PRINCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1934, Page 18

PRINCE.

(By Elizabeth Hartncll. 6, St. George's Bay Kond, Parnell; age 13.)

Across the snow-covered plains, studded with dark clumps of pine, came a distant howl, which was repeated again and again, drawing nearer each time. Prince, the great wolf-dog, pricked up his ears at the sound, and into his eyes came something akin to fear. His leg was broken, the result of one of those traps from which even his peculiarly fine sense of danger could not save him. He was exhausted and he was hungry, for the hard white carpet of snow rendered hunting difficult. Last night he had hunted with the wolves; this night the wolves were eager for his blood. Another howl, and the dog rose and limped behind a big rock. He could not prevent death, but he would prolong his life a little.

Then across the clearing came a man drawing a sledge. Prince, urged on by the dread of death, trotted forward, and when a few yards from liim lay down and feebly wagged his tail. The man recoiled, and then started. "Why, it's a dog," he said. But he had heard the wolves, and he saw the trail of blood across the snow, where Prince had dragged his mangled foot in search of a hiding-place. He ordered the dog to get 'into the sledge, and they started off. Just then the wolves broke cover, but they hung back, cowed by Prince's barking and at the sight of man. He sent some shot among them, and had the good fortune to hit two of tlieir leaders. The pack fell on them, and the sledge drew away, leaving the wolves squabbling and tearing at the carcases. The man took Prince to his log hut and bandaged his foot. Prince stayed with him until his leg mended; then one morning the trapper went out to And his kennel empty. The gnawed rope told its talc. He looked around and said aloud, "I wonder where he is." As if in answer, a long, low howl rent the air. He looked up and saw the form of a dog sharply outlined against the white snow. The dog's wolfblood could not resist the call of the wilds, but he knew that never again would he hunt man with the wolves, for man wa,s li ; k friend.