,LOVE ( ,LIFE & O!R ,/ORIES

    ,,LOVE ,,( ,,LIFE

8,? \ ( ALL W REMA9 --
,!Y H LIV$ & H TOSS$3
,S M* (! GAME W 2 GA91
,?\< ! GOLD (! DICE HAS BE5 LO/40

  ,,!Y LIMP$ PA9;LLY D[N ! BANK1 & ONCE
! =EMO/ (! TWO M5 /A7]$ AM;G ! R\<-/REWN
ROCKS4 ,!Y 7 TIR$ & W1K1 & _! FACES _H !
DRAWN EXPRES.N ( PATI;E : -ES ( H>D%IP
L;G 5DUR$4 ,!Y 7 H1VILY BURD5$ ) BLANKET
PACKS : 7 /RAPP$ 6_! %\LD]S4 ,H1D-/RAPS1
PASS+ ACR ! =EH1D1 HELP$ SUPPORT ^!
PACKS4 ,EA* MAN C>RI$ A RIFLE4 ,!Y WALK$
9 A /OOP$ PO/URE1 ! %\LD]S WELL =W>D1 !
H1D / F>!R =W>D1 ! EYES B5T ^U ! GR.D4
  8,I WI% WE _H J AB TWO ( !M C>TRIDGES
T'S LAY9' 9 T CA*E ( \RN10 SD ! SECOND
MAN4
  ,8 VOICE 0 UTT]LY & DRE>ILY
EXPRES.N.S4 ,HE SPOKE )\T 5?USIASM2 &!
F/ MAN1 LIMP+ 96! MILKY /R1M T FOAM$ OV]
! ROCKS1 V\*SAF$ NO REPLY4
  ,! O!R MAN FOLL[$ AT 8 HEELS4 ,!Y DID
N REMOVE _! FOOT-GE>1 ?\< ! WAT] 0 ICY
COLD -- S COLD T _! ANKLES A*$ & _! FEET
W5T NUMB4 ,9 PLACES ! WAT] DA%$ AG/ _!
KNEES1 & BO? M5 /A7]$ = FOOT+4
  ,! MAN :O FOLL[$ SLIPP$ ON A SMOO?
B\LD]1 NE>LY FELL1 B RECOV]$ HMF )A
VIOL5T EF=T1 AT ! SAME "T UTT]+ A %>P
EXCLAM,N ( PA94 ,HE SEEM$ FA9T & DIZZY &
PUT \ 8 FREE H& :ILE HE REEL$1 Z ?\<
SEEK+ SUPPORT AG/ ! AIR4 ,:5 HE _H /1DI$
HMF HE /EPP$ =W>D1 B REEL$ AG & NE>LY
FELL4 ,!N HE /OOD / & LOOK$ AT ! O!R
MAN1 :O _H N"E TURN$ 8 H1D4
  ,! MAN /OOD / = FULLY A M9UTE1 Z ?\<
DEBAT+ ) HMF4 ,!N HE CALL$ \3
  8,I SAY1 ,BILL1 ,I'VE SPRA9$ MY
ANKLE40
  ,BILL /A7]$ ON "? ! MILKY WAT]4 ,HE
DID N LOOK >.D4 ,! MAN WAT*$ HM G1 & ?\<
8 FACE 0 EXPRES.N.S Z "E1 8 EYES 7 L !
EYES (A W.D$ DE]4
  ,! O!R MAN LIMP$ UP ! F>!R BANK &
3T9U$ /RAI<T ON )\T LOOK+ BACK4 ,! MAN 9
! /R1M WAT*$ HM4 ,8 LIPS TREM#D A LL1 S
T ! R\< ?AT* ( BR[N HAIR : COV]$ !M 0
VISIBLY AGITAT$4 ,8 T;GUE EV5 /RAY$ \
6MOI/5 !M4
  8,BILL60 HE CRI$ \4
  ,X 0 ! PL1D+ CRY (A /R;G MAN 9 4TRESS1
B ,BILL'S H1D DID N TURN4 ,! MAN WAT*$
HM G1 LIMP+ GROTESQUELY & LUR*+ =W>D )
/AMM]+ GAIT UP ! SL[ SLOPE T[>D ! S(T
SKY-L9E (! L[-LY+ HILL4 ,HE WAT*$ HM G
TILL HE PASS$ OV] ! CRE/ & 4APPE>$4 ,!N
HE TURN$ 8 GAZE & SL[LY TOOK 9 ! CIRCLE
(! _W T REMA9$ 6HM N[ T ,BILL 0 G"O4
  ,NE> ! HORIZON ! SUN 0 SM\LD]+ DIMLY1
ALM OBSCUR$ 0=M.S MI/S & VAPORS1 : GAVE
AN IMPRES.N ( MASS & D5S;Y )\T \TL9E OR
TANGIBIL;Y4 ,! MAN PULL$ \ 8 WAT*1 !
:ILE RE/+ 8 WEI<T ON "O LEG4 ,X 0 F\R
O'C1 & Z ! S1SON 0 NE> ! LA/ ( ,JULY OR
F/ ( ,AUGU/1 -- HE DID N "K ! PRECISE
DATE )9 A WEEK OR TWO1 -HE KNEW T ! SUN
R\<LY M>K$ ! NOR?WE/4 ,HE LOOK$ 6! S\? &
KNEW T "S": 2Y ^? BL1K HILLS LAY ! ,GRT
,BE> ,LAKE2 AL1 HE KNEW T 9 T DIREC;N !
,>CTIC ,CIRCLE CUT XS =BI4+ WAY ACR !
,CANADIAN ,B>R5S4 ,? /R1M 9 : HE /OOD 0
A FE$] 6! ,COPP]M9E ,RIV]1 : 9 TURN FL[$
NOR? & EMPTI$ 96,CORON,N ,GULF &! ,>CTIC
,OC1N4 ,HE _H N"E BE5 "!1 B HE _H SE5 X1
ONCE1 ON A ,HUDSON ,BAY ,-PANY *>T4
  ,AG 8 GAZE -PLET$ ! CIRCLE (! _W AB
HM4 ,X 0 N A HE>T5+ SPECTACLE4 ,"EY": 0
S(T SKY-L9E4 ,! HILLS 7 ALL L[-LY+4 ,"!
7 NO TREES1 NO %RUBS1 NO GRASSES --
NAU<T B A TREM5D\S & T]RI# DESOL,N T S5T
FE> SWIFTLY DAWN+ 96HIS EYES4
  8,BILL60 HE :ISP]$1 ONCE & TWICE2
8,BILL60
  ,HE C[]$ 9 ! MID/ (! MILKY WAT]1 Z ?\<
! VA/;S 7 PRESS+ 9 ^U HM ) OV]:ELM+ =CE1
BRUT,Y CRU%+ HM ) XS -PLAC5T AW;L;S4 ,HE
2GAN 6%AKE Z ) AN AGUE-FIT1 TILL ! GUN
FELL F 8 H& )A SPLA%4 ,? S]V$ 6R\SE HM4
,HE F"\ ) 8 FE> & PULL$ HMF TGR1 GROP+ 9
! WAT] & RECOV]+ ! W1PON4
,HE HIT*$ 8 PACK F>!R OV] ON 8 LEFT
%\LD]1 S Z 6TAKE A POR;N ( XS WEI<T F (F
! 9JUR$ ANKLE4 ,!N HE PROCE$$1 SL[LY &
C>E;LLY1 W9C+ ) PA91 6! BANK4
  ,HE DID N /OP4 ,)A DESP],N T 0 MAD;S1
UNM9D;L (! PA91 HE HURRI$ UP ! SLOPE 6!
