tember after the last streak of light was gone
from the west and the Coyotes had begun their yapping chorus, a deep,
booming sound was heard. King took out his pipe, turned his head and
said: "That's him--that's old Billy. He's been watching us all day from
some high place, and now when the guns are useless he's here to have a
little fun with us."

Two or three Dogs arose, with bristling manes, for they clearly
recognized that this was no Coyote. They rushed out into the night, but
did not go far; their brawling sounds were suddenly varied by loud
yelps, and they came running back to the shelter of the fire. One was
so badly cut in the shoulder that he was useless for the rest of the
hunt. Another was hurt in the flank--it seemed the less serious wound,
and yet next morning the hunters buried that second Dog.

The men were furious. They vowed speedy vengeance, and at dawn were off
on the trail. The Coyotes yelped their dawning song, but they melted
into the hills when the light was strong. The hunters searched about
for the big Wolf's track, hoping that the Hounds would be able to take
it up and find him, but they either could not or would not.

They found a Coyote, however, and within a few hundred yards they
killed him. It was a victory, I suppose, for Coyotes kill Calves and
Sheep, but somehow I felt the common thought of all: "Mighty brave Dogs
for a little Coyote, but they could not face the big Wolf last night."

Young Penroof, as though in answer to one of the unput questions, said:

"Say, boys, I believe old Billy had a hull bunch of Wolves with him
last night."

"Didn't see but one track," said King gruffly.

In this way the whole of October slipped by; all day hard riding after
doubtful trails, following the Dogs, who either could not keep the big
trail or feared to do so, and again and again we had news of damage
done by the Wolf; sometimes a cowboy would report it to us; and
sometimes we found the carcasses ourselves. A few of these we poisoned,
though it is considered a very dangerous thing to do while running
Dogs. The end of the month found us a weather-beaten, dispirited lot of
men, with a worn-out lot of Horses, and a foot-sore pack, reduced in
numbers from ten to seven. So far we had killed only one Gray-wolf and
three Coyotes; Badlands Billy had killed at least a dozen Cows and Dogs
at fifty dollars a head. Some of the boys decided to give it up and go
home, so King took advantage of their goin