There was no sound now. Below him, Jan could see the pale glimmer of
ice and snow, where in summer there was a small lake. Desperately the
caribou made an effort to reach this lake. The wolves drew in. The
moon-shape of their bodies shrunk until it was nearer a circle. From
the plain side the leading wolf closed until he was running at the
caribou's forelegs. The mountain wolf responded on the opposite side.
Then came the end, quick, decisive, and without sound.
After a few moments there came faintly the snapping of jaws and the
crunching of bones. Torn and bleeding, and yet quivering with life,
the caribou was given up to the feast.
Jan turned away from the scene. Torn and bleeding at his own heart, he
went back to Lac Bain.
CHAPTER XVIII
BROTHER JAN
When he came into the cabin for breakfast that morning, Jan's face
showed signs of the struggle through which he had gone. Cummins had
already finished, and he found Melisse alone. Her hair was brushed
back in its old, smooth way; and when she heard him, she flung her
long braid over her shoulder, so that it fell down in front of her. He
saw the movement, and smiled his thanks without speaking.
"You don't look well, Jan," she said anxiously. "You are pale, and
your eyes are bloodshot.
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