Not even the twitter of a snow-bird marred its silence.

For a long time Wabi sat as immovable as the log upon which he had seated himself, resting and listening.

Such a day as this held a peculiar and unusual fascination for him.

It was as if the whole world was shut out, and that even the wild things of the forest dared not go abroad in this supreme moment of Nature's handiwork, when with lavish hand she spread the white mantle that was to stretch from the border to Hudson Bay.
As he listened there came to him suddenly a sound that forced from between his lips a half-articulate cry.

It was the clear, ringing report of a rifle! And following it there came another, and another, until in quick succession he had counted five! What did it mean?
He sprang to his feet, his heart thumping, every nerve in him prepared for action.