThorwasfondoffeeding.Butforathousand-poundgrizzlytofilluponsuchvegetariandaintiesastheseconsumedm

anyhours,ifnotone'swholetime,andThorconsideredthathehadnotimetolose.Thorwasamostardentloverwhenhelovedatall,whichwasonlyafewdaysoutoftheyear;andduringthesedayshetwistedhismodeoflivingaroundsothatwhilethespiritpossessedhimhenolongerexistedforthesolepurposeofeatingandgrowingfat.Forashorttimeheputasidehishabitoflivingtoeat,andatetolive;andpoorMuskwawasalmostfamishedbeforeanotherdinnerwasforthcoming.

Butatlast,earlyintheafternoon,Thorcametoapoolwhichhecouldnotpass.Itwasnotadozenfeetinwidth,anditwasalivewithtrout.Thefishhadnotbeenabletoreachthelakeabove,andtheyhadwaitedtoolongaftertheflood-seasontodescendintothedeeperwatersoftheBabineandtheSkeena.Theyhadtakenrefugeinthispool,whichwasnowabouttobecomeadeath-trap.

Atoneendthewaterwastwofeetdeep;attheotherendonlyafewinches.Afterponderingoverthisfactforafewmoments,thegrizzlywadedopenlyintothedeepestpart,andfromthebankaboveMuskwasawtheshimmeringtroutdartingintotheshallowerwater.Thoradvancedslowly,andnow,whenhestoodinlessthaneightinchesofwater,thepanic-strickenfishoneafteranothertriedtoescapebackintothedeeperpartofthepool.

AgainandagainThor'sbigrightpawsweptupgreatshowersofwater.ThefirstinundationknockedMuskwaoffhisfeet.Butwithitcameatwo-poundtroutwhich



thecubquicklydraggedoutofrangeandbeganeating.SoagitatedbecamethepoolbecauseofthemightystrokesofThor'spawthatthetroutcompletelylosttheirheads,andnosoonerdidtheyreachoneendthantheyturnedaboutanddartedfortheother.Theykeptthisupuntilthegrizzlyhadthrownfullyadozenoftheirnumberashore.

SoabsorbedwasMuskwainhisfish,andThorinhisfishing,thatneitherhadnoticedavisitor.Bothsawhimataboutthesametime,andforfullythirtysecondstheystoodandstared,Thorinhispoolandthecuboverhisfish,utteramazementrobbingthemofthepowerofmovement.Thevisitorwasanothergrizzly,andascoollyasthoughhehaddonethefishinghimselfhebeganeatingthefishwhichThorhadthrownout!AworseinsultoradeadlierchallengecouldnothavebeenknowninthelandofBeardom.EvenMuskwasensedthatfact.HelookedexpectantlyatThor.Therewasgoingtobeanotherfight,andhelickedhislittlechopsinanticipation.

Thorcameupoutofthepoolslowly.Onthebankhepaused.Thegrizzliesgazedateachother,thenewcomercrunchingafishashelooked.Neithergrowled.Muskwaperceivednosignsofenmity,andthentohisincreasedastonishmentThorbeganeatingafishwithinthreefeetoftheinterloper!

PerhapsmanisthefinestofallGod'screations,butwhenitcomestohisrespectforoldageheisnobetter,andsometimesnotasgood,asagrizzlybear;forThorwouldnotrobanoldbear,hewouldnotfightanoldbear,andhewouldn

otdriveanoldbearfromhisownmeat—whichismorethancanbesaidofsomehumans.Andthevisitorwasanoldbear,andasickbearaswell.HestoodalmostashighasThor,buthewassooldthathewasonlyhalfasbroadacrossthechest,andhisneckandheadweregrotesquelythin.TheIndianshaveanameforhim.KuyasWapusktheycallhim—thebearsooldheisabouttodie.Theylethimgounharmed;otherbearstoleratehimandlethimeattheirmeatifhechancesalong;thewhitemankillshim.

Thisoldbearwasfamished.Hisclawsweregone;hishairwasthin,andinsomeplaceshisskinwasnaked,andhehadbarelymorethanred,hardgumstochewwith.Ifheliveduntilautumnhewoulddenup—forthelasttime.Perhapsdeathwouldcomeevensoonerthanthat.Ifso,KuyasWapuskwouldknowintime,andhewouldcrawloffintosomehiddencaveordeepcreviceintherockstobreathehisl

ast.ForinalltheRockyMountains,sofarasBruceorLangdonknew,therewasnotamanwhohadfoundthebonesorbodyofagrizzlythathaddiedanaturaldeath!

Andbig,huntedThor,tornbywoundandpursuedbyman,seemedtounderstandthatthiswouldbethelastrealfeastonearthforKuyasWapusk—toooldtofishforhimself,toooldtohunt,toooldeventodigoutthetenderlilyroots;andsohelethimeatuntilthelastfishwasgone,andthenwenton,withMuskwataggingathisheels.

CHAPTERTWELVE

ForstillanothertwohoursThorledMuskwaonthattiresomejauntintothenorth.TheyhadtravelledagoodtwentymilessinceleavingtheBighornHighway,andtothelittletan-facedcubthosetwentymileswerelikeajourneyaroundtheworld.Ordinarilyhewouldnothavegonethatfarawayfromhisbirthplaceuntilhissecondyear,andverypossiblyhisthird.



NotonceinthishikedownthevalleyhadThorwastedtimeonthemountainslopes.Hehadpickedouttheeasiesttrailsalongthecreek.Threeorfourmilesbelowthepoolwheretheyhadlefttheoldbearhesuddenlychangedthisprocedurebyswingingduewestward,andalittlelatertheywereoncemoreclimbingamountain.Theywentupalonggreenslideforaquarterofamile,andluckilyforMuskwa'slegsthisbroughtthemtothesmoothplainlikefloorofabreakwhichtookthemwithoutmuchmoreeffortoutontheslopesoftheothervalley.ThiswasthevalleyinwhichThorhadkilledtheblackbeartwentymilestothesouthward.

FromthemomentThorlookedoutoverthenorthernlimitsofhisrangeachangetookpossessionofhim.Allatoncehelosthiseagernesstohurry.Forfifteenminuteshestoodlookingdownintothevalley,sniffingtheair.Hedescendedslowly,andwhenhereachedthegreenmeadowsandthecreek-bottomhemooshedalongstraightinthefaceofthewind,whichwascomingfromthesouthandwest.Itdidnotbringhimthescenthewanted—thesmellofhismate.Yetaninstinctthatwasmoreinfalliblethanreasontoldhimthatshewasnear,orshouldbenear.Hedidnottakeaccidentorsicknessorthepossibilityofhuntershavingkilledherintoconsideration.Thiswaswherehehadalwaysstartedintohuntforher,andsoonerorlaterhehadfoundher.Heknewhersmell.Andhecrossedandrecrossedthebottomssothatitcouldnotescapehim.

WhenThorwaslove-sickhewasmoreorlesslikeaman:thatistosay,hewasanidiot.Theimportanceofallotherthingsdwindledintonothingness.Hishabit

s,whichwereasfixedasthestarsatothertimes,tookacompletevacation.Heevenforgothunger,andthewhistlersandgopherswerequitesafe.Hewastireless.Herambledduringthenightaswellasthedayinquestofhislady-love.

ItwasquitenaturalthatintheseexcitinghoursheshouldforgetMuskwaalmostentirely.Atleasttentimesbeforesunsethecrossedandrecrossedthecreek,andthedisgustedandalmostready-to-quitcubwadedandswamandflounderedafterhimuntilhewasnearlydrowned.ThetenthordozenthtimeThorfordedthestreamMuskwarevoltedandfollowedalongonhisownside.Itwasnotlongbeforethegrizzlyreturned.

Itwassoonafterthis,justasthesunwassetting,thattheunexpectedhappened.Whatlittlewindtherewassuddenlyswungstraightintotheeast,andfromth

ewesternslopeshalfamileawayitbroughtascentthatheldThormotionlessinhistracksforperhapshalfaminute,andthensethimoffonthatamblingrunwhichistheungainliestgaitofallfour-footedcreatures.

Muskwarolledafterhimlikeaball,peggingawayfordearlife,butlosinggroundateveryjump.Inthathalf-milestretchhewouldhavelostThoraltogetherifthegrizzlyhadnotstoppednearthebottomofthefirstslopetotakefreshreckonings.WhenhestarteduptheslopeMuskwacouldseehim,andwithayelpingcryforhimtowaitaminutesetafterhimagain.

Twoorthreehundredyardsupthemountainsidetheslopeshelveddownwardintoahollow,ordip,andnosingaboutinthisdip,questingtheairasThorhadquestedit,wasthebeautifulshe-grizzlyfromovertherange.Withherwasoneofh

erlastyear'scubs.Thorwaswithinfiftyyardsofherwhenhecameoverthecrest.Hestopped.Helookedather.AndIskwao,"thefemale,"lookedathim.

Thenfollowedtruebearcourtship.Allhaste,alleagerness,alldesireforhismateseemedtohaveleftThor;andifIskwaohadbeeneagerandyearningshewasprofoundlyindifferentnow.FortwoorthreeminutesThorstoodlookingcasuallyabout,andthisgaveMuskwatimetocomeupandperchhimselfbesidehim,expectinganotherfight.

AsthoughThorwasathousandmilesorsofromherthoughts,Iskwaoturnedover



aflatrockandbeganhuntingforgrubsandants,andnottobeoutdoneinthisstoicunconcernThorpulledupabunchofgrassandswallowedit.Iskwaomovedasteportwo,andThormovedasteportwo,andasifpurelybyaccidenttheirstepsweretowardeachother.

Muskwawaspuzzled.Theoldercubwaspuzzled.Theysatontheirhaunchesliketwodogs,onethreetimesasbigastheother,andwonderedwhatwasgoingtohappen.

IttookThorandIskwaofiveminutestoarrivewithinfivefeetofeachother,andthenverydecorouslytheysmellednoses.

Theyear-oldcubjoinedthefamilycircle.Hewasofjusttherightagetohaveanexceedinglylongname,fortheIndianscalledhimPipoonaskoos—"theyearling."HecameboldlyuptoThorandhismother.ForamomentThordidnotseemtonoticehim.Thenhislongrightarmshotoutinasuddenswingingupper-cutthatliftedPipoonaskooscleanoffthegroundandsenthimspinningtwo-thirdsofthedistanceuptoMuskwa.

Themotherpaidnoattentiontothiseliminationofheroffspring,andstilllovinglysmellednoseswithThor.Muskwa,however,thoughtthiswasthepreliminaryofanothertremendousfight,andwithayelpofdefiancehedarteddowntheslopeandsetuponPipoonaskooswithallhismight.

Pipoonaskooswas"mother'sboy."Thatis,hewasoneofthosecubswhopersistinfollowingtheirmothersthroughasecondseason,insteadofstrikingoutforthemselves.Hehadnurseduntilhewasfivemonthsold;hisparenthadcontinuedtohunttidbitsforhim;hewasfat,andsleek,andsoft;hewas,infact,a"Willie"ofthemountains.

Ontheotherhand,afewdayshadputalotofrealmettleintoMuskwa,andthoughhewasonlyathirdaslargeasPipoonaskoos,andhisfeetweresore,andhisbackached,helandedontheothercublikeashotoutofagun.

StilldazedbytheblowofThor'spaw,Pipoonaskoosgaveayelpingcalltohismotherforhelpatthissuddenonslaught.Hehadneverbeeninafight,andherolledoveronhisbackandside,kickingandscratchingandyelpingasMuskwa'sn

eedle-liketeethsankagainandagainintohistenderhide.

LuckilyMuskwagothimoncebythenose,andbitdeep,andiftherewasanysandatallinWilliePipoonaskoosthistookitoutofhim,andwhileMuskwaheldonfordearlifeheletoutasteadystreamofyelps,informinghismotherthathewasbeingmurdered.TothesecriesIskwaopaidnoattentionatall,butcontinuedtosmellnoseswithThor.

Finallyfreeinghisbleedingnose,PipoonaskoosshookMuskwaoffbysheerforceofsuperiorweightandtooktoflightonadeadrun.Muskwapeggedvaliantlyafterhim.Twicetheymadethecircleofthebasin,andinspiteofhisshorterlegs,MuskwawasaclosesecondintheracewhenPipoonaskoos,turninganaffrightedglancesidewiseforaninstant,hitagainstarockandwentsprawling.Inanot

hermomentMuskwawasathimagain,andhewouldhavecontinuedbitingandsnarlinguntiltherewasnomorestrengthleftinhimhadhenothappenedtoseeThorandIskwaodisappearingslowlyovertheedgeoftheslopetowardthevalley.

AlmostimmediatelyMuskwaforgotfighting.HewasamazedtofindthatThor,insteadoftearinguptheotherbear,waswalkingoffwithher.Pipoonaskoosalsopulledhimselftogetherandlooked.ThenMuskwalookedatPipoonaskoos,andPipoonaskooslookedatMuskwa.Thetan-facedcublickedhischopsjustonce,asiftornbetweentheprospectivedelightofmaulingPipoonaskoosandthemoreimperativedutyoffollowingThor.Theothergavehimnochoice.Withawhimperingyelph



esetoffafterhismother.

Excitingtimesfollowedforthetwocubs.AllthatnightThorandIskwaokeptbythemselvesinthebuffalowillowthicketsandthebalsamsofthecreek-bottom.EarlyintheeveningPipoonaskoossneakeduptohismotheragain,andThorliftedhimintothemiddleofthecreek.ThesecondvisualproofofThor'sdispleasureimpingeduponMuskwathefactthattheolderbearswerenotinamoodtotoleratethecompanionshipofcubs,andtheresultwasawaryandsuspicioustrucebetweenhimandPipoonaskoos.

AllthenextdayThorandIskwaokepttothemselves.EarlyinthemorningMuskwabeganadventuringaboutalittleinquestoffood.Helikedtendergrass,butitwasnotveryfilling.SeveraltimeshesawPipoonaskoosdigginginthesoftbottomclosetothecreek,andfinallyhedrovetheothercubawayfromapartlydiggedholeandinvestigatedforhimself.Afteralittlemoreexcavatinghepulledoutawhite,bulbous,tenderrootthathethoughtwasthesweetestandnicestthinghehadevereaten,notevenexceptingfish.Itwastheonebonneboucheofallthegoodthingshewouldeventuallylearntoeat—thespringbeauty.Oneotherthingalonewasatallcomparablewithit,andthatwasthedog-toothviolet.Springbeautiesweregrowingabouthimabundantly,andhecontinuedtodiguntilhisfeetweregrievouslytender.Buthehadthesatisfactionofbeingcomfortablyfed.

ThorwasagainresponsibleforafightbetweenMuskwaandPipoonaskoos.Latein

theafternoontheolderbearswerelyingdownsidebysideinathicketwhen,withoutanyapparentreasonatall,Thoropenedhishugejawsandemittedalow,steady,growlingroarthatsoundedverymuchlikethesoundhehadmadewhentearingthelifeoutofthebigblack.Iskwaoraisedherheadandjoinedhiminthetumult,bothofthemperfectlygood-naturedandquitehappyduringtheoperation.Whymatingbearsindulgeinthisblood-curdlingduetisamysterywhichonlythebearsthemselvescanexplain.Itlastsforaboutaminute,andduringthisparticularminuteMuskwa,wholayoutsidethethicket,thoughtthatsurelytheglorioushourhadcomewhenThorwasbeatinguptheparentofPipoonaskoos.AndinstantlyhelookedforPipoonaskoos.

UnfortunatelytheWillie-bearcamesneakingroundtheedgeofthebrushjustthen,andMuskwagavehimnochancetoaskquestions.Heshotathiminablackstr

eakandPipoonaskoosbowledoverlikeafatbaby.Forseveralminutestheybitanddugandclawed,mostofthebitinganddiggingandclawingbeingdonebyMuskwa,whilePipoonaskoosdevotedhistimeandenergytoyelping.

Finallythelargercubgotawayandagaintooktoflight.Muskwapursuedhim,intothebrushandout,downtothecreekandback,halfwayuptheslopeanddownagain,untilhewassotiredhehadtodroponhisbellyforarest.

AtthisjunctureThoremergedfromthethicket.Hewasalone.ForthefirsttimesincelastnightheseemedtonoticeMuskwa.Thenhesniffedthewindupthevalleyanddownthevalley,andafterthatturnedandwalkedstraighttowardthedistantslopesdownwhichtheyhadcometheprecedingafternoon.Muskwawasbothpleasedandperplexed.Hewantedtogointothethicketandsnarlandpullatth

ehideofthedeadbearthatmustbeinthere,andhealsowantedtofinishPipoonaskoos.AfteramomentortwoofhesitationheranafterThorandagainfollowedcloseathisheels.

AfteralittleIskwaocamefromthethicketandnosedthewindasThorhadfeltit.Thensheturnedintheoppositedirection,andwithPipoonaskoosclosebehindher,wentuptheslopeandcontinuedslowlyandsteadilyinthefaceofthesettingsun.

SoendedThor'slove-makingandMuskwa'sfirstfighting;andtogethertheytrail



edeastwardagain,tofacethemostterribleperilthathadevercomeintothemountainsforfour-footedbeast-aperilthatwasmerciless,aperilfromwhichtherewasnoescape,aperilthatwasfraughtwithdeath.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

ThefirstnightafterleavingIskwaoandPipoonaskoosthebiggrizzlyandthetan-facedcubwanderedwithoutsleepunderthebrilliantstars.Thordidnothuntformeat.Heclimbedasteepslope,thenwentdowntheshalesideofadip,andinasmallbasinhiddenatthefootofamountaincametoasoftgreenmeadowwherethedog-toothviolet,withitsslenderstem,itstwolily-likeleaves,itssingleclusteroffive-petalledflowers,anditsluscious,bulbousrootgrewingreatprofusion.Andhereallthroughthenighthedugandate.

Muskwa,whohadfilledhimselfonspringbeautyroots,wasnothungry,andasthedayhadbeenarestfuloneforhim,outsideofhisfighting,hefoundthisnightfilledwithitsbrilliantstarsquiteenjoyable.Themooncameupaboutteno'clock,anditwasthebiggest,andthereddest,andthemostbeautifulmoonMuskwahadseeninhisshortlife.Itrolledupoverthepeakslikeaforestfire,

andfilledalltheRockyMountainswithawonderfulglow.Thebasin,inwhichtherewereperhapstenacresofmeadow,waslightedupalmostlikeday.Thelittlelakeatthefootofthemountainglimmeredsoftly,andthetinystreamthatfeditfromthemeltingsnowsathousandfeetaboveshotdowninglisteningcascadesthatcaughtthemoonlightlikerivuletsofdullpolisheddiamonds.

Aboutthemeadowwerescatteredlittleclumpsofbushesandafewbalsamsandspruce,asifsetthereforornamentalpurposes;andononesidetherewasanarrow,verdure-coveredslidethatslopedupwardforathirdofamile,andatthetopofwhich,unseenbyMuskwaandThor,abandofsheepweresleeping.

Muskwawanderedabout,alwaysnearThor,investigatingtheclumpsofbushes,thedarkshadowsofthebalsamsandspruce,andtheedgeofthelake.Herehefound

aplashetofsoftmudwhichwasagreatsolacetohissorefeet.Twentytimesduringthenighthewadedinthemud.

EvenwhenthedawncameThorseemedtobeinnogreathastetoleavethebasin.Untilthesunwaswelluphecontinuedtowanderaboutthemeadowandtheedgeofthelake,diggingupoccasionalroots,andeatingtendergrass.ThisdidnotdispleaseMuskwa,whomadehisbreakfastofthedog-toothvioletbulbs.TheonematterthatpuzzledhimwaswhyThordidnotgointothelakeandthrowouttrout,forheyethadtolearnthatallwaterdidnotcontainfish.Atlasthewentfishingforhimself,andsucceededingettingablackhard-shelledwaterbeetlethatnippedhisnosewithapairofneedle-likepincersandbroughtayelpfromhim.

Itwasperhapsteno'clock,andthesun-filledbasinwaslikeawarmoventoathick-coatedbear,whenThorsearchedupamongtherocksnearthewaterfalluntilhefoundaplacethatwasascoolasanold-fashionedcellar.Itwasaminiaturecavern.Allaboutittheslateandsandstonewasofadarkandclammywetfromahundredlittletricklesofsnowwaterthatrandownfromthepeaks.

ItwasjustthesortofaplaceThorlovedonaJulyday,buttoMuskwaitwasdarkandgloomyandnotathousandthpartaspleasantasthesun.SoafteranhourortwoheleftThorinhisfrigidariumandbegantoinvestigatethetreacherousledges.



Forafewminutesallwentwell—thenhesteppedonagreen-tintedslopeofslateoverwhichaveryshallowdribbleofwaterwasrunning.Thewaterhadbeenrunningoveritinjustthatwayforsomecenturies,andtheshelvingslatewaswornassmoothasthesurfaceofapolishedpearl,anditwasasslipperyasagreasedpole.Muskwa'sfeetwentoutfromunderhimsoquicklythathehardlyknewwhathadhappened.Thenextmomenthewasonhiswaytothelakeahundredfeetbelow.Herolledoverandover.Heplashedintoshallowpools.Hebouncedoverminiaturewaterfallslikearubberball.Thewindwasknockedoutofhim.Hewasblindedanddazedbywaterandshock,andhegatheredfreshspeedwitheveryyardhemade.Hehadsucceededinlettingouthalfadozenterrifiedyelpsatthestart,andtheserousedThor.

Wherethewaterfromthepeaksfellintothelaketherewasaprecipitousdropoftenfeet,andoverthisMuskwashotwithamomentumthatcarriedhimtwiceasfaroutintothepond.Hehitwithabigsplash,anddisappeared.Downanddownhewent,whereeverythingwasblackandcoldandsuffocating;thenthelife-preserverwithwhichnaturehadendowedhimintheformofhisfatbroughthimtothesurface.Hebegantopaddlewithallfourfeet.Itwashisfirstswim,andwhenhefinallydraggedhimselfashorehewaslimpandexhausted.

Whilehestilllaypantingandverymuchfrightened,Thorcamedownfromtherocks.Muskwa'smotherhadgivenhimasoundcuffingwhenhegottheporcupinequillinhisfoot.Shehadcuffedhimforeveryaccidenthehadhad,becauseshebel

ievedthatcuffingwasgoodmedicine.Educationislargelycuffedintoabearcub,andshewouldhavegivenhimafinecuffingnow.ButThoronlysmelledofhim,sawthathewasallright,andbegantodigupadog-toothviolet.

Hehadnotfinishedthevioletwhensuddenlyhestopped.Forahalf-minutehestoodlikeastatue.Muskwajumpedandshookhimself.Thenhelistened.Asoundcametobothofthem.Inoneslow,gracefulmovementthegrizzlyrearedhimselftohisfullheight.Hefacedthenorth,hisearsthrustforward,thesensitivemusclesofhisnostrilstwitching.Hecouldsmellnothing,butheheard!

