Білий ікол

           Morningfoundthemanhaggardandworn,wide-eyedfromwantofsleep. Hecookedbreakfastinthedarkness,andatnineo’clock,when,withthecomingofdaylight,thewolf-packdrewback, hesetaboutthetaskhehadplannedthroughthelonghoursofthenight. Choppingdownyoungsaplings,hemadethemcross-barsofascaffoldbylashingthemhighuptothetrunksofstandingtrees. Usingthesled-lashingforaheavingrope,andwiththeaidofthedogs,hehoistedthecoffintothetopofthescaffold. 

           "TheygotBill,an’theymaygetme,butthey’llsurenevergetyou,youngman,"hesaid, addressingthedeadbodyinitstree-sepulchre. 

           Thenhetookthetrail,thelightenedsledboundingalongbehindthewillingdogs; forthey,too,knewthatsafetylayopeninthegainingofFortMcGurry. Thewolveswerenowmoreopenintheirpursuit,trottingsedatelybehindandrangingalongoneitherside,theirredtongueslollingout,theirleansidesshowingtheundulatingribswitheverymovement. Theywereverylean,mereskin-bagsstretchedoverbonyframes,withstringsformuscles —soleanthatHenryfounditinhismindtomarvelthattheystillkepttheirfeetanddidnotcollapseforthrightinthesnow. 

           Hedidnotdaretraveluntildark. Atmidday,notonlydidthesunwarmthesouthernhorizon,butiteventhrustitsupperrim,paleandgolden,abovethesky-line. Hereceiveditasasign. Thedaysweregrowinglonger. Thesunwasreturning. Butscarcelyhadthecheerofitslightdeparted,thanhewentintocamp. Therewerestillseveralhoursofgreydaylightandsombretwilight, andheutilisedtheminchoppinganenormoussupplyoffire-wood. 

           Withnightcamehorror. Notonlywerethestarvingwolvesgrowingbolder,butlackofsleepwastellinguponHenry.