Under the minute directions of the girl Brent soon had the big bull drawn. The two smaller animals were easier and when the job was finished he glanced apprehensively at the thickening storm. "We had better go now," he said. "Do you know how far it is to your camp?"
"Nine or ten miles, I think," answered the girl, "We have only been here since fall and this is the first time I have hunted in this direction. But, first we must draw your caribou. If they freeze they cannot be drawn and then they will not be fit for food."
"But, the snow," objected Brent. "It is coming down faster all the time."
"The snow won't bother us. There is no wind. Hurry, we must finish the others before dark."
"But, the wind might spring up at any moment, and if it does we will have a regular blizzard."
"Then we can camp," answered the girl, and before the astounded man could reply, she had led off at a brisk pace in the direction of the other caribou.
The early darkness was already beginning to make
itself felt and Brent drove to his task with a will, and to such good purpose that the girl nodded hearty approval. "You did learn quickly," she smiled, "I could not have done it any better nor quicker, myself."
"Thank you," he laughed, "And that is a real compliment, for by the way you can handle a rifle, and cover ground on snowshoes, I know you are skookum tillicum."
"Yes," admitted the girl, "I'm skookum tillicum. But, I ought to be. I was born in the North and I have lived in the woods and in the barrens, and upon rivers, all my life."