"That sounds as if there were a large number of wolves on our trail."
"It certainly does, Fred. I think I'll rouse Johnson and Holfax."
But there was no need to awaken the Indian. The disturbance among the dogs, of which he had charge, had roused him from his slumber on the snow under a pile of fur blankets. He called some commands to the animals, and they slunk down.
"Wolves coming, Holfax?" asked Mr. Baxter. "Shall we get our guns ready?"
"No wolves," replied the Indian.
"No wolves? Why I can hear them howl."
"No wolves," repeated the Indian. "Them dogs what howl. Listen. Can tell different noise. Wolf howl long—shrill—dog he howl short an' quick."
Mr. Baxter and Fred listened intently. Now that their guide had called their attention to it, they could distinguish a difference in the howls, which did not sound at all like those of the brutes that had once attacked them.
"Then if those are dogs, there must be Indians close to us," went on Mr. Baxter.
Holfax nodded.