Overtheslopeswhichtheyhadclimbedtherehadcometohimfaintlyasoundthatwasnewtohim,asoundthathadneverbeforebeenapartofhislife.Itwasthebarkingofdogs.

FortwominutesThorsatonhishauncheswithoutmovingamuscleofhisgreatbodyexceptthosetwitchingthewsinhisnose.

Deepdowninthiscupunderthemountainitwasdifficultevenforsoundtoreachhim.Quicklyheswungdownonallfoursandmadeforthegreenslopetothesouthward,atthetopofwhichthebandofsheephadsleptduringtheprecedingnight.Muskwahurriedafter.

AhundredyardsuptheslopeThorstoppedandturned.Againherearedhimself.NowMuskwaalsofacedtothenorth.Asuddendownwarddriftofthewindbroughtthebarkingofthedogstothemclearly.

LessthanhalfamileawayLangdon'spackoftrainedAiredaleswerehotonthescent.TheirbayingwasfilledwiththefierceexcitementwhichtoldBruceandLangdon,aquarterofamilebehindthem,thattheywerecloseupontheirprey.

AndevenmorethanitthrilledthemdidthetongueingofthedogsthrillThor.Againitwasinstinctthattoldhimanewenemyhadcomeintohisworld.Hewasnotafraid.Butthatinstincturgedhimtoretreat,andhewenthigheruntilhecametoapartofthemountainthatwasroughandbroken,whereoncemorehehalted.



Thistimehewaited.Whateverthemenacewasitwasdrawingnearerwiththeswiftnessofthewind.Hecouldhearitcominguptheslopethatshelteredthebasinfromthevalley.

ThecrestofthatslopewasjustaboutonalevelwithThor'seyes,andashelookedtheleaderofthepackcameupovertheedgeofitandstoodforamomentoutlinedagainstthesky.Theothersfollowedquickly,andforperhapsthirtysecondstheystoodrigidonthecapofthehill,lookingdownintothebasinattheirfeetandsniffingtheheavyscentwithwhichitwasfilled.

DuringthosethirtysecondsThorwatchedhisenemieswithoutmoving,whileinhisdeepchesttheregatheredslowlyalowandterriblegrowl.Notuntilthepacksweptdownintothecupofthemountain,givingfulltongueagain,didhecontinuehisretreat.Butitwasnotflight.Hewasnotafraid.Hewasgoingon—becausetogoonwashisbusiness.Hewasnotseekingtrouble;hehadnodesireeventodefendhispossessionofthemeadowandthelittlelakeunderthemountain.Therewereothermeadowsandotherlakes,andhewasnotnaturallyaloveroffighting.Buthewasreadytofight.

Hecontinuedtorumbleominously,andinhimtherewasburningaslowandsullenanger.Heburiedhimselfamongtherocks;hefollowedaledgewithMuskwaslinkingcloseathisheels;heclimbedoverahugescarpofrock,andtwistedamongbouldershalfasbigashouses.ButnotoncedidhegowhereMuskwacouldnoteasilyfollow.Once,whenhedrewhimselffromaledgetoaprojectingseamofsan

dstonehigherup,andfoundthatMuskwacouldnotclimbit,hecamedownandwentanotherway.

Thebayingofthedogswasnowdeepdowninthebasin.Thenitbegantoriseswiftly,asifonwings,andThorknewthatthepackwascomingupthegreenslide.Hestoppedagain,andthistimethewindbroughttheirscenttohimfullandstrong.

Itwasascentthattightenedeverymuscleinhisgreatbodyandsetstrangefiresburninginhimlikeragingfurnaces.Withthedogscamealsotheman-smell!

Hetravelledupwardalittlefasternow,andthefierceandjoyousyelpingofthedogsseemedscarcelyahundredyardsawaywhenheenteredasmallopenspacei

nthewildupheavalofrock.Onthemountainsidewasawallthatroseperpendicularly.Twentyfeetontheothersidewasasheerfallofahundredfeet,andthewayaheadwasclosedwiththeexceptionofatrailscarcelywiderthanThor'sbodybyahugecragofrockthathadfallenfromtheshoulderofthemountain.ThebiggrizzlyledMuskwacloseuptothiscragandthebreakthatopenedthroughit,andthenturnedsuddenlyback,sothatMuskwawasbehindhim.Inthefaceoftheperilthatwasalmostuponthemamother-bearwouldhavedrivenMuskwaintothesafetyofacreviceintherockwall.Thordidnotdothis.Hefrontedthedangerthatwascoming,andrearedhimselfuponhishindquarters.

Twentyfeetawaythetrailhehadfollowedswungsharplyaroundaprojectingbulgeintheperpendicularwall,andwitheyesthatwerenowredandterribleThorwatchedthetraphehadset.

Thepackwascomingfulltongue.Fiftyyardsbeyondthebulgethedogswererunningshouldertoshoulder,andamomentlaterthefirstofthemrushedintothearenawhichThorhadchosenforhimself.Thebulkofthehordefollowedsocloselythatthefirstdogswereflungunderhimastheystrovefranticallytostopthemselvesintime.

WitharoarThorlaunchedhimselfamongthem.Hisgreatrightarmsweptoutandinward,anditseemedtoMuskwathathehadgatheredahalfofthepackunderhishugebody.Withasinglecrunchofhisjawshebrokethebackoftheforemost



hunter.Fromasecondhetoretheheadsothatthewindpipetrailedoutlikearedrope.

Herolledhimselfforward,andbeforetheremainingdogscouldrecoverfromtheirpanichehadcaughtoneablowthatsenthimflyingovertheedgeoftheprecipicetotherocksahundredfeetbelow.Ithadallhappenedinhalfaminute,andinthathalf-minutetheremainingninedogshadscattered.

ButLangdon'sAiredaleswerefighters.Tothelastdogtheyhadcomeoffightingstock,andBruceandMetoosinhadtrainedthemuntiltheycouldbehungupbytheirearswithoutwhimpering.ThetragicfateofthreeoftheirnumberfrightenedthemnomorethantheirownpursuithadfrightenedThor.

Swiftaslightningtheycircledaboutthegrizzly,spreadingthemselvesontheirforefeet,readytospringasideorbackwardtoavoidsuddenrushes,andgivingvoicenowtothatquick,fierceyappingwhichtellshunterstheirquarryisatbay.Thiswastheirbusiness—toharassandtorment,toretardflight,tostoptheirpreyagainandagainuntiltheirmasterscametofinishthekill.Itwasaquitefairandthrillingsportforthebearandthedogs.Themanwhocomesupwiththerifleendsitinmurder.

Butifthedogshadtheirtricks,Thoralsohadhis.Afterthreeorfourvainrushes,inwhichtheAiredaleseludedhimbytheirsuperiorquickness,hebackedslowlytowardthehugerockbesidewhichMuskwawascrouching,andasheretreate

dthedogsadvanced.

TheirincreasedbarkingandThor'sevidentinabilitytodrivethemawayortearthemtopiecesterrifiedMuskwamorethanever.Suddenlyheturnedtailanddartedintoacreviceintherockbehindhim.

Thorcontinuedtobackuntilhisgreathipstouchedthestone.Thenheswunghisheadsidewiseandlookedforthecub.NotahairofMuskwawastobeseen.TwiceThorturnedhishead.Afterthat,seeingthatMuskwawasgone,hecontinuedtoretreatuntilheblockedthenarrowpassagethatwashisbackdoortosafety.

Thedogswerenowbarkinglikemad.Theyweredroolingattheirmouths,theirwirycrestsstooduplikebrushes,andtheirsnarlingfangswerebaredtotheirre

dgums.

Nearerandnearertheycametohim,challenginghimtostay,torushthem,tocatchthemifhecould—andintheirexcitementtheyputtenyardsofopenspacebehindthem.Thormeasuredthisspace,ashehadmeasuredthedistancebetweenhimandtheyoungbullcaribouafewdaysbefore.Andthen,withoutsomuchasasnarlofwarning,hedartedoutuponhisenemieswithasuddennessthatsentthemflyingwildlyfortheirlives.

Thordidnotstop.Hekepton.Wheretherockwallbulgedoutthetrailnarrowedtofivefeet,andhehadmeasuredthisfactaswellasthedistance.Hecaughtthelastdog,anddroveitdownunderhispaw.AsitwastorntopiecestheAiredaleemittedpiercingcriesofagonythatreachedBruceandLangdonastheyhurr

iedpantingandwind-brokenuptheslidethatledfromthebasin.

Thordroppedonhisbellyinthenarrowedtrail,andasthepackbrokeloosewithfreshvoicehecontinuedtotearathisvictimuntiltherockwassmearedwithbloodandhairandentrails.ThenherosetohisfeetandlookedagainforMuskwa.Thecubwascurledupinashiveringballtwofeetinthecrevice.ItmaybethatThorthoughthehadgoneonupthemountain,forhelostnotimenowinretreatingfromthesceneofbattle.Hehadcaughtthewindagain.BruceandLangdonweresweating,andtheirsmellcametohimstrongly.



FortenminutesThorpaidnoattentiontotheeightdogsyappingathisheels,excepttopausenowandthenandswinghisheadabout.AshecontinuedinhisretreattheAiredalesbecamebolder,untilfinallyoneofthemsprangaheadoftherestandburiedhisfangsinthegrizzly'sleg.

Thisaccomplishedwhatbarkinghadfailedtodo.WithanotherroarThorturnedandpursuedthepackheadlongforfiftyyardsovertheback-trail,andfivepreciousminuteswerelostbeforehecontinuedupwardtowardtheshoulderofthemountain.

Hadthewindbeeninanotherdirectionthepackwouldhavetriumphed,buteachtimethatLangdonandBrucegainedgroundthewindwarnedThorbybringingtohimthewarmodouroftheirbodies.Andthegrizzlywascarefultokeepthatwindfromtherightquarter.Hecouldhavegainedthetopofthemountainmoreeasilyandquicklybyquarteringthefaceofitonaback-trail,butthiswouldhavethrownthewindtoofarunderhim.Aslongasheheldthewindhewassafe,unlessthehuntersmadeanefforttocheckmatehismethodofescapebydetouringandcuttinghimoff.

Ittookhimhalfanhourtoreachthetopmostridgeofrock,fromwhichpointhewouldhavetobreakcoverandrevealhimselfashemadethelasttwoorthreehundredyardsuptheshalesideofthemountaintothebackboneoftherange.

WhenThormadethisbreakheputonasuddenspurtofspeedthatleftthedogst

hirtyorfortyyardsbehindhim.Fortwoorthreeminuteshewasclearlyoutlinedonthefaceofthemountain,andduringthelastminuteofthosethreehewassplendidlyprofiledagainstacarpetofpure-whitesnow,withoutashruborarocktoconcealhimfromtheeyesbelow.

BruceandLangdonsawhimatfivehundredyards,andbeganfiring.CloseoverhisheadThorheardthecuriousrippingwailofthefirstbullet,andaninstantlatercamethecrackoftherifle.

Asecondshotsentupaspurtofsnowfiveyardsaheadofhim.Heswungsharplytotheright.Thisputhimbroadsidetothemarksmen.Thorheardathirdshot—andthatwasall.

WhilethereportswerestillechoingamongthecragsandpeakssomethingstruckThoraterrificblowontheflatofhisskull,fiveinchesbackofhisrightear.Itwasasifaclubhaddescendeduponhimfromoutofthesky.Hewentdownlikealog.

Itwasaglancingshot.Itscarcelydrewblood,butforamomentitstunnedthegrizzly,asamanisdazedbyablowontheendofthechin.

Beforehecouldrisefromwherehehadfallenthedogswereuponhim,tearingathisthroatandneckandbody.WitharoarThorsprangtohisfeetandshookthemoff.Hestruckoutsavagely,andLangdonandBrucecouldhearhisbellowingastheystoodwithfingersonthetriggersoftheirrifleswaitingforthedogstodrawawayfarenoughtogivethemthefinalshots.

YardbyyardThorworkedhiswayupward,snarlingatthefranticpack,defyingtheman-smell,thestrangethunder,theburninglightning—evendeathitself,andfivehundredyardsbelowLangdoncurseddespairinglyasthedogshungsoclosehecouldnotfire.

Uptotheverysky-linetheblood-thirstingpackshieldedThor.Hedisappearedoverthesummit.Thedogsfollowed.Andafterthattheirbayingcamefainterandfainterasthebiggrizzlyledthemswiftlyawayfromthemenaceofmaninalongandthrillingracefromwhichmorethanonewasdoomednottoreturn.



CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Inhishiding-placeMuskwaheardthelastsoundsofthebattleontheledge.ThecrevicewasaV-shapedcrackintherock,andhehadwedgedhimselfasfarbackinthisashecould.HesawThorpasstheopeningofhisrefugeafterhehadkilledthefourthdog;heheardtheclick,click,clickofhisclawsasheretreatedupthetrail;andatlastheknewthatthegrizzlywasgone,andthattheenemyhadfollowedhim.

Stillhewasafraidtocomeout.Thesestrangepursuersthathadcomeupoutofthevalleyhadfilledhimwithadeadlyterror.Pipoonaskooshadnotmadehimafraid.EventhebigblackbearthatThorkilledhadnotterrifiedhimasthesered-lipped,white-fangedstrangershadfrightenedhim.Soheremainedinhiscrevice,crowdedasfarbackashecouldget,likeawadshovedinagun-barrel.

Hecouldstillhearthetongueingofthedogswhenotherandnearersoundsalarmedhim.LangdonandBrucecamerushingaroundthebulgeinthemountainwall,andatsightofthedeaddogstheystopped.Langdoncriedoutinhorror.

HewasnotmorethantwentyfeetfromMuskwa.Forthefirsttimethecubheardhumanvoices;forthefirsttimethesweatyodourofmenfilledhisnostrils,andhescarcelybreathedinhisnewfear.Thenoneofthehuntersstooddirectlyinfrontofthecrackinwhichhewashidden,andhesawhisfirstman.Amomentlaterthemen,too,weregone.

LaterMuskwaheardtheshots.Afterthatthebarkingofthedogsgrewmoreandmoredistantuntilfinallyhecouldnothearthematall.Itwasaboutthreeo'clock—thesiestahourinthemountains,anditwasveryquiet.

ForalongtimeMuskwadidnotmove.Helistened.Andheheardnothing.Anotherfearwasgrowinginhimnow—thefearoflosingThor.Witheverybreathhedrewhe

washopingthatThorwouldreturn.Foranhourheremainedwedgedintherock.Thenheheardacheep,cheep,cheep,andatinystripedrock-rabbitcameoutontheledgewhereMuskwacouldseehimandbegancautiouslyinvestigatingoneoftheslainAiredales.ThisgaveMuskwacourage.Heprickeduphisearsabit.Hewhimperedsoftly,asifbeseechingrecognitionandfriendshipoftheonetinycreaturethatwasnearhiminthisdreadfulhouroflonelinessandfear.

Inchbyinchhecrawledoutofhishiding-place.Atlasthislittleround,furryheadwasout,andhelookedabouthim.Thetrailwasclear,andheadvancedtowardtherock-rabbit.Withashrillchatterthestripedmitedartedforitsownstronghold,andMuskwawasaloneagain.

Forafewmomentshestoodundecided,sniffingtheairthatwasheavywiththes

centofblood,ofman,andofThor;thenheturnedupthemountain.

HeknewThorhadgoneinthatdirection,andiflittleMuskwapossessedamindandasoultheywerefilledwithbutonedesirenow—toovertakehisbigfriendandprotector.Evenfearofdogsandmen,unknownquantitiesinhislifeuntilto-day,wasnowovershadowedbythefearthathehadlostThor.

Hedidnotneedeyestofollowthetrail.Itwaswarmunderhisnose,andhestartedinthezigzagascentofthemountainasfastashecouldgo.Therewereplaceswhereprogresswasdifficultforhisshortlegs,buthekeptonvaliantlyan



dhopefully,encouragedbyThor'sfreshscent.

Ittookhimagoodhourtoreachthebeginningofthenakedshalethatreacheduptothebeltofsnowandthesky-line,anditwasfouro'clockwhenhestartedupthoselastthreehundredyardsbetweenhimandthemountain-top.UptherehebelievedhewouldfindThor.Buthewasafraid,andhecontinuedtowhimpersoftlytohimselfashedughislittleclawsbravelyintotheshale.

Muskwadidnotlookuptothecrestofthepeakagainafterhehadstarted.Tohavedonethatitwouldhavebeennecessaryforhimtostopandturnsidewise,fortheascentwassteep.Andso,whenMuskwawashalfwaytothetop,ithappenedthathedidnotseeLangdonandBruceastheycameoverthesky-line;andhecouldnotsmellthem,forthewindwasblowingupinsteadofdown.Obliviousoftheirpresencehecametothesnow-belt.JoyouslyhesmelledofThor'shugefootprints,andfollowedthem.AndabovehimBruceandLangdonwaited,crouchedlow,theirgunsontheground,andeachwithhisthickflannelshirtstrippedoffandheldreadyinhishands.WhenMuskwawaslessthantwentyyardsfromthemtheycametearingdownuponhimlikeanavalanche.

NotuntilBrucewasuponhimdidMuskwarecoverhimselfsufficientlytomove.Hesawandrealizeddangerinthelastfifthofasecond,andasBruceflunghimselfforward,hisshirtoutspreadlikeanet,Muskwadartedtooneside.Sprawlingonhisface,Brucegatheredupashirtfulofsnowandclutchedittohisbreast,believingforamomentthathehadthecub,andatthissameinstantLangdonm

adeadrivethatentangledhimwithhisfriend'slonglegsandsenthimturningsomersaultsdownthesnow-slide.

Muskwabolteddownthemountainasfastashisshortlegscouldcarryhim.InanothersecondBrucewasafterhim,andLangdonjoinedintenfeetbehind.

SuddenlyMuskwamadeasharpturn,andthemomentumwithwhichBrucewascomingcarriedhimthirtyorfortyfeetbelowhim,wherethelankymountaineerstoppedhimselfonlybydoublinguplikeajack-knifeanddiggingtoes,hands,elbows,andevenhisshouldersinthesoftshale.

Langdonhadswitched,andwashotafterMuskwa.Heflunghimselffacedownward,shirtoutspread,justasthecubmadeanotherturn,andwhenherosetohisfeet

hisfacewasscratchedandhespathalfahandfulofdirtandshaleoutofhismouth.

UnfortunatelyforMuskwahissecondturnbroughthimstraightdowntoBruce,andbeforehecouldturnagainhewasenvelopedinsuddendarknessandsuffocation,andoverhimthererangoutafiendishandtriumphantyell.

"Igot'im!"shoutedBruce.

InsidetheshirtMuskwascratchedandbitandsnarled,andBrucewashavinghishandsfullwhenLangdonrandownwiththesecondshirt.VeryshortlyMuskwawastrusseduplikeapapoose.Hislegsandhisbodywereswathedsotightlythathecouldnotmovethem.Hisheadwasnotcovered.Itwastheonlypartofhimthat

showed,andtheonlypartofhimthathecouldmove,anditlookedsoroundandfrightenedandfunnythatforaminuteortwoLangdonandBruceforgottheirdisappointmentsandlossesofthedayandlaughed.

ThenLangdonsatdownononesideofMuskwa,andBruceontheother,andtheyfilledandlightedtheirpipes.Muskwacouldnotevenkickanobjection.

"Acoupleofhuskyhuntersweare,"saidLangdonthen."Comeoutforagrizzlyandendupwiththat!"



Helookedatthecub.MuskwawaseyinghimsoearnestlythatLangdonsatinmutewonderforamoment,andthenslowlytookhispipefromhismouthandstretchedoutahand.

"Cubby,cubby,nicecubby,"hecajoledsoftly.

Muskwa'stinyearswereperkedforward.Hisbrighteyeswerelikeglass.Bruce,unobservedbyLangdon,wasgrinningexpectantly.

"Cubbywon'tbite—no—no—nicelittlecubby—wewon'thurtcubby—"

Thenextinstantawildyellstartledthemountain-topsasMuskwa'sneedle-liketeethsankintooneofLangdon'sfingers.Bruce'showlsofjoywouldhavefrightenedgameamileaway.

"Youlittledevil!"gaspedLangdon,andthen,ashesuckedhiswoundedfinger,helaughedwithBruce."He'sasport—adeadgamesport,"headded."We'llcallhimSpitfire,Bruce.ByGeorge,I'vewantedacublikethateversinceIfirstcameintothemountains.I'mgoingtotakehimhomewithme!Ain'theafunnylookinglittlecuss?"

Muskwashiftedhishead,theonlypartofhimthatwasnotasstifflyimmovableasamummy,andscrutinizedBruce.Langdonrosetohisfeetandlookedbacktothesky-line.Hisfacewassetandhard.

"Fourdogs!"hesaid,asifspeakingtohimself."Threedownbelow—andoneupthere!"Hewassilentforamoment,andthensaid:"Ican'tunderstandit,Bruce.They'vecorneredfiftybearsforus,anduntilto-daywe'veneverlostadog."

BrucewasloopingabuckskinthongaboutMuskwa'smiddle,makingofitasortofhandlebywhichhecouldcarrythecubashewouldhaveconveyedapailofwateroraslabofbacon.Hestoodup,andMuskwadangledattheendofhisstring.

"We'verunupagainstakiller,"hesaid."An'ameat-killin'grizzlyistheworstanimalonthefaceoftheearthwhenitcomestoafightorahunt.Thedogs'llneverhold'im,Jimmy,an'ifitdon'tgetdarkprettysoontherewon'tnoneofthebunchcomeback.They'llquitatdark—ifthere'sanyleft.Theoldfellow's

gotourwind,an'youcanbetheknowswhatknockedhimdownupthereonthesnow.He'shikin'—an'hikin'fast.Whenwesee'imag'init'llbetwentymilesfromhere."

Langdonwentupfortheguns.WhenhereturnedBruceledthewaydownthemountain,carryingMuskwabythebuckskinthong.Forafewmomentstheypausedontheblood-stainedledgeofrockwhereThorhadwreakedhisvengeanceuponhistormentors.Langdonbentoverthedogthegrizzlyhaddecapitated.

"ThisisBiscuits,"hesaid."Andwealwaysthoughtshewastheonecowardofthebunch.TheothertwoareJaneandTober;oldFritzisuponthesummit.Threeofthebestdogswehad,Bruce!"

Brucewaslookingovertheledge.Hepointeddownward.

"There'sanother—pitchedcleanoffthefaceo'themount'in!"hegasped."Jimmy,that'sfive!"

Langdon'sfistswereclenchedtightlyashestaredovertheedgeoftheprecipice.Achokingsoundcamefromhisthroat.Bruceunderstooditsmeaning.Fromwheretheystoodtheycouldseeablackpatchontheupturnedbreastofthedogahundredfeetunderthem.Onlyoneofthepackwasmarkedlikethat.ItwasLangdon'sfavourite.Hehadmadeheracamppet.



