The Lone Wolf

Chapter 6: The Challenge at the River Bank The scent of bacon fat sizzling in an iron skillet drifted across the clearing, tempting the hunger that never fully departed the northern trail. The lead dog of the team, a sullen, battle-scarred husky named Cherokee who bore the scars of a hundred trail fights, raised his muzzle to the cliff and let loose a long, defiant challenge. Kazan answered from the ledge. His howl was not the whimpering bark of the domesticated dog, but the ancient song of the wilderness—a long-drawn, mournful siren that rose and fell until the spruce trees seemed to vibrate with its desolate cadence. The man stopped, seized a heavy Winchester rifle from the sledge lashings, and fired. The bullet spattered snow against Kazan's flank, teaching him in an instant the reach of the thunder-stick.