ver, to the heaviest tasks of "making camp." A large number
of stones were gathered at the highest point of the sand and gravel, and a
rough fireplace constructed. Two of the Indians, under the direction of
Rand were sent across a short strip of meadow, which intervened between
the point and the adjacent forest, for a supply of firewood. Rand took his
rifle along under Swiftwater's direction, for protection, and with the
suggestion that he might see something worth shooting, although he was
enjoined not to meddle with moose or caribou.

"Not that I think ye'll see any," said Swiftwater, "for they're mighty
scarce here, but it's a poor time of year for the meat. Still, there's a
few cats and other varmints in this section of the country that don't like
strangers, and they make it lively for you."

"Do the cats belong to the Indians?" innocently inquired Jack, remembering
the aborigines' fondness for dogs.

Swiftwater laughed.

"I never seen an Injun that cared to keep one of 'em longer'n he could let
go of it," said the miner. "I'm talkin' of lynxes and the lou'g'rou (loup
garou), the Injun Devil, that is still pretty thick in this country."

The Indians who had come with the expedition were no exception to fondness
for dogs, and had brought two shaggy, short-eared, long-nosed brutes with
them that had never barked or uttered a sound except to snarl at any
stranger who came near them and absolutely refused to make friends with
anyone. One of these accompanied Rand and the two Indians into the woods
and began nosing around in the bush and underbrush, while the two men were
engaged in cutting light wood into short lengths and tying it together in
bundles.

They accumulated nearly two hundred pounds apiece; loads that Rand doubted
their ability to lift, much less carry to camp. They were about ready to
start back when there came from a thicket forty yards distant a shrill
scream that sounded like a child in distress. At the same moment the yelp
of a dog was followed by a succession of snarls and screams so nearly
human that Rand started toward the thicket crying:

"Quick, the dog is worrying a child."

"Na, cat; killum malamute," and with his axe in his hand the Indian rushed
ahead of Rand into the thicket.

As Rand entered the brush the sounds of the struggles and the snarls and
screams were intermixed with the loud commands of the Indian to the dog.
Rand raised his rifle as he burst through the brush after the gu