CRE/ (! HILL OV] : 8 -RADE _H 4APPE>$ --
M GROTESQUE & -ICAL 0F> ?AN T LIMP+1
J]K+ -RADE4 ,B AT ! CRE/ HE SAW A %ALL[
VALLEY1 EMPTY ( LIFE4 ,HE F"\ ) 8 FE>
AG1 OV]CAME X1 HIT*$ ! PACK / F>!R OV]
ON 8 LEFT %\LD]1 & LUR*$ ON D[N ! SLOPE4
  ,! BOTTOM (! VALLEY 0 SO7Y ) WAT]1 : !
?ICK MOSS HELD1 SP;GELIKE1 CLOSE 6!
SURFACE4 ,? WAT] SQUIRT$ \ F "U 8 FEET
AT E /EP1 & EA* "T HE LIFT$ A FOOT !
AC;N CULM9AT$ 9 A SUCK+ S.D Z ! WET MOSS
RELUCTANTLY REL1S$ XS GRIP4 ,HE PICK$ 8
WAY F MUSKEG 6MUSKEG1 & FOLL[$ ! O!R
MAN'S FOOT/EPS AL;G & ACR ! ROCKY L$GES
: ?RU/ L ISLETS "? ! SEA ( MOSS4
  ,?\< AL"O1 HE 0 N LO/4 ,F>!R ON HE
KNEW HE WD -E 6": D1D SPRUCE & FIR1 V
SMALL & W1Z5$1 BORD]$ ! %ORE (A LL LAKE1
! ,,TIT*9-NI*ILIE1 9 ! T;GUE (! C.TRY1 !
8L& ( LL /ICKS40 ,& 96T LAKE FL[$ A
SMALL /R1M1 ! WAT] ( : 0 N MILKY4 ,"! 0
RU%-GRASS ON T /R1M -- ? HE REMEMB]$
WELL -- B NO TIMB]1 & HE WD FOLL[ X TILL
XS F/ TRICKLE C1S$ AT A DIVIDE4 ,HE WD
CROSS ? DIVIDE 6! F/ TRICKLE ( ANO!R
/R1M1 FL[+ 6! WE/1 : HE WD FOLL[ UNTIL X
EMPTI$ 96! RIV] ,D1SE1 & "H HE WD F9D A
CA*E "U AN UPTURN$ CANOE & PIL$ OV] ) _M
ROCKS4 ,& 9 ? CA*E WD 2 AMMUNI;N = 8
EMPTY GUN1 FI%-HOOKS & L9ES1 A SMALL NET
-ALL ! UTILITIES =! KILL+ & SN>+ ( FOOD4
,AL1 HE WD F9D FL\R1 -- N M*1 -- A PIECE
( BACON1 & "S B1NS4
  ,BILL WD 2 WAIT+ = HM "!1 & !Y WD
PA4LE AWAY S\? D[N ! ,D1SE 6! ,GRT ,BE>
,LAKE4 ,& S\? ACR ! LAKE !Y WD G1 "E
S\?1 TILL !Y GA9$ ! ,MACK5ZIE4 ,& S\?1 /
S\?1 !Y WD G1 :ILE ! W9T] RAC$ VA9LY AF
!M1 &! ICE =M$ 9 ! $DIES1 &! "DS GREW
*ILL & CRISP1 S\? 6"S W>M ,HUDSON ,BAY
,-PANY PO/1 ": TIMB] GREW TALL & G5]\S &
"! 0 GRUB )\T 5D4
  ,^! 7 ! ?"\S (! MAN Z HE /ROVE ONW>D4
,B H>D Z HE /ROVE ) 8 BODY1 HE /ROVE
EQU,Y H>D ) 8 M9D1 TRY+ 6?9K T ,BILL _H
N DES]T$ HM1 T ,BILL WD SURELY WAIT = HM
AT ! CA*E4 ,HE 0 -PELL$ 6?9K ? ?"\1 OR
ELSE "! WD N 2 ANY USE 6/RIVE1 & HE WD H
LA9 D[N & DI$4 ,& Z ! DIM BALL (! SUN
SANK SL[LY 96! NOR?WE/ HE COV]$ E 9* --
& _M "TS -( 8 & ,BILL'S FLI<T S\? 2F !
D[NCOM+ W9T]4 ,& HE CONN$ ! GRUB (! CA*E
&! GRUB (! ,HUDSON ,BAY ,-PANY PO/ OV] &
OV] AG4 ,HE _H N EAT5 = TWO "DS2 =A F>
L;G] "T HE _H N _H ALL HE WANT$ 6EAT4
,(T5 HE /OOP$ & PICK$ PALE MUSKEG
B]RIES1 PUT !M 96HIS M\?1 & *EW$ &
SWALL[$ !M4 ,A MUSKEG B]RY IS A BIT (
SE$ 5CLOS$ 9 A BIT ( WAT]4 ,9 ! M\? !
WAT] MELTS AWAY &! SE$ *EWS %>P & BITT]4
,! MAN KNEW "! 0 NO N\RI%;T 9 ! B]RIES1
B HE *EW$ !M PATI5TLY )A HOPE GRT] ?AN K
& DEFY+ EXP]I;E4
  ,AT N9E O'C HE /U2$ 8 TOE ON A ROCKY
L$GE1 & F %E] WE>I;S & W1K;S /A7]$ &
FELL4 ,HE LAY = "S "T1 )\T MOVE;T1 ON 8
SIDE4 ,!N HE SLIPP$ \ (! PACK-/RAPS &
CLUMSILY DRA7$ HMF 96A SITT+ PO/URE4 ,X
0 N YET D>K1 & 9 ! L+]+ TWILI<T HE GROP$
AB AM;G ! ROCKS = %R$S ( DRY MOSS4 ,:5
HE _H GA!R$ A H1P HE BUILT A FIRE1 -- A
SM\LD]+1 SMUDGY FIRE1 -- & PUT A T9 POT
( WAT] ON 6BOIL4
  ,HE UNWRAPP$ 8 PACK &! F/ ?+ HE DID 0
6C.T 8 MAT*ES4 ,"! 7 SIXTY-SEV54 ,HE
C.T$ !M ?REE "TS 6MAKE SURE4 ,HE DIVID$
!M 96S"EAL POR;NS1 WRAPP+ !M 9 OIL PAP]1
4POS+ ( "O BUN* 9 8 EMPTY TOBA3O P\*1 (
ANO!R BUN* 9 ! 9SIDE B& ( 8 BATT]$ HAT1
(A ?IRD BUN* "U 8 %IRT ON ! *E/4 ,?
A3OMPLI%$1 A PANIC CAME ^U HM1 & HE
UNWRAPP$ !M ALL & C.T$ !M AG4 ,"! 7 /
SIXTY-SEV54
  ,HE DRI$ 8 WET FOOT-GE> 0! FIRE4 ,!
MO3AS9S 7 9 SO7Y %R$S4 ,! BLANKET SOCKS
7 WORN "? 9 PLACES1 & 8 FEET 7 RAW &
BLE$+4 ,8 ANKLE 0 ?RO2+1 & HE GAVE X AN
EXAM9,N4 ,X _H SWOLL5 6! SIZE ( 8 KNEE4
,HE TORE A L;G /RIP F "O ( 8 TWO
BLANKETS & B.D ! ANKLE TI<TLY4 ,HE TORE
O!R /RIPS & B.D !M AB 8 FEET 6S]VE = BO?
