The dogs at Wolf Bight were out to howl defiance at them as they approached and to indulge in a free fight with the newcomers when they arrived, until the opposing ones were beaten apart with clubs and whips.  It is a part of a husky dog’s religion to fight whenever an excuse offers, and often when there is no excuse.

Richard and Mrs. Gray came running out to meet Tom and Bessie, and Bessie was hurried into the cabin where Emily was waiting in excited expectancy to greet her.  Mrs. Gray bustled about at once and brewed some hot tea for the visitors and set out a luncheon of bread for them.

“Now set in an’ have a hot drink t’ warm un up,” said she when it was ready.  “You must be most froze, Bessie, this frosty day.”

“I were warm wrapped in th’ deerskins, an’ not so cold,” Bessie answered.

“We were lookin’ for Bob these three days,” remarked Mrs. Gray as she poured the tea.  “We were thinkin’ he’d sure be gettin’ lonesome by now, an’ be makin’ a cruise out.”

“‘Tis a long cruise from th’ Big Hill trail unless he were needing somethin’,” suggested Tom, taking his seat at the table.

“Aye,” assented Richard, “an’ I’m thinkin’ th’ lad’ll not be wantin’ t’ lose th’ time ‘twill take t’ come out.  He’ll be biding inside t’ make th’ most o’ th’ huntin’, an’ th’ fur be plenty.”

“That un will,” agreed Tom, “an’ ‘twould not be wise for un t’ be losin’ a good three weeks o’ huntin’.  Bob’s a workin’ lad, an’ I’m not thinkin’ you’ll see he till open water comes.”

“Oh,” broke in Emily, “an’ don’t un really think Bob’s t’ come?  I been wishin’ so for un, an’ ‘twould be grand t’ have he come while Bessie’s here.”

“Bessie’s thinkin’ ’twould too,” said Tom, who could not let pass an opportunity to tease his daughter.

They all looked at Bessie, who blushed furiously, but said nothing, realizing that silence was the best means of diverting her father’s attention from the subject, and preventing his further remarks.

“Well I’ll have t’ be goin’,” said Tom presently, pushing back from the table.

“Oh, sit down, man, an’ bide a bit.  There’s nothin’ t’ take un back so soon.  Bide here th’ night, can’t un?” urged Richard.

“I were sayin’ t’ Mr. MacDonald as I’d be back t’ th’ post th’ day, so promisin’ I has t’ go.”

“Aye, an’ un promised, though I were hopin’ t’ have un bide th’ night.”

“When’ll I be comin’ for un, Bessie?” asked Tom.

“Oh, Bessie must be bidin’ a long time,” plead Emily.  “I’ve been wishin’ t’ have she so much.  Please be leavin’ she a long time.”

“Mother’ll be needin’ me I’m thinkin’ in a week,” said Bessie, “though I’d like t’ bide longer.”

“Your mother’ll not be needin’ un, now th’ men’s gone.  Bide wi’ Emily a fortnight,” her father suggested.

“I’ll take th’ lass over when she’s wantin’ t’ go,” said Richard.  “‘Tis a rare treat t’ Emily t’ have she here, an’ th’ change’ll be doin’ your lass good.”