returned, and after after two or three of these retreats and returns,
the body was dragged off and devoured by the rest in a few
minutes.

After this they gathered nearer and sat on their haunches to look at
me, and the boldest one smelt the rifle and scratched dirt on it. He
retreated when I kicked at him with my free foot and shouted, but
growing bolder as I grew weaker he came and snarled right in my
face. At this several others snarled and came up closer, and I
realized that I was to be devoured by the foe that I most despised;
when suddenly out of the gloom with a guttural roar sprang a great
black wolf. The prairie wolves scattered like chaff except the bold
one, which, seized by the black new-corner, was in a few moments
a draggled corpse, and then, oh horrors! this mighty brute bounded
at me and--Bingo--noble Bingo, rubbed his shaggy, panting sides
against me and licked my cold face.

"Bingo--Bing--old--boy---Fetch me the trap wrench!" Away he
went and returned dragging the rifle, for he knew only that I
wanted something.

"No--Bing--the trap-wrench." This time it was my sash, but at last
he brought the wrench and wagged his tail in joy that it was right.
Reaching out with my free hand, after much difficulty I unscrewed
the pillar-nut. The trap fell apart and my hand was released, and a
minute later I was free. Bing brought the pony up, and after slowly
walking to restore the circulation I was able to mount. Then slowly
at first but soon at a gallop, with Bingo as herald careering and
barking ahead, we set out for home, there to learn that the night
before, though never taken on the trapping rounds, the brave dog