deerhound, and he stands as high as this," continued Captain Sinclair,
holding his hand about as high as John's shoulder.

"I'll go to the fort with you," said John, "and bring him back."

"So you shall, John, and I'll go with you," said Martin, "if master
pleases."

"Well," replied Mr Campbell, "I think he may; what with Martin, his own
rifle, and the dog, John will, I trust, be safe enough."

"Certainly, I have no objection," said Mrs Campbell, "and many thanks
to you, Captain Sinclair."

"What's the dog's name?" said John.

"Oscar," replied Captain Sinclair. "If you let him walk out with your
cousins, they need not fear a wolf. He will never be mastered by one,
as poor Sancho was."

"I'll lend him sometimes," replied John.

"Always; when you don't want him yourself, John."

"Yes, always," replied John, who was going out of the door.

"Where are you going, dear," said Mrs Campbell.

"Going to skin the wolf," replied John, walking away.

"Well, he'll be a regular keen hunter," observed Martin. "I dare say
old Bone has taught him to flay an animal. However I'll go and help
him, for it's a real good skin." So saying, Martin followed John.

"Martin ought to have known better than to leave the offal where he
did," observed Captain Sinclair.

"We must not be too hard, Captain Sinclair," said Alfred. "Martin has a
contempt for wolves, and that wolf would not have stood his ground had
it been a man instead of two young women who were in face of him.
Wolves are very cunning, and I know will attack a woman or child when
they will fly from a man. Besides, it is very unusual for a wolf to
remain till daylight, even when there is offal to tempt him. It was the
offal, the animal's extreme hunger, and the attack of the dog--a
combination of circumstances--which produced the event. I do not see
that Martin can be blamed, as one cannot foresee everything."

"Perhaps not," replied Captain Sinclair, "and `all's well that ends
well.'"

"Are there any other animals to fear?" inquired Mrs Campbell.

"The bear is now safe for the winter in the hollow of some tree or under
some root, where he has made a den. It will not come out till the
spring. The catamount or panther is a much more dangerous animal than
the wolf; but it is scarce. I do think, however, that the young ladies
should not venture out, unless with some rifles in company, for fear of
another mischance. We have plenty of lynxes here; but I doubt i