Hiswasastrangehistory——aWolfthatpreferredthecitytothecountry，thatpassedbytheSheeptokilltheDogs，andthatalwayshuntedalone。
IntellingthestoryofleGarou，ashewascalledbysome，althoughIspeakofthesethingsaslocallyfamiliar，itisverysurethattomanycitizensofthetowntheywerequiteunknown。
Thesmugshopkeeperonthemainstreethadscarcelyheardofhimuntilthedayafterthefinalsceneattheslaughter—house，whenhisgreatcarcasswascarriedtoHine’staxidermistshopandtheremounted，tobeexhibitedlaterattheChicagoWorld’sFair，andtobedestroyed，alas！inthefirethatreducedtheMulveyGrammarSchooltoashesin1896。
II
ItseemsthatFiddlerPaul，thehandsomene’er—do—wellofthehalf—breedworld，readiertohuntthantowork，wasprowlingwithhisgunalongthewoodedbanksoftheRedRiverbyKildonan，onedayintheJuneof1880。HesawaGray—wo1fcomeoutofaholeinabankandfiredachanceshotthatkilledit。Havingmadesure，bysendinginhisDog，thatnootherlargeWolfwasthere，hecrawledintotheden，andfound，tohisutteramazementanddelight，eightyoungWolves——ninebountiesoftendollarseach。
Howmuchisthat？Afortunesurely。Heusedastickvigorously，andwiththeassistanceoftheyellowCur，allthelittleoneswerekilledbutone。Thereisasuperstitionaboutthelastofabrood——itisnotluckytokillit。SoPaulsetoutfortownwiththescalpoftheoldWolf，thescalpsofthesevenyoung，andthelastCubalive。
Thesaloon—keeper，whogotthedollarsforwhichthescalpswereexchanged，soongotthelivingCub。Hegrewupattheendofachain，butdevelopedachestandjawsthatnoHoundintowncouldmatch。Hewaskeptintheyardfortheamusementofcustomers，andthisamusementusuallytooktheformofbaitingthecaptivewithDogs。TheyoungWolfwasbittenandmaulednearlytodeathonseveraloccasions，butherecovered，andeachmonththerewerefewerDogswillingtofacehim。Hislifewasashardasitcouldbe。Therewasbutonegleamofgentlenessinitall，andthatwasthefriendshipthatgrewupbetweenhimselfandLittleJim，thesonofthesaloonkeeper。
Jimwasawilfullittlerascalwithamindofhisown。HetooktotheWolfbecauseithadkilledaDogthathadbittenhim。HethenceforthfedtheWolfandmadeapetofit，andtheWolfrespondedbyallowinghimtotakelibertieswhichnooneelsedaredventure。
Jim’sfatherwasnotamodelparent。Heusuallyspoiledhisson，butattimeswouldgetinarageandbeathimcruellyforsometrifle。Thechildwasquicktolearnthathewasbeaten，notbecausehehaddonewrong，butbecausehehadmadehisfatherangry。If，therefore，hecouldkeepoutofthewayuntilthatangerhadcooled，hehadnofurthercauseforworry。Oneday，seekingsafetyinflightwithhisfatherbehindhim，hedashedintotheWolf’skennel，andhisgrizzlychumthusunceremoniouslyawakenedturnedtothedoor，displayedadoublerowofivories，andplainlysaidtothefather："Don’tyoudaretotouchhim。"
IfHogancouldhaveshottheWolfthenandtherehewouldhavedoneso，butthechanceswereaboutequalofkillinghisson，soheletthemaloneand，halfanhourlater，laughedatthewholeaffair。ThenceforthLittleJimmadefortheWolf’sdenwheneverhewasindanger，andsometimestheonlynoticeanyonehadthattheboyhadbeeninmischiefwasseeinghimsneakinbehindthesavagecaptive。
EconomyinhiredhelpwasafirstprinciplewithHogan。Thereforehis"barkeep"wasaChinaman。Hewasatimid，harmlesscreature，soPauldesRochesdidnothesitatetobullyhim。Oneday，findingHoganout，andtheChinamanaloneincharge，Paul，alreadytipsy，demandedadrinkoncredit，andTungLing，actingonstandingorders，refused。Hisartlessexplanation，"Nogood，neberpay，"sofarfromclearingupthedifficulty，broughtPaulstaggeringbackofthebartoavengetheinsult。TheCelestialmighthavesufferedgrievousbodilyhurt，butthatLittleJimwasathandandhadalongstick，withwhichheadroitlytrippeduptheFiddlerandsenthimsprawling。HestaggeredtohisfeetswearinghewouldhaveJim’slife。ButthechildwasnearthebackdoorandsoonfoundrefugeintheWolf’skennel。
Seeingthattheboyhadaprotector，Paulgotthelongstick，andfromasafedistancebegantobelabortheWolf，Thegrizzlycreatureragedattheendofthechain，but，thoughheparriedmanycruelblowsbyseizingthestickinhisteeth，hewassufferingseverely，whenPaulrealizedthatJim，whosetonguehadnotbeenidle，wasfumblingawaywithnervousfingerstosettheWolfloose，andsoonwouldsucceed。Indeed，itwouldhavebeendonealreadybutforthestrainthattheWolfkeptonthechain。
Thethoughtofbeingintheyardatthemercyofthehugeanimalthathehadsoenraged，gavethebravePaulathrillofterror。
Jim’swheedlingvoicewasheard—"Holdonnow，Wolfie;backupjustalittle，andyoushallhavehim。Nowdo;there’sagoodWolfie"——thatwasenough;theFiddlerfledandcarefullyclosedalldoorsbehindhim。
ThusthefriendshipbetweenJimandhispetgrewstronger，andtheWolf，ashedevelopedhissplendidnaturalpowers，gavedailyevidencealsoofthemortalhatredheboretomenthatsmeltofwhiskeyandtoallDogs，thecausesofhissufferings。Thispeculiarity，coupledwithhisloveforthechild——andallchildrenseemedtobeincludedtosomeextent——grewwithhisgrowthandseemedtoprovetherulingforceofhislife。
III
Atthistime——thatis，thefallof1881——thereweregreatcomplaintsamongtheQu’AppelleranchmenthattheWolveswereincreasingintheircountryandcommittinggreatdepredationsamongthestock。Poisoningandtrappinghadprovedfailures，andwhenadistinguishedGermanvisitorappearedattheClubinWinnipegandannouncedthathewasbringingsomeDogsthatcouldeasilyridthecountryofWolves，hewaslistenedtowithunusualinterest。Forthecattle—menarefondofsport，andtheideaofhelpingtheirbusinessbyestablishingakennelofWolfhoundswasveryalluring。
TheGermansoonproducedassamplesofhisDogs，twomagnificentDanes，onewhite，theotherbluewithblackspotsandasingularwhiteeyethatcompletedanexpressionofunusualferocity。Eachofthesegreatcreaturesweighednearlytwohundredpounds。TheyweremuscledlikeTigers，andtheGermanwasreadilybelievedwhenheclaimedthatthesetwoaloneweremorethanamatchforthebiggestWolf。Hethusdescribedtheirmethodofhunting："Allyouhavetodoisshowthemthetrailand，evenifitisadayold，awaytheygoonit。Theycannotbeshakenoff。TheywillsoonfindthatWolf，nomatterhowhedoublesandhides。Thentheycloseonhim。Heturnstorun，theblueDogtakeshimbythehaunchandthrowshimlikethis，"andtheGermanjerkedarollofbreadintotheair;"thenbeforehetouchesthegroundthewhiteDoghashishead，theotherhistail，andtheypullhimapartlikethat。"
Itsoundedallright;atanyrateeveryonewaseagertoputittotheproof。SeveraloftheresidentssaidtherewasafairchanceoffindingaGray—wolfalongtheAssiniboine，soahuntwasorganized。ButtheysearchedinvainforthreedaysandweregivingitupwhensomeonesuggestedthatdownatHogan’ssaloonwasaWolfchainedup，thattheycouldgetforthevalueofthebounty，andthoughlittlemorethanayearoldhewouldservetoshowwhattheDogscoulddo。
ThevalueofHogan’sWolfwentupatoncewhenheknewtheimportanceoftheoccasion;besides，"hehadconscientiousscruples。"Allhisscruplesvanished，however，whenhisviewsastopriceweremet。HisfirstcarewastogetLittleJimoutofthewaybysendinghimonanerrandtohisgrandma’s;thentheWolfwasdrivenintohisboxandnailedin。TheboxwasputinawagonandtakentotheopenprairiealongthePortagetrail。
