n he was tempted to put on his snowshoes and cut off from the
trail. On second thought, however, this was abandoned, as his purpose
would be easily interpreted as the act of a coward.

With eyes straight forward he essayed to pass the house without
noticing the missionary, when a deep growl close by arrested his
attention, and caused him to glance quickly up. He stopped short and
over his face spread a look of surprise and then fear.

The cause of this change of attitude was the half-wolf dog Brisko, who
with his back to the door was growling in the most ferocious manner.
His teeth gleamed white, his eyes glowed, and the hair on his back
stood straight on end. Not since the terrible night of the fight with
the wolves had Keith seen the brute so much aroused.

"What's the matter with the cur?" growled Pritchen, trying to conceal
the apprehension he felt.

"I don't know," replied the missionary. "I never saw him greet any one
in that way before. He seems to be much exercised now anyway."

Suddenly a thought flashed into his mind. He loved dogs dearly,
studied them most carefully, and had read much about their ways. Was
there not some good reason for Brisko's aversion to this man? Had he
seen him before? If so, where? Why that look of surprise and fear
upon Pritchen's face? Could it be possible that this was the very one,
the "Bill," whom that dying man in the Ibex cabin mentioned?

Lost in thought, he did not realize that he was staring hard at
Pritchen, as if he could read his very soul. The latter noticed the
look, surmised its meaning, and an ugly scowl passed over his face.

"What are you gazing at so mighty hard?" he blurted out.

"You," Keith calmly replied.

"Well, what do you see about me that's so interesting? I ain't much to
look at."

"You were a minute ago when you first saw that dog. Why were you so
surprised and startled?"

"Wouldn't anyone be startled to have a brute growl at him in that way?"

"And why did he growl? He never did so to anyone else since I've had
him."

"How in h--do you suppose I know? Am I responsible for the moods of a
d-- mission house cur?"

"Perhaps he knows you, though, as well as I do."

"What do you mean?"

"Perhaps he has reason to growl. Look," and Keith pointed to an ugly
scar on the dog's side, over which the hair had not grown.

Pritchen did not reply, but stepped forward to obtain a better view, at
which Brisko retreated, still showing his