noon
Next to them the Canada jays were most persistent . Twice a little gray-coated ermine , with eyes as red as garnets , came in to get his fill of blood . Miki was at him so fiercely that he did not return a third time . By noon the crows had got scent or sight of the carcass and were circling overhead , waiting for Neewa and Miki to disappear . Later , they set up a raucous protest from the tops of the trees in the edge of the forest . That night the wolves did not return to the dip . Meat was too plentiful , and those that were over their gorge were off on a fresh kill far to the west .