MO3AS9S & SOCKS4 ,!N HE DRANK ! POT (
WAT]1 /1M+ HOT1 W.D 8 WAT*1 & CRAWL$ 2T
8 BLANKETS4
  ,HE SLEPT L A D1D MAN4 ,! BRIEF D>K;S
>.D MIDNI<T CAME & W5T4 ,! SUN >OSE 9 !
NOR?EA/ -- AT L1/ ! "D DAWN$ 9 T QU>T]1
=! SUN 0 HI45 0GRAY CL\DS4
  ,AT SIX O'C HE AWOKE1 QUIETLY LY+ ON 8
BACK4 ,HE GAZ$ /RAI<T UP 96! GRAY SKY &
KNEW T HE 0 HUNGRY4 ,Z HE ROLL$ OV] ON 8
ELB[ HE 0 />TL$ 0A L\D SNORT1 & SAW A
BULL C>IB\ REG>D+ HM ) AL]T CURIOS;Y4 ,!
ANIMAL 0 N M]E ?AN FIFTY FEET AWAY1 &
9/ANTLY 96! MAN'S M9D L1P$ ! VI.N &!
SAVOR (A C>IB\ /1K SIZZL+ & FRY+ OV] A
FIRE4 ,ME*ANIC,Y HE R1*$ =! EMPTY GUN1
DREW A B1D1 & PULL$ ! TRI7]4 ,! BULL
SNORT$ & L1P$ AWAY1 8 HO(S RATTL+ &
CLATT]+ Z HE FL$ ACR ! L$GES4
  ,! MAN CURS$ & FLUNG ! EMPTY GUN F HM4
,HE GROAN$ AL\D Z HE />T$ 6DRAG HMF 6HIS
FEET4 ,X 0 A SL[ & >DU\S TASK4
  ,8 JO9TS 7 L RU/Y H+ES4 ,!Y "W$ H>%LY
9 _! SOCKETS1 ) M* FRIC;N1 & EA* B5D+ OR
UNB5D+ 0 A3OMPLI%$ ONLY "? A %E] EX];N (
W4 ,:5 HE F9,Y GA9$ 8 FEET1 ANO!R M9UTE
OR S 0 3SUM$ 9 /RAI<T5+ UP1 S T HE CD /&
ERECT Z A MAN %D /&4
  ,HE CRAWL$ UP A SMALL KNOLL & SURVEY$
! PROSPECT4 ,"! 7 NO TREES1 NO BU%ES1
NO?+ B A GRAY SEA ( MOSS SC>CELY
DIV]SIFI$ 0GRAY ROCKS1 GRAY LAKELETS1 &
GRAY /R1MLETS4 ,! SKY 0 GRAY4 ,"! 0 NO
SUN NOR H9T ( SUN4 ,HE _H NO IDEA (
NOR?1 & HE _H =GOTT5 ! WAY HE _H -E 6?
SPOT ! NI<T 2F4 ,B HE 0 N LO/4 ,HE KNEW
T4 ,SOON HE WD -E 6! L& (! LL /ICKS4 ,HE
FELT T X LAY (F 6! LEFT "S":1 N F> --
POSSIBLY J OV] ! NEXT L[ HILL4
  ,HE W5T BACK 6PUT 8 PACK 96%APE =
TRAVELL+4 ,HE ASSUR$ HMF (! EXI/;E ( 8
?REE SEP>ATE P>CELS ( MAT*ES1 ?\< HE DID
N /OP 6C.T !M4 ,B HE DID L+]1 DEBAT+1
OV] A SQUAT MOOSE-HIDE SACK4 ,X 0 N
L>GE4 ,HE CD HIDE X "U 8 TWO H&S4 ,HE
KNEW T X WEI<$ FIFTE5 P.DS1 -- Z M* Z
ALL ! RE/ (! PACK1 -- & X WORRI$ HM4 ,HE
F9,Y SET X 6"O SIDE & PROCE$$ 6ROLL !
PACK4 ,HE PAUS$ 6GAZE AT ! SQUAT MOOSE-
HIDE SACK4 ,HE PICK$ X UP HA/ILY )A
DEFIANT GL.E AB HM1 Z ?\< ! DESOL,N 7
TRY+ 6ROB HM ( X2 & :5 HE ROSE 6HIS FEET
6/A7] ON 96! "D1 X 0 9CLUD$ 9 ! PACK ON
8 BACK4
  ,HE BORE AWAY 6! LEFT1 /OPP+ N[ & AG
6EAT MUSKEG B]RIES4 ,8 ANKLE _H /I65$1 8
LIMP 0 M PRON\NC$1 B ! PA9 ( X 0 Z NO?+
-P>$ )! PA9 ( 8 /OMA*4 ,! HUNG] PANGS 7
%>P4 ,!Y GNAW$ & GNAW$ UNTIL HE CD N
KEEP 8 M9D /1DY ON ! C\RSE HE M/ PURSUE
6GA9 ! L& ( LL /ICKS4 ,! MUSKEG B]RIES
DID N ALLAY ? GNAW+1 :ILE !Y MADE 8
T;GUE &! RO( ( 8 M\? SORE ) _! IRRITAT+
BITE4
  ,HE CAME ^U A VALLEY ": ROCK PT>MIGAN
ROSE ON :IRR+ W+S F ! L$GES & MUSKEGS4
,K] -- K] -- K] 0 ! CRY !Y MADE4 ,HE
?REW /"OS AT !M1 B CD N HIT !M4 ,HE
PLAC$ 8 PACK ON ! GR.D & /ALK$ !M Z A
CAT /ALKS A SP>R[4 ,! %>P ROCKS CUT "? 8
PANTS' LEGS TILL 8 KNEES LEFT A TRAIL (
BLOOD2 B ! HURT 0 LO/ 9 ! HURT ( 8
HUNG]4 ,HE SQUIRM$ OV] ! WET MOSS1
SATURAT+ 8 CLO!S & *ILL+ 8 BODY2 B HE 0
N AW>E ( X1 S GRT 0 8 FEV] = FOOD4 ,&
ALW ! PT>MIGAN ROSE1 :IRR+1 2F HM1 TILL
_! K] -- K] -- K] 2CAME A MOCK 6HM1 & HE
CURS$ !M & CRI$ AL\D AT !M ) _! [N CRY4
  ,ONCE HE CRAWL$ ^U "O T M/ H BE5
ASLEEP4 ,HE DID N SEE X TILL X %OT UP 9
8 FACE F XS ROCKY NOOK4 ,HE MADE A CLUT*
Z />TL$ Z 0 ! RISE (! PT>MIGAN1 & "!
REMA9$ 9 8 H& ?REE TAIL-F1!RS4 ,Z HE
WAT*$ XS FLI<T HE HAT$ X1 Z ?\< X _H D"O
HM "S T]RI# WR;G4 ,!N HE RETURN$ &
%\LD]$ 8 PACK4
  ,Z ! "D WORE AL;G HE CAME 96VALLEYS OR
SWALES ": GAME 0 M PL5TI;L4 ,A B& (
C>IB\ PASS$ BY1 TW5TY & ODD ANIMALS1
TANTALIZ+LY )9 RIFLE RANGE4 ,HE FELT A
WILD DESIRE 6RUN AF !M1 A C]TITUDE T HE
CD RUN !M D[N4 ,A BLACK FOX CAME T[>D
HM1 C>RY+ A PT>MIGAN 9 8 M\?4 ,! MAN
%\T$4 ,X 0 A FE>;L CRY1 B ! FOX1 L1P+
AWAY 9 F"R1 DID N DROP ! PT>MIGAN4
  ,LATE 9 ! AFN HE FOLL[$ A /R1M1 MILKY
) LIME1 : RAN "? SP>SE PAT*ES ( RU%-
GRASS4 ,GRASP+ ^! RU%ES FIRMLY NE> !
