
    ,,*APT] ,,III -- ,,! ,,HUNG] ,,CRY
  ,! "D 2GAN AUSPICI\SLY4 ,!Y _H LO/ NO
DOGS DUR+ ! NI<T1 & !Y SWUNG \ ^U !
TRAIL & 96! SIL;E1 ! D>K;S1 &! COLD )
_SS T 7 FAIRLY LI<T4 ,BILL SEEM$ 6H
=GOTT5 8 =EBOD+S (! PREVI\S NI<T1 & EV5
WAX$ FACETI\S )! DOGS :51 AT MID"D1 !Y
OV]TURN$ ! SL$ ON A BAD PIECE ( TRAIL4
  ,X 0 AN AWKW>D MIX-UP4 ,! SL$ 0 UPSIDE
D[N & JAMM$ 2T A TREE-TRUNK &A HUGE
ROCK1 & !Y 7 =C$ 6UNH>;S ! DOGS 9 ORD]
6/RAI<T5 \ ! TANGLE4 ,! TWO M5 7 B5T OV]
! SL$ & TRY+ 6"R X1 :5 ,H5RY OBS]V$ ,"O
,E> SIDL+ AWAY4
  8,"H1 Y1 ,"O ,E>60 HE CRI$1 /RAI<T5+
UP & TURN+ >.D ON ! DOG4
  ,B ,"O ,E> BROKE 96A RUN ACR ! SN[1 8
TRACES TRAIL+ 2H HM4 ,& "!1 \ 9 ! SN[ (
_! BACK TRACK1 0 ! %E-WOLF WAIT+ = HM4
,Z HE NE>$ H]1 HE 2CAME SU45LY CAUTI\S4
,HE SL[$ D[N 6AN AL]T & M9C+ WALK & !N
/OPP$4 ,HE REG>D$ H] C>E;LLY & DUBI\SLY1
YET DESIRE;LLY4 ,%E SEEM$ 6SMILE AT HM1
%[+ H] TEE? 9 AN 9GRATIAT+ R ?AN A M5AC+
WAY4 ,%E MOV$ T[>D HM A FEW /EPS1
PLAY;LLY1 & !N HALT$4 ,"O ,E> DREW NE>
6H]1 / AL]T & CAUTI\S1 8 TAIL & E>S 9 !
AIR1 8 H1D HELD HI<4
  ,HE TRI$ 6SNIFF NOSES ) H]1 B %E
RETR1T$ PLAY;LLY & COYLY4 ,E ADV.E ON 8
"P 0 A3OMPANI$ 0A CORRESPOND+ RETR1T ON
H] "P4 ,/EP 0/EP %E 0 LUR+ HM AWAY F !
SECUR;Y ( 8 HUMAN -PANION%IP4 ,ONCE1 Z
?\< A W>N+ _H 9 VAGUE WAYS FLITT$ "? 8
9TELLIG;E1 HE TURN$ 8 H1D & LOOK$ BACK
AT ! OV]TURN$ SL$1 AT 8 T1M-MATES1 & AT
! TWO M5 :O 7 CALL+ 6HM4
  ,B :AT"E IDEA 0 =M+ 9 8 M9D1 0 4SIPAT$
0! %E-WOLF1 :O ADV.ED ^U HM1 SNI6$ NOSES
) HM =A FLEET+ 9/ANT1 & !N RESUM$ H] COY
RETR1T 2F 8 RENEW$ ADV.ES4
  ,9 ! M1N"T1 ,BILL _H 2?"\ HMF (!