"It'sDixie,"hesaid.Forthefirsttimehefeltasurgeofangersweepthroughhim,andhisfacewaswhiteasheturnedbacktothetrail."I'vegotmorethanonereasonforgettingthatgrizzlynow,Bruce,"headded."Wildhorsescan'ttearmeawayfromthesemountainsuntilIkillhim.I'llstickuntilwinterifIhaveto.IswearI'mgoingtokillhim—ifhedoesn'trunaway."

"Hewon'tdothat,"saidBrucetersely,asheoncemoreswungdownthetrailwithMuskwa.

UntilnowMuskwahadbeenstunnedintosubmissivenessbywhatmusthaveappearedtohimtobeanutterlyhopelesssituation.Hehadstrainedeverymuscleinhisbodytomovealegorapaw,buthewasswathedastightlyasRameseshadeverbeen.Butnow,however,itslowlydawneduponhimthatashedangledbackandforthhisfacefrequentlybrushedhisenemy'sleg,andhestillhadtheuseofhisteeth.Hewatchedhisopportunity,andthiscamewhenBrucetookalongstepdownfromarock,thusallowingMuskwa'sbodytorestforthefractionofasecondonthesurfaceofthestonefromwhichhewasdescending.

QuickerthanawinkMuskwatookabite.Itwasagooddeepbite,andifLangdon'showlhadstirredthesilencesamileawaytheyellwhichnowcamefromBrucebeathimbyatleastahalf.Itwasthewildest,mostblood-curdlingsoundMuskwahadeverheard,evenmoreterriblethanthebarkingofthedogs,anditfrightenedhimsothathereleasedhisholdatonce.

Then,again,hewasamazed.Thesequeerbipedsmadenoefforttoretaliate.Theonehehadbittenhoppedupanddownononefootinamostunaccountablemannerforaminuteorso,whiletheothersatdownonaboulderandrockedbackandforth,withhishandsonhisstomach,andmadeaqueer,uproariousnoisewithhismouthwideopen.Thentheotherstoppedhishoppingandalsomadethatqueernoise.

ItwasanythingbutlaughtertoMuskwa.Butitimpingeduponhimthetruthofoneoftwothings:eitherthesegrotesquelookingmonstersdidnotdaretofighthim,ortheywereverypeacefulandhadnointentionofharminghim.Buttheyweremorecautiousthereafter,andassoonastheyreachedthevalleytheycarriedhimbetweenthem,strungonarifle-barrel.

Itwasalmostdarkwhentheyapproachedaclumpofbalsamsredwiththeglowofafire.ItwasMuskwa'sfirstfire.Alsohesawhisfirsthorses,terrificlookingmonstersevenlargerthanThor.

Athirdman—Metoosin,theIndian—cameouttomeetthehunters,andintothiscreature'shandsMuskwafoundhimselftransferred.Hewaslaidonhissidewiththeglareofthefireinhiseyes,andwhileoneofhiscaptorsheldhimbybothears,andsotightlythatithurt,anotherfastenedahobble-straparoundhisneckforacollar.Aheavyhalterropewasthentiedtotheringonthisstrap,andtheendoftheropewasfastenedtoatree.

DuringtheseoperationsMuskwasnarledandsnappedasmuchashecould.Inanoth

erhalf-minutehewasfreeoftheshirts,andashestaggeredonfourwobblylegs,fromwhichallpowerofflighthadtemporarilygone,hebaredhistinyfangsandsnarledasfiercelyashecould.

Tohisfurtheramazementthishadnoeffectuponhisstrangecompanyatall,exceptthatthethreeofthem—eventheIndian—openedtheirmouthsandjoinedinthatloudandincomprehensibledin,towhichoneofthemhadgivenvoicewhenhesankhisteethintohiscaptor'slegonthemountainside.ItwasalltremendouslypuzzlingtoMuskwa.



CHAPTERFIFTEEN

GreatlytoMuskwa'sreliefthethreemensoonturnedawayfromhimandbegantobusythemselvesaboutthefire.Thisgavehimachancetoescape,andhepulledandtuggedattheendoftheropeuntilhenearlychokedhimselftodeath.Finallyhegaveupindespair,andcrumplinghimselfupagainstthefootofthebalsamhebegantowatchthecamp.

Hewasnotmorethanthirtyfeetfromthefire.Brucewaswashinghishandsinacanvasbasin.Langdonwasmoppinghisfacewithatowel.ClosetothefireMetoosinwaskneeling,andfromthebigblackskittlehewasholdingoverthecoalscamethehissingandsputteringoffatcaribousteaks,andaboutthepleasantestsmellthathadevercomeMuskwa'sway.Theairallabouthimwasheavywiththearomaofgoodthings.

WhenLangdonhadfinisheddryinghisfaceheopenedacanofsomething.Itwassweetenedcondensedmilk.Hepouredthewhitefluidintoabasin,andcamewithittowardMuskwa.Thecubhadunsuccessfullyattemptedflightonthegrounduntilhisneckwassore;nowheclimbedthetree.HewentupsoquicklythatLangdon

wasastonished,andhesnarledandspatatthemanasthebasinofmilkwasplacedwherehewouldalmostfallintoitwhenhecamedown.

Muskwaremainedattheendofhisropeupthetree,andforalongtimethehunterspaidnomoreattentiontohim.HecouldseethemeatingandhecouldhearthemtalkingastheyplannedanewcampaignagainstThor.

"We'vegottotrickhimafterwhathappenedto-day,"declaredBruce."Nomoretracking'imafterthis,Jimmy.Wecantrackuntildoomsdayan'he'llalwaysknowwhereweare."Hepausedforamomentandlistened."Funnythedogsdon'tcome,"hesaid."Iwonder—"

HelookedatLangdon.

"Impossible!"exclaimedthelatter,ashereadthesignificanceofhiscompanion'slook."Bruce,youdon'tmeantosaythatbearmightkillthemall!"

"I'vehuntedagoodmanygrizzlies,"repliedthemountaineerquietly,"butIain'tneverhuntedatrickieronethanthis.Jimmy,hetrappedthemdogsontheledge,an'hetrickedthedoghekilleduponthepeak.He'sliabletoget'emallintoacorner,an'ifthathappens—"

Heshruggedhisshoulderssuggestively.

AgainLangdonlistened.

"Iftherewereanyaliveatdarktheyshouldbehereprettysoon,"hesaid."I'msorry,now—sorrywedidn'tleavethedogsathome."

Brucelaughedalittlegrimly.

"Fortuneso'war,Jimmy,"hesaid."Youdon'tgohuntinggrizzlieswithapackoflapdogs,an'you'vegottoexpecttolosesomeofthemsoonerorlater.We'vetackledthewrongbear,that'sall.He'sbeatus."

"Beatus?"



"Imeanhe'sbeatusinasquaregame,an'wedealtarawhandatthatinusingdogsatall.Doyouwantthatbearbadenoughtogoafterhimmyway?"

Langdonnodded.

"What'syourscheme?"

"You'vegottodropprettyideeswhenyougogrizzlyhunting,"beganBruce."Andespeciallywhenyourunupagainsta'killer.'Therewon'tbeanyhourbetweennowan'denning-uptimethatthisgrizzlydoesn'tgetthewindfromalldirections.How?He'llmakedetours.I'llbetiftherewassnowonthegroundyou'dfindhimback-trackingtwomilesoutofeverysix,sohecangetthewindofanythingthat'sfollowinghim.An'he'lltravelmostlynights,layin'highupintherocksan'shaleduringtheday.Ifyouwantanymoreshootin',there'sjusttwothingstodo,an'thebestofthemtwothingsistomoveonandfindotherbears."

"WhichIwon'tdo,Bruce.What'syourschemeforgettingthisone?"

Brucewassilentforseveralmomentsbeforehereplied.

"We'vegothisrangemappedouttoamile,"hesaidthen."Itbeginsupatthefirstbreakwecrossed,an'itendsdownherewherewecameintothisvalley.It'sabouttwenty-fivemilesupan'down.Hedon'ttouchthemount'inswestofthis

valleynorthemount'inseastoftheothervalleysan'he'sdeadcertaintokeeponmakin'circlessolongaswe'reafterhim.He'shikin'southwardnowontheothersideoftherange.

"We'lllayhereforafewdaysan'notmove.Thenwe'llstartMetoosinthroughthevalleyovertherewiththedogs,ifthere'sanyleft,andwe'llstartsouththroughthisvalleyatthesametime.Oneofuswillkeeptotheslopesan'theothertothebottom,an'we'lltravelslow.Gettheidee?

"Thatgrizzlywon'tleavehiscountry,an'Metoosinisprettynearboundtodrivehimaroundtous.We'lllethimdotheopenhuntingan'we'llskulk.Thebearcan'tgetpastusbothwithoutgivingoneofusshooting."

"Itsoundsgood,"agreedLangdon."AndI'vegotalamekneethatI'mnotunwillingtonurseforafewdays."

ScarcelywerethewordsoutofLangdon'smouthwhenasuddenrattleofhobble-chainsandthestartledsnortofagrazinghorseoutinthemeadowbroughtthembothtotheirfeet.

"Utim!"whisperedMetoosin,hisdarkfaceaglowinthefirelight.

"You'reright—thedogs,"saidBruce,andhewhistledsoftly.

Theyheardamovementinthebrushnearthem,andamomentlatertwoofthedogscameintothefirelight.Theyslunkin,halfontheirbellies,andastheypros

tratedthemselvesatthehunters'feetathirdandafourthjoinedthem.

Theywerenotlikethepackthathadgoneoutthatmorning.Thereweredeephollowsintheirsides;theirwirycrestswereflat;theywerehardrun,andtheyknewthattheywerebeaten.Theiraggressivenesswasgone,andtheyhadtheappearanceofwhippedcurs.

Afifthcameinoutofthenight.Hewaslimping,anddraggingatornforeleg.Theheadandthroatofoneoftheotherswasredwithblood.Theyalllayflatontheirbellies,asifexpectingcondemnation.



"Wehavefailed,"theirattitudesaid;"wearebeaten,andthisisallofusthatareleft."

MutelyBruceandLangdonstaredatthem.Theylistened—waited.Noothercame.Andthentheylookedateachother.

"Twomoreofthemgone,"saidLangdon.

Bruceturnedtoapileofpanniersandcanvasesandpulledoutthedog-leashes.UpinhistreeMuskwawasallatremble.Withinafewyardsofhimhesawagainthewhite-fangedhordethathadchasedThorandhaddrivenhimintotherock-crevice.Ofthemenhewasnolongergreatlyafraid.Theyhadattemptedhimnoharm,andhehadceasedtoquakeandsnarlwhenoneofthempassednear.Butthedogsweremonsters.TheyhadgivenbattletoThor.Theymusthavebeatenhim,forThorhadrunaway.

ThetreetowhichMuskwawasfastenedwasnotmuchmorethanasapling,andhelayinthesaddleofacrotchfivefeetfromthegroundwhenMetoosinledoneofthedogspasthim.TheAiredalesawhimandmadeasuddenspringthattoretheleashfromtheIndian'shand.HisleapcarriedhimalmostuptoMuskwa.HewasabouttomakeanotherspringwhenLangdonrushedforwardwithafiercecry,caughtthedogbyhiscollar,andwiththeendoftheleashgavehimasoundbeating.Thenheledhimaway.

ThisactpuzzledMuskwamorethanever.Themanhadsavedhim.Hehadbeatenthemonsterwiththeredmouthandthewhitefangs,andallofthosemonsterswerenowbeingtakenawayattheendofropes.

WhenLangdonreturnedhestoppedclosetoMuskwa'streeandtalkedtohim.MuskwaallowedLangdon'shandtoapproachwithinsixinchesofhim,anddidnotsnapatit.Thenastrangeandsuddenthrillshotthroughhim.WhilehisheadwasturnedalittleLangdonhadboldlyputhishandonhisfurryback.Andinthetouchtherewasnothurt!Hismotherhadneverputherpawonhimasgentlyasthat!

HalfadozentimesinthenexttenminutesLangdontouchedhim.ForthefirstthreeorfourtimesMuskwabaredhistworowsofshiningteeth,buthemadenosou

nd.Graduallyheceasedeventobarehisteeth.

Langdonlefthimthen,andinafewmomentshereturnedwithachunkofrawcariboumeat.HeheldthisclosetoMuskwa'snose.Muskwacouldsmellit,buthebackedawayfromit,andatlastLangdonplaceditbesidethebasinatthefootofthetreeandreturnedtowhereBrucewassmoking.

"Insideoftwodayshe'llbeeatingoutofmyhand,"hesaid.

Itwasnotlongbeforethecampbecameveryquiet.Langdon,Bruce,andtheIndianrolledthemselvesintheirblanketsandweresoonasleep.Thefireburnedlowerandlower.Soontherewasonlyasinglesmoulderinglog.Anowlhootedalittledeeperinthetimber.Thedroneofthevalleyandthemountainsfilledthepea

cefulnight.Thestarsgrewbrighter.FarawayMuskwaheardtherumblingofaboulderrollingdownthesideofamountain.

Therewasnothingtofearnow.Everythingwasstillandasleepbuthimself,andverycautiouslyhebegantobackdownthetree.Hereachedthefootofit,loosedhishold,andhalffellintothebasinofcondensedmilk,apartofitsloppingupoverhisface.Involuntarilyheshotouthistongueandlickedhischops,andthesweet,stickystuffthatitgatheredfilledhimwithasuddenandentirelyunexpectedpleasure.Foraquarterofanhourhelickedhimself.Andthen,asifthesecretofthisdelightfulambrosiahadjustdawneduponhim,hisbrightl



ittleeyesfixedthemselvescovetouslyuponthetinbasin.Heapproacheditwithcommendablestrategyandcaution,circlingfirstononesideofitandthenontheother,everymuscleinhisbodypreparedforaquickspringbackwardifitshouldmakeajumpforhim.Atlasthisnosetouchedthethick,lusciousfeastinthebasin,andhedidnotraisehisheadagainuntilthelastdropofitwasgone.

ThecondensedmilkwastheonebiggestfactorinthecivilizingofMuskwa.Itwasthemissinglinkthatconnectedcertainthingsinhislivelylittlemind.Heknewthatthesamehandthathadtouchedhimsogentlyhadalsoplacedthisstrangeandwonderfulfeastatthefootofhistree,andthatsamehandhadalsoofferedhimmeat.Hedidnoteatthemeat,buthelickedtheinteriorofthebasinuntilitshonelikeamirrorinthestarlight.

Inspiteofthemilk,hewasstillfilledwithadesiretoescape,thoughhiseffortswerenotasfranticandunreasoningastheyhadbeen.Experiencehadtaughthimthatitwasfutiletojumpandtugattheendofhisleash,andnowhefelltochewingattherope.Hadhegnawedinoneplacehewouldprobablyhavewonfreedombeforemorning,butwhenhisjawsbecametiredherested,andwhenheresumedhisworkitwasusuallyatafreshplaceintherope.Bymidnighthisgumsweresore,andhegaveuphisexertionsentirely.

Humpedclosetothetree,readytoclimbupitatthefirstsignofdanger,thecubwaitedformorning.Notawinkdidhesleep.Eventhoughhewaslessafraid

thanhehadbeen,hewasterriblylonesome.HemissedThor,andhewhimperedsosoftlythatthemenafewyardsawaycouldnothaveheardhimhadtheybeenawake.IfPipoonaskooshadcomeintothecampthenhewouldhavewelcomedhimjoyfully.

Morningcame,andMetoosinwasthefirstoutofhisblankets.Hebuiltafire,andthisrousedBruceandLangdon.Thelatter,afterhehaddressedhimself,paidavisittoMuskwa,andwhenhefoundthebasinlickedcleanheshowedhispleasurebycallingtheothers'attentiontowhathadhappened.

Muskwahadclimbedtohiscrotchinthetree,andagainhetoleratedthestrokingtouchofLangdon'shand.ThenLangdonbroughtforthanothercanfromacowhidepannierandopeneditdirectlyunderMuskwa,sothathecouldseethecreamywh

itefluidasitwasturnedintothebasin.HeheldthebasinuptoMuskwa,soclosethatthemilktouchedthecub'snose,andforthelifeofhimMuskwacouldnotkeephistongueinhismouth.InsideoffiveminuteshewaseatingfromthebasininLangdon'shand!ButwhenBrucecameuptowatchtheproceedingsthecubbaredallhisteethandsnarled.

"Bearsmakebetterpetsthandogs,"affirmedBrucealittlelater,whentheywereeatingbreakfast."He'llbefollowingyouaroundlikeapuppyinafewdays,Jimmy."

"I'mgettingfondofthelittlecussalready,"repliedLangdon."WhatwasthatyouweretellingmeaboutJameson'sbears,Bruce?"

"JamesonlivedupintheKootenaycountry,"saidBruce."Reg'larhermit,Iguessyou'dcallhim.Cameoutofthemountainsonlytwiceayeartogetgrub.Hemadepetsofgrizzlies.Foryearshehadoneasbigasthisfellowwe'rechasing.Hegot'imwhenacub,an'whenIsawhimheweighedathousandpoundsan'followedJamesonwhereverhewentlikeadog.Evenwentonhishuntswithhim,an'theysleptbesidethesamecampfire.Jamesonlovedbears,an'he'dneverkillone."

Langdonwassilent.Afteramomenthesaid:"AndI'mbeginningtolovethem,Bruce.Idon'tknowjustwhy,butthere'ssomethingaboutbearsthatmakesyoulovethem.I'mnotgoingtoshootmanymore—perhapsnoneafterwegetthisdog-killer



we'reafter.Ialmostbelievehewillbemylastbear."Suddenlyheclenchedhishands,andaddedangrily:"Andtothinkthereisn'taprovinceintheDominionorastatesouthoftheBorderthathasa'closedseason'forbear!It'sanoutrage,Bruce.They'reclassedwithvermin,andcanbeexterminatedatallseasons.Theycanevenbedugoutoftheirdenswiththeiryoung—and—sohelpmeHeaven!—I'vehelpedtodigthemout!We'rebeasts,Bruce.SometimesIalmostthinkit'sacrimeforamantocarryagun.Andyet—Igoonkilling."

"It'sinourblood,"laughedBruce,unmoved."Didyoueverknowaman,Jimmy,thatdidn'tliketoseethingsdie?Wouldn'teverymother'ssoulof'emgotoahangingiftheyhadthechance?Won'ttheycrowdlikebuzzardsroundadeadhorsetogetalookatamancrushedtoapulpunderarockoralocomotiveengine?Why,Jimmie,ifthereweren'tnolawtobeafraidof,wehumans'dbekillingoneanotherforthefunofit!Wewould.It'sborninustowanttokill."

"Andwetakeitalloutonbrutecreation,"musedLangdon."Afterall,wecan'thavemuchsympathyforourselvesifagenerationortwoofusarekilledinwar,canwe?Mebbyyou'reright,Bruce.Inasmuchaswecan'tkillourneighbourslegallywheneverwehavetheinclination,it'spossibletheChiefArbiterofthingssendsusawarnowandthentorelieveustemporarilyofourblood-thirstiness.Hello,whatinthunderisthecubuptonow?"

Muskwahadfallenthewrongwayoutofhiscrotchandwasdanglinglikethevictimattheendofahangman'srope.Langdonrantohim,caughthimboldlyinhis

barehands,liftedhimupoverthelimbandplacedhimontheground.Muskwadidnotsnapathimorevengrowl.

BruceandMetoosinwereawayfromcampallofthatday,spyingovertherangetothewestward,andLangdonwaslefttodoctorakneewhichhehadbatteredagainstarockthepreviousday.HespentmostofhistimeincompanywithMuskwa.Heopenedacanoftheirgriddle-cakesyrupandbynoonhehadthecubfollowinghimaboutthetreeandstrainingtoreachthedishwhichheheldtemptinglyjustoutofreach.Thenhewouldsitdown,andMuskwawouldclimbhalfoverhislaptoreachthesyrup.

AthispresentageMuskwa'saffectionandconfidencewereeasilywon.Ababyblackbearisverymuchlikeahumanbaby:helikesmilk,helovessweetthings,an

dhewantstocuddleupclosetoanylivingthingthatisgoodtohim.Heisthemostlovablecreatureonfourlegs—roundandsoftandfluffy,andsofunnythatheissuretokeepeveryoneabouthimingoodhumour.MorethanoncethatdayLangdonlaugheduntilthetearscame,andespeciallywhenMuskwamadedeterminedeffortstoclimbuphislegtoreachthedishofsyrup.

AsforMuskwa,hehadgonesyrupmad.Hecouldnotrememberthathismotherhadevergivenhimanythinglikeit,andThorhadproducednothingbetterthanfish.

LateintheafternoonLangdonuntiedMuskwa'sropeandledhimforastrolldowntowardthecreek.Hecarriedthesyrupdishandeveryfewyardshewouldpauseandletthecubhaveatasteofitscontents.Afterhalfanhourofthismanoeuvringhedroppedhisendoftheleashentirely,andwalkedcampward.AndMuskwaf

ollowed!Itwasatriumph,andinLangdon'sveinstherepulsedapleasurablethrillwhichhislifeintheopenhadneverbroughttohimbefore.

ItwaslatewhenMetoosinreturned,andhewasquitesurprisedthatBrucehadnotshownup.Darknesscame,andtheybuiltupthefire.TheywerefinishingsupperanhourlaterwhenBrucecamein,carryingsomethingswungoverhisshoulders.HetosseditclosetowhereMuskwawashiddenbehindhistree.

"Askinlikevelvet,andsomemeatforthedogs,"hesaid."Ishotitwithmypistol."



Hesatdownandbeganeating.AfteralittleMuskwacautiouslyapproachedthecarcassthatlaydoubledupthreeorfourfeetfromhim.Hesmelledofit,andacuriousthrillshotthroughhim.Thenhewhimperedsoftlyashemuzzledthesoftfur,stillwarmwithlife.Andforatimeafterthathewasverystill.

ForthethingthatBrucehadbroughtintocampandflungatthefootofhistreewasthedeadbodyoflittlePipoonaskoos!

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

ThatnightthebiglonelinessreturnedtoMuskwa.BruceandMetoosinweresotiredaftertheirhardclimbovertherangethattheywenttobedearly,andLangdonfollowedthem,leavingPipoonaskooswhereBrucehadfirstthrownhim.

ScarcelyamovehadMuskwamadeafterthediscoverythathadsethisheartbeatingalittlefaster.Hedidnotknowwhatdeathwas,orwhatitmeant,andasPipoonaskooswassowarmandsofthewassurethathewouldmoveafteralittle.Hehadnoinclinationtofighthimnow.

Againitgrewvery,verystill,andthestarsfilledthesky,andthefireburnedlow.ButPipoonaskoosdidnotmove.Gentlyatfirst,Muskwabegannosinghimandpullingathissilkenhair,andashedidthishewhimperedsoftly,asifsaying,"Idon'twanttofightyouanymore,Pipoonaskoos!Wakeup,andlet'sbefriends!"

