"I shall tell all the officers at the fort what a gallant little fellow you are, John," said Captain Sinclair; "there are very few of them who have shot a wolf, and what is more, John, I have a beautiful dog, which one of the officers gave me the other day in exchange for a pony, and I will bring it over, and make it a present to you for your own dog. He will hunt any thing, and he is very powerful--quite able to master a wolf, if you meet with one. He is half mastiff and half Scotch deerhound, and he stands as high as this," continued Captain Sinclair, holding his hand about as high as John's shoulder. "I'll go to the fort with you," said John, "and bring him back." "So you shall, John, and I'll go with you," said Martin, "if master pleases." "Well," replied Mr. Campbell, "I think he may; what with Martin, his own rifle, and the dog, John will, I trust be safe enough." "Certainly, I have no objection," said Mrs. Campbell, "and many thanks to you, Captain Sinclair." "What's the dog's name?" said John. "Oscar," replied Captain Sinclair. "If you let him walk out with your cousins, they need not fear a wolf. He will never be mastered by one, as poor Sancho was." "I'll lend him sometimes," replied John. "Always; when you don't want him yourself, John." "Yes, always," replied John, who was going out of the door. "Where are you going, dear," said Mrs. Campbell. "Going to skin the wolf," replied John, walking away. "Well, he'll be a regular keen hunter," observed Martin, "I dare say old Bone has taught him to flay an animal. However, I'll go and help him, for it's a real good skin." So saying, Martin followed John. "Martin ought to have known better than to leave the offal where he did," observed Captain Sinclair. "We must not be too hard, Captain Sinclair," said Alfred. "Martin has a contempt for wolves, and that wolf would not have stood his ground had it been a man instead of two young women who were in face of him. Wolves are very cunning, and I know will attack a woman or child when they will fly from a man. Besides, it is very unusual for a wolf to remain till daylight, even when there is offal to tempt him. It was the offal, the animal's extreme hunger, and the attack of the dog--a combination of circumstances--which produced the event. I do not see that Martin can be blamed, as one can not foresee every thing." "Perhaps not," replied Captain Sinclair, "and 'all's well that ends well.'" "Are there any other animals to fear?" inquired Mrs. Campbell.