RIFLE4 ,B X 0 JAMM$ 2N ! OV]TURN$ SL$1 &
0! "T ,H5RY _H HELP$ HM 6"R ! LOAD1 ,"O
,E> &! %E-WOLF 7 TOO CLOSE TGR &! 4T.E
TOO GRT 6RISK A %OT4
  ,TOO LATE ,"O ,E> LE>N$ 8 MISTAKE4 ,2F
!Y SAW ! CAUSE1 ! TWO M5 SAW HM TURN &
/>T 6RUN BACK T[>D !M4 ,!N1 APPROA*+ AT
"R ANGLES 6! TRAIL & CUTT+ (F 8 RETR1T
!Y SAW A DOZ5 WOLVES1 L1N & GREY1 B.D+
ACR ! SN[4 ,ON ! 9/ANT1 ! %E-WOLF'S
COY;S & PLAY;L;S 4APPE>$4 ,)A SN>L %E
SPRANG ^U ,"O ,E>4 ,HE ?RU/ H] (F ) 8
%\LD]1 &1 8 RETR1T CUT (F & / 9T5T ON
REGA9+ ! SL$1 HE ALT]$ 8 C\RSE 9 AN
ATTEMPT 6CIRCLE >.D 6X4 ,M WOLVES 7
APPE>+ E MO;T & JO9+ 9 ! *ASE4 ,! %E-
WOLF 0 "O L1P 2H ,"O ,E> & HOLD+ H] [N4
  8,": >E Y GO9'80 ,H5RY SU45LY DEM&$1
LAY+ 8 H& ON 8 "PN]'S >M4
  ,BILL %OOK X (F4 8,I WON'T /& X10 HE
SD4 8,!Y A9'T A-GO9' 6GET ANY M ( \R
DOGS IF ,I C HELP X40
  ,GUN 9 H&1 HE PLUNG$ 96! "UBRU% T L9$
! SIDE (! TRAIL4 ,8 9T5;N 0 APP>5T 5\<4
,TAK+ ! SL$ Z ! C5TRE (! CIRCLE T ,"O
,E> 0 MAK+1 ,BILL PLANN$ 6TAP T CIRCLE
AT A PO9T 9 ADV.E (! PURSUIT4 ,) 8
RIFLE1 9 ! BROAD "DLI<T1 X MI<T 2 POSSI#
= HM 6AWE ! WOLVES & SAVE ! DOG4
  8,SAY1 ,BILL60 ,H5RY CALL$ AF HM4 8,BE
C>E;L6 ,DON'T TAKE NO *.ES60
  ,H5RY SAT D[N ON ! SL$ & WAT*$4 ,"! 0
NO?+ ELSE = HM 6D4 ,BILL _H ALR G"O F
SI<T2 B N[ & AG1 APPE>+ & 4APPE>+ AM;G/
! "UBRU% &! SCATT]$ CLUMPS ( SPRUCE1 CD
2 SE5 ,"O ,E>4 ,H5RY JUDG$ 8 CASE 6BE
HOPE.S4 ,! DOG 0 ?OR\<LY ALIVE 6XS
DANG]1 B X 0 RUNN+ ON ! \T] CIRCLE :ILE
! WOLF-PACK 0 RUNN+ ON ! 9N] & %ORT]
CIRCLE4 ,X 0 VA9 6?9K ( ,"O ,E> S
\TDISTANC+ 8 PURSU]S Z 6BE A# 6CUT ACR
_! CIRCLE 9 ADV.E ( !M & 6REGA9 ! SL$4
  ,! DI6]5T L9ES 7 RAPIDLY APPROA*+ A
PO9T4 ,"S": \ "! 9 ! SN[1 SCRE5$ F 8
SI<T 0TREES & ?ICKETS1 ,H5RY KNEW T !
WOLF-PACK1 ,"O ,E>1 & ,BILL 7 -+ TGR4
,ALL TOO QKLY1 F> M QKLY ?AN HE _H
EXPECT$1 X HAPP5$4 ,HE HE>D A %OT1 !N
TWO %OTS1 9 RAPID SU3ES.N1 & HE KNEW T
,BILL'S AMMUNI;N 0 G"O4 ,!N HE HE>D A
GRT \TCRY ( SN>LS & YELPS4 ,HE RECOGNIS$
,"O ,E>'S YELL ( PA9 & T]ROR1 & HE HE>D
A WOLF-CRY T 2SPOKE A /RICK5 ANIMAL4 ,&
T 0 ALL4 ,! SN>LS C1S$4 ,! YELP+ DI$
AWAY4 ,SIL;E SETTL$ D[N AG OV] ! L"OLY
L&4
  ,HE SAT =A L;G :ILE ^U ! SL$4 ,"! 0 NO
NE$ = HM 6G & SEE :AT _H HAPP5$4 ,HE
KNEW X Z ?\< X _H TAK5
PLACE 2F 8 EYES4 ,ONCE1 HE R\S$ )A />T &
HA/ILY GOT ! AXE \ F "UN1? ! LA%+S4 ,B =
"S "T L;G] HE SAT & BROOD$1 ! TWO REMA9+
DOGS CR\*+ & TREMBL+ AT 8 FEET4
  ,AT LA/ HE >OSE 9 A WE>Y MANN]1 Z ?\<
ALL ! RESILI;E _H G"O \ ( 8 BODY1 &
PROCE$$ 6FA/5 ! DOGS 6! SL$4 ,HE PASS$ A
ROPE OV] 8 %\LD]1 A MAN-TRACE1 & PULL$
)! DOGS4 ,HE DID N G F>4 ,AT ! F/ H9T (
D>K;S HE HA/5$ 6MAKE A CAMP1 & HE SAW 6X
T HE _H A G5]\S SUPPLY ( FIREWOOD4 ,HE
F$ ! DOGS1 COOK$ & ATE 8 SUPP]1 & MADE 8
B$ CLOSE 6! FIRE4
  ,B HE 0 N DE/9$ 65JOY T B$4 ,2F 8 EYES
CLOS$ ! WOLVES _H DRAWN TOO NE> =
SAFETY4 ,X NO L;G] REQUIR$ AN EF=T (!
