That night--after he had seen Meleese--he would know what to do.

But he would not be driven away, as Gregson and Thorne had been driven.

He was determined on that.
The gloom of night falls early in the great northern mid-winter, and it was already growing dusk when there came the sound of a voice outside, followed a moment later by a loud knock at the door.

At Howland's invitation the door opened and the head and shoulders of a man appeared.
"Something has gone wrong out at the north coyote, sir, and Mr.
MacDonald wants you just as fast as you can get out there," he said.

"He sent me down for you with a sledge." "MacDonald told me the thing was ready for firing," said Howland, putting on his hat and coat.