ButstillPipoonaskoosdidnotstir,andatlastMuskwagaveupallhopeofwakinghim.Andstillwhimperingtohisfatlittleenemyofthegreenmeadowhowsorryhewasthathehadchasedhim,hesnuggledcloseuptoPipoonaskoosandintimewenttosleep.

Langdonwasfirstupinthemorning,andwhenhecameovertoseehowMuskwahad

faredduringthenighthesuddenlystopped,andforafullminutehestoodwithoutmoving,andthenalow,strangecrybrokefromhislips.ForMuskwaandPipoonaskoosweresnuggledascloselyastheycouldhavesnuggledhadbothbeenliving,andinsomewayMuskwahadarrangeditsothatoneofthedeadcub'slittlepawswasembracinghim.

QuietlyLangdonreturnedtowhereBrucewassleeping,andinaminuteortwoBrucereturnedwithhim,rubbinghiseyes.Andthenhe,too,stared,andthemenlookedateachother.

"Dogmeat,"breathedLangdon."Youbroughtithomefordogmeat,Bruce!"

Brucedidnotanswer,Langdonsaidnothingmore,andneithertalkedverymuchfo

rafullhourafterthat.DuringthathourMetoosincameanddraggedPipoonaskoosaway,andinsteadofbeingskinnedandfedtothedogshewasputintoaholedowninthecreek-bottomandcoveredwithsandandstones.Thatmuch,atleast,BruceandLangdondidforPipoonaskoos.

ThisdayMetoosinandBruceagainwentovertherange.Themountaineerhadbroughtbackwithhimbitsofquartzinwhichwereunmistakablesignsofgold,andtheyreturnedwithanoutfitforpanning.

LangdoncontinuedhiseducationofMuskwa.Severaltimeshetookthecubnearth



edogs,andwhentheysnarledandstrainedattheendsoftheirleasheshewhippedthem,untilwithquickunderstandingtheygrippedthefactthatMuskwa,althoughabear,mustnotbeharmed.

Intheafternoonofthisseconddayhefreedthecubentirelyfromtherope,andhehadnodifficultyinrecapturingitwhenhewantedtotieitupagain.ThethirdandfourthdaysBruceandtheIndianexploredthevalleywestoftherangeandconvincedthemselvesfinallythatthe"colours"theyfoundwereonlyapartoftheflood-drifts,andwouldnotleadtofortune.

Onthisfourthnight,whichhappenedtobethickwithclouds,andchilly,LangdonexperimentedbytakingMuskwatobedwithhim.Heexpectedtrouble.ButMuskwawasasquietasakitten,andoncehefoundapropernestforhimselfhescarcelymadeamoveuntilmorning.ApartofthenightLangdonsleptwithoneofhishandsrestingonthecub'ssoft,warmbody.

AccordingtoBruceitwasnowtimetocontinuethehuntforThor,butachangefortheworseinLangdon'skneebrokeinupontheirplans.ItwasimpossibleforLangdontowalkmorethanaquarterofamileatatime,andthepositionhewascompelledtotakeinthesaddlecausedhimsomuchpainthattoprosecutethehuntevenonhorsebackwasoutofthequestion.

"Afewmoredayswon'thurtany,"consoledBruce."Ifwegivetheoldfellowalongerresthemaygetabitcareless."

ThethreedaysthatfollowedwerenotwithoutprofitandpleasureforLangdon.Muskwawasteachinghimmorethanhehadeverknownaboutbears,andespeciallybearcubs,andhemadenotesvoluminously.

Thedogswerenowconfinedtoaclumpoftreesfullythreehundredyardsfromthecamp,andgraduallythecubwasgivenhisfreedom.Hemadenoefforttorunaway,andhesoondiscoveredthatBruceandMetoosinwerealsohisfriends.ButLangdonwastheonlyonehewouldfollow.

OnthemorningoftheeighthdayaftertheirpursuitofThor,BruceandMetoosinrodeoverintotheeastwardvalleywiththedogs.Metoosinwastohaveaday'sstart,andBruceplannedtoreturntocampthatafternoonsothatheandLangdon

couldbegintheirhuntupthevalleythenextday.

Itwasagloriousmorning.Acoolbreezecamefromthenorthandwest,andaboutnineo'clockLangdonfastenedMuskwatohistree,saddledahorse,androdedownthevalley.Hehadnointentionofhunting.Itwasajoymerelytorideandbreatheinthefaceofthatwindandgazeuponthewondersofthemountains.

Hetravellednorthwardforthreeorfourmiles,untilhecametoabroad,lowslopethatbrokethroughtherangetothewestward.Adesireseizeduponhimtolookoverintotheothervalley,andashiskneewasgivinghimnotroublehecutazigzagcourseupwardthatinhalfanhourbroughthimalmosttothetop.

Herehecametoashort,steepslidethatcompelledhimtodismountandcontinue

onfoot.Atthesummithefoundhimselfonalevelsweepofmeadow,shutinoneachsideofhimbythebarerockwallsofthesplitmountains,andaquarterofamileaheadhecouldseewherethemeadowbrokesuddenlyintotheslopethatshelveddownwardintothevalleyhewasseeking.

Halfwayoverthisquarterofamileofmeadowtherewasadipintowhichhecouldnotsee,andashecametotheedgeofthisheflunghimselfsuddenlyuponhisfaceandforaminuteortwolayasmotionlessasarock.Thenheslowlyraisedhishead.



Ahundredyardsfromhim,gatheredaboutasmallwater-holeinthehollow,wasaherdofgoats.Therewerethirtyormore,mostofthemNannieswithyoungkids.LangdoncouldmakeoutonlytwoBilliesinthelot.Forhalfanhourhelaystillandwatchedthem.ThenoneoftheNanniesstruckoutwithhertwokidsforthesideofthemountain;anotherfollowed,andseeingthatthewholebandwasabouttomove,Langdonrosequicklytohisfeetandranasfastashecouldtowardthem.

ForamomentNannies,Billies,andlittlekidswereparalyzedbyhissuddenappearance.Theyfacedhalfaboutandstoodasifwithoutthepowerofflightuntilhehadcoveredhalfthedistancebetweenthem.Thentheirwitsseemedtoreturnallatonce,andtheybrokeinawildpanicforthesideofthenearestmountain.Theirhoofssoonbegantoclatteronboulderandshale,andforanotherhalf-hourLangdonheardthehollowboomingoftherocksloosenedbytheirfeethighupamongthecragsandpeaks.Attheendofthattimetheywereinfinitesimalwhitedotsonthesky-line.

Hewenton,andafewminuteslaterlookeddownintotheothervalley.Southwardthisvalleywasshutoutfromhisvisionbyahugeshoulderofrock.Itwasnotveryhigh,andhebegantoclimbit.Hehadalmostreachedthetopwhenhistoecaughtinapieceofslate,andinfallinghebroughthisrifledownwithtremendousforceonaboulder.

Hewasnothurt,exceptforaslighttwingeinhislameknee.Buthisgunwasa

wreck.Thestockwasshatteredclosetothebreechandatwistofhishandbrokeitoffentirely.

AshecarriedtwoextrariflesinhisoutfitthemishapdidnotdisturbLangdonasmuchasitmightotherwisehavedone,andhecontinuedtoclimbovertherocksuntilhecametowhatappearedtobeabroad,smoothledgeleadingaroundthesandstonespurofthemountain.Ahundredfeetfartheronhefoundthattheledgeendedinaperpendicularwallofrock.Fromthispoint,however,hehadasplendidviewofthebroadsweepofcountrybetweenthetworangestothesouth.Hesatdown,pulledouthispipe,andpreparedtoenjoythemagnificentpanoramaunderhimwhilehewasgettinghiswind.

Throughhisglasseshecouldseeformiles,andwhathelookeduponwasanunhun

tedcountry.Scarcelyhalfamileawayabandofcaribouwasfilingslowlyacrossthebottomtowardthegreenslopestothewest.Hecaughttheglintofmanyptarmiganwingsinthesunlightbelow.Afteratime,fullytwomilesaway,hesawsheepgrazingonathinlyverduredslide.

HewonderedhowmanyvalleystherewerelikethisinthevastreachesoftheCanadianmountainsthatstretchedthreehundredmilesfromseatoprairieandathousandmilesnorthandsouth.Hundreds,eventhousands,hetoldhimself,andeachwonderfulvalleyaworldcompletewithinitself;aworldfilledwithitsownlife,itsownlakesandstreamsandforests,itsownjoysanditsowntragedies.

Hereinthisvalleyintowhichhegazedwasthesamesoftdroningandthesamewarmsunshinethathadfilledalltheothervalleys;andyethere,also,wasadi

fferentlife.Otherbearsrangedtheslopesthathecouldseedimlywithhisnakedeyesfartothewestandnorth.Itwasanewdomain,filledwithotherpromiseandothermystery,andheforgottimeandhungerashesatlostintheenchantmentofit.

ItseemedtoLangdonthatthesehundredsorthousandsofvalleyswouldnevergrowoldforhim;thathecouldwanderonforalltime,passingfromoneintoanother,andthateachwouldpossessitsowncharm,itsownsecretstobesolved,itsownlifetobelearned.Tohimtheywerelargelyinscrutable;theywerecryptic,asenigmaticalaslifeitself,hidingtheirtreasuresastheydronedthrought



hecenturies,givingbirthtomultitudesoftheliving,demandinginreturnothermultitudesofthedead.Ashelookedoffthroughthesunlitspacehewonderedwhatthestoryofthisvalleywouldbe,andhowmanyvolumesitwouldfill,ifthevalleyitselfcouldtellit.

Firstofall,heknew,itwouldwhisperofthecreationofaworld;itwouldtellofoceanstornandtwistedandthrownaside—ofthosefirststrangeeonsoftimewhentherewasnonight,butallwasday;whenweirdandtremendousmonstersstalkedwherehenowsawthecariboudrinkingatthecreek,andwhenhugewingedcreatureshalfbirdandhalfbeastswepttheskywherehenowsawaneaglesoaring.

AndthenitwouldtellofTheChange—ofthatterrifichourwhentheearthtiltedonitsaxis,andnightcame,andatropicalworldwasturnedintoafrigidone,andnewkindsoflifewereborntofillit.

Itmusthavebeenlongafterthat,thoughtLangdon,thatthefirstbearcametoreplacethemammoth,themastodon,andthemonstrousbeaststhathadbeentheircompany.AndthatfirstbearwastheforefatherofthegrizzlyheandBruceweresettingforthtokillthenextday!

SoengrossedwasLangdoninhisthoughtsthathedidnothearasoundbehindhim.Andthensomethingrousedhim.

Itwasasifoneofthemonstershehadbeenpicturinginhisimaginationhadletoutagreatbreathclosetohim.Heturnedslowly,andthenextmomenthisheartseemedtostopitsbeating;hisbloodseemedtogrowcoldandlifelessinhisveins.

Barringtheledgenotmorethanfifteenfeetfromhim,hisgreatjawsagape,hisheadmovingslowlyfromsidetosideasheregardedhistrappedenemy,stoodThor,theKingoftheMountains!

AndinthatspaceofasecondortwoLangdon'shandsinvoluntarilygrippedathisbrokenrifle,andhedecidedthathewasdoomed!

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Abroken,chokingbreath—astifledsoundthatwasscarcelyacry—wasallthatcamefromLangdon'slipsashesawthemonstrousgrizzlylookingathim.Inthetensecondsthatfollowedhelivedhours.

Hisfirstthoughtwasthathewaspowerless—utterlypowerless.Hecouldnotevenrun,fortherockwallwasbehindhim;hecouldnotflinghimselfvalleyward,fortherewasasheerfallofahundredfeetonthatside.Hewasfacetofacewith

death,adeathasterribleasthatwhichhadovertakenthedogs.

AndyetintheselastmomentsLangdondidnotlosehimselfinterror.Henotedeventherednessintheavenginggrizzly'seyes.Hesawthenakedscatalonghisbackwhereoneofhisbulletshadplowed;hesawthebarespotwhereanotherofhisbulletshadtornitswaythroughThor'sfore-shoulder.Andhebelieved,asheobservedthesethings,thatThorhaddeliberatelytrailedhim,thatthebearhadfollowedhimalongtheledgeandhadcorneredhimherethathemightrepayinfullmeasurewhathadbeeninflicteduponhim.



Thoradvanced—justonestep;andtheninthatslow,gracefulmovement,rearedhimselftofullheight.Langdon,eventhen,thoughtthathewasmagnificent.Onhispart,themandidnotmove;helookedsteadilyupatThor,andhehadmadeuphismindwhattodowhenthegreatbeastlungedforward.Hewouldflinghimselfovertheedge.Downbelowtherewasonechanceinathousandforlife.Theremightbealedgeoraprojectingspurtocatchhim.

AndThor!

Suddenly—unexpectedly—hehadcomeuponman!Thiswasthecreaturethathadhuntedhim,thiswasthecreaturethathadhurthim—anditwassonearthathecouldreachoutwithhispawandcrushit!Andhowweak,andwhite,andshrinkingitlookednow!Wherewasitsstrangethunder?Wherewasitsburninglightning?Whydiditmakenosound?

Evenadogwouldhavedonemorethanthiscreature,forthedogwouldhaveshownitsfangs;itwouldhavesnarled,itwouldhavefought.Butthisthingthatwasmandidnothing.Andagreat,slowdoubtsweptthroughThor'smassivehead.Wasitreallythisshrinking,harmless,terrifiedthingthathadhurthim?Hesmelledtheman-smell.Itwasthick.Andyetthistimetherecamewithitnohurt.

Andthen,slowlyagain,Thorcamedowntoallfours.Steadilyhelookedattheman.

HadLangdonmovedthenhewouldhavedied.ButThorwasnot,likeman,amurderer.Foranotherhalf-minutehewaitedforahurt,forsomesignofmenace.Neithercame,andhewaspuzzled.Hisnoseswepttheground,andLangdonsawthedustrisewherethegrizzly'shotbreathstirredit.Andafterthat,foranotherlongandterriblethirtyseconds,thebearandthemanlookedateachother.

Thenveryslowly—anddoubtfully—Thorhalfturned.Hegrowled.Hislipsdrewpartlyback.Yethesawnoreasontofight,forthatshrinking,white-facedpigmycrouchingontherockmadenomovementtoofferhimbattle.Hesawthathecouldnotgoon,fortheledgewasblockedbythemountainwall.HadtherebeenatrailthestorymighthavebeendifferentforLangdon.Asitwas,Thordisappearedslowlyinthedirectionfromwhichhehadcome,hisgreatheadhunglow,hislongclawsclick,click,clickinglikeivorycastanetsashewent.

NotuntilthendiditseemtoLangdonthathebreathedagain,andthathisheartresumeditsbeating.Hegaveagreatsobbinggasp.Herosetohisfeet,andhislegsseemedweak.Hewaited—oneminute,two,three;andthenhestolecautiouslytothetwistintheledgearoundwhichThorhadgone.

Therockswereclear,andhebegantoretracehisownstepstowardthemeadowybreak,watchingandlistening,andstillclutchingthebrokenpartsofhisrifle.Whenhecametotheedgeoftheplainhedroppeddownbehindahugeboulder.

ThreehundredyardsawayThorwasamblingslowlyoverthecrestofthediptowardtheeastwardvalley.Notuntilthebearreappearedonthefartherridgeofthehollow,andthenvanishedagain,didLangdonfollow.

WhenhereachedtheslopeonwhichhehadhobbledhishorseThorwasnolongerinsight.Thehorsewaswherehehadleftit.NotuntilhewasinthesaddledidLangdonfeelthathewascompletelysafe.Thenhelaughed,anervous,broken,joyoussortoflaugh,andashescannedthevalleyhefilledhispipewithfreshtobacco.

"Yougreatbiggodofabear!"hewhispered,andeveryfibreinhimwastremblinginawonderfulexcitementashefoundvoiceforthefirsttime."You—youmonsterwithaheartbiggerthanman!"Andthenheadded,underhisbreath,asifnotc



onsciousthathewasspeaking:"IfI'dcorneredyoulikethatI'dhavekilledyou!Andyou!Youcorneredme,andletmelive!"

Herodetowardcamp,andashewentheknewthatthisdayhadgiventhefinaltouchtothebigchangethathadbeenworkinginhim.HehadmettheKingoftheMountains;hehadstoodfacetofacewithdeath,andinthelastmomentthefour-footedthinghehadhuntedandmaimedhadbeenmerciful.HebelievedthatBrucewouldnotunderstand;thatBrucecouldnotunderstand;butuntohimselfthedayandthehourhadbroughtitsmeaninginawaythathewouldnotforgetsolongashelived,andheknewthathereafterandforalltimehewouldnotagainhuntthelifeofThor,orthelivesofanyofhiskind.

Langdonreachedthecampandpreparedhimselfsomedinner,andasheatethis,withMuskwaforcompany,hemadenewplansforthedaysandweeksthatweretofollow.HewouldsendBrucebacktoovertakeMetoosinthenextday,andtheywouldnolongerhuntthebiggrizzly.TheywouldgoontotheSkeenaandpossiblyevenuptotheedgeoftheYukon,andthenswingeastwardintothecariboucountrysometimeearlyinSeptember,hittingbacktowardcivilizationontheprairiesideoftheRockies.HewouldtakeMuskwawiththem.Backinthelandofmenandcitiestheywouldbegreatfriends.ItdidnotoccurtohimjustthenwhatthiswouldmeanforMuskwa.

Itwastwoo'clock,andhewasstilldreamingofnewandunknowntrailsintotheNorthwhenasoundcametorouseanddisturbhim.Forafewminuteshepaidno

attentiontoit,foritseemedtobeonlyapartofthedroningmurmurofthevalley.Butslowlyandsteadilyitroseabovethis,andatlasthegotupfromwherehewaslyingwithhisbacktoatreeandwalkedoutfromthetimber,wherehecouldhearmoreplainly.

Muskwafollowedhim,andwhenLangdonstoppedthetan-facedcubalsostopped.Hislittleearsshotoutinquisitively.Heturnedhisheadtothenorth.Fromthatdirectionthesoundwascoming.

InanothermomentLangdonhadrecognizedit,andyeteventhenhetoldhimselfthathisearsmustbeplayinghimfalse.Itcouldnotbethebarkingofdogs!BythistimeBruceandMetoosinwerefartothesouthwiththepack;atleastMetoosinshouldbe,andBrucewasonhisreturntothecamp!Quicklythesoundgrewm

oredistinct,andatlastheknewthathecouldnotbemistaken.Thedogswerecomingupthevalley.SomethinghadturnedBruceandMetoosinnorthwardinsteadofintothesouth.Andthepackwasgivingtongue—thatfierce,heatedbayingwhichtoldhimtheywereagainonthefreshspoorofgame.Asuddenthrillshotthroughhim.TherecouldbebutonelivingthinginthelengthandbreadthofthevalleythatBrucewouldsetthedogsafter,andthatwasthebiggrizzly!

ForafewmomentslongerLangdonstoodandlistened.Thenhehurriedbacktocamp,tiedMuskwatohistree,armedhimselfwithanotherrifle,andresaddledhishorse.FiveminuteslaterhewasridingswiftlyinthedirectionoftherangewhereashorttimebeforeThorhadgivenhimhislife.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Thorheardthedogswhentheywereamileaway.Thereweretworeasonswhyhewasevenlessinamoodtorunfromthemnowthanafewdaysbefore.Ofthedogsalonehehadnomorefearthaniftheyhadbeensomanybadgers,orsomanywhistlerspipingathimfromtherocks.Hehadfoundthemallmouthandlittlefang,



andeasytokill.Itwaswhatfollowedcloseafterthemthatdisturbedhim.Butto-dayhehadstoodfacetofacewiththethingthathadbroughtthestrangescentintohisvalleys,andithadnotofferedtohurthim,andhehadrefusedtokillit.Besides,hewasagainseekingIskwao,theshe-bear,andmanisnottheonlyanimalthatwillriskhislifeforlove.

AfterkillinghislastdogatduskofthatfataldaywhentheyhadpursuedhimoverthemountainThorhaddonejustwhatBrucethoughtthathewoulddo,andinsteadofcontinuingsouthwardhadmadeawiderdetourtowardthenorth,andthethirdnightafterthefightandthelossofMuskwahefoundIskwaoagain.InthetwilightofthatsameeveningPipoonaskooshaddied,andThorhadheardthesharpcrackingofBruce'sautomatic.AllthatnightandthenextdayandthenightthatfollowedhespentwithIskwao,andthenheleftheroncemore.AthirdtimehewasseekingherwhenhefoundLangdoninthetrapontheledge,andhehadnotyetgotwindofherwhenhefirstheardthebayingofthedogsonhistrail.

Hewastravellingsouthward,whichbroughthimnearerthehunters'camp.Hewaskeepingtothehighslopeswheretherewerelittledipsandmeadows,brokenbypatchesofshale,deepcoulees,andoccasionallywildupheavalsofrock.HewaskeepingthewindstraightaheadsothathewouldnotfailtocatchthesmellofIskwaowhenhecamenearher,andwiththebayingofthedogshecaughtnoscentofthepursuingbeasts,orofthetwomenwhowereridingbehindthem.

Atanothertimehewouldhaveplayedhisfavouritetrickofdetouringsothatth

edangerwouldbeaheadofhim,withthewindinhisfavour.Cautionhadnowbecomesecondarytohisdesiretofindhismate.Thedogswerelessthanhalfamileawaywhenhestoppedsuddenly,sniffedtheairforamoment,andthenwentonswiftlyuntilhewashaltedbyanarrowravine.

UpthatravineIskwaowascomingfromadiplowerdownthemountain,andshewasrunning.TheyelpingofthepackwasfierceandclosewhenThorscrambleddownintimetomeetherassherushedupward.Iskwaopausedforasinglemoment,smellednoseswithThor,andthenwenton,herearslaidbackflatandsullenandherthroatfilledwithgrowlingmenace.

Thorfollowedher,andhealsogrowled.Heknewthathismatewasfleeingfromthedogs,andagainthatdeadlyandslowlyincreasingwrathsweptthroughhimas

heclimbedafterherhigherupthemountain.

InsuchanhourasthisThorwasathisworst.Hewasafighterwhenpursuedasthedogshadpursuedhimaweekbefore—buthewasademon,terribleandwithoutmercy,whendangerthreatenedhismate.

HefellfartherandfartherbehindIskwao,andtwicelieturned,hisfangsgleamingunderdrawnlips,andhisdefiancerollingbackuponhisenemiesinlowthunder.

Whenhecameupoutofthecouleehewasintheshadowofthepeak,andIskwaohadalreadydisappearedinherskywardscramble.Whereshehadgonewasawildchaosofrock-slideandthepiled-updébrisoffallenandshatteredmassesofsandst

onecrag.Thesky-linewasnotmorethanthreehundredyardsabovehim.Helookedup.Iskwaowasamongtherocks,andherewastheplacetofight.Thedogswerecloseuponhimnow.Theywerecomingupthelaststretchofthecoulee,bayingloudly.Thorturnedabout,andwaitedforthem.