VI.N 6SEE !M4 ,!Y 7 ALL AB HM &! FIRE1 9
A N>R[ CIRCLE1 & HE CD SEE !M PLA9LY 9 !
FIRELI<T LY+ D[N1 SITT+ UP1 CRAWL+ =W>D
ON _! BELLIES1 OR SL9K+ BACK & =?4 ,!Y
EV5 SLEPT4 ,"H & "! HE CD SEE "O CURL$
UP 9 ! SN[ L A DOG1 TAK+ ! SLEEP T 0 N[
D5I$ HMF4
  ,HE KEPT ! FIRE B"RLY BLAZ+1 = HE KNEW
T X AL"O 9T]V5$ 2T ! FLE% ( 8 BODY & _!
HUNGRY FANGS4 ,8 TWO DOGS /AY$ CLOSE
0HM1 "O ON EI SIDE1 L1N+ AG/ HM =
PROTEC;N1 CRY+ & :IMP]+1 & AT "TS SN>L+
DESP]ATELY :5 A WOLF APPROA*$ A LL CLOS]
?AN USUAL4 ,AT S* MO;TS1 :5 8 DOGS
SN>L$1 ! :OLE CIRCLE WD 2 AGITAT$1 !
WOLVES -+ 6_! FEET & PRESS+ T5TATIVELY
=W>D1 A *ORUS ( SN>LS & EAG] YELPS RIS+
AB HM4 ,!N ! CIRCLE WD LIE D[N AG1 & "H
& "! A WOLF WD RESUME XS BROK5 NAP4
  ,B ? CIRCLE _H A 3T9U\S T5D5CY 6DRAW 9
^U HM4 ,BIT 0BIT1 AN 9* AT A "T1 ) "H A
WOLF BELLY+ =W>D1 & "! A WOLF BELLY+
=W>D1 ! CIRCLE WD N>R[ UNTIL ! BRUTES 7
ALM )9 SPR++ 4T.E4 ,!N HE WD SEIZE BR&S
F ! FIRE & HURL !M 96! PACK4 ,A HA/Y
DRAW+ BACK ALW RESULT$1 A3OMPANI$ 0AN
YELPS & F"R5$ SN>LS :5 A WELL-AIM$ BR&
/RUCK & SCOR*$ A TOO D>+ ANIMAL4
  ,MORN+ F.D ! MAN HA7>D & WORN1 WIDE-
EY$ F WANT ( SLEEP4 ,HE COOK$ BR1KFA/ 9
! D>K;S1 & AT N9E O'C1 :51 )! -+ (
"DLI<T1 ! WOLF-PACK DREW BACK1 HE SET AB
! TASK HE _H PLANN$ "? ! L;G H\RS (!
NI<T4 ,*OPP+ D[N "Y SAPL+S1 HE MADE !M
CROSS-B>S (A SCA6OLD 0LA%+ !M HI< UP 6!
TRUNKS ( /&+ TREES4 ,US+ ! SL$-LA%+ =A
H1V+ ROPE1 &)! AID (! DOGS1 HE HOI/$ !
