"How do I know?" came impatiently from my tired father, and I fell asleep.
FOOTNOTE:
[10] The Siberian tiger, one of the finest in the world, is found only in the Eastern part of the country.—The Editor.
CHAPTER VII
THE NIGHT ALARM
A few hours before dawn I was awakened by our dog barking angrily, yet with a peculiar note showing fear and disdain. I could also hear him leaping up and down in one spot near the very door of our house. Instead of answering barks, the neighboring dogs gave forth long and deep howls. There was such a noise and mooing of the cows in the corral that it seemed to me they must be trying to stamp or hook each other to death.
Father and mother were already up, and I heard father's deep command: "Get me a lantern."
As soon as the match was lit I saw him as he stood in his night shirt but with his fur hat on his head and a rifle in his hand. As soon as the lantern had been lit, he seized it and rushed to the door, putting on his overcoat as he ran. I arose hastily, put on my fur coat, grabbed the hatchet lying by the stove, and followed just as he cheered on the dog who ran before him to the corral, barking loudly.
