at any rate every one was eager to put it to the
proof. Several of the residents said there was a fair chance of finding
a Gray-wolf along the Assiniboine, so a hunt was organized. But they
searched in vain for three days and were giving it up when some one
suggested that down at Hogan's saloon was a Wolf chained up, that they
could get for the value of the bounty, and though little more than a
year old he would serve to show what the Dogs could do.

The value of Hogan's Wolf went up at once when he knew the importance
of the occasion; besides, "he had conscientious scruples." All his
scruples vanished, however, when his views as to price were met. His
first care was to get Little Jim out of the way by sending him on an
errand to his grandma's; then the Wolf was driven into his box and
nailed in. The box was put in a wagon and taken to the open prairie
along the Portage trail.

The Dogs could scarcely be held back, they were so eager for the fray,
as soon as they smelt the Wolf. But several strong men held their
leash, the wagon was drawn half a mile farther, and the Wolf was turned
out with some difficulty. At first he looked scared and sullen. He
tried to get out of sight, but made no attempt to bite. However, on
finding himself free, as well as hissed and hooted at, he started off
at a slinking trot toward the south, where the land seemed broken. The
Dogs were released at that moment, and, baying furiously, they bounded
away after the young Wolf. The men cheered loudly and rode behind them.
From the very first it was clear that he had no chance. The Dogs were
much swifter; the white one could run like a Greyhound. The German was
wildly enthusiastic as she flew across the prairie, gaining visibly on
the Wolf at every second. Many bets were offered on the Dogs, but there
were no takers. The only bets accepted were Dog against Dog. The young
Wolf went at speed now, but within a mile the white Dog was right
behind him--was closing in.

The German shouted: "Now watch and see that Wolf go up in the air."

In a moment the runners were together. Both recoiled, neither went up
in the air, but the white Dog rolled over with a fearful gash in her
shoulder--out of the fight, if not killed. Ten seconds later the
Blue-spot arrived, open-mouthed. This meeting was as quick and almost
as mysterious as the first. The animals barely touched each other. The
gray one bounded aside, his head out of sight for a moment in the flash
of q