C(F9 6! TOP (! SCA6OLD4
  8,!Y GOT ,BILL1 AN' !Y MAY GET ME1 B
!Y'LL SURE N"E GET Y1 "Y MAN10 HE SD1
A4RESS+ ! D1D BODY 9 XS TREE-SEPUL*RE4
  ,!N HE TOOK ! TRAIL1 ! LI<T5$ SL$ B.D+
AL;G 2H ! WILL+ DOGS2 = !Y1 TOO1 KNEW T
SAFETY LAY OP5 9 ! GA9+ ( ,=T ,MC,GURRY4
,! WOLVES 7 N[ M OP5 9 _! PURSUIT1
TROTT+ SEDATELY 2H & RANG+ AL;G ON EI
SIDE1 _! R$ T;GUES LOLL+ \1 _!-L1N SIDES
%[+ ! UDULAT+ RIBS ) E MOVE;T4 ,!Y 7 V
L1N1 M]E SK9-BAGS /RET*$ OV] BONY
FRAMES1 ) /R+S = MUSCLES -- S L1N T
,H5RY F.D X 9 8 M9D 6M>VEL T !Y / KEPT
_! FEET & DID N COLLAPSE =?"R 9 ! SN[4
  ,HE DID N D>E TRAVEL UNTIL D>K4 ,AT
MID"D1 N ONLY DID ! SUN W>M ! S\!RN
HORIZON1 B X EV5 ?RU/ XS UPP] RIM1 PALE
& GOLD51 ABV ! SKY-L9E4 ,HE RCVD X Z A
SIGN4 ,! "DS 7 GR[+ L;G]4 ,! SUN 0
RETURN+4 ,B SC>CELY _H ! *E] ( XS LI<T
DE"P$1 ?AN HE W5T 96CAMP4 ,"! 7 / S"EAL
H\RS ( GREY "DLI<T & SOMBRE TWILI<T1 &
HE UTILIS$ !M 9 *OPP+ AN ENORM\S SUPPLY
( FIRE-WOOD4
  ,) NI<T CAME HORROR4 ,N ONLY 7 ! />V+
WOLVES GR[+ BOLD]1 B LACK ( SLEEP 0
TELL+ ^U ,H5RY4 ,HE DOZ$ DESPITE HMF1
CR\*+ 0! FIRE1 ! BLANKETS AB 8 %\LD]S1 !
AXE 2T 8 KNEES1 & ON EI SIDE A DOG
PRESS+ CLOSE AG/ HM4 ,HE AWOKE ONCE &
SAW 9 FRONT ( HM1 N A DOZ5 FEET AWAY1 A
BIG GREY WOLF1 "O (! L>GE/ (! PACK4 ,&
EV5 Z HE LOOK$1 ! BRUTE DELIB]ATELY
/RET*$ HMF AF ! MANN] (A LAZY DOG1 YAWN+
FULL 9 8 FACE & LOOK+ ^U HM )A
POSSESSIVE EYE1 Z IF1 9 TRU?1 HE 7 M]ELY
A DELAY$ M1L T 0 SOON 6BE EAT54
  ,? C]TITUDE 0 %[N 0! :OLE PACK4 ,FULLY
A SCORE HE CD C.T1 />+ HUNGRILY AT HM OR
CALMLY SLEEP+ 9 ! SN[4 ,!Y REM9D$ HM (
*N GA!R$ AB A SPR1D TA# & AWAIT+ P]MIS.N
62G9 6EAT4 ,& HE 0 ! FOOD !Y 7 6EAT6 ,HE
WOND]$ H[ & :5 ! M1L WD 2G94
  ,Z HE PIL$ WOOD ON ! FIRE HE 4COV]$ AN
APPRECI,N ( 8 [N BODY : HE _H N"E FELT
2F4 ,HE WAT*$ 8 MOV+ MUSCLES & 0 9T]E/$
9 ! CUNN+ ME*ANISM ( 8 F+]S4 ,0! LI<T (!
FIRE HE CROOK$ 8 F+]S SL[LY & REP1T$LY
N[ "O AT A "T1 N[ ALL TGR1 SPR1D+ !M
WIDE OR MAK+ QK GRIPP+ MOVE;TS4 ,HE
/UDI$ ! NAIL-=M,N1 & PRO4$ ! F+]-TIPS1
N[ %>PLY1 & AG S(TLY1 GAUG+ ! :ILE !
N]VE-S5S,NS PRODUC$4 ,X FASC9AT$ HM1 &
HE GREW SU45LY FOND ( ? SUBTLE FLE% ( 8
T "W$ S B1UTI;LLY & SMOO?LY &
DELICATELY4 ,!N HE WD CA/ A GL.E ( FE>
AT ! WOLF-CIRCLE DRAWN EXPECTANTLY AB
HM1 &
L A BL[ ! R1LIS,N WD /RIKE HM T ?
