Білий ікол

           Morningcame,butforthefirsttimethelightofdayfailedtoscatterthewolves. Themanwaitedinvainforthemtogo. Theyremainedinacircleabouthimandhisfire,displayinganarroganceofpossessionthatshookhiscouragebornofthemorninglight. 

           Hemadeonedesperateattempttopulloutonthetrail. Butthemomenthelefttheprotectionofthefire,theboldestwolfleapedforhim, butleapedshort. Hesavedhimselfbyspringingback,thejawssnappingtogetherascantsixinchesfromhisthigh. Therestofthepackwasnowupandsurginguponhim, andathrowingoffirebrandsrightandleftwasnecessarytodrivethembacktoarespectfuldistance. 

           Eveninthedaylighthedidnotdareleavethefiretochopfreshwood. Twentyfeetawaytoweredahugedeadspruce. Hespenthalfthedayextendinghiscampfiretothetree,atanymomentahalfdozenburningfaggotsreadyathandtoflingathisenemies. Onceatthetree,hestudiedthesurroundingforestinordertofellthetreeinthedirectionofthemostfirewood. 

           Thenightwasarepetitionofthenightbefore,savethattheneedforsleepwasbecomingoverpowering. Thesnarlingofhisdogswaslosingitsefficacy. Besides,theyweresnarlingallthetime,andhisbenumbedanddrowsysensesnolongertooknoteofchangingpitchandintensity. Heawokewithastart. Theshe-wolfwaslessthanayardfromhim. Mechanically,atshortrange,withoutlettinggoofit,hethrustabrandfullintoheropenandsnarlingmouth. Shesprangaway,yellingwithpain,andwhilehetookdelightinthesmellofburningfleshandhair, hewatchedhershakingherheadandgrowlingwrathfullyascoreoffeetaway. 

           Butthistime,beforehedozedagain,hetiedaburningpine-knottohisrighthand.