What we call luck is the Almighty's reward when we've done the best we can." "Did you ever try new things ?" asked Bobby.
"Yes, yes, lad! Long ago," and a shadow fell upon Skipper Ed's face, to pass in a moment, however, as he added, "I think I did what the Lord Almighty intended me to do." "What was it ?" asked Bobby, ever curious.
"To come here, and be Jimmy's partner, and to be a friend to both of you young scalawags, I think," and Skipper Ed smiled.
"Didn't you ever ask the Lord to let you do some big, _big_ things ?" insisted Bobby.
"Partner does big things all the time," protested Jimmy.

"He's a fine shot, and there isn't a better hunter on The Labrador." "Yes," said Skipper Ed, "I've asked the Lord, and I think the big thing He's given me to do is to teach you chaps the best I can, and maybe my teaching will help one of you to do the big, _big_ thing." And then a wolf howled again, not far away this time, and out in front of the cabin Skipper Ed's dogs howled an answer, and down from Abel's cabin came the long, weird cry of woe from Abel's dogs; and the three sat silent for a little, and listened.
"The wolves are growing bold," remarked Skipper Ed presently.

"That last fellow that howled was just above here in the gulch." "I'd like to see one running loose," said Bobby, "but they don't like to show themselves to me, and I never saw but one in my life." Skipper Ed arose, and donning his _adikey_ went out of doors, soon to return followed by a breath of the keen, frosty air of the winter night.
"It's bright moonlight," said he, rubbing his hands briskly to warm them, for he had worn no mittens.

"The wind is nor' nor'west, and if you chaps feel like an adventure we'll take a walk around and up the s'uth'ard side of the gulch, where he won't get a smell of us, and maybe we'll have a look at that old rounder that's howling, and who knows but we might get a shot at him and his mates.

What do you say ?" "Fine!" agreed the boys in unison, springing eagerly up from their chairs.
"Well, hustle into your _adikeys_, then, and we'll try to get to leeward of the old fellow," directed Skipper Ed.
"I hope there'll be a chance for a shot!" Bobby exclaimed excitedly, as they shouldered their rifles and slung cartridge pouches over their shoulders.
"So do I!" agreed Jimmy.
"Just a bare chance," said Skipper Ed, as they passed out into the porch shed and took their snowshoes from the pegs.