WOND];L BODY ( HIS1 ? LIV+ FLE%1 0 NO M
?AN S M* M1T1 A QUE/ ( RAV5\S ANIMALS1
6BE TORN & SLA%$ 0_! HUNGRY FANGS1 6BE
SU/5.E 6!M Z ! MOOSE &! RA2IT _H (T5 BE5
SU/5.E 6HM4
  ,HE CAME \ (A DOZE T 0 HALF NI<TM>E1
6SEE ! R$-HU$ %E-WOLF 2F HM4 ,%E 0 N M
?AN HALF A DOZ5 FEET AWAY SITT+ 9 ! SN[
& WI/;LLY REG>D+ HM4 ,! TWO DOGS 7
:IMP]+ & SN>L+ AT 8 FEET1 B %E TOOK NO
NOTICE ( !M4 ,%E 0 LOOK+ AT ! MAN1 &= "S
"T HE RETURN$ H] LOOK4 ,"! 0 NO?+ ?R1T5+
AB H]4 ,%E LOOK$ AT HM M]ELY )A GRT
WI/;L;S1 B HE KNEW X 6BE ! WI/;L;S ( AN
EQU,Y GRT HUNG]4 ,HE 0 ! FOOD1 &! SI<T (
HM EXCIT$ 9 H] ! GU/ATORY S5S,NS4 ,H]
M\? OP5$1 ! SALIVA DROOL$ =?1 & %E LICK$
H] *OPS )! PL1SURE ( ANTICIP,N4
  ,A SPASM ( FE> W5T "? HM4 ,HE R1*$
HA/ILY =A BR& 6?R[ AT H]4 ,B EV5 Z HE
R1*$1 & 2F 8 F+]S _H CLOS$ ON ! MISSILE1
%E SPRANG BACK 96SAFETY2 & HE KNEW T %E
0 US$ 6HAV+ ?+S ?R[N AT H]4 ,%E _H SN>L$
Z %E SPRANG AWAY1 B>+ H] :ITE FANGS 6_!
ROOTS1 ALL H] WI/;L;S VANI%+1 2+ REPLAC$
0A C>NIVOR\S MALIGN;Y T MADE HM %U4]4
,HE GL.ED AT ! H& T HELD ! BR&1 NOTIC+ !
CUNN+ DELICACY (! F+]S T GRIPP$ X1 H[ !Y
ADJU/$ !MVS 6ALL ! 9EQUALITIES (!
SURFACE1 CURL+ OV] & "U & AB ! R\< WOOD1
& "O LL F+]1 TOO CLOSE 6! BURN+ POR;N (!
BR&1 S5SITIVELY & AUTOMATIC,Y WRI?+ BACK
F ! HURT;L H1T 6A COOL] GRIPP+-PLACE2 &
9 ! SAME 9/ANT HE SEEM$ 6SEE A VI.N ( ^?
SAME S5SITIVE & DELICATE F+]S 2+ CRU%$ &
TORN 0! :ITE TEE? (! %E-WOLF4 ,N"E _H HE
BE5 S FOND ( ? BODY ( 8 Z N[ :5 8 T5URE
( X 0 S PREC>I\S4
  ,ALL NI<T1 ) BURN+ BR&S1 HE F"\ (F !
HUNGRY PACK4 ,:5 HE DOZ$ DESPITE HMF1 !
:IMP]+ & SN>L+ (! DOGS >\S$ HM4 ,MORN+
CAME1 B =! F/ "T ! LI<T ( "D FAIL$
6SCATT] ! WOLVES4 ,! MAN WAIT$ 9 VA9 =
!M 6G4 ,!Y REMA9$ 9 A CIRCLE AB HM & 8
FIRE1 4PLAY+ AN >ROG.E ( POSSES.N T %OOK
8 C\RAGE BORN (! MORN+ LI<T4
  ,HE MADE "O DESP]ATE ATTEMPT 6PULL \
ON ! TRAIL4 ,B ! MO;T HE LEFT ! PROTEC;N
(! FIRE1 ! BOLDE/ WOLF L1P$ = HM1 B L1P$
%ORT4 ,HE SAV$ HMF 0SPR++ BACK1 ! JAWS
SNAPP+ TGR A SCANT SIX 9*ES F 8 ?I<4 ,!