TheDogscouldscarcelybeheldback，theyweresoeagerforthefray，assoonastheysmelttheWolf。Butseveralstrongmenheldtheirleash，thewagonwasdrawnhalfamilefarther，andtheWolfwasturnedoutwithsomedifficulty。Atfirsthelookedscaredandsullen。Hetriedtogetoutofsight，butmadenoattempttobite。However，onfindinghimselffree，aswellashissedandhootedat，hestartedoffataslinkingtrottowardthesouth，wherethelandseemedbroken。TheDogswerereleasedatthatmoment，and，bayingfuriously，theyboundedawayaftertheyoungWolf。Themencheeredloudlyandrodebehindthem。Fromtheveryfirstitwasclearthathehadnochance。TheDogsweremuchswifter;thewhiteonecouldrunlikeaGreyhound。TheGermanwaswildlyenthusiasticassheflewacrosstheprairie，gainingvisiblyontheWolfateverysecond。ManybetswereofferedontheDogs，buttherewerenotakers。TheonlybetsacceptedwereDogagainstDog。TheyoungWolfwentatspeednow，butwithinamilethewhiteDogwasrightbehindhim——wasclosingin。
TheGermanshouted："NowwatchandseethatWolfgoupintheair。"
Inamomenttherunnersweretogether。Bothrecoiled，neitherwentupintheair，butthewhiteDogrolledoverwithafearfulgashinhershoulder——outofthefight，ifnotkilled。TensecondslatertheBlue—spotarrived，open—mouthed。Thismeetingwasasquickandalmostasmysteriousasthefirst。Theanimalsbarelytouchedeachother。Thegrayoneboundedaside，hisheadoutofsightforamomentintheflashofquickmovement。Spotreeledandshowedableedingflank。Urgedonbythemen，heassaultedagain，butonlytogetanotherwoundthattaughthimtokeepoff。
NowcamethekeeperwithfourmorehugeDogs。Theyturnedtheseloose，andthemenarmedwithclubsandlassoswereclosingtohelpinfinishingtheWolf，whenasmallboycamechargingovertheplainonaPony。HeleapedtothegroundandwrigglingthroughtheringflunghisarmsaroundtheWolf’sneck。Hecalledhimhis"Wolfiepet，"his"dearWolfie"——theWolflickedhisfaceandwaggeditstail——thenthechildturnedonthecrowdandthroughhisstreamingtears，he——Wellitwouldnotdotoprintwhathesaid。Hewasonlynine，buthewasveryold—fashioned，aswellasarudelittleboy。Hehadbeenbroughtupinalowsaloon，andhadbeenanaptpupilatpickinguptheviletalkoftheplace。Hecursedthemoneandallandforgenerationsback;
hedidnotspareevenhisownfather。
Ifamanhadusedsuchshockingandinsultinglanguagehemighthavebeenlynched，butcomingfromababy，thehuntersdidnotknowwhattodo，sofinallydidthebestthing。Theylaughedaloud——notatthemselves，thatisnotconsideredgoodform——buttheyalllaughedattheGermanwhosewonderfulDogshadbeenworstedbyahalf—grownWolf。
Jimmienowthrusthisdirty，tear—stainedlittlefistdownintohisvery—much—of—a—boy’spocket，andfromamongmarblesandchewing—gum，aswellastobacco，matches，pistolcartridges，andothercontraband，hefishedoutaflimsybitofgrocer’stwineandfasteneditaroundtheWolf’sneck。Then，stillblubberingalittle，hesetoutforhomeonthePony，leadingtheWolfandhurlingafinalthreatandanathemaattheGermannobleman："FurtwocentsI’dsichimonyou，goldarnye。"
IV
EarlythatwinterJimmiewastakendownwithafever。TheWolfhowledmiserablyintheyardwhenhemissedhislittlefriend，andfinallyontheboy’sdemandwasadmittedtothesick—room，andtherethisgreatwildDog——forthatisallaWolfis——continuedfaithfullywatchingbyhisfriend’sbedside。
Thefeverhadseemedslightatfirst，sothateveryonewasshockedwhentherecamesuddenlyaturnfortheworse，andthreedaysbeforeChristmasJimmiedied。Hehadnomoresinceremournerthanhis"Wolfie。"Thegreatgraycreaturehowledinmiserableanswertothechurch—belltollingwhenhefollowedthebodyonChristmasEvetothegraveyardatSt。Boniface。Hesooncamebacktothepremisesbehindthesaloon，butwhenanattemptwasmadetochainhimagain，heleapedaboardfenceandwasfinallylostsightof。
LaterthatsamewinteroldRenaud，thetrapper，withhisprettyhalf—breeddaughter，Ninette，cametoliveinalittlelog—cabinontheriverbank。HeknewnothingaboutJimmieHogan，andhewasnotalittlepuzzledtofindWolftracksandsignsalongtheriveronbothsidesbetweenSt。BonifaceandFortGarry。HelistenedwithinterestanddoubttotalesthattheHudsonBayCompany’smentoldofagreatGray—wolfthathadcometoliveintheregionabout，andeventoenterthetownatnight，andthatwasinparticularattachedtothewoodsaboutSt。BonifaceChurch。
OnChristmasEveofthatyearwhenthebelltolledagainasithaddoneforJimmie，aloneandmelancholyhowlingfromthewoodsalmostconvincedRenaudthatthestoriesweretrue。Heknewthewolf—cries——thehowlforhelp，thelovesong，thelonelywail，andthesharpdefianceoftheWolves。Thiswasthelonelywail。
Thetrapperwenttotheriversideandgaveanansweringhowl。A
shadowyformleftthefarwoodsandcrossedontheicetowherethemansat，log—still，onalog。Itcameupnearhim，circledpastandsniffed，thenitseyeglowed;itgrowledlikeaDogthatisalittleangry，andglidedbackintothenight。
ThusRenaudknew，andbeforelongmanytownfolkbegantolearn，thatahugeGray—wolfwaslivingintheirstreets，"aWolfthreetimesasbigastheonethatusedtobechainedatHogan’sgin—mill。"HewastheterrorofDogs，killingthemonallpossibleoccasions，andsomesaid，thoughitwasneverproven，thathehaddevouredmorethanonehalf—breedwhowasoutonaspree。
AndthiswastheWinnipegWolfthatIhadseenthatdayinthewintrywoods。Ihadlongedtogotohishelp，thinkingtheoddssohopelesslyagainsthim，butlaterknowledgechangedthethought。Idonotknowhowthatfightended，butIdoknowthathewasseenmanytimesafterwardandsomeoftheDogswerenot。
Thushiswasthestrangestlifethateverhiskindhadknown。
Freeofallthewoodsandplains，heelectedrathertoleadalifeofdailyhazardinthetown——eachweekatleastsomecloseescape，andeverydayadayofdaringdeeds;findingmomentaryshelterattimesundertheveryboardwalkcrossings。HatingthemenanddespisingtheDogs，hefoughthisdailywayandheldthehordesofCursatbayorslewthemwhenhefoundthemfeworsingle;harriedthedrunkard，evadedmenwithguns，learnedtraps——learnedpoison，too——justhow，wecannottell，butlearnithedid，forhepasseditagainandagain，orserveditonlywithaWolf’scontempt。
NotastreetinWinnipegthathedidnotknow;notapolicemaninWinnipegthathadnotseenhisswiftandshadowyforminthegraydawnashepassedwherehewould;notaDoginWinnipegthatdidnotcowerandbristlewhenthetelltalewindbroughtproofthatoldGarouwascrouchingnear。Hisonlypathwasthewarpath，andalltheworldhisfoes。Butthroughoutthislurid，semi—mythicrecordtherewasonerecurringpleasantthought——Garouneverwasknowntoharmachild。
V
Ninettewasadesert—bornbeautylikeherIndianmother，butgray—eyedlikeherNormandyfather，asweetgirlofsixteen，thebelleofherset。Shemighthavemarriedanyoneoftherichestandsteadiestyoungmenofthecountry，butofcourse，infeminineperversityherheartwassetonthatne’er—do—well，PauldesRoches。Ahandsomefellow，agooddancerandafairviolinist，FiddlerPaulwasindemandatallfestivities，buthewasashiftlessdrunkardanditwasevenwhisperedthathehadawifealreadyinLowerCanada。Renaudveryproperlydismissedhimwhenhecametourgehissuit，butdismissedhiminvain。