Halfamiletothesouth,lookingthroughhisglasses,LangdonsawThor,andatalmostthesameinstantthedogsappearedovertheedgeofthecoulee.Hehadriddenhalfwayupthemountain;fromthatpointhehadclimbedhigher,andwasfollowingawell-beatensheeptrailataboutthesamealtitudeasThor.Fromwherehestoodthevalleylayunderhisglassesformiles.Hedidnothavefartolook



todiscoverBruceandtheIndian.Theyweredismountingatthefootofthecoulee,andashegazedtheyranquicklyintoitanddisappeared.

AgainLangdonswungbacktoThor.Thedogswereholdinghimnow,andheknewtherewasnochanceofthegrizzlykillingtheminthatopenspace.Thenhesawmovementamongtherockshigherup,andalowcryofunderstandingbrokefromhislipsashemadeoutIskwaoclimbingsteadilytowardtheraggedpeak.Heknewthatthissecondbearwasafemale.Thebiggrizzly—hermate—hadstoppedtofight.Andtherewasnohopeforhimifthedogssucceededinholdinghimforamatteroftenorfifteenminutes.BruceandMetoosinwouldappearinthattimeovertherimofthecouleeatarangeoflessthanahundredyards!

Langdonthrusthisbinocularsintheircaseandstartedatarunalongthesheeptrail.Fortwohundredyardshisprogresswaseasy,andthenthepatchbrokeintoathousandindividualtracksonaslopeofsoftandslipperyshale,andittookhimfiveminutestomakethenextfiftyyards.

Thetrailhardenedagain.Heranonpantingly,andforanotherfiveminutestheshoulderofaridgehidThorandthedogsfromhim.Whenhecameoverthatridgeandranfiftyyards,downthefarthersideofit,hestoppedshort.Furtherprogresswasbarredbyasteepravine.HewasfivehundredyardsfromwhereThorstoodwithhisbacktotherocksandhishugeheadtothepack.

Evenashelooked,strugglingtogetbreathenoughtoshout,Langdonexpectedto

seeBruceandMetoosinappearoutofthecoulee.Itflasheduponhimthenthatevenifhecouldmakethemhearitwouldbeimpossibleforthemtounderstandhim.Brucewouldnotguessthathewantedtosparethebeasttheyhadbeenhuntingforalmosttwoweeks.

ThorhadrushedthedogsafulltwentyyardstowardthecouleewhenLangdondroppedquicklybehindarock.Therewasonlyonewayofsavinghimnow,ifhewasnottoolate.Thepackhadretreatedafewyardsdowntheslope,andheaimedatthepack.Onethoughtonlyfilledhisbrain—hemustsacrificehisdogsorletThordie.AndthatdayThorhadgivenhimhislife!

Therewasnohesitationashepressedthetrigger.Itwasalongshot,andthefirstbulletthrewupacloudofdustfiftyfeetshortoftheAiredales.Hefired

again,andmissed.ThethirdtimehisriflecrackedthereanswereditasharpyelpofpainwhichLaagdonhimselfdidnothear.Oneofthedogsrolledoverandoverdowntheslope.

ThereportsoftheshotsalonehadnotstirredThor,butnowwhenhesawoneofhisenemiescrumpleupandgorollingdownthemountainheturnedslowlytowardthesafetyoftherocks.Afourthandthenafifthshotfollowed,andatthefifththeyelpingdogsdroppedbacktowardthecoulee,oneofthemlimpingwithashatteredfore-foot.

Langdonsprangupontheboulderoverwhichhehadrestedhisgun,andhiseyescaughtthesky-line.Iskwaohadjustreachedthetop.Shepausedforamomentandlookeddown.Thenshedisappeared.

Thorwasnowhiddenamongthebouldersandbrokenmassesofsandstone,followinghertrail.WithintwominutesafterthegrizzlydisappearedBruceandMetoosinscrambledupovertheedgeofthecoulee.Fromwheretheystoodeventhesky-linewaswithinfairlygoodshootingdistance,andLangdonsuddenlybeganshoutingexcitedly,wavinghisarms,andpointingdownward.

BruceandMetoosinwerecaughtbyhisruse,inspiteofthefactthatthedogswereagaingivingfiercetongueclosetotherocksamongwhichThorhadgone.TheybelievedthatfromwherehestoodLangdoncouldseetheprogressofthebear,



andthatitwasrunningtowardthevalley.NotuntiltheywereanotherhundredyardsdowntheslopedidtheystopandlookbackatLangdontogetfurtherdirections.FromhisrockLangdonwaspointingtothesky-line.

Thorwasjustgoingover.Hepausedforamoment,asIskwaohadstopped,andtookonelastlookatman.

AndLangdon,ashesawthelastofhim,wavedhishatandshouted,"Goodlucktoyou,oldman—goodluck!"

CHAPTERNINETEEN

ThatnightLangdonandBrucemadetheirnewplans,whileMetoosinsataloof,smokinginstolidsilence,andgazingnowandthenatLangdonasifhecouldnotyetbringhimselftothepointofbelievingwhathadhappenedthatafternoon.ThereafterthroughmanymoonsMetoosinwouldneverforgettorelatetohischildrenandhisgrandchildrenandhisfriendsofthetepeetribeshowhehadoncehuntedwithawhitemanwhohadshothisowndogstosavethelifeofagrizzlybear.LangdonwasnolongerthesameoldLangdontohim,andafterthishuntMetoosin

knewthathewouldneverhuntwithhimagain.ForLangdonwaskeskwaonow.Somethinghadgonewronginhishead.TheGreatSpirithadtakenawayhisheartandhadgivenittoagrizzlybear,andoverhispipeMetoosinwatchedhimcautiously.ThissuspicionwasconfirmedwhenhesawBruceandLangdonmakingacageoutofacowhidepannierandrealizedthatthecubwastoaccompanythemontheirlongjourney.Therewasnodoubtinhismindnow.Langdonwas"queer,"andtoanIndianthatsortofqueernessbodednogoodtoman.

Thenextmorningatsunrisetheoutfitwasreadyforitslongtrailintothenorthland.BruceandLangdonledthewayuptheslopeandoverthedivideintothevalleywheretheyhadfirstencounteredThor,thetrainfilingpicturesquelybehindthem,withMetoosinbringinguptherear.InhiscowhidepannierrodeMuskwa.

Langdonwassatisfiedandhappy.

"Itwasthebesthuntofmylife,"hesaidtoBruce."I'llneverbesorrywelethimlive."

"You'rethedoctor,"saidBruceratherirreverently."IfIhadmywayaboutithishidewouldbebackthereonDishpan.Almostanytouristdownonthelineofrailwouldjumpforitatahundreddollars."

"He'sworthseveralthousandtomealive,"repliedLangdon,withwhichenigmaticretorthedroppedbehindtoseehowMuskwawasriding.

Thecubwasrollingandpitchingaboutinhispannierlikearawamateurinahowdabonanelephant'sback,andaftercontemplatinghimforafewmomentsLangdoncaughtupwithBruceagain.

HalfadozentimesduringthenexttwoorthreehourshevisitedMuskwa,andeachtimethathereturnedtoBrucehewasquieter,asifdebatingsomethingwithhimself.

Itwasnineo'clockwhentheycametowhatwasundoubtedlytheendofThor'svalley.Amountainroseupsquarelyinthefaceofit,andthestreamtheywerefol



lowingswungsharplytothewestwardintoanarrowcanyon.Ontheeastroseagreenandundulatingslopeupwhichthehorsescouldeasilytravel,andwhichwouldtaketheoutfitintoanewvalleyinthedirectionoftheDriftwood.ThiscourseBrucedecidedtopursue.

Halfwayuptheslopetheystoppedtogivethehorsesabreathingspell.InhiscowhideprisonMuskwawhimperedpleadingly.Langdonheard,butheseemedtopaynoattention.Hewaslookingsteadilybackintothevalley.Itwasgloriousinthemorningsun.Hecouldseethepeaksunderwhichlaythecool,darklakeinwhichThorhadfished;formilestheslopeswerelikegreenvelvetandtherecametohimashelookedthelastdroningmusicofThor'sworld.Itstruckhiminacuriouswayasasortofanthem,ahymnalrejoicingthathewasgoing,andthathewasleavingthingsastheywerebeforehecame.Andyet,washeleavingthingsastheyhadbeen?Didhisearsnotcatchinthatmusicofthemountainssomethingofsadness,ofgrief,ofplaintiveprayer?

Andagain,closetohim,Muskwawhimperedsoftly.

ThenLangdonturnedtoBruce.

"It'ssettled,"hesaid,andhiswordshadadecisiveringinthem."I'vebeentryingtomakeupmymindallthemorning,andit'smadeupnow.YouandMetoosingoonwhenthehorsesgettheirwind.I'mgoingtoridedownthereamileorsoandfreethecubwherehe'llfindhiswaybackhome!"

Hedidnotwaitforargumentsorremarks,andBrucemadenone.HetookMuskwainhisarmsandrodebackintothesouth.

AmileupthevalleyLangdoncametoawide,openmeadowdottedwithclumpsofspruceandwillowsandsweetwiththeperfumeofflowers.Herehedismounted,andfortenminutessatonthegroundwithMuskwa.Fromhispockethedrewforthasmallpaperbagandfedthecubitslastsugar.AthicklumpgrewinhisthroatasMuskwa'ssoftlittlenosemuzzledthepalmofhishand,andwhenatlasthejumpedupandsprangintohissaddletherewasamistinhiseyes.Hetriedtolaugh.Perhapshewasweak.ButhelovedMuskwa,andheknewthathewasleavingmorethanahumanfriendinthismountainvalley.

"Good-bye,oldfellow,"hesaid,andhisvoicewaschoking."Good-bye,littleSpitfire!MebbysomedayI'llcomebackandseeyou,andyou'llbeabig,fiercebear—butIwon'tshoot—never—never—"

Herodefastintothenorth.Threehundredyardsawayheturnedhisheadandlookedback.Muskwawasfollowing,butlosingground.Langdonwavedhishand.

"Good-bye!"hecalledthroughthelumpinhisthroat."Good-bye!"

Halfanhourlaterhelookeddownfromthetopoftheslopethroughhisglasses.HesawMuskwa,ablackdot.Thecubhadstopped,andwaswaitingconfidentlyforhimtoreturn.

Andtryingtolaughagain,butfailingdismally,LangdonrodeoverthedivideandoutofMuskwa'slife.

CHAPTERTWENTY



Foragoodhalf-mileMuskwafollowedoverthetrailofLangdon.Heranatfirst;thenhewalked;finallyhestoppedentirelyandsatdownlikeadog,facingthedistantslope.HadLangdonbeenafoothewouldnothavehalteduntilhewastired.Butthecubhadnotlikedhispannierprison.Hehadbeentremendouslyjostledandbouncedabout,andtwicethehorsethatcarriedhimhadshakenhimself,andthoseshakingshadbeenlikeearthquakestoMuskwa.HeknewthatthecageaswellasLangdonwasaheadofhim.Hesatforatimeandwhimperedwistfully,buthewentnofarther.Hewassurethatthefriendhehadgrowntolovewouldreturnafteralittle.Healwayscameback.Hehadneverfailedhim.Sohebegantohuntaboutforaspringbeautyoradog-toothviolet,andforsometimehewascarefulnottostrayveryfarawayfromwheretheoutfithadpassed.

Allthatdaythecubremainedintheflower-strewnmeadowsundertheslope;itwasverypleasantinthesunshine,andhefoundmorethanonepatchofthebulbousrootsheliked.Hedug,andhefilledhimself,andhetookanapintheafternoon;butwhenthesunbegantogodownandtheheavyshadowsofthemountaindarkenedthevalleyhebegantogrowafraid.

Hewasstillaverysmallbabyofacub,andonlythatonedreadfulnightafterhismotherhaddiedhadhespententirelyalone.Thorhadreplacedmother,andLangdonhadtakentheplaceofThor,sothatuntilnowhehadneverfeltthelonelinessandemptinessofdarkness.Hecrawledunderaclumpofthornclosetothetrail,andcontinuedtowait,andlisten,andsniffexpectantly.Thestarscameoutclearandbrilliant,butto-nighttheirlurewasnotstrongenoughtocall

himforth.Notuntildawndidhestealoutcautiouslyfromhisshelterofthorn.

Thesungavehimcourageandconfidenceagainandhebeganwanderingbackthroughthevalley,thescentofthehorse-trailgrowingfainterandfainteruntilatlastitdisappearedentirely.ThatdayMuskwaatesomegrassandafewdog-toothvioletroots,andwhenthesecondnightcamehewasabreastoftheslopeoverwhichtheoutfithadcomefromthevalleyinwhichwereThorandIskwao.Hewastiredandhungry,andhewasutterlylost.

Thatnighthesleptintheendofahollowlog.Thenextdayhewenton,andformanydaysandmanynightsafterthathewasaloneinthebigvalley.HepassedclosetothepoolwhereThorandhehadmettheoldbear,andhenosedhungrilyamongthefishbones;heskirtedtheedgeofthedark,deeplake;hesawtheshad

owythingsflutteringinthegloomoftheforestagain;hepassedoverthebeaverdam,andhesleptfortwonightsclosetothelog-jamfromwhichhehadwatchedThorthrowouttheirfirstfish.HewasalmostforgettingLangdonnow,andwasthinkingmoreandmoreaboutThorandhismother.Hewantedthem.Hewantedthemmorethanhehadeverwantedthecompanionshipofman,forMuskwawasfastbecomingacreatureofthewildagain.

ItwasthebeginningofAugustbeforethecubcametothebreakinthevalleyandclimbeduptheslopewhereThorhadfirstheardthethunderandhadfirstfeltthestingofthewhitemen'sguns.InthesetwoweeksMuskwahadgrownrapidly,inspiteofthefactthatheoftenwenttobedonanemptystomach;andhewasnolongerafraidofthedark.Throughthedeep,sunlesscanyonabovetheclaywallowhewent,andastherewasonlyonewayouthecameatlasttothesummitof

thebreakoverwhichThorhadgone,andoverwhichLangdonandBrucehadfollowedinclosepursuit.Andtheothervalley—hishome—layunderMuskwa.

Ofcoursehedidnotrecognizeit.Hesawandsmelledinitnothingthatwasfamiliar.Butitwassuchabeautifulvalley,andsoabundantlyfilledwithplentyandsunshine,thathedidnothurrythroughit.Hefoundwholegardensofspringbeautiesanddog-toothviolets.Andonthethirddayhemadehisfirstrealkill.Healmoststumbledoverababywhistlernolargerthanaredsquirrel,andbeforethelittlecreaturecouldescapehewasuponit.Itmadehimasplendidfeast.



Itwasfullyaweekbeforehepassedalongthecreek-bottomcloseundertheslopewherehismotherhaddied.Ifhehadbeentravellingalongthecrestoftheslopehewouldhavefoundherbones,pickedcleanbythewildthings.ItwasanotherweekbeforehecametothelittlemeadowwhereThorhadkilledthebullcaribouandthebigblackbear.

AndnowMuskwaknewthathewashome!

Fortwodayshedidnottraveltwohundredyardsfromthesceneoffeastandbattle,andnightanddayhewasonthewatchforThor.Thenhehadtoseekfartherforfood,buteachafternoonwhenthemountainsbegantothrowoutlongshadowshewouldreturntotheclumpoftreesinwhichtheyhadmadethecachethattheblackbearrobberhaddespoiled.

Onedayhewentfartherthanusualinhisquestforroots.Hewasagoodhalf-milefromtheplacehehadmadehome,andhewassniffingabouttheendofarockwhenagreatshadowfellsuddenlyuponhim.Helookedup,andforafullhalf-minutehestoodtransfixed,hisheartpoundingandjumpingasithadneverpoundedandjumpedbeforeinhislife.WithinfivefeetofhimstoodThor!Thebiggrizzlywasasmotionlessashe,lookingathimsteadily.AndthenMuskwagaveapuppy-likewhineofjoyandranforward.Thorloweredhishugehead,andforanotherhalf-minutetheystoodwithoutmoving,withThor'snoseburiedinthehaironMuskwa'sback.AfterthatThorwentuptheslopeasifthecubhadneverbeenlo

statall,andMuskwafollowedhimhappily.

Manydaysofwonderfultravelandofgloriousfeastingcameafterthis,andThorledMuskwaintoathousandnewplacesinthetwovalleysandthemountainsbetween.Thereweregreatfishingdays,andtherewasanothercariboukilledovertherange,andMuskwagrewfatterandfatterandheavierandheavieruntilbythemiddleofSeptemberhewasaslargeasagood-sizeddog.

Thencametheberries,andThorknewwheretheyallgrewlowdowninthevalleys—firstthewildredraspberries,thenthesoapberries,andafterthosethedeliciousblackcurrantswhichgrewinthecooldepthsoftheforestsandwerealmostaslargeascherriesandnearlyassweetasthesugarwhichLangdonhadfedMuskwa.Muskwalikedtheblackcurrantsbestofall.Theygrewinthick,richcluste

rs;therewerenoleavesonthebushesthatwereloadedwiththem,andhecouldpickandeataquartinfiveminutes.

Butatlastthetimecamewhentherewerenoberries.ThiswasinOctober.Thenightswereverycold,andforwholedaysatatimethesunwouldnotshine,andtheskiesweredarkandheavywithclouds.Onthepeaksthesnowwasgrowingdeeperanddeeper,anditneverthawednowupnearthesky-line.Snowfellinthevalley,too—atfirstjustenoughtomakeawhitecarpetthatchilledMuskwa'sfeet,butitquicklydisappeared.Rawwindsbegantocomeoutofthenorth,andinplaceofthedroningmusicofthevalleyinsummertimetherewerenowshrillwailingsandscreechingsatnight,andthetreesmademournfulsounds.

ToMuskwathewholeworldseemedchanging.Hewonderedinthesechillanddarkd

ayswhyThorkepttothewindsweptslopeswhenhemighthavefoundshelterinthebottoms.AndThor,ifheexplainedtohimatall,toldhimthatwinterwasverynear,andthattheseslopesweretheirlastfeedinggrounds.Inthevalleystheberriesweregone;grassandrootsalonewerenolongernourishingenoughfortheirbodies;theycouldnolongerwastetimeinseekingantsandgrubs;thefishwereindeepwater.Itwastheseasonwhenthecaribouwerekeen-scentedasfoxesandswiftasthewind.Onlyalongtheslopeslaythedinnerstheyweresureof—famine-daydinnersofwhistlersandgophers.Thordugforthemnow,andinthisdiggingMuskwahelpedasmuchashecould.Morethanoncetheyturnedoutwagonloadsofearthtogetatthecozywintersleepingquartersofawhistlerfamily,



andsometimestheydugforhourstocapturethreeorfourlittlegophersnolargerthanredsquirrels,butlusciouslyfat.

ThustheylivedthroughthelastdaysofOctoberintoNovember.Andnowthesnowandthecoldwindsandthefierceblizzardsfromthenorthcameinearnest,andthepondsandlakesbegantofreezeover.StillThorhungtotheslopes,andMuskwashiveredwiththecoldatnightandwonderedifthesunwasnevergoingtoshineagain.

OnedayaboutthemiddleofNovemberThorstoppedintheveryactofdiggingoutafamilyofwhistlers,wentstraightdownintothevalley,andstrucksouthwardinamostbusinesslikeway.Theyweretenmilesfromtheclay-wallowcanyonwhentheystarted,butsolivelywasthepacesetbythebiggrizzlythattheyreacheditbeforedarkthatsameafternoon.

FortwodaysafterthisThorseemedtohavenoobjectinlifeatall.Therewasnothinginthecanyontoeat,andhewanderedaboutamongtherocks,smellingandlisteninganddeportinghimselfgenerallyinafashionthatwasaltogethermystifyingtoMuskwa.IntheafternoonoftheseconddayThorstoppedinadumpofjackpinesunderwhichthegroundwasstrewnwithfallenneedles.Hebegantoeattheseneedles.TheydidnotlookgoodtoMuskwa,butsomethingtoldthecubthatheshoulddoasThorwasdoing;sohelickedthemupandswallowedthem,notknowingthatitwasnature'slastpreparationforhislongsleep.

Itwasfouro'clockwhentheycametothemouthofthedeepcaverninwhichThorwasborn,andhereagainThorpaused,sniffingupanddownthewind,andwaitingfornothinginparticular.

Itwasgrowingdark.Awailingstormhungoverthecanyon.Bitingwindssweptdownfromthepeaks,andtheskywasblackandfullofsnow.

Foraminutethegrizzlystoodwithhisheadandshouldersinthecaverndoor.Thenheentered.Muskwafollowed.Deepbacktheywentthroughapitch-blackgloom,anditgrewwarmerandwarmer,andthewailingofthewinddiedawayuntilitwasonlyamurmur.

IttookThoratleasthalfanhourtoarrangehimselfjustashewantedtosleep

.ThenMuskwacurledupbesidehim.Thecubwasverywarmandverycomfortable.

Thatnightthestormraged,andthesnowfelldeep.Itcameupthecanyoninclouds,anditdrifteddownthroughthecanyonroofinstillthickerclouds,andalltheworldwasburieddeep.Whenmorningcametherewasnocaverndoor,therewerenorocks,andnoblackandpurpleoftreeandshrub.Allwaswhiteandstill,andtherewasnolongerthedroningmusicinthevalley.

DeepbackinthecavernMuskwamovedrestlessly.Thorheavedadeepsigh.Afterthatlongandsoundlytheyslept.Anditmaybethattheydreamed.

THEVALLEYOFSILENTMEN

"Youaregoingupfromamongapeoplewhohavemanygodstoapeoplewhohavebutone,"saidRansomquietly,lookingacrossattheother."Itwouldbebetterforyouifyouturnedback.I'vespentfouryearsintheGovernmentservice,mostlynorthofFifty-three,andIknowwhatI'mtalkingabout.I'vereadallofyourbookscarefully,andItellyounow—goback.IfyoustrikeupintotheBaycountr



y,asyousayyou'regoingto,everydreamofsocialismyoueverhadwillbeshattered,andyouwilllaughatyourownbooks.Goback!"

Roscoe'sfineyoungfacelightedupwithalaughathisoldcollegechum'sseriousness.

"You'remistaken,Ranny,"hesaid."I'mnotasocialistbutasociologist.There'sadistinction,isn'tthere?Idon'tbelievethatmyseriesofbookswillbeatallcompletewithoutastudyofsocialismasitexistsinitscrudestform,andasitmustexistuphereintheNorth.Mymaterialforthislastbookwillshowwhattremendousprogressthecivilizationoftwocenturiesonthiscontinenthasmadeoverthelowestandwildestformsofhumanbrotherhood.That'smyidea,Ranny.I'manoptimist.Ibelievethateveryinventionwemake,thateverystepwetakeintheadvancementofscience,ofmentalandphysicaluplift,bringsusjustsomuchnearertotheNirvanaofuniversallove.ThistripofmineamongyourwildpeopleoftheNorthwillgivemeagoodpictureofwhatcivilizationhasgained."

