New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-04-01

tlIat 1--WE deaths or even fewer, would
repel the attack of any wolf pack ht
had ever seen. There was just one
troubling thought. He had heard, long
ago, and he had forgotten who had
told him, that in the most severe win
tiers the wolves gather in particularly
large packs; and a quality in the o II
that they had heard at night seemed
to bear 1t out. The chorus had been
exceptionally loud and strong, and he
had been unable to pick out individual
voices.
The snow was perfect for skiing.
Previously their sport had been many
times Interrupted either by the fall of
fresh snow or ii thaw that had soft
ened the snow crust but now every
afternoon was too perfect to remain
indoors, They shouted ana romped in
the %silenccS, and they did not dream
but that they had the wilderness all 10
themselves. The fact that one night
LennoX's keen eyes had seen what
looked like the glow of n camp fire
in the distance didn't affect this belief
of theirs at all. II was evidently just
the phosphorus glowing i'm II rotten log
from which the winds had blown the
snow.
one" or twice they caught glimpses
of wild life: once a grouse that had
buried in the nOw flushed from their
path and blew the snOw-dust from its
wings; and once or twice they saw
SnowSaoe rabbits bounding away on
fiat feet ovrr the drifts. But just one
day they caught sight of a wolf. They
ere on snOwShoeS on Il particularly
brilliant afternoon late In January.
He was n lone male, evidently a
straggler from the pack, and he leaped
from the top of n tall thicket that had
remained above the snow. The mar
and the girl had entirely different re-
actions. Dams first impression was
amaZement NJ the animals condition.
II seemed to be in the last stages of
starvation: unbelieyably gaunt, with
rib bones showing plainly even through
the furry hide, Ordinarily the heavily
furred animals do not show signs of
famine: but even an inexperienced eye
could not make n mistake in this case.
The eyes were red. and they carried
Dan bac.. to his first adventure In the
Oregon fOreSt-thc day he had shot
the mad coyote. Snowbird thought of
the beast only rs an enemy. The wolves
killed her fathers stock they were
brigands OF the worst order; and she
shared the hatred of them that Is n
common trait Of all primitive peoples.
Her hand whipped back, seized her pis-
toll, and She fired twice at the fleeing
figure.
The second shot was a hit both of
them saw the wolf go to It's side, then
spring up and race on. Shouting, both
of them sped after him.
In n few moments he was out of
sight non the distant trees, but they
found the blood-traIl and mushed over
ment to find him lying dead; but the
track led them on clear down the next
canyon. And now they cared not AT
all whether they found him: II was
simply n tramp I'm the out-of-doors:
and both Of them were young with red
blood In their veins.
But all at once Dan stopped In his
tracks. The girl sped on for six PAGES
before she missed the SOUND of his
snowshoes; then she turned to find
hin. GfnpIfnv urhnl1u rnntfn.InGp Y,E,b
eyes fixed upon her.
II startled her. and she didn't know
why. 4 companion abruptly freezing
In his path, his muscles inert, and his
eyes filling with speculation, is always
startling. When this occurs II means
that a thought 50 compelling
and engrosslng that even the half
unconscious physical functions, such
as walking, cannot continue, has come
into his mind. And 1t is part Of the
old creed Of self-preservation TO dislike
to be left out on any such
thought rs this. If danger is present,
the sooner II Is identified the better.
"Nhat Is III" she demanded.
He turned TO her curiOusly intent.
HHow many shells have you In that
pistolg"
She took breath and answered
him. at holds five. and I shot twice.
haven't any Others"
And ! don't suppose 1t eyer oc-
to you to carry extra ones in
four pocketT"
Father Is always telling me to-and
times ! have. But I'd shoot
hem away Mt target practice and for
get 10 take any more. There was never
any danger-cXcept that night with a
] did intend to-but what does
I matter nuwg"
Were a couple of wise ones. going
that wolf with only three shots
o our name. OF course by himself
YES hafmless-but he's likely enough
lead us straight toward the pack.
md SnoNbird-I didn't like his looks.
les too gaunt and he's too hungry
md I haven't n bit Of doubt he waited
n that brush for us TO come, intend
ne to attack us-and lost his nerve
he last thing. That shows he's des-
] don't like him. and I wouldn't
ike his pack. And a whole pack might
lot lose its nerve"
Then you think we'd better turn
"Yes. I do. and not come out any
nore without a whole pocket Of shells.
m going to carry a rifle. too. just as
has always. He's got only q
Iesh-wound. You saw what you did
nth two cartridges-got in one flesh
round. Three Of 'em against q pack
TOuldn't be a great deal Of aid. I
ont mean TO say you can't shoot. but
jumping. lively wolf is Worse than
bird In Inc air We've zone ornr