AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Yeah, they scout for the commander, he's a pretty fair man, I'm told. You could probably pick up some army pay if you wanted to work for them."
"I might at that." He nodded.
"That a real wolf?" the young man asked, his name was Hal and he seemed a bit edgy as he stared at Cole. Cole just panted and stared back.
"Yeah, he's harmless, unless you are bad, then he would eat you alive." Moon said.
"They are pretty animals. I've heard of a lot of people who train them, and they say they make the best traveling companions." Bill eyed the wolf.
"You don't need a gun with them around." Moon told them.
"Say that's an idea. How do you learn to train them?" Bill asked.
"Gotta make friends with them first. Show no fear, offer them your trust. Then you can train them. They are great hunters."
"How old is that one?"
"He's five years old. He was taken as a pup by my friend. If you get them young enough, they are easy to train." Moon informed him.
"Better than a dog?" Hal asked.
"More vicious. Depends on what you want them for. Some are better hunters, some better defenders and some just better pets."
"This one is an excellent hunter."
"Are you hunting something?"
"A friend." Moon told them. "Help yourself to the coffee, I must get up early to be on my way."
He prepared to rest, and they stared at the fact that he was so trusting, but with the wolf along, they figured he had no worries.
The next day the men left when he did.
He might stop off at Fort Hall and see if he could find Lissa a Indian dress or two.
But unfortunately for him a storm kicked up that day and Cole was having trouble keeping Lissa's scent.
"It's alright boy, you've done a good job. From here on out we'll have to use instinct." He rubbed the wolf's head.
The storm was treacherous, and Moon had to take cover against the rocks. He pulled out his blanket and covered Cole with it. He had a piece of Jack's slicker and he put it over himself as they sat huddled together during the storm. It was way into the night before they got any sleep.
The next day the river was swollen.
"Now what?" Moon looked exasperated. There was a ferry, but he'd have to pulled it back to this side to ride it over. He knew it would be hard with just him pulling it, but he was determined to do it. He looked at Cole, "Well, here goes, fella."
For an hour and a half, he pulled and finally got the ferry to his side. "Come on boy." He motioned for Cole.
Cole ran to get on and then he pulled them to the other side. But half way across the line broke and Moon and Cole fell in the river. It was moving swiftly and carried them downstream for a couple of miles before Moon got a foot hold. He held on to Cole, "Come on boy, we can make it."
Cole whined but Moon managed to pull him to safety.
On the other side of the river they laid against the land for a long while to rest from their struggles.
He looked at Cole and smiled, "We made it boy."
Cole whined again.
Directly Moon ran into a sign that said Fort Hall was only ten miles down the road. He looked at Cole. "At least we can rest a little when we get there boy."