Ninette，obedientinallelse，wouldnotgiveupherlover。Theverydayafterherfatherhadorderedhimawayshepromisedtomeethiminthewoodsjustacrosstheriver。Itwaseasytoarrangethis，forshewasagoodCatholic，andacrosstheicetothechurchwasshorterthangoingaroundbythebridge。AsshewentthroughthesnowywoodtothetrystshenoticedthatalargegrayDogwasfollowing。Itseemedquitefriendly，andthechild（forshewasstillthat）hadnofear，butwhenshecametotheplacewherePaulwaswaiting，thegrayDogwentforwardrumblinginitschest。Paulgaveonelook，knewitforahugeWolf，thenfledlikethecowardhewas。Heafterwardsaidheranforhisgun。Hemusthaveforgottenwhereitwas，asheclimbedthenearesttreetofindit。MeanwhileNinetteranhomeacrosstheicetotellPaul’sfriendsofhisdanger。Notfindinganyfirearmsupthetree，thevaliantlovermadeaspearbyfasteninghisknifetoabranchandsucceededingivingGarouapainfulwoundonthehead。Thesavage，creaturegrowledhorriblybutthenceforthkeptatasafedistance，thoughplainlyshowinghisintentiontowaittillthemancamedown。Buttheapproachofabandofrescuerschangedhismind，andhewentaway。
FiddlerPaulfounditeasiertoexplainmatterstoNinettethanhewouldtoanyoneelse。Hestillstoodfirstinheraffections，butsohopelesslyillwithherfatherthattheydecidedonanelopement，assoonasheshouldreturnfromFortAlexander，whitherhewastogofortheCompany，asdog—driver。TheFactorwasveryproudofhistrainDogs——threegreatHuskieswithcurly，bushytails，bigandstrongasCalves，butfierceandlawlessaspirates。WiththesetheFiddlerPaulwastodrivetoFortAlexanderfromFortGarry——thebearerofseveralimportantpackets。HewasanexpertDog—driver，whichusuallymeansrelentlesslycruel。Hesetoffblithelydowntheriverinthemorning，aftertheseveralnecessarydrinksofwhiskey。Heexpectedtobegoneaweek，andwouldthencomebackwithtwentydollarsinhispocket，andhavingthusprovidedthesinewsofwar，wouldcarryouttheplanofelopement。Awaytheywentdowntheriverontheice。ThebigDogspulledswiftlybutsulkilyashecrackedthelongwhipandshouted，"Allez，allez，marchez。"
TheypassedatspeedbyRenaud’sshantyonthebank，andPaul，crackinghiswhipandrunningbehindthetrain，wavedhishandtoNinetteasshestoodbythedoor。SpeedilythecariolewiththesulkyDogsanddrunkendriverdisappearedaroundthebend——andthatwasthelasteverseenofFiddlerPaul。
ThateveningtheHuskiescamebacksinglytoFortGarry。Theywerespatteredwithfrozenblood，andweregashedinseveralplaces。Butstrangetotelltheywerequite"unhungry。"
Runnerswentonthebacktrailandrecoveredthepackages。Theywerelyingontheiceunharmed。Fragmentsofthesledwerestrewnforamileormoreuptheriver;notfarfromthepackageswereshredsofclothingthathadbelongedtotheFiddler。
Itwasquiteclear，theDogshadmurderedandeatentheirdriver。
TheFactorwasterriblywroughtupoverthematter。ItmightcosthimhisDogs。Herefusedtobelievethereportandsetofftosifttheevidenceforhimself。Renaudwaschosentogowithhim，andbeforetheywerewithinthreemilesofthefatalplaceRenaudpointedtoaverylargetrackcrossingfromtheeasttothewestbankoftheriver，justaftertheDogsled。Heranitbackwardforamileormoreontheeasternbank，notedhowithadwalkedwhentheDogswalkedandrunwhentheyran，beforeheturnedtotheFactorandsaid："AbeegVoolf——hecomeafterzecarioleallzetime。"
Nowtheyfollowedthetrackwhereithadcrossedtothewestshore。TwomilesaboveKildonanwoodstheWolfhadstoppedhisgalloptowalkovertothesledtrail，hadfolloweditafewyards，thenhadreturnedtothewoods。
"Paulhedropsomesin’here，zepacketmaybe;zeVoolfhecomeforsmell。Hefollowso——nowheknowzateezzedrunkenPaulvotslashheemonzehead。"
AmilefarthertheWolftrackcamegallopingontheicebehindthecariole。Themantrackdisappearednow，forthedriverhadleapedonthesledandlashedtheDogs。Hereiswherehecutadriftthebundles。Thatiswhythingswerescatteredovertheice。SeehowtheDogswereboundingunderthelash。HerewastheFiddler’sknifeinthesnow。HemusthavedroppeditintryingtouseitontheWolf。Andhere—what！theWolftrackdisappears，butthesledtrackspeedsalong。TheWolfhasleapedonthesled。TheDogs，interror，addedtotheirspeed;butonthesleighbehindthemthereisadeedofvengeancedone。Inamomentitisover;
bothrolloffthesled;theWolftrackreappearsontheeastsidetoseekthewoods。Thesledswervestothewestbank，where，afterhalfamile，itiscaughtandwreckedonaroot。
ThesnowalsotoldRenaudhowtheDogs，entangledintheharness，hadfoughtwitheachother，hadcutthemselvesloose，andtrottinghomewardbyvariouswaysuptheriver，hadgatheredatthebodyoftheirlatetyrantanddevouredhimatameal。
BadenoughfortheDogs，stilltheywereclearedofthemurder。
ThatcertainlywasdonebytheWolf，andRenaud，aftertheshockofhorrorwaspast，gaveasighofreliefandadded，"EetisleGarou。HehabsavemyleelgirlfromzatPaul。Healwayswasgoodtochildren。"
VI
ThiswasthecauseofthegreatfinalhuntthattheyfixedforChristmasDayjusttwoyearsafterthesceneatthegraveofLittleJim。ItseemedasthoughalltheDogsinthecountrywerebroughttogether。ThethreeHuskieswerethere——theFactorconsideredthemessential——therewereDanesandtrailersandarabbleoffarmDogsandnondescripts。TheyspentthemorningbeatingallthewoodseastofSt。Bonifaceandhadnosuccess。
ButatelephonemessagecamethatthetrailtheysoughthadbeenseenneartheAssiniboinewoodswestofthecity，andanhourlaterthehuntwasyellingonthehotscentoftheWinnipegWolf。
Awaytheywent，arabbleofDogs，amotleyroutofhorsemen，amobofmenandboysonfoot。GarouhadnofearoftheDogs，butmenheknewhadgunsandweredangerous。HeledoffforthedarktimberlineoftheAssiniboine，butthehorsemenhadopencountryandtheyheadedhimback。HecoursedalongtheColonyCreekhollowandsoeludedthebulletsalreadyflying。Hemadeforabarb—wirefence，andpassingthathegotridofthehorsemenforatime，butstillmustkeepthehollowthatbaffledthebullets。
TheDogswerenowclosingonhim。Allhemighthaveaskedwouldprobablyhavebeentobeleftalonewiththem——fortyorfiftytooneastheywere——hewouldhavetakentheodds。TheDogswereallaroundhimnow，butnonedaredtoclosein，AlankyHound，trustingtohisspeed，ranalongsideatlengthandgotasidechopfromGarouthatlaidhimlow。Thehorsemenwereforcedtotakeadistantwayaround，butnowthechasewastowardthetown，andmoremenandDogscamerunningouttojointhefray。
TheWolfturnedtowardtheslaughter—house，afamiliarresort，andtheshootingceasedonaccountofthehouses，aswellastheDogs，beingsonear。Thesewereindeednowcloseenoughtoencirclehimandhinderallfurtherflight。Helookedforaplacetoguardhisrearforafinalstand，andseeingawoodenfoot—bridgeoveragutterhesprangin，therefacedaboutandheldthepackatbay。Themengotbarsanddemolishedthebridge。
Heleapedout，knowingnowthathehadtodie，butready，wishingonlytomakeaworthyfight，andthenforthefirsttimeinbroaddayviewofallhisfoeshestood——theshadowyDog—killer，thedisembodiedvoiceofSt。Bonifacewoods，thewonderfulWinnipegWolf。
VII
Atlastafterthreelongyearsoffighthestoodbeforethemalone，confrontingtwoscoreDogs，andmenwithgunstobackthem——butfacingthemjustasresolutelyasIsawhimthatdayinthewintrywoods。Thesameoldcurlwasonhislips——thehard—knitflanksheavedjustalittle，buthisgreenandyelloweyeglowedsteadily。TheDogsclosedin，lednotbythehugeHuskiesfromthewoods——theyevidentlyknewtoomuchforthat——butbyaBulldogfromthetown;therewasscufflingofmanyfeet;alowrumblingforatimereplacedtheyappingofthepack;
