“You’re about right,” replied the patrol leader, more seriously than before, the alarmed Step Hen thought. “Here, let’s throw a few blazing brands around, to scare ’em off some, while we lift the bundles up among the branches of this tree. Then, if anything should force us to take refuge there, at any rate we wouldn’t have to listen to the plaguey things chewing at our grub.”
This was accordingly done. When the burning bits of wood were hurled out toward them, the wolves temporarily retreated; but Thad knew full well they would soon crowd back, drawn by the scent of the fresh meat; and besides, he did not like to take the chances of setting the woods afire; just after he, and the balance of the Silver Fox Patrol, had accepted this new test of their abilities in the line of doing a good act as fire wardens.
The two packages of venison were easily hoisted into the tree, Step Hen readily climbing up himself in order to lift them still higher; so that by no possibility could a leaping wolf manage to get his teeth in either bundle.
Step Hen came down again a little unwillingly, Thad saw. It must have seemed good and safe up there, so far removed from the fangs of the encircling wolves; but after the fires had burned completely out, it would prove a pretty cold perch; and for one the young scoutmaster did not yearn to try it, unless every other resort failed them.
“Now watch what happens!” remarked Thad, as the other joined him again, gun in hand; “and remember, only shoot if you have to. I’ll hold one barrel in reserve all the time. After I shoot you’ll see me get a new shell in the chamber as quick as I can work it. Be ready, now; and watch sharp!”
No need to tell Step Hen that. He was already keyed up to top-notch condition by the excitement that caused his nerves to quiver, and his breath to come in gasps. And yet, if any one had accused the boy of being afraid, he would have at once indignantly denied the imputation. Perhaps he was holding himself sternly in hand; Thad hoped as much; but then some persons have a queer way of showing that they are cool and collected. Step Hen was one, for instance; but if all of us could realize just how we look to our neighbors, we might not feel quite so proud.
Thad had his gun ready for quick work. He only waited until he could glimpse one of those skulking, shadowy forms on the outside border of the light cast by the fire circle. Then he glanced along the barrels of his gun, though instinct enabled him to cover the target better than all this aiming; after which his finger pressed the trigger.
The boom of the gun was instantly succeeded by a series of alarming howls; and then Step Hen was heard shouting exultantly:
“You got him then, Thad! I saw him turn a back somersault. He’s a dead one, all right, I tell you, whoop!”