the days that followed were busy ones for kaw, cho-gay, and wongo, even though they had plenty of help. on the first night that the moon was full, a silent gathering of bears, crows, coyotes, and one wolf, hid themselves behind the rocks at the mouth of the canyon, and waited.

presently a crow, who had been stationed far up in the canyon, flew down to tell kaw that kil-fang and his pack were coming.

silently the old crow flew around among his helpers to give the final instructions. then all waited.

it seemed hours before the pack were heard approaching the narrow passage. at last old kil-fang, with three of his largest followers, trotted through the narrow pass.

then came a sharp “caw,” followed by the tumbling of rocks that separated the leader from his pack. there followed the most unearthly noise a wolf ever heard.

for a moment the great kil-fang and his three companions seemed uncertain what to do, and too[130] scared and confused to decide which way to run.

then, with the booming of the drum, the growls of running bears, and yapping of coyotes, there came a great snow-white wolf, on whose back sat a black screeching object—a combination fearful to see.

this was too much for kil-fang and his companions. with howls of terror, they fled down the valley in a panic, followed by a yelping, barking mob. but even the fleetest pursuers could not keep up with them, and soon kil-fang and his followers disappeared in the moonlight.

then the noise-makers ran up along the canyon rim to frighten the now leaderless pack. but though the crows flew low and the coyotes ran fast no trace of the wolves could be seen. they had vanished into the north, to return no more.

when the noise-makers had all gathered again in the moonlight, they chattered, yapped and laughed over the scattering of kil-fang and his pack, and over the fearful appearance of old rip, whom cho-gay had skillfully painted with pipe-clay.

their night’s work had been a complete success and all agreed that kaw’s plan had been a great one and that, with the powers of cho-gay and the wisdom of the old crow, they could now defeat all enemies who might attempt to disturb the happy[131] state of the peaceful hills and valleys of timbertangle.

as the joyous company prepared to depart for their dens, caves, and nests, kaw flew up to the top of a near-by tree and after stretching his wings and shaking the dust from his feathers, he sang:

“where, oh where, is the great wolf clan,

that came to fight and kill?

with cowardly hearts, in fear they ran;

i’ll bet they’re running still!”

[132]

“and so with all who brag and boast,

and try to rule by fear;

they’re always scared and frightened most

when no real danger’s near!”

“so let us live by justice and

kill only when there’s need.

then there’ll be peace in black hill land,

in place of fear and greed!”