aflashingofthoseredandgrizzledjaws，amomentaryhurlbackoftheonset，andagainhestoodaloneandbraced，thegrimandgrandoldbanditthathewas。Threetimestheytriedandsuffered。Theirboldestwerelyingabouthim。ThefirsttogodownwastheBulldog。Learningwisdomnow，theDogsheldback，lesssure;buthissquare—builtchestshowedneverasignofweaknessyet，andafterwaitingimpatientlyheadvancedafewsteps，andthus，alas！gavetothegunnerstheirlong—expectedchance。Threeriflesrang，andinthesnowGarouwentdownatlast，hislifeofcombatdone。
Hehadmadehischoice。Hisdayswereshortandcrammedwithquickevents。Histaleofmanypeacefulyearswasspentinthreeofdailybrunt。Hepickedhistrail，anewtrail，highandshort。
Hechosetodrinkhiscupatasinglegulp，andbreaktheglass—butheleftadeathlessname。
WhocanlookintothemindoftheWolf？Whocanshowushiswellspringofmotive？Whyshouldhestillclingtoaplaceofendlesstribulation？Itcouldnotbebecauseheknewnoothercountry，fortheregionislimitless，foodiseverywhere，andhewasknownatleastasfarasSelkirk。Norcouldhismotiveberevenge。Noanimalwillgiveupitswholelifetoseekingrevenge;thatevilkindofmindisfoundinmanalone。Thebrutecreationseeksforpeace。
Thereisthenbutoneremainingbondtochainhim，andthatthestrongestclaimthatanythingcanown——themightiestforceonearth。
TheWolfisgone。ThelastrelicofhimwaslostintheburningGrammarSchool，buttothisdaythesextonofSt。BonifaceChurchaversthatthetollingbellonChristmasEveneverfailstoprovokethatweirdandmelancholyWolf—cryfromthewoodedgraveyardahundredstepsaway，wheretheylaidhisLittleJim，theonlybeingonearththatevermethimwiththetouchoflove。
THELEGENDOFTHEWHITEREINDEER
Skoal！Skoal！ForNorwaySkoal！
SingyethesongoftheVand—damtroll。
WhenIamhidingNorway’sluckOnaWhiteStorbukComesriding，riding。
Bleak，black，deep，andcoldisUtrovand，alongpocketofglacialwater，acrackintheglobe，awrinkleinthehighNorwegianmountains，blockedwithanothermountain，andfloodedwithafrigidflood，threethousandfeetaboveitsMotherSea，andyetnoclosertoitsFatherSun。
Arounditscheerlessshoreisabeltofstuntedtrees，thatsendsalongtailupthehighvalley，tillitdwindlesawaytosticksandmoss，asitalsodoessomehalf—wayupthegranitehillsthatriseathousandfeet，encompassingthelake。Thisisthelimitoftrees，theendofthegrowthofwood。Thebirchandwillowarethelasttodropoutofthelongfightwithfrost。TheirminiaturethicketsarenoisywiththecriesofFieldfare，Pipit，andPtarmigan，buttheseareleftbehindonnearingtheupperplateau，whereshadeofrockandsoughofwindareallthattaketheirplace。ThechillyHoifjeldrollsaway，arugged，rockyplain，withgreatpatchesofsnowinallthedeeperhollows，andthedistanceblockedbysnowypeaksthatriseandrollandwhitergleam，till，dimanddazzlinginthenorth，upliftstheJotunheim，thehomeofspirits，ofglaciers，andofthelastingsnow。
Thetreelessstretchisonevastattesttotheforceofheat。
Eachfailureofthesunbyonedegreeismarkedbyalowerrealmoflife。Thenorthernslopeofeachhollowislessborealthanitssouthernside。Thepineandsprucehavegivenoutlongago;
themountain—ashwentnext;thebirchandwillowclimbeduphalftheslope。Here，nothinggrowsbutcreepingplantsandmoss。Theplainitselfispalegrayishgreen，onevastexpanseofreindeer—moss，butwarmedatspotsintoorangebygreatbedsofpolytrichum，and，insunniernooks，deepenedtoaherbalgreen。
Therocksthatarescatteredeverywhereareofadelicatelilac，buteachisvariegatedwithspreadingfrill—edgedplastersofgray—greenlichenororangepowder—streaksandbeauty—spotsofblack。Theserockshavegreatpowertoholdtheheat，sothateachofthemissurroundedbyalittlebeltofheat—lovingplantsthatcouldnototherwiselivesohigh。Dwarfedrepresentativesofthebirchandwillowbotharehere，huggingthegenialrock，asanoldFrenchhabitanthugshisstoveinwinter—time，spreadingtheirbranchesoverit，insteadofinthefrigidair。Afootawayisseenachillierbeltofheath，andfartheroff，colder，wherenoneelsecangrow，istheomnipresentgray—greenreindeer—mossthatgivesitscolortotheupland。Thehollowsarestillfilledwithsnow，thoughnowitisJune。Buteachofthesewhiteexpansesisshrinking，spendingitselfinice—coldstreamsthatsomehowreachthelake。Thesesn？flaksshownosignoflife，noteventhe’red—snow’tinge，andaroundeachisabeltofbarrenearth，totestifythatlifeandwarmthcanneverbedivorced。
Birdlessandlifeless，thegray—greensnow—piedwasteextendsoverallthestretchthatisherebetweenthetimber—lineandthesnow—line，abovewhichwinterneverquitsitshold。Farthernorthbothcomelower，tillthetimber—lineisatthelevelofthesea;
andallthelandisinthattreelessbeltcalledTundraintheOldWorld，andBarrensintheNew，andthateverywhereistheHomeoftheReindeer——theRealmoftheReindeer—moss。
I
Inandoutitflew，inandout，overthewaterandunder，astheVarsimle’，theleaderdoeoftheReindeerherd，walkedpastonthevernalbanks，anditsang：——
"Skoal！Skoal！GamleNorgeSkoal！"andmoreabout"aWhiteReindeerandNorway’sgoodluck，"asthoughthesingerweregiftedwithspecialinsight。
WhenoldSveggumbuilttheVand—damontheLowerHoifjeld，justabovetheUtrovand，andsethisribestena—going，hesupposedthathewastheownerofitall。Butsomeonewastherebeforehim。Andinandoutofthespoutingstreamthissomeonedashed，andsangsongsthathemadeuptofittheplaceandthetime。Heskippedfromskjaeketoskjaekeofthewheel，anddidmanythingswhichSveggumcouldsetdownonlytoluck——whateverthatis;andsomesaidthatSveggum’sluckwasaWheel—troll，aWater—fairy，withabrowncoatandawhitebeard，onethatlivedonlandorinwater，ashepleased。
ButmostofSveggum’sneighborssawonlyaFossekal，thelittleWaterfallBirdthatcameeachyearanddancedinthestream，ordivedwherethepoolisdeep。Andmaybebothwereright，forsomeoftheveryoldestpeasantswilltellyouthataFairy—trollmaytaketheformofamanortheformofabird。Onlythisbirdlivedalifenobirdcanlive，andsangsongsthatmenneverhadsunginNorway。Wonderfulvisionhadhe，andsightshesawthatmanneversaw。FortheFieldfarewouldbuildbeforehim，andtheLemmingfeditsbroodunderhisveryeyes。Eyesweretheytosee;
forthedarkspeckonSuletindthatmancouldbarelyglimpsewasaReindeer，withhalf—shedcoat，tohimandthegreenslimeontheVandrenwasbeautifulgreenpasturewithabanquetspread。
Oh，Manissoblind，andmakeshimselfsohated！ButFossekalharmednone，sononewereafraidofhim。Onlyhesang，andhissongsweresometimesmixedwithfunandprophecy，orperhapsalittlescorn。
Fromthetopofthetassel—birchhecouldmarkthecourseoftheVand—damstreampasttheNystuenhamlettoloseitselfinthegloomywatersofUtrovandorbyahigherflighthecouldseeacrossthebarrenuplandthatrolledtoJotunheiminthenorth。
Thegreatawakeningwasonnow。Thespringtimehadalreadyreachedthewoods;thevalleyswerea—throbwithlife;newbirdscomingfromthesouth，wintersleepersreappearing，andtheReindeerthathadwinteredinthelowerwoodsshouldsoonagainbeseenontheuplands。
NotwithoutafightdotheFrostGiantsgiveuptheplacesolongtheirown;agreatbattlewasinprogress;buttheSunwasslowly，surelywinning，anddrivingthembacktotheirJotunheim。