ROOT1 HE PULL$ UP :AT RESEM#D A "Y
ONION-SPR\T NO L>G] ?AN A %+LE-NAIL4 ,X
0 T5D]1 & 8 TEE? SANK 96X )A CRUN* T
PROMIS$ DELICI\SLY ( FOOD4 ,B XS FIB]S 7
T\<4 ,X 0 -POS$ ( /R+Y FILA;TS SATURAT$
) WAT]1 L ! B]RIES1 & DEVOID ( N\RI%;T4
,HE ?REW (F 8 PACK & W5T 96! RU%-GRASS
ON H&S & KNEES1 CRUN*+ & MUN*+1 L "S
BOV9E CR1TURE4
  ,HE 0 V WE>Y & (T5 WI%$ 6RE/ -- 6LIE
D[N & SLEEP2 B HE 0 3T9U,Y DRIV5 ON -- N
S M* 0HIS DESIRE 6GA9 ! L& ( LL /ICKS Z
0HIS HUNG]4 ,HE SE>*$ LL PONDS = FROGS &
DUG UP ! E>? ) 8 NAILS = WORMS1 ?\< HE
KNEW 9 SPITE T NEI FROGS NOR WORMS EXI/$
S F> NOR?4
  ,HE LOOK$ 96E POOL ( WAT] VA9LY1
UNTIL1 Z ! L;G TWILI<T CAME ON1 HE
4COV]$ A SOLIT>Y FI%1 ! SIZE (A M9N[1 9
S* A POOL4 ,HE PLUNG$ 8 >M 9 UP 6!
%\LD]1 B X ELUD$ HM4 ,HE R1*$ = X ) BO?
H&S & /IRR$ UP ! MILKY MUD AT ! BOTTOM4
,9 8 EXCITE;T HE FELL IN1 WETT+ HMF 6!
WAI/4 ,!N ! WAT] 0 TOO MU4Y 6ADMIT ( 8
SEE+ ! FI%1 & HE 0 -PELL$ 6WAIT UNTIL !
S$I;T _H SETTL$4
  ,! PURSUIT 0 RENEW$1 TILL ! WAT] 0 AG
MU4I$4 ,B HE CD N WAIT4 ,HE UN/RAPP$ !
T9 BUCKET & 2GAN 6BALE !
POOL4 ,HE BAL$ WILDLY AT F/1 SPLA%+ HMF
& FL++ ! WAT] S %ORT A 4T.E T X RAN BACK
96! POOL4 ,HE "W$ M C>E;LLY1 /RIV+ 6BE
COOL1 ?\< 8 HE>T 0 P.D+ AG/ 8 *E/ & 8
H&S 7 TREMBL+4 ,AT ! 5D ( HALF AN H\R !
POOL 0 NE>LY DRY4 ,N A CUP;L ( WAT]
REMA9$4 ,& "! 0 NO FI%4 ,HE F.D A HI45
CREVICE AM;G ! /"OS "? : X _H ESCAP$ 6!
ADJO9+ & L>G] POOL -- A POOL : HE CD N
EMPTY 9 A NI<T &A "D4 ,_H HE "KN (!
CREVICE1 HE CD H CLOS$ X )A ROCK AT !
2G9N+ &! FI% WD H BE5 HIS4
  ,?US HE ?"\1 & CRUMPL$ UP & SANK D[N
^U ! WET E>?4 ,AT F/ HE CRI$ S(TLY 6HMF1
!N HE CRI$ L\DLY 6! PITI.S DESOL,N T R+$
HM >.D2 &=A L;G "T AF HE 0 %AK5 0GRT DRY
SOBS4
  ,HE BUILT A FIRE & W>M$ HMF 0DR9K+
QU>TS ( HOT WAT]1 & MADE CAMP ON A ROCKY
L$GE 9 ! SAME FA%ION HE _H ! NI<T 2F4 ,!
LA/ ?+ HE DID 0 6SEE T 8 MAT*ES 7 DRY &
6W9D 8 WAT*4 ,! BLANKETS 7 WET & CLAMMY4
,8 ANKLE PULS$ ) PA94 ,B HE KNEW ONLY T
HE 0 HUNGRY1 & "? 8 RE/.S SLEEP HE DR1M$
( F1/S & BANQUETS &( FOOD S]V$ & SPR1D 9
ALL IMAG9A# WAYS4
  ,HE AWOKE *ILL$ & SICK4 ,"! 0 NO SUN4
,! GRAY ( E>? & SKY _H 2COME DEEP]1 M
PROF.D4 ,A RAW W9D 0 BL[+1 &! F/
FLURRIES ( SN[ 7 :IT5+ ! HILLTOPS4 ,!
AIR AB HM ?ICK5$ & GREW :ITE :ILE HE
MADE A FIRE & BOIL$ M WAT]4 ,X 0 WET
SN[1 HALF RA91 &! FLAKES 7 L>GE & SO7Y4
,AT F/ !Y MELT$ Z SOON Z !Y CAME 9 3TACT
)! E>?1 B "E M FELL1 COV]+ ! GR.D1 PUTT+
\ ! FIRE1 SPOIL+ 8 SUPPLY ( MOSS-FUEL4
  ,? 0 A SIGNAL = HM 6/RAP ON 8 PACK &
/UM# ONW>D1 HE KNEW N ":4 ,HE 0 N 3C]N$
)! L& ( LL /ICKS1 NOR ) ,BILL &! CA*E "U
! UPTURN$ CANOE 0! RIV] ,D1SE4 ,HE 0
MA/]$ 0! V]B 86EAT40 ,HE 0 HUNG]-MAD4
,HE TOOK NO HE$ (! C\RSE HE PURSU$1 S
L;G Z T C\RSE L$ HM "? ! SWALE BOTTOMS4
,HE FELT 8 WAY "? ! WET SN[ 6! WAT]Y
MUSKEG B]RIES1 & W5T 0FEEL Z HE PULL$ UP
! RU%-GRASS 0! ROOTS4 ,B X 0 TA/E.S /UFF
& DID N SATISFY4 ,HE F.D A WE$ T TA/$
S\R & HE ATE ALL HE CD F9D ( X1 : 0 N
M*1 = X 0 A CREEP+ GR[?1 EASILY HI45 "U
! S"EAL 9*ES ( SN[4
  ,HE _H NO FIRE T NI<T1 NOR HOT WAT]1 &
CRAWL$ "U 8 BLANKET 6SLEEP ! BROK5
HUNG]-SLEEP4 ,! SN[ TURN$ 96A COLD RA94
,HE AWAK5$ _M "TS 6FEEL X FALL+ ON 8
UPTURN$ FACE4 ,"D CAME -- A GRAY "D & NO
SUN4 ,X _H C1S$ RA9+4 ,! KE5;S ( 8 HUNG]
_H DE"P$4 ,S5SIBIL;Y1 Z F> Z 3C]N$ !
YE>N+ = FOOD1 _H BE5 EXHAU/$4 ,"! 0 A
DULL1 H1VY A*E 9 8 /OMA*1 B X DID N BO!R
HM S M*4 ,HE 0 M R,NAL1 & ONCE M HE 0
*IEFLY 9T]E/$ 9 ! L& ( LL /ICKS &! CA*E
0! RIV] ,D1SE4
  ,HE RIPP$ ! REMNANT ( "O ( 8 BLANKETS
96/RIPS & B.D 8 BLE$+ FEET4 ,AL1 HE
REC9*$ ! 9JUR$ ANKLE & PREP>$ HMF =A "D
( TRAVEL4 ,:5 HE CAME 6HIS PACK1 HE
PAUS$ L;G OV] ! SQUAT MOOSE-HIDE SACK1 B
9 ! 5D X W5T ) HM4
  ,! SN[ _H MELT$ "U ! RA91 & ONLY !
