The cougar had departed, and they returned to claim their breakfast.

They were somewhat less demonstrative in their manner, as though they did not wish to bring the panther back again.
They were scarcely upon the ground, however, when Fred noticed that it was growing light in the east.

The long, terrible night, the most dreadful of his life, was about over, and he welcomed the coming day as the shipwrecked mariner does the approach of the friendly sail.
The light rapidly increased, and in a short time the sun itself appeared, driving the darkness from the mountain and bathing all in its rosy hues.
The wolves seemed to dread its coming somewhat as they did that of the cougar.

By the time the morning was fairly upon them, one of them slunk away.

Another speedily followed, and it soon became a stampede.
Fred waited awhile, and then peered out.