Ateveryhollowandshadyplacetheymadeanotherstand，orsneakedbackbynight，onlytosufferanotherdefeat。Hardhittersthese，astheyarestubbornfighters;manyagraniterockwassplitandshatteredbytheirblowsinrecklessfight，sothatitsinnerfleshytintswereshownandwarmlygleamedamongthegray—greenrocksthatdottedtheplain，likethecountlessflocksofThor。Moreorlessofthesemaybefoundateveryplaceofbattle—brunt，andstraggledalongtheslopeofSuletindwasahostthatreachedforhalfamile。Butstay！thesemoved。Notrockswerethey，butlivingcreatures。
Theydriftedalongerratically，yetoneway，allupthewind。
Theysweptoutofsightinahollow，toreappearonaridgemuchnearer，andserriedthereagainstthesky，wemarkedtheirbranchinghorns，andknewthemfortheReindeerintheirhome。
Thebandcamedriftingourway，feedinglikeSheep，gruntinglikeonlythemselves。Eachonefoundagrazing—spot，stoodtheretillitwasclearedoff，thentrottedoncracklinghoofstothefrontinsearchofanother。Sothebandwaseverchanginginrankandform。Butonetherewasthatwasalwaysatornearthevan——alargeandwell—favoredSimle’，orHind。Howevermuchthebandmightchangeandspread，shewasintheforefront，andtheobservantwouldsoonhaveseensignsthatshehadaninfluenceoverthegeneralmovement——thatshe，indeed，wastheleader。EventhebigBucks，intheirhugevelvet—cladantlers，admittedthisuntitularcontrol;andifone，inaspiritofindependence，evincedadispositiontoleadelsewhere，hesoonfoundhimselfuncomfortablyalone。
TheVarsimle’，orleadingHind，hadkeptthebandhovering，forthelastweekortwo，alongthetimber—line，goinghighereachdaytothebaringuplands，wherethesnowwasclearingandthedeer—flieswereblownaway。Asthepasturezonehadclimbedshehadfollowedinherdailyforaging，returningtotheshelteredwoodsatsundown，forthewildthingsfearthecoldnightwindevenasmandoes。Butnowthedeer—flieswererifeinthewoods，andtherockyhillsidenookswarmenoughforthenightlybivouac，sothewoodlandwasdeserted。
Probablytheleaderofabandofanimalsdoesnotconsciouslyprideitselfonleadership，yethasanuncomfortablesensationwhennotfollowed。Buttherearetimeswithallwhensolitudeissought。TheVarsimle’hadbeenfatandwellthroughthewinter，yetnowwaslistless，andlingeredwithdroopingheadasthegrazingherdmovedpasther。
Sometimesshestoodgazingblanklywhiletheunchewedbunchofmosshungfromhermouth，thenrousedtogoontothefrontasbefore;butthespellsofvacantstareandthehankeringtobealonegrewstronger。Sheturneddownwardtoseekthebirchwoods，butthewholebandturnedwithher。Shestoodstock—still，withheaddown。Theygrazedandgruntedpast，leavingherlikeastatueagainstthehillside。Whenallhadgoneon，sheslunkquietlyaway;walkedafewsteps，lookedabout，madeapretenseofgrazing，snuffedtheground，lookedaftertheherd，andscannedthehills;thendownwardfaredtowardtheshelteringwoods。
OnceasshepeeredoverabankshesightedanotherSimle’，adoeReindeer，uneasilywanderingbyitself。ButtheVarsimle’wishednotforcompany。Shedidnotknowwhy，butshefeltthatshemusthideawaysomewhere。
Shestoodstilluntiltheotherhadpassedon，thenturnedaside，andwentwithfasterstepsandlesswavering，tillshecameinviewofUtrovand，awaydownbythelittlestreamthatturnsoldSveggum’sribesten。Upabovethedamshewadedacrossthelimpidstream，fordeep—laidandsureistheinstinctofawildanimaltoputrunningwaterbetweenitselfandthoseitshuns。Then，onthefartherbank，nowbareandslightlygreen，sheturned，andpassinginandoutamongthetwistedtrunks，sheleftthenoisyVand—dam。Onthehighergroundbeyondshepaused，lookedthiswayandthat，wentonalittle，butreturned;andhere，completelyshutinbysoftlypaintedrocks，andbircheswearinglittlespringtimehangers，sheseemedinclinedtorest;yetnottorest，forshestooduneasilythiswayandthat，drivingawaythefliesthatsettledonherlegs，heedingnotatallthegrowinggrass，andthinkingshewashidfromalltheworld。
ButnothingescapestheFossekal。Hehadseenherleavetheherd，andnowhesatonagorgeousrockthatoverhung，andsangasthoughhehadwaitedforthisandknewthatthefateofthenationmightturnonwhatpassedinthisfarglen。Hesang：
Skoal！Skoal！ForNorwaySkoal！
SingyethesongoftheVand—damtroll。
WhenIamhidingNorway’sluckOnaWhiteStorbukComesriding，riding。
TherearenoStorksinNorway，andyetanhourlatertherewasawonderfullittleReindeerlyingbesidetheVarsimle’。Shewasbrushinghiscoat，lickingandmotheringhim，proudandhappyasthoughthiswasthefirstlittleRenskalveverborn。Theremightbehundredsbornintheherdthatmonth，butprobablynomorelikethisone，forhewassnowywhite，andthesongofthesingeronthepaintedrockwasaboutGoodluck，goodluck，AndaWhiteStorbuk，asthoughheforesawclearlythepartthattheWhiteCalfwastoplaywhenhegrewtobeaStorbuk。
Butanotherwondernowcametopass。Beforeanhour，therewasasecondlittleCalf——abrownonethistime。Strangethingshappen，andhardthingsaredonewhentheyneedsmust。Twohourslater，whentheVarsimle’ledtheWhiteCalfawayfromtheplace，therewasnoBrownCalf，onlysomeflattenedragswithcalf—haironthem。
Themotherwaswise：betteronestronglingthantwoweaklings。
WithinafewdaystheSimle’oncemoreledtheband，andrunningbyhersidewastheWhiteCalf。TheVarsimle’consideredhiminallthings，sothathereallysetthepacefortheband，whichsuitedverywellallthemothersthatnowhadCalveswiththem。
Big，strong，andwisewastheVarsimle’，intheprideofherstrength，andthisWhiteCalfwastheflowerofherprime。Heoftenranaheadofhismotherassheledtheherd，andRol，comingonthemoneday，laughedaloudatthesightastheypassed，oldandyoung，fatSimle’andantleredStorbuk，agreatbrownherd，allled，asitseemed，byalittleWhiteCalf。
Sotheydriftedawaytothehighmountains，tobegoneallsummer。"GonetobetaughtbythespiritswhodwellwheretheBlackLoonlaughsontheice，"saidLiefoftheLowerDale;butSveggum，whohadalwaysbeenamongtheReindeer，said："Theirmothersaretheteachers，evenasoursare。"
Whentheautumncame，oldSveggumsawamovingsno—flackfaroffonthebrownmoor—land;buttheTrollsawawhiteyearling，aNekbuk;andwhentheyrangedalongsideofUtrovandtodrink，thestillsheetseemedfullytoreflecttheWhiteOne，thoughitbarelysketchedintheothers，withthedarkhillsbehind。
ManyalittleCalfhadcomethatspring，andhaddriftedawayonthemoss—barrens，tocomebacknomore;forsomewereweaklingsandsomewerefools;somefellbytheway，forthatislaw;andsomewouldnotlearntherules，andsodied。ButtheWhiteCalfwasstrongestofthemall，andhewaswise，sohelearnedofhismother，whowaswisestofthemall。Helearnedthatthegrassonthesunsideofarockissweet，andthoughitlooksthesameinthedarkhollows，itisthereworthless。Helearnedthatwhenhismother’shoofscrackledhemustbeupandmoving，andwhenalltheherd’shoofscrackledtherewasdanger，andhemustkeepbyhismother’sside。ForthiscracklingislikethewhistlingofaWhistlerDuck’swings：itistokeepthekindstogether。HelearnedthatwherethelittleBomuldblomsterhangsitsCottontuftsisdangerousbog;thattheharshcackleofthePtarmiganmeansthatcloseathandareEagles，asdangerousforFawnasforBird。Helearnedthatthelittletroll—berriesaredeadly，thatwhentheverra—fliescomestinginghemusttakerefugeonasnow—patch，andthatofallanimalsmellsonlythatofhismotherwastobefullytrusted。Helearnedthathewasgrowing。HisflatcalfsidesandbigjointswerechangingtothefullbarrelandcleanlimbsoftheYearling，andthelittlebumpswhichbegantoshowonhisheadwhenhewasonlyafortnightoldwerenowsharp，hardspikesthatcouldwininfight。
