The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-01-03

81 should think you'd keep out of
their way if you're afraid of them"
said Holland, cautiously.
The old gan Strengthened up. His
face darkened with anger.
Say, d. v mean that?''
Holland saw his mistake.
''Set down. Set down. I didn't
mean anything. Still you speak as if
you kind O. dreaded them" he added.
'Wan, do" the hunter confessed.
but l amt aired of 'em. know em.
Know jest how to take 'em. build
fire in front of my little shed, put
rife handy and Zip at my feet and
fire gifts low Zip growls and wakes me
up and throw on more wood.
But some way feel as if they'd git
me yit. I'll make mistake some day
and then they'll pile on top of me an
that'll be the end of me. A pile of
bones gnawed white. Jest such pile
as I've come across myself many time
in the woods Spending his days
alone in the somber shadows of the
forest, he had grown superstitious like
the sailors Signs and omens filed up
half his life. He travelled by signs and
built his little open shed according to
the moon and stars. The sound of the
wind was in the sad droop of his voice.
''They killed my brother" he said,
finally; IAN they'll git me-"
He rose slowly. wal, guess I'll
pull out"
so, don't be in hurry"
'Ol Zip1i git uneasy"
"Better stay all night"
80, no; couldn't think Of it tall.
Wolves would clean out my whole
camp before daylight. Harkv He
lifted his hand. They're on the ram
page now. They always are before q
storm" Afar off, blent with the rising
snarl of the winds in the pines they
could hear the clamor of wolves hur-
rying after some flying deer. The old
man grasped his rifle.
"I'll get back to my dog"
Hadn't one of us better go out with
you?"
mo, I'm all right; I'm worryin'
bout Zip"
Holland went with him to the clear
ing and said:
Come and see US; our door is always
open. Good-by. Good luck"
Good luck" replied the old man, as
he blended into the dense shadow of
the forest.
Holland turned his face upward to
the gray skies and felt fine flakes of
snow beginning to sift down through
the massive tops Of the trees. Wolves
were astir in the deeps of the wood.
and wildcat across the river was
growing as he scrambled up or down
the cliff.
He shuddered and looked back as he
entered the warm-lighted shanty.
II don't want his quarters tonight"
"By lingo, 1 should say not" said
Miller.
Holland awoAe in the midst Of a
dream of man sinking in the snow,
and crying help! For few moments
he could not tell where his dream left
off and his waking began. All was
dark in the room save the uneasy
flicker of the dying freight on the
walls of the cabin. The wind was
stronger without, steady and cold.
He sat up in bed to convince himself
that he was in his cabin. and felt for
Miller to reassure himself that he was
not alone. He was about falling off
asleep again when faint and far OFF,
mingled with the sound of the storm
outside, came the clamor of distant
wolves and long drawn cry:
"Help, he-e-Ep!"
He sprang to his feet and stood ir-
resolute in the middle of the floor, not
sure of his senses yet. He leaned to
listen. 1t came louder. The clamor of
| min nd
Enthusiastically the wild cry of a man.
"Help! help! For Gods sake open
the door!'
Holland flung up the bar. The noise
of beating feet was heard. He swung
the door open, and with the speed of a
desperate deer Long Tom shot across
the clearing into the bin, falling in a
heap on the floor, while not a rod be-
hind, their red tongues tapping. their
eyes shining with greenish phosphor-
escent, terrifying glare, came a dozen
wolves, tearing along in pursuit, and
so savage and determined their hunger,
in Holland had not swung the door If
their faces, they would have plunged
through the open door upon the ex-
hausted hunter.
The old man rose from the floor in
sane with wrath.
''Give me your rifle" he snorted,
when he could get his breath. Let me
get chance at them"
He had stayed away too long. The
fire had burned down, and the waiting
wolves had sprung upon the faithful
dog. They were gnawing his bones
when the hunter arrived. At the sound
of his rifle they scattered, but almost
instantly turned upon him and he fed.
He loaded and fred once more, and
then backed away, holding them at bay
with his dubbed rifle. In this way he
backed all the way down the river
bank, facing the snarling pack. AS he
neared the cabin he flung away his
rifle and ran-only his marvellous speed
saving him.
He wept like child. and swore' in
his weeping as he thought of his faith
, full dog covering there in the center of
that circle of hungry eyes
ITO think I'd play him such a trick
at last" he groaned, and swore, cover
ing his face with his hands can he
trusting in me-sayin' to them hell
hounds: Old Tom'n be back soon an
} you'll git out O. herer An all the time
me settin' here smokin' an havin' a
!. good time-my God, it's awful! Its un-
; civilized to treat an old friend the way