RE/ (! PACK 0 N[ UP & SURG+ ^U HM1 &A
?R[+ ( FIREBR&S "R & LEFT 0 NEC 6DRIVE
!M BACK 6A RESPECT;L 4T.E4
  ,EV5 9 ! "DLI<T HE DID N D>E L1VE !
FIRE 6*OP FRE% WOOD4 ,TW5TY FEET AWAY
T[]$ A HUGE D1D SPRUCE4 ,HE SP5T HALF !
"D EXT5D+ 8 CAMPFIRE 6! TREE1 AT ANY
MO;T A HALF DOZ5 BURN+ FA7OTS R1DY AT H&
6FL+ AT 8 5EMIES4 ,ONCE AT ! TREE1 HE
/UDI$ ! SURR.D+ =E/ 9 ORD] 6FELL ! TREE
9 ! DIREC;N (! MO/ FIREWOOD4
  ,! NI<T 0 A REPETI;N (! NI<T 2F1 SAVE
T ! NE$ = SLEEP 0 2COM+ OV]P[]+4 ,!
SN>L+ ( 8 DOGS 0 LOS+ XS E6ICACY4 ,2SS1
!Y 7 SN>L+ ALL ! "T1 & 8 2NUMB$ & DR[SY
S5SES NO L;G] TOOK NOTE ( *ANG+ PIT* &
9T5S;Y4 ,HE AWOKE )A />T4 ,! %E-WOLF 0
LESS ?AN A Y>D F HM4 ,ME*ANIC,Y1 AT %ORT
RANGE1 )\T LETT+ G ( X1 HE ?RU/ A BR&
FULL 96H] OP5 & SN>L+ M\?4 ,%E SPRANG
AWAY1 YELL+ ) PA91 & :ILE HE TOOK DELI<T
9 ! SMELL ( BURN+ FLE% & HAIR1 HE WAT*$
H] %AK+ H] H1D & GR[L+ WRA?;LLY A SCORE
( FEET AWAY4
  ,B ? "T1 2F HE DOZ$ AG1 HE TI$ A BURN+
P9E-KNOT 6HIS "R H&4 ,8 EYES 7 CLOS$ B
FEW M9UTES :5 ! BURN (! FLAME ON 8 FLE%
AWAK5$ HM4 ,= S"EAL H\RS HE ADH]$ 6?
PROGRAMME4 ,E "T HE 0 ?US AWAK5$ HE
DROVE BACK ! WOLVES ) FLY+ BR&S1
REPL5I%$ ! FIRE1 & RE>RANG$ ! P9E-KNOT
ON 8 H&4 ,ALL "W$ WELL1 B "! CAME A "T
:5 HE FA/5$ ! P9E-KNOT 9SECURELY4 ,Z 8
EYES CLOS$ X FELL AWAY F 8 H&4
  ,HE DR1M$4 ,X SEEM$ 6HM T HE 0 9 ,=T
,MC,GURRY4 ,X 0 W>M & -=TA#1 & HE 0
PLAY+ CRI2AGE )! ,FACTOR4 ,AL1 X SEEM$
6HM T ! =T 0 2SIEG$ 0WOLVES4 ,!Y 7 H[L+
AT ! V GATES1 & "S"TS HE &! ,FACTOR
PAUS$ F ! GAME 6LI/5 & LAU< AT ! FUTILE
EF=TS (! WOLVES 6GET IN4 ,& !N1 S /RANGE
0 ! DR1M1 "! 0 A CRA%4 ,! DOOR 0 BUR/
OP54 ,HE CD SEE ! WOLVES FLOOD+ 96! BIG
LIV+-ROOM (! =T4 ,!Y 7 L1P+ /RAI<T = HM
&! ,FACTOR4 ,)! BUR/+ OP5 (! DOOR1 !
NOISE ( _! H[L+ _H 9CR1S$ TREM5D\SLY4 ,?