MorethanoncetheyhadsmeltthatdreadeddestroyerofthenorththatmencalltheGjervorWolverene;andoneday，asthisdanger—scentcamesuddenlyandingreatstrength，ahugeblotofdarkbrownsprangrumblingfromarockyledge，andstraightfortheforemost——theWhiteCalf。Hiseyecaughttheflashofawhirling，shaggymass，withgleamingteethandeyes，hot—breathedandferocious。Blankhorrorsethishaironend;hisnostrilsflaredinfear：butbeforehefledthererosewithinanotherfeeling——oneofangeratthebreakerofhispeace，asensethatsweptallfearaway，bracedhislegs，andsethishornsatcharge。Thebrownbrutelandedwithadeep—chestedgrowl，tobereceivedontheyoungone’sspikes。Theypiercedhimdeeply，buttheshockwasovermuch;itboretheWhiteOnedown，andhemightyethavebeenkilledbutthathismother，alertandevernear，nowchargedtheattackingmonster，andheavier，betterarmed，shehurledandspearedhimtotheground。AndtheWhiteCalf，withaverydemonglareinhisoncemildeyes，chargedtoo;andevenaftertheWolverenewasamerehairymass，andhismotherhadretiredtofeed，hecame，snortingouthisrage，todrivehisspikesintothehatefulthing，tillhissnowyheadwasstainedwithhisadversary’sblood。
Thusheshowedthatbelowtheox—likecalmexteriorwasthefightingbeast;thathewaslikethemenofthenorth，rugged，square—built，calm，slowtowrath，butwhenaroused"seeingred。"
Whentheyrankedtogetherbythelakethatfall，theFossekalsanghisoldsong：
WhenIamhidingNorway’sluckOnaWhiteStorbukComesriding，riding，asthoughthiswassomethinghehadawaited，thendisappearednooneknewwhere。OldSveggumhadseenitflyingthroughthestream，asbirdsflythroughtheair，walkinginthebottomofadeeppondasaPtarmiganwalksontherocks，livingasnobirdcanlive;andnowtheoldmansaidithadsimplygonesouthwardforthewinter。ButoldSveggumcouldneitherreadnorwrite：howshouldheknow？
II
EachspringtimewhentheReindeerpassedoverSveggum’smill—run，astheymovedfromthelowlandwoodstothebleakershoreofUtrovand，theFossekalwastheretosingabouttheWhiteStorbuk，whicheachyearbecamemoretrulytheleader。
ThatfirstspringhestoodlittlehigherthanaHare。Whenhecametodrinkintheautumn，hisbackwasabovetherockwhereSveggum’sstreamentersUtrovand。Nextyearhebarelypassedunderthestuntedbirch，andthethirdyeartheFossekalonthepaintedrockwaslookingup，notdown，athimashepassed。ThiswastheautumnwhenRolandSveggumsoughttheHoifjeldtorounduptheirhalf—wildherdandselectsomeofthestrongestforthesled。TherewasbutoneopinionabouttheStorbuk。Higherthantheothers，heavier，whiteassnow，withamanethatswepttheshallowdrifts，breastedlikeaHorseandwithhornslikeastorm—grownoak，hewaskingoftheherd，andmighteasilybekingoftheroad。
Therearetwokindsofdeer—breakers，astherearetwokindsofhorse—breakers：onethattamesandteachestheanimal，andgetsaspirited，friendlyhelper;onethataimstobreakitsspirit，andgetsonlyasullenslave，everreadytorebelandwreakitshate。
ManyaLappandmanyaNorskhaspaidwithhislifeforbrutalitytohisReindeer，andRol’sdayswereshortenedbyhisownpulk—Ren。ButSveggumwasofgentlersort。TohimfellthetrainingoftheWhiteStorbuk。Itwasslow，fortheBuckresentedalllibertiesfromman，ashedidfromhisbrothers;butkindness，notfear，wasthepowerthattamedhim，andwhenhehadlearnedtoobeyandgloryinthesledrace，itwasanoblesighttoseethegreatwhitemild—eyedbeaststridingdownthelongsnow—stretchofUtrovand，thesteamjettingfromhisnostrils，thesnowswirlingupbeforelikethecurlingwavesonasteamer’sbow，sled，driver，andDeeralldiminflyingwhite。
ThencametheYule—tideFair，withtheracesontheice，andUtrovandforoncewasgay。Thesullenhillsaboutreechoedwithmerryshouting。TheReindeerraceswerefirst，withmanyamadmischanceforlaughter。RolhimselfwastherewithhisswiftestsledDeer，atall，dark，five—year—old，inhisprimestprime。Butover—eager，over—brutal，heharriedthesullen，splendidslavetillinmid—race——justwheninawaytowin——itturnedatacruelblow，andRoltookrefugeundertheupturnedsleduntilithadventeditsrageagainstthewood;andsohelosttherace，andthewinnerwastheyoungWhiteStorbuk。Thenhewonthefive—mileracearoundthelake;andforeachtriumphSveggumhungalittlesilverbellonhisharness，sothatnowheranandwontomerrymusic。
ThencametheHorseraces，——runningracesthese;theReindeeronlytrots，——andwhenBalder，thevictorHorse，receivedhisribbonandhisownerthepurse，cameSveggumwithallhiswinningsinhishand，andsaid："Ho，Lars，thineisafineHorse，butmineisabetterStorbuk;letusputourwinningstogetherandrace，eachhisbeast，forall。"
ARenagainstaRace—horse——sucharacewasneverseentillnow。
Offatthepistol—cracktheyflew。"Ho，Balder！（cluck！）Ho，hi，Balder！"AwayshotthebeautifulRacer，andtheStorbuk，stridingataslowertrot，wasleftbehind。
"Ho，Balder！""Hi，Storbuk！"HowthepeoplecheeredastheHorsewentboundingandgaining！Buthehadleftthelineathistopspeed;theStorbuk’sroseasheflew——faster——faster。ThePonyceasedtogain。Amilewhirledby;thegapbegantoclose。ThePonyhadover—spurtedatthestart，buttheStorbukwaswarmingtohiswork——stridingevenly，swiftly，fasteryet，asSveggumcriedinencouragement："Ho，Storbuk！goodStorbuk！"ortalkedtohimonlywithagentlerein。Attheturning—pointthepairwereneckandneck;thenthePony——thoughwelldrivenandwellshod—slippedontheice，andthenceforthheldbackasthoughinfear，sotheStorbuksteamedaway。ThePonyandhisdriverwerefarbehindwhenaroarfromeveryhumanthroatinFilefjeldtoldthattheStorbukhadpassedthewireandwontherace。AndyetallthiswasbeforetheWhiteRenhadreachedtheyearsofhisfullstrengthandspeed。
OncethatdayRolessayedtodrivetheStorbuk。Theysetoffatagoodpace，theWhiteBukready，responsivetothesinglerein，andhismildeyesveiledbyhisdroopinglashes。But，withoutanyreasonotherthanthehabitofbrutality，Rolstruckhim。Inamomenttherewasachange。TheRacer’sspeedwaschecked，allfourlegsbracedforwardtillhestood;thedroopinglidswereraised，theeyesrolled——therewasagreenlightinthemnow。
Threepuffsofsteamwerejettedfromeachnostril。Rolshouted，then，scentingdanger，quicklyupsetthesledandhidbeneath。
TheStorbukturnedtochargethesled，sniffingandtossingthesnowwithhisfoot;butlittleKnute，Sveggum’sson，ranforwardandputhisarmsaroundtheStorbuk’sneck;thenthefiercelooklefttheReindeer’seye，andhesufferedthechildtoleadhimquietlybacktothestarting—point。Beware，Odriver！theReindeer，too，"seesred。"
ThiswasthecomingoftheWhiteStorbukforthefolkofFilefjeld。
InthetwoyearsthatfollowedhebecamefamousthroughoutthatcountryasSveggum’sStorbuk，andmanyastrangeexploitwastoldofhim。IntwentyminuteshecouldcarryoldSveggumroundthesix—milerimofUtrovand。Whenthesnow—slideburiedallthevillageofHolaker，itwastheStorbukthatbroughtthewordforhelptoOpdalstoleandreturnedagainoverthefortymilesofdeepsnowinsevenhours，tocarrybrandy，food，andpromiseofspeedyaid。
Whenover—venturesomeyoungKnuteSveggumsenbrokethroughthenewthiniceofUtrovand，hiscryforhelpbroughttheStorbuktotherescue;forhewasthegentlestofhiskindandalwaysreadytocomeatcall。