"Whatithaslost,youwillsayalittlelater,"repliedRansom."Seehere,Roscoe—hasiteveroccurredtoyouthatbrotherlylove,asyoucallit—therealthing—endedwhencivilizationbegan?HasiteveroccurredtoyouthatsomewhereawaybackinthedarkestagesyoursocialisticNirvanamayhaveexisted,andthatyousociologistsmightstillfindtracesofit,ifyouwould?Hastheideaevercometoyouthattherehasbeenatimewhentheworldhasbeenbetterthanitisto-day,

andbetterthaniteverwillbeagain?Willyou,asastudentoflife,concedethatthesavagecanteachyoualesson?Willanyofyourkind?No,foryouareself-appointedcivilizers,workingaccordingtoacertaincode."

Ransom'sweather-tannedfacehadtakenonadeeperflush,andtherewasaquestioninglookinRoscoe'seyes,asthoughhewerestrivingtolookthroughaveilofcloudstoapicturejustbeyondhisvision.

"Ifmostofusbelievedasyoubelieve,"hesaidatlast,"civilizationwouldend.Wewouldprogressnofarther."

"Andthiscivilization,"saidRansom,"cantherenotbetoomuchofit?WasitanyworseforGod'sfirstmentosetforthandslaytwentythousandothermen,th

anitisforcivilization'ssweat-shopstoslaytwentythousandmen,women,andchildreneachyearinthemakingofyourcigarsandthethingsyouwear?Civilizationmeanstheupliftingofman,doesn'tit,andwhenitceasestoupliftwhenitkills,robs,anddisruptsinthenameofprogress;whenthedollar-fightforcommercialandindustrialsupremacykillsmorepeopleinadaythanGod'sfirstpeoplekilledinayear;whennotonlypeople,butnations,aresparringforthroat-grips,canwecallitcivilizationanylonger?Thistalkmayallbeballyrot,Roscoe.Ninety-nineoutofeveryhundredpeoplewillthinkthatitis.Thereareveryfewthesedayswhostooptothethoughtthatthehumansoulisthegreatestofallcreations,andthatitisthedevelopmentofthesoul,andnotofenginesandflyingmachinesandwarships,thatmeasuresprogressasGodmeantprogresstobe.IamsayingthisbecauseIwantyoutobehonestwhenyougoupamongthesavages,asyoucallthem.Youmayfinduptherethelastchapterinlife,

asitwaslargelyintendedthatlifeshouldbeinthebeginningofthings.AndIwantyoutounderstandit,becauseinyourbooksyoupossessapowerwhichshouldbewelldirected.WhenIreceivedyourlastletterIhuntedupthebestmanIknewasguideandcompanionforyou—oldRameses,downattheMission.HeiscalledRamesesbecausehelooksliketheoldboyhimself.YousaidyouwantedtolearnCree,andhe'llteachittoyou.Hewillteachyoualotofotherthings,andwhenyoulookathim,especiallyatnightbesidethecampfire,youwillfindsomethinginhisfacewhichwillrecallwhatIhavesaid,andmakeyouthinkofthefirstpeople."



Roscoe,atthirty-two,hadnotlosthisboy'senthusiasminlife,inspiteofthefactthathehadstudiedtoodeeply,andhadseentoomuch,andhadbegunfightingforexistencewhilestillinbarefeet.Fromthebeginningitseemedasthoughsomegrimmonsteroffatehadhoveredabouthim,makinghispathasroughasitcould,andstrikinghimdownwhenevertheopportunitycame.Hisowntremendousenergyandambitionhadcarriedhimtothetop.

Heworkedhimselfthroughcollege,andbecameasuccessinhisway.Butatnotimecouldherememberrealhappiness.Ithadalmostcometohim,hethought,ayearbefore—intheformofagirl;butthispromisehadpassedliketheothersbecause,ofasudden,hefoundthatshehadshatteredthemostpreciousofallhisideals.Sohepickedhimselfup,and,encouragedbyhisvirileoptimism,beganlookingforwardagain.Badluckhadsoworkeditshandinthemouldingofhimthathehadcometolivechieflyinanticipation,andthoughthisbadluckhadplayedbattledoreandshuttlecockwithhim,thethingswhichheanticipatedwerepleasantandbeautiful.Hebelievedthatthehumanracewasgrowingbetter,andthateachyearwasbringinghisidealsjustsomuchnearertorealization.Morethanoncehehadtoldhimselfthathewaslivingtwoorthreecenturiestoosoon.Ransom,hisoldcollegechum,hadbeenthefirsttosuggestthathewaslivingsomethousandsofyearstoolate.

Hethoughtofthisagreatdealduringthefirstpleasantweeksoftheautumn,whichheandoldRamesesspentupintheLaclaRongeandReindeerLakecountry.DuringthistimehedevotedhimselfalmostentirelytothestudyofCreeunderR

ameses'tutelage,andthemorehelearnedofitthemorehesawthetruthofwhatRansomhadtoldhimonceuponatime,thattheCreelanguagewasthemostbeautifulintheworld.AttheupperendoftheReindeertheyspentaweekataCreevillage,andonedayRoscoestoodunobservedandlistenedtotheconversationofthreeyoungCreewomen,whowereweavingreedbaskets.Theytalkedsoquicklythathecouldunderstandbutlittleofwhattheysaid,buttheirlow,softvoiceswerelikemusic.HehadlearnedFrenchinParis,andhadheardItalianinRome,butneverinhislifehadheheardwordsorvoicessobeautifulasthosewhichfellfromthered,fulllipsoftheCreegirls.HethoughtmoreseriouslythaneverofwhatRansomhadsaidaboutthefirstpeople,andthebeginningofthings.

LateinOctobertheyswungwestwardthroughtheSissipukandBurntwoodwaterway

stoNelsonHouse,andatthispointRamesesreturnedhomeward.Roscoestrucknorth,withtwonewguides,andontheeighteenthofNovemberthefirstofthetwogreatstormswhichmadetheyearof1907oneofthemosttragicinthehistoryofthefarNorthernpeopleovertookthemonSplitLake,thirtymilesfromaHudson'sBaypost.Itwastwoweekslaterbeforetheyreachedthispost,andhereRoscoewasgiventhefirstofseveralwarnings.

"Thishasbeentheworstautumnwe'vehadforyears,"saidthefactortohim."TheIndianshaven'tcaughthalfenoughfishtocarrythemthrough,andthisstormhasruinedtheearly-snowhuntinginwhichtheyusuallygetenoughmeattolastthemuntilspring.We'restintingourselvesonourownsuppliesnow,andfarthernorththeCompanywillsoonbeonfaminerationsifthecolddoesn'tletup—anditwon't.Theywon'twantanextramouthupthere,soyou'dbetterturnback.It

'sgoingtobeastarvationwinter."

ButRoscoe,knowingaslittleastherestofman-kindoftheterriblefaminesofthenorthernpeople,whichkeepanareaone-halfaslargeasthewholeofEuropedowntoapopulationofthirtythousand,wenton.Afamine,heargued,wouldgivehimgreateropportunityforstudy.

TwoweekslaterhewasatYorkFactory,andfromtherehecontinuedtoFortChurchill,fartheruponHudson'sBay.Bythetimehereachedthispoint,earlyinJanuary,thefamineofthosefewterribleweeksduringwhichmorethanfifteenhu



ndredpeoplediedofstarvationhadbegun.FromtheBarrenLandstotheedgeofthesouthernwatershedtheearthlayunderfromfourtosixfeetofsnow,andfromthemiddleofDecemberuntillateinFebruarythetemperaturedidnotriseabovethirtydegreesbelowzero,andremainedforthemostofthetimebetweenfiftyandsixty.FromallpointsinthewildernessreportsofstarvationcametotheCompany'sposts.Traplinescouldnotbefollowedbecauseoftheintensecold.Moose,caribou,andeventhefurredanimalshadburiedthemselvesunderthesnow.Indiansandhalfbreedsdraggedthemselvesintotheposts.TwiceRoscoesawmotherswhobroughtdeadbabiesintheirarms.Onedayawhitetrappercameinwithhisdogsandsledge,andonthesledge,wrappedinabearskin,washiswife,whohaddiedfiftymilesbackintheforest.

LateinJanuarytherecameasuddenriseinthetemperature,andRoscoepreparedtotakeadvantageofthechangetostrikesouthandwestwardagain,towardNelsonHouse.Dogscouldnotbehadforloveormoney,soonthefirstofFebruaryhesetoutonsnowshoeswithanIndianguideandtwoweeks'supplyofprovisions.Thefifthnight,inthewild,BarrencountrywestoftheEtawney,hisIndianfailedtokeepupthefire,andwhenRoscoeinvestigatedhefoundhimhalfdeadwithastrangesickness.Roscoethoughtofsmallpox,theterribleplaguethatusuallyfollowsnorthernfamine,andashiverranthroughhim.HemadetheIndian'sbalsamsheltersnowandwindproof,cutwood,andwaited.Thetemperaturefellagain,andthecoldbecameintense.Eachdaytheprovisionsgrewless,andatlastthetimecamewhenRoscoeknewthathewasstandingfacetofacewiththeGreatPeril.Hewentfartherandfartherfromcampinhissearchforgame.Butthere

wasnolife.Eventhebrushsparrowsandsnowhawksweregone.Oncethethoughtcametohimthathemighttakewhatfoodwasleft,andacceptthelittlechancethatremainedofsavinghimself.Buttheideanevergotfurtherthanafirstthought.Hekepttohispost,andeachdayspenthalfanhourinwriting.OnthetwelfthdaytheIndiandied.Itwasaterribleday,thebeginningofthesecondgreatstormofthatwinter.Therewasfoodforanothertwenty-fourhours,andRoscoepackedit,togetherwithhisblanketsandalittletinware.HewonderediftheIndianhaddiedofacontagiousdisease.Anyway,hemadeuphismindtoputoutthewarningforothersiftheycamethatway,andoverthedeadIndian'sbalsamshelterheplantedasapling,andattheendofthesaplinghefastenedastripofredcottoncloth—theplague-signaloftheNorth.

Thenhestruckoutthroughthedeepsnowsandthetwistingstorm,knowingthatt

herewasnomorethanonechanceinathousandaheadofhim,andthathisonechancewastokeepthewindathisback.

***

ThiswasthebeginningofthewonderfulexperiencewhichRoscoeCumminsafterwarddescribedinhisbook"TheFirstPeopleandtheValleyofSilentMen."Hepreparedanothermanuscriptwhichforpersonalreasonswasneverpublished,thestoryofadark-eyedgirloftheFirstPeople—butthisistocome.Ithastodowitht

helasttragicweeksofthiswinterof1907,inwhichitwasatoss-upbetweenallthingsoffleshandbloodintheNorthlandtoseewhichwouldwin—lifeordeath—andinwhichapairofdarkeyesandavoicefromtheFirstPeopleturnedasociologistintoapossibleMemberofParliament.

***



Attheendofhisfirstday'sstruggleRoscoebuilthimselfacampinabitofscrubtimber,whichwasnotmuchmorethanbrush.Ifhehadbeenanolderhandhewouldhaveobservedthatthisbitoftimber,andeverytreeandbushthathehadpassedsincenoon,wasstrippedanddeadonthesidethatfacedthenorth.ItwasasignoftheGreatBarrens,andofthefiercestormsthatsweptoverthem,destroyingeventhelifeofthetrees.Hecookedandatehislastfoodthefollowingday,andwenton.Thesmalltimberturnedtoscrub,andthescrub,intime,tovastsnowwastesoverwhichthestormsweptmercilessly.Allthisdayhelookedforgame,foraflutterofbirdlife;hechewedbark,andintheafternoongotamouthfulofFox-bite,whichmadehisthroatswelluntilhecouldscarcelybreathe.Atnighthemadetea,buthadnothingtoeat.Hishungerwasacuteandpainful.Itwastorturethenextday—thethird—fortheprocessofstarvationisarapidoneinthiscountrywhereonlythefittestsurviveonfourmealsaday.Hecamped,builtasmallbushfireatnight,andslept.Healmostfailedtorousehimselfonthemorningthatfollowed,andwhenhestaggeredtohisfeetandfeltthecuttingstingofthestormstillinhisface,andheardtheswishingwailofitovertheBarren,heknewthatatlastthemomenthadcomewhenhewasstandingfacetofacewiththeAlmighty.

Forsomestrangereasonhewasnotfrightenedatthesituation.Hefoundthatevenoverthelevelspaceshecouldscarcelydraghissnowshoes,butthishadceasedtoalarmhimashehadbeenalarmedatfirst.Hewenton,hourafterhour,weakerandweaker.Withinhimselftherewasstilllifewhichreasonedthatifdea

thweretocomeitcouldnotcomeinabetterway.Itatleastpromisedtobepainless—evenpleasant.Thesharp,stingingpainsofhunger,likelittleelectricalknivespiercinghim,weregone;henolongerexperiencedasensationofintensecold;healmostfeltthathecouldliedowninthedriftedsnowandsleeppeacefully.Heknewwhatitwouldbe—asleepwithoutend—withthearcticfoxestopickhisbones,andsoheresistedthetemptationandforcedhimselfonward.ThestormstillsweptstraightwestfromHudson'sBay,bringingwithitendlessvolleysofsnow,roundandhardasfineshot;snowthathadatfirstseemedtopiercehisflesh,andwhichswishedpasthisfeet,asiftryingtotriphim,andtosseditselfinwindrowsandmountainsinhispath.Ifhecouldonlyfindtimber—shelter!Thatwaswhatheworkedfornow.Whenhehadlastlookedathiswatchitwasnineo'clockinthemorning;nowitwaslateintheafternoon.Itmightaswellhavebeennight.Thestormhadlongsincehalfblindedhim.Hecouldnotseeadozen

pacesahead.Butthelittlelifeinhimstillreasonedbravely.Itwasaheroicsparkoflife,afightingspark,andhardtoputout.Ittoldhimthatwhenhecametoshelterbewouldatleastfeelit,andthathemustfightuntilthelast.Andallthistime,foragesandagesitseemedtohim,hekeptmumblingoverandoveragainRansom'swords:

"Goback—Goback—Goback—-"

Theyranginhisbrain.Hetriedtokeepstepwiththeirmonotone.Thestormcouldnotdrownthem.Theyweremeaninglesswordstohimnow,buttheykepthimcompany.Also,hisriflewasmeaningless,butheclungtoit.Thepackonhisbackheldnosignificanceandnoweightforhim.Hemighthavetravelledamileortenmilesanhourandhewouldnothavesensedthedifference.Mostmenwouldhave

buriedthemselvesinthesnow,anddiedincomfort,dreamingthepleasantdreamswhichcomeasasortofrecompensetotheunfortunatewhodieofstarvationandcold.ButthefightingsparkcommandedRoscoetodieuponhisfeet,ifhediedatall.Itwasthissparkwhichbroughthimatlasttoabitoftimberthickenoughtogivehimshelterfromwindandsnow.Itburnedalittlemorewarmlythen.Itflaredup,andgavehimnewvision.And,forthefirsttime,herealizedthatitmustbenight.Foralightwasburningaheadofhim,andallelsewasgloom.Hisfirstthoughtwasthatitwasacampfire,milesandmilesaway.Thenitdrewnearer—untilheknewthatitwasalightinacabinwindow.Hedraggedhimselftowardit,andwhenhecametothedoorhetriedtoshout.Butnosoundfellfr



omhisswollenlips.Itseemedanhourbeforehecouldtwisthisfeetoutofhissnowshoes.Thenhegropedforalatch,pressedagainstthedoor,andplungedin.

Whathesawwaslikeapicturesuddenlyrevealedforaninstantbyaflashlight.Inthecabintherewerefourmen.Twosatatatable,directlyinfrontofhim.Oneheldadiceboxpoisedintheair,andhadturnedarough,beardedfacetowardhim.Theotherwasayoungerman,andinthismomentoflapsingconsciousnessitstruckRoscoeasstrangethatheshouldbeclutchingacanofbeansbetweenhishands.Athirdmanstaredfromwherehehadbeenlookingdownuponthedice-playoftheothertwo.AsRoscoecameinhewasintheactofloweringahalf-filledbottlefromhislips.Thefourthmansatontheedgeofabunk,withafacesowhiteandthinthathemighthavebeentakenforacorpseifithadnotbeenforadarkglareinhissunkeneyes.Roscoesmelledtheodorofwhisky;hesmelledfood.Hesawnosignofwelcomeinthefacesturnedtowardhim,butheadvanceduponthem,mumblingincoherently.Andthenthespark—thefightingsparkinhim—gaveout,andhecrumpleddownonthefloor.Heheardavoice,whichcametohim—asiffromagreatdistance,andwhichsaid,"Whotheh—listhis?"Andthen,afterwhatseemedtobealongtime,heheardanothervoicesay,"Pitchhimbackintothesnow."

Afterthathelostconsciousness.

***

Alongtimebeforeheawokeheknewthathewasnotinthesnow,andthathotstuffwasrunningdownhisthroat.Whenheopenedhiseyestherewasnolongeralightburninginthecabin.Itwasday.Hefeltstrangelycomfortable,buttherewassomethinginthecabinthatstirredhimfromhisrest.Itwastheodouroffryingbacon.Heraisedhimselfuponhiselbow,preparedtothankhisdeliverers,andtoeat.Allofhishungerhadcomeback.Thejoyoflife,ofanticipation,shoneinhisthinfaceashepulledhimselfup.Anotherface—thebeardedface—red-eyed,almostanimal-likeinitsfiercequestioning,bentoverhim.

"Where'syourgrub,pardner?"

Thequestionwaslikeastab.Roscoedidnothearhisownvoiceasheexplained.

"Gotnone!"Thebeardedman'svoicewaslikeabellowasheturnedupontheothers.

"He'sgotnogrub!"

"We'lldivvyup,Jack,"cameaweakvoice.Itwasfromthethin,white-facedmanwhohadsatcorpse-likeontheedgeofhisbunkthenightbefore.

"Divvyh—l!"growledthebeardedman."It'suptoyou—youandScotty.You'retoblame!"

You'retoblame!

ThewordsstruckuponRoscoe'searswithachillofhorror.Herecalledthevoicethathadsuggestedthrowinghimbackintothesnow.Starvationwasinthecabin.Hehadfallenamonganimalsinsteadofmen,andhisbodygrewcoldwithachillthatwasmorehorriblethanthatofthesnowandthewind.Hesawthethin-facedmanwhohadspokenforhimsittingagainontheedgeofhisbunk.Mutelyhe



lookedtotheotherstoseewhichwasScotty.Hewastheyoungmanwhohadclutchedthecanofbeans.Itwashewhowasfryingbaconoverthesheetironstove.

"We'lldivvy—HenryandI,"hesaid."Itoldyouthatlastnight."HelookedoveratRoscoe."Gladyou'rebetter,"hegreeted."Yousee—you'vestruckusatabadtime.We'reonourlastlegsforgrub.OurtwoIndianswentouttohuntaweekagoandnevercameback.They'redead—orgone,andwe'reasgoodasdeadifthestormdoesn'tletupprettysoon.Youcanhavesomeofourgrub—Henry'sandmine."

Itwasacoldinvitation,lackingwarmthorsympathy,andRoscoefeltthateventhismanwishedthathehaddiedbeforehereachedthecabin.Butthemanwashuman;heatleasthadnotcasthisvoicewiththosewhohadwantedtothrowhimbackintothesnow,andRoscoetriedtovoicehisgratitude,andatthesametimetohidehishunger.Hesawthattherewerethreethinslicesofbaconinthefryingpan,anditstruckhimthatitwouldbebadtastetorevealastarvationappetiteinthefaceofsuchfamine.Hecameup,limping,andstoodontheothersideofthestovefromScotty.

"Yousavedmylife,"hesaid,holdingoutahand."Willyoushake?"

Scottyshookhandslimply.

"It'sh—l,"hesaidinalowvoice."We'dhavehadbeansthismorningifIhadn'tshookdicewithhimlastnight."Henoddedtowardthebeardedman,whowascutti

ngopenthetopofacan."Hewon!"

"MyGod!"beganRoscoe.

Hedidn'tfinish.Scottyturnedthemeat,andadded:

"Hewonasquaremealoffmeyesterday—aquarterofapoundofbacon.DaybeforethathewonHenry'slastcanofbeans.He'sgothisshareunderhisblanketoverthere,andswearshe'llshootanyonewhogoestomonkeyingwithhisbed—soyou'dbetterfightshyofit.Thompson—heisn'tupyet—chosethewhiskyforhisshare,soyou'dbetterfightshyofhim,too.HenryandI'lldivvyupwithyou."

"Thanks,"saidRoscoe,theonewordchokinghim.

Henrycamefromhisbunk,bentandwobbling.Helookedlikeadyingman,andforthefirsttimeRoscoesawthathishairwasgray.Hewasalittleman,andhisthinhandsshookasheheldthemoutoverthestove,andnoddedatRoscoe.Thebeardedmanhadopenedhiscan,andapproachedthestovewithapanofwater,cominginbesideRoscoewithoutnoticinghim.Hebroughtwithhimafoulodourofstaletobaccosmokeandwhisky.AfterhehadputhiswateroverthefireheturnedtooneofthebunksandwithhalfadozencoarseepithetsrousedThompson,whosatupstupidly,stillhalfdrunk.Henryhadgonetoasmalltable,andScottyfollowedhimwiththebacon.ButRoscoedidnotmove.Heforgothishunger.Hispulsewasbeatingquickly.Sensationsfilledhimwhichhehadneverknownorimaginedbefore.Hehadknowntragedy;hehadinvestigatedtowhathehadsupposedtobethedepthsofhumanvileness—butthisthathewasexperiencingnowstunnedh

im.Wasitpossiblethatthesewerepeopleofhisownkind?Hadamadnessofsomesortdrivenallhumaninstinctsfromthem?HesawThompson'sredeyesfasteneduponhim,andheturnedhisfacetoescapetheirquestioning,stupidleer.ThebeardedmanwasturningoutthecanofbeanshehadwonfromScotty.Beyondthebeardedmanthedoorcreaked,andRoscoeheardthewailofthestorm.Itcametohimnowasafriendlysortofsound.

"Betterdrawup,pardner,"heheardScottysay."Here'syourshare."

Oneofthethinslicesofbaconandahardbiscuitwerewaitingforhimonatin



plate.HeateasravenouslyasHenryandScotty,anddrankacupofhottea.Intwominutesthemealwasover.Itwasterriblyinadequate.Thefewmouthfulsoffoodstirredupallhiscraving,andhefounditimpossibletokeephiseyesfromthebeardedmanandhisbeans.Thebeardedman,whomScottycalledCroker,wastheonlyonewhoseemedwellfed,andhishorrorincreasedwhenHenrybentoverandsaidtohiminalowwhisper:"Hedidn'tgetmybeansfair.Ihadthreeacesandapairofdeuces,an'hetookitonthreefivesandtwosixes.WhenIobjectedhecalledmealiaran'hitme.Them'smybeans,orScotty's!"Therewassomethingalmostlikemurderinthelittleman'sredeyes.

