ag and Determines to Use His Crutch and Billy To

ircles; but they did not dare. They would attack when the quarry was weak or unaware. Occasionally Billy Topsail sallied on them with his club and a loud, intimidating tongue, to disclose his strength and teach them discretion; and the dogs were impressed an

RE DESPERAT

ch him with blandishments; and a cry of alarm from the boy brought him back to his base in haste to drive off Cracker and Tucker and Sling, who were up to the wolf's trick of f

ept. He would need to kee

ed was the man's club and the boy's crutch. Now, too, the last of the food went. There was nothing to eat. What Billy had brought, the abundant provision of a picnic

ich were not immediate, as a swift abatement of his strength. A starved man cannot long continue at bay with a club. Billy could beat off the dogs that nigh

ng and whining and restless movement in the dark that lay beyond the

as shifting, shadowy creatures against the white field of ice. Billy Topsail fought twice that night. This was between midnight and dawn. There was no maneuvering. The dogs gathered openly, viciously, and delive

dogs of Tight Cove, not wolves from the rigours of the timber; and Billy was then attracted to the rescue of Teddy Brisk, who was tied up in the wolfskin bag, by the boy's muffle

the boy was still screaming. He was not quiete

id he. "I'll never go

ield your crutch

he question. Another night came in du

world was both cold and drear. A breeze was stirring down from the north and would be bitt

for Billy himself, he watched the dogs, which watched him patiently near by-a hopeless vigil for the man, for the dogs were fast approaching a pass of need in which hunger would dominate t

s that were not, in the beginning, already defeated and overcome by awe of him. In the dark-in the dark of

to be t

o so, indeed!" Bil

ull extent of