Hebroughtthedrowningboyintriumphtotheshore，andastheycrossedtheVand—damstream，therewastheTroll—birdtosing：
Goodluck，goodluck，WiththeWhiteStorbuk。
Afterwhichhedisappearedformonths——doubtlessdivedintosomesubaqueouscavetofeastandrevelallwinter;althoughSveggumdidnotbelieveitwasso。
III
Howoftenisthefateofkingdomsgivenintochildhands，orevencommittedtothecareofBirdorBeast！AShe—wolfnursedtheRomanEmpire。AWrenpeckingcrumbsonadrum—headarousedtheOrangearmy，itissaid，andendedtheStuartreigninBritain。
Littlewonder，then，thattoanobleReindeerBukshouldbecommittedthefateofNorway：thattheTrollonthewheelshouldhavereasoninhisrhyme。
TheseweretroubloustimesinScandinavia。Evilmen，traitorsatheart，weresowingdissensionbetweenthebrothersNorwayandSweden。"DownwiththeUnion！"wasbecomingthepopularcry。
Oh，unwisepeoples！IfonlyyoucouldhavebeenbySveggum’swheeltoheartheTrollwhenhesang：
TheRavenandtheLionTheyheldtheBearatbay;
ButhepickedthebonesofbothWhentheyquarrelledbytheway。
Threatsofcivilwar，ofafightforindependence，wereheardthroughoutNorway。Meetingswereheldmoreorlesssecretly，andateachofthemwassomeonewithwell—filledpocketsandglibtongue，toenlargeonthecountry’swrongs，andpromiseassistancefromanoutsideirresistiblepowerassoonastheyshowedthattheymeanttostrikeforfreedom。Nooneopenlynamedthepower。Thatwasnotnecessary;itwaseverywherefeltandunderstood。Menwhowererealpatriotsbegantobelieveinit。
Theircountrywaswronged。Herewasonetosetherright。Menwhosehonorwasbeyondquestionbecamesecretagentsofthispower。Thestatewashoneycombedandmined;societywasatangleofplots。Thekingwashelpless，thoughhisonlywishwasforthepeople’swelfare。Honestandstraightforward，whatcouldhedoagainstthisfar—reachingmachination？Theveryadvisersbyhissidewerecorruptedthroughmistakenpatriotism。Theideathattheywereplayingintothehandsoftheforeignercertainlyneverenteredintothemindsofthesedupes——atleast，notthoseoftherankandfile。Oneortwo，tried，selected，andboughtbythearch—enemy，knewtherealobjectinview，andthechiefofthesewasBorgrevinck，aformerlansmanofNordlands。Amanofunusualgifts，amemberoftheStorthing，abornleader，hemighthavebeenprimeministerlongago，butforthedistrustinspiredbyseveralunprincipleddealings。Souredbywhatheconsideredwantofappreciation，balkedinhisambition，hewasareadytoolwhentheforeignagentsoundedhim。Atfirsthispatriotismhadtobesopped，butthatnecessitydisappearedasthegamewenton，andperhapshealone，ofthewholefar—reachingconspiracy，waspreparedtostrikeattheUnionforthebenefitoftheforeigner。
Planswerebeingperfected，——armyofficersbeingsecretlymisledandwonoverbythespecioustalkof"theircountry’swrongs，"
andeachmovemadeBorgrevinckmoresurelytheheadofitall，——whenaquarrelbetweenhimselfandthe"deliverer"occurredoverthequestionofrecompense。Wealthuntoldtheywerewillingtofurnish;butregalpower，never。Thequarrelbecamemoreacute。Borgrevinckcontinuedtoattendallmeetings，butwasevermorecarefultocentreallpowerinhimself，andevenpreparedtoturnroundtotheking’spartyifnecessarytofurtherhisambition。Thebetrayalofhisfollowerswouldpurchasehisownsafety。Butproofshemusthave，andhesetaboutgettingsignaturestoadeclarationofrightswhichwassimplyaveiledconfessionoftreason。ManyoftheleadershehaddeludedintosigningthisbeforethemeetingatLaersdalsoren。Heretheymetintheearlywinter，sometwentyofthepatriots，someofthemmenofposition，allofthemmenofbrainsandpower。Here，inthecloseandstiflingparlor，theyplanned，discussed，andquestioned。Greathopeswereexpressed，greatdeedswereforecast，inthatstove—hotroom。
Outside，againstthefence，inthewinternight，wasaGreatWhiteReindeer，harnessedtoasled，butlyingdownwithhisheaddoubledbackonhissideasheslept，calm，unthoughtful，ox—like。Whichseemedlikeliertodecidethenation’sfate，theearnestthinkersindoors，ortheox—likesleeperwithout？WhichseemedmorevitaltoIsrael，thebeardedcouncilinKingSaul’stent，orthelight—heartedshepherd—boyhurlingstonesacrossthebrookatBethlehem？AtLaersdalsorenitwasasbefore：deludedbyBorgrevinck’seloquentplausibility，allputtheirheadsinthenoose，theirlivesandcountryinhishands，seeinginthistreacherousmonsteraveryangelofself—sacrificingpatriotism。
All？No，notall。OldSveggumwasthere。Hecouldneitherreadnorwrite。Thatwashisexcusefornotsigning。Hecouldnotreadaletterinabook，buthecouldreadsomethingoftheheartsofmen。AsthemeetingbrokeuphewhisperedtoAxelTanberg："Ishisownnameonthatpaper？"AndAxel，startingatthethought，said："No。"ThensaidSveggum："Idon’ttrustthatman。TheyoughttoknowofthisatNystuen。"Fortherewastobethereallyimportantmeeting。Buthowtoletthemknowwastheriddle。
BorgrevinckwasgoingthereatoncewithhisfastHorses。
Sveggum’seyetwinkledashenoddedtowardtheStorbuk，standingtiedtothefence。Borgrevinckleapedintohissleighandwentoffatspeed，forhewasamanofenergy。Sveggumtookthebellsfromtheharness，untiedtheReindeer，steppedintothepulk。Heswungthesinglerein，cluckedtotheStorbuk，andalsoturnedhisheadtowardNystuen。ThefastHorseshadalongstart，butbeforetheyhadclimbedtheeastwardhillSveggumneedsmustslack，soasnottoovertakethem。HeheldbacktilltheycametotheturnabovethewoodsatMaristuen;thenhequittheroad，anduptheriverflathespedtheBuk，afartherway，buttheonlywaytobringthemthereahead。
Squeak，crack—squeak，crack—squeak，crack——atregularintervalsfromthegreatspreadingsnow—shoesoftheStorbuk，andthesteadysoughofhisbreathwasliketheNordlandasshepassesuptheHardangerFjord。Highup，onthesmoothroadtotheleft，theycouldhearthejingleofthehorse—bellsandtheshoutingofBorgrevinck’sdriver，who，underorders，wasspeedinghardforNystuen。
Thehighwaywasashortroadandsmooth，andtherivervalleywaslongandrough;butwhen，infourhours，BorgrevinckgottoNystuen，thereinthethrongwasafacethathehadjustleftatLaersdalsoren。Heappearednottonotice，thoughnothingeverescapedhim。
AtNystuennoneofthemenwouldsign。Someonehadwarnedthem。
Thiswasserious;mightbefatalatsuchacriticalpoint。Ashethoughtitover，hissuspicionsturnedmoreandmoretoSveggum，theoldfoolthatcouldnotwritehisnameatLaersdalsoren。ButhowdidhegettherebeforehimselfwithhisspeedyHorses？
TherewasadanceatNystuenthatnight;thedancewasnecessarytomaskthemeeting;andduringthatBorgrevincklearnedoftheswiftWhiteRen。
TheNystuentriphadfailed，thankstothespeedoftheWhiteBuk。BorgrevinckmustgettoBergenbeforewordofthis，orallwouldbelost。Therewasonlyoneway，tobesureofgettingtherebeforeanyoneelse。PossiblywordhadalreadygonefromLaersdalsoren。Butevenatthat，Borgrevinckcouldgetthereandsavehimself，atthepriceofallNorway，ifneedbe，providedhewentwiththeWhiteStorbuk。Hewouldnotbedenied。Hewasnotthemantogiveupapoint，thoughittookalltheinfluencehecouldbringtobear，thistime，togetoldSveggum’sleave。
