They explored the hut in the semi-darkness—a faint light reflected from the snow without permitting them to see. Examining the window through which the light came Jack found it covered by glass.
“Guess they won’t try that way,” he said.
“You never can tell,” replied Boris with a shake of his head. “If they are really desperate and hungry, they may try to spring through. The first would break the glass and the others would have no trouble getting in.”
“Well, it’s the only window in the place; we should be able to guard it,” said Jack.
He looked about the floor and at last picked up a big log that lay before the old fireplace. It was heavy, but the lad wielded it without difficulty.
“We should be able to hold them off with this,” he said.
The Russian looked at the weapon and nodded.
“By the Czar!” he exclaimed. “I had no idea you could handle that weight so easily.”
“As I told you before, I am no weakling,” replied Jack quietly. “We shall take turns at the door. I suppose the pack will draw off with the coming of day?”
“It depends,” said Boris, “upon how close we happen to be to other human beings. If we are close to the railroad, where men pass frequently, the pack will probably draw off at daylight. If not, we shall have to stand a siege.”