d, two fish to a
dog. The beasts took each his share to a place remote from the others
and bolted it hastily, returning at once on the chance of a further
distribution, or the opportunity to steal from his companions. After a
little more roaming about, growling and suspicious sniffing, they again
settled down one by one to slumber.

Almost immediately after supper the three turned in, first removing and
hanging before the fire the duffel and moccasins worn during the day.
These were replaced by larger and warmer sleep moccasins lined with fur.
The warm-lined coverings they pulled up over and around them completely,
to envelop even their heads. This arrangement is comfortable only after
long use has accustomed one to the half-suffocation; but it is
necessary, not only to preserve the warmth of the body, but also to
protect the countenance from freezing. At once they fell into exhausted
sleep.

As though they had awaited a signal, the dogs arose and proceeded to
investigate the camp. Nothing was too trivial to escape their attention.
Billy found a tiny bit of cooked meat. Promptly he was called on to
protect his discovery against a vigorous onslaught from the hound and
the other husky. Over and over the fighting dogs rolled, snorting and
biting, awakening the echoes of the forest, even trampling the sleepers,
who, nevertheless, did not stir. In the mean time, Claire, uninvolved,
devoured the morsel. The trouble gradually died down. One after another
the animals dug themselves holes in the snow, where they curled up,
their bushy tails over their noses and their fore paws. Only Mack, the
hound with the wrinkled face and long, pendent ears, unendowed with such
protection, crept craftily between his sleeping masters.

Gradually the fire died to coals, then filmed to ashes. Hand in hand the
cold and the darkness invaded the camp. As the firelight faded, objects
showed dimly, growing ever more distinct through the dying glow--the
snow-laden bushes, the pointed trees against a steel sky of stars. The
little, artificial tumult of homely sound by which these men had created
for the moment an illusion of life sank down under the unceasing
pressure of the verities, so that the wilderness again flowed
unobstructed through the forest aisles. With a last _pop_ of coals the
faint noise of the fire ceased. Then an even fainter noise slowly became
audible, a crackling undertone as of silken banners rustling. And at
once, splendid, barb