After considerable effort, and the wasting of many matches, so as to get the pine cones and needles started into a blaze, on account of the night wind that kept blowing them out as fast as Step Hen lighted them, the torches were finally made an accomplished fact.
“Wave it around some more, and the wind is going to keep it going,” advised Thad; “besides, the swinging motion will warn the wolves to keep away, if they don’t want to get their old hides singed. Now, if you’re feeling fit, we’ll make another stab at getting over the ground.”
Still Thad knew they would not go far before something else would happen; and he really expected that sooner or later they would have to do battle with the hungry four-footed denizens of the pine woods that had scented their fresh meat, and gave signs of meaning to possess some of it, no matter at what cost.
So Thad bent his mind on figuring out what they had better do if it came down to a halt. He knew that once they went into camp they could build several fires, so as to virtually surround themselves with a circle of flames, across which no wolf that ever lived would have the daring to jump. And consequently Thad did not feel so deeply concerned about how things would come out as his comrade did.
“Did you hear that and wasn’t it a nasty snarl, though?” demanded Step Hen after possibly five minutes more had passed.
“Yes, I heard it, and I suppose the beasts are closing in now,” Thad replied.
“Closing in! Oh! my gracious! Thad, we had ought to be finding a good tree like that Jim dandy one I wanted to climb, when you said no. These torches ain’t agoin’ to last much longer; and I don’t believe the critters care about ’em anyway. Hadn’t we better change the programme, Thad?”
“Well, one thing I object to,” the other answered; “after going to all this trouble to get venison, and losing our first deer to those woods’ pirates, I don’t feel like letting these measly wolves share in this second lot.”
“Them’s my sentiments exactly, Thad; but tell me how we’re agoin’ to prevent ’em, won’t you? If it comes right down to brass tacks we’ve just got to think of saving our own lives, first of all, and let the precious meat go. But then, if we found a tree, we might hang it up before climbing among the branches ourselves. Then, while they were jumping, and trying to snatch it down, we could be peppering the bunch like fun.”
“Leave it to me, Step Hen; I’ve got a plan worth two of that; though we might as well stop under this tree to try out; and if it comes to the worst we can climb up. But I don’t think it’s going to be necessary. Throw down your bundle, now, and get busy. We’re going to have a fire, two, three of ’em; and squatting in the middle of the string, we’ll just cook us some of this tender young buck, and snap our fingers at Mr. Wolf. If he gets too brash, why, we’ll give him a card with our compliments. Hurry up, and get a fire going, while I stand guard over you, Step Hen.”