a monstrous white animal struggling beneath a spruce which had
fallen upon it in such fashion as to pinion it securely.

"All brave men are tender-hearted, so Itika set to work with his
axe and cleared away the burden, regardless of the peril to
himself. When he had released it, the beast arose and instead of
running away addressed him in the most polite and polished Indian,
without a trace of accent.

"'You have saved my life. Now, what can I do for you?'

"'I want to hunt in this valley. My people are starving,' said
Itika, at which the wolf was greatly pleased and rounded up the
rest of the pack to help in the kill.

"Always thereafter when Itika came to the valley of the Yukon the
giant drove hunted with him. To this day they run through the
mountains on cold, clear nights, in a multitude, while the light
of the moon flickers from their white sides, flashing up into the
sky in weird, fantastic figures. Some people call it Northern
Lights, but old Isaac assured me earnestly, toothlessly, and with
the light of ancient truth, as I lay snow-blind in his lodge, that
it is nothing more remarkable than the spirit of Itika and the
great white wolves."

"What a queer legend!" she said. "There must be many of them in
this country. I feel that I am going to like the North."

"Perhaps you will," Glenister replied, "although it is not a
woman's land."