The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-05-08

covered the fresh tracks OF Il VOL
near Il lake northeast of the settle
ment, and not far from the
path to their kinsman's cabin. As
the footprints were apparently those
of a single animal, Akowma hoped
that his brother might meet unC
kill it.
Wolf meat is better than nc
meat, mother" he said.
But she, fearing it might be a fore
runner of Il numerous pack, was
alarmed by the news.
"'VVhen the bears go the wolves
proverb. Il pray that Nipsu may not
see Them"
AS his brother was expected to re-
turn the next day, Akowma, who had
promised to join him on the trail,
hunted i'll that direction throughout
the forenoon. The weather, which
had previously BEEN intensely cold,
was moderating, p%resaging a storm.
a dozen or more birds of various
species were tied to the rawhide cord
supporting his culver when, after
midday, he entered a wide, treeless
level of frozen meadow. Here, in
early summer, rain and melted snow
formed u large lake, on which ducks
and geese and other waterfowl on
gregated in myriads.
a network Of the curious vinelike
tracks of %ptarmigan indicated that
a covey of these birds were feeding
on the %succulent seeds of acquatic
grasses, the feathery tops of which
appeared in patches above the snow.
Presently he perceived one of them
crouching TRANQUILITY a few feet
away, evidently trusting to its white
plumage for concealment.
Having secured it, he continued
his search and soon flushed a second,
whereupon the rest of the covey took
wing, but alighted after a brief
flight. The boy followed eagerly,
keeping up the chase until five more
had been added to his string.
He heard at intervals the report of
Il distant gun, and he %conjectured
that another hunter had also found
game.
The pursuit of ptarmigan had en-
ticed him far from the way. Snow
had been falling internationally for
some time, and daylight was waning
rapidly when he struck out on a bee
line toward the trail.
Beyond the meadow the trail led
over a steep, wooded ridge to a SINH
lar natural clearing, many acres in
extent. There for perhaps a half
mile it skirted the base of a precipi-
tous hillside, an irregular, vertical
wall OF weather-worn rock, over
looking the clearing.
just in front of the precipice, and
about midway along it's face, grew a
single tall spruce, so close that it's
branches almost brushed the rock.
One of its exposed roots protruded
across the trail, making a mound
over which the natives, when sledg-
ing, drove with care to avoid a spill.
The twilight was fast deepening
into dusk as Akowma descended the
the ridge. He was abreast Of the
solitary tree when a musket-shot
close at hand, followed by a prolone-
ed cutlery as of an animal in pain,
brought him to Il standstill. A mo
ment later he heard a loud halloo,
in which he recognized his brothers.
voice.
"Nipsu has shot the wolff" he ex.
claimed, joyfully. He hurried on.
shouting as he ran.
He was within a few strides of
the thick forest bordering the clear
ing when a wolf leaped into the trail
right in front of him. His first
Thought. was that it must be the
creature at which Nipsu had fired.
Possibly it vas wounded. Without
hesitation he fitted an arrow to his
bow and let fly at the brute. Despite
the. dim light, his aim was true. With
the shaft sticking in its side the wolf
sprang back into the thicket, yelp-
ing and bowling.
Scarcely had the arrow left the
bow before Akowma heard his
brother calling to him.
"Gah! gah!" ely! fy) wa all that
lie could make out, but he compre-
hended that Nipsu was entreating
him to find a place of refuge without
delay.
The reason for this was quickly
revealed. The yelping Of Akowma's
victim was answered by a chorus
that terrified the lad. 1t was a sound.
that, once. heard, is not likely ever
to be forgotten-the h~unting-cry Of
q furnishing wolf pack. Having freed
Nipsu, some, if not all, of the brutes
We're coming to attack him.
His sole chance of safety Law in his
climbing a tree Immediately. Those
before him were of small growth.
but the big spruce at his back would
afford sure protection if he could
but retrace his steps. Facing about,
he sped feetly down the trail
toward it.
Had the snow been covered with.
crust firm enough to bear the
wolves AkoWma could not have es-.
capped. AS it was, the foremost Of
the racing pack broke from the cover