Roscoeremainedsilent.Hedidnotcaretotalk,orquestion.Noonehadaskedhimwhohewasorwhencehecame,andhefeltnoinclinationtoknowmoreofthemenhehadfallenamong.Crokerfinished,wipedhismouthwithhishand,andlookedacrossatRoscoe.

"Howaboutgoingoutwithmetogetsomewood?"hedemanded.

"I'mready,"repliedRoscoe.

Forthefirsttimehetooknoticeofhimself.Hewaslame,andsickeninglyweak,butapparentlysoundinotherways.Theintensecoldhadnotfrozenhisearsorfeet.Heputonhisheavymoccasins,histhickcoatandfurcap,andCrokerpointedtohisrifle.

"Bettertakethatalong,"hesaid."Can'ttellwhatyoumightsee."

Roscoepickeditupandthepackwhichlaybesideit.HedidnotcatchtheuglyleerwhichthebeardedmanturneduponThompson.ButHenrydid,andhislittleeyesgrewsmallerandblacker.Onsnowshoesthetwomenwentoutintothestorm,Crokercarryinganaxe.Heledthewaythroughthebitofthintimber,andacrossawideopenoverwhichthestormsweptsofiercelythattheirtrailwascoveredbehindthemastheytravelled.Roscoefiguredthattheyhadgoneaquarterofamilewhentheycametoanotherclumpoftrees,andCrokergavehimtheaxe.

"Youcancutdownsomeofthis,"hesaid."It'sbetterburningthanthatbackthere.I'mgoingonforadrylogthatIknowof.YouwaituntilIcomeback."

Roscoesettoworkuponaspruce,buthecouldscarcelystrikeoutachip.Afteralittlehewascompelledtodrophisaxe,andleanagainstthetree,exhausted.Atintervalsheresumedhiscutting.Itwashalfanhourbeforethesmalltreefell.ThenhewaitedforCroker.Behindhimhistrailwasalreadyobliterated.AfteralittleheraisedhisvoiceandcalledforCroker.Therewasnoreply.Thewindmoanedabovehiminthesprucetops.ItmadeanoiselikethewashoftheseaoutontheopenBarren.Heshoutedagain.Andagain.Thetruthdawneduponhimslowly—butitcame.Crokerhadbroughthimoutpurposely—tolosehim.Hewassavingthebaconandthecoldbiscuitsbackinthecabin.Roscoe'shandsclenchedtightly,andthentheyrelaxed.Atlasthehadfoundwhathewasafter—hisbook!Itwouldbeaterriblebook,ifhecarriedouttheideathatflasheduponhimnowinthewailingandtwistingofthestorm.Andthenhelaughed,foritoccurredtohimquicklythattheideawoulddie—withhimself.Hemightfindthecabin,buth

ewouldnotmaketheeffort.Oncemorehewouldfightaloneandforhimself.TheSparkreturnedtohim,loyally.Hebuttonedhimselfupclosely,sawthathissnowshoesweresecurelyfastened,andstruckoutoncemorewithhisbacktothestorm.Hewasatleastatriflebetteroffformeetingwiththefleshandbloodofhiskind.

Theclumpoftimberthinnedout,andRoscoestruckoutboldlyintothelowbush.Ashewent,hewonderedwhatwouldhappeninthecabin.HebelievedthatHenry,ofthefour,wouldnotpullthroughalive,andthatCrokerwouldcomeoutbest.ItwasnotuntilthefollowingsummerthathelearnedthefactsofHenry'smadn



ess,andoftheterriblemannerinwhichheavengedhimselfonCrokerbystickingaknifeunderthelatter'sribs.

ForthefirsttimeinhislifeRoscoefoundhimselfinapositiontomeasureaccuratelytheamountofenergycontainedinasliceofbaconandacoldbiscuit.Itwasnotmuch.Longbeforenoonhisoldweaknesswasuponhimagain.Hefoundevengreaterdifficultyindragginghisfeetoverthesnow,anditseemednowasthoughallambitionhadlefthim,andthateventhefightingsparkwasbecomingdisheartened.Hemadeuphismindtogoonuntilthearcticgloomofnightbeganminglingwiththestorm;thenhewouldstop,buildafire,andgotosleepinitswarmth.Hewouldneverwakeup,andtherewouldbenosensationofdiscomfortinhisdying.

Duringtheafternoonhepassedoutofthescrubintoaroughercountry.Hisprogresswasslower,butmorecomfortable,forattimeshefoundhimselfprotectedfromthewind.AgloomdarkerandmoresombrethanthatofthestormwasfallingabouthimwhenhecametowhatappearedtobetheendoftheBarren.Theearthdroppedawayfromunderhisfeet,andfarbelowhim,inaravineshutoutfromwindandstorm,hesawtheblacktopsofthickspruce.Whatlifewasleftinhimleapedjoyously,andhebegantoscrambledownward.Hiseyeswerenolongerfittojudgedistanceorchance,andheslipped.Heslippedadozentimesinthefirstfiveminutes,andthentherecamethetimewhenhedidnotmakearecovery,butplungeddownthesideofthemountainlikearock.Hestoppedwithaterrificjar,andforthefirsttimeduringthefallhewantedtocryoutwithpain.But

thevoicethathehearddidnotcomefromhisownlips.Itwasanothervoice—andthentwo,three,manyofthem.Hisdazedeyescaughtglimpsesofdarkobjectsflounderinginthedeepsnowabouthim,andjustbeyondtheseobjectswerefourorfivetallmoundsofsnow,liketents,arrangedinacircle.AnumberoftimesthatwinterRoscoehadseenmoundsofsnowlikethese,andheknewwhattheymeant.HehadfallenintoanIndianvillage.HetriedtocalloutthewordsofgreetingthatRameseshadtaughthim,buthehadnotongue.Thentheflounderingfigurescaughthimup,andhewascarriedtothecircleofsnow-mounds.Thelastthatheknewwasthatwarmthwasenteringhislungs,andthatonceagaintherecametohimthelow,sweetmusicofaCreegirl'svoice.

Itwasafacethathefirstsawafterthat,afacethatseemedtocometohimslowlyfromoutofnight,approachingnearerandneareruntilheknewthatitwas

agirl'sface,withgreat,dark,shiningeyeswhoselustresuffusedhimwithwarmthandastrangehappiness.Itwasafaceofwonderfulbeauty,hethought—ofawildsortofbeauty,yetwithsomethingsogentleintheshiningeyesthathesighedrestfully.Inthesefirstmomentsofhisreturningconsciousnessthewhimsicalthoughtcametohimthathewasdying,andthefacewasapartofapleasantdream.Ifthatwerenotsohehadfallenatlastamongfriends.Hiseyesopenedwider,hemoved,andthefacedrewback.Movementstimulatedreturninglife,andreasonrehabilitateditselfingreatbounds.InadozenflasheshewentoverallthathadhappeneduptothepointwherehehadfallendownthemountainandintotheCreecamp.Straightabovehimhesawafunnel-likepeakthroughwhichtheredriftedabluefilmofsmoke.Hewasinawigwam.Itwaswarmandexceedinglycomfortable.Wonderingifhewashurt,hemoved.Themovementdrewasharpexclamationofpainfromhim.Itwasthefirstrealsoundhehadmade,andinaninst

antthefacewasoverhimagain.Hesawitplainlythistime,withitsdarkeyesandovalcheeksframedbetweentwogreatbraidsofblackhair.Ahandtouchedhisbrowcoolandgentle,andasweetvoicesoothedhiminhalfadozenmusicalwords.ThegirlwasaCree.

AtthesoundofhervoiceanIndianwomancameupbesideher,lookeddownatRoscoeforamoment,andthenwenttothedoorofthewigwam,speakinginalowvoicetosomeonewhowasoutside.Whenshereturnedamanfollowedinafterher.Hewasoldandbent,andhisfacewasthin.Hischeek-bonesshone,sotightlywastheskindrawnoverthem.Andbehindhimcameayoungerman,asstraightasat



ree,withstrongshoulders,andaheadsetlikeapieceofbronzesculpture.RoscoethoughtofRansomandofhiswordsaboutoldRameses:

"YouwillfindsomethinginhisfacewhichwillrecallwhatIhavesaid,andmakeyouthinkoftheFirstPeople."

Thesecondmancarriedinhishandafrozenfish,whichhegavetothewoman.AndashegaveittoherhespokewordsinCreewhichRoscoeunderstood.

"Itisthelastfish."

ForamomentsometerriblehandgrippedatRoscoe'sheartandstoppeditsbeating.Hesawthewomantakethefishandcutitintotwoequalpartswithaknife,andoneofthesepartshesawherdropintoapotofboilingwaterwhichhungoverthestonefireplacebuiltundertheventinthewall.Thegirlwentupandstoodbesidetheolderwoman,withherbackturnedtohim.Heopenedhiseyeswide,andstared.Thegirlwastallandslender,aslithelyandasbeautifullyformedasoneofthenorthernliliesthatthrusttheirslenderstemsfrombetweenthemountainrocks.Hertwoheavybraidsfelldownherbackalmosttoherknees.Andthisgirl,thewoman,thetwomenweredividingwithhimtheirlastfish!

Hemadeaneffortandsatup.Theyoungermancametohim,andputabearskinathisback.Hehadpickedupsomeofthepatoisofhalf-bloodFrenchandEnglish.

"Youseek,"hesaid,"youhurt—youhungr'.Youhaveeatsoon."

Hemotionedwithhishandtotheboilingpot.Therewasnotafickerofanimationinhissplendidface.Therewassomethinggodlikeinhisimmobility,somethingthatwasawesomeinthewayhemovedandbreathed.Hisvoice,too,itseemedtoRoscoe,wasfilledwiththeold,oldmysteryofthebeginningofthings,ofhistorythatwaslongdeadandlostforalltime.AnditcameuponRoscoenow,likeafloodofrareknowledgedescendingfromamysterioussource,thathehadatlastdiscoveredthekeytonewlife,andthatthroughtheblindnessofreason,throughstarvationanddeath,fatehadledhimtotheGreatTruththatwasdyingwiththelastsonsoftheFirstPeople.Forthehalfofthelastfishwasbroughttohim,andheate;andwhentheknowledgethathewaseatinglifeawayfromth

esepeoplechokedhim,andhethrustapartofitback,thegirlherselfurgedhimtocontinue,andhefinished,withherdark,gloriouseyesfixeduponhimandsendingwarmfloodsthroughhisveins.Andafterthatthemenbolsteredhimupwiththebearskin,andthetwowentoutagainintothestorm.Thewomansathunchedbeforethefire,andafteralittlethegirljoinedherandpiledfreshfagotsontheblaze.Thenshesatbesideher,withherchinrestinginthelittlebrownpalmsofherhands,thefirelightingupahalfprofileofherfaceandpaintingrichcolourinherdeep-blackhair.

Foralongtimetherewassilence,andRoscoelayasifhewereasleep.Itwasnotanordinarysilence,thesilenceofastillroom,orofemptiness—butasilencethatthrobbedandpalpitatedwithanunheardlife,asilencewhichwasthrillingbecauseitspokealanguagewhichRoscoewasjustbeginningtounderstand.The

firegrewredder,andthecone-shapedvacancyatthetopofthetepeegrewduskier,soRoscoeknewthatnightwasfallingoutside.Farabovehecouldhearthestormwailingoverthetopofthemountain.Redderandreddergrewthebirchflamethatlighteduptheprofileofthegirl'sface.Oncesheturned,sothathecaughtthelustrousdarknessofhereyesuponhim.Hecouldnothearthebreathofthetwoinfrontofthefire.Heheardnosoundoutsideexceptthatofthewindandthetrees,andallgrewasdarkasitwassilentinthesnow-coveredtepee,exceptinfrontofthefire.Andthen,ashelaywithwide-openeyes,itseemedtoRoscoeasthoughthestillnesswasbrokenbyasobthatwasscarcelymorethanasigh,andhesawthegirl'sheaddroopalittlelowerinherhands,andfa



nciedthatashudderingtremorranthroughherslendershoulders.Thefireburnedlow,andshereachedoutformorefagots.Thensheroseslowly,andturnedtowardhim.Shecouldnotseehisfaceinthegloom,butthedeepbreathingwhichhefeigneddrewhertohim,andthroughhishalf-closedeyeshecouldseeherfacebendingoverhim,untiloneofherheavybraidsslippedoverhershoulderandfelluponhisbreast.Afteramomentshesatdownsilentlybesidehim,andhefeltherfingersbrushgentlythroughhistangledhair.Somethingintheirlight,softtouchthrilledhim,andhemovedhishandinthedarknessuntilitcameincontactwiththebig,softbraidthatstilllaywhereithadfallenacrosshim.Hewasonthepointofspeaking,butthefingerslefthishairandstrokedasgentleasvelvetoverhisstorm-beatenface.Shebelievedthathewasasleep,andawarmfloodofshamesweptthroughhimatthethoughtofhishypocrisy.Thebirchflaredupsuddenly,andhesawtheglistenofherhair,theglowofhereyes,andthestartledchangethatcameintothemwhenshesawthathisowneyeswerewideopen,andlookingupather.Beforeshecouldmovehehadcaughtherhand,andwasholdingittightertohisface—againsthislips.Thebirchbarkdiedassuddenlyasithadflaredup;heheardherbreathingquickly,hesawhergreateyesmeltawaylikelustrousstarsintothereturninggloom,andawild,irresistibleimpulsemovedhim.Heraisedhisfreehandtothedarkhead,anddrewitdowntohim,holdingitagainsthisfeverishfacewhilehewhisperedRameses'sprayerofthankfulnessinCree:

"Thespiritsblessyouforever,Meeani."

Thenearnessofher,thetouchofherheavyhair,thecaressofherbreathstirredhimstillmoredeeplywiththestrange,newemotionthatwasborninhim,andinthedarknesshefoundandkissedapairoflips,softandwarm.

Thewomanstirredbeforethefire.Thegirldrewback,herbreathcomingalmostsobbingly.AndthenthethoughtofwhathehaddonerushedinafloodofhorroruponRoscoe.Thesewildpeoplehadsavedhislife;theyhadgivenhimtoeatoftheirlastfish;theywerenursinghimbackfromtheverythresholdofdeath—andhehadalreadyrepaidthembyofferingtotheCreemaidennexttothegreatestinsultthatcouldcometoherpeople.HerememberedwhatRameseshadtoldhim—thattheCreegirl'sfirstkisswasherbetrothalkiss;thatitwasthewhitegarmentofherpurity,thepledgeofherfealtyforever.Heliftedhimselfuponhiselbow,butthegirlhadruntothedoor.Voicescamefromoutside,andthetwomenr

eënteredthetepee.Heunderstoodenoughofwhatwassaidtolearnthatthecamphadbeenholdingcouncil,andthattwomenwereabouttomakeanefforttoreachthenearestpost.Eachtepeewastofurnishthesetwomenabitoffoodtokeepthemaliveontheirterriblehazard,andthewomanbroughtforththehalfofafish.Shecutitintoquarters,andwithoneofthepiecestheeldermanwentoutagainintothenight.Theyoungermanspoketothegirl.HecalledherOachi,andtoRoscoe'sastonishmentspokeinFrench.

"Iftheydonotcomeback,orifwedonotfindmeatinsevendays,"hesaid,"wewilldie."

Roscoemadeanefforttorise,andtheeffortsentarushoffireintohishead.Heturneddizzy,andfellbackwithagroan.Inaninstantthegirlwasathis

side—aheadoftheman.Herhandswereathisface,hereyesglowingagain.Hefeltthathewasfallingintoadeepsleep.Buttheeyesdidnotleavehim.Theywerewonderfuleyes,gloriouseyes!Hedreamedoftheminthestrangesleepthatcametohim,andtheygrewmoreandmorebeautiful,shiningwithalightwhichthrilledhimeveninhisunconsciousness.Afteratimetherecameablack,morenaturalsortofnighttohim.Heawokefromitrefreshed.Itwasday.Thetepeewasfilledwithlight,andforthefirsttimehelookedabouthim.Hewasalone.Afireburnedlowamongthestones;overitsimmeredapot.Theearthfloorofthetepeewascoveredwithdeerandcaribouskins,andoppositehimtherewasanotherbunk.Hedrewhimselfpainfullytoasittingpostureandfoundthatitwashi



sshoulderandhipthathurthim.Herosetohisfeet,andstoodbalancinghimselffeeblywhenthedoortothetepeewasdrawnbackandOachientered.Atsightofhim,standingupfromhisbed,shemadeaquickmovementtodrawback,butRoscoereachedouthishandswithalowcryofpleasure.

"Oachi,"hecriedsoftly."Comein!"HespokeinFrench,andOachi'sfacelighteduplikesunlight."Iambetter,"hesaid."Iamwell.Iwanttothankyou—andtheothers."Hemadeasteptowardher,andthestrengthofhisleftleggaveway.Hewouldhavefallenifshehadnotdartedtohimsoquicklythatshemadeapropforhim,andhereyeslookedupintohiswhitenedface,bigandfrightenedandfilledwithpain.

"Oo-ee-ee,"shesaidinCree,herredlipsroundedasshesawhimflinch,andthatoneword,asonginaword;cametohimlikeaflutenote.

"Ithurts—alittle,"hesaid.Hedroppedbackonhisbunk,andOachisankupontheskinsathisfeet,lookingupathimsteadilywithherwonderful,pureeyes,hermouthstillrounded,littlewrinklesoftenseanxietydrawninherforehead.Roscoelaughed.

Forafewmomentshissoulwasfilledwithastrangegladness.Hereachedouthishandandstrokeditoverhershininghair,andaradiancesuchashehadneverseenleaptintohereyes."You—talk—French?"heaskedslowly.

Shenodded.

"Thentellmethis—youarehungry—starving?"

Shenoddedagain,andmadeacupofhertwosmallhands."Nomeat.Thislittle—somuch—flour—"Herthroattrembledandhervoicefluttered.Butevenasshemeasuredouttheirstarvationherfacewaslookingathimjoyously.Andthensheadded,withthegladnessofachild,"Feesh,foryou,"andpointedtothesimmeringpot.

"ForME!"Roscoelookedatthepot,andthenbackather.

"Oachi,"hesaidgently,"gotellyourfatherthatIamreadytotalkwithhim.Askhimtocome—now."

Shelookedathimforamomentasthoughshedidnotquiteunderstandwhathehadsaid,andherepeatedthewords.Evenashewasspeakinghemarvelledatthefairnessofherskin,whichshonewithapinkflush,andatthesoftnessandbeautyofherhair.Whathesawimpelledhimtoask,asshemadetorise:

"Yourfather—yourmother—isFrench.Isthatso,Oachi?"Thegirlnoddedagain,withthesoftlittleCreethroatnotethatmeantyes.Thensheslippedtoherfeetandranout,andalittlelatertherecameintothetepeethemanwhohadfirstloomedupintheduskylightlikeagodoftheFirstPeopletoRoscoeCummins.Hissplendidfacewasalittlemoregauntthanthenightbefore,andRoscoeknewthatfaminecamehandinhandwithhim.Hehadseenstarvationbefore,andheknewthatitreddenedtheeyesandgavethelipsagrayishpallor.Thesethings,and

more,hesawinOachi'sfather.ButMukokicameinstraightanderect,hidinghisweaknessundertheprideofhisrace.FightingdownhispainRoscoeroseatsightofhimandheldouthishands.

"Iwanttothankyou,"hesaid,repeatingthewordshehadspokentoOachi."Youhavesavedmylife.ButIhaveeyes,andIcansee.Yougavemeofyourlastfish.Youhavenomeat.Youhavenoflour.Youarestarving.What?Ihaveaskedyoutocomeandtellme,sothatImayknowhowitfareswithyourwomenandchildren.Youwillgivemeacouncil,andwewillsmoke."Roscoedroppedbackonhisbunk.Hedrewforthhispipeandfilleditwithtobacco.TheCreesatdownmutel



yinthecentreofthetepee.Theysmoked,passingthepipebackandforthwithoutspeaking.OnceRoscoeloadedthepipe,andoncethechief;andwhenthelastpuffofthelastpipefulwastakentheIndianreachedoverhishand,andRoscoegrippedithard.

Andthen,whilethestormstillmoanedfarupovertheirheads,RoscoeCumminslistenedtotheold,oldstoryoftheFirstPeople—thestoryofstarvationandofdeath.Tohimitwasepic.Itwasterrible.Buttotheotheritwasthemerecomingandgoingofanaturalthing,ofathingthathadexistedforhimandforhiskindsincelifebegan,andhespokeofitquietlyandwithoutagesture.Therehadbeenacampoftwenty-two,andtherewerenowfifteen.Sevenhaddied,fourmen,twowomen,andonechild.Eachdayduringthegreatstormthemenhadgoneoutontheirfutilesearchforgame,andeveryfewdaysoneofthemhadfailedtoreturn.Thusfourhaddied.Thedogswereeaten.Cornandfishweregone;thereremainedbutalittleflour,andthiswasforthewomenandthechildren.Themenhadeatennothingbutbarkandrootsforfivedays.Andthereseemedtobenohope.Itwasdeathtostrayfarfromthecamp.Thatmorningthetwomenhadsetoutforthepost,butMukokisaidcalmlythattheywouldneverreturn.AndthenRoscoespokeofOachi,hisdaughter,andforthefirsttimetheironlinesofthechief'sbronzefaceseemedtosoften,andhisheadbentoveralittle,andhisshouldersdrooped.NotuntilthendidRoscoelearnthedepthsofsorrowhiddenbehindthesplendidstrengthofthestarvingman.Oachi'smotherhadbeenaFrenchwoman.Sixmonthsbeforeshehaddiedinthistepee,andMukokihadburiedhiswifeuponthefaceofthemountain,wherethestormwasmoaning.Afterthis

Roscoecouldnotspeak.Hewaschoking.Heloadedhispipeagain,andsatdownclosetothechief,sothattheirkneesandtheirshoulderstouched,andthus,astaughthimbyoldRameses,hesmokedwithOachi'sfatherthepledgeofeternalfriendship,ofbrotherhoodinlife,ofspiritcommunionintheValleyofSilentMen.AfterthatMukokilefthimandhecrawledbackuponhisbunk,weakandfilledwithpain,knowingthathewasfacingdeathwiththeothers.Hewasnotafraid,butwasfilledwithagreatthankfulnessthat,evenatthepriceofstarvation,fatehadallowedhimtotouchatlasttheedgeofthefabricofhisdreams.Allofthatdayhewrote,inthehourswhenhefeltbest.Hefilledpageafterpageofthetabletswhichhecarriedinhispack,writingfeverishlyandwithgreathaste,oppressedonlybythefearthathewouldnotbeabletofinishthemessagewhichhehadforthepeopleofthatotherworldathousandmilesaway.ThreetimesduringthemorningOachicameinandbroughthimthecookedfishandab

iscuitwhichshehadmadeforhimoutofflourandmeal.Andeachtimehesaid,"Iamamanwiththeothermen,Oachi.IwouldbeawomanifIate."