TheStorbukwasquietlysleepinginthecorralwhenSveggumcametobringhim。Heroseleisurely，hindlegsfirst，stretchedone，thentheother，curlinghistailtightonhisbackashedidso，shookthehayfromthegreatantlersasthoughtheywereabunchoftwigs，andslowlyfollowedSveggumattheendofthetighthalter。HewassosleepyandslowthatBorgrevinckimpatientlygavehimakick，andgotforresponseashortsnortfromtheBuk，andfromSveggumanearnestwarning，bothofwhichweresomewhatscornfullyreceived。Thetinklingbellsontheharnesshadbeenreplaced，butBorgrevinckwantedthemremoved。Hewishedtogoinsilence。SveggumwouldnotbeleftbehindwhenhisfavoriteRenwentforth，sohewasgivenaseatinthehorse—sleighwhichwastofollow，andthedriverthereofreceivedfromhismasterasecrethinttodelay。
Then，withpapersonhispersontodeath—doomamultitudeofmisguidedmen，withfiendishintentionsinhisheartaswellasthepowertocarrythemout，andwiththefateofNorwayinhishands，Borgrevinckwasmadesecureinthesled，behindtheWhiteStorbuk，andspedatdawnonhiserrandofdesolation。
AtthewordfromSveggumtheWhiteRensetoffwithacoupleofboundsthatthrewBorgrevinckbackinthepulk。Thisangeredhim，butheswallowedhiswrathonseeingthatitleftthehorse—sleighbehind。Heshooktheline，shouted，andtheBuksettleddowntoalong，swingingtrot。Hisbroadhoofsclickeddoubleateverystride。Hisnostrils，outlevel，puffedsteadyblastsofsteaminthefrostymorningashesettledtohispace。
Thepulk’sprowcuttwolongshearsofsnow，thatswirledupovermanandsledtillallwerewhite。Andthegreatox—eyesoftheKingRenblazedjoyouslyinthedelightofmotion，andofconquesttoo，asthesoundofthehorse—bellsfadedfarbehind。
EvenmasterfulBorgrevinckcouldnotbutmarkwithpleasurethenoblecreaturethathadbalkedhimlastnightandnowwaslendingitsspeedtohispurpose;foritwashisintentiontoarrivehoursbeforethehorse—sleigh，ifpossible。
Uptherisingroadtheyspedasthoughdownhill，andthedriver’sspiritsrosewiththeexhilaratingspeed。Thesnowgroanedceaselesslyundertheprowofthepulk，andthefrostycreakingunderthehoofsoftheflyingRenwaslikethegrittingofmightyteeth。ThencamethelevelstretchfromNystuen’shilltoDalecarl’s，andastheywhirledbyintheearlyday，littleCarlchancedtopeepfromawindow，andgotsightoftheGreatWhiteReninawhitepulkwithawhitedriver，justasitisinthestoriesoftheGiants，andclappedhishands，andcried，"Good，good！"
Buthisgrandfather，whenhecaughtaglimpseofthewhitewonderthatwentwithoutevensoundofbells，feltacoldchillinhisscalp，andwentbacktolightacandlethathekeptatthewindowtillthesunwashigh，forsurelythiswastheStorbukofJotunheim。
ButtheRenwhirledon，andthedrivershookthereinsandthoughtonlyofBergen。HestrucktheWhiteSteedwiththelooseendoftherope。TheBukgavethreegreatsnortsandthreegreatbounds，thenfasterwent，andastheypassedbyDyrskaur，wheretheGiantsitsontheedge，hisheadwasmuffledinscud，whichmeansthatastormiscoming。TheStorbukknewit。Hesniffed，andeyedtheskywithanxiouslook，andevenslackedalittle;
butBorgrevinckyelledatthespeedingbeast，thoughgoingyetasnonebuthecouldgo，andstruckhimonce，twice，andthrice，andharderyet。Sothepulkwaswhirledalonglikeaskiffinasteamer’swake;buttherewasbloodintheStorbuk’seyenow;andBorgrevinckwashardputtobalancethesled。ThemilesflashedbylikeroodstillSveggum’sbridgeappeared。Thestorm—windnowwasblowing，buttherewastheTroll。Whencecamehenow，noneknew，buttherehewas，hoppingonthekeystoneandsingingofNorway’sfateandNorway’sluck，OfthehidingTrollandtheridingBuk。
Downthewindinghighwaytheycame，curvinginwardastheyswungaroundthecorner。AtthevoiceonthebridgetheDeerthrewbackhisearsandslackenedhispace。Borgrevinck，notknowingwhenceitcame，strucksavagelyattheRen。Theredlightgleamedinthoseox—likeeyes。Hesnortedinangerandshookthegreathorns，buthedidnotstoptoavengetheblow。Forhimwasavastervengeancestill。Heonwardspedasbefore，butfromthattimeBorgrevinckhadlostallcontrol。TheonevoicethattheRenwouldhearhadbeenleftbehind。Theywhirledaside，offtheroad，beforethebridgewasreached。Thepulkturnedover，butrighteditself，andBorgrevinckwouldhavebeenthrownoutandkilledbutforthestraps。Itwasnottobeso;itseemedratherasthoughtheeverycurseofNorwayhadbeengatheredintothesledforapurpose。Bruisedandbattered，hereappeared。TheTrollfromthebridgeleapedlightlytotheStorbuk’shead，andheldontothehornsashedancedandsanghisancientsong，andanewsong，too：
Ha！atlast！Oh，luckyday，Norway’scursetowipeaway！
Borgrevinckwasterrifiedandfurious。HestruckharderattheStorbukasheboundedovertheroughersnow，andvainlytriedtocontrolhim。Helosthisheadinfear。Hegotouthisknife，atlast，tostrikeatthewildBuk’shamstrings，butablowfromthehoofsentitflyingfromhishand。Theirspeedontheroadwasslowtothattheynowmade：nolongerstridingatthetrot，butboundingmadly，greatfive—stridebounds，thewretchedBorgrevinckstrappedinthesled，aloneandhelplessthroughhisowncontriving，screaming，cursing，andpraying。TheStorbukwithbloodshoteyes，madlysteaming，careereduptheruggedascent，uptothebroken，stormyHoifjeld;mountingthehillsasaPetrelmountstherollers，skimmingtheflatsasaFulmarskimstheshore，hefollowedthetrailwherehismotherhadfirstledhistotteringsteps，upfromtheVand—damnook。Hefollowedtheoldfamiliarroutethathehadfollowedforfiveyears，wherethewhite—wingedRypefliesaside，wheretheblackrockmountains，shiningwhite，comenearandblockthesky，"wheretheReindeerfindtheirmysterie。"
Onlikethelittlesnow—wreaththatthestorm—windsendsdancingbeforethestorm，onlikeawhirlwindovertheshoulderofSuletind，overthekneesofTorholmenbrae——theGiantsthatsitatthegateway。Fasterthanmanorbeastcouldfollow，up——up——up——andon;andnoonesawthemgo，butaRaventhatswoopedbehind，andflewasRavenneverflew，andtheTroll，thesameoldTrollthatsangbytheVand—dam，andnowdancedandsangbetweentheantlers：
Goodluck，goodluckforNorwayWiththeWhiteStorbukcomesriding。
OverTvindehougtheyfadedlikeflyingscudonthemoorlands，ontothegloomydistance，awaytowardJotunheim，thehomeoftheEvilSpirits，theLandoftheLastingSnow。Theireverysignandtrailwaswipedawaybythedriftingstorm，andtheendofthemnomanknows。
TheNorsefolkawokeasfromahorridnightmare。Theirnationalruinwasaverted;therewerenodeaths，fortherewerenoproofs;
andthetalebearer’sstrifewasended。
TheoneearthlysignremainingfromthatdriveisthestringofsilverbellsthatSveggumhadtakenfromtheStorbuk’sneck——thevictorybells，eachtherecordofatriumphwon;andwhentheoldmancametounderstand，hesighed，andhungtothestringafinalbell，thelargestofthemall。
Nothingmorewaseverseenorheardofthecreaturewhosonearlysoldhiscountry，oroftheWhiteStorbukwhobalkedhim。YetthosewholivenearJotunheimsaythatonstormynights，whenthesnowisflyingandthewindisravinginthewoods，theresometimespasses，atfrightfulspeed，anenormousWhiteReindeerwithfieryeyes，drawingasnow—whitepulk，inwhichisascreamingwretchinwhite，andontheheadoftheDeer，balancingbythehorns，isabrown—clad，white—beardedTroll，bowingandgrinningpleasantlyathim，andsingingOfNorway’sluckAndaWhiteStorbuk——
thesame，theysay，astheonethatwithpropheticvisionsangbySveggum’sVand—damonabygonedaywhenthebirchesworetheirspringtimehangers，andagreatmild—eyedVarsimle’camealone，togoawaywithalittlewhiteRenskalvwalkingslowly，demurely，byherside。