H[L+ N[ BO!R$ HM4 ,8 DR1M 0 M]G+ 96"S?+
ELSE -- HE KNEW N :AT2 B "? X ALL1
FOLL[+ HM1 P]SI/$ ! H[L+4
  ,& !N HE AWOKE 6F9D ! H[L+ R1L4 ,"! 0
A GRT SN>L+ & YELP+4 ,! WOLVES 7 RU%+
HM4 ,!Y 7 ALL AB HM & ^U HM4 ,! TEE? (
"O _H CLOS$ ^U 8 >M4 ,9/9CTIVELY HE L1P$
96! FIRE1 & Z HE L1P$1 HE FELT ! %>P
SLA% ( TEE? T TORE "? ! FLE% ( 8 LEG4
,!N 2GAN A FIRE FI<T4 ,8 /\T MITT5S
TEMPOR>ILY PROTECT$ 8 H&S1 & HE SCOOP$
LIVE COALS 96! AIR 9 ALL DIREC;NS1 UNTIL
! CAMPFIRE TOOK ON ! SEMBL.E (A VOLCANO4
,B X CD N LA/ L;G4 ,8 FACE 0 BLI/]+ 9 !
H1T1 8 EYEBR[S & LA%ES 7 S+$ (F1 &! H1T
0 2COM+ UNBE>A# 6HIS FEET4 ,)A FLAM+ BR&
9 EA* H&1 HE SPRANG 6! $GE (! FIRE4 ,!
WOLVES _H BE5 DRIV5 BACK4 ,ON E SIDE1
:]"E ! LIVE COALS _H FALL51 ! SN[ 0
SIZZL+1 & E LL :ILE A RETIR+ WOLF1 )
WILD L1P & SNORT & SN>L1 ANN\NC$ T "O S*
LIVE COAL _H BE5 /EPP$ ^U4
  ,FL++ 8 BR&S AT ! NE>E/ ( 8 5EMIES1 !
MAN ?RU/ 8 SM\LD]+ MITT5S 96! SN[ &
/AMP$ AB 6COOL 8 FEET4 ,8 TWO DOGS 7
MISS+1 & HE WELL KNEW T !Y _H S]V$ Z A
C\RSE 9 ! PROTRACT$ M1L : _H 2GUN "DS 2F
) ,FATTY1 ! LA/ C\RSE ( : WD LIKELY 2
HMF 9 ! "DS 6FOLL[4
  8,Y A9'T GOT ME YET60 HE CRI$1
SAVAGELY %AK+ 8 FI/ AT ! HUNGRY B1/S2 &
AT ! S.D ( 8 VOICE ! :OLE CIRCLE 0
AGITAT$1 "! 0 A G5]AL SN>L1 &! %E-WOLF
SLID UP CLOSE 6HM ACR ! SN[ & WAT*$ HM )
HUNGRY WI/;L;S4
  ,HE SET 6"W 6C>RY \ A NEW IDEA T _H -E
6HM4 ,HE EXT5D$ ! FIRE 96A L>GE CIRCLE4
,9SIDE ? CIRCLE HE CR\*$1 8 SLEEP+ \TFIT
"U HM Z A PROTEC;N AG/ ! MELT+ SN[4 ,:5
HE _H ?US 4APPE>$ )9 8 %ELT] ( FLAME1 !
:OLE PACK CAME CURI\SLY 6! RIM (! FIRE
6SEE :AT _H 2COME ( HM4 ,HI!RTO !Y _H
BE5 D5I$ A3ESS 6! FIRE1 & !Y N[ SETTL$
D[N 9 A CLOSE-DRAWN CIRCLE1 L S _M DOGS1
BL9K+ & YAWN+ & /RET*+ _! L1N BODIES 9 !