ThethirdtimeOachikneltclosedownathisside,andwhenherefusedthefoodagaintherecameastrangelightintohereyes,andshesaid,"Ifyoustarve—Istarve!"

Itwasthefirstrevelationtohim.Heputuphishands.Theytouchedherface.Somepotentspiritinhimcarriedhimacrossallgulfs.Inthatmoment,thrilling,strange,hewasheartandsouloftheFirstPeople.Inaninstanthehaddriftedbackathousandyears,beyondthememoryofcities,ofclubs,ofallthatwentwithcivilization.Awild,halfsavagelongingfilledhim.Oneofhishandsslippedtohershininghair,andsuddenlytheirfaceslayclosetoeachother,an

dheknewthatinthatmomentlovehadcometohimfromthefountofgloryitself.

***

Daysfollowed—blackdaysfilledwiththeendlessterrorsofthestorm.Andyetthe



yweredaysofastrangecontentmentwhichRoscoehadneverfeltbefore.Oachiandherfatherwerewithhimagreatdealinthetepeewhichtheyhadgivenuptohim.OnthethirddayRoscoenoticedthatOachi'slittlehandswerebruisedandredandhefoundthatthechief'sdaughterhadgoneouttodigdownthroughiceandsnowwiththeotherwomenafterroots.Thecamplivedentirelyonrootsnow—wildflagandmooserootsgroundupandcookedinabatter.Onthissameday,lateintheafternoon,therecamealowwailinggrieffromoneofthetepees,amoaningsoundthatpitcheditselftothekeyofthestormuntilitseemedtobeapartofit.Achildhaddied,andthemotherwasmourning.Thatnightanotherofthecamphuntsmenfailedtoreturnatdusk.

ThenextdayRoscoewasabletomoveaboutinhistepeewithoutpain.Oachiandherfatherwerewithhimwhen,forthefirsttime,hegotouthiscombandmilitarybrushesandbegangroominghistouselledhair.Oachiwatchedhim,andsuddenly,seeingthewonderingpleasureinhereyes,heheldoutthebrushestoher."Youmayhavethem,Oachi,"hesaid,andthegirlacceptedthemwithasoftlittlecryofdelight.Tohisamazementshebeganunbraidingherhairimmediately,andthenshestoodupbeforehim,hiddentoherkneesinherwonderfulwealthofshiningtresses,andRoscoeCumminsthoughtinthismomentthathehadneverseenawomanmorebeautifulthanthehalfCreegirl.Whentheyhadgonehestillsawher,andthevisiontroubledhim.Theycameinagainatnight,whenthefirewassendingredandyellowlightsupanddownthetepeewalls,andthemorehewatchedOachithestrongertheregrewwithinhimsomethingthatseemedtognawandgripewithadullsortofpain.Oachiwasbeautiful.Hehadneverseenhairlike

herhair.Hehadneverbeforeseeneyesmorebeautiful.Hehadneverheardavoicesolowandsweetandfilledwithbird-likeripplesofmusic.Shewasbeautiful,andyetwithherbeautytherewasaprimitiveness,agentlesavagery,andanage-oldstorywritteninthefinelinesofherfacewhichmadehimuneasywiththethoughtofathingthatwasalmosttragedy.Oachilovedhim.Hecouldseethatloveinhereyes,inhermovement;hecouldfeelitinherpresence,andthesweetsongofittrembledinhervoicewhenshespoketohim.Ordinarilyawhitemanwouldhaveacceptedthislove;hewouldhaverejoicedinit,andwouldhaveplayedwithitforatime,astheyhavedonewiththelovesofthewomenofOachi'speoplesincethebeginningofwhiteman'stime.ButRoscoeCumminswasofadifferenttype.Hewasamanofideals,andinOachi'slovehesawhisidealoflovesetapartfromhimbyillimitablevoids.Thisnight,inthefirelittepee,therecametohimlikeapainfulstabthetruthofRansom'swords.Hehadbeen

bornsomethousandsofyearstoolate.HesawinOachiloveandlifeastheymighthavebeenforhim;butbeyondthemhealsosaw,likeagrimandthreateninghand,avisionofcities,oftoilingmillions,ofagreatworkjustbegun—avisionoflifeasitwasintendedthatheshouldliveit;andtoshutitoutfromhimhebowedhisheadinhistwohands,overwhelmedbyanewgrief.

Thechiefsatwithhisfacetothefire,smokingsilently,andOachicametoRoscoe'sside,andtouchedhandstimidly,likealittlechild.Sheseemedtohimwondrouslylikeachildwhenheliftedhisheadandlookeddownintoherface.Shesmiledathim,questioninghim,andhesmiledhisanswerback,yetneitherbrokethesilencewithwords.HeheardonlythesoftlittlenoteinOachi'sthroatthatfilledhimwithsuchanexquisitesensation,andhewonderedwhatmusicwouldbeifitcouldfindexpressionthroughavoicelikehers.

"Oachi,"heaskedsoftly,"whydidyouneversing?"

Thegirllookedathiminsilenceforamoment.

"Westarve,"shesaid.Shesweptherhandtowardthedoorofthetepee."Westarve—die—thereisnosong."

Heputhishandunderherchinandliftedherfacetohim,ashemighthavedonewithalittlechild.



"Iwishyouwouldsing,Oachi,"hesaid.

Foramomentthegirl'sdarkeyesglowedupathim.Thenshedrewbacksoftly,andseatedherselfbeforethefire,withherbackturnedtowardhim,closebesideherfather.Astrangequietfilledthetepee.Overtheirheadsthewailingstormseemedtodieforamoment;andthensomethingroseinitsplace,solowandgentleatfirstthatitseemedlikeawhisper,butgrowinginsweetnessandvolumeuntilRoscoeCumminssaterect,hiseyesflashing,hishandsclenched,lookingatOachi.Thestormrose,andwithitthesong—asongthatreacheddownintohissoul,stirringhimnowwithitsgladness,nowwithahalfsavagepain;butalwayswithasweetnessthatengulfedforhimallotherthings,untilhewaslisteningonlytothevoice.Andthensilencecameagainwithinthetepee.Overthemountainthewindburstmorefiercely.Thechiefsatmotionless.InOachi'shairthefirelightglistenedwithadullradiance.Therewasquiet,andyetRoscoestillheardthevoice.Heknewthathewouldalwayshearit,thatitwouldneverdie.

NotuntillongafterwarddidheknowthatOachihadsungtohimthegreatlovesongoftheCrees.

Thatnightandthenextday,andtheterriblenightanddaythatfollowed,Roscoefoughtwithhimself.Hewon—whenalone—andlostwhenOachiwaswithhim.Insomewayssheknewintuitivelythathelovedtoseeherwithhersplendidhairdown,andshewouldsitathisfeetandbrushit,whilehetriedtohidehisadmiration

andsmotherthepassionwhichsprangupinhisbreastwhenshewasnear.Heknew,inthesemoments,thatitwastoolatetokillthethingthatwasborninhim—thecravingofhisheartandhissoulforthisgirloftheFirstPeoplewhohadlaidherlifeathisfeetandwhowasremovedfromhimbybarrierswhichhecouldneverpass.OntheafternoonofhisseventhdayincampanIndianhunterraninfromtheforestnearlycrazedwithjoy.Hehadventuredfartherawaythantheothers,andhadfoundamoose-yard.Hehadkilledtwooftheanimals.Thedaysoffaminewereover.OachibroughtthefirstnewstoRoscoe.Herfacewasradiantwithjoy,hereyesburnedlikestars,andinherexcitementshestretchedoutherarmstohimasshecriedoutthewonderfulnews.Roscoetookhertwohands.

"Isittrue,Oachi?"heasked."Theyhavesurelykilledmeat?"

"Yes—yes—yes,"shecried."Theyhavekilledmeat—muchmeat—"

Shestoppedatthestrange,hardlookinRoscoe'seyes.Hewaslookingoverhead.Ifhehadlookeddown,intothegloryandloveofhereyes,hewouldhaveswepthercloseinhisarms,andthelastfightwouldhavebeenoverthenandthere.Oachiwentout,wonderingatthecoldnesswithwhichhehadreceivedthewordoftheirdeliverance,andlittleguessingthatinthatmomenthehadfoughtthegreatestbattleofhislife.Eachdayafterthiscalledhimbacktothefight.Histwobrokenribshealedslowly.Thestormpassed.Thesunfollowedit,andtheMarchwindsbeganbringingupwarmthfromthesouth.Daysgrewintoweeks,andthesnowwasgrowingsoftunderfootbeforehedaredventureforthshortdistancesfromthecampalone.HetriedoftentomakeOachiunderstand,buthealwaysstoppedshortofwhathemeanttosay;hishandwouldstealtoherbeautifulhair,a

ndinOachi'sthroatwouldsoundtheinimitablelittlenoteofhappiness.Eachdayhewasmoreandmorehandicapped.ForinthejoyofhergreatloveOachibecamemorebeautifulandhervoicestillsweeter.Bythetimethesnowsbeganrunningdownfromthemountainsandthepoplarbudsbegantoswellshewastellinghimthemostsacredofallsacredthings,andonedayshetoldhimofthewonderfulworldfartothewest,paintedbytheglowofthesettingsun,whereinlaytheValleyofSilentMen.

"AndthatisHeaven—yourHeaven,"breathedRoscoe.Hewasalmostwellnow,buthewassittingontheedgeofhisbunk,andOachikneltintheoldplaceuponthed



eerskinathisfeet.Ashespokehestrokedherhair.

"Tellme,"hesaid,"whatsortofaplaceitis,Oachi."

"Itisbeautiful,"spokeOachisoftly.

"Long,longagotheGreatGodcamedownamongusandlivedforatime;andHecameatatimelikethatwhichhasjustpassed,andHesawsuffering,andhunger,anddeath.AndwhenHesawwhatlifewasHemadeforusanotherworld,andtoldusthatitshouldbecalledtheValleyofSilentMen;andthatwhenwediedwewouldgotothisplace,andthatatlast—whenallofourraceweregone—Hewouldcausetheearthtorollthreetimes,andintheValleyofSilentMenallwouldawakenintolifewhichwouldneverknowdeath,orsorrow,orpainagain.AndHesaysthatthosewholovewillawakenthere—handinhand."

"Itisbeautiful,"saidRoscoe.Hefelthimselftrembling.Oachi'sbreathwasagainsthishand.Itwashislastfight.Hehalfreachedout,asiftoclasphertohim;butbeyondherhestillsawtheotherthing—theotherworld.Herosetohisfeet,notdaringtolookathernow.Helovedhertoomuchtosacrificeher.Anditwouldbeasacrifice.Hetriedtospeakfirmly.

"Oachi,"hesaid,"Iamnearlywellenoughtotravelnow.Ihavespentpleasantweekswithyou,weekswhichIshallneverforget.Butitistimeformetogobacktomypeople.Theyareexpectingme.Theyarewaitingforme,andwonderinga

tmyabsence.Iamasyouwouldbeifyouweredownthereinagreatcity.SoImustgo.Imustgoto-morrow,orthenextday,orsoonafter.Oachi—"

Hestilllookedwherehecouldnotseeherface.Butheheardhermove.Heknewthatslowlyshewasdrawingaway.

"Oachi—"

Shewasnearthedoornow,andhiseyesturnedtowardher.Shewaslookingback,herslendershouldersbentover,herglorioushairripplingtoherknees,asshehadleftitundoneforhim.Inhereyeswaslovesuchasfallsfromtheheavens.Butherfacewasaswhiteasamask.

"Oachi!"

WithacryRoscoereachedouthisarms.ButOachiwasgone.AtlasttheCreegirlunderstood.

***

Threedayslatertherecameinthepassingofasingledayandnightthesplendourofnorthernspring.Thesunrosewarmandgolden.Fromthesidesofthemount

ainsandinthevalleyswaterpouredforthinrippling,singingfloods.Therebakneeshglowedonbaredrocks.Moose-birds,andjays,andwood-thrushesflittedaboutthecamp,andtheairwasfilledwiththefragrantsmellsofnewlifeburstingfromearth,andtree,andshrub.OnthismorningofthethirddayRoscoestrodeforthfromhistepee,withhispackuponhisback.AnIndianguidewaitedforhimoutside.Hehadsmokedhislastpipewiththechief,andnowhewentfromtepeetotepee,inthefashionoftheCrees,anddrewasinglepufffromthepipeofeachmaster,untiltherewasbutonetepeeleft,andinthatwasOachi.Withawhitefaceherubbedhishandoverthedeer-flap,andwaited.Slowlyitwasdrawnback,andOachicameout.Hehadnotseenhersincethenighthehaddrive



nherfromhim,andhehadplannedtosaythingsinthislastmomentwhichhemighthavesaidthen.Butwordsstumbledonhislips.Oachiwaschanged.Sheseemedtaller.Herbeautifuleyeslookedathimclearlyandproudly.ForthefirsttimeshewastohimOachi,the"SunChild,"aprincessoftheFirstPeople—thedaughterofaCreechief.Heheldouthishand,andthehandwhichOachigavetohimwascoldandlifeless.Shesmiledwhenhetoldherthathehadcometosaygood-bye,andwhenshespoketohimhervoicewasasclearasthestreamsingingthroughthecañon.Hisownvoicetrembled.Inspiteofhismightiesteffortatighteningfistseemedchokinghim.

"Iamcomingback—someday,"hemanaged.

Oachismiled,withthegloryofthemorningsuninhereyesandhair.Sheturned,stillsmiling,andpointedfartothewest.

"Andsomeday—theValleyofSilentMenwillawaken,"shesaid,andreënteredherfather'stepee.

OutofthecampstaggeredRoscoeCumminsbehindhisIndianguide,ablindingheatinhiseyes.Onceortwiceagulpingsobroseinhisthroat,andheclutchedhardathishearttobeathimselfintosubmissiontothegreatlawoflifeasithadbeenmadeforhim.

Anhourlaterthetwocametoastreamwheretherewasacanoe.Becauseofrapid

sandthefiercenessofthespringfloods,portagesweremany,andprogressslowduringthewholeofthatday.Theyhadmadetwentymileswhenthesunbegansinkinginthewest,andtheystruckcamp.AftertheirsupperofmeattheCreerolledhimselfinhisblanketandslept.ButforlonghoursRoscoesatbesidetheirfire.Nightdroppedabouthim,asplendidnightfilledwithsweetbreathsandstarsandanewmoon,andwithstrangesoundswhichcametohimnowinalanguagewhichhewasbeginningtounderstand.Fromfarawaytherefloatedfaintlytohisearsthelonelycryofawolf,anditnolongermadehimshudder,butfilledhimwiththemysteriouslongingofthecryitself.Itwasthemate-songofthebeastofprey,sendingupitsmessagetothestars—cryingouttoallthewildernessforaresponsetoitsloneliness.Nightbirdstwitteredabouthim.Aloonlaughedinitsmockingjoy.Anowlhooteddownathimfromtheblacktopofatallspruce.Fromoutofstarvationanddeaththewildernesshadawakened.Itssoundsspo

ketohimstillofgrief,ofthesufferingthatwouldneverknowend;andyettheretrembledinthemanoteofhappinessandofcontent.Besidethecampfireitcametohimthatinthisworldhehaddiscoveredtwothings—asufferingthathehadneverknown,andapeacehehadneverknown.AndOachistoodforthemboth.Hethoughtofheruntildrowsinessdrewapalefilmoverhiseyes.Thebirchcrackledmoreandmorefaintlyinthefireandsoundsdiedaway.Thestillnessofsleepfellabouthim.Scarcehadhefallenintoslumberthanhiseyesseemedtoopenwideandwakeful,andoutofthegloombeyondthesmoulderingfirehesawahumanformslowlyrevealingitself,untiltherestoodclearlywithinhisvisionafigurewhichheatfirsttooktobethatofMukoki,thechief.Butinanothermomenthesawthatitwaseventallerthanthetallchief,andthatitseyeshadsearchedhimout.Whenheheardavoice,speakinginCreethewordswhichmean,"Whithergoestthou?"hewasstartledtohearhisownvoicereply:"Iamgoingba

cktomypeople."

Hestaredintovacancy,foratthesoundofhisvoicethevisionfadedaway;buttherecameavoicetohimbackthroughthenight,whichsaid:"Anditisherethatyouhavefoundthatofwhichyouhavedreamed—Life,andtheValleyofSilentMen!"

Roscoewaswideawakenow.Thevoiceandthevisionhadseemedsorealtohimthathelookedabouthimtremblinglyintothestarlitgloomoftheforest,asifnotquitesurethathehadbeendreaming.Thenhecrawledintohisbalsamshelter



,drewhisblanketsabouthim,andfellasleep.

ThenextdayhehadlittletosaytohisIndiancompanionastheymadetheirwaydownstream.Ateachdipoftheirpaddlesadeepersicknessseemedtoenterintohisheart.Life,afterall,hetriedtoreason,waslikeatailoredgarment.Onemighthaveanideal,andifthatidealbecamearealizationitwouldbefoundamisfitforonereasonoranother.Sohetoldhimself,inspiteoffillthedreamswhichhadurgedhimoninthefightforbetterthings.TherefloodeduponhimnowtheforcefultruthofwhatRansomhadsaid.Hiswork,ashehadbegunit,wasatanend,hisfabricofidealismhadfallenintoruins.Forhehadfoundallthatwasideal—love,faith,purity,andbeauty—andhe,RoscoeCummins,theidealist,hadrepulsedthembecausetheywerenotdressedinthetailoredfashionofhiskind.Hetoldhimselfthetruthwithbrutaldirectness.Beforehimhesawanotherworkinhisbooks,butofadifferentkind;andeachhourthatpassedaddedtotheconvictionwithinhimthatatlastthatworkwouldproveafailure.Hewentoffaloneintotheforestwhentheycamped,earlyintheafternoon,andthoughtofOachi,whowouldmournhimuntiltheendoftime.Andhe—couldheforget?Whatifhehadyieldedtotemptation,andhadtakenOachiwithhim?Shewouldhavecome.Heknewthat.Shewouldhavesacrificedherselftohimforever,wouldhavegonewithhimintoalifewhichshecouldnotunderstand,andwouldneverunderstand,satisfiedtoliveinhislovealone.Theold,chokinghandgrippedathisheart,andyetwiththepainofittherewasstillarejoicingthathehadnotsurrenderedtothetemptation,thathehadbeenstrongenoughtosaveher.

Thelastlightofthesettingsuncastfilm-likewebsofyellowandgoldthroughtheforestasheturnedinthedirectionofcamp.Itwasthathourinwhichawonderfulquietfallsuponthewilderness,thelastminutesbetweennightandday,whenallwildlifeseemstoshrinkinsuspensivewaitingforthechange.SevenmonthshadtaughtRoscoeaquietofhisown.Hismoccasinedfeetmadenosound.Hisheadwasbent,hisshouldershadatireddroop,andhiseyessearchedfornothinginthemysteryabouthim.Hisheartseemedweightedunderapressurethathadtakenalllifefromhim,andcloseabovehim,inabalsambough,anightbirdtwittered.Inresponsetoitalowcryburstfromhislips,acryoflonelinessandofgrief.InthatmomenthesawOachiagainathisfeet;heheardthelow,sweetnoteofloveinherthroat,somuchlikethatofthebirdoverhishead;hesawthesoftlustreofherhair,thegloryofhereyes,lookingupathimfromthehalfgloomofthetepee,tellinghimthattheyhadfoundtheirgod.Itwa

sallsonear,sorealforamoment,thathesprangerect,hisfingersclutchinghandfulsofmoss.Helookedtowardthecamp,andhesawsomethingmovebetweentherockandthefire.

Itwasawolf,hethought,orperhapsalynx,anddrawinghisrevolverhemovedquicklyandsilentlyinitsdirection.Theobjecthaddisappearedbehindalittleclumpofbalsamshrubwithinfiftypacesofthecamp,andashedrewnearer,untilhewasnomorethantenpacesaway,hewonderedwhyitdidnotbreakcover.

Therewerenotrees,anditwasquitelightwherethebalsamgrew.Heapproached,stepbystep.Andthen,suddenly,fromalmostunderhishands,somethingdartedawaywithastrange,humancry,turninguponhimforasingleinstantafacethatwasaswhiteasthewhitestarsofearlynight—afacewithgreat,glowing,hal

f-madeyes.ItwasOachi.Hispistoldroppedtotheground.Hisheartstoppedbeating.Nocry,nobreathofsound,camefromhisparalyzedlips.AndlikeawildthingOachiwasfleeingfromhimintothedarkeningdepthsoftheforest.Lifeleapedintohislimbs,andheracedlikemadafterher,overtakingherwithapanting,joyouscry.Whenshesawthatshewascaughtthegirlturned.Herhairhadfallen,andsweptabouthershouldersandherbody.Shetriedtospeak,butonlyburstingsobscamefromherbreast.Assheshrankfromhim,Roscoesawthatherclothingwasinshreds,andthatherthinmoccasinswerealmosttornfromherlittlefeet.Thetruthheldhimforanothermomentstunnedandspeechless.Likealightningflashthererecurredtohimherlastwords:"Andsomeday—theValley



ofSilentMenwillawaken."Heunderstood—now.Shehadfollowedhim,fightingherwaythroughswampandforestalongtheriver,hidingfromhim,andyetkeepinghimcompanysolongasherlittlebrokenheartcouldurgeheron.Andthenalone,withalastprayerforhim—shehadplannedtokillherself.Hetrembled.Somethingwonderfulhappenedwithhim,floodinghissoulwithday—withajoythatdescendeduponhimastheHandoftheMessiahmusthavefallenupontheheadsofthechildrenofSamaria.Withagreat,gladcryhesprangtowardOachiandcaughtherinhisarms,crushingherfacetohim,kissingherhairandhereyesandhermouthuntilatlastwithastrange,softcrysheputherarmsupabouthisneckandsobbedlikealittlechilduponhisbreast.

BackinthecamptheIndianwaited.Thewhitestarsgrewred.Intheforesttheshadowsdeepenedtothechaosofnight.Oncemoretherewassound,thepulseandbeatofalifethatmovesindarkness.InthecamptheIndiangrewrestlesswiththethoughtthatRoscoehadwanderedawayuntilhewaslost.Soatlasthefiredhisrifle.

OachistartedinRoscoe'sarms.

"Youshouldgoback—alone,"shewhispered.Theold,flutteringlove-notewasinhervoice,sweeterthanthesweetestmusictoRoscoeCummins.Heturnedherfaceup,andhelditbetweenhistwohands.

"IfIgothere,"hesaid,pointingforamomentintothesouth,"Igoalone.But

ifIgothere—"andhepointedintothenorth—"Igowithyou.Oachi,mybeloved,Iamgoingwithyou."Hedrewhercloseagain,andasked,almostinawhisper:"AndwhenweawakenintheValleyofSilentMen,howshallitbe,myOachi?"

Andwiththesweetlove-note,OachisaidinCree:

"Handinhand,mymaster."

HandinhandtheyreturnedtothewaitingIndianandthefire.

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