At that moment there was a sound of crashing glass and both looked toward the window just in time to see a huge grey shape come flying through and alight upon its feet on the floor.
Jack raised his log and would have brought it down on the animal’s head, but Boris cried:
“Guard the window! I’ll take care of this one.”
Jack leaped to obey and arrived just in time to bring the log crashing down on another head as it showed itself. While Boris struggled with the wolf inside, the lad disposed of four of the enemy.
Boris and the wolf that had succeeded in gaining an entrance sprang toward each other at the same moment. Both were wounded already, Boris with a bite in the shoulder from the animal he had encountered before entering the hut, and the wolf from a cut inflicted by the ragged pieces of glass as he passed through the window.
Boris presented his side as the wolf dodged and stepped slightly aside. The animal’s teeth nipped the Russian’s clothes, but failed to reach the flesh. Before the beast could recover, Boris had seized him by the throat with both hands.
A mighty grip, this, and the wolf struggled in vain, scratching and wriggling as it was lifted clear off the floor. Holding him at arm’s length, Boris continued to shut off the beast’s wind. The wolf gurgled once, twice and then became limp in Boris’ hands.
But Boris was wary. He had no mind to allow himself to be tricked, knowing well that a wolf, sometimes when cornered, resorted to all sorts of subterfuges. Boris held his grip for several minutes; then flung the wolf’s body from him.
“I guess that settles you,” he said quietly.
He approached the window to lend Jack a helping hand if necessary; but the enemy, having lost four of their number there, hung back.