Now that the caribou lay dead before him, the strain of the last few minutes made itself felt.

Surprised by a sudden and unexpected opportunity when he was exhausted and weak from want of food, he had forced upon himself sufficient steadiness to shoot.

It had cost him an effort; the short, fierce chase had tried him hard; and now the reaction had set in.

For all that, he was conscious of a savage, exultant excitement.

Here was food, and food meant life! His first impulse was to light a fire and feast, but as he grew calmer he began to think.