HILLTOPS %[$ :ITE4 ,! SUN CAME \1 & HE
SU3E$$ 9 LOCAT+ ! PO9TS (! -PASS1 ?\< HE
KNEW N[ T HE 0 LO/4 ,P]H1 9 8 PREVI\S
"DS' W&]+S1 HE _H $G$ AWAY TOO F> 6!
LEFT4 ,HE N[ BORE (F 6! "R 6C.T]ACT !
POSSI# DEVI,N F 8 TRUE C\RSE4
  ,?\< ! HUNG] PANGS 7 NO L;G] S
EXQUISITE1 HE R1LIZ$ T HE 0 W1K4 ,HE 0
-PELL$ 6PAUSE = FREQU5T RE/S1 :5 HE
ATTACK$ ! MUSKEG B]RIES & RU%-GRASS
PAT*ES4 ,8 T;GUE FELT DRY & L>GE1 Z ?\<
COV]$ )A F9E HAIRY GR[?1 & X TA/$ BITT]
9 8 M\?4 ,8 HE>T GAVE HM A GRT D1L (
TR\#4 ,:5 HE _H TRAVELL$ A FEW M9UTES X
WD 2G9 A REMORSE.S ?UMP1 ?UMP1 ?UMP1 &
!N L1P UP & AWAY 9 A PA9;L FLUTT] ( B1TS
T *OK$ HM & MADE HM G FA9T & DIZZY4
  ,9 ! MI4LE (! "D HE F.D TWO M9N[S 9 A
L>GE POOL4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# 6BALE X1 B HE 0
CALM] N[ & MANAG$ 6CAT* !M 9 8 T9
BUCKET4 ,!Y 7 NO L;G] ?AN 8 LL F+]1 B HE
0 N "PICUL>LY HUNGRY4 ,! DULL A*E 9 8
/OMA* _H BE5 GR[+ DULL] & FA9T]4 ,X
SEEM$ ALM T 8 /OMA* 0 DOZ+4 ,HE ATE !
FI% RAW1 MA/ICAT+ ) PA9STAK+ C>E1 =!
EAT+ 0 AN ACT ( PURE R1SON4 ,:ILE HE _H
NO DESIRE 6EAT1 HE KNEW T HE M/ EAT
6LIVE4
  ,9 ! EV5+ HE CAU<T ?REE M M9N[S1 EAT+
TWO & SAV+ ! ?IRD = BR1KFA/4 ,! SUN _H
DRI$ /RAY %R$S ( MOSS1 & HE 0 A# 6W>M
HMF ) HOT WAT]4 ,HE _H N COV]$ M ?AN T5
MILES T "D2 &! NEXT "D1 TRAVELL+ :5"E 8
HE>T P]MITT$ HM1 HE COV]$ NO M ?AN FIVE
MILES4 ,B 8 /OMA* DID N GIVE HM !
SLI<TE/ UNEASI;S4 ,X _H G"O 6SLEEP4 ,HE
0 9 A /RANGE C.TRY1 TOO1 &! C>IB\ 7 GR[+
M PL5TI;L1 AL ! WOLVES4 ,(T5 _! YELPS
DRIFT$ ACR ! DESOL,N1 & ONCE HE SAW ?REE
( !M SL9K+ AWAY 2F 8 PA?4
  ,ANO!R NI<T2 & 9 ! MORN+1 2+ M R,NAL1
HE UNTI$
! L1!R /R+ T FA/5$ ! SQUAT MOOSE-HIDE
SACK4 ,F XS OP5 M\? P\R$ A YELL[ /R1M (
CO>SE GOLD-DU/ & NU7ETS4 ,HE R\<LY
DIVID$ ! GOLD 9 HALVES1 CA*+ "O HALF ON
A PROM95T L$GE1 WRAPP$ 9 A PIECE (
BLANKET1 & RETURN+ ! O!R HALF 6! SACK4
,HE AL 2GAN 6USE /RIPS (! "O REMA9+
BLANKET = 8 FEET4 ,HE / CLUNG 6HIS GUN1
= "! 7 C>TRIDGES 9 T CA*E 0! RIV] ,D1SE4
  ,? 0 A "D ( FOG1 & ? "D HUNG] AWOKE 9
HM AG4 ,HE 0 V W1K & 0 A6LICT$ )A GI4I;S
: AT "TS BL9D$ HM4 ,X 0 NO UNCOMMON ?+
N[ = HM 6/UM# & FALL2 & /UMBL+ ONCE1 HE
FELL SQU>ELY 96A PT>MIGAN NE/4 ,"! 7 F\R
NEWLY HAT*$ *ICKS1 A "D OLD -- LL SPECKS
( PULSAT+ LIFE NO M ?AN A M\?;L2 & HE
ATE !M RAV5\SLY1 ?RU/+ !M ALIVE 96HIS
M\? & CRUN*+ !M L EGG-%ELLS 2T 8 TEE?4
,! "M PT>MIGAN B1T AB HM ) GRT \TCRY4
,HE US$ 8 GUN Z A CLUB ) : 6KNOCK H]
OV]1 B %E DODG$ \ ( R1*4 ,HE ?REW /"OS
AT H] &) "O *.E %OT BROKE A W+4 ,!N %E
FLUTT]$ AWAY1 RUNN+1 TRAIL+ ! BROK5 W+1
) HM 9 PURSUIT4
  ,! LL *ICKS _H NO M ?AN :ETT$ 8
APPETITE4 ,HE HOPP$ & BO2$ CLUMSILY AL;G
ON 8 9JUR$ ANKLE1 ?R[+ /"OS & SCR1M+
HO>SELY AT "TS2 AT O!R "TS HOPP+ & BO2+
SIL5TLY AL;G1 PICK+ HMF UP GRIMLY &
PATI5TLY :5 HE FELL1 OR RU2+ 8 EYES ) 8
H& :5 ! GI4I;S ?R1T5$ 6OV]P[] HM4
  ,! *ASE L$ HM ACR SWAMPY GR.D 9 !
BOTTOM (! VALLEY1 & HE CAME ^U FOOTPR9TS
9 ! SO7Y MOSS4 ,!Y 7 N 8 [N -- HE CD SEE
T4 ,!Y M/ 2 ,BILL'S4 ,B HE CD N /OP1 =!
"M PT>MIGAN 0 RUNN+ ON4 ,HE WD CAT* H]
F/1 !N HE WD RETURN & 9VE/IGATE4
  ,HE EXHAU/$ ! "M PT>MIGAN2 B HE
EXHAU/$ HMF4 ,%E LAY PANT+ ON H] SIDE4
,HE LAY PANT+ ON 8 SIDE1 A DOZ5 FEET
AWAY1 UNA# 6CRAWL 6H]4 ,& Z HE RECOV]$
%E RECOV]$1 FLUTT]+ \ ( R1* Z 8 HUNGRY
H& W5T \ 6H]4 ,! *ASE 0 RESUM$4 ,NI<T
SETTL$ D[N & %E ESCAP$4 ,HE /UM#D F
W1K;S & PIT*$ H1D =EMO/ ON 8 FACE1 CUTT+
8 *EEK1 8 PACK ^U 8 BACK4 ,HE DID N MOVE
=A L;G :ILE2 !N HE ROLL$ OV] ON 8 SIDE1
W.D 8 WAT*1 & LAY "! UNTIL MORN+4
  ,ANO!R "D ( FOG4 ,HALF ( 8 LA/ BLANKET
_H G"O 96FOOT-WRAPP+S4 ,HE FAIL$ 6PICK
UP ,BILL'S TRAIL4 ,X DID N MATT]4 ,8
HUNG] 0 DRIV+ HM TOO -PELL+LY -- ONLY --
ONLY HE WOND]$ IF ,BILL1 TOO1 7 LO/4
,0MID"D ! IRK ( 8 PACK 2CAME TOO
OPPRESSIVE4 ,AG HE DIVID$ ! GOLD1 ? "T
M]ELY SPILL+ HALF ( X ON ! GR.D4 ,9 !
