“A raccoon!” they shouted in merriment. “A raccoon! And he wishes to hunt with the pack!”
For a moment the gale of merriment was so great that no one could be heard. Black Wolf tried to preserve order and his own dignity. Washer felt suddenly abashed and frightened, and wished there was a tree near that he could climb. In the next story the wolf pack try to kill Washer, but Mother Wolf comes to the rescue.
STORY TWELVE
BLACK WOLF DEFIES THE PACK
Mother Wolf was even more annoyed and dismayed than Washer by the sudden outbreak of merriment when the pack caught sight of the raccoon standing before the council rock. Sneaky, from a position behind apparently enjoyed the embarrassment of his mate, for a broad grin spread over his face and he chuckled with the others. The young cubs stood by their father, but as the scene was a little puzzling to them they remained silent and motionless.
“Give me the raccoon for my hunting companion!” shouted a big gray wolf. “I won’t go far then for my dinner!”
The others began crowding around the council rock. “No! No! We want him!” they cried. “Turn him over to the pack!”
Mother Wolf swung around and faced the circle of wolves, displaying her teeth and growling angrily.
Black Wolf arose to his hind legs and let out a roar that brought the whole pack to its senses. The cries stopped, and every member slunk back to his position. The big leader glared hard at them and waited a full minute to see if any dared oppose his authority.