Half a dozen paces behind Philip followed Bram, and twice that distance behind the outlaw came the pack.

Now that his senses were readjusting themselves and his pulse beating more evenly Philip began to take stock of the situation.

It was, first of all, quite evident that Bram had not accepted him as a traveling companion, but as a prisoner; and he was equally convinced that the golden snare had at the last moment served in some mysterious way to save his life.
It was not long before he saw how Bram had out-generaled him.

Two miles beyond the big drift they came upon the outlaw's huge sledge, from which Bram and his wolves had made a wide circle in order to stalk him from behind.

The fact puzzled him.