Over the prairie slanted the first dark shadow of night.
Suddenly the hunter laid his ear to the ground, and listened.

Faint beats, like throbs of a pulsing heart, shuddered from the soft turf.
Stronger they grew, till the hunter raised his head.

Dark forms approached; voices broke the silence; the creaking of a wagon scared away the wolves.
"This way!" shouted the hunter weakly.
"Ha! here he is.

Hurt ?" cried Rude, vaulting the wheel.
"Tie up this calf.

How many--did you find ?" The voice grew fainter.
"Seven--alive, and in good shape, and all your clothes." But the last words fell on unconscious ears..