AFN HE ?REW ! RE/ ( X AWAY1 "! REMA9+
6HM ONLY ! HALF-BLANKET1 ! T9 BUCKET1 &!
RIFLE4
  ,AN HALLUC9,N 2GAN 6TR\# HM4 ,HE FELT
3FID5T T "O C>TRIDGE REMA9$ 6HM4 ,X 0 9
! *AMB] (! RIFLE & HE _H OV]LOOK$ X4 ,ON
! O!R H&1 HE KNEW ALL ! "T T ! *AMB] 0
EMPTY4 ,B ! HALLUC9,N P]SI/$4 ,HE F"\ X
(F = H\RS1 !N ?REW 8 RIFLE OP5 & 0
3FRONT$ ) EMPTI;S4 ,! 4APPO9T;T 0 Z
BITT] Z ?\< HE _H RE,Y EXPECT$ 6F9D !
C>TRIDGE4
  ,HE PLO4$ ON = HALF AN H\R1 :5 !
HALLUC9,N >OSE AG4 ,AG HE F"\ X1 & / X
P]SI/$1 TILL = V RELIEF HE OP5$ 8 RIFLE
6UNCONV9CE HMF4 ,AT "TS 8 M9D W&]$ F>!R
AFIELD1 & HE PLO4$ ON1 A M]E AUTOMATON1
/RANGE 3CEITS & :IMSICALITIES GNAW+ AT 8
BRA9 L WORMS4 ,B ^! EXCUR.NS \ (! R1L 7
( BRIEF DUR,N1 = "E ! PANGS (! HUNG]-
BITE CALL$ HM BACK4 ,HE 0 J]K$ BACK
ABRUPTLY ONCE F S* AN EXCUR.N 0A SI<T T
CAUS$ HM NE>LY 6FA9T4 ,HE REEL$ & SWAY$1
DO4]+ L A DRUNK5 MAN 6KEEP F FALL+4 ,2F
HM /OOD A HORSE4 ,A HORSE6 ,HE CD N
2LIEVE 8 EYES4 ,A ?ICK MI/ 0 9 !M1
9T]%OT ) SP>KL+ PO9TS ( LI<T4 ,HE RU2$ 8
EYES SAVAGELY 6CLE> 8 VI.N1 & 2HELD1 N A
HORSE1 B A GRT BR[N BE>4 ,! ANIMAL 0
/UDY+ HM ) BELLICOSE CURIOS;Y4
  ,! MAN _H BR"\ 8 GUN HALFWAY 6HIS
%\LD] 2F HE R1LIZ$4 ,HE L[]$ X & DREW 8
HUNT+-KNIFE F XS B1D$ %1? AT 8 HIP4 ,2F
HM 0 M1T & LIFE4 ,HE RAN 8 ?UMB AL;G !
$GE ( 8 KNIFE4 ,X 0 %>P4 ,! PO9T 0 %>P4
,HE WD FL+ HMF ^U ! BE> & KILL X4 ,B 8
HE>T 2GAN XS W>N+ ?UMP1 ?UMP1 ?UMP4 ,!N
FOLL[$ ! WILD UPW>D L1P & TATTOO (
FLUTT]S1 ! PRESS+ Z ( AN IRON B& AB 8
=EH1D1 ! CREEP+ (! DIZZI;S 96HIS BRA94
  ,8 DESP]ATE C\RAGE 0 EVICT$ 0A GRT
SURGE ( FE>4 ,9 8 W1K;S1 :AT IF ! ANIMAL
ATTACK$ HM8 ,HE DREW HMF UP 6HIS MO/
IMPOS+ /ATURE1 GRIPP+ ! KNIFE & />+ H>D
AT ! BE>4 ,! BE> ADV.ED CLUMSILY A C\PLE
( /EPS1 RE>$ UP1 & GAVE V5T 6A T5TATIVE
GR[L4 ,IF ! MAN RAN1 HE WD RUN AF HM2 B
! MAN DID N RUN4 ,HE 0 ANIMAT$ N[ )!
C\RAGE ( FE>4 ,HE1 TOO1 GR[L$1 SAVAGELY1
T]RIBLY1 VOIC+ ! FE> T IS 6LIFE G]MANE &
T LIES TWI/$ AB LIFE'S DEEPE/ ROOTS4
  ,! BE> $G$ AWAY 6"O SIDE1 GR[L+
M5AC+LY1 HMF APPALL$ 0? MY/]I\S CR1TURE
T APPE>$ UP"R & UNAFRAID4 ,B ! MAN DID N
MOVE4 ,HE /OOD L A /ATUE TILL ! DANG] 0
PA/1 :5 HE YIELD$ 6A FIT ( TREMBL+ &
SANK D[N 96! WET MOSS4
  ,HE PULL$ HMF TGR & W5T ON1 AFRAID N[
9 A NEW WAY4 ,X 0 N ! FE> T HE %D DIE
PASSIVELY F LACK ( FOOD1 B T HE %D 2
DE/ROY$ VIOL5TLY 2F />V,N _H EXHAU/$ !
LA/ "PICLE (! 5D1VOR 9 HM T MADE T[>D
SURVIV+4 ,"! 7 ! WOLVES4 ,BACK & =? ACR
! DESOL,N DRIFT$ _! H[LS1 W1V+ ! V AIR
96A FABRIC ( M5ACE T 0 S TANGI# T HE F.D
HMF1 >MS 9 ! AIR1 PRESS+ X BACK F HM Z X
MI<T 2 ! WALLS (A W9D-BL[N T5T4
  ,N[ & AG ! WOLVES1 9 PACKS ( TWO &
?REE1 CROSS$ 8 PA?4 ,B !Y %E]$ CLE> (
HM4 ,!Y 7 N 9 SU6ICI5T NUMB]S1 & 2SS !Y
7 HUNT+ ! C>IB\1 : DID N BATTLE1 :ILE ?
/RANGE CR1TURE T WALK$ ERECT MI<T SCRAT*
& BITE4
  ,9 ! LATE AFN HE CAME ^U SCATT]$ B"OS
": ! WOLVES _H MADE A KILL4 ,! DEBRIS _H
BE5 A C>IB\ CALF AN H\R 2F1 SQUAWK+ &
RUNN+ & V M* ALIVE4 ,HE 3TEMPLAT$ !