UNA3U/OM$ W>M?4 ,!N ! %E-WOLF SAT D[N1
PO9T$ H] NOSE AT A />1 & 2GAN 6H[L4 ,"O
0"O ! WOLVES JO9$ H]1 TILL ! :OLE PACK1
ON HAUN*ES1 ) NOSES PO9T$ SKYW>D1 0 H[L+
XS HUNG] CRY4
  ,DAWN CAME1 & "DLI<T4 ,! FIRE 0 BURN+
L[4 ,! FUEL _H RUN \1 & "! 0 NE$ 6GET M4
,! MAN ATTEMPT$ 6/EP \ ( 8 CIRCLE (
FLAME1 B ! WOLVES SURG$ 6MEET HM4 ,BURN+
BR&S MADE !M SPR+ ASIDE1 B !Y NO L;G]
SPRANG BACK4 ,9 VA9 HE /ROVE 6DRIVE !M
BACK4 ,Z HE GAVE UP & /UM#D 9SIDE 8
CIRCLE1 A WOLF L1P$ = HM1 MISS$1 & L&$ )
ALL F\R FEET 9 ! COALS4 ,X CRI$ \ )
T]ROR1 AT ! SAME "T SN>L+1 & SCRAM#D
BACK 6COOL XS PAWS 9 ! SN[4
  ,! MAN SAT D[N ON 8 BLANKETS 9 A CR\*+
POSI;N4 ,8 BODY L1N$ =W>D F ! HIPS4 ,8
%\LD]S1 RELAX$ & DROOP+1 & 8 H1D ON 8
KNEES ADV]TIS$ T HE _H GIV5 UP ! /RU7LE4
,N[ & AG HE RAIS$ 8 H1D 6NOTE ! DY+ D[N
(! FIRE4 ,! CIRCLE ( FLAME & COALS 0
BR1K+ 96SEG;TS ) OP5+S 9 2T4 ,^! OP5+S
GREW 9 SIZE1 ! SEG;TS DIM9I%$4
  8,I GUESS Y C -E AN' GET ME ANY "T10
HE MUM#D4 8,ANYWAY1 ,I'M GO9' 6SLEEP40
  ,ONCE HE AWAK5$1 & 9 AN OP5+ 9 !
CIRCLE1 DIRECTLY 9 FRONT ( HM1 HE SAW !
%E-WOLF GAZ+ AT HM4
  ,AG HE AWAK5$1 A LL LAT]1 ?\< X SEEM$
H\RS 6HM4 ,A MY/]I\S *ANGE _H TAK5 PLACE
-- S MY/]I\S A *ANGE T HE 0 %OCK$ WID]
AWAKE4 ,"S?+ _H HAPP5$4 ,HE CD N "U/& AT
F/4 ,!N HE 4COV]$ X4 ,! WOLVES 7 G"O4
,REMA9$ ONLY ! TRAMPL$ SN[ 6%[ H[
CLOSELY !Y _H PRESS$ HM4 ,SLEEP 0 WELL+
UP & GRIPP+ HM AG1 8 H1D 0 S9K+ D[N ^U 8
KNEES1 :5 HE R\S$ )A SU45 />T4
  ,"! 7 CRIES ( M51 & *URN ( SL$S1 !
CR1K+ ( H>;SES1 &! EAG] :IMP]+ ( /RA9+
DOGS4 ,F\R SL$S PULL$ 9 F ! RIV] B$ 6!
CAMP AM;G ! TREES4 ,HALF A DOZ5 M5 7 AB
! MAN :O CR\*$ 9 ! C5TRE (! DY+ FIRE4
,!Y 7 %AK+ & PRO4+ HM 963SCI\S;S4 ,HE
LOOK$ AT !M L A DRUNK5 MAN & MAUND]$ 9
/RANGE1 SLEEPY SPEE*4

8,R$ %E-WOLF4 4 4 4 ,-E 9  )! DOGS AT
FE$9' "T                               4
,F/ %E ATE ! DOG-FOOD4     4 4 ,!N %E
ATE ! DOGS4 4                       ,AN'
AF T %E ATE ,BILL4 4 4     4 0        --

  8,":'S ,"L ,ALFR$80 "O (! M5 BELL[$ 9
8 E>1 %AK+ HM R\<LY4
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D SL[LY4 8,NO1 %E DIDN'T
EAT HM4 4 4 4 ,HE'S ROO/9' 9 A TREE AT !
LA/ CAMP40
  8,D1D80 ! MAN %\T$4
  8,AN' 9 A BOX10 ,H5RY ANSW]$4 ,HE J]K$
8 %\LD] PETULANTLY AWAY F ! GRIP ( 8
"Q]4 8,SAY1 Y LEMME AL"O4 4 4 ,I'M JES'
PLUMP TUCK]$ \4 4 4 4 ,GOO' NI<T1
"EYBODY40
  ,8 EYES FLUTT]$ & W5T %UT4 ,8 *9 FELL
=W>D ON 8 *E/4 ,& EV5 Z !Y EAS$ HM D[N
^U ! BLANKETS 8 SNORES 7 RIS+ ON ! FRO/Y
AIR4
  ,B "! 0 ANO!R S.D4 ,F> & FA9T X WAS1 9
! REMOTE 4T.E1 ! CRY (! HUNGRY WOLF-PACK
Z X TOOK ! TRAIL ( O!R M1T ?AN ! MAN X
_H J MISS$4





















