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the track because the Dogs overran it before we came。
After a two…mile run the chase led upward again in snow country； the
Wolf was sighted； but to our disgust； we were on the track of the smallest
one。
〃I thought so；〃 growled young Penroof。 〃Dogs was altogether too keen
for a serious proposition。 Kind o' surprised it ain't turned out a Jack…
rabbit。〃
Within another mile he had turned to bay in a willow thicket。 We heard
him howl the long…drawn howl for help； and before we could reach the
place King saw the Dogs recoil and scatter。 A minute later there sped from
the far side of the thicket a small Gray…wolf and a Black One of very much
greater size。
〃By golly； if he didn't yell for help； and Billy come back to help him；
that's great！〃 exclaimed the wolver。 And my heart went out to the brave
old Wolf that refused to escape by abandoning his friend。
The next hour was a hard repetition of the gully riding； but it was on
the highlands where there was snow； and when again the pack was split；
we strained every power and succeeded in keeping them on the big 〃 five…
fifty track；〃 that already was wearing for me the glamour of romance。
Evidently the Dogs preferred either of the others； but we got them
going at last。 Another half hour's hard work and far ahead； as I rose to a
broad flat plain； I had my first glimpse of the Big Black Wolf of Sentinel
Butte。
〃Hurrah！ Badlands Billy！ Hurrah！ Badlands Billy！〃 I shouted in salute；
and the others took up the cry。
We were on his track at last； thanks to himself。 The Dogs joined in
with a louder baying； the Greyhounds yelped and made straight for him；
and the Horses sniffed and sprang more gamely as they caught the thrill。
The only silent one was the black…maned Wolf； and as I marked his size
and power； and above all his long and massive jaws； I knew why the Dogs
preferred some other trail。
With head and tail low he was bounding over the snow。 His tongue
was lolling long； plainly he was hard pressed。 The wolvers' hands flew to
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their revolvers； though he was three hundred yards ahead； they were out
for blood； not sport。 But an instant later he had sunk from view in the
nearest sheltered ca 駉 n。
Now which way would he go； up or down the ca 駉 n？ Up was toward
his mountain； down was better cover。 King and I thought 〃up；〃 so pressed
westward along the ridge。 But the others rode eastward； watching for a
chance to shoot。
Soon we had ridden out of hearing。 We were wrongthe Wolf had
gone down； but we heard no shooting。 The ca 駉 n was crossable here； we
reached the other side and then turned back at a gallop； scanning the snow
for a trail； the hills for a moving form； or the wind for a sound of life。
〃Squeak； squeak；〃 went our saddle leathers； 〃puff…puff〃 our Horses；
and their feet 〃ka…ka…lump； ka…ka…lump。〃
X
WHEN BILLY WENT BACK TO HIS MOUNTAIN
We were back opposite to where the Wolf had plunged； but saw no
sign。 We rode at an easy gallop； on eastward； a mile； and still on； when
King gasped out； 〃Look at that！〃 A dark spot was moving on the snow
ahead。 We put on speed。 Another dark spot appeared； and another； but they
were not going fast。 In five minutes we were near them； to findthree of
our own Greyhounds。 They had lost sight of the game； and with that their
interest waned。 Now they were seeking us。 We saw nothing there of the
chase or of the other hunters。 But hastening to the next ridge we stumbled
on the trail we sought and followed as hard as though in view。 Another ca
駉 n came in our path； and as we rode and looked for a place to cross； a
wild din of Hounds came from its brushy depth。 The clamor grew and
passed up the middle。
We raced along the rim； hoping to see the game。 The Dogs appeared
near the farther side； not in a pack； but a long； straggling line。 In five
minutes more they rose to the edge； and ahead of them was the great Black
Wolf。 He was loping as before； head and tail low。 Power was plain in
every limb； and double power in his jaws and neck； but I thought his
bounds were shorter now； and that they had lost their spring。 The Dogs
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slowly reached the upper level； and sighting him they broke into a feeble
cry； they； too； were nearly spent。 The Greyhounds saw the chase； and
leaving us they scrambled down the ca 駉 n and up the other side at
impetuous speed that would surely break them down； while we rode；
vainly seeking means of crossing。
How the wolver raved to see the pack lead off in the climax of the
chase； and himself held up behind。 But he rode and wrathed and still rode；
up to where the ca 駉 n dwindledrough land and a hard ride。 As we
neared the great flat mountain； the feeble cry of the pack was heard again
from the south； then toward the high Butte's side； and just a trifle louder
now。 We reined in on a hillock and scanned the snow。 A moving speck
appeared； then others； not bunched； but in a straggling train； and at times
there was a far faint cry。 They were headed toward us； coming on； yes！
coming； but so slowly； for not one was really running now。 There was the
grim old Cow…killer limping over the ground； and far behind a Greyhound；
and another； and farther still； the other Dogs in order of their speed； slowly；
gamely； dragging themselves on that pursuit。 Many hours of hardest toil
had done their work。 The Wolf had vainly sought to fling them off。 Now
was his hour of doom； for he was spent； they still had some reserve。
Straight to us for a time they came； skirting the base of the mountain；
crawling。
We could not cross to join them； so held our breath and gazed with
ravenous eyes。 They were nearer now； the wind brought feeble notes from
the Hounds。 The big Wolf turned to the steep ascent； up a well…known trail；
it seemed； for he made no slip。 My heart went with him； for he had come
back to rescue his friend； and a momentary thrill of pity came over us both；
as we saw him glance around a