B"OS1 CL1N-PICK$ & POLI%$1 P9K )! CELL-
LIFE 9 !M : _H N YET DI$4 ,CD X POSSIBLY
2 T HE MI<T 2 T ]E ! "D 0 D"O6 ,S* 0
LIFE1 EH8 ,A VA9 & FLEET+ ?+4 ,X 0 ONLY
LIFE T PA9$4 ,"! 0 NO HURT 9 D1?4 ,6DIE
0 6SLEEP4 ,X M1NT CESS,N1 RE/4 ,!N :Y 0
HE N 3T5T 6DIE8
  ,B HE DID N MORALIZE L;G4 ,HE 0
SQUATT+ 9 ! MOSS1 A B"O 9 8 M\?1 SUCK+
AT ! %R$S ( LIFE T / DY$ X FA9TLY P9K4
,! SWEET M1TY TA/E1 ?9 & ELUSIVE ALM Z A
MEMORY1 MA45$ HM4 ,HE CLOS$ 8 JAWS ON !
B"OS & CRUN*$4 ,"S"TS X 0 ! B"O T BROKE1
"S"TS 8 TEE?4 ,!N HE CRU%$ ! B"OS 2T
ROCKS1 P.D$ !M 6A PULP1 & SWALL[$ !M4
,HE P.D$ 8 F+]S1 TOO1 9 8 HA/E1 & YET
F.D A MO;T 9 : 6FEEL SURPRISE AT ! FACT
T 8 F+]S DID N HURT M* :5 CAU<T "U !
DESC5D+ ROCK4
  ,CAME F"R;L "DS ( SN[ & RA94 ,HE DID N
"K :5 HE MADE CAMP1 :5 HE BROKE CAMP4
,HE TRAVELL$ 9 ! NI<T Z M* Z 9 ! "D4 ,HE
RE/$ :]"E HE FELL1 CRAWL$ ON :5"E ! DY+
LIFE 9 HM FLICK]$ UP & BURN$ LESS DIMLY4
,HE1 Z A MAN1 NO L;G] /ROVE4 ,X 0 ! LIFE
9 HM1 UNWILL+ 6DIE1 T DROVE HM ON4 ,HE
DID N SU6]4 ,8 N]VES _H 2COME BLUNT$1
NUMB1 :ILE 8 M9D 0 FILL$ ) WEIRD VI.NS &
DELICI\S DR1MS4
  ,B "E HE SUCK$ & *EW$ ON ! CRU%$ B"OS
(! C>IB\ CALF1 ! L1/ REMNANTS ( : HE _H
GA!R$ UP & C>RI$ ) HM4 ,HE CROSS$ NO M
HILLS OR DIVIDES1 B AUTOMATIC,Y FOLL[$ A
L>GE /R1M : FL[$ "? A WIDE & %ALL[
VALLEY4 ,HE DID N SEE ? /R1M NOR ?
VALLEY4 ,HE SAW NO?+ SAVE VI.NS4 ,S\L &
BODY WALK$ OR CRAWL$ SIDE 0SIDE1 YET
A"P1 S SL5D] 0 ! ?R1D T B.D !M4
  ,HE AWOKE 9 8 "R M9D1 LY+ ON 8 BACK ON
A ROCKY L$GE4 ,! SUN 0 %9+ B"R & W>M4
,AF> (F HE HE>D ! SQUAWK+ ( C>IB\
CALVES4 ,HE 0 AW>E ( VAGUE MEMORIES (
RA9 & W9D & SN[1 B :E!R HE _H BE5 B1T5
0! /ORM = TWO "DS OR TWO WEEKS HE DID N
"K4
  ,= "S "T HE LAY )\T MOVE;T1 ! G5IAL
SUN%9E P\R+ ^U HM & SATURAT+ 8 MIS]A#
BODY ) XS W>M?4 ,A F9E "D1 HE ?"\4 ,P]H
HE CD MANAGE 6LOCATE HMF4 ,0A PA9;L EF=T
HE ROLL$ OV] ON 8 SIDE4 ,2L HM FL[$ A
WIDE & SLU7I% RIV]4 ,XS UNFAMILI>;Y
PUZZL$ HM4 ,SL[LY HE FOLL[$ X ) 8 EYES1
W9D+ 9 WIDE SWEEPS AM;G ! BL1K1 B>E
HILLS1 BL1K] & B>] & L[]-LY+ ?AN ANY
HILLS HE _H YET 5C.T]$4 ,SL[LY1
DELIB]ATELY1 )\T EXCITE;T OR M ?AN ! MO/
CASUAL 9T]E/1 HE FOLL[$ ! C\RSE (!
/RANGE /R1M T[>D ! SKY-L9E & SAW X
EMPTY+ 96A B"R & %9+ SEA4 ,HE 0 /
UNEXCIT$4 ,MO/ UNUSUAL1 HE ?"\1 A VI.N
OR A MIRAGE -- M LIKELY A VI.N1 A TRICK
( 8 4ORD]$ M9D4 ,HE 0 3FIRM$ 9 ? 0SI<T
(A %IP LY+ AT AN*OR 9 ! MID/ (! %9+ SEA4
,HE CLOS$ 8 EYES =A :ILE1 !N OP5$ !M4
,/RANGE H[ ! VI.N P]SI/$6 ,YET N /RANGE4
,HE KNEW "! 7 NO S1S OR %IPS 9 ! HE>T (!
B>R5 L&S1 J Z HE _H "KN "! 0 NO C>TRIDGE
9 ! EMPTY RIFLE4
  ,HE HE>D A SNU6LE 2H HM -- A HALF-*OK+
GASP OR C\<4 ,V SL[LY1 2C ( 8 EXCE$+
W1K;S & /I6;S1 HE ROLL$ OV] ON 8 O!R
SIDE4 ,HE CD SEE NO?+ NE> AT H&1 B HE
WAIT$ PATI5TLY4 ,AG CAME ! SNU6LE & C\<1
& \TL9$ 2T TWO JA7$ ROCKS N A SCORE (
FEET AWAY HE MADE \ ! GRAY H1D (A WOLF4
,! %>P E>S 7 N PRICK$ S %>PLY Z HE _H
SE5 !M ON O!R WOLVES2 ! EYES 7 BLE>$ &
BLOOD%OT1 ! H1D SEEM$ 6DROOP LIMPLY &
=LORNLY4 ,! ANIMAL BL9K$ 3T9U,Y 9 !
SUN%9E4 ,X SEEM$ SICK4 ,Z HE LOOK$ X
SNU6L$ & C\<$ AG4
  ,?1 AT L1/1 0 R1L1 HE ?"\1 & TURN$ ON
! O!R SIDE S T HE MI<T SEE ! R1L;Y (! _W
: _H BE5 VEIL$ F HM 2F 0! VI.N4 ,B ! SEA
/ %"O 9 ! 4T.E &! %IP 0 PLA9LY 4C]NI#4
,0 X R1L;Y1 AF ALL8 ,HE CLOS$ 8 EYES =A
L;G :ILE & ?"\1 & !N X CAME 6HM4 ,HE _H
BE5 MAK+ NOR? 0EA/1 AWAY F ! ,D1SE
,DIVIDE & 96! ,COPP]M9E ,VALLEY4 ,? WIDE
& SLU7I% RIV] 0 ! ,COPP]M9E4 ,T %9+ SEA
0 ! ,>CTIC ,OC1N4 ,T %IP 0 A :AL]1 /RAY$
EA/1 F> EA/1 F !
M\? (! ,MACK5ZIE1 & X 0 LY+ AT AN*OR 9
,CORON,N ,GULF4 ,HE REMEMB]$ ! ,HUDSON
,BAY ,-PANY *>T HE _H SE5 L;G AGO1 & X 0
ALL CLE> & R1SONA# 6HM4
  ,HE SAT UP & TURN$ 8 ATT5;N 6IMM
A6AIRS4 ,HE _H WORN "? ! BLANKET-
WRAPP+S1 & 8 FEET 7 %APE.S LUMPS ( RAW
M1T4 ,8 LA/ BLANKET 0 G"O4 ,RIFLE &
KNIFE 7 BO? MISS+4 ,HE _H LO/ 8 HAT
"S":1 )! BUN* ( MAT*ES 9 ! B&1 B !
