He knew very well what that meant ; but he had taken his precautions and was not afraid . The house door stood open , but through a crack the mink could see the wolves crowding in the corner behind it . However , he entered boldly , and as soon as he was fairly inside the door was shut with a bang , and the whole herd sprang at him , with their red tongues hanging out of their mouths . Quick as they were they were too late , for the mink was already through the knot-hole and racing for his canoe . The knot-hole was too small for the wolves , and there were so many of them in the hut that it was some time before they could get the door open . Then they seized the bows and arrows which were hanging on the walls and , once outside , aimed at the flying mink ; but as they pulled the bows broke in their paws , so they threw them away , and bounded to the shore , with all their speed , to the place where their canoes were drawn up on the beach . Now , although the mink could not run as fast as the wolves , he had a good start , and was already afloat when the swiftest among them threw themselves into the nearest canoe . They pushed off , but as they dipped the paddles into the water , they snapped as the bows had done , and were quite useless . ' I know where there are some new ones , ' cried a young fellow , leaping on shore and rushing to a little cave at the back of the beach . And the mink 's heart smote him when he heard , for he had not known of this secret store . After a long chase the wolves managed to surround their prey , and the mink , seeing it was no good resisting any more , gave himself up . Some of the elder wolves brought out some cedar bands , which they always carried wound round their bodies , but the mink laughed scornfully at the sight of them . ` Why I could snap those in a moment , ' said he ; ` if you want to make sure that I can not escape , better take a line of kelp and bind me with that . ' ` You are right , ' answered the grandfather ; ` your wisdom is greater than ours . ' And he bade his servants gather enough kelp from the rocks to make a line , as they had brought none with them . ` While the line is being made you might as well let me have one last dance , ' remarked the mink . And the wolves replied : ` Very good , you may have your dance ; perhaps it may amuse us as well as you . ' So they brought two canoes and placed them one beside the other . The mink stood up on his hind legs and began to dance , first in one canoe and then in the other ; and so graceful was he , that the wolves forgot they were going to put him to death , and howled with pleasure . ` Pull the canoes a little apart ; they are too close for this new dance , ' he said , pausing for a moment .
And the wolves separated them while he gave a series of little springs , sometime pirouetting while he stood with one foot XXXXX the prow of both .
After So although at from into of on through with