MAT*ES AG/ 8 *E/ 7 SAFE & DRY 9SIDE !
TOBA3O P\* & OIL PAP]4 ,HE LOOK$ AT 8
WAT*4 ,X M>K$ ELEV5 O'C & 0 / RUNN+4
,EVID5TLY HE _H KEPT X W.D4
  ,HE 0 CALM & COLLECT$4 ,?\< EXTREMELY
W1K1 HE _H NO S5S,N ( PA94 ,HE 0 N
HUNGRY4 ,! ?"\ ( FOOD 0 N EV5 PL1SANT
6HM1 & :AT"E HE DID 0 D"O 0HIS R1SON
AL"O4 ,HE RIPP$ (F 8 PANTS' LEGS 6!
KNEES & B.D !M AB 8 FEET4 ,"SH[ HE _H
SU3E$$ 9 RETA9+ ! T9 BUCKET4 ,HE WD H "S
HOT WAT] 2F HE 2GAN :AT HE =ESAW 0 6BE A
T]RI# J\RNEY 6! %IP4
  ,8 MOVE;TS 7 SL[4 ,HE %OOK Z )A PALSY4
,:5 HE />T$ 6COLLECT DRY MOSS1 HE F.D HE
CD N RISE 6HIS FEET4 ,HE TRI$ AG & AG1
!N 3T5T$ HMF ) CRAWL+ AB ON H&S & KNEES4
,ONCE HE CRAWL$ NE> 6! SICK WOLF4 ,!
ANIMAL DRA7$ XF RELUCTANTLY \ ( 8 WAY1
LICK+ XS *OPS )A T;GUE : SEEM$ H>DLY 6H
! /R5G? 6CURL4 ,! MAN NOTIC$ T ! T;GUE 0
N ! CU/OM>Y H1L?Y R$4 ,X 0 A YELL[I%
BR[N & SEEM$ COAT$ )A R\< & HALF-DRY
MUCUS4
  ,AF HE _H DRUNK A QU>T ( HOT WAT] !
MAN F.D HE 0 A# 6/&1 & EV5 6WALK Z WELL
Z A DY+ MAN MI<T 2 SUPPOS$ 6WALK4 ,E
M9UTE OR S HE 0 -PELL$ 6RE/4 ,8 /EPS 7
FEE# & UNC]TA91 J Z ! WOLF'S T TRAIL$ HM
7 FEE# & UNC]TA92 & T NI<T1 :5 ! %9+ SEA
0 BLOTT$ \ 0BLACK;S1 HE KNEW HE 0 NE>]
6X 0NO M ?AN F\R MILES4
  ,"?\T ! NI<T HE HE>D ! C\< (! SICK
WOLF1 & N[ & !N ! SQUAWK+ (! C>IB\
CALVES4 ,"! 0 LIFE ALL >.D HM1 B X 0
/R;G LIFE1 V M* ALIVE & WELL1 & HE KNEW
! SICK WOLF CLUNG 6! SICK MAN'S TRAIL 9
! HOPE T ! MAN WD DIE F/4 ,9 ! MORN+1 ON
OP5+ 8 EYES1 HE 2HELD X REG>D+ HM )A
WI/;L & HUNGRY />E4 ,X /OOD CR\*$1 )
TAIL 2T XS LEGS1 L A MIS]A# & WOE-2G"O
DOG4 ,X %IV]$ 9 ! *ILL MORN+ W9D1 &
GR9N$ DI_S$LY :5 ! MAN SPOKE 6X 9 A
VOICE T A*IEV$ NO M ?AN A HO>SE :ISP]4
  ,! SUN ROSE B"RLY1 & ALL MORN+ ! MAN
TOTT]$ & FELL T[>D ! %IP ON ! %9+ SEA4
,! W1!R 0 P]FECT4 ,X 0 ! BRIEF ,9DIAN
,SUMM] (! HI< LATITUDES4 ,X MI<T LA/ A
WEEK4 ,TM OR NEXT "D X MI<T HE G"O4
  ,9 ! AFN ! MAN CAME ^U A TRAIL4 ,X 0 (
ANO!R MAN1 :O DID N WALK1 B :O DRA7$ HMF
ON ALL F\RS4 ,! MAN ?"\ X MI<T 2 ,BILL1
B HE ?"\ 9 A DULL1 UN9T]E/$ WAY4 ,HE _H
NO CURIOS;Y4 ,9 FACT1 S5S,N & EMO;N _H
LEFT HM4 ,HE 0 NO L;G] SUSCEPTI# 6PA94
,/OMA* & N]VES _H G"O 6SLEEP4 ,YET !
LIFE T 0 9 HM DROVE HM ON4 ,HE 0 V WE>Y1
B X REFUS$ 6DIE4 ,X 0 2C X REFUS$ 6DIE T
HE / ATE MUSKEG B]RIES & M9N[S1 DRANK 8
HOT WAT]1 & KEPT A W>Y EYE ON ! SICK
WOLF4
  ,HE FOLL[$ ! TRAIL (! O!R MAN :O DRA7$
HMF AL;G1 & SOON CAME 6! 5D ( X -- A FEW
FRE%-PICK$ B"OS ": ! SO7Y MOSS 0 M>K$ 0!
FOOT-PADS ( _M WOLVES4 ,HE SAW A SQUAT
MOOSE-HIDE SACK1 MATE 6HIS [N1 : _H BE5
TORN 0%>P TEE?4 ,HE PICK$ X UP1 ?\< XS
WEI<T 0 ALM TOO M* = 8 FEE# F+]S4 ,BILL
_H C>RI$ X 6! LA/4 ,HA6 HA6 ,HE WD H !
LAU< ON ,BILL4 ,HE WD SURVIVE & C>RY X
6! %IP 9 ! %9+ SEA4 ,8 MIR? 0 HO>SE &
<A/LY1 L A RAV5'S CROAK1 &! SICK WOLF
JO9$ HM1 H[L+ LUGUBRI\SLY4 ,! MAN C1S$
SU45LY4 ,H[ CD HE H ! LAU< ON ,BILL IF T
7 ,BILL2 IF ^? B"OS1 S P9KY-:ITE & CL1N1
7 ,BILL8
  ,HE TURN$ AWAY4 ,WELL1 ,BILL _H DES]T$
HM2 B HE WD N TAKE ! GOLD1 NOR WD HE
SUCK ,BILL'S B"OS4 ,BILL WD H1 ?\<1 _H X
BE5 ! O!R WAY >.D1 HE MUS$ Z HE /A7]$
ON4
  ,HE CAME 6A POOL ( WAT]4 ,/OOP+ OV] 9
QUE/ ( M9N[S1 HE J]K$ 8 H1D BACK Z ?\<
HE _H BE5 /UNG4 ,HE _H CAU<T SI<T ( 8
REFLECT$ FACE4 ,S HORRI# 0 X T S5SIBIL;Y
AWOKE L;G 5 6BE %OCK$4 ,"! 7 ?REE M9N[S
9 ! POOL1 : 0 TOO L>GE 6DRA92 & AF S"EAL
9E6ECTUAL ATTEMPTS 6CAT* !M 9 ! T9
BUCKET HE =BORE4 ,HE 0 AFRAID1 2C ( 8
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D[N 9 ,SAN ,FRANCISCO ,BAY4























